Abstract: Disclosed is a method by which suretyship bonds and guaranties can be purchased and deployed over the Internet in real time, providing automatic application evaluation and policy binding. The principal's credit card information is used in a repeating cycle of pre-authorized charges so that the card account serves as effective collateral. A bond seal image, safeguarded against piracy, appears in Web pages indicating the existence of bond coverage. A dynamically updated gauge displays the margin of coverage available under the bond at any given moment. Means of integrating the information technology of auction site and surety company are also disclosed. The invention makes possible an unprecedented level of security in user-to-user auction environments and eliminates the need for online escrow services. Means of accepting bidder deposit accounts is also disclosed, enabling automatic, electronic payment the moment an Internet auction closes and eliminating the need for online payment services.

Abstract: A method, system and computer readable medium for facilitating interactive electronic commerce transactions over an electronic commerce network between a plurality of sellers and a plurality of buyers via an independent service provider. A request is received from a seller over the electronic commerce network to generate an auction program process associated with the seller. The auction program process associated with the seller is generated by an electronic commerce computer of the independent service provider. A Uniform Resource Locator (URL) hyperlink associated with the auction program process is generated by the electronic commerce computer. The URL hyperlink is communicated to the seller for insertion into a web page hosted on a website other than the independent service provider's website, wherein the web page displays information about an item for sale.

Abstract: A method of neighborhood commerce in a geo-spatial environment is disclosed. In one embodiment method includes associating a verified registered user with a user profile in a constrained online neighborhood community network that verifies all addresses of users, permitting the verified registered user to mark their profile as private, associating the user profile with a specific geographic location, marking a status of specific ones of the item data as being at least one of an on-sale status, a for-loan status, a free status, a donation status and a not-for-sale status based on responses of the user in populating an inventory database, and publishing the inventory database based on a request of the user during a duration of a specific day and time when an inventory is marketable.

Abstract: In one implementation, an electronic package of assets substantially complying with a standard is received from a content provider. Placeholders in an application referring to items of content defined by the standard are replaced with items of content from the package of assets. In another implementation, an electronic package of assets substantially complying with a standard is received from a content provider. A publisher is identified, the package of assets is provided to the publisher, and an application incorporating items from the package of assets is received. In another implementation, a package of assets substantially complying with a standard is prepared, an application is received from a publisher, and a version of the application is generated, replacing references in the application to items defined in a standard with items of content from the package of assets.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for generating an auction item listing for an auction site. Generating an auction item listing comprises: receiving item identification data and item image data, wherein the item identification data uniquely identifies an item and the item image data comprises a digital representation of the item; retrieving item attribute data for the item using the item identification data, wherein the item attribute data specifies one or more attributes of the item; and causing, based upon both at least a portion of the item attribute data and at least a portion of the item image data, auction listing data to be generated and made available via an auction site.

Abstract: The invention provide means for enabling customers to request bids from various service providers in one or more virtual marketplaces created by an administrator, principally for transportation services such as taxis and limousines, delivery and cargo transport operations. In turn, customers receive a list of quality bids, filtered and ranked for various optimizing criteria, in a personalized bid display portion of a user application on a handheld device or PC. And, means for enabling service providers to access and interact with customers after a transaction produce highly personalized and customizable relationships, in part by incorporating elements of a social media platform and including positive incentives, thereby enabling both customers and service providers to benefit from increased efficiency and personalized control.

Abstract: A system and method use a protocol implementing a competitive auction with a flat rate entry fee. A user is credited with a preselected, maximum number, of bids per auction. In an initial “warm up” stage, users can join the auction. The auction price decreases when new users join the auction during this stage, as by 0.5%. In an “active stage,” bids are placed within temporal bid windows. Each bid placed decreases the auction price. In a lockout stage, new users are not allowed. A bid window timer remains active. Each user's username is displayed along with each bid. The final bid is the bid that has been placed when the bid window timer expires, and is the winning bid. A strategy is enabled wherein a bidder can receive an item for a reduced price, while not having to place an unlimited number of bids.

