Entries |
Document | Title | Date |
20080201234 | LIVE ENTITIES INTERNET STORE SERVICE - The claimed subject matter provides for an online, Internet-class service that can correlate between an application interface utilizing a highly expressive, EDM conceptual format and a data store structured in an efficient, highly scalable storage format. Such a service can include components that map between an EDM schema and a data structure format. Additionally, a query reply can include data presented with a payload format distinct from an EDM query format. | 08-21-2008 |
20080201235 | Advertising revenue sharing - A method for compensating all parties involved in producing the income stream for a content distributor is presented where the content-hosting site, the content writer and the user doing the interaction with paid contents receive a fair share of the generated income stream. | 08-21-2008 |
20080201236 | PRINTING VIA E-COMMERCE METHOD AND SYSTEM - A method and system used to obtain and process orders for full color printing. A job configuration and price calculator is supplied to a customer. The calculator calculates automatically a price quote as the customer selects configuration options of a print job. The price quote is then displayed automatically. The customer may select configuration options repeatedly until the job configuration is final. A digital graphic layout or image file is then obtained from the customer. The digital graphic layout or image file is then prepared and a proof thereof is created. When the proof is satisfactory, the print job is printed and delivered to the customer. | 08-21-2008 |
20080201237 | Adaptive Direct Transaction For Network Client Group - Internet-based software and associated database provide group analysis overlay to monitor client-server web traffic and provide direct marketing to client group. Client car, patient, office or school sensor and interface provides overlay attribute for database comparison to classify usage pattern, location, timing, or family for targeted messaging for enhanced service from server source. Database group registry tracks client classification and provides adaptive context mapping according to set attribute relative to targeted on-line transaction. | 08-21-2008 |
20080201238 | Premium SMS billing method - A method of billing for products and services wherein a user makes a voice call to a telephone number from a mobile telephone, interacts with a human or computer operator to learn about audio-text products and services offered by a vendor, and then agrees verbally or by pressing one or more DTMF keys on the user's mobile telephone's keypad to have the charge for the purchase placed on the user's mobile telephone bill. The service is then provided while the call still is connected, and after the call is terminated, an MT-PSMS message is sent to the user to place the charge on the user's mobile telephone bill. | 08-21-2008 |
20080201239 | Electronic retail order communication - Multiple users are provided the ability to add or modify items in an open order created by an originating user on an electronic retail system. The originating user has the ability to verify and authorize a final purchase order that is submitted to the retail system. The originating user forwards an open order to other users, who are then allowed to add to the order, such as by adding items to a shopping cart. In a tandem browsing mode, other users are invited to observe the interaction of the originating user with an electronic retail system an modify an order for approval by the originating user. | 08-21-2008 |
20080208700 | METHOD FOR FACILITATING THE SALE, TRANSFER AND/OR ASSIGNMENT OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY - A new and improved method for facilitating the sale, transfer, and/or assignment of intellectual property is herein disclosed. | 08-28-2008 |
20080208701 | System and Method for Processing Vehicle Transactions - A method and system for processing a transaction request prior to a vehicle arriving at a service station is provided. Upon entering a wireless service area of a back office system associated with a service station, a driver and/or truck may request certain transactions. The back office system may communicate with a carrier information system associated with the driver and/or truck to validate and authorize the transaction. If the transaction is authorized, the back office system may send authorization to the service station. Once the driver and/or truck arrives at the point of sale, they may proceed directly to performing the requested transaction. A receipt may be automatically generated at the point of sale and transmitted to the carrier information system through the back office. | 08-28-2008 |
20080208702 | System and Method for Configuring a Configurable Product - Product configuration selections automatically cross-over between plural product types based upon end user component selections. If end user component selections initiate a cross-over trigger, the end user is presented with an option to cross over from an initially-selected product type to a product type associated with the cross-over trigger. Upon selection of the cross-over product type, the product configuration is automatically reconfigured to update components selected by the end user for the initially-selected product type to components associated with the cross-over product type. | 08-28-2008 |
20080208703 | ONLINE COLLEGE BOOKSTORE - A system and method for distributing college textbooks on a college campus comprising the steps of locating unique indicia that is correlated with a unique college course. The unique college course is associated with at least one textbook having an ISB Number. Providing the located unique indicia to a first data location and extracting from the first data location the ISB Number associated with the unique indicia and utilizing the ISB Number to identify a college textbook, whereby the method and system allows a user to identify required college textbooks using only the unique indicia that is correlated with a unique college course. | 08-28-2008 |
20080208704 | Methods to conduct sales of products or services over a communication network - Methods are provided for conducting sales of a product or service over a communication network. A gateway system is provided that has a database with one or more catalogs of content for products or services. Buyers select products or services through the gateway system. The gateway system hosts the purchase of products or services by the buyer in a manner such that the purchase appears as a purchase through a merchant interface and not through the gateway system. | 08-28-2008 |
20080208705 | PERSONALIZED SHOPPING ASSISTANT - Methods and systems of providing purchasing suggestions to a shopper are disclosed. Data are maintained representing one or more profiles of individuals. Each such profile includes a plurality of fields descriptive of qualities of one of the individuals. A request is received over a public network from the shopper to provide a purchasing suggestion for a recipient. A level of correlation is evaluated between aspects of each of a plurality of products with the qualities of the recipient according to the profile of the recipient. A list of products having the level of correlation exceed a defined threshold value is generated. The list is provided to the shopper. | 08-28-2008 |
20080208706 | Optical disc apparatus - When device information is transmitted from a DVD recorder to a server, the server transmits selectable function information that is selectable in the DVD recorder side to the DVD recorder. If a reproducing function for MP3, for example, is selected from the selectable function information, the DVD recorder transmits information of reproducing function for MP3 to the server. The server transmits amount billed for the reproducing function for MP3 and the like to the DVD recorder. A user makes the DVD recorder transmit a password when the user approves the amount billed. If the server judges that the password is correct, the server transmits a firmware related to the reproducing function for MP3 to the DVD recorder, then the DVD recorder rewrites an existing firmware that is stored in a flash memory to a firmware on which the firmware related to reproducing function for MP3 is added. | 08-28-2008 |
20080208707 | Expense tracking, electronic ordering, invoice presentment, and payment system and method - Systems and methods for tracking and billing expenses throughout a transaction, such as the sale or management of a real estate property. In one embodiment, a budget is created that details expected incomes on the property and costs associated with the sale or management of the property. The budget may be developed in accordance with specifications, such as line item maxima or total budget maxima, developed by the owner of the property. After a vendor has delivered goods or services described in the budget, the vendor creates an electronic invoice. Payment is delivered to the vendor through an Automated Clearing House system. | 08-28-2008 |
20080208708 | PAYMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD, SERVER APPARATUS, PAYMENT PROCESSING METHOD, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT - A payment system having a server apparatus ( | 08-28-2008 |
20080215450 | REMOTE PROVISIONING OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY - Remote provisioning of an IT network and/or associated services is provided. Hardware, software, service and/or expertise can be moved from on-premise to a remote location (e.g., central, distributed . . . ). Accordingly, at least a large degree computation can be moved to the center to exploit economies of scale, among other things. In such an architecture, computational resources (e.g., data storage, computation power, cache . . . ) can be pooled, and entities can subscribe to a particular level of resources related to a private entity IT network. | 09-04-2008 |
20080215451 | StreamSale distribution model - As the Internet becomes more and more a part of our everyday lives, we see new Business Models evolve from existing Industry Business Practices. The StreamSale Distribution Model has the ability to generate Hundreds of Millions of Dollars (US) with one 60-minute broadcast. By selling an experience via the Internet, with an added feature, a unique business model emerges. Once implemented and marketed, competition will ultimately copy and implement this model. This is the very need for Patent Protection. This creates a paradigm shift in the way an Industry sells their primary products. These products, rather than remaining only tangible, are given experiential value. In fact, the customer will receive the tangible products, but for free. People have always been willing to pay for live entertainment, and continually exhibit the enjoyment of and are drawn to the evolving Internet streaming experience. This is how this inventive business model was created. | 09-04-2008 |
20080215452 | Digital online exchange for sending prices to customers - A method of dynamically pricing a plurality of items comprises providing an identifier stored in memory accessible by a processor for each item of the plurality of items, pricing each item of the plurality of items utilizing a processor configured to dynamically price items based on sales criteria for the item, associating the dynamic price for each item with the identifier for each item, sending the dynamic price and the identifier to a customer. | 09-04-2008 |
20080215453 | Server apparatus, information processing apparatus, and information processing method - A server apparatus includes: a trend leader detecting portion that acquires purchaser identifying information for identifying a purchaser who purchased the product at an early stage satisfying a predetermined time condition, from at least two pieces of purchase history information; a recommended product acquiring portion that acquires at least one piece of product identifying information for identifying a product purchased by at least one purchaser identified with at least one piece of purchaser identifying information that has been acquired by the trend leader detecting portion; and a recommended product transmitting portion that transmits the at least one piece of product identifying information that has been acquired by the recommended product acquiring portion, to an information output apparatus. With this server apparatus, recommendation of a product can be provided based on the behavior in which a trend leader purchases a product. | 09-04-2008 |
20080215454 | Imaging device configuration methods and imaging device management methods - A method includes determining, by a processor within a peripheral device, that an amount of a consumable associated with the peripheral device has decreased below a predetermined threshold and transmitting an email from the peripheral device to order additional supplies of the consumable. | 09-04-2008 |
20080215455 | Comparison Shopping Via Financial Management Software - The invention comprises a financial management program and one or more databases containing information on merchants and their products. The program interacts with the databases containing the product information to return the prices and availability of goods located in a designated area. The program compares prices from various merchants and displays the results to the consumer. The program also allows the consumer to compare the prices with a household budget an financial data, while keeping track of trends in the consumer's spending and buying habits. | 09-04-2008 |
20080222002 | Method of processing online payments with fraud analysis and management system - Systems and methods are disclosed to detect fraud by analyzing customer purchasing behavior for a high value item intentionally placed next to commonly purchased items, payment information for an address verification system (AVS), customer behavioral information, password sharing between two accounts, unique identification for a hardware component of a client computer used to purchase items on line, administrative information associated with a customer account; and Internet Protocol (IP) address. | 09-11-2008 |
20080222003 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DEMAND DRIVEN COLLABORATIVE PROCUREMENT, LOGISTICS, AND AUTHENTICITY ESTABLISHMENT OF LUXURY COMMODITIES USING VIRTUAL INVENTORIES - Systems and methods providing for a virtual inventory system of goods aggregating disparate inventories into a single virtual inventory for the purpose of tracking the goods, trading the goods, and establishing authenticity of the goods. The aggregation of disparate inventories readily provides for quick procurement or sales of the goods, especially as they relate to high end, rare, or expensive items. Accordingly, electronic product codes are assigned to each good to monitor inventory and movement of the good. | 09-11-2008 |
20080222004 | Order Entry Graphical User Interface - This patent discloses various systems and embodiments for implementing, establishing and operating a remote order interface system and method. One exemplary embodiment of a remote order entry system includes a communications network, a first order entry workstation communicatively coupled to the communications network and configured to store a baseline commodity listing. The system further includes a second order entry workstation communicatively coupled to the first order entry workstation via the communication workstation and configured to communicate a remote commodity listing to the first order entry workstation, and a graphical user interface executable on the first order entry workstation and configured to display the baseline commodity listing in a first arrangement and the communicated remote commodity listing as a function of the first arrangement. | 09-11-2008 |
20080222005 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING PROCUREMENT OF SANCTIONED VEHICLE PARTS - Systems and methods for a procurement system are provided. Additionally, computer-implemented methods for controlling procurement of sanctioned vehicle parts are provided. These methods may include associating one or more sanctioned vehicle parts with a specific vehicle in a fleet using a unique vehicle identification number, receiving a request for information associated with one or more sanctioned vehicle parts for the specific vehicle, and providing one or more sanctioned vehicle parts. | 09-11-2008 |
20080222006 | System and Method for Calculating Parameters for a Commerce System - A method and system for processing a parameter for an item in an electronic order processing system is provided. The method has a first step of associating a calculation code with the item. The second step of the method is applying the calculation rule to the item to produce an amount. The third step of the method is providing the amount to an output device. Each operation within each of the first step, the second step and the third step may be modified and flow of execution amongst the first step, the second step and the third step remains the same. | 09-11-2008 |
20080222007 | METHOD FOR RECOMMENDING DISPOSABLE ABSORBENT INCONTINENCE ARTICLES - The present invention is directed to a method for recommending a disposable absorbent incontinence article to be used by an incontinent person. The method comprises the steps of: (a) receiving information, from a user, about incontinence devices which are currently used by the incontinent person; (b) receiving information about the situation which is experienced by the user; and (c) selecting at least one article, based on the information received, among predetermined disposable absorbent incontinence articles. By this method, an appropriate disposable absorbent incontinence article(s) to be used are recommended depending on the user's situation. The present invention is also directed a method for evaluating the quality of life of a caregiver who takes care of an incontinent person. | 09-11-2008 |
20080222008 | Systems, Methods, And A Storage Medium For Obtaining An Offer For A Sale Of A Product Or A Service - Systems and methods for obtaining an offer for a sale of a desired product or a service are provided. The method includes iteratively transmitting a first signal including a first data message using a mobile transceiver device. Each of the first data messages includes information relating to the desired product or service. The method further includes receiving at least one of the first signals having the first data message and determining whether a product or service provider has the desired product or service available for sale. Finally, the method includes transmitting a second signal including a second data message to the mobile transceiver device. The second data message includes an offer to sell the desired product or service. | 09-11-2008 |
20080228587 | Sponsored listing recommendation engine - An online music system includes a music database configured to store musical selections and to store a user profile for respective users of the online music system, an advertiser account management system to store bid amounts from advertisers seeking to provide information to the users of the online music system and a user recommendation system coupled to the music database to present information about musical selections to respective users based on the stored user profile and the stored bid amounts. | 09-18-2008 |
20080228588 | E-Commerce System for the Purchasing Intermediation Type and Operating System for the Shopping-Mall Applied Thereof - The present invention relates to an electronic commerce system of a group-driven purchase broker type and a shopping mail operating system, wherein buyers can jointly purchase merchandise at a price lower than a regular price through a purchase broker group who negotiates prices with sellers, and sellers can make more profits owing to the increase of sales amount since a buyer does not individually purchase merchandise, but a plurality of buyers collectively purchase merchandise through the purchase broker group even though the sellers sell merchandise at a reduced price lower than the regular price. The electronic commerce system of the present invention comprises a shopping mall operating company; a sales client; a group client connected to the shopping mall operating company; a purchase client; and a wired/wireless communication network for connecting the shopping mall operating company, the sales client, the group client and the purchase client with one another. | 09-18-2008 |
20080228589 | Methods For Placing, Accepting, And Filling Orders For Products and Services - Methods and systems for ordering assays which detect SNPs or gene expression are provided. The methods use PCR and RT-PCR procedures. Collections of stock assays are assembled using pre- and post-manufacturing quality control procedures and made available to consumers via the Internet. In addition, custom assays are prepared upon order from the consumer and these assays are also prepared using pre- and post-manufacturing quality control procedures. The assays are then delivered to the consumer. | 09-18-2008 |
20080228590 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING AN ONLINE BOOK SYNOPSIS - A method and computer program product for providing an online book synopsis include providing an electronic book accessible by a user. A synopsis of one or more portions of the electronic book are generated. The synopsis is made accessible to the user. | 09-18-2008 |
20080228591 | Shopping system - When a merchandise identification code and a store identification code are received from mobile terminal, a merchandise server obtains merchandise information including the merchandise identification code from a merchandise information storage unit of a sales store specified by the store identification code. The merchandise server also obtains payment store information from a payment information storage unit of the sales store. The merchandise server generates an unused outstanding identification code and the merchandise server stores the merchandise information while relating the merchandise information to the outstanding identification code. The merchandise server sends back the outstanding identification code to the mobile terminal together with the payment store information. When a payment terminal makes a request for the outstanding identification code and merchandise information, the merchandise server transmits the merchandise information stored while related to the outstanding identification code to the payment terminal. | 09-18-2008 |
20080228592 | SERVICES FOR GENERATION OF ELECTRONIC MARKETPLACE LISTINGS USING PERSONAL PURCHASE HISTORIES OR OTHER INDICIA OF PRODUCT OWNERSHIP - An electronic marketplace system provides various features for assisting users in listing products for sale, locating the listings for a product, and performing related actions. A user wishing to sell a product can browse to an existing description of the product in an electronic catalog and then select an option to create a corresponding listing. If the user previously purchased the product via the system, the user may alternatively select the product from a personal purchase history. The system may also proactively send product-specific listing requests to those who have purchased or otherwise indicated ownership of specific products. | 09-18-2008 |
20080228593 | Automated sales support method & device - A system and method for notifying salespersons of customer communications including a target item is provided. Individual customers are mapped to one or more salespersons. Target items of interest to a salesperson are defined and a salesperson is associated with a customer. For each salesperson, on-line communication channels are monitored for the occurrence of a communications involving a customer associated with the salesperson and including a target item defined by the salesperson. When such an occurrence happens, a notification is directed to the salesperson. Salesperson access to the system and customer access to the on-line communication channels requires authorization. | 09-18-2008 |
20080228594 | Automated sales support method & Device - A system and method for notifying salespersons of customer communications including a target item is provided. Individual customers are mapped to one or more salespersons. Target items of interest to a salesperson are defined and a salesperson is associated with a customer. For each salesperson, on-line communication channels are monitored for the occurrence of a communications involving a customer associated with the salesperson and including a target item defined by the salesperson. When such an occurrence happens, a notification is directed to the salesperson. Salesperson access to the system and customer access to the on-line communication channels requires authorization. | 09-18-2008 |
20080235103 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DYNAMIC VENDOR AND VENDOR OUTLET CLASSIFICATION - Certain embodiments of the present invention provide methods and systems for dynamic classification of electronic vendors. Certain embodiments provide a method for dynamic vendor classification. The method includes analyzing a vendor based on a comparison of vendor features; categorizing the vendor based on the analysis; and permitting access to the vendor according to the categorization of the vendor. The categorization may include trusted, not trusted, or unsure, for example. Analysis may include comparing a first outlet of the vendor with a second outlet of the vendor, for example. Analysis may include comparing an outlet of the vendor with an outlet of a second vendor, for example. A vendor may be defined as a particular outlet for a vendor and/or all outlets associated with a vendor (a vendor entity). | 09-25-2008 |
20080235104 | System and method to promote electronic assets - A system and method of promoting electronic assets is provided. The method may include promoting a plurality of heterogeneous digital assets via a common electronic system. Each of the digital assets may have one of a plurality of asset types. The common electronic system may be accessible via a plurality of different types of access points. The different types of access points may include a wireless access point and an interactive television access point. | 09-25-2008 |
20080235105 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING AN APPLICATION-SPECIFIC USER INTERFACE ON A PERSONAL COMMUNICATION DEVICE FOR CONDUCTING TRANSACTIONS WITH RETAIL DEVICES - Systems and methods for performing a consumer purchase transaction at a retail device are disclosed. According to one system and method, an identifier associated with the retail device is provided to a personal communication device. An application-specific user interface is associated with the retail device based on the identifier. A selection is received for the consumer purchase transaction made by a consumer interacting with the application-specific user interface executing on the personal communication device. The consumer purchase transaction is performed based on the received selection for the consumer purchase transaction made by the consumer interacting with the application-specific user interface. | 09-25-2008 |
20080235106 | Software and Method That Enables Selection of One of A Plurality of Online Service Providers - A novel electronic information transport component can be incorporated in a wide range of electronic information products, for example magazine collections, to automate the mass distribution of updates, such as current issues, from a remote server to a wide user base having a diversity of computer stations. Advantages of economy, immediacy and ease of use are provided. Extensions of the invention permit automated electronic catalog shopping with order placement and, optionally, order confirmation. A server-based update distribution service is also provided. In addition, an offline web browser system, with hyperlink redirection capabilities, a novel recorded music product with automated update capabilities and an Internet charging mechanism are provided. | 09-25-2008 |
20080235107 | Method and apparatus to search the web with dynamic guiding information and guide selections - A method and apparatus for searching a need on the internet or intranet allowing results to be dynamically updated using a backend process; the said results could include guiding information with guide selections allowing a user to make a knowledgeable buy at a reasonable price. | 09-25-2008 |
20080235108 | Electronic Secure Authorization for Exchange Application Interface Device (eSafeAID) - The electronic Secure Authentication for Exchange Application Interface Device (eSafeAID) invention provides a means for digital communication devices such as: high definition televisions, set-top boxes, television remote control devices, video remote control devices, Personal Computers, Notebook computers, cellular telephones, RFID Readers, Personal Digital Appliances, etc., to conduct ‘eCommerce—electronic digital shopping experiences and purchase transactions’ within a network environment (preferably an authenticated Secure Telecommunication Network) thereby facilitating customers to purchase, order, reserve products, locate products and services, or participate in auctions, or order, schedule, reserve, or purchase services, and or acquire product or service details, incentive offers, service offers, travel information, etc. while viewing media programming. | 09-25-2008 |
20080235109 | Automated sales support method & device - A system and method for notifying salespersons of customer communications including a target item is provided. Individual customers are mapped to one or more salespersons. Target items of interest to a salesperson are defined and a salesperson is associated with a customer. For each salesperson, on-line communication channels are monitored for the occurrence of a communications involving a customer associated with the salesperson and including a target item defined by the salesperson. When such an occurrence happens, a notification is directed to the salesperson. Salesperson access to the system and customer access to the on-line communication channels requires authorization. | 09-25-2008 |
20080243628 | DIFFERENTIAL PRICING BASED ON SOCIAL NETWORK STANDING - The claimed subject matter provides a system and/or method that effectuates and facilitates the generation and provision of differential pricing policies based at least in part on the relative social network standing that a user might have with a potential purchaser. The disclosed system can include a component that receives data associated with a user, a good, or a service that the user lists for sale or barter in an online market place. The component can determine, based at least in part on the particular good or service, a differential pricing policy that can be associated therewith. The differential pricing policy can then be utilized to selectively provide differentiated prices to a purchaser based on a relative social network standing that can be established between the purchaser and the user. | 10-02-2008 |
20080243629 | APPARATUS, SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR LOGICALLY PACKAGING AND DELIVERING A SERVICE OFFERING - An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for logically packaging and delivering a service offering. A set of service implementation artifacts, a service ordering process, and a service provisioning process are selected and configured to implement a service offering. A requirements specification for the set of service implementation artifacts is defined. Logical associations between parameters are defined such that a change of a parameter for a first component triggers a change for a parameter of a second component. Beneficially, such an apparatus, system, and method accelerates the self-service ordering and deployment of service offerings. | 10-02-2008 |
20080243630 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR AUTOMATED GIFT DELIVERY - A system and method for automated selective gift delivery whereby a gift-giver is provided the opportunity to register as a user of the system and with respect to each desired recipient of one or more gifts for one or more events, typically recurring, to provide information to the system about the recipient and the events such that the system may select, or cause to be automatically selected, a gift suitable for the recipient and event based upon the parameters provided by the gift-giver, and cause the gift to be automatically delivered to the recipient without further action or intervention by the gift-giver. Alternative modes of the invention provide for the gift-giver to be given the option of sending an alternative gift selected by the system, or caused to be selected by the system, as suitable for the recipient and event. Another additional mode permits the gift-giver to decline to have a gift sent to a recipient for a particular event. Another additional mode permits the gift-giver to select from among the available inventory of gifts suitable for the recipient and event. Another mode of the invention permits the user to have a gift automatically and selectively delivered for a one-time, rather than recurring, event. | 10-02-2008 |
20080243631 | SERVICES FOR PROVIDING ITEM ASSOCIATION DATA - A service is disclosed for enabling web sites and other entities to provide item recommendations and other behavior-based content to end users. The service can be implemented as a web service that is remotely accessible over the Internet. Web sites use the web service's interface to report events descriptive of item-related actions performed by end users (e.g., item views, item purchases, searches for items, etc.). The web service analyzes the reported event data on an aggregated basis to detect various types of associations between particular items, and stores resulting datasets that map items to associated items. The web service's interface also provides various API calls for enabling the web sites to request item recommendations and other behavior-based content, including but not limited to personalized recommendations that are based on the event history of the target user. Advantageously, the web sites need not host the infrastructure for providing such content. | 10-02-2008 |
20080243632 | SERVICE FOR PROVIDING ITEM RECOMMENDATIONS - A service is disclosed for enabling web sites and other entities to provide item recommendations and other behavior-based content to end users. The service can be implemented as a web service that is remotely accessible over the Internet. Web sites use the web service's interface to report events descriptive of item-related actions performed by end users (e.g., item views, item purchases, searches for items, etc.). The web service analyzes the reported event data on an aggregated basis to detect various types of associations between particular items, and stores resulting datasets that map items to associated items. The web service's interface also provides various API calls for enabling the web sites to request item recommendations and other behavior-based content, including but not limited to personalized recommendations that are based on the event history of the target user. Advantageously, the web sites need not host the infrastructure for providing such content. | 10-02-2008 |
20080243633 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR RECEIVING AND SPONSORING MEDIA CONTENT - A method and system of sponsoring a media item is disclosed herein. A media item is received from a submitter. The media item is published for consumer access. Requests for the media item are received from media consumers. A number of consumer requests for the media item is counted. A determination is made as to whether the number of consumer requests for the media item is higher than a predetermined threshold of popularity. If the number of consumer requests for the media item is determined to be higher than the predetermined threshold of popularity, the media item is sponsored on a webcast station. | 10-02-2008 |
20080243634 | PROVIDING WEBSITE HOSTING OVERAGE PROTECTION BY TRANSFERENCE TO AN OVERFLOW SERVER - Systems and methods of the present inventions allow for providing website hosting overage protection. An exemplary method may comprise the steps of hosting a website on a first server, monitoring a website usage parameter, transferring the website to an overflow server when the website usage parameter exceeds a first predetermined value, and redirecting a plurality of traffic to the overflow server. The website transfer may be accomplished by generating a copy of the website and installing the copy on the overflow server. The website may be retained on the first server. When the website usage parameter falls below a second predetermined value, traffic may be redirected back to the first server. | 10-02-2008 |
20080243635 | Automated sales support method & device - A system and method for notifying salespersons of customer communications including a target item is provided. Individual customers are mapped to one or more salespersons. Target items of interest to a salesperson are defined and a salesperson is associated with a customer. For each salesperson, on-line communication channels are monitored for the occurrence of a communications involving a customer associated with the salesperson and including a target item defined by the salesperson. When such an occurrence happens, a notification is directed to the salesperson. Salesperson access to the system and customer access to the on-line communication channels requires authorization. | 10-02-2008 |
20080249885 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING AN INTERNET ASSET MARKETPLACE - Methods and systems of providing a market for Internet assets are disclosed. A format protocol for implementing Internet assets is established. The format protocol is established by the marketplace provider. Asset metadata associated with an Internet asset can be received from an asset provider. The Internet asset is implemented using the established format protocol. An asset listing is posted on an online market of assets. The asset listing can include a portion of the asset metadata. A request for the Internet asset can be received. The request can be received from an asset consumer that can invoke the Internet asset using the format protocol. | 10-09-2008 |
20080249886 | Satellite radio-based on-demand purchase system - A system for purchasing and downloading an audio file broadcasted through a satellite network to a predetermined storage device. The system includes a hub site containing a resident database of audio file content, transmission means, a satellite network for transmitting the audio files to subscribers, a portable satellite transceiver unit for receiving the satellite broadcasts, a purchase request function and signal for notifying the hub site of the subscriber's desire to purchase the broadcast audio file, and a storage device for receiving a download of the audio file from the hub site. | 10-09-2008 |
20080249887 | Methods and Apparatus for Freshness and Completeness of Information - A system that facilitates publishing and consuming information that is of time sensitivity, for example, price information. Methods are employed to achieve completeness and freshness in information for a given domain. A preferred embodiment is a shopping site that is capable of comparing prices, purchasing bundled products and dealing with coupons. | 10-09-2008 |
20080249888 | AUTOMATIC BIDDING AGENTS FOR AUCTION SYSTEM - There is provided a system which enables human-like automatic bidding by combining a plurality of processing functions with a bidding logic of absentee agents for absent participants of an auction system. Absentee agents, present in an auction server, receive price distribution and perform bidding similarly to on-site human participants. Absentee information is given to the absentee agent at the start of an auction, and absentee agents make bids autonomously and in cooperation with one another. In order to perform the human-like bidding, each agent makes a bid by combining (1) bidding possibility determination processing, (2) final bidding determination processing, (3) repeat bidding determination processing, (4) repeat bidding prohibition determination processing, (5) right acquisition bidding determination processing, and (6) character bidding determination processing. Here, the character bidding determination processing determines a bidding atmosphere from the rate of bidding and the number of bidders, and dynamically assigns a character to each absentee agent. | 10-09-2008 |
20080249889 | Information communication system, content output apparatus, user apparatus, content delivery apparatus, and methods for controlling content output apparatus, user apparatus, and content delivery apparatus - In an information communication system, a portable apparatus stores owned content information as list information about a content already purchased by a user. The portable apparatus transmits the owned content information to an in-vehicle apparatus capable of wireless communication. When the in-vehicle apparatus does not store the content the user already purchased, the in-vehicle apparatus acquires content data for the content from a content delivery server. The information communication system can automatically supplement the in-vehicle apparatus to be used by the user with the content the user already purchased. As a result, the user can use the already purchased content on the in-vehicle apparatus without any inconvenient operations. | 10-09-2008 |
20080249890 | ANONYMOUS ONLINE MATCHING FOR PRODUCTS AND SERVICES - The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for anonymous online matching for products and services. A listing party uploads a detailed profile (e.g., indicating goods and/or service they desire to purchase) to a matching system. The matching system, automatically and/or manually, detects a match with a potential seller. The matching system sends a redacted profile to the potential seller. The redacted profile includes product and/or service information but omits indentify information of the listing party. The seller determines if further investigation is worthwhile (e.g., purchase of the detailed profile including identify information) based on the content of the redacted profile. | 10-09-2008 |
20080255956 | System and Method for Creating Personal Websites - A system and a method for creating a personal website in a public website on the Internet. At least one RFID transponder is intended to be placed at a physical sales meeting premise. A website configuration system includes an element to create the personal website in the public website on the Internet. At least one portable unit includes an RFID reader and an element for wirelessly communicating data to the website configuration system. Each portable unit is arranged to send data, which via its RFID reader has been read from at least one RFID transponder, to the website configuration system, which is arranged to create the personal website in the public website on the Internet based on said data. | 10-16-2008 |
20080255957 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ONLINE ITEM PUBLICATION AND MARKETPLACE WITHIN VIRTUAL WORLDS - A system and method for publishing information about items and allowing internet shopping within virtual worlds. A server based application for internet commerce has been designed to integrate with virtual world servers and the client programs that work with the virtual world servers. For example, a consumer within a virtual world may approach a billboard that will allow the user to interact with a real internet-based marketplace that is available in the real world. Both real world and virtual world items may be purchased from the internet-based marketplace after locating a desired item within the virtual world. | 10-16-2008 |
20080262937 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PERFORMING AUTOMATED GROUP PURCHASING - The present invention is an automated and online process for individual members of a group to perform online purchases under one group account. This method creates an account for the group with a particular merchant. The method uses purchaser information to generate a unique security key for the particular group purchase. The purchaser information includes a set of parameters that will govern a valid order by a group member. When a member of the group desires to make a purchase under the group account, that purchaser would use the key to gain access to the purchasing program. After the user has completed his/her menu selections, the purchaser would submit the order. The order is validated based on purchase criteria provided at the initiation of the account. After order validation, the order would be entered into a database containing the purchaser's account information. This process would also update the purchaser account information. | 10-23-2008 |
20080262938 | Joint subscriber management system and receiving terminal - A joint subscriber management system includes a joint subscriber management unit for acting as a surrogate in performing a registration activity for enabling a receiver to receive a broadcast and/or an electronic commerce transaction. A reception unit receives a reception-limiting identification number of the receiver for receiving a specific broadcast, a broadcaster identification number of at least one broadcaster of a plurality of broadcasters, and registrant information concerning registration of a user allocated to the reception-limiting identification number. A generation unit generates a joint management identification number corresponding to the received reception-limiting identification number. A recording unit records the reception-limiting identification number, the joint management identification number, and the registrant information in a registrant information table in correspondence with one another. A management/operation unit acts as a surrogate in member management and the electronic commerce transaction in accordance with the registrant information table. | 10-23-2008 |
20080262939 | Self-Owned Resource Interaction and Method and System For Processing Electronic Trade Information - The present invention relates to the field of network resources data processing, and provides an interactive method of owned-resources. The method uses a management system to record interactive information of the owned-resources, receive the first user's resources and send the resources of a first user to a second user upon verifying that the first user has received the second user's resources. The interactive system of the present invention can automatically improve the completion of the interactive process and automatically promote the flow of steps in the interactive process, and thereby improve the efficiency in data resource interaction and efficiency in electronic trading, make full use of network resources, and facilitate the operation of data resource interaction. The method helps reduce interaction costs substantially, ensure the smooth progress of resource interaction, enhance reallocation of resources, and therefore improves balanced use of the reallocated resources. | 10-23-2008 |
20080262940 | Purchase Order and Invoice Aggregator System for Sales Environment - A computerized system and method of aggregating sales data for delivery to a particular market participant includes a computer program designed to sort purchase order records and associated invoice records independently of any particular computer accounting system. The computer program receives sales data in the form of batch purchase order records or batch invoice records from a multitude of retailers and suppliers. The program converts the sales data into a standardized format that is independent of the computer systems used by the retailers and the wholesalers. The data conversion occurs outside the associated computer accounting systems as well. After converting the sales data, the system identifies which market participant, whether retailer or supplier, should receive each record and aggregates the appropriate records for transmission to the appropriate market participant. The system receives data in any arrangement and transmits data to any market participant in that participant's desired format. | 10-23-2008 |
20080262941 | System and Method for Purchasing and Reselling Online and Offline Subscriptions, Service Contracts and Memberships and Paid Website Access - A method and system for purchasing and reselling the remaining (i.e., remainder) term of subscription providing a web page for display by a registered user containing a buy list, the buy list includes an inventory of one or more remainder subscriptions available for sale, and the buy list includes price and duration of remaining term. A purchase request is sent to an owner/designee of the remainder subscriptions for sale on the buy list. The purchase price is transferred from a user's account, and the purchase price includes a transaction fee. The offeror of the subscription is notified that the particular remainder subscription has been transferred to the user, and the user is provided with a password or other information to obtain access to the remainder subscription. The method and system also entertains offers for sale of remainder subscriptions by users. It is preferred that all user sales and user purchases of remainder subscriptions occur to/from the owner/designee. | 10-23-2008 |
20080262942 | DIGITAL EXCHANGE SYSTEM AND METHOD - A method and computer program product for associating a value with a first digital content by a first party, thus defining a first value. The first digital content is provided to a second party. A second digital content is received from the second party that is based, at least in part, on the first digital content. The second digital content provides a first enhancement to the first digital content. A value is associated with the first enhancement of the second digital content, thus defining a second value. | 10-23-2008 |
20080262943 | AUCTION SYSTEM SUPPORTING ELASTIC AUCTIONS - A method and system for conducting auctions of multiple lots of items is provided. An auction system allows sponsors to set up auctions for the sale of one or more lots. The auction system allows considerable flexibility to a sponsor in defining how the auction should be conducted. An auction can be cyclical in that an auction for lots of a certain type is conducted on a cyclical basis so that sellers and buyers can prepare for the auctions. An auction can have the bidding on the lots of an auction terminate sequentially or terminate simultaneously. An auction can also be a direct auction or a reverse auction. An auction can be conducted completely online or have a combination of a live audience and a non-live audience. | 10-23-2008 |
20080270248 | SYSTEM AND DEVICE FOR SOCIAL SHOPPING ON-LINE - The claimed subject matter provides a system and/or method that constructs a real time interactive online social shopping network. The disclosed system can include a component that receives and transmits data from a client device and a merchant device, wherein the component employs the received and transmitted data to persist and associate information related to a user of the client device for display on the merchant device and utilizes the received and transmitted data to persist and associate information related to a retailer utilizing the merchant device for display on the client device. | 10-30-2008 |
20080270249 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OBTAINING MERCHANDISE INFORMATION - In a method of obtaining merchandise information from a store system using speech processing technology to determine a spoken query entry, an information inquiry from a customer regarding a particular product is received via a communication network. The location of the customer is determined, which is then used to determine a store closest to the customer. A merchandise database is searched for the inquired information regarding the particular product, wherein searching the merchandise database is limited to products available at the store closest to the customer location. The inquired information is retrieved from the merchandise database, and transmitted to the customer. | 10-30-2008 |
20080270250 | FLEXIBLE ASSET AND SEARCH RECOMMENDATION ENGINES - The subject mater herein relates to Internet-based commerce and, more particularly, to a flexible asset and search recommendation engines. Various embodiments herein provide systems, methods, and software to identify relationships between assets and provide asset recommendations as a function of the identified relationships. In some embodiments, relationships between assets are identified by gathering statistics including a probability of an action in view of one or more other actions an entity may have performed. | 10-30-2008 |
20080270251 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FACILITATING MOBILE COMMERCE - A system and method for facilitating the purchase of goods and/or services between the holder of a wireless communications device and a commerce system is disclosed. The system enables consumers who wish to participate in promotional sales offers to register with a mobile commerce system. Consumers may further define the types of items that they are interested in purchasing. Prior to the start of a promotion, the system sends a text message alert to registered consumers, giving them an opportunity to opt-in via text message from a wireless communications device. When the promotion is activated, the opted-in consumers are alerted via text message and are given an opportunity to send a text message back to the system indicative of a desire to purchase the promotional item. If defined conditions are met, the consumer's financial account is debited in the amount of the purchase and the consumer is instructed as to how to acquire their purchase. | 10-30-2008 |
20080270252 | DIRECTING POST-SALE SUPPLIES REVENUE TO ORIGINAL DEALER - A method and system of marketing a consumable may include alerting a customer, via a printer status application, to the status of a consumable in a printing device. A printer identifier may be identified for the printing device via the printer status application. Information about a plurality of product selling entities and associations between each entity and one or more printer identifiers may be maintained in a computer-readable medium. The product selling entity that corresponds to the printer identifier may be determined. The customer may be directed to the product selling entity. | 10-30-2008 |
20080270253 | Method for Performing an Electronic Transaction - The invention is concerned with a method for performing electronic transactions in a network comprising a mobile subscriber terminal with a digital wallet and a browser, a server for the management of the transactions and a content provider. In the method, the subscriber selects a service and sends an order request to the content provider. As a reply, the content provider sends a transaction order form to the mobile subscriber. The subscriber then confirms the transaction and sends the transaction order form to the browser. The browser reads data needed for the transaction form from the digital wallet and fills in the order form with the read transaction data. The completed form is then sent o the server, which converts the completed form into a standardized transaction format. The content provider processes the completed order form and sends it to the content provider, who replies to the subscriber. The invention is also concerned with said network. | 10-30-2008 |
20080270254 | Method and System of Building Actual Travel Fares - A method of building actual travel fares in a computer, from fare databases, is disclosed. A graph of nodes representing travel destinations is built which comprises edges connecting pairs of nodes. Each edge references a lowest travel fare. Also, a tree of fares is built for each graph edge. Trees comprise at least a root node holding the lowest travel fare of the corresponding graph edge. They possibly include more nodes comprising a context key and an associated travel fare. Trees are organized to have children nodes holding a travel fare equal to or larger than travel fare of a parent node. Thus, less expensive fare paths can efficiently be extracted since graph edges, included in the fare paths, reference the associated trees of fares and are gone through in ascending order of their lowest fare values. A learning entity is used to build and update the trees of fares. | 10-30-2008 |
20080270255 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR REQUESTING PRIOR ART FROM THE PUBLIC IN EXCHANGE FOR A REWARD - The present invention is a method and system for requesting from at least one member of the public, information that teaches or describes a technology, or a technology covered by one or more claims of a patent, in exchange for a reward where the information received can be combined with an investment strategy and/or auctioned. | 10-30-2008 |
20080270256 | User Interface For A Complex Order Processing System - The method and apparatus of the present invention include generating a list of orders associated with an account. The list of orders comprises orders that are open. Selection of one of the orders is detected. A request to change the selected order is detected. Changes in the open and pending orders to reflect the future state of an asset are applied. A quote based on the future state of an asset is generated. A user is allowed to change the configuration of the future state of the asset, and the change is incorporated in the quote. | 10-30-2008 |
20080270257 | E-COMMERCE ACTIVITY LOG - An activity log is displayed in a dedicated area in a business to consumer e-commerce web site that tracks activities that occur during a current e-commerce account session. The activity log is updated automatically, without requiring user intervention. The activity log displays information such as the activity type, the activity name, and the time the activity was performed. The activity log may also provide an option for the user to view details about or to undo an individual activity. The activity log tracks activities that would conventionally be lost from view, such as the removal of items from a list and the changing of the password. In addition, the activity log automatically displays updates that are not conventionally available, such as greater granularity in the status of an asynchronous transaction. | 10-30-2008 |
20080270258 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MAINTAINING CONFIDENTIALITY OF PERSONAL INFORMATION DURING E-COMMERCE TRANSACTIONS - A method for maintaining confidentiality of personal information during E-commerce transactions. The method includes: (1) compiling a profile of personal information within a depository for at least the buying party to an E-commerce transaction; (2) providing the buying party with a unique identifier linked to his profile for use during subsequent E-commerce transactions; and (3) in response to the buying party providing the identifier to a merchant, completing the E-commerce transaction at the depository without providing any of the buyer's personal information to the merchant. | 10-30-2008 |
20080270259 | METHOD OF MAINTAINING PRODUCT STATUS USING REGIONALLY CODED INTERFACE - A method of maintaining a status of a product item is provided. The product item includes an associated interface surface which has coded data including a plurality of coded data portions indicative of the product item's identity. The method includes, in a sensing device, sensing at least one coded data portion, generating indicating data indicative of the product item identity therefrom, and transferring the indicating data to a computer system. The computer system is responsive to the indicating data to update product status information stored in a data store. The interface surface includes at least one region, including coded data indicative of an identity of the at least one region. The method further includes, in the sensing device, sensing the coded data disposed within the at least one region, and generating, using the sensed coded data, indicating data indicative of the region identity. | 10-30-2008 |
20080270260 | CONTENT REQUEST, STORAGE AND/OR CONFIGURATION SYSTEMS AND METHODS - A content request, storage, and configuration system is provided which associates pieces of content with one or more keywords, and configures the content for the benefit of a user. Users load content into the system or link content elsewhere to the system, and optionally designate a set of actions to be taken. Keywords are assigned to the content and actions by the system based on user input and/or auto-generation by the system. Any of a variety of methods, including but not limited to Short Message Service (SMS) and instant messaging, are used by a user to communicate these keywords to the system, to indicate user interest in the associated content. Receipt by the system of the keywords from the user triggers the system to retrieve the relevant pieces of content, associate said content with the user making the request, and to take the designated actions if appropriate. In addition, users may designate that the system retrieve the relevant pieces of content and associate said content with other users. | 10-30-2008 |
20080270261 | Delivery Systems and Methods Involving Verification of a Payment Card From A Handheld Device - The present invention relates generally to systems and methods that facilitate the prevention of fraud occurring in connection with credit cards, debit cards, smart cards and other payment cards that are used in transactions involving goods sold by a seller, delivered by a shipper, and purchased by a buyer. Specifically, the present invention provides systems and methods that allow for physical verification of a payment card (e.g., credit card) upon delivery of goods that are purchased in the context of a remote transaction between a buyer and a seller, including, for example, goods that are ordered via phone, mail order, fax or the Internet. | 10-30-2008 |
20080275788 | Systems and Methods to Provide Peer to Peer Connections for Real Time Communications and Commerce - Systems and methods to connect a seller to a customer according to a request received from the seller. One embodiment includes a process implemented in a user terminal of a seller, where the process includes: responsive to a request from the seller, establishing a connection to a user terminal of a customer for real time communications between the seller and the customer, using a reference assigned to the customer; and charging the customer on behalf of the seller for a transaction made over the connection established in response to the request from the seller. In one embodiment, the connection established in response to the request from the seller is a peer to peer connection between the user terminal of the seller and the user terminal of the customer. | 11-06-2008 |
20080275789 | CHARACTER TRADING METHOD - There is provided a character training and development system for a virtual environment and related method. A character can be purchased by a user and then registered on a communication network via a unique code. Once registered, a set of attributes can be assigned to the character based on the type and class of the character. Attribute values can be assigned to the attributes by default or by user preferences. The characters can be manipulated within the virtual environment. In particular, the characters can be trained in order to improve their skills, to add new skills, and to increase their overall value and worth in the virtual environment. In addition, the characters can be traded among users for a price based on their skills. Fees can be charged for each trade. Traded characters are given a new code to transfer all control of the character to the new owner. | 11-06-2008 |
20080275790 | BID GROUPS FOR ONLINE AUCTIONS - Described herein are systems and methods for providing an automated bid proxy for online auctions that manages multiple, concurrent bids. The proxy transmits a user-defined group of bids to an online auction system in a manner that reallocates bids around a target bid time to accommodate limitations of the proxy system, a target auction system, network limitations, and so forth. At the same time, the bids are allocated in a manner that aims to ensure that all bids are placed before a target bid time. Upon the placement of a specified number of winning bids, the proxy may also terminate all remaining bids. By allowing the user to bid on more items than he is interested in buying, this arrangement of automatic bids into an automatically terminating bid group allows a user to improve his chances of purchasing a specified quantity of items at or below a desired price. | 11-06-2008 |
20080275791 | System for managing inventory - A system for managing customer inventory includes a plurality of customers which electronically communicate with a plurality of vendors through a server located at a centralized hub. A retrievable look-up table is utilized by the server to limit communication to only those customers and vendors that have an authorized business relationship. Each customer includes an inventory of items, the inventory level being self-monitored by the customer. When a particular product is required, the customer transmits a purchase order to the server using a handheld compute device which is then forwarded to the vendor designated in the purchase order. In addition, each vendor is capable of sending real-time information, such as product updates and purchase order reminders, to the server which is in turn sent to the handheld device for each customer with which it has an authorized relationship. | 11-06-2008 |
20080281714 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING A PRICE OF GOODS - A coupon integrator has a method for entering a desired product search term, a price comparison database which searches for online stores carrying a particular product and the pre coupon prices, a coupon database which identifies any available coupons, and a price calculator database which calculates the discount price based on the pre coupon price and any available coupons. Further optional embodiments include a product availability database which identifies whether a product is currently available at a merchant. A merchant database calculates the shipping, handling, and tax fees for a product for a specific zip code and a shipping charge and tax calculator database calculates the final cost by factoring in the discount price, the shipping and handling fee, any available shipping coupons, and the tax. | 11-13-2008 |
20080281715 | METHOD OF DESIGNING A SURFBOARD OR THE LIKE - An internet enabled method for designing and ordering a surfboard blank includes hosting on a program internet information service, a website, capable of supporting an interactive procedure and receiving from a web browser an account number request. Account number is assigned in response to the request and upon receipt of the account number by the website, a listing of surfboard blanks is offered for modification along with software. Upon receiving modification instruction for a selected surfboard blank, the modification instruction is associated with the account number and following receipt of an order from an authorized customer for a surfboard blank modified in accordance with modification instruction producing a surfboard blank. | 11-13-2008 |
20080281716 | Communication Control Device - The present invention provides a technique for outputting an appropriate message in response to a request for access to a content or a service. A communication control apparatus receives a packet for requesting access to a content or a service and determines whether or not the access should be permitted. If the access is prohibited, the communication control apparatus will instruct a message output server to output a message such as an error message. A message retaining unit retains a message to be output to an access request source, with respect to each user of access request source, or each URL or each category of contents to be accessed. A registration acceptance unit accepts message registration and instructs a charging unit to charge a registration fee. The charging unit then performs processing for deducting the registration fee from the registrant's account. A message output unit acquires from the communication control apparatus an ID of a user who has sent an access request, and the unit then refers to the message retaining unit to output a message set for the user. | 11-13-2008 |
20080281717 | Method for Placing a Palletless Goods Package in a Stock Shelf and Delivering Therefrom and for Controlling Logistics of Packages - A method to stack palletless and as to their size variable packages ( | 11-13-2008 |
20080281718 | HOUSEHOLD NETWORK INCORPORATING SECURE SET-TOP DEVICES - A method for establishing a household network that includes providing a secure set-top device (SSD) operably connected to the Internet; assigning the SSD to a credit card account to define a household network associated with the SSD; enrolling a digital media device in the household network; and requesting a digital media file for a digital media device within the household network. A digital media file may be requested via any device in the household network by a process that may include verifying that the digital media file is valid for the household network and if valid, causing the SSD to process the request, including identifying the digital media device and authorizing a charge to the credit card account, if required, to complete the request. | 11-13-2008 |
20080281719 | Methods and apparatus for connecting shippers and carriers in the third party logistics environment via the internet - An online electronic marketplace in which carriers bid for loads tendered by shippers, and shippers purchase the most attractive transportation services. The system described herein efficiently matches loads and capacities, lowers transaction costs, and creates value through enhanced visibility to information resulting in efficient transportation and financial transactions. According to specific embodiments, the present invention combines a neutral marketplace patterned after a stock exchange, with the electronic format of an Internet auction site to create a trading system for the logistics industry. | 11-13-2008 |
20080281720 | METHOD AND APPARATUS OF INTERACTIVE BIDDING - A method and apparatus for automating an auction is provided that includes a secure server, at least one device for entering data, and software executing on both the server and the device. A participant is able to enter bidding information in each device. Bids from each participant are managed, the winning bidder is determined, and the current status of the auction is maintained. Each participant can individually receive the status of the items they bid on and the general auction status is also available for display. The auction status may be displayed at each device or optionally on a projection system. At the close of auction, the winning bids for each participant are compiled and listed for ease of payment. | 11-13-2008 |
20080281721 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FAMILY-ORIENTED ACCOUNT MANAGEMENT - Systems and methods for facilitating online money management are provided. Parents may create accounts for themselves and their children. The children's accounts include savings, sharing, and spending sub-accounts. The parent's account may also include savings, sharing, and spending sub-accounts. A percentage of profit and/or revenue generated by the accounts are provided back to the children or their parents. | 11-13-2008 |
20080281722 | TEXT-TO-BUY WAP APPLICATION SERVER - An electronic platform ( | 11-13-2008 |
20080281723 | Automated sales support method & device - A system and method for notifying salespersons of customer communications including a target item is provided. Individual customers are mapped to one or more salespersons. Target items of interest to a salesperson are defined and a salesperson is associated with a customer. For each salesperson, on-line communication channels are monitored for the occurrence of a communications involving a customer associated with the salesperson and including a target item defined by the salesperson. When such an occurrence happens, a notification is directed to the salesperson. Salesperson access to the system and customer access to the on-line communication channels requires authorization. | 11-13-2008 |
20080281724 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR REFERENCING TRADING AGREEMENTS - An electronic commerce system supports on-line stores that are accessible by a set of buyers. Each buyer is associated with one of a set of one or more organizations. The electronic commerce system includes the ability to define a base trading agreement with terms and conditions for associated buyers and on-line stores, store settings with terms and conditions associated with one of the on-line stores, and customer preferences trading agreements, associated with organizations. The system includes an application interface for returning a set of governing terms and conditions for a buyer-store electronic commerce session, based on the associated base, store settings and customer preferences trading agreements. | 11-13-2008 |
20080288359 | METHOD, SYSTEM, AND PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR CUSTOMIZING EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS - The invention provides a method, system, and program product for preparing customized educational materials. The invention may include, for example, receiving input from a user regarding the user's preferences for educational materials, retrieving core educational materials from a repository, accepting dynamic educational materials, and assembling the customized educational materials using the core educational materials, the dynamic educational materials, and the user's preferences. The invention may further include scheduling the delivery of the customized educational materials to a user. | 11-20-2008 |
20080288360 | Online birthday register - Online birthday register software system, allowing a user to register his personal information including birth date online. The system allows a user to search for and select gifts by category and sub category and provides a method for the user to select gifts and to print customized gift certificates. The gift certificates and proof of birth date can be presented to participating businesses for redeeming free or discounted gifts. The software system provides a method for participating businesses to monitor the birthday register site for user gift selection and buying activities. The facilitator of the online site has the ability to monitor the certificate activity of the users so that the facilitator can charge participating businesses a referral fee for each gift certificate. The software system is capable of matching zip codes of registered users to zip codes of local businesses. | 11-20-2008 |
20080288361 | System and method for lead generation and lead demand fulfillment - A method and a system of lead generation and lead demand fulfillment are provided. In example embodiments, a first environment may be maintained for a first party to present information related to an on sale transaction lead that the first party is interested in selling; a second environment may be maintained for a second party to present information related to a demanded transaction lead, that the second party is interested in buying; and a third environment may be provided to facilitate a transaction between the first party and the second party, including a sale and purchase of a transaction lead. In an example embodiment, a lead referral system for facilitating a lead referral network expansion in an online transaction lead auction system may be presented. In an example embodiment, the system may include a first and a second user interface to receive information and a server to process the received information. | 11-20-2008 |
20080288362 | ONLINE SHOPPING SYSTEMS AND METHODS THAT INCLUDE A GAMING EXPERIENCE FOR SHOPPERS - Systems and methods for conducting or facilitating online shopping transactions that include gaming experiences for buyers/shoppers are disclosed. An exemplary method includes receiving a request to purchase an item which is offered for sale by an online seller from an online buyer/shopper, and, in response to receiving said request to purchase the item, determining an actual sales price of the item from among the plurality of possible sales prices using a gaming mechanism. According to one aspect of the invention, the gaming mechanism operates to determine the actual sales price in response to the buyer's/shopper's interaction with attributes of the gaming mechanism displayed to the buyer/shopper via, for example, an Internet browser. Generating visual attributes of a gaming mechanism for an online buyer/shopper to view and interact with during an online shopping transaction makes the online shopping experience a more exciting and enjoyable process, compared to prior art online shopping approaches. | 11-20-2008 |
20080288363 | Recording medium, information processing system and information processing method - An information processing system processes commodity order acceptance information generated in an online store. The system includes: a recording medium for a charging process for settling a charge imposed on purchase or lending of a commodity from an online store; a recording apparatus for recording delivery destination information indicative of a delivery destination of the commodity into the recording medium; a reading apparatus for reading the delivery destination information from the recording medium; and an information processing apparatus for commodity order acceptance connected to the reading apparatus, accepting an order or selection of the commodity, generating commodity order acceptance information. The information processing apparatus notifies an information processing apparatus for commodity order acceptance and delivery of commodity order acceptance information by which the delivery destination information read by the reading apparatus and commodity selection information obtained by order acceptance or commodity selection are associated with each other. | 11-20-2008 |
20080288364 | CONSTRUCTION PROJECT SUBMITTAL MANAGEMENT - A network based construction project management system. The system includes network accessible databases of project information including drawings and specifications. The system allows for varying amount of access for various user including general contractors, subcontractors, architects and project owners. The system allows for the effective creation, management and long term accessible storage of project submittals. | 11-20-2008 |
