Abstract: There is provided systems and method for altering travel route with a transaction location. A buyer may wish to travel between two locations and have a least costly or most direct route with a transportation provider. Additionally, the buyer may wish to arrange a transaction location along the travel route with a merchant. The transaction location may correspond to a merchant storefront or a mobile seller. Thus, the least costly travel route may be changed to incorporate the transaction location, where the new travel route is calculated to minimize a monetary cost to the user by changing the least costly travel route with the transaction location.

Abstract: There is provided systems and method for minimizing travel costs for use of transportation providers by a user. A user may wish to travel between two locations but may not know a least costly route. Thus, travel routes may be calculated between to location to minimize the monetary cost to the user. The travel routes may be updated or reflect changes in the travel route, such as traffic conditions, tolls, or other travel condition. Additionally, the user may wish to change the travel route to reflect other stops the user may wish to make. The travel route can be updated in real time. The travel route can also be recorded and changes from an agreed upon travel route by the transportation provider may be sent to the user for reporting to a transit authority.

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: Methods and systems for analyzing, ordering and presenting item listings are described. In one example embodiment, a search query is processed to identify item listings satisfying the search query. Then, for each item listing that satisfies the search query, a ranking score is derived and assigned to the item listing. The ranking score is based in part on a relevance score, a listing quality score and a business rules score (or, adjustment factor). Finally, the item listings are ordered, based on their corresponding ranking score, and presented in order in a search results page.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed regarding an e-commerce system that promotes sales of products based on product comparisons. Some embodiments may present a marketing message that justifies a price difference between presented products based on attribute differences between the presented products.

Abstract: A system according to an embodiment comprises one or more processors; and one or more memories adapted to store a plurality of machine-readable instructions which when executed by the processor(s) are adapted to cause the system to: receive, from a user device of a user, user input search information in connection with one or more desired items of interest to the user; determine one or more service providers or entities offering the one or more desired items based on a location of the user device; and generate comparative data for the one or more service providers or entities that provide the desired item(s) based on historical data of the one or more service providers or entities and the received user input search information.

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: Embodiments of the invention are directed to systems, methods and computer program products for providing price evaluation based on electronic receipt data.

Abstract: An information providing device includes a specifying unit that specifies a second trading object related to a second trading object page to be compared with a first trading object related to a first trading object page to be displayed on a user terminal, a comparison unit that extracts first trading object information corresponding to the first trading object and second trading object information corresponding to the second trading object from a page information database that stores trading object information corresponding to trading objects, and compares the first and second trading object information, and a page transmitting unit that presents comparison information indicating a result of comparison to a user. The second trading object page is a webpage displayed on the user terminal prior to the first trading object page.

Abstract: A system is provided comprising a plurality of listings, a plurality of labels associated with at least some of the listings. Additionally, a plurality of form inputs are provided, each associated with one of the labels, wherein selection of a form input causes a transition of the associated label from a first state to a second state. The system further includes a link that is made active upon the transition, thereby associating an action with a label wherein a first description is displayed in the first state and a second description is displayed in the second state.

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: A method for providing service users with occupancy cost comparisons between a plurality of commercial leased properties includes the steps of: (a) defining an occupancy cost parameter for a leased property, (b) providing an interface for service users to input into a searchable database the identifying property information and the specific lease terms required to compute this occupancy cost parameter for each of the leased properties, (c) providing an algorithm that utilizes the inputted specific lease terms information to compute the occupancy cost parameter for each of the leased properties, (d) utilizing the occupancy cost parameters to create a fiduciary-responsibility-abiding (FRA) lease comp for each of the leased properties, and (e) storing in the database the FRA lease comp for each of the leased properties.

Abstract: The present disclosure involves ensuring that items sold by a merchant appear in certain network pages. A network page is automatically accessed in a computing device. The network page is generated by a referral network site that displays at least one offering of an item by at least one competitor merchant. A unique identifier associated with the item is identified from the network page in the computing device. The unique identifier is stored in association with the item in a data store accessible to the computing device. The item and the unique identifier are included in a feed sent from the computing device of a merchant to the referral network site. The feed includes a listing of the item and a plurality of other items, wherein the item and the other items are offered for sale by the merchant.

