Entries |
Document | Title | Date |
20080201240 | Visual shopping graphical user interface - The Visual Shopping Graphical User Interface is a graphical user interface or any type of user interface that allows users to apply any selected product or products to any selected motor vehicle picture in order to view what that product or products would look like on any type of selected motor vehicle. | 08-21-2008 |
20080201241 | Automated coffee system - The invention provides a system in which a user may make a personalized recipe for food or beverage such as coffee and place an order online. A central server processes the order and redirects the recipe, timetable and a reference number associated with the order to a local service station designated by the user. The local service station prepares the ordered product pursuant to the recipe and timetable, and delivers the drink to the customer who enters a correct reference number. | 08-21-2008 |
20080201242 | Dynamic reconfiguration of web pages based on user behavioral portrait - A method is provided for determining a website user behavioral portrait based on navigation on the website and dynamically reconfiguring web pages based on those portraits. In accordance with the method, data relating to the progress of a user through a website is recorded, and an ongoing behavioral portrait of the user is built based on the data. The portrait is then used to dynamically reconfigure web content. | 08-21-2008 |
20080201243 | System and method for providing a price quotation for a transportation service based on equipment ownership - A method and system for computing the price of a railway transportation service for the shipping goods is provided. A computer delivers first information to a user prompting the user to enter at the computer information about a rail route for shipment of goods by one or more railcars. A price for the shipment of the goods is then computed at least in part on the basis of the information about the rail route and the ownership of the one or more railcars. The computer displays to the user the price for the shipment of the goods or, alternatively, the price for the shipment of the goods is provided to the user via other ways such as e-mail, snail-mail or fax. | 08-21-2008 |
20080208709 | Ready-to-assemble bed foundation - A ready-to-assemble bed foundation including a pair of exterior beams connectable to a pair of transverse end members having openings, and an interior beam between the exterior beams having opposing end portions configured to engage the openings in the transverse end members. A method of selling a bed, and a method of assembling a bed are also disclosed. | 08-28-2008 |
20080208710 | Commodity Trade Assisting System and Computer Program - A commodity trade assisting system, for assisting a shop in exhibiting a commodity traded at the shop in a virtual shop and managing it, includes: a communication unit for communicating with a shop terminal which records and manages information on the commodity over a network; a database for storing commodity information sent from the shop terminal as information on the commodity to be sold over the network and received by the communication unit; and an application server (AS) having a function of preparing and posting explanation and other reports about the commodity shown on a commodity guide page of the virtual shop with reference to the commodity information sent from the shop terminal and received by the communication unit and a function of transmitting a signal representing a request to send back information on the commodity to be sold over the network at predetermined time intervals to the shop terminal, updating the information in the database according to the information sent back from the shop terminal in response to the request, receiving information on an order of the commodity shown on the commodity guide page and ordered, and updating the information in the database according to the order information. | 08-28-2008 |
20080208711 | PRINT PRICING - The invention relates to systems and methods for creating a pricing model to be used when ordering printed materials online. In particular, the invention automatically creates a pricing spreadsheet when orderable printed product type information is configured. Thereafter, a user can edit the spreadsheet to create a modified pricing spreadsheet to meet more specific and/or complex needs. | 08-28-2008 |
20080208712 | Computer based systems to conduct sales of products or services over a communication network - A computer based system is provided for sales of a product or service. A gateway system is provided that has a database with one or more catalogs of content for products or services: A merchant interface, for a merchant, is coupled to the gateway system. A buyer interface, for a buyer, is coupled to the merchant interface and the gateway system. The gateway system hosts the purchase of products or services by a buyer in a manner such that purchase of products or services, by the buyer, appears as a purchase through the merchant interface and not through the gateway system. | 08-28-2008 |
20080208713 | Virtual catalog - Records, including data for a virtual catalog, may be received from a number of sources. Each of the received records may be validated and a determination may be made as to whether one or more previously-received records matches the received record. When two or more records are determined to be matching records, a composite object may be created and information from the two or more records may be included in the composite object. If the matching records include conflicting information, then previously-defined rules may be applied to determine which items of the conflicting information have precedence over other items of the conflicting information. A virtual catalog may be created from the received records and the created composite object based on customized attributes. | 08-28-2008 |
20080208714 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR SOCIAL SHOPPING ON A NETWORK-BASED MARKETPLACE - Methods and systems are provided for social shopping on a network-based marketplace. Specifically, the method receives a request, over a network, from a user in a community of users. The request is for an activity associated with a listing for sale in a network-based marketplace. The network-based marketplace is used by the community of users to transact listings of a single domain that is of interest to the community of users. The method updates a listing reputation score for the listing based on a user reputation score for the user. Finally, the method updates the user reputation score based on the listing reputation score. | 08-28-2008 |
20080208715 | METHOD, SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING A PERSONALIZED ELECTRONIC SHOPPING CENTER - According to embodiments of the present invention, a user's local storage system may be used to create a virtual personal mall comprising one or more virtual personal stores and configured for purchasing products by one or several providers. The virtual personal store and/or virtual personal mall may be organized in virtual shelves. Each virtual shelf may contain a group of products with one or more common properties, for example, books by a certain author and/or published by a certain publisher, and/or supplied by the same virtual personal store provider, etc. The groups may be defined by the virtual personal store provider and/or by the user and/or by a group of users. | 08-28-2008 |
20080208716 | Product information system - Product information may be structured using a product hierarchy so that products may be uniquely identified. A first level of the product hierarchy may be associated with product make and model information. A second level of the product hierarchy may be associated with product year information. A third level of the product hierarchy may be associated with product generation information. The product hierarchy may also include additional levels to accommodate other product detail information. | 08-28-2008 |
20080208717 | Internet auction system and method - The inventive system includes a software that allows a buyer to monitor and control competing interaction between various sellers by simultaneously accessing the desired item's description, image, if available or if requested, and other information, and coordinating communication between these sellers to make a final choice. A computer based auction system, wherein any potential seller, placing an item on auction, may monitor a negotiating process between potential bidders during a negotiation phase and based on development of the negotiation between the bidders and the seller's need to sell the item due to various circumstances, the seller may decrease the price of the negotiated item and/or move the item to the auction phase before the designated time, thereby selling the item. | 08-28-2008 |
20080208718 | ALLOWING CONSUMERS TO PURCHASE MERCHANDISE OVER THE INTERNET ON A POINT-OF-ORIGIN BASIS - A method for allowing consumers to purchase merchandise over the Internet on a point of origin basis. The method includes the steps of: | 08-28-2008 |
20080215456 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR FACILITATING EXCHANGES OF ITEMS - Enhanced methods, systems, and techniques for facilitating item exchange are provided. Example embodiments provide an Exchange Facilitator System (“EFS”), which facilitates listing and sale of items offered for sale by sellers via one or more third-party item exchange systems. In some embodiments, the EFS obtains information about an item offered for sale by a seller, and automatically generates a listing for the item, based on the information about the item and information about other items sold on one or more item exchange systems. The EFS may then electronically provide the generated item listing to an item exchange system, and further manage the progress and sale of the item via the item exchange system. This abstract is provided to comply with rules requiring an abstract, and is submitted with the intention that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. | 09-04-2008 |
20080215457 | Method and system for reserving future purchases of goods and services - A method and system for reserving future purchases of goods or services using plural electronic options with associated option fees based on one or more different pre-determined priority system. The plural electronic options include electronic option terms established by one or more suppliers who can supply the goods or services. An option fee is associated with a reservation price to purchase desired goods or services at a desired future time using a priority system. | 09-04-2008 |
20080215458 | System And Method For Processing A Product Price Or Quotation Request And Placing A Product Order Via A Communications Network - A system and method for a manufacturer to attract a customer for a distributor, via a public access network, and perform product information and ordering transactions with the customer, where the order receives the financing approval of the distributor and an associated manufacturer's representative receives a commission. The system and method includes the customer submitting a price/quotation request or product order to a host system via the public access communications network. The host system interacts with the customer, the manufacturer and the distributor in order to fulfill the customer request. The host system retrieves a customer price for the product, where the customer price is based on a predetermined pricing function that varies depending on a customer or distributor identification. The host system may also generate an order for purchase, based on the customer's request, and transmit customer information associated with the order to the distributor for financial acceptance. Upon receiving a signal representing a financial acceptance, a commission is assigned to a manufacturer's representative associated with the order, where the commission is determined based on a predetermined commission function. The host system interacts with the customer, distributor and manufacturer to insure fulfillment of the order, including shipment of the order and settlement of payments. | 09-04-2008 |
20080215459 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR META-SHOPPING AND DYNAMIC SETUP OF B2B ECOMMERCE - A method, apparatus, and computer implemented instructions for generating a customized catalog for an entity or organization. Items from a base catalog are presented to a user located at a remote data processing system. One or more items are selected by a user through a process of “meta-shopping”. The selected items are placed in a set, also referred to as a “meta-shopping cart”, used to generate the customized catalog. Terms for purchasing items in the customized catalog are associated with the customized catalog. Further, a protocol for purchasing items from the customized catalog may be established, and the customized catalog is then placed on a Web site. | 09-04-2008 |
20080222009 | INTEGRATED SYSTEM FOR MANAGING ACQUISITION OF CONSUMER GOODS AND/OR HIRING SERVICES - System and method for managing purchases of goods or services include registering entities interested in receiving or providing the goods or services, enabling a potential receiver of goods or services to search the registered providers using search criteria including market segment defined by the potential receiver, and communicating to the potential receiver a list of the results of the search. The system enables potential receivers to select one of the registered providers from the list to deliver the goods or perform the services, enables the potential receiver to select one or more of the goods or services capable of being delivered by the selected provider, communicates to the selected provider placement of a request for goods and/or services by the receiver, and communicates a confirmation generated by the provider's acknowledgement of the receiver's communicated request to the receiver. | 09-11-2008 |
20080222010 | System and Method for Enabling Online Research, Publication, Promotion And Management Of User Goods - A system and method for enabling online research, publication, promotion, and management of user goods is presented. An embodiment guiding the process of online selling across multiple platforms is presented. Information is gathered from various sources across the Internet to determine pricing and publication options. Data and user input are aggregated to create a listing. Listings are published and promoted across platforms and channels and feedback is presented to the user through an online interface. | 09-11-2008 |
20080222011 | METHOD, SYSTEM, AND PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR EXCHANGING CATALOGUE INFORMATION - The present invention seamlessly facilitates information exchange between not only a vendor and a single customer but also between vendors and Procurement Services Providers (PSPs), supporting more than one customer, each with its unique specifications. This framework also has the capability to handle dual pricing. Dual pricing is used to differentiate the price that a PSP has negotiated with a vendor from the price that an end user/customer will be ultimately charged. These two levels of pricing are maintained at the customer/vendor level. This invention is used to create a framework for exchanging catalogue information between the vendors or vendors of IT products and a customer or a PSP acting on behalf of one or more customers. | 09-11-2008 |
20080222012 | System and method for advertising online vehicle sales - Vehicle information is provided by a private seller of a vehicle over a network to an online vehicle transaction server. A periodic payment amount is then calculated for the vehicle based on the provided vehicle information, as well as certain predetermined financing terms. In one embodiment a vehicle advertisement number is generated for the subject vehicle, and may serve as a identifier or online pointer to a webpage containing the subject vehicle's information, including the previously-calculated periodic payment amount. In embodiment, a vehicle advertisement document may be generating to include the vehicle advertisement number and the vehicle's sales price represented as the previously-calculated periodic payment amount. The advertisement document may be downloaded by the private vehicle seller and placed in the subject vehicle as a sale sign. | 09-11-2008 |
20080228595 | SYSTEM FOR SUPPORTING ELECTRONIC COMMERCE IN SOCIAL NETWORKS - A method for offering a plurality of items for commerce, wherein each of the items in the plurality of items includes an item identifier usable to reference that item. The method includes storing a first item identifier for the at least one of the plurality of items in a first predetermined location in a computer memory; associating a first image with the at least one of the plurality of items; and assigning a first name to the first image based on the first predetermined location in the computer memory. The method also includes creating a first reference link having the first name assigned to the first image; and, deploying the first reference link. A system for performing the method is also disclosed. | 09-18-2008 |
20080228596 | Method and system for conducting a sale on the Internet with discounts as a function of time - The invention provides a method and website for displaying a product for sale at a starting price selected by the seller and adjusting the price downward in at least two percentage increments, wherein the percentages are preselected by the website to be applied at increments of time during a limited term of sale selected by the seller. Buyers can select a current price or a future discounted price. When a current price has been offered the offer is accepted and the sale is completed in a usual and customary manner. | 09-18-2008 |
20080228597 | Gift Exchange - One embodiment is a method that establishes at a website a group of individuals desiring to exchange gifts with each other to celebrate an event. The method receives at the website names and descriptions of gifts desired by each individual in the group and provides an interface to enable each individual to select one or more of the gifts to purchase for one of the individuals. Individuals are prevented from selecting a gift after the gift is previously selected by another individual. | 09-18-2008 |
20080228598 | Providing marketplace functionality in a business directory and/or social-network site - A business directory and/or social-network site with business-to-business, real-time e-commerce capability as well as business-to-consumers, real-time e-commerce capability. Other aspects include systems/methods for targeting users of the business directory and/or social-network site with advertising, which relates contextually to the interests and behavior of a user. Such advertisements are presented to the user on the user's private bulletin board. | 09-18-2008 |
20080228599 | Color Selection, Coordination, Purchase and Delivery System - A system embodied as a website including a first, second and third pluralities of display screens, the first enabling an at-home user to select a first color which coordinates with a second selected color, the second enabling the user to select for purchase one or more of a plurality of interior decorating-related items, and the third enabling the user to order and pay for one or more of (a) a paint sample of each of said first and second colors and (b) at least one of the interior decorating-related items. The order may be automatically transmitted to a fulfillment center for fulfillment and then delivered to the user. | 09-18-2008 |
20080228600 | Purchasing Systems - A system is provided in which a handheld computing device may be used to provide a user with shopping assistance services. A shopping assistance service may allow a user to obtain directory information for a shopping mall. A user may use the handheld computing device to handle shopping lists. The handheld computing device may display promotional material based on the shopping lists. The handheld computing device may be used to obtain information on products being sold in a store. Products may be purchased using wireless financial transactions. Reminders and other messages may be sent to the handheld computing device. The location of the handheld computing device may be monitored. Services may be provided to the user based on the location of the handheld computing device. The handheld computing device may communicate with communications equipment in retail establishments using a local wireless link. | 09-18-2008 |
20080235110 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR LISTING MULTIPLE ITEMS TO BE POSTED FOR SALE - A method and system for listing multiple items to be posted for sale, comprising accepting a characterization of an item from a choice of selection controls describing the item on a web page; accepting additional information about the item, the information being accepted on the web page; displaying the characterization and the information about the item as an item listing on the web page; accepting a characterization of another item from a choice of selection controls describing the item on the web page; accepting information about the other item, the information being accepted on the web page; and displaying the characterization and the information about the one other item listing on the web page. | 09-25-2008 |
20080235111 | Internet Art Community - An internet-based system for making works of art accessible to a broad viewing public comprising a means whereby users may upload to an on-line database information describing individual works of art including information describing the accessibility of said works. Users may retrieve from said database information regarding artworks accessible in a specified location and time. Additionally users may upload information describing collections of artworks. Users may upload reviews of artworks and collections and also provide ratings of art works, of reviews, and of collections. Aggregated user ratings are visible by users of the system and thus serve several purposes including collaborative filtering and providing recognition of and reputation for individual artists, reviewers, collectors, artworks, reviews, and collections. Thus the present invention provides a means whereby artists, reviewers, collectors, and an interested public can interact without the intercession of limiting bodies. | 09-25-2008 |
20080235112 | Website, system for and method of providing marketing material for securities to authorized users & method of selling access to, including the right to copy and distribute copied marketing material - A website on a computer network that includes an electronic library containing marketing material concerning securities that only an authorized user can access. The marketing material has been pre-approved as complying with regulations governing the sale of securities. Data concerning the marketing material is tracked to enable reporting in compliance with these regulations. The website enables uploading by a Registered Representative, or another author, who is an authorized user of unapproved marketing material for review and approval by a compliance officer of a registered Broker/Dealer of the Registered Representative who is also an authorized user. When approved, this marketing material submitted by the Registered Representative, or another author, can be accessed over the computer network by any authorized user or only a limited number of authorized users. | 09-25-2008 |
20080235113 | ENHANCED CONTROL OF ON-LINE AUCTION - An online auctioning system that includes functions and features to help apply psychological tactics to increase sells, bidding activity and bid levels. The auctioning system allows and administrator to view items available for the auction, group them in a manner that may give the appearance of scarcity and/or may improve the relative worth of the items. One aspect of the invention is to provide a bidding/sell agnostic credit rating system that enables participants to qualify for a certain number of credits during the auction independent of what the particular items actually sell for during the auction. Each item in the auction may include a credit value and the credit values may also be used in grouping items to further create the appearance of scarcity and/or relative worth. | 09-25-2008 |
20080235114 | MATCHING THE FIT OF INDIVIDUAL GARMENTS TO INDIVIDUAL CONSUMERS - A method and system for specifying the fit of garments and matching the fit of individual garments to individual consumers is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes categorizing human body shapes based on dimensional and demographic body measurement data sampled from the human population, and statistically analyzing the measurement data to determine the appropriate number of discrete body shapes, as well as the range of measurement values characteristic of each body shape. The method includes assigning to each body shape a shape code, which is a unique name and/or symbol and/or curve representing that shape. In one embodiment, a recommendation engine is employed to specify and match the fit of individual garments to individual consumers. | 09-25-2008 |
20080235115 | System and method for hosting combined online and live auctions - A system for the hosting of a combined auction, with live bidders in physical presence at the auction site as well as online bidders being able to view the auction and bid over the Internet. Auction and bid processing are centralized on a central control system. A remote module is used at the actual physical site of the auction and provides site data to the central control system for handling and distribution to bidders. The technical requirements at the actual auction site are minimized by the centralization of the majority of auction processing, and high-speed network connectivity requirements between the auction site and the central processing system are minimized. | 09-25-2008 |
20080243636 | Selective Product Placement Using Image Processing Techniques - Embodiments of the invention to provide methods to provide on demand product placement to web based content. A method of in accordance with an embodiment of includes obtaining agreement between entities for placing a product in content. The products image or region of interest in the content is manipulated such that the product is emphasized; and content provider obtains payment for the content based activity of the content. | 10-02-2008 |
20080243637 | RECOMMENDATION SYSTEM WITH CLUSTER-BASED FILTERING OF RECOMMENDATIONS - Computer-implemented processes are disclosed for clustering items and improving the utility of item recommendations. One process involves applying a clustering algorithm to a user's collection of items. Information about the resulting clusters is then used to select items to use as recommendation sources. Another process involves displaying the clusters of items to the user via a collection management interface that enables the user to attach cluster-level metadata, such as by rating or tagging entire clusters of items. The resulting metadata may be used to improve the recommendations generated by a recommendation engine. Another process involves forming clusters of items in which a user has indicated a lack of interest, and using these clusters to filter the output of a recommendation engine. Yet another process involves applying a clustering algorithm to the output of a recommendation engine to arrange the recommended items into cluster-based categories for presentation to the user. | 10-02-2008 |
20080243638 | CLUSTER-BASED CATEGORIZATION AND PRESENTATION OF ITEM RECOMMENDATIONS - Computer-implemented processes are disclosed for clustering items and improving the utility of item recommendations. One process involves applying a clustering algorithm to a user's collection of items. Information about the resulting clusters is then used to select items to use as recommendation sources. Another process involves displaying the clusters of items to the user via a collection management interface that enables the user to attach cluster-level metadata, such as by rating or tagging entire clusters of items. The resulting metadata may be used to improve the recommendations generated by a recommendation engine. Another process involves forming clusters of items in which a user has indicated a lack of interest, and using these clusters to filter the output of a recommendation engine. Yet another process involves applying a clustering algorithm to the output of a recommendation engine to arrange the recommended items into cluster-based categories for presentation to the user. | 10-02-2008 |
20080243639 | PLANT MERCHANDISING SYSTEM AND METHOD - A plant merchandising display provides for the display of plants in arrays, groupings and sets based on one or more product characteristics such that a customer may readily associate product selection criteria and product characteristics to resulting in satisfactory product selections. A plant merchandising system and program includes the plant merchandising display as well as a landscape design module that includes garden design tools to assist a customer in planning an entire landscape or a single garden. The plant merchandising system and program also include a plant directory that allows a customer to view plant information and make plant selections and plant maintenance guides to assist customers in planning and scheduling garden maintenance. Purchase documents may be created at a purchase order processing module from garden plans developed in the landscape design module and plant lists developed at the plant directory or in the plant merchandising display. | 10-02-2008 |
20080243640 | INTERACTIVE PRODUCT AND METHOD OF FABRICATING THE SAME - A method of producing a web interactive product is provided including registering a product having a unique identification with an affiliate via the internet. A design portion of the product may be altered by a first recipient. Thereafter, the altered product is forwarded to one or more other recipients wherein the design portion may be re-altered by each of the recipients. A final recipient forwards the re-altered design portion to an affiliate. The first recipient and one or more other recipients may be registered with the affiliate based on the unique identification via the internet. All recipients may be notified via the internet that the re-altered design portion is received by the affiliate. The method may further include providing a means for ordering a final product including the re-altered design portion from the affiliate via the internet. | 10-02-2008 |
20080243641 | DISTRIBUTED POINTS OF SALE - A distributed point of sale can be accessed via any suitable tag-based document, such as a Web page, a blog, a piece of e-mail, or even an advertisement. Either a snippet of text or a graphical element, such as a button, can be selected by a buyer to cause a representation of the distributed point of sale to appear without causing a context of the tag-based document to change or navigate the buyer away from the tag-based document. | 10-02-2008 |
20080243642 | System And Method For An Intellectual Property Marketplace - A method for transacting intellectual property includes the steps of receiving an executed document transferring an intellectual property right to an undefined party; receiving one or more offers for the intellectual property right; determining a winning party based on the one or more received offers; and releasing the executed document to the winning party. The method may further include placing the executed document in a data room for review by a potential acquirer prior to receiving one or more offers for the intellectual property night. The data room may be an on-line data room and include information for the potential acquirer to conduct due diligence of the intellectual property right. The intellectual property transaction may be conducted in a live or electronic auction. The intellectual property right may be submitted through an online submission form and an automated qualification system may classify the intellectual property right. | 10-02-2008 |
20080243643 | METHOD OF MERCHANDISING ARTICLE PERSONALIZATION SERVICES - A method, and an article produced thereby, of merchandising article personalization services at a retail location to a customer is provided. The article and embellishments are chosen by the customer, and the personalization implemented by the customer in a hands-on environment, or with the aid of store workers. The retail store also provides for groups of individuals to participate in article personalization events or parties. The customer is enabled to complete personalization of an article according to their time and ability using the professional services provided by the retail store personnel and equipment. Embellishment selections requiring trained personnel and specialized equipment are given to a store worker for processing. A method of performing the personalizing services over a computer network is also provided. The completed article is given to the customer, retained at the retail establishment until the customer returns, or forwarded to the customer at their request. | 10-02-2008 |
20080243644 | MARKETPLACE SYSTEM IN WHICH USERS GENERATE USER-TO-USER PREORDER LISTINGS VIA A DEFINITIVE PRODUCT CATALOG - 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. The pending listings for a product are preferably displayed or summarized on the product's detail page in the catalog. When no such listings exist, an option to preorder the product from an unspecified seller may be provided, and information regarding the resulting preorders may be displayed on the associated product detail pages to entice potential sellers. In one embodiment, the electronic catalog also serves as a retail sales catalog of a merchant. | 10-02-2008 |
20080243645 | System and method for conducting product configuration research over a computer-based network - A system and method is provided for enabling respondents at their computer systems to connect with a server computer over a network, such as the Internet, and receive an executable configuration program enabling each respondent to select for each of the features of a product one of multiple subfeature attributes or levels for that feature. Each of the subfeatures for each feature has a price value and the combination of selected subfeatures for the features of the product provides a total price value of the product. The total price value is displayed and updated as subfeatures for the features are selected by the respondent or the selection of subfeatures are changed by the respondent. When the total price value of the product is acceptable to the respondent, and subfeatures have been selected for each feature of the product, the program returns configuration information to the computer server having data representing the subfeatures selected for the product, the total price of the product, the time for the respondent to complete the configuration of the product, and each of the features and subfeatures selected and changed by the respondent in arriving at the final configured product. The configuration program may be part of a survey being conducted over the network by the server computer in which questions of the survey following receipt of the configuration information by the computer server may be in accordance with such configuration information. | 10-02-2008 |
20080249891 | Method for Presenting Visual Assets for Sale, Using Search Engines - The present invention relates to a method for causing purchasable visual assets that can otherwise be accessed only by the visual assets provider' proprietary search engine, to appear within the result lists of public search engines, comprising: providing for each of said purchasable visual assets web page which includes at least the following: (a)—a representation image of said purchasable asset; (b) textual description best describing the content of said purchasable visual asset; (c) indication within said page or representation image for indicating that the asset is purchasable; and (d) a link to said stock library where the purchasable visual asset is sold. | 10-09-2008 |
20080249892 | Method and system for determining a value of a portion of content - There is provided a method for use by a computing device for determining a value of a portion of content selected by a user. The content can be, for example, a movie or a television program that includes approximately 30 frames per second. Then, data defining a beginning and an ending of the portion of content is received from the user. Metadata associated with at least one frame included in the portion of content selected by the user is processed by the computing device. For example, the metadata can include information describing the subject matter included in the frame or information indicating various attributes of the frame. Thereafter, one or more frame values are determined using the metadata. The value of the portion of content is then determined using the one or more frame values. | 10-09-2008 |
20080249893 | Apparatus and method for the ordering and creation of physical digital media - The ability of retail stores to sell digital products through the secure distribution and delivery of digital video and/or audio content directly to a Portable Multimedia Device or a memory module that inserts into a portable media device. | 10-09-2008 |
20080249894 | Product samples, methods for producing product samples and methods for distribution of product samples - The invention is directed to a device and methods for assisting in the selection of finishing materials or products such as countertop materials, flooring materials or products or a wide variety of other finish materials or products that are not conducive to forming product samples having desired characteristics. The devices may include a base substrate having an image of a finish material or product provided thereon, and a layer of material which provides a predetermined visual appearance shift in the image associated with the base substrate to make a laminate. The top surface of the laminate may be provided with a surface texture to form a product sample which closely simulates the color, pattern, texture and/or gloss, reflectance or light absorption associated with an actual predetermined finish material or product. The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing a product sample comprising the steps of providing a base substrate and forming an image on the substrate relating to a predetermined color and design of a finishing material or product. A layer of material is applied to the substrate to cause a predetermined visual appearance shift in the image formed on the base substrate to form a laminate. The top surface of the laminate is provided with predetermined surface texturing to provide a sample which closely simulates the color, pattern and texture of a predetermined finishing material or product. The present invention also relates to offering product samples via the Internet or other distribution channels not presently used to provide the user with desired product samples. The invention provides significant advantages in the selection of finishing materials for the consumer, or may be provided to architects and designers in various forms to facilitate use. | 10-09-2008 |
20080249895 | Consumer preference driven negotiation apparatus, system, and method - An apparatus, system, and method to display information identifying an attribute such as a product preference associated with a purchased product under control of a client system. Information identifying a product attribute associated with a purchased product is displayed on a client system. The product attribute includes features that are not included in the purchase of the product. The request for the product attribute is received from a user. The request is transmitted to a host system. The host system determines whether to assign the product attribute to the user based on the request relative to other requests for the product attribute until the product attribute is no longer available for assignment. | 10-09-2008 |
20080249896 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REQUESTING PRODUCTS - A system and method for selling product is provided. In accordance with one aspect, shoppers using an Internet-based commerce site may request custom designed products rather than mass produced products from willing sellers. Shoppers may provide terms under which the custom good must be manufactured. Various systems and methods may also provide a platform for shoppers and sellers to negotiate terms and/or to incorporate negotiated terms into such requests. According to some embodiments, the system and method for selling product facilitates fabrication, delivery and payment for customized goods. In one embodiment, requests for customized goods may be fulfilled by multiple sellers. One example includes multiple sellers fulfilling a custom request, and another includes multiple sellers each producing a part of a desired quantity for a custom request, among other options. One aspect also includes allowing shoppers to request custom made products from one or more manufacturers. One aspect includes placing a public request for bids to manufacture a custom product and accepting offers from manufacturers to fulfill the bids. | 10-09-2008 |
20080249897 | Electronic Commerce System for the Digital Fashion Using an Avatar Based on a User and Method for Operating the Same - A shopping-mall system utilizing user-based avatars comprises a terminal for transmitting user's three-dimensional image data through a wired or wireless communication network and then selecting any one of items provided through the wired or wireless communication network to receive an avatar image wearing the selected item and to transmit purchase specification information for purchasing the selected item. An avatar creation server receives the three-dimensional image data from the terminal and then creates an avatar image. A three-dimensional shopping-mall server puts any one item selected among a plurality of items stored therein on the avatar image created by the avatar creation server to provide the terminal with the avatar image wearing the item, and then performs an electronic commerce transaction with the terminal on the receipt of the purchase specification information of the selected item. | 10-09-2008 |
