Abstract: Providing a recommendation to a group of networked members is disclosed. The recommendation is provided to the group collectively, and is based on trust relationships between the members of the network. In an example embodiment, the network is a social network. Example systems and methods include a two-phase approach and a one-phase approach, each including analysis and aggregation of input associated with members of the network.

Abstract: A computer system receives customer reviews for a subject, for example, a product, service, or market participant. Each review includes a rating of the subject and a comment about the subject. The rating may be favorable, unfavorable, or intermediate. The system sorts the reviews in a default order, for example, chronologically, and displays the reviews in the default order on a first webpage. The first webpage includes an input for requesting a non-default order of the reviews, for example, in accordance with the ratings of the reviews. The system sorts the reviews in the non-default order, and, when a user activates the input to request the reviews in the non-default order, displays a second webpage with the reviews in the non-default order. The non-default order may require all reviews with less than favorable ratings to be placed ahead of all reviews with favorable ratings. The system may be Internet-based.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide techniques for increasing the efficiency and effectiveness with which entities or entities may be compared and contrasted across one or more dimensions. Some embodiments present on a user interface (UI) a small, visually navigable collection of entities, from which the user may select a “focus” entity that may then be compared with other entities of interest. The UI may employ a visual organization scheme that organizes information on entities according to one or more dimensions, which may be predefined and/or configurable. Embodiments may facilitate rapid cognition of the manner in which information is presented and organized, and enable a user to quickly and easily discern dissimilarities and/or similarities between the focus entity and one or more other selected entities.

Abstract: An interactive published website (social network) designed for the general television viewing/media consuming public to have access and an opportunity to interactively submit their viewing opinion/habits on what television/media show they are or have just finished watching. Utilizing Designated Local Segment (DLS), a method of television ratings by market and other demographics, individuals can log into a website and register as members using a demographic application. Once a membership is established, members can mark the correct icons referenced to the television/media show they are or have just finished watching, pressing the send button will send us their input plus demographics of that member. The individual polling is electronically sent to a database where it is broken down and mathematically analyzed to provide a more accurate sampling of media ratings/consumption.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for processing and display content. Web page data for a first web page is received from a remote system, wherein the web page is to be displayed on a terminal associated with a user. An automatic identification is performed of a first content in the first web page data. A user-defined profile is accessed. A second content is automatically selected based at least in part on the user profile. The first content is replaced with the second content so that if the first web page is displayed on the terminal associated with the user, the second content is displayed and the first content is not displayed.

Abstract: Knowledge of a user's profile (contextual and behavioral) can be used to predict the likely current real-time needs of the user. Confirmation of that need can be achieved by suggesting a number of personalized status updates (based on known profile information) in a form suitable for posting to micro-blogging sites. From this list, the user selects the most appropriate one to submit to a micro-blog. In doing so, valuable profile information is confirmed which allows real-time contextual recommendations to be generated to meet the recently identified need of the user. In one aspect, these recommendations comprise revenue generating opportunities.

Abstract: A global customer satisfaction system includes point-of-sale customer feedback terminals for receiving in-store customer feedback including satisfaction ratings and other customer feedback regarding participating vendors as the customer pays for purchases. The system also includes post-sale customer feedback terminals for receiving more detailed customer feedback regarding the vendors from members after the sales have been completed. The system also includes an aggregation and dissemination system for combining the ratings received form customers into global customer satisfaction ratings for participating vendors, and disseminating the customer satisfaction information through customer satisfaction qualified directories, which are organized or searchable by geographical, type of product or service offered by the participating vendors, and other factors.

Abstract: Reviews of products may be analyzed, and statements about the products may be made based on the analysis. Non-professional reviews (e.g., reviews of products written by ordinary consumers of those products) are often difficult to interpret, because different reviewers may apply different standards. When a large number of reviews are available, the reviews can be analyzed statistically to make comparative statements about the products or services reviewed. Sentiments expressed in the reviews may be assigned numerical values. These numerical values for specific products, or classes of products, may be analyzed statistically to determine how the sentiments about a specific product compare with the sentiments about a larger class of products. Using this analysis, a statement can be made, such as, “This television has very good picture quality compared with other televisions of the same price.

Abstract: The present invention provides a plurality of Enterprises with a single online user interface with which the Enterprise can provide Enterprise Shippers, shipping origination users and shipping intermediary users with an automated parcel management system for a plurality of supported Carriers for a plurality of services. The present invention provides for the hierarchical definition of users, including the establishment of at least one user for each Enterprise as a Super-Administrator with the highest level of privileges and authority for the Enterprise, and the identification of other users as Sub-Administrators, Desktop Users and Shipping Station Users. The present invention also provides for the hierarchical definition of organizational units within each Enterprise, including the definition of sites, groups within a site, and users within a group.

