Abstract: In an example, a digital image comprising a representation of multiple physical objects is received at a client computer. The digital image is copied into a temporary canvas. The digital image is then analyzed to identify a plurality of potential object areas, each of the potential object areas having pixels with colors similar to the other pixels within the potential object area. A minimum bounding region for each of the identified potential object areas is identified, the minimum bounding region being a smallest region of a particular shape that bounds the corresponding potential object area. The pixels within a selected minimum bounding region are cropped from the digital image. The pixels within the selected minimum bounding region are then sent to an object recognition service on a server to identify an object represented by the pixels within the selected minimum bounding region.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to a network-based crowd assisted query system that includes a client device in communication with an application server executing the crowd assisted query system over a network. For example, the crowd assisted query system may be or include a group of one or more server machines. Users of the crowd assisted query system are presented with a graphical user interface (GUI) configured to receive queries that include data objects, wherein the data objects include representations of unidentified items of interest to the user. The data objects may include media content, such as graphical images as well as audio data, and in some example embodiments may further include text data describing the unidentified items.

Abstract: In various example embodiments, a system and method for an electronic commerce file system are provided. In example embodiments, a selection of an item contained in a folder of an electronic commerce file system is received. The item is offered for sale by an electronic commerce provider, and the electronic commerce file system resides locally on a client device. Based on a type of the folder, a set of actions are provided for selection, with the set of actions to be performed with respect to the item. A selection of an action to be performed with respect to the item is received. The action is performed with respect to the item, with the action being performed between the electronic commerce file system and the electronic commerce provider via a network.

Abstract: In accordance with some aspects of the present disclosure, search input is received from a first user device of a first user (e.g., a first mobile communication device). A location of a second user is determined (e.g., a location of a second mobile communication device). A search is performed using the search input and the location of the second user, and one or more search results are provided to the first user device based on the search. A purchase confirmation for an item included in the one or more search results is received, and pickup information is communicated to a second user device of the second user, enabling the second user to pick up the item from a merchant location.

Abstract: Various embodiments improve existing technologies by generating one or more user interface elements based at least in part on consumer demand of an item in various geographical regions. Such consumer demand can be computed in response to receiving an indication that a user needs to place an item in an inventory center. Some embodiments can use one or more machine learning models or other statistical models to predict consumer demand to select the particular inventory center. Some embodiments can additionally or alternatively rank each inventory center or recommend an inventory center based on the consumer demand and/or other factors, such as cost. All of this functionality not only improves upon the functionality of existing technologies, but improves the user experience and computing resource consumption relative to other technologies.

Abstract: Digital content view control is described as leveraging a hierarchical structure of objects defined within the digital content to control how those objects are rendered in a user interface. In one example, a user input is received to display a view of objects within digital content displayed in a user interface. In response, a data query module is configured to fetch data describing a hierarchical structure of the digital content. From this, a z-order determination module determines a z-order of objects included with the digital content. An object view generation module is also configured to generate object views depicting the objects included in the digital content. The object views, once rendered, support an ability to view positioning of objects within the hierarchy.

Abstract: A method and a system to suggest a content item to be included in a message based on a determined context are provided. A context of a message that user is composing via a composition interface is determined based on one or more properties of the message. One or more inputs to the user composition interface are identified, the one or more inputs indicating at least a portion of intended content of the message. One or more suggested content items are provided for inclusion in the message based on the context of the message and the one or more inputs. A suggested content item of the suggested content items are added in the message based at least in part on the one or more properties of the message.

Abstract: Methods and systems to automatically respond to a request for product information are described. In one embodiment, a data collection module may collect product data over a network, identify that the product data is related to a particular product, and store the product data and an association between the product data and the particular product in a database. An instant messaging engine may receive a request for the product data after the product data is stored in the database and an interpreter module may identify, in response to the request, the request to correspond to the particular product and retrieve the product data based on the association between the particular product and the product data. The instant messaging engine may also transmit, using an instant messaging protocol, a response to the request, the response including the product data.

