Abstract: A method and system for a review company providing prompt verified customer-generated reviews for service businesses. A review company provides review-production assistance to the service business' customers and a publicly accessible web site for posting verified customer-generated reviews. The customer produces a customer-generated review, optionally including supplying the customer's email address. If the customer does not supply a valid email address, that customer's review is forwarded to the reviewed service business and is not verified. If the customer does supply a valid email address, the review company sends a verification email to that email address requesting a verification response. If no response is received by the review company within a predetermined time, customer's review not posted. If a verification response is received by the review company within a predetermined time, that customer's review is forwarded to the reviewed service business and is posted.

Abstract: The present invention provides a peer-to-peer (P2P) network for providing real time media recommendations. The P2P network includes a central server interconnecting a number of peer devices. In operation, a proxy function of the central server receives media recommendations from one or more peer devices that are active and online as media presentations identified by the media recommendations are played by the peer devices. The one or more peer devices are included in a group of peer devices associated with a first peer device. The proxy function provides the media recommendations to the first peer device. An augmentation function of the central server monitors a recommendation level of the first peer device. If the recommendation level falls below a minimum recommendation level, the augmentation function augments the media recommendations provided to the first peer device to increase the recommendation level to or above the minimum recommendation level.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a method and an apparatus for providing reviews and feedback for professional service providers (PSP). More particularly, the invention encompasses a method and an apparatus for providing reviews and feedback on customers or organizations by a professional service provider who has worked with the customer or the organization. The present invention is also directed to one or more data bases that are accessible to professional service providers either prior to or during or after performing a work assignment for a specific customer or organization. The present invention also encompasses a rating system and/or reviews by a professional service provider either prior to or during or after performing a work assignment for a specific customer, on not only for the job but also on the client or customer. Ads for generating income could also be displayed or transmitted during any communication.

Abstract: A system and method that obtains and publishes user generated video product reviews by generating a user account and receiving a user generated video review associated with the user account, where the user generated video review comprises audio and video data featuring a reviewed product. A product tag associated with the reviewed product is received. A product description is associated to the reviewed product based on the product tag. The user generated video review is approved if a set of criteria are met. An incentive is distributed to the user account associated with the user generated video review. The user generated video review is stored to a database comprising a plurality of user generated video reviews. The user generated video review is published.

Abstract: A computing system for searching for and identifying data repository deficits includes an interactive database of items, a data repository that stores a first type of information related to items, a search engine configured to identify items that do not have an amount of the first type of information that meets a first threshold, a candidate selection interface that provides functionality for the user to select an item from recommended candidate items needing the first type of information, a user interface via which the user can provide the first type of information for an item selected by the user, a game system configured to calculate for a game scores and rankings based at least in part on data stored in the data repository.

Abstract: A system method that may include generating a text feature vector including a plurality of elements for an aggregate review text associated with one or more multi-aspect reviews of a product or service, each element of the text feature vector associated with a term in the aggregate review text, calculating an average aspect rating for each of a plurality of aspects having a rating in the one or more multi-aspect reviews of the product or service, generating a rating vector, the rating vector including a plurality of values and elements, each element of the rating vector corresponding to an average aspect rating, and generating an inference model based on the text feature vectors and a frequency of occurrence of each rating vector, such that the inference model may be applied to text reviews to infer aspect ratings associated with the text reviews.

Abstract: Systems and methods for obtaining and providing validated customer feedback information about a ratable subject, such as a service, product, facility, etc. Generally, the methods include instructing a customer to provide initial customer feedback information about the ratable subject. The methods can further include using a digital ratings device to collect the initial customer feedback information and to associate that information with temporal data (such as time, date, location, or a unique QR code). The digital ratings device can also be used to send the initial customer feedback information and temporal data to a third-party validator. The validator can then validate the initial customer feedback information by checking the temporal data to ensure the customer is a verified customer of the ratable subject. The validated information may present a substantially fair representation of the ratable subject and can be useful to potential customers. Other implementations are also described.

