Abstract: Embodiments of systems, methods and/or apparatus for a communication network for real estate professionals are provided.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided herein for collecting web browser click events across a plurality of web sites from a data collection agent (DCA), as a click-stream, at a data collection server (DCS) to record and provide user on-line activity, filtering the user online activity to include activity from a time period prior to a sale from the sales transaction data and identifying one or more shopping touch-points based on the filtered user online activity and the sales transaction data. Further, an engagement index, an influence index, and an opportunity index is calculated. A digital touch-points facility may perform the identifying and calculating.

Abstract: A digital downloading jukebox system including a mechanism for delivering custom services to a recognized user, including services for creating playlists, communicating with others, accessing other features, etc. is provided. In some exemplary embodiments, after a user is recognized, the jukebox system allows users to access a special front-end via an Internet-enabled device or on an actual jukebox. Then, the user may, for example, create playlists, share songs with friends, send messages to friends, and access other value-added content. Such a system preferably learns about networks of friends, and enables managers to send similar messages to regular customers and/or others known to the system. In some exemplary embodiments, changes via a first user interface on a first device are reflected on second user interface on other properly-configured devices.

Abstract: A method for a consumer to provide himself with timely and appropriate marketing data while remaining anonymous to the sources of the marketing data is described. The method includes self-generating an anonymous consumer profile for the consumer, providing access to the anonymous consumer profile to one or more entities, and receiving marketing data from the entities based on the anonymous consumer profile. The method also includes providing feedback on the received marketing data, the feedback becoming a part of the anonymous consumer profile, and repeating the receiving marketing data and providing feedback steps.

Abstract: Methods of collecting information from an individual regarding absorbent products are provided. A method entails collecting input information from an individual regarding absorbent product use wherein at least some of the information collected includes data generally known by most consumers. The method further entails collecting still or video image data from an individual consumer using a computing device and uploading the input information and still or video image data to a server. The input information and still or video image data is used to output data regarding the absorbent articles and to output a set of correlations between the visual data and the input information.

Abstract: An electronic lockbox system includes a wireless portable transponder that communicates with an electronic lockbox using a low power radio link. The portable transponder includes: a wide area network radio to communicate to a central clearinghouse computer, a motion sensor to activate its wide area network radio, and a connector to communicate with a secure memory device. The electronic lockbox sends a hail message that is intercepted by the portable transponder; the hail message includes identification information. The portable transponder responds with a message that includes a time sensitive encryption key; the lockbox authenticates this response message using its own time sensitive encryption key. If an electronic key is used to access the lockbox, the improved system effectively disables the electronic key during a showing, so that the electronic key cannot be used to access another lockbox until the correct dwelling key has been placed back into the lockbox.

Abstract: A method and system for graphically presenting a survey interface to a user. The method and system include graphically presenting the user with an inquiry and a corresponding user interface input slider via a self normalizing survey interface application, wherein the user interface input slider includes a user interface input marker. The method and system also include recording the inquiry response position of the user interface input marker on the user interface input slider selected by the user in response to the inquiry as a response data value. Additionally, the method and system include presenting the user with a subsequent inquiry and corresponding user interface input slider, wherein the user interface input marker is positioned at a self normalizing position that corresponds to the inquiry response position selected by the user during one or more prior survey sessions.

Abstract: An embodiment of a system and method of surveying users on a social networking system is described which limits the frequency in which any one user is surveyed. Users are assigned into a multi-layered survey pool based on a hash value derived from a user identification number for the online social network that is assigned to the user. Users are randomly offered the opportunity to take a survey, and the subject matter of the survey is at least partially determined by the layer from which the survey obtains its sample populace.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention provide a method for making a product substitution recommendation to a consumer. Initially, a rejection of the product by the consumer is detected. The rejection comprises a failure to purchase a product after the product is added to an online shopping cart, or a return of a product after the product is purchased. Subsequently, a reason for the rejection is determined. A recommendation for a substitute product is then formulated at least in part based on the determined reason for the rejection. Lastly, the recommendation for the substitute product is presented to the consumer.