Abstract: A method includes receiving user input at a computing device. The user input indicates a selection of an image at a purchasable item displayed via a first display element of a plurality display elements of a representation sent to a display device associated with the computing device. The first display element is associated with a first vendor. The method includes retrieving information that identifies the purchasable item via the computing device. The method includes querying, via the computing device, a plurality of devices associated with vendors to identify other vendors in addition to the first vendor that sell the purchasable item based on the information. The method also includes identifying, via the computing device, a second vendor of the other vendors that satisfies a condition.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a product comparison apparatus for comparing a plurality of products includes an operation acceptance unit, a comparison table generator, and a display unit. The operation acceptance unit is configured to accept a user operation for selecting a plurality of annotated documents which include specification information items related to the products and annotations appended by a user. The comparison table generator is configured to generate a comparison table comprising the specification information items related to the products, in accordance with the user operation. The display unit is configured to display the comparison table.

Abstract: The invention provides various systems and methods for implementing item-specific money transfers. The method includes receiving identification of an item, determining a vendor and a price of the item, and receiving, from a receiver, a money transfer request for an amount of the price of the item. The money transfer request identifies a sender. The method further includes sending the money transfer request to the sender, receiving, from the sender, authorization for a money transfer in an amount of the price of the item. The authorization includes an indication that funds from the money transfer are restricted for use only for the item.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for evaluating a transaction concluded at a POS (point of sale) device. Prices for competitive retail stores within a geographic region of the POS may be evaluated after concluding a transaction. Price differences between items and corresponding prices in the third party data are identified. Where the purchase price exceeds the corresponding third-party price, a credit is assigned to the customer, such as in the form of a gift card or code that may be redeemed in a subsequent transaction. Credits may also be assigned to a debit card associated with a user, either with or without applying some multiplier. A portion of the credit may be donated to a donee. Third party donations associated with a product purchased in a transaction may also be assigned to a donee.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for evaluating a transaction concluded at a POS (point of sale) device. Prices for competitive retail stores within a geographic region of the POS may be evaluated after concluding a transaction. Price differences between items and corresponding prices in the third party data are identified. Where the purchase price exceeds the corresponding third-party price, a credit is assigned to the customer, such as in the form of a gift card or code that may be redeemed in a subsequent transaction. Credits may also be assigned to a debit card associated with a user, either with or without applying some multiplier. A credit may be applied to an online transaction of the user. Based on the use of the credit, the user's in-store purchases and online purchases may be related to the same individual and used to better characterize interests of the user.

Abstract: The present invention is related to receiving, storing, and displaying commodities, and more particularly to promoting branded commodities within a commodity search engine which may contain a great number of unbranded and branded commodities.

Abstract: A method for managing travel, comprising: performing processing associated with accepting information related to options to satisfy a request for a travel service; and performing processing associated with determining how to display the options to the user so that corresponding travel information is listed side by side.

Abstract: A system and method for searching for and/or purchasing multiple items on the Internet is provided. The system determines an optimized purchase alternative for purchasing the multiple items based on pre-defined criteria.

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

Abstract: A service for pricing items of inventory contained in a searchable database is available for access via the Internet. Where multiple items can satisfy a consumer's request, it is typical for a service to perform an inventory search for items that match a consumer's request. When the inventory is stored in an inventory database, the inventory database is queried for the purpose of retrieving a result set which matches the consumer's request. A separate fare server database containing inventory recently known to be available, located local to the Internet server for fast and efficient access, can also be provided for performing searches related to the consumer's request. Some inventory, even though recently known to have been available, is filtered out before being stored in the fare server database and inventory is removed when outdated, no longer available or purchased.

Abstract: A method and system for matching a basis product with products in the inventory of a provider (e.g., a retailer) that have related functionality. Characteristics of the basis product may be known from its product identifier, or may be specified. Goodness scores for candidate products may be based on similarity of characteristics with those of the basis product. Availability and consumer preferences may be taken into account in assigning goodness scores. Candidates may be drawn from those in inventory having the same type as the basis product, or a type having one or more similar functional aspects. Values of characteristics may require reformatting and/or normalization to facilitate comparison. A list of candidates, ranked by goodness scores, may be prepared.

Abstract: The techniques introduced here provide a method of gathering ecommerce data. The techniques described here allow a system to return information about a product from several non-related ecommerce sites in response to a single search query. Using the techniques described here, a data mining system determines from the search query a product ID and retrieves from a database one or more product links that correspond to the product ID. Using the product links retrieved from the database, the data mining system traverses the links and parses the web-pages corresponding each of the links to determine up to date product information. The product information can then be returned to the application that initiated the request.

