Abstract: A trading platform and trading method that allows access to additional pools of liquidity is described. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of enabling distributed computers to communicate more effectively in an enterprise that provides flexible approval notifications in an organization, wherein at least one of the distributed computers stores a graph database in which attributes regarding individuals of the organization are stored. The computer-implemented method includes receiving, at a server computer in the distributed computers, a request for a task to be performed, wherein the task requires approval by at least a first person in the organization who has authority to approve the request. The computer-implemented method also includes traversing, by the server computer, the graph database, to determine an identity of the first person, wherein traversing is performed based on criteria determined at least partially by information automatically extracted from the request.

Abstract: A mobile terminal inputs a sound effect output from a communication device through a microphone in response to completion of access to an IC module, and determines whether a sound pattern of the input sound effect indicates a preset sound pattern. When it is determined that the sound pattern of the input sound effect indicates the preset sound pattern, the mobile terminal displays provision information on a location where the communication device exists, on the display device that is display-controlled by the mobile terminal.

Abstract: A method includes: deploying a frontend system (FIES); registering a current deployment location of the FIES; detecting a close-proximity interaction between a user and the FIES that specifies a first category; generating a product recommendation that includes a first product of the first category; detecting a respective prior purchase record of the user for a second product in a second category associated with the first category; if the prior purchase record indicates a purchase or delivery location outside of a geographic region of the registered current deployment location, automatically augmenting the product recommendation to include a third product from the second category selected based on characteristics of the second product; and otherwise, automatically refining the first product recommendation to further define characteristics of the first product based on the characteristics of the second product; and providing the product recommendation to the first user after the automatic augmenting or refining

Abstract: One embodiment is a method that receives a description of services desired by a service requestor and then crawls web sites to extract information on services offered by service providers. The extracted information is used to transform the description of services desired by the service requestor into an improved description of services.

Abstract: Provided are systems, devices, and methods for routing events. In one example, an application server includes a network interface to receive demographic information and a request from a mobile application executing on a mobile device, and a processor configured to identify an item that corresponds to the request, identify a web server that corresponds to the item, generate an event based on the request, and determine whether the event corresponds to the application server or the web server based on a combination of the item and the received demographic information. The processor may further process the event or control the network interface to transmit the event to the web server, based on determining whether the event corresponds to the application server or the web server.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments include a mobile client device for automatically performing a mobile financial service function, including a memory storing software instructions, the software instructions including a mobile financial service application configured to perform financial service processes. The system may also include and one or more processors configured to execute the software instructions to detect a physical action performed on the mobile client device, and determine a first financial service function to perform based on the detected physical action, wherein the first financial service function is a function provided by the mobile financial service application. The one or more processors may also determine whether verification of a user is required, verify the user if verification of the user is required, and automatically initiate the first financial service function.

Abstract: Methods, systems and programs are provided for facilitating group-based and role-based logical access security mechanism and community funds on a new generation online social networking and e-commerce system to effectively protect user data privacy, to increase online advertising results, and to significantly increase online traffic and online purchasing volume. These are revolutionary technologies to disrupt the traditional non-group and non-role based logical access of a traditional social networking or e-commerce website, so as to enhance data privacy, to pool resources, to dramatically increase Internet usage and to create a win-win situation for all parties involved.

Abstract: A social media platform and system provides a graphical user interface for creating social media posts and tagging one or more products. The platform and system further provides a graphical user interface for presenting social media posts which include the tags of products. In response to a user input via the graphical user interface, the platform and system can present product elements representative of the tagged products in a content stream.

Abstract: A system for providing a vehicle purchasing tool is disclosed. The system may include one or more memory devices storing software instructions. The system may also include one or more processors configured to execute the software instructions to receive a pre-qualification application, the pre-qualification application including customer-identifying information, access a vehicle inventory associated with a dealership, and identify vehicle information associated with at least one vehicle for sale at the dealership based on the pre-qualification application. The one or more processors may be further configured to execute the instructions to determine a pre-qualified offer based at least on the customer-identifying information and the vehicle information, the pre-qualified offer including a first loan term, and provide the pre-qualified offer and the vehicle information to a client device for display as part of the pre-qualified offer in conjunction with the vehicle information.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein for activating internet of things (IoT) devices, and other non-carrier provided devices, to data and other communication plans associated with a subscriber of a telecommunications carrier. The systems and methods may generate and publish a single API that, when called by an IoT device (e.g., an associated activation client for the IoT device) receives information associated with the IoT device and activates the IoT device to the subscriber's plan.

