Abstract: Techniques for managing product location information are described. Managing product location information may include generating store location information, including information that represents the layout of areas, aisles, sections, sides, and/or shelves within a given store or other establishment. Store location information can be used to represent the location of items within a given store. Some embodiments provide a mobile device configured to facilitate the generation of a store layout based on inputs received from a user who provides inputs regarding the areas, aisles, sides, sections, and shelves of the store.

Abstract: Generating a planogram of a facility in real-time, includes positioning a wireless mobile device at a plurality of geometric positions within the facility. A location of the mobile device at each position is then established using a location mechanism. Each geometric position is then associated with that location of the mobile device. The planogram is then updated with information about the geometric position. The geometric positions are associated with physical objects modeled in the planogram. Non-geometric information can also be obtained at the location of the mobile device, and this non-geometric information can be overlaid onto the planogram.

Abstract: A method of obtaining a user's measurement for matching an item, comprising obtaining a predefined definition of a first body part; displaying on a user's handheld device instructions for measuring, using the handheld device, the first body part according to the predefined definition; utilizing a sensor of the handheld device that is adapted to measure physical displacement of the handheld device to measure a total physical displacement of the handheld device's movement over the first body part, giving rise to a first measurement; and searching for an item having a specification that matches the first measurement.

Abstract: A physical retail store is provided with both physical retail products and a virtual interactive product display. The interactive display includes a display screen and a plurality of sensors, including video cameras or motion sensors. The sensors provide gesture recognition, face recognition, and other types of gesture analysis. Retail store customers can view and interact with 3D images of products for sale. A customer can perform a search for a product. The search results indicate whether the product is available as a physical product or as a 3D image that can be viewed on the interactive display. The customer may have a unique customer identifier that the retailer can use to track customer shopping behavior over multiple retail platforms. The retailer can provide special offers and customized content to the customer based on the previous shopping behavior.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an app provides a geolocation-limited marketplace limited to a pre-defined period of time. The geolocation-limited marketplace is accessible only by the users in a predefined geographical area. Typically, the predefined geographical area is limited to an area small enough for a user to walk from one end to the other in a short period of time. The pre-defined period of time is of some limited length of time that may occur at a pre-defined interval. In some instances, the period of time is one hour.

Abstract: The present inventive subject matter is drawn to systems, configurations, and methods that assist salespersons of an organization to conduct in-person sales at a remote location by automatically selecting a subset of products that are available for sales to salespersons at the remote location. In one aspect of the invention, the systems, configurations, and methods detect the location of the in-person sales meeting between the salesperson and a potential customer and automatically display the subset of products that is available for sales based on the location of the sales meeting and a set of rules.

Abstract: A device is disclosed, having a programmable processor programmed to cause a fuel cell authentication device to obtain a first unique identifier element (UIE) associated with a first hydrogen fuel cartridge and host information associated with a host device configured to use fuel from the first fuel cartridge. Said device may determine that the first fuel cartridge is authorized for use with the host device, based on data exchanged via a data communication network with a remote cartridge tracking system, the first UIE, and the host information. Yet further, the authentication device transmits authorization data to the host device indicating that the host device is permitted to use fuel from the first fuel cell cartridge.

Abstract: Systems and methods involving proximity, mapping, indexing, mobile, advertising, and location processing, among others, are disclosed. According to one illustrative implementation, a method of determining a mobile device location may comprise capturing product information from a product within a facility by a mobile device, retrieving a product location within the facility from a database based on the captured product information, and determining the mobile device location within the facility based on the product location and the product information.

Abstract: A communication server 200 acquires a request specifying a desired location for content creation from a requester terminal 310, and provides a notification of the request to an accepter terminal 300 accepting the content creation. The notification history managing unit 206 stores, as notification history, the distance from an accepter terminal to be provided with the notification to the desired recoding location and acceptance information. Upon acquisition of a new request, a request notification terminal selecting unit 203 selects a accepter terminal 300 that is likely to accept the request according to the notification history, and the request notifying unit 204 provides the selected accepter terminal 300 with the notification.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for providing an electric vehicle charging station recommendation includes receiving, at a remote server including a processor, a charge request from a vehicle computing device associated with an electric vehicle and determining at least one compatible charging station from one or more charging stations based on a comparison of the charge request to charging station data stored in a charging station database at the remote server. The method includes determining an availability status of the at least one compatible charging station based on whether real-time availability data can be obtained from the at least one compatible charging station and selecting at least one compatible charging station with an availability status in accordance with the charge request. The method includes providing information associated with the selected at least one compatible charging station to the vehicle computing device associated with the electric vehicle.