Abstract: An adaptive clicker technique is described that provides a standardized polling control and a registration system to support mixed types of clickers and integrate the polling data. One embodiment of the adaptive clicker technique operates as follows. User inputs from more than one type of clicker device (e.g., personal interactive response system device) are received. The inputs from the more than one type of clicker device are formatted with a clicker adapter for each type of clicker to adapt user inputs to a common polling controller. The adapted inputs are then processed with the common polling controller to interface the adapted inputs with a personal response system software application to allow user polling data to be collected and assessed.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a media processor having a controller to solicit an appraisal for each of a plurality of media programs presented by the media processor for composing a proposal to update one or more operational features of the media processor according to one or more consumer preferences determined from one or more supplied appraisals. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and processes may generate and implement campaigns to obtain information regarding products and services provided an entity. A campaign may include one or more questions regarding a product or service offered by an entity, such as a merchant or service provider. The questions of a campaign may relate to an experience of a customer with respect to the product or service offered by the entity. After receiving answers to questions of a campaign, one or more actions may be performed based on the content of the answers. For example, a reward may be provided to a customer for answering questions of the campaign, a representative of an entity may contact the customer regarding answers to questions of the campaign, or a request may be provided to a customer to obtain video feedback from the customer regarding the experience of the customer with the entity.

Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for conducting survey using wireless devices. The system architecture of the present invention comprises a location server and a location system. The location server can receive a survey request from a subscriber, delineate a survey area for the survey, broadcast a query containing the survey to a plurality of wireless devices, process responses received from the wireless devices, and deliver a result of the survey to the subscriber. The location system can generate location information for each of the wireless devices that received the query. The location system may be a network-based unit or a portable unit provisioned at each of the wireless devices. In one of the embodiments, the location system is a GPS receiver that generates the longitude and the latitude of the wireless devices at which it is provisioned.

Abstract: Systems, methods and computer program products for providing customized customer service and ensuring appropriate gratuity payment in hospitality environments are disclosed. In an aspect, customers may provide information about the service level they request from their server or other hospitality worker and motivate the server by indicating an associated minimum tip level. This platform serves to motivate the hospitality worker while ensuring that the customer receives service they consider quality.

Abstract: A system and method of obtaining customer feedback uses an application that directs a survey instrument to be received by a customer's own phone or network enabled device. The service provider performs a service or provides a sale and asks the customer to participate in a survey. To increase the likelihood that the customer will participate, the service provider explains that the survey will be sent to the customer's phone. The service provider places a call to initiate an automated survey which is directed to the customer's phone. The data collected is stored and retrievable through a cloud based administrative portal where the service provider client is able to utilize the data collected. In one embodiment, the process is automated and is initiated when the service provider calls or signs in and enters the customer information in an application which sends the survey instrument to the customer.

Abstract: A sentiment analysis computing system includes a storage medium and a processing system. Sentiment input is received from audience members viewing a streamed/webcasted event. The received input is stored to the storage medium. A time slice of the webcasted event is determined and sentiment inputs that are within that time slice are obtained. A sentiment value is calculated for the determined time slice based on aggregated sentiment values. The calculated sentiment value for the time slice is then output by the sentiment analysis computing system.

Abstract: A web-page or customer interface, that enables a business to increase their customer satisfaction levels, etc. based on the business' improved capability to predict the wants and needs of their customers as a result of it using such an interface to assess the personalities of their customers, includes: (a) dichotomous, personality traits, (b) photographic images to which are assigned ranked dichotomous personality traits based on the psychological content of the respective photographic images, (c) an image viewer adapted to present to a customer these images so as to identify with which of these images the customer elects to be associated, (d) personality types into which a customer is categorized, and wherein each of these personality types is differentiated by the specific set of dichotomous, personality traits associated with it, and (e) an algorithm adapted to categorize one into a personality types.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the disclosure relate to methods and systems that support automated, targeted polling of consumers via an e-commerce promotions platform for administering e-commerce promotional activities, such as, for example, sweepstakes, contests, giveaways, and/or instant wins.