20080294528 | Method of providing for rental of clothing - In a method for providing for rental of clothing, a client visits a store or other location so that all pertinent measurements can be taken and then stored in a suitable data base. Other data is stored such as preferred style and colors of clothing. Once this has been done, when the client wishes to use the method to obtain clothing while on travel, scheduling of the travel is carried out, and during that scheduling, desired clothing is chosen so that it is ready to be picked up or delivered to the client's living quarters when they arrive at their destination. The operator of the method receives the order and assembles all of the required garments, making sure that they are properly tailored to fit the client. Those garments are then used by the client while they are in that location and when the client is ready to leave the location to travel elsewhere or back to their home, they notify the operator of the method so that the operator can pick up the soiled clothing, dryclean it, and place it back into inventory for the next wearer. Used clothing may be periodically sold. | 11-27-2008 |
20080294529 | Method and system for delivering a purchase receipt - The invention concerns a new way for ordering, drafting, paying and delivering a purchase receipt ( | 11-27-2008 |
20080294530 | System and method for registering the ownership and exchange of an item - A system and method for promoting the exchanging of an article between individuals, registering the ownership and exchange of the article via a global central registry, and wherein such article of trade has a unique identifier affixed thereto that functions to identify such article and enable a user of the registry to update and track the current and historical ownership and travels of such article via the internet. | 11-27-2008 |
20080294531 | Digital Audio and Audiovisual File System and Method - A system and method for allowing the owners of audio and/or audiovisual files to resell or purchased used content. The system provides for access via the internet and allows a user to upload or download content. To ensure against illicit copying of content, the system preferably includes a verification software package that must be downloaded onto the audio and/or audiovisual file player from which the user is attempted to resell content. The files uploaded to system are then made available for repurchase by another user. When the file is resold to another user, the file is removed from the available content list so that only the original audio and/or audiovisual file is ever transferred from one user to another user. | 11-27-2008 |
20080294532 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ON-LINE AUTOMOBILE TRADING - A method of trading automobiles, having the steps of entering a preferred set of attributes for a purchase of an automobile, creating a personalized shopping page based on the preferred set of attributes, searching a database of automobiles satisfying the preferred set of attributes, and displaying automobiles from the database that satisfy the preferred set of attributes. | 11-27-2008 |
20080300995 | DYNAMIC METHODS OF AWARDING A SUPPLIER BASED UPON CUSTOMERS CRITERIA - A method of awarding a supplier's offer based upon a customer's competition criteria, comprising the steps of: accepting an input of requirements from a customer; accepting a criteria of rating supplier offers according to criteria importance to provide a weight index; searching for convenient suppliers based on requirements from the customer; informing the convenient suppliers of a request from the customer; accepting an offer from at least one supplier, wherein the at least one offer has supplier input information; providing a weighted score by multiplying each supplier input information of rating by weight index to provide a weighted score according to the customers competition criteria; accepting a selection by the customer of at least one offer from at least one supplier according to the customers competition criteria; informing each supplier of the selection by the customer. | 12-04-2008 |
20080300996 | Digital Photograph Processing And Ordering System And Method - The disclosure presents a system and method for processing and managing customer orders for digital documents, such as digital photographs, through a network, such as the internet. The system may be implemented in a variety of ways, including a system, a method and/or a computer readable medium for processing and managing customer orders for digital documents, such as digital photographs, through a network, such as the internet. The system, method and/or medium includes logic for receiving at a first server an upload of a digital image from a first client computer, receiving at the first server identification data associated with the digital image, storing in a first memory associated with the first server the digital image, storing in the first memory the identification data associated with the digital image, receiving at the first server a first digital image print request, receiving an electronic first remote location identification of a first remote location to have the digital image printed, and electronically sending to the first remote location a second digital image print request to have the digital image printed, without sending the digital image to be printed. The logic can also include receiving a first digital image print request from a client device, at a retail website computer, receiving at a central computer the first digital image print request from the client computer through the retail website computer, receiving at the central computer an availability message from each of the plurality of remote locations, wherein each availability message comprises a store identifier and an earliest time the digital image print request can be completed for an associated store identifier for each of the plurality of remote locations, receiving a selection of a first remote location identification for a first remote location of the plurality of remote locations, to have an associated digital image to the digital image print request printed at a first remote location associated with the first remote location identification based on the availability message for the first remote location, and sending to the first remote location the first digital image print request to have the associated digital image printed, wherein the first remote location is one of a plurality of remote locations to which the first digital image request can be sent. | 12-04-2008 |
20080300997 | PAYMENT TRANSFER STRATEGIES FOR BANDWIDTH SHARING IN AD HOC NETWORKS - Systems and methods for compensating lenders of bandwidth in an ad hoc network and, more particularly, to systems and methods for providing payment strategies for bandwidth sharing in an ad-hoc network. The method comprises establishing an ad-hoc network between a borrower and at least one lender of bandwidth, and providing compensation instructions to compensate the at least one lender of bandwidth for lending the bandwidth to the borrower. The system may be a computer infrastructure for implementing the steps of the method. | 12-04-2008 |
20080300998 | Method for Online Buying - A digital rights management (DRM) storage device acts as a virtual browser and server functioning as an offline shopping mall. Cookies and similar information stored can be maintained on the DRM device. When attached to an online host (or a host to which it is attached is placed online) the device becomes an automated portal to online shopping (e-shopping) sites. Based on possession of the device, it can act as an authenticator, independent of the need to enter names or passwords. The secure storage ability of the device can also allow it to act as a secure connector with server by securely storing credit card and other sensitive personal information within the DRM device, rather than being maintained on a server associated with a merchant's website, on a personal computer or hosting device, or both. | 12-04-2008 |
20080300999 | System for Aggregating Services for a Telecommunication Platform and Method of Ordering a Good or Service - A system for aggregating services for a telecommunication platform is provided. The system includes a data administration server ( | 12-04-2008 |
20080301000 | "System for Tracking Gift Preferences" - A system for tracking gift preferences of gift recipients to create a unique gift preference list for each user and allowing the unique gift preference lists to be displayed on a portable electronic device. | 12-04-2008 |
20080301001 | BULK ACTIVATION OF PORTABLE CONSUMER PAYMENT DEVICES - Consumer Payment Device (PCPD)s, such as gift cards, can be bulk activated and thereby be made ready to use in a commercial transaction. The bulk activation is provided through a web service giving a user experience that includes an online interactive user interface that receives an order for PCPDs and a request to activate all PCPDs in the order. The respective accounts of the PCPDs in the order are funded upon activation and a fee is assessed for the activations. Thereafter, each activated PCPD can be used in a transaction with a merchant who submits the transaction to an acquirer for processing by a transaction handler who requests an issuer of the account of the PCPD to obtain payment for the transaction from the account corresponding to the PCPD. | 12-04-2008 |
20080301002 | Method of providing interactive financial services on a multi-lingual single destination internet platform - The financial portal and search engine micro markets consumer specific finance inquires and needs to product specific financial service providers and then allows these service providers to display their expertise and compete on the cost of the service or product required by the consumer interactively so that the consumer is simultaneously aware of all financial providers offering the specific products or services required by the consumer and the service providers can communicate to the consumer simultaneously, the cost of such products and/or services. These services are self-managed by the service providers through their Personal Management Account on the site, which allows the provider to choose what he wants to present; in what format, duration and market exposure. | 12-04-2008 |
20080306830 | SYSTEM FOR RATING QUALITY OF ONLINE VISITORS - A system for determine session, visitor, advertiser and/or website click quality scores includes a data warehouse collected from a plurality of websites, a method of determining whether a goal established for a website is achieved, a data mining system for adjusting the value of certain actions taken by a visitor to a website in accomplishing the websites ultimate goal, and a subsystem for reporting click quality scores to users of the system. For example, the system uses a script included in each page of each website monitored by the system to capture data in the data warehouse. The method for determining whether a goal is achieved may include assigning a website goal associated with access to a category of a page and recording the achievement of the goal or goals, when a visitor in a session accesses a page or pages of the specified category. The subsystem for reporting may assist in analyzing the quality of visitors, the quality of visitors referred by a particular referral source, and the quality of a website, including any effects of changes made to the website or in comparison to other websites monitored by the system. | 12-11-2008 |
20080306831 | Systems and methods for facilitating purchase transactions in a network - Systems and methods for facilitating the purchase of one or more items from one or more vendors on a network through a platform. In one embodiment of the present invention, a method includes receiving at the platform a request from a user for purchase of at least one item from at least one vendor, and transmitting, from the platform, instructions to create a user account at each vendor from whom a purchase is made. An indication is transmitted, from the platform, to each vendor to purchase at least one item through the corresponding user account. The platform receives a corresponding confirmation associated with the user account at each vendor. | 12-11-2008 |
20080306832 | Broadcasting data purchasing system and method thereof - A broadcasting data purchasing system includes an internet radio station, a media receiver and an online shopping server. The internet radio station provides broadcasting data. The media receiver receives, plays the broadcasting data and judges whether the broadcasting data includes metadata, which includes first audio information relevant to the broadcasting data. The media receiver responds with an operation event to output the first audio information when the broadcasting data includes the metadata. The online shopping server includes a goods database. The online shopping server receives the first audio information, searches for goods data from the goods database according to the first audio information, and stores the goods data. | 12-11-2008 |
20080306833 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONSTRAINING DEPLETION AMOUNT IN A DEFINED TIME FRAME - Embodiments disclosed herein provide price protection on commodity purchases in which a consumer can select, accept, or otherwise agree to a depletion constraint on the consumption of the commodity thus purchased. Based on the agreed depletion constraint, a provider may adjust terms and/or the price of the price protection. In some embodiments, the depletion constraint can be time-based, quantity-based, value-based, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the depletion constraint can be linear. In some embodiments, a consumer may be required to purchase a certain amount of the commodity during a specified time frame. In some embodiments, the provider of the price protection may receive a payment from the consumer when the retail price of the commodity at the time of the purchase is below a specified floor price. In some embodiments, the commodity is motor fuel. | 12-11-2008 |
20080306834 | SYSTEM FOR AGGREGATING SERVICES FOR A TELECOMMUNICATION PLATFORM AND METHOD OF ORDERING A GOOD OR SERVICE - A system for aggregating services for a telecommunication platform is provided. The system includes a data administration server ( | 12-11-2008 |
20080306835 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CUSTOMIZING AN EMAIL MESSAGE - The invention includes systems and methods for facilitating customizing of electronic communications. A consumer may shop and request purchase of an item on a consolidated shopping (CS) website displaying items available for purchase on different merchant websites. A host computer providing the CS website may access a merchant website selling the requested item, and order the requested item on behalf of the consumer. A consumer may purchase/order multiple items from multiple websites in a single purchase request to the CS website. When one or more orders are placed at the merchant's website, the system injects a pseudo-email address into the order form. The pseudo-email address directs any subsequent electronic communication from a merchant to the host computer. The host computer system then customizes the electronic communication, inserts the consumer's real email address into the electronic communication, and forwards the electronic communication to the consumer. | 12-11-2008 |
20080306836 | NETWORK AUCTIONING APPARATUS, SYSTEM AND METHOD OF USE THEREOF - The invention provides an apparatus comprising a remote auction terminal operatively connected to a network auction via a network, wherein the remote auction terminal facilitates interactive screening before, and during, receipt of goods into the network auction and can also automatically notify potential auction agents of a pending sale by a seller. A method that facilitates the exchange of goods, via the remote auction terminal, and a system that employs the terminal are also disclosed. | 12-11-2008 |
20080306837 | PIN-LESS ATM PROCESSING SYSTEM - A system and method are provided for processing transactions across an ATM network without requiring the use of a PIN or a signature. The transactions can be aggregated to allow multiple purchases to be processed in a single transaction. | 12-11-2008 |
20080313049 | System and method for dynamic reordering of items in an online list - A computer implemented method for dynamic reordering an online list is disclosed. An embodiment of the invention provides the user with the ability to change the position of an item displayed on the list and this change is seen by all users who are browsing this list. The user provides information on the selection of the item for which the position is to be changed. The user also provides information on the new position for the item. The list is reordered based on the new position information of the item provided by the user, such that the selected item is at the new position. This reordering of the list is in real-time. The view of all users browsing through the item list is affected. Alternatively, an updated list is displayed to users after a fixed interval of time. The user can be billed every time the item is repositioned. | 12-18-2008 |
20080313050 | MEDIA EXCHANGE SYSTEM - A media exchange system according to the present invention provides a simpler interface for requesting media from a server. The user can store an archive copy of the media at the server and send copies to other users with accounts on the server. The user has a control unit which assists the user in identifying the media. | 12-18-2008 |
20080313051 | Online Preowned Golf Club Sales - A portal is provided in which accounts can be created and sellers of golf clubs have login privileges. A seller of preowned used clubs can input an inventory of clubs it wishes to sell. Account representatives at the portal implement a system that grades the clubs and provides a group price. The clubs are then shipped and payment made. Thereafter, the clubs may be made available to the public in accordance with the portal owner's proprietary grading and pricing schemes. | 12-18-2008 |
20080313052 | Method and system for managing transactions initiated via a wireless communications device - A system for managing an order received from a wireless communications device (WCD), including: an order element, in a processor in at least one specially programmed general-purpose computer, arranged to receive, via an interface element in the computer, a transmission, via a communication network, from the WCD, including an order for an item at a retail location; a location element, in the processor, to identify, using the interface element and the processor, that the WCD is within a predetermined location with respect to the location; a scheduling element, in the processor, to schedule preparation of the order in response to the predetermined location; an instruction element, in the processor, to generate at least one instruction for fulfilling the order and to transmit the instruction, using the interface element; and, a presentation element, at a point of sales (POS) station at the retail location, to receive and present the instruction. | 12-18-2008 |
20080313053 | PAYMENT SERVICE - A method and system to offer a payment service to a consumer user. The system receives a check-out request from the consumer user of an electronic storefront. The check-out request is for purchase one or more products from the electronic storefront. The system determines whether to offer a payment service to the consumer user by identifying whether the consumer user is authorized to use the payment service to make purchases from the electronic storefront. Finally, the system serves a web-based check-out interface to a client used by the consumer user. The check-out interface includes an offer to the consumer user to use the payment service. Specifically, the offer includes an option to enable the consumer user to make payment for the one or more products via the payment service. | 12-18-2008 |
20080313054 | DELIVERY STORAGE APPARATUS AND SYSTEM AND A METHOD FOR THE SAME - An apparatus, system and method for delivery storage. The delivery storage apparatus includes an outer opening to allow an individual delivering the goods to place the articles of food directly into the delivery storage apparatus disposed at a side of a house without the presence of the owner. The delivery storage apparatus also includes an inner opening to allow the owner to retrieve the articles of food from the delivery storage apparatus. | 12-18-2008 |
20080319866 | METHOD AND SYSTEM TO HAND OVER AN ONLINE TRANSACTION TO A HELP DESK ASSISTANT - A method of providing assistance to an end-user of an online software application running from a web server. While the end-user and the web server communicate through at least one data network, during a web session initiated by the end-user from a client software application, the online software application provides a manner of requesting assistance from a help desk on at least one of the web page returned to the client application. When the end-user activates the manner of requesting assistance he/she obtains from the server of the online software application a keyword associated to the web session. End-user further obtains at least one telephone number of the help desk to call. When the end-user is calling the help desk through a telephone network the keyword is communicated to an assistant. After the assistant has successfully logged in to the web server the web session initiated by the end-user is shared with the assistant. Then, a transaction in progress with the online software application can be handed over to the assistant who will complete it on behalf of the end-user. | 12-25-2008 |
20080319867 | DIGITAL FILE PROCESSING FOR SECONDARY SALE - In one embodiment, a method for transferring digital files is provided. The method includes: downloading an application for facilitating the transfer of used digital files; storing the application at the client; receiving an indication of a used digital file that a user desires to sell; searching, using the application, storage on the client to determine any instances of the digital file; deleting any instances of the digital file if they are determined; transferring a forwarded file of the used digital file to a second entity; and deleting, using the application, the used digital file from the client upon transfer of the forwarded file. | 12-25-2008 |
20080319868 | CLIENT CUSTOMIZED CARD FOR USE WITH SELECTED MERCHANTS - A client selects several merchants with whom the card may be redeemed, the amount redeemable, and a design for printing on the card which is personalized for the card recipient. | 12-25-2008 |
20080319869 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SECURE AND TRANSPARENT CARDLESS TRANSACTIONS - Systems, methods, and apparatus for handling and/or authorizing payment requests by a consumer for a transaction are provided. Payment information can be sent directly from a consumer to a non-merchant, thereby allowing no new entities to obtain the payment information. Transaction identifiers can be used to facilitate communications among the entities. The payment information can be sent to the non-merchant via a merchant application with a submit payment button directed to the non-merchant so little or no deviations from standard practices are required. | 12-25-2008 |
20080319870 | DISTRIBUTED MEDIA REVIEWING FOR CONFORMANCE TO CRITERIA - Distributing review of content or other items for conformance with quality requirements or other criteria. Embodiments include distributing media assets over an electronic network to a number of reviewers. Each reviewer uses an interface to review a media asset and corresponding metadata submitted by a content provider. The interface guides the reviewers through a consistent and easily understood review of the assets, such that reviews need not be domain experts. The reviewer enters pass/fail decisions, comments, additional metadata, one or more ratings on aspects of the asset, or other reviewer information regarding the asset. A media review manager receives the reviewer information regarding each asset and determines whether each asset satisfies overall acceptance criteria. Accepted assets are made accessible to other users such as customers for searching, licensing, or other uses. | 12-25-2008 |
20080319871 | Systems and Methods for Auto-Generation of Rich Media Purchase, Reservation and/or Activity Information - Systems, methods, apparatus and computer-readable mediums as discussed herein provide for a method for generating a dynamic electronic book for display in a multimedia player application including receiving information about a purchase by a consumer from a first remote computing device; accessing content associated with the received information; extracting characteristic data associated with the purchase from the received data; selecting content to be included in the electronic book from the accessed content based on the characteristic data; generating a dynamic configuration file including information identifying the selected content, information identifying at least one template page, and at least a portion of the received information; transmitting the generated dynamic configuration file to a remote device; receiving a request for content and the at least one template page identified in the dynamic configuration file; transmitting the content and the at least one template page in response to the request for display in the electronic book. | 12-25-2008 |
20080319872 | BIOMETRIC IDENTIFICATION DEVICE AND METHODS ASSOCIATED WITH INVENTORY - The invention is directed towards methods, systems and apparatuses, see FIG. | 12-25-2008 |
20080319873 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FACILITATING VALUE EXCHANGES - A system and method for facilitating a value exchange transaction. A first party initiates the transaction by selecting or providing an identifier of another party and the value to be exchanged. The second party may be identified by a pre-existing identifier such as an electronic mail address, telephone number, etc. The system informs the second party of the transaction (e.g., using the specified pre-existing identifier). If the second party is not a registered user of the system, he or she is invited to register and complete the transaction. The system may comprise a synchronization server for exchanging transaction details with users' devices, a communication server for registering new users and/or conducting transactions online and a financial server for interacting with external financial institutions. | 12-25-2008 |
20080319874 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR EXCHANGING VALUES BASED ON TELEPHONE NUMBER OF AN ENTITY - A system and method for facilitating a value exchange transaction. A first party initiates the transaction by selecting or providing an identifier of another party and the value to be exchanged. The second party may be identified by a pre-existing identifier such as an electronic mail address, telephone number, etc. The system informs the second party of the transaction (e.g., using the specified pre-existing identifier). If the second party is not a registered user of the system, he or she is invited to register and complete the transaction. The system may comprise a synchronization server for exchanging transaction details with users' devices, a communication server for registering new users and/or conducting transactions online and a financial server for interacting with external financial institutions. | 12-25-2008 |
20080319875 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FACILITATING VALUE EXCHANGES USING MOBILE DEVICES - A system and method for facilitating a value exchange transaction. A first party initiates the transaction by selecting or providing an identifier of another party and the value to be exchanged. The second party may be identified by a pre-existing identifier such as an electronic mail address, telephone number, etc. The system informs the second party of the transaction (e.g., using the specified pre-existing identifier). If the second party is not a registered user of the system, he or she is invited to register and complete the transaction. The system may comprise a synchronization server for exchanging transaction details with users' devices, a communication server for registering new users and/or conducting transactions online and a financial server for interacting with external financial institutions. | 12-25-2008 |
20090006216 | Method, Device, and System for Analyzing and Ranking Web-Accessable Data Targets - A method, system, and computer program product for locating a relevant product via a computer network includes receiving, at a client terminal, a search topic from a user and one or more attributes associated with the topic and assigning a rating to at least one of the attributes. A server is used to locate, at one or more information locations, at least two separate instances of the topic and at least two information fields, each field related to one of the instances the topic. Content in each of at least two of the information fields is associated with at least one of the attributes and the content in each of the at least two information fields associated with an attribute is compared against each other. A score to the content of each compared instance of content is assigned based on the comparing. The attributes are prioritized and the located instances of the topic are ranked based on the prioritizing and the score of content associated with the topic. | 01-01-2009 |
20090006217 | Effecting an electronic payment - Effecting an electronic payment from customers to vendors over the Internet is disclosed. A vendor ( | 01-01-2009 |
20090006218 | System and Method for Sharing Gains to Promote Sales Through Evaluation Contents of Goods on Web Site - The present invention provides a system and method for sharing profits with beneficiaries designated by a recommender who evaluates goods of an on-line shopping mall or an on-line portal site etc. (hereinafter, an e-trading system), when a purchaser connects to the e-trading platform and buys goods of the e-trading platform through the evaluation contents. The system comprises a web server for administrating general purchasing procedures of registration, search, order, refund and delivery confirmation for goods, registering recommendation contents written by a recommender, a beneficiary, a profit sharing rate and a recommended goods list, and showing a sales web page of an e-trading platform; information providing means for providing the linking means with information on the goods including a beneficiary identifying code by connecting to the sales web page of the e-trading platform; and a profit sharing server for distributing the profit to the designated beneficiary, when any purchaser buys the goods or services at the web page of the e-trading platform including the beneficiary identifying codes through the recommendation contents. | 01-01-2009 |
20090006219 | METHOD FOR DISTRIBUTION OF AN AQUARIUM KIT - A method for distributing an aquarium kit through use of a Gift Card or Redemption Card. The Redemption Card is similar to a gift card and will entitle consumers to redeem an aquarium kit, via phone or internet, for direct shipment to any desired location. The Redemption Card will eliminate the hassle of purchasing an aquarium and fish, which often requires multiple transactions, and will free them from dedicating up to several hours in the process. Instead, the aquarium kit will conveniently arrive at the desired location ready for immediate setup. | 01-01-2009 |
20090012872 | PRICES COMPARISON SYSTEM FOR THE SECTOR OF SUPERMARKET AND RETAILER IN GENERAL IN REAL TIME - “PRICES COMPARISON SYSTEM FOR THE SECTOR OF SUPERMARKET AND RETAILER IN GENERAL IN REAL TIME”, notedly a system able to offer a selection of the cheaper prices and the respective commercial e/or industrial addresses to the final consumer, which stands out still for allowing an inter-activity between involved people, besides dynamism, once that offers the best prices in real time for the registered lists by the final consumer. The inter-activity also is justified by the sending of the information to the clients by e-mail, as well as alert for eventual prices reductions of registered products, without any onus. | 01-08-2009 |
20090012873 | SYSTEMS FOR MANAGING DIGITAL MEDIA DISTRIBUTION - Systems and methods for organizing and managing the collection and distribution of digital content to users via a network of kiosks are described. The systems contain a conglomerate of software applications that can be combined to manage the digital content itself, as well as manage the kiosks that used to distribute the digital content. The software applications are also able to manage the payments received by the users and the payments made to the providers of the digital content. The software applications can be web-based so that they can be accessed and operated via a single portal. Other embodiments are also described. | 01-08-2009 |
20090012874 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR A PRIVATE MARKET: FACILITATING CONNECTIONS BETWEEN BUYERS AND SELLERS OR EXCHANGERS OF PRODUCTS AND SERVICES WHILE MAINTAINING PRIVACY - A system and method are described that facilitate bilateral private interaction between participants who wish to initiate personal or business arrangements anonymously or without exposure except to identified trusted parties | 01-08-2009 |
20090012875 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR FACILITATING COMMERCIAL TRANSACTIONS USING AUTOMATIC VIRTUAL CURRENCY - Provided are methods and systems for facilitating commercial transactions, such as sales, trades, or barters, using a virtual currency value. A data repository containing a list of available items is created and updated. A virtual value is assigned to each item in the data repository. Upon a match between an offer and a request for an item, the virtual value of the item is deducted from the buyer's account, and is added to the seller's account. | 01-08-2009 |
20090012876 | Method of Doing Business Over a Network By Transmission and Retransmission of Digital Information on a Network During Time Slots - The present invention is a method of doing business over a network that: receives a request for transmitting digital information after a start time and before an end time, determines the time required to transmit the digital information based on the number of packets in the information and the network speed, schedules a transmit time for the digital information, and accepts the digital information for transmission only if the time required to transmit is less than or equal to the difference between the transmit time and the end time. Pricing of the transmission can be determined by the priority of transmission, whether the information is transmitted the first time or rescheduled, and whether the user receives an acknowledgment. | 01-08-2009 |
20090012877 | DATA PROCESSING SYSTEM AND METHOD - Embodiments of the invention are generally, but not exclusively, related to the area of interactive auctions, particularly to interactive Internet-based auctions that may be simultaneously televised and where bidders may input bids over channels other than the Internet. Other methods and apparatuses are also described. | 01-08-2009 |
20090018925 | Holiday commerce and holiday expressions in a geo-spatial environment - A method and system of holiday commerce and holiday expressions in a geo-spatial environment are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of organizing a community network includes obtaining member data associated with a member of the community network, determining a location of the member based on the member data, storing the member data in a member repository, obtaining a selection of an occasion from the member, displaying decoration options associated with the occasion to the member, obtaining a purchase selection of decoration options from the member, and displaying a decoration representation associated with the decoration options at the location on the geo-spatial map. The method may further include obtaining a residence representation associated with the member, and displaying the residence representation at the location on the geo-spatial map. The method may also include delivering a decoration associated with the decoration options to the member. | 01-15-2009 |
20090018926 | Web-based virtual clothing coordinator including personal mannequin with customer-directed measurements, image modification and clothing - A web-based clothing coordinator interacts with a customer through a computer network. Precision measurements taken from a body of a subject are compared with corresponding measurements taken from clothing offered for sale, and an exactness-of-fit is determined and communicated to the customer | 01-15-2009 |
20090018927 | SYSTEM FOR SHOPPING IN A STORE - A system for shopping in a store is provided that includes a multi-network for communications in a store, a shopping cart that weighs items placed therein and then transmits that weight information through the multi-network, and a wireless end device that may be handheld and/or releasably attached to the shopping cart whereby a shopper uses the wireless end device to send and receive information to the store though the multi-network. | 01-15-2009 |
20090018928 | Lead Marketplace System and Method with Ping Campaigns - A lead marketplace system and method are provided. The lead marketplace system and method provides an auction for leads. | 01-15-2009 |
20090024486 | ONLINE MARKETPLACE FOR INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY - A method for providing an internet network based marketplace for intellectual property assets comprises the steps of producing a list of intellectual property assets which a poster wishes to license or sell, and making the list of intellectual property assets accessible to the network to viewers interested in licensing or acquiring one or more items on the list of intellectual property in a controlled format, wherein the list of intellectual property assets may be uploaded from a poster via a transfer of data over the internet. Either the poster or the viewer may be alerted in response to alert criteria about information pertaining to the list of intellectual property | 01-22-2009 |
20090024487 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR OFFERING AND COMMERCIALIZING PROPOSALS - A method for facilitating the development of research proposals is provided. Each user is registered as a supplier or as a buyer. Then, for each of the suppliers, one or more proposal abstracts are accepted. Each proposal abstract is stored in a database. A search request for proposal abstracts meeting a criteria is received from at least one of the buyers. A list of matching proposal abstracts that meet the criteria of the search request is sent to the one of the buyer. A request to view one or more of the proposal abstracts from the list of matching proposal abstracts is received from one of the buyers. Each of the one or more proposal abstracts is sent to the buyer. | 01-22-2009 |
20090024488 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR IMPLEMENTING CENTRALIZED WORKFLOW MANAGEMENT FOR MULTIPLE DISPARATE ENTITIES - Systems and methods are provided to facilitate services for performing artists and their respective agents, managers, and other business representatives to interact and transact commerce with each other, and with buyers or purchasers of performing arts appearances within a secure online environment. In certain aspects, the systems and methods of the present invention advantageously leverage an online community and electronic processes of traditional entertainment procurement, and provide multiple entities with a customized cross-platform over the Internet without requiring certain relationship management software platforms. | 01-22-2009 |
20090030803 | MERCHANDISING ITEMS OF TOPICAL INTEREST - Various embodiments are described herein that provide one or more of a systems, methods, software, and data structures within an Internet marketp lace context that are useful to promote products that may be associated with an event occurrence. Some embodiments further utilize collaborative filtering to augment event-based product recommendations. | 01-29-2009 |
20090030804 | Method, System, and Apparatus for the Customization of the Funeral Home Services and Products, for Humans, Animals, and Pets - This relates to the products and services for funeral homes (for pets, animals, and humans), general memorabilia, general awards, pet awards, human awards, and general gifts, along with the customization of those items (for humans and pets). The customization can be done with the computer or through an interface with the Internet, such as a dedicated web site. It relates to items such as football theme dog, cat musical globe, graduation awards, hand-made objects, small gifts, urn, music box, jewelry box, personalized item, or prize. It relates to the software and business method that makes the customization on the Internet or any other computer or telecommunication network. It relates to the shape and accessories for urn, engravings, material choices, and urn structure. It relates to the box for ashes for animals or people, with different shelves, trays, doors, caps, hinges, and containers, with various functions, and with various figurines and plates, as described here, as some of the optional features. | 01-29-2009 |
20090030805 | Method and system for immediate home delivery of food prepared using recipes shown on television - A business method and system for immediate home delivery of meals prepared in a way as demonstrated by a chef on a television program. The chef mentioned herein, may be a celebrity chef, or other chef in general. Food providers (example restaurants) in various geographies where celebrity chef program airs and where there is a good likelihood of demand for their food, enter into a partnership agreement with the television network (or channel) airing the food show in order to prepare the food within reasonable timeframe of the demand, and deliver it immediately upon demand. The method includes prior sharing of celebrity chef television program and recipes details with the food providers so they are prepared to cook and deliver the required food to customers on time. The method includes utilizing mostly existing distribution channels for home delivery of food, though new distribution channels may also be built as required. | 01-29-2009 |
20090030806 | Data Filling Station - The present invention provides system and methods for facilitating the acquisition of content. In some embodiment, the systems and method enable a user to acquire and store content on a portable device. | 01-29-2009 |
20090030807 | TRACKING TRANSACTIONS BY USING ADDRESSES IN A COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK - Communications between participants over a communications link are proxied by an intermediary, such as an Integrated Order Mechanism (IOM). Participants interact with each other through the IOM. The IOM may be transparent to the participants such that they are not aware that the IOM is involved in processing communications. For example, in the context of a transaction by a customer making a purchase from a merchant over the Internet, the IOM facilitates the processing of transactions by processing requests from both the customer and the merchant. Neither the customer nor the merchant may be aware that the transactions are being handled by the IOM. Transactions may be tracked using addresses in a communications network. Address identifiers may be used to reduce the size of the addresses. | 01-29-2009 |
20090030808 | CUSTOMIZED TOY PET - A method of transmitting a virtual item and a physical item to a receiver includes customizing a virtual item in a designated internet website, producing a physical item corresponding to the customized virtual item, designating a receiver of the virtual item, designating the receiver of the physical item, transmitting the customized virtual item to the designated receiver, and transmitting the physical item to the designated receiver, wherein the physical item has a same three-dimensional appearance with the virtual item displayed on a two-dimensional screen of the designated internet website. | 01-29-2009 |
20090030809 | MESSAGE CONFIGURING METHOD FOR CONTROLLING PURCHASE SERVICE IN WIRELESS BROADCASTING - Disclosed is a method for configuring a message for controlling purchase service in wireless broadcasting. When a portable terminal directly uses a corresponding service through registration without a process for purchasing a charged broadcasting service, the portable terminal directly receives a Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service (MBMS) User ServiceID, and it is impossible to separate a GlobalPurchaseItemID and a PurchaseDataID from each other. Therefore, a purchase service list can not be known. However, according to the method herein, it is possible to separate two identifiers from each other in the portable terminal, so that it is possible to conveniently control each list regarding various types of purchased services. | 01-29-2009 |
20090030810 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FACILITATING A TRANSACTION BETWEEN A BUYER AND A SELLER - The present invention provides a computer system and method for facilitating a transaction between a buyer and a seller. The seller is one of multiple available providers of a product and/or service. Initially, the buyer sends out an order, and the order is automatically verified. A seller is then determined based on at least one desirable characteristic of that particular seller. Then, the order is automatically translated into a format understandable by the desired seller. The order is communicated to the desired seller and the status of the order is later communicated to the buyer. | 01-29-2009 |
20090030811 | Order and Payment Visibility Process - The present invention discloses systems and methods for facilitating order entry, fulfillment, shipment and payment in a networked environment. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention describes a system for communicating order entries from a seller to a supplier, while providing order status information to the buyer. Also, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a system and method for electronic invoice presentment, dispute resolution and payment in a networked environment is described. | 01-29-2009 |
20090030812 | Method and Apparatus for Bidding on Broadcast Service Requests and Offers From Nearby Devices - An improved method, apparatus, and computer instructions in a portable device for obtaining bids for a task. Access to a task in a set of tasks for bidding is provided through a wireless network. The access to the task includes a specification of a selected distance between a bidding entity and a location of the portable device that the bidding entity is required to be located within for generating bids. A bid for the task is received from an entity through the wireless network if the entity is within a selected distance of a location of the portable device. The bid may be accepted for completing the task. | 01-29-2009 |
20090037287 | Software Marketplace and Distribution System - In an embodiment, a computer implemented method is described. The method is performed at one or more servers, hosting a marketplace application. A software application is received from a software vendor for distribution. License terms are associated with the software application. The software application is made available for distribution through the marketplace application. The software application is deployed to one or more user accounts on one or more hosting servers, in accordance with the license terms. | 02-05-2009 |
20090037288 | RECIPE MANAGEMENT AND EXECUTION SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Systems and methods are provided herein that provide for recipe management and execution. | 02-05-2009 |
20090037289 | Method for facilitating chemical supplier transactions - A business-to-business transaction clearinghouse integrates the traditional point-to-point business supply chain at the clearinghouse. The clearinghouse provides cost effective access to a wide variety of members and includes value-added services. Members of the clearinghouse can include trading members, members that help the trading members ship their products, and banking members. The clearinghouse facilitates business among the trading members by providing a single point of contact for all transactions. The clearinghouse can be specific to an industry, such as the chemical industry. Multiple industry specific clearinghouses may form a network clearinghouses to effectively create one larger and more general business-to-business electronic commerce community. | 02-05-2009 |
20090037290 | Distributed System for Commerce - A distributed system for commerce including a merchant system with a communication system for receiving, processing and transmitting data. The system further includes an intermediate server system in communication with the merchant system, and this intermediate server system includes a data storage system for storing data transmitted thereto, as well as a communication system for receiving, processing and transmitting data. | 02-05-2009 |
20090043664 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING DYNAMIC PRICE AXES IN FEATURED USER INTERFACES - The invention relates to systems and methods that provide a user interface for use with an electronic trading system. The interface includes a display that shows a bid price axis and an ask price axis, as well as corresponding sizes, and a visual indicator of the inside market. When the inside market changes in response to changing market conditions, the display of the inside market clearly shows a spatial movement of the inside market as well as the representative price(s) associated therewith, thereby rendering the two price axis dynamic axis. The user interface is easy to use, intuitive as well as customizable, and contains features that facilitate efficient electronic trading and shows trading activity pertaining to the user as well as the market in general. | 02-12-2009 |
20090043665 | METHOD AND SYSTEM OF PROVIDING RECOMMENDATIONS DURING ONLINE SHOPPING - A method for facilitating online shopping stores shopping cart information of users who shopped before and makes recommendations for matching products according to aggregated shopping cart information. The method finds out what products go well with a product in a user's shopping cart by collecting data about combinations of products in different categories from the shopping carts of users who shopped before. Based on the collected shopping cart data, the method recommends popular matches to the user. | 02-12-2009 |
20090043666 | GENERATION OF WIRELESS NETWORK PLANNING REPORTS WITH SKU AND PRICING DATA - A wireless network architecture planning system and related operating methods are disclosed herein. The planning system generates a report for a recommended wireless network architecture for a proposed floor plan, where the report contains product identifier codes (e.g., SKUs) for wireless infrastructure components and related accessories. An embodiment of the planning system executes a computer-implemented method that receives floor plan data corresponding to the site, produces a proposed wireless network architecture for the site, obtains product identifier codes corresponding to wireless infrastructure components needed to deploy the recommended wireless network architecture, and generates a report that lists the product identifier codes. | 02-12-2009 |
20090043667 | System And Method For Real Time Account and Account Number Generation Using Origination APIS - A system and method generate an account in real time in accordance with an application programming interface (API). The API contains parameter descriptions listing universal resource locator (URL) parameters associated with items. A format for implementing an http request to transmit data to in compliance with the defined format is disclosed. A transparent mode for transmitting a response to an http request transmitting data provides for the transmission of an extensible markup language (XML) formatted file communicating an outcome to the request. | 02-12-2009 |
20090043668 | Shipping Address Population Using Online Address Book - A method for automatically generating a custom name list for use in an order form which can be submitted to an Internet shopping site to complete an order. The method utilizes address book data, stored primarily online utilizing a third party service. In one method, names and addresses are read from an address book database and incorporated into a form which enables the user to easily select recipients for one or more gifts. | 02-12-2009 |
20090043669 | Systems and methods for collaborative federation of support - An embodiment relates providing collaborative support for a service portal. The method includes providing a plurality of products on the service portal from a plurality of vendors, where each product is associated with a respective vendor. The method also includes receiving a set of selected products based on the plurality of products and determining a set of support resources for the set selection of products. The method further includes providing support through a single point of contact for the set of selected products from the service portal based on federation of service agents of the portals and the plurality of vendors. | 02-12-2009 |
20090043670 | System and method for network-based purchasing - Systems and methods for organizational purchasing are disclosed herein. More specifically, in certain embodiments a campaign corresponding to a product may be created and potential buyers informed of the campaign. These potential buyers may then themselves purchase the product in association with the campaign. In this manner not only are potential buyers informed that a product is being offered to one or more other buyers but the purchases of the individual buyers in association with the campaign may be aggregated to, for example, achieve a lower purchasing cost for each buyer relative to what the buyer would have paid if he had purchased only the quantity of product he desired. | 02-12-2009 |
20090043671 | System and method for network-based purchasing - Systems and methods for organizational purchasing are disclosed herein. More specifically, in certain embodiments a campaign corresponding to a product may be created and potential buyers informed of the campaign. These potential buyers may then themselves purchase the product in association with the campaign. In this manner not only are potential buyers informed that a product is being offered to one or more other buyers but the purchases of the individual buyers in association with the campaign may be aggregated to, for example, achieve a lower purchasing cost for each buyer relative to what the buyer would have paid if he had purchased only the quantity of product he desired. | 02-12-2009 |
20090043672 | Methods for concluding commercial transactions online through a mediator Web site using jurisdictional information - There is provided a method for concluding a commercial transaction online through a mediator's Web site using jurisdictional information, the method comprising: disclosing on the mediator's Web site product information in connection with a product for sale, where the product is physically located within a first geographical region fixed with a first jurisdiction; receiving a request from a prospective buyer to purchase the product, where the prospective buyer is located within a second geographical region fixed with a second jurisdiction; collecting by the mediator appropriate jurisdictional information in connection with the commercial transaction; and providing the appropriated jurisdictional information to the prospective buyer before concluding the commercial transaction. There is also provided a method for controlling listing of a commercial product on a mediator's Web site, as well as a method for controlling legality of concluding a commercial transaction online through a mediator's Web site. | 02-12-2009 |
20090043673 | USER INTERFACE FOR A COMPLEX ORDER PROCESSING SYSTEM - A user interface for a computerized complex order processing system presents a list of products and services associated with an account, a list of quotes associated with the account, a list of orders associated with the account, and several user-selectable options. The options allow the user to transfer a service profile by defaulting the existing services at an old location to a new location; add, modify, and disconnect products and services the service profile, quotes, and orders associated with a selected account. The options further allow the user to accept a quote, convert the quote to a sales order, update the amount of revenue to be generated by a quote, approve an order, and submit the order for provisioning | 02-12-2009 |
20090048937 | SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR PURCHASE MANAGEMENT FOR CUSTOM PRODUCTS - In at least some disclosed embodiments, a method includes receiving customer information regarding a custom product from a customer; generating a quotation for the custom product based on 1) the customer information, 2) dealer information, and 3) fabricator information; selling the customer the custom product in a sale based on the quotation; and communicating the sale to the customer, a dealer, and a fabricator. The dealer and the fabricator are associated with the custom product, and all elements of the method are performed in a network-based system. | 02-19-2009 |
20090048938 | Real Estate Transaction System - A network based real estate transaction system is disclosed for assisting real estate agents and their clients with determining properties for purchase. | 02-19-2009 |
20090048939 | Method and System for Handling Media Files - The invention includes methods and systems useful in the handling of media files. Provided are methods for providing media content to a user including storing media content items in a first computer; adapting the first computer to allow the user to access the media content items from a second computer through a network; adapting the first computer to allow the user to select some or all of the media content items; adapting the first computer to allow the user to arrange the media content items in any order that the user desires; and downloading the selected and arranged media content items to the second computer. Related systems and methods are also disclosed. | 02-19-2009 |
20090048940 | METHODS, SYSTEMS, AND STORAGE MEDIUMS FOR PROVIDING MULTI-MEDIA CONTENT STORAGE AND MANAGEMENT SERVICES - Methods, systems, and storage mediums for providing multi-media content storage and management services are provided. A method includes, from a single user interface: creating a library of content items, creating at least one other content item that includes an electronic greeting, and associating at least one component of the library with the electronic greeting to form an arrangement. The electronic greeting includes an electronic greeting card and a personalized message. The electronic greeting also includes a gift associated with a unique code. The gift includes one or more of a: music selection, movie, computer game, and video game. The gift is retrievable via electronic download upon entry of the unique code. | 02-19-2009 |
20090055282 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PAYMENT ON CALL IN A NETWORKED ENVIRONMENT - A computer-implemented method and system is disclosed in which a network-based e-commerce environment includes a merchant site to receive a voice call associated with a purchase transaction from a consumer, generate a payment request corresponding to the consumer purchase transaction in response to receiving the voice call, send the payment request to a payment site, and receive confirmation from the payment site that payment for the consumer purchase transaction has been received. | 02-26-2009 |
20090055283 | Dynamic tracking, analysis and acquisition of e-commerce advertising channels for toll-free and/or telephonic markets - The present invention assists the critical real-time decision making required to make important decision on bidding on various customer procurement commodities in a telephonic sales market. The invention provides dynamic pricing as a function of Internet or other types of advertisement costs for the telephonic market. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention is a virtual or physical e-commerce application with an interface connected to the telephonic routing system. A tracking identifier is used with an advertisement, usually a web-based ad, and routed via the vendor to the analysis and procurement system to measure advertising channel effectiveness. A pool of bidders can analyze the tracking data for effective and bid and procure an automated or manual 1800 sales or telephonic call from a consumer based on a number of factors. | 02-26-2009 |
20090055284 | TERMINAL DEVICE AND SECURITY DEVICE WHICH AUTOMATICALLY RECEIVE ELECTRONIC GIFT, INFORMATION PROVIDING METHOD FOR PROVIDING ELECTRONIC GIFT TOGETHER WITH REQUESTED ELECTRONIC INFORMATION, AND INFORMATION SERVER - It is possible to provide a privilege for data communication without requiring a troublesome user operation and to realize an information provision system for ensuring anonymousness of the user for a site. | 02-26-2009 |
20090055285 | VIEWING SHOPPING INFORMATION ON A NETWORK-BASED SOCIAL PLATFORM - A system for viewing shopping information on a social networking platform. At the social networking platform, the system receives a request from a first user of the social networking platform to view a list associated with a second user on the social networking platform. The list may include items offered for sale on a network-based marketplace. Next, the system determines the first user is authorized to view the list associated with the second user. Finally, the system communicates the list of items to the first user. | 02-26-2009 |
20090055286 | INVERSE MULTIPLE AUCTION - A method and system for encouraging competition in an on-line auction includes receiving at least one bid to buy an item and communicating the bids or a summary thereof to a plurality of sellers. A seller may respond to the bids by accepting a bid or making an offer. Information on the status of the bidding and offers may be made available to one or more participants to encourage an open market and informed decision making by all participants. | 02-26-2009 |
20090055287 | INTERNET-BASED MONEY ORDER SYSTEM - A system and method for purchasing a money order via the internet including the steps of providing an internet based money order system capable of generating money orders upon the receipt of a purchase request by a prospective buyer via the internet for a predetermined amount of funds. The prospective buyer transmits information to the money order system. via the internet, which information is required to purchase the money order. The money order is then remotely generated by the money order system and is delivered to an intended recipient of the money order. | 02-26-2009 |
20090055288 | DIGITAL CONTENT FILE RESALE AND PURCHASE SYSTEM AND METHOD - A system and method for allowing the owners of digital content files to resell or purchased used content. The system provides for access via the internet | 02-26-2009 |
20090063287 | Method of Processing Orders - A method and apparatus are provided for processing orders by a host of an ordering organization, the orders being placed by the ordering organization with a vendor. The method includes the steps of an agent of the ordering organization accessing an order website and entering a plurality of order items and the host incorporating the order items and a change subroutine into a webpage. The method further includes the steps of an agent of the vendor retrieving the webpage from the host of the ordering organization, the agent of the ordering organization and agent of the vendor negotiating the conditions of the order and the change subroutine tracking and recording the agreed upon conditions. | 03-05-2009 |
20090063288 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PRODUCT REVIEW INFORMATION GENERATION AND MANAGEMENT - A computer-implemented system and method for product review information generation and management are disclosed. An example embodiment prompts a first user for entry of product review information associated with a product in a product category and with product attributes, stores the product review information, determines when a second user accesses product listings in the product category or with one or more of the product attributes, and presents the second user with the product review information. | 03-05-2009 |
20090063289 | TRUSTED STATEMENT VERIFICATION FOR DATA PRIVACY - Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to privacy data management and provide a novel and non-obvious method, system and computer program product for trusted statement verification for data privacy. In one embodiment of the invention, a method for trusted statement verification for data privacy can be provided. The method can include deducing a claim from an attribute for personal data for an end user, receiving a request from a personal data consumer to vouch for an assertion based upon the attribute, comparing the assertion to the claim, and providing a voucher for the assertion to the personal data consumer on behalf of the end user if the claim supports the assertion without revealing the attribute to the personal data consumer. | 03-05-2009 |
20090063290 | System and Method Utilizing A Customer Relationship Management Software Application To Convert A Price Quote Into An Electronic Shopping Cart - A customer requests a price quote for certain goods or services. The requisite information is entered into a customer relationship management (CRM) software application, which is capable of sending a price quote to the customer. The CRM application is provisioned with a feature that creates an e-mail containing a weblink to an electronic shopping basket, along with other information pertaining to the price quote. Once finalized, the e-mail is sent to the customer who had requested the price quote. If the customer then activates the weblink, the web site application displays the electronic shopping cart to the customer, and gives the customer the opportunity to conclude the sale. This makes it easy for the customer to purchase the goods or services in the shopping cart, without further the delay. For the vendor, it increases the likelihood of converting a price quote into a sale. | 03-05-2009 |
20090063291 | Data Element Specific Transaction Routing - Systems and methods for determining a least cost transaction scheme for a merchant is provided according to one embodiment of the invention. The least cost transaction scheme may be determined at a point of sale device or at a host computer system that communicates with a point of sale device. The least cost transaction scheme may depend on a standard industrial classification (SIC) code associated with the merchant and a transaction amount. In one embodiment the transaction amount and merchant ID is sent to a host computer system. Based on the merchant ID and the transaction amount the host computer system determines a fees for a plurality of transaction schemes. From the plurality of transaction schemes, a least cost transaction scheme is selected and a user is prompted to use the least cost transaction scheme to tender the transaction. | 03-05-2009 |
20090063292 | Method and Apparatus for Purchasing Digital Playlists - Digital media products and methods for making them are disclosed. A digital media product can effectively not have any value until purchased and activated at a point-of-sale. In one embodiment, the digital media product is content specific and provided to allow acquisition of a particular collection of digital media assets upon activation. As one example, the collection can pertain to a playlist, album or set of content. | 03-05-2009 |
20090063293 | Dynamic Presentation of Location-Specific Information - Improved approaches to allow a portable electronic device to dynamically present location-specific information while the portable electronic device is at a predetermined location are disclosed. In one embodiment, the portable electronic device has a display that can display the location-specific information and has wireless capabilities for use in receiving the location-specific information from the server. The location-specific information can, for example, augment other information that is to be presented on the display. In one embodiment, the location-specific information can be information pertaining to a media item being played in an establishment, such as a store, where the portable electronic device is located. | 03-05-2009 |
20090063294 | Scoring Feed Data Quality - A method and apparatus for scoring a data feed is provided. A feed scoring system takes as an input a data summary file produced by the data feed processing engine. The data file contains field coverage data, attribute extraction data, and mapping data. The data file is processed by the feed scoring system to create a set of scores. The scores are organized and presented in a hierarchical manner. | 03-05-2009 |
20090063295 | Electronic commerce rule-based multi-selection gifting - A method for multi-selection gifting, including maintaining a merchandise database comprising records for merchandise for a plurality of merchants, each record including a stock keeping unit (SKU) for an item of merchandise, a description of the item, a price of the item, and the merchant for the item, maintaining a gift database comprising records for multi-selection gifts, each record including at least one gift recipient, a plurality of SKU's for items of merchandise, and at least one selection rule for selecting at least one of the items of merchandise, interactively enabling a gift giver to generate a multi-selection gift for a gift recipient, Interactively guiding the gift recipient to select at least one of the items of merchandise in the multi-selection gift in accordance with the gift's at least one selection rule, aggregating the at least one item selected by the gift recipient according to merchant, issuing purchase orders to each merchant in accordance with the aggregated selected items corresponding to such merchant, and billing the gift giver according to the at least one item of merchandise selected by the gift recipient. A system and a computer-readable storage medium are also described and claimed. | 03-05-2009 |
20090063296 | Business method for improving the flower industry - A business method in flower industry is created, where internet technology is that brings more revenue to the flower industry, using different opportunity that internet technology offers to customers and businesses. Flower industry customers have own web page where may receive a business offers. | 03-05-2009 |
20090063297 | System and Method for an Electronic Gift Key - A system and method for a physically-based gift key enabling a purchaser to deliver a single, fully-integrated gift item to a recipient and including an electronic greeting card and store credits redeemable online is presented. The method includes the steps of activating a gift key, customizing an electronic greeting card associated with the gift key at a host site via physical or wireless linkage of a gift key to a first local computer, accessing the greeting card at the host site via linkage of the gift key to a second local computer, and redeeming a store credit associated with the gift key at a retail website accessible from the host site. The system includes a gift key and a host computer system directly or indirectly controlling a host site. The gift key has a housing, an integrated circuit within the housing, and a connector or wireless interface extending from the housing so as to allow linkage of the gift key with a computer remotely located with respect to the host and retailer sites. The local computer automatically launches a website at the host or retailer levels when the gift key is linked to the local computer. | 03-05-2009 |
20090063298 | ONLINE INFORMATION MARKETPLACE FOR OBTAINING A QUALIFIED BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY - A computer-implemented method for obtaining information is described. The computer-implemented method includes receiving an information request for a qualified business opportunity from a user. The computer-implemented method also includes providing the information request to an information source. Moreover, the computer-implemented method includes receiving the qualified business opportunity from the information source. The computer-implemented method further includes sending the qualified business opportunity to the user. Furthermore, the computer-implemented-method includes awarding compensation to the information source. | 03-05-2009 |
20090070227 | System and Method for Ordering Consumables - A system for ordering consumables includes a peripheral device that utilizes at least one consumable, an entitlement system established between a user of the peripheral device and a supplier of at least one consumable, wherein the user pre-purchases a quantity of at least one consumable from the supplier for subsequent delivery on an as-needed basis and the peripheral device being adapted to communicate with the supplier to request delivery of at least one consumable pursuant to the entitlement system. | 03-12-2009 |
20090070228 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR E-COMMERCE AND MOBILE NETWORKS FOR PROVIDING PURCHASE EXPERIENCES OF FRIENDS IN A SOCIAL NETWORK - Methods, for facilitating electronic commerce using a social network, including: registering users on a social-network product-review site, wherein each user can be connected to other users by designating the other users as friends; identifying product purchases, of the users, made in merchant locations; collecting purchase details, and associated-user identities; sending a notification to an associated user requesting a user-specific product review from the associated user upon the associated user receiving the purchase details associated with the associated user; obtaining the user-specific product review and permissions from the associated user, wherein the permissions designate to share the user-specific product review and a relevant associated-user identity with associated-user friends; determining product-related information being accessed in various locations by a product-seeking user; ascertaining an identity of the product-seeking user; and presenting related-product reviews, based on the product-related information and related permissions, of user-related friends to the product-seeking user in the various locations. | 03-12-2009 |
20090070229 | Device and a method for ordering product at a premises via an integrated multimedia service system - A product ordering device provided at a digital home system at a user premises is disclosed. The digital home system comprises a user terminal and a gateway device within the premises. Occupants at the premises enjoy the product ordering service on an interactive user interface displayed via the user terminal. The gateway device is coupled for communication with the user terminal via a local area network, and for communication with a wide area network outside the premises; and the gateway device is configured for obtaining product data via the wide area network and providing the product data to the terminal for display on the display device. Upon placement of a product order by a user input through the terminal, the gateway device sends an order message outside of the integrated multimedia service system to request a corresponding vendor for the ordered product to deliver the ordered product at the premises. The product ordering service and the product data are provided and updated by a management server located outside of the premises. | 03-12-2009 |
20090070230 | REMOTE PURCHASING SYSTEM AND METHOD - A scheme for enabling the remote purchasing of products or services based on a recipient's location. In one embodiment, a computer-implemented method for enabling a purchaser to purchase a product or service for a specified recipient different from the purchaser includes: (a) receiving location-based information obtained from a device or token associated with the recipient; (b) generating a list of one or more possible venues based on the location-based information; (c) presenting to the purchaser, via a first communications device, the list of one or more possible venues; (d) receiving from the purchaser a selection of a set of one or more venues from the list of one or more possible venues; (e) receiving, via the first communications device, an instruction from the purchaser to purchase at least one selected product or service for the recipient, the at least one selected product or service to be provided to the recipient in person at any venue in the set of one or more venues; and (f) providing to the recipient, via a second communications device, a notification corresponding to the instruction. | 03-12-2009 |
20090076925 | OFFEREE REQUESTED OFFER BASED ON POINT-OF-SERVICE TO OFFEREE DISTANCE - In response to a consumer's request for inventory, an merchant supplies a requested offer for inventory to a consumer when the consumer is within a predetermined distance from the merchant. The merchant transmits a merchant identifier, a description of the inventory of the merchant that the merchant is willing to make an offer on, the offer, and instructions to transmit the offer to the consumer making the request for the inventory when the consumer is within the predetermined distance. The merchant receives notice that the offer has been made to the consumer. The consumer accepts the merchant's offer by entering into a transaction with the merchant for the requested inventory that applies the offer to the transaction. The value of the offer may be based on a parameter such as the consumer's distance from the merchant or the consumer's transaction history for an account associated with the consumer within a payment processing system. | 03-19-2009 |
20090076926 | Method For Selling Multiple Like-Items In A Single Auction - An on-line auction method enables a seller to sell multiple like-items with a single auction by (a) offering an item for auction that is to be sold to the winning bidder at the end of the auction, (b) promptly communicating a post-auction offer to non-winning bidders and non-bidding viewers to purchase an additional quantity of like-items within a short first acceptance period following the auction, (c) upon the expiration of the first acceptance period, extending a second offer to non-winning bidders to purchase a like-item within a longer second acceptance period; and (d) extending a third offer to purchase an additional quantity of like-items to bidders and non-bidding viewers who have accepted a post-auction offer. | 03-19-2009 |
