Abstract: Data streams are generally selected according to user preferences and transmitted to the user in general alignment with expressed preferences of the user. Such data streams may be music, including music videos. Users may indicate their general or specific preferences with regards to song, artists, or albums. Any other aspects or factors that might affect the user's preferences can be taken into account. A playlist is created that combines all of these factors. The playlist then serves as the basis for feeding the data streams to the user. Each user is able to express his or her own preferences and receive music corresponding to those preferences on an on-going basis.

Abstract: In one aspect, a computer-implemented method provides more efficient outages for databases. The method may include intercepting a database transaction request prior to connection to the database subsystem and determining whether the transaction will finish before an expected drain time for the database object, the transaction being associated with the database object. The method may also include allowing the transaction to proceed when it is determined that the transaction will finish before the expected drain time and suspending the transaction otherwise. The transaction may be associated with the database object in a table so that only transactions associated with the database object are considered for suspension. In another aspect, the method may include determining which transactions running when a drain for the object is initiated and associating the running transactions with the database object in the table.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method includes receiving one or more attribute location inputs. Each attribute location input identifies a location within a product image depicting a customizable product. The method includes receiving an attribute definition for each of the one or more attribute location inputs. The method also includes storing customization information that associates the locations specified in the location inputs with attribute definition information included in the respective attribute definition. In another embodiment, a method includes causing the display of a product image depicting a customizable product. One or more locations within the product image are each associated with a respective customizable attribute. The method includes causing the display of an attribute image representing a particular customizable attribute associated with the particular location in association with a particular location of the one or more locations within the product selection image.

Abstract: A device, method, and system for providing interactivity with a digital sign includes an interactive digital sign configured to display information in response to interactions by a viewer. The viewer may interact with the digital sign using sensors of the digital sign or via use of a mobile communication device carried by the viewer. User data may be used by the interactive digital sign to select the information, which may include advertisements, coupons, directions, and other information. The information may be transmitted to the viewer's mobile communication device.

Abstract: A method for determining quality includes receiving supplier quality data from a supplier. The supplier quality data includes discrete quality data. The supplier quality data is for a quantity of a component supplied to a company or for a service provided on behalf of the company over a supplier measurement period. The method includes aggregating quality data from two or more suppliers. The quality data is for the supplied component or provided service over a baseline time period. The method includes determining a quality benchmark using the aggregated quality data and setting one or more alarm levels. The alarm levels are based on the quality benchmark of the aggregated quality data. The method includes determining supplier quality level for the supplier for the supplier measurement time period. The supplier quality is based on the supplier quality data. The method includes determining if the supplier quality data exceeds an alarm level.

Abstract: Visitors that abandon electronic or computer-generated forms before completing and submitting the form are lost to business entities. Data obtained from abandoned electronic or computer-generated forms is used to identify these lost visitors. Sometimes a unique script embedded on the webpages scrapes the data from the forms. The obtained data is further utilized to market or remarket to the lost consumers by sending personalized messages via a preferred communication medium.

Abstract: Visitors that abandon electronic or computer-generated forms before completing and submitting the form are lost to business entities. Data obtained from abandoned electronic or computer-generated forms is used to identify these lost visitors. Sometimes a unique script embedded on the webpages scrapes the data from the forms. The obtained data is further utilized to market or remarket to the lost consumers by sending personalized messages via a preferred communication medium. Electronic form events can be tracked and the obtained data and the event tracking information can be compiled into reports. Patterns in the obtained data can be evaluated to provide revisions to the electronic forms.

Abstract: Systems and methods to integrate point of sale processing, online order processing, and supply chain and store management over the Internet. In one aspect, a central server provides point of sale, online order processing, and supply chain and store management functions via browser based interfaces. The system enables users to enter orders from remote locations for order fulfillment at brick and mortar retail locations, where the POS terminals configured based on the browser based interfaces can be changed into a self service mode to allow customers to place orders for themselves at the retail locations.