Abstract: The systems and methods described herein may be used to recommend an item to a consumer. The methods may comprise determining, based on a collaborative filtering algorithm, a consumer relevance value associated with an item, and transmitting, based on the consumer relevance value, information associated with the item to a consumer. A collaborative filtering algorithm may receive as an input at least one of: a transaction history associated with the consumer, a demographic of the consumer, a consumer profile, a type of transaction account, a transaction account associated with the consumer, a period of time that the consumer has held a transaction account, a size of wallet, a share of wallet, and/or the like. The method may further comprise generating a ranked list of items based upon a plurality of consumer relevance values, transmitting a ranked list of items to a consumer, and/or re-ranking a ranked list of items based upon a merchant goal.

Abstract: A system and method are described for providing feedback for a transportation service. A rating user interface can be provided after completion of a service. In response to a user's providing a rating for the transportation service, additional rating features can be provided as part of the rating user interface. If the rating is equal to or higher than a predetermined level, the user may be enabled to share positive aspects of the service with other people. If the rating is below the predetermined level, the user may be enabled to indicate categories which the user was dissatisfied with.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for paying for an existing report are provided. In the method, an existing report for which a first structure of entities is identified is received. Thereafter, a set of other reports for which respective second structures of entities are identified is received. A weighting for other reports in the set of other reports is assigned, based on the respective structures. A payment for the existing report is extracted based on the weighting, a selected scoring rule, and the set of other reports.

Abstract: A system for mobile devices that facilitates the creation and dissemination of interactive media to a plurality of mobile devices and PCs/laptops that comprise a client component. The interactive media may comprise of a list of products and services that are for sale and the user can select one or more for purchase. It may also comprise a list of real estate entries with associated user interest solicitation and the user can indicate his interest in one or more of the entries. The server can help the user make an appointment to view the corresponding real estate properties.

Abstract: A method for managing data in a central repository for a plurality of users over a communications network is disclosed. The method includes assigning a reputation score to a first user based on the interactions of the first user that were logged, the use by other users that was logged and the opinions that were received, assigning permissions to the first user based at least partially on the reputation score of the first user and a reputation score of a business entity to which the first user is associated, allowing the first user to access the central repository, allowing the first user to upload data to the central repository and modify a content model of data in the central repository, and associating a reputation score to data uploaded by the first user based on the reputation score of the first user.

Abstract: Techniques for determining an advocacy metric for a particular person are described. User generated content (UGC) authored by the particular person may be received. Each of the plurality of UGC items may be associated with the particular person's opinion of a respective particular one of the plurality of goods or services. An advocacy metric, indicative of a degree of advocacy for the particular person, for the plurality of goods or services, may be determined for the particular person based on the plurality of UGC items.

Abstract: A method of recommending vendors to bid on a print job may include identifying a print job for which a recommendation of vendors to bid on the print job is desired and identifying one or more vendors as potential bidders for the print job. The method may include, for each identified vendor, determining, by a computing device, a bidding probability associated with the vendor, a winning probability associated with the vendor, a recommendation probability associated with the vendor, and identifying the vendor as a recommended vendor based on the associated recommendation probability. The method may include notifying a user of the recommended vendors.

Abstract: In a method for ranking companies providing goods and services in a marketplace, sources of information about the companies are identified and parametrisized according to the information given in the sources. For all parameters, scores are determined for each company and the aggregated scores of a company are applied for computing a rank value of the company. Uses in online searchable databases or web services open to end users searching company information.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for generating one or more consolidated ranked lists of products or product groups based on inclusion of products on lists generated by individual contributors. One method includes steps of obtaining a plurality of individual lists, each individual list corresponding to one of a plurality of contributors, each individual list providing ratings or rankings of products by the corresponding contributor; and generating a consolidated list that provides rankings for the products or product groups listed on the individual lists based on the ratings or rankings of the products provided by each contributor. The consolidated rankings can be based, among other things, on a credibility score corresponding to each contributor, a product aging factor of each list item, the inclusion of a product on lists corresponding to different list types, and/or various named groupings of individual lists.