Abstract: Embodiments include systems and methods for providing comparative bid analysis and purchase order preparation. In one embodiment, a method can include receiving price data from one or more vendors; based at least in part on the received price data, identifying similar items from the two or more vendors; comparing the identified similar items to determine a lowest price; generating one or more indications for output to a user to verify price data; based at least in part on the received price data, generating a proposed purchase order selecting the lowest price for some or all of the identified items; providing the proposed purchase order for the user to select one or more items; after user approval, generating a purchase order for the two or more vendors utilizing some or all of the user-selected items in the proposed purchase order; and transmitting the purchase order to the two or more vendors.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to methods, apparatuses, computer readable media and systems for securely processing remote transactions. One embodiment of the invention is directed to a method of processing a remote transaction initiated by a mobile device comprising a server computer receiving a payment request including encrypted payment information. The encrypted payment information being generated by a mobile payment application of the mobile device and being encrypted using a third party key. The method further comprises decrypting the encrypted payment information using the third party key, determining a transaction processor public key associated with the payment information, and re-encrypting the payment information using the transaction processor public key. The method further comprises sending a payment response including the re-encrypted payment information to a transaction processor.

Abstract: A 3D printer management application collects execution history of a job executed by a 3D printer, and generates, based on the collected execution history, a report including an actual result of use of a specific setting for control of 3D object creation and an actual result value related to productivity according to the setting.

Abstract: Methods, systems and programs are disclosed for facilitating dynamic online wish fulfillment and for transforming non-interactive assets into user-interactive assets. Such methods, systems and programs are to effectively increase online purchasing activities through joint wish fulfillment, as well as to effectively address low membership reach rates of websites and poor online advertising response rates through seamlessly integrating digital currency and dynamic online wish fulfillment with online sponsor advertisements to empower Internet users to conduct more online shopping, control online advertisement display, and to have a say and stake in the online advertising process. These are revolutionary technologies to disrupt the traditional non-dynamic wish fulfillment and non-user-participated online advertising technologies to improve social commerce and deep penetration of digital currency, to dramatically increase Internet usage and to create a win-win situation for all parties involved.

Abstract: Methods, systems and programs are provided for transforming traditional isolated access to distributed websites on the Internet into centralized access to functionalities of said distributed websites and for transforming distributed and siloed digital rewards on the Internet into a centralized digital currency through a social networking and e-commerce website for any account associated with any user on said website, and for transforming unwanted assets of other accounts associated with other users on said social networking and e-commerce website into desirable assets of any account associated with any user.

Abstract: A status management framework is provided that manages status information of a system. The status management framework receives messages from fulfillment systems, where the messages include status values. The status management framework propagates the received status values within the system. The status management framework includes a status service that receives status values from task layer services, and propagates the status values throughout objects of the system.

Abstract: Vehicle pricing such as used vehicle pricing is improved by supplementing statistical modeling techniques with additional algorithms to accommodate factors such as geography and dealer reputation that do not readily yield to regression analysis or similar tools that might be used to characterize a population.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods may operate to present a plurality of searched items by a plurality of points in a matrix view, which includes a first axis and a second axis, respectively representing a price attribute and one of other attributes of the plurality of items. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: Systems, methods and computer program products that determine wholesale prices for durable goods such as used vehicles. In one embodiment, a system includes a computer processor, a network interface, a data storage device, and an output device. The system collects and stores, via the network interface, historical sales information from external data sources. A retail price for a target vehicle is determined based on the collected information. Condition information for the vehicle is collected and used to adjust the retail price to arrive at a wholesale price, which is output to a user. The system may also adjust the price based on repair costs associated with identified vehicle conditions. The system may collect cost information associated with a wholesale sale transaction and deduct these costs and a profit margin from the wholesale price to produce a trade-in price.

Abstract: A guest engagement system and associated methods provide seamless engagement with guests of facilities through the use of wireless sensing technologies. The system makes use of individual guest devices which are carried by guests and used to automatically identify and authenticate the guests throughout the facility. Services can thereby be seamlessly provided to the guests throughout the facility. The services include automatic unlocking of doors, including hotel or state room doors, based on the guests' immediate proximity to their assigned room's door. The services also include automated payment services provided at checkout or vending terminals, and automated log-on to interactive displays and portals, among others, based on secure wireless authentication of the guest devices.

