Abstract: Systems and methods for managing distribution of applications are provided herein. A host server can act as an intermediary between a communications device and an app store in order to manage distribution of applications to the communications device. Thus, the host server can receive from the communications device an app request for an application that resides at the app store. The host server can examine various catalog information and provide a package that includes the application to the communications device.

Abstract: A portable device which assists shoppers. The device identifies items of merchandise, and retrieves information about the items from a remote location. The items can be identified based on their labels, by image recognition, by their location, by the shopper, or by other approaches. This additional or enhanced information about the items can then be overlaid on the real-time display of the portable device, such that the shopper has access to said information and can associate it easily to the relevant items.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods used to provide real-time product information for retail products and services are generally disclosed herein. One example embodiment includes a referral application operating on a smartphone, configured to correlate data from multiple sources and provide context-aware recommendations and information relevant to a product or service being evaluated by a consumer in the physical shopping environment (such as a retail store). For example, the data may be obtained from a retailer's product information database, a retailer's competitor information database, an advertiser information database, an Internet-hosted service, a social network, or similar internal or external information sources. The real-time product information may be correlated, aggregated, and displayed to the user to either facilitate the retail purchase in the store, or encourage another online or retail purchase.

Abstract: An online shopping platform (11) adapted for the repetitive purchase of a class of products by Customers (32) from a designated Grocer (36) comprising a computer system having database facilities and being connected to the internet, wherein the platform (11) maintains a list of products (38) available for purchase from selected major retailers and wherein the price of each product being offered by the selected major retailers is ascertained and recorded on a recurring basis to thereby determine a lowest price for each product within an identified region in order to offer products to Customers (32) located in particular identified regions a price-matched price not higher than the lowest price being offered by any of the selected major retailers in that particular identified region.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a shopping support device accepts an input of a candidate commodity to become a purchase candidate of a customer. The shopping support device acquires additional information relating to the candidate commodity. Furthermore, the shopping support device controls a display so that the display displays the additional information, along with the candidate commodity.

Abstract: A method for facilitating an image-based transaction includes: capturing, by a first input device, an image of a product to be sold; receiving, by a second input device, product data corresponding to the product to be sold; identifying, by a processing device, a transaction identifier; encoding, by the processing device, the captured image with at least the identified transaction identifier; adding, to the encoded image, an indication of availability of the product to be sold such that user interaction with the encoded image will initiate a payment transaction for the product to be sold based on at least the encoded transaction identifier; and transmitting, by a transmitting device, at least the received product data, the identified transaction identifier, and the encoded image including the indication of availability.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system and method to improve nutrition for humanity. The systems and methods to improve nutrition provide information systems for delivering nutritional substances for consumption using information regarding source, preservation and storage information, transformation information, conditioning, consumer preference information, including information for tracking consumer's needs, nutrition, health and preferences, and providing feedback to harvesters, preservers, transformers and conditioners of nutritional substance, thereby creating a “virtuous cycle” in order to provide better quality food, nutrition and thus provide a significant impact to improve the health of humanity.

Abstract: A method for providing product information including the steps of: (a) a user terminal receiving a product signal and confirming position information; (b) the user terminal transmitting the received signal and the position information to a main server; (c) the main server confirming whether or not a genuine signal corresponding to the received signal exists, and whether sale position information corresponding to the received position information exists; and (d) the main server transmitting the product information on the product to the user terminal when the corresponding genuine signal and the corresponding sale position information exist. According to the method, by providing a user with the product information and a provider with the purchase information, the counterfeiting of the product and the illegal distribution of the product can be prevented.

Abstract: A method and system for utilizing an image for facilitating an eBook transaction is disclosed. One example captures a digital image of a portion of a book with a digital camera of an electronic personal display. The electronic personal display determines a unique identification of the book from the digital image. The electronic personal display outputs an offer to sell an eBook version of the book. The electronic personal display inputs an acceptance to purchase the eBook and provides the eBook in an e-library.

Abstract: A transaction system and method in which a customer operates a mobile device, such as a smart phone, to interact with a transaction server during a transaction at a checkout station while scanning items. An example method includes establishing by the server a connection with a mobile communication device, receiving by the server item descriptions associated with items purchased from a code reader, sending by the server prices of the items and the item descriptions to the mobile communication device for display by the mobile communication device, and receiving payment by the server from the customer for the items.