20090076927 | DISTINGUISHING ACCESSORIES FROM PRODUCTS FOR RANKING SEARCH RESULTS - Offer listings can be classified as accessory offers or product offers using a classification operation performed on a corpus of offers. Data from the classification operation can be used to classify received queries as either product or accessory, and to classify results as products or accessories for purposes of presenting a relevant list of results to a user. | 03-19-2009 |
20090076928 | System and method for automating RFP process and matching RFP requests to relevant vendors - Disclosed is an open online system that allows users to use an automated Request for Proposal (RFP) process powered by a modern communicational web-platform. The system adapts to user feedback, and provides the automated communicational platform to administrate the RFP process; letting users post so-called “Needs,” “NeedCatchers,” “NeedTrackers,” “Helps,” and “Pro-helps.” Needs are buying signals similar to RFPs, providing a request for a service, good, advice, or other information. NeedCatchers and NeedTrackers are implemented by users, and contain tables of words and data defined by a user, wherein the words and data relate to services, products, or information in which the user is interested in providing to other users. The NeedCatchers and NeedTrackers act as a way to receive posted Needs that are relevant to the words and data defined in the user's NeedCatcher or NeedTracker. “Help” and “Pro-help” are ways of providing information to a user posting a Need. | 03-19-2009 |
20090076929 | CONTENT PROVIDING/ACQUIRING SYSTEM - A content providing apparatus previously receives customer identification information and content identification information as customer reservation information via a terminal device, and sends customer desired content data corresponding to the content identification information to a content obtaining apparatus, so as to provide a customer with the customer desired content data via the content obtaining apparatus more easily, thus making it possible to significantly improve the usability of a content obtaining/providing system. In addition, a content providing server sends three-dimensional images to a portable dedicated terminal in response to a preview request sent from the portable dedicated terminal to display it, and then sends commercial data corresponding to a preview request sent according to the display state of the three-dimensional images to reproduce it, so as to make the customer view and preview the content to allow the customer to accurately judge whether the content meets his/her taste, thus making it possible to select content data lightheartedly. | 03-19-2009 |
20090076930 | METHOD, COMPUTER READABLE MEDIUM, AND SYSTEM FOR ASSISTING A CUSTOMER IN MAKING PURCHASES - A method of assisting a customer in making purchases includes receiving a voiced call from the customer at an automated voice services node. Voice instructions from the customer are received through the received voiced call at the voice services node. The voice instructions pertain to the purchase to be made for the customer. The voice instructions are interpreted to generate instruction data. A stored customer profile is located. The customer profile provides governing data for purchases for the customer. An automated purchase is initiated over a communications network in accordance with the instruction data and customer profile. | 03-19-2009 |
20090076931 | Method of using wireless communication device to tender for remaining seats of higher class in a transportation tool which is about to depart or has just departed - A method of using wireless communication device to tender for remaining seats of higher class in a transportation tool which is about to depart or has just departed. The method includes steps (a) to (e). In step (a), before or after the transportation tool departs, the transportation company transmits data of remaining seats of higher class to an Internet auction website or an auction website on a wireless communication network. In step (b), before or after the transportation tool departs, authorized passengers start tendering for the remaining seats via the wireless communication network. In step (c), the passengers winning the remaining seats pay the difference with a credit card through a terminal of the wireless communication network or directly pay the difference to a serviceman. In step (d), after paid, a passenger seat list is changed and transmitted to the transportation company. In step (e), the transportation company transmits the data of successful switch of seats back to the transportation tool for a serviceman to lead the passengers to new seats. | 03-19-2009 |
20090083161 | PREFERRED ITEMS LIST MANAGEMENT - Systems and methods of generating a list of preferred items are disclosed herein. A uniform resource identifier that references a listing web service is provided. A call to the listing web service is received from a linking website. The call to the listing web service includes an item identifier corresponding to an item that the consumer is willing to purchase. The call can be executed as a result of the consumer selecting a listing icon that references the uniform resource identifier. The listing icon is displayed on the linking website hosted at a linking domain. The listing web service can be executed to add the item to the list of preferred items associated with the consumer. The list of preferred items is displayed on a listing website. The listing website can be hosted at a listing domain which is different from the linking domain. | 03-26-2009 |
20090083162 | System and method for providing delivery of goods - In connection with the delivery of goods ordered by a customer, a system and method functions to use information associated with the customer and/or goods ordered by the customer to determine additional goods that are likely to be of interest to the customer. The additional goods may then be included on a delivery vehicle whereupon the additional goods may be offered for sale to the customer. The offer for sale may be made directly from the delivery vehicle or by stocking and offering the additional goods at a wholesaler location, such as a vending machine, wholesaler branch location, etc. | 03-26-2009 |
20090083163 | FOR FEE DISTRIBUTION OF CONSUMER SELECTED CONTENT ITEMS BETWEEN DIFFERENT SATELLITE RADIO SERVICE PROVIDERS - According to the invention, a subscriber to a first satellite radio service can be provided with an option to receive, over their current receiver unit, supplemental content, such as a particular show or channel, which is otherwise only available within a relevant jurisdiction as part of a subscription package to subscribers of one or more other satellite radio services. Thus, without purchasing a full subscription to another service, the subscriber of the first satellite radio service may arrange to receive supplemental content that is otherwise only available as part of a subscription package, such as a basic or general subscription package, to subscription holders of one or more other services. The invention also provides methods of broadcasting and methods of configuring dedicated and interoperable satellite radio receiver units so that the supplemental content can be received by a subscriber. | 03-26-2009 |
20090089174 | Method to generate a customizable product configurator - A method of customizing a product comprising. According to one embodiment, a set of one or more customizable product classes are available from which a create a customizable product. Upon receiving a request to create a customizable product instance, component products are provided to be associated with the customizable product if proper. | 04-02-2009 |
20090089175 | PRODUCT EVALUATION SYSTEM AND PRODUCT EVALUATION METHOD - A product evaluation system and a product evaluation method allow people to quickly, inexpensively, and accurately evaluate large amounts of products including those that do not have information attached in advance in the manufacturing stage. The system comprises an I/O component that functions as a product identification mechanism that identifies product type including at least one of product, product group, product brand, or product category, a characteristic acquisition mechanism that acquires characteristic information of the product, an evaluator that performs authentication and value estimations of products, and a data store that stores information related to the product. The evaluation mechanism performs authentication and value estimations of products based on characteristic information of the product acquired by the characteristic acquisition mechanism, and genuine product characteristic information, counterfeit product characteristic information, and value information and market information for each condition included in the information related to products stored in the data store. | 04-02-2009 |
20090089176 | MODULAR ELECTRONIC WALLET - A computer program is provided that causes a computer to enable a user to make an electronic payment via a communication network. A user is authenticated to a server computer. The computer retrieves identification information stored in a memory region of the computer, and transmits the identification information to a server computer via the communication network. In addition, the computer displays a personal-finance toolbar on a portion of the display screen, and the computer receives from the server computer, via the communication network, financial information of at least one financial account corresponding to the user. The computer displays, on the tool bar, at least some of the financial information received from the server computer. The computer concurrently displays on the display screen the tool bar and a Web page of a Web site, which is a purchase page on which the user may input purchase information. The computer automatically inputs the purchase information to the purchase page in response to activation of an icon on the toolbar, wherein the computer obtains the purchase information from at least one memory region of the computer. | 04-02-2009 |
20090089177 | Apparatus, methods and systems for discounted referral and recommendation of electronic content - Apparatus, methods and systems for sharing and distributing electronic content using a mobile device are presented. In more specific terms, a viral marketing-based, discounted referral and recommendation model by which users may forward electronic content to other users in disclosed. In one aspect, a method of distributing electronic media content over a network includes displaying a discounted offer on a first device that has been transmitted from another device for which the electronic media content has been purchased. A notification is then received, and upon receiving an acceptance from the first device, the electronic media content is transmitted to the device. | 04-02-2009 |
20090089178 | System and method for multi-channel, interactive delivery of product information and buying decision information - A system for facilitating multi-channel, interactive delivery of information regarding appliances to customer, to all staff interfacing with customers, and to the retailer's web site is integrated to provide timely and complete information to customer's shopping for an appliance. | 04-02-2009 |
20090089179 | Machine-Implemented Method for Assisting Labeling of Correct Product Selling Prices - In a machine-implemented method for assisting labeling of correct product selling prices on a shopping website, upon receipt of an input of a product name and a selling price of a product, a network interface program is enabled to search a specific shopping website for selling prices of related product items. An average selling price of the related product items thus located is found, and a determination as to whether a difference between the inputted product selling price and the average selling price is greater than a preset value is made. Acceptance of the inputted product selling price is refused and a warning message is issued if affirmative. The inputted product selling price is accepted and stored if otherwise. Accordingly, an operator of the shopping website can be assisted to detect pricing errors so as to prevent labeling of incorrect product selling prices due to oversight. | 04-02-2009 |
20090089180 | METHOD OF PROVIDING SERVICES INCLUDING ESSAY PROVIDING AND REVIEW SERVICES BASED ON AUTHENTICATION OF COLLEGE STUDENTS, AND SYSTEM THEREFOR - Provided are a method and system for providing services based on authentication of college students. According to the present invention, a verification code is transmitted to an email account that is provided by a college, a college student who inputs the same verification code is authenticated, and the authenticated college student provides the services including an essay providing service or an essay review service, based on the verified identity of the college student. | 04-02-2009 |
20090089181 | Methods and systems for conducting transactions with wireless communications devices using a secure interactive service - Methods and systems are provided for conducting a secure transaction with a wireless communications device. According to one implementation, a virtual call center receives an electronic message from the wireless communications device. The electronic message may include a key text phrase and be addressed to an automated service identifier. The virtual call center determines transaction information based on at least one of the key text phrase, the automated service identifier, or an identifier of the wireless communications device. The transaction information includes at least an identity of a merchant. The virtual call center then initiates or provides to the wireless communications device a secure interactive service to receive at least private information and receives at least the private information through the secure interactive service. Thereafter, the virtual call center can complete the secure transaction by providing at least the transaction information and the private information to the merchant. | 04-02-2009 |
20090089182 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DATA RECIPIENT STORAGE AND RETRIEVAL OF DATA USING A NETWORK COMMUNICATION DEVICE - A system and method for data recipient invoked electronic commerce allowing data subjects to provide information over a network and data recipients to receive such information relating to the needs of s data subject such as purchases, distribution of application information and the like. The system includes a server having software which gathers the information from a data subject to complete a transaction over a network. The system has a data subject data structure that stores information for registered data subjects. The software is able to access the data subject data structure and enter the data subject's information during subsequent transactions. Having the software obtain and enter the data subject's purchasing information, the data subject does not have to enter the same information every time the data subject desires to effect a transaction over the network. In alternate embodiments, the same technology can be applied to other arenas where a user may have to enter the same repetitive information. | 04-02-2009 |
20090094130 | PROCUREMENT REQUISITION PROCESSING METHOD AND SYSTEM - A purchasing method and system. The method includes purchasing method comprising generating by said computing system a database table. The database table comprises catalog purchase types for items available for purchase. An entity profile associated with an entity is generated. The entity profile is associated with entity allowable catalog purchase types selected from the available catalog purchase types in the database table. A catalog profile is generated. The catalog profile is associated with the entity profile. A user profile associated with the entity profile is generated. The user profile is associated with the entity allowable catalog purchase types. Specified catalogs are identified and presented to a user. The user profile is comprised of a default purchase type and additional user related details. The specified catalogs are associated with the default purchase type, the user profile, the entity profile, and the catalog profile. | 04-09-2009 |
20090094131 | System and method for customer delivery notification - Build-to-order products are shipped to consumers through plural shipping providers by giving the consumer an estimated delivery date for the arrival of the product at the consumer delivery address. Using an estimated delivery date makes the notice agnostic of the shipping provider so that multiple transport means may be used to ship the product. | 04-09-2009 |
20090094132 | METHOD FOR FUNDRAISING BY PROVIDING CUSTOMIZED ITEMS - In a method for providing access to and using an edutainment website original artwork created by one or more participants as part of a fundraising event and embodied in custom postage is registered on the website. Registrants or entities authorized to act on behalf of the registrants a provided with instructions regarding how to access the website. Once accessed, depending upon where within the website a registrant goes, the registrant can interact with educational and entertainment programming operable on the website. | 04-09-2009 |
20090094133 | ORDERING ASSISTANT - A request is received to configure an order for services. A question tree is accessed, the question tree being related to a form that may be used to place the order. User responses are received to two or more questions included in the question tree. A configuration output is provided that identifies fields in the form to be populated and values for the fields in the form that are to be populated. | 04-09-2009 |
20090094134 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR STORED-VALUE EXCHANGE WITHIN SOCIAL NETWORKING ENVIRONMENTS - An electronic social networking environment enables the transfer of stored value between users of the environment. A transfer may be in the form of a gift from one user to another. The stored value may represent actual currency or virtual currency. The stored value may be redeemed within or outside the electronic social networking environment, and may be redeemed with one or more merchants. The stored value may be redeemed for a physical item or service or for a virtual item or service. | 04-09-2009 |
20090094135 | PRINT DRIVER BASED MARKETING SYSTEM AND METHOD - A method of providing access to an online marketplace via a printer driver that is in communication with a networked printing device. The marketplace offers printer capabilities which are compatible with the networked printing device. The computing device receives a request to purchase one of the printer capabilities for the networked printing device. The printer driver associates the purchased printer capability with the computing device. | 04-09-2009 |
20090094136 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AN EFFICIENT DYNAMIC MULTI-UNIT AUCTION - The present invention implements an auction in which multiple types of goods may be auctioned in a dynamic process. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention is a system and method for a computer implemented dynamic multi-unit auction in which the price paid or received by bidders tends to be independent of their own bids, in which participants may be provided with information concerning their competitors' bids as the auction progresses, and in which the confidentiality of high values may be maintained. Participants' quantities bid at a given time may be restricted to be less than or equal to the quantities bid at an earlier time. These features provide the advantage of improving economic efficiency of the auction design over the prior art. | 04-09-2009 |
20090099938 | Web based communication of information with reconfigurable format - A system of using an interactive device such as an e-mail pager to obtain information from a publicly available source, such as the Internet. The e-mail pager may send information in its native format to a service that acts as an intermediary. That service takes the information and uses it to assemble a request to the actual information source, such as a Web page being accessed. If a web page is being accessed, the request is in HTML, and may include personal logon information. The response from the web page is also in HTML, and this information is received by the service, and salient information is taken from the HTML file. The information is reformatted, e.g. according to a template, into the e-mail pager's native format, and sent to the pager. Another embodiment describes opening multiple pages, and assembling their content into a single web page. | 04-16-2009 |
20090099939 | CONFIGURABLE INTELLIGENT COUNTDOWN CLOCK FOR ONLINE AUCTIONS - This disclosure describes, generally, methods and systems for dynamically counting down to an on-line auction end time. The method includes initiating a countdown clock with an end time that corresponds to the on-line auction end time, and accessing an auction server to obtain data used to refresh a current time of the countdown clock. The auction server is accessed at an incrementally faster refresh rate as the on-line auction end time is approached. The method further includes presenting, based on the refresh data obtained from accessing the auction server, an updated countdown clock. | 04-16-2009 |
20090099940 | PROVIDING A MARKETPLACE FOR WEB SERVICES - A method, system, and computer-readable medium is described for facilitating interactions between computing systems, such as by providing an electronic Web service (“WS”) marketplace via which third-party WS providers make their WSes available to third-party WS consumers who locate and purchase access to those WSes via the electronic marketplace. Some or all available WSes may have associated use prices and or non-price use conditions, and if so access to those WSes may be provided only if a consumer requesting access provides appropriate payment and otherwise satisfies the specified use conditions. In some situations, WS consumers may also purchase subscriptions to provide later access to registered WSes. This abstract is provided to comply with rules requiring it, and is submitted with the intention that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. | 04-16-2009 |
20090099941 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ENABLING CASH GIFTS IN AN ONLINE REGISTRY - A system and method for facilitating cash gifts by enabling a gift recipient to create an online gift registry which includes an option to allow gift givers to make cash gifts in addition to traditional consumer goods from multiple merchants. Other applications of the system and method include, but are not limited to, allowing gift givers to contribute cash toward the purchase of an expensive item and an automated system for sending thank you cards to gift givers from gift recipients. | 04-16-2009 |
20090106117 | CONTENT REQUEST, STORAGE AND/OR CONFIGURATION SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR LIVE CONTENT OR EVENTS - A content request, storage, and configuration system is provided for attendees of live events or performances, which associates pieces of content with one or more keywords, and configures the content for the benefit of a user. Content owners load content into the system or link content elsewhere to the system, and optionally designate a set of actions to be taken. Keywords are assigned to the content and actions by the system based on user input and/or auto-generation by the system. Thus, while attending a live event or performance, any of a variety of methods, including but not limited to Short Message Service (SMS) and instant messaging, are used by a user to communicate these keywords to the system, to indicate user interest in the associated content. Receipt by the system of the keywords from the user triggers the system to retrieve the relevant pieces of content, associate said content with the user making the request, and to take the designated actions if appropriate. In addition, users may designate that the system retrieve the relevant pieces of content and associate said content with other users. | 04-23-2009 |
20090106118 | PAYMENT USING FUNDS PUSHING - Apparatus, systems, and methods may operate to present, via a networked client coupled to a first financial entity, a graphical user interface including an account associated with a first party, an amount to be paid, and an email address associated with a second party. Further activities may include receiving an indication from the graphical user interface to transfer, via a selected payment processor, the amount to be paid from the account associated with the first party and held by the first financial entity to an account linked to the email address. The amount to be paid may then be pushed from the account held by the first financial entity directly to the selected payment processor. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed. | 04-23-2009 |
20090106119 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ONLINE COMMERCE - The invention provides a secure online payment method and system. In an embodiment of the invention, a transaction system facilitates online purchase of merchant items by customers and to have those purchased items billed, i.e., debited, to a telephone account. Particularly, the system comprises a number of customer web access devices, a TCP/IP communications network, a number of merchant computers, a centralized payment server, and a number of telecommunication company (TELCO) networks. Communications are bridged between the TCP/IP network and the number of TELCO networks implementing, for example a common channel signaling (CCS) based protocol, such as signaling system 7 (SS7). | 04-23-2009 |
20090106120 | Apparatus and system to market products via internet - A system to market products via the Internet pays an Internet surfer to view and evaluate offers for sale on the Internet. | 04-23-2009 |
20090106121 | UNIVERSAL BUSINESS TO MEDIA TRANSACTION SYSTEM - A computer network based universal transaction system (CNBUTS) architecture that enables transaction between one or more offer providers and one or more customers relating to offers of wares (e.g., goods/services) by the offer providers. In one embodiment, the architecture of the CNBUTS includes a universal agent system, one or more offering systems and one or more marketplace systems. The universal agent system receives one or more offers of wares available for transactions. Each offering system enables offer providers to define the offer(s) of wares available for transaction. Each marketplace system receives the offer(s) of wares from the universal agent system, presents the customers the offer(s) of wares, receives transaction requests from the customers, and communicates received transaction requests to the universal agent system. The universal agent system communicates the offer(s) of wares from the offering system(s) to the marketplace system(s) and processes transaction requests received from the marketplace system(s). | 04-23-2009 |
20090106122 | Method and Apparatus for Simplified E-Commerce Shopping Via Home Shopping Terminals - In a method and apparatus for connecting an e-shopping facility for example such as an e-concierge station or an e-service or merchandise provide, with an e-shopping or merchandise provider, with an e-shopping appliance for example such as a television interphone monitor or a central processing unit or terminal, via a communications network such as for example a private network, public network or internet and through an interface unit e-shopping software programs are installed into the memory of the central processing unit which selects processing and ordering e-service and/or e-merchandize on the basis of the programs. A stopping signal is generated and propagated between the shopping appliance and the interface unit and processed through the interface unit. An interfaced shopping signal is then communicated between the shopping appliance and the e-shopping appliance and the e-shopping facility. | 04-23-2009 |
20090106123 | NETWORK-BASED SYSTEM - The present invention relates to a method of conducting a transaction in a trading system. The invention is particularly directed to a trading system where a merchant sends goods and/or services to a customer when the customer is generally located remotely from the merchant. The invention is also directed towards providing a system for carrying out such transactions. The invention is particularly directed to the carrying out of the financial transactions and is not concerned particularly with the actual method of trading. | 04-23-2009 |
20090106124 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ORDERING AND DELIVERING OF MEALS - A method and system for taking orders, scheduling delivery and delivering products to customers. In the method, available pickup locations are selected, and a customer's order to is delivered to a pickup location that is convenient for the customer. The entity operating the delivery process aggregates orders assigned to the same pickup location. A Mobile Pickup Station (MPS), carrying all the orders assigned to the pickup location, is dispatched to the pickup location and stays at the pickup location for a predetermined period of time waiting for customers to pick up their orders. | 04-23-2009 |
20090106125 | Method and System for Information Handling System Consumables Automated Ordering - An automated consumable ordering system and method obtains an information handling system purchaser's preferences for ordering consumables used by devices of an information handling system ordered for manufacture and loads the consumable ordering preferences on a consumable ordering module of the information handling system during manufacture. Consumable usage by the information handling system is tracked to a predetermined level at which the module orders consumables automatically from the manufacturer. The order is placed with a message that uses a service tag number associated with the information handling system. The manufacturer determines account information for charging the order from the service tag. The module updates account information by directing the user of the information handling system to perform updates through a secure Internet connection with the manufacturer or other secure established connection. | 04-23-2009 |
20090106126 | INFORMATION PRESENTATION SYSTEM OF VISUAL FIELD AGREEMENT TYPE, AND PORTABLE INFORMATION TERMINAL AND SERVER FOR USE IN THE SYSTEM - A plurality of known markers is disposed in a specific district. A marker detection section detects the known markers existing in the image photographed by an image pickup device. A position/orientation relation calculation section identifies the detected known marker to calculate position and orientation relations between the identified known marker and the image pickup device. An associated information obtaining section obtains predetermined information associated with the identified known marker. An information processing section processes the obtained predetermined information based on the calculated position and orientation relations. A display device superimposes and displays the processed information on the photographed image. At least the image pickup device and display device are disposed in a portable information terminal, and the other sections are disposed in a server which can perform radio communication with the portable information terminal. | 04-23-2009 |
20090112726 | Method and system for implementing automatic auction extensions and adjustable bid increments in an electronic exchange - A method for automatic auction extension and user controlled standardized bid increment/decrement. The method is implemented in an electronic commerce exchange. The auction method implements automatic extension of an auction in response to bidding activity from auction participants. The method includes the step of setting an end time for concluding the auction. Bids are received from remote bidders via a distributed computer network. The received bids are analyzed to determine whether a predetermined number of bids are received within a predetermined time of the auction end time. If a greater number of bids are received within the predetermined time, the duration of the auction is automatically extended and a new auction end time is set. The auction participants are notified of the new auction end time. Standardized bid increments can be set defining a minimum amount at which a subsequent bid differs from a previous bid. Similarly, standardized bid decrements can be set defining a minimum amount at which a subsequent bid subsequent bid differs from a previous bid. A total number of possible extensions can be set defining a number of times the auction can be extended due to bidding activity. The settings can be changed dynamically during the auction by the auction operator/user. | 04-30-2009 |
20090112727 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CROSS-CATEGORY WEDDING VENDOR RECOMMENDATIONS - Systems and methods providing a list having one or more wedding services vendors. The systems and method determine a valid set of vendors based on one or more received input data. A score for each respective vendor of the valid set of vendors is determined using the received input data and input data weighting rules. One or more recommended vendors are provided based on the determined valid set of vendors and the respective score for each respective vendor of the valid set of vendors. The one or more recommended vendors may be from the same category or from different categories of vendors. Systems and methods are also presented for managing electronic communications for wedding services by providing interfaces for enabling a vendor to present an electronic storefront related to wedding services and for a vendor to manage client leads received by the electronic storefront. | 04-30-2009 |
20090112728 | System and method for small business management - Provided is a system and method for straight-through processing and integration of disparate business process information. The system includes an order intake configured to receive an order from a customer, a fulfillment processor configured to automatically fulfill an order received, an inventory tracker configured to automatically account for the fulfilled order upon fulfillment, and an accounting processor configured to automatically invoice a customer for the fulfilled order. | 04-30-2009 |
20090112729 | WISH LIST ASSOCIATED WITH BUDDY LIST SCREEN NAME - The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for connecting wish lists to users, thus making wish lists accessible to such user attributes as buddy lists, or the equivalent. The invention attaches a wish list to an instant messaging name and therefore makes it available to all persons on the user's buddy list. In a further embodiment of the invention, the wish list is attached to an account, such as a wallet. As a result, various conveniences are provided. For example, a member of the user's buddy list can give a gift to the user from the wish list; a group can contribute incrementally to the giving of a gift to the user; an individual can add incremental amounts to his or her wish list to pay for an item on time (as a type of layaway); and relatives and friends can give gifts that they know will be appreciated because the gifts are on the user's wish list. | 04-30-2009 |
20090112730 | Value Added Benefits Franchising - Technical systems and related methods for accounting and bookkeeping operations in an ecommerce enterprise combining elements of both franchise and multilevel business operations are provided that allow a franchisor to establish ecommerce franchisees as direct sales agents while maintaining the accounting and bookkeeping functions within the franchisor. The accounting and bookkeeping operational system allows for the use of a multilevel marketing organizational structure within an ecommerce franchise to motivate direct sales agents to make sales while maintaining the accounting functions at the franchisor and providing direct sales agents with the ecommerce sales tools needed to be successful. | 04-30-2009 |
20090112731 | Method of Licensing Functionality After Initial Transaction - Methods for licensing functionality after an initial transaction are provided. One such method is directed to licensing after an initial transaction of a customer obtaining a supply item including the step of prompting the customer to acquire a usage license for the supply item. | 04-30-2009 |
20090112732 | Similar Auction Identification System - Methods, apparatuses and systems directed to the identification of a set of auctions which are similar, or relevant, to a contemplated or model auction. In one embodiment, the similar auction identification system uses a model auction, including keywords and other information contained in a data structure that characterize attributes of the auction, as input data to identify a set of auctions that are similar or analytically relevant to the model auction. In one implementation, the resulting set of identified auctions allows a user to efficiently analyze the auctions in assessing the starting parameters of a contemplated auction, or for assessing the latest bid price in a currently pending auction. In one implementation, the set of identified auctions can be used as an input to an auction optimization system that, for example, computes a set of suggested auction parameters for a contemplated auction, and/or computes one or more predicted behavioral attributes for a contemplated auction. | 04-30-2009 |
20090119182 | Identity verification for secure e-commerce transactions - A method and apparatus are provided for providing authentication of an e-commerce server to a user engaging in e-commerce transactions. When the user begins an e-commerce session, the e-commerce server requests an authentication token from an authentication proxy with which it has registered. If the authentication proxy recognizes the e-commerce server, the authentication proxy generates an authentication token in the form of a simple image, and sends the authentication token to the e-commerce server over a trusted path. The e-commerce server sends the authentication token to the user. The authentication proxy also sends a copy of the authentication token to the user over a second trusted path to a second device or application accessible by the user. The user can then see that the authentication token presented by the e-commerce server matches the authentication token presented by the authentication proxy. Since the user has received the two authentication proxies over separate channels, one of which is typically secure, the user can be assured that the e-commerce server has been authenticated by the authentication proxy, and that the e-commerce server is therefore legitimate. | 05-07-2009 |
20090119183 | Method and System For Service Provider Access - Consumer access to service and/or goods providers is provided while avoiding expending consumer and service provider resources and time to place and order with a live service and/or goods provider representative. The present invention uses ubiquitous devices and networks, such as mobile communications devices and networks, that are fast, convenient and consumer-friendly. Furthermore, consumers can obtain information related to a commercial entity based on a geographic location of the user or on an image of the commercial entity captured by a mobile communication device of the user. | 05-07-2009 |
20090119184 | Apparatus and method for conducting secure financial transactions - A system and method are disclosed for conducting secure electronic transactions using dual-authentications. A secure server stores security information for a plurality of users and authorizes transactions being conducted by these users. A user computer system having a trusted platform module is used for storing security information relating to at least one user account. Protected environments are created to facilitate secure connections based on at least the security information stored in the trusted platform module. Transactions between the user/electronic merchants and between the user/secure server are conducted within protected environments. When a user conducts an electronic transaction with an electronic merchant, the transaction is authenticated by the secure server before can be completed. | 05-07-2009 |
20090119185 | SYSTEM OF COLLABORATIVE COMPUTING RESOURCES FOR FULFILLMENT OF DIGITAL IMAGE PROCESSING - System of collaborative computing resources for fulfillment of digital image processing is disclosed. Embodiments of the present disclosure include a system comprising a network of computing resources collaborating in a secured peer-to-peer configuration to fulfill a request for processing of a digital image. The system can include, a plurality of computing devices interconnected via network capabilities of each of the plurality of computing devices and a virtual user represented by a provisioner component that defines a user's preferences in the processing of the digital image. Each of the plurality of computing devices can have a corresponding functionality stack that defines a particular set of behaviors and features associated with a particular computing device of the plurality of computing devices. In one embodiment, the digital image is routed through the network among a set of the plurality of computing devices based on the user's preferences defined in the provisioner component for workflow distribution in fulfilling the request. | 05-07-2009 |
20090119186 | Apparatus and Method for Ordering - The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for ordering an article from a plurality of articles. The apparatus or the method merely has a manageable set of identifiers. These identifiers are added to a given audio/video signal which advertises a particular article and is broadcast. If a person receiving the audio/video signal wishes to purchase the relevant article, this article can be identified by the identifier. Preferably, this identifier is a colored marker. Since the cardinality of the set of identifiers is kept relatively manageable, a plurality of articles is provided with the same identifier, that is to say the same color marker. The apparatus or the method is able to distinguish between articles with the same identifier by comparing the time at which the article was advertised with the time at which the order was received. | 05-07-2009 |
20090119187 | AUCTION METHODS, AUCTION SYSTEMS AND SERVERS - Auction methods, auction systems and servers which can satisfy requirements other than the price for a client are provided. An auction client selects a desired one from time slide schemes from a terminal, and enters a due date in an associated entry field. For example, a due date advance scheme is a scheme in which a person who offers the soonest possible trading date from a due date is determined as a successful bidder. Also, specific details (paying-in, delivery and so on) on the trading date for a payment or delivery of an article, requested to a partner, are specified. These bid condition data are transmitted to the server through a network, and the server collects participants in a bid on a home page. The server receives trading dates offered from terminals of participants, and determines a participant who offers the trading date that most satisfies the trade due date condition offered by the client as a successful bidder. | 05-07-2009 |
20090125407 | METHOD OF PUBLISHING A TICKET ON DEMAND AND APPARATUS THEREOF - The present invention relates to ticket-on-demand issuing method and apparatus capable of purchasing a predetermined performance ticket in advance over a communication network, such as the Internet, and of allowing a user to edit and manufacture the ticket. In the invention, the user purchases the performance ticket in advance, edits the design of the advance ticket in person, and stores the edited ticket. Then, the user is issued the edited ticket through a ticket issuing machine. According to the invention, it is possible for users who purchase, for example, movie, theater, and concert tickets in advance over a communication network, such as the Internet, to edit their own tickets in person and to be issued the edited tickets. Further, ticket purchasers can easily add their avatar images to their own tickets. | 05-14-2009 |
20090125408 | Method of Buying and Selling Goods and/or Services - A method of buying and selling goods. A system administrator maintains an inventory of goods offered by participating merchants. A purchaser selects an item from the inventory and places an order for the selected item with an agent. The agent reports the order to the administrator and a unique transaction number is allocated to the order. The purchaser makes a payment for the item to the agent and the administrator debits a sum for the item from the agent. The administrator passes the order and transaction number to a merchant who makes the item available to a recipient, against the transaction number. The administrator credits the merchant with a sum for the item when it has been acquired by the recipient. | 05-14-2009 |
20090125409 | END-TO-END MANAGEMENT OF CARRIER SERVICES FOR ENTERPRISES AND RESELLERS - The present invention provides a software based system for end-to-end handling of communication services that includes a set of Web based interfaces. The set of Web interfaces can permit a user to view, search and select a set of communication services of different providers, each service being presented with a real-time price for the service. Contracts can be automatically generated for selected ones of the communication services. The contracts can specify the real-time price for each service. An order status of the communication services can be monitored using the set of Web based interfaces. Invoices can be generated for the communication services. When different providers provide the communication services, a single integrated bill can be provided for services of the different providers. Usages of the communication services can be viewed online by selectable user categories, which decompose into per-user usage entries. | 05-14-2009 |
20090125410 | Shared calendar system with automated gift giving - An electronic calendaring system which allows for one universal calendar to be shared over a wide area network—such as the Internet—between multiple users wherein events are placed on the calendar by individual users and are assigned privacy settings which control whom may view the event. Events placed on the shared calendar can be designated as an “action event” and tied to a scheduled action which is automatically executed. More specifically, when the action date arrives, the system of the present invention will run a set of actions/instructions which have been specifically selected and defined by the user—such as automatically sending an e-mail reminder or text message to another user, e-mailing an on-line greeting card, ordering and shipping a paper card, gift card, flowers or any other goods/services to a designated recipient. In a preferred embodiment, the system includes a “Gift Wizard” feature which gathers, processes and uses important information from each user to compile an accurate and unique profile for each user in order to help users select gifts for other users. | 05-14-2009 |
20090125411 | Wireless communications device configured to order out of stock items - A method for querying an end user, including the steps of generating, in a processor of a specially programmed general-purpose computer, a query as to whether an item is out of stock at a retail location or missing at the retail location and transmitting the query from an interface element in the general-purpose computer to a communication network for transmission to a wireless communications device located in the retail location. In some aspects, the query includes an option for payment of the order; the method generates an offer regarding an option for gaining possession of the order and transmits the offer to the communication network; or the method determines that the order is available at another retail location, different that the first retail location, generates a notification regarding the availability at the other retail location, and transmitting the notification to the network for transmission to the wireless communications device. | 05-14-2009 |
20090125412 | TOKEN TRADING - The invention concerns trading tokens, such as but not limited to, the trading of virtual trading cards. The invention also concerns a computer system ( | 05-14-2009 |
20090125413 | SYSTEMS, METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR CONTENT DISTRIBUTION - A system for and method of electronic content distribution is disclosed. Such content may be electronic book content, newspaper content, magazine content, and other types of content. The system includes: a processor having logic configured for filtering electronic content to remove incorrect information. The electronic content is automatically gathered from one or more content sources external to the system. The system also includes logic for assembling electronic content in a manner indicative of a predetermined template, and distributing the assembled electronic content for transmission at a scheduled time. The system also includes a communication network having an active channel configured to transmit the assembled electronic content. The system also includes a media device configured to receive and display the assembled electronic content when the media device is communicatively coupled to the active channel. | 05-14-2009 |
20090125414 | PRICING AND AUCTIONING OF BUNDLED ITEMS AMONG MULTIPLE SELLERS AND BUYERS - A number of sets of methods and apparatuses applicable to online shopping are disclosed. One set, “Bin Packing Methods with Approximate Membership”, includes methods in pricing and auctioning a bundle of items, some of which could belong to another bundle. Significantly, the membership of a bundle, during pricing and auction, could change. Another set, the “Shopping Console”, puts a structure into the online shopping experience, so that through one interface various shopping activities can be facilitated, including but not limited to researching, pricing, negotiation, group buying, and tracking of purchases. Still another set, “Flash Mob Shopping”, allows sellers and a (spontaneous) group of shoppers to connect on prices without requiring shoppers' hard commitments, and with sellers revealing only necessary price information. | 05-14-2009 |
20090125415 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR COMPETITIVE PRICING AND PROCUREMENT OF CUSTOMIZED GOODS AND SERVICES - An apparatus and method for selecting a lowest bidding vendor from a plurality of vendors of a customized good or service, including receiving a set of vendor's attributes from each of the plurality of vendors representing their respective capabilities, and receiving an invitation-for-bid data from the buyer defining a custom job for which the buyer desires price quotes or bids. The vendor attributes or the invitation-for-bid, or both, are received through a web browser. The invitation-for-bid is compared to each of the vendor's attributes according to certain standard or optional selection criteria to generate a vendor selection pool of vendors qualified to bid on the job. Each vendor in the vendor selection pool receives a vendor's invitation-for-bid. A bid is received from at least one vendor in the vendor selection pool, the lowest price bid is identified, the buyer is informed of the identity of the selected vendor, and solicited for approval of the selected vendor. Upon receipt of approval from the buyer, an order is issued to the selected vendor. The non-selected vendors in the selection pool are informed of the bid prices and of the selection results. | 05-14-2009 |
20090125416 | System and method of managing a ticket order - A system for managing the production of retail tickets in accordance with a ticket order includes a ticketing services bureau adapted to receive the ticket order and a print center to print tickets in accordance with the ticket order. The system additionally includes a client connected to the ticketing services bureau via an electronic network. As part of an interactive ticket proofing process, the client is capable of electronically retrieving an on-screen ticket proof from the ticketing services bureau and, if necessary, dynamically modifying the on-screen ticket proof in real time. The ticketing services bureau then generates an output data file based on the original ticket order, the edited on-screen ticket proof and print characteristics of the printer that will execute the ticket order. In this manner, the print center uses the output data file to generate tickets that closely resemble the on-screen ticket proof approved by the client. | 05-14-2009 |
20090125417 | METHOD FOR CONDUCTING AN ELECTRONIC COMMERCIAL TRANSACTION - A method for conducting an e-commerce transaction between a user and a merchant is disclosed. The user has a customer account with a communication provider operating a first communication network. The customer account includes personal information about the user. The method includes the steps of: a) establishing communication between the user and the communication provider over the first communication network; b) authenticating the user to the communication provider; c) selecting a product from the merchant for the e-commerce transaction; d) retrieving the personal information about the user from the customer account; and e) completing the e-commerce transaction. | 05-14-2009 |
20090125418 | Automated Quoting Of Molds And Molded Parts - A customer sends a CAD file for the part to be molded to the system. The system assesses the CAD file to determine various pieces of mold manufacturing information. One or more acceptability criteria are applied to the part, such as whether the part can be manufactured in a two-piece, straight-pull mold, and whether the mold can by CNC machined out of aluminum. If not, the system sends a file to the customer graphically indicating which portions of the part need modification to be manufacturable. The system provides the customer with a quotation form, that allows the customer to select several parameters, such as number of cavities, surface finish and material, which are independent of the shape of the part. The quotation module then provides the customer with the cost to manufacture the mold or a number of parts. Budget-driven quotation is possible, wherein proposed modifications in the molding process are controlled by the budget of the customer. Interactivity is also achieved, with the customer being able to modify the quotation interactively by modifying one or more of the initially selected parameters, including selecting a different budgeted amount. | 05-14-2009 |
20090132382 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF VIRTUAL PROPERTY TRADING - A domain name provisioning system and method are provided. The system comprises a domain name repository for storing an association between a virtual domain name and an Internet domain name, and a user interface for allowing Internet users to visit a website associated with the Internet domain name website in response to a request to visit a website associated with the virtual domain name. The method comprises the steps of receiving a request to visit a website associated with a virtual domain name, retrieving an Internet domain name associated with the virtual domain name, and providing a website associated with the Internet domain name in response to the request. A system and method of virtual property trading is also described. The system comprises a user registration component for registering a user with the virtual property system, a user information database for storing user information associated with the registered user, a virtual property database for storing information associated with virtual properties corresponding to real-world properties and a trading component for trading a virtual property between registered users. | 05-21-2009 |
20090132383 | PURCHASING A GIFT USING A SERVICE PROVIDER NETWORK - A system facilitates a first user providing a second user with a gift through a service provider network. A first user may provide an asset such as a ring tone for use on the second user's mobile device. Alternatively, the first user may provide a monetary credit to the second user. Embodied systems are enabled for charging or billing an account associated with the first user and notifying the first user of a successful transaction including receipt or use of the gift. In some embodiments, a service delivery platform communicates with a unified storefront and a payment module for receiving and processing gift requests and payments. Gifts may be requested through an interface associated with the first user's IPTV set-top box. In addition, gifts may be presented to the second user by an interface associated with the second user's set-top box. The unified storefront allows access to gifting through mobile devices and other networked data processing systems in addition to set-top boxes. | 05-21-2009 |
20090132384 | PRODUCTION OF DOCUMENTS - A method of supplying a book to a library involves receiving a request for the book over an electronic network, the request including formatting information and information specific to the library; applying the formatting information and the library-specific information of the request to a marked-up document representing the book to generate a printer-ready form of the book; and transmitting the printer-ready form over the electronic network. | 05-21-2009 |
20090132385 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MATCHING USER-GENERATED TEXT CONTENT - According to a computer implemented method and system for matching user-generated text content, users “freely” specify content by means of fed-in texts which are matched automatically, according to rules in the embodiment. An embodiment of the invention allows customers to specify what items or services to request or offer by adding, to the “MyHaves” or “MyWants” selection criteria, using typed-in descriptions. Traditionally, for the purpose of matching supplies and demands, the specification of an individual's “wants” and “haves” is done by selecting options that are predefined by, or hard-coded into, the system's “drop-down menu”—rather than allowing customers to freely define what they want or have. This method under consideration, however, provides an efficacious solution: customers are free to request an item or service by entering standard descriptive texts describing what s/he wants in a customizable manner very akin to the flexibility associated with verbal speech, with the assurance that these human-entered texts will be matched automatically. Similarly, a customer is free to offer an item or service in the aforementioned (text-descriptive) way. The entered texts are in the form of a specific human language (e.g. English, Chinese, etcetera) using the desired input device, such as a computer keyboard. The system algorithm of an implementation then “crawls” through the network of user generated texts (user-defined texts) to find matches between what people are offering and what others are requesting, while watching out for typographical errors (in the text content) made by customers. That is to say, the algorithm in the embodiment scours the texts in the “MyWants” section of requesters and sees if there are corresponding matches found in the “MyHaves” section of offerers, while paying attention to certain system rules. | 05-21-2009 |
20090132386 | INTEGRATED SYSTEM, DEVICE AND USE THEREOF - The invention describes a novel integrated data-system, a personal device for the system, and methods for operating the system. The invention produces means and technology for providing quantitative information about products. A key function of the system is to provide information about product-based emissions, such as carbon dioxide emissions. | 05-21-2009 |
20090138367 | NETWORK SETTLING CARD, NETWORK SETTLING PROGRAM, AUTHENTICATION SERVER, AND SHOPPING SYSTEM AND SETTLING METHOD - There are provided a network settling card and a network settling program, which can perform a settling procedure on a commodity selected by a user, in a shopping system through a network or in an actual shop, even if the card information and the personal information of the user and so on are not notified, as well as an authentication server, and a shopping system and a settling method. The network settling card includes an authentication processing unit for performing authentication using an authentication key created on the basis of the information of a card to be used in a settling procedure. The authentication processing unit performs the settling procedure on the commodity selected by the user by creating a one-time ID by an authentication key, by acquiring a one-time ID created by an authentication server for authenticating the one-time ID, and by authenticating the authentication server by the authentication key. | 05-28-2009 |
20090138368 | COST - ADJUSTING ORDER/QUOTE ENGINE - Methods and systems are provided that include an order and/or quote engine that automatically adjusts bid, ask, or any other type of order prices to reflect some or all of the costs associated with a trade in an underlying item between a particular party receiving the order or orders accounting for specific costs associated with the party receiving the orders and in certain instances specific costs between the party receiving the order and the party submitting the order. | 05-28-2009 |
20090138369 | ELECTRONIC BEARER BOND ONLINE TRANSACTION SYSTEM - An electronic transaction system, comprising bearer bond means for providing an online electronic bearer bond having a monetary value, transaction means for performing monetary transactions with said bearer bond means, and network means for providing user access to said bearer bond means and said transaction means. | 05-28-2009 |
20090138370 | Methods and Systems for Controlling the Replay of Contents Stored in a Recording Medium - Upon receipt of a replay request for a content to be replayed from a video replay apparatus, a content replay control system searches a content information storage for billing information corresponding to a content ID included in the replay request, searches a user information storage for a URL corresponding to a video replay apparatus ID included in the replay request, associates the retrieved billing information with the retrieved URL, and stores the associated information. The content replay control system maintains the connection with the video replay apparatus. Upon acceptance of the request for access to a URL from a portable terminal, the content replay control system reads the billing information stored in association with the URL and transmits the read billing information to the portable terminal. Upon receipt of a request for purchasing the content to be replayed from the portable terminal, the content replay control system identifies a billing server on the basis of a portable terminal ID of the portable terminal and transmits a billing request based on the read billing information to the billing server. Then, the content replay control system transmits release information for releasing a replay restriction to the video replay apparatus, the connection with which has been maintained, on condition that the billing on the content to be replayed has been completed. | 05-28-2009 |
20090138371 | Smart multi-search method - The present invention is a method for providing, in response to a single search multiple product/service item query, search results for multiple products/services that are grouped and ranked by supplier based on which supplier(s) have inventory with respect to the greatest number of the queried products/services. The user can identify which vendor can best fill the entire order, simplifying the buying process. A single query can be entered by a user covering their entire required bill of materials list. The method is preferably implemented via a website server using known methods of Internet communication. The search results can be customized further to categorize suppliers by geographic location, supplier type, pricing or other criteria. | 05-28-2009 |
20090138372 | ELECTRONIC NETTING SYSTEM FOR BILATERAL TRADES - An electronic netting system. The system includes: a plurality of individual, segregated counterparties for providing bilateral trades; and a multi-lateral transaction hub for providing an aggregation of trades between the counterparties and providing for multi-lateral netting of selected and authorized bilateral trades. In the preferred embodiment, the transaction hub includes: a trade processing system; and a netting system in communication with the trade processing system for providing for the optimized, multi-lateral netting of selected and authorized bilateral trades. Also, in the preferred embodiment, the system may further include a trading system in communication with the transaction hub. | 05-28-2009 |
20090138373 | ELECTRONIC NETTING SYSTEM FOR BILATERAL TRADES - An electronic netting system. The system includes: a plurality of individual, segregated counterparties for providing bilateral trades; and a multi-lateral transaction hub for providing an aggregation of trades between the counterparties and providing for multi-lateral netting of selected and authorized bilateral trades. In the preferred embodiment, the transaction hub includes: a trade processing system; and a netting system in communication with the trade processing system for providing for the optimized, multi-lateral netting of selected and authorized bilateral trades. Also, in the preferred embodiment, the system may further include a trading system in communication with the transaction hub. | 05-28-2009 |
20090138374 | DISTRIBUTED FULFILMENT SYSTEM - A distributed fulfilment system is disclosed. A provider facilitates a matching service between a sender of goods and a set of potential couriers. In some embodiments a reverse auction is conducted between eligible couriers, with the lowest bidder being awarded the job at the second lowest price. | 05-28-2009 |
20090144167 | System and method for managing data and voice connectivity for wireless devices - A system is described for managing wireless data access comprising. In one embodiment, the system includes a database to store user data for prepaid users and user data for postpaid users, the data for prepaid users including lease status data; a dispatcher to receive a request for data services from a wireless device, the dispatcher to query the database to determine whether the wireless device is associated with a prepaid account or a postpaid account on the wireless service provider, wherein if the wireless device is associated with a prepaid account, the dispatcher reads the lease status data to determine whether the account has a lease expiration indication and, if so, formats a lease renewal request according to a first data format over a local data network; a billing server to receive the lease renewal request from the dispatcher in the first data format and to reformat the request to a second data format, the second data format compatible with a charge control node (“CCN”) employed on the wireless service provider, the billing server to receive a response from the CCN indicating whether a lease associated with the wireless device is to be renewed and to reformat the response from the second data format to the first data format and to send the reformatted response to the dispatcher; and policy management logic executed on the dispatcher to block access to data services for the wireless device if the response indicates insufficient funds associated with the wireless device account or to allow access to data services if the response indicates a successful lease renewal. | 06-04-2009 |
20090144168 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR SEARCHING ACROSS DISPARATE DATABASES - Disclosed herein are methods and systems for performing media searches and identifying query matches based on multiple criteria and for the controlled networked distribution and usage of media (e.g., audio files, image files, video files, graphic files). Certain embodiments identify combinations of different media types and/or combinations of media from a plurality of sources that satisfy a user's query terms. Certain embodiments access an integrated media-related data store of disparate data accessed from a plurality of locations. | 06-04-2009 |
20090144169 | METHOD FOR FACILITATING ONLINE SALES AND PRODUCT FOR USE THEREFOR - The method of the disclosure provides creating a unique product from data shared between an artist and a client, which artwork is applied to a product and manufactured only in quantities ordered by members of a discrete group. The members of the group have a common mailing address for the product, and the artwork is prepared by a group chair or contact working with the product manufacturer, not individual group members ordering the product. Financial information is screened from the group chair, but the chair may edit the quantities of product ordered. The identities of all group members are screened from the enterprise manufacturing the product ordered. | 06-04-2009 |
20090144170 | Buyer-Seller Interfaces and Methods for Disparate Network Systems - An electronic transaction interface circuit routes transaction data for processing using disparate electronic payment systems. According to an example embodiment, a software-programmed computer interface circuit receives transaction data from a point-of-sale device, and routes the data according to identifier data in the transaction data. Certain sets of transaction data are routed directly to a payment network, and other sets of transaction data are routed to an electronic payment processing system that selects and routes data upon disparate payment networks for each of a buyer and seller involved in a transaction to which the transaction data corresponds. Some embodiments involve selecting the disparate payment networks based upon selection rule data defined by buyer and/or seller participants in the transactions. | 06-04-2009 |
20090144171 | Service Subscription Service Business - A service subscription service business is a service provided to individuals and businesses that finds a lowest-cost provider or providers for subscription products and services as well as for one-time purchases of products and services. The system preferably administers the consumer items over a global network such as the Internet. A user profile is compiled that relates to desired consumer items. The database of items available from product and service providers can be accessed, and relevant items are identified according to the user profile. If the user profile incorporates an automatic best choice service, the system automatically implements the relevant items and communicates the implemented relevant items to the user. Alternatively, if the user profile does not incorporate the automatic best choice service, the items are communicated to the user, and the user is given an opportunity to selectively implement the relevant items. The user profile may be compiled or supplemented by monitoring a pattern of consumer item use. Additionally, the consumer profile can be monitored according to user-entered parameters. With this system, a customer can be assured that products and services desired by the customer are being maintained at a best available cost. | 06-04-2009 |
20090144172 | PROVIDING A MARKETPLACE FOR WEB SERVICES - A method, system, and computer-readable medium is described for facilitating interactions between computing systems, such as by providing an electronic Web service (“WS”) marketplace via which third-party WS providers make their WSes available to third-party WS consumers who locate and purchase access to those WSes via the electronic marketplace. Some or all available WSes may have associated use prices and or non-price use conditions, and if so access to those WSes may be provided only if a consumer requesting access provides appropriate payment and otherwise satisfies the specified use conditions. In some situations, WS consumers may also purchase subscriptions to provide later access to registered WSes. This abstract is provided to comply with rules requiring it, and is submitted with the intention that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. | 06-04-2009 |
20090150250 | Method and apparatus for supervising a sale of a product between a buyer and a seller - A method and apparatus for supervising a sale of a product between a buyer and a seller using a supervision transaction system is disclosed. The seller is notified to send the product to a system hub. The buyer is notified that the product has been received at the system hub and is ready for inspection. The seller is notified of the transaction status after the buyer inspects the product at the system hub. | 06-11-2009 |
20090150251 | Mobile Information Processing System - A system is provided for providing mobile users with information relating to products and/or services. In one embodiment, the user has a mobile telephone having a barcode reader for reading barcodes associated with products or services. The barcode tag value obtained from reading the barcode is transmitted to a remote server via the mobile telephone network. The remote server uses the barcode value to retrieve a plurality of options associated with the product identified by the barcode value. The options are transmitted back to the user's mobile telephone where they are displayed to the user. In response to the user selecting one of the options, information relating to the selected option is retrieved and displayed to the user on the mobile telephone. | 06-11-2009 |
20090150252 | Connecting Service Providers And Consumers Of Services Independent Of Geographical Location - In general in one aspect, a request is received from a consumer of services in a first geographical location to consult with a service provider having a service provider profile that satisfies at least some attributes in a set of attributes that define a suitable service provider. A user interface that indicates available service providers and their respective geographic locations is rendered on a system. The consumer selects an available service provider in a second, different geographical location from the consumer and the available service provider satisfies at least some of the attributes in the set of attributes. A communication channel between the consumer of services and the selected service provider is established. | 06-11-2009 |
20090150253 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FACILITATING ADVERTISING - An embodiment of the present invention includes a system and method effectively and efficiently facilitate the selling and buying of advertising online. | 06-11-2009 |
20090150254 | SYSTEMS, DEVICES AND METHODS FOR COMPUTER AUTOMATED ASSISTANCE FOR DISPARATE NETWORKS AND INTERNET INTERFACES - A variety of systems, methods and arrangements are implemented in connection with a processor-controlled routing arrangement. According to one such implementation, a computer-implemented method facilitates payment provided between disparate payment networks of buyers and sellers. The method uses a computer-arrangement to interface with a social website that has user profiles, each user profile corresponding to a user identifier, and for use with a seller website that offers products or services for purchase by users and that generates transaction data for a current user accessing the website. A current user identifier corresponding to a current user profile and the transaction data is communicates to the computer-arrangement. A buyer payment network is selected from a plurality of disparate buyer payment networks that are each associated with the current user identifier. Based upon the selection, the transaction data is formatted to facilitate payment against the selected buyer payment network. | 06-11-2009 |
20090150255 | Method For Fractional Vineyard Ownership and Distribution Therefrom - A method of fractional vineyard ownership and distribution of the wine produced therefrom where individuals purchase an interest in a business entity, receiving a fractional ownership of a winemaking enterprise. Thusly, aggregating their capital and allowing for deployment of same to different licensed business entities at the grape growing, fermentation, bottling and labeling, wholesale, and retail phases of the wine production process. | 06-11-2009 |
20090150256 | BUYER-DRIVEN PURCHASING LOYALTY SYSTEM AND METHOD USING AN ELECTRONIC NETWORK - Disclosed is a method and system for effectuating a buyer-driven and buyer-executed commerce system. The system allows prospective buyers and sellers of goods and services to anonymously exchange conditional Requests For Bids and Conditional Sales Offers based on the buyer's guaranteed ‘purchasing loyalty’ for a self-defined minimum quantity of goods or services, and/or quality of goods of services and/or the length of time or price to which the buyer would agree to be bound or any combination of those condition's. That buyer guarantee permits a seller to easily pre-determine their offers based on the calculated value of ‘capturing’ that buyer's ‘guaranteed purchasing loyalty’. In a preferred embodiment, the method and system of the present invention includes a controller which receives Requests For Bids from prospective buyers and also receives, stores and displays to prospective buyers, bindable sales proposals from a multitude of prospective sellers. Potential buyers are therefore protected from bidding too much and being bound by the bid before having an opportunity to see what the marketplace has to offer. Further, because only the buyer is permitted to bind a seller, the buyer may submit an RFB more than once, changing any or all of the condition's to which he would agree to be bound in order to explore multiple offers from sellers and to better understand how changing one or more of the conditions affects the offers from the sellers. | 06-11-2009 |
