Abstract: A method and apparatus for spawning and management of online surveys is provided. An administration and redirector subsystem (ARS) is used manage ongoing surveys for a plurality of sites. Surveys can be added to or removed from individual sites using the ARS. The ARS also tracks statistics for individual surveys. Redirector tags invite users to participate in surveys and track user survey participation through cookies. The system can be used to conduct advertisement effectiveness studies. Tracker tags and corresponding cookies are used to track users who have viewed content containing the tag. Each study is issued a unique content tag, but uses the same redirector tag.

Abstract: A power and risk score calibrator is provided, which receives quantitative power and risk scores for each quantitative segment, and receives qualitative power and risk scores for each qualitative segment. The qualitative segment and the qualitative power and risk scores are defined by a user. The system generates consolidated segments. Then consolidated power and risk scores for each of the consolidated segments are generated, respectively. The gaps between the qualitative power and risk scores and the consolidated power and risk scores are reconciled. From these reconciliations, adjustment factors are generated, which are applied by pricing power and risk value calibrators. The system may also perform a drill down to explain the gap between the qualitative scores and the consolidated scores.

Abstract: A system and method for researching virtual markets and using the research to optimize product placements and displays. The system includes a monitoring engine configured to monitor information about user reactions and/or at least one product. The system also includes a recommendation engine configured to recommend a location within a virtual universe to display the at least one product based on the information monitored by the monitoring engine and a display engine configured to display the at least one product at a recommended location.

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: In embodiments, the present invention provides a method and system for associating a survey question with an interactive sponsored content, selecting the interactive sponsored content based at least in part on a mobile subscriber characteristic associated with a mobile communication facility, presenting the interactive sponsored content to the mobile communication facility, receiving a response to the survey question from the mobile communication facility, analyzing a plurality of user responses to the survey question, and presenting a survey analytic to the mobile communication facility based at least in part on the analysis.

Abstract: Methods of processing incoming documents. The methods may comprise receiving a plurality of documents in electronic form and classifying each of the plurality of documents into at least one of a plurality of document classifications. The methods may also comprise extracting metadata from the plurality of documents. In addition, the methods may comprise executing a first workflow for processing documents classified in a first document classification selected from the plurality of document classifications and executing a second workflow for processing documents classified in a second document classification selected from the plurality of document classifications.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed to model consumer choices. An example method includes identifying a set of products, receiving respondent choice data associated with the set of products, and adding the set of products to a base multinomial logit (MNL) model. The example method also includes generating, with a programmed processor, a number of copies of the MNL model to form an aggregate model based on a number of products in the set, each copy including an item utility parameter for each product in the set of products, and creating a matrix structure based on the number of products in the set, the matrix structure to be subtracted from each item utility parameter in the aggregate model. Further, the example method includes estimating each item utility parameter of the aggregate model and the matrix structure based on the number of copies of the MNL model and the respondent choice data, and calculating a choice probability based on each of the estimated utility parameters.

Abstract: The intent of this patent is to provide an electronic based platform for the general public and members of particular groups to share their opinion, make payment toward influencing policies, and provide input to commercial, social, financial, and political groups and influence their actions. Demographic, geographic, and other information may also be cross-referenced to increase the utility of the data and focus questions relevant to the participants. Conceptually, we can have the equivalent a Nielsen® rating not from a few thousand but millions. We can have the equivalent of Election Day every week or every month. We can have a referendum on issues every day. The implication of its effect on society is a democracy come true. The ease of use and the accessibility will make even the true novice in electronic communication devices enthusiastic participants.

Abstract: A system and method to manage a survey for a community development asset. The system includes a response repository, a sampler, a respondent profile filter, and an inference generator. The response repository stores a plurality of survey responses from survey respondents about a community development asset. The sampler selects a sample response of the plurality of survey responses. The sample response corresponds to an identified respondent. The respondent profile filter identifies a community with which the identified respondent is associated. The inference generator infers a similar response from the community associated with the identified respondent based on the sample response of the identified respondent.

Abstract: A system and method for generating a user's profile from their own user-generated content to transform community driven ideas into a company managed idea community and market research platform. The profile associated with the user is updated to provide for persistent unique profile sections based on content generated, associated activity, and end-user domains visited that may be managed by the user from a single portal. The system also provides a method for taking community content and transforming the content into selection criteria for market research. Product researcher administrators may view these community generated ideas to screen for users based on actual behavior. User-generated content may also be used as triggers to invite users to participate in surveys or discussions based upon their activity within the platform.