Abstract: An augmented reality or virtual reality (AR/VR) device pairs with a companion device to augment input interfaces associated with an AR/VR application at the AR/VR device. In implementations, an AR/VR device determines a portion of a markup file that corresponds to an AR/VR scene of a plurality of AR/VR scenes in an AR/VR environment, and communicates the portion of the markup file to the companion device to cause the companion device to configure a companion user interface associated with initiating an action as part of the AR/VR scene. In response to receiving user input via the companion user interface, the companion device communicates the action to the AR/VR device to initiate the action. The AR/VR device receives input data from the companion device, and initiates the action for the AR/VR scene.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for facilitating a comparison of content in a user interface are described. Two or more open browser interfaces of a browser are identified, each of the two or more open browser interfaces containing an item description of one or more items. The browser interfaces include at least one of a tab of the browser or a window of the browser. One or more features related to each of the one or more items from at least two of the item descriptions are extracted or identified. The comparison for a plurality of items is generated based on the extracted or identified one or more features. The comparison of the plurality of items is displayed within at least one of the browser interfaces.

Abstract: Methods and systems for generating new product images are disclosed. In one aspect, a method includes identifying, via hardware processing circuitry, a template for a category of products, the template defining locations of attributes of products belonging to the category, identifying, via the hardware processing circuitry, common attributes of products of the category based on the template, averaging, via the hardware processing circuitry, corresponding pixel values across images representing the products having the common attributes, generating, via the hardware processing circuitry, a new product image representing a new product based on the averaged pixel values; and generating, via the hardware processing circuitry, a modified new product image by varying attributes of the new product based on the locations of the attributes defined by the template.

Abstract: Disclosed is a tamper proof tag and accompanying method for verifying that a watch is authentic and has not been tampered with. The tamper proof tag, when affixed to the watch, ensures that the watch is authentic and prevents a user from tampering with the watch. The tamper proof tag also allows the watch to be worn while the tamper proof tag is affixed to watch and is minimally obstructive to the aesthetics of the watch. This provides a purchasing user with confidence that the watch is authentic, while also allowing the user to try on the watch without having to remove the tamper proof tag. The tamper proof tag also protects the seller from a user that may attempt to tamper with the watch after purchase. For example, the seller may condition returns for a sold watch on the tamper proof tag remaining affixed to the watch.

Abstract: In various example embodiments, a system and method for a proactive customer support system are provided. In some example embodiments, outgoing communications from an application server to a client device are monitored for error messages, outgoing error messages are detected, an error type for an error message is determined, an issue ticket including the error message and the error type is generated, and instructions are transmitted that cause a customer service device to display the issue ticket. In some example embodiments, the system additionally assigns a priority score and ranks open error tickets based on their respective error messages. In some example embodiments, the system provides a help message to the client device based on the error message, receives an information request from the client device, determines a reply message based on the information request, and transmits instructions to the client device to display the reply message.

Abstract: An augmented reality or virtual reality (AR/VR) device pairs with a companion device to augment input interfaces associated with an AR/VR application at the AR/VR device. In implementations, an AR/VR device determines a portion of a markup file that corresponds to an AR/VR scene of a plurality of AR/VR scenes in an AR/VR environment, and communicates the portion of the markup file to the companion device to cause the companion device to configure a companion user interface associated with initiating an action as part of the AR/VR scene. In response to receiving user input via the companion user interface, the companion device communicates the action to the AR/VR device to initiate the action. The AR/VR device receives input data from the companion device, and initiates the action for the AR/VR scene.

Abstract: An example embodiment includes a system server configured for social network-based inventory management. The system server includes processors and non-transitory computer-readable storage media communicatively coupled to the processors. The media store instructions that, in response to execution by the processors, cause the processors to perform operations. The operations include receiving category specifications and access category definitions for access categories. The access category definitions include relationship criteria for the access categories. The operations include identifying a relationship between a second user and a first user, comparing an identified relationship with the relationship criteria, and determining which of the access categories the second user is included based on the comparison.

Abstract: In various example embodiments, a system and method for providing dynamic bidding notifications and price guidance for buyers are presented. The system receives a selection of a present item listing and accesses historical auction data for a set of historical item listings. The system generates a dynamic bidding model for bidding on the present item and generates one or more bidding notifications based on the dynamic bidding model. The system then causes presentation of the one or more bidding notifications on a client device.

