Abstract: A method and system for providing geographic location notifications for targeted offers is disclosed. One embodiment of the invention is directed to a method including monitoring for an event to trigger a targeted offer. Upon detection of the event, the offer is generated. The offer is targeted to a consumer and is generated using payment data generated in response to transactions conducted by the consumer with a plurality of different merchants. A geographic location for redeeming the offer is determined. A notification message is generated about the offer. The notification message includes the offer and the geographic location for redeeming the offer. The notification message is sent to a notification device which is operated by the consumer. A graphical depiction of the offer is displayed on a map on the notification device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for data brokering, and more specifically, data brokering regarding a data provider's search-related activities are described. In particular implementations, various aspects of arranging for compensation to be received from the data consumer in exchange for at least one of installation of or access of a data tracking component related to at least one user interface associated with the data provider, are described.

Abstract: The claimed matter provides systems and/or methods that enable sellers and buyers to take mutual advantage of the relationship of the location of seller outlets to routes that mobile buyers take to other destinations. The system can include devices that identify sellers capable of fulfilling a buyer's product or service requirements, generate value functions for the seller based on bidding functions acquired from the seller and related to the product or service requirements of the buyer, compare the value functions associated with multiple sellers to identify a successful seller, and notify the buyer of the location of the successful seller by modifying a route to a pre-established destination to include directions to the successful seller.

Abstract: In certain aspects, the invention features a system and method for (1) receiving reservations for a first subset of computing resources of a distributed computing system (DCS), wherein each of the reservations specifies a time period, (2) allocating the first subset according to the reservations, (3) receiving requests for use of at least a second subset of the DCS's computing resources, wherein each of the requests specifies a time period, (4) determining whether enough unallocated resources are available to fulfill all of the requests, wherein the unallocated resources include the DCS's resources not allocated according to the reservations, (5) allocating resources according to the requests, if there are enough unallocated resources available, and (6) allocating resources in accordance with an allocation criteria if there are not enough unallocated resources available.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for finding items for grouping items according to sorting characteristics. For example, a price comparison engine is described that obtains the original total purchase price for all items placed in the customer's shopping cart and compares the original total purchase price to further generated total purchase price options to determine if any cost savings can be achieved. Those further total purchase price options are generated by computing the total purchase price resulting from each possible combination of sellers and items in the shopping cart. In some embodiments, heuristics may be used by the price engine to reduce the number of seller combinations and purchase price options generated, limit the price variations upon which the total purchase price options are computed, and/or filter or sort the purchase price options to be displayed.

Abstract: A system and method for creating a unified commercial real estate data model through collection, distribution and use of information in connection with commercial real estate and for creating a web-based marketplace that facilitates the efficient and secure buying, selling, and leasing of commercial properties. The invention provides a digital marketplace in which the members of the commercial real estate and related business community can continuously interact and facilitate transactions by efficiently exchanging accurate and standardized information. An embodiment provides a system and method for providing communication and analytical tools that interface with a commercial real estate database and support commercial real estate transactions between parties. These communication and analytical tools can include: 1) a survey tool; 2) a commercial real estate transaction tool; 3) a tour scheduling tool; 4) an activity summary tool; and 5) a tool for analyzing commercial real estate data.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system of opinion analysis and recommendations in social platform applications are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes processing an opinion data of a user through a platform application interface of a social community environment, the opinion data to include at least one of an opinion and a response of the user, determining an opinion match of the user based on analyzing at least one of an attribute and a polarity of the opinion data using a natural language processing algorithm to match the opinion data across a categorized set of opinions associated with certain ones of a plurality of users of the social community environment, and recommending the opinion targeted to the user based on at least one of the opinion match and a likeness profile determined of the user agnostic of a degree of separation between the user and any of the users.

Abstract: Financial instruments, particularly time certificates of deposit issued primarily by banks in the form of a contract between the depositor and the financial depository to typically pay an fixed interest rate for a fixed period of time at which redemption may occur. In the U.S. these contracts are required by Truth in Savings Regulation DD to state at the time of account opening the penalty for early withdrawal. These penalties can not be revised by the depository prior to maturity. The penalty for early withdrawal is the deterrent to allowing depositors to take advantage of subsequent enhanced investment opportunities during the term of the instrument. The withdrawal penalty is usually stated as a number of days/months of lost interest. In certain interest rate environments, this penalty may be Insufficient to discourage depositors from redeeming their deposit despite the penalty.