20080249898 | Method, system, and apparatus to identify products in proximity to mobile device - Present invention disclosed a method of product search comprising of first product database containing seller information, seller product information, and product location; second product database containing buyer product request; first application in mobile device having means to determine mobile device location at pre determined intervals and having means to automatically communicate mobile device location to second application; second application having means to match first and second product databases and mobile device location at pre determined intervals to generate local matching products database; mobile device having display means for products contained in local matching product database. According to another aspect of the invention, a method to inform sellers of potential buyers in proximity of seller location is disclosed. | 10-09-2008 |
20080255958 | Approach for trading copyrighted movie or music clip as individual copyrighted frame - According to the approach, a copyrighted movie or music clip can be divided into in individual copyrighted movie frame or clip in it plural form. Each frame then can be sold or traded as independent copyrighted item. The “dividend” approach allows each frame owner to share the loyalty money of the whole movie or music clip. The “contract right” governs the right to approved loyalty contract. The “buyout right” governs the right to buy all remaining frame of the movie or clip. | 10-16-2008 |
20080255959 | INEXPENSIVE METHOD FOR PROVIDING VENDORS WITH THEIR UNIQUE BRAND OF MEDICAMENTS FOR RESALE - A method that allows manufactures of medicaments to provide vendors with vendor's uniquely branded OTC medicaments for resale, the method comprising the steps of providing a manufacture's website, allowing vendor's to access the website, then having vendors choose a medicament from the wesite, then allowing vendors to review an FDA approved description of the medicament, then having the vendor choose a certain template for the labeling of the medicament and allowing vendor to fill certain fields so that vendor's contact information and branding can be incorporated within the template, then having the vendor preview the labeling created by the website and providing vendor with an option to order a certain quantity of medicament or to go back to the previous screen of website, then if an order was made in the previous step, providing thevendor with a secured page for paying, then delivering the medicaments to the vendor. | 10-16-2008 |
20080255960 | Managing retail transactions - An embodiment of the present invention includes a technique for retail transactions. A display unit shows product information on a product. A transaction controller provides the product information. A database stores at least one of the product information and customer information. | 10-16-2008 |
20080255961 | PRODUCT INFORMATION DISPLAY AND PURCHASING - A method of providing additional information to a viewer of a moving image file is disclosed. The method includes the steps of providing one or more tags within the moving image file indicating the existence of additional product information; visually indicating the existence of the tags alongside or over the moving image; detecting a request to view the product information associated with the one or more tags; pausing the moving image; and displaying the requested product information over the paused image. | 10-16-2008 |
20080255962 | DISTRIBUTED COMMERCE APPLICATION-WIDGET - In some example embodiments, a system and method are illustrated as including generating an item page that includes widget code and details related to an item for sale. Some example embodiments may include making the widget code available for retrieval from the item page. | 10-16-2008 |
20080255963 | Method for Displaying Catalog Information in an E-Commerce System - Method to visualize the information related to a catalog on an processing device ( | 10-16-2008 |
20080255964 | METHOD AND SYSTEM OF SEARCHING ITEMS USING EQUITY - A method of marketing items, such as vehicles, is disclosed. The method may include creating a vehicle listing for a user by receiving input from the user relating to a specific vehicle. The listing may be created over a global computer network through a user interface such as a webpage. The user input may include an asking price for the vehicle, information relating to the type, make, model and specifications of the vehicle, as well as mileage and condition of the vehicle. As part of the method, access may be provided to a vehicle information database that comprises average retail values, average trade-in values and other vehicle data for comparison. The user input may then be compared to the vehicle information database, resulting in a vehicle listing for marketing the vehicle to potential purchasers. The vehicle listing may illustrate an amount of equity in that particular vehicle, which may be calculated by subtracting the asking price from the average national retail price, thereby indicating to a potential purchaser the value in the vehicle. Multiple listings may then be gathered in a database, which may be searched and accessed by the public and potential purchasers. | 10-16-2008 |
20080255965 | METHOD OF SOLICITING BIDS FOR VEHICLE PURCHASE - A method of marketing items, such as vehicles, is disclosed. The method may include providing a database of contact information of potential purchasers including vehicle dealers. The database may be accessible via a global computer network. The method may include receiving input describing desired sales locations from vendors desiring to sell vehicles. The vendors may also supply data describing the vehicles to be sold. The data regarding the vehicles to be sold may be submitted to the dealers in the sales location selected by the vendor. The dealers may be allowed to assess the data and provide purchase offers. The purchase offers may be submitted to the vendors such that the vendors can quickly sell vehicles at a fair price. | 10-16-2008 |
20080255966 | Method and Apparatus For Facilitating Sales of Goods By Independent Parties - A method for facilitating sales and pricing of independent parties' goods. The method removes price control from buyers and sellers by deriving a sale price from an index price using a method set by either the seller or a third party. The index price is provided by a party other than the buyer or seller. The sale price may be derived at a time of sale or at a time of registering the good for sale. The standard ID code of readily identifiable, fungible, durable goods is used by sellers to identify used goods to the marketeer. The marketeer exploits the nature of such goods by choosing the price of a comparable new good as an index price and deriving a discounted sale price for the used good from the price of a new good having essentially the same value due to its fungible, durable nature. A best price for a good is ensured by using as the index price a lowest price among a group of vendors for a comparable good. | 10-16-2008 |
20080255967 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR COMPARISON SHOPPING - Embodiments of computer implemented systems and methods for comparison shopping are described. One example embodiment includes receiving a data resource associated with a web page, the web page including an offering of a product and product offering terms, extracting product descriptors from the data source, requesting a search of marketplace offerings of the product based on the product descriptors, receiving results of the search (the results including marketplace offering terms of the marketplace offerings of the product), and displaying the marketplace offering terms, thereby facilitating comparison of the product offering terms with the marketplace offering terms. | 10-16-2008 |
20080262944 | Online clothing display system and method therefor - An online clothing display system and method therefore are provided. The system includes a dressed mannequin, a rotating platform, an image recorder, and a mainframe. The mannequin stands on the rotating platform and is driven for rotating. In addition, the image recorder is utilized to capture the clothing images of the mannequin to obtain image files, which are transmitted to the mainframe. The mainframe further includes a web page for display the clothing images so that customers can view the clothing images from the web page through an internet and the customers can also match clothes and accessories from different online clothing and accessories stores. Besides, in the system, customers can input their body size data and obtain the information and suggestions about clothing sizes and matched accessories. Therefore, customers will less likely be bothered because of ordering the wrong clothes and not easy to change or refund. | 10-23-2008 |
20080262945 | Ontological subscription and publication system with automatic notification of matching advertisements, products, and services within the ontological system for buyers and sellers - The present invention relates to an ontological subscription and notification system of advertisements from sellers to buyers. An ontology is defined within a controller (e.g.: a database, a computer program running on a server, etc) and sellers of products can submit/publish data representing a product(s) or service(s) via the internet to the controller that the controller then matches to its ontology hierarchy and stores in a computer database or other storage mechanism. A buyer of product(s) or service(s) can submit subscription data representing a product(s) or service(s), ontological category level, desired price range (and other ontological subscription criteria such as expiration date for notifications of matching products and services from sellers, product properties, quantity, seller distance from buyer, etc) via the internet to the controller that the controller then matches to its ontology hierarchy, stores in a computer database or other storage mechanism. The controller periodically (or continually) queries the database to determine if any of the buyers subscription data matches a sellers published product(s) or service(s) or falls within the ontological child-category of a parent-category or within any range within the ontology specified by the buyer. Potential buyers then have the option to be notified of the matching sellers published product(s) or service(s) via email, instant message, SMS, telephone, etc. The method and apparatus of the present invention have applications on the Internet as well as conventional communications systems such as voice telephony. | 10-23-2008 |
20080262946 | System for Marketing Goods and Services Utilizing Computerized Central and Remote Facilities - A system for shopping for goods and services includes central communications facilities and remote communications facilities connected by communications links and means permitting data communications between them. Central communications facilities offer goods and services in competition with each other. Each central communications facility stores, in addition to data, graphics in the form of video, and audio in the form of computerized voice and music. Computer input devices at each remote communications facility permit customers to access the data, graphics and audio. Computers at each remote communications facility also enable that facility to receive and download the data, graphics, and audio. Each remote communications facility is adapted to enable a customer, after viewing the data, graphics, and audio, to electronically negotiate a price for the purchase of the goods and services. Each central communications facility can generate and transmit to the remote facility transaction specific paperwork relative to the price so negotiated. | 10-23-2008 |
20080262947 | E-commerce based method and system for manufacturer hosting of virtual dealer stores and method for providing a systemization of machine parts - An e-commerce based method for requesting information and purchasing products from a dealer through a manufacturer is disclosed. This method and system includes sending a request for detailed dealer information to a manufacturer server system using a client system and displaying real-time detailed dealer information on the client system based on the request, the real-time detailed dealer information received from the manufacturer server system, the manufacturer server system accessing the real-time detailed dealer information from a remote dealer server system via a middleware application system. | 10-23-2008 |
20080270262 | LOYALTY CARD BASED ALLERGY WARNING PROGRAM - The present application discloses systems and methods for managing nutritional information which in some embodiments comprises a database coupled to a central processor, a storage module configured to store in the database a plurality of records comprising loyalty card data for products purchased with a loyalty card and nutritional information for products available for purchase with the loyalty card, and a plurality of records relating to after sale product information. These systems and methods may further comprise a data processing module configured to compare products purchased with a loyalty card with the after sale product information, and determine if there are conflicts and an output module for transmitting results, wherein the central processor is configured to generate a report based upon the information found in the storage module. | 10-30-2008 |
20080270263 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR LOCATING DATA - A computer network comprising at least one local terminal, at least one database terminal remote from the or each local terminal and a server database associated with the or each server database terminal, wherein the server database comprises a first table that includes a plurality of images from disparate original sources, each image containing a plurality of products from disparate original sources, a second table that includes data relating to the plurality of products from disparate original sources and a third table that includes information referencing which of the plurality of products appears in which of the plurality of images. | 10-30-2008 |
20080270264 | DIGITAL CONTENT MARKETING SYSTEM AND METHOD - A method, computer program product, and network appliance for searching digital content located within a network to identify digital content available for potential offer, thus defining identified digital content. A user is allowed to select at least one digital content from the identified digital content, thus defining at least one selected digital content. The at least one selected digital content is provided to a digital exchange process for offering to a third party. | 10-30-2008 |
20080270265 | VIDEO RENTAL E-COMMERCE SOLUTION - A system for providing a business-to-business network service for applications used by service providers is disclosed. The system include provides a central application capable of communicating with at least two applications over a public network, such as the Internet, and provides a repository database for storing customer information that spans more than one of the service providers. The system further allows the applications to query the repository database through the central application, thereby making the customer information accessible to each of the applications. | 10-30-2008 |
20080270266 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REMOTE ASSISTANCE - A number of geographically dispersed automated product design systems and support systems are connected to a network. A user of a design system requesting assistance in using the design system is connected to an operator of one of the support systems. A display and control connection is established between the user system and the support system such that the operator of the support system can monitor and control the user system. A discussion connection is established between the user of the user system and the operator of the support system such that the user can submit inquiries to and receive responses from the operator while the operator is viewing the information being displayed to the user at the user system. | 10-30-2008 |
20080275792 | Web Based Marketing Method - A web-based system and method of distributing products which are produced at a location remote from the seller. The system includes an administrator who creates a website having workrooms for each member of the organization. Each member of the system is a seller and producer of a product. Templates are provided in the workroom to permit the members to upload inventory and pricing information. Members will also be permitted to enter markup pricing for transactions where they are acting as sellers. A search engine permits sellers to search the inventory of producers by geographic and other protocol. The inventory along with pricing information which includes both the producer's cost and the seller's markup is displayed at the seller's terminal. The system also includes provisions for affiliates to purchase products form producers either for resale or on a volume discount. | 11-06-2008 |
20080275793 | Method, apparatus and system for selecting, ordering and purchasing glass products - A system, apparatus and method for facilitating the selection, purchasing and ordering glass products, which is informative to guide a novice user in selecting a glass product, even where the glass is comprised of glass panels of more than one manufacturer, the present invention providing an apparatus with a processor which is controlled by software to facilitate a selection process which integrates the comparison of glass products and their properties, as well as, including particular properties of particular components of a glass product, the apparatus can work with a user input device, such as a keyboard or mouse, and is programmed to display graphics associated with selections and potential selections for glass products. The system and method providing selection menus for display on a display device and an animation graphic associated with a selection presented to the user. The system, apparatus, and method integrates the glass product selection information which the user chooses, and preferably the invention makes selections for the user, based on the user's previous choices and specified target performances to present to the user potential glass products. | 11-06-2008 |
20080275794 | Virtual real estate office - Virtual Real Estate Office is to Real Estate and home loans what the assembly line is to automobiles. This patent improves an existing process.” [i.e.] Henry Ford invented a streamlined automobile assembly line to improve an existing process. This process was the assembling of automobiles. | 11-06-2008 |
20080281725 | Methods and Systems for Selling Shoes at a Hosted Shoe Party - Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to methods and systems for selling shoes to guests at a hosted shoe party, in which a mobile onsite shoe inventory unit is stocked with an inventory of available shoes in a range of sizes and is transported to the location of the hosted shoe party. A sample of every shoe in the available shoe inventory is displayed to the guests at the hosted shoe party and shoes, in the correct size, are made available to shoe party guests as requested. All orders to purchase shoes may be fulfilled instantly from the stocked mobile onsite shoe inventory unit and payment may be received. The host of the shoe party may receive an incentive for hosting the party and inviting the guests. After each shoe party the mobile onsite shoe inventory unit may be restocked with new inventory for the next shoe party. | 11-13-2008 |
20080281726 | Credit and transaction systems - An Internet-coupled transaction service has a link to a computer appliance coupled to a merchant site, the computer appliance operated by a person who has selected one or more products or services to purchase at the merchant site, and who has selected, through the merchant site, the transaction service to arrange payment, and software executing from a computer-readable medium accessible to the service. The transaction service, via the software verifies the identity of the person, determines a credit worthiness for the person, and the score being sufficient, arranges payment to be made to the merchant on behalf of the person, and arranges repayment terms with the person for the payment to the merchant. | 11-13-2008 |
20080281727 | Method of applying to purchase or lease a unit in a multiunit building or building complex - A computer-implemented method is provided for applying to purchase or lease a unit in a multiunit building or building complex. An administration computer is provided for hosting a plurality of electronic applications for purchase or lease of a unit in a multiunit building or building complex, hosting one or more contributors, and hosting a plurality of reviewers. Each electronic application includes one or more electronic documents that are useful for evaluating factors relevant to an applicant's potential purchase or lease of the unit. The one or more contributors and the plurality of reviewers interact with an electronic application via an electronic network. The one or more contributors contribute to the one or more electronic documents of the electronic application so as to produce the electronic application. The plurality of reviewers access the one or more electronic documents of the electronic application so as to review the electronic documents and decide whether to accept the application. | 11-13-2008 |
20080281728 | Method and instruments for sale of personal care products - Disclosed in this specification is a system for selecting a desired personal care product from a database of such products. The system scans the target application to determine the digital color value of the target. The resulting color value is converted into a standardized color value for comparison to a list of products with reference digital color values. A suggested product is found by searching the list for products whose reference color value closely matches the standardized color value obtained from the scan. The system is further capable of tracking customer data, sales history, and a variety of similar functions. | 11-13-2008 |
20080288365 | METHODS, MEDIA, AND SYSTEMS FOR PAYMENT DETERMINATION - A content management system distributes items of media content to groups of users. The media is fingerprinted and tracked for reporting purposes. The system uses an algorithm to compensate for multiple content owners. The system can also be configured to provide content while still providing anonymity for actual use. | 11-20-2008 |
20080288366 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR THE EXCHANGE OF GOODS OVER THE INTERNET - The present invention contemplates a computer-implemented, currency-based method and system for the exchange of goods over the internet. The invention provides and maintains an exchange web site and an overall list of items available for exchange. The exchange provides and maintains a medium of exchange, the units of which are termed ‘flips’, and assigns an exchange value in flips to each item offered for exchange. The exchange also provides and maintains an account for each user. The exchange includes a central computer and a database that maintains a separate library for each user that lists all items offered for exchange by that user, and a separate wish list for each user that lists all items desired for exchange by that user. The central computer analyzes data records input by users to find items that have been offered for exchange by at least one user and are desired for exchange by at least one user. When such an item is found, the central computer selects a first user who offers the item and selects a second user who desires the item to participate in an exchange. The central computer sends contact information regarding the second user to the first user and instructs the first user to send the item to the second user. The central computer deducts the cost, in flips, of the item from the account of the second user, credits the cost, in flips, of the item to the account of the first user, and charges a transaction fee to the second user. | 11-20-2008 |
20080288367 | System and Method For Interacting With a Plurality of Content Receivers - A system and method are described that allow TV viewers to play a game wherein a bidder submitting a lowest unique bid wins an auction article or its cash equivalent. | 11-20-2008 |
20080288368 | Real-time pricing of shipping vendors - Systems and methods for real-time pricing of shipping vendors are provided. Various shipping vendors may be queried concerning shipping specifications. Some embodiments provide for a query to be transmitted to a shipping vendor through an interface associated with the particular shipping vendor. In response to the query, real-time pricing information associated with the shipping specifications is received and displayed to a user. Upon the user designating a shipping vendor, customized shipping labels for each shipping vendor may be generated. | 11-20-2008 |
20080288369 | Next Generation Eyewear Retailing - In one embodiment, a method of viewing eyewear products is provided, which includes capturing a digital image of a consumer; standardizing the digital image of the consumer to a set coordinate system, providing a database containing a collection of eyewear images, wherein the images represent actual products for sale, searching the database of eyewear images using criteria input by the consumer, selecting an eyewear image from the search results, superimposing the selected eyewear image onto the digital image of the consumer to give the appearance of the consumer wearing the eyewear, and viewing the image of the eyewear superimposed on the consumer. | 11-20-2008 |
20080288370 | Business Method and System Related to a Fashionable Items Utilizing Internet - A method and system of B2C e-commerce for placing an order to purchase fashionable items for minimizing the return rate after selling via the Internet. The order is placed by a first banner window at seller's website for displaying a prerecorded digital video image of a model of the same or similar size of the buyer wearing the clothes that the buyer wants to purchase, and a second banner window for displaying a static digital image of the model for synthesizing the face of model, hair patterns, foot-wear or accessories such as necklace, earrings, hairpin, or sunglasses selected by the buyer from the database of the system. This provides a technology to reduce the return rate by checking the fashionable products whether suitable with the figure and face image of the buyer before placing an order through a cyber fashion show and synthesizing the image for confirming coordination. | 11-20-2008 |
20080288371 | Internet based method and process for facilitating the presentation, sale, purchase, development and management of creative ideas concepts and content - The present invention provides a internet based method and process for facilitating the submission, presentation, sale, purchase, development, and management of creative ideas, concepts and or content that generally comprises computer software, including internet web page based code, and methods of applications for providing clients, or creative contents buyers and creative content providers, more particularly with an internet based website that serves as an interface between clients looking for creative content and providers of creative content including but not limited in use to, video artists, photographers, writers, musicians, graphic artists, animators, etc., and which will serve as a development and or production management platform for the content contained therein. | 11-20-2008 |
20080288372 | Virtual Bundles - Virtual bundles of purchasable products are created by a person external to an electronic commerce site. In a preferred embodiment, the virtual bundles are associated with custom store accessible only by members of a group associated with the external administrator. | 11-20-2008 |
20080294533 | SYSTEM FOR TRANSFERRING LARGE SUPPLIER CATALOGS THROUGH THE INTERNET NETWORK - System for transferring large supplier catalogs in a data transmission system including the Internet network, a marketplace site able to be addressed through the Internet network, a first plurality of customers connected to the Internet network and a second plurality of suppliers connected to the Internet network, each supplier having a catalog file of available goods to be supplied to any customer. A supplier requests the transfer of its catalog file to the marketplace site through a B2B gateway by using a catalog control protocol. The catalog file is transferred to the marketplace site through a catalog gateway by using a catalog transfer protocol. The catalog file received from the supplier is aggregated to a general catalog. The updated general catalog is published onto a storefront web site so that any one of the customers can view the goods of the supplier. | 11-27-2008 |
20080294534 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ONLINE SHOPPING OPTIMIZATION - Online shopping optimization in this context means, in general, making the optimal business decisions with regard to an online or electronic commerce purchase. The method begins with extracting buyer's demand information from buyer-specified items or a previously-configured shopping cart. It then includes a product catalog search that, when provided with the items specified or selected by the buyer, returns exact or equivalent (i.e., replacement or substitute) items. With the catalog search results, the online shopping optimization method formulates the online shopping decision-making problem into a mathematical programming model, particularly a mixed integer programming model. The method optimally decides, from the universe of vendors and items within the system: 1) from which of the various vendors to buy, 2) what identical, replacement, or substitute items to buy, 3) what package sizes of these items to buy, and 4) how many of each item to buy. To summarize, the system systematically and quantitatively makes decisions for a buyer over various cataloged items in order to maximize or minimize an objective function subject to various constraints including the buyer's demands of the desired items, the minimum order requirements imposed by the vendors on the buyer's spent monetary amount, together with other types of buyer, vendor, buyer-and-vendors interrelationship, or among-vendors interrelationship constraints. Recommended optimized shopping carts are then presented to the buyer. | 11-27-2008 |
20080294535 | Centralized Electronic Sales Using a Consolidator - The present invention provides an electronically accessible site that lists a product and associated distributors that distribute the product to customers. A customer purchases a product from the electronically accessible site, and during the purchasing process, the customer selects the distributor he wants to receive the product from. The order is received by an agent, and transmitted to the selected distributor for eventual distribution of the product to the customer. In response to the purchase, the agent and electronically accessible site receive compensation based on the amount of the purchase. | 11-27-2008 |
20080301003 | System 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 |
20080301004 | Pool Supply and Service System - Disclosed herein are systems and methods for the efficient and convenient provision of pool services, equipment and supplies. The system incorporates a network between a pool distributor, pool regional dealer and pool customer. The system allows for the distributor to increase market share by providing benefits to pool customers who sign up to the network, i.e., provide profile information. In exchange for passing the business to regional dealers, regional dealers agree to promote and employ distributor's products. | 12-04-2008 |
20080301005 | Collective gift system - An Internet business model comprises a website that allows an Organizer to log-in and initiate a collective gift from many Contributors that are then presented to the Recipient in the form of a Gift Card. Each contributor provides credit card information and an authorization only is obtained. The actual charge is put through only after the gift is fully subscribed and the collection period has ended. Then the gift card is funded and issued. Fees for the collective gift service may be paid in full by the Organizer, a Sponsor, partitioned amongst the Contributors, or covered as an advertizing or merchandizing expense by the gift card issuer. | 12-04-2008 |
20080301006 | Price Comparison For Travel Or Accommodations - Inter alia, methods, and means for price comparisons for travel and accommodations. One embodiment identifies an online database where users input the actual prices paid for travel services and accommodations, including any discounts, coupons, or price premiums. The database can be searched by all uses who have subscribed to the service. In one embodiment, the search criteria can any combination of vendor name, travel dates, start and end locations, booking date, flight number, etc. The users can thus determine the prices actually paid by other users for a given travel service or accommodation. This information could be valuable in negotiation better prices from vendors, or in determining if there are better times to make travel bookings. | 12-04-2008 |
20080301007 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR GIFTING OVER A DATA NETWORK - A method for providing a content gift to a gift-receiving terminal is provided. The method includes a gift server communicating with the gift-receiving terminal over a wireless communication link to determine what content is owned by the gift-receiving terminal. The method further includes the gift server generating catalog data including at least one content gift targeted for the gift receiving terminal. Further included in the method is the gift server wirelessly transmitting the catalog data to a gift-giving terminal. Additionally, the method includes the gift server receiving a selection of a content gift from the gift-giving terminal over a wireless communication link. Further included is the gift server facilitating delivery of the selected content gift to the gift-receiving terminal. | 12-04-2008 |
20080306838 | System and Method of Bridging a Product Catalog from a Central E-Commerce Website to Remote Access - A computer system bridges information between first and second websites. The first website is a central e-commerce website. The second website can be a social, commercial, or public service website. Product information is created on the first website. The product information may be a product catalog. Bridging code is created which relates to the product information. The bridging code is installed on the second website. The bridging code is embedded in computer executable code controlling the second website. The bridging code is utilized to establish a communication link between the first and second websites. The product information is updated on the first website. The product information from the first website is updated onto the second website. The product information is displayed on the second website. The system processes a purchase transaction based on the product information as displayed on the second website. | 12-11-2008 |
20080306839 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ONLINE CHECK PROCESSING - Methods and apparatus for processing an online payment for an item is disclosed. In one implementation, the method includes receiving information from a user corresponding to online payment for an item. The information from the user is received through a graphical user interface, and includes an authorization to pay for the item using an electronic check. The method further includes creating an electronic image of an authorized demand draft based on the authorization received from the user. The electronic image of the authorized demand draft is created directly from the information provided by the user through the graphical user interface. The electronic image includes a stage in which a physical version of the electronic check is printed out from the electronic image, briefly, before being scanned back to electronic format and transmitted. | 12-11-2008 |
20080313055 | Method and apparatus for generating customized furniture documentation - Preferred embodiments include a method and apparatus for generating customized product documentation for a furniture item having a plurality of surface material options. A computer receives a plurality of images of surface materials which may be applied to a furniture item and stores the images into a computer database. Label information describing each of the plurality of images and the furniture item is also received into the database. Surface material images are electronically displayed and an image is selected for application to the furniture item. The computer maps the selected surface material onto an image depicting the furniture item. An electronic document is generated which includes an image of the furniture item having the selected surface material mapped thereon and the label information associated with the selected surface material and the furniture item. | 12-18-2008 |
20080313056 | Ordering and Image Transmission System and Method Utilizing Instant Messaging - A system and method for a consumer to order goods and/or services from a vendor through the use of an instant messaging service and to transmit images via instant messaging. The consumer initiates an instant message communication link between the consumer and the vendor by using the vendor's screen name which has been added to the consumer's list of contacts and sending an initiating message. Software resident on the vendor's computer responds to initiation of the instant message communication link by supplying a list of goods and/or services to the consumer. The consumer can order from the list of goods and/or services to the consumer. The consumer can order from the list of goods and/or services while concurrently communicating with the vendor. An order identification number is created each time an order is placed which includes information from the consumer's screen name, the vendor's screen name and software generated in formation. The order identification number uniquely identifies the order and is used only once. Images can also be sent from a first IM user to a second IM user with each image being customized by the first user by adding text or other attributes to a base image. | 12-18-2008 |
20080313057 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR THE COLLABORATIVE SOLICITATION OF KNOWLEDGE BASE CONTENT, SERVICES AND PRODUCTS - A system and method for soliciting a content item, which may include but is not limited to one or more products, services and/or acts, based on an assumption that if a content item can be identified for which a single Internet user has a desire, amongst the millions of world-wide Internet users, there is likely a similar desire among many hundreds or even thousands of Internet users. Even if a content item has not been provided and/or produced, and/or has not been posted to the Internet, the approach assumes that among the millions of Internet users, at least one user has the knowledge and/or skill to produce and/or provide the desired content item, and that by collaboratively grouping relatively nominal sums from a large number of interested Internet users, an individual and/or group of individuals may be sufficiently economically motivated to produce and/or provide and/or post the content item. | 12-18-2008 |
20080319876 | System for and method of acting on beverage bottles - A system for and a method of acting on beverage bottles has a plurality of bottles each provided with a device selected from the group consisting of an electrical device and an electronic device integrated in each of the beverage bottles without interfering with a content of the bottle and providing a function; and a unit for remotely acting on the devices of at least some of the beverage bottles with the use of internet so that the devices produce corresponding functions. | 12-25-2008 |
20080319877 | SUPPLY UNIT ORDERING SYSTEM, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, SUPPLY UNIT ORDERING METHOD AND SUPPLY UNIT ORDERING PROGRAM - An image forming apparatus comprises: a readout portion that reads out from a memory of a supply unit that is replaceably loaded on the image forming apparatus itself, information about a plurality of vendors, which is stored in the memory; and a transmitter that transmits to a terminal apparatus the readout information about the vendors. And a terminal apparatus comprises: an obtainer that obtains information about the supply unit from respective servers owned by the vendors, by making access thereto according to the information about the vendors, which is received from the image forming apparatus; a display that displays on itself the obtained information; and an ordering portion that transmits an order for a supply unit to one of the servers, according to an order instruction issued by a user. After order transmission, information about a vendor owning the server that receives that order is stored in a storage. | 12-25-2008 |
20090006220 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CREATION AND MAINTENANCE OF DATABASE STRUCTURE - The invention provides a method for configuring a database system to store information regarding a plurality of items, the method comprising: establishing a database on a computer system; establishing within the database a first object corresponding to a first item of the plurality of items; generating within the first object at least one field; associating a field identifier with each the field; and storing at least a portion of the information within each the field; the database system configured to store information regarding a plurality of items, each item in the plurality of items having at least one item attribute, the database system comprising a computer having memory, a database stored in said memory, a first object in said database corresponding to one item of the plurality of items, said first object corresponding to the first item, at least one field in said first object, a field identifier associated with each said field, and information regarding said first item stored in said first object. | 01-01-2009 |
