Abstract: One embodiment of the invention comprises a method including the step of responsive to receiving a map request from a user that pertains to a specified geographical feature, generating a first view that shows the geographical feature. The method further includes specifying each of one or more preference categories of the user, wherein a user preference is needed for each category, in order to show an additional feature corresponding to each user preference on a map view which includes the geographical feature. The method further includes determining the user preference for each category, wherein at least one of the user preferences is determined from information obtained by accessing an online social network in which the user participates. Each determined user preference is used with one or more search engines in order to acquire information for use in generating each of the additional features for a map view.

Abstract: A system, method and program product that provides product evaluations. A system is disclosed that includes: a system for identifying a set of products based on an inputted query; a system for collecting structured and unstructured data associated with the set of products; a system for generating a composite feature list from the structured and unstructured data; a system for generating a matrix for each identified product, wherein the matrix provides a set of features and any known limitations and benefits determined from the structured and unstructured data for each of the features; and a rating system that analyzes a usage context in view of the known limitations and benefits to evaluate each product at a feature level.

Abstract: An audio-based navigation system for determining a present location or position of a mobile device such as a smartphone within a venue. The system includes a sound system with a first speaker playing first audio content and a second speaker playing second audio content. The first speaker is positioned in a first space in a venue, and the second speaker is positioned in a second space of the venue. The navigation system also includes a mobile device with memory storing a database of fingerprints of a plurality of differing audio content. The mobile device includes a microphone for receiving an audio signal associated with the first audio content or with the second audio content. The mobile device includes a processor(s) selectively running software to determine the mobile device location in the first or second space using either fingerprinting or watermarking module by processing the received audio signal.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for providing information tagging in a networked system is disclosed. The apparatus in an example embodiment includes a tag engine configured to process a database of categorized product listings; to receive a user-provided tag associated with at least one of the product listings; to retain the user-provided tag; and to serve the user-provided tag to a user viewing at least one of the product listings.

Abstract: A candidate output element configured to output recognition target commodities as candidates of a recognized commodity in a descending order of the similarity degrees calculated by the similarity degree calculation element, a distance measurement element configured to measure the distance from the image capturing section to a commodity photographed by the image capturing section, and a changing element configured to change the number of candidates of a recognized commodity output by the candidate output element according to the distance measured by the distance measurement element.

Abstract: The new creation and use of entitlement constraint templates methods and systems can be linked to software offerings in a software catalog. Allowing software catalog experts to link contractual entitlement data with software product offerings via constraint templates on such a varying list of constraint types, establishes a highly robust software catalog knowledge base. The result is significant cost savings in terms of time spent inputting entitlement constraint data by contract analysts as well as minimizing errors by those analysts who would otherwise be required to have a very high level of expertise in the software offerings while potentially inputting the same constraint data repeated times.

Abstract: A product retail sales management server for managing the retail sales of a product across a communication network comprises: a retail sales management module for managing the retail sales of the product; a price update module 13 for dynamically setting the price of the product in accordance with rules and the retail sales state of the product and in accordance with the actual retail sales state of the product when managed by the retail sales management module; and an acceptance module 11 for, upon the receipt of an information request via the communication network, furnishing a request transmission source with the information concerning the product and the price of the product, set by the price update module at the time the information request is received.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a media processor having a controller to categorize media content of a subscriber according to one or more image features, and present at least a portion of the categorized media content in a personal television channel procured by the subscriber from a service provider of a media communication system. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes an identifier generation unit that generates an identifier unique to a combination of, at least, destination information of a destination of printed matter and content information related to part of content to be printed on the printed matter, an address generation unit that generates an address including the identifier generated by the identifier generation unit, a print information generation unit that generates print information that is to be printed on the printed matter and includes the destination information, the content information, and the address generated by the address generation unit, and a recording unit that in an associated form records the destination information, the content information, the identifier, and process result information related to the print information that is processed subsequent to printing of the printed matter.