Abstract: A consumer review system, including: a review interface presented on a display device; and a timeline in the review interface, wherein the timeline includes an aggregate set of user reviews corresponding to a product or a service, wherein the review interface is configured to organize the user reviews in the timeline by event date according to a lifecycle of the product or the service for each user.

Abstract: A method is provided for recommending a product to a plurality of people. The method comprises the following steps. A consumer is provided with an entry point to recommend the product. The consumer is then provided with at least one applet configured for a corresponding social network. The applet is used to create a custom recommendation personalized by the consumer, and disseminate the custom recommendation amongst the consumer's contacts within the social network. A computer readable medium including instructions for implementing the method is also provided.

Abstract: A computer implemented method includes receiving a request for a review relating to a merchant, good or service, from a requesting user through a vehicle computing system (VCS). The method also includes searching a group of reviews created by one or more users affiliated with a requesting user, the grouping having been created by the requesting user. Further, the method includes retrieving at least one review for delivery to the requesting user. The method also includes delivering the at least one review to the requesting user via the VCS.

Abstract: A system and method may include storing a set of messages associated with a corporate initiative. A network address of a telephone associated with at least one member of a group of individuals may be identified. A message may be selected from the set of messages for displaying on an electronic display of the telephone. The message may be communicated to the network address for display on the electronic display of the telephone. By displaying the message on the telephone, an employee may be reminded of the message so as to not forget a particular corporate initiative idea.

Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products are disclosed for collecting and providing long-term reviews for items such as products and services. In an exemplary method, a first review for an item may be received from a reviewer over a communications network. A determination may be made as to when the reviewer will be a long-term reviewer for the item. After the reviewer is a long-term reviewer for the item, a second review for the item may be requested, and such a second review for the item may be received from the reviewer in response to this request. A request to view reviews for the item may also be received, and both the first and second reviews may be provided in response to this request.

Abstract: A system and method provide a way of improving customer satisfaction with a customer service application by identifying tuning opportunities based on customer satisfaction scores. The system and method compare portions of the customer service application to a customer satisfaction score obtained from a customer satisfaction survey. The comparisons show, statistically, which portions of the customer service application correlate to a low customer satisfaction score. A report is produced which identifies these areas that correlate to low customer satisfaction, and these areas may be tuned to improve customer satisfaction with the customer service application.

Abstract: Apparatus are provided that includes a consumer access device configured to provide a product consumer with access to an online store and to allow the product consumer to enter data into a feedback form relating to a product purchased from a provider. A provider device is configured to communicate with the consumer access device information regarding the product such that the product consumer can input feedback information in the feedback form. A feedback engine is configured to process data regarding the product such that the feedback form is updated by the feedback engine. The feedback engine can be configured to communicate with one or more databases of product information to obtain updated data regarding the product such that the feedback form can be updated, and the feedback engine can be configured to adjust the level of detail in the feedback form depending on the knowledge of the product consumer.

Abstract: A dynamic, fully-integrated computer-server-based platform (platform) provides users with tools for making informed decisions about available energy upgrades and for implementing desired home energy upgrades. In various embodiments, the platform provides various combinations of: (i) a variety of educational and assessment tools, including a Virtual Home Energy Audit (VHEA), which provides users with a customized home energy-savings plan detailing the financial and/or environmental impact of each upgrade alternative on a relative and absolute basis, (ii) product selection and purchase, (iii) access to arrangement and scheduling of in-home services through a network of professionals, (iv) financing solutions, and (v) a data registry that verifies completed upgrades and associated savings. The platform takes a holistic view of energy solutions, and provides tools across a broad spectrum of energy-related products and/or services.

Abstract: The present invention is embodied in adaptive rating methods and systems. The adaptive rating method includes receiving a first rating for a first product from a user, receiving a second rating for a second product from the user, identifying a conflict with a processor by comparing the first rating and the second rating, soliciting feedback from the user to remedy the conflict, and adjusting at least one of the first or second ratings with the processor responsive to feedback from the user. The steps of the method may be embodied in computer executable instructions stored on a non-transient machine readable medium that cause a processor to perform the method when executed by the processor. The system includes a processor configured to perform the steps of the method.