20090006221 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR AUTOMATED INTERNET-BASED AUCTIONS - The present invention relates to systems and 5 methods for implementing an automated auction process that is held at a designated time on the Internet, and that ends after bidding has been completed. In accordance with these systems and methods, a server connected to a plurality of workstations may establish 10 several auctions that allow for efficient trading of multiple goods, while simulating the live and dynamic setting of traditional auctions. | 01-01-2009 |
20090012878 | Apparatus, Systems and Methods for Facilitating Commerce - According to one or more embodiments, apparatus, systems and methods are provided for facilitating commerce. In some embodiments, an apparatus (e.g., a central computer) facilitates posting of an item for sale by receiving a digital image of an item for sale, receiving an audio description (e.g., included in an audio file) of the item, and providing an indication of the description to at least one potential buyer. In one embodiment, the digital image and the audio description are received from a mobile phone. | 01-08-2009 |
20090012879 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ELECTRONIC PAYMENT USING SEPARATED TIMING AND INTERFACE - An electronic payment system includes a receiver for receiving order information which includes order numbers and the settlement accounts for the product and the service ordered by a first client or a second client from an affiliated store system. A first transmitter is provided for transmitting settlement request information which includes settlement accounts for the ordered product and service to a second client making payment on behalf of a first client. A settlement processor is provided for settlement processing of the settlement accounts through a settlement unit selected by the second client by interworking with the second client. A second transmitter is provided for transmitting settlement processing results to the second client and the affiliated store system. | 01-08-2009 |
20090012880 | User Interface For Creating and Displaying Digital Signage - A digital signage network is provided comprising a browser based user interface, a management center, at least one media player and at least one digital display unit. In certain embodiments the browser based user interface allows for a user to create, manage and edit a digital scheduling program via the digital signage network. In certain embodiments the browser based user interface comprises a template community feature, a photo editor feature, a news management feature, a logo manager feature, a video playback feature, a live access feature, a network player status viewing feature, a granular scheduling feature and a dynamic template feature. | 01-08-2009 |
20090012881 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IMPROVED MANAGEMENT OF SELLER LISTINGS ON E-COMMERCE WEBSITES - A system and method providing improved management of product listings on an e-commerce website by allowing sellers to define rules or conditions that automatically adjust a product's listing price based upon a triggering event. The triggering event may be the expiration of a pre-defined time period. The listing price of a product can be automatically reduced in the event that the product does not sell within a certain time frame. Further, sellers are immediately notified of an offer to purchase a listed product. | 01-08-2009 |
20090018929 | Virtual Group Shopping Mall - As a movie/television show, etc. is being watched, a viewer is able to purchase items viewed during a presentation. A viewer may stop the presentation either to purchase merchandise or services or alternatively, save items for later in a “virtual group shopping mall.” A voice or written message may be added to allow more content to be placed with each saved item. A group may be identified and given access to the virtual shopping mall. This enables members of the group, such as friends, to see shopping preferences of others in a group. Further, shopping lists may be generated for group members based upon items placed in the virtual mall, thereby enabling a list of “must haves” for the group. Purchases may be made using M-commerce or a potential purchaser may be directed to a store having a product or service desired for purchase. | 01-15-2009 |
20090018930 | Website Enabling Selection of Camps / Activities from a Plurality of Providers - A camp registration website and method for enabling a user to select camps offered by a plurality of providers. The camp registration website allows a user to search for, gather information regarding, and register for camps offered by a plurality of different providers. The camp registration web server may provide a master application to the user that is useable to apply for the various selected camps. The website may also maintain personalized information for a respective user, such as a personalized calendar for a respective user that stores date information regarding the camps selected by the user as well as local current events of interest. The web server may provide calendar information over the network to the user's client computer system to synchronize with a calendar program, such as Microsoft Outlook, Palm, etc., executing on a user device. | 01-15-2009 |
20090018931 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR A BUSINESS TRANSACTION INITIATION PROTOCOL - A system and method are disclosed for engaging two or more parties in a buyer-initiated transaction interaction where the asset that is the subject is not available for sale or the requesting party is unaware that the asset is available for sale or use. The requesting party identifies the asset is the subject of the transaction and contacts an intermediary. The intermediary initiates the transaction interaction with the owner of the asset by presenting the owner with a premium. | 01-15-2009 |
20090018932 | System and method for idea sharing - An idea sharing community, particularly for marketing and branding, includes a database and an interface. The interface allows idea providers to upload creative idea proposals to the database. Idea users can search for idea proposals and purchase the idea proposals. The idea sharing community may include a brand interaction system in which brands may be presented with online discussion boards etc that allow users to upload creative ideas in respect of the brand. | 01-15-2009 |
20090024489 | REPUTATION BASED DISPLAY - A computer-implemented method for managing the display of items to which consumers may respond, which comprises the following: determining a first display position for an item based at least in part on a reputation associated with a profile to which the item belongs; causing the item to be displayed at the first display position; and during a lifetime of the item, adjusting the reputation associated with the profile to which the item belongs based on an aggregated consumer response with respect to the item, adjusting the display position of the item to a second display position based at least in part on the adjusted reputation associated with the profile, and causing the item to be displayed at the second display position. | 01-22-2009 |
20090024490 | System and method for web to package printing - A beginning to end solution is provided for ordering package printing on-line. A system and method for web to package printing is disclosed providing users online selecting, designing and proofing of a desired product in a three dimensional view. | 01-22-2009 |
20090030813 | Read-Only User Access for Web Based Auction - A networked computer arrangement and method in which a manufacturer or service provider may communicate to a plurality of traders the items, including goods and/or services, which may be available for purchase, the quantities of those available items, and any other conditions to be met for the purchase of the available items. Traders may apply guest bidder profiles or entitlement schema to the available goods lists to produce offerings for a plurality of guest brokers. Only bid-relevant product information is presented to each guest broker as needed in order to protect the offering party's overall position on the offered good(s). Guest broker profiles or entitlement schema may be based on perspective contractual arrangements between potential brokers, traders, and a manufacturer or service provider. Offerings are presented to the guest brokers, who are restricted from participating in the bidding process. | 01-29-2009 |
20090030814 | USER INTERFACE FOR A COMPLEX ORDER PROCESSING SYSTEM - A method for processing complex orders is disclosed. The method includes generating a customer portal view including 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 a plurality of user-selectable options. The plurality of user-selectable options includes a move option to transfer a service profile by defaulting the existing services at an old location to a new location. | 01-29-2009 |
20090030815 | ENVIRONMENT-IMPACTING MEMBER PURCHASE DEVICE AND ENVIRONMENT-IMPACTING MEMBER PURCHASE SYSTEM - An environment-impacting member purchase system which enables efficient purchase of a member containing a specific chemical substance and the like while satisfying a purchaser's requirement is disclosed. A member specification specifying unit ( | 01-29-2009 |
20090037291 | DYNAMIC VIRTUAL SHOPPING AREA BASED ON USER PREFERENCES AND HISTORY - The present invention is directed to a dynamic virtual shopping area based on user preferences and history. A method for providing a dynamic virtual shopping area in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes: capturing user preferences; and dynamically customizing a virtual shopping area for an avatar based on the user preferences, such that the avatar is presented with items the avatar is more likely to purchase upon entering the virtual shopping area. | 02-05-2009 |
20090037292 | Intelligent shopping search system - This invention provides a method of building an intelligent electronic shopping search system that helps a customer search and shop items which have the best match for him/her using a programmed computer, CD-ROM, television, Internet or other electronic medium such as video. The method comprises receiving personal information including body characteristics, personal preferences and style from the customer; making the customer selects the item he wants to shop or search; using expert and fashion knowledge rules which contain information of what works best for people along with his personal preferences to find the items in the descending order of their personal scores for the customer; and presenting the shopping search items to the customer in the descending order of their personal scores, such that the items with higher personal score come before the items with lower scores. | 02-05-2009 |
20090037293 | LABELS, CONTAINERS, SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING REAGENTS - The invention relates to systems and methods for marketing and using products such as liquid materials, especially liquid reagents for use in microbiological and cellular biological laboratory settings include the use of unique color and simple numeric or alphanumeric identifiers to quickly and easily identify any product from a catalog list of products. Methods of marketing, advertising and producing such products are also disclosed. Particular embodiments include products, product packaging and product labeling. The invention also relates to collars and sleeves for containers, as well as related methods of use. | 02-05-2009 |
20090037294 | MOBILE COMMUNICATION DEVICE TRANSACTION CONTROL SYSTEMS - A method of enabling a user of a mobile device to select a billing method for a transaction to acquire an item of content, the method comprising: implementing steps on a meta-payment server, comprising: logging content provider data and content item metadata for a plurality of items of content, said content item metadata comprising a link; logging phone network data comprising a user identification number; storing a list of available payment methods, each with allowed types of content for which a payment using the payment method may be made and a maximum transaction value; generating/identifying an account for said user comprising, a transaction history for said user defining previous successful and unsuccessful payments made by said user and the payment method for each; receiving a request from a content provider comprising a request for said meta-payment server to serve a list of payment methods to said user in response to said content provider; receiving a request from said user to purchase a said item of content by activation of said link; reading said content item metadata for said identified item of content; reading a recent portion of said transaction history data for said user; identifying a plurality of available payment methods for said user to pay for said item of content by filtering said available payment methods using said portion of said transaction history and said content item metadata for said item of content in association with said payment method data; and sending from said meta-payment server to said user, as a mobile web page, said identified selection of a plurality of available payment methods as a set of links each of said links activating a respective said payment method, together with a price of said item of content such that by selecting a said link the user is able to pay by the selected method. | 02-05-2009 |
20090037295 | FASHION MATCHING ALGORITHM SOLUTION - In one example embodiment, a system and method is illustrated that includes receiving an item choice including a fashion item. The system and method also includes matching the fashion item with an additional fashion item selected from a style matrix, the matching based upon an attribute. Further, the system and method includes transmitting the additional fashion item as part of an outfit match set. Moreover, the system and method includes selecting the fashion item from a digital closet. The system and method includes processing the fashion item to build an attribute association matrix. In addition, the system and method includes comparing the attribute association matrix and the style matrix to determine a match of the fashion item and the additional item. | 02-05-2009 |
20090037296 | Mobile Collegiate Commerce System - A mobile commerce system and method includes a fronted software that enables a variety of displays on a mobile device. The displays display information about college-related merchandise. The information can be tailored for a specific college to which the user has pre-approved access, via a user account management module employed on a server associated with the college. A backend, including a database, stores a product catalogue of the merchandise, which is accessible by the user operating mobile device, and which is transmitted on request to the user for display and operation by the mobile device. | 02-05-2009 |
20090037297 | COST AND CONTRIBUTION SALES CALCULATOR AND METHOD - Embodiments consistent with the invention include a system | 02-05-2009 |
20090037298 | Product Design System and Method - Computer-implemented product design creation system and method for quickly developing a product design having desirable component elements. Multiple candidate product designs are simultaneously displayed for review. Controls are provided allowing a reviewer to enter a preference level for individual component elements of each of the displayed designs. A new set of candidate designs is created based on the entered preference levels. The new candidate designs are displayed for further review and further preference level selection. | 02-05-2009 |
20090043674 | Dynamic Interactive Shopping Cart for e-Commerce - A shopping cart utility for e-commerce has a first workspace for retrieving and storing electronic catalog items; a second workspace for receiving specific ones or combinations of the catalog items; and a device display mechanism for displaying the items and associated item information in one of a thumbnail, collage, or list view. A user may reorder and reposition items in the collage view and wherein the first and second workspaces are functionally integrated. | 02-12-2009 |
20090043675 | NETWORK PHOTOGRAPH SERVICE SYSTEM - By providing a network photograph service, prompt service can be provided to a customer without losing the advantages of easier understanding of where to access when placing an order and easier collective data management. A service center receiving an order of a printing service, and a minilab or a special laboratory spread across a plurality of places, are able to communicate through a network. A center server in the service center selects and assigns which photo-finishing laboratory will print the ordered picture, in response to order information transferred from a customer via the network. Thus, the printing processing can be carried out by a photo-finishing laboratory specified by the customer, instead of at the center server. | 02-12-2009 |
20090043676 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR EVALUATING AND RECOMMENDING PLANOGRAMS - A retail system for implementing planograms includes a communications network, a central computing system, and a plurality of retail computing systems. The central computing system is configured to receive and to transmit a plurality of planograms, each planogram being associated with one retail store of a plurality of retail stores and a plurality of products to be displayed for sale at the associated retail store. Each planogram includes data indicating threshold quantities of each product of the associated plurality of products. Each retail computing system is at a corresponding one of the plurality of retail stores and is configured to receive, via the communications network, planograms associated with the corresponding retail store and to receive inventory information indicating in-stock quantities of the plurality of products associated with each planogram. Each retail computing system is also configured to provide a readiness rating value for each planogram, the readiness rating value being based on a comparison of the threshold quantities and in-stock quantities of each product associated with the planogram and being indicative of whether the planogram is ready to be implemented. | 02-12-2009 |
20090048941 | Gathering Information About Assets - A sequence of steps for locating information of a particular type on a particular web site is received from a first process and stored in a database of sequences of steps. Upon an identification of the particular web site as likely to provide information related to a particular subject, the sequence of steps is retrieved from the database and the sequence of steps and an identification of the subject are provided to a second process. Information relating to the particular subject from the particular website is received from the second process. | 02-19-2009 |
20090048942 | Electronic business method for the wholesale transaction of vehicles - An electronic business method for the wholesale transaction of a vehicle having the steps of: providing an electronic information database, wherein the electronic information database comprises a wholesale vehicle record and/or a dealership record; authenticating a dealership from a dealership information entry of a dealership record to verify authenticity of the dealership; providing an authenticated dealership with access to the electronic information database; permitting the authenticated dealership to input a search inquiry to generate a search of the electronic information database; generating a search result which provides the authenticated dealership with a wholesale vehicle information record and/or a dealership information record; and facilitating a wholesale vehicle transaction between the authenticated dealership and another authenticated dealership from the search result. | 02-19-2009 |
20090048943 | INTERNET BASED CUSTOMER DRIVEN PURCHASE METHOD AND APPARATUS - A system and apparatus for facilitating communication network based purchase transactions includes logic to enable a user to produce a specific purchase offer, tender payment, and to enable sellers to satisfy the purchase offer. The embodiments include a system for receiving a search request, performing a search and offering at least one product for purchase by a user, receiving a user specified product purchase offer and performing a search. If necessary, pooling a plurality of user specified product purchase offers, determining a pooled price for the at least one product presenting an offer to at least one buyer for a pooled quantity at a specified price for the at least one product to facilitate the purchase transaction. | 02-19-2009 |
20090048944 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ESTABLISHING AN AUTO REPAIR NETWORK - An auto repair network is shown that is configured to follow specific standards of repair and guarantee work for at least a portion of the life of the vehicle, along with deductible assistance to the consumer. Consumers have access to the network of repair shops that have agreed to license and follow specific standards via a web site to select one or more licensing repair facilities that are convenient to them. | 02-19-2009 |
20090048945 | FUEL DISPENSER - A method of conducting a transaction at a fuel dispenser comprising the steps of providing a fuel dispenser having a housing, a fuel dispensing apparatus mounted within the housing, the fuel dispensing apparatus having control electronics, and at least one touch display mounted in the housing and operatively coupled to the control electronics, the touch display being configured to allow a user to make selections for conducting a transaction. The fuel dispensing apparatus control electronics is operatively connected to electronics in a store associated with the fuel dispenser. The method further comprises the steps of presenting a real-time image of an inside of the store, moving through the store by touching the at least one touch display, and selecting a product being shown in the real-time image for purchase by touching the at least one touch display. | 02-19-2009 |
20090048946 | METHOD FOR ON-LINE PARTS ORDERING - The present invention is a method of selling replacement parts for a product over a computer network including providing a plurality of product manufacturer selection options for a customer to select from, receiving a manufacturer selection of one of the product manufacturers, providing a plurality of product selections for the customer to select from, receiving a product selection of one of the products, providing a schematic illustrating a plurality of component parts of the product with associated reference identifiers, receiving a selection of at least one of the component parts, providing a description of the component part selected, including at least one name for the component part and at least one part number for the component part. | 02-19-2009 |
20090055289 | Enhancing Touch and Feel on the Internet - A system for enabling touch and feel over the internet provides a three-dimensional representation of a good being sold, that three-dimensional representation being viewable from a number of different directions. In one embodiment, the good being sold is in a package and the package is displayed from the number of different directions. Another embodiment has the good being a book, and the inside and outside covers of the book are displayed and specified pages of the book can be displayed. The user can read from either the label or the covers just like as if the were actually handling the good. | 02-26-2009 |
20090055290 | Enhancing Touch and Feel on the Internet - A system for enabling touch and feel over the internet provides a three-dimensional representation of a good being sold, that three-dimensional representation being viewable from a number of different directions. In one embodiment, the good being sold is in a package and the package is displayed from the number of different directions. Another embodiment has the good being a book, and the inside and outside covers of the book are displayed and specified pages of the book can be displayed. The user can read from either the label or the covers just like as if the were actually handling the good. | 02-26-2009 |
20090055291 | SHARING SHOPPING INFORMATION ON A NETWORK-BASED SOCIAL PLATFORM - A system that receives, at a network-based social platform, a request from a first user of the network-based social platform. 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 offered for sale on a network-based marketplace. 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 predetermined 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 marketplace to add the item to the list associated with the second user. | 02-26-2009 |
20090055292 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS TO FACILITATE A PURCHASE OF AN ITEM ON A NETWORK-BASED MARKETPLACE - A method and system to facilitate a purchase of an item on a network-based marketplace. The system receives a request from a first user on a network-based social platform. The request identifies a virtual gift. Next, the system associates the virtual gift to an item for sale on the network-based marketplace. Finally, the system communicates interface information that enables the first user to purchase the item on the network-based marketplace. | 02-26-2009 |
20090063299 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SIMPLIFYING USER MANAGEMENT OF PRODUCTS DURING ONLINE SHOPPING - In accordance with a method for simplifying user management of products during online shopping, an informal storage space for a merchant's web site may be displayed when web pages from the merchant's web site are displayed. The informal storage space may be separate from a shopping cart for the merchant's web site. The informal storage space may include visual identifiers for products that are currently added to the informal storage space. Users may be permitted to compare the products that are currently added to the informal storage space. Users may also be permitted to make modifications to the informal storage space. State information for the informal storage space may be updated to reflect the modifications made to the informal storage space. | 03-05-2009 |
20090063300 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING SHOE SELECTION SERVICES TO A PERSON - Described herein is a method for providing shoe selection services to a person. The method includes providing a website for the sale of shoes and providing a list of categories, wherein the list of categories includes characteristics of shoes. The method further includes providing a list of options for each characteristic, providing a means for selecting an option from the list of options, and providing a means for evaluating the selected option and displaying shoes based upon the selected option. | 03-05-2009 |
20090063301 | Digital Asset Delivery to Different Devices - Improved approaches to electronically deliver digital assets to appropriate electronic devices are disclosed. In one embodiment, a user can purchase access rights to one or more digital assets from an online digital asset store, and then the one or more digital assets can be electronically delivered to one or more electronic devices associated with the user. Advantageously, different types of digital assets can be delivered to different electronic devices of the user, whereby limited resources of the different electronic devices can be used in a more intelligent manner. | 03-05-2009 |
20090063302 | FLORIST BROKERAGE METHODS - In embodiments of the present invention improved capabilities are described for florist methods. A method of providing a floral arrangement marketplace includes providing an implementation of a WYSIWYG interface that displays a floral arrangement; receiving a signal that indicates authorization to place a floral arrangement order for an actual floral arrangement, the actual floral arrangement substantially embodying the floral arrangement; creating the floral arrangement order; and transmitting the floral arrangement order to a floral arrangement provider. | 03-05-2009 |
20090063303 | Systems and methods of providing a guaranteed price for a used durable good - Systems and methods are provided for periodically calculating a guaranteed price for a used durable good, such as an automobile. The current guaranteed price is continuously accessible by an owner of the used durable good for an extended period, and the owner can receive at least the value of the guaranteed price at the owner's discretion. A guarantor of the calculated guaranteed price backs a transaction that ensures that the owner receives at least the value of the current guaranteed price in exchange for the used durable good. The transaction may include a trade-in of the used durable good. | 03-05-2009 |
20090063304 | System and method for searching, identifying, and ranking merchants based upon preselected criteria such as social values - A social purchasing, networking, and ranking method and system for linking consumers and merchants who share similar social values, personal values, and personal contacts or referrals. The present invention may allow both a consumer and merchant to associate specific criteria such as personal values, religious faith, hobbies, interests, affiliations, political party, favorite charitable organization, social responsibility value, and the like with their respective profiles. A conventional electronic network, or web, search by the consumer launches a first graphical user interface module wherein a list of participating merchants is searched for keyword matches, and then ranked according to the preselected criteria such as the social values, personal referrals, and geographic location of the participating merchant. The present invention allows a user (consumer) to guide their transactions and interactions toward merchants sharing similar values, interest, affiliations, and the like, to further rank merchants by personal referral and geographic proximity to the user. Additionally, the specific type and number of shared criteria may be graphically depicted to the consumer via at least one icon displayed in conjunction with the advertisements or other information displayed by each of the respective participating merchants. | 03-05-2009 |
20090070231 | Systems and methods for multi-provider content-on-demand retrieval - Systems and methods for retrieving multi-provider on-demand content through a common portal device are disclosed. The techniques described herein allow for multi-provider media content to be made available for retrieval to a user through a streamlined process thereby enhancing the user experience and likelihood of ordering on-demand content. | 03-12-2009 |
20090070232 | Method and system of valuing vehicles and providing classified listings - A system and method for providing comparative market values in conjunction with creating or browsing online sales listings. Sellers automatically receive comparative market values while creating sales listings to thereby facilitate the establishment of sales prices. Potential buyers are provided comparative market values for items listed in sales listings while viewing the listings. Whether creating or viewing sales listings, comparative market values are provided automatically and without the need for the buyer or seller to link out to third-party websites to obtain the information. The present system and method are particularly suitable for operators of e-commerce websites, including auction websites and online classified websites. | 03-12-2009 |
20090070233 | Wiki biz web - Systems and methods for accessing multiple portals using a unique business language semantic are provided. Business information and services are provided to customers during, for example, a supply chain management process. An accessible business environment is provided which includes a common repository. The common repository has access to one or more business portals. One can search the product listing in the common repository using a browser, e.g., a web-based browser. In response to a search, one may be provided with a product list indicating some available business portals having the specific product and/or service. The common repository entries are described by a predetermined semantical description. | 03-12-2009 |
20090070234 | Systems and Methods for Facilitating Consumer-Dispenser Interactions - Embodiments of the invention can include systems and methods for consumer-dispenser interactions. In one embodiment, a product dispenser is provided. The product dispenser can include a user interface operable to interact with a consumer and receive at least one input from the consumer. The product dispenser can also include a controller comprising a set of instructions operable to receive a request from a consumer to dispense a custom product. In addition, the controller can further comprise a set of instructions operable to present via the user interface a at least one of a list of selectable product ingredients or adjustable product formulation parameters. Moreover, the controller can further comprise a set of instructions operable to dispense a product based at least in part on one or more of the selectable ingredients or selected formulation parameters. | 03-12-2009 |
20090070235 | Promoting A Web Technology Through A Virtual Service Marketplace - Disclosed herein is a computer implemented method and system for promoting a web technology through a virtual service marketplace. Online tools are provided on a host website for creating a project website. The host website comprises the virtual service marketplace. A user defines a project and proposes the project to multiple consultants in the virtual service marketplace. The consultants bid for the proposed project in the virtual service marketplace. Core controlling factors set by the user during project definition are synchronized with core controlling factors set by the project consultant. The user selects a project consultant based on the synchronization. The selected project consultant creates the project website using the online tools. The user pays the selected project consultant for creating the project website. The presence of the virtual service marketplace promotes the web technology and the growth in numbers of users and consultants familiar with the web technology. | 03-12-2009 |
20090070236 | Diamond and Precious Stone Trading Platform with Funding and Delivery Transparency - The transparent diamond and precious stone trading platform and method has funding and delivery transparency during the buy-order, funding, and tracking pickup, independent comparative inspection, and final delivery of each stone. The database of stones includes, for each stone, stone-weight, stone characteristics, price, and a grading lab certificate. The certificate uniquely identifies each stone and is electronically accessible by sellers, buyers, couriers, and authentication services. A buy command is communicated to seller and buyer. The transfer funds is electronically noted and communicated. The pickup by courier, interim delivery, inspection comparing the stone to the certificate, and subsequent delivery to buyer and release of funds is communicated to traders by emails, text messages, automated voice messages or IVR. Buyer and seller profiles establish communications channels and organizational managers are also permitted access and given communications. If time or place parameters are exceeded, increasing levels of alarm electronic communications are implemented. | 03-12-2009 |
20090076932 | Method and system of marketing and mass producing customized kitchen furniture - A system of marketing and mass producing customized domestic furniture includes a graphic customizing center and a service center. The graphic customizing center has an electronic database which contains a plurality of domestic floor plans and a plurality of furniture kits, wherein each of the domestic floor plans, which is simulated from a domestic environment to imitate the domestic furniture therein, has a plurality of customized areas preset on the domestic furniture to be customized for generating a plurality of custom made virtual domestic environments. The service center itemizes the furniture kits selected from the virtual domestic environments to mass-order the furniture kits for reducing a cost of the furniture kit in quantity manner. | 03-19-2009 |
20090083164 | LIGHTWEIGHT SEARCHABLE POINT-OF-SALE MECHANISM FOR LEVERAGING INTERACTIVE COMMUNITIES - A software component comprises a plurality of modules each executing in a browser environment to make use of “friends” data in a networking site for data gathering and filtering in support of e-commerce through the networking site. A user-interface module operates to output catalog information to the logged-in user and to capture any input. Meanwhile, a data cache or memory is accessible to the modules and is configured to store the catalog information. A control module responds to any input captured at the user-interface so as to provide the catalog information to the user-interface, wherein the catalog data is typically provided from the data cache. A discovery module operates to identify any friends associated with the logged-in user. A communications module operates to populate the data cache with any catalog information retrieved from the server that is associated with the logged-in user and/or any discovered friends. | 03-26-2009 |
20090089183 | MULTI-PLATFORM NETWORK FOR PROVIDING ORDERING SERVICES - A food ordering system may receive, from a user, a request to place a food order, identify the user, identify a type of user device used by the user to place the request, identify a user interface client that is tailored to the type of the user device, receive, via the user interface client, input from the user to establish the food order, and provide the food order to a restaurant. | 04-02-2009 |
20090089184 | Content portal for media distribution - A system and method for distribution of media content. A distribution agreement is established with content providers. The distribution agreement authorizes the content providers to communicate media content to a content portal with a commission paid to the content portal. An authorization to distribute the media content is granted to the content providers in response to establishing the distribution agreement. A menu of the available media content is sent to users. The menu lists all of the media content available and a current price updated in real-time based on information from the content providers. A request is received for the media content from the users. The requested media is distributed to the users. An invoice for the users is updated based on the current price of the media content as ordered. The revenue, minus the commission, associated with the invoice is received for payment to the content providers. | 04-02-2009 |
20090089185 | Computer process (system/service) to facilitate shopping and delivery by allowing two parties or more than two parties to exchange (send and receive) physical items by using an email address (or a public identifier) of a receiving party and without the need to know a mailing/delivery address. A party could be a business or a consumer. - A process, method, system, service to facilitate shopping, delivery and physical items exchange between businesses and/or individuals, this is achieved by allowing a sender to use an email address/a public identifier to send a physical item(s) to a receiver instead of using an actual delivery/mailing address of the receiver. In one embodiment a sender can send a physical item(s) he/she owns or has access to via a delivery entity (such as a delivery courier(s), ordinary mail services, etc) by using the email address/public identifier of the receiver. In another embodiment, the sender can choose/purchase a physical item(s) from a business and send it using the receiver's email address/public identifier, where it gets delivered to the actual mailing/delivery address by a delivery entity (delivery entity could be the business itself, a delivery courier(s), ordinary mail services, etc). In other embodiments, the sender can purchase and send a gift certificate(s) that the receiver can use to choose a physical item(s) to be sent using the email address/public identifier instead of the actual mailing/delivery address that the delivery entity delivers to. The sender (a business or an individual) can also use own email address/public identifier instead of the actual mailing/pickup address when sending a physical item(s). The sender can send a physical item(s) to himself/herself, another individual(s) or a business/businesses using the email address/public identifier of the receiver (or using the email addresses/public identifiers if there are multiple receivers). | 04-02-2009 |
20090089186 | CONSUMER REPRESENTATION RENDERING WITH SELECTED MERCHANDISE - At least one computing system, in a network or stand-alone environment, accesses a consumer representation, wherein the consumer representation comprises a three dimensional model rendered to depict a consumer appearance and movement in each frame of a captured video stream and specified by a selection of sizing measurements detected from a scan of a consumer body shape. The computing system selects at least one merchandise item from among multiple merchandise items each with separate merchandise characteristics. In particular, the computing system selects the merchandise item of a size selected to fit the selection of sizing measurements for the consumer. The computing system renders the merchandise item on each rendered frame of the three dimensional model according to the merchandise characteristics as applied to the sizing measurements, wherein a display of the rendered three dimensional model shows a realistic image of the consumer appearance and movement as captured in the video stream rendering the consumer wearing the selected merchandise item. | 04-02-2009 |
20090094137 | Web Page Optimization Systems - A system for improved web page generation and display, relating to providing a system for dynamically creating web pages on demand which can be indexed by Internet-based search engine indexing programs from contents stored in one or more databases. Further, index rankings created from the dynamically created pages are optimized using random, but contextually appropriate text replacement, within the web page URL link references and web-page content, and source code ordering. | 04-09-2009 |