Abstract: According to conventional arts, object data must be included in video data in advance. However, including the object data in the video data causes a problem to increase a data amount to be transmitted from a broadcasting station (transmission terminal) to a reception terminal. In addition, according to the conventional arts, since there is no opportunity to previously insert the object data in video data of real-time broadcasting such as live broadcasting, the user cannot display detailed information of a desired object. Provided is a technique to display detailed information of a desired object in video without increasing an amount of data in distribution of the video data when a user indicates the object in the video through a touch panel or the like, by transmitting indicated coordinate information and indication timing information corresponding to such indication to a search server, obtaining corresponding object data from the search server and displaying the object data on the display.

Abstract: A package installer identifies a font package that facilitates rendering a font of a file being opened by a user based on font metadata downloaded from the remote server. The font metadata includes information identifying one or more font packages available for download from the remote server. Font metadata associated with each font package further indicates one or more fonts supported by the corresponding font package. A graphical user interface (GUI) is displayed to the user prompting whether the user desires to install the identified font package. The GUI further indicates that an additional font needs to be installed in order to view the file correctly. In response to an input from the user via the GUI, the package installer downloads the font package from the remote server for local installation.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method of stimulating a retail transaction.

Abstract: A method for surfing purchase information on a shopping website comprises the steps of: logging into the shopping website by account data of a first user stored in a social network site; displaying a user icon of a second user who has purchased an article before in a recommender display area on an article display page of the shopping website to inform the first user that the second user has purchased the article previously; and clicking the user icon to open a dialog window for conversing and interacting with the second user. As such, the first user further learns the evaluation of the second user on the same article to determine whether to purchase the article or not.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a self-service system is to provide self-support knowledgebase (KB) information to allow users to navigate the self-support KB. A monitor is to track user interaction with the self-support KB while a user navigates through the self-support KB. An answer engine is to receive a query from the user to ask a question and in response to the query, to identify a predefined response to the query in view of a set of dialog rules. The answer engine is to transmit one or more related questions that the user will likely ask based on the dialog rules and the user interaction. The answer engine further transmits an invitation to allow the user to initiate a live support session after a predetermined condition has been satisfied.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to computer implemented and web-based systems and methods for retrieving information based on image and contextual information analysis. Specifically, this invention relates to systems and methods for the retrieval of information on related items for online and in-person shopping through image and contextual information analysis.

Abstract: Determining user intent based on current user query behavior comprising receiving from a client machine a plurality of signals indicating current user behavior when querying for items; tracking events of current user behavior indicated by the signals; and recommending items that the events indicate are items intended by the current user behavior. Seller performance may be and used in recommending the items. The recommended items may be ranked by a ranking algorithm that may comprise a boosted rank model algorithm that customizes ranking to each of a plurality of client machines.

Abstract: A system and method of an intelligent shopping infrastructure is provided. A data storage of current inventory from a plurality of merchants is maintained. User preferences that indicate an item affinity of a user are retrieved. Furthermore, a location of the user is detected. Using the detected location, available inventory, and item affinity, an available item from the current inventory of a merchant located within a predetermined distance to the location of the user that match the item affinity of the user is identified. The available item is presented on a user interface of a client device of the user.

Abstract: Techniques for creating a user network based on user interest in a product are described. For example, a first search query is received from a first client device. The first client device is associated with a first user. A second search query is received from a second client device. The second client device is associated with a second user. The first search query is matched to a product. The second search query is matched to the product. A user network corresponding to the product is created. The first user is added to the user network based on the matching of the first search query to the product. The second user is added to the user network based on the matching of the second search query to the product.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for using relevance indications provided by a user in performing a search. Search results corresponding to a search query are provided to a user of a client computing device. The user provides a relevance indication corresponding to relevance of at least one of the search results. A subsequent search is performed which takes the relevance indication into account.