Abstract: Price searching via a mobile device reading display screen graphics is provided. A system for obtaining pricing information comprises at least one subsystem that electronically reads a price of a product using a mobile device scanning a display screen, at least one subsystem that searches for other available products and price data to compare to the electronically read price and product data, at least one subsystem that compares the price data of the other products to the electronically read price data, and at least one subsystem that presents purchase options based upon results of the comparison of the price and product data.

Abstract: A communication between an entity and a host is identified. Reputation information associated with a set of other entities that communicate with the host is identified. A reputation score associated with the host is generated based on the reputation information associated with a set of other entities. A reputation score associated with the entity is generated based on the reputation score associated with the host.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and corresponding systems for facilitating a live registry event between a shopper and one or more remote viewers. In the live registry event, the shopper, registers for gifts that they would like to receive while sharing their registering experience with the viewers in real-time. When the user registers for an item, a server system allows the viewers to purchase the gift for the shopper.

Abstract: A method and a system are disclosed for generating a recommendation of a retail location on a network-based system. For example, a system may obtain a retail location definition associated with a geographic location. The geographic location may represent the retail location. The system then builds a scan event model from product scan messages received from a plurality of scanning devices located within the geographic location. The scan event model may include one or more scan events each being associated with a product definition and the retail location definition. Next, a recommendation query from the search device is received by the system. The recommendation query may include a product identifier and a query location. The system may generate a recommendation of the retail location based on determining that the product identifier and the query location match the one or more scan events of the scan event model.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention, a system provides virtual presence model in servers. An embodiment of the invention also has video streaming capability and can allow a user to select which video to watch as the large, central video with some statistics and data on Side portions of the user interface.

Abstract: Message correlation wherein messages from multiple network elements may be correlated as a function of correlation IDs included within the messages. The correlation IDs may be determined independently by each network element and in a stateless manner. The correlation IDs may be unique for each session and determined from unique dialog information included within messages used to the support the session.

Abstract: An autofill system is described for auto-populating electronic forms with data stored by an on-line social networking system. When a member of an on-line social network system accesses, via a web browser, an autofill-enabled web page, the autofill system determines an identification of the member, scrapes the member's profile to obtain member's information, assembles the member's profile information as member data, and communicates the member data to the web browser together with a script for presenting an autofill button on the web page.

Abstract: An extensible configuration system to allow a website to authenticate users based on an authorization protocol is disclosed. In some embodiments, the extensible configuration system includes receiving an identifier for an authentication provider; and automatically configuring a website to use the authentication provider for logging into the website.

Abstract: A computer sends a request to an authorization source to access a resource and includes its own location information. The computer receives a reply that includes the unencrypted location information of the computer and the resource encrypted such that a decryption key of the computer decrypts the encrypted resource. The entire reply is encrypted such that a decryption key of a third-party computer can decrypt the reply. The computer sends the encrypted reply to the third-party computer, and the reply is decrypted and returned to the computer if a distance between the computer and the third-party computer fulfills a proximity condition, as determined by the location of the computers.

Abstract: A system is employed to operate a vehicle impounding facility for a municipality. A selection is received of a marked vehicle in a marked grid for titling, and an application for title for the selected vehicle is effectuated in the name of the municipality. A notation is received of a selected vehicle in a pending grid as being titled when the application for title for the selected vehicle has been approved and received. A scheduling is received of a titled vehicle in a select auction date grid for an upcoming auction. An assignment is received of a minimum bid value to a scheduled vehicle in a minimum bid guide grid in connection with the auction. Entry is received in a final auction grid of a purchase price for which a valued vehicle has been auctioned and a purchaser.

Abstract: A lockable piece of luggage that may be unlocked with user credentials from a client device is disclosed.

Abstract: Media content is provided for remote playback over a packet-based network. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, a host server authenticates remote users and further processes media content requests from authenticated remote users by directing or otherwise facilitating the delivery of requested media content from a user's media content source to a remote playback device. The remote playback device is classified and the media content is selectively configured at one or both of the media content source and the host server in accordance with the classification, prior to delivery to the remote playback device. Communications among the host server, remote playback device and media content source are over the packet-based network.