20090094138 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CALCULATING, TRACKING, AND PROJECTING CHILDREN'S CLOTHING SIZES OVER TIME - The present invention relates to an automated system and method for determining the best brand and product-specific sizes of garments or footwear for a child based on the child's measurements and the measurement parameters associated with a specific brands' sizing structures. The present invention also allows for projecting changes in the child's garment or footwear size by brand and product type over time either by projecting the approximate date on which a child will outgrow their current size or by projecting a future size for some given date in time. | 04-09-2009 |
20090094139 | MYCONCERTDATE.COM - A method for a member of an organization whose purpose is to bring people together who share common interests, wherein each member posts, on a common website, a profile describing themselves and their interests; where each member may list on the website one or more tickets to an entertainment event for sale, trade or date; each member being able to directly contact, through an electronic portal, the member posting the tickets, to purchase, trade or arrange a date to attend the event with the posting member, if both members agree. | 04-09-2009 |
20090106127 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AUTOMATED ENTRY INTO ON-LINE AUCTION OR SALE SERVICES EMPLOYING A WIRELESS DEVICE - A system for prompting data input by a user on a wireless device to prepare a listing for an item to be sold on a sales service provider site utilizing an integrated camera on the wireless device to obtain images of the item which are integrated into the listing. Upon completion of the listing, a sales service provider is contacted wirelessly by the device and the listing is transferred to the provider. Upon completion of a transaction by the provider, the wireless device receives transaction data for completion of the sale by the user. Prompts are provided on the display using screens with touchpad capability for data entry. Still and video images are prompted by the system and integrated camera capability in the wireless device is used to obtain the images. | 04-23-2009 |
20090106128 | Web Service Architecture for Product Selection and Dynamic Catalog Generation - Various systems and methods for providing product selection and dynamic catalog generation as a Web Service are disclosed. One method involves receiving a Web Service signature requesting access to catalog information. The Web Service signature comprises information indicative of a sales context. The method then dynamically generates a catalog, based upon the sales context. The method can also involve generating a second Web Service signature, which includes information indicative of the catalog, and sending that second Web Service signature to the application that requested access to the catalog information. | 04-23-2009 |
20090106129 | Web Service Architecture for Product Version Retrieval - Various techniques for providing product versioning as a Web Service are disclosed. One method involves receiving a Web Service signature requesting access to a product model. In response to receipt of that Web Service signature, a product model that includes several versions of a product is accessed, and the current version of the product is selected from the product model. The product model can include future versions of he product that are not yet effective; such versions will not be selected as the current model prior to becoming effective. Information representing the current version can then be returned to the request in a second Web Service signature. A single object broker can respond to Web Service signatures requesting access to the product model from various different sales channels. | 04-23-2009 |
20090112733 | Method and apparatus for a retail in-store bidding system - This invention proposes a new retail approach supported by a system (a process and an apparatus) featuring a series of new capabilities that change the basic retail paradigm where, by utilizing this new approach, the seller and the buyer interact via a new system where the buyer “proposes” (bidding) a price for a product and/or a service and the buyer may accept or not this “proposal” through a dynamic algorithm embedded in the system's logic. If the bid is accepted, the buyer collects the product or receives the services on the spot, bringing the “instant satisfaction” dimension into the picture. | 04-30-2009 |
20090112734 | CONTENT SERVICE OPERATIONAL MODELS - Techniques for providing software as a service for enterprise entities are described herein. In one embodiment, a first interface is provided to allow a client to browse over a network a plurality of standard content to be selected to use in one or more software applications used by the client, where the standard content is listed in one or more catalog and each catalog corresponding to a particular industrial usage. A second interface is provided to allow the client to subscribe a service of one or more specific categories selected from the standard content available via the first interface for a predetermined period of time, wherein during the predetermined period of time, the client can select one or more standard content from the subscribed categories and deploy the selected standard content in a system of the client without additional cost. Other methods and apparatuses are also described. | 04-30-2009 |
20090112735 | CONTENT SERVICE MARKETPLACE SOLUTIONS - Techniques for providing an integrated content marketplace for software content services are described herein. According to one embodiment, multiple categories of application content are displayed, each category including content items to be browsed and each of the content items selectable to be deployed in an enterprise application. In response to a search request for searching a content item, the categories are searched based on one or more keywords and a search result is displayed. In response to a demand from a user, a request form is presented to allow a user to specify one or more requirements of a specific content item not available from the categories, where the specific content item is to be developed specifically tailored to a specific need of the user. Other methods and apparatuses are also described. | 04-30-2009 |
20090112736 | METHOD OF MARKING AND SEARCHING DESIGNATED HOME SITES ON THE INTERNET - An Internet based system for distributing items from a source, such as goods, services or information, includes several websites associated with vendors for the items. Vendors that are authorized by the source of the item use a tag on the website indicative of such authorization. The tag is preferably included in the title page of the respective website so that when a browser is used to search for the vendors, the resulting listing of respective title pages includes the tag. If a vendor provides several services associated with the item, then several tags may be used for identifying the services. | 04-30-2009 |
20090119188 | MANAGEMENT OF EXCHANGE OF VIRTUAL GOODS FOR ONLINE GAMES - A method for validating and transferring a virtual good of an online game can be provided. The method can include reading a list of attributes of the virtual good provided by a seller of the virtual good and sending a message to a trusted server, wherein the message includes the list of attributes of the virtual good. The method can further include receiving a message from the trusted server confirming the existence of the virtual good, confirming the seller owns the virtual good and confirming the list of attributes. The method can further include receiving a payment confirmation from a payment authority, wherein payment was provided by a buyer of the virtual good. The method can further include sending a message to a trusted server instructing transfer of possession of the virtual good from the seller to the buyer. | 05-07-2009 |
20090119189 | INFORMATION DISSEMINATION SYSTEM AND METHOD - A method and computer program product for allowing one or more clients to define a real estate listing for each of a plurality of available properties, thus defining a plurality of available real estate listings. Each of the plurality of available real estate listings includes one or more data items. A user is allowed to define one or more real estate preferences. At least one compatible real estate listing is identified for the user based upon the one or more real estate preferences. The at least one compatible real estate listing is chosen from the plurality of available real estate listings. Review is effectuated, on a handheld electronic device of the user, of at least a portion of the one or more data items of the at least one compatible real estate listing. | 05-07-2009 |
20090125419 | Method and System for Selling Complex Products on a Distributed Network Using Syndicated Services - A software object representing a product to be sold on an Internet-based web site is automatically transmitted from a central computer system to a requesting browser at the direction of a remote user. Upon receipt, the browser executes the object, rendering sufficient structure, style and descriptive attributes such that the remote user is able to configure and prepare for purchase, within a single page-view, a complex product with multiple interdependent variations against a complex pricing model with no further interaction with the central computer system. | 05-14-2009 |
20090125420 | WEB-BASED INFORMATION DELIVERY METHOD, SYSTEM, AND APPARATUS - A method and system based on an enhanced publish-subscribe information delivery model for delivering information from information publishers to information subscribers on an Intranet or the Internet is disclosed. The invented system includes a centralized subject catalog that contains a hierarchy of categories with built-in functionality of browsing, searching, and navigation. Information publishers list information subjects in the appropriate categories in the subject catalog and publish information subsequently in terms of issues for the subject listings. Information subscribers find and make subscriptions to desired subject listings in the catalog. Then, the issues published by the publishers for the subject listings are delivered to and only to the corresponding subscribers in a timely manner. While emphasizing timeliness, the invented method and system permits great flexibility in information publication, subscription, and delivery. | 05-14-2009 |
20090125421 | Methods and Systems for Selling Picture Frame Products Through Retailers - A method of increasing sales for a retailer of framing products is disclosed. The method includes providing a software application to the retailer of framing products. The retailer has a line of framing products including retail framing products for offering to consumers. The software application includes a database of wholesale framing products not included in said retail framing products to thereby expand the line of framing products offered to consumers by the retailer. The method also includes receiving from the retailer a purchase order for at least one of the wholesale framing products, and fulfilling the purchase order received from the retailer. The purchase order is taken by the retailer from a consumer using the software application | 05-14-2009 |
20090125422 | Methods and Systems for Selling Picture Frame Products Through Retailers - A method of increasing sales for a retailer of framing products through a retail website is disclosed. The retailer has a line of framing products including retailer framing products. The method includes providing a back-end database including wholesale framing products not included in said retail framing products. The database is hosted by at least one computer in communication with a computer network. The method includes generating a retail website to provide the line of framing products including at least a portion of said wholesale framing products to a consumer via the computer network and receiving from the retailer a purchase order for at least one of the wholesale framing products. The purchase is order taken by the retailer from the consumer via the retail website. | 05-14-2009 |
20090125423 | SYSTEM FOR SELLING, BUYING, LENDING, AND RENTING VIRTUAL REGION AND METHOD THEREOF - The right for correlating a region or an existence with a virtual region in a virtual world structured in for example the Internet is sold, bought, lent, or rented. For example, when a buyer bought a virtual region from a seller, the virtual region of the seller is correlated with a virtual region of the buyer in a link method, a paste method, or a projection method. | 05-14-2009 |
20090132387 | Online gifting - The computer implemented method and system disclosed herein enables gifting a recipient on a social occasion in an online gifting environment of a provider. A user creates a virtual session for the social occasion in the online gifting environment. A business relation exists between the online stores and the provider, thereby enabling the user to search for gifts from multiple online stores. The user creates gift packages using the gifts selected from the online stores. The user invites guests to participate in the virtual session. The guests and the user post virtual greetings to the recipient in the virtual session. The guests contribute funds for purchase of at least one of the gift packages. The provider selects and purchases at least one of the gift packages based on the total funds contributed by the guests. The purchased gift packages are then delivered to the recipient on the social occasion. | 05-21-2009 |
20090132388 | PRODUCT SEARCH SYSTEM, PRODUCT SEARCH METHOD, AND PRODUCT SEARCH PROGRAM - The present invention makes it possible to narrow down desired products comfortably and efficiently while comparing products and checking a combination of products for compatibility on an EC site. An EC site screen containing a list screen of a product group, fitting platform, keep box, and the like is displayed on a client terminal accessing the EC site. When a user drags and drops thumbnail images of one or more products of interest from the list screen to the keep box, information about the products is held in the keep box. To view detailed information including the held images of the products, the user drags and drops the thumbnail images from the keep box to the fitting platform. Mannequin images and are provided on the fitting platform, and the user can compare products and check a combination of the products for compatibility by placing the images of the products (apparel products) on the mannequin images. | 05-21-2009 |
20090132389 | Method and system for linking eProcurement to virtual communities - An e-commerce system, comprising a master console software application executing on a first network-connected server and accessible to a plurality of external systems used by merchants, a shopping cart software application executing on a second network-connected server and coupled to the first server, and interface software executing on the second server for interacting with content associated with a first user is disclosed, wherein a merchant interacts with the master console software application to load information about a product available for promotion and sale by the first user, the master console software application makes that information available to the shopping cart software application, and the interface software provides information and code related to the specific product to the content, the code compatible with the content, and upon the code being activated in the content by a second user, the second user is connected to the shopping cart software application, and is thereby enabled to buy the product. | 05-21-2009 |
20090132390 | Providing Electronic Access to Consumer-Customized Nonverbal Information Regarding Products and Services - Generic information provided by printed and online catalogs may be supplemented or replaced by information that is customized for and/or related to the consumer, enabling a third party to more fully understand the purchase decision and thus offer more informed feedback. A party accessing a merchant system may be provided electronic access to consumer customized nonverbal information by, e.g., collecting an electronic version of consumer-customized nonverbal information at a merchant site, and displaying the electronic version of the consumer-customized nonverbal information for a party accessing the merchant system. | 05-21-2009 |
20090132391 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR EXTRACTING, DECODING, AND UTILIZING HIDDEN DATA EMBEDDED IN AUDIO SIGNALS - A system and method for enabling a user to retrieve, decode, and utilize hidden data embedded in audio signals. An exemplary implementation includes a microphone structured to receive sound waves representative of an audio signal and hidden data embedded in the audio signal. The then microphone converts the received sound waves into an electrical output signal. The system also includes a processor electrically coupled to the microphone and configured to receive the electrical output signal in order to extract the hidden data and provide information represented by the hidden data as an output thereof. A user interface is also provided and is electrically coupled to the processor and configured to receive a first input from the user and activate the processor to selectively initiate extraction of the hidden data. The processor produces as an output the information represented by the hidden data. Finally, the system includes a user presentation mechanism configured to present the information to the user. | 05-21-2009 |
20090138375 | VIRTUAL WEB STORE WITH PRODUCT IMAGES - A three dimensional web store having product images is created. Three dimensional product images are rendered from manufacturing information instead of the products themselves. The location of all products, advertisements, aisles, signs, and displays is determined for a real world store. The web store is then created using three dimensional internet or virtual world viewing and maneuvering capabilities, to appear identical to the real world store. | 05-28-2009 |
20090138376 | VIRTUAL SHOPPING CENTER - In one embodiment, a method of controlling a virtual shopping center can include: receiving a user input at a query input engine; aggregating an output from the query input engine with a user preference, such as a purchase history or other expressed interest, to form a search criteria; searching a database using the search criteria; and displaying an image associated with a matching product or service resulting from the search of the database. | 05-28-2009 |
20090138377 | Clothes fitting service method of providing information about fitting of clothes - Disclosed herein is a method of providing a clothes fitting service to a plurality of clients having respective terminals. The terminals are capable of accessing a network via a wireless or wired connection. In the method, body information is received via the network, a 3D user avatar corresponding to a client is created based on the body information, the client selects specific clothes, and the 3D user avatar is provided with the selected specific clothes on. Thereafter, when the specific clothes are put on the 3D user avatar, information about fitting of the clothes is calculated, and the calculated information about fitting of the clothes is provided to the client. | 05-28-2009 |
20090138378 | Apparatus, System and Method for Exchanging Lead Information - An apparatus, system and method is described for exchanging lead information in a bid process that provides end users, consumers, lead buyers, aggregators and sellers that aggregate the leads through marketing a platform to bid on the leads based on pre-determined criteria such as zip code, buy price field, etc without having duplicate lead information pass to any one entity. | 05-28-2009 |
20090138379 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INTERNATIONAL INTERNET SHOPPING - A method and system for providing international consumers without bank accounts, or recognizable addresses the ability to shop and purchase goods in a language and currency recognized by the consumer with foreknowledge of the full landed costs to remote locations. | 05-28-2009 |
20090138380 | MARKETPLACE SYSTEM THAT SUPPORTS USER-TO-USER SALES VIA A DEFINITIVE PRODUCT CATALOG - An electronic marketplace system embodies various inventions 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. To create the listing for the selected product, the user preferably specifies the product's condition and a selling price. The pending listings for a product are preferably displayed or summarized on the product's detail page in the catalog. When no such listings exist, an option to preorder the product from an unspecified seller may be provided. In one embodiment, the electronic catalog also serves as a retail sales catalog of a merchant. | 05-28-2009 |
20090138381 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR ELECTRONIC COMMERCE FACILITY CLIENT-BASED PRESENTATION OFFER MANAGEMENT - A method, system and computer readable medium for facilitating interactive electronic commerce transactions over an electronic commerce network between a plurality of sellers and a plurality of buyers via an independent service provider. A request is received from a seller over the electronic commerce network to generate an auction program process associated with the seller. The auction program process associated with the seller is generated by an electronic commerce computer of the independent service provider. A Uniform Resource Locator (URL) hyperlink associated with the auction program process is generated by the electronic commerce computer. The URL hyperlink is communicated to the seller for insertion into a web page hosted on a website other than the independent service provider's website, wherein the web page displays information about an item for sale. The auction program process generated by the electronic commerce computer of the independent service provider is activated when a buyer clicks on the inserted hyperlink on the hosting website. | 05-28-2009 |
20090138382 | COMPUTER OPERATION CONTROL AND ITEM SELECTION AND VENDING METHODS AND SYSTEMS - A signal is transmitted into a computer in response to an image on a display screen of the computer such that the computer operates in response to the signal; this includes moving a scanner in optical communication with the display screen such that the scanner detects an image (for example, a bar code) displayed on the screen and generates the signal in response. One or more computers may be used, and this may be used for vending a product or other purposes. With or without such scanning, a portion of a store environment may be displayed on a screen of a computer, including showing images of actual products for sale at the store, in which images of actual products are accessed via the computer from a database containing in-store images recorded in the store during a period of non-existent or minimal customer presence in the store. A vending system is also disclosed. | 05-28-2009 |
20090144173 | Method for converting 2d image into pseudo 3d image and user-adapted total coordination method in use artificial intelligence, and service business method thereof - The present invention provides a method of generating a pseudo-3D user-adapted avatar by using artificial intelligence based on a method of converting a 2D image to the pseudo-3D image having visual and partial functions of a 3D model, and a method of performing a coordination simulation by applying the pseudo-3D coordination image generated by applying total clothes coordination information derived from the artificial intelligence to a user-adapted avatar. The pseudo-3D user-adapted avatar is generated by receiving primary size information and deriving secondary size information from an algorithm by using the primary size information. The pseudo-3D user-adapted avatar image suitable to the user's body shape is generated from the 2D standard avatar image. The pseudo-3D coordination image is generated, from the standard 2D image by using coordination-related information, by an artificial intelligence algorithm, and in response to a corrected pseudo-3D user-adapted avatar image, the generated pseudo-3D coordination image is displayed. | 06-04-2009 |
20090144174 | Drag-and-drop customization of jewelry - An inventive method and system for allowing visitors of a web site to customize design elements into a final unique design through the use of an intuitive drag-and-drop or click-and-place method of assembly is presented. The inventive method and system enable better simulation of the highly visual, interactive, experimental and iterative creative design process employed by people when building artistic designs including jewelry. The drag-and-drop or click-and-place technique of putting gemstones into settings is analogous to an artist creating a painting by iteratively picking up a particular paint color with a paintbrush and placing the selected paint on a particular spot on a canvas. | 06-04-2009 |
20090144175 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR GENERATING SELF-HELP CUTTING INSTRUCTIONS OF DECORATIVE TRIM - The present invention relates to a technique for efficient interior and decorative designs and more particularly to a system and process to determine a plurality of self-help cutting instructions of decorative trim, and to a method that simplifies the process of planning, cutting, installing, and estimating material requirements and costs related to decorative trim. | 06-04-2009 |
20090144176 | System and method for replicating objects from providers in communication displays from other providers - A communication system facilitates the replication of display objects from first providers into displays provided, upon request from subscribers, by second providers. The first providers may specify which second providers or classes of second providers may incorporate the replicated display objects, and which portions thereof the second providers may customize. The second providers may select which available replicates they will display, and may customize them as specified permissible by the first providers. Changes made to the objects become available immediately to subscribers. | 06-04-2009 |
20090144177 | REAL ESTATE VALUE MAP COMPUTER SYSTEM - A computer system creates and displays a map image based upon a value database associating a plurality of values each with a geographic location in a geographic area and a map program associating each location with a map image location. The computer system assigns one of a plurality of symbols to each geographic location based upon its associated value. The symbol is then displayed on the map image at the map image location associated with the geographic location. | 06-04-2009 |
20090150257 | Method and apparatus for purchasing items in a program - A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program code for processing purchasing items. A broadcast television signal is received at a television system. The broadcast television signal contains data indicating that an item in the broadcast television signal is being offered for sale. A visual cue is presented in association with the item being presented in the television system in response to receiving the data. In response to receiving a user input to purchase the item, a purchase request process is sent to a seller of the item to purchase the item using personal information needed to purchase the item stored in the television system. | 06-11-2009 |
20090150258 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR WATCHING ITEMS FOR SALE IN AN AUCTION SYSTEM - Described herein are a method and a system to monitor one or more items offered for sale by sellers in a network-based market place. In addition to the information provided by the sellers to describe the items, interested buyers may also provide their own information to further describe the items for the benefit of the buyers. | 06-11-2009 |
20090150259 | Collection of Magazine Articles - A method of doing business of creating a collection of magazine articles selectively collected from multiple magazines and converted to audio mode is disclosed. Several magazines are available for specific areas of interest. However, all articles in all magazines may not be of interest to all readers. So, if a reader wanted to read all the articles related to a particular topic from multiple magazines, the reader, currently, has to get all those magazines from a library or purchase them. The current invention supports the demand and interest for audio versions and solves two potential customer problems: lack of enough time to read multiple magazines and cost incurred by the customer in purchasing several magazines for all articles of interest. So, the customers who are interested in multiple articles from multiple magazines can receive them as a collection of articles or in other words, a personalized magazine in audio mode. | 06-11-2009 |
20090150260 | System and method of dynamic generation of a user interface - The present invention is a system and methods of the dynamic generation of a user interface with form elements in proximity to a schematic or diagram of a product for the purposes of data entry. More specifically, form elements allow the gathering of data such as quantity, finish, size, color, engraving, for the purposes of ordering product from an online Shopping System. | 06-11-2009 |
20090150261 | Method and apparatus for providing status of inventory - A stateless e-commerce status indication system is provided. The system includes software code executable on at least one host website. The software code communicates with a remote processing server to obtain status information relating to status of an item for sale. The software then communicates at least a portion of the status information to a user of the host website. | 06-11-2009 |
20090150262 | On-Line Payment Transactions - A computer-implemented method includes accessing, with a user computing device, a web-based document from a first party containing a mark-up code segment pointing to a second party; and loading, using the mark-up code segment, a program for generating a shopping application for the web-based document. The loaded program is used to add to the web-based document event handlers associated with tags indicating items for sale, and a shopping cart containing information about an item for sale is generated upon triggering of one of the event handlers. | 06-11-2009 |
20090157530 | Data processing device and data processing method - Included are reproduction processing unit that reproduces a content distributed as carried on broadcasting waves, display unit that displays an image making distinguishable the content that is in a reproducing process by the reproduction processing unit, request accepting unit that accepts a purchase request for the content corresponding to the image displayed on the display unit, and code generating unit that generates a predetermined code readable by a mobile terminal on the basis of unique identifying information contained in the content having the purchase request accepted by the request accepting unit. | 06-18-2009 |
20090157531 | PAYMENT SERVICE CAPABLE OF BEING INVOKED FROM MERCHANT SITES - A computer-implemented service acts as an intermediary between merchant sites and users thereof, and enables the users to purchase items on the merchant sites without having to create accounts with such sites. A user may invoke the service from a web page of a merchant site, and complete a purchase transaction, without having to browse away from the merchant site. The service may either forward the user's payment information to the merchant's system to enable the merchant to charge the customer, or may charge the user on behalf of the merchant. In some implementations, the service enables users to make single-action purchases from the merchant sites. | 06-18-2009 |
20090164338 | Virtual Shelf With Single-Product Choice and Automatic Multiple-Vendor Selection - A retail front-end experience for the user with a multi-seller back-end. A product is displayed on a webpage, and if the user views it, the software automatically selects at least one best supplier for each item and condition (new, used, etc.) for that user, and then displays the one specific price from only those vendors. The price includes the shipping costs from that vendor's location to the user's location. Thus, the back end is hidden from the user—the user is not forced to choose from a list of vendors. The software selects the best vendor based on a variety of criteria, such as item selection (condition, price and version), the geographic closeness of the vendor (reduced shipping costs and/or reduced shipping speed), the reliability rating of the vendor (responsiveness, product description accuracy, etc.). | 06-25-2009 |
20090164339 | 3D PRODUCT DISPLAY ON INTERNET WITH CONTENT OR TRANSACTION DATA ON BACK OF IMAGE - A three dimensional use of an area to provide information. When a user clicks on cover art, for example, the art is replaced with descriptive material in the same space, as if the book or DVD were flipped over (but not a literal showing of the backside of the physical product). The flip side shows either (1) content data, (2) transaction data, or (3) community data. For example, content data can be select songs for a CD or chapters for a book. Transaction data can show a market price, or, for a seller, whether a product has been sold. Community data can be how popular the product is, such as how many other people have bought it. | 06-25-2009 |
20090164340 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR POPULATING A GIFT REGISTRY USING UPLOADED PRODUCT INFORMATION - According to one embodiment of the invention, a method comprises recovering a product identifier downloaded from portable electronic device, and thereafter, searching a database by the portable electronic device. This search uses a product identifier to uncover any occurrences of the product associated with the product identifier in a database containing multiple products from multiples retailers. Thereafter, a message including a name of one or more merchants selling the product or an item equivalent to the product, and a price of the product or the item equivalent to the product is returned. | 06-25-2009 |
20090164341 | Interactive survey feedback tool - A method of optimizing one or more attributes of a product according to a product context. A product context and one or more attributes of the product are presented to a user via a software graphical user interface (GUI). A visual rendering of the product including at least one attribute of the product may be presented via the GUI. The user either may select or modify the at least one attribute and submit a user input that corresponds to the attribute and/or the modified attribute of the product in reference to the product context. The user input is received and the product is displayed via the GUI based on the user input. If the attribute of the product was modified, then the attribute of the product is modified and displayed substantially simultaneously. A correlation between the user input and the attribute of the product in reference to the product context is determined when a termination command is received. | 06-25-2009 |
20090171809 | EFFICIENT PURCHASE ORDER CREATION - A system may include detection of a user selection of a purchasing-related document and, in response to the detection, automatic creation of a new purchase order based on the selected document. At least one data element of the new purchase order is identical to a data element of the selected document. | 07-02-2009 |
20090171810 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR FACILITATING FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS OVER A NETWORK - Systems and methods for facilitating financial transactions over a network include a merchant device, a client device and a payment processing device. The merchant device is adapted to allow a merchant to provide items for purchase via the network. The client device is adapted to allow a user to access the merchant device via the network and view the items for purchase. The client device is adapted to provide a payment mechanism to the user. The user generates a purchase request for an item by selecting the one item, dragging the item to the payment mechanism, and dropping the item over the payment mechanism. The payment processing device is adapted to receive the purchase request from the client device via the network and authorize the user to purchase the item from the merchant based on information passed with the purchase request. | 07-02-2009 |
20090171811 | Architectural Design For Product Catalog Management Application Software - Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, for implementing a software architecture design for a software application implementing product catalog management. The application is structured as multiple process components interacting with each other through service interfaces, and multiple service operations, each being implemented for a respective process component. The process components include a product catalog authoring process component that creates and edits a product catalog; a product catalog publishing process component that provides a released product catalog in electronic form; and a purchasing contract processing process component that creates and maintains purchasing contracts. | 07-02-2009 |
20090171812 | Media streams and media store - This invention is directed to providing access to one or more media streams in exchange for purchasing articles or items that may be related to at least one of the media streams. In some embodiments, the item purchased may include a media item related to a media item provided as part of a particular media stream. For example, a user may be provided access to an Internet radio station in exchange for purchasing a song. The song may include any song available from a store, a song transmitted by the Internet radio station, or a song related to a song transmitted by the Internet radio station. Each media item purchased may provide the user with a particular amount of media stream credit that may be used to access media streams. In some embodiments, different purchased media items may provide the user with the same or different amounts of credit. | 07-02-2009 |
20090171813 | SYSTEM, PROGRAM PRODUCT, AND METHOD OF ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION NETWORK GUIDED NAVIGATION - Systems, program product, and methods of electronic communication network guided navigation which allow users to obtain more relevant product search results much more quickly, are provided. An example of a system can allow a user to enter or start a product search request for a relatively broad term in a search engine and quickly start looking for relevant information by assisting the user in narrowing the product search results in a more efficient guided search. The results can be displayed to a user in a row of boxes, which focus the user on categories of potential intentions or meanings behind the product search request term or terms so that the user's intent can be quickly ascertained and the user directed to results more closely aligned with or coinciding with the user's intent behind the product search request. | 07-02-2009 |
20090177558 | Methods and apparatus for wireless interactive guided shopping - The disclosed embodiments provide for methods and apparatus for a user of a wireless handset device to wirelessly connect to a portal of a merchant/vendor, or a third party service provider and interactively select and purchase food ingredients and merchandise assembly parts. The user may also receive instructions on how to select recipes, choose ingredients, pick up ingredients, prepare and cook the meal. The inventive concept may also be applied to assembly of other merchandise, such as toys, home improvement, home projects, clothing, costumes, party design and furnishing, and other projects. | 07-09-2009 |
20090192917 | METHOD FOR RETRIEVING AND PRESENTING TRAVEL RELATED INFORMATION - A method to intuitively and quickly retrieve travel related information and gain access to providers of travel related services. The method is especially suitable for quickly finding non-stop airplane flights and connecting to airline reservation systems in as few as two clicks to access an airline reservation system to book a non-stop airplane flight. A user selects points such as airports on map-based displays and is presented with information pertaining to travel between, and services near, the selected points, such as airlines, lodging, car rentals, etc. | 07-30-2009 |
20090192918 | Lead Mining Systems and Methods - Lead mining services and methods are presented. A lead mining service stores leads having attributes, a history, or a closing value in a database and allows lead consumers to defined policies for acceptable leads. The service provides leads to the lead consumers according to their defined lead policies. Each consumer can work a lead by modifying lead attributes, or closing values. Based on how consumers work leads, an analytic engine associated with the service can discover or establish trends from leads having acceptable closing values. The trend information can be used to form a predication comprising a set of one or more leads that are predicted to have acceptable closing values for the lead consumers were the set of leads fail to satisfy the consumer's lead policies. Contemplated lead mining services identify leads that would ordinarily be overlooked or fall outside the scope of a lead policy. | 07-30-2009 |
20090192919 | PERIODICALLY RELOADING IMAGE IN ORDER TO OBTAIN ANY CHANGES TO THE IMAGES - A method of managing images between computers over a network. The method includes receiving a first product description and a first image location of the first product, the first image location referencing a first storage computer on the network; receiving a second product description and a second image location of the second product, the second image location referencing a second storage computer on the network; retrieving the first image from the first storage computer based on the first image location; producing a first thumbnail image from the first image; retrieving the second image from second first storage computer based on the second image location; producing a second thumbnail image from the second image; periodically reloading the first image and the second image in order to obtain any changes that were made to the first image and the second image; and updating the first thumbnail image and the second thumbnail image. | 07-30-2009 |