Abstract: A system, and a method adapted to recognize a physical product at a retailer's physical outlet through a cellular device, having a geographic positioning signaling means, utilized by a user of it. Product price tags are scanned, decoded, and the output data is queried against a product database to search for product matches. If there are multiple matches geographical positioning coordinates from the cellular device GPS, base stations or WI-FI access points are utilized to pick the correct product information in the database, which is then stored in a user database.

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: Content provided at a venue may be stored to a database by associating the content provided with a content identifier and a venue identifier. In some configurations, the play time indicator may be associated with the content identifier and venue identifier. A query may be received based on a scan of a static, machine-readable computer code. The query may request a search of the database to be performed in order to identify the content provided at the venue. The query may be for content that is currently playing or for content that has been played at the venue within a defined time frame. A response to the query may be provided that identifies the content for the venue. The response may be provided, for example, to a smartphone belonging to a user and may present a purchase option for the content.

Abstract: A query for product search includes multiple search terms. A priority among the multiple search terms may be determined based on past queries and the results of the past queries. Using the priority of the search terms, better and relevant search results may be returned for the query. Further, the priority of the search terms may be used to implement search term expansion, search term reduction, and search term substitution to suggest relevant alternative queries to a user to improve search results.

Abstract: A kiosk apparatus, method and system of providing and distributing a plurality of items to one or more consumers is provided. Each kiosk in a plurality of kiosks may be configured to communicate with a kiosk management system to provide inventory data, which is provided to consumers such that one or more requested items may be reserved in a transaction. The kiosk may be further configured to interact with the consumer to retrieve the reserved items, where the consumer may use a portable device to interact with the kiosk, or the consumer may be prompted by the kiosk to enter account information and/or a generated code associated with the transaction provided by the kiosk management system. Then, a payment process is initiated with the kiosk management system or other entity, and when the payment process is verified, release the requested items to the consumer.

Abstract: The method is a method for product recognition. The method includes receiving a product search request from a user. The method also includes performing an automatic search to identify the product. The method also includes generating an automatic search result. The method also includes analyzing an automatic search result of the automatic search to verify that the automatic search result satisfies a criterion for sending to the user. The method also includes sending the product search request to a human operator in response to a determination that the automatic search result fails to satisfy the criterion. The method also includes receiving an operator search result from the human operator. The method also includes sending the operator search result to the user.

Abstract: In an apparatus and method for processing a virtual world, haptic information regarding a virtual object in the virtual world, the haptic information corresponding to sensed information, is extracted and transmitted to a haptic feedback device. Accordingly, interaction between a real world and the virtual world is achieved. The processing speed of the haptic information with respect to the virtual object may be increased by varying data structures according to types of the virtual object.

Abstract: Systems, methods and computer-storage media are provided for identifying query formulation suggestions in response to receiving a search query. A portion of a search query is received. Query formulation suggestions are identified by semantically analyzing the search query. The query formulation suggestions are used to further formulate the received search query. The query formulation suggestions include semantic-pattern-based query suggestions that are derived from semantic query patterns, one or more entities, and information associated with these entities. The query formulation suggestions are transmitted for presentation.

Abstract: Generally discussed herein are systems, apparatuses, and methods for providing information regarding a product that is unique to a geographical region. In one or more embodiments a method may include determining a location of a user, receiving information indicative of one or more products unique to a particular geographical region corresponding to the determined location of the user, wherein each of the one or more products are offered for sale in the particular region by one or more merchants, and providing information about at least one of the products and about a merchant, from the one or more merchants, offering that product for sale in the geographical region.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an online shopping system related to a Do-It-Yourself (DIY) project. Metadata is overlaid or embedded in an interactive DIY video file which may be viewed from a social media website. The metadata includes information associated with a set of materials used in the DIY video. A user registers the DIY video file a user web page and the DIY video is played from the user web page. The materials information is extracted from the metadata and displayed on the screen. The system connects to any number of online shopping malls where the DIY materials may be purchased.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for receiving a search query, where the search query includes one or more terms; identifying one or more locations associated with the one or more terms prior to execution of the search query; providing the one or more locations as query suggestions; receiving a selection of a location; and in response to the selection, determining that the selected location references a hotel and providing a hotel search results interface, the hotel search results interface including a first region displaying one or more hotel listings, where the hotels listings include hotels located within a geographic region containing the selected hotel, and a second region, where the second region is configured to present one or more user selected hotels from the one or more hotel listings.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the instant invention provides for a method being implemented by an electronic search engine system, including the steps of: storing at least: visual presentations associated with a plurality of providers of products and/or services; and visual presentations of the products and/or the services; causing to concurrently display a first graphical user search interface to a plurality of users to allow each user to submit a search query; based on query data, searching for a subset of providers that offer product and/or service; where each visual presentations associated with each provider is configured to result in displaying the visual presentations of the product and/or the service, in response to a single action performed by such user; causing to display a second graphical user search interface to such user; where the second graphical user search interface displays the visual presentations associated with the subset of providers.