Abstract: A method and system are described for conducting a consumer survey during a checkout process at a retailer location with a consumer who is associated with a portable computing device (“PCD”). A survey ID associated with a time of purchase (“TOP”) survey is presented as a QR code to the consumer during the checkout process. Based on the survey ID, provision of a TOP survey is initiated. Survey content is selected and pushed to the PCD. The survey content may have been preselected or may be dynamically selected based on factors including, but not limited to, recognition of items being scanned during the checkout process, responses to previously pushed survey content, historical purchasing patterns of the consumer, time of day, etc. Provisioning of a TOP survey may end at the conclusion of the checkout process so that the consumer can complete payment and leave the retail location.

Abstract: A system for collecting and analyzing structured user feedback on websites, the system including website user structured feedback form generation functionality operative to generate structured feedback forms for providing website user feedback on website user interaction with a website-based process and website user feedback analyzing functionality operative to automatically collect and analyze website user feedback entered in the structured feedback forms and to provide at least one analysis report based on feedback from a multiplicity of website users.

Abstract: An on-line interactive survey system in which a server generates a markup document based on questions in a database. The database also includes question logic fields from which the server generates survey logic. The database is organized so that survey logic associated with a first question calls a logic function associated with a second given question, and the logic function calls the survey logic in association with the second question so as to provide a recursive logic chain at least two levels deep. The logic functions may be used to show and/or hide questions. In this manner, surveys can be quickly build and re-used with branching logic intact.

Abstract: A mixed voice and data communications means between users having a media deliver means and users having a feedback means intermediated over the communications cloud by a central messaging means that interfaces with common payment processor service, common email service and common video storage service.

Abstract: A method and associated systems for using real-time online text analytics and real-time online semantic analytics to automatically generate an appropriate measurement scale for a questionnaire, survey, interview, or other information-gathering instrument. The method uses known techniques, procedures, and models of real-time online analytics to infer meaning from a subject's unstructured response to a questioner's solicitation of information. It next uses these results to select one or more measurement scales from a repository of measurement scales and to customize those selected scales into forms appropriate to the researcher's solicitation. The processor then delivers the customized scale or scales to the researcher quickly enough to allow the researcher to use the delivered scales to immediately quantize or otherwise characterize the unstructured response.

Abstract: Healthcare marketing data may be cleaned and normalized according to data validity and/or data canonicity rules prior to being merged into a healthcare marketing database. The merging process may include a fuzzy de-duplication operation utilizing a configurable field scoring table for automatically identifying matching and non-matching records. Potential duplicates that cannot be automatically resolved may be provided to an operator to provide merge or no-merge instructions.

Abstract: A method for conducting real-time dynamic consumer surveys is disclosed. The method includes providing a set of user-defined topics of interest related to a specific good or service and providing a processor configured for beginning a consumer survey by providing an open-ended question to the consumer of the specific good or service regarding the consumer's experience with said good or service, receiving the consumer's response to said open-ended question, analyzing the text of said response to the open-ended question to identify the presence of members of the set of user-defined topics within the response, and providing at least one closed-ended question with respect to any member of the set of user-defined topics not identified in the consumer's response.

Abstract: The disclosed subject matter provides an improved methodology, system, and computer program for offering surveys and collecting and analyzing survey results that allow an organization to generate new surveys in an iterative manner based upon user feedback and crowdsourcing methodologies. In this manner, an organization relying upon survey results can gain greater insight into selected users, clients, and projects. The system according to the disclosed embodiments utilizes crowdsourcing methodologies to collect data from a variety of users and sources, whereby the data can be analyzed using innovative intelligence gathering and management techniques.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention, directed to a computer implemented method in a computer system comprising at least one component, includes the step of responsive to detecting a problem in the system, generating a set of crowdsourcing tasks for analyzing a first possible cause of the detected problem. The method further includes the steps of assigning the set of crowdsourcing tasks to one or more selected crowdsourcing experts, and using information derived at least in part from task results provided by one or more crowdsourcing experts to compute a problem completeness (PC) index. Responsive to determining that the first possible cause is not the root cause of the detected problem, the PC Index is used to determine whether to assign one or more additional crowdsourcing tasks to any crowdsourcing experts.