20090192920 | INVENTORY SALES SYSTEM AND METHOD - A computer system and method of facilitating a sale which permits inventory information to be used in connection with a technology enabled selling (TES) system to facilitate a sale. The inventory information may be used during configuration of an item to be sold to a customer in a manner which allows the sales representative to more easily sell items from inventory if desired. | 07-30-2009 |
20090198592 | SMS gifting - A SMS gifting system including a computer of a commercial business in communication with a network; the computer generates a purchase authorization code (“PAC”) and an indicia that describes a purchase by a purchaser of goods, services, and gift amounts relating to the commercial business; the computer transmits the generated PAC and indicia to a recipient; a communications device operable by the purchaser receives the information relating to the goods, services, and gift amounts and displays the information to the purchaser, a wireless communications device in communication with the network operable by the recipient to receive and display the generated PAC and indicia; and a store providing the goods, services, and gift amounts of the commercial business, the store receives the generated PAC and indicia and compares the presented PAC to the generated PAC for authorizing the provision at the store of the purchased goods, services, and gift amounts. | 08-06-2009 |
20090198593 | Method and apparatus for comparing entities - A method and apparatus for comparing entities, such as companies or trademarks, based on available pricing and feature information regarding goods or services provided by the companies. Web services, e.g. price finding robots, are employed to obtain pricing and feature information for similar products from different companies. Products having similar features but derive from different companies can be grouped to clusters and be analyzed with respect to average pricing levels. Data formats for pricing and feature information stemming from different web services may be automatically retrieved and mapped into a common format. The method allows to evaluate systematic deviations in the company's pricing policies or to detect if companies do not have a matching product portfolio. One can also estimate the prestige or acceptance of a company or brand as a function of prices tolerated by the underlying market. This may facilitate marketing strategies. | 08-06-2009 |
20090198594 | AGGREGATION OF PRODUCT DATA PROVIDED FROM EXTERNAL SOURCES FOR PRESENTATION ON AN E-COMMERCE WEBSITE - Aggregation of product data provided from external sources of product data for presentation on an e-commerce website. A set of product data related to a product that is offered for sale in e-commerce is accessed and subjected to an aggregation process. The set of product data is mapped for aggregation with other sets of product data based on an existing mapping or on an absence of an existing mapping. Access is provided to an aggregated set of product data that includes the set of product data that is mapped for aggregation with other sets of product data, for presentation on an e-commerce website. | 08-06-2009 |
20090204510 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PAYING CHARGE OF INTERNET ITEM USING REQUEST OF GIFT IN MOBILE CONFIGURATION - The present invention relates to wireless payment system and method in a mobile environment in which a sender makes a gift request for an internet item to a receiver using an MMS message and the sender is provided with the item according to payment of the receiver. The wireless payment system according to the present invention includes an item server for receiving a gift request MMS message for a specific item from a sender terminal, sending the gift request MMS message to a receiver terminal, receiving an approval result according to payment of the receiver, and if the approval result is success, providing the item to the sender; and a payment server for receiving connection of a payment request for gift purchase from the receiver terminal which received the MMS message, approving the payment request, and transmitting the approval result to the item server. | 08-13-2009 |
20090204511 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DISTRIBUTING TARGETED CONTENT - A system and method for distributing target content, i.e. advertising or promotional material, are disclosed. A user takes a photograph of an image meeting predefined criteria. Image data defining the photograph is extracted and transmitted to a server where the image data is matched with corresponding image data relating to a plurality of pre-stored images. Where a match is found content is transmitted back to the user. | 08-13-2009 |
20090210319 | Multi-party Commercial Web-Site and Web-Publishing Method - An accessory catalog system and method for displaying an accessory catalog. The accessory catalog system may include a supplier server system, having a development server configured to serve a development interface to a vendor client over a computer network. The development interface may be configured to receive predefined types of vendor-specified data for use in displaying an accessory catalog of accessory products supplied by a supplier and sold by a vendor. The server system may further include a supplier database that is configured to store the vendor-specified data, and also to store supplier-specified data relating to the accessory products. The server system may further include a catalog server configured to serve a catalog page for display on a purchaser client of a purchaser, the catalog page including both vendor-specified data and supplier-specified data retrieved from the supplier database. | 08-20-2009 |
20090210320 | System and method for comparative sizing between a well-fitting source item and a target item - A comparative sizing method in which at least one well-fitting source item is received having at least one source item property associated therewith and a target item having at least one associated target item property for which a resultant comparative sizing recommendation is being requested based on the at least one source item as specified by its at least one source item property associated therewith. Each source item and the target item is correlated with each database item having associated database item properties in a database based on source-database item matches and target database item matches. The resultant comparative sizing recommendation is determined based on the correlated source-database item matches and target-database item matches. | 08-20-2009 |
20090210321 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CLASSIFYING AND RECOMMENDING WINE - A method for classifying and recommending wine includes establishing a network connection between a server and a computer, recording a wine inventory within a database management system (DBMS) of the sever, and populating the inventory with information describing the different wines. A weighted value is assigned to the information for each wine to determine a numeric bin value, and an objective personal taste profile (PTP) of the user is calculated as a number that objectively rates the user's taste preferences. The method matches a wine with the user based on the bin value and PTP, and displays a graphic of the wine on a web browser. A server-based system includes a data base management system (DBMS) and a server having an algorithm for classifying and recommending wine based on the user's PTP, and displaying a graphic of the wine on a web browser. | 08-20-2009 |
20090210322 | METHOD FOR CREATING CUSTOM BLENDED COSMETICS - A method for custom blending eye shadow, facial and lip cosmetics by a consumer. The consumer may purchase a cosmetic color kit that contains one or more base powders, along with a measuring device, a container for mixing the ingredients, and instructions for custom blending essentially an infinite variety of final cosmetic colors, or they may purchase individual components of the kit. The advantage is that the consumer can modify the custom blended cosmetic, if their first, second or even third attempt at making the exact color desired has not yet been achieved. They need not purchase a variety of single colors in an attempt to find the right one for their cosmetic needs. | 08-20-2009 |
20090210323 | Distributed Purchasing System for User Generated Content and/or Products/Services Advertised Through User Generated Content - A purchasing system comprising a user and a purchasing server wherein the user provides electronic content to the purchasing server. The purchasing server operates to create a unique code for the electronic content and create an altered version of the electronic content having the unique code embedded therein. The altered version of the electronic content is returned to the user who can distribute it through any electronic media system. On receipt of a communication from a purchaser containing the unique code, the purchasing server provides a copy of, or directions on accessing a copy of, the original electronic content to the purchaser. The purchaser is then charged for purchasing the original electronic content. In a further variation of this system, the purchaser may purchase goods or services depicted in the electronic content and differentiated by a unique code displayed in the altered electronic content rather than purchasing the electronic content. | 08-20-2009 |
20090216658 | Customer Customizable Lamp - A customer-customizable lamp includes a vertical support post mounted to a base plate. The customer selects from five different heights of decorative blocks to be mounted on the post. Each selected block may be provided in any one of five selectable colors or four selectable simulated wood grains. The selection of blocks and finishes are made on a web page with an interactive representation of the customizable lamp being displayed as the design is being created by the customer. The remaining height on the support post to be filled with decorative blocks is displayed. Once the post is filled and the customer has selected finishes for each selected block, the lamp design can be finalized for delivery to the customer. The customer selectable blocks and colors/finishes permit several million permutations so that the customer can create a highly individualized decorative lamp. | 08-27-2009 |
20090216659 | Method and System for Assisting Cutomers in Making Purchase Decisions - Disclosed are a method and a system for assisting a customer in making a purchase decision of a product. Information from the customer is received and a first virtual model is generated based on the information. A graphical image corresponding to the product is overlaid on the first virtual model for generating a second virtual model. The second virtual model is displayed for assisting the customer in making the purchase decision of the product. | 08-27-2009 |
20090216660 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING COMMUNITY BASED CATALOGS AND/OR COMMUNITY BASED ON-LINE SERVICES - A buying community is established by discerning customers having the same or similar business types. The business type of a customer may be discerned from a keyword within a corporate, business, or other entity name that is associated with the customer or from purchasing interests commonly shared by customers. Once a buying community is established, behaviors of customers within that buying community are discerned. These behaviors may include product purchasing behaviors, on-line navigation behaviors, on-line searching behaviors, etc. The discerned behaviors of the customers within the buying community may then be used to provide catalogs customized for those members and/or on-line services customized for those members. | 08-27-2009 |
20090216661 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ONLINE GARDEN DESIGN - A method and system for improving the way fruit, vegetable and flower gardens are planned, designed, and implemented. The present application discloses systems and methods to simplify gardening, as well as improve the overall yield while mitigating such problems as over-planting, over/under irrigating, and poor maintenance. Systems and methods are described for an application utilizing a database to provide an interactive garden design, planning and implementation process. | 08-27-2009 |
20090222358 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROMOTING COMMERCE, INCLUDING SALES AGENT ASSISTED COMMERCE, IN A NETWORKED ECONOMY - A personal communication and electronic commerce system for use by participating users and participating merchants in connection with incentive programs in the Network Economy. The system includes a cellular communication network that includes geographically spaced base stations that are linked to a fixed communication network. Users may have personal communication devices that can be used to allow a digital message generated on the personal communication devices by placing a call through one of the base stations and memory for storing a digital value corresponding to a monetary value. The personal communication device may also be used as a cellular position locator to determine one's geographic location and, if desired, to access information from a merchant information database containing information pertaining to a plurality of participating merchants located within the geographic territory covered by the cellular communication network. The merchant information may be stored on a database that is accessible by merchants so those merchants can add, delete or alter information contained in their respective listings. An incentive system is also provided for creating incentives for participating users to encourage. This computer implemented incentive program for encouraging certain participant actions includes a first reward program under which participants may earn points for certain actions and a second reward program through which the redemption rate associated with a particular participant is adjusted in response to certain participant action. The incentive program has a wide range of applications, including transportation, financial services and computer gaming. | 09-03-2009 |
20090228373 | APPLICATIONS WITH INTEGRATED CAPTURE - Embodiments include a system for integrating capture software functionality into other software applications including computer aided design (CAD) application, search application, database management application, email applications, network publishing applications, collaboration applications, copying and facsimile applications, manufacturing applications and similar programs. A user may utilize any of these applications to initiate a capture of an image or model. The applications may include an integrated capture functionality or message system to communicate with a capture application to initiate a capture. A separate or integrated conversion application may automatically be invoked to convert and return the image or model to the requesting application. | 09-10-2009 |
20090240602 | AUTOMATED PRICE QUOTE ENGINE - Methods and systems for automated price quote generation are provided. A requesting party submits a request that includes information regarding a geographic location and at least one specification. A database is searched based on the information provided by the request. A price quote is automatically generated based on at least the results of the search and provided to the requesting party. The requesting party may be a potential customer, a dealer, or a third party acting on behalf of the potential customer or dealer. | 09-24-2009 |
20090248542 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR FACILITATING CREATIVE CONTENT DISCOVERY, SALE AND INVESTMENT - In one aspect, the present invention relates to a web site which addresses the above difficulties and others by providing site where an author may upload creative works for sale at a price set by the author. The website allows users to purchase and rate the works, creating an environment where high-quality works may be identified by users. The website further systematizes the process by which works are acquired by an investment pool, which may be an investment pool run by the website operator. The investment pool will offer to buy the rights of any work achieving a given amount of sales or positive feedback on the site. | 10-01-2009 |
20090248543 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MESSAGE-BASED PURCHASING - Various embodiments of a system and method for message-based purchasing are described. The system and method for message-based purchasing may include a message-based purchase service configured to determine that a selection has been performed through a network-based interface. Such selection may be indicative of one or more items offered for sale via the network-based interface. The message-based purchase service may be configured to, in response to the selection of one or more items, send to a communication device, a message indicating a code corresponding to the selection. The message-based purchase service may receive from the communication device through a communication channel that does not include the network-based interface, a message including the code. The message-based purchase service may be configured to, in response to determining that the message received from the communication device includes the code, generate a purchase request for the one or more previously selected items. | 10-01-2009 |
20090248544 | REVERSE PRODUCT PURCHASE IN A VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENT - A reverse purchase system allows purchasing an item on a website and receiving a virtual version of that item substantially immediately. Subsequent to receiving that virtual version, the user later receives the real version either in the mail or through redemption of a coupon. | 10-01-2009 |
20090248545 | Related parts identification and sales tool - A method of identifying related parts is disclosed. The method includes receiving a selection of a product, receiving a selection of at least one part of a product, and identifying at least one related part structurally associated with the selected at least one part. The method further includes generating a parts list containing the selected at least one part and the identified at least one related part, and presenting the parts list. | 10-01-2009 |
20090248546 | Marketing System And Method - A method for marketing products, by selecting a product having a product identifier from a catalog, entering the product identifier into an online computer system, and using the online computer system to generate a customized sales sheet. The catalog may be in an abbreviated format to reduce the size and/or weight, and may include product codes enabling more expeditious access to the product information in the online system. The sales sheets are customizable with such information as product images complete with logos specific to a retail customer, a distributor, or both. The invention may also be embodied as a system for producing marketing materials. | 10-01-2009 |
20090254451 | Transaction system and method - A method for electronic transaction method comprising: selling by a Credit Provider to a Service Provider credit vouchers, each voucher associated with a predetermined value and all the credit cards parameters; electronically distributing by the Service Provider of the vouchers to Merchants, who sell vouchers to End Users, for the End Users to use the vouchers in commercial transactions. | 10-08-2009 |
20090254452 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PERFORMING AN ACTION BASED ON USER INTERACTION WITH A GRAPHICAL PRESENTATION - A method for performing an action based on user interaction with a graphical presentation, according to one embodiment. In use, output data is generated corresponding to a multidimensional presentation of graphical representations of two or more consumer products in relation to each other. Additionally, positions of the graphical representations of the consumer products relative to each other are based on multiple attributes of the products. Further, none of the dimensions correlates to a side by side ordering of the consumer products. Further still, a user selection of one or more of the consumer products is received. Also, a transaction is performed based on additional input received from the user. Additional embodiments are also presented. | 10-08-2009 |
20090254453 | SYSTEM, METHOD, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR CONVEYANCE OF GIFT AT SELECTED DATE AND TIME USING COMMUNICATION NETWORK - A method and system enables a conveying user to select one or more gift items and to deliver the selected gift items to a receiving user at the receiving user's location at a selected date and time. The method includes creating a database having identifying information and a conveyance permission profile for the receiving user. The method includes selecting, by the conveying user, one or more gift items from an online gift catalog, the selected gift items being qualified by the conveyance permission profile. The method includes selecting, by the conveying user, a delivery date and time of the selected gift items and purchasing the selected gift items. The method includes notifying a fulfillment system of the selection of the gift items and commencing delivery of the selected gift items in response to the notification, the selected gift items being delivered to the receiving user's location at the selected date and time. | 10-08-2009 |
20090254454 | Method and system for providing online automobile service comparison, service ranking, expenses comparison, price matching and purchasing the desired services. Based on provisional application 60912189 filed on April 17, 2007 and ID 1688557 - A method and system for providing online automobile service comparison, service ranking, expense comparisons and online price matching are disclosed. The system provides online automobile service comparison, service ranking, expenses comparison and online price matching through a designated website accessible by a user via a communication network such as the Internet and/or intranet. The method includes the steps of providing optimized information by the system regarding available automobile service stations in a specific area, automobile services offered, customer feedback rankings, cost of desired services, displaying the required information to the user. The method also includes the steps to purchase the desired automobile services. The method also include a system through which service stations can online match their competitor prices based on a pre-defined value/percent for a specific service or plural of services to gain additional business. | 10-08-2009 |
20090254455 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR VIRTUAL CANVAS GENERATION, PRODUCT CATALOG SEARCHING, AND RESULT PRESENTATION - A system and method for virtual canvas generation, product catalog searching, and result presentation. A user that searches multiple virtual catalogs can be provided with search results in a highly useful format. The search results can include a ranked list of product catalogs along with a further display of a non-sequential set of catalog page images that include product information. Virtual canvases can also be created that are customized based on various criteria, such as the characteristics of the user device. The virtual canvas can also include supplemental data that is associated with the search result set. | 10-08-2009 |
20090254456 | SYSTEM, METHOD, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR PROVIDING AN ASSOCIATION BETWEEN A FIRST PARTICIPANT AND A SECOND PARTICIPANT IN A SOCIAL NETWORK - A system, method, and computer program product are provided for associating a first participant and a second participant in a social network. In one embodiment, payment is received from a first participant. Additionally, an association between the first participant and a second participant in a social network is provided, in exchange for the payment. | 10-08-2009 |
20090254457 | Video based product setup instructions via web services applications - A system that provides video based assembly or setup instructions for a product. A link to the instructions from another website that allows purchasing the products, can be made | 10-08-2009 |
20090254458 | System and Method for Creating a Shared Electronic Shopping Environment - A shared shopping environment comprises common inventory that serves one or more web stores. The web stores share a common domain and sell items identified in the common inventory. Each web-based store may provide information about the items offered for sale at that store site. The information offered by the web-based stores is available to a shopper through a common search engine. A shopper may purchase items from any of the stores using a single shopping cart. Orders for each of the stores are fulfilled from the common inventory. | 10-08-2009 |
20090254459 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING A WIDGET USABLE IN AFFILIATE MARKETING - A system and computer implemented method for providing a widget are described. The method and system include rendering the widget on a site. The widget dynamically displays multimedia content associated with a campaign. The widget is also embeddable, copyable, and allows for at least one user action. The method and system also include receiving at least one input related to the at least one action and updating the widget based on a goal corresponding to the at least one action. | 10-08-2009 |
20090259567 | System and Apparatus for Creating Customized Artwork at Point-of-Purchase - A method and apparatus creating customized artwork for a customer at a point of purchase which includes a display and user interface adapted for a point-of-purchase capable of creating layered images, and allowing a user to update the layered images and specify options for creating customized artwork printed on a specified canvas format. | 10-15-2009 |
20090259568 | APPARATUSES, METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR ELECTRONIC REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS - The disclosure details the implementation of an apparatuses, methods, and systems for Electronic Real Estate Transactions. In one embodiment, the disclosure details a method for providing commercial transaction services of virtual real estate using a digital map. The system creates a digital map including general Points of Interest information. The system may then insert information on non-transaction regions including specific topographical features and public facilities. The system allows users to enter into a transaction and/or otherwise administer the virtual real estate by using the digital map on their computer terminal. | 10-15-2009 |
20090265255 | Systems, Devices, and Methods for Supporting Decisions - Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a method that can include: sending software to a first information device and to a second information device, the software adapted to cause display of information regarding user-selected items; receiving an identifier of a selected item; and providing the identifier to the software on the second information device. | 10-22-2009 |
20090265256 | Product Characteristic Selection Website - The present invention is an Internet wire-mesh merchandising system that comprises a webserver for generating a web presence. Potential customers looking to select and buy wire mesh are allowed to log-on to a website operated by a wire-mesh retailer, distributor, and manufacturer. An HTML product page includes navigation buttons that link to other HTML product pages. Each page further includes JPG or GIF type pictures that allow the shopper to see a particular wire mesh product corresponding to a presently displayed HTML product page. A group of alternate-view buttons link to other pictures of the same product that show variations or different perspectives. A set of four navigation buttons permit the shopper to hyperlink to HTML product pages where the wire mesh is finer, coarser, thinner, and thicker. Once the link is taken, a graphic is presented that corresponds to the selected wire-mesh. The list of hyperlinks includes only those HTML product pages that represent available combinations of wire-mesh material, wire size, and mesh count. A “price” and an “order” hypertext allow the shopper to see the product price for the selected item and to order it electronically. | 10-22-2009 |
20090265257 | Method and system for monetizing content - An e-commerce system, comprising an endorsement engine, a first interface software coupled to the endorsement engine and adapted to interact with one or more content sources connected over a network and adapted to enable subscriptions from users using a protocol, and a second interface software coupled to the endorsement engine and adapted to interact with one or more merchants to receive information about products, is disclosed. In an embodiment, the first 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 provided by merchants, to select a product for endorsement, and to enter code associated with the selected product. Upon retrieval of content by a viewing user who previously subscribed to the content source using the protocol, at least one of the content-specific code and the product-specific code is also provided to the viewing user via the protocol. Upon activation of the content-specific code, 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. | 10-22-2009 |
20090271293 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR DYNAMICALLY GENERATING PERSONALIZED SHOPPING SUGGESTIONS - Methods and systems of establishing a shopping assistant utility are described. The method may include receiving product information for products, and based on the received product information, automatically generating a product profile for each of the products. Each product profile includes attributes assigned to the product. The method may further include receiving a search request including search criteria corresponding to at least one of the attributes, and comparing the search criteria with the attribute of the products to determine a level of correlation between each of the products and the search criteria. Further, the method may generate a score assigned to each of the products based on the determined level of correlation and present the products in an ordered list based on the generated scores assigned to each of the products. | 10-29-2009 |
20090271294 | System and method for delivering real time remote buying, selling, meeting and interacting in a virtual reality environment - A virtual reality interactional system and a method of use in which remote shoppers, remote advisors, remote sales consultants, remote product display agents, real time inventory status, live and stored audio and video content, and client server based virtual programming logic interact in real time to complete soft touch, high touch, and non-high touch products and services transactions. The virtual reality interacting system encompasses a combination of virtual reality hardware, virtual reality programming logic and communication networks. It can be used at homes, offices, virtual reality storefronts, or a combination thereof using high capacity private networks and also the Internet. Business to business, business to consumer, and consumer to consumer interactive interactions can be seamlessly performed by means of the current invention. | 10-29-2009 |
20090271295 | ONLINE ORDERING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR KEYED DEVICES - An online product ordering system first displays images of different product categories, such as different types of padlocks, and then displays all product models available in a category when the user clicks on a selected category image. The user selects a product model and then customizes various aspects of the selected model. In the case of a padlock, the user can select a shackle type and bumper type from available options, with images of each option displayed to the user for selection purposes, and may order a customized plate with user entered text or other indicia. In the case of a padlock, the user may enter their existing key number and the padlock can be customized to open with the user's existing key. | 10-29-2009 |
20090271296 | Motor vehicle remarkating service - A system and method in combination with a nationwide alliance of professional car care enterprises for remarketing privately owned motor vehicles. Consumers register with the system. Successfully registered consumers present their motor vehicles at a participating professional car care enterprise for processing into the system. The computer-implemented system employs a method based on three-dimensional facial image technology in combination with personal relational identifiers to monitor, identify, isolate, ban, and enforce the express prohibition of used car dealer, used car broker, and curbstoner participation within the system, in any fashion. The service is national in its reach while local in its execution, and provides a national platform for green-marketing the benefits of professional car care versus individual car care alternatives. | 10-29-2009 |
20090276331 | Method for Linking Network Virtual Service to Physical Service of a Physical Shop - A method for linking network virtual service to physical service of a physical shop, wherein a shop owner provides a network service platform to the customers for performing a primary virtual service, saving the service content by free or charge account and assisting the customers in finishing the physical service. Such a method can assist the physical shop in attracting the customers related to the physical shop via the network quickly and effectively and providing a previous situation simulation of the physical service to the customer to increase the confidence and satisfaction index and achieving the high satisfaction of the service and further making the service more professional. | 11-05-2009 |
20090276332 | Network-based distribution of application products - An improved system and method for submitting, distributing and/or managing digital products with respect to a product distribution system are disclosed. The submission of digital products to the product distribution system can operate to electronically submit not only the digital products but also product information, developer information and distribution parameters. The product distribution system can present the digital products for distribution at an online product distribution site in accordance with the distribution parameters. The online product distribution site can present potential purchasers with product information and/or developer information prior to any purchase. | 11-05-2009 |
20090276333 | Electronic submission and management of digital products for network-based distribution - An improved system and method for submitting, distributing and/or managing digital products with respect to a product distribution site are disclosed. The submission of digital products to the product distribution site is able to be performed by numerous submitters in a uniform and computer-assisted manner. The submitted digital products can then be managed in a largely automated manner and made available for online purchase and distribution at the product distribution site. Once a digital product is submitted, the user can access the status of the digital product submission to obtain information of whether the digital product has been approved or rejected. In one embodiment, the digital products are computer program products (e.g., computer software programs). | 11-05-2009 |
20090276334 | CONTENT PURCHASING/VIEWING SYSTEM, CONTENT REPRODUCING DEVICE, AND CONTENT REPRODUCTION AUTHENTICATION SERVER - A content reproducing device ( | 11-05-2009 |
20090276335 | System and Method for Selling Cable Products - System and method for selling cable products. Indicia are assigned to various types of cable, indicating attributes including relative data transmission capacity of each cable type. A three-dimensional graphical depiction of a series of concentric pipes illustrates data bandwidth requirements of various technologies. | 11-05-2009 |
20090276336 | Methods and Systems for Self-Branding Through E-Commerce Channels, Establishing a Virtual Storefront, and Procuring Self-Branded Merchandise for Sale Therein - Methods and systems are provided for the creation and management of online businesses (e-Business). The methods and systems automate key business processes and enable intelligent business control. Through the use of the present invention, each e-Business can offer its own branded products for sale without having to maintain an inventory of such products. | 11-05-2009 |
20090281922 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR SELECTING CLOTHING ITEMS ACCORDING TO PREDETERMINED CRITERIA - A method and system enables users to select clothing choices for various situations such as: 1) During the purchase of new clothing items; 2) when deciding what to pack for a trip, possibly to a different culture; 3) when deciding what to wear for a particular occasion, or what to pack for a trip. In this invention, a database contains information about a client's wardrobe. Each item in the database is placed in a defined category and has a unique identity. The user can enter certain search requirement that enable the invention to search the clothing database for clothing matches that are consistent with the search requirements. | 11-12-2009 |
20090281923 | System and process for improving product recommendations for use in providing personalized advertisements to retail customers - A system and process for improving product recommendations for a first user includes receiving a request for one or more product recommendations for a first user, each product recommendation being associated with any one of a plurality of retailers, receiving a plurality of recommendation sets from one or more automated product recommendation systems, wherein the plurality of recommendation sets are generated using different selection models and using ensemble learning to select one or more most relevant product recommendation sets from the plurality of product recommendation sets. | 11-12-2009 |
20090281924 | LABEL IDENTIFICATION AND MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR FLUIDS - A online label identification and management system for fluids is provided that reduces the incidence of improper fluids and lubricants being used on machinery and equipment at the enterprise. | 11-12-2009 |
20090281925 | COLOR MATCH TOOLBOX - A system and method is presented for identifying a plurality of products within a collection of product images in an online shopping environment. The method includes providing the collection of images representing products offered for sale; receiving an input search criteria from a prospective customer. The criteria include at least one of a query color. The method also includes identifying and extracting colors within the collection of images based on a presence of significant colors in an image; and comparing and matching the query color to the identified and extracted significant colors. The method continues by determining, within a predetermined range of accuracy, products from within the collection of images having the matched query color; and presenting the determined products to the prospective customer. In one embodiment, the presentation is provided by means for a graphical user interface. | 11-12-2009 |
20090281926 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INTERACTIVE, COMPUTER-ASSISTED OBJECT PRESENTATION - A system and method for interactive, computer-assisted object presentation in which object information is displayed in one more arrays. In some embodiments, object information is displayed in a two dimensional array wherein displayed object information can be selected by a user. In response to the selection, in some embodiments additional information is displayed about an object corresponding to the selected information. In some embodiments, the additional information includes one or more of a link to permit a user to buy the object (e.g., from an e-commerce web site) and a link to bid on the object (e.g., in an on-line auction). In some embodiments, at least a subset of the two arrays scrolls without user interaction. In some embodiments, object information is displayed in an first array from which a user can select multiple elements. In response to the selection, in some embodiments a second array is displayed with information about the multiple selected elements from the first array. In some embodiments, the information displayed in the second array includes status information about the selected elements, such as price changes. | 11-12-2009 |
20090281927 | ONLINE ORDERING FOR A CONSUMER - Systems and methods for facilitating an on-line purchase of at least one item on behalf of a consumer are disclosed. A consumer may shop and purchase at least one item on a consolidated shopping (CS) website displaying one or more items available for purchase on one or more different merchant websites. The CS website provides consumers with advanced searching that takes into consideration a personal profile of the consumer, the consumer's previous shopping history, transactional data relating to a group of similar consumers, and the like. 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, and charging a transaction fee, listing fee, receiving a rebate and/or offering a rebate for performing such. One embodiment allows a consumer to purchase/order multiple items from multiple websites in a single purchase request to the CS website. | 11-12-2009 |
20090287587 | SYSTEMS METHODS AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCTS FOR PROVIDING AUGMENTED SHOPPING INFORMATION - Methods for providing augmented shopping information to a user of a mobile terminal in a store include providing a shopping list identifying a plurality of items and obtaining information regarding physical locations of respective ones of the items in the store. The location of the mobile terminal in the store is established. An image of a view from the location is obtained. An item having an associated location in the obtained image is identified based on the obtained information regarding physical locations. A position within the image corresponding to the respective physical location of the identified item is determined. A graphic indication of the identified item is added to the obtained image at the determined position within the image to provide an augmented image of the view that is displayed to the user on a display of the mobile terminal. | 11-19-2009 |