Abstract: Systems and methods are used to efficiently and conveniently navigate, display, and complete interactions with on-line sources of information. A user interface may display information from separate and independent sources through two or more portals on a single web page. The two or more portals may be linked to the same search criteria such that the initially displayed windows originate from the same search criteria, but then may be independent so the portals are independently navigated. A user interface may display information from separate and independent sources so a user can efficiently and directly compare results based on the same search criteria. Accordingly, the user interface may calculate purchasing information such that products from different sources may be directly compared to account for a total cost or time to consummate the transaction. A user interface may also work in conjunction with mobile devices to save and execute searches and consummate transactions in an expedited manner.

Abstract: A method includes displaying a bookmark menu that includes a plurality of selectable elements during presentation of information associated with at least one of a product and a service at an electronic device. Each of the plurality of selectable elements may be associated with a conversation topic included in a set of conversation topics related to at least one of the product and the service. The method includes initiating presentation of first conversation content at the electronic device in response to receiving an input indicating a selection of a first selectable element of the plurality of selectable elements.

Abstract: The disclosed subject matter provides for the pairing of a comprehensive listings data base, such as from Directory Assistance, with the existing collect calling infrastructure to place collect calls to desirable merchants. A series of requests are made to various local business merchants, based on inquiries from consumer callers, which may be via nearly any data generation source. The system will function best when the input data includes: location information, a call back number, request category information, and request details. These collect calls are made until an appropriate merchant is found. Technologically, once established the back end then could be strapped on to multiple consumer facing points, apps, kiosks, websites, phone numbers, etc so that they might make a request for a service and be momentarily called by someone able to provide that call. Anytime, anywhere, if you need something, type it in and receive a call from the expert.

Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying and purchasing products required to perform tasks are described. In one embodiment, the systems and methods enable a user to identify products required to perform tasks and to add such products to a shopping cart. The system and method further recommends additional tasks that can be carried out by using the products that the user has already added to his shopping cart or by adding one, two, three, etc., additional products. In accordance with a further embodiment, the system and method enables a returning user to indicate how much remains of previously-purchased products and then, based on this information, recommends tasks that can be carried out by using the remaining products or by adding one, two, three, etc., additional products.

Abstract: A multi-dimensional energy control system is provided with an energy management software application that organizes the consumption of energy by a device as an n-dimensional energy space, where n is an integer greater than 2, and each axis in the energy space represents an energy consumption characteristic. The energy management application generates instructions for a device in response to calculating a compromise operating point in the energy space. A user interface (UI) connected to the energy management application has a display to receive a graphical representation of the energy space and compromise operating point, and an input to receive user commands for moving the represented compromise operating point in the represented energy space. The energy management application calculates the compromise operating point in the energy space to match the displayed compromise operating point.

Abstract: A trail camera comprises a camera operable for capturing images; a communication device for transmitting the images to a remote server; and a controller for prompting the camera to automatically capture a test image a pre-determined number of seconds after the trail camera is set-up. A method of checking the communication coverage of the trail camera; comprises placing a scannable code on packaging or a display associated with the trail camera; instructing a customer to scan the scannable code with a mobile communication device before the customer purchases the trail camera; prompting the customer to enter information into the mobile communication device that specifies a geographic area where the trail camera will be used; and providing to the mobile communication device coverage information for the geographic area so the customer can determine if the trail camera will have communication coverage in the geographic area before the customer purchases the trail camera.

Abstract: A method of selling products includes displaying web-store information related to a web-store on a consumer-operated kiosk at a location. The method may further include displaying product information with the web-store, in which the product information corresponds to products related to the location of the consumer-operated kiosk and available for purchase by a consumer from the web-store.

Abstract: A system that prices products of a catalog of an e-commerce web site designates a product as non-discountable. Subsequently, during interaction with the e-commerce web site, the system may receive a request to discount the product as part of a promotion. The system then prevents the discount of the product.

Abstract: Method and Apparatus for rapid scalable unified infrastructure system management platform are disclosed by discovery of compute nodes, network components across data centers, both public and private for a user; assessment of type, capability, VLAN, security, virtualization configuration of the discovered unified infrastructure nodes and components; configuration of nodes and components covering add, delete, modify, scale; and rapid roll out of nodes and components across data centers both public and private.

Abstract: A method or apparatus for generating or modifying use-oriented information may include stored information regarding general and detailed product information. An information processor may receive additional information regarding an individual user or consumer of the product, as well as the particular context in which the product is used by the individual. Based at least on the received use context, the information processor may select or modify relatively specific product-related or service-related information, personalized or tailored to the individual's particular use of the product. The resulting use-oriented information may be sent to the individual by way of a telecommunications network or other suitable means.

