Abstract: A method of making a printed article of clothing of fabric, characterized by the following steps: (a) a computer (4) of a customer (2) is connected for data exchange with a computer (12) of a producer; (b) the customer (2) sets the design of a desired article of clothing via the customer computer (4)/producer computer (12) connection by setting for a plurality of design parameters (e.g. basic design, color, size) a respective selection target from several selection targets possible; (c) based on data from said design setting, several print parts are printed on a printing medium by means of a printer (12), said printing medium being either directly a fabric panel or an intermediate medium the print of which is transferred to fabric later on; (d) fabric pieces (24a; 24b) (e.g.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes techniques for live updating of product codes directly from and an affiliate site. In one scenario, a live control panel is launched directly from the affiliate website in response to a selection of a control panel wizard on the affiliate website screen. A stored keyword list is identified and retrieved that was used to create the currently presented product codes on the affiliate website. At least one Vendor Website is searched for products offered for sale relating to the stored keyword list and a large number of new product codes are retrieved. The product codes along with manually activatable editing buttons which allow a user to individually select product codes are displayed. Tracking ids are inserted either before or after selection process and multiple ones of currently presented product codes are updated with new product codes selected from among the displayed product codes while the control panel is still active.

Abstract: A rendering constraint is detected for a maximum time between capture of each a plurality of frames of a captured video stream of a consumer and a rendering of each corresponding frame of a consumer representation comprising a rendered three dimensional model rendered to depict a consumer appearance and a movement wearing a particular merchandise item. Processor elements accessible to the at least one computing system are selected that are able to generate the rendered three dimensional model within the time period specified in the rendering constraint. At least one processing task is directed to the selected processor elements to build the consumer representation comprising the three dimensional model and generate a rendering of the three dimensional model wearing the particular merchandise item as the captured video stream is received in real time at the at least one computer system.

Abstract: A method for processing a personalized gift card transaction includes: receiving a gift card request from a consumer associated with a payment account, the request including a usage amount, a plurality of merchant identifiers, an account identifier associated with the payment account, and a message; identifying a personalized gift card number; storing a gift card data entry including the personalized gift card number, usage amount, plurality of merchant identifiers, account identifier, and message; transmitting the personalized gift card number; receiving an authorization request for a financial transaction not involving the consumer, the request including the personalized gift card number, a transaction amount, and at least one merchant identifier of the plurality of merchant identifiers; processing the financial transaction including updating, in the database, the usage amount of the gift card data entry based on the transaction amount; and transmitting the message to a recipient of the personalized gift ca

Abstract: A system for creating and ordering a novel personal inspirational message storage and display article, selectively displaying or sharing the message, and networking with others about stored and shared inspirational messages. The system includes an online subsystem to select, order and pay for a message storage article and to select or create a personal inspirational message for the article. Also included is an article manufacturing subsystem to transfer the selected message to a selected area of the article on the inner side of a flexible material of which the article is made.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel systems and methods for manufacturing estimation, production assembly and inventory management. In an embodiment, a system is provided to create and respond to RFPs, perform capacity planning for an eventual production line, efficiently implement the production line in software, and track detailed warehouse data, including transaction data. Such tracking may allow process improvement, report generation, and market research analysis. In an embodiment, one or more systems may be used to implement one or more aspects of the present invention.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a system that processes user data. During operation, the system obtains a set of ranking engines for a set of products and selects a ranking engine from the set of ranking engines. Next, the system provides the user data for a user to the ranking engine and obtains, in response to the provided user data, a list of ranked products for the user from the ranking engine. Finally, the system provides the products to the user based on the list to facilitate selection of one or more of the products by the user.

Abstract: Embodiments provide consumers browsing and shopping online for durable goods such as new vehicles with pricing information for user-specified vehicle configurations based at least in part on dynamic, user-centric local regions that can be any shape. A local region may initially center around or start from user-provided geo-specific information and be refined using criteria such as distance, demographics, buying behaviors, etc. The system can leverage data from the finest level of granularity available and dynamically determine multiple, potentially overlapping, local regions which can be user-specific, product-specific, or both. A pricing model may incorporate the data within a dynamic local region thus determined. The parameters of the pricing model may be weighted utilizing a weighting function that can be dynamically adapted to individual users as well as specific vehicles.