20090287588 | METHOD, A SYSTEM AND A USER INTERFACE FOR SHOPPING USING A COMMUNICATION NETWORK - There is provided a method for enabling a user to shop with at least one other user on a data network, the method comprising providing access to a user interface enabling the user to conceive a set of at least one item of interest, to share the set with at least one other user via the data network, and to communicate with the at least one other user via the data network to thereby shop said set. There is further provided a user interface and a system for enabling a user to shop with at least one other user on a data network. | 11-19-2009 |
20090292624 | 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 |
20090292625 | INTERACTIVE REAL-TIME ONLINE CLASS - A system and method for an interactive real-time online class is disclosed. In one embodiment a request to create a real-time online class may be received from an instructor. The instructor then provides class materials and the class can be indexed in a browsable or a searchable catalog of classes according to content. After the class is scheduled, the instructor can be sent a link to launch the real-time online class. In this way a student may use an online interface to browse or search the catalog of classes, request to attend the real-time online class, and then be provided a link to attend the real-time online class. | 11-26-2009 |
20090292626 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INTERACTIVE MAP, DATABASE, AND SOCIAL NETWORKING ENGINE - A system and method for selling or assigning locations to a purchaser. The location can be identified or delineated in several ways. Location identifiers may be used separately or in conjunction with each other. Sale of a particular location may be exclusive, partially-exclusive, or non-exclusive, depending on the particular embodiment of the system. A purchaser or potential purchaser may use digital, zoomable maps to identify locations of interest and possible purchase. The maps may be marked with locations already purchased, and this marking may be turned on and off by the purchaser when viewing the maps. In another embodiment, purchasers also have the option of expanding their participation to other linked aspects of the present invention, including but not limited to Web-based or other electronic access to interactive interfaces and/or social networking engines. Thus, for example, each assigned or purchased location, delineated by latitude and longitude, altitude, depth, and/or geographic or common name, may be identified on digital, zoomable Earth maps so that a user may view data input by other users regarding a particular location. Users also may register or subscribe to input data of their own regarding the location, and communicate electronically with other users of the invention. | 11-26-2009 |
20090299874 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR AUTOMATIC BID SOLICITATION DURING TRANSACTION PROCESS - Embodiments relate to systems and methods for automatic bid solicitation during a transaction process, in which a user's checkout basket is automatically transmitted to a set of vendors for potential bids based on the user's selected items. The user can select products or services for purchase from an original Web site or vendor. Upon receipt of those selections, a transaction server can identify vendors who wish to receive notification of a pending purchase of particular items. The set of selections can be transmitted to participating vendors to determine a bid on the same or related goods or services. A vendor may wish, for example, to bid to offer after-market support or supplies for a printer or other pending hardware purchase. The user can view the additional bid items in a bid dialog, make selections from those options, and incorporate options of their choosing in the finalized transaction. | 12-03-2009 |
20090299875 | SYSTEM TO FACILITATE ONLINE SHOPPING - A system for facilitating online shopping that includes one or more content providers of a first domain, one or more online merchants of a second domain, and a framework. Web pages may be aggregated from the content providers. Descriptions of products for sale may be aggregated from the online merchants. The products for sale may be matched with the web pages based on relevancy. A list of descriptions of products that are relevant to each web page may be provided. A shopping cart list may be maintained by the framework. The shopping cart list may facilitate payment for the products for sale selected from different web pages. | 12-03-2009 |
20090299876 | Method and apparatus for conducting unsolicited trades using personal computers or handheld devices over cellular networks and the internet - A method and apparatus to enable subscribers of cellular or telephone networks and internet users to conduct unsolicited and direct trading of goods, offering or requesting services, searching for friends, obtaining or providing specific pieces of information using handheld and personal devices that include smart phones, personal digital assistants, video devices, desktops and laptops. | 12-03-2009 |
20090299877 | USER INTERFACE FOR DISPLAYING PURCHASE CONCENTRATION DATA FOR UNIQUE ITEMS BASED ON CONSUMER-SPECIFIED CONSTRAINTS - A system and method for providing a user interface to facilitate the purchase of unique items by presenting past purchase information of unique items to consumers. The user interface is a two-dimensional chart, with each axis of the chart representing a variation of values of an attribute that characterize an item that was previously sold. The system populates the chart with sales data that reflects the past sales of items having attribute values that fall within the chart. By visually presenting to consumers the distribution of past purchases, the consumer is better able to assess whether an item that they are purchasing falls within “typical” purchase behavior of other consumers. In some embodiments, the system allows a user to select a region of the chart and initiate a search for items that are available for purchase that satisfy the attribute values that are associated with the selected region. | 12-03-2009 |
20090299878 | UNIVERSAL PAYMENTS DASHBOARD - A universal payments dashboard system provides eCommerce merchants with an easy to integrate web page (inline frame) that displays all alternative payment button options that consumers can use on the merchant website(s) to pay for the purchase. Such merchants can display the dashboard on their shopping cart page(s) and on their checkout page(s) at the point where users select the payment option. The dashboard communicates with a payment dashboard provider to complete the payment for the transaction, including any consumer interaction such as entering checking account information, personal details, etc. Upon completing the payment for the order, the dashboard provides the merchant with the completed order information (e.g., a prepaid order) along with all the payment information. The dashboard supports all alternative payment options, payment transaction notifications to enable single cash register functionality and work in conjunction with alternative payment initiatives. | 12-03-2009 |
20090299879 | Catalog Builder with an Expert System - A Catalog Builder that has a built-in Expert System which assists Catalog Builder operators in catalog building. The Expert System contains a knowledge database that stores keywords that can be used to describe a product or help a product get discovered during a search, and, optionally, the definitions of those keywords. The Expert System has one main function: it makes keyword suggestions to Catalog Builder operators during a product information submission process. The Expert System can also have a second function, which is to acquire product knowledge from Catalog Builder operators by adding new keywords that have been entered by Catalog Builder operators during a product information submission process to the knowledge database, or by allowing Catalog Builder operators add new keywords and optionally, their definitions, to the knowledge database during a catalog building process. | 12-03-2009 |
20090299880 | PRODUCT RECOMMENDATIONS BASED ON COLLABORATIVE FILTERING OF USER DATA - A system gathers user behavior data from a group of web retailers and/or non-web retailers, analyzes the user behavior data to identify product recommendations for products offered by the web retailers, and provides one of the identified product recommendations in connection with a product page associated with one of the web retailers. | 12-03-2009 |
20090307108 | BUSINESS PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR ONLINE PURCHASES USING A RULE-BASED TRANSFERABLE SHOPPING BASKET - An online shopping basket is acquired by a buyer from an online store and is customized according to rules specified by the buyer. The buyer places zero or more items in the online shopping basket(s) before they are given to at least one shopper by the online store. The shopper(s) may further customize the online shopping basket(s) with rules that do not conflict with those specified by the buyer. The shopper(s) then place zero or more items in the online shopping basket(s) and return the basket(s) to the online store. Multiple online shopping baskets are merged into a single basket, and the buyer reviews the items in the merged online shopping basket and adds or removes items as necessary. The buyer then purchases the remaining items from the online store. | 12-10-2009 |
20090307109 | COMPUTERIZED ARTICLE CUSTOMIZATION SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR USE THEREOF - The present invention is a method for soliciting orders for customized apparel. The apparel can be appendage apparel, such as footwear, gloves, or head gear, or non-appendage apparel such as jackets. The present method includes providing an order form accessible through at least one computer by one or more users. The present method further includes providing one or more possible design parameters, requesting the user to customize the apparel by entering at least one of the parameters on the order form. The user submits the order form through the computer and receives apparel according to the order form. The parameters may include size, material, model, style, color, material treatment, or personalization. | 12-10-2009 |
20090313137 | Trading System Based on Display of Information on Goods or Services - A trading system based on display of information, by which a customer may to access information on broad goods or services, and trade with a treating company directly or through an intermediate company, based on the information. The trading system based on display of information on a goods or services, includes providing a display shelf or display panel having divided areas and capable of displacing the divided areas in individual shops, stores, in each divided area, a document and/or an input recording medium for a computer according information on goods or services, and information for explaining a method for trading with treating companies of treating the goods or services, and attaching an identification display to individually identify each divided area, and a customer may acquire the information in a section selected through the identification display, and execute the trading method explained in the information. | 12-17-2009 |
20090313138 | Method, System and Apparatus for Display of Contact Information on Communication Device - Present invention discloses a method, system, and apparatus for display of contact information on communication device. It comprises of first product database containing seller information, seller product information, and product location; second product database containing buyer product request; first application in mobile device having means to determine mobile device location at pre determined intervals and having means to automatically communicate mobile device location to second application; second application having means to match first and second product databases and mobile device location at pre determined intervals events to generate local matching products database; mobile device having display means for products contained in local matching product database; and mobile device having means to display contact information of sellers and buyers. | 12-17-2009 |
20090313139 | PRODUCT PROVIDING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING GUI USING THE SAME - A product providing apparatus and a method for providing a GUI using the same are provided. The product providing apparatus includes a display unit, a payment unit, and a control unit which determines the form of payment and controls images corresponding to products to be displayed. Therefore, it is possible to provide a user with a menu field more conveniently and more intuitively. | 12-17-2009 |
20090313140 | System And Method For Creating Individualized Product and Color Palettes - A system and method for creating individualized color and product palettes for fabrication and sales of window coverings. The system includes a unique product palette processor interacting with a product palette database to specify requested goods in terms of a manufacturer product design palette when an order is created using a unique product palette created for and used by a single retailer or designer. | 12-17-2009 |
20090313141 | METHOD, APPARATUS AND PROGRAM FOR PROVIDING PREVIEW IMAGES, AND SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING OBJECTS WITH IMAGES THEREON - A preview image providing method for providing a preview image of an object having an image thereon includes the steps of: estimating the user's needs from information unique to the user; determining an image and an object based on the results of estimation; and providing a preview image of the determined object, which is synthesized with the determined image. | 12-17-2009 |
20090319396 | Method and System for Facilitating a Transaction - Provided is a system for facilitating a transaction between at least one merchant and at least one consumer. The system includes at least one transaction portal located in a network environment, where the at least one transaction portal associated with at least one consumer affinity. The consumer affinity is an entity, a cause, an affiliation, an organization, a concept, a benefit, an association and/or a sponsor or any combination thereof. The system further includes a communication system for facilitating the transmission of data between the transaction portal, the at least one merchant, the at least one consumer, an entity associated with the consumer affinity or any combination thereof. Also provided is a matching system, a method for facilitating a transaction between at least one merchant and at least one consumer and a method for facilitating a credit-based transaction between at least one merchant and at least one consumer. | 12-24-2009 |
20090319397 | VIRTUAL EXPERIENCE - The subject matter disclosed herein relates to systems and methods for providing an interactive experience. | 12-24-2009 |
20090319398 | REAL-TIME SALES SYSTEM - The invention resides in a system ( | 12-24-2009 |
20090327099 | ESCROW PAYMENT TO FACILIATE ON-LINE TRANSACTIONS - A system and method enables sellers to define a secret shared with an on-line payment provider when listing an item or service for purchase. Consumers deposit funds into an on-line escrow or holding account before committing to a financial on-line transaction or purchase. Once an item is located, the consumer may contact the seller for additional information. By placing funds in escrow, the seller may be more willing to spend the time and effort to deal with the consumer. The consumer, in turn, receives more information to make a purchasing decision. If the transaction is to he completed, the consumer instructs the payment provider maintaining the escrow account to release the funds to the seller's account. The seller is notified by the payment provider, where the notification includes the secret. This enables the seller to authenticate the confirmation message. | 12-31-2009 |
20090327100 | Method of Internet Video Access and Management - A system and apparatus for enabling the end user to schedule the display of online videos and dynamically displaying online videos according to a user preference. The system provides an editorially-selected guide to online videos in which videos from existing online video providers are gathered under a single portal and thereby provides the end user a directory through which the user can view recommended videos as presented by the system, or personalize the selections into a dynamically-generated subset of videos. The system also provides a seamless playlist of multiple videos from various websites, and allows the user to manage and re-sequence this playlist. | 12-31-2009 |
20090327101 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CREATING AND MAINTAINING A WEB SITE - A system and method for a web-based services architecture providing integrated modular building blocks for creating and maintaining a web site and related transaction processing to support electronic commerce and the sales of products and services using the web site. The transaction processing may include the handling of transactions and communications related to product and service sales and fulfillment involving customers, merchants and the web site owner. The services architecture may combine software front-end, back-end, and marketing tools to assist business owners to create or expand an Internet-based business. The services architecture also may provide a warehouse of predefined products that may be integrated into a merchant's existing online inventory. | 12-31-2009 |
20100005007 | METHODS OF ASSOCIATING REAL WORLD ITEMS WITH VIRTUAL WORLD REPRESENTATIONS - A method according to one embodiment includes providing access to a representation of a real world item to an avatar in a virtual world based on a real world transaction involving a user associated with the avatar. A method according to another embodiment includes receiving notice that a user has purchased a real world item; providing access to a representation of the real world item to an avatar in a virtual world; and allowing the avatar to interact with the representation of the real world item in the virtual world; outputting. A method according to yet another embodiment includes providing an item to an avatar in a virtual world based on a real world transaction involving a user associated with the avatar. A method in a further embodiment includes providing a representation of a real world item to an avatar in a virtual world based on a real world transaction involving a user, wherein the user is not associated with the avatar. | 01-07-2010 |
20100005008 | CREATION, SHARING AND EMBEDDING OF INTERACTIVE CHARTS - Systems and methods for generating and sharing interactive charts are described. The interactive charts are generated in an online portal that allows users to customize the interactive features of the chart. An exemplary interactive feature includes an interactive audio feature. The interactive chart can be shared by, for example, embedding the interactive chart in an external electronic document, such as a .ppt or PDF document, that can be shared with other users. The interactive chart and/or the data associated with the interactive chart may also be purchased through an online store environment or otherwise shared with other users. | 01-07-2010 |
20100005009 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONSTRUCTING AND DISPLAYING ACTIVE VIRTUAL REALITY CYBER MALLS, SHOW ROOMS, GALLERIES, STORES, MUSEUMS, AND OBJECTS WITHIN - A system and method for virtually displaying on-line a gallery, a showroom, a store, a mall or any other room or space and the objects contained in said room or space, wherein the data displayed is comprised of a virtual reality data packet. The system displays still photographs of virtual reality shots and textual materials, and plays virtual reality video clips and audio stories about the room and/or the objects contained therein. Links are associated with each object so that detailed information in graphical, video, audio and/or textual forms that are related to the object and are stored external to the virtual reality data packet can be retrieved on demand from an external database for presentation to the viewer. The system also provides on-line controls that enable the viewer to move around the space, and a feature that enables a viewer to view an object from 360° around the object. | 01-07-2010 |
20100005010 | Method of Providing Diagnostic Information in Connection with the Sale of Pre-Owned Vehicles - A method of assisting sellers and buyers in the sale and purchase of a vehicle is provided. The method may comprise the steps of communicating a vehicle's diagnostic data (e.g., OBD codes, etc.) with a provider. The method may further comprise the step of analyzing the communicated diagnostic data. The method may also comprise the step of preparing a vehicle diagnostic report based on the communicated diagnostic data. The method may also comprise the step of uploading the prepared report to a report database retrievable by a buyer. | 01-07-2010 |
20100010917 | AUTO-ADJUSTING ORDER CONFIGURATION RULES USING PARTS SUPPLY - Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to commercial order processing and provide a novel and non-obvious method, computer system and computer program product for facilitating selection of configurations using supply data. In one embodiment of the invention, a method for facilitating configuration selection when ordering computer equipment is provided. The method includes reading a plurality of configuration rules that define constituent parts that are presented to a user for selection when ordering the end product. The method further includes reading supply data for the constituent parts, interpreting the supply data based on a set of user-definable meta rules, and modifying the plurality of configuration rules in accordance with the interpretations of the supply data. The method further includes receiving a request from the user to order the end product and providing the user with information regarding constituent parts that comprise the end product, according to the plurality of configuration rules. | 01-14-2010 |
20100010918 | Multi-Merchant Payment System - A method of payment for multi-vendor gift cards, comprising maintaining a merchandise database comprising records for merchandise and services for a plurality of merchants, enabling a gift card giver to interactively purchase a gift card for a gift card recipient, entitling the gift card recipient to redeem the gift card for items up to a specified spending limit, electronically transferring the money used to purchase the gift card into a card funding account that is used to pay for purchases by the gift card recipient, enabling the gift card recipient to interactively select one or more items from the merchandise database, thereby generating an aggregated selection of items for each merchant issuing orders to each merchant in accordance with the aggregated selected items corresponding to each merchant and paying each merchant the amount of their respective order from the card funding account. | 01-14-2010 |
20100010919 | System and method to generate a product value - Described herein are systems and methods for generating a product value. In some embodiments, a method for generating a product value includes the steps of receiving a product value request from a user, providing a product value information portal, accumulating product value information, and generating a product value. In some embodiments, a system for generating a product value includes a user interface adapted and configured to receive a product value request from a user for a specified product, a portal adapted and configured to receive value information from a plurality of users for the specified product, and a processor adapted and configured to accumulate product value information and generate a product value. | 01-14-2010 |
20100010920 | E-MAIL BASED GIFT DELIVERY - A retail system enabling a first party to purchase a gift and to deliver the gift to a second party comprises a retailer computer and a communication network enabling a user device to communicate with the retailer computer. The retailer computer is programmed to provide a gift website accessible by the first party via the user device and includes a merchandise module and a delivery module. The merchandise module enables the first party to purchase a gift. The delivery module is adapted to receive an e-mail address or pseudonym of the second party from the first party, to procure shipping addresses associated with the e-mail address or pseudonym, to enable the first party to select one of the shipping addresses, and to cause the gift to be shipped to the selected shipping address without revealing the selected shipping address to the first party. Other systems and methods are also disclosed. | 01-14-2010 |
20100017303 | DescripWriter, A process for providing sellers at online auctions, classifieds, and other e-commerce sites a pre-written item title and description with some interactive adjustable variables resulting in an effective and thorough identification of the specific product or service they are selling - DescripWriter, A process for providing sellers at online auctions, classifieds, and other e-commerce sites a pre-written item title and description with the steps of: A database composed of pre-written titles and descriptions, A specific different title and description for each kind of product or service within that database, A method for the user to access this database of pre-written titles and descriptions by use of their computer, An interactive working environment on either a website or within a software program that allows the user to select, adjust, and/or modify the data with optional variables within the title and description, A method for the user to place the finished title and description within the so designated areas of an online e-commerce site. | 01-21-2010 |
20100017304 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING ACCESS TO PRODUCT RELATED ELECTRONIC CATALOG FUNCTIONALITY - An aggregation of functionality related to a product within an electronic catalog hosted by a wholesaler web system is provided by presenting on a client computing device a webpage in which a single product is directly associated with a single access point. The single access point provides a means by which plural wholesaler web system functions related to the single product are made available to a consumer. A listing of the plural wholesaler web system functions related to the single product is displayed within the webpage in response to an activation of the single access point by the consumer. In response to a selection by the consumer from the displayed listing the wholesaler web system initiates a performance of the one of the plural wholesaler web system functions so selected. | 01-21-2010 |
20100017305 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR WINE TASTING AND THE MARKETING OF WINE, AND WINE PACKAGING USEFUL THEREWITH - New and unique systems and methods for distributing, marketing, and for customer identification, as shown in FIG. | 01-21-2010 |
20100017306 | MERCHANDISE DEALING SYSTEM AND COMPUTER - A merchandise dealing system includes computers which are provided for a purchaser, a distributor, an agency store, and a printing manager and are connected to each other via a communication line, wherein the computer of the agency store includes a sample printing unit that prints a merchandise sample by a printing apparatus, an information printing unit that prints identification information on the sample to identify the merchandise, and a consumable goods data transmitting unit that transmits consumable goods data to the computer of the printing manager to specify the consumable goods exhausted by printing the sample, wherein the computer of the purchaser includes a purchasing unit that transmits the identification information printed on the sample to the computer of the distributor, and wherein the computer of the distributor includes a specifying unit that specifies the designated merchandise and the agency store which prints the sample on the basis of the transmitted identification information, and a charging unit that charges the cost of the specified merchandise to the purchaser, and wherein the computer of the printing manager includes a consumable goods supplementing unit that receives the consumable goods data and supplements the consumable goods exhausted by printing the sample, and an accounting unit that charges the cost of the supplemented consumable goods to the distributor. | 01-21-2010 |
20100017307 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ON-LINE, REAL-TIME, INTERACTIVE COLLABORATIVE VISUALIZATION - An inventive system and method for collaborative commerce is presented. The invention comprises activating an art board, placing items onto the art board, inviting users to interact with the art board, and collaborating with the invited users. Additional features and functions include purchasing items shown on the art board, including by placing the items in a shopping cart, using e-mail, text messaging, and instant messaging to invite users, who may be chosen from a buddy list. Collaborating can be performed using voice chatting, video chatting, instant messaging, and text messaging, and includes examining reviews, ratings, reputations, and recommendations, and also includes displaying details regarding the items. In addition, reports comprising information regarding the items can be generated. A toolbar can be located on the art board and used to initiate inviting of users and placing of items onto the art board. | 01-21-2010 |
20100017308 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR BALANCING STOCK - A method for facilitating and enabling a retailer having original manufacture surplus inventory of a product to sell the inventory to another retailer or to the general consuming public. The method comprises use of a Web site having a first level or portion exclusively for sales between subscribers to the site, such as retailers, and a second level or portion for sales between a retailer and the general consumer. The method includes receiving information regarding the surplus inventory product and an invoice from the vendor or original manufacturer of the product. An entity associated with the Web site verifies the authenticity of the product and facilitates the sale of the products with another retailer at a first price, or with the general consumer at a second price. In certain instances, a vendor can be a subscriber for selling to other subscribers. | 01-21-2010 |
20100017309 | METHODS, SYSTEMS AND DEVICES RELATING TO MERGED IMAGES AND STORAGE THEREOF - An e-commerce method involves on-line viewing of a first article through a linking node for virtual merging on another structure. A particular application of the invention is directed to on-line apparel shopping involving a color matching scheme using color codes provided with images to be merged. For example, on-line viewing of one article, such as clothing, on another structure, includes creating an item from image-data corresponding to a colored article selected by an on-line viewer from an on-line viewer site with an image of a colored structure selected by the on-line viewer, and indicating whether the colored article and the colored structure satisfy a color-matching criterion. | 01-21-2010 |
20100023425 | System, Method and Apparatus for Geographical Restriction of Offers for Sale - An application for a method of presenting items of a catalog in various geographic regions includes providing a catalog of items, each item having associated therewith at least one geographic code. A search term and a geographic location are provided. The catalog is searched for matching items that are related to the search term and in which the geographic code indicates the item is suitable for the geographic location. | 01-28-2010 |
20100023426 | DISTRIBUTED MATCHING SYSTEM FOR COMPARING GARMENT INFORMATION AND BUYER INFORMATION EMBEDDED IN OBJECT METADATA AT DISTRIBUTED COMPUTING LOCATIONS - An online garment selection and acquisition system comprises at least a server computer system that receives requests from client computer systems and/or client devices and responds to those requests, wherein the server computer system is configured to be able to access a database system for reading data therefrom in order to provide matching of garments and consumers according to a set of computer-readable rules and an application that applies those rules. The application can execute in a distributed manner, such as where the garment data is embedded in images or objects that are presented to the consumer (or consumer representative), such as being shown as web pages, and the application executes at a computer presenting the web page and/or the consumer computer. | 01-28-2010 |
20100023427 | METHODS, SYSTEMS AND DEVICES FOR RETAIL WEBSITE LINKING AND IMAGE MERGING - An e-commerce method involves on-line viewing of a first article through a linking node for virtual merging on another structure. A particular application of the invention is directed to on-line apparel shopping involving a color matching scheme using color codes provided with images to be merged. For example, on-line viewing of one article, such as clothing, on another structure, includes creating an item from image-data corresponding to a colored article selected by an on-line viewer from an on-line viewer site with an image of a colored structure selected by the on-line viewer, and indicating whether the colored article and the colored structure satisfy a color-matching criterion. | 01-28-2010 |
20100023428 | MERGING IMAGE DATA BASED ON PROSPECTIVE SHOPPING BASKET SELECTION - An image data processing method involves on-line viewing of a first article through a linking node for virtual merging on another structure. A particular application of the invention is directed to on-line apparel shopping involving a shopping basket. For example, on-line viewing of one article, such as clothing, on another structure, includes creating an item from image-data corresponding to an article selected by an on-line viewer and tagged as a prospective selection via a shopping basket designation with an image of a structure selected by the on-line viewer. | 01-28-2010 |
20100030659 | Method for Facilitating Charitable Donations - Methods of facilitating charitable donations using the internet are provided. Charitable organizations may post a picture which has been divided into predetermined sections on the internet, with each section having a corresponding price associated therewith. Donors, upon paying the price for a desired section, may post an image, text or audio data in association with their purchased image section. | 02-04-2010 |
20100030660 | APPARATUS AND METHOD OF ON-LINE TRANSACTION - An entertainment device includes a display generator arranged to generate for display a representation of an online virtual environment, and to generate for display within said representation of the online virtual environment at least one avatars corresponding to users of at least one remote entertainment devices interacting with the online virtual environment. A data communications arrangement is operable to receive respective configuration data for at least one of the avatars that determines their appearance, and is operable to receive data identifying purchasable items visibly associated with a respective avatar; a query arrangement operable to initiate a query of an avatar and to identify to a user of the entertainment device purchasable items visibly associated with the avatar; and in which the data communications arrangement is operable to transmit a purchase initiation request identifying an item for purchase, selected in response to a purchasable item visibly associated with the queried avatar. | 02-04-2010 |
20100030661 | MANAGING PRODUCT ORDERS THROUGH MULTIPLE SUPPLIERS - A method, information processing system, and computer readable storage product provide an interactive environment and for autonomously manages user orders associated with at least one vendor. An order is received from a user for at least one item offered by at least one vendor through the interactive environment. Vendor account information associated with the user for the at least one vendor is retrieved. The at least one vendor is autonomously and without user intervention is logged into using the vendor account information associated with the user. Information associated with the order is autonomously and without user intervention provided as prompted by the vendor on behalf of the user to place the order with the at least one vendor. | 02-04-2010 |
20100030662 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PLACING ORDERS VIA THE INTERNET | 02-04-2010 |
20100030663 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR NETWORKING SHOPS ONLINE AND OFFLINE - A computer implemented method presents garments to a consumer using a computer by reading a garment database. The database includes garments from a plurality of retail, manufacturing, and media partners. Media and retail partners combine inventories on data servers and allow each partner to show a particular offering of garments at their website. A given partner may tailor the particular garment offering to subscribers based on a profile relating to the garment parameters contained within the database inventory. Applications within the system produce outfits composed of garment selections based on particular user profile information. Outfits selections are presented to the user through a web browser where shopping and purchasing of various garments may be conducted. The computer implemented method is facilitated through databases, database servers, application servers and networks to interrelate inventory offerings between the partners. | 02-04-2010 |
20100030664 | IMAGE DISPLAY SYSTEM, SERVER APPARATUS, AND TERMINAL APPARATUS - Commodity images that tend to be selected by a user can be smoothly and efficiently displayed on the user's terminal without requiring the user's effort. A server acquires a plurality of commodity images to be transmitted to a mobile terminal from a commodity DB based on a purchase history stored in a user DB and an image feature amount of image DB, and transmits the acquired commodity images to the mobile terminal. The mobile terminal receives the commodity images transmitted from the server and sequentially displays the received commodity images one by one as a slide show on the entire screen of a monitor. Therefore, the visual images of the commodities can be easily displayed without causing the user to perform special operations and without displaying extra information such as text. | 02-04-2010 |
20100030665 | ELECTRONIC PROPOSAL PREPARATION SYSTEM - An electronic system for creating customized product proposals stores a plurality of pictures and text segments to be used as building blocks in creating the proposal. The pictures may include various products, environments in which the products may be used, and available product options. The text segments may include textual descriptions of the product, environments in which the product may be used, and its performance specifications. The system queries a user to determine a customer's needs and interests. Based upon the answers to the queries, tae system selects the appropriate picture and text building blocks to fill in proposal templates. The system can print the completed proposal templates to provide the user with a customized, printed proposal that describes features and benefits of a product, in a particular environment, that are of interest to the customer who is to receive the proposal. | 02-04-2010 |
20100030666 | ENGINES, METHODS, AND SYSTEMS FOR NORMALIZING HETEROGENEOUS PARAMETERS FOR SCORING PROPOSALS - The present invention contemplates a variety of engines, methods and systems for making computer-assisted choices among heterogeneous alternatives. More specifically, engines, methods, and systems for normalizing heterogeneous parameters for scoring proposals are contemplated. The present invention includes a comparison engine that generates a ranked list of alternatives such as proposals or items of consumer merchandise, in which each alternative is assigned a weighted score that reflects the importance of tradeoffs among various criteria. The comparison engine includes a tradeoff module that has tradeoff criteria having a range of possible values, a criteria behavior module capable of analyzing attributes, including values of the criteria, for a set of alternatives and generating a set of scores reflecting the desirability of the attributes using logic diagrams, and a scoring and ranking module that takes the assigned values from the tradeoff module and the set of scores from the criteria behavior module and generates a ranked list of alternatives. The comparison engine assesses and scores the proposals automatically, at the click of a button, without the need for a human to read, assess, and score the proposals. The comparison engine can be used to facilitate a reverse auction, in which suppliers submit bids to a purchaser who desires specific goods or services. The present invention also discloses a method for generating a ranked list of alternatives, including the steps of generating a homogeneous matrix of scores based on a heterogeneous matrix of attributes and alternatives, receiving a tradeoff value, and generating a ranked list of alternatives based on the homogeneous matrix of scores and the tradeoff value. The present invention further discloses a system for generating a ranked list of alternatives, including means for generating a homogeneous matrix of scores based on a heterogeneous matrix of attributes and alternatives, means for receiving a tradeoff value, and means for generating a ranked list of alternatives based on the homogeneous matrix of scores and the tradeoff value. | 02-04-2010 |
20100036750 | System and method for displaying real estate properties for sale, real estate properties wanted and/or areas in which properties are for sale and/or desired - A system and a method display real estate properties for sale, real estate properties wanted and/or areas in which properties are for sale and/or desired. The system and the method are used without defining whether the user is a buyer and/or a seller. Parameters selected by the user are compared with properties for sale and properties wanted stored in a database to generate a list of properties for sale and properties wanted that match the parameters. The parameters selected by the user may have a user-defined geographical location that may be established by the user choosing points of longitude and latitude. The system and method may indicate a real-time supply and/or demand of specific property types. The system and method may be global in scope and may function in any currency. | 02-11-2010 |