20090157521 | Systems and methods for a web based inspection compliance registry and communication tool - A method for using a web registry to track the inspection compliance of an owned asset including notifying an owner of an asset that an inspection is needed to comply with a code. Electronically transmitting a list of at least one qualified inspector to a user. Receiving a completed inspection uploaded from an inspector. Transmitting the completed inspection to an approving authority. Completing a monetary transaction between the asset owner and the inspector when the inspection is approved by the approving authority. A system for a web based compliance registry including a database configured to store owned asset information. A user interface in data communication with the database configured to show owned asset information on the display. A handheld device configured to wirelessly connect to the user interface and with the database in order to input and view owned asset data wirelessly and specific information based on its global position. | 06-18-2009 |
20090157522 | ESTIMATING VEHICLE PRICES USING MARKET DATA - Prices may be estimated using a system comprising a data exporter to export auction transaction data from an online auction system; a data processor to filter, condition, aggregate, and/or model the auction transaction data; and a data presenter to present the filtered, conditioned, aggregated, and/or modeled auction transaction data indicating estimated prices based on the auction transaction data. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed. | 06-18-2009 |
20090157523 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR HUMAN ASSISTED REFERRAL TO PROVIDERS OF PRODUCTS AND SERVICES - A method and system for referring a user to a provider of good(s), service(s) and/or information thereof which utilizes a human assistant. A human searcher or guide is selected to respond to a user request, and communication is established between a user and a guide. If the system determines that a user is requesting a product(s) and/or service(s), a provider of the product(s) and/or the service(s) is identified, and a communication session is established between a user and a provider of goods and/or services. A search system may assist in completing a transaction and may provide a referral service. Payment may be made using a payment system associated with a user using Premium SMS without requiring a user to provide payment information to a guide and/or the search system. | 06-18-2009 |
20090157524 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ENABLING AND MAINTAINING VENDOR QUALIFICATION - A computer system and method is disclosed for pre-qualifying vendors for buyers and/or industries using vendor criteria information associated with buyers and/or industries and vendor qualification information associated with vendors. Vendors and buyers enter the vendor qualification information and vendor criteria information, respectively, into a database in a hierarchical and relational manner. The computer system compares entered vendor qualification information to stored vendor criteria information to pre-qualify vendors for buyers and/or industries. The computer system further monitors the stored vendor qualification information and requests updated vendor qualification information from the vendors to maintain vendor qualification on a per industry and/or per buyer basis. | 06-18-2009 |
20090157525 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ANONYMOUS ELECTRONIC TRADING - Systems and methods for anonymous electronic trading that allow a trader to hide his or her identity and inhibit trading interactions are provided. Using these systems and methods, a trader can, using various trading interfaces, control a level of trading anonymously and configure warnings that are provided to protect against inadvertent completion of potential-risk-involved trades. | 06-18-2009 |
20090157526 | Method for Fast Manufacturing and Assembling of Hot Runner Systems - The method and apparatus of the present invention includes a computer implemented injection molding configuring subsystem which enables a customer to interactively specify and design a system using a mix of parameters that the customer specifies and are manufacturing process determined. The configuring subsystem is connected to a computer network such as the Internet. The method and apparatus of the present invention further includes a computerized business and processing subsystem in communication with the configuring subsystem. The computerized business subsystem automatically provides a cost and schedule for a system configured by the configuring subsystem and additionally processes an order for the system. The processing subsystem automatically processes the customer's inputs and generates drawings for the configured system. Prior to receiving the customer's order, hot runner system components may be partially manufactured in a first phase and placed in inventory. The partially manufactured hot runner components may then be removed from inventory after receiving a customer's order, and further manufactured and assembled in accordance with the customer's parameters in a second phase. | 06-18-2009 |
20090157527 | COMMUNICATION MECHANISMS FOR MULTI-MERCHANT PURCHASING ENVIRONMENT FOR DOWNLOADABLE PRODUCTS - A multi-merchant purchasing system is configured to identify downloadable products selected by a user for purchase. The identified downloadable products are offered by multiple merchants. The multi-merchant purchasing system enables the user to purchase all of the downloadable products in a single transaction. Merchant services are provided by the merchants to facilitate the purchasing of offered items. Interfaces are provided by the multi-merchant purchasing system and merchant services for the system and the services to interact. The interfaces provided by the merchant services enable the multi-merchant purchasing system to obtain information such as item metadata, purchase summary data, locations for downloading the purchased products, locations for obtaining support, and download verification data. The interfaces provided by the multi-merchant purchasing system enable the merchant services to perform tasks such as revoking licenses for products, complete purchases, and add licenses to a locker that includes purchased products. | 06-18-2009 |
20090157528 | CLIENT FACILITATION OF ONLINE CARD PRESENT TRANSACTION - An online card-present transaction system facilitates card-present type transactions with a merchant over a public network. A host system is configured to accept authentication data from a user via an authentication device. The host system, after authenticating a user is configured to retrieve the user's account information from a user database system and translate a user account number into a temporary transaction number. The temporary transaction number is then transmitted directly from the host system to the merchant, thereby eliminating the need for the user to send to the merchant over the internet, the user's transaction account number. | 06-18-2009 |
20090157529 | System and Method of Controlling Delivery and/or Usage of a Commodity - A system and method manage delivery of energy from a distribution network to one or more sites. Each site has at least one device coupled to the distribution network. The at least one device controllably consumes energy. The system includes a node and a control system. The node is coupled to the at least one device for sensing and controlling energy delivered to the device. A control system is coupled to the node and distribution network for delivering to the node at least one characteristic of the distribution network. The node for controls the supply of energy to the device as a function of the at least one characteristic. | 06-18-2009 |
20090164332 | METHOD TO MAXIMIZE AND STABILIZE MARKET SHARE AND PROFITS - The method of the invention is based on a membership-only association (“MOA”). Preferably, the MOA operates as a not-for-profit entity having a formal organization such as a corporation or LLC. MOA receives membership fees to pay for accounting fees, legal fees, product liability insurance, and year-end buy backs of dead back-up inventory The MOA solicits retailers, designers, wholesalers, and manufacturers, or some combination thereof, to become members of the association Applicants for membership are screened based on criteria determined by founding members of the MOA. Once accepted, the prospective member enters into a contractual relationship with the MOA The types of members include, by way of example, Design Members, Supply Members, Logistical Wholesale Members, and Retail Members. Administration, logistics, and communications among the Design, Retail, and Logistical Wholesale Members are facilitated by a Support Entity. | 06-25-2009 |
20090164333 | System and method for integrated payment and shipping information - A product distribution module integrated with a payment module. Actions in the distribution module trigger actions in the payment module. For example, a user clicking a “buy” button triggers the creation of a product mailer for a seller, and triggers the payment module to collect and hold the purchase price and shipping costs from the buyer. Acceptance of delivery by the buyer, or the expiration of a time-out period after tracking delivery by the distribution module, triggers release of the purchase price to the seller. A “shared responsibility” return method and system is also provided. The buyer has until a time out period to object to the product. If the buyer objects, in the buyer's discretion the product can be returned, but the buyer is required to pay a portion of the return shipping costs subject to an algorithm. | 06-25-2009 |
20090164334 | System and method for recommending personalized gift - A method and online system for recommending gifts to a user, for a gift recipient, includes determining social relational aspects between the giver and gift recipient, determining personality traits of the giver or the recipient and calculating and then displaying to the user one or more recommended gifts for purchase. Personality, occupation and style traits are numerically rated in conjunction with product attributes of a population of potential gifts for accurate calculation of optimized gift recommendations. Gifts are rated by an online community associated with the system. The system may also learn by a feedback loop for successful and unsuccessful predictions of gift desirability, thus resulting in greater gift recommendation accuracy over time. | 06-25-2009 |
20090164335 | METHOD, APPARATUS AND PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR FACILITATING TRANSFER OF VEHICLE LEASES - A method for facilitating transfer of vehicle leases between parties involves providing a database of vehicle lease records concerning vehicle leases available for transfer. A search engine is provided for searching the vehicle lease database according to entered criteria, the search engine operable to identify available vehicle lease records which meet the entered criteria. Access to the search engine is provided via a computer network. Upon execution of a given search including criteria entered by a searching user, the searching user is provided, via the computer network, with vehicle lease information concerning at least one matching vehicle lease record which meets the entered criteria of the given search, if such a matching vehicle lease record exists. | 06-25-2009 |
20090164336 | ELECTRONIC NETTING SYSTEM FOR BILATERAL TRADES - An electronic netting system. The system may include: (a) a plurality of individual, segregated counterparties for providing bilateral trades, (b) a multi-lateral transaction hub, and (c) a trading system in communication with the transaction hub. The multi-lateral transaction hub may be for (i) providing an aggregation of trades between the counterparties, (ii) providing for multi-lateral netting of selected and authorized bilateral trades, and (iii) apportioning the accumulated trade values among the counterparties according to pre-determined netting parameters including a weighted distribution selectable by at least one of the counterparties. The transaction hub may include: (i) a trade processing system and (ii) a netting system in communication with the trade processing system for providing for the optimized, multi-lateral netting of selected and authorized bilateral trades and apportioning the accumulated trade values among the counterparties. | 06-25-2009 |
20090164337 | System and process for requesting a quotation - The present invention relates to a system and method for requesting a quotation. | 06-25-2009 |
20090171802 | ZERO INTEGRATION MODEL FOR E-COMMERCE MERCHANTS - Solutions for e-commerce merchants that allow such merchants to interact with buyers in foreign jurisdictions are disclosed. More specifically, solutions are presented that provide an intermediation service that operates to provide variants of e-commerce (or other) Web sites in a local language of a visitor to such site, such variants including facilities to accept payments for goods or services in the currencies and/or payment forms of the foreign jurisdiction and to provide the e-commerce merchant with required shipment documents to assist in order fulfillment. | 07-02-2009 |
20090171803 | Accounting for spatial and environmental factors in equipment order configurations - A method for processing an incoming order for equipment can be provided. A plurality of objects representing environmental factors is read, each object comprising at least one of a required parts list and an excluded parts list. Next, a customer places an order for computer equipment, wherein the order comprises a list of parts. A list of environmental factors is entered by the customer and the list of environmental factors is matched to at least one of the objects. The method can further include comparing the list of parts of the order to the required parts list and/or the excluded parts list of the at least one object. Finally, a record that the order is validated is stored if the list of parts of the order is consistent with the required parts list and/or the excluded parts list of the at least one object. | 07-02-2009 |
20090171804 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONDUCTING A GIFT VALUE TRANSACTION - A system and method for conducting a gift value transaction is described herein. The method includes receiving a request for payment for a gift; notifying a gift recipient of the gift; prompting the gift recipient to accept or reject the gift; and receiving a response from the gift recipient, wherein if the response is to accept the gift, the gift is released to the gift recipient, and if the response is to reject the gift, prompting the gift recipient to select an alternative gift in place of the gift. | 07-02-2009 |
20090171805 | Method and System for Conditional Transactions - A method and system for conditional transactions are provided. The system provides one or more master accounts wherein each master account is tied to and control one or more subordinated accounts. Each subordinated account may have a configurable/customizable set of permissions defined by the master account. The subordinated account holder would optionally require permission from the master account holder to complete a purchase. The master account holder would have a number of configurable/customizable permission rules to choose from for each subordinate account. | 07-02-2009 |
20090171806 | Method and system for monetizing third-party content - An e-commerce system, comprising an endorsement engine and interface software coupled to the endorsement engine and adapted to interact with one or more content sources connected over a network. In an embodiment, the interface software enables an endorsing user to browse the content sources and select a content item, to enter code associated with the selected content element, to view product information, to select a product for endorsement, and to enter code associated with the selected product. Upon activation of the content-specific code by a viewing user, the viewing user is connected to the selected content and is able to view the selected content, and upon activation of the product-specific code by a viewing user, the viewing user is connected to a network-connected shopping cart, and is thereby enabled to buy the product. | 07-02-2009 |
20090171807 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INTERACTIVE ELECTRONIC DATA CARD WITH SURVEY AND PURCHASE OPTIONS - An interactive electronic data card and method for enabling a user to communicate information and data to others through a seamless interface that transmits directly into a receiver's communication device of choice and for a receiver to respond to a user's questions and/or surveys. | 07-02-2009 |
20090171808 | NETWORKING SYSTEM FOR REFERRALS - A networking system for referrals that connects businesses (vendor) with their customers (member) and potential customers (prospective member) across a network. Once a vendor has joined the network, the vendor may invite other members to join. A member can then refer a prospective member to the vendor. If the prospective member purchases goods or services from the vendor, the vendor will confirm the sale by paying a referral fee to the network. The network distributes said referral fee according to the connection relationship of the members of the network. | 07-02-2009 |
20090177553 | INTUITIVE TRADING SYSTEM AND INTERFACE - A system and user interface for commodity trading allows trading on a historical chart or depth of market display. In an embodiment of the invention, the user interface allows the definition and invocation of order strategies to take order actions based on predefined criteria. In an embodiment of the invention order strategies may be multi-layered. | 07-09-2009 |
20090177554 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR FACILITATING TRANSFER OF AN INTELLECTUAL ASSET - A system for facilitating transfer of an intellectual asset includes a data interface receiving electronic patent application data respecting a primary patent application. A processor creates a plurality of option records, each option record respectively including data relating to an option to file a patent application in a respective secondary jurisdiction based on the primary patent application. A storage device stores the plurality of option records and a first input device interface receives authorization to make at least one option individually available for transfer. The processor modifies at least one option record in accordance with the authorization, and a second input device permits third parties to view data relating to which options are individually available for transfer. | 07-09-2009 |
20090177555 | ASSIGNMENT EXCHANGE AND AUCTION - An assignment exchange and auction system comprises a server, a network, a plurality of trader systems and a data store unit. The server performs the auction or exchange, creates and receives assignment messages, and retrieves and stores data sets to and from the data storage unit. The server processes bids and bid groups cooperates with the allocation system to determine an allocation of lots that maximizes a total money value for a plurality of bid groups subject to one or more constraints. The server also cooperates with the plurality of trader systems to present user interfaces for entering bids and bid groups, entering constraints for the bids and bid groups, and show the results of an auction or exchange. The present invention also includes a method for assigning, pricing or exchanging multiple types of lots comprising the steps of: receiving a first bid group from a first bidder; receiving a constraint for the first bid group; receiving a second bid group from a second bidder, determining an allocation of lots that awards bids to the first bidder and the second bidder, wherein the allocation maximizes, subject to the received constraint, a first total money value of awarded bids to the first bidder and a second total money value of awarded bids the second bidder; and notifying the first bidder and the second bidder of the allocation. | 07-09-2009 |
20090177556 | INFORMATION PROCESSING SYSTEM, INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS, INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM - A system effectively performs content information acquisition processing and content purchase processing in which it is necessary to access different servers. If a user views information provided by an information providing server, for example, television program table information, and acquires content related to information selected from among pieces of information included in the television program table information, the user can transmit a content acquisition request including content specification information to a content providing server simply by dragging and dropping the selected information displayed on a display screen onto a toolbar included in a display unit or onto another server information display area. As a result, the user can effectively perform the selection and acquisition of content without switching between connections to various servers. | 07-09-2009 |
20090177557 | Computerized national online parcel-level map data portal - A National Online Parcel-Level Map Data Portal (NPDP) is provided that optimizes online delivery of parcel-level maps and linked attribute data. To do this, the NPDP manages a database of assembled and current vector based parcel data in a spatial format (GIS) that enables geocoded parcel boundaries to be linked to property tax records. A user enters a street address into an appropriate screen window to call up and view road right-of-ways, all parcel boundaries and the “exact” address location as a highlighted parcel area. In addition, a list of property record attributes such as owner, use code, assessed value and year constructed can be displayed. Other on screen parcels can likewise be selected if one wishes to view their linked attributes. Subscribers may customize the NPDP to perform a variety of spatial analysis/reporting functions. Under public/private alliances, agreements are negotiated with individual property assessor's offices whereby they receive a portion of NPDP service provider revenue in return for parcel map database updates. Such on-going commerce between data sponsors and the NPDP service provider is utilized to assure a sustained and expanding flow of increasingly competent content. | 07-09-2009 |
20090182642 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS TO RECOMMEND AN ITEM - Methods and Systems system for recommending an item. The system comprises at least one machine including a receiving module and a recommending module. The receiving module receives an event for an activity related to a first item. Next, the recommending module analyzes recommendation information to identify a first measure of association between the first item and a second item. The recommending module further analyzes recommendation information to identify a second measure of association between the second item and a third item. Finally, the recommendation module communicates a recommendation of the third item responsive to receipt of the event for the activity related to the first item. | 07-16-2009 |
20090187489 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SELECTING A PICKUP LOCATION BASED ON CUSTOMER LOCATION - A method and apparatus for determining a pickup location for an item selected in an online transaction based on location information or data. The method comprises obtaining location data for the mobile communication device and determining availability of the selected item at one or more locations based on proximity to the location. According to an embodiment, one of the locations with item availability is selected and the online transaction is completed. | 07-23-2009 |
20090187490 | SYSTEM AND A METHOD ENABLING A CUSTOMER AND A BUSINESS TO INTERCONNECT VIA INSTANT MESSAGING IN ORDER TO COMPLETE A BUSINESS TRANSACTION - A method to provide a service to enable a buyer and a seller to interconnect via real-time messaging to complete a successful business transaction. The method includes registering by the buyer and customizing a profile by the buyer. The method also includes registering, paying a subscription and customizing a profile by the seller businesses. The system receives the buyer's inputs and the sellers' profiles. The buyer logs in and specifies an acquisition request. The system matches the buyer's acquisition request with relevant seller businesses and sends a list of the relevant seller businesses to the buyer that accommodate his acquisition request. He decides whether to purchase, designates a seller business, makes the purchase online and the seller pays a commission. | 07-23-2009 |
20090187491 | Activation of Digital Products on Mobile Electronic Device - Systems, methods and apparatus for distribution of digital products to portable electronic devices are disclosed. Digital products, such as digital assets or digital gifts, can be a purchased from a centralized location and associated with particular ones of the portable electronic devices. In one embodiment, the digital product is a digital asset (e.g., digital media asset) that is pre-stored to a portable electronic device, and after the digital asset is purchased, the digital asset can be activated on the portable electronic device. In another embodiment, the digital product is a digital gift that can be associated with a portable electronic device or a user account for a user of the portable electronic device. Optionally, a personalized message can be provided and associated with a portable electronic device. | 07-23-2009 |
20090187492 | LOCATION BASED AUTHENTICATION - A portable consumer device that is used to conduct a transaction at a merchant is authenticated. Information provided to a server computer includes locations of a merchant and a mobile communication device possessed by a consumer. If the location of the mobile communication device corresponds to the location of the merchant, the portable consumer device that is used to conduct the transaction is authenticated. | 07-23-2009 |
20090192910 | Systems and methods for supplying ink and toner cartridges - Embodiments of the invention relate to systems and methods for supplying ink or toner cartridges to a customer as part of a cartridge purchase program. One embodiment is directed to a method that involves receiving, in a receptacle, a used ink or toner cartridge from a customer, identifying the customer from customer identification information associated with the receptacle, and identifying the model of the used cartridge. The method further involves sending a replacement ink or toner cartridge to the customer of the same model as the used cartridge, and billing the customer for the replacement ink or toner cartridge. | 07-30-2009 |
20090192911 | PAYMENT REDIRECTION FOR ONLINE TRANSACTIONS - Methods and systems for facilitating an online value exchange transaction are disclosed. One method includes delivering a link for display by a service provider, the link affiliated with an exchange facilitator and unaffiliated with the service provider. The method further includes, upon selection of the link, redirecting a user of the service provider to the exchange facilitator. The method further includes receiving information regarding a value exchange between the user and a subscriber of the exchange facilitator. The method also includes requesting that the user accept one or more terms of the value exchange. The method includes performing an electronic transfer according to the one or more terms of the value exchange accepted by the user. Methods and systems for providing and obtaining payment are disclosed as well. | 07-30-2009 |
20090192912 | CHARGE-FOR-SERVICE NEAR FIELD COMMUNICATION TRANSACTIONS - A method for purchasing a value item using near field communication (NFC) includes placing a NFC enabled data communication device of a buyer of the item in close proximity to a NFC enabled data communication device of a seller of the item, the devices being interoperable to establish a NFC communication link between the devices when placed in close proximity to each other, transferring a request for payment for the item from the seller's device to the buyer's device via the NFC link, and transmitting the payment request, together a buyer's authorization therefor, to a third party service provider via a network. In response to receipt of the transmission, the service provider transfers money in an amount equal to the purchase price of the item from a funding account of the buyer to a receiving account of the seller and sends the parties a message confirming the transfer. | 07-30-2009 |
20090192913 | ELECTRONIC PAYMENT SYSTEM - An electronic payment system includes a mobile apparatus, such as a mobile phone, with a memory for storing a list of electronic payment accounts that may be used to complete an electronic payment transaction. The electronic payment system further includes a merchant terminal that can receive the account list from the mobile apparatus. The merchant terminal retrieves account-related information for the accounts on the received account list and returns the account-related information to the mobile apparatus. The mobile apparatus uses the information from the merchant terminal to generate a set of payment method candidates. The set of candidates are presented to the user for selecting a payment method to be used. The payment method is sent to the merchant terminal for use in completing the pending transaction. | 07-30-2009 |
20090192914 | Adaptive Lead Pricing - Adaptive lead pricing systems are presented. Users of a lead mining service can use a lead attribute interface to modify a lead's attributes where the attributes can include an attribute value of the lead attribute or attribute metadata bound to the lead attribute. As leads are worked, an analytic engine tracks attribute values and attribute metadata as they vary with time with respect to closing values of the leads. The analytic engine derives correlations among the closing values of the leads, the attribute values, and the attribute metadata by using multi-variate testing techniques. The correlations can be used to adapt a sales price of the lead to form a current price at which the lead is offered to a lead purchaser through a purchasing interface. | 07-30-2009 |
20090192915 | METHODS OF ASSOCIATING A PURCHASE BY A CLIENT WITH A CONTENT PROVIDER WHICH FACILITATED THE PURCHASE BY THE CLIENT - A method of associating a particular purchase with a content provider includes the step of receiving first data from the content provider after a client selects a reference which is provided at the content provider and is associated with a particular entity. The first data includes first information which identifies the content provider, second information which is associated with the particular entity, and third information which is associated with the client. The method also includes the step of receiving second data from the particular entity after the client purchases a good or service, or both, associated with the particular entity. The second data includes fourth information which is associated with the client. Moreover, the method includes the steps of determining that the client which selected the reference is associated with the client which made the purchase based on the third information and the fourth information, and associating the purchase with the content provider based on the first data and the second data. | 07-30-2009 |
20090192916 | SECURE TRANSACTION PROCESSING SYSTEM AND METHOD - A processing system and method for processing purchase orders between a purchaser and a merchant across a public network. The processing system including a purchaser account database for storing purchaser account information for each purchaser and including at least a purchaser identifier and delivery data associated with the purchaser identifier, a programming for monitoring the status of the purchaser account database and disabling the account database in response to a monitored change in the purchaser account information, and a processor for receiving the purchase orders and processing the orders. | 07-30-2009 |
20090198584 | MANAGEMENT AND PUBLICATION OF IDEAS FOR INVENTIONS ACCUMULATED IN A COMPUTER DATABASE - Management in a database of inventions, ideas, and rights related to inventions including publication of ideas for inventions accumulated in a computer database. A computerized method includes establishing a contractual obligation by a prospective contributor of an idea contribution for the database to transfer property rights of a prospectively patentable invention. The contributor is enabled to view at least some other idea contributions accumulated in the database. The idea contribution is received for the database from the contributor. Ownership of a contractual benefit is provided to the contributor, wherein the contractual benefit is transferred from the owner of the contractual benefit to a new owner of the contractual benefit. The idea contribution from the database is published. Some of the property rights are transferred to a customer to allow the customer to file a patent application and/or remuneration is distributed to the new owner in exchange for the contractual benefit. | 08-06-2009 |
20090198585 | Vote up count down - An electronic commerce system of auctioning products on-line is provided. An auctioneer presents a list of available products to consumers. The products may be present to consumers using a web site. Customers are able to “vote up” as many products as they want. The product that the most customers have voted up will go to a “countdown” sale mode, where it gets progressively less expensive, for example one penny cheaper every second, until someone purchases the product. Once someone purchases the product, the next product with the most votes immediately replaced it and goes into countdown mode. | 08-06-2009 |
20090198586 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS TO FACILITATE PAYMENT OF SHIPPED GOODS - This disclosure describes methods and systems for facilitating shipment of goods. The method includes forwarding an invoice for a purchase agreement made between a seller and a buyer. The method includes receiving a service selection indicating that the invoice is to be paid using an escrow system. The service selection includes a token for verification of a buyer's signatory. The method receives funding confirmation that the buyer has deposited funds into an escrow account. Based on funding confirmation, notification to ship the goods is sent. The method receives shipping confirmation confirming that the goods have been shipped. Upon receipt of the goods, a receiver is authenticated as the authorized signatory using the verification system. This authentication is based on the stored token matching a provided token. Based on verification of the receiver, the goods are released and the deposited funds from the escrow account are deposited into the seller's account. | 08-06-2009 |
20090198587 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR AUTHENTICATING CUSTOMER IDENTITIES - This disclosure describes, generally, methods and systems for authenticating the identities of customers. For example, a method comprising receiving a service request from a customer and retrieving customer profile information related to the customer is described. The method further comprises generating questions based on the customer profile information and receiving answers to the questions from the customer. Furthermore, the method comprises analyzing the answers by comparing the answers with the customer profile information and calculating an authentication score based on the analysis of the answers. The method further authenticates the customer based on the authentication score being greater than a threshold score level. | 08-06-2009 |
20090198588 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DISTRIBUTING MEDIA CONTENT - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a registration system having a controller to register a purchase of media content housed in a physical medium with one or more media sources to authorize a consumer of the purchased media content to electronically access from the one or more media sources at least a portion of media content that is similar to or a replica of the purchased media content. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 08-06-2009 |
20090198589 | SEEDED CARRIER AND CUSTOMIZED FUNDRAISING ITEMS INCLUDING THE SAME - A carrier for use in conducting a fundraiser is presented. The carrier including a first layer having a plurality of seeds disposed therein or thereon, a second layer disposed over the plurality of seeds and at least a portion of the first layer, and customizable postage indicia disposed on the first layer. The plurality of seeds and the customizable postage indicia have relevance to the fundraiser. In one embodiment, the first layer is comprised of a biodegradable material that gradually disintegrates when exposed to moisture. When the biodegradable material disintegrates the plurality of seeds germinate over time and develop into a desired organic matter. In one embodiment, the desired organic matter includes at least one of plants bearing flowers, fruit, vegetables, herbs, trees and the like. | 08-06-2009 |
20090198590 | INDUSTRIAL-DESIGN-RESOURCES OPERATING PLATFORM - An industrial-design-resources operating platform locates at a server end for connecting buyers and designers at client ends via the internet. The industrial-design-resources operating platform comprises a primary storage module for storing at least one first industrial design draft sent by the designer; a resource depository module for depositing an industrial design work which is an evaluated classification generated by having the first industrial design draft evaluated by at least one evaluator; a pricing module for giving a price to the industrial design work according to the evaluated classification; a displaying module for showing the priced industrial design work to a plurality of said buyers; and a purchasing module for accepting purchase fees paid by the buyers. | 08-06-2009 |
20090198591 | Methods and systems for providing auctions and related broadcast communications - A computer-implemented method for conducting an auction of an item associated with an event. The method includes the steps of receiving registration information from charitable organizations, donor organizations, and bidders through a network, storing the registration information on a server, matching one or more of the charitable organizations to one or more of the donor organizations and to an event based on the registration information stored on the server, conducting an auction of an item associated with the event concurrently with the event by receiving bids submitted by the bidders through the network, and securely collecting a payment for the winning bid through the network and automatically transferring at least a portion of the payment to one or more of the charitable organizations. Bidding in the auction is open during the event and closes after the event ends, and the value of the item is directly affected by occurrences during the event. | 08-06-2009 |
20090204506 | E-COMMERCE SYSTEM AND METHOD - The present invention provides a subsystem that guarantees quality, safety, or environmental performance of the commodities. The subsystem is provided with a database that stores numerical characteristics that characterize regulations, standards, or required specifications regarding the quality, safety, or environmental performance of the commodities in the e-commerce transaction, and the database can be viewed from both the buyer and seller. To the buyer, the seller delivers the commodity, the quality, safety, or environmental performance of which are guaranteed regarding the numerical characteristics that characterize the regulations, standards, or required specifications. The buyer, when carrying out inspection on the delivered commodity to see whether or not the regulations, standards, or required specifications are met to determine whether to accept or reject the commodity, guarantees the correctness of measurement values for determining acceptance/rejection upon the numerical characteristics that characterize the regulations, standards, or required specifications. | 08-13-2009 |
20090204507 | Method and system for discovering and generating an insight via a network - A method and system ( | 08-13-2009 |
20090204508 | System and method for providing a price quotation for a transportation service providing equipment selection capability - A method and system for computing the price for shipping goods. The method includes causing a computer to deliver first information to a user prompting the user to enter at the computer information about a rail transportation service for shipment of goods by one or more railcars. Information about a basic pool of railcars is received and filtered based on one or more filtering criteria to produce a filtered pool of railcars. The computer is then caused to deliver second information to the user prompting the user to select at the computer one or more railcars among the filtered pool of railcars for the shipment of goods. A price for the shipment of the goods is then computed at least in part on the basis of the rail transportation service and the one or more characteristics of the railcars in the filtered pool of railcars selected by the user. | 08-13-2009 |
20090204509 | STORAGE MEDIUM FOR STORING A PROGRAM FOR EXECUTING THE PRODUCT PURCHASING METHOD, AND A SERVER USED THEREFOR - A product purchase system using a network comprises a server | 08-13-2009 |
20090210311 | METHOD AND A SYSTEM FOR CENTRALIZING ELECTRONIC ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATED WITH A GOOD OF INTEREST OVER A DATA NETWORK - There is provided a method for centralizing electronic activities associated with a good of interest over a data network, the method comprising providing a user interface connected to the data network; enabling a participant to locate over the data network a good of interest in accordance with good search criteria defined thereby using the user interface; enabling the participant to authenticate the good of interest; enabling the participant to remotely and interactively communicate with at least one other participant over the data network and to remotely and interactively share information therewith about the selected good of interest using the user interface; and enabling the participant to carry out trading activities in connection with the good of interest. There is further provided a system for centralizing electronic activities associated with a good of interest over a data network and a method for concluding a commercial transaction over a data network. The participant is preferably a prospective purchaser, a provider, a carrier or a manufacturer of the good. | 08-20-2009 |
20090210312 | ON-LINE FACILITY FOR FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS - A computerised transaction management system is described. The system provides a secure process for conducting a financial transaction between buyer and seller, enabling them to negotiate price and accept or reject goods remotely or in person, in real time. It also holds any funds securely until the transaction has been agreed. The invention provides a uniquely interactive system to manage and control any number of transactions within the security of a user's own home. | 08-20-2009 |
20090210313 | Method for environmentally-friendly shipping - A method for environmentally-friendly shipping including requesting a shipment of goods, identifying available shipping options, analyzing the available shipping options, presenting the available shipping options, selecting one of the available shipping options and shipping the shipment of goods via the selected available shipping option. The method also includes considering one or more environmental impact measures. | 08-20-2009 |
20090210314 | System and method for purchasing game and lottery tickets - A system and method for buying tickets for games or lotteries in which a seller receives predicted game or lottery outcome data communicated from a buyer over a communication path. The seller generates a printed ticket based on the received outcome data and the seller transfers the printed ticket to a custodian that holds the printed ticket on behalf of the buyer. The custodian transmits data relating to the printed ticket to the buyer over the communication path and notifies the buyer if the printed ticket corresponds to an actual game or lottery outcome. | 08-20-2009 |
20090210315 | Method and system for purchase of a product or service using a communication network site - An item available for purchase on a communication site of a server may become the subject of a contract for purchase entered into between a purchasing party and a purchasee offering the item for purchase on the site, based on the purchasing party and potential purchasees exchanging information on the communication site. Funds of the purchasing party for use to satisfy the contract are controlled by the server, and a portion of the funds is paid to the purchasee or returned to the purchasing party of the contract, in accordance with payment release information received at the server. | 08-20-2009 |
20090210316 | BUSINESS RATING PLACEMENT HEURISTIC - A system and method for distributing information (collectively the “system”) is disclosed. The system includes category-based, geography-based, and ratings-based attributes to better “focus” the information distributed by the system. In the processing of listing-based attributes (e.g. attributes limited to a particular listing), the system can also be influenced by relationship-based attributes (e.g. attributes between the administrator of the system and the advertisers, and even potentially users). | 08-20-2009 |
20090210317 | ON-LINE SOFTWARE RENTAL - Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, for a rental service through a computer network. A collection of virtual containers is assigned to a set of users including one or more users. Each virtual container in the collection is configured to identify one or more software products that are rented by users in the set. A user in the set is authorized to access a software product through the computer network based on whether the software product is identified as a rented software product in one or more virtual containers of the collection assigned to the set of users. | 08-20-2009 |
20090210318 | GIFT CARD SERVICES FOR MOBILE DEVICES - Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for gift card services. In general, data characterizing a request to provide a merchant credit service to an intended recipient is received and a message to be sent to the intended recipient is generated, where the message characterizes a phone number to call to activate the merchant credit service. Data characterizing authentication by a call to the phone number to activate the merchant credit service from the mobile phone number of the intended recipient is received, where the authentication includes checking caller identification of the call to ensure the call is from the mobile phone number of the intended recipient. The merchant credit service is activated. Credit associated with an account of a merchant credit service may be redeemed by providing an account number of the service. Redemption may be authorized based on caller identification of a mobile phone number associated with an account. | 08-20-2009 |
20090216653 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR SELECTING AND CONVEYING RELEVANT AND PERSONALIZED GIFTS USING ONLINE PERSONAL GIFT PROFILE - A method and system selects and conveys relevant and personalized gifts using an online personal gift profile having personal preference data. The method includes providing, by a conveying user, the identity of a receiving user. The method includes selecting, by the conveying user, a gift-class. The method includes identifying the personal gift profile of the receiving user from the identity of the receiving user and retrieving the personal preference data of the receiving user from the personal gift profile. The method includes sending the selected gift item to the receiving user's physical address. | 08-27-2009 |
20090216654 | MUSICAL BOUQUET - The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for sending a bouquet of flowers to a recipient wherein the recipient can play back a customized audio or other media recording. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the base of the vase is a molded plastic base having within it an MP3 player connected to a USB port connected to said base. The USB port may be connected to a computer or other source to download audio files to the MP3 player. The base additionally has one or more controls for controlling playback of the audio recordings. In one embodiment, the base includes an ON/OFF button and a PLAY button. The ON/OFF button is used to turn the MP3 player on and off. The PLAY button is used to start the audio recording. A battery may also be attached to the MP3 player to provide a power source so that the musical bouquet need not be plugged in to play back the audio files. A seller of the vase can download the audio files requested by a customer prior to delivering the vase to a recipient. | 08-27-2009 |
20090216655 | Method of auction - Motion Reverse Auction - Build one website of Online—Motion Reverse Auction (Bs2Cs E-Commerce) between suppliers of common consumer goods and consumers, who have demand to buy the same kind of product/goods. | 08-27-2009 |
20090216656 | Method and System for Managing Vendor Information - A website for managing vendor information stores information associated with one or more purchase orders of a purchaser, including information associating the purchase order with a vendor authorized to access the website. The website is used to allow the vendor to retrieve the purchase order, automatically notify the purchaser of the vendor's receipt of the purchase order, allow the vendor to create an invoice associated with the purchase order, and automatically enter the invoice into an accounts payable system of the purchaser. With the website, the vendor can manage purchase orders and create and submit invoices. The purchaser can use the website to monitor the vendor's performance. | 08-27-2009 |
20090216657 | ELECTRONIC RETAIL ORDER COMMUNICATION - Multiple users are provided the ability to add or modify items in an open order created by an originating user on an electronic retail system. The originating user has the ability to verify and authorize a final purchase order that is submitted to the retail system. The originating user forwards an open order to other users, who are then allowed to add to the order, such as by adding items to a shopping cart. In a tandem browsing mode, other users are invited to observe the interaction of the originating user with an electronic retail system and modify an order for approval by the originating user. | 08-27-2009 |
20090222355 | Process for toy rental service - A toy rental service enabling parents, or other caregivers, to provide their children with a regularly changing variety of the most appropriate, safe and clean toys while eliminating the expense and time required to shop for and purchase such toys by conventional means. | 09-03-2009 |
20090222356 | PROPOSAL SUBMISSION SYSTEM AND METHOD - There is described a method and system for submitting trade proposals. The method comprises, in a processing device accessible via a communication network: extracting a keyword from a quote request received via the communication network, from a remote server accessible on the communication network, the quote request initially entered by a buyer accessing digital content on the remote server; selecting a potential seller from multiple sellers, based on a comparison of the keyword with seller information associated with the multiple sellers; retrieving an address associated with the potential seller selected; sending a notification of the quote request to the address, over the communication network; creating a proposal submission entry upon the potential seller submitting a proposal in response to the quote request; and sending a notification of the proposal over the communication network, to the buyer, once the proposal submission entry has been created. | 09-03-2009 |
20090222357 | ONLINE PURCHASING SYSTEM SUPPORTING SELLERS WITH AFFORDABILITY SCREENING - An online system uses, in various embodiments of the invention, credit report information, loan affordability screening and credit approval and management functionality to facilitate the purchase and finance of products online. The online system may include both sellers of products and lenders that offer financing to buyers seeking to purchase the products. The system may automatically obtain a buyer's credit report information and use that information to determine if the buyer is pre-approved, for example, to obtain financing for a particular product or products. The system also enables use of buyer credit information to identify only those of a seller's products for which the buyer is pre-approved, for example, to finance using one or more loans. The system then enables selection of an identified product or products for purchase, and selection of a loan, for example, for financing of the selected product or products. Credit approval (or pre-approval) may be performed automatically, and along with credit processing, may be performed completely online. | 09-03-2009 |
20090228369 | ONLINE PURCHASING SYSTEM SUPPORTING BUYER AFFORDABILITY SCREENING - An online system uses, in various embodiments of the invention, credit report information, loan affordability screening and credit approval and management functionality to facilitate the purchase and finance of products online. The online system may include both sellers of products and lenders that offer financing to buyers seeking to purchase the products. The system may automatically obtain a buyer's credit report information and use that information to determine if the buyer is pre-approved, for example, to obtain financing for a particular product or products. The system also enables use of buyer credit information to identify only those of a seller's products for which the buyer is pre-approved, for example, to finance using one or more loans. The system then enables selection of an identified product or products for purchase, and selection of a loan, for example, for financing of the selected product or products. Credit approval (or pre-approval) may be performed automatically, and along with credit processing, may be performed completely online. | 09-10-2009 |
20090240593 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PERMITTING A GIFT EXCHANGE BETWEEN MOBILE STORAGE DEVICES - A method for permitting a gift exchange between mobile storage devices ( | 09-24-2009 |
20090240594 | System and Method for Facilitating Online Transactions - Methods and systems for facilitating online transactions are disclosed. One method includes supplying content for display in a frame of a website, the website hosted by a third-party. The method also includes receiving transaction information from the third-party, and returning a token to the frame, the token including state information based on the transaction information. The method further includes passing the token from the frame to the third-party. The method optionally also includes receiving the token from the third-party and transferring funds from a first account to a second account based on the transaction information and the state information. | 09-24-2009 |
20090240595 | Collaborative commerce hub - A server acts as the hub of a collaborative commerce system. Suppliers of goods or services self publish information to the hub. Buyers are able to query the hub for product and service availability, price etc. Buyers are able to integrate real time multi product and multi service orders from multiple suppliers, carriers and field serve providers and thus secure available goods as well as the delivery and installation of those goods from the records available on the hub. Once an order is complete to the buyer's satisfaction, the order is transmitted to the hub. The hub then transmits the appropriate information to the relevant suppliers, carriers and installers as required. The system also provides for a system of virtual partitioning of a supplier's inventory. | 09-24-2009 |
20090240596 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR VENDOR ASSURANCE - Methods and systems for managing financial transactions. Specifically, the invention includes methods and systems for creating order profiles used to select vendors for carrying out third-party sub-transactions needed to complete financial transactions. A product related to the completion of the financial transaction is selected, a vendor ordering profile is selected, a product vendor that most closely matches the characteristics designated in the ordering profile is selected, and the selected product is ordered from the selected product vendor. | 09-24-2009 |
20090240597 | System and method for managing recipient accounts - A system and method to use a recipient account by a user for the purchase of goods from a merchant. During the purchasing transaction, the user submits a recipient account identifier, which can be used to identify a recipient account maintained by a shipper, to the merchant. The merchant further receives a transaction request for the purchasing of goods to be shipped to the user. By using the recipient account identifier, the merchant can request a payment from the shipper. The shipper does not reveal the method of payment by the user to the merchant. Upon receiving a payment from the shipper, the merchant and the user can commit the purchasing transaction. The shipper can later be used to transfer the purchased goods from the merchant to the user, without revealing the user's address. | 09-24-2009 |
20090240598 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATED ORDERING AND PAYMENT - A method and apparatus for ordering and payment using a mobile device such as a mobile telephone. A graphical code element corresponding to goods to be ordered is scanned or photographed using a camera function on the mobile phone, the code is decoded by the phone, and an order for the goods is transmitted by the phone. The order transmission may include user address information for the delivery of the goods and payment information. Payment for goods or services includes scanning or photographing a code with price and payee information using the mobile device. The code is decoded and payment information is sent by the mobile device. The code for the payment may be presented to the purchaser by a seller as a displayed code on a mobile device of the seller, such as on a mobile device of a delivery person delivering the goods. The purchaser images the displayed code using the purchaser's mobile device to initiate the payment. | 09-24-2009 |
20090240599 | Auto salvage bid.com vehicle auctioning system - An online automobile auction, which allows the consumer to participate by using their home computers and accessing the system via an internet connection. Before the designated time for an auction, the consumer may access the database of available automobiles. Along with displaying visual depictions of the vehicles, the computer system affords the consumer the ability to access statistics on the current inventory of vehicles. Prior to the auction, using an automated auction feature, a plurality of bidders input their minimum starting bid, the maximum bid and the incrementing value. Bidders are also allowed to bid on vehicles during the auction process. | 09-24-2009 |
20090240600 | System and Method for Conducting an Auction-Based Ranking of Search Results on a Computer Network - A method and system are disclosed for displaying a search result list in response to a search request from a searcher using a computer network. Ranks in the search result list are auctioned for a search term for a determined display period. A database is maintained to include search listings, where the search listings are associated with a winning bidder for a specified rank in the search result list, the search term and the determined display period. The search result list displayed to the searcher includes search listings ordered in accordance with respective ranks, for the determined display period. | 09-24-2009 |
20090240601 | INCREASES IN SALES RANK AS A MEASURE OF INTEREST - A facility for displaying consumption information about items is described. The facility uses a current consumption rank for each of a number of items and at least one or more previous consumption ranks for each of these items to attribute to at least a portion of the items a score characterizing the magnitude of increase in the consumption rank of the item. The facility then generates a display incorporating at least a portion of the attributed scores in the corresponding items. | 09-24-2009 |
20090248533 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CONDUCTING TRANSACTIONS - Methods and systems for conducting a transaction which relate to receiving a transaction request from a transaction object containing a region identifier and a mobile device identifier. A short code is identified in a short code database based on the region identifier. A confirmation request message is transmitted to a mobile device corresponding to the mobile device identifier, where the confirmation request message includes a reply address corresponding to the short code. | 10-01-2009 |
20090248534 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OFFERING AN AUCTION BUNDLE IN AN ONLINE ADVERTISING AUCTION - An improved system and method for offering an auction bundle in an online advertising auction is provided. A pricing engine may determine a price of an auction bundle that may include a bid for an input of a search engine such as a keyword, an output of search engine such as a URL appearing in search results, or a combination of an input and an output of a search engine. In an implementation, bids may be received from bidders for auction bundles, click-through rates for web page placements may be obtained for auction bundles, and the bidders with the highest gain for the auction bundles may be determined for a search query. The advertisements of the bidders with the highest gain may be allocated to web page placements for display with query results. | 10-01-2009 |
20090248535 | Device, system, and method of collaborative distribution of digital merchandise - Device, system, and method of collaborative distribution of digital merchandise. For example, an apparatus for collaborative distribution of Digital Merchandise Items (DMIs) includes: a first computing device having an agent module to receive a command of a first user to purchase a DMI from a second user, to provide information to process a first electronic payment from the first user to the second user, to receive the DMI from a second computing device of the second user, to receive a confirmation that a second electronic payment was made from a third user to the first user, to transfer a copy of the DMI from the first computing device to a third computing device of the third user, to calculate a first portion of the second electronic payment to be maintained by the first user, to calculate a second portion of the second electronic payment to be transferred to the second user, and to provide information to process an electronic payment of the second portion from the first user to the second user. | 10-01-2009 |
20090248536 | Twenty first century digital network - A consumer driven internet technology based digital commercial network defined by specific licensing agreements between the network's manufacturers of hardware, the network's writer of operating system, the network's information carriers, and the network's administrator. The specific licensing agreements are writ and contracted to by the entities for the purpose and with the goal of maintaining the integrity of property rights in data transferred, processed, or transmitted on said network(s). By patenting the method/network design structure, a lynchpin for proprietary consumer driven digital commercial networks is created, unlike any utilized to date. | 10-01-2009 |
20090248537 | COMMERCIAL TRANSACTION FACILITATION SYSTEM - To facilitate the processing of commercial transactions, the system may be utilized to collect and store data related to product information, buyer information and seller information. A system is provided that collects and stores data from different sources (individual or company) and associates all or part of the data collected from the input of a single source with an identifier. The system, upon receipt of an identifier provided by a requester (software, person, system), can then provide the data associated with the identifier to the requester in a specific format or a format that will allow the requester to process the associated data. | 10-01-2009 |
20090248538 | Facilitated mobile transactions - A stand-in payment and transaction facilitator system is provided. A merchant registers their details with a transaction facilitator and is assigned a merchant identifier. When a mobile user transacts with the merchant, the merchant identifier is communicated to the user's mobile device. At the payment step, the transaction facilitator uses the merchant's details referenced by their identifier to complete the payment portion of the transaction using any non-cash payment mechanism or service of the users choosing. The transaction facilitator offers for-purchase items from the merchants. The merchants use preferred payment providers. Communication devices are used to select for-purchase items from the transaction facilitator. The transaction facilitator communicates payment information received from the communication device to a financial transaction network for payment in the transaction to purchase the for-purchase item. On payment approval, the transaction facilitator communicates payment approval and a selected for-purchase item list to the merchant. | 10-01-2009 |
20090248539 | Photograph printing system - When a newly received printed photograph and an undelivered order exist in relation to an identical user, a delivery device is controlled such that the newly received printed photograph is delivered at the same time as a printed photograph relating to the undelivered order. | 10-01-2009 |
20090248540 | ELECTRONIC RETAIL ORDER COMMUNICATION - Multiple users are provided the ability to add or modify items in an open order created by an originating user on an electronic retail system. The originating user has the ability to verify and authorize a final purchase order that is submitted to the retail system. The originating user forwards an open order to other users, who are then allowed to add to the order, such as by adding items to a shopping cart. In a tandem browsing mode, other users are invited to observe the interaction of the originating user with an electronic retail system and modify an order for approval by the originating user. | 10-01-2009 |
20090248541 | METHOD, APPARATUS AND ARTICLE OF MANUFACTURE FOR DETERMINING THE END TO A SILENT AUCTION USING A TIERED STRATEGY - Methods, apparatuses and article of manufactures of an electronic auction system that receives at least one bid to purchase an item that is available for auction during a period of time. The period of time comprises a plurality of time increments. The system also uses a computing device to determine that the auction for the item has ended. The act of determining includes determining that at least one of the following events has occurred: (ii) a first quantity of bids received during a first time increment is less than a first pre-determined number; and (iii) a second quantity of bids received during a second time increment is less than a second pre-determined number. Based on pre-determined criteria, the system also determines a winning bid from a plurality of received bids. In addition, the system transmits to a remote device a notification of the winning bid. The remote device and the computing device are in communication via a network. The system also processes a payment of the item. | 10-01-2009 |
20090254445 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR AGGREGATING PACKAGES IN A SHIPPING ENVIRONMENT - Various embodiments for aggregating packages into a pouch in a shipping environment are disclosed. For example, package details associated with a package are compared to one or more incompatibility factors, and if the package details do not match the one or more incompatibility factors, a package identifier uniquely identifying the package is added to a pouch manifest. If the package is not compatible with the pouch, an error message may be displayed to a user indicating that the package is incompatible. In addition, package details may be compared with compatibility factors identifying criteria for packages that are compatible with the pouch and questionable compatibility factors identifying criteria for packages that may be compatible with the pouch. Compatibility factors and questionable compatibility factors may include, for example, service options, delivery notification options, or destination zip code(s). | 10-08-2009 |
20090254446 | Household shopping programming assistant system and methods - Household shopping assistant system that stores the individual household purchasing requests and preferences in a centralized server with a data base and allows for shopping list retrieval via mobile phone web access and/or via SMS messaging. A method of storing individual purchasing requests and preferences and selective delivery to the shopper's mobile phone(s) and PDA(s). A method for optimizing the shopping list based on product attributes, availability of said products in stores, location of said products within said stores and driving distance between said stores. | 10-08-2009 |
20090254447 | METHODS FOR SELECTION, PURCHASE AND SHIPPING OF ITEMS FOR SALE - Methods for the selection, purchase and shipping of items offered for sale. Said methods are enabled by computer software modules that allow a consumer to: (1) pay for items sold through an e-commerce website by using check and cash payment methods; (2) specify a future payment date and a future shipping date for a designated transaction with an e-commerce vendor; (3) specify a price at which the consumer is willing to purchase a particular item offered through an e-commerce website, after which the website crawls the Internet and automatically purchases the item and/or notifies the consumer if the item is found at or below the specified price; (4) arrange a customized installment payment schedule for purchasing items through an e-commerce website; and (5) create and manage a gift registry with an e-commerce vendor with a great degree of flexibility. | 10-08-2009 |
20090254448 | Automated Service-Based Order Processing - A system and method provide efficient, secure and fast automation of order processing. The method includes initiating an order by wirelessly receiving data from a personal digital key (PDK). The method also includes receiving a biometric input and confirming the initiation of the order by authenticating the biometric input. In response to authenticating the biometric input, the order is processed. In another embodiment, the method of further includes automatically initiating an order completion by wirelessly receiving data from a PDK. The method further includes receiving a biometric input and confirming the order completion by authenticating the biometric input. In response to authenticating the biometric input, the order is completed. In yet another embodiment, the method further includes processing rewards based on the order | 10-08-2009 |
20090254449 | ACCESS METHOD OF REGULATORY APPROVING DATA FOR NETWORKED MULTILATERAL ALLIANCE - The invention achieves certain advantages in pharmaceutical development over large multinational companies by forming a multilateral alliance of independent entities, each with their own geographical focus. In accordance with the invention, a method is provided whereby multiple entities, within the coverage of a common patent portfolio, undertake their own research and development in their own territory. Under a second feature of the invention, the entities may each utilize the information obtained by the others in order to advance their own development program. | 10-08-2009 |
20090254450 | METHOD OF EXECUTING AN ELECTRONIC COMMERCE SALE FROM AFFILIATE WEB SITES - A method of processing multiple electronic transactions at a hub server may be provided. The method may include receiving a first-time purchase request at a hub server from a first buyer, the first-time purchase request originating at a first affiliate web site and includes a first affiliate web site identifier and at least one of a product identifier and a category identifier; sending from the hub server to the first affiliate web site a buyer information form; receiving at the hub server from the first affiliate web site the buyer information form of the first buyer; and storing the buyer information form for the first buyer in a buyer profile database. | 10-08-2009 |
20090259560 | Identity Theft and Fraud Protection System and Method - A system and method for preventing personal identity theft when making online and offline purchases requires a Purchaser to first subscribe and become a Member user by registering, providing relevant personal identity information, and establishing two-way multi-factor authentication information for security purposes. The subscribing Member provides relevant information to any one or more financial sources (e.g. credit card accounts, bank accounts) that will be used to fund subsequent purchase transactions. Once registered, the Member is assigned a user name and a password. The subscribing Member's personal identity information is then encrypted and stored at one or more highly secure locations. The ID protection system obtains a controlled use card (CUC) through a CUC issuer on behalf of the Member for use in making each purchase transaction. The CUC is anonymous with respect to user (Member) identity and may be a purchase-specific single-use card or a multi-purpose card with no traceable connection to any other financial account. The CUC is funded by the Member's one or more financial sources, as selected by the Member. When the Member makes a secure purchase, the Merchant is presented with anonymous information (i.e. not revealing the Member's real name, email address, billing information, etc.), except in instances where the Member's real identity information is required (e.g. airline tickets). The Merchant obtains credit approval and sends the shipping information to a shipper which independently obtains the correct shipping name and address from the ID protection system prior to shipping the purchased product(s) to the ultimate destination selected by the purchasing Member. | 10-15-2009 |
20090259561 | Method and System for Correlation of Product Quantities to Multiple Ship-to Addresses for a Single Online Order - A system for facilitating data entry and submission of an Internet-based ecommerce transaction includes a computing node having Internet access to an ecommerce server; and a secure memory drive removably coupled to the computing node for storing payment information, address information, and an interactive interface for recording data into forms and cross filling data between two or more forms. The system is characterized in that the memory drive is activated by an authentication procedure during an online transaction such that after authentication, information stored on the drive can be used to complete, to record for receipt, and to submit an ecommerce order form using the interactive interface, the form submission including a supplementary electronic form detailing accounting of quantities of items ordered to be shipped to different shipping destinations. | 10-15-2009 |
20090259562 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING GIFT BY USING COMMUNICATION NETWORK AND SYSTEM INCLUDING THE APPARATUS - Disclosed herein is a method and apparatus for providing a gift using a communication network and a system including the apparatus. The present invention includes a) providing information about products to a user terminal connected with a gift provision apparatus through the communication network; b) selecting at least one of the products by the user terminal and inputting information of a receipt terminal for receiving the product; c) the user terminal transmitting a message requesting gift provision or a message requesting gift reception for the product to the gift provision apparatus; and d) the gift provision apparatus providing a gift icon corresponding to the product to the receipt terminal when receiving the message requesting gift provision. | 10-15-2009 |
20090259563 | CUSTOMIZABLE METADATA AND CONTEXTUAL SYNDICATION OF DIGITAL PROGRAM MATERIAL - A system and method for providing video and/or audio on-on demand service to owners of video and/or audio program rights for offering digital versions of those programs to web site visitors. The method or system is an Application Service Provider (ASP) model, whereby the services are provided to the video and/or audio owners over the World Wide Web and where no specifics software need reside with the video and/or audio owners. Video and/or audio programs from the owners, once converted to an appropriate digital form, are streamed over the Internet or other IP networks for viewing in real-time direct from a remote device having video and/or audio servers that store the digital programs by viewers who have purchased the right to view them. Customizable metadata is utilized to thematically and contextually identify the digital file. This metadata is searchable by a person seeking digital files for download. E-commerce transaction processing is provided on behalf of the video and/or audio owner, and revenue is appropriately conveyed to the owner and/or the web site. | 10-15-2009 |
20090259564 | METHOD, SYSTEM, AND STORAGE DEVICE FOR AN ONLINE CONTENT MARKETPLACE AND EXCHANGE - A method, system, and storage device for an online content marketplace and exchange which enables independent content creators to protect their content while permitting interested buyers to financially compete over the rights to the content, thus achieving true market value for the creator based upon the market's willingness to pay for the content. The method is capable of receiving content (e.g. video, audio, image, etc.), transcoding the content, applying encryption and watermarks, configuring an auction, conducting the auction, finalizing the auction, and releasing the original content to the winning bidder. | 10-15-2009 |
20090259565 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING MOVING AND TRANSPORT SERVICE LEADS - Moving and transportation leads are provided by receiving customer data from a customer interface coupled to a communications network, the data comprising information related to a request for moving services; matching the customer data with moving and transport service capabilities stored in a user profile; providing notification to a user account associated with a moving an transport company having the associated matching data of a customer lead. | 10-15-2009 |