Abstract: Examples disclosed herein relate to providing information about print service providers to create a print product. In one implementation, a processor matches a subset of the print service providers with a user query for a service to produce a custom print product. The processor may determine a manner of displaying information about the matched print service providers based on criteria related to the desirability of producing the custom print product associated with at least one of the print service providers.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for presenting and facilitating web-based commercial transactions. In some embodiments, the method includes displaying a first interface that includes: (a) a fashion look, the fashion look including a plurality of components which together represent the fashion look, and (b) a selectable link which, upon selection by a customer, directs the customer to a second interface. The method further includes, upon the customer selecting the selectable link, displaying the second interface including a plurality of fields. Each of the fields is configured to enable the customer to purchase a corresponding component from the plurality of components without navigating away from the second interface.

Abstract: A system for delivery of content-based products. The system includes a content library which provides advanced interfaces for adding, manipulating, arranging and storing multimedia presentations, and for interacting with rich multimedia presentations.

Abstract: Various embodiments may include a computerized system and method for determining a selection of technologies or processes for use in part production. A dataset of technologies or processes may be considered and standardized. Generic CAD models may be generated from the standardized dataset. Optimization metrics for each generic CAD model may be received. Data from a sourcing, a manufacturing and a design data source may also be received. An optimization algorithm may be used for each generic CAD model based on the optimization metrics and the data from the data sources. One or more optimized CAD models may be generated and one or more optimized technologies or processes for use in part manufacturing may be obtained. The optimized technologies or processes may be based on the one or more optimized CAD models. The optimized technologies or processes may be transmitted for selection and use in producing manufactured parts.

Abstract: Techniques described herein overcome many of the issues that have previously made the printing of a single copy of a book from a digital version unattractive and infeasible. According to one embodiment of the invention, an automated mechanism such as a computer program automatically determines whether the spine thickness of a to-be-printed copy of a digital version of a book will exceed the specified maximum spine thickness that a specified binding or other finishing device can handle. In response to determining that the spine thickness will exceed the specified maximum spine thickness, the automated mechanism automatically splits the digital version of the book into two or more volumes such that, for each volume, the spine thickness of the printed version of that volume will be no greater than the specified maximum spine thickness that the specified binding or other finishing device can handle.

Abstract: A client-to-service compatibility framework is described that allows online entities to provide a single set of service offerings for client devices of multiple different brands and/or models, such as televisions, set-top-boxes, game consoles, and portable media players, for example. Generally, the client-to-service compatibility framework comprises a plurality of plug-ins or adapters that translate communications from client devices to a form compatible with the online entity's service offerings and vice versa. In this manner, online entities are able to insulate their service offerings from the changing communication needs of client devices.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method or system that is capable of configuring a product. The computer-implemented method or system receiving a product configuration matrix from a computer storage medium. The computer-implemented method or system also receiving user input defining a user selection of at least one feature or component of the product. The computer-implemented method or system generating a binary representation of the user selection. The computer-implemented method or system deriving a resolution matrix. The method or system comparing the resolution matrix and the binary representation of the user selection to determine whether one or more of the selected product features or components in the user selection are valid for the product. The computer-implemented method or system also generating a validation result that identifies one or more valid product features or components within the user selection.

Abstract: A method and application provides a universal key code for use when a key is lost. The code can be taken to a locksmith or retailer for duplication. The user can take their key to a kiosk located, for example, at a merchant's location. The kiosk can have the ability to extract a digital image of their key and a software application can extract unique key geometries from the key, via, for example, edge detection technology and/or other mathematical methods, digital image processing methods and standard image processing methods. A key code can be determined from this extracted information and mapped to a known key code database. The software application can output the key blank and key cut code to allow a consumer to simply and conveniently obtain a duplicate key. This information can be saved into a customer's loyalty account with a particular merchant for later retrieval as needed.

Abstract: A web-browser/web server method of creating new documents and signing existing documents, in particular faxes and email attachments, useful for ecommerce and other applications. Documents or document components are sent to the web server. At the web server, the images of the documents are converted to an image layer, and are manipulated by combining the image layer with annotation layers constructed from instructions and data that are uploaded by the user from a web browser or app running on a remote computerized device. The system and method manipulates the documents using HTML5 based image manipulation features such as the <canvas> element. Using this method, users may view and otherwise manipulate documents from their web browsers as if the documents were residing on their local machine. Users may then instruct the remote server to transmit to the intended destination by analog or electronic fax, email attachment, download, or other means.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for providing targeted marketing to goods and services provides and consumer resource management services to consumers. An example system and method for targeted marketing comprises collecting transaction data from point-of-sale (POS) terminals and using a consumer identifier in the transaction data to access stored information about the consumer. This information may be used to target offers and advertisement to the consumer. In an example system for consumer resource management, a consumer may configure a consumer account on the enterprise infrastructure via a web-site. The consumer may use the consumer account to purchase and configure gift cards that may be used for purchasing goods and services. A universal transaction identifier may be associated with the consumer account and used to purchase goods and services from more than one selected goods and services providers.