Abstract: A first user, second user, and third user are registered. Names of a first, second, and third item are stored a website for the first, second, and third users. The items can be tangible items or intangible items. The first user requests the second item. A first credit is removed from the first user and a second credit is stored for the second user when the first user receives the second item. The second user requests the third item. The second credit is removed from the second user and a third credit is stored for the third user when the second user receives the third item. The first credit, the second credit, and the third credit each represents a right to request a future swappable intangible item for the equivalent value of at least one previously swapped intangible item.

Abstract: A method and a system to correlate location and content. For example, data is received from a client device that includes current geographical position data identifying a geographical position of the client device. A vendor having a geographical location within a specified distance of the geographical position of the client device is identified. An offer from the vendor within the distance of the client device is returned to the client device.

Abstract: An information system environment is described that, among other things, facilitates integration of electronic commerce and physical store front retailer selling channels. In some realizations, the system includes a shopper accessible kiosk co-located with a physical store front retailer and an electronic commerce information service accessible from locations external to the physical store front retailer. Both access inventory information supplied from a suitable information service. The shopper accessible kiosk allows a user thereof to access inventory information particular to the physical store front retailer, while the electronic commerce information service allows a user thereof to order items from out of stock of the physical store front retailer.

Abstract: The present invention provide systems and methods for the display of a prompt on a mobile device display; receipt of an indication of a selection of the prompt by a user; the display of a map showing the nearby locations for products and services, for example; a determination that a user has relocated to one of these locations; and a determination that a user has engaged in a transaction relating to one of the products or services. Other embodiments of systems and methods of the present invention include means for determining and applying the preferences of a user.

Abstract: Joint pricing and replenishment of freshness inventory or products having different qualities determines the joint pricing and inventory strategies to optimize the retailer's benefits from product freshness, employing a dynamic programming formulation that incorporates a demand model that captures consumer choice based on both the freshness and price.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of providing customers a vendor's location and service hours is disclosed. The method includes collecting a number of vendors' information, including the vendors' locations. The vendors' locations are translated into latitude and longitude coordinates. The vendors' information and coordinates are stored in a database. A visitor is presented with a search box. The visitor's location is calculated and presented as a default address. A search is conducted in the database for vendors based on search criteria provided by the visitor.

Abstract: An altered shopping experience can be provided in a retail store. Various devices can be used to provide a stimulus (e.g. a smell or sound) to encourage the customer to purchase a product, to entertain the customer, or to provide information to the customer. Devices can also be provided for creating a forced perspective to give the appearance that an aisle is shorter than it is. Devices can also be provided to automatically identify ingredients in a recipe and identify retail stores that offer the ingredients at the best price, or to accept reservations for particular products in the case of an emergency.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for controlling an inventory of point-of-care diagnostic devices. The inventory includes a main inventory and at least one subinventory. Each device has an ambient temperature shelf life. Data associated with the devices is entered, including: the current quantity and predetermined minimum quantity of devices in the main inventory; and the current quantity and predetermined minimum quantity of devices in the subinventory. A first timestamp is associated with each device when the device is transferred from the main inventory to the ambient temperature subinventory. The first timestamp is compared to a second timestamp prior to use of the device to determine whether the device's ambient temperature shelf life is exceeded. The current quantity of devices in the subinventory is updated in response to an event that causes a change in the current quantity of devices in the subinventory.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a smartphone-based virtual wallet, that manages payment options available to a user. One claim recites portable device comprising: a touch screen display; a video camera; a microphone for capturing ambient audio; memory for storing an image, and for storing components of a virtual wallet; and one or more processors.

Abstract: Footwear systems include an article of footwear and a data transmission system engaged with the article of footwear. The transmission system transmits data to a remote system, such as a display system, another data transmission system, a processing system, etc. Such footwear systems further may include activation systems for activating the transmission and/or display systems. The transmitted data may be used for various purposes, such as: (a) identifying a user of the article of footwear; (b) activating targeted advertising or product information; (c) confirming the user's presence at a specific location and/or at a specific time; (d) determining start, finish, and/or intermediate split times for specific user; (e) confirming athletic equipment usage; (f) providing data for a game or reward program; (g) registering the user for an event or competition; or the like.