Abstract: According to embodiments of the present invention there is provided a computer-based method and a computer program product for automatically sorting customers who make purchases from merchants using a credit card. The computer-based method includes the following steps. An adjusted index is calculated for a customer based on an amount of money the customer spent across merchants during a time period. The adjusted index is compared to a cut-off value. The customer is classified based on the comparison of the adjusted index to the cut-off value. In an embodiment, the method also includes re-classifying the customer based on at least one of (i) information about the merchants, or (ii) a number of transactions in a predetermined industry.

Abstract: A system and method for updating and correcting facts that receives proposed values for facts from users and determines a probability that the user providing the values provides unreliable information.

Abstract: A web based administration console is provided to enable access and use software applications online through a browser. A hosting system for providing access to online usage of software comprises one or more servers set up to provide a platform having a virtual environment. The servers have vendor software installed thereon for running by the servers in the virtual environment. The platform and its installed software are remotely accessible over a network to multiple simultaneous users who have registered their user information. The user information may be used to customize the experience with tailored tutorials, questions and guidelines when using the software. Contact and usage information is delivered back to the software vendor. Software selected by users is run on the servers, each user interacting in the virtual environment remotely over the network with the software, either as a software demonstration, education or as subscription service.

Abstract: Methods for determining relevance of marketing group association by calculating the relevance factors of depth and weight of interest in a subscriber group is described. An emarketing management system typically includes a subscriber database, email marketing creation module, and a data management module. Collectively, the system allows marketers to group or segment subscribers according to marketing groups that are most relevant to the subscriber. By grouping or segmenting, marketers can design the most relevant content in subsequent email campaigns or distribution events, or to gain insight into subscriber behavior. The emarketing system may further integrate with external applications, such as a web analytic system or the emarketers own database, to gather, report and analyze data to refine relevance factors.

Abstract: The invention is an SMS distribution method for inquiries, invitations and proposals in which inquiries are sent to mobile telephone numbers included in a distribution list and their replies are collected as text messages via the SMS service (7) provided by the telecommunications network by means of a software program (1) installed on a server (2). The problem in distributing inquiries with existing SMS services has been the limited possibility of replying to the sending telecommunications operator and separating replies to several inquiries from one another. In the method embodied by this invention, universally reachable mobile network numbers (11) are used as reply addresses for the inquiries, invitations and proposals, and replies are separated from one another by means of reply addresses consisting of public mobile communication network numbers and SMS service numbers and automatically generated reply symbols.

Abstract: In a computer-implemented review method, a machine-readable representation that encodes an identification code associated with a ratable entity is decoded to obtain the identification code. The identification code is submitted to a central computer system, and a ratings form that can be used for providing a review of the ratable entity is received from the central computer system. A review of the ratable entity is provided to the central computer system using the review form.

Abstract: A system and method of evaluating contacts for an professional service provider is disclosed. The system may create or more network located online communities related to an professional service provider, such as an investment professional service provider. The communities may display information of interest to the members of the community. The manner a contact reaches the online community may be indicative of the level of interest of the contact. The level of interest may be classified or scored. A series of questions may be posed to the contact and the answers to those questions may also be scored or classified. By scoring or classifying the answers to a series of logically arranged questions, a contact classification or score for a contact may be created and evaluated.

