Abstract: A method is provided of anonymizing an interaction between a user entity and a service provider node wishing to provide a service to the user entity in dependence upon characteristics of the user entity determined or revealed as a result of the interaction, the method comprising: assigning the user entity to at least one set, each set comprising as members a plurality of user entities sharing a characteristic associated with that set; ensuring that the intersection of the at least one set comprises at least a predetermined minimum number of user entities; and providing to the service provider node information relating to the or each characteristic associated with the at least one set, the information being for use at the service provider node in providing a service to the user entity that is appropriate in view of the characteristics of the user entity but insufficient to identify the user entity.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for using contributor-provided attributes in conjunction with an electronic item catalog. A computer reconciles a plurality of attributes for an item in an electronic catalog using feedback data related to the item. Each of the attributes is provided by one of a plurality of merchants. The reconciled attribute of the item is updated in the electronic catalog.

Abstract: The described embodiments relate to systems, methods and computer readable media for bidding on service requests, that involves receiving a service request, wherein the service request comprises a user identifier, a location and a destination; generating a bid request corresponding to the service request; receiving a plurality of bids, wherein each bid comprises a service provider identifier for a corresponding service provider, a cost and a service time; transmitting the plurality of bids; and receiving a selected bid of the plurality of bids.

Abstract: Rating information is maintained that is associated with one or more sources from which a product of interest can be purchased. Search criteria is received from a user that defines a product of interest. A plurality of sources are selected from which the user can transact for a product that satisfies the search criteria based at least in part on the rating information associated with one or more sources in the set. One or more sources can be determined from the rating information that have an acceptable rating value, or alternatively, a higher rating value than other sources in the set. A plurality of links may be displayed that individually locate a corresponding one of the plurality of sources. The plurality of links may be positioned, for example, based on the referral compensation provided by the sources of one or more of the links. The link that identifies the source with the highest or higher rating values may be identified to the user.

Abstract: A computer-implemented process is useful for inspecting a shopping cart in preparation for a rapid checkout from a retail store, the shopping cart including items scanned for purchase by the customer during a shopping trip in the retail store. The process includes monitoring, within a computerized server, an initiation of a rapid checkout by the customer and generating, within a computerized processor, an inspection list for a store employee based upon the initiation. The inspection list includes a summary of items scanned by the customer.

Abstract: Embodiments for determining whether the activity of a customer within a retail store violates a business rules are disclosed. The embodiments include a customer performing actions within a retail store via a mobile computing device, generating at least one business rule, and comparing the customer's actions with the business rules.

Abstract: A global currency for crowdsourcing which comprises stored credibility values for every buyer (of human intelligence) and seller (of human intelligence) in a crowdsourcing system is described, creating an ecosystem where buyers and sellers are interdependent on each other. This dependence is the property of a global currency of credibility, where a buyer's credibility is a function of the credibility of the sellers who engaged with HITs published by the buyer, while the credibility of a seller is a function of the credibility scores associated with the HITs, which in turn is dependent on the buyer's credibility. The credibility scores are updated with every HIT completion and propagated through a network that connects HITs with buyers, sellers and platforms, as well as sellers with other sellers and buyers with other buyers. Buyers and sellers can bid, auction and refer HITs as a function of their credibility scores.

Abstract: One embodiment is directed toward a process for a merchant inspection, where a guaranteed shopping server inspects online merchants to ensure they are reliable, financially stable, and committed to providing a great online shopping experience to the buyer/user. Next, this service monitors merchants on a regular basis, to ensure they deliver on their terms of sale, thus assuring purchasers of an overall safe online experience. Next, the guaranteed shopping service provides, a guarantee for added peace of mind for the purchaser. In accordance with one embodiment, a guarantee is provided to the buyer including ID theft protection, a purchase guarantee and a lowest price guarantee. As with other type of guarantees, certain restrictions and terms may apply. If a buyer does experience a problem with an online merchant, a benefit claim can be made and once the claim is validated, guaranteed shopping coverage can apply.