Abstract: A system and method for providing position information using a three-dimensional based grid is provided. The position information may be relayed to an electronic device by providing location information to a database and receiving location-centric information at the electronic device. The system may include a network for continuously updating the database in real-time.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for conducting a variable quantity auction. A seller may determine a quantity range of items to be sold and a reserve price for acceptable bids. The auction may proceed in two phases. In a first phase, bidders bid on a quantity of items at a price that is at least the reserve price. In various embodiments, the first phase may be used to determine the total number of items to be sold in a second phase. In the second phase a price for the fixed quantity of items may be determined. In various embodiments, the second phase may proceed as a typical second item auction in which bidders may modify their bids until the end of the auction. The winning bidders may only pay for their items at the lowest qualifying bid.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for implementing lighting infrastructure application frameworks and networks and associated revenue models. In one embodiment, a computing device may receive a request from a first device to access data from a lighting infrastructure application framework, and the data from the lighting infrastructure application framework may include data from lighting node platform(s). In an embodiment, the computing device may perform authorizations related to providing access to data, as well as transmit responses to requests for data. Costs and revenues associated with applications may also be performed based on usage of platforms, sensors, and controllers within a lighting infrastructure. In an embodiment, software, applications, and other instructions may be transmitted by a computing device in response to receiving requests. In another embodiment, a computing device may process received data (e.g.

Abstract: A social networking system presents recommendation units to its users. The recommendation units suggest actions for the users to increase their engagement with the social networking system or otherwise interact with other users. The social networking system establishes internal goals and associates bids for recommendation units with different goals. The bids reflect the value to the goal of a user interacting with a recommendation unit. Based on bids for recommendation units associated with one or more goals, expected values of the recommendation units arid determined. The recommendation units are ranked based on the expected values and one or more recommendation units are selected based on the ranking.

Abstract: Systems and methods for distributing limited edition digital artwork in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed.

Abstract: A method and a system for providing a negotiation platform in the event that a listing fails by becoming inactive without the offering being sold. For example, a negotiation eligibility detector may detect a failed listing of an offering. The listing may be associated with a first user and a first offer. A potential buyer detector may identify at least one potential buyer based on a user action associated with the failed listing. A negotiation manager may be in communication with the negotiation eligibility detector and the potential buyer detector. In response to the detecting of the failed listing and the identifying of the potential buyers, the negotiation manager may transmit a request to the at least one potential buyer for a second offer associated with the failed listing.

Abstract: Provided are an auction method and server that enable a seller and bidders to determine the price of a product at their own discretion by enabling the bidders to participate in a bid between the lowest price offered by the seller and the highest price of the product, and give benefit to both the seller and successful bidders by applying the successful bid price of a lowest successful bidder to all the successful bidders as a sale price.

Abstract: Embodiments include methods, apparatus, and systems associated with providing request-time auctioning of web content and web services. The auction may be performed by a request-time web content auctioning service, which may accept bids of content and/or services from content and/or service providers, and may auction these bids against offers of space on webpages in websites. The auction may, in various embodiments, be performed in real time, such as, for example, during generation of a webpage in response to a request to view a webpage from a visitor to the webpage. The auction service may, in various embodiments, also provide for the auctioning of web services for webpages, such as, for example, content filtering. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.

Abstract: The invention provides a computer system and method for managing electronic transactions. A plurality of consumer accounts stored in the data store. A payment source storing module stores a plurality of payment sources. A payment source selector is set upon receiving a payment source selection to indicate a selected one of the payment sources. A communication and routing module receives a charge request over the network interface device. A transaction processing system determines a payment source selected with the payment source selector, and processes the charge request based on the payment source selected by the payment source selector.

Abstract: A method and a system of business channel synchronization are provided. In one example embodiment, a network-based commerce system may receive, via a network and from a client application, update data related to a user listing, update a record related to the user listing, utilizing the received update data; and communicate, via the network, the received update data reflecting a further update to the record related to the user listing to the client application. In one example embodiment, a client system may comprise a communication module, a listing manager, a synchronization engine, an upload module, and a user interface module. In one example embodiment, a user may synchronize the user's listing data from a client application to one or more network-based commerce systems. In an alternative example embodiment the user may synchronize the user's listing data from one or more network-based commerce systems to a client application.

Abstract: The claimed subject matter provides an architecture and associated schema for facilitating advantageous solutions the generalized online matching problem. The architecture can employ a blended schema that includes distinct aspects of both primal-dual schema and dual-fitting schema. In accordance therewith, the blended schema can provide algorithms that yield solutions in accordance with a competitive ratio of 1?1/e. In addition, the blended schema can be extended to provide for rich risk management features. Further, an addition of stochastic information can be employed in connection with the blended schema to improve the results beyond the competitive ratio.

Abstract: An auction system is disclosed in which a submitting node device is configured to transmit to an auction management device product information describing a product, re-auction information indicating whether or not the product is to be re-auctioned when an initial auction fails to result in a transaction, and sale conditions information including sale conditions for the product. The auction management device is configured to present said product for auction, based on said product information. The auction management device is also configured to receive at least one bid indicating purchase conditions from at least one bidding node device. Additionally, the auction management device is configured to determine whether the purchase conditions match the sale conditions. The auction management device is also configured to, when (i) the purchase conditions do not match the sale conditions and (ii) the re-auction information indicates that the product is to be re-auctioned, re-present said product for auction.