Abstract: A method, an apparatus and an article of manufacture for enabling communication between at least two computer applications that is observable to a user. The method includes obtaining a description of functions for each of the at least two computer applications, comparing the description of functions for each of the at least two computer applications, generating a dialog between the at least two applications based on the comparing of the description of functions for each of the at least two computer applications, and making the dialog available to a user.

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: The present disclosure describes novel systems and methods for a customer to receive information and/or purchase a product or service while interacting with multiple vendors through a single contact/agency. The customer is able to communicate with the agency through a variety of communication modes. The agency adapts the customer's input as necessary to meet the requirements of the vendors and the agency returns information to the customer so that the customer can conveniently interact with the multiple vendors. The systems and methods allow for the customer to stop and restart the process at various points using any of the communication modes. The agency has the ability to present the customer with prospecting, sales, service, upgrades, cross-sells, and other pre- and post-purchase services at the single point-of-contact agency.

Abstract: A fare searching system that includes a receiver configured to receive a fare request from a user device, the fare request including at least a source location, a destination location, and a time of departure. A transmitter that is configured to process the fare request and transmit a request for fare information regarding the fare request to an airline fare information system. A processor that is configured to process and compile a first list of fares received from the airline fare information system, wherein the processor is also configured to generate a second list of fares including fares in which an intermediate location is the source location and/or the destination location, and the processor generates a combined list of fares based on the first and second lists. The transmitter transmits the combined list to the user device.

Abstract: A system and method for recording and distributing calls are provided. A call may be associated with an information record. Parameters in the information record may be used to determine if the call is to be recorded. Parameters in the information record may be used to determine a method of providing a recording of the call. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: Rating information is maintained that is associated with one or more sources from which a product of interest can be purchased. Search criteria is received from a user that defines a product of interest. A plurality of sources are selected from which the user can transact for a product that satisfies the search criteria based at least in part on the rating information associated with one or more sources in the set. One or more sources can be determined from the rating information that have an acceptable rating value, or alternatively, a higher rating value than other sources in the set. A plurality of links may be displayed that individually locate a corresponding one of the plurality of sources. The plurality of links may be positioned, for example, based on the referral compensation provided by the sources of one or more of the links. The link that identifies the source with the highest or higher rating values may be identified to the user.

Abstract: A system generates a score for a document based on best seller list information relating to the document, circulation information relating to the document, publisher sales information relating to a publisher associated with the document, author sales information relating to an author associated with the document, user behavior information relating to access of the document by users, and/or a link-based score of a web document relating to the document.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a consumer comparative pricing data from at least two merchants is discussed. In one aspect of the invention a customer of a merchant queries a database containing time and location specific pricing data for competitors of the first merchant. If the query shows that the customer could have purchased the same item or items for a lower price at a competitor, the first merchant awards the customer an on-line credit that is redeemable at the merchant. In another aspect, a consumer uploads an image of a competitor's receipt. The item specific data on the receipt is converted to UPC codes on an item by item basis. These UPC codes are then compared against the merchant's pricing database and the consumer is provided data set comparing the prices the consumer paid to the prices the consumer would have paid had the consumer shopped at the merchant.

Abstract: A method and a system to facilitate finding a product (e.g., camera) and corresponding product accessories are described. A list of product combinations may be retrieved from a database. Each product combination may include a product and at least one product accessory respectively supplied from one of product suppliers and one of product accessory suppliers. The list of product combinations may be ranked based on a sum value of a product value/price ratio of the product and a product accessory value/price ratio of the at least one product accessory in each product combination. A display on a machine may cause a presentation of the list of product combinations to a user.

Abstract: The disclosure generally describes computer-implemented methods, software, and systems for comparing costs of vacation components.

Abstract: A recommender system for recommending items to a user based on geo-Tagged information related to him, in which items associated with a GeoTag are stored in a database. Feedback regarding the various items is obtained from the user and the provided rating of items is propagated to closely located items based on their associated GeoTags. A user-to-user similarity matrix is calculated and a predicted score is assigned for each user and item, using a recommendation server. All the items in the catalog of items are sorted according to their predicted scores as calculated for the user, and all items that have been already rated by the user are filtered out. Then, items from the catalog of items are presented to the user, according to their scores.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a process for determining optimized communication rate plans for one or more communications devices across one or more communications networks. The present invention provides for determining an intelligent rate plan for a user having one or more devices operative on a communications network with one or more rate plans. The present invention, in one or more embodiments provides a user of communication devices with a cost-effective rate plan solution in relation to the user's use of their devices and available cost-savings programs available to the user.