Abstract: A combined configuration rules-attribute configuration system uses an integrated configuration model to efficiently identify and attribute prioritize valid configuration answers. Submitting an attribute-based configuration query to the combined configuration rules-attribute configuration system allows the query to be answered in a single step. The combined configuration rules and attribute data guide product configuration processing and minimize configuration processing by, for example, calculating only the valid configuration answers that are candidates for the preferred valid answer(s). Thus, the combined configuration rules-attribute configuration system can minimize the number of valid configuration answers to be considered for presentation to a client system or other user of the combined configuration rules-attribute configuration system.

Abstract: A system, method and article of manufacture are provided for a first business entity to provide a network-based supply chain framework for collaborative order management between at least a second and a third independent business entity, such as a service provider, vendor, reseller, manufacturer and the like. A request for an order is received over a network with an automated system, from at least a second business entity. The order is transmitted over a network, with an automated system, to at least the third business entity. Information is received from the third business entity relating to a status of completion of the order by the third business entity using a network. The progress in completing the order is tracked based on the information received from the third business entity. Progress reports from the tracking are generated periodically; and transmitted to the second business entity using the network.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes methods, systems, and computer program products for providing configuration recommendations as part of a sales process. One computer-implemented method includes determining that a general recommendation engine (GRE) is available to make a GRE configuration recommendation for a selected software application, generating, by operation of a computer, the GRE configuration recommendation for the selected software application based upon GRE-applicable recommendation data and recommendation rules, determining that a private recommendation engine (PRE) is available to make a PRE configuration recommendation for the selected software application, determining that the PRE is permitted to make the PRE configuration recommendation based upon analyzed coordination rules, and generating, by operation of a computer, the PRE configuration recommendation for the selected software application based upon PRE-applicable recommendation data and recommendation rules.

Abstract: Disclosed in one embodiment is a method implemented in a computer system in which a customer reports physical characteristics, in which the customer is instructed how to perform measurements of the customer or in which a device measures the customer, in which the reported customer measurements are evaluated through use of a measurement model, in which a full set of measurements may not be required based on measurements already provided, and in which the reported customer measurements are evaluated for reliability. The method also scales the customer's measurements to a pattern, obtains the fulfilled pattern from vendors, and then fulfills the customer order.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for configuring products, such as branded promotional products, where products may be divided into items and processes. Item parameters and process parameters may be separately specified and linked together to create a unique product where a product identifier (e.g., SKU) may be dynamically created when the product is sourced, quoted, ordered or otherwise accessed. For example, an item may involve a product to which an imprint or logo is to be affixed. A process may involve a screening printing process or other process for affixing a customer's artwork, logo or identifier. In addition, the method and system of the present invention may be applied to other applications, such as office supplies, furniture, aviation supplies, marine supplies, interior design, beauty salon and spa supplies, medical office supplies, restaurant and bar supplies, gift shops and clothing boutique, and other industries where products and services may be ordered.

Abstract: A product design system is disclosed, the system comprising a user input device, a display device, and a product database containing product template files, each product template file containing a representation of a product and a dimension of the product. The system includes a product selection module for selecting a product template file from the product database based on user input from the user input device. An in-store display module is also provided for displaying the representation of the product together with a representation of a merchandise display unit, wherein the in-store display module displays the product and the merchandise display unit at a relative size determined by the dimension of the product contained in the selected product template file and a stored dimension of the merchandise display unit.

Abstract: The system, utilizing a computer and network, stores and sorts various hair styling data and determines the best hair cut, color and style for a hair salon customer, based upon the inputted information and characteristics and the desires of the hair salon customer. Data inputted includes information relating to hair styles, hair color and texture, hair types, and characteristics of salon clients, such as hair type, head structure, hair color and texture, and appearance characteristics. The system includes an initial client consultation, inputting body, facial and hair characteristics into a Client profile data file, scheduling appointments and reviewing the system with the client, customizing an at-home care maintenance plan with products, ongoing electronic communication reminding clients of appointments and at-home care maintenance steps and any new products that fit their needs and looks they may like to consider, tutorials, and ongoing appointments to achieve the desired client look.

Abstract: A system for customizing a ball bat for a user includes a processor, a display operably coupled to the processor, an input mechanism, and a memory operably coupled to the processor. The ball bat includes a handle portion, a barrel portion and an element. The electronic device is configured to provide first, second third and fourth user interfaces to the user. The first, second and third user interfaces include a representation of at least one handle portion, one barrel portion and one element, respectively. The first, second and third user interfaces are configured to enable the user to select at least one characteristic of the handle portion, the barrel portion and the element, respectively. The fourth user interface includes a representation of the bat including the handle portion, the barrel portion and the element. The input mechanism is configured to enable the user to confirm the selected combination.