Abstract: A method and system is provided for evaluating an application manufacturer's credibility to produce or maintain a mobile device application. The method includes gathering information about an application manufacturer, wherein the information includes at least one of: (i) publicly available information about the manufacture; (ii) private information provided by the manufacturer; and (iii) source code information for the application developed by the manufacturer. With the computer system, the gathered information is stored in a manufacturer profile, which includes a plurality of attributes of the manufacturer. The computer system uses the manufacturer profile to calculate a score for the manufacturer, which is then used to calculate an application risk score associated with applications produced or maintained by the manufacturer. The risk score reflects, at least in part, the credibility of the manufacturer to produce or maintain the mobile device application.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and apparatus for providing a reputation-building voluntary digital commerce system. Under this system, a new type of payment referred to herein as a “Compelled Payment” is a voluntary digital payment that contributes to building the consumer's reputation (the “C-Rep”). The C-Rep is, in certain embodiments, a quantity which has one or more attributes that provide a measure of the consumer's stature, in absolute terms or in comparison with others. In a compelled payment system, the consumer's C-Rep may determines significant aspects of the consumer's digital experience such as the speed, variety, currency (i.e. how recent), quality and quantity of digital content, goods or services (i.e. the wares) the consumer is offered or is able to access anywhere in the consumer's digital experience with C-Merchants.

Abstract: An approach is provided for processing transaction payments. The transaction engine receives payment information, from a device, for completing a transaction between a first party and a second party, wherein the payment information is for requesting, at least in part, a payment approval from at least one payment service provider. Next, the transaction engine determines historical transaction data associated with one or more previous transactions between the first party and the second party. Then, the transaction engine processes and/or facilitates a processing of the historical transaction data to determine whether to initiate a delivery of at least one item associated with the transaction prior to receiving a confirmation of the payment approval from the at least one payment service provider.

Abstract: A method and system for identifying and discouraging predatory and uncompetitive sales practices includes identifying at least one base cost for at least one product, determining at least one current cost for the at least one product from at least one retailer displaying or selling products and services through online or mobile channels, and determining if the at least one product sold by the at least one retailer displaying or selling products and services through online or mobile channels is a loss-leader based at least partially on the at least one base cost and the at least one current cost. At least one of the at least one product may be automatically purchased from the at least one retailer displaying or selling products and services through online or mobile channels if the at least one product sold by the at least one retailer is determined to be a loss-leader. A system for implementing the aforementioned method includes appropriately communicatively connected hardware components.

Abstract: Systems and methods directed to the purchase of articles formed of precious metals are disclosed. Precious metal content is analyzed using an x-ray fluorescence (“XRF”) analysis instrument to determine alloy content, in combination with an ultrasound or electrical conductivity instrument to confirm uniformity of cross-sectional content. The present method thus advances the art of precious metals transactions by precisely analyzing and determining precious metal content and purity, and combining said data with real-time pricing and a digital record of the transaction including the identity of the seller. An automated system is disclosed for fully automating the purchasing of article of precious metals.

Abstract: A self-adapting classification system (“SACS”) generates an evolving classification for content. The classification may start with a seed review process, which generates a level of trust for initial reviews of the content. Once the seed review is completed and distributed, users may submit content reviews to the self adapting classification system. Using the SACS, users may identify themselves with one or more community groups, which indicate certain shared values and preferences with respect to other members of the same community group. Content reviews received by the SACS may comprise a user identifier pertaining to the submitting user, a content descriptor and an associated classification.

