Abstract: Described are embodiments for valuing products or services. In one embodiment, a buyer is enabled to anonymously access content from a website, choose one of several payment options that most closely reflect the buyer's perceived value of the content and to pay for the product while still maintaining anonymity. The buyer is required to make a payment, even if it is zero, to maintain his/her purchase power and ability to continue buying from a particular seller as well as to use this facility. The embodiment maintains statistical data on all purchases and an amount paid by each of the buyers and offers an ability to provide and display numerical and textual feedback to the sellers regarding the quality and relevance of the accessed content.

Abstract: A method and a system generate a reputation value for a user in a network-based community. A processor-implemented transaction data collector module collects transaction data of users of a network-based community. A processor-implemented transaction graph generator module generates a transaction graph based on the collected transaction data. The transaction graph has a transaction relationship between two users, and a weight corresponding to the transaction relationship. The weight is representative of a mutually reinforcing relationship between two users. A processor-implemented reputation generator module generates a reputation value for a user from the transaction graph.

Abstract: A method may include receiving, at a service server, a request for services from a requesting device. The service server may identify one or more service options responsive to the request and send a list of the identified service options to the requesting device. The service server may receive a selected service option from the requesting device. The service server may collect payment information for the selected service option from the requesting device and providing accounting information to a service provider of the selected service option based on the payment information.

Abstract: A method of effecting a sale over a computer network in which it is determined whether a user passes fraud control before effecting a sale over a computer network. Information associated with a method of payment, such as credit card information, debit card information, checking account information, a telephone service account, a cable television account, a utility service account, or an Internet service provider account, is requested from the user after the user passes the fraud control. Information associated with the method of payment is received from the user in real time. Method-of-payment information is communicated to a payment authorization database, which can be located locally or remotely. The method-of-payment information includes the received information associated with the method of payment. Payment authorization information associated with the method of payment is received from the payment authorization database.

Abstract: A system is described to facilitate online transactions via mobile communications, including a plurality of converters to interface with a plurality of controllers in different formats for delivery of premium messages, and a common format processor coupled with the plurality of converters in a common format to send the premium messages. The common format processor receives a web request from a mobile phone, in response to a user selection within a mobile application executed separately from a browser application on the mobile phone, provides a web page in response to confirm a pre-defined purchase, transmits at least one premium message to the mobile phone using a first converter to obtain funds for the pre-defined purchase, and communicates with the merchant to make the pre-defined purchase on behalf of the user.

Abstract: Modern technologies of signal processing and real-time feedback adaptive control are applied to a fraud screen model to enable the fraud screen model to adapt to changes in shopping behavior to effectively maintain the model's performance on a review rate score curve continuously. Multiple techniques disclosed herein integrate control technologies with modeling technology to control the review rate score curve in real time.

Abstract: Determining permissibility of a transaction includes: receiving new execution information associated with a transaction; determining specified characteristics in the new execution information; determining a plurality of similarity measures between the specified characteristics of the new execution information and specified characteristics of a set of stored execution information; selecting, based on the plurality of similarity measures, a set of similar execution information from the set of stored execution information; and determining permissibility associated with the new execution information based at least in part on computation that is based at least in part on permissible information and impermissible information of the set of similar execution information.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system for determining a list of providers of a commodity. During operation, the system receives a description of the commodity from a customer at a server. Then, the system uses the description to identify a list of providers of the commodity. Next, the system receives a specification of a set of desired provider-traits from the customer. The system then filters the list of providers of the commodity based on the desired provider-traits to obtain a filtered list of providers of the commodity. Finally, the system presents the filtered list of providers to the customer.

Abstract: A fraud management system is configured to store rules for detecting fraud. The fraud management system is configured to: receive a transaction involving a consumer and a merchant; select a set of the rules based on information associated with the transaction, information associated with the consumer, or information associated with the merchant; process the transaction, in parallel, using the selected rules to generate a set of alarms; group the alarms, into groups, based on information associated with the transaction; analyze the groups to generate a fraud score; and output information regarding the fraud score to the merchant to notify the merchant whether the transaction is potentially fraudulent.