Abstract: A data distribution system, method and a computer program product therefor. Computers share resources with organizations in multiple locations. At least one selling agent supports organizations in each location. The selling agent placing offers to sell selected organizational data in an auction marketplace. At least one buying agent supports organizations in said each location. The buying agent selectively places bids responsive to offers to sell data and. A data discovery service provisioned on the computer(s) identifies potential buyers of organizational data and notifies respective buying agents of data available from other organizations.

Abstract: A system and method designed for conducting bidding at auctions. The system may include an information server with a database for holding bid information; one or more wireless controllers with an application program for translating operations of a user into bid information that is transmitted to the information server; and a data communication network for providing wireless communication along at least part of the path between the wireless communicator and the information server. The method may include using the system including the application program generating data signals with bid information based on actions of the use on the wireless communicator. The actions translated by the application program may simulate some bidding behaviors common to live auction environments.

Abstract: A method for automatically bidding on multiple on-line auction items up for bid where the number of items the bidder wishes to buy is less than the number of items up for bid is disclosed. A method of a seller or auction site giving a bidder the ability to add a listing to a set of listings that can be processed as above is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for configuring and executing an assignment exchange or auction with extensions to allocate items among bidders is disclosed. A server initializes the assignment auction or exchange and receives bid messages from one or more bidder devices, each bidder device associated with a bidder. Bidder devices may also communicate one or more constraints to the server to affect the allocation of items among bidders by the server. Additionally, the server includes bidder configuration data modifying the presentation of auction or exchange data to different bidders, allowing different bidders to receive different amounts of information regarding the auction or exchange. The bidder configuration data also allows the server to enable or restrict the types of bid messages different bidders may communicate to the server.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for selecting a lowest bidding vendor from a plurality of vendors of a customized good or service, including receiving a set of vendor's attributes from each of the plurality of vendors representing their respective capabilities, and receiving an invitation-for-bid data from the buyer defining a custom job for which the buyer desires price quotes or bids. The vendor attributes or the invitation-for-bid, or both, are received through a web browser. A bid is received from at least one vendor in the vendor selection pool, the lowest price bid is identified, the buyer is informed of the identity of the selected vendor, and solicited for approval of the selected vendor. The non-selected vendors in the selection pool are informed of the bid prices and of the selection results.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are representative embodiments of methods, apparatus, and systems for distributing a resource (such as electricity) using a resource allocation system. In one exemplary embodiment, a plurality of requests for electricity are received from a plurality of end-use consumers. The requests indicate a requested quantity of electricity and a consumer-requested index value indicative of a maximum price a respective end-use consumer will pay for the requested quantity of electricity. A plurality of offers for supplying electricity are received from a plurality of resource suppliers. The offers indicate an offered quantity of electricity and a supplier-requested index value indicative of a minimum price for which a respective supplier will produce the offered quantity of electricity. A dispatched index value is computed at which electricity is to be supplied based at least in part on the consumer-requested index values and the supplier-requested index values.

Abstract: A method of communications network shopping by buyers of products and services for purchasing such from sellers in which buyers request an automatic reverse auctioneer or auction controller to initiate a reverse auction in real time amongst willing sellers and to it their automatic real-time iterative bidding price quotations for such products and services to be returned automatically over the network back to the controller under the iterative processing guidance of the controller to assure a best bid price quotation for the buyer; and automatically effecting buyer notification or purchase at such best price, all while the buyer may remain online, and without any manual intervention.

Abstract: An adaptive method for estimating the selling price for an item at auction in order to set a reserve. The method calculates the selling price as a function of selling prices for items previously-sold at auction and differential values attributable to feature differences between the item to be sold and comparative items previously sold. Distance metrics are calculated by comparing the item to be sold with each item in the set of comparative items, and a subset of most similar items is selected according to the calculated distance metrics. A weighting function is then calculated for each item in the subset based on its respective distance metric value, and the selling price is estimated as a function of the weighting functions and the differential values. The differential values are modeled as a linear dynamical system and updated using a Kalman filter as a function of an actual sales price for the item to be sold and a current estimate of uncertainty for the differential values.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and method for conducting an online auction via a social networking forum for a cohort of users that have a pre-established association with an experience scheduled to occur at a predetermined time, a predetermined date and a predetermined location. The system may provide a social networking forum that facilitates social networking communications amongst members of the forum combined with auction capabilities that provide items that may be relevant to its members. Users in the cohort may join the social networking forum as members. The social networking forum may provide a supplier of an item for auction with a target audience that may be interested in the item by virtue of their pre-established association with an experience. Similarly, from the perspective of a member of the forum, the system may provide an auction that includes items that may be of interest to the member.

