Abstract: Embodiments relate to multi-dimensional surface-based bid matching. An aspect includes receiving a bid from a first user, the bid comprising a plurality of ranges, wherein each range of the plurality of ranges corresponds to a respective dimension of a plurality of dimensions. Another aspect includes determining a first bid surface in the plurality of dimensions based on the plurality of ranges of the bid of the first user. Another aspect includes modifying the first bid surface based on a match to the bid of the first user, the match comprising a point on a second bid surface corresponding to a bid from a second user. Another aspect includes wherein, if the first user comprises a work requester, the second user comprises a work producer, and if the first user comprises a work producer, the second user comprises a work requester.

Abstract: Provided is a location-based transaction processing method and system using a communication device. The location-based transaction processing method may include providing information on a display frequency for each area displayed on a map service to a storekeeper terminal, and creating a market POI indicating a virtual marketplace of a storekeeper at a location selected by the storekeeper terminal based on the display frequency.

Abstract: This invention is a system for providing persistence searching for consumer items that performs the steps of: retrieving a set of get requests uniquely associated with external vendor sites wherein each get request is specifically formatted for its external vendor site and simultaneously transmitting the set of get requests to the respective external vendor sites. Asynchronously receiving current results from the external vendor sites, extracting the price from the current results for each item contained in the current results received from the external vendor sites, comparing the extracted price of the current results with the price of a previously stored results, generating a notification and including in the notification, a link to the external vendor site to provide a purchasing opportunity to a user where the price of the current results is lower than the price of the stored results.

Abstract: Systems and methods including mobile devices determining their locations using location determination units, such as GPS receivers. A computing device generates a statistical measurement of location pattern changes in relation to a predetermined region for a predetermined period of time. The measurement is generated from a difference between the average response of exposed mobile devices and the average response of non-exposed mobile devices, where each of the exposed/non-exposed mobile devices is selected for having a home location or a visitation pattern within an activity area associated with the predetermined region, and each response of a mobile device is based on determining whether locations of the mobile device is within the predetermined region and counts of visitations to the predetermined region by the mobile device in different time intervals.

Abstract: A method for buying and selling vehicles includes receiving information identifying a vehicle, retrieving condition data corresponding to the vehicle from a condition database, wherein a device inside the vehicle generates at least some of the condition data while the vehicle is being operated, and analyzing the condition data to determine a condition of the vehicle, wherein the condition of the vehicle relates to at least one of a quality or a value of the vehicle. Further, the method includes communicating an indication of the vehicle condition to an end user device, and, in response to the indication of the vehicle condition, receiving an offer to purchase the vehicle. A notification is generated based on the offer to purchase the vehicle, wherein the notification indicates a status of a purchase of the vehicle according to the offer to purchase the vehicle, and the notification is communicated to the end user device.

Abstract: A system and method for interactive, computer-assisted object presentation in which object information is displayed in one more arrays, The object information is displayed in a two dimensional array wherein displayed object information can be selected by a user. In response to the selection, additional information may be displayed about an object corresponding to the selected information such as a link to permit a user to buy the object.

Abstract: A device may receive a request for imaging of a particular location. The device may identify one or more sensors associated with imaging the particular location. The device may select a sensor, of the one or more sensors, for imaging the particular location. The sensor may be associated with an autonomous vehicle. The device may cause the autonomous vehicle to move the sensor to the particular location. The device may receive imaging of the particular location based on causing the autonomous vehicle to move the sensor to the particular location. The device may selectively combine the imaging of the particular location with archived other imaging of the particular location. The device may provide imaging of the particular location to fulfill the request for imaging of the particular location based on selectively combining the imaging of the particular location with archived imaging of the particular location.

Abstract: Users of an electronic marketplace may be provided with an interface to suggest associating one or more tag identifiers, such as a hashtag identifier, with items that are offered for sale. Records associating the suggested tag identifiers and items for sale may be stored, and searched by other users, in order to provide purchase recommendations, which may not otherwise be available using product-descriptive searches. For example, tag identifiers may be used to associate products and/or services with events, such as a particular birthday or anniversary, and users can easily search for items based on intuitive tag identifiers, such as #8thbirthday, #10thanniversary, #firsttimedad, etc. The associations between the items and the tag identifiers may be dynamically updated based on various factors.