Abstract: A questionnaire network in which a mobile device is used by user to create questionnaires and send it to other recipients. The questionnaire is created by user of mobile device using audio inputs for a questionnaire preamble and question preambles. A server in the network incorporates other generic portions of the questionnaire. Thus, a user can make adhoc questionnaires, send them to recipients and receive the results.

Abstract: The present invention relates to business-to-business marketing organizations who participate in lead-generation activities via their company website. More particularly, the invention provides a target lead-generation system and method that targets the right businesses using real-time predictive and behavioral analytics and website traffic data and connects businesses to potential customers and suppliers to drive business revenue. Even more particularly, the invention provides a system and method for real-time searching and matching of data input into website registration forms by website visitors, provides for real-time cleansing and appending of attribute rich company demographic and firmographic data to the website form and to the marketing database. The resulting information is then available for use by other systems such as marketing automation systems and CRM systems.

Abstract: An electronically implemented method for consumer marketing using social media, including providing a computing system comprising a processor and a data storage component, wherein the data storage component comprises instructions to cause the processor to: generate an electronic consumer engagement module comprising at least one consumer response component configured to solicit a feedback response from at least one consumer; electronically display the consumer engagement module to at least one consumer response component on a social media platform; and receive an electronic consumer response to the consumer response component from the at least one consumer through the social media platform. The method further includes establishing a performance benchmark based at least in part on the feedback response from the at least one consumer.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to methods and apparatuses for capturing a real-time video stream using a mobile computing device, determining, using a computing device processor, which images from the real-time video stream are associated with goods and businesses consistent with a predetermined social impact, and presenting on a display of the real-time video stream, one or more indicators, each indicator being associated with an image determined to be consistent with a predetermined social impact.

Abstract: One embodiment relates to a method or process for structuring and operating an integrated interviewing and capture process including providing a produced recording of the interview. In one embodiment, the process includes collecting data from the subject, customizing the interview questions, managing employee availability and selecting an interviewer, conducting the interview, capturing the interview in a recorded format, editing the captured interview, producing a recording of the edited interview, soliciting and collecting feedback and revising the interview questions. In one embodiment, the process includes an integrated interviewing, capture and delivery process for operating an entire interviewing business in a highly efficient and cost effective manner.

Abstract: One embodiment accesses one or more experts and one or more influencers identified for a subject matter, wherein the one or more experts and the one or more influencers are among one or more users of a social-networking system; and invites a first expert and a second expert to establish a first social connection within the social-networking system.

Abstract: A computer-implemented service recommends works to a user based on works currently or previously played or downloaded by the user on a player device or based on playlists stored on the player device. The works may be, for example, music files, video files, electronic books, or other digital content for playing by users. A user may thus obtain personalized recommendations that are based on works obtained from sources (web sites, physical CDs, etc.) that are independent of the recommendations system. In one embodiment, the service identifies pairs of works that are related to each other by virtue of the relatively high frequency with which they co-occur on playlists or within play histories of users. The resulting mappings of works to related works are in-turn used to select works to recommend to users.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include an apparatus used to present a participant with a virtual reality simulation of a shopping environment. For example, the system of the present invention may be used to simulate the environment of a retail store where consumer goods are purchased. In one embodiment, a virtual reality station may include a number of functional systems that collectively provide an apparatus for capturing test subject feedback. The systems may include a participant interface and/or simulation control system, a support structure interconnection system, and a computer system configured to generate and present an immersive virtual reality environment on one or more display screens connected to the support structure.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for dynamically pricing electronic content. In one aspect, a method includes determining a likelihood that a group of users will repurchase an item of electronic content, determining that a particular user is more or less likely to repurchase the item of electronic content than the users of the group, in response to determining that the particular user is more or less likely to repurchase the item of electronic content than the users of the group, adjusting a base price associated with repurchasing the item of electronic content, and providing the particular user with an offer to repurchase the item of electronic content at the adjusted price.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a system and method of identifying excellence within a profession. In one embodiment, excellent performing candidates within a profession group are identified by creating a candidate pool from independent research and a peer nomination process. Identified candidates then obtain a score according to an independent research and objective evaluation process. Peer evaluators contribute to this score by evaluating top-scoring candidates, and a total score is compiled for each identified candidate. Candidates with scores in a top percentage of the candidates are then recognized as demonstrating excellent performance in the profession group.