Abstract: The present invention is a software-based dynamic negotiation system that walks an individual or team through a preparation process so they are prepared to enter negotiations. To accomplish this goal, the system solicits feedback from key stakeholders and completes conjoint analysis to understand how team members weigh particular issues and options while also formulating scenarios to test weightings, offers an understanding of possible alternatives, and create equally weighted offers for use in delivering multiple equivalent simultaneous offers. The system provides a framework for effective negotiation that permeates negotiation strategy best practices throughout an organization, as all employees will undertake the same preparation process and utilize similar strategies.

Abstract: A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer program product for approving energy transaction plans for managing electric vehicle charging transactions. In one embodiment, an energy transaction plan and an identification of a set of principals associated with the energy transaction plan are received from an energy transaction planner. In response to a determination that the energy transaction plan is pre-approved by the set of principals, an energy transaction plan approval service sends a notification to the energy transaction planner indicating that the energy transaction plan is approved to form an approved energy transaction plan. In response to a determination that the energy transaction plan requires express approval from a subset of principals in the set of principals, the transaction plan approval service sends a request for approval of the energy transaction plan to each principal in the subset of principals.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for collecting information about targeted behavior on the Internet. In one example, the method includes sending an offer to participate in a tracking program to a user computer, receiving an acceptance of the offer to participate from the user computer, sending a software code device to the user computer, receiving targeted behavior information from the software code device located on the user computer, and sending payment for the targeted behavior information to the user computer.

Abstract: A method (22) for coordinating information for use in advertising. The method (22) comprises receiving sets of advertisement information (26) associated with advertisements for distressed advertising space (28). The sets of advertisement information (26) are stored and the method (22) includes searching the stored sets of advertisement information (22) to locate at least one set (38) that meets with distressed advertising criteria (36). Other aspects are provided.

Abstract: An electronic contracting method and apparatus for the purchase of pre-funded future services to equalize the bargaining positions of the parties and then deliver payment in accordance with the negotiated service contract terms.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to electronic buying and selling systems and methods. In particular, the invention concerns relations among distinct price curves, price curve attributes (i.e., factors of the offer that can affect the price curves) and buyers or potential buyers. For instance, a price offered to a system user can vary based on total volume of all people aggregating in private environments, cumulative total order by user, ship date, optimal time, as well as terms and conditions associated with the offer (e.g., no cancellation of order, cancellation possible, payment method . . . ).

Abstract: This invention relates to a ready system for providing secure innovation-maturation marketplace systems that increase innovation-maturation efficiencies while safely exposing innovative concepts to expert-ranking information, and while providing expert-innovation rankers with opportunities to enhance and monetize their innovation ranking-credentials.

Abstract: An electronic commerce system includes a client computer and a server computer interconnected by a public packet switched communications network. The client computer is programmed to transmit to the server computer an order acceptance request that includes a plurality of terms or conditions of a proposed offer for a purchase, including multiple options of at least one of the terms or conditions of the offer. The server computer is programmed to process the order acceptance request based on pre-programmed criteria and, based on the processing of the order acceptance request, to transmit to the client computer an order acceptance response that includes a plurality of amendments to the proposed offer for the purchase, including selection of an option of the at least one of the terms or conditions.

Abstract: Utilizing an extensible referral management system platform, an organization may recognize a business opportunity in which the organization may benefit by receiving customer referrals from another organization and build a program under which the organization is a supplier of products and/or services to the referred customers. Thus, the referral management system platform may be used to create intersecting workflows with a core infrastructure in the form of a multi-directional referral network.

Abstract: The technology disclosed relates to a practical design for measuring demand or supply in an auction or reverse auction, respectively for one or more divisible goods. It also relates to optimizing a volume selected by the auctioneer when closing an auction. In particular, it relates to a network based protocol and interface for conducting an auction with limited feedback to participants during the auction.