Abstract: Techniques for creating a user network based on user interest in a product are described. For example, a first search query is received from a first client device. The first client device is associated with a first user. A second search query is received from a second client device. The second client device is associated with a second user. The first search query is matched to a product. The second search query is matched to the product. A user network corresponding to the product is created. The first user is added to the user network based on the matching of the first search query to the product. The second user is added to the user network based on the matching of the second search query to the product.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing a multi-listing combined offer are provided. A networked system receives an indication to add a combination of items from multiple sellers into a virtual cart. In response, the networked system causes presentation of a user interface showing a combination of items from multiple sellers. The networked system receives, from the buyer, a buyer offer price for the combination of items. In response, the networked system accesses, from a data storage, item information for each item of the combination of items, whereby the item information includes a seller identifier, an original item price, and shipping cost for each item. The networked system then generates, based on the accessed item information and the buyer offer price, a split offer price for each seller, whereby the split offer price is a split of the buyer offer price. The split offer price is then presented to each corresponding seller.

Abstract: A method for automatic metadata tag identification for videos is described. Content features are extracted from a video into respective data structures. The extracted content features are from at least two different feature modalities. The respective data structures are encoded into a common data structure using an encoder of a recurrent neural network (RNN) model. The common data structure is decoded using a decoder of the RNN model to identify content platform metadata tags to be associated with the video on a social content platform. Decoding is based on group tag data for users of the social content platform that identifies groups of the users and corresponding group metadata tags of interest for the groups of users.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments for facilitating automatic-guided image capturing and presentation. In some embodiments, the method includes capturing an image of an item, removing a background of the image frame, performing manual mask editing, generating an item listing based on the manually edited mask, inferring item information from the image frame and applying the inferred item information to an item listing.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to providing supplemental content to one or more client devices requesting multimedia content. The supplemental content may be determined or selected based on the availability of one or more device channels, such as a display, speakers, or other component of the one or more client devices capable of providing an output. The supplemental content may also be selected based on one or more characteristics of the requested multimedia content, such as a genre, subject matter, or duration. Furthermore, the supplemental content may be determined or selected based on the portions of the requested multimedia content that are the most prominent or significant, such as any audio content, any video content, and/or any textual content. The supplemental content may be provided to the one or more client devices such that it is displayed before, during, or after the display of the requested multimedia content.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed to receive a message from a user device. The message may include metadata that includes data related to one or more specifications of the user device. The method may also determine a sales price for the user device based on the one or more specifications of the user device and create a listing for the user device that includes at least the sales price and at least one of the one or more specifications of the user device.

Abstract: A method of generating a user-interface to be displayed at a remote location may include receiving a search request for an item listing and retrieving a first listing and a second listing based on the search request, determining a similarity score between the first and second listings that is based on multiple properties common to the first and second listings, and generating instructions to be transmitted to a remote location to generate a user interface to be displayed at the remote location, the user interface including the first listing, the instructions excluding the second listing from a list of results displayed on the user interface based on the similarity score exceeding a threshold and the first listing including superior values in at least one of the plurality of properties common to the first and second listings. The method may also include transmitting the instructions to the remote location for display.

Abstract: In various example embodiments, a system and method for handling a replaced smart device are presented. A computer-implemented replaced device handler detects that a user's smart device was replaced with a new device of the same class and, in response, presents the user with an invitation to sell their old device that has been replaced. A replaced device handler may be provided in connection with an on-line trading platform.

Abstract: Techniques are shown for key management using a traceable key blockchain. A first block corresponding to a cryptographic key is generated on the blockchain, and the first block is securely modified to include metadata describing a key source for the cryptographic key. A second block corresponding to a first key transaction with the cryptographic key is generated on the blockchain, the second block is linked to the first block, and the second block is securely modified to include metadata describing the first key transaction with the cryptographic key.