20090259566 | System, Method, and Apparatus For Organizing and Implementing A Real-Life, Physical Activity - A process for distributing information and processing results for an airgun shooting sport with geographically diverse participants may include receiving registration data from a user, distributing course-of-fire data, and receiving a metric from the user. The course-of-fire data may define at least one parameter of a shooting sport match. The user may record an overall elapsed time associated with shooting targets specified in the course-of-fire data and send this score to a server. The server may rank order the scoring data, providing a benchmark for competition among the geographically diverse users. Furthermore, the server may distribute a rule-set to the user. The rule set may define the real-life, physical activity and the rule-set may require a standard item for participation. For example, the standard item may include the disclosed foam airgun target. | 10-15-2009 |
20090265251 | Systems and Methods for Searching a Defined Area - Embodiments of the present invention include systems and methods for searching a defined area. In one embodiment, the present invention includes a method comprising receiving a plurality of product data, wherein the product data describes a plurality of products offered for sale by a plurality of businesses. Product data may be associated with a defined area, where the businesses each have a point-of-sale store located in the defined area. A user may enter a search request, and the system searches product data for a plurality of products in a plurality of point-of-sale stores in the defined area. The system outputs product data for point-of-sale stores located in said defined area matching said search request. | 10-22-2009 |
20090265252 | MONEY POOLING WITH ELECTRONIC INVOICE - An electronic invoice is associated with a transaction code. The electronic invoice may be provided by a merchant. The transaction code may be generated by a payment processing system. Two or more consumers may retrieve the electronic invoice using the transaction code. Based on the electronic invoice, the consumers may use the payment processing system to pay the merchant. | 10-22-2009 |
20090265253 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING GIFT REGISTRY SERVICES THROUGH A GIFT REGISTRY NETWORK - Some embodiments of the present invention provide a system that provides gift registry services to a user. During operation, the system enrolls a business with a registry system and identifies a first set of items offered for sale by the business. Next, the system populates the registry system with the first set of items. Finally, the system presents the first set of items to the user for inclusion in a gift registry associated with the user. | 10-22-2009 |
20090265254 | UNIVERSAL BUSINESS TO MEDIA TRANSACTION SYSTEM, PROCESS AND STANDARD - A computer network based universal transaction system (CNBUTS) architecture that enables transaction between one or more offer providers and one or more customers relating to offers of wares (e.g., goods/services) by the offer providers. In one embodiment, the architecture of the CNBUTS includes a universal agent system, one or more offering systems and one or more marketplace systems. The universal agent system receives one or more offers of wares available for transactions. Each offering system enables offer providers to define the offer(s) of wares available for transaction. Each marketplace system receives the offer(s) of wares from the universal agent system, presents the customers the offer(s) of wares, receives transaction requests from the customers, and communicates received transaction requests to the universal agent system. The universal agent system communicates the offer(s) of wares from the offering system(s) to the marketplace system(s) and processes transaction requests received from the marketplace system(s). | 10-22-2009 |
20090271279 | Motion star casting and auditioning system - A Motion Star Casting (MSC) and auditioning system for directly connecting the casting directors and artist is disclosed. MSC is an innovative and user-friendly website for casting directors, production companies, agents and other industry professionals to upload a document or video illustrating their casting need. The artists can read their lines or mimic a dance routine and then upload their video clips to their Video Action Portfolios (VAP). The artists can also search for opportunities, view video of the performances, and upload their own rendition for consideration to the selection committee. After uploading the VAP, the artists can send Video Action Responses (VAR) to the casting directors. The Casting directors can save VAP and VAR in their account for continued promotion of the artists. | 10-29-2009 |
20090271280 | RETAIL CUSTOMER SERVICE AND SYSTEM - A retail customer service process, method, system and apparatus that includes a bypass queue that is available to customers to enable them to place orders, pay for them, and to submit the bypassing order into a production queue as quickly as possible, preferably avoiding the first serial queue. The method includes an ordering queue including a plurality of customers coupled to a production control function, the production control function coupled to a production function for generating a production order from a particular one of the pluralities customer at a front of the ordering queue, the production order including a made-to-order product, and a production output queue in which customers wait for the made-to-order product to be produced from the production function as identified by the production order. The method provides a) coupling a bypass ordering queue to the production control function to insert a bypass production order into the production control function from a bypass customer not in the ordering queue; and b) receiving said bypass production order from said bypass customer by electronically reading a prestored bypass order from a portable indicia carried by said bypass customer. | 10-29-2009 |
20090271281 | Computer-implemented reservation system - A Web service based, real-time booking engine in which reservations Web pages include a “One Click Search” implemented using a global navigation menu located in the Web pages, facilitating easy switch to search other destinations at any time. The reservations Web pages also include a reservation search form. From any of the Web pages, the customer can enter or change the destination by clicking on a destination in the global navigation menu. A new search is then performed using whatever other information was previously entered in the reservation search form. After a search, the booking engine remembers any changed traveling details including check-in date, number of nights, room types, etc., so the customer can jump to any other destination in the global navigation menu by simply selecting the destination in the global navigation menu at any stage of a booking process. | 10-29-2009 |
20090271282 | Universal shopping center for international operation - An international transaction system for operation over the internet/intranet provides a pre-transactional calculation of all charges involved in any international transaction. Upon the option of the customer, the goods can be viewed on catalogue sheets translated to a language of the customer's choice, and the price provided in a currency selected by the customer. The customer also has the option of initiating the order with automatic credit authorization, generation of an electronic title or commercial invoice and arrangements and payment of shipping charges and any taxes and import/export duties. | 10-29-2009 |
20090271283 | Network Media Distribution - A network media distribution system includes a web server. The web server generates web data defining a plurality of web pages of a web site. Media items are stored on a media database which is accessible to the web server. The web server distributes the media items through the web site. In one example embodiment the media distribution system includes both user generated content that is distributed for free and content provided by publishers that is distributed for a fee. Methods are also disclosed. | 10-29-2009 |
20090271284 | Community based electronic bartering network - An electronic bartering system which associates each user with at least one community and enables users to create their own communities. Each user can specify at least one barterable item in a wish list and at least one barterable item in a trade list. Within a given community, the system periodically compares the wish lists and trade lists only of users within the community in order to identify a trade match. When a match is identified, an e-mail message is sent to users advising of the trade match. The system also receives confirmation from the users accepting or rejecting the trade match. | 10-29-2009 |
20090271285 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ALLOCATING BUSINESS TO ONE OF A PLURALITY OF SELLERS IN A BUYER DRIVEN ELECTRONIC COMMERCE SYSTEM - A system and method for allocating conditional purchase offers (CPO) among a plurality of agency-based and broadcast-based sellers in a buyer-driven commerce system. In one embodiment, the system determines which agency-based or broadcast-based sellers can fulfill or satisfy the CPO and orders those sellers in a priority order. In another embodiment, the priority is determined by relative market share and number of recent opportunities to satisfy the CPO. In another embodiment, the priority is also determined by metrics and buyer information. In another embodiment, the priority is determined randomly. The system ensures that when a buyer can satisfy the CPO at multiple prices levels, the highest price level fulfills the CPO. This ensures maximum seller revenue for each CPO. | 10-29-2009 |
20090271286 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CUSTOMIZING MARKETING SERVICES ON NETWORKS COMMUNICATING WITH HYPERTEXT TAGGING CONVENTIONS - The present server based communications system provides dynamic customization of hypertext tagged documents presented to clients accessing the system. The customization, which pertains to the content of the documents, is based on the specific requirements of a class to which the client belongs to. The class may be defined by the identity of the source which refers the client to the system. The system utilizes a database which dynamically retrieves stored data in response to a server software tool which configures the data into hypertext tagged documents. The system utilizes a dynamic token scheme to pass the identity of the referring network site from document to document to eventual purchase document accessed by the client through the hypertext tags. | 10-29-2009 |
20090271287 | FINANCIAL LIFESTYLE NAVIGATOR AND BANKING SYSTEM - Methods and systems for electronic financial management integrate many aspects of the typical banking system with exciting educational and social tools to engage users to participate in and learn about the value of fiscal management. A web application for a network site may be employed to allow users to establish accounts. Joint accounts may be established for teens or other users without the capacity or experience to independently manage money, providing custodians control over the joint account and opportunities to interactively engage the user via effective fiscal management tools. Aspects of the methods and systems for financial management may provide interactive opportunities for users to, for example, manage money, set goals, track finances, pay bills, shop savvy, solicit advice from friends and family, and obtain answers to financial questions. Web applications may provide users mobile and on line access to financial information, financial management tools, and vendor products and services. | 10-29-2009 |
20090271288 | CATEGORY EXPERT WORKBENCH - A computer system is provided that maintains information about products and provides for transactions between users buying and selling those products as well as providing a public exchange for valuing those products. The system also tracks the users who set up products in the system as well as maintain product categories. That tracking can be used for sharing revenue related to those products with the users, controlling which users become “experts” for a category of products or specific products, allowing for user-to-user interactions, etc. Users can apply to become category experts, and users who do become category experts are allowed to control the taxonomy of a product category and given other administrative controls over the product category. | 10-29-2009 |
20090271289 | System and method for propagating endorsements - An e-commerce system, comprising a clone server coupled via a data network to an endorsement network comprising at least a shopping cart adapted to manage endorsements and wherein the clone server, upon receiving a request from a user of an endorsement network to clone an endorsement, retrieves from the shopping cart a copy of the endorsement to be cloned, replaces at least information pertaining to an identity of a prior endorser in the retrieved endorsement with information pertaining to the requesting user, and sends the modified endorsement to the requesting user, is disclosed. | 10-29-2009 |
20090271290 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR FACILITATING A TRANSACTION BY MATCHING SELLER INFORMATION AND BUYER INFORMATION - Systems and methods are provided to facilitate a transaction between a seller and a buyer. According to one embodiment, seller offer information is received at a controller. The seller offer information is associated with an item, such as a secondary market item, being offered for sale by a seller. Buyer offer information, associated with a buyer offering to make a purchase, is also received. An evaluation rule is determined, and the seller offer information and the buyer offer information are matched based on the evaluation rule. It is then arranged for the seller to sell the item to the buyer. | 10-29-2009 |
20090271291 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CONDUCTING A BLOCK AUCTION - The present invention relates to a system and method for performing a block auction. In a block auction, a block request is enabled to be executed against the plurality of quotes of different bidders, which comprise at least a part of the request volume. In accordance with the present invention, neither specification of the trade side of the request nor publication of the individual quotes submitted by bidders are required for performing the auction at an electronic trading system. Therefore, the auction can be performed anonymously and the trading of block requests comprising large volumes is enabled. | 10-29-2009 |
20090271292 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR EXCHANGING DIRECT RESPONSE MARKETING PHONE LEADS - Systems and methods for managing a phone lead transaction between a lead seller and a lead buyer as part of a first transaction between said lead seller and a consumer. The method, for example, includes enabling a plurality of lead buyers to bid for phone leads from at least, one lead seller. When the lead seller conducts a transaction with a consumer, a prequalification question is displayed to an agent associated with the lead seller to allow the agent to ascertain whether the consumer qualifies. If the consumer qualifies, the consumer is connected to the lead buyer either immediately or at a later time. Methods are disclosed for tracking the phone lead transaction and performing back-end accounting for account settlement purposes. | 10-29-2009 |
20090276323 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR GENERATING A SYNCHRONOUS SALES STACK FOR CUSTOMER DIALOG - Embodiments relate to systems and methods for generating a synchronous sales stack for a customer dialog. A user can visit a Web site and load selections into a checkout basket to prepare to purchase desired products and/or services. The user can select a live chat feature, which invokes an instant message, audio or video dialog with a sales representative. The sales representative can initiate a synchronous sales stack with the user, by which the user and sales representative can share a common view of purchase selections and potential alternatives or add-ons to the selections, as they are made. The customer and sales representative can continue their dialog as possible selections are explored, and the resulting sales stack is updated in real-time. When the user is satisfied with their selections, the sales stack can be stored as the customer's finalized checkout basket and the transaction can be completed. | 11-05-2009 |
20090276324 | System and method for previewing and purchasing digital content with a mobile digital storage and playback device - A system and method for previewing and purchasing digital content are provided. A method for previewing and rating digital content over a network includes accessing at least one preselected web site via a network connected media player assembly. Once the web site is accessed, at least one preview content is downloaded to the network connected media player assembly and the preview content is transferred to a portable media storage and playback device. The preview content is previewed and rated through the portable media storage and playback device and the rating of the preview content is then uploaded to the preselected web site via the network connected media player assembly. The preview content is purchased based on the user rating. Finally, the purchased preview content is downloaded to the portable media storage and playback device via the network connected media player assembly. | 11-05-2009 |
20090276325 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR QUANTITATIVE COMPETITION AND RECORDING MEDIUM HAVING RECORDED THEREON PROGRAM FOR IMPLEMENTING THE METHOD - A bid-opening device | 11-05-2009 |
20090276326 | RFID IONOSPHERE - A method, system, and apparatus are disclosed wherein an RFID transponder response signal is coupled with a data file as an identifier. The RFID transponder response signal is used in its raw, or a digitized version of its raw, state. | 11-05-2009 |
20090276327 | Methods, Systems, and Products for Ordering Items - Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for online ordering of items. An online order is received from a first user requesting to purchase an item. The first user is associated to a profile of a second user. A favorite item is retrieved from the second user's profile and automatically added to the first user's order. | 11-05-2009 |
20090276328 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR SUPPORTING SECURE TRANSACTIONS IN A PEER-TO-PEER NETWORK - At least two computer systems in a peer-to-peer network are utilized to support a secure transaction. Aspects of the present invention include allowing a shopper to create an order to purchase an item stored on a first computer system in the peer-to-peer network, and after the order is created, passing the order and control from the first computer system to a second computer system in the peer-to-peer network. The second computer system establishes a secure transaction session with the shopper, and then proceeds to process the order. | 11-05-2009 |
20090276329 | Bid Modification Based on Logical Connections Between Trigger Groups in a Combinatorial Exchange - In a combinatorial exchange, rules can be input for processing bids and a desired exchange objective can be defined. A subset of the rules can be used to determine if an allocation of the bids exists that is optimal for the type of exchange being conducted. If the desired exchange objective is not satisfied, new allocations can be determined using different subsets of rules each time until the desired exchange objective is satisfied. Trigger bid groups and/or rules associated with trigger values can be used to determine whether to apply modification or discounts to bids. Item and bid groups can be partitioned into groups for the purpose of smoothing requirements. Trigger bid groups, rules associated with trigger values, item groups, and bid groups can be used for adjusting or constraining bids based on triggers, logical connectives, and adjustments. | 11-05-2009 |
20090276330 | Low-Power Subsystem for Portable Computers - A low power subsystem for a portable computer is described. In one example, the portable computer includes a computer system and low power multimedia center. The computer system includes a central processing unit, a system memory, a mass storage device, and a user interface, the computer system having a low-power mode in which the CPU, system memory, and user interface are inactive. The low-power multimedia center includes a low power processor coupled to the mass storage device, a low power memory coupled to the low power processor, a miniature display to display multimedia from the mass storage device, and an external user interface coupled to the processor, independent of the computer system to control the displaying of multimedia. | 11-05-2009 |
20090281905 | System and method for charitable donations - A method and system is provided, in which an interfacing device is distributed free by a value net integrator to end users, or supporting parties, whose normal use thereof may benefit a soliciting entity, such as a charity or social group, through various forms of interactive advertising, combined with an interactive and good will based referral incentive program. The interfacing device may comprise a special toolbar to identify and locate the participating third party vendors; to enable supporting parties to access a search engine partner for Internet searches, where the search engine partner agrees to provide a commission to the value net integrator on a per-click basis; and to allow supporting parties to easily make direct contributions to the soliciting entity. The special toolbar may provide additional value to encourage its use by the supporting parties, such as providing an intelligent pop-up blocking capability. The value net integrator may collect the commissions generated by the supporting party's use of the special toolbar, pay a royalty to the soliciting entity out of the commissions on a periodic basis, and retain the remainder as compensation for its services. | 11-12-2009 |
20090281906 | Music Recommendation using Emotional Allocation Modeling - An exemplary method includes defining a vocabulary for emotions; extracting descriptions for songs; generating distributions for the songs in an emotion space based at least in part on the vocabulary and the extracted descriptions; extracting salient words from a document; generating a distribution for the document in an emotion space based at least in part on the vocabulary and the extracted salient words; and matching the distribution for the document to one or more of the distributions for the songs. Various other exemplary methods, devices, systems, etc., are also disclosed. | 11-12-2009 |
20090281907 | METHOD AND ARRANGEMENT FOR PURCHASING STREAMED MEDIA - A method and arrangement for purchasing streamed media as executed in a communication terminal operated by a user when receiving a media stream containing various media objects as data packets from a streaming server. In response to receiving user input for the purchase of a currently played wanted media object, a purchase request is sent to the streaming server. In response to the purchase request, a download enabler is received containing information leading to the wanted media object. The wanted media object is then downloaded based on the received download enabler. | 11-12-2009 |
20090281908 | System for the Creation, Production, and Distribution of Music - The present invention provides a system for purchasing music in integrated songs or divided into manipulatable components and then create new works with these components in unique productions and then release and distribute such music in either integrated or non integrated form stored with information that tracks the relative royalty characteristics of the stems/components of the song for later accounting and distribution of royalties to the owners of the song/song components/stems based on the purchase reproduction and resale of the components/stems/songs. | 11-12-2009 |
20090281909 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MANAGEMENT AND DISTRIBUTION OF MULTIMEDIA PRESENTATIONS - A system for delivery of content-based products. The system includes a content library which provides advanced interfaces for adding, manipulating, arranging and storing multimedia presentations, and for interacting with rich multimedia presentations. | 11-12-2009 |
20090281910 | PERSONALIZED FRAMED ART SYSTEM - A framed art system in which a user may personalize framed art. | 11-12-2009 |
20090281911 | TRADING SYSTEM - An anonymous trading system includes a prime broker facility that allows a third party to trade on behalf of an institution. A deal is executed between the third party and a counter-party and a further deal is then executed between the third party and the party on whose behalf it has traded. The second deal may be for the same amount as the first deal or may be altered to include the third party's fee for conducting the first deal. Clients of the third party have prices available to them for trades made via the third party which are displayed at their trader terminals. The client sees that a better price is available though the third party than by dealing direct and selects to conduct a deal through the third party. | 11-12-2009 |
20090281912 | Utilizing a Forward Looking Nash Equilibrium in an Ad-Words Auction - Systems and methods for facilitating more efficient bidding in an ad-words auction are described herein. An auctioning component can employ a forward-looking Nash equilibrium to facilitate an ad-words auction. A bidding component can enable bidding agents to place bids in the ad-words auction as a function of dynamically considering at least existing strategies of other bidding agents and future responses of the other bidding agents. Bidding agents associated with bids comprising higher true private values can obtain advertisement slots within the ad-words auction that are associated with a higher order of attractiveness to viewers—a bidding agent's true private value can be based on, at least in part, the bidding agent's estimate of value that at least one user interested in a particular keyword places on the bidding agent's product(s) and/or service(s). | 11-12-2009 |
20090281913 | Real time auction with end game - A real time auction system operates in a non real time mode, and an end game mode in which the users are placed in a forum. In both modes the users are capable of placing bids along with times when those bids should be executed. An agent treats the bids as secret until the time, and then at the time executes those bids. | 11-12-2009 |
20090281914 | UNIVERSAL SHOPPING CART AND ORDER INJECTION SYSTEMS - A universal shopping cart is provided that obtains and orders products and services from different merchants located on the Internet. The consumer completes all of their shopping on the shopping site and is not directed to another merchant's site to complete an order. The universal shopping cart provides a monitoring service that allows the consumer to monitor a product for specified criteria. The order injection system places orders for products contained within the universal shopping cart from affiliated and non-affiliated merchants. Specific ordering details required from merchants external to the shopping site are hidden from the consumer. For external merchant sites that require a consumer account before allowing the product to be purchased, the shopping site creates a new consumer account without intervention from the consumer. Once the products are ordered, the consumer may keep track of the ordered products from the shopping site. | 11-12-2009 |
20090281915 | Interactive Networked Product Container Kiosk - Networked product containers such as vending machines identify the presence of a potential customer via sensors, and present customized interactive marketing content to consumers. Consumers interact with a touch screen to win prizes, make purchases, or have a fun and interactive experience. The prizes and purchases offered by the product container may be determined by the product container or by one or more content servers in communication with the container. The content server may also provide digital content for display on the product container and remotely update the product container's content. The networked product container also includes a wireless access point to provide nearby wireless-enabled devices network connectivity via the product container. | 11-12-2009 |
20090281916 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FACILITATING PURCHASE TRANSACTIONS ACROSS A NETWORK - A local computer system that provides and records information to facilitate a purchase transaction across a network operates by first receiving a request for billing information relating to a purchase transaction from a remote computer system. The local system then retrieves the billing information from its local store, and sends the billing information to the remote system. After the remote system completes the purchase transaction, the local system receives a confirmation from the remote system. The local system then records this confirmation in its local store, which enables a user of the local system to subsequently look up the confirmation information based on a purchase transaction identifier. Before the local system retrieves and sends the billing information, a user of the local system is asked to confirm if the billing information can be released to the remote system. | 11-12-2009 |
20090281917 | Displaying Market Data - A system for generating a display of at least one side of a market includes a computer system having one or more computers. The displayed side of the market includes one or more offers from one or more market participants. Each offer includes an offered price and an offered quantity. The computer system receives market data reflecting the one or more offers and generates a display of the received market data. The display includes a price axis, a quantity axis, and one or more offer bars. Each offer bar represents one or more offers including equal offered prices. Placement of an offer bar along the price axis represents the equal offered prices for the one or more offers represented by the offer bar. The height of an offer bar relative to the quantity axis represents the aggregate offered quantity for the one or more offers represented by the offer bar. | 11-12-2009 |
20090281918 | Displaying Market Data - A system for generating a display of at least one side of a market includes a computer system having one or more computers. The displayed side of the market includes one or more offers from one or more market participants. Each offer includes an offered price and an offered quantity. The computer system receives market data reflecting the one or more offers and generates a display of the received market data. The display includes a price axis, a quantity axis, and one or more offer bars. Each offer bar represents one or more offers including equal offered prices. Placement of an offer bar along the price axis represents the equal offered prices for the one or more offers represented by the offer bar. The height of an offer bar relative to the quantity axis represents the aggregate offered quantity for the one or more offers represented by the offer bar. | 11-12-2009 |
20090281919 | Displaying Market Data - A system for generating a display of at least one side of a market includes a computer system having one or more computers. The displayed side of the market includes one or more offers from one or more market participants. Each offer includes an offered price and an offered quantity. The computer system receives market data reflecting the one or more offers and generates a display of the received market data. The display includes a price axis, a quantity axis, and one or more offer bars. Each offer bar represents one or more offers including equal offered prices. Placement of an offer bar along the price axis represents the equal offered prices for the one or more offers represented by the offer bar. The height of an offer bar relative to the quantity axis represents the aggregate offered quantity for the one or more offers represented by the offer bar. | 11-12-2009 |
20090281920 | Overconstraint Detection, Rule Relaxation and Demand Reduction in a Combinatorial Exchange - In a combinatorial exchange, a set of rules can be input for processing of bids received in connection with the exchange. At least one bid can be received from each of a plurality of exchange participants and a desired exchange objective can be defined. A determination can be made as a function of a subset of the rules if an allocation of the bids exists that is optimal for the type of exchange being conducted. If the desired exchange objective is not satisfied, the step of determining an allocation is repeated utilizing a different subset of rules each time until the desired exchange objective is satisfied. It can be determined if the exchange is overconstrained and, if so, rules can be relaxed. Also or alternatively, the demand for a quantity of an item can be increased or decreased based on the average cost of the item. | 11-12-2009 |
20090281921 | Network-Based Grocery Store - The present invention is a method and system for a network-based grocery store. The invention provides for network-based order placement, fulfillment, and delivery. | 11-12-2009 |
20090287581 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING PURCHASING ON A WIRELESS DEVICE - A method and system for processing purchases from a wireless device. The method includes, responsive to a search command received from the wireless device, executing a search in a retailer database. The method includes transmitting a search result to the wireless device for display. The method includes, responsive to a purchase command received from the wireless device, processing a sales transaction with a selected retailer. | 11-19-2009 |
20090287582 | DEPLOYING SOFTWARE ITEMS FROM SOFTWARE SHOPPING CARTS ONTO MOBILE WIRELESS DEVICES - Software/content for a mobile device may be selected by means of the web using a device other than the mobile device, and the software/content is downloaded onto the mobile device. This provides the capability to interact with an e-commerce site using some other terminal, such as desktop or laptop computer, and to install the software/content over the air to a given mobile device. This provides improved convenience in the selection and purchase of software/content, as desktop and laptop computer systems typically have which have larger screens and higher speed connectivity than smaller mobile devices. | 11-19-2009 |
20090287583 | DIGITAL MEDIA CONTENT LOCATION AND PURCHASING SYSTEM - Systems and methods for locating digital media content. The systems and methods include receiving search terms from a client device through a single interface, searching a plurality of digital media content providers for digital media content using the search terms to obtain search results, sorting and organizing the search results, and returning the search results to the client device through the single interface. | 11-19-2009 |
20090287584 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING INFORMATION ASSOCIATED WITH PRODUCT SAMPLES - Systems and methods are described for providing information associated with a particular product to a customer possessing a sample of the particular product. An identifier that is provided with the sample of the particular product and that uniquely identifies the product is received at a server. The information associated with the particular product is obtained based upon the received identifier. The information is provided from the server to the customer to thereby allow the customer to use the particular product that is in the customer's possession. The information provided may include safety information (e.g., a material safety data sheet (MSDS)) and usage information associated with the particular product. Such systems and methods may be particularly useful providing information relating to chemical components, such as those used in cosmetic, personal care or other industries. | 11-19-2009 |
20090287585 | PERSONALIZED GIFT CARDS FOR IMAGING PRODUCTS AND SERVICES - A method for producing a gift card for a gift imaging product, comprises receiving an order of the gift imaging product from a user, producing the gift imaging product, producing the gift card by the user for the gift imaging product; and consolidating the gift card with the gift imaging product into one package. | 11-19-2009 |
20090287586 | AUTOMATIC INTERNET ACCOUNT AUTHENTICATION SYSTEM AND AUTHENTICATION CARD PRINTER - An automatic account generation system includes an account generator having an IP address and exhibiting an account management function, a printer and at least one apparatus capable of providing wireless Internet access. The Internet user access authentication information can be acquired and printed from the account generator via an input device of the printer. When a user inputs the Internet user access authentication information into a wireless access apparatus, such as a notebook or a PDA equipped with a WLAN card, he or she can automatically access the WLAN where he or she is located. Moreover, the present system is equipped with a payment apparatus that can be connected to the account generator, so that it can accept payment made, whether by cash or by credit card, for getting the Internet user access authentication information. | 11-19-2009 |
20090292616 | NETWORKED PRINTING - A method and apparatus for ordering printed materials through a network of printing storefronts is presented. Printable products defined in one storefront can be defined by inheriting from products defined in another storefront. Multiple storefronts can collaborate in a virtual print community to enable clients to browse and order products from any storefront in the community. | 11-26-2009 |
20090292617 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR AN INTERNET BASED SHOPPING CART TO CALCULATE THE CARBON DIOXIDE GENERATED BY SHIPPING PRODUCTS AND CHARGE FOR CARBON OFFSETS TO MITIGATE THE GENERATED CARBON DIOXIDE - Disclosed is a method and system for incorporating a carbon offset calculation into a shopping cart subsystem of a merchant website that calculates an estimated cost to offset a calculated estimate of the carbon emissions generated from shipping purchased products in order to allow the incorporation of the estimated carbon offset cost into the cost for the purchased products and allocate at least a portion of the payment of the estimated carbon offset cost to an entity building, managing, or operating a carbon offsetting application. Some embodiments may permit the customer purchasing the products to optionally select to incorporate the carbon offset costs in the costs for the purchased products. The estimate of carbon emissions generated calculation is based on specific information for the purchased products and the selected shipping methods for shipping the purchased products such as the shipping weight of the purchased products, a distance the purchased products are being shipped, and a designation of the shipping or transportation method. Additional embodiments may include dimensional weights of the purchased products, additional factors to account for the specific aspects of the selected transportation method for shipping the purchased products, and permitting the customer to select a specific carbon offsetting application to fund. | 11-26-2009 |
20090292618 | System & method for multiple users to conduct online browsing & shopping together in real time - A system & method for multiple users to conduct online browsing & shopping together in real time from multiple devices is described. For example, a mother and daughter at remote locations can browse the online stores together simultaneously as if they are shopping at a local shopping center in person. A user accesses the Internet from their device, such as a personal computer using software such as a web browser. Said user initiates a shopping session by activating the client component of the system. Said client component in turn activates a server component to provide a specific session identification code. Said session identification code is shared by the initiating user with additional individuals or groups with whom the initiating user wishes to invite to a simultaneous online browsing or shopping. | 11-26-2009 |
20090292619 | METHOD FOR UNIVERSAL ELECTRONIC PAYMENT PROCESSING - An efficient, secure method for processing an electronic transaction among a user ( | 11-26-2009 |
20090292620 | Server, Information Communication Terminal, Product Sale Management Method, and Storage Medium and Program Transmission Apparatus Therefor - A product retail sales management server for managing the retail sales of a product across a communication network comprises: a retail sales management module for managing the retail sales of the product; a price update module | 11-26-2009 |
20090292621 | Server, Information Communication Terminal, Product Sale Management Method, and Storage Medium and Program Transmission Apparatus Therefor - A product retail sales management server for managing the retail sales of a product across a communication network comprises: a retail sales management module for managing the retail sales of the product; a price update module | 11-26-2009 |
20090292622 | Server, Information Communication Terminal, Product Sale Management Method, and Storage Medium and Program Transmission Apparatus Therefor - A product retail sales management server for managing the retail sales of a product across a communication network comprises: a retail sales management module for managing the retail sales of the product; a price update | 11-26-2009 |
20090292623 | Server, Information Communication Terminal, Product Sale Management Method, and Storage Medium and Program Transmission Apparatus Therefor - A product retail sales management server for managing the retail sales of a product across a communication network comprises: a retail sales management module for managing the retail sales of the product; a price update module | 11-26-2009 |
20090299868 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING BID INFORMATION TO A USER IN RESPONSE TO A SERVICE REQUEST - This disclosure generally relates to computer- and network-based methods and systems for providing bid information to a user in response to a service request in order to facilitate the selection of a preferred service provider. In some cases, bid information from each of a number of bids originating from a selection of service providers is presented in such a manner that a user is able to simultaneously view at least a portion of the bid information of each respective bid. | 12-03-2009 |
20090299869 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROCESSING SINGLE SALE TRANSACTIONS INVOLVING ONE OR MORE PAYORS - A system for processing sales transactions may include a first computing device in communication with a buyer-operated computing device, and a computer-readable storage medium in communication with the first computing device. The computer-readable storage medium may include programming instructions for receiving an order including one or more of a commitment of a buyer to purchase an item, and a preferred share value associated with the buyer, receiving contact information associated with one or more third parties, receiving a fractional share value associated with each of the one or more third parties, and in response to a sum of the fractional share values associated with each third party and the preferred share value equaling the purchase price associated with the item, using the received contact information to send a message to each third party. Each message may include the fractional share associated with the third party. | 12-03-2009 |
20090299870 | CONSUMPTIBLE IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM AND METHOD - A consumptible identification system for use with a computer network includes a need prioritization module adapted to obtain a prioritization of consumer needs associated with a consumptible category from a particular consumer, wherein the prioritization expresses a preference of the particular consumer pertaining to at least one need associated with the category relative to at least one other need associated with the category. It further includes a matching module adapted to match a comsumptible identity to the particular consumer based on the prioritization of consumer needs and relationships between consumer needs and consumptible identities associated with the consumptible category. In addition, it has a user interface adapted to communicate the consumptible identity to the particular consumer. | 12-03-2009 |
20090299871 | METHOD FOR SELECTING, ORDERING AND ACCESSING COPYRIGHTED INFORMATION FROM PHYSICAL DOCUMENTS - A method for processing edited objects associated with a physical document, for use in a user workstation by a user. An edited object is identified in an edited objects table from being associated with an item that has been selected from a page of the physical document through use a point pressed on a touch foil aligned over or under the page. It is ascertained that the user does not have a license to use and/or copy the edited object. Information concerning the edited object is received by the user workstation from an edited objects server and then displayed on the user workstation. The user workstation receives the edited object with the license from the edited objects server, stores the edited object, and updates an edited object path column in the edited objects table in the user workstation with a file path for accessing the stored edited object. | 12-03-2009 |
20090299872 | ELECTRONIC CURRENCY, ELECTRONIC WALLET THEREFOR AND ELECTRONIC PAYMENT SYSTEMS EMPLOYING THEM - Electronic currency consists of data in a form suitable to be stored in a user's data storage medium, comprising information on the data value, identification of each specific set of data or data point, and authentication information suitable to verify that said data has been generated by a specific Currency Issuing Authority (CIA). A method and a system for effecting currency transactions between two users over the Internet or other communication network are also described. | 12-03-2009 |
20090299873 | Server, Information Communication Terminal, Product Sale Management Method, and Storage Medium and Program Transmission Apparatus Therefor - A product retail sales management server for managing the retail sales of a product across a communication network comprises: a retail sales management module for managing the retail sales of the product; a price update module | 12-03-2009 |
20090307099 | Drag-and-Drop Communication of Data Via a Computer Network - The present invention provides a system, method, and computer program product for consuming Web Services, and is composed of two parts. The first component of the present invention is a Web Services agent known as HERMES (Heterogeneous Resources Management Enterprise System), which provides a uniform application interface for accessing a plurality of heterogeneous Web Services. The second component of the present invention, known as the 1-Drag Icon or system, provides a uniform user interface for accessing Web Services, and in one embodiment provides a uniform graphical user interface (GUI) component for the consumption of Web Services. HERMES and the 1-Drag Icon may be used separately or combined to provide a complete system for the consumption of Web Services. | 12-10-2009 |
20090307100 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR COMMUNITY AIDED RESEARCH AND SHOPPING - A system and method for providing product research help to a consumer doing internet shopping. A consumer helper application for internet commerce has been designed to integrate the techniques that are currently used by many internet consumers into a single application program. For example, the consumer helper application allows a user to take notes, store web site links, store web site annotations, obtain collaborative input, and perform other tasks commonly used by web site consumers. The consumer helper application stores all of the information gathered in a single place. Information provided by other consumers may be shared using the consumer helper application. The consumer helper application will suggest specific items for a consumer to purchase based up on the information gathered by the consumer into the consumer helper application. | 12-10-2009 |
20090307101 | PRE-AUTHENTICATED ONLINE ORDERING SYSTEM - A computerized method and system for pre-authenticated online ordering are provided. Example embodiments may include receiving a set of user authentication credentials sufficient to uniquely identify a registered user. A selection of an item from a number of items may be received from the registered user. A unique address may be provided to the registered user. The unique address may be associated with a simplified user interface that allows users of the unique address to perform limited sets of operations associated with the item. | 12-10-2009 |
20090307102 | System and method for providing donations - A donation certificate and redemption system allows a donor to generate donation certificates that can be used by the donor or gifted to redeemers. The donation certificate includes a donation amount and a list of charities that can be selected by the redeemer. At redemption of the donation certificate, the redeemer nominates the charity and initiates a transfer of the donation amount, either from a donor account or a holding account, to an account of the nominated charity. | 12-10-2009 |
20090307103 | SYSTEM FOR MANAGING AND FACILITATING FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS LOCALLY OR REMOTELY MADE - A financial managing and facilitating system, to be used between a registered shopkeeper or service supplier and a registered customer, using modern information technology. The system allowing a registered customer be asked to approve (or to refuse) an ongoing transaction, even if such operation is being made by a third person duly authorized by the registered customer. The system presents a simplified architecture, being based in three main elements: (1) a customer with or without an authorized dependent; a payment central, such as a credit or debit central managing financial institution; and (3) a registered shopkeeper/service supplier. | 12-10-2009 |
20090307104 | CONSUMER-ORIENTED ANONYMOUS REQUEST SYSTEM AND METHODS OF INITIATING CONTACT WITH BUSINESS PROVIDERS - According to the invention disclosed herein, methods and systems are disclosed that proactively and anonymously reach out to potential service providers, through a virtual calling agent, to screen and select one or more service providers for the consumer. Such methods would be time-consuming to conduct manually but are automated efficiently and flexibly as described herein. These methods and systems are not limited to service providers who have pre-registered at any particular web site or directory. | 12-10-2009 |
20090307105 | User Interface for Application Management for a Mobile Device - This specification describes technologies relating to user interfaces for mobile devices. In general, one aspect of the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in methods that include the actions of receiving a touch input to access an application management interface on a mobile device; presenting an application management interface; receiving one or more inputs within the application management interface including an input to install a particular application; installing the selected application; and presenting the installed application. | 12-10-2009 |
20090307106 | PERFORMING AUTOMATICALLY AUTHORIZED PROGRAMMATIC TRANSACTIONS - Techniques are described for facilitating interactions between computing systems, such as by performing transactions between parties that are automatically authorized via a third-party transaction authorization system. In some situations, the transactions are programmatic transactions involving the use of fee-based Web services by executing application programs, with the transaction authorization system authorizing and/or providing payments in accordance with private authorization instructions previously specified by the parties. The authorization instructions may include predefined instruction rule sets that regulate conditions under which a potential transaction can be authorized, with the instruction rule sets each referenced by an associated reference token. After one or more of the parties to a potential transaction supply reference tokens for the parties, the transaction authorization system can determine whether to authorize the transaction based on whether the instruction rule sets associated with the reference tokens are compatible or otherwise satisfied. | 12-10-2009 |
20090307107 | PERFORMING AUTOMATICALLY AUTHORIZED PROGRAMMATIC TRANSACTIONS - Techniques are described for facilitating interactions between computing systems, such as by performing transactions between parties that are automatically authorized via a third-party transaction authorization system. In some situations, the transactions are programmatic transactions involving the use of fee-based Web services by executing application programs, with the transaction authorization system authorizing and/or providing payments in accordance with private authorization instructions previously specified by the parties. The authorization instructions may include predefined instruction rule sets that regulate conditions under which a potential transaction can be authorized, with the instruction rule sets each referenced by an associated reference token. After one or more of the parties to a potential transaction supply reference tokens for the parties, the transaction authorization system can determine whether to authorize the transaction based on whether the instruction rule sets associated with the reference tokens are compatible or otherwise satisfied. | 12-10-2009 |
20090313133 | AUCTION SYSTEM, INFORMATION PROCESSING DEVICE, INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD, RECORDING MEDIUM, AND PROGRAM - The present invention has an object to offer an auction system or the like which also plays the role of a supplementary function for the realization of commodity idea. | 12-17-2009 |
20090313134 | RECOVERY OF TRANSACTION INFORMATION - Online transaction processing over a communication network involves receiving a transaction input comprising an authorization request message for a transaction conducted over a communication network between a consumer and a merchant using a portable consumer device having a memory, wherein the authorization request message contains data comprising a transaction total amount for the transaction and additional information not stored in the memory of the portable consumer device and related to the transaction. Issuer authorization processing is performed in response to the authorization request message data, and a decision output is produced in response to the transaction input and the issuer authorization processing. Thus, a decision output is produced in an efficient manner using additional information for the issuer authorization processing, and the additional information reduces the likelihood of declining a transaction that should otherwise be authorized. | 12-17-2009 |
20090313135 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PERFORMING TRANSACTIONS ON MULTIMEDIA STREAMS BEING PRODUCED OVER A CHAIN OF CONTRIBUTING PRODUCERS - Method for performing transactions on multimedia streams being produced over a chain of contributing producers in a ICT network environment, wherein for every transaction from one party to another party a target multimedia stream is generated with a number of contributing streams, wherein for every intended transaction of a target multimedia stream digital transaction data for said transaction is generated and associated with the target multimedia stream, wherein the digital transaction data of every transaction is managed centrally in the ICT network environment so that the chain of contributing producers can be traced. | 12-17-2009 |
20090313136 | Stateless Methods for Resource Hiding and Access Control Support Based on URI Encryption - An apparatus and method are disclosed for enabling controlled access to resources at a resource provider server. The invention may encrypt or decrypt a portion of a uniform resource identifier (URI), according to a stateless method for hiding resources and/or providing access control support. Upon receipt of a URI having an encrypted portion, the invention decrypts the encrypted portion using a predetermined key to obtain a decrypted segment, extracts additional information from the decrypted segment and forms a decrypted URI, before the decrypted URI is forwarded to a resource producer server. The invention may also encrypt a URI from a resource provider server before it is sent to a client in response to a client request. | 12-17-2009 |
20090319385 | MONETIZING AND PRIORITIZING RESULTS OF A DISTRIBUTED SEARCH - An operator provides services to a population of client device, such as mobile communication devices, including search services accessed via an operator portal. A search gateway places a search object, in which user privacy is protected, into a distributed, transactional object (tuple) space. Resolvers monitoring the space read the search descriptors and coordinate an external search to be performed with result objects placed back in the space. The gateway removes the search result objects from the space, matching them with the user search for reporting to a user of the client device. Thereby, an increased amount of content is accessible across a distributed system. | 12-24-2009 |
20090319386 | AUCTION MECHANISM WHEN AUCTIONEER IS A BIDDER - A system that facilitates executing an auction when an auctioneer is also a bidder is described herein. The system includes a receiver component that receives an indication that an auction is to be executed and an identifier component that determines that the auctioneer is a bidder in the auction. The system also includes an auction component that executes an auction for one or more items based at least in part upon a determination that the auctioneer is a bidder and a rank of the bid of the auctioneer amongst all receive bids. | 12-24-2009 |
20090319387 | Method and System for Engaging in a Transaction Between a Business Entity and a Merchant - A computer-implemented method of engaging in a transaction between a merchant and a business entity. The method includes: initiating a transaction by the business entity with a merchant; obtaining, by the merchant, a business entity data set including at least one data field; communicating an authorization request from the merchant to a provider, the request including at least one data field from the business entity data set and at least one field from a transaction data set; establishing a credit-based relationship between the provider and the business entity; communicating an authorization response from the provider to at least one of the merchant and the business entity; and engaging in the transaction between the provider and the business entity based at least in part upon the established credit-based relationship. A system and apparatus are also disclosed. | 12-24-2009 |
20090319388 | Image Capture for Purchases - The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a computer-implemented item identification method that includes identifying an item in an image received from a remote electronic device; transmitting search results containing information about the item for one or more vendors of the item; and transmitting to the remote device code for executing an order for the item from the one or more vendors of the item. | 12-24-2009 |
20090319389 | ITEM RESERVATION - Items can be reserved in advance of a future spot market sale. A reservation price can be determined for the item based on an expected spot market price required to obtain the item in the future sport market sale, a time until the spot market sale, and/or market signals. The reservation price can converge to the expected spot market price as the time of the future spot market approaches. | 12-24-2009 |
20090319390 | COMPETITIVE SALES ENVIRONMENT IN A VIRTUAL WORLD - The invention provides a method, system, and program product for providing a competitive sales environment in a virtual world. In one embodiment, the invention comprises receiving a request for product or service information from a consumer avatar, querying a database of vendors based on the request for product or service information, identifying at least one vendor relevant to the request for product or service information, notifying the at least one vendor of the request, and making available to the consumer avatar a sales environment based on the request for product or service information. | 12-24-2009 |
20090319391 | SYSTEM FOR TRANSACTION AT SEA - In a system for transaction at sea, a plurality of offshore wireless network apparatuses is separately provided on different marine vessels to form a network at sea, so as to transmit supplies-to-buy information sent by a ship to at least one of a plurality of ground wireless network apparatuses via the offshore wireless network apparatuses; and a transaction control platform linked with the ground wireless network apparatuses receives and analyzes the supplied-to-buy information in order to procure the supplies needed by the ship. Therefore, transaction services at sea can be provided to a ship navigating the sea. | 12-24-2009 |
20090319392 | PHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGE UPLOAD KIOSK AND METHOD - A method for collecting images by an image-processing provider from a plurality of users using an automated station. The method includes receiving a wireless signal comprising image information by a wireless receiver port in the automated station, accepting user-identifier information into a computer in the automated station, wherein the user-identifier information is associated with a user, and accepting order information into the computer, wherein the order information specifies a service to be provided relative to the image information. The method further includes storing into a local storage in the automated station and coupled to the computer, a digital representation of the image information and associated user identifier information and order information for each of a plurality of different users into a data structure, and sending the data structure to the image-processing provider via a communication network. | 12-24-2009 |
20090319393 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR WIRELESS SOFTWARE DOWNLOAD AND REMOTE TRANSACTION SETTLEMENT - A portable computer in a store can be carried past a kiosk and wirelessly receive from the kiosk demonstration versions of software, along with an ID of the store. Later, after using the demonstration version, the user can access a Web server and purchase a full version of the software. During the transaction, the store ID is provided to the server, which can then credit the particular store at which the demonstration version was obtained with a sale. | 12-24-2009 |
20090319394 | System and Method for Electronic Delivery of Content for Industrial Automation Systems - Content is generated on a host system based on real-time data from a controlled process collected over the internet from a customer's client machine tool control system. The client system may request content from a host website. Instructions associated with the requested content, which may be in the form of an application to be run on the client, is delivered to the client via download over the internet. The client gathers real-time data associated with a controlled process and transmits it to the host, where content based on the data can be generated for the client and/or its owner. Data gathered by the host, and content generated on the basis of the data, may be made accessible to machine tool manufacturers. Also, data received by the host is associated with an identifier defined for each client system. A historical database for given client equipment can thereby be created. | 12-24-2009 |
20090319395 | METHOD OF SELLING AND SHIPPING A PRODUCT UTILIZING THE INTERNET - A business method includes listing a product for sale on an online auction site, ordering packaging via a link on the online auction site for shipping the product to a buyer with a winning bid, where the packaging is in the form of a collapsed box mailed to the seller at a non-flat rate of postage and then mailed by the seller to the buyer at a flat rate of postage. The box when in both the collapsed state and the filled state is of substantially the same height as one of the side panels and is able to fit inside a standard size mailbag of a mail carrier. | 12-24-2009 |
20090327090 | APPLICATION HIERARCHY AND STATE MANIPULATION - An instance of an application hierarchy can be stored on a client computer to facilitate enforcement of software licensing by a software license component of a software protection system. The application hierarchy is a tree structure (e.g., unordered) that includes a top node, one or more product offering group(s), and, one or more selling unit(s). | 12-31-2009 |
20090327091 | LICENSE MANAGEMENT FOR SOFTWARE PRODUCTS - Technologies are described herein for software product license management. Following a click to run paradigm, manual user entry of product keys and manual user involvement in product activation may be avoided. A software product key can be associated with a user ID. The product key and associated user ID can be stored on a remote application server. The product key can be retrieved from the application server using the user ID or related user credentials. An application retrieving its own product key from the application server can be supported. The user-centric approach to product key management can be useful for software license models based on subscriptions, trial software, virtual software, downloadable software, or purely web based solutions as well as traditional software license purchases. The software product can also be autonomously activated. This activation can occur as a background operation within the application client portion of the software. | 12-31-2009 |
20090327092 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR ELECTRONIC COMMERCE USING AGGREGATED CONSUMER INTEREST - The present subject matter includes a method for processing product selections by a plurality of consumers operating one or more web browsers, comprising collecting electronic information, including product identifying information, about the product selections by each consumer of the plurality of consumers, the product selections selected by the plurality of consumers from offerings at a plurality of disparate websites, associating information related to a consumer identified with a particular product selection with the product identifying information, associating the product identifying information with a Universal Product Code (UPC) for the product selections, aggregating the electronic information in a database, the information categorized by each consumer and UPC code, processing counts of selections by the plurality of consumers organized at least by UPC code, requesting product fulfillment bids from one or more suppliers using the counts and obtaining one or more product fulfillment bids from the one or more suppliers. Other examples provide a method for processing service selections by a plurality of consumers operating one or more web browsers. | 12-31-2009 |
20090327093 | SATISFYING RULES THROUGH A CONFIGURATION OF LIST PROCESSING METHODS - A method and system for satisfying rules through a configuration of list processing methods. A document received from a calling application includes items being processed. A procedure for satisfying rules is identified by matching, via a database, a combination of values to the procedure. The combination of values includes attributes of the calling application and the document. Steps included in the procedure are determined by matching, via the database, the procedure to the steps. The order for executing the steps is determined by identifying, via the database, predecessor and successor steps. Sets of one or more list processing methods are determined and associated with each step. The order for executing each set of list processing methods is determined. The steps are executed. A selection list of elements is displayed to facilitate a selection of an element to characterize an item included in the document. | 12-31-2009 |
20090327094 | PLATFORM INDEPENDENT ECOSYSTEM FOR CREATION, CONSUMPTION AND TRADE OF USER-GENERATED DIGITAL CONTENT - A platform (e.g. game console) and application (e.g. game title) independent ecosystem for the creation, consumption and trade of user generated digital content permits any application operating on any platform to participate in a market driven economy for user generated digital objects (UGDOs). The trading system is independent of (i.e. external to) all participating applications. A metadata attribution method for UGDOs in combination with heterogeneous application support through well-defined interfaces facilitates unlimited participation. Attributed metadata may be understood and consumed across platforms and applications. Flexible UGDO rights enforcement techniques in combination with a flexible fair exchange service for those rights support all manner of UGDOs and commercial transactions therefore. Participating application may provide rights enforcement in some instances. The nature of enforcement may rest on the nature of UGDO content, rights in UGDOs or author preferences. The trading system assures that all transactions in the UGDO economy are secure, fault tolerant and atomic, providing integrity and confidence in the UGDO economy. | 12-31-2009 |
20090327095 | System and method for conducting transactions without return policies - A transaction system includes an item database that stores one or more items as logical groupings of digital contents and their associated prices; and a user database operable to store information associated with one or more users. The transaction system also includes a transaction engine that receives purchase fund equal to the price of an identified item from a buyer for purchasing the item. The transaction engine then receives numeric rating from the buyer within a rating period after the purchase, or applies a default rating when the rating period expires and the rating has not been received. After the rating is decided, the transaction engine pays the seller a portion, all or none included and proportional to the rating, of the purchase fund minus any fee. The transaction engine distributes the residual fund to one or more third parties to complete the transaction. | 12-31-2009 |
20090327096 | Method and system for conducting an auction - A method, system, server processing system and/or computer program product of conducting an auction having an online bidder and a site bidder, wherein a server processing system is in communication with a client processing system of the online bidder. The method includes: allowing the online bidder and/or site bidder to submit one or more bids prior to a first event, wherein a bid by a online bidder received by the server processing system is considered for acceptance prior to the first event; and in response to the first event: restricting, in the server processing system, a bid being accepted from the online bidder in the auction; and allowing a bid to be submitted by the site bidder in the auction. | 12-31-2009 |
20090327097 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CONDUCTING AN AUCTION OVER A NETWORK - A method and system for conducting an online auction of an item, e.g., real property such as a house, commercial real estate, a vacant lot, etc., are provided. The system and method provides for listing a property of interest for sale via an auction web site. Bidders will buy individual bids to place at least one bid amount on the listed property in an attempt to buy the property far below the fair market value of the property, i.e., the cost of the bid plus the amount of the bid. Once the auction period is closed, the property will be awarded to the bidder with the lowest unique bid. The revenue or proceeds generated from the purchase price of each bid will be used to purchase the property from the seller, provide a fee to the auction web site and provide a fee to the proper government entity. | 12-31-2009 |
20090327098 | ENHANCEMENTS FOR DOMAIN NAME LEASING MARKETPLACE - The present invention creates an electronic marketplace where owners of Internet domain names can have multiple parties compete for the right to lease their domain names. A marketplace provider supplies a technology for redirecting Internet traffic from leased domain names to domain names specified by parties that win the right to lease domain names. | 12-31-2009 |
20100005004 | System and method to guarantee a selling price of a product - A preferred method for providing a guarantee for a value of product includes the steps of receiving product information, generating a product value based on the received product information, and providing a guarantee that a user will receive a payment for a product, the payment having a value at least equal to the generated product value. A preferred system for generating a product value includes a user interface adapted and configured to receive product information; a processor coupled to the user interface, wherein the processor is adapted and configured to generate a product value based on the product information received by the user interface; and a payment having a value at least equal to the product value. The system and method are preferably designed for the ecommerce field and, more specifically, for guaranteeing a selling price of a product in the ecommerce field. | 01-07-2010 |
20100005005 | CONTROL SYSTEM INTERFACE FOR FLEXIBLE ORDER TRANSACTION SYSTEM - The present invention provides a control system interface for accessing a plurality of functions relating to a flexible order transaction system. | 01-07-2010 |
20100005006 | METHOD OF SHARING AN ITEM RENTAL ACCOUNT - An account in an item rental service is shared with others using computer-implemented profiles, subject to computer-enforced constraints. In one embodiment, a method provides for establishing a user account, wherein the user account is associated with an account owner, wherein the user account comprises a first ordered queue indicating two or more items that the account owner desires to rent; receiving a request to add a second ordered queue to the user account, profile member identifying information, and a constraint value; creating and storing a profile record based on the profile member identifying information and the constraint value, wherein the profile record is further associated with a second queue; receiving a request to add a specified rental item to the second queue, wherein the specified rental item does not conform to the constraint value; and adding the specified rental item to the second queue only in response to receiving confirmation by the account owner. | 01-07-2010 |
20100010907 | Method and System for Providing Location Aware Classified Content - A system and method in accordance with exemplary embodiments may include receiving, from a seller system, seller classified profile information via a network, receiving, from a buyer system, buyer classified profile information via the network, receiving, from a Global Positioning System (GPS) enabled device associated with a buyer, polling information via the network, matching the buyer classified profile information to the seller classified profile information in response to receiving the polling information based on at least one of the seller classified profile information, the buyer classified profile information, and the polling information, and transmitting a notification of the match to the Global Positioning System (GPS) enabled device via the network. | 01-14-2010 |
20100010908 | Payment Mechanism Integration Wizard - Provided is a method and a web-site integration system to integrate payment mechanisms into a commercial website that offers online merchants a flexible, user-friendly and customizable wizard to integrate payment mechanisms into their online commercial websites without having to understand the detailed intricacies of an API or other computer code. The wizard steps the merchant through creating an account to obtain credentials and educates the merchant on the page flows of the payment mechanism that the merchant wishes to integrate. Then, the wizard generates code snippets and files to be downloaded by the merchant and to be easily inserted into key pages of the merchant's online commercial website. The merchant can then test the completely integrated code in a developer's sandbox or go live with the completely integrated code. | 01-14-2010 |
20100010909 | BENEFIT ORDERING AND COMPLIANCE SERVER - A benefits ordering system provides flexible spending account debit cards to employees and allows their employer to enroll in a Plan that ensures compliance with ERISA regulations. The system applies compliance rules during a data collection and plan definition stages of ordering, and produces an ERISA-compliant Plan and documentation as legally required. A directed questioning and answering wizard guides companies and participants through the placing of orders for products. The particular sequence of questions is dependent on the products being ordered, and the parameters drive variations in the plans. Rules and parameters are built into libraries used by the system, and it is these that direct the information collection flow. Each type of Plan is constructed from previously composed paragraphs that are threaded together to encapsulate the parameters and include the required components. Plans can be modified, if new compliance rules must be met, based on changing parameters. | 01-14-2010 |
20100010910 | BROADCASTING OF ELECTRONIC DOCUMENTS PRESERVING COPYRIGHT AND PERMITTING PRIVATE COPYING - The invention comprises a method of broadcasting electronic documents allowing the protection of copyright and private copying. It comprises a control server for taking customer orders that is accessible from a network such as the Internet, a delivery server and a control server that are accessible from the same network, a computer, or a mobile, or any other equipment supporting a display, intended for consulting the document. Said copy of each document is generated by the delivery server on the basis of the model of the document ordered by the customer ( | 01-14-2010 |
