Abstract: Methods, systems and computer readable media for product authentication are described.

Abstract: An extraction apparatus (10) is the extraction apparatus that extracts a common plan subtree that is a common part among a plurality of plan trees from the plurality of plan trees, and includes a first assignment unit (11) that calculates, based on information of nodes of a plan tree, a hash value for each node to assign the calculated hash value to the corresponding each node, a second assignment unit (12) that assigns a unique number associated with a set of pointers to each node based on the hash value of each node, and a common plan subtree extraction unit (13) that lists subtrees below a node having the same unique number to extract the common plan subtree from the plurality of plan trees.

Abstract: According to various exemplary embodiments, an electronic text message is received from a source telephone number, the electronic text message including content describing a product item. A seller of the product item is identified, based on the source telephone number, and the product item is identified, based on the content included in the electronic text message. Thereafter, a draft version of an item listing is automatically generated, where the item listing lists the product item as being for sale by the seller on a marketplace website.

Abstract: A wireless management system manages a wireless system including a base station and terminals. The wireless management system includes a computer that includes an arithmetic device that executes predetermined arithmetic processing, and a storage device connected to the arithmetic device. The arithmetic device calculates a usage rate of radio resources used by the terminal based on positional information of the terminals and the number of terminals communicating with the base station at the time of communication between the terminals and the base station.

Abstract: Systems and methods for obtaining required information prior to initiation of a transaction are described herein. In an embodiment, a system stores entity data defining a plurality of entities and data record requirement data identifying one or more required data record fields for one or more transactions. The system receives a request to initiate a transaction from a first client computing device corresponding to an account of a first entity. The system subsequently receives a request to view or participate in the particular transaction from a second client computing device corresponding to an account of a second entity. The system determines that the second entity has not provided data for the one or more required data record fields and, in response, restricts the second client computing device from viewing or participating in the transaction until the second entity has provided the data for the one or more required data record fields.

Abstract: The present disclosure proposes a proxy method, comprising receiving a request for a service in a first architecture from a requester network function (NF) in a second architecture, obtaining a response of the service from a serving NF on behalf of the requester NF, and sending a further response to the requester NF based on the response of the service. The proxy method may be implemented on a NF or a function entity within a NF.

Abstract: Techniques are for provided located-based contextual services to users by automatically creating location-based contextually relevant communication sessions that may take on a variety of forms, including contextual chats and micro-local services that are ephemeral, curated by a location owner and personalized by a user. As a user's context shifts throughout the day (from work to shopping to entertainment, etc.) the presented techniques filter content differently based on what the user may care about at a particular moment when the user is at a particular venue. The automatic creation and deletion of an ephemeral space/channel provides a dynamic application that changes its content or behavior based on a user's location. The user may control the interactivity level based on an adaptive user identifier by which a user's identity may take on different versions depending on location and time of day.

Abstract: In an approach to provide contact-less shopping assistance to a user, a computer implements a method for receiving customer authentication data from a user and associating the customer authentication data with a tagged wearable device and a tagged mobility device with the user. The method further includes receiving an indication the user is wearing the tagged mobility device, and that the user is entering a shopping facility using the tagged mobility device. The method further includes receiving a user instruction to capture an image causing the tagged wearable device to capture the image, identifying a bar code in the image, determining an item based on the bar code and transmitting an action instruction to the tagged mobility device to retrieve the item and secure the item. The method further includes receiving an indication that the user has completed the task and delivering the item to the user.

Abstract: This application relates to apparatus and methods for providing recommended items to advertise. In some examples, a computing device determines a plurality of first values for a corresponding plurality of first items based on the user's engagement with each of the first items. The computing device may then determine a subset of the plurality of first items based on the first values. The computing device may receive a search request and determine a plurality of second values for a plurality of second items based on the search request. The computing device may determine a plurality of third values for the subset of items based on the plurality of second values for the plurality of second items and the user's engagement with each of the subset of items. The computing device may determine the recommended items based on the plurality of second values and the plurality of third values.