Abstract: Computer-based systems and methods for determining an aggregate sensory profile for a plurality of individuals. The system may comprise a plurality of remote computer systems, each comprising: a local database for storing user data about the plurality of individuals; and a local sensory profile determination engine for generating sensory profile data for each of the plurality of individuals based on user data stored in the local database. The system may also comprise a central computer system that receives the sensory profile data from the plurality of remote computer systems. The central computer system comprises: a central database for storing the sensory profile data received from the remote computer systems; and a sensory profile aggregation engine for generating aggregate sensory profiles for each of the plurality of individuals based on the sensory profile data received from the remote computer systems and stored in the central database.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a context-specific experience sampling method comprising the steps of: collecting user's experience information; classifying the collected user's experience information and selecting keywords representing the classified user's experience information; generating a questionnaire to be applied to experience sampling based on the keywords; providing the questionnaire to the user; receiving response data by each activity for a context and an environment that the user has experienced, in response to the questionnaire; and analyzing a relationship between the user's context and environment and the user's experience, based on the response data by each activity for the user's context and environment.

Abstract: The present invention provides tools and methods that offer significant enhancement in consumer compliance in completing surveys, and afford statistically significant/accurate measurements of consumer feedback. In particular, the present invention provides software applications that utilize the methods described herein to administer Micro-Surveys to consumers, eliciting statistically significant feedback to effect global positive commercial change. Moreover, the present further provides a survey tool that utilizes a novel consumer propensity weighted analysis.

Abstract: A computerized method to encourage audience engagement by providing immediate rewards and feedback to audiences as they receive content, the method comprising providing a first content to a user, analyzing a response from the user to the content, wherein the response is selected from a range of options, and analyzing the response to create a second content for the user.

Abstract: A web-based employment application process is accessed by a candidate who browses, from a client terminal, to the website that hosts the process. From the website, maintained by a server, the candidate launches the program that executes and manages the process. During an online session, the candidate can navigate through the entire process, including the eligibility determination, resume submission and evaluation, and KSA assessment. Following the last stage of the process, an interview conducted by an interactive voice response system, the program evaluates the interview responses. If acceptable, the candidate is hired.

Abstract: A system and method for business entities to solicit product and brand related feedback from the authenticated customers through use of browser run feedback application on the internet enabled mobile devices of customers, where customer opts to wirelessly connect their mobile device with the feedback software and the software: captures customer location; verifies customers as genuine user of products; initiates the feedback session; presents the identification and feedback forms to the mobile device; captures and relays the feedback data to the business in real-time; and offers reward coupon to the customer after successful submission of the feedback form. System includes custom tags encoded with product information and embedded in the product and related paraphernalia. Geographical co-ordinates and personal information obtained from participants are plotted on a grid or a map to provide macro analysis and micro analysis to businesses.

Abstract: Customized, individualized communications to persons are generated based on a person's data available to a client instituting the systems and methods, based on previous data provided by the person in response to other contacts, based on product/services data of products/services purchased or used by the person, and based on personal data from transactions. The communications are based on such data within the context of marketing intervention parameters suggested by such data.

Abstract: A perceptual evaluation system and method are disclosed that collects, categorizes, evaluates, connects and manages the primary market research of items and combines it with secondary market research to create perception profiles of people and their consumption behaviors, and generates recommendations based on people's perceptions. The system and method enable the perception evaluation of items by users via (click or touch) drag-and-drop mechanisms in a survey processes and applies a novel perception rating scale to categorize, evaluate and cohere the items. The items may include word text, audiovisuals and maps, and the system is deployable on Web and mobile browsers, Web and mobile devices and smart TV devices. The system's output includes recommendations presented as perception maps and other data visualizations.

Abstract: Computer-implemented methods, systems, and computer-readable media for collecting customer feedback are disclosed. In one embodiment, a merchant provides registration data, defines one or more surveys, and one or more customer deals to a database. Each survey is linked to a customer deal. A customer of the merchant is induced to participate in a survey using his or her mobile device by the promise of receiving a deal for discounted goods or services in return for completing the survey. Upon completion of the survey, a deal certificate is issued to the customer. Survey results, deal redemption statistics, and other statistical analysis are provided to the merchant to enable the merchant to timely assess the performance of his business.