20100010911 | Customer to Supplier Funds Transfer - Apparatuses and methods to facilitate customer to supplier funds transfer via premium messages. In one aspect, an apparatus to electronically transfer funds from a customer to a supplier includes: a server component connected to a network; and a database coupled to the server component. The server component is configured to: transmit a plurality of premium rate mobile terminating text messages to the mobile cellular telephone to effect a payment from the customer to the supplier after the customer has placed an order with a supplier; populate the database with an identification of the telephone number of the customer; populate the database with at least one transaction record related to the premium rate text messages; and facilitate access to the transaction record by the customer via the telephone number of the customer. | 01-14-2010 |
20100010912 | METHOD AND SYSTEM OF FACILITATING A PURCHASE - A system and method of facilitating a purchase including using assistance of a search service and redacting data is described. A user may link an account of a search service with an account of a vendor and may use the linked accounts to purchase an item and/or service from the vendor. A human assistant may select information of an item and/or service from a vendor associated with a user and may provide information of the item to the search system in order that an offer for the item and/or service may be provided to a user and a purchase of the item and/or service may be completed by the user. | 01-14-2010 |
20100010913 | INTERACTIVE COMPUTING ADVICE FACILITY THROUGH A SEARCH INTERFACE - In embodiments of the present invention improved capabilities are described for helping a user make a decision through the use of a computing facility, where the computing facility may be a machine learning facility. The process may begin with an initial question being received by the computing facility from the user. The user may then be provided with a dialog consisting of questions from the computing facility and answers provided by the user. The computing facility may then provide a decision to the user based on the dialog and pertaining to the initial question, such as a recommendation, a diagnosis, a conclusion, advice, and the like. In embodiments, future questions and decisions provided by the computing facility may be improved through feedback provided by the user. In embodiments, the present invention may be utilized in conjunction with a third-party application. | 01-14-2010 |
20100010914 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR RECOMMENDING LECTURE TAILORED TO PERSON, AND CONNECTION TERMINAL THEREOF - Disclosed is an apparatus and method for recommending lectures tailored to each student by presenting lectures arranged based on a priority in consideration of learning ability, level, and region, which is different for each student, a user equipment for accessing to the apparatus, and a computer-readable recording medium for storing a program implementing the method. The apparatus includes: a membership manager for designating a region; a learning type decider for deciding learning tendency or learning level of the student; a lecture provider for providing a lecture that the student applied for among the lectures on a recommended lecture list extracted from a teacher database according to the learning tendency, the learning level, or the region; a quiz provider for providing lectures and quizzes related to the lectures again according to weak and strong parts of the student based on ‘answer to quiz related to the lecture’ submitted by the student. | 01-14-2010 |
20100010915 | LICENSING MEDIA CONSUMPTION USING DIGITAL CURRENCY - Methods and apparatus for issuing licenses to allow end users to consume digital media content on a user device by responding to licensing requests by determining the number of digital currency tokens required to license the requested consumption and then issuing the license if the end user's account has a sufficient number of digital currency tokens. The end user may further use the digital currency tokens to purchase new features, which are internal and/or external to the digital media content. Other embodiments may be disclosed or claimed. | 01-14-2010 |
20100010916 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ORDERING GOODS, SERVICES AND CONTENT OVER AN INTERNETWORK USING A VIRTUAL PAYMENT ACCOUNT - A virtual payment system for ordering and paying for goods, services and content over an internetwork. The virtual system comprises a commerce gateway and a credit processing server. The virtual system is a secure closed system comprising registered merchants and consumers. Once an account is established, a digital certificate is stored on the registered participant's computer. The consumer can then order a product, i.e., goods, services or content from a merchant and charge it to a virtual payment card. When the product is shipped, the merchant notifies the commerce gateway component, which in turn notifies the credit processing server which applies the charges to the consumer's virtual card account. The consumer can settle the charges using a prepaid account, a credit card, or by using reward points earned through use of the virtual payment card. A consumer may create sub-account that have additional limitations. | 01-14-2010 |
20100017299 | METHODS, DEVICES, SYSTEMS, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCTS FOR LOCATING ITEMS OFFERED BY VENDORS AT CUSTOMER PREFERRED PRICES - Methods, devices, systems, and computer program products for locating items offered by vendors at customer preferred prices are provided. The methods comprise receiving customer preferences including a customer identifier associated with a preferred item identifier and a preferred maximum price identifier. Vendor information is received which includes a vendor identifier associated with an offered item identifier and an offered item price identifier. The customer preferences and vendor information are stored, wherein the stored customer preferences include one or more stored preferred item identifiers and the stored vendor information includes one or more stored offered item identifiers. The stored preferred item identifiers are compared with the stored offered item identifiers. If a preferred item identifier matches an offered item identifier, the offered item price identifier associated with the matching offered item identifier is retrieved, and the preferred maximum price identifier associated with the matching preferred item identifier is retrieved. If the offered item price identifier is less than or equal to the preferred maximum price identifier, a matching price record is generated. | 01-21-2010 |
20100017300 | Reverse Customized Consumer Loan Search - Embodiments of the present invention relate to methods and systems for implementing a product or property search for a consumer, based upon a consumer's desired down payment or/and desired monthly payment. Embodiments disclosed comprise a first subsystem adapted to receive a consumer profile input from a user interface wherein the said subsystem is capable of qualifying the input consumer profile against a single or plurality of lenders' guidelines, and a second subsystem adapted to match lenders' with whom the consumer qualifies, with product sets or properties, and to present the consumer with a set of available products or properties to select. | 01-21-2010 |
20100017301 | DIGITAL FRAME HAVING WIRELESS COMMUNICATION CAPABILITY - A digital frame that may be removed from its packaging, powered on, and automatically begin receiving content from remote sources via a wireless telecommunications network. The digital frame includes a communications card to enable the digital frame to receive content over a wireless telecommunications network operated by one or more telecommunications service providers. The digital frame has an associated frame address so that users may send content, such as text, images or video, directly to the frame via the telecommunications network. The address may be an SMS/MMS address, an ftp site, an email address, a website address or another type of frame address to which the purchaser or others can send content for eventual delivery to the digital frame. The purchaser is typically charged for telecommunication services provided to the digital frame. | 01-21-2010 |
20100017302 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MAKING PAYMENTS FROM SELECTED FUNDING SOURCES - Systems and methods for operating a payment service provider include storing information associating the identity of a buyer with a plurality of the buyer's payment source accounts and a plurality of personal identity numbers (PINs) respectively associated therewith in a database of the payment service provider. Upon receipt of an authorization from the buyer that includes a specified payment amount and the associated PIN of the selected buyer's account from which the payment is to be made, a transaction device of the service provider is operable to effect a transfer of the specified payment amount from the selected buyer's account to the designated seller's account. | 01-21-2010 |
20100023412 | Electronic Commerce Method and License Registration Check Server Used for the Same - (a) Step of a portable information processing device ( | 01-28-2010 |
20100023413 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONDUCTING A FUNDRAISING EVENT - A promoter raises funds for a beneficiary by forming a venture with the beneficiary wherein purchases by customers of products benefit the beneficiary. The promoter offers products for sale, receiving payments from customers for the products; and shares a portion of the payment with the beneficiary organization. In one embodiment, a fundraising website is employed to offer the products. In one embodiment, products are customized by the customer and/or by the beneficiary. The promoter may offer to the beneficiary promotional material that promotes purchases. The beneficiary organization and/or the promoter may send the promotional material to potential customers. | 01-28-2010 |
20100023414 | ALLOCATION AND PRICING OF INFORMATION DISTORTION FOR SPECIFYING A DISPLAY - A method of determining a display specification, includes: specifying business parameters for calculating a business value for the display specification, wherein the display specification includes a plurality of display locations and corresponding display values that are associated with business entities; specifying user parameters for calculating a user value for the display specification; selecting the display specification to improve a combination of the business value and the user value; and saving one or more values for the display specification (e.g., saving values for the display specification directly or through some related characterization.). | 01-28-2010 |
20100023415 | Enterprise Asset Management - Systems, methods, and apparatus, including software tangibly stored on a computer readable medium, involve managing assets of an enterprise. A purchase order requesting a good or a service of an enterprise is received. A particular asset for use in providing the good or the service is identified. An electronic asset record associated with the particular asset is modified to include information relating to the purchase order. Invoice data for requesting payment for the good or the service requested in the purchase order is generated. The invoice data is verified based at least in part on the modified electronic asset record. | 01-28-2010 |
20100023416 | BUSINESS PORTAL - A business portal for the exchange of resources is described. A method of transacting resources may include establishing a forum to transfer resources from a resource provider to a resource seeker, implementing a resource provider rule, implementing a resource seeker rule, identifying a user of the online forum as either a resource provider or a resource seeker, and associating the resource provider rule with the user if the user is identified as a resource provider or associate the resource seeker rule if the user is identified as a resource seeker. The transaction of resources may occur either wholly in the portal or a portion of the transaction may occur in the portal and a portion may occur through the use of a software package. The resources may include a service, funding for a business, an investment, information relating to a topic, or the facilitation of the exchange of a resource. | 01-28-2010 |
20100023417 | METHOD AND ARRANGEMENT FOR PROVIDING SECURITY FOR CONTENT PURCHASES - A method and arrangement for providing security when an IMS client purchases content from a content or service provider, the IMS client having a unique IMS identity registered with a first IMS operator. A second IMS operator assigns a unique IMS identity to the content or service provider which is authenticated based on the assigned IMS identity. The validity of the IMS client is then verified towards the content or service provider, based on a mutual interconnect agreement between the first and second IMS operators, in response to a purchase request from the IMS client. The content or service provider can then also be validated towards the IMS client. | 01-28-2010 |
20100023418 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR COLLABORATIVE PURCHASE OF GIFTS - The present invention is a computer-based method and system for coordinating the collaborative selection and purchase of a gift given by any number of gift contributors to a recipient. The gift shopping system maintains updated information on the remaining balance for gift's purchase amount The collaborative gift shopping system processes monetary transactions for each gift contributor until the full purchase amount has been reached. When the full purchase amount is reached by the collaborating gift contributors, the gift order is processed for delivery to the gift recipient. The gift shopping system can send communications to gift contributors each time a contribution towards a gift has been processed. Once the purchase amount of the gift has been reached the gift shopping system can send communications to gift contributors. The gift shopping system can maintain a database for which gifts each recipient has received and/or which gifts are currently accepting contributions to avoid duplicating gifts for that recipient. The gift shopping system can send communications to potential contributors on behalf of gift contributors in the form of invitations to participate in the gift. | 01-28-2010 |
20100023419 | SERVICE REQUEST SYSTEM - A service request system comprises a number of request units ( | 01-28-2010 |
20100023420 | TRANSFERRING ENTITLEMENTS IN COMMUNICATION NETWORKS - A method for transferring an entitlement from a first party to a second party in a communication network. The second party, which is preferably a mobile communication connects to a mobile communication network and to a peer-to-peer network. The second party selects, over the peer-to-peer network, entitlement offered by the first party to purchase or to use a product or a service. The second party effects the entitlement, using the mobile communication terminal, to purchase or to use the product or the service. | 01-28-2010 |
20100023421 | COMPUTER SYSTEM FOR RULE-BASED CLOTHING MATCHING AND FILTERING CONSIDERING FIT RULES AND FASHION RULES - A computer implemented method presents garments to a consumer using a computer by reading a database of garments, wherein the database of garments includes parameters for at least some of the garments represented by records in the database of garments, the parameters including at least a garment type, reading data representing a plurality of garment types, the data including, for each type of the plurality of garment types, a set of tolerance ranges for that garment type, obtaining consumer measurements from the consumer or a source derived from the consumer, obtaining garment measurements for garments in the database of garments, comparing customer measurements to garment measurements, scoring garments from the database of garments based on garment measurements, customer measurements and the set of tolerance ranges for each garment based on its garment type, and presenting the consumer with a computer generated filtered listed of garments from the database of garments ordered, at least approximately, according to garment scores. | 01-28-2010 |
20100023422 | System and Method for Processing Import/Export Transactions - Import/export transactions whereby an item is to be transported from one country to another are automated. An invoice containing a list of one or more part numbers is entered in at a web site and loaded to a server containing a database. A database is of part numbers and their corresponding tariff classification numbers. The uploaded invoice will be compared to the database to output a data record whereby the one or more part numbers uploaded in the invoice now have tariff classification numbers and daily calculation associated therewith This data record can then be accessed over the Internet at another web site by a customs broker for use in transmitting a report to a customs entity. | 01-28-2010 |
20100023423 | Method and Apparatus for Verifying Financial Account Information - An apparatus and method for verifying a customer's financial information is disclosed wherein a seller accepts information about the details of price and quantity of the goods to be purchased, and accepts information about customer's financial account. Payment is authorized for desired goods in a variable transaction amount totaling the total price of the goods. Then the amount of each transaction is received from the customer and compared to the amount charged to the bank. If the two amounts match then the goods are shipped to the customer and payment is settled. | 01-28-2010 |
20100023424 | ONLINE MARKETPLACE FOR INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY - A method for providing an internet network based marketplace for IP assets comprises the steps of producing a list of IP assets which a poster wishes to license or sell, and making the list of IP assets accessible to the network to viewers interested in licensing or acquiring one or more items on the list of IP in a controlled format, wherein the list of IP assets may be uploaded from a poster via a transfer of data over the internet. Either the poster or the viewer may be alerted in response to alert criteria about information pertaining to the list of IP. | 01-28-2010 |
20100030653 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETECTING A POSSIBLE ERROR IN A CUSTOMER PROVIDED PRODUCT ORDER QUANTITY - Prior ordering history of a product is examined to determine an historical ordering quantity distribution for a product. A customer specified, to-be-purchased quantity of a product is then compared against the determined historical ordering-quantity frequency distribution for the product. When the customer specified, to-be-purchased quantity of the product falls below a certain probability threshold determined using the historical ordering-quantity frequency distribution, or is otherwise suspicious, the customer is notified of a suspected error in the provided product order quantity and/or asked to verify if the provided product quantity is correct. | 02-04-2010 |
20100030654 | METHODS, SYSTEMS, AND COMPUTER READABLE MEDIA FOR PEER-TO-PEER THIRD PARTY DISTRIBUTION OF GIFT CARDS AND PEER-TO-PEER TRANSACTION ROUTING THEREFOR - Methods, systems, and computer readable media for peer-to-peer third party distribution of gift cards and associated transaction processing are disclosed. In one method, a peer-to-peer gift card transaction router and a peer-to-peer gift card transaction database are configurable to facilitate peer-to-peer transaction processing for gift cards issued by a gift card provider and distributed by a third party seller where the gift card provider and the third party seller negotiate an agreement with each other regarding gift card distribution. A record is created in the database corresponding to the agreement. When a gift card transaction occurs, the record in the database is accessed and used to communicate notification of the gift card transaction from the gift card provider to the third party seller. | 02-04-2010 |
20100030655 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING VOLUME-WEIGHTED AVERAGE PRICE AUCTION TRADING - Systems and methods for providing traders with an opportunity to trade on the VWAP price are provided. After a trader enters a VWAP auction session, the trader has a predetermined about of time (i.e., the length of the VWAP auction period) to place bids and/or offers on an item. When the VWAP auction period ends, the electronic trading application matches the VWAP orders. The VWAP orders that are not matched are cancelled. The electronic trading application collects trading information (e.g., price, size, etc.) corresponding to the received orders. The collected information is processed to determine the VWAP price. The VWAP price is presented to the trader and the matched VWAP orders are filled based on the determined VWAP price. | 02-04-2010 |
20100030656 | APPARATUS CONFIGURED TO HOST AN ONLINE MARKETPLACE - A device configured to host a marketplace on at least one network is provided. A method of providing such a device is also disclosed. The apparatus includes at least one computer device configured to communicate with a plurality of clients via at least one network. The clients may include vendors, such as sellers, and customers, such as buyers. The one or more computer devices include at least one processing unit. The at least one computer device is configured to determine a vendor quality rating, providing bidding segmentation or provide customer feedback blocking. Methods of providing vendor quality ratings, bidding segmentation or customer feedback blocking are also provided. | 02-04-2010 |
20100030657 | Factory-Sale In One Manufacturing And Selling Shoes Method And System For Providing Multiple Consumer Choice. - The present invention provides a business method for selling shoes comprises: providing a site; providing a computer comprising a database storing a plurality of characteristics for designing a shoe at said site; receiving a plurality of target characteristics selected from said database at said site; finishing a shoe in accordance with said target characteristics at said site; providing said shoe for try-on at said site; and receiving a payment for said shoe at said site. | 02-04-2010 |
20100030658 | AUTOMATIC AUCTION METHOD AND SYSTEM ON SERVER-CLIENT SYSTEM - An automatic auction method which makes it unnecessary for bidders to stay before auction terminals at the time of auction and which makes possible auction transactions on an open network on which it is difficult to assure the on-line and real time properties. A plurality of auction ordering information pieces each containing a desired price, number of purchase, and a highest possible price in competition for the desired price and received from bidder terminals via on-line circuits are collected. Until an auction issue appears, the price is lowered. If there is at least one auction issue and a desired quantity which is the sum total of the numbers of purchase of the auction issues is not satisfied, then it is determined whether there is an auction issue coinciding in price by comparing the set price with (the desired price+the highest possible price in competition). Until the desired quantity is satisfied, the price is raised. | 02-04-2010 |
20100036744 | METHOD FOR FACILITATING THE GLOBAL DONATION OF ITEMS AND SERVICES - The present invention is a method and system for facilitating the global donation of items and services from a donor located anywhere in the world to a recipient with specific characteristics located anywhere in the world that substantially matches the desired criteria of the donor whereby the interface between the donor and the recipient is an Internet portal or website. The objective of the method and system is to empower the donors and to ensure that donations reach those that the donor had intended more efficiently and directly in comparison to the types of charitable organizations and government run programs that currently exist. | 02-11-2010 |
20100036745 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR THE SALE AND DELIVERY OF GIFT CARDS - A system for selling gift cards to consumers and delivering the gift cards to the consumers includes an Internet accessed website. An order form on the website allows the consumer to enter appropriate identification apparatus, credit card information and desired pickup day or delivery instructions. The purchaser then receives a confirmation number. The identification and credit information is then sent to the seller and used to obtain approval of the credit information on the order from a third party processor. The seller advises the consumer if the credit is not approved. Otherwise the consumer can pick up the gift cards at the seller's facility upon presentation of the confirmation number, identification and credit card. Alternatively, the seller will deliver the gift cards to the consumer. | 02-11-2010 |
20100036746 | Virtual on-line pre-shopping system and method - An electronic pre-shopping system and method, for an on-line retail outlet and/or an electronic portal to various online retail outlets is provided. The system and method provides the consumer the option of pre-shopping for a gift item from an on-line retail outlet. The system and method provides the consumer the capability of accessing the retail outlet website, selecting a gift item from the website, selectively extracting from a website page the gift item product retail information, associating the gift item with future special occasion of a recipient of the gift item, storing the gift item product information along with the recipient special occasion information into a database, securing payment for the gift item, and delivering the gift item to the recipient within the time period required for the special occasion. The system further provides the consumer the with a user interface that provides the consumer the option of paying for the gift item immediately or at a predetermine date in the future. The user interface further provides the consumer the capability of pre-shopping for a gift item from any online retail store through a software proxy process. | 02-11-2010 |
20100036747 | INTERACTIVE PRODUCT CONFIGURATOR THAT ALLOWS MODIFICATION TO AUTOMATED SELECTIONS - A product configurator includes a constraint based network that includes a plurality of nodes. The configurator receives one or more user selections and generates one or more automatic selections to form a complete configuration. The configurator receives a request to change the configuration after forming the complete configuration, and retracts the automatic selections. For each of the retracted automatic selections, the configurator determines if the retracted automatic selection is a configuration-defining selection and reasserts the configuration-defining selections. | 02-11-2010 |
20100036748 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MANAGING ACCESS TO MEDIA FILES - Access to selected content in different file formats can be managed by conducting, in a single purchase transaction, a user purchase of access rights that allow a user to acquire multiple copies of the same selected content in media files having different file formats. An authorization signal is communicated to a content provider or multiple content providers who did not conduct the purchase transaction. The authorization signal contains information that allows the content provider or the multiple content providers to authorize the user to acquire multiple copies of the same selected content in different file formats without requiring the user to conduct multiple transactions. Each copy of the selected content acquired from a content provider is in a media file having a different file format. | 02-11-2010 |
20100036749 | Online Machine Data Collection and Archiving Process - An online machine data collection and archiving process generates a machine data profile of a customer computer accessing a transaction form of a merchant web site and links the machine data profile and a transaction record with customer identifying information using a unique transaction identification string. The process preferably captures parameters typically communicated as a part of web accesses, such as an IP address, an HTTP header, and cookie information. The process additionally causes the customer computer to process self-identification routines by processing coding within the merchant transaction form, the self-identification routines yielding further profile parameters. The process further includes a routine for bypassing an intervening proxy to the merchant web site to reveal the true IP address of the customer computer. | 02-11-2010 |
20100042507 | Audience Manager and Sellers - A method of audience data exchange obtains data and provides the data to a first network within an exchange system. The first network comprises a seller of the data provided to the exchange system. The method offers for sale the data to a second network coupled to the first network. The second network serves as a first buyer of the data provided to the first network within the exchange system. The method monetizes the data without the need for participating in a particular ad call. | 02-18-2010 |
20100042508 | Method and Apparatus for Implementing a Peer to Peer Transaction System - The system provides a method an apparatus for implementing a peer to peer transaction system. The system includes an online system of marketing and pricing that optimizes saleability and profit, limits access of strangers to personal spaces, limits the likelihood of unqualified buyers, provides appropriate paperwork automatically, and reduces the cycle time of offer and sale. The system also provides trustworthy information to a buyer of physical condition and title, as well as resources normally only available in a commercial transaction. | 02-18-2010 |
20100042509 | METHOD FOR PROVIDING BROADCAST SERVICE TO TERMINAL IN MOBILE BROADCAST SYSTEM AND THE MOBILE BROADCAST SYSTEM THEREFOR - Disclosed is a method for providing a broadcast service in a mobile broadcast system, and the mobile broadcast system thereof, in which a terminal receiving the broadcast service can check the purchase of the broadcast service, for which the terminal has made a purchase request in a web-based purchase scheme, or can check the purchase cancellation of the broadcast service in a web-based scheme. The mobile broadcast system includes: the terminal for receiving the broadcast service; and a broadcast server for adding a trigger type field to a smartcard trigger message including information on the broadcast service, transmitting the smartcard trigger message to the terminal when the terminal purchases the broadcast service from a content provider in the web-based purchase scheme, and guiding a registration process through a Short Message Service (SMS). | 02-18-2010 |
20100042510 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR A VIRTUAL INVENTORY PROGRAM FOR WIRELESS SALES AND SERVICES - An embodiment of a method, system, and apparatus for providing a virtual inventory program for wireless sales and services includes receiving an indication of a selected wireless device, and receiving an indication of a selected wireless rate plan associated with the selected wireless device. The method further includes storing a customer order including the selected wireless device and the selected wireless rate plan, and sending the customer order to a wireless service provider associated with at least one of the selected wireless devices and the selected wireless rate plan. The wireless service provider activates the selected wireless device for use with one or more wireless networks provided by the wireless service provider in response to receiving the customer order. The activated selected wireless device is then shipped to a shipping address. | 02-18-2010 |
20100042511 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SOCIAL NETWORK QUALIFICATION SYSTEMS - There is provided a method and system for qualification testing in a social network service. Qualification testing provides access control into a social network, wherein qualification is based on answers to questions related to a topic. In one example, members admitted to the network provide guidance, notes and research assistance to another member. The social network members access the social network from an external networked computing service, such as another social network, to facilitate easy connection to potential members. The social network may be implemented as an application overlay to the external service, or may access connections in the external network. | 02-18-2010 |
20100042512 | Ordering system for printed products and method for ordering a printed product - The invention relates to an ordering system for printed products, by means of which a printed product can be defined in a selection module of the ordering system and ordered from a supplier for the printed products, wherein printed products of the same product type are made of product components of the same product component types, and wherein each product component is defined precisely by a combination of a value for parameters such as page format, number of pages, coloration, type of paper, type of binding, processing, and finishing. The invention further relates to a method for ordering a printed product by means of an ordering system, wherein the ordering system determines a list of selectable values for the parameter such as page format, number of pages, coloration, type of paper, type of binding, processing, and finishing of a product component of the printed product, and wherein the ordering system orders the printed product based on the defined values after a value has been defined for each of the parameters by a buyer. In order to simplify the data management of the ordering system for printed products, it is proposed that each individual possible value for each of the parameters is defined as an article in an article database of the ordering system, and that the printed product can be defined in the selection module by successive selection from the articles, and that the ordering system determines the selectable values for the product component from an article database in which each possible value of each of the parameters is defined as an article. | 02-18-2010 |
20100049618 | Services Referral System And Method - A method and system for providing a referral service for services performed by professionals and/or service providers. The referral service enables an individual or consumer to quickly and accurately determine which professional or service provider is qualified and willing to perform a specific task or provide a specific service that the individual or consumer is in need of. The referral service also determines the qualifications of the professional or service provider to perform specific tasks or provide specific services. The referral service establishes and maintains a current rating system of the professional or service provider's performance relating to specific tasks or services which they have provided to individuals or consumers. | 02-25-2010 |
20100049619 | TELEPHONE-BASED COMMERCE SYSTEM AND METHOD - A speech application implements a telephone-based commerce system and method which complements a core payment processing business and influences banks and other key partners to conduct such electronic business and commerce. The speech application includes a speech driven telephone interface for consumer shopping and order placement of commodity items; a consumer registration interface and secure process that ties in a credit card, debit card, or bank account; and a build-your-own-voice-store web application which includes a voice user interface with interactive voice response tailoring each voice store within the speech framework of the present invention and an inventory database. Multi-currency services, permitting pricing or payment in any chosen currency, as well as multiple spoken language processing of voice inputs are supported for performing voice commerce over telephones. | 02-25-2010 |
20100049620 | MERCHANT DEVICE SUPPORT OF AN INTEGRATED OFFER NETWORK - A method begins by initiating communication with a transactional processing entity device. The method continues by receiving a profile inquiry message from the transactional processing entity device. The method continues by providing a response to the profile inquiry message such that a merchant profile is generated or updated. The method continues by receiving an offer data file inquiry message from the transaction processing entity device. The method continues by providing an offer response to the offer data file inquiry message. | 02-25-2010 |
20100049621 | REQUEST FOR QUOTE SYSTEM AND METHOD - Provided are request-for-quote (RFQ) systems and methods in which quotes received in response to a RFQ are held until a condition is met and only released for display when that condition is met. | 02-25-2010 |
20100049622 | INTRODUCING A FIXED-PRICE TRANSACTION MECHANISM IN CONJUNCTION WITH AN AUCTION TRANSACTION MECHANISM - A method and systems for auction price-setting for a listing using a fixed price-setting process are disclosed. A seller is provided with an option to offer the listing in the fixed price-setting process or the auction price-setting process. A fixed price offer for the listing is published based on a criteria. Additional embodiments are also disclosed. | 02-25-2010 |
20100049623 | METHOD FOR TRANSMITTING AN ANONYMOUS REQUEST FROM A CONSUMER TO A CONTENT OR SERVICE PROVIDER THROUGH A TELECOMMUNICATION NETWORK - A method and associated arrangement allows a content or service provider to establish an anonymous profile of a consumer using at least one request sent by the consumer through a communication network. The request sent by the consumer includes identification data of the consumer. The identification data is substituted in the network with an alias so as to anonymize the request. The identification data is not accessible to the content or service provider and there is a one-to-one and immutable correspondence between the identification data and the alias. | 02-25-2010 |
20100049624 | COMMODITY MARKETING SYSTEM - A commodity marketing system includes: a mobile terminal performing communication for performing user authentication; a communication device recognizing the mobile terminal and performing communication; a customer database performing user authentication of a person who carries the mobile terminal through the communication device and managing personal information; an imaging device taking an image of the person who carries the mobile terminal; a synthesizing device synthesizing the image taken by imaging device with another image; a commodity database storing the other image to be synthesized by the synthesizing device; a display device displaying the image synthesized by the synthesizing device; an input device to which the person inputs information; a delivery system delivering a commodity based on the information that is input to the input device; and a transaction system performing a transaction from the person authenticated by the customer database. | 02-25-2010 |
20100049625 | USER CONTEXT BASED DISTRIBUTED SELF SERVICE SYSTEM FOR SERVICE ENHANCED RESOURCE DELIVERY - Disclosed is a method and system of providing user context-based services over computer networks, using mechanisms for collecting and specifying one or more user context elements, each element representing a context associated with the current buyer state and having context attributes and attribute values associated therewith, mechanisms for collecting affective (emotive) data to inform the user context, and also an interactive graphical view to gain insight into available services for assisting in understanding available service information and making decisions on purchasing. | 02-25-2010 |
20100049626 | IN-VEHICLE MOBILE MUSIC PURCHASE - Methods and apparatus are disclosed for improvements in vehicle entertainment systems. A user (vehicle passenger) may wish to buy a song (or other media item) that is currently playing on the vehicle digital radio. In one embodiment, the user may direct a purchase command directly to a music vendor, without going through a central server. In the example of purchasing digital music files, such vendors currently may include iTunes, Amazon.com, Rhapsody and others. The purchase command may be entered at the user's mobile phone user interface. In another embodiment, the purchase request may be entered to the vehicle control system without the use of a mobile phone. The requested media item is downloaded to the vehicle and or to a designated alternative destination which may be the user's home or office or mobile device. | 02-25-2010 |
20100057581 | INTERACTIVE PRODUCT MAPS - A method, system, and computer program product present products in an interactive environment. A determination is made that a user is accessing at least a portion of a given level in a set of levels of the interactive environment using at least a zoom operation on at least a portion of the interactive environment. The zoom operation dynamically changes a product information detail level of the interactive environment to correspond to one level in the set of levels. Each subsequent level in the set of levels is associated with a set of more detailed product information than a previous level. A set of product information associated with the given level and the portion of the given level is accessed based on the portion of the given level being accessed by the user. The set of product information that has been accessed is displayed to the user in the interactive environment. | 03-04-2010 |
20100057582 | RENEWABLE ENERGY CERTIFICATE ACCUMULATING, DISTRIBUTING, AND MARKET MAKING - A renewable energy certificate business model embodiment of the present invention accumulates small shares of qualifying energy produced by many small solar installations into the minimum unit sizes that can be certified, traded and sold. Renewable energy generation and load control monitors are installed at hundreds and thousands of small installations to automatically report to centralized servers. These servers log and certify the production of renewable energy into the lot sizes needed for an efficient market. A system integrator provides the brokerage mechanisms needed for buyers and sellers to trade quickly and easily. In one aspect, an online auction website is constructed and maintained on the Internet as a centralized clearing house. The system integrator backs the quality of the lots and the trades with their large enterprise reputation and credit worthiness. The trading can be in renewable energy portfolios, emission offsets, carbon dioxide offsets, and other environmental attributes. | 03-04-2010 |
20100057583 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ORDERING VIDEO CONTENT USING A LINK - A method and system for ordering content includes a content processing system and a device in communication with the content ordering system. The device displaying a link corresponding to content and accessing a content ordering system by selecting the link. The content processing system enables a content recording request. A user receiving device receives the content associated with the link in response to the content recording request and stores the content in a memory. | 03-04-2010 |
20100057584 | SALVAGE LIQUIDATION SYSTEM AND A METHOD TO LIQUIDATE SALVAGE - A method for effecting electronic commerce via a network whereby salvage, excess or liquidated products to be sold are identified, and prospective buyers are qualified to purchase the products in accordance with selected conditions. The product is matched with a qualified buyer in accordance with additional conditions. The goods are then shipped, invoiced automatically, and the payments are processed directly by the buyer's financial institution or payor in response to receipt; and presentation of the invoice. The method is implemented using a suitably programmed computer containing a computer readable media. | 03-04-2010 |
20100057585 | Text-Based Searches of Numeric Data - The present invention can allow a user to locate items in a database based on numeric characteristics of the items using words to describe those characteristics. In one embodiment, the invention includes selecting a numeric attribute of an item in a database of items some of which have values for the selected attribute, linking the numeric attribute to a descriptive word, linking the numeric attribute to a function, executing the function on values of the numeric attributes, and assigning a descriptive word to an item based on the results of the function. | 03-04-2010 |
20100057586 | Offer Reporting Apparatus and Method - A computerized method for storing purchase information for a product in a price database to generate a purchase history includes receiving in a price database a set of sales information for a product, wherein the set of sales information includes a product identifier for a product and a price for the product; and storing in the price database a price entry, which include the set of sales information, wherein the price entry is editable to generate a purchase history. | 03-04-2010 |
20100057587 | System and Method for Storage and Retrieval of Information Subject to Authorization by a Data Controller - A system and method for storage and retrieval of information subject to authorization by a data controller that allows information for purchasing and other information exchange to occur only for authorized parties. A data subject place information abbot the data subject into a data repository controlled by a data controller. The data controller authorizes a data recipient to obtain that data subject data when authorized by a data subject. Such transactions as purchases of goods and services and applying for college admission are the types of transactions contemplated. The data repository places client software on the computer of the data recipient thereby signifying that the data recipient is authorized. Thereafter, the data recipient can receive information about the data subject when the data subject accepts and offer from the data recipient. | 03-04-2010 |
20100057588 | System and Method for Providing Publicly Vended Content Via A Wireless Network - A system and method for vending digitized content over an Internet network path, at least a portion of which is wireless, such as an SDMA high data rate directional wireless path. Content in the form of IP packets is provided to a user terminal via a connect server in response to user requests, which can be real-time requests or which can be requests embodied in a user-defined or system-defined user profile. The user is billed using one or more of several billing paradigms, including by the content piece, by the number of IP packets sent to the user, by the length of time the user accesses the system, by the subscription, and so on. | 03-04-2010 |
20100063890 | Methods and Systems for Generating, Qualifying, and Processing Leads - Methods and systems for generating, qualifying, and processing business leads are provided. Additionally, methods and systems are provided for the management of leads based upon various selective criteria for prospective customers of short-term loans and other financial services products. Furthermore, an interactive system and method for centralized lead management and subsequent location-based distribution of leads, accompanied by real-time telephonic verification and call transfer, in an objective, timely, and cost-effective manner, is provided. | 03-11-2010 |
20100063891 | RETAIL SHOPPING METHOD AND SYSTEM USING UPC CAPTURE - A mobile computing device comprises a display, a sensor and processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to receive first data associated with the product code from the sensor. The processing circuit is configured to search for a product associated with the product code and provide a list of merchants for the product. The list can be displayed on the display. The user can purchase the product from a first merchant on the list via an on-line payment or can receive an electronic indication of a discount from a second merchant on the list associated with a physical store. | 03-11-2010 |
20100063892 | Distributed electronic commerce system, method and apparatus - A method for constructing electronic commerce services and conducting electronic commerce transactions is disclosed. The method is illustrated by instantiating and storing the electronic contract on a server; issuing and transmitting a token message to one or more contracting party's client device. Using a processor to intercept the token message and contact the server to retrieve the electronic contract associated with the token message; and downloading or uploading digital media as instructed by the electronic contract. The method is based on the uniform, highly expressive representation of electronic contracts as digital objects. A system based on a distributed object architecture that implements the method is also described. The architecture enables the execution of the promises encoded as part of an electronic contract to be executed on any device that implements an electronic contract interpreter mechanism. | 03-11-2010 |
20100063893 | METHOD OF AND SYSTEM FOR SECURE ON-LINE PURCHASES - A mobile computing device includes a display, a storage medium, and a processing circuit. The storage medium is for storing a secure element for transactions. The processing circuit is configured so that a user can purchase the product from an on-line merchant using the secure element to make an on-line payment. The mobile device can be a personal digital assistant, a handheld computer, a smart phone, a cellular phone or other computing device. | 03-11-2010 |
20100063894 | BRICK AND MORTAR PLUS "VIRTUAL" STORE - The present invention recognizes that in sales and deliveries of large digital content such as movies, the volume of sales is best affected by wide area, low speed connections for browsing and comparison shopping, while customer satisfaction is best served by high speed wired connections where chosen and purchased content can be delivered relatively quickly. This can occur in a physical area where customers are in close proximity to the vending kiosk, or will be in close proximity at a later time, such as when shopping near the kiosk. At the kiosk, high speed wired connections make the quick delivery. By creating such a configuration, sales are maximized and the customer experience is enhanced. | 03-11-2010 |
20100063895 | MOBILE ACCOUNT AUTHENTICATION SERVICE - A payment authentication service authenticates the identity of a payer during online transactions. The authentication service allows a card issuer to verify a cardholder's identity using a variety of authentication methods, such as with the use of tokens. Authenticating the identity of a cardholder during an online transaction involves querying an access control server to determine if a cardholder is enrolled in the payment authentication service, requesting a password from the cardholder, verifying the password, and notifying a merchant whether the cardholder's authenticity has been verified. Systems for implementing the authentication service in which a cardholder uses a mobile device capable of transmitting messages via the Internet are described. Systems for implementing the authentication service in which a cardholder uses a mobile device capable of transmitting messages through voice and messaging channels is also described. | 03-11-2010 |
20100063896 | METHOD FOR ONLINE ACCOUNT OPENING - The present disclosure describes novel methods that can be utilized to choose, set up, open, and/or manage an online account at a financial institution. The present disclosure addresses prior art problems of online account opening by describing methods for automating key aspects of the account opening process for customers such as tailoring the presentation of information to the online customer based at least in part on the customer's input, performing suitability checks for the customer based on online products chosen by the customer, presenting cross-sell products to the customer based on information known by the financial institution or currently received from the customer, and allowing a pending customer to complete the online application procedure in the absence of a confirmed identification of the online customer. | 03-11-2010 |
20100063897 | ANONYMOUS SHOPPING TRANSACTIONS ON A NETWORK THROUGH INFORMATION BROKER SERVICES - A system and method for enabling a user to transact an anonymous on-line transaction, wherein a form of on-line payment is requested at a transaction interface is disclosed. The method may include providing an anonymous user interface that enables a user to initiate an on-line payment, accessing a first profile comprising user data when the user activates the form of on-line payment, generating a second profile linked to the first profile wherein, the second profile comprises anonymous data, and communicating the anonymous data from the second profile to the transaction interface to enable completion of the transaction. | 03-11-2010 |
20100063898 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROCURING GOODS IN AN AUTOMATED MANNER - An automatic system and method optimizes the purchasing of goods and services by a buyer. A request for a quote for goods or services required is received from a buyer. This request is processed and dealers are selected based on the criteria of the buyer and other criteria. The selected dealers are then sent the request for goods and services and quotes are solicited. Quotes from the selected dealers, for the goods or services, are then receivable within a predetermined time period. Thereafter, the received quotes of the providers of the goods or services are ranked. The ranking and the report of the providers are then outpribed in steps S | 03-11-2010 |
20100070377 | SCALABLE DISTRIBUTED TRANSACTION MANAGER FOR MULTI-HOST TRANSACTIONS - Transactions such as sales and exchanges of resources are managed in a virtual environment. A transaction manager receives a request for a transaction which involves multiple entities in the virtual environment. The request identifies the entities, as well as resources, such as objects and virtual currency, to be exchanged among the entities in the transaction. The request is first validated. Next, the resources which are to be contributed by the entities are gathered. An object is gathered from a first entity by updating a database record to render the object inaccessible. A new database record associates the object with a second entity, and renders the object inaccessible. A reserve can be imposed on a virtual currency account. The resources are then delivered to the entities, e.g., by updating the new database record to render the object accessible to the second entity. If the gathering fails, an undo phase is entered. | 03-18-2010 |
20100070378 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AN ENHANCED SHOPPING EXPERIENCE - Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and computer readable-media for creating a virtual shopping area. The method includes receiving a query from a user and an automated input specific to the user from a computing device, generating a list of merchants based on the query and the automated input, generating a virtual shopping area from the list of merchants and based on one or more constraints, and displaying the virtual shopping area on the computing device. One optional step is presenting to the user an interface to purchase query-related items from merchants in the virtual shopping area. The method optionally includes receiving an indication of intent to purchase an item from the user, displaying an image of the item to the user, and dynamically updating the displayed image of the item as the user specifies item-specific details. The list of merchants can be restricted to merchants geographically close to the user. | 03-18-2010 |
20100070379 | METHOD FOR SELLING OF PRODUCTS - The purpose of the present invention is to offer a solution to provide a method for a user of a communication network to purchase a product using a simple and safe method based on a mobile or fixed phone communication or a computer network. The method of the invention is implemented by a system, consisted of the following devices, configured to communicate mutually, using a mobile, wireless or fixed communication network: a central server, comprising a database with different information on the products on sale. The central server will be communicated by a phone operator or a bank payment system, and a potential buyer and the seller, which also use mobile, wireless or fixed communication network to be connected to the system. | 03-18-2010 |
20100070380 | ELECTRONIC COMMERCE SYSTEM AND RECORDING MEDIUM FOR STORING PROGRAM OF MOBILE TERMINALS USING PERSONAL AREA NETWORK - Disclosed are a mobile shopping agent and a shop agent seller for reducing negotiation burdens between a seller and a buyer. The mobile shopping agent detects the shop agent's entrance to a radio access area of a personal area network (Bluetooth, ultra wide-band, and Zigbee), requests shop goods information of desired goods from the shop agent through the radio access area of the personal area network when the shop agent has entered the radio access area, and receives the shop goods information. The mobile shopping agent requests online goods information on the desired goods from a goods information server through a communication network, and receives the online goods information. The mobile shopping agent determines a buying condition of the desired goods based on the shop goods information and the online goods information, and negotiates with the shop agent by using a game theory. | 03-18-2010 |
20100070381 | LICENSING MEDIA CONSUMPTION USING DIGITAL CURRENCY - Methods and apparatus for issuing licenses to allow end users to consume digital media content on a user device by responding to licensing requests by determining the number of digital tokens required to license the requested consumption and then issuing the license if the end user's account has a sufficient number of digital tokens. | 03-18-2010 |
20100076856 | Real-Time Auction of Cloud Computing Resources - A cloud computing environment may be built out with cloud computing resources in geographically separate regions. An auction process may be used to ensure that the cloud computing resources are utilized at an optimal level on both a per-region basis and global basis. Computing resource auction prices may reflect local peak and off-peak pricing while offering buyers access to off-peak computing from peak-usage regions at some risk of latency or network outages. Long-running jobs may bid for execution resources on a global basis and move execution to follow low cost availability through, for example, off-peak local hours. | 03-25-2010 |
20100076857 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR ACTIVITY-BASED RECOMMENDATIONS - Embodiments of computer-implemented methods and systems for activity-based recommendations are described. One example embodiment includes receiving data indicating historical activities of a user community, the historical activities including historical activities of the target user, selecting a reference group of users from the user community based on analysis of the historical activities of the target user, receiving generally current time activities of the reference group of users, the generally current time activities including those activities that have occurred within a defined time window, and recommending items to the target user based on the generally current time activities of the reference group of users. | 03-25-2010 |
20100076858 | Virtual world support for electronic commerce - An apparatus in one example has: virtual world having at least one object; vendor template database having at least one product template; vendor template server operatively coupled to the vendor template database and to the virtual world; and at least one profile that contains at least one descriptive characteristic of one of an avatar and an object, the at least one profile stored in at least one of the virtual world and the vendor template database. | 03-25-2010 |
20100076859 | Reconfigurable Garment Definition and Production Method - Computer-aided design and manufacture software and hardware automate garment and fashion definition and production. Configurable garment includes ornamental element, pattern display, and personal identifier and wireless sensor electronics. | 03-25-2010 |
20100076860 | Online Timeshift Auctions - A method for conducting online timeshift auctions is disclosed. Online timeshift auctions are slight, but qualitative modifications of the existing popular auctions where items are offered for a fixed time period. According to one embodiment, conducting a standard timeshift auction comprises the following steps: the seller sets the predetermined auction period ( | 03-25-2010 |
20100076861 | Method and system for virtual sealed-bid competitions held over a communictions network - A computer-implemental method of transacting a sealed bid competition has deadline-assurance process which in part upholds the integrity of the sealed bid competition. In a sealed bid competition, a buyer originates a “request for bid” communication that specifies bid items as well as includes a parameter of deadline. Participating vendors respond with “response” communications that contain substantive content presumptively responsive to the “request for bid” communication. The object of a sealed bid competition is to keep everyone, including especially the buyer, blind to the bid responses of everyone else until after the deadline. The deadline-integrity process has the buyer either precluded from access to the “response” communications until the deadline or else has the buyer's activity with accessing the “response” communications is logged so that such log record can thereafter disclose if the buyer voluntarily restrained itself from accessing the “response” communications until after the deadline. | 03-25-2010 |
20100082446 | TRUSTED AUCTIONS - Embodiments for method and a system for an on online auction system involving a computer server is closed. Values representing a relationship between a seller and a plurality of bidders are determined based on social connections of the seller and social connections of the bidders. An auction method is selected based on the values representing a relationship between the seller and the bidders. The selected auction method is performed for the purpose of selling an item of the seller at a winning bid quoted by any of the bidders. | 04-01-2010 |
20100082447 | On-the-go shopping list - Systems and methods for providing shopping-related information to a consumer are provided. Embodiments of the system allow a consumer to create an electronic shopping list by scanning products. In some embodiments, shopping-related information may be obtained for items in the shopping list, such as pricing information, product quality, consumer ratings, and other information that may help a consumer to make an informed purchasing decision. Other embodiments allow a consumer to obtain and compare retail prices offered by several retailers for products in the shopping list. Still other embodiments provide a store-wide network that allows a shopper to scan items in the store, add the scanned items to a shopping list, and then check-out electronically. | 04-01-2010 |
20100082448 | Media gifting devices and methods - Various techniques are provided for the gifting between multiple electronic devices of media content provided by an online digital media provider. An offer and acceptance of a selected gift file is accomplished between a gifter device and a receiving giftee device using a near-field communication (NFC) connection. If a connection to the online provider is available, the gifter device may transmit a gift request by which the gifter's account is charged for the gift file. Thereafter, a gift file created using DRM keys associated with the giftee's account may be downloaded to the giftee device. If a network connection is unavailable, the giftee device may transfer a locked gift file and a corresponding gift license to the giftee device using a peer-to-peer connection. The giftee device may authenticate the license and unlock the gift file once a connection to the online provider is available. | 04-01-2010 |
20100082449 | ELECTRONIC COMMERCE PRIVACY PROXY - The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for exchanging gifts anonymously. Embodiments of the invention facilitate conducting electronic commerce transactions while maintaining anonymity of a gift recipient relative to a gift sender. For example, online friends can exchange gifts in the physical world while maintaining privacy. Embodiments of the invention can be integrated into existing social networking and dating Web sites to provide additional user benefits on behalf of the Web sites. Social networking and dating Web sites can partner with online stores that pay the social networking and dating Web sites a commission on generated sales. A gifting site can implement a privacy fee to maintain user privacy. The privacy fee can be assessed to each transaction to purchase a gift. | 04-01-2010 |
20100082450 | Method, system and computer program product for affiliating content - In a method of affiliating content, a selection of at least one vendor and a unique affiliate tracking number associated with the at least one vendor are received, and a search routine associated with the at least one vendor is automatically selected. A network connection is established to a web site associated with the at least one vendor. Content from the web site of the at least one vendor is automatically retrieved using at least one keyword, the retrieved content including at least one product information that includes a unique product code associated with each product information. The unique affiliate tracking number is automatically inserted into the unique product code associated with each retrieved product information. A unique affiliated product code is generated for each retrieved product information. | 04-01-2010 |
20100082451 | Computer and human interactive system and method for negotiating the purchase and sale of goods or services - A computer and human interactive system and method for negotiating the purchase and sale of goods or services is provided. The system includes a plurality of primary seller terminals and at least one virtual seller terminal which are connected over a network, preferably the Internet, by a host processor to buyer terminals. The host processor connects buyers to sellers of goods according to information provided by the buyer such as the buyer's location and/or goods or services to be purchased. Where a primary dealer is unavailable to complete purchasing transactions, such as where the seller has closed for the day, a virtual seller is connected to the buyer to complete the purchasing transaction. Once a primary seller or virtual seller has been selected to complete a purchasing transaction with a buyer, the buyer and seller are connected by a real time data communications connection and a real time speech communications connection so that the buyer and seller may negotiate and complete a purchasing transaction. | 04-01-2010 |
20100088190 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DETERMINING TRAVEL DESTINATIONS - The invention can include a method or a system for determining one or more travel destinations. According to one aspect, the method includes presenting a query interface to a user, receiving a set of parameters from a user through the query interface, matching the received set of parameters with one or more travel destinations from a database of potential travel destinations, and presenting one or more travel destinations to the user. The parameters received from the user through the query interface can include, for example, a departure location, one or more desired activities for a vacation, and a maximum travel time or distance. The database includes attributes matching one or more activities to each travel destination. As such, the database can match a set of parameters received from a user with one or more travel destination. Another embodiment of the invention can include a disk, tape, or other electronic media that stores instructions to carry out the steps set forth above. | 04-08-2010 |
20100088191 | System and Method for Using Customer Information in Electronic Commerce - A system and method for using customer information in electronic commerce using the Internet are provided. The system includes a customer information database (DB) for storing a unique number for each customer, an integrated customer information DB for storing actual customer information corresponding to the unique number in an integrated manner, and a management server for providing the unique number stored in the customer information DB and providing the actual customer information corresponding to the unique number under a security condition when an external terminal requests customer information. Actual customer information can be effectively prevented from being easily leaked by hackers or malicious programs and customer information can be utilized without a security issue. | 04-08-2010 |
20100088192 | SECONDARY MARKET AND VENDING SYSTEM FOR DEVICES - The system enables one to securely recycle an electronic device in a publicly accessible location. In particular, the embodiment described may be used by a mobile phone owner to submit his/her mobile phone for recycling via an electronic kiosk and receive compensation in some form. The compensation might be dispersed via cash, voucher, credit or debit card, or other magnetic or electronic transaction methods. | 04-08-2010 |
20100088193 | Method And Apparatus For Facilitating Purchase Decisions - In a purchase decision system and method, GPS data regarding a current geographical location of a device is output and either the GPS data or information regarding the current geographical location of the device based on the GPS data is transmitted. Data regarding items available for acquisition within a predetermined or programmed distance of the current geographical location is received and stored. Bar code data is then scanned and compared to at least some of the stored data. At least some of the stored data is displayed based on the comparison. | 04-08-2010 |
20100088194 | Network-based configuration of a system using software programs generated based on a user specification - A system and method for online configuration of a measurement system. The user may access a server over a network and specify a desired task, e.g., a measurement task, and receive programs and/or configuration information which are usable to configure the user's measurement system hardware (and/or software) to perform the desired task. Additionally, if the user does not have the hardware required to perform the task, the required hardware may be sent to the user, along with programs and/or configuration information. The hardware may be reconfigurable hardware, such as an FPGA or a processor/memory based device. In one embodiment, the required hardware may be pre-configured to perform the task before being sent to the user. In another embodiment, the system and method may provide a graphical program in response to receiving the user's task specification, where the graphical program may be usable by the measurement system to perform the task. | 04-08-2010 |
20100094716 | METHOD AND COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIA TO DETERMINE AND ACCESS PROVISIONING SERVICES - Determining and accessing provisioning services. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are methods comprising interacting (by a human) with a first computer system executing a provisioning program and thereby making a first request for a service catalog that indicates a plurality of services of the provisioning program, selecting a service from the service catalog and thereby making a first request for a schema that defines one or more actions associated with a selected service, selecting an action associated with the selected service, generating a first electronic form based on the schema, providing (by the human) at least some of the information requested in the first electronic form, and performing an action by the provisioning program on one or more provisioning end points based on the information in the first electronic form. | 04-15-2010 |
20100094717 | Subscribing To Content - A method includes (a) receiving periodic subscription fees from subscribers of a content subscription service, (b) updating an electronically maintained account of the subscriber to reflect an additional amount of scrip corresponding to each subscription fee, and (c) enabling the subscriber to obtain items of content in amounts and at times determined arbitrarily by the subscriber in exchange for amounts of scrip in the subscriber's account. | 04-15-2010 |
20100094718 | Methods for secure internet purchases - Methods for purchasing of goods or services over the internet. A customer has a customer account set up at a bank with associated account information. The account information includes verification information for verification parameters, such as authorized computer identification, authorized delivery addresses, authorized user identification, authorized telephone caller identification, and/or other account information. An order is placed by a user via an ordering computer which provides order information. Such order information includes verification variables used by the bank. Verification and/or authentication using one or more variables of the customer account information is used by the bank to validate the order before assuring payment to the merchant. | 04-15-2010 |
20100094719 | Methods for internet purchases using order parameters - Methods for purchasing of goods or services over the internet. A customer has a customer account set up at a bank with associated account information. The account information includes verification information for verification parameters, such as authorized computer identification, authorized delivery addresses, authorized user identification, authorized telephone caller identification, and/or other account information. An order is placed by a user via an ordering computer which provides order information. Such order information includes verification variables used by the bank. Verification and/or authentication using one or more variables of the customer account information is used by the bank to validate the order before assuring payment to the merchant. | 04-15-2010 |
20100094720 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DIFFERENTIAL PAYMENT - Provided is a differential payment system connected to both a supplier terminal of a supplier providing a service and a purchaser terminal of a purchaser purchasing the service through a network, to differentially pay for the service based on an evaluation data of the service provided by the supplier. | 04-15-2010 |
20100094721 | METHOD OF DIRECTLY TRADING PRODUCTS USING INTERNET-BASED COMMUNITY - The present invention relates to a method of directly trading products using an Internet-based community, in which each member registers an area, associated with both products that may be directly traded by the member and the member's traffic line, as a possible direct trading area. In the method, a management server receives a possible direct trading area from a terminal of a relevant member and stores information about the possible direct trading area in a database. The management server transmits information about a neighbor member who registered an identical possible direct trading area to the terminal of the relevant member. When a request to view information about a product registered by the neighbor member is received from the terminal of the relevant member, the management server extracts information about the product from the database and transmits the extracted product information to the terminal of the relevant member. | 04-15-2010 |
20100094722 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR TRADING CONTINGENCY BASED OPTIONS AND FUTURES FOR A TRAVEL-RELATED ITEM - Disclosed herein are methods and systems for establishing a network-based system for purchase and sale of at least one of an option contract and a futures contract to acquire a travel-related item. The contract may be exercisable upon occurrence of a contingency and tradable in an online marketplace. In some instances, the contract may be exercisable upon future existence of the travel-related item, occurrence of a weather condition, or the outcome of a contest, any of which may be uncertain at the time of the purchase and sale of the contract. | 04-15-2010 |
20100094723 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS TO INTIALIZE A DATA SOURCE BASED ON A COMPATIBILITY WITH AN APPLICATION - Methods and systems to initialize a data source based on a compatibility with an application are described. The system receives item information from a seller. The item information describes a first part that is offered for sale on a network-based marketplace by the seller. In addition, the system further receives application information from the seller that describes a first application. The first part is compatible with the first application. The application information further includes multiple values respectively selected by the seller that describe the first application. The multiple values are respectively associated with a predetermined set of attributes. Next, the system identifies a multiple application identifiers based on the values that were selected by the seller. Next, the system stores the item information in association with the plurality of application identifiers. The item information is stored as listing item information and the application identifier are stored as listing application information. | 04-15-2010 |
20100094724 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CREATING CONTEXTUALIZED AUCTION FEEDS - A method and apparatus is disclosed herein for generating contextualized live auction feeds. The method of generating contextualized live auction feeds comprises receiving context data from a user. The method further comprises utilizing the context data received from the user to search auctions. The method, in one embodiment, includes generating contextualized live auction feeds for an auction based on the context data. | 04-15-2010 |