Abstract: An image capture system for a theme park includes fixed image capture areas spaced throughout the theme park. Each fixed image capture area includes at least one camera, and a kiosk coupled to the at least one camera. The kiosk includes an identification (ID) reader to read a park guest ID presented by a park guest, and a processor to activate the at least one camera to take a photo of the park guest based on the ID reader reading the park guest ID. The processor also links the park guest ID with the photo. A server is coupled to the fixed image capture areas to store each photo with the linked park guest ID.

Abstract: A scalable architecture for managing, monitoring and enforcing user ad targeting operates across a distributed network. The architecture enables defining and enforcement of policy related to targeting across various domains, platforms, devices, protocols, interactions, content and media types. Targeting decisions utilize user policy as well as profile information. A user policy or portions thereof may be discovered and accessed without requiring direct interactions.

Abstract: A printing system and operating method thereof are disclosed herein. The printing system includes a server device, an electronic device and a wireless printing device. The wireless printing device includes a network module and a printing module. The server device includes a storage position. The electronic device is configured to transmit print data to the storage position of the server device. The network module is configured to receive the print data transmitted from the server device. The printing module is configured to print the print data received by the network module.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for incentivizing players to visit a gambling location. In one aspect, a qualified person is invited to play an electronic game which has a plurality of outcomes, at least one of which is a winning outcome. In one embodiment, the qualified person may be required to redeem the outcome at the gambling location. In another embodiment, the person may be required to redeem the outcome at a redemption location. In another aspect, a method is provided for permitting a person to take one or more actions within a gambling location and in response inviting the person to play an electronic game separate from the games offered in a gambling environment at the gambling location, where the game has a plurality of outcomes, at least one of which is a winning outcome, and if the person obtains a winning outcome, requiring the person to redeem the at least one outcome at the gambling location. In one embodiment, the method includes the acts of qualifying a person.

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: Techniques for a product search grid are disclosed herein. The method for presenting a grid includes receiving data in association with a plurality of products from one or more merchant websites; presenting a data grid including cells based on the data, wherein each cell of the cells represents a product of the products or a replacement of a product of the products; displaying information regarding the products or the replacements of the products in the cells; and updating the contents of cells of the data grid automatically in real time in response to new data received from the merchant websites.

Abstract: A commodity selection supporting system displays an image showing appearance of a subject-person on a display, e.g. the display of a tablet PC, reads information for identifying a commodity that is held close to the display on which the image of the subject-person is displayed and collects the identification information of the commodity read in association with information relevant to the appearance of the subject-person displayed on the display.

Abstract: A control apparatus receives at least one image data transmitted from an external apparatus to the control apparatus, stores the at least one image data on a storage medium, and detects whether or not a predetermined instruction is received by the control apparatus. The control apparatus causes a display apparatus to display a menu relating the at least one image data if the predetermined instruction is received by the control apparatus after the control apparatus starts receiving the at least one image data from the external apparatus and before a predetermine time has elapsed. The control apparatus causes the display apparatus to display a list of image data stored in the storage medium if the predetermined instruction is received by the control apparatus after the control apparatus starts receiving the at least one image data from the external apparatus and after the predetermine time has elapsed.

Abstract: A method for indoor navigation in a venue derives positioning of a mobile device based on sounds captured by the microphone of the mobile device from the ambient environment. It is particularly suited to operate on smartphones, where the sounds are captured using microphone that captures sounds in a frequency range of human hearing. The method determines a position of the mobile device in the venue based on identification of the audio signal, monitors the position of the mobile device, and generates a position based alert on an output device of the mobile device when the position of the mobile device is within a pre-determined position associated with the position based alert.

Abstract: Disclosed is a program for pre-fetching resources. A computer, communicatively coupled to a plurality of client computers and a server computer, identifies a resource, through an examination of one or more HTTP server logs, that is cached on at least one of the plurality of client computers and has been validated by the server computer. The computer determines to pre-fetch the resource based on one or more predefined rules, at least one of the predefined rules including a threshold number of responses validating the resource that must be received by the computer. The computer pre-fetches and caches the resource from the server computer. The computer receives a request for the resource from a client computer that does not have the resource cached. The computer validates resource cached locally and sends the resource to the client computer from the local cache on the computer.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a system and method for handling customer service requests in a virtual computing environment supporting multimedia interactions. In some embodiments, the system includes an automated management tool for receiving a customer service request from a client device, a server for establishing an individualized communication session, and a plurality of available resources capable of being connected to the individualized communication session. In some embodiments, the method includes receiving and establishing a connection between an automated management tool and a client device, receiving a customer service request from the client device, establishing an individualized communication session, and providing resources to the individualized communication session.