Abstract: A method for evaluating an entity that includes identifying an entity identifier for the entity, recording a voice review for the entity associated with the entity identifier, and submitting the voice review and the entity identifier to a review framework.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for implementing a rating engine that processes events about usage information regarding a product or service used by customers of the product/service. The rating engine represents a connected graph of objects whose function is to accept input (if necessary), perform one or more operations, and generate a result that is used to determine which other object to execute. The input might include information about an “event” that indicates usage information of the product/service by a particular customer. Because not all objects need to be executed to determine the appropriate response for some events, many computing resources can be used to process subsequent events.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to online reputations. Specifically, this invention relates to a system and method for analyzing, determining, reporting and modifying an online reputation of a business, professional or individual. The online reputation of a business, professional or individual being comprised of a numeric value, calculated at least in part on positive reviews of the business, professional or individual, negative reviews of the business, professional or individual and the types of websites the positive or negative reviews reside upon.

Abstract: A processor determines that a user who has requested that a list of reviews be displayed is the same user who had previously submitted a review found in the list of reviews. The processor displays the review submitted by the user and at least one additional review from another user so as to highlight the review submitted by the user relative to the at least one additional review in response to the determination that the user who submitted the review is the same user who requested that the list of reviews be displayed.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to a system, method, or computer program product for collecting and distributing after purchase experience data. Customers that have communicated with a merchant may provide more beneficial feedback to the merchants than other individuals. In this way, the system provides mechanisms for the customer to provide feedback if they have communicated with the merchant. Embodiments of the invention allow a customer to provide this feedback for a merchant, a product, or the total purchase experience of a customer. A system then compiles and sorts the data. In turn, a customer, a merchant, or other entities may be able to view the compiled after purchase experience data.

Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, example embodiments of a transaction system that may receive, over a network, a first set of transaction data associated with a transaction for an item. In an example embodiment, a reputation application may adjust a rating associated with the transaction when the first set of transaction data indicates a purchase or a return of the item.

Abstract: A method for processing reviews includes identifying reviews that match a request criterion in a request from a user; filtering the identified reviews using preferences and characteristics of the user; and outputting a compilation of only those reviews filtered according to preference and characteristics of the user.

Abstract: Creative energy of consumers is captured and incentivized by businesses when the businesses provide personal incentives that reflect the extent to which the consumers make productive contributions to a socially networked business and consumer space. The personal incentives provide consumers lower prices through coupons, rebates, or other discounts for various items sold or distributed by the businesses. Consumers that are more productive or active in the social space can receive lower pricing on items. The personalized incentive for a particular consumer may be based on the quantity and quality of product reviews provided by the consumer as well as other factors such as consumer loyalty to a particular merchant or business. This business and consumer space spans the brick-and-mortar as well as the online retail spaces allowing consumers to use a mobile device to make online purchases by scanning a tag on a tangible object in a brick-and-mortar store.

Abstract: Merchants are classified according to their reliability in shipping products when promised and ability to resolve complaints. A merchant trustworthiness evaluator (MTE) automatically gathers data from users about purchases online from a merchant, including an order identifier and an estimated ship date. In one embodiment, the MTE collects data from customers about their purchases through the use of a conversion pixel, transmitted to the customer by the merchant at the time of purchase. The MTE obtains shipment information from the merchant or shipment carrier once an order has been shipped. The MTE correlates the shipment data with the order data and compares for each order the estimated or promised and actual shipment dates. The MTE scores merchants and classifies each merchant based on its score. Merchant classifications can then be provided to prospective customers.