Abstract: A fraud management system is configured to store rules for detecting fraud. The fraud management system is further configured to receive a transaction involving a consumer and a merchant; obtain network security information associated with malicious activity in a voice network or a data network, where the network security information indicates that the consumer has been involved in malicious activity in the voice network or in the data network; select a subset of rules based on the network security information and information associated with the transaction, the merchant, or the consumer; process the transaction using the subset of rules to generate alarms; process the alarms to generate a fraud score for the transaction; and output information regarding the fraud score to the merchant to assist the merchant in determining whether to accept, deny, or fulfill the transaction.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments provide an electronic procurement system and process that enables a buyer or purchasing organization to maintain explicitly or implicitly, a contract price between the buyer/purchasing organization and the supplier whose catalog is integrated with an electronic marketplace. In one embodiment, a process is executed that compares the listed/purchase price of catalog items against the contract price or against a ‘normal’ purchase price. A user (e.g. the buyer) may configure and receive specific alerts regarding items that are purchased in deviation of contracted price and items that have been added to the catalog since the last contract. Disclosed embodiments may also maintain, automatically, the historical price and purchase information of supplier catalog items that are enabled through the electronic marketplace.

Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, example embodiments of a transaction system that may receive, over a network, a first set of transaction data associated with a transaction for an item. In an example embodiment, a reputation application may adjust a rating associated with the transaction when the first set of transaction data indicates a purchase or a return of the item.

Abstract: An improved processing system for tracking commerce on the Internet provides for subvariable processing and includes web page scanning to discern fraud or improper content to insure proper promotion of select products within the network environment.

Abstract: Enabling a supplier is disclosed. An indication of a transaction associated with a business process between a buyer and a supplier is received. A supplier enablement action is initiated in response to receiving the indication. The supplier enablement action is associated with enabling the supplier to join a supplier network.

Abstract: A method of effecting a sale over a computer network in which it is determined whether a user passes fraud control before effecting a sale over a computer network. Information associated with a method of payment, such as credit card information, debit card information, checking account information, a telephone service account, a cable television account, a utility service account, or an Internet service provider account, is requested from the user after the user passes the fraud control. Information associated with the method of payment is received from the user in real time. Method-of-payment information is communicated to a payment authorization database, which can be located locally or remotely. The method-of-payment information includes the received information associated with the method of payment. Payment authorization information associated with the method of payment is received from the payment authorization database.

Abstract: A full-service turn-key in-application commerce solution with fraud detection is disclosed that provides web service interfaces to a commerce system. The in-application solution features fraud detection with user behavior tracking and fraud controls that limit the features that are offered to a user. Fraud detection involves input from the application, the commerce system, or third party systems. User fraud scores are updated frequently as events are processed. Controls are applied to the user account based on the user fraud score and risk classifications for ranges of fraud scores. An in-application solution also features a wallet with a personal threshold for microtransaction spending, limiting the amount that the user is allowed to spend before a wallet is cleared. The wallet is integrated with the fraud detection such that the personal threshold is determined from the user's latest fraud score.

Abstract: A system to facilitate computer-based commerce includes receiving information relating to an item to be transacted via a computer-based commerce system from a first party. Criterion information specifying at least one criterion to be satisfied by a second party in order for the second party to be qualified to transact for the item via the computer-based commerce system is received from the first party. An automatic determination is made as to whether the second party satisfies the at least one criterion and if so, then the second party is automatically qualified to transact for the item via the computer-based commerce system.

Abstract: A method of conducting transactions over the Internet, comprising the steps: opening an online market; applying membership, wherein a member is classified into classes A, B or C; class A member is a professional institution/person who provides security services for a market transaction order; class B member is a seller/provider who participates in network goods/service transactions; and class C member is a purchaser who participates in the network goods/service transactions; establishing a market website; equipping with a website server; drafting market rules; wherein class A member verifies authenticity of general and performance information, which are inputted into market website server by a market administrative institution, declared by class B member; the members learn about financial conditions from one another via the Internet by using a network terminal unit, and negotiate online transactions and sign a contract; and the seller/provider provides goods/service, whereas the buyer fulfill online payment.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a multi-step authentication-based electronic payment method using a mobile terminal. Order request information of a product is sequentially transmitted to an affiliated store server and a PG company server, and the product and a relevant affiliated store are verified. A mobile communication company server primarily authenticates the user, and the PG company server generates an OTP. The OTP is transmitted to allow the PG company server to secondarily authenticate the user using the OTP. The affiliated store server requests the PG company server to confirm information about a payment for the product and information about authentication of the user, and the PG company server confirms payment and authentication information. The affiliated store server requests the PG company server to process payment for the product, the PG company server requests the mobile communication company server to process payment, and the mobile communication company server processes requested payment.