Abstract: A method analyzes preferences of one or more participants. Each of the participants may be presented with a plurality of evaluation items that illustrate various marketing options. Response data from the participants that indicates at least an approach, if any, toward the evaluation items is obtained. An approach entropy value may be generated for the marketing options based on the response data for each participant. A relative preference order for each participant for the marketing options may be determined from the generated approach entropy values.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically soliciting business reviews includes a process for automatically soliciting business reviews whereby searches made, and/or reviews submitted, by individuals using a community based business listing and review system are monitored and user specific usage data is collected including: the user's identification; the business listing category in which a search was conducted and/or the business listing category in which a review was submitted by the user; and the community in which the user resides, and/or the community in which the search was made, and/or the community in which the business reviewed resides. Once user specific usage data about the user, and the searches the user conducts and/or the reviews the user has submitted, is gathered, the user specific usage data is then used to create user specific review solicitations of various types.

Abstract: Computer-implemented methods and systems provide for user collaboration in evaluating complex products over a public network. Product capabilities are preferably represented as a hierarchical taxonomy of features. Users can assign ratings and comments to the features of a product. User-submitted ratings can be qualified (or moderated) by other users. Such moderation is accomplished on a per-rating basis by user selection of one label from a set of labels that represent different levels of perceived credibility of the user that submitted the rating. A moderation score for a rating/comment is derived from the user-selected moderation labels pertaining to the rating/comment. Registered users preferably can assign weights to features, the weights representing the importance of that feature to the particular user.

Abstract: A system and method for auction based polling is provided. Parameters related to a poll are received from a first user. Parameters related to a poll are received from a first user. A query is associated with the poll. A priority of the poll is determined based on the parameters. The poll is distributed to one or more second users according to the priority. Results to the poll are gathered. The results are reported to the first user.

Abstract: A service supporting server that supports a service operation for a customer, and a terminal which can communicate with the service supporting server comprising a display part displaying a questionnaire; an inputting part for causing a customer to input for filling in the questionnaire; and a questionnaire transmission part transmitting the thus filled-in questionnaire to the service supporting server. The service supporting server comprises a filled-in questionnaire analysis part analyzing the received filled-in questionnaire.

Abstract: A method and system for conducting a design process using market research includes extending an offer to grant an ownership interest such as an equity interest or security in a company in exchange for receiving feedback from respondent members of a target market. The company may use the feedback in developing and launching a new product. The feedback may relate to desired design specifications, pricing, marketing approaches, and suggested new ideas for the new product. The various options are presented to the respondents as text, audio, video, and in combinations thereof.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for spawning and management of online surveys is provided. An administration and redirector subsystem (ARS) is used manage ongoing surveys for a plurality of sites. Surveys can be added to or removed from individual sites using the ARS. The ARS also tracks statistics for individual surveys. Redirector tags invite users to participate in surveys and track user survey participation through cookies. The system can be used to conduct advertisement effectiveness studies. Tracker tags and corresponding cookies are used to track users who have viewed content containing the tag. Each study is issued a unique content tag, but uses the same redirector tag.

Abstract: A performance appraisal system is provided for reviewing employees' performance of a company. The performance appraisal system may be integrated with a compensation simulator such that compensation for each employee may be associated with his/her respective performance. On a computer graphical user interface, employees in an organizational unit of the company may be shown in a grid pane displaying a variety of performance tiers. The employees may be distributed among the performance tiers based on performance appraisals. In response to an employee change performance tier, for example, an employee may be dragged from one performance tier and dropped in a different performance tier, the system automatically makes corresponding changes to respective performance appraisals. The integrated compensation simulator simulates adjustments to compensations for affected employees based on changes to performance appraisals.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention distributes data via a network to remotely located individuals. Evaluation feedback by one or more of the individuals is transmitted to others so that the feedback may be used by others to quickly locate the more useful data. The evaluation feedback may be in the form of ratings of product reviews. The feedback helps customers by allowing the more useful reviews can be quickly located.

Abstract: An analysis tool guides the selection of an external agent who will interact with a selected organizational actor. The analysis tool helps to minimize mismatches in personality and behavior between the external agents and actors in the business. As a result, there are fewer misunderstandings about project scope and requirements, there is better communication between individuals, and valuable deals are more frequently closed.

Abstract: Financial data associated with one or more “contributing consumers” is obtained from one or more sources. The financial data includes data associated with specific financial transactions and the specific financial transactions are tagged as sharable by the contributing consumers. The financial data, and/or specific financial transactions are categorized by the contributing consumers, and/or associated with a specific purchase of a parent product and/or service. The financial data obtained from one or more contributing consumers is then aggregated, processed, and/or categorized, according to the parent product and/or service associated with the financial data. A “user consumer” then initiates a request for financial data associated with the purchase of a specified product and/or service.