Abstract: Retail merchants, third-party manufacturers, and/or distributors of retail goods market and distribute promotions to consumers based on the consumers' transaction histories (i.e., users that do not typically purchase a particular brand of soda) and/or award promotions to consumers targeted to a specific item, class or category of item, or characteristic of an item. The promotion redeems and is applied automatically to reduce the purchase amount when the consumer presents a payment method for a transaction for the purchase of a targeted item.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein for generating enhanced search results utilizing third-party website content within a search engine provided by an electronic catalog of a service provider. This content may be collected in advance of query processing and analyzed to identify a category indicating some attribute of the content (e.g., terms mentioned, topics discussed, object depicted in images/videos/3D data of the content, etc.). Items may be matched to the website through analyzing the textual and/or visual representation data of the website to textual and/or visual representation data associated with an item offered within the electronic catalog. A query may be subsequently received and a third-party website may be identified as being relevant to the search query. In response to the query, the third-party website may be included in a search result list along with images and/or text identifying items pertaining to that website.

Abstract: A method for sending a transactional message assigns a universal transactional account (UTA) identifier to a customer, associates the assigned UTA identifier with a customer account corresponding to the customer, assigns an account network address corresponding to a service provider, stores, in a routing database, the UTA identifier in association with the account network address, creates, using a second terminal including a processor, the transactional message comprising the UTA identifier and a value, and sends the transactional message to the service provider, the sending the transactional message to the service provider including using the routing database to look up the account network address corresponding to the UTA identifier and transmitting the transactional message to the account network address.

Abstract: A technology that facilitates distribution of scientific data are disclosed. Exemplary implementations may: obtain scientific data from sci-data gathering devices; analyze gathered sci-data to identify and categorize relevant scientific elements in the gathered sci-data; offer the analyzed sci-data via a marketplace in exchange for a monetary value; and deliver the analyzed sci-data via the marketplace in exchange for an acceptable monetary value.

Abstract: An online personalized style advice and sales system for a consumer to contact a personal stylist to find articles of clothing that match an existing article of clothing and processes for obtaining personalized style advice are disclosed. The system includes a website that allows for consumers to contact a personal stylist in order to find perfect or near perfect article of clothing that would match an article of clothing that the consumer already owns or possesses. The consumer sends in a picture of themselves wearing the article of clothing they would like to match and the stylist would then do the search and find choices for the consumer to choose from. The consumer can choose to buy or not. The consumer will have the option to buy or not buy the chosen article of clothing that is picked out for them.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for providing a searchable aggregated data structure for a networked application. Source data in a plurality of formats is acquired from delivery service computers associated with food or beverage delivery services over a communication network. Acquired source data includes, for each of the food or beverage delivery services, data representing multiple source menu items. Acquired source data is mapped according to a predetermined data format. Formatted data is linked to common sources of the source menu items based on identification data. Common menu items among the source menu items are identified, and, for each identified common menu item, the source menu items are associated with a master menu item. Linked data and master menu items are combined into a master data set. The master data set and the identification data are imported into the searchable aggregated data structure.

Abstract: A product purchase guidance system may include a user device to permit selection of an influencer. A purchase guidance server may include a memory to store personalized influencer media content of a respective suggested product purchase list associated with each of the influencers and retailer store layouts, and a processor coupled to the memory to determine an identity of the selected influencer from the user device and determine a geographic location of the user device. The processor may also determine a corresponding retailer store layout based upon the geographic location and determine an in-store position of the user device. The processor may also communicate the personalized influencer media content corresponding to the selected influencer and for a given suggested product based upon the determined retailer store layout and in-store position so that the user device outputs the personalized media content for the given suggested product.

Abstract: A computer implemented method determines validity of web-based interactions. Web-based interaction data relating to a web-based interaction may be accessed. The web-based interaction data may include aggregate measure data that may include a number of unique queries per web-based session. The validity of the web-based interaction may be determined based on the aggregate measure data.