Abstract: This invention defines a computer system for conducting an auction of a plurality of items including outputting prices for items, receiving bids, outputting updated prices and receiving further bids and then determining an allocation of at least one of the items.

Abstract: Methods and associated computer-readable media to detect fraudulent activities made over a network-based facility using a machine are disclosed. Responsive to a first event with respect to the network-based facility and initiated either under a first user identity or a first set of user transaction preferences from the machine which is coupled to the network-based facility via a network, the method causes a first identifier associated with either the first user identity or the first set of user transaction preferences to be stored on the machine. Responsive to a second event initiated under either a second user identity or a second set of user transaction preferences, detecting a potentially fraudulent activity occurs by detecting a lack of correspondence between the first identifier stored on the machine and a second identifier associated with either the second user identity or the second set of user transaction preferences.

Abstract: The present disclosure concerns the hierarchical splitting of large datasets by multi-level segmentation and providing a system and method for enabling requests of reuse of the values of previously estimated nodes of said hierarchy. This is applied in making connections between different suppliers in a complex hierarchical multi-level chain of purchase items, facilitating the communication of request for quotes and respective responses. The disclosure allows higher level bidders to traverse dense hierarchical multi-level chains of purchasing data, re-using existing estimates and quotes, allowing quicker processes and more efficient use of resources. The system comprises a Request for Quote module (RFQ Module), an estimate module (Estimate Module) and a Request for Quote reply module (RFQ Reply Module), and a module for storing and/or communicating existing estimates and quotes (Rides Module) across hierarchical levels in the purchase process.

Abstract: A bid-based network sells network capacity on a transaction-by-transaction basis in accordance with bids placed on transactions. A transaction is the transmission of a quantum of data across at least some portion of the network, where the quantum of data can be as small as a single packet. Bids for network capacity are ranked in order of monetary value, or other criteria relevant to the network service provider. The amount charged to the highest bidder is based on the maximum bid of the next highest bidder. Bids are evaluated on a real-time basis at the time when the link is ready to transmit data. An automated system makes individual bids at each link through which data is transmitted and can take into account additional criteria that can be specified as part of the bid information, including latency and routing requirements. Bid information is passed with data through the network.

Abstract: In some implementations, a method for auctioning includes presenting selection between a deal for a rental period for a product that enables a user to purchase a rental period for a specified amount and an auction a rental period for a product over an auction period. The product is possessed by a partner and a bid server manages the deal and the auction. If the deal is selected, a request is transmitted to the partner to send the user the product. If the auction is selected, whether the user submitted a winning bidder is determined based on bids received during the auction period. A request is transmitted to the partner to ship the product to the user if the user selected the deal or is the winning bidder.

Abstract: A system for providing vehicle information at an automobile point of purchase includes a user device having a camera or other image capturing device that is used to capture an image of an automobile. An application on or associated with the image capturing device can either transmit the image to a service provider for processing, or can implement one or more steps in a feature recognition process locally, and thereafter transmit the data to a service provider. In either case, the service provider can then complete the feature recognition processing and identify the automobile from the image. The service provider can then communicate with a make and model database to provide useful information on the vehicle, which can then be transmitted to the user device and conveniently displayed.

Abstract: A collaborative bargaining system receives expressions of interest from potential buyers of an item. The collaborative bargaining system receives bids from sellers of the item. Each bid consists of a price per item based on a minimum quantity of items. A time limited exclusive opportunity is awarded to one seller of the item to obtain from the interest group a commitment to buy the minimum quantity of items at the price per item as bid by the one seller. Sales of the item are closed when the interest group commits to buy the minimum quantity of items.

Abstract: A sponsorship method that includes the steps of: a) providing an electronic database including sponsorship opportunity information; b) allowing one or more potential sponsors to gain access to the sponsorship opportunity information, c) enabling the one or more potential sponsors to offer to purchase a sponsorship opportunity; d) using a data processor to determine, using one or more selection criteria, the suitability of the one or more potential sponsors to the sponsorship opportunity; and e) if the offer to purchase the sponsorship opportunity is accepted, using the data processor to generate a sponsorship agreement based on information in the electronic database and/or information entered into the electronic interface by the one or more potential sponsors.