Abstract: A computer implemented method for appraising and selling an item includes the step of using a kiosk to physically receive the item from a seller. The method comprises the step of appraising the item by determining a composition of the item using an evaluating device and associating an exchange value with the item using market data obtained over a network. A global positioning device determines a location of the kiosk. The method includes the step of using a legal database to ascertain a set of rules governing the sale of the item in the location. The set of rules comprise a holding requirement dictating that the item be retained for a fixed number of days before it is sold to a buyer. The method also includes the step of selling the item to the buyer at the kiosk in compliance with the set of rules.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for facilitating expedited registration of sellers in an electronic marketplace. It is determined in one or more computing devices whether a buyer in an electronic marketplace is preapproved for registration as a seller in the electronic marketplace based at least in part on one or more factors related to a history of the buyer in the electronic marketplace. The buyer is invited to register as a seller in the electronic marketplace using an expedited registration process when the buyer is preapproved. The expedited registration procedure leverages previously collected data that is associated with the buyer to omit one or more data collection tasks.

Abstract: An authorization is required for performance of medical tasks by an implantable medical device (IMD). The authorization may be based on a process implemented by the IMD to check for the authorization. As an alternative, the authorization may be based on a process implemented by an external device, such as to check whether there is authorization to provide a power transmission to the implantable medical device that is necessary for the IMD to perform the medical task. This authorization allows a fee to be charged to performance of the medical task, which in turn allows the initial cost of the IMD to be substantially reduced. This in turn increases the population of patients that are able to afford the IMD to improve their quality of life, which increases the number of IMDs that can ultimately be sold.

Abstract: Methods of the present invention allow for rating eCommerce transactions. An exemplary method for rating an eCommerce transaction may comprise the steps of identifying a plurality of data indicating the trustworthiness of a Hosting Provider, a Merchant, and/or a Customer, collecting the data, and generating a Transaction Trust Rating for an eCommerce transaction, with the Transaction Trust Rating being based upon the collected data. The Transaction Trust Rating may be stored in a Repository accessible to Internet users. A Transaction Trust Rating Indicator (indicative of the Transaction Trust Rating) also may be provided to the Hosting Provider, Merchant, and/or Customer and may take the form of a certificate for display on a webpage, a change in color of an address bar on a browser, and/or an alphanumeric ranking.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for protecting against counterfeiting and for verifying a product using a concealed security code that is assigned to the product.

Abstract: A system providing seller pre-qualification during the matching phase of an electronic commerce transaction includes a directory structure comprising multiple hierarchically organized product classes, each product class categorizing multiple products and defining one or more attributes of the products categorized in the product class. The system also includes one or more pointers for each product class, each pointer identifying a seller database in which product data enabling a product transaction is stored for products categorized in the product class. The system further includes a search interface configured to communicate a search query for product data only to one or more seller databases associated with sellers having seller attribute values matching the specified seller attribute criteria, these seller databases being identified by the one or more pointers associated with the selected product class.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for configuring, altering, controlling, securing, and extending the processing capability and functionality of PCs and POS devices using a non-volatile memory device using software and data carried within the apparatus.

Abstract: A real-time fraud prevention system enables merchants and commercial organizations on-line to assess and protect themselves from high-risk users. A centralized database is configured to build and store dossiers of user devices and behaviors collected from subscriber websites in real-time. Real, low-risk users have webpage click navigation behaviors that are assumed to be very different than those of fraudsters. Individual user devices are distinguished from others by hundreds of points of user-device configuration data each independently maintains. A client agent provokes user devices to volunteer configuration data when a user visits respective webpages at independent websites. A collection of comprehensive dossiers of user devices is organized by their identifying information, and used calculating a fraud score in real-time. Each corresponding website is thereby assisted in deciding whether to allow a proposed transaction to be concluded with the particular user and their device.

Abstract: A method of on-line shopping with real-name authentication includes the steps of:(A) a buyer providing his/her ID number to a real-name authentication bank in order to proceed with the real-name authentication process and obtaining a buyer bank account number; (B) a seller providing its Business Registration Number to the real-name authentication bank in order to proceed with the real-name authentication process and obtaining a seller bank account number; (C) the seller registering a predefined web address in order to proceed with the on-line shopping; (D) the buyer bank account number and his/her ID number being provided to the seller when the buyer purchasing a product or a service with an amount of money in the seller's website; and (E) the seller transmitting the buyer bank account number and the ID number to the real-name authentication bank via the predefined web address.