Abstract: Computer based systems and methods allow designing (e.g., customization) of consumer products, such as articles of footwear, apparel, athletic equipment, etc., by users.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes techniques for generating new product codes to add to an affiliate site using automatic keyword selection from content on an affiliate site. In one scenario, a program is launched which automatically identifies words on an existing affiliate website. A keyword list is generated from these words. The keyword list is then uses to search one or more Vendor Websites for products offered for sale relating to the keyword list. A large number of product codes are returned, each including graphic data and descriptive text for products obtained in the search of the Vendor Website along with a link to the Vendor Website. The products codes are displayed in a user friendly manner that allows them to be selected, de-selected, and/or updated so as to produce a list of selected product codes which are then available to be directly transferred/added to the affiliate site without having to do a new search or exit the browser.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for customizing consumer products. A display device may present a rendering of a customizable product to a user. The display device may also present a set of customizations on a scrollable axis. An input interface such as a touch interface may receive a selection of at least one customization from the user, and the rendering of the product may be updated to display the customizations selected by the user. An electronic file may be generated that includes product manufacturing details, which indicate the customizations selected by the user. The product may be an article of footwear, and a printer may print the selected customizations on the article of footwear.

Abstract: In a multimedia device, a method, apparatus, and system for presenting product information to user, provide the means and methods for user to virtually try on the products with user specific image/photo through user interaction, graphical image processing and generation, loading and switching images to generate a continuous virtual fitting experience. Collect and manage user input data and facilitate interaction between consumer and vendor.

Abstract: A process for making a personalized container, such as an urn for ashes, a temporary coffin, or a box for memorabilia, that includes the steps of receiving instructions specifying a personalized panel to be disposed on the container; and disposing the personalized panel, typically by digital ink-jet printing, on a web such as paper, paperboard, film, laminate, or some combination thereof, in accordance with the received instructions. Generally the web, when printed, is continuous, and moving. In subsequent unit operations, the web is separated into web portions, each web portion comprising a personalized panel, with the web portion converted into a personalized container. The personalized container may employ other cues to help evoke memories of one absent, such as a recorded voice, or scent.

Abstract: Automated electronic document design systems and methods for generating matching customized product designs and preparing images of matching customized products in a montage for displaying to a user.

Abstract: A computer system and method of facilitating a sale which permits inventory information to be used in connection with a technology enabled selling (TES) system to facilitate a sale. The inventory information may be used during configuration of an item to be sold to a customer in a manner which allows the sales representative to more easily sell items from inventory if desired.

Abstract: Methods (74, 76, 78) utilizing a network (20) of computing systems (22) facilitate execution of a transaction (114) between a consumer (38) and a provider (32). Preference data (108) defined by the consumer (38) is stored (76) in a database (82). When a request for the transaction (114) is detected (216) at a transaction site (46), a consumer identifier (104) for the consumer (38) is utilized at the transaction site (46) to retrieve (220) the preference data (108) from the database (82). The preference data (108) identifies one or more products (96) offered by the provider (32) and preferred by the consumer (38). The transaction is performed (232) at the transaction site (46) to provide the product (96) to the consumer (38) in response to the retrieved preference data (108).

Abstract: The present invention can include a pre-purchase method for determining computing item compatibility. In the method, configuration information associated with a computing system can be stored. A for-sale item to be used with the computing system can be detected. A compatibility between the for-sale item and the configuration information can be determined. A potential purchaser can be notified of results of the determining step before completing a purchase of the for-sale item. The method can be automatically performed by an online storefront system (e.g., a e-retailing Web site) or by in-store computing equipment, such as a cashier's register and/or an in-store kiosk.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to, among other things, providing resource allocation advice, configuration recommendations, and/or migration advice regarding data storage, access, placement, and/or related web services. In some examples, a web service may utilize or otherwise control a client instance to control, access, or otherwise manage resources of a distributed system. Based at least in part on one or more resource usage checks and/or configuration checks, resource usage information and/or configuration information of an account utilizing a web service, and/or user preferences and/or settings, resource allocation advice, system configuration recommendations, and/or migration advice may be provided to a user of an account. Additionally, in some examples, one or more remediation operations may be performed automatically.