Abstract: Method and Apparatus for rapid scalable unified infrastructure system management platform are disclosed by discovery of compute nodes, network components across data centers, both public and private for a user; assessment of type, capability, VLAN, security, virtualization configuration of the discovered unified infrastructure nodes and components; configuration of nodes and components covering add, delete, modify, scale; and rapid roll out of nodes and components across data centers both public and private.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a computer-implemented method for a music discovery platform is disclosed. The method comprises displaying, by a processor, a virtual scene. The virtual scene comprises one or more venues. The method further comprises receiving, by the processor, a selection of a first venue and displaying, by the processor, the first venue. The first venue comprises a venue type. The method further comprises playing, by an audiovisual system, a performance. The performance comprises a performance type.

Abstract: Method and Apparatus for rapid scalable unified infrastructure system management platform are disclosed by discovery of compute nodes, network components across data centers, both public and private for a user; assessment of type, capability, VLAN, security, virtualization configuration of the discovered unified infrastructure nodes and components; configuration of nodes and components covering add, delete, modify, scale; and rapid roll out of nodes and components across data centers both public and private.

Abstract: A method or apparatus for generating or modifying use-oriented information may include stored information regarding general and detailed product information. An information processor may receive additional information regarding an individual user or consumer of the product, as well as the particular context in which the product is used by the individual. Based at least on the received use context, the information processor may select or modify relatively specific product-related or service-related information, personalized or tailored to the individual's particular use of the product. The resulting use-oriented information may be sent to the individual by way of a telecommunications network or other suitable means.

Abstract: The present invention is digital signage comprising: an article information database in which a feature of an article and article information for the article associated with each other are stored; feature extracting means for extracting a feature from a wearing image that is an image of a customer wearing an article; comparison means for comparing the extracted feature with features stored in the article information database and identifying the article the customer is wearing; article information retrieving means for retrieving article information for the identified article from the article information database; and output control means for outputting the retrieved article information and the wearing image.

Abstract: Provided is a shoe selection support system in which it is possible to utilize information from other people while considering individual differences and in which it is possible to easily select suitable shoes.

Abstract: A system and method are presented. A domain name registration website is provided by at least one server communicatively coupled to a network. The domain name registration website including a user interface. A query being entered by a requester into the user interface of the domain registration website is monitored. When the query being entered by the requester matches a predefined pattern, the query is used to identify a plurality of candidate domain names, and the candidate domain names are displayed for selection by the requester on the domain name registration website.

Abstract: A method, non-transitory computer-readable medium and system are described to provide product information to a first device, such as a wireless portable client at a hotspot, by a remote access control server. The server can automatically identify a product registered in it based on identifying the network device providing the hotspot, and then send a message including a product identifier, the product identifier identifying the product, to the first device. This tells the first device that the product is available for purchase by the first device. Upon receipt of the message, the first device can automatically request, from a remote product server, information regarding the product, including price information, using the product identifier. The product may be wireless access for the client device to the Internet.

Abstract: A representative market place system that facilitates discovering and purchasing products online includes a market place server that is interconnected to a plurality of computing devices by way of a network. The market place server includes a processing device; and memory including a market place manager which has instructions that are executed by the processing device. The instructions include the logics of receiving and displaying a content from a user; associating at least one product with at least a portion of the content; storing the content and the at least one product in a database; and displaying the at least one product at the content. The at least one displayed product includes product information and is selectable by the user for placing the at least one selected product that is associated with the at least a portion of the content in an online shopping cart.

Abstract: Implementations of this disclosure provide systems and methods for uploading, storing, and retrieving images of vehicles involved in accidents. These pictures can include one or more pictures of the damage to a vehicle due to an accident and pictures of the vehicle after the vehicle has been repaired. By providing before-and-after pictures of a vehicle involved in an accident, the extent of any previous damage to the vehicle may be more accurately documented. Thus, a seller of a vehicle that has been involved in a prior accident may have more evidence of the extent of any damage to the car to counter a potential buyer's concern and, therefore, help retain the value of the vehicle.

Abstract: Communicating information about a product includes associating a tag with the product, where the tag provides information to a smartphone of a user that interacts with the product and the tag, sending product identification information from the smartphone of the user to a back end processing system, where the information indicates an owner of the product, the back end processing system sending product sales information to the smartphone of the user in response to receiving the product identification information, the user interacting with the back end system through the smartphone to purchase the product, and the back end system recording the owner of the product and the sale to the user. The tag may be visual and may include a decorative pattern and/or a QR code. The tag may be implemented using smart fabric. The tag may be photographed using the smartphone. The tag may be an NFC tag.