Abstract: A method and system for providing domain name registration and resale at the registry level and a corresponding apparatus. The apparatus is a Database Management Platform held and operated at the registry level but incorporated into each registrar-level transaction. The Database Management Platform includes the database, the logic for querying the database, and a system built around the database; it stores information in a structured format to be accessible for queries. The registrar receives a request from an end-user for a domain name; the registrar accesses the registry, which queries the Database Management Platform to determine whether the domain name is available and, if not, if it is for sale. The registrar provides this information to the end-user. If the end-user chooses to, the apparatus operates the sale/purchase transaction between current owner and the end-user. If sufficient funds exist, the end-user's account is debited and the current owner's account is credited.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the product pricing system in e-commerce using the internet, comprises a sale condition management module receiving a sale condition information entered from a seller that includes a lowest set price, a customer price and a prepared number of a product, wherein the lowest set price for a product is determined according to whole sale of the prepared number of a product; a purchase condition management module generating purchase group information by counting a purchased number for each bid price through a product bid price and a purchased number of a product entered from a customer; a status management module generating discount information according to a purchased number of a product based on the sale condition information, and generating varying price information by adding the discount information and the purchase group information; and a pricing module generating a pricing information by setting a price of the product, wherein the price of the product set at the value where the purchase gr

Abstract: Techniques for business event processing are presented. Methods and apparatuses disclosed herein may operate to receiving a request to perform an operation on a listing previously published by an online marketplace; to identify at least one additional listing having certain characteristics in common with the listing from a plurality of previously published listings including the listing; and to automatically perform the operation on the at least one additional listing. The operation may include performing an inventory check on the at least one additional listing.

Abstract: Usage of shared resources can be managed by enabling users to obtain different types of guarantees at different times for various types and/or levels of resource capacity. A user can select to have an amount or rate of capacity dedicated to that user. A user can also select reserved capacity for at least a portion of the requests, tasks, or program execution for that user, where the user has priority to that capacity but other users can utilize the excess capacity during other periods. Users can alternatively specify to use the excess capacity or other variable, non-guaranteed capacity. The capacity can be for any appropriate functional aspect of a resource, such as computational capacity, throughput, latency, bandwidth, and storage. Users can submit bids for various types and combinations of excess capacity, and winning bids can receive dedicated use of the excess capacity for at least a period of time.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a trading platform for selling goods using a computer system, the computer system including a communication interface configured for the exchange of information between users and the computer system via at least one communication network, a memory unit for storing information associated with a good to be sold, and a price variation unit, connected to the memory unit and the communication interface, for varying a price associated with the good as a function of time, based on a parameterized price function. The invention further relates to a trading platform, a computer program product, and a computer system.

Abstract: An improved system and method for a computer-implemented auction in which multiple types of items are auctioned together without imposing a particular division of supply or demand among the individual types of items. In some embodiments the auction of the present invention provides a means or method for establishing prices for the types of items, wherein the prices maintain a relationship. In other embodiments, the present invention provides a means or method for implying prices from price parameters in the bids received form bidders, based on a relation among the prices for the types of items. Market clearing may be defined by the condition that the aggregate quantity bid for all types of items is less than or equal to the available quantity of all types of items. The division among the types of items within is thus determined flexibly, based on the bids at the associated prices.

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 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: 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: This invention defines a computer system for conducting an auction of a plurality of items including receiving bids and determining an allocation of at least one of the items, the auction including a dynamic auction phase followed by a later phase.

Abstract: A method of facilitating transactions between a first party and a second party. The method comprises, receiving from the first party a first indication of interest for the transaction subject, generating a response and an response reveal date in response to receiving the first indication of interest, and transmitting the response to the first party on or after the response reveal date.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system for allocation of a series of picks amongst multiple selectors in a selection process is configured to use total picks data, number of selectors data, and picks per selector data to determine a series of benchmark pick slots for each selector in accordance with a benchmark, for each selector, calculating a pick cost for awarding a pick position to the selector, awarding said pick position to the selector for whom the pick cost would least deviate the system from the benchmark and storing said pick cost of awarding said pick, and then iterating through the remainder of the draft using pick cost to determine who picks next, ensuring maximum fairness in the pick order. The system also manages the draft itself once the pick order is determined. It can assign value to the items chosen. It awards, or deducts, points from participants based upon their receiving picks that are better or worse than they should have, and for the quality of the items they have chosen.

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 method and apparatus is disclosed herein for generating contextualized feeds. The method of generating contextualized feeds comprises receiving context data from a user. The method further comprises generating contextualized feeds based on the context data, as the context data is received. The method, in one embodiment, includes receiving a selection of one or more of the contextualized feeds from user, the selected feeds to be displayed with content entered by the user.