Abstract: A system and method for efficiently responding to electronic requests for quote (“RFQ”). Through use, a user, such as a merchant, can automatically create and deliver an electronic RFQ response, without need for any interaction by the merchant. The merchant may establish certain criteria in order to allow the system and method to automatically respond to electronic RFQ's received by the merchant.

Abstract: Providing subscriber options can include receiving a message including a selected service design option from a subscriber device, identifying the subscriber based on the message, fetching data pertinent to the selected service design option and the identified subscriber, and providing a set of service design options, dependent to the selected service design option, to the subscriber device based on the data.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein can produce and present sustainable price information to help dealers to price vehicles for sustainability and facilitate consumers in making purchase decisions. In one approach, a sustainable price range for a specific vehicle configuration may be based on an average profit margin (APM) determined utilizing historical sale prices and an estimated actual dealer cost. Other approaches may utilize some or all of the following steps: determine APM and build a model of distribution of profit margins by APM, build a model to adjust APM by certain variables, identify sustainable levels for the inventory, production, and incentives variables feeding into the APM model, plug those in to get the averages for those sustainable levels, identify sustainable percentile cutoffs for a given profit margin, then use this relationship with the now identified sustainable levels as inputs to find the overall sustainable profit margin.

Abstract: A horizontal structure of components (or disparate business provider entities) for retail sales of merchandise is integrated by a server computer. The plurality of components are capable of collectively performing and completing the sale. Each component can be performed by a plurality of independent businesses, which are integrated or dis-integrated automatically and electronically by an integration engine within the structure on demand by the customer.

Abstract: A method for installing a photovoltaic system is presented and may involve receiving an identity of a building, and accessing a data store to obtain physical characteristics of the building based on an address of the building. The method may also include accessing a second data store to obtain weather information for a geographic region that includes the building, determining an available installation area to install a photovoltaic system on the building based on the physical characteristics of the building, and calculating an installation area for the photovoltaic system based at least in part on the weather information and the available installation area to maximize average efficiency of photovoltaic cells within the photovoltaic system. Further, the method may include adjusting the size of the PV system based on a building specific non-energy based constraint.

Abstract: A method and system for reducing the time it takes for a trader to place a trade when electronically trading commodities on an exchange, thus increasing the likelihood that the trader will have orders filled at desirable prices and quantities. Click based trading, as described herein and specifically the “Click” and “Dime” methods of the present invention, enables a trader to execute single mouse click trades for large volumes of commodities at a price within a pre-specified range.

Abstract: A system and method for exchanging information and documents related to the processing of trade transactions is provided. The method comprises associating at least one unique identifier with at least one shipping document; and posting the at least one unique identifier and the least one shipping document on a first communications network. A system for exchanging information and documents related to the processing of trade transactions is also provided. The system comprises means for associating at least one unique identifier with at least one shipping document; and means for posting the at least one unique identifier and the at least one shipping document on a network for viewing.

Abstract: A secure payment method includes receiving, by a payment recipient, a transaction request from a party in a transaction. The payment recipient requests a payment that is in a specified form and that is uniquely identified by a unique identification. The method includes receiving, on behalf of the payment recipient and at a payment recipient computer, the payment that is in the specified form. The payment is uniquely identified by the unique identification. The payment recipient authorizes the transaction in response to receiving the payment that is in the specified form and that is uniquely identified by the unique identification. The specified form is issued by a private third party.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed toward systems and methods for managing electronic messages via a social networking system. For example, systems and methods described herein involve organizing electronic messages and/or communication threads related to a product offered by sale via the social networking system. Furthermore, systems and methods described herein can generate and send electronic messages that are related to the status of a product that a product seller has advertised for sale via the social networking system.

Abstract: A system, computer-readable storage medium storing at least one program, and a computer-implemented method for re-ranking ranked search results is presented. Ranked search results satisfying a search query are obtained, where the ranked search results include a first search result corresponding to a first document associated with a first entity and a second search result corresponding to a second document associated with a second entity, and where the first search result is ranked higher than the second search result. The first document and the second document are determined to satisfy a similarity criterion. The second entity is determined to satisfy a predefined authorship differential with respect to the first entity. Responsive to determining that the second entity satisfies the predefined authorship differential with respect to the first entity, the second search result and the first search result in the ranked search results are swapped to produce re-ranked search results.