20100036751 | Architecture For Instantiating Information Technology Services - Methods, systems, and computer program products are provided for information technology (IT) services lifecycle management. A services architecture provides a plurality of services that are capable of being ordered. A design service captures declarative specifications of services as service models. A catalog service receives the service model and combines the service models into a plurality of service offerings to provide a catalog of orderable services. An order configuration service receives an order for at least one orderable service selectable from the catalog of orderable services. An order processing service instantiates the at least one orderable service in two phases, thereby generating an instantiated ordered service. An order fulfillment service fulfills the order in accordance with the instantiated ordered service. | 02-11-2010 |
20100036752 | Method and system for associating a pre-selected order with a customer account via a website for expediting the in-store ordering process and subsequent order fulfillment by way of an internet-connected terminal - A novel retail method of and system for (a) vendor(s) to enroll store(s) and manage an on-line catalog/menu of available goods/services through use of a website, (b) a customer to pre-select one or more “favorite” orders offered by vendor(s) through the use of a website, (c) a customer to subsequently initiate the ordering of one or more such pre-selected favorite(s) when at an Internet-connected terminal located at such a vendor's premises, with the system connecting one or more of the on-site ordering devices to an application that matches the customer to his/her pre-selected order(s) for the customer to then confirm (or cancel to abort the transaction) the specific pre-selected order to fulfill and alerts the order fulfillment personnel at store from where the order was initiated, and then (d) debits the customer's pre-paid account while providing a means of crediting the vendor providing the goods and/or service. | 02-11-2010 |
20100036753 | PRODUCT CUSTOMIZATION SYSTEM AND METHOD - A product customization system and method are provided in which a consumer can insert user content, such as images or text, onto a product, such as a shoe, and then view the customized product before purchasing the customized product. | 02-11-2010 |
20100042513 | METHOD AND COMMUNICATIONS AND COMMUNICATION NETWORK INTRUSION PROTECTION METHODS AND INTERUSION ATTEMPT DETECTION SYSTEM - A method, system and computer readable medium for secure e-commerce communications, including an e-commerce system, including a private system for maintaining confidential information; and a public system for maintaining non-confidential information. The private system provides variable cyber coordinates to authorized parties for secure communications with the private system, and the public system provides cyber coordinates to the general public for communications with the public system. | 02-18-2010 |
20100042514 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR VERIFIABLE ALLOCATION OF AN ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCE PRODUCT TO AN ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCE - A method of verifiable allocation of a purchased environmental resource product (ERP) to an environmental resource may include: receiving at a central server a transaction code request from an ERP vendor, the transaction code request specifying at least one ERP identifier of a respective at least one ERP that is the subject of a purchase transaction, the central server having access to public data regarding the environmental resource; determining whether the transaction code request is valid; generating a unique transaction code in response to the transaction code request if the transaction code request is determined to be valid; recording the purchase of the at least one ERP; and making publicly accessible a representation of the environmental resource having purchase status information corresponding to the purchased at least one ERP viewable in relation to the representation. | 02-18-2010 |
20100042515 | DISTRIBUTED ELECTRONIC COMMERCE SYSTEM WITH CENTRALIZED VIRTUAL SHOPPING CARTS - An electronic commerce system includes a broker that enables customers to purchase items from multiple different merchants. A customer interacts with the merchants to identify items to purchase, and the merchants send descriptions of the items to the broker. The broker maintains a virtual shopping cart that stores the items received from the different merchants. The customer can purchase the items in the shopping cart in a single purchase transaction with the broker. Further, the customer can publish a reference that identifies the shopping cart and invite other customers to purchase the items in the cart via the broker. | 02-18-2010 |
20100049627 | Audio Communication Web Site Integration - The present invention provides a method of communication between customers of a retail Web site. In particular, the illustrative embodiment provides a computer implemented method comprises authenticating a first customer and a second customer to enable the first and second customers to access a retail Web site via the Internet, displaying a representation of the first customer viewing a Web page of the retail Web site and a representation of the second customer viewing the Web page of the retail Web site, and enabling audio communication between the first customer and the second customer. | 02-25-2010 |
20100049628 | System and Method for Service Virtualization in a Service Governance Framework - A service governance framework may provide a platform for development and hosting of virtual service offerings and generation of interfaces to operations thereof, dependent on configurable functional parameters and/or non-functional aspects associated therewith. Virtualization techniques may be applied at an endpoint level, binding level, message level, operation level, and/or service level at design time, and supported with corresponding changes at runtime. Users having various roles may access the framework to specify operations of services provided by computing service sources to include in a virtual service offering, specify configuration parameter values associated with them, and/or specify a contract of non-functional aspect clauses for the virtual service offering. The framework may produce the interface by modifying an interface provided by the computing service sources (e.g., a WSDL). The framework may include aspect enforcement methods and an underlying common information model, and may support versioning and life cycles of service offerings and/or components. | 02-25-2010 |
20100049629 | METHOD OF ENABLING A USER TO DRAW A COMPONENT PART AS INPUT FOR SEARCHING COMPONENT PARTS IN A DATABASE - A method of receiving input image data for an image search engine includes providing a two-dimensional input image on a display screen, enabling a user to rotate the input image on the display screen about an axis that is non-perpendicular to a plane of the input image, and enabling the user to electronically draw modifications on the rotated input image. | 02-25-2010 |
20100049630 | ONLINE SHOPPING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR USE OFFLINE, AND APPARATUSES APPLIED TO THE SAME - This invention relates to an online shopping system and method for use offline, and apparatuses applied to the same. More particularly, this invention relates to the integration of an online shopping system into offline stores through the conversion of online shopping to offline shopping, using communication networks such as the Internet, to create a new shopping concept based on using the combined advantages of online and offline environments such as that of online price competitiveness and offline customer relationships, while effectively providing users with freedom of detailed product knowledge and product purchases at online prices. | 02-25-2010 |
20100049631 | System and method for providing online donations - An online donation system and method generates an online catalogue displaying available charities and specific programs run or administered by the charities. A user selects one or more programs at one or more charities by selecting a display icon of the charities. The user then initiates a donation to the charity using an e-commerce engine. The display icons include objective or emotive images to enhance the online purchase experience of the user. | 02-25-2010 |
20100049632 | SYSTEM FOR MAKING FINANCIAL GIFTS - A computer-implemented method and system for electronic gift giving. The method includes providing an internet site for access by a giver via a giver device, prompting the giver to enter giver identification information, and storing the giver identification information in a data store. The giver is prompted to enter recipient information, and the recipient information is stored in the data store. The giver is prompted to select from a plurality of composition templates, and create a composition based on the selected composition template. The giver is prompted to enter a value of a monetary gift, and the entered value is stored in association with the created composition for delivery to a recipient. An embodiment of the invention may include interest being accrued based on the value of the monetary gift. In another embodiment, at least one sponsor pays a fee for an advertising message to appear in the composition. | 02-25-2010 |
20100049633 | SYSTEM AND METHOD TO IDENTIFY AND VISUALLY DISTINGUISH PERSONALLY RELEVANT ITEMS - An improved online shopping system is described herein, wherein a shopper is provided with a differentiated display of items, thereby allowing the user to discern which items match a “personal shop” criteria, among items that might not match that “personal shop” criteria. | 02-25-2010 |
20100057589 | PAYMENT SERVICE TO EFFICIENTLY ENABLE ELECTRONIC PAYMENT - A method to redirect a browser client is disclosed. The method comprises serving a first web page including a check-out option and receiving a check-out request from a consumer user of an electronic storefront web site. The check-out request is to purchase a product. In response to the check-out request the browser client is redirected to a web page hosted by a payment service web site. The payment service web site stores information that includes a return URL that corresponds to a web-based interface that is hosted by the electronic storefront web site. The redirection further includes a comparison of the return URL in the stored information to a return URL that corresponds to the web-based interface that is hosted by the electronic storefront web site. The comparison is to determine whether redirection to the web-based interface hosted by the electronic storefront web site should be performed. | 03-04-2010 |
20100057590 | System and Method for Data Acquisition and Processing - A system and method for data acquisition and processing is described which can audio data form the basis of new and improved business and consumer services. Audio datagrams such as short duration audio-recordings made from radio or television broadcasts or from a CD player or an MP3 player or the like are captured using a microphone associated with a multimedia computer or mobile phone or PDA or fixed line device and processed to create a digital audiogram dataset which may be subsequently transmitted to a data processing server which comprises a music and or audio archive. A server receives and processes the digital audiogram dataset to enhance the captured audio data and convert it into a suitable format which matches the format of the audio data stored in the server archive. A search engine processes the received digital audiogram and attempts to match the captured audio data with data stored in the archive. When a successful match is made between the audio datagram such as with a genuine piece of music by a recognised artist, a message is sent back to the device which initiated the audio capture and transmission process, or to an email address registered to the device, indicating the name of the artist and the name of the song and details where the music or recorded broadcast can be obtained. The audio datagram capture-and-search process may form part of a service profile for a mobile subscriber and it may be directly linked with a mobile payment transaction service so that the subscriber may order and buy a copy of the music or broadcast directly. | 03-04-2010 |
20100063899 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ELECTRONIC COMMERCE USING PORTABLE MEMORY - The present invention relates to an electronic commerce system and method using portable memory. The electronic commerce system using portable memory includes a shopping mall provision module for providing an online shopping mall to a communication terminal connected through the Internet, a code reception module for receiving the unique identification code of the portable memory, connected to the communication terminal, through the communication terminal, and a payment processing module for performing processing so that a specific amount of money corresponding to a price of a product, purchase of which is requested, is subtracted from a specific amount of money, assigned to the received unique identification code and stored in a DB, upon a request from the communication terminal for the purchase of the product. | 03-11-2010 |
20100063900 | METHODS FOR SELECTING, ORDERING AND PURCHASING GLASS PRODUCTS - A system, apparatus and method for facilitating the selection, purchasing and ordering glass products, which is informative to guide a novice user in selecting a glass product, even where the glass is comprised of glass panels of more than one manufacturer, the present invention providing an apparatus with a processor which is controlled by software to facilitate a selection process which integrates the comparison of glass products and their properties, as well as, including particular properties of particular components of a glass product, the apparatus can work with a user input device, such as a keyboard or mouse, and is programmed to display graphics associated with selections and potential selections for glass products. The system and method providing selection menus for display on a display device and an animation graphic associated with a selection presented to the user. The system, apparatus, and method integrates the glass product selection information which the user chooses, and preferably the invention makes selections for the user, based on the user's previous choices and specified target performances to present to the user potential glass products. | 03-11-2010 |
20100070382 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SALES GENERATION IN CONJUNCTION WITH A VEHICLE DATA SYSTEM - Embodiments of sales generation, including sales generation employing reverse lead generation using vehicle data systems and methods, are presented herein. In particular, in certain embodiments a user may utilize the vehicle data system to obtain pricing data corresponding to a desired vehicle configuration. When the user is presented with the pricing data associated with the specified vehicle configuration the user may additionally be presented with an upfront price offered by a dealer, where by providing their personal information the user may obtain the name of the dealer offering the upfront price and may additionally be offered the opportunity to purchase the desired, or similar, vehicle at the upfront price. | 03-18-2010 |
20100070383 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR AUTOMATED PROCESSING OF GOODS DATA - The present invention relates to a method or a device for automated processing of goods data for sales purposes as well as for automated processing of goods data for the manufacture of printed goods presentations, in which data for online publications and/or online sales offers and/or data for an ERP system are used simultaneously for the purpose of creating printed goods presentations in the form of catalogs, brochures, advertising flyers and the like. | 03-18-2010 |
20100070384 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CUSTOM TAILORING AND RETAIL SALE OF CLOTHING - Demonstrating a piece of real clothing to a customer to facilitate a trying-on and purchasing process includes: obtaining a set of data, representing the customer's body configuration, determining from the set of data a first standardized size for a piece of clothing that is a close match to the customer's body configuration, putting a first piece of real clothing with the first standardized size on a real mannequin with measurements corresponding to the set of data representing the customer's body configuration, obtaining a first image or set of images showing the first piece of clothing on the real mannequin; and presenting to the customer the first image or set of images showing the first piece of real clothing. | 03-18-2010 |
20100070385 | WIRELESS MEDIA PLAYER - A wireless device, such as a mobile phone, and a method for operating the wireless device to access a media option. The wireless device may include a media player; a radio signal receiver system configured to receive media signals; a controller comprising a memory comprising a list of different media options, indicating media items the user is interested in taking part of and a media scanner configured to scan the radio signal receiver system to detect media content associated with the media options; a user input interface to select one media item currently indicted as detected; and a media selector configured to pass received media signals relating to the selected media item to the media player. | 03-18-2010 |
20100070386 | Method for Digitally Labelling Websites - A host website, method and system for digitally labelling websites or subscribers with digital labels which represent characteristics or qualities of the website is disclosed. Digital labels are stored on host websites, each of which is directed to a specific subject or activity. The host website can also provide digital labels for storage in other host websites. The host website is provided with artificial intelligence capabilities. Methods and systems for asymmetric access in a host website database are disclosed. | 03-18-2010 |
20100070387 | LOCAL AVAILABILITY OF PRODUCTS AND SERVICES ON A SALES USER INTERFACE - The present invention is directed to a system and method for local availability of products and services on a sales user interface. Through use of the present invention, availability of goods and corresponding services offered at a location near the user may be communicated to a consumer, thereby informing the consumer of desirable services and goods. A method for identifying services corresponding to a product available to a user based on user location may include monitoring user interaction with network navigation software operating on an information handling system. A product is identified based on the monitored user interaction with the network navigation software and a service corresponding to the identified product determined, the service determination based on user location. | 03-18-2010 |
20100076862 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR RESERVING AND PURCHASING EVENTS - A system and method enables a customer to purchase time-sensitive events over a computer network. Customer requests are received over the network to view events for possible purchase. The customer may be queried to determine when the customer is available to ensure that the events are available to the customer. Events are displayed to the customer in a manner to ensure that selected events do not overlap with one another. Displayed events for purchase may be filtered based on customer preferences. | 03-25-2010 |
20100076863 | HOSTING PLATFORM - A hosting platform provides website hosting for customers. The hosting platform may be operated in a cloud hosting environment and may comprise an application signup and billing module, a content management system, a transaction module, and optionally a messaging system and/or end-customer management and authentication module. To enable website hosting in different industries, the content management system can provide access to modules adapted for a particular industry, such as print, music, or the like. The modules adapted for a particular industry allow customers in the particular industry to engage in the online sale of products or services with an order flow that can be adapted for the particular industry. Alternately or additionally, a consumer portal can be provided for each industry allowing end-users, e.g., end-customers, of a particular industry to connect peer-to-peer in relation to customers of the hosting platform that provide products or services within the particular industry. | 03-25-2010 |
20100076864 | Systems and Methods for Integrating Debt Collection and Debtor Aid Services - Improvements to debt collection services and debtor aid services are described. Embodiments of the present invention improve on current processes by integrating debtor aid services with the debt collection process. A debt collection letter process is augmented by including an insert, attachment, or other correspondence directing the debtor to a special website to assist them with their finances. If the debtor purchases one or more debt assistance products from the website, the collection agency is provided with a commission, thereby improving the collection agency's profits. As the debtor learns to better manage his or her finances, the debtor benefits from increased financial freedom and increased ability to pay outstanding debts, which returns to benefit the collection agency's efforts and the creditor's recovery. | 03-25-2010 |
20100076865 | Method and system for personalizing portable electronic devices - A method and system for personalizing a portable electronic device and a personalized portable electronic device. The method of personalizing a portable electronic device comprises determining a customized graphics image based on input from a user. In some cases the user can create the customized graphics image using a design generator having a random generator. The method also provides for having the customized graphics image permanently affixed to the portable electronic device. In some cases, the method also allows the user to share their customized graphics image with other users. | 03-25-2010 |
20100076866 | Video-related meta data engine system and method - A engine for use with a display is disclosed. The engine includes a presenter that presents at least two audio/visual works, at least one software application capable of at least one metadata-related interaction with the at least audio/visual works, a monetizer for monetizing at least one metadata-related interaction with the at least audio/visual works, and communication points over which the audio/visual works are received, and over which at least a portion of the at least one metadata-related interaction occurs. The at least one metadata-related interaction matches discrete occurrences in said audio/visual works with specific products. | 03-25-2010 |
20100076867 | Search supporting system, search supporting method and search supporting program - In a database, product image data is accumulated. A search portion acquires product image data having the image characteristics information that is the same as or similar to the image characteristics information that indicates the characteristics of the image of input image data from the database for the input image data. A search server outputs information on another product that is different from the product corresponding to the product image data together with the product image data acquired by the search portion. | 03-25-2010 |
20100076868 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR REALIZING A VIDEO SHOP - A method and a system for implementing a video shop are provided according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The method and system can be applied in network communication field. The method includes receiving a call request sent by a user over a phone domain, putting through the user's call and keeping the user connected; providing the user with a shopping guidance and providing the user with a service associated with a selection made in accordance with the shopping guidance by the user; and receiving a purchase order made in accordance with the service by the user and providing the user with a payment service. A system for realizing a video shop is also provided according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The method and system have a sound operability, high level security and high reliability. | 03-25-2010 |
20100076869 | BUYER-INITIATED SHIPPING SYSTEM - A system and method in which a buyer registers for a buyer's shipping account and uses the shipping account to pay shipping costs associated with purchases made over the Internet. When a buyer purchases merchandise over the Internet from either a retailer's website or from an individual through an online auction, the buyer is capable of controlling the shipping process by logging on to their buyer's shipping account. Among other things, the buyer can use their shipping account to select the desired type of shipping service (overnight air or ground) and populate a shipping label with shipping information such as delivery address, return address, and preferred delivery time windows. Once the shipping label has been populated and verified, the shipping label is electronically transferred to the seller for use in shipping the package. The system and methods of the present invention allow the buyer greater control over the shipping process. In many cases, the present invention will also help buyers/receivers control costs by eliminating the shipper's shipping and handling fee. | 03-25-2010 |
20100076870 | Widgetized avatar and a method and system of virtual commerce including same - An avatar is disclosed. The avatar includes computing code that provides for addition of the avatar as non-static content to at least two unique at least partially static web pages, and secondary computing code resident within the computing code, wherein the secondary computing code provides for association with at least one other portion of the computing code of: ones selected from a plurality of physical characteristics, ones selected from a plurality of clothes, ones selected from a plurality of accessories, a plurality of personal information, a plurality of preferences, and a plurality of recommendations. | 03-25-2010 |
20100076871 | Software Application Framework for Network-Connected Devices - A facility for provisioning and managing registered applications is described. Registered applications can be downloaded to a mobile device from an application provisioning server. When the download is complete, the mobile device may begin execution of the registered application. However, at least portions of the registered application cannot be executed by the mobile device without first passing control to an application provisioning server via a network connection. Upon receiving temporary control of the registered application, the application provisioning server can perform tasks such as license verification and other tasks before turning control of the application back to the mobile device. | 03-25-2010 |
20100082452 | ASSOCIATING A PRODUCT WITH A STATIC CATEGORY USING TAGS - Methods of the present invention allow a static product category to be received from a user for a product on an ecommerce site. The user may then be enabled to dynamically associate the product with the static product category using a metadata tag. | 04-01-2010 |
20100082453 | ASSOCIATING A PRODUCT WITH A DYNAMIC CATEGORY USING TAGS - Methods of the present invention allow a user to be enabled to create a metadata tag associated with a product on an ecommerce site. Using the metadata tag, a product category associated with the product may be dynamically created. | 04-01-2010 |
20100082454 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR GENERATING A VIEW OF AND INTERACTING WITH A PURCHASE HISTORY - A system for generating a view of a purchase history, includes an electronic receipt generator for generating an electronic receipt including information regarding a purchase by a customer, a storage device for storing the electronic receipt, and a display screen generator which accesses the electronic receipt in the storage device to generate a display screen which displays a map corresponding to the information included in the electronic receipt. | 04-01-2010 |
20100082455 | Real-time bargain hunting - Systems and methods for providing shopping-related information to a consumer are provided. Embodiments of the system provide a consumer with shopping-related information, such as pricing information, product quality, consumer ratings, and other information that may help a consumer make an informed purchasing decision. Other embodiments allow a consumer to obtain and compare retail prices offered by several retailers for a specified product. Still other embodiments allow a seller to send targeted product information to a consumer who has indicated an interest in purchasing a specific product. | 04-01-2010 |
20100082456 | TOOLS IN SUPPORT OF E-COMMERCE INCLUDING INVENTORYLESS E-COMMERCE - Methods support e-commerce and advertising through storefronts having respective sets of items for purchase. Items are added to storefronts by owners via a control panel module. Store owners are presented with a selection of items that were previously defined by that particular owner through the control panel module, and are selectively presented with a public subset of further items of storefronts of other owners. The owner inputs commands through the control panel to add at least one of the presented items to the particular storefront, and a database is updated accordingly. If the item belongs to another owner, the added item is associated with the other owner in the database. A payment transaction is completed by a visitor at the particular store, wherein any proceeds from the payment transaction are received by the website and then shared between the particular owner and the respective other owner. | 04-01-2010 |
20100088195 | METHOD OF REQUESTING A CUSTOMIZED INSTANCE OF AN OBJECT USING INFORMATION CONTAINED WITHIN AN EXISTING INSTANCE - A method and system for reselling an object in a client-server environment is disclosed. The method and system also enables a user using a client device can order an object, order a customized object, order a composite object, and order a customized composite object. The system includes an object order form handler, an object order handler, a view objects handler, a reseller form handler, a reseller handler, a reseller permission handler, an add object handler and a server database. | 04-08-2010 |
20100088196 | Methods for Designing, Pricing, and Scheduling Well Services and Data Processing Systems Therefor - Methods comprising for pricing and scheduling one or more well services comprising obtaining input data for the one or more well services, determining the well service specifications, determining a schedule for the one or more well services, determining costs for the one or more well services, and determining the price of the one or more well services based on a plurality of factors, wherein the plurality of factors comprises the schedule and the costs. Methods comprising for pricing and scheduling one or more well services comprising obtaining input data for the one or more well services, the input data comprising well characteristics of the one or more well service, determining a schedule for the one or more well services, determining the price of the one or more well service based on a plurality of factors, wherein the plurality of factors comprises the schedule and the well characteristics. | 04-08-2010 |
20100094726 | Digital Media Purchasing as an Extension of Previewing - Content purchases or purchases of other items may be automatically completed upon expiration of a preview period. Thus, no user interaction may be needed to transition from a preview phase to purchasing. Upon expiration of the preview period, a user may be given an opportunity to undo the transaction. The availability of the undo option may last a predefined amount of time. | 04-15-2010 |
20100094727 | Method and System for Making Anonymous On-line Purchases - The invention provides a system for effecting anonymous purchase of items from an online merchant system. A system according to an embodiment of the invention comprises means coupled to a merchant system for receiving price information from the merchant system about an item selected for purchase by a purchaser. The system further comprises means coupled to a purchaser system for receiving payment of the price from the purchaser. The system further comprises means for providing an anonymous identifier to the purchaser system in response to receiving the payment. The system further comprises means coupled to the merchant site for providing the payment to the merchant site and means coupled to the merchant site for providing the anonymous identifier to the merchant site. The merchant system provides the item to the purchaser in response to the purchaser providing the anonymous identifier to the merchant system. The purchaser thereby remains anonymous to the merchant. | 04-15-2010 |
20100094728 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DISTRIBUTING MEDIA CONTENT AND PROCESSING PAYMENTS AND/OR VOLUNTARY DATA COLLECTION - A system and method for distributing media content and processing payments have been described. According to one embodiment, a computer-implemented method, comprises receiving a request to view a media asset. A trailer associated with the media asset is provided for display on a remote client. An interface is provided on the remote client for receiving a request to transfer money and information to the poster of the media asset | 04-15-2010 |
20100094729 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR ONLINE SHOPPING - Systems, methods, or media is directed to managing an outfit over a network. A navigation of an electronic media source is provided with a virtual closet widget representative of outfit data for display on at least one device. An activation component is provided within the virtual closet widget to configure a panel. The panel provides a selectable catalog of items that are configured to be added into the outfit data. In response to adding an item, a visual indication of the item on the virtual closet widget is provided, wherein the item comprises at least one unset attribute for setting through the virtual closet. | 04-15-2010 |
20100094730 | ENHANCING ONLINE SHOPPING ATMOSPHERE - Representing activity in an online store is disclosed. Information associated with the activities of a second visitor to the store is received. An indication of the presence of a first visitor at the store is also received. The activities of the second visitor are displayed to the first visitor. | 04-15-2010 |
20100100456 | CELL ONTOGENY INFORMATION SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF USING THE SAME - Aspects of the invention are drawn to cell ontogeny information systems and methods for using the same. | 04-22-2010 |
20100100457 | METHOD OF ENABLING A USER TO DRAW A COMPONENT PART AS INPUT FOR SEARCHING COMPONENT PARTS IN A DATABASE - A method of receiving input image data for an image search engine includes providing a two-dimensional input image on a display screen, enabling a user to rotate the input image on the display screen about an axis that is non-perpendicular to a plane of the input image, and enabling the user to electronically draw modifications on the rotated input image. | 04-22-2010 |
20100100458 | SERVICE METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING ONLINE INTEGRATED SHOPPING MALL - An online integrated shopping mall service apparatus and method is disclosed. The apparatus registers manufacturing/enterprises, SOHO distribution enterprises, and SOHO trade enterprises as enterprise members, provides the shopping mall with commodities, sells the commodities, and manages the sales record of the commodities. If a member is a shopping-mall founder, a sideline-person, a SOHO distribution enterprise, or a SOHO trade enterprise, the apparatus assigns a free retail-client shopping mall to the member, such that the member sells commodities at retail in the client shopping mall, performs the shopping mall management, registers commodities as regular commodities to be sold in the client shopping mall, and assigns lower client shopping malls to others. The apparatus assigns a specific administrator who satisfies a predetermined condition to a wholesale-qualified member capable of managing the wholesale shopping mall, assigns the wholesale shopping mall to the qualified member, and sells the commodities at wholesale. | 04-22-2010 |
20100100459 | REAL ESTATE BROKERAGE METHOD THROUGH A VIDEO-CONFERENCE - In a real estate brokerage method through a video-conference (VDC), a purchaser and a broker meet with each other through an on-line VDC. This method includes steps for providing a article search page to a communication terminal of a non-member that connects with a corresponding Internet site; entering identification information of the non-member and search condition information thereof into the article search page; and providing an article describing page having information of one or more articles satisfying the search condition to the communication terminal of the non-member. In case that the non-member requests an on-line VDC, the request is offered to a corresponding article register. After the article register checks information of a non-member who requested VDC, the article register can select a VDC execution button included in a page having buttons to determine whether VDC should be executed or not. | 04-22-2010 |
20100100460 | Diamond Retailer, Wholesaler and Consumer Finder, Tracker and Sales System - An information processing system for electronically vertically integrating a consumer, retailer and wholesaler of diamonds (or jewelry) includes maintaining a diamond inventory database which lists common characteristics, wholesale price and retail price. In the retail facility or space, the consumer electronically searches the diamond database and is presented with record displays of diamonds within the scope of the search and the retail price. A retailer's computer can mimic the consumer search and display the wholesale price. This tracking and a sales alarm trigger facilitates a face-to-face sale of the diamond. An alarm issues when the consumer's search exceeds certain predetermined parameters. | 04-22-2010 |
20100106620 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AUTHORIZING A PAYMENT VIA A REMOTE DEVICE - A method of and system for authorizing a transaction remotely is disclosed. A customer uses a computer to browse for a product displayed on the internet. The customer may enter a unique number into the computer. The unique number is authorized and an authorization code is sent to the customer's communication device. The customer enters the authorization code into the computer to complete the transaction. | 04-29-2010 |
20100106621 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CONFIGURATING PRODUCTS - A system comprises a product database, a vendor interface and a reseller interface. The vendor interface is capable of receiving product information for the product database that is related to at least one promotional product. The reseller interface is coupled to the product database, and is capable of allowing at least one reseller to select at least one product for presentation to at least one customer. An interface is capable of presenting at least one selected product to at least one customer, such as a branded promotional products interface, a company logo store interface, or a reseller showcase interface, or combinations thereof. Additionally, an interface is capable of receiving a request from the at least one customer for obtaining the at least one selected branded product from a reseller associated with the interface capable of presenting the at least one selected product to the at least one customer. | 04-29-2010 |
20100106622 | Method for Exchanging Data Concerning an Electronic Transaction - A method for exchanging data concerning an electronic transaction between two entities, includes: a step which consists in determining and booking an origin address (TPOA) in conformity with a bidirectional mobile telephony (GSM) digital messaging service protocol (SMS); a step which consists in sending in accordance with the protocol (SMS), an offer message (OFFRE_SMS) of the transaction (TR), the offer message (OFFRE_SMS) being sent from the first entity (MW) and addressed to the second entity (CL); and a step which consists in sending, from the second entity (CL) and addressed to the first entity (MW), a reply message comprising an information (REP) representing acceptance or rejection of the transaction. | 04-29-2010 |
20100106623 | Method for Completing and Storing an Electronic Rental Agreement - Methods and systems are disclosed for creating online and storing within a server system a completed electronic rental contract for engaging a rental vehicle from a rental car company's fleet to thereby authorize a user to pick up a rental vehicle without the user visiting a rental counter. In an exemplary embodiment, an electronic rental proposal can be communicated for display to a user on a website, the electronic rental proposal being at least partially responsive to previously received data about the user's future rental of a rental vehicle. Upon acceptance of the rental proposal, a completed electronic rental contract can be created, the completed electronic rental contract resulting in the user being authorized to pick up a rental vehicle in accordance with the completed electronic rental contract without the user visiting a rental counter. | 04-29-2010 |
20100114736 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MARKETPLACE LISTINGS USING A CAMERA ENABLED MOBILE DEVICE - Embodiments of computer-implemented systems and methods for marketplace listings using a camera enabled mobile device are described. One example embodiment comprises receiving a request via a camera enabled mobile device to list one or more sale items, receiving images having the one or more sale items, the images being taken by the camera enabled mobile device, receiving data associated with the one or more sale items, and based on the data, listing the one or more sale items on a marketplace. | 05-06-2010 |