Abstract: In various example embodiments, a system and method for a cross selling platform are presented. A request for a product listing triggered by a user may be received. The request for the product listing may include product information corresponding to an in-store product located at a store of a merchant. A related product listing may be identified based on the product information. Each product listing of the plurality of product listings may correspond to a merchant product. The product listing may be recommended to the user for sale.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for representing fitting of clothing for a plurality of users. At least one processor accesses database(s) that includes clothing information representing articles of clothing and fit information representing fitting of at least some of the articles of clothing on respective persons. A graphical user interface is operable on a mobile computing device that includes at least one electronic prompt for users to submit for clothing information and fit information. Clothing information and fit information received from a plurality of user computing devices and in response to at least one prompt in the graphical user interface is stored in the database(s). At least some the clothing information and fit information is processed to determine a value representing the fit of the article of clothing with at least one person, information associated with the value is transmitted to at least one computing device.

Abstract: A retail purchasing computer system associated with a retailer is described herein. The retail purchasing computer system includes a retail server computer including a processor coupled to a memory device. The retail server computer receives, from the mobile computing device, a signal including an item identifier associated with an item for sale by the retailer, accesses an item database and retrieves item information associated with the item identifier, and transmits a signal including the item information to the mobile computing device. The mobile computing device displays the item information and the operational input on the touchscreen upon receiving the signal including the item information from the retail server. The retail server computer receives a purchase signal including the item identifier and a unique user ID, transmitted when a predefined number of consecutive touch inputs of the operational input by the user via the touchscreen.

Abstract: A method and system for establishing an electronic communication channel between at least one agent of a first entity and a second entity is provided. The method includes linking the second entity to the at least one agent of the first entity when a trigger is sent by the second entity. Providing one or more software programs over the electronic communication channel to the second entity; initiating an exchange by the at least one agent of the first entity to the second entity. And sending one or more messages over the communication channel between the at least one agent from the first entity and the second entity. The system includes a database containing a link between the agent of the first entity and the second entity. The system also includes a server configured to establish an electronic communication channel between the agent of the first entity and the second entity when a trigger is sent by the second entity.

Abstract: An online system generates a household device-user graph, which links one or more household devices in a household with one or more users, each of whom having a user profile in the online system. The household device-user graph can be used for effective content delivery to users of the online system. The device-user graph generated by the online system describes connections between household device users and household devices in the target household and usage of the household devices by the household device users. Each household device user represented in the device-user graph is connected to one or more household devices represented in the device-user graph. The online system determines whether one or more household device users identified in the device-user graph are users of the online system, and updates the user profiles of the identified household device users in response to a determination that the identified household device users are users of the online system.

Abstract: A service processing device and method include receiving a service processing request including data interaction processing mode information and account information, and determining, based on the service processing request, one or more data interaction processing mode candidates for executing the service processing request. The data interaction processing mode candidates are determined from a plurality of data interaction processing modes. Each of the data interaction processing modes includes processing parameters, and at least one of the processing parameters is different between different data interaction processing modes. Each of the one or more data interaction processing mode candidates has an associated processing success rate based on a historical processing record of the data interaction processing modes.

Abstract: A system and method for order fulfillment includes receiving an order for a plurality of items, initiating collection of the plurality of items for the order, detecting presence of a user at a selected one of a plurality of delivery locations when the plurality of items are ready for delivery, and initiating delivery of the items to the user at the selected delivery location.