Abstract: In various example embodiments, a system and method for dynamically creating an aggregate list are presented. For one embodiment, sensor data associated with a first data source type is received from a network. The sensor data represents at least one item to be added to the aggregate list from the first data source type representing a connected appliance. The aggregate list is associated with at least one user. The sensor data is processed based on predictive modeling associated with consumption of the at least one time to be added to the list to automatically generate learning data. The learning data is associated with a second data source type and representing at least one item to be added to the aggregate list from the second data source type. The non-sensor data associated with a third data source type is received from a network. The non-sensor data represents at least one item to be added to the aggregate list from the third data source type.

Abstract: Systems and methods for ordering a transportation vehicle using near-field communication (NFC) are disclosed. A method includes detecting that an NFC device of a client computing device is in physical proximity of a NFC target device. In response to the detecting, execution of a transportation application is initiated. Data is received from the NFC target device, and an order request is generated based on the transportation application and the received data.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to managing a user account based on information received from a social networking service. In accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, a user can associate an account on a social networking service with a separate account on a marketplace system. The marketplace system can define social network tags or identifiers that can be used within the social networking service to implement functions or take actions within the user's account associated with the marketplace system.

Abstract: A method for providing a content gift to a gift-receiving terminal is provided. The method includes a gift server communicating with the gift-receiving terminal over a wireless communication link to determine what content is owned by the gift-receiving terminal. The method further includes the gift server generating catalog data including at least one content gift targeted for the gift receiving terminal. Further included in the method is the gift server wirelessly transmitting the catalog data to a gift-giving terminal. Additionally, the method includes the gift server receiving a selection of a content gift from the gift-giving terminal over a wireless communication link. Further included is the gift server facilitating delivery of the selected content gift to the gift-receiving terminal.

Abstract: A method that improves and enhances the customer's in-store shopping experience. The consumer product of purchase interest or intent to buy expresses (or self-announces via technology) it's match (or fit based on known or understood buying habits, customer taste, tendencies, etc) against the customer preferences during an in-store shopping experience.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable media for the exchange of digital assets are generally described. In some embodiments, a digital asset exchange system (the “exchange system”) may generate a catalog of available digital assets stored on a plurality of client logic devices or storage devices. The exchange system may determine a value for the digital assets. A user may request to exchange a digital asset in the catalog with one of their digital assets. The exchange system may process the exchange of the digital assets have an equivalent or substantially equivalent value. If the value of the digital assets is not equivalent, the exchange system may suggest digital assets for the exchange and/or initiate negotiations between the users.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for presenting alternative shopping options to a customer. A collection of alternative shopping options is identified in a computing device based upon subject matter of a network page generated by a first one of a plurality of network sites to be presented to a customer. Each of the network sites is configured to sell a plurality of products, and at least one of the alternative shopping options comprises a purchase opportunity associated with a second one of the network sites. An estimate of a benefit for each of the alternative shopping options is determined with respect to the first one of the network sites, and a subset of the alternative shopping options is identified to be included in the network page based at least upon the estimates. The subset of the alternative shopping options is included in the first network page.

Abstract: A system and method for sharing information on a network-based social platform is provided. An indication is received from a first user to share information regarding an item on a network-based social platform. The network-based social platform is a platform that allows the first user to communicative couple with other users of the network-based social platform. Profile information of the first user is accessed. A determination of whether the first user is authorized to share the information is made. Based on the first user being authorized, an identifier for the item is added to a list of recommended items that is accessible view the network-based social platform.