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 of neighborhood commerce in a geo-spatial environment is disclosed. In one embodiment method includes associating a verified registered user with a user profile in a constrained online neighborhood community network that verifies all addresses of users, permitting the verified registered user to mark their profile as private, associating the user profile with a specific geographic location, marking a status of specific ones of the item data as being at least one of an on-sale status, a for-loan status, a free status, a donation status and a not-for-sale status based on responses of the user in populating an inventory database, and publishing the inventory database based on a request of the user during a duration of a specific day and time when an inventory is marketable.

Abstract: Techniques for advertising are provided. A mobile device is synchronized with a media feed playing on a separate device and metadata for products and services related to the media feed are presented on the mobile device. A user makes comments on selective products and services and actions are performed on the mobile device to assist the user in one or more of: acquiring additional information for the selected products and services, scheduling a time to try out the selected products and services, and purchasing and/or picking up the selected products and services.

Abstract: A method of providing coupons for shopping includes storing a shopping list in an electronic device including items for purchase via a merchant, storing electronic representations of coupons in the electronic device and associating the electronic representations of coupons with items included in the shopping list.

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 mobile terminal (200) obtains image data related to a product posted on a flier (300) by imaging and sends the image data related to the product to a shopping management server (100). Upon reception of the image data related to the product from the mobile terminal (200), the shopping management server (100) determines the product by analyzing the image data related to the product, obtains at least one of inventory information and sales information of the product, and sends at least one of the inventory information and the sales information of the product to the mobile terminal (200). The mobile terminal (200) combines computer-graphics image data indicating at least one of the inventory information and the sales information of the product sent from the shopping management server (100) with an image of the flier in real space and presents the combined image, thereby solving the problem.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is disclosed herein. The method includes the step of receiving, with a processing device of a commerce server, a signal from a consumer transmitted through an augmented reality device worn by the consumer. The method also includes the step of confirming, with the processing device, the signal contains a query from the consumer. The method also includes the step of retrieving, with the processing device, a proposed answer to the query. The method also includes the step of transmitting, with the processing device, the proposed answer to the augmented reality device. The method also includes the step of verifying, with the processing device, the proposed answer is accepted by the consumer. The method also includes the step of prompting, with the processing device, the consumer to resubmit the signal if the query is not confirmed in the confirming step or if the proposed answer is not accepted in the verifying step.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for providing product location information within a store. The system comprises a first user interface fixed within the store and an inventory information unit coupled to the first user interface. The first user interface is configured to receive an input signal from a user related to the identity of a product within the store, to process the input signal and to provide a product inquiry signal in response to the input signal. The first user interface is further configured to receive a location information signal, and to provide an output signal in response to the location information signal. The inventory information unit comprises a database containing product location information and is configured to provide the location information signal to the first user interface after receiving the product inquiry signal from the first user interface.

Abstract: A method for sending notifications from a notification server to a mobile computing device to a user includes obtaining, at a processing device of the notification server, a request including user request information to notify the user when a product offered for sale by a retailer becomes available in a facility of the retailer when the mobile computing device scans a notification image. The user request information includes an item identifier corresponding to the product, facility information corresponding to the facility, and a user identifier corresponding to the user. When the product becomes available within the facility, the processing device retrieves the user request information from a user request database and generates a notification based on the user request information. The processing device transmits the generated notification to the mobile computing device.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is disclosed herein. The method includes the step of recording, with a processing device of a commerce server, video of a product as a consumer is viewing the product in a retail store. The method also includes the step of correlating with the processing device, the video recorded in the recording step with consumer data. The consumer data can be demographic data associated with the consumer or a purchase history of the consumer. The method also includes the step of offering the correlated video and consumer data for sale to the manufacturer of the product.

Abstract: Geographic merchandise matching system, associated apparatus and method are provided. In an embodiment, a hand-held apparatus integrates user geographic location and a merchandise matching condition, and queries a merchandise service platform. An information matching module of the merchandise service platform accesses a merchandise database, a geography database and a comment database for sorting to form a matching result, and sends the matching result back to the handheld apparatus.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products are provided for providing a notification to a consumer based on the location of the consumer. The system includes a computer apparatus including a processor and a memory; and a software module stored in the memory. The software module includes executable instructions that cause the processor to receive a goal corresponding to a specific product a consumer desires to purchase; determine a location associated with a mobile device of the consumer; identify a merchant that is located at or near the location associated with the mobile device of the consumer; determine whether the merchant offers for sale the specific product associated with the goal; provide a notification to the mobile device associated with the consumer based at least in part on determining that the merchant offers for sale the product, the notification comprising information related to the user's progress towards the goal.