20100094725 | Methods, Systems, and Products for Auctioning Search Terms in a Search Engine - Methods, systems, and products auction search terms in a search engine. Orders from customers are received, and a search term associated with the orders is determined. When an auction for the search term is conducted, an amount of a bid for the search term is determined and submitted to the auction for a position on a search result list for the search engine. A minimum level of traffic is then delivered to a customer website. | 04-15-2010 |
20100100451 | STREAMING SERVICE SERVER AND STREAMING SERVICE SYSTEM - A streaming service server includes means for bidding prices from a plurality of super peers and means for determining at least of the plurality of the super peers based on the received bidding prices such that for a given streaming service, a total number of consumers serviced by the plurality of the super peers satisfies a predetermined criterion. Therefore, the streaming service server may determine at least one super peer in a consideration with the number of consumers served by a plurality of super peers for a given service. | 04-22-2010 |
20100100452 | VIRTUAL BUSINESS OBJECT TO MANAGE VIRTUAL WORLD TRANSACTIONS - A method for managing a transaction in a virtual world may include generating a virtual business object (VBO), where the VBO may include a plurality of subcomponents that are each respectively related to a different aspect of the transaction associated with the virtual world object. Each subcomponent may include at least one attribute and each attribute may include information related to the subcomponent. Further, a set of enablement properties may be associated with each attribute and access to each attribute may be controlled in accordance with the set of enablement properties associated with each attribute. | 04-22-2010 |
20100100453 | PAYMENT SYSTEM FOR ELECTRONIC DATA - A payment method and system are provided for electronic data that is purchased by a recipient from a supplier thereof for transmission to the recipient with payment being made in advance of downloading of the electronic data. The pre-payment entitles the recipient to a predetermined period of time online, or a predetermined quantity of downloaded electronic data. Payment control means associated with communication means communicates with a source of funding associated with the particular recipient and an allocated funds register is associated with the source of funding such that an initial quantum of value contained in the source of funding is credited to the allocated funds register. The payment control means monitors the balance remaining in the allocated funds register and when a predetermined low value is reached a further predetermined quantum of value contained in the source of funding is credited to the allocated funds register to increase the balance therein and enable continued connectivity. | 04-22-2010 |
20100100454 | Methods for performing internet processes using global positioning and other means - Methods for purchasing of goods or services over the internet. A customer has a customer account set up at a bank with associated account information. The account information includes verification information for verification parameters, such as authorized computer identification, authorized delivery addresses, authorized global positioning satellite or other secure location information, authorized user identification, authorized telephone caller identification, and/or other account information. An order is placed by a user via an ordering computer which provides order information. Such order information includes verification variables used by the bank. Verification and/or authentication using one or more variables of the customer account information is used by the bank to validate the order before assuring payment to the merchant. | 04-22-2010 |
20100100455 | PROVIDING AUTOMATED GIFT REGISTRY FUNCTIONALITY TO ASSIST A USER IN PURCHASING AN ITEM FOR A RECIPIENT - A method, system, and computer-readable medium is described that provides automated gift registry functionality to assist a user in purchasing an item for a recipient. In particular, the system may track various information about a series of item purchases from one or more services through which items can be purchased. When such information about past item purchases is available, the system can then use the information to provide various automated gift registry functionality for users that want to purchase items for various recipients. Types of automated gift registry functionality provided by the System include making recommendations of items that are appropriate to be purchased for a specified recipient, assisting in preventing recipients from receiving inappropriate gift items by monitoring item gift purchases and item self-purchases, and responding to user requests to determine whether a specified gift would be appropriate for a recipient. In addition to information about past item purchases (e.g., whether a recipient has already received a copy of an item), the system can also use other information when determining whether a purchase of an item for the recipient is appropriate such as demographic information about the recipient or explicitly specified recipient preferences. Thus, for each type of gift registry functionality provided by the AGR system, a variety of types of tracked or retrieved information can be used when determining whether an item is appropriate for a recipient. | 04-22-2010 |
20100106610 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TRANSFERRING MEDIA - In accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus comprises a processor configured to disable a right for at least one media, send a communication for at least one new media, the communication indicating the disabled right of at least one media. Further, the processor is configured to receive the at least one new media. | 04-29-2010 |
20100106611 | FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Various embodiments of the invention provide a more secure financial transaction system for e-commerce sectors that (1) more securely processes payment transactions, (2) helps to protect merchants and banks against fraudulent transactions, money laundering, and underage gambling, and (3) helps to limit other abuses in areas of e-commerce that are perceived to pose special risks, such as Internet gaming, travel, and consumer purchasing of electronic goods. To accomplish the above goals, various embodiments of the financial transaction system (1) establish operating and transaction processing protocols for merchants, Internet payment service providers, acquiring banks, and card schemes and (2) provide automated systems for monitoring and securely processing payment and financial transactions. | 04-29-2010 |
20100106612 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING ONLINE SMS GAMES - In accordance with the disclosed embodiments, a system and method is presented for providing online SMS games to any SMS equipped device without having to install any additional applications on the SMS equipped device. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving a text message from a SMS equipped device. The method sends a text message that includes a list of available online SMS games to the SMS equipped device. The method receives a text message from the SMS equipped device that indicates a selected SMS game from the list of available online SMS games. The method sends a text message to the SMS equipped device to initiate playing of the selected SMS game. | 04-29-2010 |
20100106613 | Bidding System for Guaranteed Advertising Contracts in an Online Spot Market - This patent discloses a system to host a competition for an online advertisement opportunity. Notice of the online advertisement opportunity may be sent to software agents, one of which may represent a guaranteed contract. On receipt of the notice, the software agents may prepare and submit bids. An ad server may receive bids, including a first bid from a first software agent representing a guaranteed contract and a second bid from a second software agent representing a nonguaranteed contract. The ad server may screen out bids and arbitrate the remaining bids to determine a highest bidder for the online advertisement opportunity. | 04-29-2010 |
20100106614 | AUTOMATIC SALES ASSISTANT FOR ELECTRONIC COMMERCE CUSTOMERS - An Automatic Sales Assistant (“ASA”) automates the handling of electronic commerce transactions by gathering all of the relevant information with respect to an electronic commerce transaction being carried out by a customer using a computer and presenting it to the customer in a unified and convenient form (e.g., a template) that the customer may use to properly complete the electronic transaction (e.g., a purchase of retail goods using the Internet). The transaction may be an active document that resides in a private folder on the customer's computer. This type of active process handles all of the procedures related to any given electronic commerce transaction. Moreover, the ASA facilitates the proper resolution of any problems with a transaction by providing all of the necessary support material and information. | 04-29-2010 |
20100106615 | PROVIDING MULTIPLE ONLINE DATA MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS - Methods of the present invention provide multiple online data management solutions. An exemplary method may comprise networking a plurality of servers within a datacenter, wherein at least one server is running a software-enabled data management service comprising an email security service; a managed datacenter service; a shared exchange hosting service; a storage, recovery, and backup service; a network security service; a customer relationship management service; a human resources management service; a financial system management service; and/or a collaboration software service. Each server may be communicatively coupled to a network. A control panel also may be provided, which may be hosted on at least one of the servers. The control panel may comprise a plurality of tools for managing the software-enabled data management services. | 04-29-2010 |
20100106616 | SYSTEMS FOR JOINTLY AUCTIONING EXPIRING DOMAIN NAMES - Systems of the present inventions allow for jointly auctioning expiring domain names. An example embodiment may comprise a server configured to: (1) determine whether a domain name's expiration date is within a predetermined timeframe (perhaps by searching a registered domain names database); and (2) contact the domain name's registrant to request an agreement to jointly sell the domain name and to share the resultant sales fee. The system also may comprise an expiring domain names database storing domain names having registrations expiring within the predetermined timeframe. A domain name sales website (that may list for sale some of the expiring domain names stored in the expiring names database) may be hosted on a server and a network may communicatively couple the server, registered domain name database, and expiring domain names database. | 04-29-2010 |
20100106617 | Flexible data store for implementing a streamlined acquisition process - Methods and systems for seamlessly integrating an end-to-end acquisition process using a flexible data structure are disclosed. A flexible data structure consistent with these methods and systems may connect the buyer's requirement to the vendor's proposed solution, facilitating a requirement-by-requirement evaluation process allowing buyers to evaluate content as well as price of a proposal. Embodiments of the present invention standardize the format of proposals, allowing buyers to more easily compare vendors' proposals side-by-side. Still other embodiments of the present invention produce an error checking report to further aid vendors in improving proposals and buyers in evaluating proposals. | 04-29-2010 |
20100106618 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MANAGING MERCHANDISE INFORMATION - A system and method for managing merchandise information include acquiring merchandise information of a plurality of merchandises, and setting a plurality of categories and multi-level sub-categories to classify the merchandises. The system and method further include calculating a relative coefficient between a selected merchandise and each of the other merchandises in a same category as the selected merchandise, selecting related merchandises by comparing calculated relative coefficients with a threshold value, and linking the related merchandises to the selected merchandise. | 04-29-2010 |
20100106619 | Apparatus and method for providing transaction history information, account history information, and/or charge-back information - A computer-implemented method, including receiving information regarding a transaction involving an individual and involving an account, wherein the information regarding the transaction is received by a receiver prior to a processing, a completion, a consummation, or a cancellation, of the transaction, processing the information regarding the transaction with a processing device, generating a report or a message in response to the processing of the information regarding the transaction, wherein the report or the message contains information regarding a charge-back regarding a previous transaction involving the individual, and transmitting the report or the message to a communication device associated with a merchant, vendor, or provider, of a good, product, or service. | 04-29-2010 |
20100114726 | SOCIAL DISCOVERY OF DIGITAL CONTENT - Shopping for digital content may be facilitated by offering to a shopper a plurality of digital content items available for acquisition via a network-accessible virtual storefront. Further, for a digital content item selected within the network-accessible virtual storefront, one or more shopper-confirmed friends having a usage history with the selected digital content item can be identified. | 05-06-2010 |
20100114727 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MANAGING E-COMMERCE TRANSACTION - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, an avatar engine having a controller to retrieve a user profile of a user, present the user an avatar having characteristics that correlate to the user profile, detect one or more responses of the user during a communication exchange between the avatar and the user, identify from the one or more responses a need to engage in an e-commerce transaction, engage in a commercial exchange with a merchant system according to the e-commerce transaction, identify a commercial status of the e-commerce transaction from the commercial exchange with the merchant system, and present the user by way of the avatar the commercial status of the e-commerce transaction. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 05-06-2010 |
20100114728 | Integrated Marketing System for a Jewel Common Market - An integrated marketing system for a jewel common market has a common marketing jewel source offered by the common marketing head office. After purchasing parts of the common marketing jewels from the head office, a dealer may sell the jewels and other common marketing jewels. The head office has a common market integration server and a full common marketing jewel database. The server has a management system and a website interface. To manage the data, the management system functions to manage the records of jewel enter, selling, and deposit. On a network, the website interface shows all the data of common marketing jewels. Customers may get the data regarding the common marketing jewels on the website interface and then purchase a random commonly marketed jewel from the head office or the dealers, or may purchase the commonly marketed jewels directly from one of the dealers. | 05-06-2010 |
20100114729 | BUSINESS MODEL BASED ON MULTI-LEVEL APPLICATION WIDGETS AND SYSTEM THEREOF - Provided is a business model based on multi-level application widgets and a system thereof, including: embedding, by a server end, intended application widgets in an Internet platform equipped with a software application programming interface; providing a business protocol between a user end and the server end, thus giving the user end authority to embed data sets in the application widgets and to conduct display, operation, sales, and real-time interaction within the same window; determining, by the user ends, whether at least an application widget or a data set is to be embedded in each of the data sets again, so as to finalize the multi-level application widgets. Accordingly, the user end enhances promotion and thereby expands business on the Internet platform at the server end. | 05-06-2010 |
20100114730 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PURCHASING ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSIONS - Provided are methods, apparatus and systems for the sale of digital content over a network. The disclosure herein discusses the recording of a broadcast of a digital data stream by a broadcast receiving device. A listener may select a particular digital data stream to purchase by selecting a content identifier associated with the digital data stream of interest at the recording device. Upon obtaining the selection, a purchase request message is transmitted to an intermediary communication device. The purchase request message includes at least the content identifier. After the transaction is completed at a transaction server, a purchase confirmation message including at least a digital rights management key associated with the digital data stream is returned to and received by the broadcast receiving device. Upon receipt, of the digital rights management key, the recorded digital data stream is released for reproduction. | 05-06-2010 |
20100114731 | ELECTRONIC WALLET ("eWallet") - A method according to the invention may preferably include displaying on a computer display a menu bar that includes an online shopping enhancement icon. The method may further include receiving a selection of the icon. The method may also include, in response to receiving a selection of the icon, displaying an online shopping enhancement dialogue box including a selectable option for displaying user bank account information. | 05-06-2010 |
20100114732 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CREATING AND MANAGING MEDIASCAPES - A mediascape comprises media items and related action-triggers each specifying a condition set of one or more conditions, and at least one media-item-specific action that is to be triggered upon satisfaction of the condition set. During authoring ( | 05-06-2010 |
20100114733 | Party Payment System - Systems and methods are disclosed herein which that enable a first party, such as a child, to selected one or more items offered by an online retailer and to send a request to a second party, such as a parent or guardian, to request that the second party purchase the item or items for the first party. The systems and methods provide the second party with the ability to view requests received from the first party, to set limits on the number of requests and the amounts of the requests that the first party may make. The second party may also designate the parties to whom the first party may submit purchase requests. The child may also submit request to one or more non-parental contributors who may contribute money toward the purchase the one or more items for the child. | 05-06-2010 |
20100114734 | TELEMATICS COMPUTER SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MOBILE WIRELESS RETAIL ORDER PROCESSING AND FULFILLMENT - A method for making a purchase using a vehicle computing system includes receiving input to the vehicle computing system instructing order initiation. The method also includes receiving a selection at the vehicle computing system of a merchant from which to order. The method further includes receiving an order at the vehicle computing system, determining an address of the merchant to which the order was placed and providing directions to the address. These can be provided as, for example, turn by turn directions spoken and/or displayed on a nav display. Finally, the exemplary method includes processing a payment for the order. | 05-06-2010 |
20100114735 | ELECTRONIC SALES AND CONTRACTING - Under the present invention, a customer will login to a secure computer infrastructure and initially be polled and/or provide some input relating to an integrated IT solution that is desired. The customer can then make selections for hardware and/or software components desired for the integrated IT solution. The present invention will analyze the selections and verify whether each of the selected components is of similar quality to one another. If not, the customer can be alerted. The present invention will also make recommendations for services that best match the selected components. The integrated IT solution will then be finalized based on the components and services selected by the customer. Once the solution has been finalized, a corresponding contract(s) can be developed/generated, approved and executed within the secure computer infrastructure. | 05-06-2010 |
20100121727 | EXCHANGING VALUE BETWEEN A SERVICE BUYER AND A SERVICE PROVIDER - Described herein is technology for, among other things, exchanging value between a service buyer and a service provider. The technology involves establishing a virtual funds account associated with the service buyer. A request for services is received from the service buyer, which includes an amount that the service buyer is willing to pay for the services. An indication that the service provider will perform the services for the service buyer is received, and a hold is placed in the buyer's virtual funds account on an amount of virtual funds corresponding to the amount that the service buyer is willing to pay for the services. | 05-13-2010 |
20100121728 | LISTING WATCHER WITH ALERTS PUSHED TO MOBILE DEVICES - A method and a system to communicate an alert to a mobile device are disclosed. The system receives, over a network, search information. The search information includes item description information that describes an item. The system repeatedly searches listings on a network-based marketplace to identify at least one listing that includes: an item that matches the item description information and is offered for sale in an auction on the network-based marketplace, a current highest bid for the item that is less than a price threshold, and a time remaining in the auction that is less than a predetermined time threshold. The system further communicates, over the network, the alert to the mobile device. The system communicates the alert responsive to the identification of the at least one listing. | 05-13-2010 |
20100121729 | METHOD, HARDWARE PRODUCT, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR IMPLEMENTING COMMERCE BETWEEN VIRTUAL WORLDS - A virtual business transaction is implemented between a first virtual world and a second virtual world by providing a searchable catalog that includes one or more items each comprising a virtual good, a virtual service, a real good, or a real service. An object representation is stored for each of the items. Each of the stored object representations is associated with metadata comprising any of digital rights metadata, ownership metadata, identity metadata, payment method metadata, or currency detail metadata. A set of transformation algorithms are established that are customized through a rule set. A request is received specifying a copying, modifying, or reselling of an item selected from the items in the searchable catalog. The copying, modifying, or reselling of the item from a first virtual world to a second virtual world is implemented using the set of transformation algorithms. An exchange of virtual currency is implemented between the first virtual world and the second virtual world using the set of transformation algorithms. | 05-13-2010 |
20100121730 | Systems and Methods for Providing Direct Shipping to Mobile Subscribers - Systems and methods for providing direct shipping to mobile subscribers are disclosed. A customer ordering system (COS) can receive an order request, determine the information requested by an advertiser, retrieve the information requested, and populate an order form with the retrieved information. The information can be reviewed, edited, and/or confirmed, and the order can be passed to an order fulfillment entity. Networks and devices for providing the disclosed systems and methods are also disclosed. Exemplary computer readable media for storing instructions are also disclosed. A device that executes the instructions can perform the disclosed methods and/or provided the functionality of the disclosed systems. | 05-13-2010 |
20100121731 | END-TO-END DIGITAL MEDIA ENTITLEMENT SYSTEM - A system for creating and processing customer entitlement rules employs a first interface for creating customer entitlement rules and a second interface for communicating with a portal for consuming digital content entitled to. An entitlement engine processes the entitlements, and the system interfaces with a plurality of modules in order to obtain data needed to make entitlement decisions. The entitlement engine allows digital content providers to track, secure and manage entitlements for the digital content. | 05-13-2010 |
20100121732 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AUTOMATICALLY REGISTERING A PRODUCT - A database is provided for storing a plurality of sales transactions between buyers and sellers, where each sales transaction may involve, for example, the sale of a product. A signal is received indicating that the selected buyer wishes to register with the seller product information associated with a product of a sales transaction, the sales transaction in the database is identified, the product information is retrieved from the database, and is transmitted to the seller, along with information identifying the buyer. | 05-13-2010 |
20100121733 | METHOD AND SYSTEM TO ENABLE A FIXED PRICE PURCHASE WITHIN A MULTI-UNIT ONLINE AUCTION ENVIRONMENT - A method includes presenting to a buyer a multi-unit auction, permitting the buyer to bid one or more of a price and a number of units in the auction, and permitting the buyer to re-bid in the auction. The auction includes a rule that prevents the buyer from reducing the price in the re-bid, and the auction further includes a rule that prevents the buyer from reducing the number of units in the re-bid. | 05-13-2010 |
20100121734 | Systems and Methods for the Selection and Purchase of Digital Assets - The present invention provides systems and methods for enabling a customer to sample content and select content for purchasing while the customer is in a retail store. Advantageously, the customer may be given one or more options for the delivery of the content. | 05-13-2010 |
20100131376 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING REGIONAL COMMUNITY-BASED MEMBERSHIP SERVICE - Disclosed herein is a system and method for providing a regional community-based membership service. The method includes registering a customer visiting a certain region as a membership service customer through classification of the customer according to a degree of private relation with the region or according to whether the customer is a foreigner; authenticating a membership of the customer by a service terminal linked to a membership service system server via on-line communication, processing provision of various services by the service terminal, the various service including reservation and commodity purchase ordered from the authenticated customer, and settling or storing details of the services provided to the membership service customer in a database of the service system server. The method enables establishment of a variety of regional community-based businesses and an increase in number of visitors to the region by providing specified regional services to members of the membership service. | 05-27-2010 |
20100131377 | SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR MANAGING TASKS - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a system having a controller to receive a grocery list from a communication device of a user, identify a location in a store for each item in the grocery list, determine a selection order for the items in the grocery list based on the identified location of each item, adjust the grocery list according to the selection order and the location of each item, and transmit the adjusted grocery list to a device in the store for conducting grocery shopping according to the adjusted grocery list. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 05-27-2010 |
20100131378 | System and method for providing postage indicia - A method and system of providing postage indicia to a user. The method includes receiving an account number of the user at a computer server associated with a postage provider and receiving a request to print one or more postage indicia from the user at the computer server. The method further includes selectively prompting the user to enter an activation code associated with a plurality of postage labels by the computer server, wherein the prompting is waived if a predetermined parameter is satisfied; and sending, by the computer server, an authorization to print one or more postage indicia on at least one of the plurality of postage labels to the user if the activation code is valid. | 05-27-2010 |
20100131379 | MANAGING CONSISTENT INTERFACES FOR MERCHANDISE AND ASSORTMENT PLANNING BUSINESS OBJECTS ACROSS HETEROGENEOUS SYSTEMS - 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 an assortment plan, a merchandise and assortment planning assortment, a merchandise and assortment planning material, a merchandise and assortment planning product procurement arrangement, a merchandise and assortment planning sales price specification calculation, and/or a merchandise and assortment planning store layout element business object. | 05-27-2010 |
20100131380 | ONLINE SERVICE SYNDICATION - Embodiments described herein are directed to syndicating an online service to at least one syndication partner of a syndicator. In one embodiment, a computer system determines that a syndication relationship has been established between a syndicator and a syndication partner, where the syndication relationship is established to provide syndicated services to syndication partners and clients. The computer system indicates which services provided by the syndicator are available for syndication to the syndication partner and which type of usage information the partner is to provide in order to use the syndicator's services. The computer system receives usage information from the syndication partner specifying which services are to be syndicated and specifying parameters for those services indicating operating parameters specific to the use of the syndicated services. Based on the received usage information, the computer system provides the service to the syndication partner in the manner indicated by the received usage information. | 05-27-2010 |
20100131381 | Donations Exchange-Computerized Method automate Donations Request, Fulfillment and Tracking - A method and apparatus for automating the solicitation process between requesting organizations and donating organization. The web based exchange platform would allow the submission of requests, tracking of submission, approval of submissions, fulfillment of the request, status notification and reporting on the requests for both the requestor and donor. The Exchange automates an old and inefficient paper based process into a paperless platform. | 05-27-2010 |
20100131382 | System and Method for Auctioning Audio Submission Rights - A computer-implemented method for auctioning rights and receiving recorded bid proposals using a telephony system. The method includes receiving one or more submitted bids for access to a bid proposal recording system, determining a winning bid from the one or more submitted bids, initiating a telephone call to a selected telephone number associated with the winning bid, recording at least a portion of the telephone call to generate a recorded bid proposal, and posting the recorded bid proposal on a computer implemented graphical interface to allow one or more proposal reviewer to access the recorded bid proposal. | 05-27-2010 |
20100131383 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR SUPPORTING ASSET EXCHANGE - In typical two-way trading systems, bidders cannot trade directly with other bidders, and sellers cannot trade directly with other sellers, resulting in possible missed trading opportunities. Methods, systems, devices, and networks for enabling two-way trading systems to perform multi-party exchanges are disclosed. Example embodiments allow multiple bidders (buyers), multiple sellers, or a seller and bidder of separate marketplaces to trade among themselves. Embodiments may discover, for bidders and sellers, opportunities to trade with other sellers or bidders, or both, without a time-consuming and limited process of searching and discovering relevant opportunities. Bidders and sellers may not find such opportunities on their own in typical two-way trading systems. The embodiments may be implemented as stand-alone systems or as add-ons that may be used to augment or enhance existing two-way trading systems. | 05-27-2010 |
20100131384 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROMOTING USER GENERATION OF CONTENT - Systems and methods for promoting user generation of content are disclosed. More particularly, embodiments of systems and methods to facilitate the generation of content by users are disclosed. Specifically, in one embodiment, in order to drive generation of desired content, the generation of content by a user may be linked to an opportunity to generate additional content (where the two types of content may be the same or different). In particular, in certain embodiments when a user has generated a first type of content the opportunity to generate a second type of content may be presented to that user | 05-27-2010 |
20100131385 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DISTRIBUTION OF DIGITAL MEDIA CONTENT UTILIZING VIRAL MARKETING OVER SOCIAL NETWORKS - A networked computing system capable of distributing commercial digital media content utilizing existing interpersonal resources of a social network service (SNS). The networked computing system includes a media content provider (MCP), multiple personal computing devices (PCDs), a SNS and a data communications network that facilitates data communications amongst the MCP, the PCDs, and the SNS. A registered user of the SNS at a first PCD is able to access media content emanating from a MCP based on a media content referral from a registered user of the same SNS at a second PCD. The SNS may operate as an agent for the MCP so that the MCP can use the SNS as a viral media content marketing utility. | 05-27-2010 |
20100131386 | E-Commerce Purchase Eligibility Determination System and Method - A system and method for determining e-commerce purchase eligibility of product offerings restricted to particular market segments and used in conjunction with an e-commerce system is described. Identifying information provided by the user is compared to a white list of eligibility parameters selected and configured by the vendor. An e-mail confirming eligibility and containing a customized URL is provided to the user; selecting the link automatically logs the user into the account. The system allows limited or unlimited purchases to be made by qualified users. Fraud detection is performed prior to checkout. Once the order has been processed the user may immediately download the product. An e-mail is sent to the user providing delayed downloading instructions and license key. Downloading may inject the license key for automatic software product or application activation. | 05-27-2010 |
20100131387 | System And Method For Displaying Market Data In An Electronic Trading Environment - A trading interface is provided for displaying market data related to a tradeable object being traded at an electronic exchange. According to one example embodiment, market data related to a tradeable object is displayed in relation to a value axis, such as a price axis. As new market data is received, the displayed market data is updated and may be repositioned so that a trader can view current market conditions in a viewable portion of the interface. The interface also includes a number of market movement indicators that assist a trader in tracking market movement. These viewable references allow a trader to navigate and immediately understand the “real” direction of the market activity despite any underlying adjustment of the viewable area of the trading interface. | 05-27-2010 |
20100138310 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROCESSING REQUISITIONS - A method and system for making a requisition for one or more items including providing a requisition module written as a service, using the requisition module to place one or more orders for one or more items, and monitoring the status of the one or more orders or the one or more items. When one or more orders is placed by a user of the module, an instant message or an email is provided to the user, wherein the instant message or email specifies the status of the one or more orders to the user. | 06-03-2010 |
20100138311 | Software Escrow Service - A system and a method provide for perpetual software escrow services. A services management computer system is operated by a services management company and a trust computer system is operated by trust company. The perpetual provisioning of the software escrow service is ensured by the trust. | 06-03-2010 |
20100138312 | NETWORK ACCESSIBLE FUNDS TRANSFER SYSTEM - A funds transfer system is disclosed that is responsive to a receipt of a payment request by performing a risk management assessment of an associated payer and payee. If the risk management assessment produces an adverse indication, the payment request is declined. Otherwise, the payment request may be processed by causing funds to be transferred between the payer and payee. The risk management assessment may be performed on the basis of credit and/or authentication information derived from customer information received with or prior to the payment request. Such customer information may, for example, include credit card account information and/or bank account information. | 06-03-2010 |
20100138313 | METHOD FOR SELECTIVELY VERIFYING OR BLOCKING REMOTE PURCHASE REQUESTS - A method for partially verifying the legitimacy of a remote purchase request based on a card number from a card issuing financial institution. The method includes receiving and storing a first purchase request information set including an origin and a card number. Further, the origin and the card number are sent to the card issuing financial institution to determine if the origin matches an origin on file for the card number at the card issuing financial institution. | 06-03-2010 |
20100145814 | ACCESS MODELING IN A COMMUNICATION DOMAIN - System(s) and method(s) that facilitate efficient and automated processing of orders for access services are presented. An address validation engine evaluates received information that identifies at least part of a geographical location of a consumer ordering an access service, and accesses additional information to facilitate determining and validating the geographical location to a fine level of granularity. An access management component can facilitate automatically determining an available access provider(s) based on the validated geographical location. The access management component employs a rule engine to facilitate automatically and dynamically determining cost of the access service and selecting an access provider based on predefined rules in accordance with predefined access criteria. Electronic bonding is employed to facilitate automatic communication of information between the access provider and an entity processing the order to facilitate processing the order, provisioning the access service, and billing the consumer. | 06-10-2010 |
20100145815 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR INITIATING ANONYMOUS CONTACT WITH BUYERS AND SELLERS - According to the invention disclosed herein, methods and systems are disclosed that proactively and anonymously reach out to potential service providers to screen and select one or more service providers for the consumer. Such methods would be time-consuming to conduct manually but are automated efficiently and flexibly as described herein. These methods and systems are not limited to service providers who have pre-registered at any particular web site or directory. | 06-10-2010 |
20100145816 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ORDERING GOODS, SERVICES AND CONTENT OVER AN INTERNETWORK - A billing system that allows a consumer to order products from computers connected to the Internet, wherein the consumer is automatically billed for the ordered good or service by its telephone service provider. When a consumer orders a product over the Internet, a plug-in component of the consumer's computer establishes an Internet connection to a billing server. A billing server component transfers an encrypted version of the product to the plug-in component. The plug-in component then disconnects from the Internet and establishes a point-to-point (PPP) connection with the billing server. During the PPP connection, the billing server component transfers an access key assigned to the order to the plug-in component so that the plug-in component may decrypt the product. The consumer is charged a unit rate or “drop-charge” for the product by the telephone service provider when the PPP connection is established using a premium telephone number assigned and administered by the telephone service provider. | 06-10-2010 |
20100145817 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ORDERING GOODS, SERVICES AND CONTENT OVER AN INTERNETWORK - A billing system that allows a consumer to order products from computers connected to the Internet, wherein the consumer is automatically billed for the ordered good or service by its telephone service provider. When a consumer orders a product over the Internet, a plug-in component of the consumer's computer establishes an Internet connection to a billing server. A billing server component transfers an encrypted version of the product to the plug-in component. The plug-in component then disconnects from the Internet and establishes a point-to-point (PPP) connection with the billing server. During the PPP connection, the billing server component transfers an access key assigned to the order to the plug-in component so that the plug-in component may decrypt the product. The consumer is charged a unit rate or “drop-charge” for the product by the telephone service provider when the PPP connection is established using a premium telephone number assigned and administered by the telephone service provider. | 06-10-2010 |
20100145818 | Electronic Credit/Debit Cardless Payment Processing System and Method PSM - This invention overcomes this limitation by devising a method to process credit/debit payments from personalized electronic accounts which are accessible only by customers logging in with username, password and Personal Identification Number (PIN), without swiping a card through a card reader or by disclosing any other confidential information. An objective of the present invention is to do away with numbers associated with a credit account and replace access to users' credit accounts by log in with user names, password and Personal Identification Numbers (PIN). Instead of storing users' information on chips which can be stolen or compromised, the present invention allows credit account holders to keep information about their account confidential and also insure that no one can log in to their account without permission. | 06-10-2010 |
20100145819 | WIRELESS COMMUNICATION TERMINAL SUSPENDING INTERRUPT DURING RF PAYMENT AND METHOD THEREOF - A wireless communication terminal for mobile commerce that can suspend events during Radio Frequency (RF) payment includes: a keypad for receiving a mobile commerce request and an authentication number; a controller for requesting authentication for the mobile commerce to an authenticator in response to the mobile commerce request, analyzing an authentication response message from the authenticator; an RF antenna for transmitting/receiving an RF signal; and a display. A method for suspending events in a wireless communication terminal during RF payment includes transmitting a mobile commerce request, transmitting a response message containing information on a payment method set in the wireless communication terminal, confirming that the current payment method is an RF method, receiving an authentication number to operate the mobile commerce in the RF method, if the authentication based on the authentication number is successful, inactivating the authenticator, and suspending events generated while performing RF payment. | 06-10-2010 |
20100153226 | PROVIDING PRODUCT INFORMATION DURING MULTIMEDIA PROGRAMS - A method and system provides information and purchasing services for products placed in multimedia content. Product metadata coordinated in time with the multimedia content may be used to determine the product and obtain product information. A user may send a notification at a time when the product occurs in the multimedia content, and the time may be used to coordinate the product metadata. Product information may be provided to the user. The user may be given the option to purchase the product. Validation of the user may occur in order to authorize the purchase. | 06-17-2010 |
20100153227 | MOBILE PHONE BILLING FOR CONTENT PAYMENT - Mobile phone billing for content payment is described. In embodiments, a media content provider receives a billing identifier that is associated with a mobile phone. The billing identifier is received from a communication service provider that authenticates the mobile phone for communications, and a network communication link is established between the mobile phone and the media content provider via the communication service provider. The media content provider receives a request from the mobile phone to purchase and download a media asset. The media content provider determines the billing identifier that is associated with the mobile phone for the purchase of the media asset, and communicates a charge for the media asset to the communication service provider that then bills a user associated with the mobile phone. The user that is associated with the mobile phone is billed for the media asset in a mobile phone service bill. | 06-17-2010 |
20100153228 | Apparatus and Method for Bundling Application Services With Inbuilt Connectivity Management - An apparatus and method for bundling application services with inbuilt connectivity management comprising launching a software application; detecting a need for connectivity to use the service associated with the software application; establishing connectivity; determining whether connectivity is established; and executing the service associated with the software application utilizing the established connectivity. | 06-17-2010 |
20100153229 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS TO SUPPLEMENT SEARCH RESULTS RETURNED TO A BUYER OF PARTS - Methods and systems to supplement search results returned to a buyer of parts are described. The system receives a first query from a buyer. The first query includes keywords. The system identifies at least one compatibility keyword included in the keywords. The system further infers that the other keywords in the query are item information that describes a part that is sought for on a network-based marketplace. The system further infers the part has a compatibility based on the compatibility keywords. Next, the system searches a data storage device based on the item information and the compatibility keywords to identify a first listing as matched. Finally, the system presents the first listing describing the matched part. The matched part is indicated as compatible by supplementing the presentation of the first listing with the compatibility keywords from the first query. | 06-17-2010 |
20100153230 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INSTANT ONLINE POSTAGE METERING - A system and method for instantly printing PC postage before establishing a postage meter account. The method includes the steps of a meter vendor obtaining a first meter license from the Post for a first meter; loaning the use of a first meter licensed in the customer's zip code to a customer; requesting a second meter license for the customer; initializing the first meter for use by the customer; and transferring the first meter to the Customer's meter license when the second meter license is received. Alternatively, when the second meter license is received a second meter is assigned to the customer and the first meter is reassigned to the meter vendor. | 06-17-2010 |
20100153231 | Process for implementing a method for the on-line sale of software product use licenses through a data network, and software component which allows carrying out said process - Online sale of software product use licenses through a data network by offering software products (SOFT) through vendor sites, purchasing a license on-line on one of said vendor sites, and activating said license on-line by a different licensing site. A specific component (COMP) is provided with the software product (SOFT) and identifying data (IDV) of the vendor site are transmitted during the download of the software product (SOFT). When the component (COMP) is executed in an equipment, the component (COMP) locally accesses said data (IDV) and identifying data (IDL) of the licensing site and activates the license by setting up an on-line communication with the licensing site. | 06-17-2010 |
20100161436 | Digital media review and play system - A media control system allows the play of media files from customers or users in a public establishment. A digital content review arrangement communicates with a control gate that forwards to the digital content review arrangement requested media files or summary information of the media files sufficient to identify the requested media files with known media files contained in a database of the digital content review arrangement or available thereto. The control gate includes an input for communicating with personal portable digital content devices of customer and/or users and receives therefrom requested media files to be played on a media play system of said public establishment. The control gate forwards the requested media files received from said personal portable digital content devices to said digital content review arrangement for identification. The control gate also provides to the media play system any of the requested media files that have been identified by said digital content review arrangement. The digital content review arrangement preferably tracks the play of identified media files on the media play system. This control system is appropriate for various media files including audit files, video files and game files. | 06-24-2010 |
20100161437 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FACILITATING MULTI-PARTY SALE TRANSACTIONS USING RADIO-FREQUENCY IDENTIFICATIONS (RFID) AND/OR BARCODES - Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a system and method for detecting, via a wireless device, identification information associated with at least one of products and services, wherein the at least one products and services are identified based at least in part on the identification information. The system may also provide information associated with one or more of the identified products and services to a server and receive, from the server, solicited retail information associated with the one or more identified products and services offered by one or more retailers. In addition, the system may further display, via at least one of the wireless device, a set-top box and a display device, the solicited retail information associated with the one or more identified at least one of products and services offered by the one or more retailers to a user. | 06-24-2010 |
20100161438 | System and Method for a Data Driven Meta-Auction Mechanism for Sponsored Search - Apparatuses, methods, and systems directed to deriving optimal parameters of a learning algorithm to maximize an objective function of online keyword auctions for bidded terms. Some embodiments of the invention simulate online keyword auctions based on historical data for the bidded terms, wherein the parameters of the simulated auctions such as market reserve prices of the bidded terms are determined by an adaptive learning algorithm. The values of the parameters of the learning algorithm are optimized by a stochastic optimization method to maximize an objective function for the auctions of the bidded terms. | 06-24-2010 |
20100161439 | ASSET DISCOVERY AND TRANSFER WITHIN A VIRTUAL UNIVERSE - An invention for discovery and transfer of assets in a virtual universe is provided. In one embodiment, there is an asset transfer utility, including an inventory component configured to display to a user within a virtual universe an inventory containing a plurality of assets owned by other users within the virtual universe, each of the plurality of assets listed anonymously. A search component is configured to search the inventory containing the plurality of assets. A selection component is configured to select a set of assets from the plurality of assets based on the search. A transfer component is configured to transfer the set of assets between the user and an owner of each of the set of assets. | 06-24-2010 |
20100161440 | A METHOD FOR THE UPKEEP OF A RESIDENCE - A method for the upkeep of a residence that includes providing a computer that has a service menu. The service menu has a plurality of services for maintaining, improving and preserving a residence and a payment menu comprising payment options to a homeowner. A homeowner can then use the service menu to select a service to be provided at a residence. The program then calculates a selected service price for the service to be performed and a payment option for the service to be performed is selected. At this point the service is performed for the homeowner. | 06-24-2010 |
20100161441 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ADVERTISING AT THE SUB-ASSET LEVEL - The invention pertains to methods, systems, and apparatus for enabling advertisers to identify and purchase advertising as a function of subject matter, particularly, although not necessarily, at the sub-asset level and according to an ontology particularly adapted to the interests of advertisers in media. In accordance with certain aspects of the invention, advertising may be sold at the sub-asset level, rather than at the asset level. In accordance with other aspects of the invention, a system is provided that permits advertisers to search media items for advertising opportunities, including the ability to browse through an ontology specifically adapted to the purpose of identification of advertising opportunities within media. Even further, in accordance with other aspects of the invention, a search engine is provided to facilitate searching for advertising opportunities within multimedia content using keyword searching and faceted searching of the ontology and the like. The invention also can be used for identifying media items for purposes unrelated to advertising. | 06-24-2010 |
20100161442 | Interactive Electronic Trading Method - An interactive electronic trading method includes an Internet electronic commerce agent obtaining sales agency in a virtual channel from a commodity supplier. The Internet electronic commerce agent or its subnetwork agent places the commodity on a sales platform that publishes information of the commodity and establishes an ownership unit price for each of a plurality of ownership units of the commodity obtained by dividing a target price of the commodity. A plurality of consumers purchases one or more ownership units of the commodity on the sales platform. Each ownership unit has a purchase parameter. The sales platform chooses the owner of the commodity when the accumulated amount is equal to the target price, and trade of the commodity is completed. The sales platform chooses the owner according to the purchase parameters. The sales platform refunds or reserves the money of the consumers when the trade is not completed due to the accumulated amount is lower than the target price or due to other reasons. | 06-24-2010 |
20100161443 | PURCHASES USING UNIQUE CODES - An E-store allows purchase of codes for use on another website. The codes can be redeemed for items or credit on a website different from the site on which they were purchased. This allows obtaining items on the website without requiring real money or virtual money to be paid for the items. In addition, credits can be awarded using an administrative tool that distributes the credits or a portion thereof based on automatically detected events. | 06-24-2010 |
20100161444 | METHODS OF FACILITATING MERCHANT TRANSACTIONS USING A COMPUTERIZED SYSTEM INCLUDING A SET OF TITLES - A method of facilitating a transaction between a merchant and a buyer using a computerized system including a set of titles. The method includes storing the set of titles in a merchant site corresponding to a set of products for sale; browsing the merchant site using a client device and selecting a product for purchase; and generating a payment slip title for the product including information relating to a payment amount and a buyer identifier. The method further includes selecting a payment structure from a set of available payment structures; modifying the payment slip title to include information corresponding to the selected payment structure; releasing the product title to the buyer; and transmitting the payment amount to the merchant. | 06-24-2010 |
20100169183 | WEB TRANSACTION SYSTEM AND CONTROLLING METHOD THEREOF - A web transaction system and a controlling method thereof are provided. The controlling method of web transaction system includes the following steps. The translating information of a temporary unit is provided to a first service unit by a web transaction system. Whether the temporary unit has received a first transaction element of the first service unit is determined. The translating information of the first service unit is provided to a second service unit. Whether the first service unit has received a second transaction element is determined. If the first service unit has received the second transaction element and the temporary unit has received the first transaction element, then the first transaction element is sent to the second service unit from the temporary unit. | 07-01-2010 |
20100174615 | System and Method for Processing Orders for the Procurement of Reprints - The present invention relates to a system and method for aggregating orders for a requested reprint to allow an organization to effectively capture bulk discounts afforded by reprint providers. The system and method generates a quote related to the acquisition of the requested reprint. The generated quotes can be updated in real time based on an alteration to the aggregate quantity of requested reprints. The system and method publishes the quote to allow interested users to become aware of available content and the reprint cost for ordering the requested reprint. | 07-08-2010 |
20100174616 | Method and System for Utilizing Purchase Upgrades for Purposes of Providing Humanitarian Aid - A system for processing transactions related to providing humanitarian aid. A database stores a plurality of identification codes for a plurality of upgraded items, each of which is available for purchase. The database also stores instructions for providing humanitarian aid in association with a purchase of an upgraded item. A receiver registers purchases of the upgraded item that includes an identification code for the upgraded item. A comparator is coupled to the receiver and the database for cross-referencing the database, using the identification code. In this manner, the comparator is capable of determining the corresponding instructions for a purchase of the upgraded item. In addition, an executor executes the instructions for purposes of providing humanitarian aid in association with a purchase of the upgraded item. | 07-08-2010 |
20100174617 | GESTURE EXCHANGE VIA COMMUNICATIONS IN VIRTUAL WORLD APPLICATIONS - A method, system and computer-readable medium are disclosed for exchanging gestures in a virtual world application. In one embodiment, the virtual world application determines whether a first avatar has a gesture exchange function enabled. If so, the virtual world application displays words communicated by a first user to a second user during the communication session and identifies a keyword among the communicated words corresponding to a gesture in a user inventory of the first avatar. | 07-08-2010 |
20100174618 | PERSONALIZED GIFT ARTIFACT - The present invention concerns a device and method for preparing an artifact personalized by a subject, wherein a personalized acoustic message is obtained from the subject, the message is transferred to an autonomous sound reproduction unit configured to store the message and reproduce the message upon activation, the autonomous sound reproduction unit is disposed on said artifact, thereby obtaining an artifact personalized by the subject. | 07-08-2010 |
20100174619 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MANAGING TRADING ORDERS WITH DECAYING RESERVES - A system comprises a memory operable to store a trading order for a particular quantity of a trading product, wherein a first portion of the particular quantity is a displayed quantity and a second portion of the particular quantity is a reserved quantity. The system further comprises a processor communicatively coupled to the memory and operable to disclose the displayed quantity to one or more market centers. The processor is further operable to identify a decay rate associated with the trading order. The processor is further operable to cause the reserved quantity to decay based at least in part on the identified decay rate. | 07-08-2010 |
20100179880 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PURCHASING GOODS OR SERVICES USING A GROUP COMMUNICATION FROM A WIRELESS COMMUNICATION DEVICE - A system and method for purchasing a good and/or service through a group communication, such as a push-to-talk communication, to one or more sellers. A sellers list of the desired good or service is created using a group communication server or another computer device and sent to the wireless communication device of the user, either at the time the user wireless communication device requests to send a group communication to order a good and/or service, or prior thereto. The user may then send a group communication from the wireless communication device to the seller list requesting a desired good and/or service, and any answering seller will communicate back to the requesting wireless communication device to bid to provide the requested good and/or service. | 07-15-2010 |
20100179881 | SYSTEM FOR MAKING PRODUCT PURCHASES - A system for making product purchases utilizing a website. The website is connected to an electronic network wherein the website has a controller and a database that contains information on recipes, products and a consumer's pantry. A remote computer is also provided in the system and is connected to the electronic network and keeps track of updated pantry information based upon consumption and purchase of products over time. | 07-15-2010 |
20100179882 | Systems and Methods for Online Selection of Service Providers and Management of Service Accounts - An interchange party computer system (IPCS) having means for presenting user interfaces to consumer computer systems and capturing data input through the user interfaces, the IPCS being associated with at least one database holding data representing a plurality of consumer profiles, the profiles including consumer profiles expressing service selection attributes for a plurality of service sectors, and at least one database holding data for a plurality of service programs under a plurality of service sectors, each sector being represented by service programs from a plurality of service providers, the IPCS including (a) a Service Comparison/Selection; (b) a Automatic Bill Payment Module; (c) an Automated Services Monitoring Module; (d) an Automated Best Services Selection Module; (e) a Services Search Module; (f) an Incentive Program Module; (g) a Data Mining Module; and/or (h) a Pooling Module. | 07-15-2010 |
20100179883 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF STORING DATA FILES AT A REMOTE STORAGE FACILITY - A system, method, and computer program product may include receiving, by at least one processor, a command selecting a data file for transfer across a network for storage at a remote storage facility, receiving, by the at least one processor, a parameter selection comprising a user selected transfer time, applying, by the at least one processor, the parameter selection to the data file, queuing, by the at least one processor, the data file in a queue for transmission to said remote storage facility at said transfer time, and transferring, by the at least one processor, the data file to the remote storage facility at the user selected transfer time. | 07-15-2010 |
20100185525 | CONTROLLING PRESENTATION OF PURCHASING INFORMATION BASED ON ITEM AVAILABILITY - Systems and methods may relate to receiving a request for an electronic document comprising content, retrieving the electronic document associated with the request, and processing the electronic document to identify an inventory tag that identifies an item in the content. The systems and methods may further relate to obtaining availability information of the item associated with the inventory tag, updating the electronic document to include the availability information, and transmitting the electronic document including the availability information. | 07-22-2010 |
20100185526 | METHOD AND SYSTEM OF ELECTRONIC COMMERCE TRADE - A method of electronic commerce trade includes generating an on-line order for each of commodities selected to buy by a user; receiving multiple on-line payment requests initiated once by the user for multiple selected on-line orders; and performing payments according to the multiple on-line payment requests. A system of electronic commerce trade includes an order generating module adapted to generate an on-line order for each of commodities selected to buy by a user; and an order payment module adapted to receive multiple on-line payment requests initiated once by the user for multiple selected on-line orders, and perform payments according to the multiple on-line payment requests, the multiple selected on-line orders being selected by the user from the on-line orders generated by the order generating module. | 07-22-2010 |
20100191608 | Telephone initiated protocol-improved media delivery platform - The present invention relates to a method of delivering an audio and/or visual file over the air (wireless) from one or more servers to an electronic device, dependent or independent on an Internet connection, after inquiry and/or ordering said delivery from one or more of a dialed telephone number, dialing a toll-free number, and SMS and/or MMS message, comprising transmitting a compressed audio and/or visual file to said electronic device, and wherein said electronic device is effective to receive said compressed audio and/or visual file and playback said audio and/or visual content of said file on demand by the user. | 07-29-2010 |
20100191609 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING ACCESS TO REMOTELY STORED DIGITAL MEDIA USING AN RSS FEED - A system and method for providing digital media content involves use of custom URIs, disguised as URLs, provided as media enclosures in an RSS feed, for the purpose of redirecting requests for digital media content from a customer computer to an intermediate transaction server. The transaction server intercepts the custom URI containing customer, item, price and/or other relevant information to translate the file request into a transaction record and serve up the appropriate file, possibly from a remote merchant site, for the request and customer. When the transaction server receives a request for the custom URI, it parses it according to pre-defined rules and serves the appropriate file to the requester and records the transaction. This approach can be used to aggregate small transactions of digital content. Customers have a revolving account with the transaction server and can aggregate purchases from multiple merchants via RSS delivery up to preset limits. | 07-29-2010 |
20100191610 | METHOD FOR AUTOMATING A FUNDRAISER TO EFFECT A PURCHASE - The invention is directed to a method for completing an online purchase via a fundraiser implemented online. This allows for an efficient manner of receiving donations to provide funds for a desired purchase, where each donation may be directly channeled to the purchase balance. Once the balance is met, the purchase may be automatically effected. For example, a computer-implemented method for effecting a purchase, configured according to the invention, provides, in electronic digital form, a user interface to initiate a fundraiser to provide funds for the purchase. Upon receiving, in electronic digital form, a user input via the user interface, a fundraiser structure, in electronic digital form, may be created based on the user input to enable receipt of a donation to pay for a portion of the purchase. | 07-29-2010 |
20100191611 | PORTABLE ELECTRONIC CONSTRUCTION ESTIMATOR - An electronic estimator has a clipboard size electronic touch screen. The contractor can draw on it, use it as a touch screen to select materials for a job, estimate costs including a running total of costs for a job, and input all client info. After initial contact by a potential customer, the contractor can input the client information including location and use a global positioning system (GPS) to travel to the client location. The contractor can use it to order materials for the job from the supplier. | 07-29-2010 |
20100191612 | Verifiable device assisted service usage monitoring with reporting, synchronization, and notification - Various embodiments are disclosed for a services policy communication system and method. In some embodiments, a communications device implements a service policy for assisting control of the communications device use of a service on a network; and monitors use of the service based on the service policy, in which a local service usage is synchronized with a network based service usage. | 07-29-2010 |
20100191613 | Open transaction central billing system - Various embodiments are disclosed for a services policy communication system and method. In some embodiments, an open transaction central billing system includes a communications device, in which the communications device is configured to execute a payment component to accept a billing request from a transaction server; and a transaction server, in which the transaction server is programmed with a set of credentials, and the communications device is in network communication with the transaction server. | 07-29-2010 |
20100191614 | METHOD, USER INTERFACE, APPARATUS, SERVER, SYSTEM, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM FOR PROVIDING A MAP VIEW - A method for providing a map view is disclosed. The method comprises enabling selection of a departure and a destination among a plurality of location items; determining a route between the selected departure and the selected destination; determining necessary maps for covering said route; determining locally unavailable maps among said necessary maps; and acquireing said locally unavailable maps. Corresponding apparatus, server, system, user interface, and computer program are also disclosed. | 07-29-2010 |
20100191615 | Shipping and Storage Containers, Frames, and Carriages, for Franchise Systems for Rental, Lease, Sale, or Licensing, of Businesses and Components including Standardized Lengths, Heights, Widths, and Sizes, of Containers with or without Interchangeable Carriages for Rail Cars, Semi-Tractor Trailers and Overseas Cargo Containers including Six Piece Break Down and Stack and Rolling and Opening Door Models also New Storage Yard Business Transportation Connections, Combinations, and Usages - The new system of components involves improved efficiency of business operations for railroad, semi-tractor trailer, and shipping and storage containers. The new divided compartment multiple subunit rolling or knob door climate controlled shipping and storage cars, break down containers, and light weight aluminum containers and cars interconnect manufacturer's facilities with staging warehouses with storage, and transportation yards and retail/wholesale manufacturers and service related businesses. Stacked interchangeable components allow quick erection for immediate demand unit usage and quick conversion from railroad to highway mode without unloading of standardized cubicle containers and cars to improve operating efficiency. The new usages and locations of hook holes for lifting components allows car and frame usage in locations with crane or forklift availability. The new storage units allow for small or larger load transportation at lower cost. | 07-29-2010 |
20100198698 | ADAPTIVE AMBIENT SERVICES - Adaptive ambient services are provided. In some embodiments, an adaptive ambient service includes providing an ambient service profile. In some embodiments, an ambient service includes implementing an ambient service profile for assisting control of the communications device use of an ambient service on a wireless network, in which the ambient service profile includes a plurality of service policy settings, and in which the ambient service profile is associated with an ambient service plan that provides for initial access to the ambient service with limited service capabilities prior to activation of a new service plan; monitoring use of the ambient service based on the ambient service profile; and adapting the ambient service profile based on the monitored use of the ambient service. | 08-05-2010 |
20100205064 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR ELECTRONIC FILE PLAYBACK - Methods and apparatus are disclosed for facilitating online storage of files (e.g., audio tracks, video, etc.) for playback/access or sale/exchange by the owners of the files without violating copyrights that copyright holders have in the files. For example, by providing a playback service that does not store additional versions of an audio file when the file is transmitted to, and immediately played on, a user device without buffering, the present invention avoids violating copyright laws by not making copies of the file. Numerous other aspects are disclosed. | 08-12-2010 |
20100205065 | Interactive Funds Transfer Interface - In a software suite for enabling viewing and manipulation of data through a single portal accessible from a data-packet-network, a software interface for enabling proxy transfer of funds from one financial account to another is provided. The software interface comprises, an interactive main window for configuring transfer funds orders, viewing pending transfers, viewing transaction history, and viewing active account balances related to registered financial accounts, an interactive selection window accessible through the main interface, the selection window for enabling selection of individual accounts for grouping into a list of activated accounts and an automated confirmation window enabling confirmation of data parameters of a requested funds transfer. A user operating the main interface may initiate funds transfer orders to be performed between accounts at requested times by proxy in a fashion transparent at the time of execution to the requesting user. | 08-12-2010 |
20100205066 | SHARING INFORMATION ON A NETWORK-BASED SOCIAL PLATFORM - A system for sharing information on a networked-based social platform is provided. A request from a first user of the network-based social platform is received. The request is to add an item to a list associated with a second user of the network-based social platform. The list is for watching items associated with a network-based platform distinct from the network-based social platform. Next, the system determines whether the first user is authorized to add the item to the list associated with the second user based on relationship information that identifies a relationship between the first user and the second user on the network-based social platform. Finally, the system communicates the request to the network-based platform to add the item to the list associated with the second user. | 08-12-2010 |
20100205067 | Method of conducting a maximum buyout price amount auction - A method of conducting a maximum buyout price amount auction that comprises the steps of: 1. placing an item for auction on an auction site by a seller; 2. stating a maximum buyout price amount for the item on the auction site by the seller; 3. indicating a start time for the auction on the auction site; 4. listing all bids received from bidders for the item on the auction site; 5. accepting the highest bid from the highest bidder on the auction site by the seller, even though the highest bid may not be the maximum buyout price amount; 6. stopping the auction on the auction site; 7. informing the highest bidder that the bidder has won the auction on the auction site; 8. making payment to the seller of the item by the highest bidder; and 9. sending the item to the highest bidder by the seller. | 08-12-2010 |
20100211472 | AFFILIATE SYSTEM HAVING LINKAGE FUNCTION WITH CLEARING SYSTEM - The clearing system comprises an affiliate linkage process means which sends a clearing completion notice, including the clearing information on the cost of the commodity purchased by a user at the shop site, to the affiliate sales system in accordance with the billing API while receiving the compensation information including the compensation to be paid from the affiliate sales system to the affiliates in accordance with the billing API, and performs the process of transferring to the shop account of the shop site the balance of the cost of the commodity from which the compensation is deducted; and the affiliate sales system comprises a clearing linkage process means which receives a clearing completion notice from the clearing system in accordance with the billing API while determining the compensation based on the clearing information and returning the compensation information to the clearing system. | 08-19-2010 |