Abstract: An automated estimation and optimization solution for selecting the best auction format by determining the latent elements of the auction environment taking into account the strategic and information conditions with minimal assumptions on the distributions of unobserved random elements. Structural analysis of bid data from prior auctions is used to identify and estimate the distributions of bidders' private signals conditional on observable bidder characteristics. The estimated signal distributions, identified by the structural analysis, are used to evaluate alternative auction formats and to select the best format from among a given set of candidates. The present invention provides decision support tools to select an auction format based on structural econometric analysis of available data on the market environment. A decision-maker may estimate the unobservable private signals of the bidders and to determine the best auction format the decision maker can employ to sell a given set of items.

Abstract: The method and system of the invention provide a variety of techniques for processing a microtransaction, wherein the microtransaction is a low monetary amount. In accordance with the invention, the method starts with a customer initiating a purchase through interaction with a merchant. The purchase is associated with purchase information, which includes the particulars of the purchase, such as the purchase price. In the purchase, the customer uses a transaction account, obtained from a payment enabler. The merchant submits the purchase information for processing of the purchase information. Thereafter, the purchase is classified as a microtransaction, if the purchase price is below a predetermined monetary amount. Thereafter, the purchase information is forwarded for processing based on the classifying, i.e., as a result of the purchase being classified as a microtransaction.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for managing access control for a business process that is managed using a state machine. A domain represents the various trading mechanisms that are supported by a business process. Domains are placed at the highest level in a tree structure. Within each domain, there is one or more different flow types defined, such as flow types for buyers and sellers. Within each flow type, one or more flows or business processes may be defined. A flow defines the order of the steps required to produce an object. Each flow typically begins with a mandatory “start” state, having one or more transitions to additional states. Each transition may contain an access control guard. The guards on the transitions leading from the start state can be referenced to determine the user's authorization to access the domains, flow types, and flows.

Abstract: A methodology, system and business model are disclosed for facilitating a fully automated buyer's auction in which the major types of transaction costs are significantly reduced by providing the buyer and the sellers with near-perfect information about one another, including information about buyer preferences and competing sellers' offers. The system implements a buyer's auction with multidimensional bidding that minimizes market intelligence, search, bargaining and transaction execution costs and thus creates more competitive, frictionless markets. Buyers and sellers can efficiently conduct the buyer's auction within a unified environment, thereby minimizing buyer integration costs as well. The buyer's auction generates commercially marketable proprietary information and a revenue stream for the auctioneer providing such a service.

Abstract: System and method for online publication. According to an embodiment, a user stores contents on a web site, and based on the screening process and negotiated terms, the user is compensated accordingly. In certain embodiments, a user is compensated based on results of a periodical competition program offered by the web site. For example, a user whose writing wins a weekly contest, which is decided by subscribers, is awarded a publishing contract. In certain aspects of the invention, various techniques are employed to protect user contents.

Abstract: A new generation online e-commerce and networking system is disclosed. According to the embodiments of the present invention, the online e-commerce and networking system is based on: 1) a new model of meeting individuals' work and life needs and integrating entities' processes to create large online networks; 2) a new advertising model of associating online advertisements with goods services, activities, and incentives that meet users' needs to allow users to solicit or request sponsorships so that direct interaction between users and advertisers is enabled; and 3) a new community model to enable entities to build deeper and better relationships with users through entities' direct involvement in online community building and real and virtual event hosting for users to participate.

Abstract: A centralized financial market management system and method are disclosed that permit individual investors to trade over a network. The disclosed centralized financial market management system automatically identifies bids that are in proximity to one another and permits participants to negotiate directly in order to consummate a transaction. The disclosed centralized financial market management system permits each participant in the financial security trading market to have a unique definition of its market structure. A participant can establish various market segments, each corresponding to a group of other market participants, within the push market where bids are posted. Thus, the submitter of a bid (buy or sell) can narrowly focus the bid on select market participants. A large transaction (buy or sell) can be divided by the bid submitter into smaller units and divided over a number of market segments.