Abstract: Systems and processes for real-time instant funding solutions for miscellaneous income are disclosed. The method of funding miscellaneous income includes securely transmitting a funding information file or a real time funding transaction request with miscellaneous funding information to a funding card processing system using real-time web services APIs which are externally accessible by an external computing system, e.g., point of sale, time and labor or payroll system. The method further includes processing the funding information file with the funding card processing system, which includes at least identifying client information and a user receiving miscellaneous income contained within the miscellaneous funding information. The method further includes funding a payroll card of the identified user with the miscellaneous income received with the miscellaneous funding information of the funding information file.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods, systems, and apparatuses for identifying related records in a database. The method includes receiving, via a network interface, a related records query, the related records query identifying at least one record stored in the electronic database, determining, based on transaction data, at least one related record that is related to the identified at least one record, determining, by a processor, that the at least one related record is unavailable, in response to determining that the at least one related record is unavailable, determining at least one keyword associated with the at least one related record, selecting at least one of one or more substitute records based at least in part on comparing the at least one keyword with a set of keywords associated with one or more substitute records, and providing the selected one or more substitute records as a response to the related records query.

Abstract: This disclosure describes, in part, techniques for storing transaction data at a central service, and techniques for querying information associated with the data from the central service when authorizing payment instruments for transactions. For instance, a central service may receive historical transaction data from multiple payment services that authorize payment instruments for merchants, and then store the historical transaction data in one or more databases. A payment service may then receive a request to authorize a payment instrument for a transaction between a merchant and a customer. Based on receiving the request, the payment service can send the central service a message that includes a query for information associated with historical transaction data corresponding to the payment instrument. In response, the payment service can receive the information from the central service and authorize the payment instrument using the information.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a fraud prevention method for a pay-per-click data processing system. The method can include receiving a click through for a link in a host site which references a marketed site. The method also can include identifying a link address for the link in the click through. The method yet further can include comparing the identified link address to a modified link address recorded for an actual link address for the marketed site. Finally, the method can include quashing the click through if the identified link address is not the modified link address. Conversely, the method can include redirecting the click through to the marketed site if the identified link address is the modified link address.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, an apparatus includes an acquisition unit, a first controller, an acceptor, a generator, and a second controller. The acquisition unit is configured to acquire characteristic information on a subject. The first controller is configured to generate a screen according to the acquired characteristic information and display the display screen on a first display. The screen contains clothing images corresponding to the acquired characteristic information in first information in which the characteristic information and the clothing images are associated with each other. The acceptor is configured to accept from the subject a selection of an image of clothing to be tried on from among the clothing images displayed on the first display. The generator is configured to generate a composite image of a subject image of the subject and the selected clothing image. The second controller is configured to display the composite image on a second display.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems, apparatuses, circuits, methods and computer executable code sets for generating and providing content recommendations to match the tastes and preferences of a group of users. a Recommendation Engine is used for generating two or more individual content recommendation sets for each of the members in the user group. A Recommendation Aggregation Module is used for adding and combining the individual content recommendation sets into an aggregated recommendation set. a Recommendation Selection Module is used for selecting at least a subset of the content items in the aggregated recommendation set for inclusion in a content recommendation result set. A Profile Engine is used for building individual group users profiles from which a merged group profile is constructed, or for building a single joint group profile based on inputs from multiple group users.

Abstract: The present invention provides, for example, a terminal device which allows users to easily check whether or not predetermined conditions such as free shipping conditions are met in, for example, a net supermarket site, and prevents display of a shopping cart from preventing product information from being enlarged and displayed or a great number of pieces of product information from being displayed. Display control is performed such that, while a shopping cart is displayed in the first display area until predetermined conditions are met, the shopping cart is displayed in the second display area below the first display area after the predetermined conditions are met.

Abstract: A method and system for secure authentication of a mobile computing device (MCD) are described. Data that identifies the MCD is obtained. Identification data is exchanged with a network service, which sends embedded data to trigger a secure browser instance on the MCD. A secure single action link specific to the requesting device is then provided, the secure single action link being actionable to communicate to the network service, through the secure browser instance, a session token corresponding to the mobile computing device. The user can perform a selection action on the secure single action link to authenticate the MCD.