20100211473 | Connection System - Various embodiments include systems and methods for providing communication among a plurality of users with complementary requirements in an electronic network. | 08-19-2010 |
20100211474 | Price Comparison Process and System - A data processing system is provided for obtaining client's real time pricing information from password protected secure data bases, and sending the client a price comparison report. If the web sites are secure, the system provides real time impersonation of the client in order to gain access to the web site. | 08-19-2010 |
20100211475 | REPRODUCING APPARATUS, PORTABLE COMMUNICATION APPARATUS, ADMINISTRATIVE SERVER, AND CONTENT DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM - A reproducing apparatus ( | 08-19-2010 |
20100211476 | System and Method for Providing Managed Point to Point Services - Network services systems and methods are provided. A particular system includes an information store including connection information to initiate connections to content sources. The connection information includes an address and a connection rule associated with a video content source. The system includes an access engine to receive a request for an information stream output by the video content source from a user device. The system also includes a services engine to retrieve the connection rule from the information store and to initiate establishment of at least a portion of a point to point protocol communication link between the user device and the video content source in accordance with the connection rule. The system includes a metrics engine to track a metric associated with the point to point protocol communication link and to generate a billing record at least partially based upon the metric. | 08-19-2010 |
20100211477 | Considering selling exemplar-based goods, items, or services - One aspect relates to managing deliveries of at least one goods, items, and/or services that could be received by at least one customer, at least partially by recognizing an exemplar as corresponding to the at least one goods, items, and/or services. Another aspect relates to considering selling goods, items, and/or services from an exemplar merchant and/or store at least partially utilizing an exemplar item information as derived from a customer's previous history, wherein at least some of the exemplar item information as derived from the customer's previous history could be stored in certain embodiments of at least a portion of a shopping control mechanism. Yet another aspect relates to receiving an exemplar item information that can be used to recognize an exemplar as corresponding to an at least one goods, items, and/or services. | 08-19-2010 |
20100217679 | Ticket trading method - What is disclosed is a ticket trading method for use at sporting events or other live events. The method relates to recovering the value of an admission ticket if the spectator desires to leave the event early. The method is a computer implemented trading method whereby a spectator would communicate with the computerized system by means of a Blackberry®, or other smart phone, text messenger or by means of a kiosk inside the venue that the ticket was available for resale. The computerized system would broadcast a message to other subscribers to the system that the ticket is available for resale. The subscribers could then purchase the ticket at a predetermined price determined by a trading value model. | 08-26-2010 |
20100217680 | ONLINE EXCHANGE SYSTEM AND METHOD WITH REVERSE AUCTION - A method of operating an online dynamic-bidding exchange for use in a reverse auction. The exchange includes a server system that includes a database, and a client system coupled to the server system via a communications network. The method includes determining a lowest credible price of a product, and receiving one or more offers to sell the product from a seller and storing the offers to sell in the database, wherein the offers to sell is embodied as a reserve price. The method also includes determining a sales price of the product based on a comparison of the lowest credible price and the competing reserve prices, transmitting the sales price from the server system to the client system, and displaying the sales price to a buyer via the client system. | 08-26-2010 |
20100217681 | Shopping Cart Planogram Ordering System - A method for providing remote ordering of products and configuring of individualized shelf configurations on a computer network, where the method comprises the steps of presenting an adjustable shelving plan having a shelving space; presenting a list of products or groups of products wherein each product or group of products has a cost; allowing a customer to adjust the shelving plan to reflect the customer's shelf space; allowing the customer to place products or groups of products on empty space in the shelving plan; showing the shelving plan with the products or groups of products placed on the shelving plan and showing the remaining empty space on the shelving plan; calculating the cost of the products or groups of products on the shelving plan; allowing the customer to order a set of products on the shelving plan; and receiving an order for the set of products on the shelving plan. | 08-26-2010 |
20100217682 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CAPTURING USER INPUTS IN ELECTRONIC FORMS - There is disclosed a method of capturing user inputs in a fillable electronic form into an electronic wallet. In an embodiment, the method comprises: accessing the fillable electronic form from a wireless handheld device; upon determining whether one or more changes have been made in any field in the fillable electronic form, requesting authorization to receive information from the fields in the fillable electronic form to update the secured information in the electronic wallet; and upon receiving the authorization, receiving the information from the fields in the fillable electronic form and writing the information into corresponding record fields as secured information in the electronic wallet. In an embodiment, the method further comprises first populating fields in the fillable electronic form with secured information from the electronic wallet. | 08-26-2010 |
20100223148 | Method and System for an Electronic Marketplace for Information Products - In one embodiment, a method for an electronic auction transaction includes organizing by a computer each of a plurality of task requests into one or more respective groups. Each task request corresponds to a respective desired use of one or more resources. In addition, each task request has a respective task bid. The computer determines a group bid for each group at least in part by comparing the products calculated by multiplying each first bid within the group by a respective multiplier. The group bid is indicative of a collective value associated with the task bids of the group. The respective multiplier is a number indicative of the comparative value of the task bid relative to the other task bids in the group. The computer determines one or more winning group bids by comparing the group bids to each other. | 09-02-2010 |
20100223149 | IDENTIFICATION AND PURCHASE OF BROADCAST WORK WITH HANDHELD ELECTRONIC DEVICE - The disclosed and claimed concept relates generally to handheld electronic devices and, more particularly, to a method for identifying and purchasing an audio work played over broadcast service without the user needing to provide information to identify the work (e.g., artist, singer, title, etc.). | 09-02-2010 |
20100223150 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR AUTOMATED MASS MEDIA COMMERCE - Systems and methods for implementing point of advertising purchasing include using mass media publications configured for or containing service, product or vendor transmittable signals, such as from radio frequency identification tags. In a preferred arrangement, a consumer perceiving an advertisement of the mass media publication may activate a reader in a portable communications device, such as a smart mobile or cellular phone, to receive information from the radio frequency signal associated with the advertisement to identify a vendor, product or service associated with the radio frequency identification. The smart mobile phone or communications device of the consumer may communicate with a system of a vendor across a network to order a product or product information from a system of the vendor over the network by using the information from the radio frequency identification. | 09-02-2010 |
20100223151 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR EMPLOYING AN ORTHOGONAL CORPUS FOR DOCUMENT INDEXING - Methods and systems for processing a body of reference material to generate a directory for accessing information from a database. | 09-02-2010 |
20100223152 | METHOD, DEVICE, AND SYSTEM FOR COMPLETING ON-LINE FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS - A method for conducting a secure transaction over a network includes the steps of receiving a price and a transaction identifier from a merchant, the transaction identifier identifying a purchase selection made by a user, receiving a user identifier from a user, receiving a financial institution selection from the user, initiating a communication session with the selected financial institution, receiving a financial-institution user-identifier from the user, communicating the financial-institution user-identifier to the selected financial institution, communicating to the selected financial institution a request to transfer funds, receiving the funds from the selected financial institution, and sending the funds to the merchant. | 09-02-2010 |
20100228640 | Systems and Methods for Providing Responses to Requests from Users of an Entertainment System - Systems and methods for providing a response to a request are provided. A request may be a transaction request. In some embodiments, a request is received from a client device which is coupled to a display device. The client device is associated to a user. A determination is made whether the request is authorized. A request may be authorized if it includes a key that is associated with sensitive credit card user data stored offsite by a merchant bank. A request is transmitted to a server coupled to the display device. A response from the server is transmitted to the display device for display therein. The response is based on the determination of whether the request is authorized. | 09-09-2010 |
20100228641 | Bid Gateway Architecture for an Online Advertisement Bidding System - An online advertising system integrates third party agents to permit the third party agents to participate in auctions to bid on a per opportunity basis. An advertising exchange module receives requests for opportunities to serve online advertisements to users. In response, an advertising exchange module applies one or more business rules to determine third party agents that qualify to serve the online advertisement. A bid gateway module generates and transmits requests for bids to the third party agents. The bid gateway module then receives bids from the third party agents in response to the requests for bids. The advertising exchange module then selects an advertisement based on the bid. The online advertisement exchange system provides a unified marketplace to permit integrator networks to bid on both ads pursuant to guaranteed contracts and ads not subject to guaranteed contracts (e.g., non-guaranteed ads). The online advertisement system further includes traffic management to allow the third parties to regulate bid requests sent from the online advertisement system. In some embodiments, the online advertising system caches bids, to efficiently implement the per opportunity auction, and transmits information, such as targeting information, to the third party agents to aid in the third party agents' formulation of bids. | 09-09-2010 |
20100228642 | Traffic Management in an Online Advertisement Bidding System - An online advertising system integrates third party agents to permit the third party agents to participate in auctions to bid on a per opportunity basis. An advertising exchange module receives requests for opportunities to serve online advertisements to users. In response, an advertising exchange module applies one or more business rules to determine third party agents that qualify to serve the online advertisement. A bid gateway module generates and transmits requests for bids to the third party agents. The bid gateway module then receives bids from the third party agents in response to the requests for bids. The advertising exchange module then selects an advertisement based on the bid. The online advertisement exchange system provides a unified marketplace to permit integrator networks to bid on both ads pursuant to guaranteed contracts and ads not subject to guaranteed contracts (e.g., non-guaranteed ads). The online advertisement system further includes traffic management to allow the third parties to regulate bid requests sent from the online advertisement system. In some embodiments, the online advertising system caches bids, to efficiently implement the per opportunity auction, and transmits information, such as targeting information, to the third party agents to aid in the third party agents' formulation of bids. | 09-09-2010 |
20100228643 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CHANGING ORDER PRIORITY LEVELS IN AN ELECTRONIC TRADING ENVIRONMENT - A system and method for fee-based order priority level modification in an electronic trading environment are described. When an order reaches an exchange, a priority level of the order may be changed to a higher priority level, and the priority level of the order initially at the higher priority level may be changed to a lower priority level of the received order. In one embodiment, a trader who is gaining a higher priority level will be preferably charged a fee for having his order moved to the higher priority level, and at least a portion of that fee may be paid to a trader who is giving up his high priority level. | 09-09-2010 |
20100228644 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR A FAIR EXCHANGE - A fair exchange is disclosed to reduce potential inequities in an electronic trading environment. Market data is sent from a host system to client devices through one or more synchronized local communication servers such that the data can be displayed simultaneously or nearly simultaneously at each client device. Market data sent to client devices might include price information. Likewise, a host system may transaction data sent from client devices via the local communication servers. The ordering of transaction data is based, at least in part, on when the local communication servers received the transaction data from the client devices. Transaction data sent to a host system might include order information. | 09-09-2010 |
20100228645 | INTERNET BILLING METHOD - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, establishing a billing arrangement with a purchasing customer to permit a third party to charge a billing account associated with the purchasing customer for a purchase transaction between the purchasing customer and a selling vendor, establishing a remitting arrangement with the selling vendor to permit the third party to remit to an account associated with the selling vendor a portion of the purchase transaction, establishing communications between equipment of the third party and equipment of the purchasing customer, wherein the equipment of the third party enables the equipment of the purchasing customer to communicate over the Internet with equipment of the selling vendor concerning the purchase transaction, obtaining transactional information relating to the purchase transaction, receiving authorization over the Internet to charge the purchasing customer the first amount, charging the first amount to the billing account associated with the purchasing customer in accordance with the billing arrangement, and remitting the second amount to the account associated with the selling vendor in accordance with the remitting arrangement. Additional embodiments are disclosed. | 09-09-2010 |
20100235251 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DELIVERY OF GOODS - The present publication discloses a method and system for delivering goods from main system (S | 09-16-2010 |
20100235252 | Electronically Ordering A Product - A system and method for distributing products where the product is shown, presented or advertised via a first communication method and a request to purchase that product is issued substantially simultaneously with the listening or viewing of the product. The request is then transmitted via a second communication method to a distributor who fills the order for such products. | 09-16-2010 |
20100235253 | Secured Item Delivery Method and Device - The technology is of methods, devices, and systems for conducting transactions. Orders may be placed via public data networks where a device indicator or other unique identifier of the purchasing device is transmitted to the merchant. The order is then delivered by the merchant to a location indicated in the order or associated with the purchaser or purchaser's device, or alternatively, the order is picked up by the purchaser. The purchaser then transits or exhibits directly from the device used to make the purchase to a device associated with, or operated by, the merchant, the device indicator, or other unique identifier to verify and identify the transaction and ensure security of a transaction. Embodiments of the disclosed technology may be used at sporting events or other large venues as part of online or catalog shopping and deliveries. | 09-16-2010 |
20100235254 | Application Products with In-Application Subsequent Feature Access Using Network-Based Distribution System - An improved system, device and method for accessing locked (secured) features of digital products with assistance from a product distribution site are disclosed. In one embodiment, a digital product can be submitted to a product distribution site for network-based distribution. The digital product can be initially provided such that it provides base functionality but contains one or more locked features that, if unlocked, can supplement the base functionality. If the digital product that has been submitted is approved, the digital product becomes available at the product distribution site such that users can search, browse and purchase the digital product. Once the digital product has been purchased, download and installed on a user's computing device, the user is able to utilize the digital product. However, since the digital product itself includes one or more locked features, the user is not able to utilize such features until a subsequent purchase is performed. Advantageously, the subsequent purchase can be invoked from the digital product. In doing so, the digital product interacts (directly or indirectly) with a remote server (e.g., the product distribution site) to purchase access or usage for one or more of the locked features within the digital product. Once access or usage for the one or more locked features has been purchased, the one or more locked features within the digital product can be unlocked and thereafter utilized. | 09-16-2010 |
20100235255 | INTERNET BILLING METHOD - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, equipment operable to establish a communication session over the Internet between equipment of a vendor and equipment of a customer enabled by a communications link of equipment of a third party, receive during the communication session a communication indicating that the customer initiated an order for a product or service from the vendor, submit to the equipment of the third party transactional information relating to the purchase transaction without submitting a billing request to the equipment of the third party, and receive a portion of the transaction amount in accordance with a remitting arrangement without submitting the billing request to the equipment of the third party. Additional embodiments are disclosed. | 09-16-2010 |
20100241523 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR LEAD AUCTION - Systems and methods for a managing entity to provide a marketplace approach for matching leads with sales associates, and to determine the percentage of commission a sales associate may be willing to pay for the option of exploring and following-up on the lead are disclosed. An option percentage of commission may not be payable in advance by the sales associate to the lead, and may be provided in the form of a promise to pay a percentage of the sales associate's commission, or other amount certain, upon a successful conclusion of a transaction with the lead. A referral commission may also be owed by the party winning the bid to the management entity. | 09-23-2010 |
20100241524 | DIGITAL MEDIA ARCHIVE COLLECTIBLE DEFINED BY VARIABLE COLLECTABILITY ATTRIBUTES - A system, sometimes called ShakyPlanet™ presents a collection of interactive digital objects, one of which is sometimes called ShakyGlobe™. The presented digital objects may be part of a series of eCollectibles™. A specialized and centralized communication and database system, sometimes called ShakyStore™ offers the sale of objects to buyers qualifying on the basis of various variables, such as being within a predefined geographic area or issuing a purchase request within a predefined time period. Additional conditions to purchase may include a willingness to pay more than standard established costs, purchasing before all units are sold and submission to the terms of sale that facilitate the collectable attributes of the objects. Each object is uniquely marked to identify its owner by registration with the communication and database system, which is the sole authority for the transfer ownership of the objects, the recording of ownership changes and for the authentication of the objects. | 09-23-2010 |
20100250382 | PAYMENT PROVIDER MONITORED PAYMENT BUTTON - A payment button is generated by a payment provider, and information associated with the payment button is stored with the payment provider, along with a unique identifier for the information. A merchant places the button on a webpage, and users can click on it to process a payment to the merchant. The merchant can change or track information, such as inventory, associated with the button on the payment provider site and can receive updates based on changes in the information, which may also be updated by users clicking on the button to purchase items associated with the button. | 09-30-2010 |
20100250383 | STEGANOGRAPHIC MEDIA PAYMENT SYSTEM - A method for making a digital file available to a user at a client device. The method includes receiving the digital file at the client device, the client device having an associated client identifier, receiving a host identifier at the client device, the host identifier associated with the digital file and receiving a host payment identifier at the client device, the host payment identifier associated with the digital file and the host identifier. A product identifier is obtained from the digital file. A cost associated with the digital file is determined. Payment is obtained corresponding to the determined cost. The digital file is made available to a user at the client device. | 09-30-2010 |
20100250384 | Method and system for electronically ordering goods or services - Methods and systems for electronically ordering goods or services by an individual and obtaining the same by pick-up or delivery using a time and distance-optimizing system are provided. Based on individual's origin and destination, and also based on either an additional distance/additional time chosen by individual, the system displays providers in the area on and around a least time route or least distance route, so that it will satisfy either the parameter of the least time+the additional time or the parameter of the least distance+the additional distance. The individual places order, pays therefor and obtains the goods/ service by reaching the provider by using the best route as communicated by the system from origin to provider and thereafter to destination. | 09-30-2010 |
20100250385 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR A COMBINATION VOUCHER - A voucher system for redeeming vouchers via a network. The voucher has an associated voucher code that permits access to one or more first items and/or one or more second items. A redemption module accepts a voucher code such that a user, upon validation of the voucher code, selects one or more of the first items and/or selects one or more of the second items. Upon redeeming the voucher, the user receives the selected first items at a designated user account and receives the selected second items at a designated user account. | 09-30-2010 |
20100250386 | Method and system for personalizing online content - Method and system for personalizing online content are disclosed. One of the features of the invention is to determine a user's preference based on the information of the network-based digital content downloaded by the user, and accordingly to build a personalized database. In reference with the personalized database, the system will provide the related personalized information. According to the preferred embodiment, a network connection between a user information system and a remote information service platform is established in the beginning. The method then goes to analyze the user's preference from the selected digital content, and build the personalized database. After that, the invention accordingly provides the personalized information relating the preferred video and audio content. The method is preferably adapted to an electronic commercial platform which provides personalized commercial content for further consumption activity as a specific program is used to display the commercial content on a computer screen. | 09-30-2010 |
20100250387 | ADAPTIVE RISK-BASED VERIFICATION AND AUTHENTICATION PLATFORM - In various exemplary embodiments, a system and associated method to perform an adaptive risk-based assessment of a user is disclosed. The method includes assigning a risk assessment process to the user and providing a plurality of assessment factors to the risk assessment process. The plurality of assessment factors are based on both the user (e.g., previously assessed factors, residence, phone number, address, etc.) and one or more actions the user may perform (e.g., selling an item in an electronic marketplace and the value of the item). A post-action analysis of the risk assessment process is performed. The risk assessment process can be modified based on a determination of the post-action analysis. | 09-30-2010 |
20100250388 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROTECTING DRM CONTENTS - A method and apparatus for limiting access to content protected by digital rights management (DRM) technology is disclosed. In accordance with the method, when a key pair for a license to reproduce DRM content is created, a determination is made as to whether an identification card is registered at a mobile communication server. If the identification card is registered at the mobile communication server, a first key pair is created using an unique identification stored on the identification card as a seed value. If the identification card is not registered at the mobile communication server, a second key pair is created using a random value as a seed value. | 09-30-2010 |
20100250389 | METHOD, SYSTEM, LICENSE SERVER FOR PROVIDING A LICENSE TO A USER FOR ACCESSING A PROTECTED CONTENT ON A USER DEVICE AND SOFTWARE MODULE - A method for providing a license to a user for accessing a protected content on a user device is provided, the method comprising: transmitting user authentication data from the user device to a user account server; transmitting user identification data from the user account server to a license server if the user authentication data corresponds to a valid user account on the user account server; checking in the license server, whether the user is entitled to the license; and transmitting the license from the license server to the user device, if the user identification data is validated and if the user is deemed entitled to the license. A corresponding system, a license server and a software module are provided as well. | 09-30-2010 |
20100250390 | Anti-Crimes Online Transaction System - Anti-money laundering, anti-terrorist financing and other anti-crimes measures are enforced in compliance with the Bank Secrecy Act and the USA PATRIOT Act in the USA or equivalent laws in other countries, and crimes in financial transaction activities such as online banking, trading, money services, shopping, payment, etc. are reduced. Embedded identification information is read from a machine-readable official government issued identification document such as a passport, driver's license, etc., and such information is sent to a financial institution for approval and for anti-money laundering, anti-terrorist financing and other anti-crimes purposes. | 09-30-2010 |
20100250391 | CONSUMER DRIVEN PRICE MARKETPLACE - An online marketplace is established where sellers compete by offering to sell a mass quantity of a specific product, referenced by a unique product ID. A successful sale is determined at a time that maximizes a group of buyers' offers for the specific product. At the determined time, both the sellers' offers and the buyers' offers for the specific product are separately sorted from the lowest price offer to highest price offer. Competing sellers are awarded sales contingent on one or more buyer offers remaining after each seller having a lower sell price is satisfied for its entire quantity. Sells for each successful seller are satisfied starting from a buyer's offer having a lowest buy price and increasing to successively higher buy prices of the remaining buyers' offers, until the seller's entire quantity of the listed product is satisfied. | 09-30-2010 |
20100250392 | System and Method for Item Identification and Purchase - A method and system for handling message-based requests for information about items, and for handling optional message-based purchases of same, includes receiving a request message from a mobile subscriber relating to an item that is of interest to the mobile subscriber, routing the request message for processing, performing one or more activities in accordance with the request message, and returning one or more response messages to the mobile subscriber. | 09-30-2010 |
20100262505 | Method of buying and selling a promotional product or service - A method of buying and selling a promotional product or service is disclosed. The method includes identifying potential buyers who are willing to seek such promotional products or services. Each of the potential buyers having a communication device that is connected to a communication system. Identifying sellers who are willing to offer a promotional product or service and having each input specific information into a computerized database. The computerized database is capable of receiving, storing and distributing selected information, on a real time basis, to the potential buyers when they access the database through their communication devices. The method further includes having the database tabulate the information and generate a report to each of the sellers indicating that a potential buyer accessed the computerized database to review a promotional product or service and recording when a potential buyer is actually bought a promotional product or service from one of the sellers. | 10-14-2010 |
20100262506 | MOBILE CONTENT DELIVERY ON A MOBILE NETWORK - Embodiments related to mobile content delivery are disclosed. One disclosed embodiment provides a method of facilitating mobile content delivery on a mobile network. The method comprises receiving a purchase request from a network client at a mobile marketplace system; prompting the network client to provide a billing preference; receiving the billing preference from the network client at the mobile marketplace system, the billing preference indicating a billing party; authenticating a billing relationship between the network client and a mobile operator if the billing preference indicates the mobile operator as the billing party; authenticating a billing relationship between the network client and the mobile marketplace system if the billing preference indicates the mobile marketplace system as the billing party; and providing a mobile content item from the mobile marketplace system to the network client if the billing relationship between the network client and the billing party is authenticated. | 10-14-2010 |
20100262507 | METHOD AND ASSEMBLY FOR PRE-SEATING COMMERCIAL ACTIVITY - A method for ordering goods and services is used in conjunction with a computer-based ordering system that is principally viewed as a kiosk by customers or patrons of a restaurant. The method synchronizes the submission of an order for food preparation to a kitchen with the patrons actually getting a table at which they may sit. This reduces the wait time for the patron, increasing their overall satisfaction with service and reduces the cycle time of a particular table (increases “turns” at the table). The method includes receiving an order for goods or services through the computer-based ordering system to create an order. A queue value, e.g., a pager number, is then associated with the order to create a queued order. The queued order is then held in a database of the computer-based ordering system. The queued order is released and fulfilled after the queue value has expired. | 10-14-2010 |
20100262508 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR AN ONLINE LIBRARY MARKETPLACE - A method and system for online library marketplace are disclosed. According to one embodiment, a method comprises receiving a first user input from a first user. The first user input establishes ownership rights to a non-modifiable data object stored in a permanent archive. A second user input is received from the first user, the second user input selecting a first fee for a second user to pay to access the non-modifiable data object. Access is granted to the non-modifiable data object to the second user upon payment of the first fee. | 10-14-2010 |
20100262509 | METHOD AND SYSTEM OF PRESERVING PURCHASED ON-DEMAND TRANSPORTATION ENTERTAINMENT SERVICES ACROSS DIFFERENT JOURNEY SEGMENTS OR SEPARATE TRIPS - A method and system for allowing the purchaser of an on-demand entertainment session of predetermined time duration to reaccess that portion of the session not used. On-demand passenger entertainment services in airline flights often offer services, such as movies, of a predetermined time duration which time is longer than the time of flight. The method and system disclosed allows purchasers to gain access on another flight to the unused portion of the services, such as, the unseen portion of a movie, terminated at the end of the initial flight. | 10-14-2010 |
20100262510 | Inferring a Distribution of Values from a Distribution of Bids in an Online Auction - Methods, apparatuses and systems directed to online auctions for keywords used in queries processed by online search engines. Particular implementations of the invention are directed to correlating a distribution of values to a distribution of bids and an optimal minimum reserve price based on historical bid data accumulated as part of producing search results. | 10-14-2010 |
20100262511 | METHOD TO MAXIMIZE AND STABILIZE MARKET SHARE AND PROFITS - The method of the invention is based on a membership-only association (“MOA”). Preferably, the MOA operates as a not-for-profit entity having a formal organization such as a corporation or LLC. MOA receives membership fees to pay for accounting fees, legal fees, product liability insurance, and year-end buy backs of dead back-up inventory. The MOA solicits retailers, designers, wholesalers, and manufacturers, or some combination thereof, to become members of the association. Applicants for membership are screened based on criteria determined by founding members of the MOA. Once accepted, the prospective member enters into a contractual relationship with the MOA. The types of members include, by way of example, Design Members, Supply Members, Logistical Wholesale Members, and Retail Members. Administration, logistics, and communications among the Design, Retail, and Logistical Wholesale Members are facilitated by a Support Entity. | 10-14-2010 |
20100262512 | Processing and Presenting Intellectual Property and Other Information - Aggregation, analysis, and presentation of IP-related information and other information are described. | 10-14-2010 |
20100262513 | METHODS OF ACQUIRING ACTUAL REAL-TIME SHOPPER BEHAVIOR DATA APPROXIMATE TO A MOMENT OF DECISION BY A SHOPPER - The invention provides methods of acquiring actual real-time shopper behavior data during product selection of purchasable items by a shopper in a store. More specifically, disclosed herein are methods of using a communications multi-network, a First Moment of Truth device and a data collection device to track actual real-time shopper behavior data relating to the presumed locations of shoppers in a store, the time spent and location of time spent by a shopper while considering a purchasable item and products chosen for purchase. | 10-14-2010 |
20100268617 | WEB-BASED PURCHASE ORDER PROCESSOR - The present invention is directed generally to internet-based commerce, and more particularly to a method to real-time track purchase orders and aggregate similar archived purchasing agents inputs and utilize this information to reduce the customer selling price of goods and services. | 10-21-2010 |
20100268618 | LOCATION-AWARE PAYMENT SYSTEM - In a first embodiment, a location-aware payment system including: a smart device, the smart device including: a location sensing mechanism for detecting its location; an identification mechanism for identifying the smart device; and a wireless communication mechanism; a display device having at least one of an indicator light, a printed receipt, and a digital read out; and a server, the server including: a wireless communication mechanism communicating with the smart device and display device; and a software program loaded into the server that receives and sends out communications, calculates amounts due between a payor and a payee, issues authorization codes, and performs banking transactions between a payor and a payee. In a second embodiment, the invention is a location-aware payment system including: at least two smart devices, the smart devices including: a location sensing mechanism for detecting its location; an identification mechanism for identifying the smart device; and a wireless communication mechanism; and a server, the server including: a wireless communication mechanism communicating with the smart devices; and a software program loaded into the server that receives and sends out communications, calculates amounts due between a payor and a payee, issues authorization codes, and performs banking transactions between a payor and a payee. | 10-21-2010 |
20100268619 | AUTOMATED CONSUMER TO BUSINESS ELECTRONIC MARKETPLACE SYSTEM - An automated consumer to business electronic marketplace system is presented, wherein various aspects of user status, user behavior or operation of a vehicle associated with user are monitored and reported to an electronic marketplace. Suppliers of insurance products and other suppliers of automobile or personal products or services may offer users prices for products or services based on the data reported. The system may further allow the user to choose monitoring and reporting options based on discounts offered for certain reporting options. | 10-21-2010 |
20100268620 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR RE-ROUTING ITEMS SOLD OR AUCTIONED TO A NEW CUSTOMER - A method and system for auctioning or sales of deliverable items via the Internet permit customers to purchase or bid on items. Delivery of the item is first scheduled to a first bidder or purchaser and then in response to a second bidder or purchaser's bid or purchase, may be rescheduled for delivery to the second bidder or purchaser. A replacement item may be offered to a losing bidder and in the case of a purchase, may be automatically scheduled for delivery to a purchaser whose item has been re-scheduled for delivery to another. | 10-21-2010 |
20100274680 | PROVIDING AN ANNOUNCEMENT ABOUT TRANSACTIONS OF A TARGET MERCHANT TO A CONSUMER - An announcement distributor distributes, or auctions an opportunity to distribute, an announcement to an announcement recipient such as a consumer, issuer, merchant, or acquirer within a payment processing system. The announcement when there has been a satisfaction of an announcement condition, such as the consumer being determined to be located within a predetermined spatial zone. The content of the announcement may, in turn, facilitate a subsequent cashless transaction for resources of merchants. Implementations describe various permutations of the content of the announcement, the announcement condition, and the announcement recipient. | 10-28-2010 |
20100274681 | SOFTWARE APPLICATION GENERATION AND IMPLEMENTATION METHOD AND SYSTEM - An application generation and implementation method and system. The application generation method includes receiving by a computing device from an application server, a copy of an application framework. The computing device retrieves reusable software engine implementations and reusable software component implementations. The computing device receives from a developer, first application code associated with the reusable software engine implementations and the reusable software component implementations. The computing device receives from the developer, second application code associating the reusable software component implementations and the reusable software engine implementations with data stored in databases. The computing device receives from the developer, third application code associated with locally or remotely accessible application services. The computing device generates and stores a transparency software application comprising the first, second, and third application software code. | 10-28-2010 |
20100274682 | DISTRIBUTED PURCHASING SYSTEM - A distributed purchase system for commerce transactions comprising essentially a plurality of databases communicatively connected to an internet network over which providers and customers can communicate anonymously with an intention of completing a provision of products (which could be a commercial transaction). The communication software having inbuilt tools for synergistic enablement of maintenance of secure access control, user authentication, parsing of user information and filtering of this data in accordance with the requisition details to arrive at best bid and issuance of user alerts using various communication devices to the corresponding parties comprising the best bid. | 10-28-2010 |
20100274683 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ORDERING GOODS, SERVICES AND CONTENT OVER AN INTERNETWORK USING A VIRTUAL PAYMENT ACCOUNT - A virtual payment system for paying for goods, services and content ordered over an internetwork comprising a commerce gateway component and a credit processing server component ( | 10-28-2010 |
20100280913 | GIFT CREDIT MATCHING ENGINE - A system and method to facilitate exchange of unwanted gifts is disclosed herein. A user may submit an unwanted gift in exchange for another gift item or a gift credit. Potential exchange gifts from among other unwanted gifts matching certain criteria are identified and presented to the user for selection. If the user does not find the potential exchange gifts to his liking, a gift credit having a value comparable to his/her submitted unwanted gift is issued to his account. As other users submit their unwanted gifts and/or as the value of the user's gift credit changes over time, the user may receive notification of new potential exchange gifts to choose from. | 11-04-2010 |
20100280914 | SECURITY SYSTEM AND METHOD INCLUDING ALERT MESSAGES - A server computer is disclosed. It includes a processor; and a computer readable medium coupled to the processor. The computer readable medium includes (i) code for receiving an authorization request message, wherein the authorization request message is associated with a transaction, (ii) code for sending an authorization response message authorizing the transaction, (iii) code for sending a transaction alert message to a consumer device, where the transaction alert message includes information identifying the transaction, (iv) code for receiving an alert response message indicating that the transaction is not authorized, (v) code for sending a termination message, and (vi) code for receiving a chargeback message after sending the termination message. | 11-04-2010 |
20100280915 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING INFORMATION ON A MOBILE DEVICE - Example methods and systems described herein provide information on a mobile device. Some example embodiments may include receiving information that is current as of a specific period. The information may be subject to change with a progression of time. An example embodiment includes causing the received information to be output to a user interface of a mobile device at the same time that an element of a computing application is being output to the user interface. The element of the computing application may be associated with a computing application that is being executed by the mobile device. | 11-04-2010 |
20100280916 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MANAGING REQUESTS FOR PROPOSALS - The present invention provides a request for proposal management system hosted on a computing device comprising a buyer proposal management system configured to allow a user to generate requests for proposals to allow the user to generate requests for proposals using information from a provided database of seller information and configured to allow the user to transmit the generated requests for proposals to a selected number of prospective sellers; and a seller proposal management system configured to allow a seller to receive at least one of the transmitted requests for proposals and to respond to the at least one received request for proposal. | 11-04-2010 |
20100280917 | ADMINISTRATIVE NOTES IN NETWORK-BASED COMMERCE FACILITY - Some embodiments provide a method and a system for receiving selection of a plurality of entities in the network-based facility from an administrator, receiving selection of an action from the administrator, and applying the selected action to each entity in the plurality of entities. | 11-04-2010 |
20100280918 | DISTRIBUTED PERSONAL AUTOMATION AND SHOPPING METHOD, APPARATUS, AND PROCESS - A business method utilizing a system comprising one or more distributed computers, application software, off-the-shelf peripheral components including a data entry (KDE) device without a keyboard or a mouse, business processes, human and KDE device readable data, related information on removable data storage media or available from external databases, and existing communications systems for speeding and improving: 1) personal or business automation, efficiency and productivity, goal attainment; 2) improving, speeding and automating the person-computer interface; 3) selection, acquisition, and tracking usage of items acquired from an existing supply chain; 4) marketing items and retaining customers buying the products, controlling their usage, and disseminating information about the products. | 11-04-2010 |
20100287059 | COMPREHENSIVE SYSTEM FOR PRODUCT MANAGEMENT - A comprehensive product management system for a product is provided. The system ( | 11-11-2010 |
20100287060 | PROVIDING TIME-SENSITIVE INFORMATION FOR PURCHASE DETERMINATIONS - A method, system, and medium are provided that are directed to providing a user with time-sensitive information that is usable to determine when to purchase a product. In accordance with embodiments of the technology, exemplary steps include using historical product information to generate time-sensitive information. Moreover, in response to receiving from a user a request to receive information describing a given product, time-sensitive information is caused to be presented. For example, time-sensitive information might be usable by the user to determine when to purchase the given product and an alternative product. | 11-11-2010 |
20100287061 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PAYMENT OF A NETWORK-BASED MARKETPLACE TRANSACTION - A method and a system for payment service integration in a network-based market computer system. For example, an item listing may be created on a market computer system, the item listing being in respect of an item which is offered for sale by a seller. If terms of a transaction in respect of the item listing are agreed upon by a buyer and the seller, the seller being a non-registered user of the market computer system, payment between the buyer and the seller via an electronic payment service may be facilitated at the market computer system. The payment may be subject to buyer protection provided by the electronic payment service. | 11-11-2010 |
20100287062 | Method and Apparatus for Facilitating Buyer Driven Transaction - A method and apparatus for facilitating a buyer driven transaction are provided. The method comprises the steps of registering a seller to receive one or more conditional purchase offers, the seller agreeing to one or more terms to be employed upon entry into a transaction with a buyer upon acceptance of one of the one or more conditional purchase offers, and registering a buyer to submit one or more conditional purchase offers, the buyer agreeing to one or more terms to be employed upon entry into a transaction with the seller upon acceptance of one of the one or more conditional purchase offers. A conditional purchase offer is received from the buyer for a particular defined product, the conditional purchase offer including at least one or more product indicators, a price offer, and an offer expiration. The submitted conditional purchase offer is provided to the seller associated with the particular defined product. The seller is able to bind the buyer to purchase the particular defined product in accordance with the terms set forth in the conditional purchase offer and the agreed upon terms, and also to bind the seller to sell the particular defined product in accordance with the terms set forth in the conditional purchase offer and the agreed upon terms upon acceptance of the conditional purchase offer by the seller. | 11-11-2010 |
20100287063 | Method of auctioning license plates to generate tax revenue - The method of auctioning license plates provides for the public auctioning of state-issued, motor vehicle license plates. The method includes the step of first establishing a market value data set for a plurality of license plates. Next, the market value data set is stored in a market value database, which is recorded in computer readable memory associated with an auction server. An online auction is then established for at least one license plate to be sold. Once up for auction, bidders bid on the at least one license plate. Once bidding has closed, the at least one license plate is sold to the highest bidder, and funds are transferred from buyer to seller. Following the sale, transfer of ownership of the at least one license plate is recorded in a motor vehicle administration database, and both sales and property taxes associated with the sale of the license plate are assessed. | 11-11-2010 |
20100287064 | FEEDBACK CANCELLATION IN A NETWORK-BASED TRANSACTION FACILITY - A method and apparatus for canceling feedback in a network-based transaction facility are described. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving a request to cancel feedback pertaining to a transaction in a network-based transaction facility from a first party to the transaction, determining whether feedback cancellation criteria are satisfied, and canceling the feedback pertaining to the transaction if the feedback cancellation criteria are satisfied. | 11-11-2010 |
20100287065 | System and method for producing custom merchandise from a virtual environment - Systems and methods are provided for producing merchandise for a user based upon a character within a virtual environment, on request of the user, by retrieving character data representing a player character within a game and converting the character data into merchandise characteristics. Merchandise is manufactured based, at least in part, on the merchandise characteristics. | 11-11-2010 |
20100287066 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HOLDING AN ONLINE LIVE AUCTION TO COMBINE FEATURES OF BOTH THE INTERNET AND TRADITIONAL, REAL WORLD AUCTIONS - A method and apparatus are provided for conducting a live auction that combines various features of traditional and online auctions. According to one aspect of the present invention, the live auction includes a live, in-person auction component and a real-time online bidding environment component. Bidding information associated with an item in the online bidding environment is updated to reflect a current bid associated with the item in the live, in-person auction. During the live, in-person auction, a bid is be accepted from an online bidder in the online environment that reflects the online bidder's bid price for the item. Subsequently, the system bids on behalf of the online bidder against other online bidders as well as one or more live bidders that are participating in the live, in-person. As such, the live auction enables real-time online bidding in a live, in-person auction. | 11-11-2010 |
20100293065 | System and method for paying a merchant using a cellular telephone account - A system and method allows users to make purchases by charging or funding a prepaid debit card with their cell phone accounts by simulating a user roaming with their mobile device. | 11-18-2010 |
20100293066 | VIRTUAL SHOPPING MALL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM - The present provides a mechanism of leaving, as a record, a fact that a correction of order details of an accepted order is proper in virtual shopping mall service. | 11-18-2010 |
20100293067 | Real Estate Closing Card - A multi-use real estate closing card is described. A real estate closing card may be used as an advertising tool, a closing gift from real estate vendors to new home owners, and a moving announcement for the homeowner. The real estate closing card has at least two information blocks that can comprise an announcement block and an advertising block. Information may be text or visual representation, such as photographs or drawings of the home or family. | 11-18-2010 |
20100293068 | Mall Bid - A mall bid server is coupled to retailers within a geographic boundary of a mall. The mall server receives bids from authenticated consumers via wireless communication devices for bid products offered during a bid event. The winning bid from one consumer is selected and allows the consumer to pick up the bid product at the participating retailer at the bid price. | 11-18-2010 |
20100293069 | Method for Modifying Spectacle Frame Shape Data - A method for modifying spectacle frame shape data, comprising the steps of: generating spectacle frame data by measuring the shape of a rim of a spectacle frame with a spectacle frame shape measuring apparatus, determining the principal axes of inertia of the measured shape of the rim of the spectacle frame using the rim spectacle frame data, and calculating new spectacle rim frame data expressed in the principal axes of inertia of the measured shape of the rim of the spectacle frame. | 11-18-2010 |
20100293070 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR OPTIMIZING SELLER SELECTION IN A MULTI-SELLER ENVIRONMENT - A method for selecting a seller in a multi-seller environment in which multiple sellers are offering for sale one or more goods desired by the buyer. A criterion for selecting a seller may be specified by the buyer or an intermediary. After identifying a seller offering the desired good(s) for sale, a seller is selected which best satisfies the criterion. More than one criterion may be specified. If the buyer desires to purchase multiple good, a seller offering one or more of the multiple goods may be selected or a seller solution including a combination of sellers may be selected. A computer-implemented method and apparatus for carrying out the computer-implemented method is also provided. | 11-18-2010 |
20100299218 | METHOD AND APPARATUS OF PROVIDING DISCOVERY AND PAYMENT FOR ONLINE COMMERCE - An approach is provided for discovering and paying for items in online commerce. A discovery application is launched to display one or more items available for purchase. Items that are selected for purchase are then transmitted to a payment application that is independent of the discovery application to obtain payment for the selected items. | 11-25-2010 |
20100299219 | Configuration and Management of Add-ons to Digital Application Programs for Network-Based Distribution - An improved system and method for configuring, submitting, distributing and/or managing add-ons for digital products previously submitted to a product distribution site are disclosed. The add-ons for digital products can be managed and made available for online purchase and distribution at the product distribution site. An add-on for a digital product can subsequently be offered to and acquired by an interested person that previously purchased the associated digital product through use of the digital product itself, which can interact with a product distribution site. The product distribution site can also be referred to as an online product hosting site. In one embodiment, the digital products are computer program products (e.g., computer software programs). | 11-25-2010 |
20100299220 | Systems and Methods to Confirm Transactions via Mobile Devices - Systems and methods are provided to facilitate online transactions via mobile communications. In one aspect, a system includes a data storage facility to store an account identifier of a user and a phone number of the user and an interchange coupled with the data storage facility. The interchange includes a common format processor and a plurality of converters to interface with a plurality of different controllers of mobile communications. The converters are configured to communicate with the controllers in different formats; and the converters are configured to communicate with the common format processor in a common format to facilitate electronic payment transactions using the account identifier. | 11-25-2010 |
20100306073 | IDENTIFYING AND PURCHASING PRE-RECORDED CONTENT - Example embodiments of the present invention relate to identifying unknown media content. For example, systems and methods are provided which allow for the identification of broadcast content by receiving a request message identifying a content source and a time; identifying a content item broadcast from the content source at the time; retrieving information identifying the content item; creating a response message including the information; and transmitting the response message to a user device. | 12-02-2010 |
20100306074 | SYSTEM AND METHOD TO SUPPORT CODEC DELIVERY MODELS FOR IMS NETWORKS - An architecture (system) and method is provided for transcoding codec information to be sent in a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) signaling stream for rendering rich digital media content. The method is implemented on a computer infrastructure and includes: determining a codec associated with content to be sent to one or more requesting devices; determining that at least one of the one or more requesting devices do not have the codec associated with the content to be sent to the one or more requesting devices; providing codec information to the at least one of the one or more requesting devices; and sending the content to the one or more requesting devices. | 12-02-2010 |
20100306075 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ACCESSING CRUISE SERVICES USING A PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE - This is directed to systems and methods for accessing cruise services using a single, integrated application available to a portable electronic device. Through the integrated application, a user can access and control cruise services throughout all aspects of the cruise experience, including before booking a cruise, before boarding a cruise, while on the cruise ship, when a cruise ship is docked at a port, and after the cruise has finished. In some embodiments, the integrated application can provide the user with notifications of available cruise activities. For example, unsold cruise activities for cruise activities that can be purchased can be identified. The user can then be provided with a notification of the unsold cruise activity, provided with an option to purchase the unsold cruise activity, or both. | 12-02-2010 |
20100306076 | Trusted Integrity Manager (TIM) - A system for use with a trusted service manager (TSM) and a mobile device having a subscriber unique identifying data, according to one embodiment, includes: a server in which the server validates an application against the unique and identifying data of the mobile device and provides the validated application for the mobile device; and a secure element (SE) acting as a client in which the SE is present in the mobile device as client; the validated application from the server is installed in the SE; and the SE is adapted to execute the validated application to perform a service process. The service process includes enablement of payment functions on the mobile device, in which enablement of payment functions includes: providing secure communication between the mobile device and the server; secure provisioning of a payment instrument on the mobile device, wherein authentication and verification for the payment instrument on the mobile device is provided by the server; and binding the payment instruments and the validated application to the mobile device to provide a strong ID management for enhanced user protection and system security and integrity. | 12-02-2010 |
20100306077 | System and method of facilitating transactions - The invention teaches methods for facilitating financial transactions for online retailers/wholesalers/merchants by pre-associating a good offered for sale with one or more available vendors for that item, and by automatically notifying the vendor of the sale and automatically sending the vendor its cut of the sales price. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. | 12-02-2010 |
20100318435 | System of facilitating a sales transaction between a buying group and multiple sellers over and electronic network - A system to facilitate the interaction of a group of buyers and a group of sellers through a transaction network, such as the internet, is disclosed. A buyer may start a buying group or join an existing group for purchasing a product or service. During the life cycle of a buying group, buyers are encouraged to invite other buyers to join the group via email, blog, social networking websites, or other means, thereby increasing the purchasing power of that group. Once a buying group has been established, sellers can compete for the volume sale. Sellers may review the bid price submitted by other sellers and submit competing bids. Once the bid cycle closes this system will automatically match the buyers and sellers based on a variety of factors including the order each buyer entered his or her purchase intent, each buyer's maximum price, each seller's bidding price, the quantity each seller can provide, and the order of each seller's bid. At the end of the matching, one or more sellers may fulfill a single group order. | 12-16-2010 |
20100318436 | INCENTIVE COMPATIBLE SELECTION MECHANISM - A system that selects items from a plurality of items is described herein. The system includes a receiver component that receives a plurality items for an activity in a sequence having an order. A selection component sequentially evaluates each of the items in the sequence in the order received by the receiver component and for each item being evaluated determines that an evaluated item is to be uniquely selected out of the plurality of items immediately upon evaluation thereof. The selection component selects the item such that when the value of the item is higher than the values of all previous items in the sequence, any position in the sequence has a substantially similar probability as any other position to have the item selected. | 12-16-2010 |
20100318437 | SHIPPING CONTAINER BASED PRODUCTION AND LOGISTICS MANAGEMENT METHOD AND SYSTEM INCLUDING ORDER ENTRY, TRACKING, AND FULLFILMENT - Container based oversight and management of orders for multi-component, fabricated articles. This is done by entering an order for multi-component, fabricated articles into a database and virtually associating the ordered multi-component, fabricated articles to a virtual shipping container. The virtual shipping container corresponds to a real shipping container. One or more fabricators receive the ordered constituent components and fabricate the constituent components into the ordered multi-component articles, and packs packing the fabricated multi-components articles into the associated real shipping containers. The real shipping containers are then shipped along the distribution chain. | 12-16-2010 |
20100318438 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING AN ELECTRONIC COMMERCE WEBSITE - A method and an apparatus for providing an electronic commerce website over a network are disclosed. For example, the method receives a request for a product or a service from a customer via an electronic commerce website, and identifies internal information pertaining to the request, wherein the internal information is information known by a business enterprise of the electronic commerce website. The method also identifies external information pertaining to the request, wherein the external information is information obtained by the business enterprise from another entity, and sends the internal information and the external information pertaining to the request to the customer. | 12-16-2010 |
20100318439 | Simulated Live Auction Dynamics for On-line Automated Auctions by Running Auctions Past Their Bid Cut-off - I have developed an improvement to the process of online automated auctions that allows them to replicate the dynamics of live auctions with minimal complexity. This is done by changing the current auction cut-off time to a bid submittal cut-off and then continuing to run the auction (past the cut-off time) in the absence of external inputs. The auction will continue until the bidder who entered the highest maximum bid outbids the second highest bidder's maximum bid. In the current practice, the auction clock controls the auction dynamics and bidding strategy with bidders waiting till the last moment to bid hoping to win the item at a low price. In my method, the amount the bidders are willing to pay controls the auction just like in a live one. | 12-16-2010 |
20100325004 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING INFORMATION ON SELECTED TOPICS TO INTERESTED USERS - There are disclosed systems and methods which provide for an inter-action between unrelated databases such that information provided to a first database by a first provider can be pushed from the first database to a user based, at least in part, on data provided by that user to a second database unrelated to the first database. This then allows a user to have information pushed to him/her based upon information previously obtained from that user or about that user. In one embodiment, the user enters his/her information into one or more databases and the entered information forms the basis for information to be pushed to that user from any database even if the pushed information resides in a non-related database. In another embodiment, the data required from a provider is determined based upon data gathered from other providers for similar items. In some situations certain data is gathered without active participation from the provider. | 12-23-2010 |
20100325005 | Certified Email System and Method - A certified email system for providing a time stamp for a presented file, particularly when the presented file is an email. Preferably a demanding party receives the email; generates a unique HASH; digitally signs the unique HASH; and sends the signed HASH and a time-stamp request call to a web services time-stamp conduit (WSTC). The WSTC receives the request and signed HASH from the demanding party and obtains a time stamp. The WSTC sends the time stamp back to the demanding party, which sends a time-stamp notification to the original sender of the email and, optionally, the recipient(s) of the email. Multiple branded or customized demanding servers can efficiently run using one web services time-stamp conduit. | 12-23-2010 |
20100325006 | Flexible Mobile Gift Cards - Devices, systems and methods are disclosed which relate to allowing a recipient of a closed-loop gift card to select one of a plurality of merchants toward which to apply the value. A consumer buys a variable gift card from a service provider for a set amount. The consumer pays the service provider that amount, but the service provider holds that amount in escrow. The consumer sends the gift card to a recipient with a predetermined merchant. The recipient receives the gift card and decides not to use the gift card for the predetermined merchant, but for a desired merchant. The recipient requests the service provider to change the merchant. The service provider requests a final confirmation before delivering the amount from escrow to the desired merchant, and the gift card is ready for use. If the recipient does desire to use the predetermined merchant, the recipient simply contacts the service provider for activation, where the service provider transfers the amount to the predetermined merchant. | 12-23-2010 |
20100325007 | System and method for mobile commerce using SMS and voice hybrid communication - This invention relates in general to mobile commerce, and more specifically to a system and method that uses a combination of SMS messages and voice channel communication to convey user account authentication and/or user account details. By using this invention, sending authentication information of the user over SMS is avoided. The user interacts with the commerce server system by exchanging SMS messages to identify the product he wants to buy and to issue the request to buy the product. To obtain the authentication information from the user, the commerce server system either initiates a voice call to the user or asks the user to call the system. Once the voice call is established, authentication information is obtained over the voice call by the user entering the information on the mobile's keypad and the commerce server system detecting the entered information and completing the commerce transaction if the authentication information is accurate. | 12-23-2010 |
20100325008 | METHODS FOR TRANSFORMING AN AUCTIONED ITEM OF UNKNOWN VALUE AND BUYER INTO AN AUCTIONED ITEM OF KNOWN VALUE AND BUYER - Methods, including methods conducted with a computer system and/or over a telecommunications network, are provided for transforming an auctioned item of unknown value and buyer into an auctioned item of known value and buyer. The methods comprise sealed bid, second-best price auctions that diminish the effects of information asymmetry while aligning the interests of buyers and sellers by reducing common auction risks of the winner's curse, buyer's remorse, bid shading, shill bidding, bid sniping, and/or collusion. Bidders submit sealed bids for the auctioned item. At a successful auction's conclusion, a highest bidder is established as the item's buyer and a second-best price is established as the value. This second-best price is the second highest sealed bid obtained, or a reserve price that the highest bidder accepts as the value for the auctioned item when the highest sealed bid is the only sealed bid at least equal to the reserve price. The second-best price optionally may be one bid increment more than the second highest sealed bid or the reserve price. | 12-23-2010 |
20100325009 | INTERNET AND MOBILE TECHNOLOGIES BASED SECURED LOTTERY SYSTEM AND METHOD - A system and method for secure electronic government service are provided. The system and method can eliminate the need for travel to an authorized retailer by a player of the lottery since purchase can be facilitated anywhere, anytime via the Internet. In addition, using the system, winning tickets or games are automatically recognized and the purchaser is immediately notified and the winner will be notified using various electronics mechanisms and prize payments can be made in accordance with state law and the prize money will be automatically distributed to the winner's account. The system and method also can be used in similar applications like banking systems and voting systems where higher-level security standards, accountability of the purchaser and system transactions, and verification of those transactions are desirable. | 12-23-2010 |
20100332337 | UNIVERSAL ONE-CLICK ONLINE PAYMENT METHOD AND SYSTEM - A computer system for facilitating an online purchase and sale transaction. The computer system includes computing devices and executable instructions associated with each of an internet content provider, a client system, and a third party administrator. The client system comprises a device fingerprint identifiable by the third party administrator, wherein the third party administrator computer system administers the purchase and sale transaction based on receiving account and payment account information associated with the internet content provider and the client system, respectively. The third party administrator authorizes payment upon a request received from the client system for which it identifies the device fingerprint. | 12-30-2010 |
20100332338 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR LOCATING PRODUCTS IN ASSOCIATION WITH PRODUCTIVITY AND COST INFORMATION - A system and method for locating a product and associated information within a region utilizing a mobile application. Information such as location, cost, and productivity information with respect to the rendering device(s) can be stored in a database associated with a customer accessible unit. A mobile interface configured with a web browser can communicate with the database in order to locate an optimal product based on preferred criteria. A mobile application may include a progressive disclosure menu that provides quick access to productive print solutions and appropriate resources and contacts. The mobile interface can utilize the Global Positioning System to compare the current location to the closest location of optimal rendering device that meet the applied criterion. | 12-30-2010 |
20100332339 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR LOCATION BASED MOBILE COMMERCE - In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, a method for facilitating financial transactions over a network includes communicating with a user via a first mobile communication device over the network, obtaining a geo-location of the first mobile communication device, communicating with a merchant via a second mobile communication device over the network, obtaining a radius of coverage for the second mobile communication device, determining whether the geo-location of the first mobile communication device is within the radius of coverage of the second mobile communication device, and providing a listing to the first mobile communication device of one or more items for sale by the merchant when the first mobile communication device is within the radius of coverage of the second mobile communication device. | 12-30-2010 |
20100332340 | METHOD AND SYSTEM TO FACILITATE ON-LINE TRADING - A method and system to facilitate on-line transactions is presented. An example system, in one embodiment, comprises a content scanner, a security symbol resolver, a web page manipulator, an event detector, and a trading ticket activator. The content scanner may be configured to scan a web page in order to detect security symbol information. The page manipulator may be configured to insert a trading control into the web page to produce a trade-enabled web page. The trading control may be used by users accessing the trade-enabled web page to initiate trades using the trading service associated with the trading control. The system may be provided on a client (e.g., as a browser plug-in) or on a server, as a trading access module associated with a particular web site. | 12-30-2010 |
20100332341 | Credit System for Collection of Recycled Materials - A method of an administrator recording a sale and a retiring of a recycling credit certificate for a recycled material may include the steps of a computing device at the administrator: receiving from a seller a request to generate the recycling credit certificate, transferring the certificate from an account registered by the seller to an account registered by the buyer, receiving from the buyer a request to retire the recycling credit certificate, and recording the certificate as retired. The certificate may include unique information identifying environmental attributes that are unbundled from a corresponding amount of a recycled material. The request to retire the certificate may include an amount of standard manufactured material used in an amount of product bearing a retail product claim for the environmental attributes that were unbundled from the corresponding amount of the recycled material tangibly owned by the seller. | 12-30-2010 |
20100332342 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR BARTERING VIA A GLOBAL COMPUTER NETWORK - In one embodiment of the present invention, a system for enabling bartering between third parties comprises an administrator comprising a host computer, accessible via a global computer network, the host computer comprising a tangible computer readable medium comprising computer-executable program instructions to implement: allowing a first user to upload a first set of data to the host server regarding a first barterable entry; enabling the first user to assess a point value of the first barterable entry; allowing a second user to upload a second set of data to the host server regarding a second barterable entry; enabling the second user to assess a point value of the second barterable entry; and enabling the first user to barter with the second user, wherein the first user seeks to obtain the second barterable entry in exchange for the first barterable entry. | 12-30-2010 |