Abstract: A system generates a score for a document based on best seller list information relating to the document, circulation information relating to the document, publisher sales information relating to a publisher associated with the document, author sales information relating to an author associated with the document, user behavior information relating to access of the document by users, and/or a link-based score of a web document relating to the document.

Abstract: A system and method for performing object or context-based categorization of an image is described. A descriptor for image regions, which is represented by a histogram of oriented uniform patterns, is described. The descriptor is compared to descriptors of other images to determine a similarity score that accounts for distinctiveness, reducing perceptual aliasing. Additionally, a kernel alignment process considers only the descriptors that are determined to be most informative.

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 system is provided that extrapolates item characteristics from items considered to possess a characteristic to items not known to possess the characteristic. The system may include an item data repository that stores data representing physical items. These items can include first items having a characteristic and second items not known to have the characteristic. A characteristic extrapolation module can extrapolate the characteristic from at least some of the first items to at least some of the second items based at least in part on the strength of associations between the plurality of items. A recommendations module may provide item recommendations based at least partly on the characteristic of the items.

Abstract: A method and a system to facilitate finding a product (e.g., camera) and corresponding product accessories are described. A selection of a theme mode from a plurality of theme modes is received. A list of product models and a list of product accessory models based on the theme mode are presented. A selection of a product model combination including a product model and at least one product accessory model respectively from the list of product models and the list of product accessory models is received. A list of product combinations based on the product model combination is retrieved from a database. Each product combination include a product and at least one product accessory respectively supplied from one of product suppliers and one of product accessory suppliers. The list of product combinations may be ranked based on a sum value of a product value and at least one product accessory value in each product combination.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to providing online product research. Data related to an activity performed by a consumer at a first electronic commerce website is collected. The collected data includes information about a first product, and the information about the first product is stored as product research data. The product research data is associated with the consumer. It is detected that the consumer is accessing a location in a second electronic commerce website that includes information about a second product. The product research data is searched for data related to the information about the second product. The information about the first product is located in response to searching the product research data for data related to the information about the second product, and the consumer is presented with the information about the first product along with the information about the second product.

Abstract: Items are sold via a wireless mobile telecommunications network in which multimedia presentations describing items offered for sale are broadcast for reception by wireless mobile devices. Users of the devices can transmit responses indicating requests to buy the items or bid for them in auctions.

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: Systems for storing data for access by an application program providing specialty product information to consumers.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method, apparatus, and computer-readable media for mapping product records according to attributes in a standard schema, the standard schema mapping product records from a plurality of content providers according to a product hierarchy from each respective content provider, the method including: receiving product data from a plurality of feeds including feeds from one or more content providers; identifying a plurality of product records received from each of the plurality of feeds; identifying a taxonomy of products received in each of the plurality of feeds; and storing product records and corresponding product attributes in a standard schema in a data set for each feed according to the taxonomy identified for each respective feed.

Abstract: Various embodiments include an apparatus comprising a server operable to generate a customized virtual catalog including a plurality of composite images, wherein at least one of the plurality of composite images includes an image of a promotional product decorated using a decorative image associated with a client requesting access to the customized virtual catalog.

Abstract: To disaggregate a single combined price of a bundled product, a computer receives a price data set comprised of component parts that correspond to the component parts of the bundled product. At least one component part differs in accordance with at least one parameter value of another component part. A price for a component part is calculated by obtaining metric data that includes one or more market reference prices responsive to the component part. Using the metric data, a market value is computed for each component part and the computed market values are summed to compute a market value total. A proportional value for at least one component part is generated by dividing the market value of the component part by the market value total. A price for the component part is calculated by multiplying the price data set's single combined price by the component part's proportional value.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and apparatus for providing navigation of a database includes a plurality of records having attributes, the method including transmitting a webpage configured to display a plurality of hierarchies of selectable filters corresponding for plural manufacturer's products, wherein each hierarchy corresponds to the respective manufacturer's product taxonomy, receiving at least one attribute value based on a filter selection, transmitting a query to an index for unique identifiers corresponding to that satisfy the at least one attribute value, receiving the unique identifiers, transmitting a query to a product data set for records in the data set corresponding to the unique identifier, receiving, with a computing device, the one or more records, and transmitting said one or more records.