Abstract: An dynamic electronic communication device. The tag according to embodiments of the invention is designed or set to discount, promote, incentivize, or apply information at certain states or within a certain timeframe at initial deployment, the tags themselves being capable of handling the logic. The tag generally includes a circuit, such as a silicon chip, that controls a flexible printed display, which displays the information when applied. The tag is optionally encapsulated in a plastic or glass case. The tag is made of a suitably small size such that the tag can easily be placed on individual items, and can be secured to other objects via an adhesive backing, sewn in, pinned on, and the like.

Abstract: A holistic process is presented that may define a mature definition and management of product content over the entire lifecycle of the product. Product features may be used to describe business or technical details provided by functions for different releases of the product. The product features may be used to manage different product content types and provide links to additional information managed in various storage locations. The product features may be used to provide both transparency about the capabilities of the software product at a detailed level and a systematic way of documenting the relationship between the product features and related product content types such product documentation.

Abstract: A method for operating a computer system to provide information about a product to a customer is disclosed. The method includes receiving a login request identifying a specific business establishment and the customer from a customer device that is remote from the data processing system, and initiating a session for the customer between the computer and the customer device. When the computer receives a product code identifying a product in the business establishment that originates at a producer of the product, the computer sends information to the customer about the product, the information being verified by an organization independent of the producer of the product and the business establishment. The login request can be generated by the customer device interacting with a display at the business establishment, the display identifying the business establishment and optionally a location within the business establishment at which the customer is located.

Abstract: A media sourcing solution allows consumers to gain access to media content through several different sources. Currently, media consumers are without a means for understanding the most cost beneficial method to access their desired media content. The system and method can inform consumers as to where they can source their desired media content selection(s) for the most competitive pricing. The consumer will then have the ability to compare pricing and modify content usage to allow for the most informed media content sourcing decision making. An interface, such as a web-based interface or a mobile device application, can interact with a media content database to provide media source options to the consumer, saving the user time and money in the process.

Abstract: A method, medium, and system are provided to facilitate local or global exchange of goods and services through a decentralize network of peer-to-peer (P2P) nodes. In one aspect of the disclosure, the nodes may be maintained or operated by the participants in the marketplace system. In one aspect, the system may operate on both desktop and mobile devices. In one aspect, the system operates with decentralized data storage. In one aspect, the system operates with a decentralized system of incentives for participation of nodes. In one aspect, the system operates with decentralized communication. In one aspect, the system operates with a decentralized system to escrow payments between participants. In one aspect, the system operates with a decentralized system of load balancing. In one aspect, the system operates with a decentralized system by which certain listings can be prioritized in the network. In one aspect, the system operates with decentralized transaction processing.

Abstract: A classification system with regard to vehicles is provided. The classification system includes computing device(s) and an application program executable in the computing device(s). The application program includes logic that maintains taxonomic scheme information associated with attribute(s) of vehicles sold through an electronic commerce network site, logic that obtains data record(s) of vehicle(s) sold through the electronic commerce network site, and logic that determines classification(s) associated with the vehicles basing upon the taxonomic scheme information and the data record(s). The disclosure further provides a classification method with regard to vehicles.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system is disclosed in which a network-based interaction environment includes a plurality of peer-to-peer nodes being able to communicate directly with each other using a peer-to-peer protocol and a peer-to-peer client application, and a first peer-to-peer client application to maintain persistent item information on at least one peer-to-peer node of the plurality of peer-to-peer nodes, the persistent information being related to an item being offered by a first user of the first peer-to-peer client application.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to systems, methods and computer program products for providing product evaluation. An exemplary apparatus is configured to identify purchase transaction data associated with identified electronic communications between a merchant and a customer, the purchase transaction data includes product level data from a transaction, receive the identified purchase transaction data, the purchase transaction data is received in an unstructured format, convert the purchase transaction data from the unstructured format to a structured format, associate the structured purchase transaction data with the customer's online banking application, aggregate purchase transaction data related to one or more products purchased by the customer, determine one or more products are purchased on a recurring basis, and provide the customer with one or more options based at least partially on determining the one or more products are purchased on a recurring basis.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method, including receiving, with a receiver, a processing device, or a computer, a request from a user for information regarding a selected merchandise group regarding any type or kind of good, product, or item of merchandise, offered for sale by a merchant in a brick and mortar store of the merchant, processing information regarding the request with or using the processing device or the computer, and transmitting, from a transmitter, the processing device, or the computer, a merchandise group shopping page to a communication device used by the user in response to the request. The merchandise group shopping page contains at least one photograph, at least one picture, at least one video, or at least one video image, of the merchant's brick and mortar store offering, assortment, or arrangement, of goods, products, or items of merchandise, in the selected merchandise group.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of allowing a user to obtain a service using a processing system. The method utilises components each of which corresponds to a respective service portion provided by a respective entity. The method includes causing the processing system to determine a combination of components defining a sequence of service portions, in accordance with input commands received from the user. The processing system then implements the components in accordance with the component combination, thereby causing the sequence of service portions to be performed, such that the desired service to be performed.