Abstract: Systems, media and methods for presenting information relating to a good for sale are provided. In an example embodiment, a system comprises at least one module, executing on one or more computer processors, to receive from a seller, via a network, product information relating to a good for sale, store the received product information in a database, receive an inquiry from a buyer via a portable wireless communication device, the inquiry including data usable to identify the good for sale, and based on an identification of the good, send, via a network, for display in an interface of the portable wireless communication device, at least some of the information relating to the good for sale.

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: An enterprise fulfillment system for order fulfillment from a heterogeneous fulfillment network is shown having a server configured to connect to a communication network to communicate with an ordering system and obtain inventory data from the nodes of the fulfillment network. The server receives a customer query regarding a product from the ordering system, identifies nodes in the fulfillment network stock of the product, and scores fulfillment options from the fulfillment network based on a routing schema. The server replies to the ordering system with rank ordered fulfillment options. The system may provide independent routing schema for different clients that provides different fulfillment options from the fulfillment network for each client. An interface may be provided permitting the routing schema to be revised by a client or based on dynamic data. The fulfillment network may include nodes from client, enterprise and vendor networks having different inventory, capabilities and cost.

Abstract: An online personal merchandise cataloguing system is equipped with integrated item tracking and hosted (or imported) social network functionality. The system comprises an internet application with a supporting backend network, the pertinent configuration and operation of both being substantially under the control of an individual retailer. Accessible through an internet browser or a smartphone “app”, the internet application is configured to provide a user with means for listing or otherwise cataloguing items of merchandise. In combination with and supported by the retailer's backend computer network, the internet application enables the user to share his online catalog with an extrinsic social network and to track cataloged items.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining search results. The method may include receiving an at least partial search term, and identifying keywords based on the at least partial search term, wherein each keyword has an associated keyword measure based on the number of times each keyword has been previously searched for within a predetermined time period. For each keyword search results associated with the keyword may be identified, wherein each result has an associated search measure. A relevance measure may be determined for each result using the keyword measure the search measure, and used to provide at least one of the results as a search result for the at least partial search term.

Abstract: A system for sampling and purchasing digital content includes at least one processor, at least one computer-readable tangible storage device, and program instructions stored on the at least one storage device for execution by the at least one processor. The program instructions include first program instructions configured to receive data indicative of a keyword. The program instructions further include second program instructions configured to identify digital media content associated with the keyword. The program instructions further include third program instructions configured to communicate data indicative of a hyperlink, wherein the hyperlink is configured to link to sample content associated with the digital media content. The program instructions further include fourth program instructions configured to receive payment confirmation. The program instructions further include fifth program instructions configured to communicate data indicative of instructions for accessing the digital media content.

Abstract: A facility for initiating a purchase is described. The facility receives a text sequence captured by a user from a rendered document using a handheld text capture device. The facility identifies in the received text sequence a reference to a distinguished product. In response to identifying the reference, the facility presents to the user an opportunity to place an order for the established product. If the user accepts the presented opportunity to order the distinct product, the facility orders the distinct product on behalf of the user.

