Abstract: Provided are computer implemented methods and systems for selling products and services using crowdsourcing. An exemplary method comprises receiving information associated with a crowdsourcing item. The crowdsourcing item is associated with an owner of the crowdsourcing item. The information includes a target amount for crowdsourcing. One or more contributions associated with the crowdsourcing item are received from one or more users. The total amount of the contributions is periodically calculated. When determined that the total amount has reached the target amount, the total amount is transferred to the owner. Additionally, the crowdsourcing item may be produced by the owner using the contributions and delivered to the users who made contributions either by one item to each of the users or by a share of the crowdsourcing item proportional to the contribution made.

Abstract: A method for transmitting an order from a mobile device to a physical location of a merchant involves receiving, by the mobile device, the order while the mobile device is outside a predetermined distance from the physical location, storing the order to a storage device, and determining, by the mobile device and after storing the order, that the mobile device is within the predetermined distance from the physical location. The method further involves receiving, by the mobile device, a request from the user to submit the order after determining the mobile device is within the predetermined distance from the physical location, retrieving the order from the storage device in response to the request, and transmitting the order to the merchant after retrieving the order when the mobile device is within the predetermined distance of the physical location.

Abstract: A method for exploring similar items can include receiving a request to explore items similar to an item identified by a user and retrieving a set of similar items to output for display to the user. The similar items can be similar to the identified item, and the set of similar items can include one or more attribute values for each similar item. In addition, in response to receiving a selection of one or more of the attribute values by the user, the method can further include retrieving similar items corresponding to the user-selected attribute values. Moreover, the method can include outputting at least a subset of the similar items for display.

Abstract: A system and method for optimizing order fulfillment by considering multiple supply modes in one aspect, plans supply of inventory by forecasting demand, estimating accuracy of said forecasted demand, and establishing reorder point policy based at least on said accuracy of said forecasted demand and a plurality of supply transportation modes. Current inventory position is monitored and if the current inventory position is below the reorder point policy, orders are placed according to a selected shipping method. The selected shipping method may be based at least on customer order priority and transportation budget.

Abstract: First business process data obtained from a first trading participant includes a set of transaction messages having a first data format in accordance with a first protocol for conducting business transactions used by the first trading participant. A virtual trading participant receives fictitious business process data from the first trading participant and acknowledging the fictitious business process data and replying to the first trading participant that the fictitious business process data has been acknowledged. Operational characteristics and a connectivity of a currently trading participant connected to a process management platform accessible via an interconnection fabric are tested, by utilizing the virtual trading participant to determine if the data defining individual business processes is in a uniform format understood by a process management platform. The virtual trading participant is utilized to ensure compatibility with an identified version of the uniform format.

Abstract: A computer system includes one or more network interfaces configured to, for each of a plurality of benefactors, send to an electronic device of the benefactor information specifying an item desired by a beneficiary, wherein the item is offered for sale by a merchant at a price. The interfaces are also configured to, for each of the plurality of benefactors, receive from the benefactor electronic device information specifying a portion of the item price the benefactor agrees to pay. The computer system also includes a central processing unit (CPU) configured to determine that a sum of the portions of the item price the plurality of benefactors agreed to pay has reached the item price and in response pay the merchant for the item.

Abstract: A method and system for mining a database for product migration analysis includes querying product usage data for a legacy product and a new product from the database as time series data. The product usage data is representative for a large number of consumers of the legacy and new products. A mathematical model may be used to determine a relationship between the two time series data. Product migration values and other features related to product migration, such as a transition period of product usage, may be estimated, determined or predicted.

Abstract: A website provides facilities for organizing an event including location, time and date selection, performer selection and promotion. Users can present themselves as performers for selection by an event organizer for an event performance. Users at the event are permitted access to the website to upload recorded media from the event, which can be live streaming content. Users can comment on the event in association with the uploaded media. Previous event recordings and comments can be archived for later viewing. Users can rent and selectively send/receive media to/from other users. A VIP event purchase option is available for groups to register to attend an event. The website permits product and/or service purchases, such as event ticket purchase, where the event need not be organized through the website. Users may be granted special status as regular commentators.