Abstract: Provided is a method of delivering an audio and/or visual media file comprising, without limitation, for example, one or more of full or partial master recordings of songs, musical compositions, ringtones, videos, films, television shows, personal recordings, animation and combinations thereof, over the air wirelessly, from one or more servers to an electronic device with or without an Internet connection, said method comprising transmitting and audio and/or visual media file in compressed format to said electronic device, and wherein the electronic device is effective to receive said audio and/or visual file and playback said audio and/or visual content on demand by a user.

Abstract: A subset of a set of components is selected for inclusion on a dynamically-generated web page within a particular user context. Each component may, for example, contain content generated by a respective code module or service. The subset of components is selected based on scores associated with the components in the set. The score of a component is preferably determined based on measurements of user activity resulting from exposures of the components to users in the particular context.

Abstract: A shopping cart system and processes are disclosed which allow replenishment of small parts inventory without part numbers, scanners, bar codes, salesman, writing, written purchase orders, and put away without knowing what your are ordering or putting away as a “remote refill” process for mobile computing devices. In some embodiments, the shopping cart program is implemented as a web page shopping cart. In some embodiments, the shopping cart program is implemented as a coded messaging program comprising one of fax, SMS text messaging, and voice calls.

Abstract: A system and methods using applications for payment of goods and/or services based on verifying whether geographic information received from an electronic device with the app corresponds with geographic information from a registered location. A processing center executes a default action when the geographic information so corresponds, and in one embodiment, the default action is to complete the transaction.

Abstract: A system for the supply of ophthalmic lenses and related methods for providing ophthalmic lenses for enhanced experience based on right-handedness and left-handedness.

Abstract: Methods and systems for improving retail shopping experiences of users and providing users with product suggestions based on merchandise items in which the user has displayed an interest. User interest may be determined based both on merchandise items selected in a retail environment and merchandise items the user already owns. Methods for soliciting user feedback as well as providing an interface for soliciting feedback from social networks are incorporated in the systems and methods.

Abstract: An e-commerce system provides a preview of promotions available on an e-commerce web site. While in a preview mode, the system allows a business user to select one or more items and add them to a shopping cart. The system then determines a count of the number of promotions that would be applied to the items in shopping cart. The system provides a promotions button in a user interface that displays the promotions count.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for monitoring and encouraging health and fitness. In accordance with a first aspect, an apparatus is provided that is adapted to assist in weight loss and exercise. The apparatus comprises a personal digital assistant (PDA) having computer program code adapted to assist in at least one of calorie counting, meal selection, meal suggestion, weight monitoring, weight loss or gain monitoring, fat consumption monitoring, sugar consumption monitoring and salt consumption monitoring. The PDA also includes computer program code adapted to display historical data regarding at least one of calorie counting, meal selection, meal suggestion, weight monitoring, weight loss or gain monitoring, fat consumption monitoring, sugar consumption monitoring and salt consumption monitoring. Numerous other embodiments are provided, as are methods, systems and computer program products.

Abstract: A shopping system allows a user to purchase an article of clothing, such as footwear or other wearable item, where the shopping system can employ devices, methods and non-transitory computer-readable medium storing executable computer program code to provide a virtual mirror, such as can be used with on-line shopping sites to enable a user to virtually try on clothes, etc., before committing to buy.

Abstract: An electronic shopping system, such as an ecommerce retail website, is constructed and programmed to provide online shoppers with the ability to create and manage multiple configurable item orders contemporaneously within a single customer account. Each item in an item order is associated with a “purchase status” which can, in addition to other discrete adjustments, be toggled between “active” and “inactive” states at or before checkout. Each item order is itself configurable in respect of delivery address, payment source, frequency, and schedule. Orders and settings are saved within the customer's account to be recalled, reviewed, refined (if desired), and executed at checkout.

Abstract: The disclosed invention may be used to provide special pricing and restrictions on specific products for a selected group or groups of shoppers. The present disclosure provides methods that a seller can define which products want to make available and at what price, and how a seller want to control access for shoppers. An exemplary system implementation also includes how many shoppers can purchase during a given time period. This current invention may be implemented at online distributed ecommerce environment. Further the present invention would be commonly used in employee purchase plans, special discounts for partners, education pricing for academic entities, discounts plan for employee friends and family members, loyalty program of fan clubs plans and or a like.