Abstract: Creative energy of consumers is captured and incentivized by businesses when the businesses provide personal incentives that reflect the extent to which the consumers make productive contributions to a socially networked business and consumer space. The personal incentives provide consumers lower prices through coupons, rebates, or other discounts for various items sold or distributed by the businesses. Consumers that are more productive or active in the social space can receive lower pricing on items. The personalized incentive for a particular consumer may be based on the quantity and quality of product reviews provided by the consumer as well as other factors such as consumer loyalty to a particular merchant or business. This business and consumer space spans the brick-and-mortar as well as the online retail spaces allowing consumers to use a mobile device to make online purchases by scanning a tag on a tangible object in a brick-and-mortar store.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide a credibility system including an interface portal for presenting a holistic view of entity credibility. To provide the holistic view, the credibility system aggregates credibility data from multiple data sources. The aggregated credibility data is processed and ordered to present different dimensions of entity credibility, with each dimension graphically presented in the interface portal through an interactive credibility module. In some embodiments, the credibility data associated with each credibility module is processed to produce at least one value that quantifiably represents the credibility data. In some embodiments, the credibility data associated with each credibility module is hierarchically ordered to present the credibility data in a drill-down fashion with each hierarchical layer presenting more detailed credibility data for better understanding the credibility data presented in the preceding layer.

Abstract: A communication system and method between independent service providers and customers can include registering a plurality of work histories from a plurality of independent service providers, each work history being distinguishable from another work history according to a plurality of information data fields. At least one merited work history can be located corresponding to one or more search terms entered by a user and selected with respect to the plurality of information data fields of the on-line system among the registered present work history and past work history of the independent service providers. The located merited work history data of an independent service provider can be displayed using a geographic user interface. Each work history, delivered by and entered from a corresponding independent service provider to an on-line system, can include a service type, a service time period, and a service location.

Abstract: A data processing apparatus is disclosed which includes a reproducing element for reproducing each of a plurality of content data items, a reproduction status detecting element for detecting status of each content data item being reproduced by the reproducing element, a selecting element for selecting the content data item being reproduced by the reproducing element depending on the reproduction status of the content data item detected by the reproduction status detecting element a content identification data generating element for generating content identification data for identifying the content data item selected by the selecting element from the plurality of content data items, and a transmitting element for transmitting to a second data processing apparatus the content identification data generated by the content identification data generating element.

Abstract: For users in a set of users, corresponding measures of inferred interest in an item are determined. For a particular user, a particular measure of inferred interest in the item is determined. The particular measure of inferred interest and the measures of inferred interest corresponding to the users in the set of users are used to determine an estimate of the particular user's interest in the item.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present disclosure provides a system and associated processes for monitoring a customer's product purchases and product consumption. Further, the system enables the customer to maintain customer-selected preferences by presenting to the customer product information associated with the customer preferences and a product. In one embodiment, the system can monitor the consumption of products over a predefined period of time to facilitate the customer maintaining the customer preferences over the predefined period of time. In one embodiment, the system can present alternative product purchases based on a selected product and the customer preferences. In one embodiment, the system can facilitate monitoring nutrition consumption. In one embodiment, the system can facilitate monitoring pharmaceutical use. In one embodiment, the system can facilitate the customer making environmentally conscious purchases.

Abstract: A platform facilitates buyers, sellers, and third parties in obtaining information related to each other's transaction histories, such as a supplier's shipment history, the types of materials typically shipped, a supplier's customers, a supplier's expertise, what materials and how much a buyer purchases, buyer and shipper reliability, similarity between buyers, similarity between suppliers, and the like. The platform aggregates data from a variety of sources, including, without limitation, customs data associated with actual import/export transactions and facilitates the generation of reports as to the quality of buyers and suppliers, the reports relating to a variety of parameters that are associated with buyer and supplier quality.

Abstract: A method, a system and a computer program product for ranking reviewable entities based on sentiment expressed about the entities. A plurality of review texts are identified wherein each review text references an entity. A plurality of sentiment scores associated with the plurality of review texts are generated, wherein each sentiment score for a review text indicates a sentiment directed to the entity referenced by the review text. A plurality of ranking scores for the plurality of entities are generated wherein each ranking score is based at least in part on one or more sentiment scores associated with one or more review texts referencing the entity. A plurality of search results associated with the plurality of entities are displayed based at least in part on the ranking scores.