Abstract: Systems and methods automatically determine responses to content based on semantic analysis, token analysis and influence ratings. The systems and methods identify relevant queries for product support, purchase or advocacy from multiple communications channels and further separate the high-value conversations and individuals from the low value conversations and individuals in an efficient manner. Described herein is a system and method to use the identification of important individuals and the context of their conversations to appropriately route content items and messages and subsequent responses in such a way as to allow an efficient interaction to occur.

Abstract: A system and method permits the selection of services from multiple cloud vendors. The system receives parameters relating to a plurality of services offered by a plurality of vendors in a plurality of cloud computing environments. The parameters relate to an actual cost charged by each of the vendors and a cost relating to an environmental impact of each of the vendors. The system calculates a value for each of the vendors as a function of the received parameters, and selects one or more vendors as a function of the calculated value. The system outputs to a display device one or more of the selected vendors and the calculated values for each of the vendors. In another embodiment, the system establishes a communication connection with one or more of the cloud computing environments, and invokes one or more applications or services from the one or more cloud computing environments.

Abstract: A system and method for constructing and analyzing a graphical representation of a complex process comprises steps and means for receiving input of content related to the complex process; processing said input to identify entities and actions instrumental in the execution of the complex process; constructing a graphical representation of the process as a network comprising first nodes, representing decision points, second nodes representing primary stakeholders and actions providing direct input to decision making points, and leaves representing secondary stakeholders providing indirect input to decision making points; and applying at least one analytic approach for evaluating the decision points of the graphical representation of the process.

Abstract: A method for providing on online consumer driven environmentally sustainable product database. The method includes steps of providing a greenness rating for at least one product and/or service; providing a dynamically linked supply chain map of the at least one product and/or service; and providing a platform for consumers to purchase the at least one product and/or service.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing validated customer feedback information about a service provider. Generally, the method includes providing a customer with a digital ratings device, such as digital pen, that is capable of receiving feedback information from the customer and uploading the information to a third-party provider. As the customer uses the digital ratings device to provide the information, the device may associate the information with temporal data, such as the time, date, and location at which the customer provided the information. In some cases, the temporal data is checked to ensure that the customer is actually one of the provider's customers. Because the information is validated as coming from a verified customer, the information is often more reliable than it would be if it were submitted anonymously. Thus, the validated information may present a substantially fair representation of the provider and be useful to potential customers.

Abstract: A service intelligence module may be embodied as a system or as a method for configuring a processor. It comprises at least a metric definition, which is a computer executable rule for parsing a binary formatted log message for a metric type; and a measure factory, which configures a processor to publish attributes of a measure determined by a calculation or computation performed on a metric collected by a data collection agent. A service intelligence module further comprises an enrichment which joins two datastreams having a common dimension. Service intelligence modules may capture and analyze such domains as illustrated but not limited to: application analytics, carrier comparative quality and performance analytics, advertising audience segmentation analysis, and content copyright analytics.

Abstract: The business review application provides a customer with a bank-hosted business review platform that provides an advertising and feedback service for the bank's business customers and provides a rating, review, feedback, and recommendation service for the bank's individual and business customers. Thus, the bank's customers can rate and review the bank's business customers. The bank uses its authentication systems used by its customers to access online banking services to authenticate the identity of the customer creating a business review in the business review platform. In some embodiments, the business review application only permits its customers to make one review of a business within a certain period of time or one review after a transaction with that business shows up in the customer's transaction information maintained by the bank. In this way, the bank can host a review platform that is much more accurate and trust-worthy than traditional business review platforms.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an enabled real time interaction between an employer and a job seeker. The job seeker submits resume information on a job portal and may enable a chat session option should an employer request one. The job seeker may download a chat client on his or her computer as well as a wireless mobile device. An employer that wants to contact a matched job seeker sends a chat request that activates the downloaded chat client on a computer or a mobile device of the job seeker without the job seeker logged on the website. The employer may be enabled to chat via a similar downloaded chat software module as the job seeker. The job seeker may be provided with job related feedback statistics before or after the application is made.

Abstract: In one example, a device includes a first interface to receive a request for a service provider recommendation, the request comprising a first geographic position value and a second, different geographic position value, wherein the service provider recommendation comprises a recommendation for a provider of a wireless service for a mobile device, means for determining aggregate signal quality values for service providers at a first location including the first geographic position and at a second location including the second geographic position, means for determining scores for the service providers based on signal quality values for the service providers at the first location and the second location, means for constructing the service provider recommendation comprising an identification of the service provider having the highest score, and a second interface to output the service provider recommendation.