Abstract: A method and system for group having and selling is provided, where dynamic priced offers are managed utilizing conditional pledging. In some embodiments, a dynamic priced offer management system includes an end user communication device in data connection with the system server, the server including a file with instructions to execute commands to enable execution of the offer management, a system database including is memory having stored thereon system data, offer data, and user data; a dynamic pricing module including instructions to execute commands to enable dynamic price offer management and a conditional pledging module including instructions to execute commands to enable conditional pledging.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an application pricing method and apparatus, pertaining to the field of the field of software technologies. The method includes: packaging a plurality of applications to obtain an application package; obtaining prices of applications in the application package in a predetermined charging mode; and obtaining by calculation the price of the application package in the predetermined charging mode according to the prices of the applications. According to the technical solutions of the present invention, an application package can be conveniently and quickly priced, and the charging mode of the application package is flexible and diversified.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a non-transitory processor-readable medium includes code to cause a processor to receive, via a first communication mode, a first indicator associated with a first user-performed process, and receive, via a second communication mode different from the first communication mode, a second indicator associated with a second user-performed process. The code includes code to cause the processor to identify, using the first indicator a first set of items for the first user-performed process, and identify, using the second indicator, a second set of items for the second user-performed process. The code further includes code to cause the processor to define a vendor-agnostic list to include the first set of items and the second set of items, and send a signal associated with at least a portion of the vendor-agnostic list to a communication device.

Abstract: A method of transacting sales over a computerized network defining a product desired to be purchased by a plurality of purchasers. A plurality of database records are produced and stored, each corresponding to a correlation between the product and a respective one of the purchasers. A cost-of-bid price is calculated in response to a first time rate at which the plurality of database records are accumulated in the database memory during the storing. The process is repeated to produce a cost-of-bid price that varies in time in response to the time rate of accumulation of the database records.

Abstract: A method and a system for determining a group buy preference corresponding to a group of social media platform users, determining an appropriate retailer corresponding to the determined group buy preference, and transmitting a request for a group buy deal corresponding to the group buy preference to the appropriate retailer.

Abstract: A method for organizing a group buy organizes a group of buyers and a seller through a website. The seller is able to list any number of items in each group buy, providing sale parameters for each of the items. Once the items are listed, buyers may enter the group buy to place bids on any or all of the listed items. The buyers may choose to bid different amounts on each item, as well as a purchase quantity for each item. Periodically a system will review the bids submitted by the buyers, forming groups to determine the highest profit that can be made based on different combinations of bids submitted by the buyers. The system calculates a highest potential profit for each item being offered and then sums said potential profits for a total profit. The group buy ends successfully if the sale parameters have been met.

Abstract: A method and system for managing trading in trading networks. At least one trading network package is offered. Each trading network package is based on negotiations occurring prior to receiving purchase requests from customer members of the trading network. Each trading network package is configured to include: (i) a value-add service offering offered by the trading network to the customer members for a fee, (ii) a managed package for which a customer member of the customer members provides a volume commitment and for which actual purchases are tracked; or (iii) both the value-add service offering and the managed package.

Abstract: A System and Method For Identifying and Purchasing Retail Products is disclosed. The system allows a community of members to communicate and interact with one another. A member or members of the community may provide information related to a desired product or service to the community of members who may then collectively create an aggregate purchase offer for the desired product or service to a merchant or merchants. The system further provides a mechanism for the merchant to either accept the aggregate purchase price or to provide a counter-offer, and further provides a mechanism for members of the community of members to either accept the counter-offer or to provide a new counter-offer to the merchant. The system and related methods may further interoperate with social networking systems and methods and provide social networking abilities to the community of members.

Abstract: A System and Method For Identifying and Purchasing Retail Products is disclosed. The system allows a community of members to communicate and interact with one another. A member or members of the community may provide information related to a desired product or service to the community of members who may then collectively create an aggregate purchase offer for the desired product or service to a merchant or merchants. The system further provides a mechanism for the merchant to either accept the aggregate purchase price or to provide a counter-offer, and further provides a mechanism for members of the community of members to either accept the counter-offer or to provide a new counter-offer to the merchant. The system and related methods may further interoperate with social networking systems and methods and provide social networking abilities to the community of members.