Abstract: Methods, systems and computer readable media are described herein for capturing event feedback and providing a representation of feedback results generated using the feedback indicia. The representation of feedback results involves configuring a transmission module of the computing device to synchronize to an event record representing an event; receiving feedback indicia associated with an event at the computing device; operating a data processor of the computing device to assemble a feedback indicia array using the feedback indicia; and providing the event feedback to a remote data processing module. The capturing of event feedback involves storing a plurality of different event records for a plurality of different events; for each event record, receiving a plurality of feedback indicia arrays; and for each event record determining an aggregate feedback result array from the plurality of feedback indicia arrays.

Abstract: This invention is a computer-aided system, method, and product for creating, monitoring, and aggregating electronic consumer reviews of a specific entity. Moreover, the consumer reviews are automatically aggregated and grouped by the location of the consumer creating the review and the salesperson of the specific entity being reviewed. Each group of the grouped and aggregated consumer reviews are displayed on a network location that can be monitored by the entity being reviewed. Furthermore, each individual consumer review is displayed on at least two different network locations. Providing this plurality of network locations produces greater search engine optimization for the business being reviewed, and contributes to a higher search engine ranking on a plurality of search engine results pages.

Abstract: A system and machine-implemented method is provided for providing information regarding belongings within a social graph of belongings corresponding to a first item, the method including receiving an indication of interest for the first item from a first user of one or more users of a system, identifying at least one belonging maintained within a social graph of belongings, the at least one belonging corresponding to the first item, wherein the social graph of belongings defines an association between each of the one or more users and one or more belongings, each of the one or more belongings corresponding to an item, generating a list including the at least one belonging and at least one of a link to the user associated with the at least one belonging and a link to the at least one belonging and providing the list for display to the first user.

Abstract: Methods of aggregating and importing user-generated and/or professional ratings of media content are provided. User-generated ratings may have been previously created at a ratings source by a user associated with a customer profile. The method for aggregating ratings includes importing the ratings from the ratings source, storing the ratings in a customer profile, normalizing the ratings, and storing the normalized ratings. The normalized rating may be used to determine recommendations and preferences. The method for importing ratings includes receiving authentication information for a ratings source, authenticating to the ratings source, importing the ratings from the ratings source, and storing the ratings in a customer profile. Changes in the ratings may be detected and updated in the customer profile.

Abstract: Techniques for determining the popularity of a business entity are provided. A communication is received at a computing system. The computing system searches the received communication for a business entity name. The computing system also searches the received communication for information related to an opinion about the business entity. Based on the information related to the opinion, the computing system determines a customer satisfaction rating of the business entity.

Abstract: A system for mobile devices that facilitates the creation and dissemination of interactive media to a plurality of mobile devices and PCs/laptops that comprise a client component. The interactive media may comprise of a list of products that are for sale and the user can select one or more for purchase. It may also comprise a list of real estate entries with associated user interest solicitation and the user can indicate his interest in one or more of the entries. The server can help the user make an appointment to view the corresponding real estate properties.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide a credibility system including an interface portal for presenting a holistic view of entity credibility. To provide the holistic view, the credibility system aggregates credibility data from multiple data sources. The aggregated credibility data is processed and ordered to present different dimensions of entity credibility, with each dimension graphically presented in the interface portal through an interactive credibility module. In some embodiments, the credibility data associated with each credibility module is processed to produce at least one value that quantifiably represents the credibility data. In some embodiments, the credibility data associated with each credibility module is hierarchically ordered to present the credibility data in a drill-down fashion with each hierarchical layer presenting more detailed credibility data for better understanding the credibility data presented in the preceding layer.

Abstract: Items—including gourmet products—are evaluated and rated by participants in a controlled event, which can be coordinated by software locally or at a dedicated website. Event data, including item scores and participant scores can be shared with vendors, merchants and other commercial entities associated with the products. Promotional incentives from such entities for the products (and related products) can then be directly targeted and provided to participants and other members of the public. The participant's activities can also be collected and disseminated to affiliates/friends of the participants through social networking sites, personalized web pages, etc.