Abstract: A method and computer program product is provided for an online bidding system. The method may include receiving a plurality of bids from a plurality of online bidding communities during a live auction event at one of a primary technology provider and a relying technology provider, wherein the live auction event simultaneously occurs on a physical auction floor and virtually. The method may also include processing the plurality of bids at the primary technology provider. The method may further include providing the processed plurality of bids to a single designated clerking console associated with the primary technology provider for the live auction event. The method may also include receiving an accepted bid from the single designated clerking console.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a user expresses his/her sentiment in a message, blog post, social media post, or other online communication and explicitly identifies that sentiment with a symbol (such as an asterisk). This explicitly identified sentiment is recorded in a database of individual and public opinions.

Abstract: A method and system is disclosed for user-published interactive widgets for auctions hosted by an auction forum resource. Examples include an auction forum configured to generate a script associated with an auction upon a publisher-request, and to provide the script to be published on the publisher's resource, resulting in an external interactive component displayed on the publisher's resource. Example features may be configured to respond to user inputs submitted from the interactive component. Furthermore, reward logic can be included to issue a reward to the publisher associated with the script request.

Abstract: A system platform and associated methods are provided for implementing online reverse auctions in a social network platform (SNP). A fully-automated, live, reverse-auction based system is integrated into an SNP to enable buyers to initiate desired transactions and take advantage of a subscribers' network of friends, colleagues, co-workers, family members and connections by connecting buyers and sellers in a non-intrusive, targeted fashion. Sellers compete for buyers' business by providing dynamic, real-time seller-specific pricing while simultaneously optimizing the seller's target parameters such as price, inventory levels, profit, revenue and volume.

Abstract: A method holding an auction for impressions in an online advertising platform includes defining auction tiers, with each tier having associated attributes. The tier attributes include a tier priority, an eligible bidder list, and a minimum bid threshold. Bids for the impressions are received from impression buyers, each bid being associated with an impression bidder and a bid value. For each received bid, the highest priority tier for which the tier attributes are satisfied by the bid attributes is determined, and that tier is associated with the bid. After assigning each bid to a tier, the highest priority tier with at least one bid is selected as the active auction tier. The winner of the auction is then determined based on the bids associated with the active tier.

Abstract: A search request transmitted by a first mobile terminal may be received. The search request may carry location information of the first mobile terminal, when the first mobile terminal transmits the search request. A corresponding grid number may be obtained, based on the location information. The grid number is configured to identify a preset longitude and latitude range of the earth sphere. Information searching for may be obtained based on the grid number. Information searched out may be transmitted to the first mobile terminal.

Abstract: Bidding activity is analyzed over a duration in which multiple bids are received in the auction. A bid increment is dynamically determined for the auction in response to auction activity. An online auction system can utilize the bid increment to determine or suggest the next bid that can be received in the auction for purpose of supplanting the current bid.

Abstract: A user captures images on a user computing device. The user signs in to an application, which transmits the user's images to an account management system, which recognizes objects within the images and assigns one or more object categories to the images and recognizes multiple images comprising objects in a common object category. After receiving user consent, the application groups the images on the user computing device according to object category. The user computing device captures an image of another object. The application transmits the image to the account management system, which detects objects within the image, identifies the object category, and saves the image to the corresponding object category group on the user computing device. After receiving user consent, the account management system finds information for each image in the object category group of images and transmits the information to the user computing device.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure can include systems, methods, and non-transitory computer readable media configured to receive information from a plurality of computing devices associated with a plurality of collaborating users in online collaboration to create a product connection displayed online as associated goods or services. The information from the plurality of computing devices can include selections of images associated with the goods or services. The product connection can be created based on the information from the plurality of computing devices. The product connection can be provided for display to users of a social shopping system.

Abstract: A preferred communication application hierarchy that specifies user priorities for application selection for communication sessions and functional communication capabilities of each prioritized application is configured for at least one user of a group of users. A real-time communication request, initiated by a user with a configured preferred communication application hierarchy, is detected that specifies a particular type of communication functionality and that includes an indication of another one of the group of users as a requested communication recipient. Responsive to detecting the real-time communication request that specifies the particular type of communication functionality, a highest-priority application usable to perform the specified particular type of communication functionality with a communication device of the requested communication recipient is selected from the configured preferred communication application hierarchy of the requesting user.