Abstract: Method and systems for providing item recommendations, displays categories (or tags) of recommended items where the categories are displayed using a quantity identifier indicative of the number of recommended items in that category. When a category is selected, a slide show viewer displays a number of items from the selected category.

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: This invention discloses a group-buying system and a method thereof. The system comprises a server end and a plurality of user ends. The system server provides a group-buying platform. The plurality of user ends is connected to the server end so as to log onto the group-buying platform. Wherein, user ends can create a group-buying message related to a specific product and display the group-buying message on the group-buying platform so as to launch a group-buying activity for the specific product. The group-buying message comprises a buyer number threshold value defining the minimum number of people which the group-buying activity needs. The server executes a trading procedure with each of the user ends joining the group-buying activity, when the number of people joining the group-buying activity is greater than or equal to the buyer number threshold value.

Abstract: A server stores personal information associated with a user of a wireless communication device. The server also receives from the wireless communication device an image of an item for sale and a price of the item, and appends the image and the price to include the user's email address and the delivery information.

Abstract: A method of organizing a trade includes in an electronic data processing system introducing by a plurality of users information about the users and about items which they are willing to buy and to sell, searching by the users information about items which they are willing to sell and to buy, generating connection between them, and based on the connections finding a plurality of groups of users, such that in each group of users there are a buy only buyer, a sell-only seller, and a plurality of buy/sell traders.

Abstract: Disclosed is facilitating granular job used vehicle transactions. Methods can include assessing a market value of a vehicle, integrating the assessed market value of the identified vehicle into a market model including an adaptive pricing strategy, and setting a seller-side price for the identified vehicle based on the adaptive pricing strategy. Methods can also include building a marketing model of the identified vehicle based on the adaptive pricing strategy, attracting a set of potential buyers based on the marketing model, receiving buyer-related information about each of the set of potential buyers, and identifying one or more qualified buyers from the set of potential buyers based on the buyer-related information of the one or more qualified buyers. Methods can also include facilitating a sale of the vehicle from the seller to at least one of the one or more qualified buyers.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for buyers to specify goods and services then aggregate demand to reduce price and minimize seller surplus. This enables consumers and small organizations to specify and obtain goods and services on terms usually available only to large organizations. An author can draft a RFQ or RFP then solicit comments and endorsements from opinion leaders who influence demand. The author will then publish the RFQ or RFP globally to prospective buyers to solicit binding commitments then offer the RFQ or RFP globally to prospective sellers to solicit binding bids. As the bid price declines the number of buyers will increase motivating a further reduction in bid price. The author can accept or reject each bid or make a counter-offer. If a bid is accepted, payment is exchanged for the specified goods and services.

Abstract: A method for adjusting prices for services is provided. One or more processors make a determination of an amount of requesters for a service at a given time and an amount of available service providers for providing the service at the given time. A price, relative to a default price, for using the service provided by one or more service providers is adjusted based on the determined amount of requesters and the determined amount of available service providers. Pricing data corresponding to the adjusted price is transmitted to one or more requesting devices or one or more provider devices so that the adjusted price can be displayed on at least one of the one or more requesting devices or the one or more provider devices and be indicative of an adjustment in price as compared to the default price.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed towards methods and systems for matching consumers with providers such as childcare providers. One implementation may include a web interface or application for a consumer, such as a parent, to build a network of providers that the consumer can draw upon. In one aspect, the consumer can leverage on existing relationships to build his/her own network of trusted sitters. Examples of existing relationships may include friends, family and social networks. The consumer's network may extend to a plurality of parents sharing a plurality of sitters. The consumer may leverage on cooperatives or other types of membership or affiliations to a group or other organization. For example, groups of parents may trade babysitting help amongst themselves within a cooperative or coop. In such a case, a parent can be a consumer or provider in relation to another member.