Abstract: A method for partially verifying the legitimacy of a remote purchase request based on a card number from a card issuing financial institution. The method includes receiving and storing a first purchase request information set including an origin and a card number. Further, the origin and the card number are sent to the card issuing financial institution to determine if the origin matches an origin on file for the card number at the card issuing financial institution.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a management method and system for the selection of a reliable, trusted and safe certified contractor from a proprietary information database. More particularly the database will contain contractors that have undergone a thorough background investigation so that only company and individual contractors satisfying the certification requirements can be allocated to homeowners.

Abstract: A prescribed virtual person was created for allowing a real person (user) in the actual world to pretend to be the virtual person (virtual person) and act as the virtual person when acting on a network and registered in a database 12a of a financial institution 7 for enabling the user to make shopping or the like as the virtual person with an electronic certificate issued by the financial institution 7 for the virtual person when pretending to be the virtual person and acting on the network, and the address of the virtual person necessary as the destination of a purchased article was set to a nearby convenience store. When acting on the network as the virtual person, cookies are rendered easily acceptable as compared with the case of the real person.

Abstract: A method and system for verifying authenticity of items sold online through e-commerce sites are described. A verification server performs a post purchase authentication of products previously pre-authenticated by the seller. The pre-authentication includes a verification of whether a code matches with a corresponding item as indicated by the seller.

Abstract: A method and system to automate payment for a network-based commerce transaction provide a buyer an option to enable an automatic payment service, wherein automatic payment service automatically provides payment to a seller upon a termination event of a network-based commerce transaction. Payment information of the buyer is provided to a network-based payment system upon the occurrence of the termination event.

Abstract: Guaranteed funds from a buyer are held until a delivery to the buyer is confirmed by a payment provider. The funds are then released to the seller immediately upon confirmation. Confirmation may be accomplished by the buyer entering an identifier upon delivery or some other confirmation by the shipper, where the identifier was provided to the buyer during the transaction with the seller. In other embodiments, the identifier generated by the payment provider is provided partially to the buyer and partially to the seller. Upon receiving a match of the identifier from the buyer and seller on delivery, buyer funds are released to the seller.

Abstract: A method that commences by receiving a bid for a particular sales listing from a first bidder that is not pre-approved to bid on the particular sales listing. The method continues by restricting the bid for the particular sales listing from the bidding process associated with the particular sales listing, the restricting based on the requirement of the first bidder to be pre-approved to bid on the particular sales listing.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electronic data processing system for conducting auctions over a data network. A component of the system consists of an auction server, which is connected to the data network and which has an auction database for managing auction data records containing product description data and bid data. A number of bidder terminals are connected to the data network and comprise appropriate means for retrieving data from the auction database and comprise means for transmitting bid data to the auction server. The aim of the invention is to enable the effective and economical use of conventional internet auction platforms by product manufacturers and retailers in order to sell goods. To this end, the invention provides that the electronic data processing system is supplemented by a retailer server, which is connected to the data network, and by an intermediary server that is also connected to the data network.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for utilizing, processing, distributing and an accompanying business model for sea algae, particularly forced cultured kombu, to prevent the expansion of global warming, by encouraging a re-purchase of the cultured sea algae, by paying the purchaser back, in a constant rate, a part of the profit from the sales of a CO2 omission right, which right depends upon the CO2 absorption and fixation ability.

Abstract: A method for facilitating and enabling a retailer having original manufacture surplus inventory of a product to sell the inventory to another retailer or to the general consuming public. The method comprises use of a Web site having a first level or portion exclusively for sales between subscribers to the site, such as retailers, and a second level or portion for sales between a retailer and the general consumer. The method includes receiving information regarding the surplus inventory product and an invoice from the vendor or original manufacturer of the product. An entity associated with the Web site verifies the authenticity of the product and facilitates the sale of the products with another retailer at a first price, or with the general consumer at a second price. In certain instances, a vendor can be a subscriber for selling to other subscribers.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed to detect fraud by displaying on a buyer's computer a high value item next to one or more commonly purchased items to attract a fraudster; analyzing customer purchasing behavior on the high value item for an indication of fraud; and indicating fraud if the buyer buys the high value item without prior history.