Abstract: Key to overall video license utilization lies in a cooperative sharing of licenses between the different branch operators of the licenses before the expiry of the licenses. A branch operator has a region of operation and stimulating the demand for licenses that are about to expire across multiple regions increases the overall license utilization. Billboard service provides subscribers with information and facility to preview and select movies for viewing online and it provides an opportunity for branch operators and central operator to maximize the utilization of available licenses. Central billboard provides a platform for branch operators to submit and trade their surplus licenses while a local billboard that is part of a branch operator infrastructure helps create demand for such surplus licenses. Central billboard supports both regulated and unregulated pricing and trading thereby enhancing the chances of trading of licenses that are about to expire.

Abstract: A centralized financial market management system and method are disclosed that permit individual investors to trade over a network. The disclosed centralized financial market management system automatically identifies bids that are in proximity to one another and permits participants to negotiate directly in order to consummate a transaction. The disclosed centralized financial market management system permits each participant in the financial security trading market to have a unique definition of its market structure. A participant can establish various market segments, each corresponding to a group of other market participants, within the push market where bids are posted. Thus, the submitter of a bid (buy or sell) can narrowly focus the bid on select market participants. A large transaction (buy or sell) can be divided by the bid submitter into smaller units and divided over a number of market segments.

Abstract: A method and system for managing projects on a network platform that enables a buyer to make a buy request for a project on a network platform. The buy request includes various requirements of the project. In response to the buy request, various sellers provide submissions for the project on the network platform. The submissions may be utilized by the buyer of the project. Various sellers can provide the submissions that comply with one or more requirements of the project. The buyer utilizes the submissions to execute the project, based on their compliance with the requirements of the project, and provides compensation to the sellers.

Abstract: A data processing procedure is shown in which the processed data includes data representing negotiations for the purchasing of a package of inventory, taking the form of offers and counter offers between a single major party and a plurality of minor parties, and data stored in a database representing details of the items of inventory available for sale. The procedure identifies a package of inventory from the database and presents a major graphical user interface to a major party that shows data from each of a plurality of participating minor parties. Minor graphical interfaces are presented to each of the minor parties that show a first indication of time remaining (601) a second indication of the proportion of the package of inventory remaining (602) and a representation (603, 604, 605) of each participating minor party.

Abstract: A system and method for presentation of user interface for conducting contractual activity over a computer network. The contract comprises a Business Rules Book containing a set of rules from which specific rules may be selected for inclusion in the contract, Terms and Conditions Set representing a unique set of instances of rules selected from the Business Rules Book is selected from a plurality of stored Terms and Conditions Sets, and a Product List Filter specific to each seller or buyer, targeting products in which there is a mutual interest. Contractual activities are executed through user interfaces developed by the parameters in the contract and are executed through the contract, which automatically inserts values from the terms and conditions of the contract.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product for providing a seller's listing system is presented. By way of the seller's listing system information services and sales tools are online at a property specific sales and information center. Sellers have full access to an organized system that gives them complete control all the way through the entire sales process. Up to the minute answers and exact information are reported directly to the seller. Every entity, professional and company involved in the transaction reports to the seller via the Internet.

Abstract: A computer system and related computer-implemented methods are designed and configured to store and deliver, upon request, information related to a plurality of asset-backed security pools, and to execute transactions between one or more parties relating to at least one of the plurality of asset backed security pools. The computer system generally comprises a computer including a computer usable medium storing a computer readable program and a network interface that includes software modules and a data storage system in communication with the computer via the network interface, the data storage system storing information relating to the plurality of asset backed securities, and account information related to at least the one or more parties.