Abstract: The pricing of a product is programmatically managed by defining a plurality of pricing states for the product. Each pricing state has a pricing mechanism associated therewith. A pricing mechanism can be a variable pricing mechanism such as an auction. It can also be a fixed pricing mechanism for the sale, rental, or subscription of the product. One or more triggers are defined, each of which may include one or more trigger parameters, to enable the pricing of the product to transition from one pricing state to another pricing state. In this manner, an automated, systematic approach to pricing management is provided.

Abstract: A system and method utilizing an online communications network and hardware connecting users in a specific industry with each other for the purposes of facilitating an efficient identification and exchange of relevant goods and services. Industry specific search tools are provided to allow users to quickly delimit an inventory of products and services, thus efficiently locating what they seek. The inventory of products and services is provided by other users who provide the necessary criteria so that search tools can be effective. Additional functionality allows a user to contact another user to request additional information and initiate negotiations wherein a successful transaction may occur either on site or off site.

Abstract: Embodiments of sales generation, including sales generation employing reverse lead generation using vehicle data systems and methods, are presented herein. In particular, in certain embodiments a user may utilize the vehicle data system to obtain pricing data corresponding to a desired vehicle configuration. When the user is presented with the pricing data associated with the specified vehicle configuration the user may additionally be presented with an upfront price offered by a dealer, where by providing their personal information the user may obtain the name of the dealer offering the upfront price and may additionally be offered the opportunity to purchase the desired, or similar, vehicle at the upfront price.

Abstract: The method for reducing vendor bid amounts includes providing a supplier with an invitation to make a bid for supplying a digital print job. The print job is characterized by a demand for a first number of units by a select date. The method further includes determining if a demand condition can be met. The determination includes using historical data to calculate a first commitment quantity for current jobs being provided by the supplier. The first commitment quantity is then used to calculate a second commitment quantity. The second commitment quantity provides an estimate for the number of the units and a date. The second commitment quantity is displayed to the supplier. The method provides the supplier with an option to bid for producing the estimated number of units by the estimated date.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards to computerized social networks and e-commerce and facilitating ad-hoc screen sharing and co-browsing between users of a social network. The collaborative browsing includes group discounts. The collaborative browsing method comprises a server computer having a Shopping With A Friend (SWAF) server engine coupled to a database, a SWAF client engine coupled to the SWAF server engine and a plurality of client computers each having a web browser program that runs the SWAF client engine. The web browser program does not include a collaboration plug-in.

Abstract: The system refers a prospective customer to one or more prospective dealers. It identifies those dealers closest to the customer and gives preference to those with which the customer has had a previous relationship. A database stores customer contact information and information related to dealer locations. Using a computer, the prospective customer is prompted to enter some personal information. A database query checks for matching data in the customer contact database. A search of the dealer locations nearest to the customer is then performed. Results are combined and the display recommends at least one dealer location, giving preference to those locations where there has been a prior relationship.

Abstract: A peer-to-peer, collaborative, group-buying website permits customers co-pay and co-share items. The e-commerce website may locate and display an item offered for sale by a merchant. A sale price of the item may be displayed wherein use and sale price of the item may be shared between first and second customers. A first customer bid may be displayed to use the item for a first period of time wherein the first bid is equal to a first fraction of the sale price. A second customer bid may be displayed to use the item for a second period of time wherein the second bid is equal to a second fraction of the sale price. In this manner, the first and second customers are authorized to use the item for the first and second periods of time upon simultaneously paying the first and second fractions of the sale price.

Abstract: A system and method for aggregating services within a VoIP network. The VoIP network comprises a plurality of vendors, resellers, and users, and each reseller aggregates a plurality of services from the vendors and other resellers. Each type of service may be organized into two or more tiers, with each tier including one or more services. Each tier is presented to downstream users as a single price and is re-branded with the reseller's branding elements. Downstream users can select a desired service from a given tier, and the tier may automatically select a service that maximizes the profit for the reseller.

Abstract: Technologies are described herein for generating container plans for multi-item orders. The items of the order are divided into zones, where the zones may determine the picking zone and/or packaging requirements for the item. Zone-based container plans are generated for the items in the order associated with each individual zone. The container plan includes an assignment of each item to one or more logical shipping containers. A mixed container plan is also generated for all the items in the order regardless of the associated zone. If the number of logical shipping containers in the mixed container plan is less than the total number of logical shipping containers in the zone-based container plans, then a final container plan for the order is generated from the mixed container plan. Otherwise, the final container plan is generated by combining the zone-based plans for each zone associated with items in the order.