Abstract: The embodiments disclosed herein include new, more efficient ways to collect product reviews from the Internet, aggregate reviews for the same product, and provide an aggregated review to end users in a searchable format. One aspect of the invention is a graphical user interface on a computer that includes a plurality of portions of reviews for a product and a search input area for entering search terms to search for reviews of the product that contain the search terms.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a poll through the Internet on a subject as a stream of opinion, preferably as a dial poll, in which multiple streams of opinion may be combined, whether for a single subject or whether for a plurality of subjects combined to form a single subject.

Abstract: A method for ranking vehicles for sale, the method comprising (1) providing a first database of available vehicles, (2) creating a second database of similar vehicles by identifying vehicles in the first database that are similar to a subject vehicle, and (3) creating a third database of ranked vehicles by determining a vehicle rank score of each of the vehicles in the second database, wherein determining a vehicle rank score of a vehicle comprises (a) calculating a base score of the vehicle, (b) calculating a multiplier of the vehicle, and (c) determining the vehicle rank score of the vehicle by multiplying the base rank by the multiplier.

Abstract: A facility for responding to a request for information about an item. The facility receives a request for information about the item. Among a plurality of sellers, the facility identifies those sellers (1) that are offering the item for sale, (2) whose availability level for the selected item exceeds a predetermined availability threshold, and (3) that have a seller score relating to a number of different items offered for sale by the seller that exceeds a predetermined score threshold. The facility uses the identified sellers and the price of the item to select the featured seller of the item. The facility replies to the request for information with a web page containing both information describing the item and a control that can be activated to order the item from the featured seller.

Abstract: The described system and apparatus facilitate the identification, on a per rate center (Npa Nxx) basis, of a best carrier rate center for a wireless subscriber, and also allow detection of errors in a provider's local inventory or in performance reference data. In one aspect, carrier performance data is combined with updated available inventory data via a SIT environment to create a correlated array of rate centers relative to service record and orderable carrier rate center inventory. The described system thus provides improved ordering and forecasting compared to existing systems, and can thus also provide enhanced customer satisfaction and a decrease in customer calls for HFC number change.

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 clustering and recommendation machine determines that an item is included in a cluster of items. The machine accesses item data descriptive of the item. The machine accesses a vector that represents the cluster and calculates the likelihood that the item is included in the cluster, based on the item variable and the probability parameter. The machine determines that the item is included in the cluster, based on the likelihood. The machine also recommends an item to a potential buyer. The machine accesses behavior data that represents a first event type pertinent to a first cluster of items. The machine calculates a probability that a second event type pertaining to a second cluster of items will co-occur with the first event type. The machine identifies an item from the second cluster to be recommended and presents a recommendation of the item to the potential buyer.

Abstract: A system and method for enabling networked computer users to manage and use a competitive media site is disclosed. A particular embodiment includes receiving a first and second content item from one or more content sources via a network; using a processor to initiate a competition in which users can submit ratings in support of either the first or the second content item; designating either the first or the second content item as a winning content item of the competition based on the user submitted ratings; and awarding points to winners of the competition, the winners including users who submitted ratings in support of the winning content item.

Abstract: The present invention improves upon existing systems and methods by providing a passive profile creation method. The data accessible to a financial processor, such as spend level data, is leveraged using sophisticated data clustering and/or data appending techniques. Associations are established among entities (e.g., consumers), among merchants, and between entities and merchants. In one embodiment, a system and method for passively collecting spend level data for a transaction of a first entity, aggregating the collected spend level data for a plurality of entities; and clustering the first entity with a subset of the plurality of entities, based on aggregated spend level data of the first entity is provided.

Abstract: A system and method for universally managing and implementing rating systems and methods of use are provided that provides attributes that are not present in the typical commerce rating and customer relationship management systems. The rating system provides a business product (or family of products), which are designed to be centrally managed, universal, and comprehensive for the purpose of reviewing and rating commerce for individuals and businesses.

Abstract: Attribute aggregation for a standard product unit (SPU) includes: receiving an attribute and a corresponding attribute value for a product; storing the attribute and the corresponding attribute value for the product; determining a frequency of the attribute and a frequency of the corresponding attribute value; aggregating the attribute and the corresponding attribute value based at least in part on the frequency of the attribute and the frequency of the corresponding attribute value according to a predetermined attribute aggregation rule; and generating a standard product unit of attribute information for the product.