Abstract: An example embodiment for providing one or more applications to one or more customers of an online application store via a partner website starts with hosting the partner web site and an online application store. A partner, from the partner web site, may make an application available for purchase and use to one or more customers. The one or more customers, may purchase and download the application from the online application store.

Abstract: Among other things, receiving public information about an actively managed fund, selecting a group of financial assets, determining a group of weights corresponding to the group of financial assets thereby determining a weighted group of financial assets, the weights being determined based only on the public information, and publishing the contents of the weighted group of financial assets, wherein an expected valuation of the weighted group of financial assets is within a threshold percentage of an expected valuation of the actively managed fund.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer readable medium for authorization of independent agents for processing calls and distribution of calls to authorized agents are provided. An independent agent may purchase or otherwise acquire credits for leads related to commerce transactions. The credits may be maintained by a call center and accessed by a device responsible for routing calls to agents. Calls or other transactions leads may then be directed to the independent agent, and the independent agents credits may be deducted accordingly.

Abstract: A universal shopping cart is provided that obtains and orders products and services from different merchants located on the Internet. The consumer completes all of their shopping on the shopping site and is not directed to another merchant's site to complete an order. The universal shopping cart provides a monitoring service that allows the consumer to monitor a product for specified criteria. The order injection system places orders for products contained within the universal shopping cart from affiliated and non-affiliated merchants. Specific ordering details required from merchants external to the shopping site are hidden from the consumer. For external merchant sites that require a consumer account before allowing the product to be purchased, the shopping site creates a new consumer account without intervention from the consumer. Once the products are ordered, the consumer may keep track of the ordered products from the shopping site.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a method and apparatus for distributing digital information, such as software applications, to application users. By providing the digital information on unused memory space of a computer system, and providing a process for authorizing access to the information, the information can be efficiently and cost effectively transferred to users. Traditional inventory and distribution channel difficulties are avoided.

Abstract: Systems and interfaces communicate information that is necessary to facilitate online firearms transactions with improved certainty and legality. Centralized and standardized pricing indexes provide information that can be used to make educated transaction-related decisions. Firearm regulation data is used to cross-reference jurisdictional requirements and transaction location data to ensure legal compliance with the firearms transactions. Online auction data is filtered according to corresponding jurisdictional requirements as well as inventory records to limit transactions to available and legal transactions. Transaction data is generated and used by FFLs to verify transaction data and to complete the transactions that are initiated by the sellers and buyers.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a method and apparatus for distributing digital information, such as software applications, to application users. By providing the digital information on unused memory space of a computer system, and providing a process for authorizing access to the information, the information can be efficiently and cost effectively transferred to users. Traditional inventory and distribution channel difficulties are avoided.

Abstract: A system for conducting secure on-line transactions includes a user communication device, a third party server, and one or more merchant servers. The user communication device can communicate with one or more preapproved merchants from within a virtualized environment using a custom browser. The custom browser supports only a single connection at any given time and only if the connection is to one of the preapproved merchants. The merchant website includes a custom markup language that can be parsed by the custom browser to render web pages on the user communication device.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a method and apparatus for distributing digital information, such as software applications, to application users. By providing the digital information on unused memory space of a computer system, and providing a process for authorizing access to the information, the information can be efficiently and cost effectively transferred to users. Traditional inventory and distribution channel difficulties are avoided.

Abstract: A system and method for facilitating electronic commerce over a network, according to one or more embodiments, includes communicating with a user via a user device and an issuer of payment media via an issuer device over the network, the payment media being issued to the user by the issuer, receiving user instruction over the network to link the payment media to a user account related to the user, prompting the user over the network to input a secure password known only by the issuer and the user, receiving the secure password from the user over the network, verifying that the payment media is owned by the user over the network via a secure protocol, returning a response to the user related to verification of the payment media, and storing payment media verification information.

Abstract: A micro-payment system has buyers, sellers, and a broker. The buyers establish accounts with the broker and provide payment information allowing the broker to invoice the buyers. The sellers establish accounts with the brokers and specify terms for accessing items, including electronic content, available from the sellers. The sellers also provide payment information that allows the broker to credit the sellers for sales of the items. The broker aggregates the buyers' micro-payment purchases and invoices the buyers. The broker also aggregates the sellers' micro-payment sales and credits the sellers.