Abstract: Systems and methods for cost-based fulfillment tie breaking are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method may include receiving an indication of an order for an item stocked in a plurality of fulfillment centers, where a difference between a cost of fulfilling the order with one of the plurality of fulfillment centers and a cost of fulfilling the order with another one of the plurality of fulfillment centers is within a specified amount. The method may also include selecting a given one of the plurality of fulfillment centers to fulfill the order based, at least in part, upon expected costs corresponding to inventory positions that would result from fulfilling the order with each of the plurality of fulfillment centers.

Abstract: Systems and methods that deliver game supplies are described. In some embodiments, a method receives a request for in-game supplies from a first player in an interactive social game. The method presents multiple supply options where each supply option has an associated processing time. A supply option selection is received from the first player that indicates selection of one of the multiple supply options. A supply fulfillment invitation is distributed to a second player of the interactive social game. An in-game benefit is provided to the second player in response to acceptance of the supply fulfillment invitation. The first player is notified upon completion of the processing time for the selected supply option, which indicates availability of the requested in-game supplies to the first player.

Abstract: A business process is described for conducting business transactions over the Internet, allowing buyers an opportunity to reduce the price of a product/service based on the buyer's performance during a Price-Determining-Activity (PDA). Sellers offer the product/service within a specified price range, and buyers agree to a binding agreement, in exchange for the opportunity to close the transaction at the lowest price by achieving a high score or performance during the PDA. The price may change during the PDA, and the available price at any given time may be displayed or otherwise made available to the buyer. The price change may be continuous, at intervals, in response to certain events. The PDA may be a video game, electronic board game, sports bet, card game, or any other activity, or against the seller, a software opponent, or a computer opponent. The PDA may involve another buyer competing for the same product/service.

Abstract: Freshness inventory control problem may be formulated as a stochastic dynamic program. In one aspect, a stochastic dynamic programming formulation takes as input inventory status, stochastic demand forecast and cost information associated with on-hand inventory. The stochastic dynamic programming formulation is maximized to determine order quantity and depletion quantity of the product per period.

Abstract: A method and system are provided that enable buyers and sellers to communicate with each other and to negotiate the purchase terms of featured merchandise in a group-buying opportunity. Sellers and buyers may use various forms of on-line group-buying mechanisms in conjunction with the negotiation features of the invention. Buyers may send various inquiries to sellers regarding merchandise offered for sale through the online group-buying sale. Sellers may respond to buyer questions and queries, and in some instances, sellers may communicate instructions to the on-line group-buying mechanism to alter the course of an on-line group-buying sale in progress, e.g., a further reduction in price. The method and system further provides a mechanism for calculating a demand curve based on received buyer offers and applying the demand curve to an on-line group-buying sale.

Abstract: Network trading systems and methods to be used in an application (App) download use environment are provided. At least one consumer selects required applications by using system operational interfaces (ex. browser pictures, window interface, software operational interfaces), and determines a price expected to buy the selected application. A developer of applications determines to supply the selected application to the at least one consumer with a free promotion and/or a price reduction promotion, according to the number of the consumer expected to buy the application, and/or in addition, the at least one consumer can exchange and use the application according to his use situation.

Abstract: A system for operating a marketplace for provision of services requiring skill, comprising a plurality of servers coupled to a data network, a registration software module deployed on at least one of the servers and adapted to enable the registration of a plurality of skilled workers, a worker skills management software module deployed on at least one of the servers and adapted to measure or manage skill levels of workers, and a contract management software module deployed on at least one of the servers. According to the embodiment, the contract management software module matches a buyer and a skilled worker based at least on the skilled worker's possessing a required skill and on the price satisfying rules established for the buyer and for the skilled worker.