Abstract: A method and system for informing a user by utilizing time based reviews that include collecting a plurality of user reviews. A user review includes business information, a user opinion that includes at least a rating, and time information that relates to the time of user interaction with the business. The method further includes extracting information from the plurality of user reviews based on the interaction time and presenting the extracted information to a user.

Abstract: A system and method for selecting services using adaptive categorization based on pattern recognition, in one aspect, group services registered in a plurality of service registries into a plurality of categories. A plurality of features associated with each category of services is defined and the services in each category are graded based on the defined features. A pattern recognition algorithm is used to cluster the services in each category based on the grades of the features. One or more selection criteria for services are further defined and the services are graded based on said selection criteria. A threshold value for each of the selection criteria is established, and one or more services that meet the threshold value are exposed.

Abstract: An application on an e-commerce website predicts the best fitting size of a desired shoe type selected by a user based on the best fitting shoes previously purchased by the user. A robotic measuring device is used to measure the inner dimensions of sizes of many shoe types, including first and second shoe types. The application determines that the user has purchased the first shoe type in a first size that fit the user well. The application compares the dimensions of the first size to the dimensions of various sizes of the second shoe type and identifies a second size of the second shoe type whose dimensions match the dimensions of the first size. The first shoe type is chosen from a shoe category similar to that of the second shoe type. The application then recommends that the second size of the second shoe type will fit the user well.

Abstract: Systems and methods are discussed for providing guidance for media, particularly online video, by searching or browsing for media content based on user selections and user information. Browsing results are diversified using one or more techniques to provide a range of interesting results.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein provide a solution in determining a lead value and making an introduction accordingly. In some embodiments, in response to a consumer's search request for a retail item within a geographical area, a decision system may obtain from a local database a list of dealers capable of provisioning the retail item—such as a new or used vehicle—at various locations within the geographical area. For each dealer, the system may calculate a dealer score across a plurality of tests and set a dollar value to an introduction utilizing the dealer score associated therewith. The performance measures of the tests may be normalized and adjusted utilizing a set of coefficients. The list of dealers may be sorted per dollar value of introduction and presented to the consumer. To provide more accurate dealer evaluations, the system may periodically reset the set of coefficients using sales data.

Abstract: Surveys are customized for respondents based on historical information of the respondents' system usage activity by generating customized survey questions based on the historical information and/or by analyzing responses to survey questions based on the historical information. The results of survey response analysis and/or aggregation can be used to create, modify, and/or validate one or more system settings.

Abstract: A comprehensive platform for developing digital products. A standardized process is applied to a product development effort and an online portal provides tools to aid the product development, assessment, funding and commercializing products. Project management, workflow and data security functionality enable consistent, efficient and secure interactions between users. Business rules, workflows, valuation models and rating methods may be user defined or based upon marketplace, industry or technology standards.

Abstract: A comprehensive platform for developing digital products. A standardized process is applied to a product development effort and an online portal provides tools to aid the product development, assessment, funding and commercializing products. Project management, workflow and data security functionality enable consistent, efficient and secure interactions between users. Business rules, workflows, valuation models and rating methods may be user defined or based upon marketplace, industry or technology standards.

Abstract: A Research Management System (“RMS”) enables individuals associated with sell-side firms, buy-side firms, and/or other individuals/entities (e.g., wealth managers, corporate officers, experts, and providers and distributors of dynamic financial news reports) to create, manage, and valuate securities research. Individuals associated with a sell-side firm may generate, collaborate on, and/or publish dynamic content (e.g., assets, research reports, trade ideas) that may be tracked both internally and externally. Individuals associated with a buy-side firm may provide feedback (e.g., comments and ratings) on the sell-side content. This feedback together with other content usage metrics provide an objective measure by which buy-side firms may valuate sell-side research and other services for, among other things, determining how to allocate commissions among sell-side firms.

Abstract: A system for assessing environmental impact of processing print jobs includes a processor and a computer-readable storage medium. The computer-readable storage medium in communication with the processor and comprises one or more programming instructions for: electronically receiving a campaign specification data structure including at least one job specification; operatively selecting a plurality of vendors from a database. Each of the selected vendors is capable of performing a job as operatively specified by the at least one job specification of the campaign specification data structure. The computer-readable storage medium in communication with the processor and also includes one or more programming instructions for generating a plurality of environmental impact assessments corresponding to the campaign specification data structure. Each of the plurality of environmental impact assessments is operatively associated with one of the selected capable vendors.