Abstract: The claimed subject matter relates to a computer-implemented architecture that can provide a non-invasive comparative shopping tool, such as a browser plug-in. For example, the plug-in can determine whether a web user is currently visiting a purchase page, thus indicating that the web user is likely to be interested in purchasing items online. Upon making this determination, the plug-in can display a non-invasive listing (that can be quickly and conveniently dismissed) of comparable items at favorable prices (or with favorable features, etc.) that are available for purchase at other web sites. In addition, the plug-in can communicate with a data store, e.g., by way of the web, in order to help make various determination as well as to receive the listing of comparable items.

Abstract: Excess capacity (or excess resources) can be used in a capacity controlled environment to effectively manage data storage of a database. In this context, excess capacity can, for example, be controlled used as needed, as configured and/or on a temporary basis. Management of data storage in a database can, for example, include operations associated with moving or relocating data of the database. Relocation of data can, for example, be performed to relocate data deemed to be “hot” data to a location that can provide a faster access time in order to improve the overall efficiency of the database system.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for generating recommendations utilizing visual image analysis, for example, by inserting a representative image of an item in an empty region of a digital image. Representative images for an item may be determined by generating a score for each potential image for insertion into the digital image, where a representative image is selected having a highest score from the ranking. The representative image selected may be pre-processed such that the image appears naturally in the setting.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product for automating an online auction service and bidder interacton including receiving a keyword searching based on the keyword product auctions of a plurality of auction sites; and may include using a search agent or a meta-search agent, and providing returned auctions, and may include presenting current status of product auctions. The method can monitor temporal progression of auctions, and can notify users of changes in status. A bid proxy can be activated as an auction nears completion placing bids until the auction is won or lost. In the event of a counter offer, a higher bid can be made.

Abstract: A navigation device, which works as a position information providing device for providing information on positions to a user, includes a terminal ECU that can log in management servers, each of which manages a social networking service (SNS) to which information can be posted, via a line network. The terminal ECU logs in the management servers via the line network in synchronization with a start operation of the navigation device to acquire the whole or a part of posting information on positions posted to the SNS by network users and accumulated in the management servers.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle may be partially controlled or monitored by a remote endpoint assigned to the autonomous vehicle. The autonomous vehicle sends one or more assisted driving messages directly to the autonomous vehicle or through a server. The server may identify multiple potential remote driving endpoints and assign one or more of the potential remote driving endpoints to the autonomous vehicle. The one or more potential remote driving endpoints return a command to the autonomous vehicle directly or through the server.

Abstract: An online auction system includes a set of memory resources that store auction data and one or more processors. The one or more processors implement multiple auction forums for transacting a corresponding set of assets. The one or more processors enable a registrant to participate in any of the multiple auction forums by providing the registrant with multiple interfaces to prompt the user for input or action. In some embodiments, the one or more processors provide an entity type interface to prompt the registrant to declare an entity type of the registrant. The one or more processors operate to determine a set of requirements for the registrant based at least in part on (i) a type designation provided by the user, and (ii) a geographic region of one or more assets that are being transacted by the multiple auction forums.

Abstract: A system to alert a user of a network-based marketplace event. The system receives the network-based marketplace event and determines if the network-based marketplace event is associated with a network-based marketplace alert that has been requested by the user. If so, the system communicates the network-based marketplace alert to the client machine over a persistent connection, the network-based marketplace alert to alert the user of the network-based marketplace event.

Abstract: A request to view an item may be received in an electronic marketplace. The request may cause an offer request to be sent to one or more merchants. The merchants may respond with corresponding offers. Upon receipt of the offer, so long as the offered is received during a time when offers are being accepted, a price may be determined for the item based at least in part on the received offers.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for sorting seller listings or advertisements of a seller network. In one embodiment, a method includes: determining an indicator of potential revenue for a first party from price information of a list of entities, wherein revenue generated according to the price information of at least some of the list of entities is to be split among a plurality of parties; and, sorting the list of entities into a first list based at least partially on the indicator of potential revenue.

Abstract: Techniques for improved Point of Sale (PoS) transactions are disclosed. The techniques include a PoS terminal that receives biometric data from a consumer, determines an encryption key based on the biometric data, and transmits the encryption key to a mobile device associated with the consumer to cause the mobile device to decrypt a consumer key and transmit an indication of a successful decryption. The PoS terminal further receives the indication of the successful decryption from the mobile device, and retrieves consumer account information responsive to receiving the indication of the successful decryption.