Abstract: Reducing near-duplicate entries in online shopping system search results. For each pair of entries in a set of entries, each entry characterizing a product in a data store of an online shopping system and each entry characterized by a set of attributes, determining a distance between the entries in the pair based on the attributes. Determining entry clusters from a graph formed with each determined distance as an edge between nodes representing the entries used to determine the distance, each entry cluster identified by cluster identifier. Returning an ordered list of results responsive to the query from the data store of an online shopping system, filtered as a function of at least one of the distance and the cluster identifier.

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: An search query may be received from a user device, the search query indicating retail-related search criteria. A user device may be caused to display a search result based on the search query. The search result may comprise one or more search result items respectively comprising a storefront image representing a storefront of a corresponding brick-and-mortar store. A respective plurality of merchandise items may be visible in each storefront image.

Abstract: A visual product searching apparatus includes a product area determining part, a visual word generating part and a product searching part. The product area determining part extracts a product area in an input image. The visual word generating part generates a visual word reflecting human visual cognitive characteristics based on the product area. The product searching part searches a product using the visual word.

Abstract: Methods and systems for identifying and coordinating vendors capable of providing a product or service associated with a transaction. Specifically, the invention includes methods and systems for creating order profiles used to select vendors for providing products or services available according to the transaction. A product or service related to the completion of the transaction is selected, a vendor ordering profile is selected, a vendor is selected according to a distribution selection method or by selection of a user, and the selected product or service is ordered from the selected product vendor.

Abstract: A system and method for the multiple selection of digitally stored objects and the link-tokens of each selected object for simultaneous presentation and examination of the selected objects with their associated linked objects and information, including organized array presentation for graphical thumbnails that represent the selected objects, as well as sub-framing, which allows intelligent partitioning of information associated with an object.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus may include a control unit to control display of parts information of a plurality of items, to generate search information according to feedback from a user for the parts information, and to control display of a search result according to the search information.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for providing an app store service which implements 3rd party-based app stores by using a user's client and links the implemented app stores so as to be distributed by the 3rd party, and to a system for the same. The app store service system of the present invention includes: a plurality of app stores established for distribution; a mall integration server to manage the establishment and integrated operation of the plurality of app stores, and integrally analyze metadata collected from the plurality of app stores in order to provide app integration search and information on the basis of the plurality of app stores; and a client to perform integrated search and browsing for apps on the basis of the mall integration server and the app stores.

Abstract: An example embodiment includes a method for booking multiple services with multiple providers simultaneously. The method includes receiving a request for available services and service providers and displaying a search results page to the client depicting the available services and service providers. The method also includes receiving a first selection for a first service from a first service provider and adding the first selection to a service cart pending checkout. The method includes receiving a second selection for a second service from a second service provider. The second selection may be added to the service cart pending checkout. The method may include displaying a time and date selection interface and receiving a time and date selection for each of the first and second services. A service checkout interface may be displayed and payment may be received for the first and second selections in the service cart.

Abstract: A search method and apparatus based on an e-commerce platform. An embodiment of the present invention provides a search method based on an e-commerce platform. The e-commerce platform searches for, according to a search keyword sent by a first client, based on a location of the first client and in an area range of a search radius, commodities meeting a condition, and sends detailed information about the commodities found through searching to the first client. According to the method provided in the embodiment of the present invention, a consumer may shop nearby in an expected area range, thereby improving consumer's shopping experience.

Abstract: Systems and methods for data a product search using user selections in images are described. The methods include receiving, from a user device, a user selection corresponding to an element in an image, wherein the element is one of a plurality of elements associated with the image, determining at least one product based on the user selection, and communicating the at least one product to the user device. The user selection may correspond to at least one of a color selection, a shape selection, a product selection, and a brand selection in the first image. The method may further include receiving additional user selections and determining additional products based on the user selections.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product are provided for activating a cellular phone account utilizing automated speech recognition. In use, information about a user is received over a network utilizing automated speech recognition. Thereafter, a cellular phone account is activated based on the information received utilizing the automated speech recognition.