Abstract: A method of communication between a customer and a service provider, comprising a hardware processor coupled to a memory storing a plurality of service providers in a business directory, wherein the customer searches through the business directory using an electronic device in order to start a communication with one or more service providers from the business directory, and wherein the communication takes place through the hardware processor and is stored on a remote server.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to, in part, providing a third party with access to at least some information in a user's account maintained by a host. The agent may assist a user in selecting an item, purchasing the item, customizing the item, and/or performing other actions. The agent may interact with the user during the assistance. In various embodiments, the user may provide the agent with a token that allows the agent to gain at least temporary access to at least a portion of the user's account. In some instances, the agent may purchase the item for the user using information in the user's account, such as payment information, shipping address information, and/or other information. The agent may place an item, such as a special order item in a virtual shopping cart or other location, which may be stored with the user's account.

Abstract: The invention discloses a secure data processing method and system, wherein the secure data processing method comprises the following steps of: a security control server receiving a data upload request from a terminal, and obtaining a file feature, an identification code of the terminal and a directory path of a file with the file feature in the terminal comprised in the data upload request; the security control server judging whether the terminal is a trustable machine and/or judging whether the directory path is a credit directory according to the identification code and/or the directory path, and if the terminal is a trustable machine and/or the directory path is a credit directory, adding the uploaded file feature into a security database, or otherwise, not adding it into the security database; the trustable machine is a terminal in which data is considered as secure data. The invention further provides a secure data processing system implementing the foregoing method.

Abstract: A purchase platform redirection (PPR) computing device is provided, the PPR computing device configured to receive a checkout request associated with a transaction initiated at an initial purchase platform by an account-holder. The checkout request includes an identifier of the initial purchase platform and an account-holder account identifier of the account-holder's payment account. The PPR computing device is also configured to determine that the initial purchase platform is not a recommended purchase platform, and determine, using at least the account-holder account identifier, whether the recommended purchase platform is available to the account-holder.

Abstract: A device receive data regarding a project. The device may automatically evaluate the data using a set of analytics tools. The device may communicate with a client device to provide a virtual agent user interface component based on evaluating the data using the set of analytics tools. The virtual agent user interface component may include information identifying a set of alerts relating to the project and a set of recommendations relating to the set of alerts. The device may receive information indicating that a particular recommendation, of the set of recommendations is to be implemented. The device may communicate with one or more other devices to implement the particular recommendation.

Abstract: Systems and methods for configurable trading interfaces that allow a trader to quickly and easily submit trading commands to a trading system are provided. Using these systems and methods, a trader can using various trading interfaces to initiate trading commands, configure various display features and default command settings, and control a level of command entry verification that is provided to protect against inadvertent entry of incorrect trading commands.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for analyzing data in an online professional social network to identify, score, and match users with regard to providing professional services. A graph structure provides an efficient structure for accessing and processing data about service providers in order to create a service marketplace.

Abstract: There is provided systems and method for a voice data processor for distinguishing multiple voice inputs. One or more merchant devices may include or be linked to a voice input and output component, where the component may be used to receive voice input and distinguish between multiple voice inputs. The component may activate in a first direction associated with the merchant to detect merchant voice input that establishes a transaction with a user at the merchant's location. The component may activate a merchant device to establish the transaction based on detecting the merchant voice input and/or through voice recognition of the merchant. Once the transaction is established, the component may then activate in a direction of the user, and may request that the user provide voice input to confirm the transaction and engage in transaction processing. The voice input may also confirm and complete a payment to the merchant.

Abstract: A method of inspecting a user device of a user of a transport system includes obtaining, by a portable inspection device, identification data of a user device of a user of a transport system; generating an inspection result of the user device, by an inspection system, in dependence on the read identification data and an item in a record within a database, wherein the record comprises a plurality of items each relating to entry data of a respective user device of a respective of users of the transport system; and conveying, by the portable inspection device, the result of the inspection.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a social media ecosystem cooperative marketplace. To participate in the social media ecosystem cooperative marketplace, a sharing discount percentage is requested from participating social media merchants. The sharing discount percentage is used to provide lower purchase prices for plural goods and services provided to social media purchasers in the social media ecosystem cooperative marketplace and to support the social media ecosystem cooperative marketplace itself on a global scale for social media purchasers and social media merchants. Social media purchasers are searched for with social media index values and with social commerce connections. Social media purchasers are paid to view advertising or complete surveys for the social media merchants. The social media ecosystem cooperative marketplace is provided on a cloud communications network for mobile and non-mobile devices.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention fill the need of displaying relevant advertisements to members of targeted online groups (or online community groups), whose group members share common interests. The relevant advertisements are provided by advertisers who promote goods and/or services that the targeted online groups are likely to have an interest. The advertisers choose the targeted online groups based on the description of the common interests, focus or background of the online groups, or based on the categories that the online groups are associated. In one embodiment, moderators of the online groups may screen the advertisements before they are displayed on the online group media spaces. By matching interests, focus or background of online groups with products and/or serviced promoted by the advertisers and by moderators screening advertisements, the advertisements displayed would be more likely to be relevant to the members of the online groups.