Abstract: A method and a system implement a thermal context manager (hereinafter “TCM”) that detects a thermal state and a position of a computing device. Based on the detected thermal state(s) and the detected position(s) of the computing device, the TCM initiates an action associated with the computing device. The TCM continually monitors the computing device in order to create a thermal state profile of the computing device. To create the thermal state profile, the TCM stores data representing each detected instance of the thermal state of the computing device and data representing each detected position of the computing device.

Abstract: A system comprising a machine-readable storage medium storing at least one program and a computer-implemented method for collecting body measurements of a human user using a body measurement garment is provided. The body measurement garment comprises a plurality of sensors configured to produce a set of output data. The method may include receiving the set of output data from the body measurement garment and determining a plurality of body measurements from the output data. The method may further include generating a body shape model representing the shape of the body of the user. The method may also include generating a garment fit model representing the fit of a garment on the human user.

Abstract: Virtual environment arrangement and configuration techniques are described. In one example, virtualization techniques are employed to generate a virtual environment as implemented via a virtual reality platform by one or more computing devices. The virtual environment includes virtual stores arranged along virtual streets. Virtual digital content is included in the stores, such as to initiate conversion of a good or service represented by the content. Configuration of the virtual environment is based on user, provider, and/or machine learning inputs.

Abstract: A machine is configured to automatically order consumable items for an account. For example, the machine accesses image input associated with a consumable item. The image input is recorded by a camera associated with a client device. The machine identifies an account based on an identifier of the client device. The machine determines a level of consumption of the consumable item for the account based on the image input. The machine, based on the level of consumption, automatically places an order for the consumable item, for the account. The machine, in response to the automatic placing of the order, causes display of a notification describing the automatically placed order in a user interface of the client device. A selection of the notification describing the automatically placed order for the consumable item causes display of an automatically generated request to specify a schedule of future automatic orders for the consumable item.

Abstract: Methods and systems for displaying, to a user interface, categories of items for the user to select from for querying the system, in order to enable the system to return to the user images of items of the type desired by the user for possible purchase. The items categories of items can be presented to the user interface visually in silhouette form so that the user can select brand and the silhouette image of the type of item desired. Upon selection of the silhouette image, a query is sent to the system and images of the desired type of item are returned to the user interface for presentation to the user, along with certain attributes of the items.

Abstract: In various exemplary embodiments, a system and an associated method for presenting a commerce application to an electronic device of an end-user. The method includes establishing electronic communications from the end-user to a first server (e.g., an electronic marketplace) in response to the end-user accessing a widget presented by the first server, and establishing electronic communications between the first server and a second server. The second server may be another electronic marketplace. The first server sends a chrome to the end-user. Substantially concurrent with the first server sending a chrome, the second server transmits electronically an Iframe to be placed within the chrome on a browser on an electronic device of the end-user. The blending of the chrome and the Iframe is transparent to the end user; thus, the end-user may be unaware that additional information (e.g., in terms of the Iframe and any accompanying metadata) is being received from the second server.

Abstract: In various example embodiments, a system and method for managing products at a physical marketplace is described. A method includes receiving an image and a category of a product for sale by a merchant at a physical marketplace, including the image in a list of images for the category, providing the list of images to customers of the physical marketplace, retrieving additional information regarding the product in response to a request by one of the customers, and generating a listing for the product using the image, the category, and the additional information received from the merchant.

Abstract: Understanding emojis in the context of online experiences is described. In at least some embodiments, text input is received and a vector representation of the text input is computed. Based on the vector representation, one or more emojis that correspond to the vector representation of the text input are ascertained and a response is formulated that includes at least one of the one or more emojis. In other embodiments, input from a client machine is received. The input includes at least one emoji. A computed vector representation of the emoji is used to look for vector representations of words or phrases that are close to the computed vector representation of the emoji. At least one of the words or phrases is selected and at least one task is performed using the selected word(s) or phrase(s).