Abstract: A method for providing consistently formatted data relating to the exchange of goods in a retail ecosystem. The method may generally include acquiring data relating to the exchange of goods from at least one supplier and at least one retailer, normalizing the acquired data and storing the normalized data in one or more structured databases, and providing business intelligence tools, accessible to the at least one supplier and at least one retailer for accessing the one or more structured databases. The business intelligence tools may provide consistently formatted data from the structured databases to each of the at least one suppliers and consistently formatted data from the structured databases to each of the at least one retailers.

Abstract: A system and method which allows end users of electrical energy to engage in, comply with, and otherwise make use of a smart grid program. The invention allows end users to engage with an entity running a smart grid program through such actions as sending notifications, agreeing to events, paying bills, reviewing contracts, and updating information. The invention receives data from and sends messages to any smart meters, AMI or HAN, the end user has in their service location necessary to comply with the smart grid program. The invention supports the use of any smart meters the end user employs for home automation network functionality, enabling the end user to activate, deactivate, or otherwise modulate any devices enabled with a smart meter at their service location. The invention receives data from and sends messages to any demand response system the entity running the smart grid program employs to support the smart grid program.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program determine bias in survey results due to non-responsive and/or erroneous survey response data, assess the impact of bias introduced by non-responsive and/or erroneous survey data on the survey results, and analyze the survey results accordingly to provide a more accurate assessment of the impressions of viewers of content (e.g., advertisements) viewed by the persons being surveyed. The analysis allows an advertiser to modify an advertisement to better promote a product or service and enable the advertiser to increase the probability of success of an advertising campaign and the cost-effectiveness of the campaign.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a system to enable real-time engagement with one or more customers utilizing one or more customer devices, implemented using one or more servers, said servers connected to said customer devices over at least one network, comprising: a survey phase, wherein one of the one or more customers utilizes the one or more customer devices to send feedback to one of the one or more servers over the at least one network; a post-survey phase, wherein the one of the one or more customers utilizes the one or more customer devices to send feedback to one of the one or more servers over the one or more networks; and a closure phase.

Abstract: An interactive digital advertising system and method may include an advertising component for generating qualified leads using interactive advertising units. The advertising system may provide “real-time” matching of leads, which may be validated based on a criteria defined by the lead requestor, to the services or products offered by the lead requestor. The advertising component may validate potential leads based in part on feedback from third-party validators. Validators may include individuals acquainted with a potential lead or other entities having a connection to the lead, which can provide references that further qualify the potential lead. The advertising component may obtain lead validation or endorsements by interacting with endorsers or validators via social media or electronic messaging services. The advertising component may also collect endorsements, references, or other information to further qualify a lead by automatically querying a third party database.

Abstract: The present invention relates to social customer service and support systems integrated with social media and social networks. More particularly, the invention provides a social customer care platform system to allow customer care functions, and in particular to allow customer service agents to identify, prioritize, match and triage customer support requests that may arise through a social network and may be serviced using a social network. It manages and tracks a high-volume of customer interactions and provides for monitoring of Internet social network posts relevant to a business's products or services along with the ability to capture, monitor, filter, make sense of and respond to, in near real-time, tens of thousands of social interactions.

Abstract: A survey system enabling one or more processors to output a survey in a vehicle while allowing a vehicle occupant to engage in the survey. The survey system may communicate with a vehicle computing system enabling one or more processors to receive input representing one or more occupants in a vehicle. They survey system may receive an input representing a current location. The system may determine a workload value for the one or more vehicle occupants and output a survey to the one or more vehicle occupants when the workload value is below a predefined threshold. The system may output a survey related to the one or more occupants and current location. The system may collect survey results and relay the survey results to a remote server for processing. The system may provide a digital reward to the one or more occupants participating in the survey.