Abstract: A following user follows a followed user on a third-party application. The followed user may additionally approve the inclusion of content posted by the followed user on the third-party application within an account of any following users on the social networking system. Subsequent postings by the followed user on the third-party application cause the third-party application to notify the social networking system of the posting. The social networking system in turn incorporates the posting of the followed user on the third-party application into a user interface that it displays to the following user.

Abstract: The non-bidding activity of one or more bidders of an auction is detected over an online interface of the auction environment. The activity of the one or more bidders is detected while the one or more bidders are participating in the auction. The non-bidding activity is correlated to an interest metric for the auction. Information is communicated that is based on the interest metric. The information can be communicated to either a seller or a bidder of the auction.

Abstract: Multiple simultaneous auctions can be monitored and participated in using a single bidding device operated by a single remote bidder. A multi-windowed environment allows for the display of active bidding windows and docked bidding windows. The active bidding windows are fully functional bidding windows and include auction status, product information and the like. The docked bidding windows provide a subset of the information but, nonetheless provide real-time auction status information and allows for bidders to enter bids into the auctioning process without having to move the bidding window into an active status. A customer-identifier selector of identifier allows the remote bidder to associate a customer with a particular bidding window. The customer-identifier advantageously helps the remote bidder to track who purchased items are associated with, as well as providing control structure over the bidding process.

Abstract: The present disclosure is related to methods, systems, and machine-readable media for allocating cost of disk usage to a linked clone virtual machine (VM) based on a parameter of usage. A determination can be made as to a number of disks used by a linked clone VM among a plurality of disks in a software defined data center over a time period and as to a respective portion of a parameter of usage for each of the number of disks used by the linked clone VM over the time period that is attributable to the linked clone VM. A portion of a cost for usage of each of the number of disks over the time period can be allocated to the linked clone VM in proportion to the respective portion of the parameter of usage attributable to the linked clone VM and/or on a relative latency.

Abstract: The present application relates to mobile devices and in particular mobile devices which allow installed applications to connect to the Internet. The application addresses the problems associated with limited battery life and network congestion by controlling access to the Internet on each mobile device. The method intercepts requests to transmit IP data from applications and then determines whether they should be granted access.

Abstract: According to some example embodiments, a method includes calculating learning values associated with a plurality of listings, at least one of said learning values associated with one of said listings representing a value based, at least in part, on a probability distribution of selections of said listing. The method further includes applying said learning values to ranking scores associated with said listings to provide an updated ranking, and electronically auctioning advertising inventory to purchasers associated with said listings based, at least in part, on said updated ranking.

Abstract: An app for programmable personal mobile communications devices which is useful for people attending meetings, conferences, classrooms and the like is described. The app permits the device to operate as a microphone to address the audience through a local wireless network and the public address system and as an app for meeting functions, such as the queuing of speaker/questioners at the meeting, the handling of audience surveys and nondisclosure agreements, record-keeping at meetings and so forth. Furthermore, different aspects of the app allow a user to operate as a moderator/host of a meeting in one case or as an attendee/participant of the meeting in another.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to methods and apparatuses for capturing a real-time video stream using a mobile computing device, determining, using a computing device processor, which images from the real-time video stream are associated with goods and businesses consistent with a predetermined social impact, and presenting on a display of the real-time video stream, one or more indicators, each indicator being associated with an image determined to be consistent with a predetermined social impact.

Abstract: The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for improving search relevance. In one implementation, a method identifies a first group of mappings generated for dominant queries associated with a query log. The method also identifies a second group of mappings that includes mappings between a first set of queries and categories shown for the first set of queries, and mappings between a second set of queries and clicked products for the second set of queries. Upon receipt of a query, the method applies the second group of mappings for the received query if the category mappings for the received query are in the second group of mappings. Alternatively, the method applies the first group of mappings for the received query if the category mappings for the received query are in the first group of mappings but not in the second group of mappings.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to methods and apparatuses for capturing a real-time video stream using a mobile computing device, determining, using a computing device processor, which images from the real-time video stream are associated with goods and businesses consistent with a predetermined social impact, and presenting on a display of the real-time video stream, one or more indicators, each indicator being associated with an image determined to be consistent with a predetermined social impact.

Abstract: The present invention includes: acquiring plural web pages of an identical category into which targets stated in the web pages are classified (S1); acquiring an attribute-related term related to an attribute of the targets stated in the web pages or an attribute description pattern used to describe the attribute of the targets as initial data (S2); extracting the attribute-related term of the attribute matching the attribute description pattern from the plural web pages (S3); and extracting an attribute description pattern matching the attribute-related term from plural web pages (S4).