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: Methods and systems for allocating regional inventory to reduce out-of-stock costs are described. A method may include identifying a total number of units of an item to be stored in a plurality of regions and determining an order forecast for the item in each of the plurality of regions. The method may also include receiving a unit out-of-stock cost of the item in each of the plurality of regions and calculating an expected cost for each of the plurality of regions based, at least in part, on the total number of units of the item, each region's respective order forecast, and each region's respective unit out-of-stock cost. The method may further include allocating a portion of the total number of units of the item to each of the plurality of regions to reduce a sum of the expected costs.

Abstract: A system, computer-readable storage medium storing at least one program, and computer-implemented method for a transient local commerce search service is provided. Location data identifying a temporary geographic location of a merchant having a particular product available for sale is received. Temporal data indicating a specified time when the particular product is available at the temporary location of the merchant is also received. It is then determined that the particular product is available within a specified location and at the specified period of time. Display data to display at least one merchant providing the particular product within the geographic location and at the specified period of time is then provided.

Abstract: A venue may be presented based on its neighborhood within a city by a system (e.g., a machine suitably programmed by one or more software components). In particular, the system may identify a purpose of the user (e.g., a user purpose) in submitting a request for a presentation of venues that are located within the city. The system may access a database that correlates this identified purpose (e.g., business or romance) with a neighborhood that lies within the city. The system may determine a venue (e.g., for presentation, suggestion, or recommendation) based on the venue being located within a neighborhood that is correlated with the purpose. Hence, the system may present the venue to the user in fulfillment of the user's request.

Abstract: In general, techniques are described that enable crowdsourcing of product-related information. Product-related information may include availability and intra-store locations of various products at particular stores. An example system includes an interface, a memory, and one or more programmable processors configured to receive, at the interface an intra-store product location from a first client device, the intra-store product location indicating a location of a product within a store. The programmable processor(s) are further configured to store, to at least one storage device coupled to the system and in association with the product, the received intra-store product location, receive, at the interface, a request associated with the product from a second client device, and send, from the interface, the intra-store product location to the second client device in response to receiving the request associated with the product.

Abstract: A system comprises: (a) storage and distribution means; (b) inventory upload means; (c) product information download means; (d) order upload means; and (e) delivery download means. A method comprises: (a) digitally transferring the goods and pertinent product information from a provider of the goods to a storage and distribution means; (b) storing the goods, pertinent product information, order information, sales information, or marketing information on the storage and distribution means; (c) digitally transferring product information to a shopper; (d) digitally transferring order information from a buyer of goods to the storage and distribution means; and (e) digitally transferring the goods to the buyer. The storage and distribution means may be provided with a network connection for access by providers, shoppers, and buyers.

Abstract: An apparatus including a server computer processor, and a server computer memory. The server computer processor may be programmed by computer software stored in the server computer memory to provide a plurality of administrator web pages of a web site to a first store computer. The plurality of administrator web pages may be configured to enable a user of an interactive device of the first store computer to enter sets of information concerning a plurality of products for sale from a first store located at a first physical address, the first store corresponding to the first store computer. The server computer processor may be programmed by computer software to provide a geographical gateway web site page. The geographical gateway web site page may allow a user of the first customer computer to select a geographic area in which one or more stores are located which sell a particular product.

Abstract: Inventorying communications circuits may be provided. Consistent with embodiments of the present invention, systems and methods are disclosed for inventorying communication circuits. A calculation may provide a facility requirement value corresponding to a required number of service pair to serve a location with a predetermined service quality. Then, it may be determined that an available plurality of service pairs equal to the facility requirement value is available from a switching center to the location. Next, a circuit tag may be created corresponding to the available plurality of service pair. A plurality of service tags may then be created. Each the plurality of service tags may respectively correspond to each of the available plurality of service pair. The plurality of service tags may be sequentially numbered. Then, the circuit tag and the plurality of the service tags may be stored in an inventory database.

Abstract: A method and system for mobile commerce, communication, and transaction processing to real-world point of sale (POS), web, e-commerce, virtual terminal, mobile personal digital assistant, mobile phone, mobile device, or other computer based transactions involving either one or both financial and non-financial such as loyalty based transactions as a mobile payment system is described. A consumer mobile software application (CMA) may be utilized in accordance with the method and system to provide a visual representation of merchants that abstractly represents the relevance of the merchants to a consumer.