Abstract: A mobile survey system is described herein that leverages users' appreciation of paid applications and other rewards to incentivize participation in market research surveys. As a user participates in surveys, the system gives the user points that accumulate in an account associated with the user. The points can subsequently be redeemed for paid mobile applications or other incentive compensation, such as products or services. Most application and content stores provide some ability for one user to give another user an application/content or credit for the same as a gift. The system leverages this mechanism to credit users that elect a particular application or content as a reward with the reward of the user's choice. Thus, the mobile survey system increases participation in mobile surveys by incentivizing users in ways that are highly relevant to sought after categories of users.

Abstract: A high performance capability assessment model helps a consumer goods and services business meet the challenges of the global marketplace. As a result, the consumer goods and services business can achieve the clarity, consistency, and well-defined execution of core processes that reduce inefficiencies and waste that result from unnecessary process complexity and exceptions. In addition, the high performance capability assessment model helps the consumer goods and services business to identify specific areas in which improvements may be made and understand how to make the improvements, and establishes levels of capability along the way to reaching an ultimate capability goal.

Abstract: Systems and methods for assessing viability and marketability of an asset are provided. In exemplary embodiments, an asset assessment system receives disclosure information for the asset. The disclosure information comprises information indicating at least one taxonomy segment associated with the asset. An attribute grade may then determined based on the disclosure information, while a market grade may be determined based on market data for the at least one taxonomy segment. A final grade based on the attribute grade and the market grade is then calculated. This final grade provides an indication of the viability and marketability of the asset. The final grade may then be output.

Abstract: A no-dial cell phone interviewing system and method have a server, a user interface module, a campaign design and creation module configured to select a plurality of survey questions, an incentive module configured to select and communicate an object of value, a first round distribution module, a second round distribution module, a distribution adjustment module configured to adjust the communication of at least one survey question of the plurality of survey questions, a data collection and presentation module configured to receive answers to the at least one survey question, and a privacy protection module configured to protect the privacy of a user that answered the at least one survey question.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to generate and present information to panelists are disclosed. An example method includes receiving product data associated with a product purchased by a panelist; generating a first profile for the panelist based on a characteristic related to the product; generating comparative data between the first profile for the panelist and a composite profile related to a population; and conveying the comparative data to the panelist.

Abstract: A restaurant information system includes a point-of-sale (POS) device constructed and arranged for identifying a customer at a restaurant, an amount owed for food or other items purchased at the restaurant, a financial services provider, and a restaurant customer service of which the customer is a member. A network server is associated with the restaurant customer service, and is configured to access a personal customer file created by the customer. The POS device is configured to prompt and receive a customer entry including a review or other comments concerning the restaurant, and to address the customer entry to the network server for writing in the customer's personal file. The network server may also be configured to compile a searchable database reflecting customer entries made in a number of different customer files.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods are disclosed for requirements decomposition and management. The apparatus includes a collection module, an organization module, and a graph module. These modules carry out the steps of collecting a project task description, the project task description comprising one or more properties, generating a directed acyclic hierarchy of one or more project tasks associated with the project task description, and generating a directed acyclic hierarchical graph view of the project, wherein the directed acyclic hierarchical graph view of the project comprises one or more nodes representing the one or more project tasks, and wherein the one or more nodes are arranged to graphically illustrate a directed acyclic hierarchical relationship between the one or more project tasks.

Abstract: A high performance capability assessment model helps a revenue industry agency meet the challenges of the global marketplace. As a result, the revenue industry can achieve the clarity, consistency, and well-defined execution of core processes that reduce inefficiencies and waste that result from unnecessary process complexity and exceptions. In addition, the high performance capability assessment model helps the revenue industry agency to identify specific areas in which improvements may be made and understand how to make the improvements, and establishes levels of capability along the way to reaching an ultimate capability goal.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for processing queue data and for providing queue messaging over a network. An illustrative queuing system includes a first queue configured to hold resource requests from a plurality of users, and program code stored in computer readable memory configured to determine or estimate whether a resource requested by a first resource request submitted by a first requester will be available when the first resource request will be serviced, and to transmit a message over a network to the first requester indicating that the requested resource will not be available when the queued request is serviced if it is estimated or determined that the requested resource will not be available when the first request is serviced.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system of polling in a geo-spatial environment are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes generating a community network of user profiles, each user profile associated with a specific geographic location, determining a geographic region associated with a neighborhood, determining a first group of user profiles, the specific geographic location of each user profile associated with the geographic region, generating a first play view to include a three-dimensional map view embodied by the community network and the first group of the user profiles represented at locations in the three-dimensional map view associated with the specific geographic location of each user profile, generating a poll associated with the first group of user profiles and receiving poll results associated with the poll via a communication mode. The method may also include automatically tabulating the poll results and publishing, via the communication mode, the poll results.