Abstract: A computerized method for storing purchase information for a product in a price database to generate a purchase history includes receiving in a price database a set of sales information for a product, wherein the set of sales information includes a product identifier for a product and a price for the product; and storing in the price database a price entry, which include the set of sales information, wherein the price entry is editable to generate a purchase history.

Abstract: A system for enabling touch and feel over the internet provides a three-dimensional representation of a good being sold, that three-dimensional representation being viewable from a number of different directions. In one embodiment, the good being sold is in a package and the package is displayed from the number of different directions. Another embodiment has the good being a book, and the inside and outside covers of the book are displayed and specified pages of the book can be displayed. The user can read from either the label or the covers just like as if the were actually handling the good.

Abstract: Various systems and methods for obtaining vendor information using mobile internet devices are described herein. An inquiry for a product or service is received from a user. A location for the receipt of the product or service is received. Vendor information of a vendor of the product or service proximate to the location is determined, with the vendor information including a price for the product or service, and a wait time to receive the product or service. The vendor information is then transmitted to the user.

Abstract: Geospatial compatibility between consumers and providers of goods or services is identified. The system allows consumers to find service providers with service areas encompassing their location or merchants within a desired shopping area, and allow consumers to query about consumers within a specified area, for example to identify a potential customer base or consider regional advertising. A digital map interface allows users to enter one or more locations or areas of interest and later performs location or area additions, modifications or removals. The system provides the geospatially matched consumers and vendors with information on how to contact one another, but is kept simple by leaving actual contact between the matched parties to separate outside communication channels independent of the system.

Abstract: A system receives context data associated with a context and a user. The system then associates the context data to a user identifier and retrieves data associated with the context. The system then filters the data according to the context data to create result data. In another embodiment, the system also receives context data from a plurality of users, where the context data pertains to one or more attributes of a context. The system then using the context data ranks the one or more attributes of the context to create ranked data and generates a user interface based on the ranked data. In yet another embodiment, the system communicates context data associated with a context and a user to a server, and receives result data created by the server filtering data retrieved based on the context data. The system then generates a user interface based on the result data.

Abstract: A system and method of metadata refinement using behavioral patterns is disclosed. In some embodiments, user behavioral data for results of a search query is received. The results can include an untagged item and a plurality of tagged items. A determination can then be made that the tagged items have been assigned a first type of metadata not assigned to the untagged item. The untagged item can then be identified as a candidate to be tagged with the first type of metadata assigned to the tagged items based on the user behavioral data. In some embodiments, the user behavioral data comprises clickstream data indicating that a user selected the untagged item and the tagged items during a single search event.

Abstract: An information outputting apparatus is provided which can provide various information to a user and acquire various information indicating a moving state and the like of the user without separately acquiring user identification information again. An electronic shelf label T comprises a display 5 that displays a price and the like, a transmission/reception unit 1 that receives a customer ID for identifying a customer from a terminal apparatus P carried by the customer by wireless communication, a recording unit 2 that associates time data indicating time when the customer ID is received with the received customer ID and records the time data and the customer ID as customer/time data 21, and a transmission/reception unit 4 that associates the recorded customer/time data 21 with a sale item ID 20 and transmits the customer/time data 21 and the sale item ID 20 to the server apparatus SV.

Abstract: This disclosure describes systems and associated processes for generating recommendations for users based on usage, among other things. These systems and processes are described in the context of an interactive computing system that enables users to download applications for mobile devices (such as phones) or for other computing devices. Users' interactions with applications once they are downloaded can be observed and tracked, with such usage data being collected and provided to the interactive computing system. The interactive computing system can include a recommendation system or service that processes the usage data from a plurality of users to detect usage patterns. Using these usage patterns, among possibly other data, the recommendation system can recommend applications to users for download.

Abstract: An item such as a vehicle is displayed graphically on an interactive display as a collection of item components that are mapped to a global code set. The user selects one or more components and indicates per-component and per-type exceptions, which are indicated graphically as markers on the display of the item. The user may optionally view exception entered by previous users.