Abstract: A system and method for a software licensing system for use in e.g., a variable time-based licensing, is provided. Such a system includes a secure device, including a first computer readable medium, configured to connect to a computer, including a second computer readable medium and microprocessor. The secure device can further include a chips pool which stores inactive chips, and a chips accounting manager, operable to receive license requests for software tools and to determine whether to grant the license request. In this context “chips” can be considered a currency which can be traded to use software tools for a period of time associated with each chip. The system further includes a license server, executing on the computer. The license server can include a license manager which tracks active chips and manages activated chip check-in and checkout, and a chips cache which stores activated chips.

Abstract: A dynamic property buying and selling system is described. The system is comprised of networked hardware, software, processes and methods that enable an auction like system to probe the market and inform buyers, sellers and interested third parties of current market demand information including dynamics. The described system may be used in real estate and other markets to complete early stages of a negotiation process as well as enable buyers and sellers to test for market demand information. Third party observers may use the system to investigate and report on market demand information and test economic theories regarding the market of interest. An integrated expert system is useful to buyers, sellers and third party observers in providing answers to queries regarding correlation of auction parameters and optimization of parameters for particular desired outcomes.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a multiple party order coordination system includes a process for providing a multiple party order coordination system whereby a given consumer, i.e., a first party, is provided the opportunity to try and combine one or more of the given consumer's product and/or service orders with one or more other consumers' product and/or service orders, i.e., with one or more other parties' product and/or service orders, into a combined multiple party order. A communication system is provided whereby the multiple parties can communicate, and/or negotiate, and/or coordinate, the merger/combination of their respective orders and establish one or more operating parameters such as, but not limited to, purchase dates, delivery dates, delivery locations, purchase price, and payment method and timing.

Abstract: A method on a server for managing discount offers for a plurality of users over a communications network. The method includes receiving a discount offer, wherein a discount offer comprises at least a product or service description, an initial price, a discount price less than the initial price, a minimum number of acceptances and a time deadline, and transmitting the discount offer to the plurality of users. The method further includes receiving acceptances of the discount offer, and executing a preliminary credit card authorization transaction for each acceptance received, at the initial price. The method further includes calculating a number of acceptances, detecting the time deadline, and effectuating a sale of the product or service at the discount price to each user that accepted, if the number of acceptances is greater than or equal to the minimum number of acceptances, including executing a final credit card authorization transaction.

Abstract: A supply chain management platform. Product information is gathered to create a product catalog having atomic product records. The product records are linked to product offers from suppliers. A retailer can select product for integration into the retailer's product catalog. Orders from retailers are matched to product offers and assigned to the corresponding supplier for fulfillment of the order. Retailers and suppliers are given visibility in to the system to maximize efficiencies.

Abstract: A product configurator includes a constraint based network that includes a plurality of nodes. The configurator receives one or more user selections and generates one or more automatic selections to form a complete configuration. The configurator receives a request to change the configuration after forming the complete configuration, and retracts the automatic selections. For each of the retracted automatic selections, the configurator determines if the retracted automatic selection is a configuration-defining selection and reasserts the configuration-defining selections.

Abstract: A method on a server for managing discount offers for a plurality of users over a communications network. The method includes receiving a discount offer, wherein a discount offer comprises at least a product or service description, an initial price, a discount price less than the initial price, a minimum number of acceptances and a time deadline, and transmitting the discount offer to the plurality of users. The method further includes receiving acceptances of the discount offer, and detecting attainment of a predefined time before the time deadline. The method further includes decreasing the minimum number of acceptances by a numerical decrement, if the number of acceptances is less than the minimum number of acceptances at the predefined time before the time deadline, and re-transmitting the discount offer with a decreased minimum number of acceptances to the mobile computers of the plurality of users.

Abstract: A system for pricing goods or services has a database of members that join through a social networking site where the members have input pertaining to goods or services, identify one or more products or services they desire to purchase, a processor determines whether a good or service is desired by a sufficient number of members to justify bidding on that good or service, there is communication of the members' desire to purchase at a target price, and an acceptance of the price by said purveyor or a boycott of such purveyor by said members. The members'wish lists and desired aggregate product choices and price points are calculated to arrive at a discounted target price. issues of interest to members may be the focus of the boycott of related goods or services or to boycott a good or service associated with an entity to achieve societal or government change.