Abstract: Described herein is technology for, among other things, exchanging value between a service buyer and a service provider. The technology involves establishing a virtual funds account associated with the service buyer. A request for services is received from the service buyer, which includes an amount that the service buyer is willing to pay for the services. An indication that the service provider will perform the services for the service buyer is received, and a hold is placed in the buyer's virtual funds account on an amount of virtual funds corresponding to the amount that the service buyer is willing to pay for the services.

Abstract: An electronic inspection report system includes a dynamic integrity checker. Upon reception of inspection data from mobile devices, the date from similar and related fields is cross-correlated to identify any inconsistencies or discrepancies. This data is also compared with third party data that may be related to the item or similar item.

Abstract: There are provided systems and method for matching buyers and sellers based on business oriented parameters. An exemplary method may include receiving at least one seller attribute for a seller of a business, at least one business attribute for the business, and at least one buyer attribute for each of a plurality of buyers of the business, determining at least one seller parameter from the at least one seller attribute, determining the at least one business parameter from the at least one business attribute, determining at least one buyer parameter from the at least one buyer attribute, and comparing, using one or more hardware processors of a server, the at least one seller parameter and the at least one business parameter to the at least one buyer parameter for the each of the plurality of buyers to obtain a list of matches for the business and the plurality of buyers.

Abstract: A system and method of verifying a financial transaction at least partially conducted at an electronic device is authorized transaction is presented. First, the method determines that a request for a financial transaction is being requested at the electronic device. Upon that detection, biometric data from an electronic chip in the electronic device is read. Biometric data such as facial features and/or fingerprints are taken from the user of the electronic device. Biometric data stored in an electronic chip stored in the electronic device is compared the biometric data received from the user to determine if the user is the owner of the electronic device. The method allows the financial transaction to be conducted with the electronic device when the user of the electronic device is the owner of the electronic device and prevents the financial transaction when the user is not the owner of the electronic device.

Abstract: A methodology, system and business model are disclosed for facilitating a fully automated buyer's auction in which the major types of transaction costs are significantly reduced by providing the buyer and the sellers with near-perfect information about one another, including information about buyer preferences and competing sellers' offers. The system implements a buyer's auction with multidimensional bidding that minimizes market intelligence, search, bargaining and transaction execution costs and thus creates more competitive, frictionless markets. Buyers and sellers can efficiently conduct the buyer's auction within a unified environment, thereby minimizing buyer integration costs as well. The buyer's auction generates commercially marketable proprietary information and a revenue stream for the auctioneer providing such a service.

Abstract: Items are sold via a wireless mobile telecommunications network in which multimedia presentations describing items offered for sale are broadcast for reception by wireless mobile devices. Users of the devices can transmit responses indicating requests to buy the items or bid for them in auctions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for authenticating a good and determining if the good is in the seller's possession. It relies on a web-based authentication service that requires the seller to provide photos of key features specific to the item, along with an identification number, specific to the item that must be present in each photo. The present invention applies to goods sold either in person, in a retail store, or over the internet.

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 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 number range, a number range profile, a payment card payment authorization, and/or a product template template business object.

Abstract: A method for processing complex orders is disclosed. The method includes generating a customer portal view including a list of products and services associated with an account, a list of quotes associated with the account, a list of orders associated with the account, and a plurality of user-selectable options. The plurality of user-selectable options includes a move option to transfer a service profile by defaulting the existing services at an old location to a new location.

Abstract: Community ratings are determined for users of an electronic marketplace. In A typical configuration, the community rating of an individual reflect the individual's reputation in the electronic community (e.g. feedback rating) as well as the reputations of the users the individual sponsors and the reputations of each user they sponsor, and so on. Various methodologies are provided for determining a community rating, such as aggregating feedback ratings, or weighting or thresholding these feedback ratings.