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: Techniques are described for automatically identifying and inhibiting suspect electronic communications between users, such as for electronic communications that may reflect fraudulent activities by one or more of the users or that are otherwise inappropriate for one or more reasons. In some situations, the communications may relate to transactions in which the users are involved, such as for users that are buyers and sellers of items interacting via one or more electronic marketplaces. The communications may occur via a communication mechanism provided by an electronic marketplace that acts as an intermediary between the sender of a communication and the one or more intended recipients of the communication. The automatic identification of suspect communications that may be inappropriate includes automatically assessing the communications in one or more ways, and identified suspect communications and any associated inappropriate user activities may be inhibited in various ways.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide a method and a system for receiving selection of a plurality of entities in the network-based facility from an administrator, receiving selection of an action from the administrator, and applying the selected action to each entity in the plurality of entities.

Abstract: An online evaluation system and method compute multiple types of evaluation parameters including at least an overall evaluation type and a categorical evaluation type using evaluation data received from users. The system calls the multiple types of evaluation parameters upon receiving a request for evaluation information of the user of the second type from a web page, and sends the multiple types of evaluation parameters to a front end of the system to be displayed to a user who has requested the information. The multiple types of evaluation parameters are displayed on a web page using a format pre-configured by the system. Using the method and system help achieve a more comprehensive evaluation of the user, and provide more detailed, more accurate and more reliable evaluation information.

Abstract: An online machine data collection and archiving process generates a machine data profile of a customer computer accessing a transaction form of a merchant web site and links the machine data profile and a transaction record with customer identifying information using a unique transaction identification string. The process may capture parameters typically communicated as a part of web accesses, such as an IP address, an HTTP header, and cookie information. The process additionally causes the customer computer to process self-identification routines by processing coding within the merchant transaction form, the self-identification routines yielding further profile parameters. The process further includes a routine for bypassing an intervening proxy to the merchant web site to reveal the true IP address of the customer computer. Identifying the customer computer is useful for functions such as fraud detection and marketing.

Abstract: In various exemplary embodiments, a system and associated method to provide customized combination package best offers is disclosed. The method includes receiving a selection of a plurality of items from a potential buyer, the selection of the plurality of items creating a customized combination package. A determination is made as to whether the potential buyer is qualified to make the best offer. Available price history associated with the customized combination package is provided to a qualified buyer. A best offer from the qualified buyer is then received and provided to a seller selling the plurality of items.

Abstract: A system and process for establishing prices for products on line and for allowing acquisition of those products from retailers that honor such prices. The system and process involve a customer having a credit card account, a computer terminal configured to access a network, and a central authority coupled to the computer terminal via the network. The central authority maintains information about a product and a corresponding price. The price is established by the central authority and the central authority is configured to communicate the information about the product and the price to the customer via the network. Also involved is a credit card processor that is coupled to the central authority. The credit card processor is configured to query the information maintained by the central authority and to receive the price from the central authority. A retailer is involved and includes a point-of-sale system coupled to the central authority and to the credit card processor.

Abstract: A system is described for allowing a user, operating a trusted device, to remotely log into a server via a potentially untrustworthy client. The system operates by establishing a first secure connection between the client and the server. The system then establishes a second secure connection between the device and the server through the client. The user then remotely logs into the server over the second secure connection using the device. The second secure connection is tunneled within the first secure connection, preventing the untrustworthy client from discovering personal information associated with the user. According to one feature, prior to forming the second secure connection, the user can establish a pairing relationship with the client by reading an address of the client using any kind of reading mechanism. According to another feature, the device can receive marketing information in the course of a transaction.

Abstract: A process for managing leads includes the steps of: presenting an offer to a potential customer; receiving personal information from the potential customer; verifying that the personal information came from a reliable source; checking the personal information for validity; analyzing contracts of companies looking to buy leads to determine if a potential buyer fits any criteria of any of the contracts; if at least one contract is not found, placing the potential buyer in a reprocessing pool; and if at least one contract is found, placing the potential buyer into a pool of a plurality of potential buyers. The process goes on to select a winner for a lead from the pool of potential buyers.