Abstract: Receiving payment includes the establishment, at a first server, a transaction record including information identifying a payment amount, a first account to be credited by the payment amount, and a second account to be debited by a debit amount. A financial authorization network performs an authorization analysis on at least the second account. The second account is debited if the authorization analysis is successfully completed, and the first account is directly credited by the payment amount to conclude the transaction. Risk analysis may be performed for each individual. Payment is integrated with shipping.

Abstract: A method for completing a transaction is presented. The method comprises establishing network communications between a user and a server, receiving information, at the server, regarding the transaction, seeking available information pertinent to the transaction from at least one source external to the server and the user, processing data from the available information using a rules based engine including rules established on behalf of a party to the transaction located at the server, and presenting an offer set to the user based on at least one decision made by the rules based engine. The transaction may be one according to a variety of scenarios, and the user may be an appropriate party to the transaction. The user may employ various devices to contact the server and seek to complete the transaction.

Abstract: A non-transitory processor-readable medium stores code representing instructions to be executed by a processor. The code stored in the medium includes code to cause the processor to receive a first signal indicating a quantity of an item listed on a website of a first marketplace from a set of marketplaces. The item is listed on a website of each marketplace from the set of marketplaces. The code stored in the medium includes code to cause the processor to change, based on the first signal, an inventory parameter associated with the item from a first value to a second value. The code stored in the medium includes code to cause the processor to send, to a device of each marketplace, a second signal indicating the updated inventory parameter such that the item remains listed on the website of each marketplace until the second value is zero.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide for using video analysis, such as augmented reality or the like to assist a group of users to utilize mobile devices for creating a collective network environment of users that identifies objects in which one or more users in a group of users may be interested, and notifies the one or more users of information associated with the object. A collective network comprises a group of users that each have a mobile device that contains or is otherwise operatively coupled to a data capture device. For example, the mobile device may be a mobile phone that is capable of taking video with a camera device. A user in the collective network may capture video on his mobile device, and an application can identify the object in the video and provide interested users in the collective network with information about the object.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide for using video analysis, such as augmented reality or the like to assist a group of users to utilize mobile devices for creating a collective network environment of users that identifies objects in which one or more users in a group of users may be interested, and notifies the one or more users of information associated with the object. A collective network comprises a group of users that each have a mobile device that contains or is otherwise operatively coupled to a data capture device. For example, the mobile device may be a mobile phone that is capable of taking video with a camera device. A user in the collective network may capture video on his mobile device, and an application can identify the object in the video and provide interested users in the collective network with information about the object.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for using a mobile computing device corresponding to a user to purchase a product being offered for sale by a user includes, when the mobile computing device has selected an item indicating the product, obtaining item information related to the item. Item display data is generated based on the item information and transmitted to the mobile computing device. The item display data prompts the mobile computing device to display the item information and an operational input in a graphical user interface of the mobile computing device. A command is received in response to a prescribed number of actions input by the user to the operational input. The command causes a purchasing server to perform one or more operations.

Abstract: A universal user interaction module for web transactions with user controlled conditions. A request is received from a user to begin an order. User information is collected from one or more data repositories. The user information is consolidated and a determination is made as to what additional data is required to complete the order. The additional data is requested from the user and is received from the user. The additional data includes one or more user conditions for placing the order. The order is then stored. The order for the product includes the one or more user conditions, and the order is placed only after all of the one or more user conditions have been met.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of detecting fraudulent clicks in an online environment to reduce fraudulent paid clicks for online advertisers. The method includes server side and client side code which combined enables a click verification web site to identify valid and invalid clicks and in real-time prevents advertisers from getting billed for fraudulent activity.