Abstract: A computer implemented system and method are described in which stationery/card calendar events are automatically generated in a user's calendar database based on the contacts data stored within a contacts database, the stationery/card calendar events including milestones associated with each of the contacts. At least some of the calendar events are generated based on a relationship between the user and each of the contacts. In response to the user selecting one of the calendar events, the end user is provided with a set of selectable stationery templates related to a selected event from the calendar database. In response to user selection, personalized stationery is generated with the selected template, address information is identified from the contacts database for contacts to receive the personalized stationery, and a print job is generated to print the personalized stationery/cards and envelopes containing the address information for the user-selected contacts.

Abstract: In an example embodiment, a method is provided for providing a profile of a seller. In this method, a request from a computing device inquiring about the profile of the seller of an item is received. A category and/or price of the item are identified. Information from transactions associated with the seller is retrieved from a data structure using the category and/or prices as the filtering criteria. A metric is then calculated based on the information from the previous transactions and thereafter, a response to the request with the metric is provided to the computing device.

Abstract: Content recommendation techniques are described. In an implementation, content preferences for a group are determined by identifying an intersection of content preferences for individual users in the group. Content that is currently available for presentation is recommended based on the intersection by comparing the content preferences for the group with metadata for the content that is available for presentation.

Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying third party products and services available to geographic location. Generally, the system identifies a subject address or location at which services are desired. Next, the system parses, standardizes, and verifies the subject address as a valid physical location. Then, the system identifies relevant market(s) corresponding to the subject address, and determines product and service offerings in the relevant market(s). Further, the system determines capabilities required to effectuate the determined service offerings at the location, and identifies capabilities available at the geographic location. Subsequently, the system compares the required capabilities of the services to the available capabilities at the location to generate serviceability information corresponding to services actually available at the location.

Abstract: Systems and methods for recommending third party products and services. The method includes the steps of ranking the third party products and services based on one or more factors, and generating a user profile based on one or more user-related factors. Next, the method determined appropriate third party products and services based on the user's geographical location and filters the third party products and services based on the user profile and the user's geographical location. These filtered results are dynamically ranked based on the user profile, and personalization of the third party products and services. Finally, the method provides the ranked results pertinent to the end user's preferences, and the geographical location.

Abstract: Systems and methods for initiating and conducting an automated survey are disclosed herein. According to some implementations, a computer-readable medium may be encoded with computer-executable instructions, wherein the computer-executable instructions includes logic adapted to receive a notification of the occurrence of a trigger event associated with a service performed for a customer. The computer-executable instructions further include logic adapted, in response to receiving the notification, to initiate an automated survey to be offered to a survey recipient. Additional logic is adapted to conduct the automated survey. The instructions also include logic adapted to receive survey result information from the survey recipient in response to the automated survey.

Abstract: Systems and methods for prompting follow-up actions in response to a survey. According to some implementations, a computer implemented method includes receiving survey result information that is extracted from an automated survey offered to a survey recipient. The method also includes receiving an indication that one or more follow-up actions are warranted based in part on an analysis of the survey result information and providing a notification to one or more individuals responsible for performing the one or more follow-up actions.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically and routinely capturing and tracking energy data, estimating energy consumption, facilitating the reduction of consumption, and offsetting energy emissions.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for an electronic services management system that enables a user to manage all or many of his or her third party products and services from one electronic platform. Specifically, the system includes operative connections to service provider systems so as to track customer usage of various third party products and services, and thus provide the user with a consolidated view of the user's products and services and enable the user to track usage and expense of the services, compare the expense to predetermined budget amounts, compare the usage to other users, etc. Additionally, the services management system recommends personalized product or service offerings to users based on the users' preferences and specific service usage. Further, the system provides alerts to the users when certain usage or expenditure thresholds are reached, when payments become due, or when new offers, deals, or service promotions become available.

Abstract: A hybrid recommendation module leverages multiple sources of information to generate robust and personalized recommendations. The recommendation module provides an initial set of items by considering context information. The context information pertains to at least one environmental factor that has a bearing on the relevancy of recommended items (such as location, time, etc.). The recommendation module then produces a ranked set of items, selected from among the initial set of items, based on a user's past preference, using two or more recommendation models. The recommendation module can be applied in various environments, such as an environment which accommodates the use of mobile devices. The recommendation module can also be applied to various types of recommended items, such as establishment (e.g., store) items, product items, coupon items, etc. As to the last-mentioned type of items, the recommendation module can recommend coupon items using at least two modes of operation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and a system for recommendation based on locational and societal relation capable of providing more personalized information by being linked with other persons that have locational and societal relationship based on the behavior, value, preference of the user through a psychographics-based recommendation system.