Abstract: Systems, computer-readable medium having computer program, and related computer implemented methods are provided to determine the relative market value of a sale group and to generate a genetic merit scorecard. Such systems, computer-readable medium having computer program, and related computer implemented methods utilize the genetic merit estimates of relatives of a sale group, along with associated economic weighting factors to determine the relative market value of the sale group. The genetic merit scorecard reflects the relative market value and ranking of the genetic merits of the sale group, as compared to the industry.

Abstract: Methods, computer readable media and systems are described wherein a security deposit is used to facilitate a transaction with a customer. In an embodiment, a process includes receiving an indication that a customer is interested in making a purchase during a transaction from a merchant, and transmitting an offer for a benefit to be applied to the transaction in exchange for a future performance of a task by the customer and a security deposit. The task is associated with a subsidy provider other than the merchant. The method also includes providing the offer to the customer, receiving the security deposit, applying the benefit to the transaction before performance of the task, and returning at least a portion of the security deposit to the customer based on the performance of the task. For example, a subsidy provider may offer to apply a subsidy amount to a transaction involving the purchase of a lawn mower in exchange for a future performance of a task by the customer such as test driving a new car.

Abstract: Methods of allowing a customer to access information related to an order of a commodity include gathering inspection information from a commodity lot, collecting grower, field, and packing information associated with the commodity lot, recording purchase orders associated with the commodity lot, assigning a trace code to each of the purchase orders, entering the inspection information; the grower, field, and packing information; the purchase orders; and the trace codes into a database maintained through online accounts. Many members of a supply chain are entitled to accounts that are linked, each account being given limited access to other accounts, thereby allowing the customer to access the inspection information, and the grower, field, and packing information, by entering one of the trace codes into the web-based application. According to one exemplary embodiment, each of the purchase orders associated with the commodity lot is linked within the web-based application.

Abstract: Methods for purchasing of goods or services over the internet. A customer has a customer account set up at a bank with associated account information. The account information includes verification information for verification parameters, such as authorized computer identification, authorized delivery addresses, authorized user identification, authorized telephone caller identification, and/or other account information. An order is placed by a user via an ordering computer which provides order information. Such order information includes verification variables used by the bank. Verification and/or authentication using one or more variables of the customer account information is used by the bank to validate the order before assuring payment to the merchant.

Abstract: Determining a characteristic group is disclosed, including: retrieving stored mapping relationship data for first objects and second objects, wherein the mapping relationship data describes connections between the first objects and the second objects; determining a candidate group including at least some of the first objects and at least some of the second objects based at least in part on the mapping relationship data, wherein any first object included in the candidate group is associated with another first object included in the candidate group via one or more other first object(s) or second object(s) included in the candidate group; determining a first characteristic value associated with the candidate group based at least in part on a number of first objects that are included in the candidate group; and determining whether the candidate group comprises a characteristic group based at least in part on the first characteristic value.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to an apparatus or method that includes a processor communicatively coupled to a non-transitory computer readable storage medium configured to provide a borrower with a user interface that allows the user to indicate a desire to borrow a good within a community with limited text input from a lender, automatically remind a borrower to return the borrowed goods and generate for a lender a reputation score that rates the reputation between the borrower and the lender.

Abstract: A method, data processing system, and computer program product are presented for planning upgrades to a network data processing system. A processor unit identifies configuration information for hardware and software programs for a plurality of computers in the network data processing system. The processor unit obtains end of life dates for the software programs, release dates for the replacement software programs, and prerequisites for replacement software programs for the software programs identified in the configuration information. The processor unit identifies at least one change to the plurality of computers based on the configuration information and a set of prerequisites in the prerequisites for each of a plurality of replacement software programs for a plurality of software programs in the software programs.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to configuration and incentive management in an event management environment providing an automated segmentation of consideration. The method may include incentivizing a set of users to promote a reservation of a ticket associated with an event on a event management server. The method may also include publishing a set of details associated with the ticket on the event management server, and generating a reselling agreement promising a consideration between a first user who may be a seller of the ticket, and a second user who may be a promoter of the event. The method may further include automatically generating a split of a ticket price purchased through a third user to the second user and the first user based on a set of agreed terms of the reselling agreement.