Abstract: An experimentation platform controls testing of features by an application server. Based on a user identifier, the experimentation platform determines which feature should be provided, and the application server provides the corresponding version of a user interface. If the user behavior data shows that using a tested feature results in an improvement, the tested feature will be adopted. To determine whether or not an improvement is observed, a statistically significant amount of data is gathered. The experimentation platform gathers data regarding user behavior for the feature versions and, in response, adjusts the frequency at which each version is served. Providing the proposed version to an increased percentage of users decreases the total number of page serves required to gather statistically significant data. The experimentation platform may provide an updated projected time to completion of testing based on the changed percentage of users receiving the proposed version.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating tokenized reputation scores are described. In one example, a service provider system receives data describing user activity associated with a service provider account and determines that the user activity is eligible for a reputation reward of reputation tokens. The service provider system initiates a calculation of the reputation reward based on the data describing the user activity. Further, the service provider system verifies a transfer of reputation tokens to a blockchain account address associated with the service provider account, where the reputation tokens are based on the reputation reward calculated. The service provider system generates a reputation score based on an amount of reputation tokens associated with the blockchain account address and generates an indication of the reputation score. The indication of the reputation score is displayed in relation to a representation of the service provider account.

Abstract: A global transaction system receives a transaction request for a plurality of database services of microservices. The global transaction system receives a plurality of local commit decisions of local commit requests from local transaction managers of the database services of the microservices. The local commit request corresponds to the transaction request for each database. The global transaction system generates a physical commit request to each of the local transaction managers based on the local commit decisions and a global commit decision. Each local transaction manager submits the physical commit request to each database server of the database services corresponding to the transaction request.

Abstract: A system for assisting a user in listing items for sale in an electronic marketplace via an electronic marketplace application is disclosed. A product identification technique for assisting the user in listing of the item for sale in the electronic marketplace is determined based on initial user input provided by the user. A prompt to provide additional user input is then displayed to the user in the user interface of the electronic marketplace application, where the additional user data corresponds to the determined product identification technique for assisting the user. A listing for the item is generated based on the additional input provided by the user, and the listing is displayed to the user in the user interface of the electronic marketplace application.

Abstract: Disclosed are a system comprising a computer-readable storage medium storing at least one program, and a computer-implemented method for event messaging over a network. An identification module receives first data identifying consumer devices available to receive event messages linked to a topic. The identification module receives second data identifying a producer device available to provide event messages linked to the topic. A provisioning module links a plurality of values to respective consumer devices that are linked to the topic. A scheduler module accesses a first data message linked to the topic. The first data message includes a key value. The scheduler module provides the first data message to a selected one of the consumer devices based on a comparison of the key value and the plurality of values of the respective consumer devices.

Abstract: Technologies are shown for network attribution tracking for a multi-legged transaction. In accordance with some aspects, a first token is provided to a first partner service. A token request is received from a second partner service, wherein the token request includes the first token. A second token is associated with the first token, and the second token is provided to the second partner service. A transaction is attributed to the first partner service and the second partner service based on the association of the second token with the first token.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer programs are presented for adding new features to a network service. A method includes receiving an image depicting an object of interest. A category set is determined for the object of interest and an image signature is generated for the image. Using the category set and the image signature, the method identifies a set of publications within a publication database and assigns a rank to each publication. The method causes presentation of the ranked list of publications at a computing device from which the image was received.

Abstract: In various example embodiments, a machine is configured to redirect completion of a transaction to a trusted device. For example, the machine determines that a page involving the transaction is being displayed in a user interface of a first device. The page may be associated with the product or service. The machine identifies an interruption of the displaying of the page in the user interface of the first device. The machine identifies a second device that is trusted by the user. The machine transmits a communication including a notification to the second device. The notification indicates the transaction.

Abstract: A plurality of images are received from one or more social media platforms associated with a user. For a selected image of the plurality of images, a plurality of text descriptions are generated. The plurality of text descriptions are computer-generated captions that describe features of the selected image of the plurality of images. The plurality of text descriptions are processed through a natural language processing model. Based on processing, a plurality of interest contexts are derived from the plurality of text descriptions. A mapping of each of the plurality of interest contexts to one or more predefined categories associated with an online marketplace is generated. Based the mapping of each of the plurality of interest contexts to the one or more predefined categories, a user device associated with the user is caused to display an app page or web page associated with the one or more predefined categories.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer programs are presented for facilitating user engagement with a bot. One example method includes receiving user input indicative of a user activity. Responsive to the user input, a first server accesses a sequence specification for implementing the user activity. The sequence specification comprises a sequence of interactions with a plurality of service servers. The first server executes the sequence specification by invoking the plurality of service servers to provide services to implement the user activity in accordance with the sequence of interactions specified by the sequence specification.