Abstract: A method of facilitating a project bid process includes generating a buyer-associated bid request utilizing at least a portion of bid item selections of a stored bid item list, transmitting the buyer-associated bid request to at least one supplier for solicitation of a supplier bid response to be generated with the bid item selections utilized in the buyer-associated bid request, generating a supplier-associated bid request utilizing at least a portion of the bid item selections utilized in the buyer-associated bid request, and transmitting the supplier-associated bid request to at least one subcontracting entity for solicitation of a subcontracting-entity bid response to be generated with the bid item selections utilized in the supplier-associated bid request.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, the invention comprises a computer-implemented system and method of managing market information across a network of data providers, comprising the steps of: (a) electronically receiving first data including confidential information regarding market participants in a first system that protects said first data behind a firewall; (b) electronically receiving second data including confidential information regarding market participants in a second system that protects said second data behind a firewall; (c) electronically receiving an order and targeting parameters from a first market participant; (d) electronically issuing an advertisement request message to said first system and said second system, said advertisement message comprising display attributes of said order and comprising said targeting parameters; (e) electronically prompting said first system and said second system via the advertisement request message to each send a coordination request message to a Coordination Hub, said

Abstract: A system and method for trading securities that include at least one options leg is provided. The system generally includes a database, handlers, a network and at least one server. The database stores user information, security information and transaction information. The handlers receive information feeds from at least one public exchange. The at least one server implements an exchange facility that is capable of exchanging information with client terminals to allow the client to initiate at least one offer to trade a security having an option leg, identifying users interested in the offer, broadcasting the offer to the interested users and conducting a defined period auction among the interested users. The system and method also automatically cross the options legs on exchanges and facilitate negotiation when the auction is not consummated.

Abstract: The invention is a computerized or manual bidding system for real estate commission rates where participating registered licensed real estate brokers can acquire from participating registered real estate property owners the exclusive right to sell contract to broker a real estate property for a predetermined period of time based on placing within a specified period of time the lowest commission rate bid for said property that is equal to or less than the threshold commission rate posted by the seller.

Abstract: A computer system configured to provide process control is described herein. The computer system optionally includes a web proxy system, including a load balancer, and a cache cluster. An interface is configured to receive a user search query. A search engine is configured to receive the user query and to identify one or more corresponding events. An interface is configured to display identified events to the user and to receive a user selection of a first event. A data store is configured to store item requests received from a plurality of users for the first event, including corresponding request timing data. An optional servo system is configured to suggest an assignment of items with respect to the first event based at least in part on the number of prior item requests and corresponding request timing data.

Abstract: The present invention is a method (10) for manufacturing a three-dimensional object. The method (10) includes receiving (14) digital information of the three-dimensional object over a communication line and building (30) the three-dimensional object based at least in part on the received digital information, where at least part of the three-dimensional object is built by rapid manufacturing, and where the three-dimensional object comprises an exterior surface. The method also includes vapor smoothing (32) at least a portion of the exterior surface of the three-dimensional object.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for facilitating software as a service (SAAS) by receiving information of SAAS offerings and metrics for tracking a users use of the SAAS offerings. The systems may be used to create SAAS orders and provide compliance and auditing of the SAAS, as well as generating invoices and receiving payment for the SAAS.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for effectuating bilateral buyer-driven commerce. The present invention allows prospective buyers of goods and services to communicate a binding purchase offer globally to potential sellers, for sellers conveniently to search for relevant buyer purchase offers, and for sellers potentially to bind a buyer to a contract based on the buyer's purchase offer. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus of the present invention includes a controller which receives binding purchase offers from prospective buyers. The controller makes purchase offers available globally to potential sellers. Potential sellers then have the option to accept a purchase offer and thus bind the corresponding buyer to a contract. The method and apparatus of the present invention have applications on the Internet as well as conventional communications systems such as voice telephony.

Abstract: Presence information within a meeting room is detected and published to users for managing room availability and real time status. Various means such as motion detectors, card readers, log-in mechanisms associated with in-room computers, and the like, are used to detect presence information. Different status indicators are assigned to each room and published through a communication application or hosted service providing useful and real time information to users.

Abstract: This invention concerns forfeiting transactions. In particular it concerns methods of operating a computerized forfeiting exchange to develop forfeiting transactions. In another aspect it concerns a computerized forfeiting exchange. The exchange allows the parties to screen counter party types and asset types, to make the transactions more efficient. It also able to provide assistance in ensuring appropriate documentation is used and is properly completed.