Abstract: A system and method of determining whether to make an item listing visible to a user are disclosed. A user is enabled to navigate an e-commerce site. A returns frequency index is calculated for the user based on the user's transaction history. The user's transaction history includes the user's history of item returns. It is determined whether or not to make an item listing visible to the user on the e-commerce site based on the returns frequency index for the user. In some embodiments, the returns frequency index is calculated using the mathematical expression (VRet/NRet)/(VPurch/NPurch), wherein VRet is a total value of items returned by the user, NRet is a total number of items returned by the user, VPurch is a total value of items purchased by the user, and NPurch is a total number of items purchased by the user.

Abstract: The subject disclosure relates to pre-installed software and services, such as online services, and markets for pre-installed software and online services. In one aspect, the disclosed subject matter facilitates contracting between software vendors and device manufacturers or redistributors for placement and/or conversion of software applications or services in devices. As further advantages, embodiments of the disclosed subject matter can provide transparency into markets for device placement and can facilitate detailed contract performance tracking. Further non-limiting embodiments are provided that illustrate the advantages and flexibility of the disclosed subject matter.

Abstract: A method and system to transfer payment to a seller of a network-based commerce transaction are described herein. The method includes generating a risk model based on seller-specific criteria, and releasing funds from a holding account to the seller based on the risk model.

Abstract: A system has an Internet-connected server having a processor and data storage coupled to the server, and software executing on the processor from a non-transitory physical medium. The software provides functions for collecting driver behavior raw data based on actual driving performance for a plurality of drivers, calculating by pre-programmed algorithm and storing a driver performance score for individual ones of the plurality of drivers, and making performance scores for individual ones of the drivers available to one or both of drivers for whom the performance scores are prepared and to requesting enterprises.

Abstract: A method and system for authenticating users while conducting an auction via a computer system. The system can automatically authenticate users who have previously registered with the auction system and who have enabled automatic authentication. When a user is registered, the system may store authentication information in a cookie on the user's computer. When the user decides to perform a transaction (e.g., list item auction or place a bid for an item) that requires authentication, the system retrieves the stored authentication information. If automatic authentication is enabled, then the system allows the transaction to proceed without manual authentication. If, however, automatic authentication is not enabled or the system does not recognize the stored authentication information, then the system requests manual authentication. The use of automatic authentication allows a user to enter information relating to a transaction without manually entering any identification information.

Abstract: One embodiment is directed toward a process for a merchant inspection, where a guaranteed shopping server inspects online merchants to ensure they are reliable, financially stable, and committed to providing a great online shopping experience to the buyer/user. Next, this service monitors merchants on a regular basis, to ensure they deliver on their terms of sale, thus assuring purchasers of an overall safe online experience. Next, the guaranteed shopping service provides, a guarantee for added peace of mind for the purchaser. In accordance with one embodiment, a guarantee is provided to the buyer including ID theft protection, a purchase guarantee and a lowest price guarantee. As with other type of guarantees, certain restrictions and terms may apply. If a buyer does experience a problem with an online merchant, a benefit claim can be made and once the claim is validated, guaranteed shopping coverage can apply.

Abstract: Methods of the present invention allow for rating eCommerce transactions. An exemplary method for rating an eCommerce transaction may comprise the steps of identifying a plurality of data indicating the trustworthiness of a Hosting Provider, a Merchant, and/or a Customer, collecting the data, and generating a Transaction Trust Rating for an eCommerce transaction, with the Transaction Trust Rating being based upon the collected data. The Transaction Trust Rating may be stored in a Repository accessible to Internet users. A Transaction Trust Rating Indicator (indicative of the Transaction Trust Rating) also may be provided to the Hosting Provider, Merchant, and/or Customer and may take the form of a certificate for display on a webpage, a change in color of an address bar on a browser, and/or an alphanumeric ranking.

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 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.