Abstract: One example embodiment relates to a method that comprises receiving from a first user, via a network, a listing of one or more items that are part of a garage sale. The method includes storing the item listing in a database and presenting, using at least one processor and via the network, at least part of the item listing to a second user connected to the network. The method also includes providing data to the second user indicating a geographic region or location at which the garage sale is located.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method comprising: receiving a flavor identifier for a desired product, which flavor identifier was entered into a wireless computer, such as a tablet computer or a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) by a customer for said product, determining one or more physical locations of the desired product; receiving a signal identifying a current real-time physical location of the customer for said product; generating a set of one or more instructions describing a travel pathway from a starting physical location of the customer to one or more of the physical locations of the desired product; and generating an image, for use on a display, that depicts a travel pathway to one or more physical locations of said product.

Abstract: A system for providing spending information in a locality by foreign visitors using transaction records of financial presentation devices such as credit and debit cards that are presentable to merchants is disclosed. A storage device stores transaction data generated from card transactions. A transaction analysis module executable by a processor generates a filtered set of transaction records that exclude, from the stored data, a set of transactions which are indicative of having been made by long term residents of the locality, rather than by residents of foreign regions, in order to improve the accuracy of true foreign visitors to the locality. For example, the system filters out from the database all transactions of accounts that have made a bill-pay transaction. As another example, the system filters out non face-to-face transactions and all transactions with mail order and catalog merchants, and schools.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of effectuating an electronic on-line payment includes receiving at a computer server system a text message from a payor containing a payment request representing a payment amount sent by a payor device operating independently of the computer server system, determining a payment amount associated with the text message and debiting a payor account for an amount corresponding to the amount of the payment request, and crediting an account of a payee that is independent of the computer server system.

Abstract: A system and a method for delivering information related to the evaluation values of products. The system includes an evaluation database (DB) for storing evaluation information; a user terminal for reading the product codes of products; and an inventory information DB for storing inventory information. The evaluation information is read, based on a product barcode obtained by the user terminal, from the evaluation DB, and a retail store within a predetermined distance from the user is searched based of the positional information (GPS) of the user terminal. Then, the inventory information DB, which is connected to the POS server of the retail store, is searched to acquire and display the inventory status of the product on the user terminal. Additionally, when the product is purchased, the evaluator who provided the evaluation information of the product is given points and paid a reward.

Abstract: A network of collection, charging and distribution machines collect, charge and distribute portable electrical energy storage devices (e.g., batteries, supercapacitors or ultracapacitors). Availability of charged portable electrical energy storage devices available at a collection, charging and distribution machine are communicated to or acquired by a mobile device of a user or a user's vehicle. Once the mobile device of a user or a user's vehicle comes within close proximity of the collection, charging and distribution machine or within a particular area surrounding the collection, charging and distribution machine, the collection, charging and distribution machine or a collection, charging and distribution machine management system communicates an alert (e.g., over a cellular network, short range wireless signal or wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) network) to the mobile device or vehicle indicating how many portable electrical energy storage devices are available at the distribution machine.

Abstract: A consumer interface device (“CID”) implemented in a retail store provides an interactive in-store shopping experience. In particular, the CID may provide in-store navigation to a desired product. The CID may receive input from a user specifying the desired product, or the CID may suggest a product and provide navigation to the desired and/or suggested product. The CID may be mounted on a shelf in a retail store and may include a microprocessor, a touchscreen, a digital storage medium, and a networking device. The CID may track the success of particular in-store advertisements with regard to particular consumers or types of consumers; provide in-store navigation to products; enable purchases via a network; and target an individual consumer or group of consumers with product content specifically directed to the respective consumers or groups of consumers.

Abstract: In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, a method for leveraging a social network to search for local inventory includes communicating with a first mobile communication device over a network, the first mobile communication device associated with a user, and communicating with a second mobile communication device over the network, the second mobile communication device associated with a social network contact. The method further includes obtaining a geo-location of the second mobile communication device, processing a search request from the first mobile communication device, obtaining a radius of coverage for a merchant, determining whether the geo-location of the second mobile communication device is within the radius of coverage of the merchant, and providing a listing to the first mobile communication device of one or more items for sale by the merchant when the second mobile communication device is within the radius of coverage of the merchant.

Abstract: A first user, second user, and third user are registered. Names of a first, second, and third item are stored a website for the first, second, and third users. The items can be tangible items or intangible items. The first user requests the second item. A first credit is removed from the first user and a second credit is stored for the second user when the first user receives the second item. The second user requests the third item. The second credit is removed from the second user and a third credit is stored for the third user when the second user receives the third item. The first credit, the second credit, and the third credit each represents a right to request a future swappable tangible or intangible item for the equivalent value of at least one previously swapped tangible or intangible item.