Abstract: A system and method is provided for generating and using purchase strategies based on the price, performance, and/or other information related to cloud services to optimize the selection of such services. The purchase strategies may comprehensively describe various cloud services in real-time so that customers may purchase cloud services using up-to-date, real-time information. The purchase strategies may, for example, describe pricing, performance, availability, and/or other attributes of various cloud services. A purchase agent may use the purchase strategies, one or more purchase rules, and/or other information to generate a purchase specification that specifies one or more cloud service instances that should be purchased. The purchase agent may leverage unique properties of spot instances to make favorable purchase decisions. For example, the system may determine bid prices that should be made to obtain certain spot instances.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing computing resources are disclosed. In an example embodiment, a computing system request is received. The computing system request may be in a standardized request format and include a codified architecture and topology criterion. A build request is generated based on the computing system request. A computing resource device in accordance with the codified architecture and meeting the topology criterion is identified. A virtual machine is built on the computing resource device based on the build request. A plurality of applications is deployed on the virtual machine based on the build request to create an instantiated software deployment. Additional methods and systems are disclosed.

Abstract: A graphical user interface for searching information related to business objects includes a search interface having one or more user input fields for receiving data from a user related to one or more attributes associated with business objects. The search interface presents the one or more user input fields in response to a user context. A first tab displays information related to a set of business objects in response to a search based on the data provided to the one or more user input fields. A second tab displays information related to a business object in the set of business objects.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for distributing phone calls includes the steps of receiving or initiating a telephone call from or with a caller associated with caller identification information, generating masked caller identification information by masking a portion of the caller identification information, transmitting the masked caller identification information to a plurality of potential call-buyers, determining a call-buyer of the plurality of potential call-buyers to receive the incoming phone call, and storing the caller identification information with the masked caller identification information. A system and computer-readable medium are also disclosed.

Abstract: Techniques for affecting display of content may include receiving a request for content to supplement a response to an input initiated by a first user; outputting first content in response to the request, where the first content includes a control feature that is displayable along with the first content, and where the control feature enables the first user to register a negative reaction to the first content; obtaining information relating to the first content based on the negative reaction; identifying second content having one or more characteristics in common with the first content; identifying one or more second users having one or more characteristics in common with the first user; and using the information relating to the first content in determining whether to provide the second content to the one or more second users.

Abstract: A networked service for providing secure access to an online marketplace by sellers and buyers. A secure member server interacts with an online classified advertisement website to allow for a selling member of the website to interface securely with a prospective buying member. Various methods are taught that allow the members to interact without exchanging personal information that could possibly be used in a fraudulent manner.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a set-top-box (STB) having a controller to operate the STB coupled to an interactive television network as an audio visual answering machine using a digital video recorder forming a part of the STB, use at least one camera coupled to the STB to capture video, use at least one microphone coupled to the STB to capture audio, present video from at least a calling party on a television set coupled to the STB, and present audio from at least the calling party on speakers coupled to the STB. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to methods and apparatuses for capturing a real-time video stream using a mobile computing device, determining, using a computing device processor, which images from the real-time video stream are associated with goods and businesses consistent with a predetermined social impact, and presenting on a display of the real-time video stream, one or more indicators, each indicator being associated with an image determined to be consistent with a predetermined social impact.

Abstract: An online frame layout tool is provided that displays a plurality of wall shape parameter selections, displays predetermined frame layout options, in response to receiving a first wall shape parameter selection, each predetermined frame layout option including a representation of a plurality of frames having two or more frame images of different shapes and sizes being arranged in a predetermined pattern, and supplies one or more links to a retailer website, in response to receiving a selected predetermined frame layout option chosen from the predetermined frame layout options, the one or more links being related to information for purchasing one or more products represented by the two or more frame images included in the representation of the plurality of frames associated with the selected predetermined frame layout option.

Abstract: A member-oriented hybrid cloud operating system architecture and a communication method thereof are provided. A hybrid architecture is established based on layer, object and message models, and a member-oriented idea is applied to manage constituent members and a processing environment thereof. On this basis, high-efficient routing, read-write separation and load balancing are performed on a member processing cluster, satisfying the requirements of being open and compatible, loosely coupled and extensible of a cloud operating system, and solving the self-management problem, the horizontal scaling problem of members and the high-availability problem of stateful members of the existing cloud operating system.