Abstract: Exemplary methods, apparatuses, and systems receive, from a first user device associated with a first user, location data representing a current physical location of the first user. A request for the current physical location of the first user is received from a second user device associated with the second user. In response to the received selection, the current physical location of the first user based upon the shared location data is transmitted to the second user device. A selection of a third party service is received from the second user device. The current physical location of the first user is transmitted to a server associated with the third party service within a request for the third party service to send the a service or product to the current physical location of the first user.

Abstract: An method and system for handling service interdependencies in an ontology-based emergent environment that prompts service partners to provide both service type information and service parameters through a partner-portal so that the registered services can be classified into ontologies which allow parameters and rules to be associated with each registered service. The ontology modification information is generated by identifying an interdependency, manifesting the interdependency, generating new rules and parameters, and adding the new rules and parameters to the relevant service categories within the ontology database. The service partners are asked about these new parameters when registering a service.

Abstract: A system and method for data usage management in an electronic device is provided. The method includes tracking an estimated cost of a download in a currency set by a user, determining the estimated cost of the download in the currency set by the user, displaying the estimated cost of the download, determining application data usage, implementing notifications of the data usage, and displaying the data usage, wherein a widget or an application is used to display the data usage.

Abstract: A method of modifying a requisition within approval and budgetary constraints by a procurement organization may include receiving the requisition from a requesting organization, where the requisition may comprise one or more lines, each having been approved by the requesting organization. The method may also include receiving a change to be applied to a first line associated with a first budget allocation, where the change may be received from a buyer in the procurement organization, and the change may be associated with a second budget allocation. The method may additionally include determining that the change violates a threshold, sending the change to the requesting organization for a second approval, receiving, from the requesting organization, an indication as to whether the second approval is granted, and creating a purchase order based on the indication as to whether the second approval is granted.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods, systems, or apparatuses relating to data processing and more particularly to methods, systems, or apparatuses to process, create, or transmit, one or more messages relating to goods or services.

Abstract: According to the invention, a content delivery network (CDN) for delivering content objects from a content provider to a recipient is disclosed. The CDN includes a dynamic pricing engine and a second web location. The dynamic pricing engine is coupled to a first web location. The first web location, which is associated with a content provider, allows the recipient to order a content object. The delivery quote is solicited by the first web location for delivering a content object one or more times. The second web location delivers the content object to a recipient system of the recipient. The second web location is associated with the dynamic pricing engine. The dynamic pricing engine automatically produces the delivery quote, which is affected by at least one of the content object or a web location of the recipient system.

Abstract: A machine may be configured as a vehicle identification machine to identify a model of a vehicle based on an image that depicts a dashboard of the vehicle. As configured, the machine may receive an image of the dashboard, where the image depicts a layout of instrumentation within the dashboard. The machine may identify the layout of instrumentation by processing the image. For example, the machine may process the image by determining a position of an instrument within the layout of instrumentation, determining an outline of instrument, or both. The machine may access a data record that correlates a model of the vehicle with the identified layout of instrumentation and, based on the data record, identify the model of the vehicle. The machine may then provide a notification that references the vehicle, references the identified model of the vehicle, or references both.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an effective, user-friendly approach to help a buyer of a car, truck, boat, or other vehicle to get a firm quote from a dealer on a vehicle that the buyer wants, and is financially qualified for, without the hassle and time expense involved in traditional vehicle sales. Embodiments of the present disclosure also help link dealers with buyers who are pre-qualified and motivated to purchase a vehicle, thus helping to eliminate the wasted time, money, and opportunity costs dealers often devote to customers who are not interested in purchasing, and/or who do not financially qualify to purchase, a vehicle.