Abstract: A method for idea prediction market investment is provided. In an idea management system, a network server advertises to a user, via a network and a client device, a first idea that the user can invest an amount of virtual money X during an investment period in an idea prediction market. The advertising indicates to the user how much virtual money Y the user will receive if the user holds the investment until the first idea gets selected at the close of the investment period. The return of investment (ROI) Y over X is based at least on a second idea in the idea prediction market. In one embodiment, the user may divest the investment X prior to the close of the investment period. In another embodiment, the user is prevented from divest the investment X prior to the close of the investment period.

Abstract: A system for compiling and presenting data collection instruments associated with a plurality of stakeholder relationship causality models, managing data collection processes, conducting statistical tests, variable analytics and impacts calculations, and generating action plans and reports associated with a plurality of stakeholder experiences, stakeholder attitudes and stakeholder behavioral intentions for use in assessing the state of stakeholder relationships and planning for performance optimization, the system comprising: a) a user interface software module, b) a stakeholder model library, c) a variables database, d) a stakeholder profile database, e) an action plan library, f) a reports library, g) a language conversion engine, h) a stakeholder survey software module, i) a variable analytics software module, j) an impact calculation software module, k) an action plan generation software module, and l) a report generation software module.

Abstract: A system and methodology for communication between a service provider and a service recipient relating to services is described, such that for a particular task or project, interaction and feedback between the respective service provider and service recipient is provided by the system in a manner that enables service recipient satisfaction to be accurately communicated to the service provider and documented by the service recipient. The system is modifiable and customizable to facilitate communication between a service provider and a service recipient in various industries.

Abstract: The method according to the invention consists of dynamically adapting survey questionnaires to the content of the affiliated Web sites of editors and the specific visitors of said sites. It comprises the dynamic selection of the most appropriate questionnaire for a given survey in function of the content of the site of the editor and/or the specific who visits the Web site of the editor and/or the response rate to the questionnaire.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to techniques for a computer-implemented method which receives user input that specifies values for predetermined questions provided in an environmental questionnaire, identifies environmentally friendly businesses or individuals by analyzing the user input values and determining those businesses or individuals that meet predetermined minimum requirements, and stores a list of the identified businesses or individuals within a database.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for collection of ethnographic data from a building housing a population, which includes modern surveillance equipment, marketing and other testing materials, and may comprise an agreement between the dormitory and a dormitory sponsor to collect ethnographic data and provide test products and other materials in a dormitory equipped as a real-world social laboratory. This synergy between dormitory sponsorship, dormitory management, and students allows for easy, organized and cost effective experimentation and data mining of the valuable student demographic with incentive to the parties involved.

Abstract: Chat categorization uses semi-supervised clustering to provide Voice of the Customer (VOC) analytics over unstructured data via an historical understanding of topic categories discussed to derive an automated methodology of topic categorization for new data; application of semi-supervised clustering (SSC) for VOC analytics; generation of seed data for SSC; and a voting algorithm for use in the absence of domain knowledge/manual tagged data. Customer service interactions are mined and quality of these interactions is measured by “Customer's Vote” which, in turn, is determined by the customer's experience during the interaction and the quality of customer issue resolution. Key features of the interaction that drive a positive experience and resolution are automatically learned via machine learning driven algorithms based on historical data. This, in turn, is used to coach/teach the system/service representative on future interactions.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a research and development system that gathers feedback from patients and healthcare providers with respect to the their experience with various aspects of a supplier's products in order to tabulate, consolidate, compare and analyze the data received rapidly and efficiently, and which can be used on successive iterations to determine future products and services.

Abstract: A method for conducting market research utilizing a telematics service system that provides a telematics service to a plurality of vehicles is disclosed herein. The method includes, but is not limited to, wirelessly communicating with a plurality of vehicles using the telematics service system. The method also includes obtaining information from the plurality of vehicles using the communications system. The information relates to a usage of each vehicle of the plurality of vehicles. The method further includes utilizing the information to determine an appropriate design for a future vehicle.