Abstract: Systems and methods for distributing and activating gift cards and advertising so as to provide a gift card mall in the home of a gift giver are described. The system can include a unitary single-sheet form, a package envelope, an activation system, a delivery system, and a redemption system. The system can also include a publication. A plurality of the forms can be inserted into the package envelope for delivery to the gift giver. The gift giver can select one or more of the gift cards for activation and delivery to a gift recipient. The gift recipient can then redeem the activated gift received from the gift giver for a redemption item sold or provided by a retailer, service provider, or manufacturer. The redemption item can be a good, service, or money. The redemption item can be purchased at an online shopping mall, by telephone, or in a retail store.

Abstract: A system for linking a shopper's online electronic shopping cart with the shopper's in-store electronic shopping cart is provided. The system includes an online website of a merchant for the purchase of goods by one or more shoppers. Each shopper is provided with an online electronic shopping cart accessible through the website and an in-store electronic shopping cart accessible at a local retail location. The online and in-store electronic shopping carts are linked by placing one or more items contained in the online shopping cart in the in-store shopping cart and vice versa. Related apparatus, methods, techniques and articles are also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an order management system for purchasing regulated products such as wine over the Internet. Currently, U.S. states require wine to be purchased directly from a licensed retailer or a producer permitted to ship the wine directly to the consumer. In a computer system, the present invention relates to methods for managing orders between a consumer and a wine producer or licensed retailer wherein the transaction is facilitated via a third party website, such as a wine club website. The methods of the present invention may also facilitate allocation of payments to a charity as part of the transaction, and for the use of split tender payments using virtual currency.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for preserving any natural land through an independent trust organization. The organization must buy natural land in a plurality of countries all around the world land through a company. The trust organization shall then divides the land in smaller tiles and sells to clients the right to use the land without transferring the actual property title. The clients then become the beneficiaries of the trust organization. The organization keeps control over the ownership of the parcel of land in order to avoid inappropriate or undesired uses of the land, such as cutting the trees, harvesting the land or any type of human exploitation. The method shall be realized by a web-based system allowing the clients to buy titles from the owned land through a web-browser. The client, or user of the system, may envision the parcel of land through online maps and may buy merchandize related to the owned tiles of land.

Abstract: A method and technology platform for electronic commerce use a software package including an interactive website. An Affiliate may access participating vendors and third-party sources to acquire information of interest, including product data, content, and website design templates.

Abstract: A decoupled marketing offer and payment verification system is disclosed. The system communicates with a client and a 3rd party billing provider in connection with the purchase of a product. The system includes a marketing agent configured to receive a context from the client and generate one or more eligible offers, each offer representing the terms of purchase of a product and having associated offer Id. The system also includes a billing agent configured to receive payment information and a selected offer Id and issue a payment request to the 3rd party billing provider. On condition of successful payment, the billing agent is configured to generate a ticket comprising the selected offer Id, the ticket binding the successful payment to the selected offer Id. The billing agent is configured to verify that the ticket is eligible for redemption and record that the ticket is redeemed.

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: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, are provided for an intelligent, continuously active purchasing assistant. The method may include receiving at least one customer specification from at least one potential customer of an expression of an interest in a purchase, the expression of the interest in the purchase comprising at least an interest lifetime; receiving a customer geolocation; receiving at least one supplier specification from at least one supplier of an inventory item; creating a continuous, real-time distribution channel comprising at least one match of the at least one customer specification and the at least one supplier specification of the inventory item, wherein the real-time distribution channel is sustained during the interest lifetime; and conducting an exchange wherein the inventory item is made available to the at least one potential customer. Related apparatus, systems, methods, and articles are also described.

Abstract: Technology, alternative to money, for enabling equitable trade between users. The technology embodies chiralkine money and chiralkine property rights created as vectors through chiralkine contracts made by a recorder that maintains an open register and a trading pair of two users.

Abstract: A method and system provides online software and services via prepaid scratchcards. Users may pay for online software and services with prepaid scratchcards. For example, online services may include accounting, legal, and auditing services. For example, online software may include productivity and business software. For example, online services and software may be provided on a subscription basis. Use of scratchcards may improve availability of software and services to more users, protect user security, and facilitate gifting between users.