Abstract: A method for customizing a device during order fulfillment is described. A radio frequency identification (RFID) tag of an electronic device is wirelessly loaded with customization information at an order fulfillment center without disturbing packaging surrounding the electronic device or without powering up the electronic device.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an aircraft sales tool may receive identification of a base aircraft, at least one equipment option, a number of passengers, and a geographic location from a customer. A configuration assessment engine may estimate a range of a configured aircraft based on the received identification of a base aircraft, at least one equipment option, a number of passengers, and a geographic location.

Abstract: A method of presenting n offer of an image-bearing product to a user provides access to a plurality of user image files. User image files are analyzed to obtain semantic information about the content of the plurality of image files. An offer for the image-bearing product based on the semantic information obtained, wherein the product uses at least one image from the plurality of image files. The offer is transmitted to the user.

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

Abstract: A modular system and method is provided that enables the consumer to design/build his or her own bird feeder based on interchangeable modular components that include multiple bases of different styles, multiple nutrient reservoirs of different styles, and one or more additional components, each having different styles. The system and method provides an on-line store that allows consumers to view the various styles for each component and to select their own base, reservoir, etc. Once the desired components have been selected on-line, a bill of materials listing the components is printed at a manufacturing facility where the selected components are pulled from a common inventory, assembled into a custom feeder and shipped to the consumer.

Abstract: A system to facilitate electronic commerce associated with an online marketplace, program product, and methods are provided. Electronic commerce over a computer network is facilitated by a computer system that forms a community of computers that enable the users to buy and sell items in an online marketplace. To list the item on an online marketplace website, for example, the selling user posts an item with a seller marketplace item management website by completing an online-item marketplace item creation form. The form requires input related to the item, such as a description, sale price or minimum bid, shipping instructions, and the like, and an image file or image file location illustrating the marketplace item. The seller marketplace item management server provides a marketplace administrator server the marketplace item data including original image file or image file location.

Abstract: One embodiment is directed to system for analyzing the feet of a subject, wherein the subject may position and orient his feet in a capture configuration relative to a 3-dimensional camera, and the 3-dimensional camera may be utilized to capture a plurality of images about the subject's feet from a plurality of perspectives. A point cloud may be created based upon the captured images, and extraction procedures may be conducted to create individual, or discrete, point clouds for each of the feet from the overall superset point cloud created using the 3-dimensional imaging device. The discrete point clouds may be utilized to conduct various measurements of the feet, which may be utilized in various configurations, such as for shoe fitment or manufacturing.

Abstract: Various cosmetic compositions are disclosed that may be useful in face masks, epilatories, and pore strips. Also disclosed is a method of designing a cosmetic composition that may include: receiving a request to tailor a cosmetic composition to have a selected property or a selected property set. The method may be used to design and manufacture cosmetic compositions, such as epilatory compositions, face or skin care mask compositions used for cleansing and/or exfoliating the skin, and eyeliners, among others, having advantageous properties.

Abstract: A content server enables one user to purchase licensed content for another user and, in response to the purchase, automatically delivers the content to the other user's device. The content server further configures the other user's device to receive and utilize the licensed content, thus enabling the other user to consume the content.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide methods and apparatuses for determining privileges pertaining to a customer relationship management (CRM) application and granting the privileges in a secure and traceable manner to individual companies and users to effect a differential cost assessment scheme based on resource usage.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for ordering a product and forecasting consumer interest, including a computer, software executing on the computer for listing a plurality of products for purchase, software executing on the computer for determining when a user views a product of the plurality of products, software executing on the computer for determining when a user orders a product of the plurality of products, software executing on the computer for tolling the views of each product and for tolling the orders of each product, software executing on the computer for identifying a first customer based on the tolled views, and software executing on the computer for identifying a second customer based on the tolled orders.

Abstract: A method for creating a customized digital media may comprise: providing a set of original songs to a user; receiving a selection of an original song out of the set of original songs from the user, wherein the original song comprises a set of song elements and each song element comprises a music; providing a set of lyrics based on the occasion description and the original song from the user; receiving selected lyrics out of the set of lyrics from the user; receiving a selection of a music genre from the user for each song element; and creating a permutation song.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of selling a supplier's product to a consumer, wherein the method includes providing a physical representation of a product to the consumer. The physical representation includes a temporarily concealed first unique identifier corresponding to the physical representation of the product. The method further includes selling the physical representation to the consumer, providing a network location to the consumer for facilitating the redemption of the product with the first unique identifier, and shipping the product to the consumer.

Abstract: A method is disclosed that includes identifying an inventory item corresponding to a product configuration. The product configuration is defined using a feature map. The inventory item is also defined using the feature map. Each entry of the feature map corresponds to one of a number of features of a product.