Abstract: This invention is a collaborative funding system which allows many people to work together to fund a project or to purchase a product or service. A computer system offers services to users, typically over the internet. Users may enter a new product into the system, contribute to a fund for buying a particular product or quote a product to sell it to other buyers. Once a product is quoted, the system chooses the best quote and offers the product for sale to the users. Buyers' funds are held in trust until the product is furnished. The system also provides a mechanism for the seller to build the product in stages and be paid for each stage. The system allows a negotiation between buyers and seller to determine whether the product or stage is complete.

Abstract: The ‘rollback room’ is a demarked area of 3D space in the virtual world—it may be branded by its (trusted) provider. Participants who enter the space take a ‘state checkpoint’ of their virtual world state on entering the area and then become participants in a transaction that is taking place in the rollback room. They can buy, sell, or transfer goods with other parties in the room. They may trust these parties to various degrees but can interact with or try out the new ‘goods’ they have received in the rollback room within the confines of the rollback room as normal.

Abstract: A browser based automated loan system includes a loan engine offered individually to financial institutions to set up, operate and manage loan product offerings, a consumer website interface having a loan application form with data fields relevant to the loan product offerings, a designer component that establishes tasks in the form of a loan process checklist associated with each loan product offering, and a workflow engine for automatically evaluating the loan application form using the applicable loan process checklist in conjunction with rules, logical mathematical computational components, and risk based offer configurations for generating an instant loan offer when a borrower qualifies. Each task has attributes available for establishing entry conditions to provide workflow automation, and each task is performed when the entry conditions associated therewith are satisfied.

Abstract: A business object model, which reflects data that is used during a given business transaction, is utilized to generate interfaces. This business object model facilitates commercial transactions by providing consistent interfaces that are suitable for use across industries, across businesses, and across different departments within a business during a business transaction. In some operations, software creates, updates, or otherwise processes information related to a cost model, a current account contract, and/or a collateral constellation business object.

Abstract: A method for reservation of sponsored search listing positions, including extending an offer to advertisers to purchase a fixed sponsored search listing position on a search results web page affiliated with a keyword, wherein a location of the fixed position is guaranteed to the advertisers for a fixed fee over a fixed duration during which the position will belong to a purchasing advertiser; reserving the fixed position related to the keyword for the fixed duration for an advertiser; receiving an advertisement from the advertiser to be positioned in the fixed position; storing the advertisement in a database; and serving the advertisement to the fixed position of the search results web page in response to a search query for the keyword each time the search query is executed for the keyword over a time period of the fixed duration.

Abstract: A ridesharing system and method involving selected negotiated participation of riders and ride providers. The ridesharing system in a specific implementation involves a computer-implemented capability for computational matching of potential participants in a ridesharing arrangement, wherein such system is adapted for prioritized ranking of target ridesharing attributes by such potential participants, involving allocation by potential participants of quantitative weight within a quantitative total budget of allocatable value to predetermined selection criteria, with such system having an input capability for inputting the allocations of potential participants, and the system being constructed and arranged for effecting the computational matching based on the allocations, with communication capability for outputting results of the computational matching to the potential participants.

Abstract: A system and method for reducing the distance of the understanding and expectation between a buyer and seller for a price of a particular product that is offered for sale. The system and method permit buyer to use their volume purchase power to lower the price of demanded product, and pay only the fair market value of the product in that the price is much lower than the price expectation or requirement of the buyer. Conversely, the system and method permit sellers to reach a targeted market in which a group of buyers are available for desired product. The seller is provided with the benefits associated with low cost competition by reducing the distribution cost and increasing the operation efficiency, such as increased inventory turnover rate, based on the advantages associated with volume sales.

Abstract: Computer systems and methods for providing a mortgage exchange with attributes of the NYSE, NASDAQ, CBOT, CME, NYMEX and other derivatives exchanges are disclosed. In one aspect, the resulting marketplace supports standardization, centralizes liquidity and provides price visibility of such assets. Further, the resulting marketplace provides the following benefits: being a lower-cost alternative to proprietary conduits; electronically linking separate pools of liquidity; enhancing transparency for buyers and investors; allowing the market to better price individual mortgage assets; and supporting technology advancements to better and more efficiently manage risks of investing in individual mortgages.