Abstract: An electronic garage shelf is described. The system includes an electronic garage shelf which may be a metaphor for a shelf in a garage that is used to store parts for a vehicle. Merely for example, the electronic garage shelf may store a token part that signifies a part or smart component such as an oil filter, carburetor, spark plug, on a garage shelf in the user's garage. Further, the metaphor for a shelf in the garage may be expanded to include a virtual part that represents a part or smart component the user wants to acquire. Accordingly, the system may include garage shelf information comprised of virtual part information and token part information where the virtual part information may store virtual parts signifying parts that are desirable for acquisition and the token part information may store token parts signifying parts that are in the possession of the user.

Abstract: In various example embodiments, a system and method for data mesh-based environmental augmentation are presented. Attribute data associated with a user may be received from a plurality of attribute sources. A portion of the attribute data may include real-time data. A portion of the real-time data indicative of an identity of the user may be identified. The identity of the user may be authenticated with respect to the real-time data by analyzing the identified portion of the real-time data. Based on the authentication of the identity of the user, a user activity being performed by the user may be identified based on the real-time data, and the user activity may be augmented according to a user setting.

Abstract: Technologies are shown for system level function based access control for smart contract execution on a blockchain. Access control rules control function calls at a system level by utilizing function boundary detection instrumentation in a kernel that executes smart contracts. The detection instrumentation generates a call stack that represents a chain of function calls in the kernel for execution of a smart contract. The access control rules are applied to the function call stack to allow or prohibit specific functions or function call chains. Access control rules can also define allowed or prohibited parameter data in the function call chain. If the function call chain or parameters do not meet the requirements defined in the access control rules, then the function call can be blocked from executing or completing execution. The access control rules can produce sophisticated access control policies based on complex function call chains.

Abstract: In various example embodiments, a system and method for dynamically generating virtual marketplace platforms are presented. The system receives a set of facility data, a set of selections for a set of user interaction objects, and a set of object placement selections. The set of user interaction objects includes a first subset and a second subset. The system generates a virtual facility comprising the facility data and the set of user interaction objects distributed based on the object placement selections. The system receives user data for a user interacting with the virtual facility and one or more objects of the first and second subset of user interaction objects, dynamically arranges the second subset of user interaction objects into a second arrangement, and causes presentation of the virtual facility and the set of user interaction objects to the user.

Abstract: In various exemplary embodiments, a system and associated method to perform an adaptive risk-based assessment of a user is disclosed. A method includes receiving a request from a user to perform an action at an electronic marketplace, retrieving a plurality of risk assessment factors associated with the action and the user, performing a risk assessment process on the risk assessment factors to identify a risk mitigation process, requesting that the user perform the identified risk mitigation process, and allowing the user to perform the action in response to the user completing the risk mitigation.

Abstract: Vehicles and other items often have corresponding documentation, such as registration cards, that includes a significant amount of informative textual information that can be used in identifying the item. Traditional OCR may be unsuccessful when dealing with non-cooperative images. Accordingly, features such as dewarping, text alignment, and line identification and removal may aid in OCR of non-cooperative images. Dewarping involves determining curvature of a document depicted in an image and processing the image to dewarp the image of the document to make it more accurately conform to the ideal of a cooperative image. Text alignment involves determining an actual alignment of depicted text, even when the depicted text is not aligned with depicted visual cues. Line identification and removal involves identifying portions of the image that depict lines and removing those lines prior to OCR processing of the image.

Abstract: A system to receive data indicative of physical location from a first computing device and to associate an event with the physical location, the event occurring at the physical location and including the physical presence of two or more entities. The system further to receive registration information from one or more entities that are associated with the event and to generate, using the registration information, a data object to enable a first entity of the one or more entities and a second entity of the one or more entities to exchange one or more items while the first entity and the second entity are both physically present at the event. The system additionally to publish the data object to a second computing device based on a participation criteria, the second device being operated by at least one of the first entity and the second entity.