20100114737 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR COMMERCIALIZING AVATARS - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a system having a controller to offer for sale an avatar engine that generates a visual representation of an interactive avatar capable of engaging in a verbal communication exchange by way of an audio system of a computing device from which the avatar engine is adapted to operate, receive a purchase request from a communication device, transmit to the communication device a usage policy and a copy of the avatar engine responsive to determining that the purchase request involves a request for a reproduction of at least a portion of the avatar engine, and enable the communication device to access services of the avatar engine responsive to determining that the purchase request involves the request for services of the avatar engine. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 05-06-2010 |
20100114738 | Supplying Method of Interior Materials Ordered - The present invention relates to a supplying method for interior material ordered to a user who can connect to a server through a network, wherein the server memorizes a program which enables the user to plan a design of the interior material which is operable on the user's web browser, and the supplying method for interior material ordered comprises the steps of: connecting to the server by the web browser of the user, transferring the program which enables the user to plan a design of the interior material from the server to the web browser of the user, receiving execution results of the program which enables the user to plan a design of the interior material from the web browser by the server, digital printing designs on a printing layer of the interior material, based on the execution results of the program which enables the user to plan a design of the interior materials, manufacturing a finished product of interior material including the printing layer digital printed of the interior material, and delivering the manufactured interior material to the user. | 05-06-2010 |
20100114739 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR A COMPREHENSIVE INTEGRATED AND UNIVERSAL CONTENT SELLING AND BUYING PLATFORM - A method of self-service by a seller to establish at a hosted service a store front that is distributable across a plurality of third party hosts includes receiving, by a hosted service operating on one or more servers, specification of one or more items to be displayed for sale in a store front for a seller. Responsive to the specification, the hosted service generates a portable widget for the store front identifying the one or more items for sale. The hosted service may receive from the seller identification of one or more third party hosts to which to publish the portable widget of the store front. The hosted service may initiate publishing of the portable widget of the store front to the one or more third party hosts. | 05-06-2010 |
20100114740 | USER ENHANCED AUTHENTICATION SYSTEM FOR ONLINE PURCHASES - Embodiments of the invention are directed to methods, systems, devices and computer-readable media. In embodiments of the invention, a user is authenticated using an authentication process that is capable of authenticating a user using an inline authentication form that can authenticate a consumer without transferring a session maintained by a merchant. The inline authentication form is used if the components of the authentication system are capable of supporting an inline authentication form. If the components of the system cannot support an inline authentication form, a different authentication process is used. In one embodiment, an inline authentication form is presented to the user asynchronously. This inline authentication form may be presented within an iFrame embedded in a merchant's checkout page after verifying that the components to be used during the authentication can support the inline authentication form. | 05-06-2010 |
20100121735 | AFFILIATE SELLING SYSTEM - It is an object to provide an affiliate marketing system that automatically guides users to a seller's Web page and does not cause an oversight of a reward payment to an affiliater. A server of an affiliate marketing system is comprised of a guide link generating means that regards an affiliate ID for the identification of an affiliater and a product ID for the identification of a product as an argument URL and that generates URI, information as a guide link in which the argument URL is added to a URL of the affiliate marketing system and the argument URL, and an address converting means that responds to a click operation of the guide link and that carries out an address conversion of an accessed URL of a user terminal device that has done the click operation from the URL of the affiliate marketing system to the URL of the seller's Web page. | 05-13-2010 |
20100121736 | GENERAL PURPOSE AUTOMATED ACTIVATION AND PROVISIONING TECHNOLOGIES - Automated activation and provisioning technologies can be applied in a variety of scenarios. For example, an automated activation and provisioning server can translate user desired features into associated provisioning directives. The directives can then be sent to elements of a wireless communications network support system. Activation and provisioning for a rich set of features can thus be achieved without manual intervention or reaction to the user's choices. Receipt of the user's choices can be accomplished in real time via a user interface of a mobile wireless device or a web-based user interface. | 05-13-2010 |
20100121737 | PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION NUMBER CODE INPUT METHOD USING DOT PATTERN, PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION NUMBER CODE INPUT METHOD, AND INTERNET SHOPPING SETTLEMENT SYSTEM - A PIN code input method which is low cost and operated easily and ensures high security is presented. The PIN code input method specifies and inputs a plurality of identifiable symbol icons printed or displayed on a medium surface in a predetermined order, based on which order the PIN code is authenticated. The PIN code input method uses a dot pattern signifying a coordinate value or/and a code value formed on the medium surface where the symbol icons are printed or the visual surface where the symbol icons are displayed. The dot pattern is read by a scanner and converted into the PIN code according to the coordinate value or/and code value. The PIN code is authenticated based on the order of the PIN code read. Upon reading the dot pattern by the scanner, the orientation of the scanner relative to a vertical axis perpendicular to the medium surface or the visual surface is input together with the coordinate value or/and code value signified by the dot pattern as the PIN code. | 05-13-2010 |
20100121738 | METHOD FOR PROVIDING PROTEIN MICROARRAYS - The present application relates to methods for providing a protein microarray product and related products and services to a customer, methods, kits, and systems for labeling a probe for a protein microarray, and methods for determining protein concentrations using a protein microarray. The methods for providing a protein microarray can include, in certain aspects, a computer function for performing some of the steps of the methods. Methods and kits for labeling a probe can include a control array that includes a molecule that binds to a label of a probe. | 05-13-2010 |
20100121739 | ON-LINE GROUP DESIGN AND PURCHASING OF CUSTOMIZED MERCHANDISE - The present invention provides an online platform for organizations to design and create customized merchandise and to offer the merchandise for sale to their members and to the general public. The organization sets up an online group account to facilitate the design and sale of a customized product. The platform allows the organization to create customized merchandise by designing products for its members or by defining parameters that enable its members or other individuals to customize certain aspects of merchandise, and also to provide a private or public forum for members to submit, share and vote on designs and otherwise interact with each other. The platform provides various forms of payment to accommodate different purchasers and to account for any sponsors or donors. | 05-13-2010 |
20100121740 | DATA DRIVEN ORCHESTRATION OF BUSINESS PROCESSES - In one embodiment, abstraction of business processes from an underlying information technology (IT) infrastructure is provided. An orchestration process can be designed using encapsulated service invocations. A plurality of services may be provided that are configured to provide services in the order fulfillment business process. An interface may be used by a user to provide a definition of a business process. The business process may identify one or more services that define steps to be performed in the order fulfillment process. This definition may include metadata that can be stored in a runtime table. During runtime, the metadata may be read from the table and used by the run-time engine to perform an executable process. The one or more services may be dynamically invoked during orchestration of the executable process, which coordinates performance of the services. | 05-13-2010 |
20100121741 | AUDIO SAMPLING AND ACQUISITION SYSTEM - Techniques for facilitating purchase of media items, such as digital media assets, are disclosed. A computing device, e.g., a portable media device, can save media indicia pertaining to one or media items of interest to a user. The media indicia can thereafter be use to purchase the one or more media items or other products associated therewith. | 05-13-2010 |
20100125511 | SHARING MEDIA CONTENT ASSETS BETWEEN USERS OF A WEB-BASED SERVICE - In one embodiment, a method comprises receiving a request for access to a media content asset from a first user of a web-based service, the request specifying a second user that has provided access to the media content asset; retrieving, from a user database, a user entry describing attributes associated with the second user; determining whether the user entry includes digital rights metadata for determining whether the second user is licensed to share at least a portion of the media content asset; and selectively providing the first user with access to at least the portion of the media content asset based on determining from the digital rights metadata that the media content asset is licensed to the second user, and determining that the first user is authorized by the second user to access the media content asset. | 05-20-2010 |
20100125512 | NETWORK-ACCESSIBLE VIRTUAL SHOPPING CART - The network-accessible virtual shopping cart includes shopping for digital content with a portable device. The portable device receives an instruction to add a digital content item to a virtual shopping cart. If a network connection to a network-accessible virtual shopping cart is available, the digital content item is added to the network-accessible virtual shopping cart. If a network connection to the network-accessible virtual shopping cart is not available, the digital content item is added to a local virtual shopping cart. Upon the network-accessible virtual shopping cart becoming available, digital content items are moved from the local virtual shopping cart to the network-accessible virtual shopping cart. | 05-20-2010 |
20100131388 | IMAGE-BASED LISTING USING IMAGE OF MULTIPLE ITEMS - Example embodiments of a system and method for image-based listing of an item, using an image of multiple items, are generally described herein. In some example embodiments, an image-based listing system includes an identifying module to identify a portion of an image of multiple items, the portion of the image depicting the item; a tagging module to associate tag information with the portion of the image, the tag information being associated with the item; and a listing module to list the item, the listing of the item comprising displaying at least some tag information. | 05-27-2010 |
20100131389 | Video-related meta data engine system and method - A engine for use with a display is disclosed. The engine includes a presenter that presents at least two audio/visual works, at least one software application capable of at least one metadata-related interaction with the at least two audio/visual works, communication points over which the audio/visual works are received, and over which at least a portion of the at least one metadata-related interaction occurs, and a hierarchical taxonomy that effects a common metadata reference to each recurrence of a particular object across the audio/visual works, and across each of the at least one metadata related interaction. | 05-27-2010 |
20100131390 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR ONLINE CREDIT OFFERS - Provided are methods and systems for coordinating a loan between a lender and a borrower. The methods and systems can provide enhanced offers by way of a Best Offer Strategy and Standardized Presentation of offers to borrowers. Also provided is a computerized business-to-business operations management system (a “portal”) centered around business performance analytics, wherein the selection criteria and business rules used to connect borrowers to lenders can be refined based upon the business performance analytics. | 05-27-2010 |
20100131391 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DISPLAYING WOOD PRODUCTS FOR PURCHASE - A method implementable in an electronic system coupled to an electronic device, the electronic device being coupled to a display device. A description of a load to display is received from the seller. At least one term governing the sale of the load is received from the seller. A definition of product items that will appear on the load is received from the seller. A web page displayable on the display device is served to the electronic device. The displayed web page includes a description of the load. A purchase order for the load is received from the electronic device. | 05-27-2010 |
20100131392 | Website User Account Linking - A method for managing a plurality of commercial website accounts maintained by a supplier of goods or services includes receiving a structure via a first computer screen, where the structure specifies a relationship between a first one of the plurality of commercial website accounts and a second one of the plurality of commercial website accounts, so that the first one of the plurality of website accounts is configured to be a parent account of the second of the plurality of website accounts defining a child account; linking the child account and the parent account in accordance with the received structure in response to a command received via the first computer screen; receiving a rule that regulates a purchase of goods or services by a user of the child account via a second computer screen, where the received rule specifies an action associated with a user of the parent account; automatically detecting that the user of the child account has placed an order at the commercial website; and processing the order in accordance with the rule and the structure. | 05-27-2010 |
20100138314 | METHOD FOR PROVIDING MICRO BILLING FOR GENERIC INTERNET SERVICE IN AN ACCESS NETWORK - The method for providing micro-billing for internet services includes establishing a micro-billing agent (MBA) within a user's access point (i.e., Internet Service Provider—ISP). The MBA contains the user's billing information and keeps that information exclusive to the MBA. By retaining the user's information with their access point, the user can conduct more secure online transactions, particularly for low cost transactions, without the inconvenience of inputting or transferring personal purchasing information to the online store. According to one aspect, the purchase page may be previously encoded with a micro-billing option which would enable the MBA to obtain user authorizations in online transactions in a more streamlined and secure manner. | 06-03-2010 |
20100138315 | CONTROLLING PRODUCT INFORMATION - Methods, computer readable media, and systems including program instructions are provided for use with virtual product showrooms. A method embodiment includes providing a website with product information for a number of products offered by a distributor to a reseller. The embodiment also includes receiving a price control input, for a particular product from among the number of products, from the reseller, through the website. The embodiment further includes displaying product information, for the particular product, on the website, to a potential purchaser, based on the price control input. | 06-03-2010 |
20100138316 | Financial Gadgets - Methods, computer program products, and systems, related to providing financial gadgets to users. In one implementation, a method includes receiving gadgets and receiving a notification that one or more gadgets has been certified. A web page with an interface through which users can select gadgets is generated and provided to a user computer. A user selects a gadget, and the selected gadget is run, including providing the user-specific financial information to the gadget. Content based on the output of the gadget is provided to the user. User-specific financial information can be collected, and modified by the gadget. A notification can be received that a financial institution has authorized one or more of the certified gadgets and the web page can only allow users to select authorized gadgets. | 06-03-2010 |
20100138317 | METHOD TO CREATE A CUSTOMIZED E-COMMERCE STORE - An electronic commerce system includes a host with two-way communication to a plurality of distributors. Each of these distributors offers an addressable inventory of merchandise that consists of discrete items. The host sorts the discrete items according to a class designation such that members of a same class are assigned a unique tag. A store builder may electronically request at least one of the unique tags. The host then creates a customized store with a unique name, look and feel, and product selection for the store builder. This store provides a consumer with access, via said distributor, to items assigned that unique tag. | 06-03-2010 |
20100138318 | Method For Estate Transaction By Network of Member Store - Since conventional real estate portal sites are one-directionally provided by real estate portal site operators, wrong information may be provided. Also, since a large amount of real estate information must be frequently provided and changed, material and human resources must borne. Also, customers must visit corresponding real estate agents in order to obtain detailed information on the real estate they want after obtaining information on real estate through the Internet unless direct dealings are performed. It is an object of the present invention to provide a real estate information providing method through the network of member stores capable of letting sellers of real estate select whether to directly deal in the real estate through the Internet or to deal in the real estate through real estate agents connected to each other by network and of letting purchasers of real estate obtain detailed information on the real estate for sale through accessible member stores to deal in the real estate when the purchasers deal in the real estate through the member stores. It is another object of the present invention to provide a method of providing real estate information through the network of member stores in which member stores are classified by levels or regions to provide real estate information restricted by the levels or the regions of the member stores when the real estate for sale is requested to be searched. | 06-03-2010 |
20100138319 | CONTEXTUAL PRESENTATION ON ELECTRONIC CATALOG PAGES OF INFORMATION REFLECTIVE OF PRIOR ORDERS - An electronic catalog system, which may be implemented as a web site or another type of interactive system, presents context-sensitive information to customers reflective of their prior orders. In one embodiment, when a customer requests an item detail page for a particular item, the system may supplement the item detail page with information reflective of one or more related orders previously placed by the customer. This information may include, for example, an indication that the customer previously ordered this item or a related item, and may include information, such as status information, regarding such previously placed order(s). If the customer previously ordered a related item, the information provided on the item detail page may include an indication of whether the previously ordered item is compatible or interoperable with the item being viewed. | 06-03-2010 |
20100138320 | USER INTERFACE AND METHODS FOR ENABLING USERS TO EFFICIENTLY TRACK ITEM SELECTIONS IN AN ELECTRONIC CATALOG - An electronic commerce system provides various features for assisting customers in browsing and generating orders from an electronic catalog. One such feature enables customers to efficiently keep track of the items and item quantities currently selected for purchase. For example, when a customer requests a page corresponding to a particular item category, the system may supplement the category page with an indication of which of the items on the page (if any) are currently selected for purchase. This may be accomplished by supplementing the page with selection quantity values that are displayed in customer-editable fields. Search results pages may be supplemented in a similar manner. Another feature enables the customer to save, under a user-specified name, a record of the items and item quantities currently selected for purchase, and to subsequently make this record active (e.g., to generate a repeat order). | 06-03-2010 |
20100145820 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR IMPROVED E-COMMERCE SHOPPING - An e-commerce system and method combining different product presentation formats, where each format has a video presentation component. One such format is the presentation of a live, pre-existing “shop at home” video production feed, consisting of continuously scheduled segments, each segment presenting a product or set of products. A Video on Demand (VOD) format, where users may request different video streams. The VOD streams being similar to the live feed, but stored on a server and organized in one or more different segment orders, as compared to the original order of the live feed. Third, a traditional e-commerce product catalog may be provided. However, as an enhancement, the product catalog may be connected to the VOD server, and stream the presentation segment associated with each product, when a user is viewing the product detail page for that product. | 06-10-2010 |
20100145821 | MORTGAGE AND REAL ESTATE DATA INTEGRATION AND PRESENTATION SYSTEM - A method of presenting real estate data is provided. A plurality of property listings can be presented, and a selection of one of the presented property listings may be received from a user. The user may be associated with a financial profile, which may be specified via user input. In response to receiving the selection by the user, at least one loan offer corresponding to the property listing may be automatically presented, for example, together with the property listing. The loan offer may be at least partially based on the financial profile, and may also be based on a property corresponding to the selected property listing. For example, the property listing and the financial profile may be automatically transmitted to one or more loan providers in response to receiving the selection by the user of the property listing, and in response loan offers may be received from some of the loan providers. | 06-10-2010 |
20100145822 | MORTGAGE AND REAL ESTATE DATA INTEGRATION AND PRESENTATION SYSTEM - A method of presenting real estate data is provided. A plurality of property listings can be presented, and a selection of one of the presented property listings may be received from a user. The user may be associated with a financial profile, which may be specified via user input. In response to receiving the selection by the user, at least one loan offer corresponding to the property listing may be automatically presented, for example, together with the property listing. The loan offer may be at least partially based on the financial profile, and may also be based on a property corresponding to the selected property listing. For example, the property listing and the financial profile may be automatically transmitted to one or more loan providers in response to receiving the selection by the user of the property listing, and in response loan offers may be received from some of the loan providers. | 06-10-2010 |
20100145823 | MORTGAGE AND REAL ESTATE DATA INTEGRATION AND PRESENTATION SYSTEM - A method of presenting real estate data is provided. A plurality of property listings can be presented, and a selection of one of the presented property listings may be received from a user. The user may be associated with a financial profile, which may be specified via user input. In response to receiving the selection by the user, at least one loan offer corresponding to the property listing may be automatically presented, for example, together with the property listing. The loan offer may be at least partially based on the financial profile, and may also be based on a property corresponding to the selected property listing. For example, the property listing and the financial profile may be automatically transmitted to one or more loan providers in response to receiving the selection by the user of the property listing, and in response loan offers may be received from some of the loan providers. | 06-10-2010 |
20100145824 | MORTGAGE AND REAL ESTATE DATA INTEGRATION AND PRESENTATION SYSTEM - A method of presenting real estate data is provided. A plurality of property listings can be presented, and a selection of one of the presented property listings may be received from a user. The user may be associated with a financial profile, which may be specified via user input. In response to receiving the selection by the user, at least one loan offer corresponding to the property listing may be automatically presented, for example, together with the property listing. The loan offer may be at least partially based on the financial profile, and may also be based on a property corresponding to the selected property listing. For example, the property listing and the financial profile may be automatically transmitted to one or more loan providers in response to receiving the selection by the user of the property listing, and in response loan offers may be received from some of the loan providers. | 06-10-2010 |
20100145825 | MORTGAGE AND REAL ESTATE DATA INTEGRATION AND PRESENTATION SYSTEM - A method of presenting real estate data is provided. A plurality of property listings can be presented, and a selection of one of the presented property listings may be received from a user. The user may be associated with a financial profile, which may be specified via user input. In response to receiving the selection by the user, at least one loan offer corresponding to the property listing may be automatically presented, for example, together with the property listing. The loan offer may be at least partially based on the financial profile, and may also be based on a property corresponding to the selected property listing. For example, the property listing and the financial profile may be automatically transmitted to one or more loan providers in response to receiving the selection by the user of the property listing, and in response loan offers may be received from some of the loan providers. | 06-10-2010 |
20100145826 | MORTGAGE AND REAL ESTATE DATA INTEGRATION AND PRESENTATION SYSTEM - A method of presenting real estate data is provided. A plurality of property listings can be presented, and a selection of one of the presented property listings may be received from a user. The user may be associated with a financial profile, which may be specified via user input. In response to receiving the selection by the user, at least one loan offer corresponding to the property listing may be automatically presented, for example, together with the property listing. The loan offer may be at least partially based on the financial profile, and may also be based on a property corresponding to the selected property listing. For example, the property listing and the financial profile may be automatically transmitted to one or more loan providers in response to receiving the selection by the user of the property listing, and in response loan offers may be received from some of the loan providers. | 06-10-2010 |
20100145827 | MORTGAGE AND REAL ESTATE DATA INTEGRATION AND PRESENTATION SYSTEM - A method of presenting real estate data is provided. A plurality of property listings can be presented, and a selection of one of the presented property listings may be received from a user. The user may be associated with a financial profile, which may be specified via user input. In response to receiving the selection by the user, at least one loan offer corresponding to the property listing may be automatically presented, for example, together with the property listing. The loan offer may be at least partially based on the financial profile, and may also be based on a property corresponding to the selected property listing. For example, the property listing and the financial profile may be automatically transmitted to one or more loan providers in response to receiving the selection by the user of the property listing, and in response loan offers may be received from some of the loan providers. | 06-10-2010 |
20100145828 | MORTGAGE AND REAL ESTATE DATA INTEGRATION AND PRESENTATION SYSTEM - A method of presenting real estate data is provided. A plurality of property listings can be presented, and a selection of one of the presented property listings may be received from a user. The user may be associated with a financial profile, which may be specified via user input. In response to receiving the selection by the user, at least one loan offer corresponding to the property listing may be automatically presented, for example, together with the property listing. The loan offer may be at least partially based on the financial profile, and may also be based on a property corresponding to the selected property listing. For example, the property listing and the financial profile may be automatically transmitted to one or more loan providers in response to receiving the selection by the user of the property listing, and in response loan offers may be received from some of the loan providers. | 06-10-2010 |
20100145829 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR ELECTRONIC COMMERCE FACILITY CLIENT-BASED PRESENTATION OFFER MANAGEMENT - A method, system and computer readable medium for facilitating interactive electronic commerce transactions over an electronic commerce network between a plurality of sellers and a plurality of buyers via an independent service provider. A request is received from a seller over the electronic commerce network to generate an auction program process associated with the seller. The auction program process associated with the seller is generated by an electronic commerce computer of the independent service provider. A Uniform Resource Locator (URL) hyperlink associated with the auction program process is generated by the electronic commerce computer. The URL hyperlink is communicated to the seller for insertion into a web page hosted on a website other than the independent service provider's website, wherein the web page displays information about an item for sale. The auction program process generated by the electronic commerce computer of the independent service provider is activated when a buyer clicks on the inserted hyperlink on the hosting website. | 06-10-2010 |
20100153232 | Electronic Kiosks for Ordering Custom Photographic Frames - A method for selling a custom frame to a consumer via an electronic kiosk substantially dedicated to goods and services related to photographic images is disclosed. The method includes receiving a purchase order for a custom frame from the electronic kiosk and transferring the purchase order to a custom framing facility for producing the custom framing. | 06-17-2010 |
20100153233 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SHOPPING - Provided are a system and method for shopping, and more particularly, a system and method for shopping, in which a display device transmits control authority to a content-providing device connected by a predetermined communication network, and the content-providing device receives the control authority, configures a screen, which includes at least a piece of content, according to the received control authority and the results of a service request, and provides the configured screen to the display device so that the configured screen can be displayed on the display device. | 06-17-2010 |
20100153234 | VIEWING AND ORDERING CUSTOMIZED RESIN PANELS THROUGH WEB-BASED INTERFACES - A web-enabled resin panel customization website, hosted through a web portal, provides, through a client computer system, one or more user interfaces configured to receive a plurality of user selections, and provide a realistic display of the resulting output. In one implementation, a processing module overlays transparent portions of images representing a translucent resin substrate with one or more images representing decorative objects, films, or the like. The processing module can also combine pixel information from each of the added/overlain layers. In either case, the processing module sends a combined pixel data stream that can be rendered by a client system, and thus provide a user with a realistic depiction of the user's resin panel selections. The customization website further includes one or more user interfaces that enable a user to store specific resin panel design profiles, and order resin panels corresponding to those specific design profiles. | 06-17-2010 |
20100153235 | ALTERNATIVE SELECTIONS FOR COMPOUND PRICE QUOTING - Methods and systems for automated alternative selection for compound price quotes are provided. A requesting party submits a request that includes information regarding at least one specification. A database is searched based on the information provided by the request. The search results are evaluated to determine whether they meet a predefined target. When the search results do not meet a predefined target, an alternative specification is identified. At least a second set of search results is retrieved from the database that may be used to meet the target. Vehicles are selected for inclusion in a compound price quote. A compound price quote including multiple price quotes for each selected vehicles is generated. | 06-17-2010 |
20100153236 | AUTOMATED PRICE QUOTE GENERATION - Methods and systems for automated price quote generation are provided. A requesting party submits a request that includes information regarding a geographic location and at least one specification. A database is searched based on the information provided by the request. A price quote is automatically generated based on at least the results of the search and provided to the requesting party. The requesting party may be a potential customer, a dealer, or a third party acting on behalf of the potential customer or dealer. | 06-17-2010 |
20100153237 | PERSONAL CONTENT SERVER APPARATUS AND METHODS - Personal content server apparatus and associated methods that allow a user (e.g., cable or satellite network subscriber) to access content, such as a video program, from a location outside the subscriber's network. In one embodiment, a personal content server streams the content to the subscriber over a network connection from the local e.g., (subscription) network to a remote network upon authorization by a content manager process. Various access, business or operational rules are applied depending on the content and delivery mode; e.g., to live video broadcast, video-on-demand (VOD), or archived content from the subscriber's digital video recorder (DVR) or networked PVR. Secondary content (e.g., promotions, advertisements, etc.) can also be selectively replaced if desired in order to make the remotely delivered content more appropriate to the remote user's context. | 06-17-2010 |
20100161445 | Pigeeback abstract consumer end user - A unique real time method by which an individual, using e-commerce may immediately, or at some other time, purchase material goods or services (product(s)), from all types of media. The media is any type of visual auditory or other sensory media now or in the future, anywhere in the universe and includes but is not limited to all types of television, radio, internet streaming, theater, concert, skywriting, billboards (static and electronic), aerial displays, jumbotrons, posters, art, DVDs, commercials, videos (online or offline), videotapes, films, videogames or printed media. | 06-24-2010 |
20100161446 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR WIRELESS ORDERING USING SPEECH RECOGNITION - Disclosed herein are systems, computer-implemented methods, and tangible computer-readable media for placing an order for a user. The method includes receiving a search from a user, identifying a product category based on the search, presenting to the user a general ordering screen based on the identified product category, selecting and activating a speech recognition grammar tuned for the identified product category, recognizing a first received user utterance with the activated tuned grammar to identify a vendor who offers items in the identified product category, recognizing a second received user utterance with the activated tuned grammar to identify a specific item from the identified vendor, and placing an order for the specific item with the identified vendor for the user. In one aspect, the method further offers to sell the user additional items ancillary to the specific item. | 06-24-2010 |
20100161447 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING DESIGN LAW RESOURCE CENTER - An internet website providing information, services and products relating to legal issues (e.g., intellectual property protection) for various types of designs, including industrial design, graphic design, architectural design, art design, and the like. The website is preferably located at the internet domain URL www.designlaw.com. | 06-24-2010 |
20100161448 | INTEGRATION OF REMOTE BIDDERS INTO MULTIPLE AND SIMULTANEOUS LIVE AUCTIONS - Multiple simultaneous auctions can be monitored and participated in using a single bidding device operated by a single remote bidder. A multi-windowed environment allows for the display of active bidding windows and docked bidding windows. The active bidding windows are fully functional bidding windows and include auction status, product information and the like. The docked bidding windows provide a subset of the information but, nonetheless provide real-time auction status information and allows for bidders to enter bids into the auctioning process without having to move the bidding window into an active status. A customer-identifier selector of identifier allows the remote bidder to associate a customer with a particular bidding window. The customer-identifier advantageously helps the remote bidder to track who purchased items are associated with, as well as providing control structure over the bidding process. | 06-24-2010 |
20100161449 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR UNIVERSAL GIFT REGISTRY - A universal gift registry providing a partial payment option for gift givers and a mandatory and contingent gift substitution for gift recipients. The gift recipient registers any type of gift idea from any store or establishment, for any occasion with an associated gift amount in the registry. The registrant is able to name their own gift price by selecting a gift amount not necessarily the same as the retail cost of the gift idea. The gift recipient also indicates whether they will accept a contingent substitute of gift or cash if the system is unable to provide the gift idea at the gift amount. The recipient can also select mandatory substitution of gift or cash. A gift giver is also able to select a gift idea and make a partial contribution toward purchase of the gift idea. | 06-24-2010 |
20100161450 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR UNIVERSAL GIFT REGISTRY - A universal gift registry providing a partial payment option for gift givers and a mandatory and contingent gift substitution for gift recipients. The gift recipient registers any type of gift idea from any store or establishment, for any occasion with an associated gift amount in the registry. The registrant is able to name their own gift price by selecting a gift amount not necessarily the same as the retail cost of the gift idea. The gift recipient also indicates whether they will accept a contingent substitute of gift or cash if the system is unable to provide the gift idea at the gift amount. The recipient can also select mandatory substitution of gift or cash. A gift giver is also able to select a gift idea and make a partial contribution toward purchase of the gift idea. | 06-24-2010 |
20100169184 | COMMUNICATION INTEGRATION BETWEEN USERS IN A VIRTUAL UNIVERSE - An invention for communication integration between users of a virtual universe is provided. In one embodiment, there is a communication integration interface tool that provides communication integration between users within the virtual universe. In this embodiment, there is a response component for identifying an object of interest in the virtual universe, the object of interest comprising at least one of the following: a first user, or an asset associated with the first user that is within the virtual universe, and generating a response from the object of interest in the virtual universe. The communication integration interface tool further includes a communication link component for establishing a communication link between a second user and at least at least one of the following: the first user, a representative of the first user, or a third user in the virtual universe associated with the asset based on the generated response. | 07-01-2010 |
20100169185 | Self-Designed Maquettes Using Rapid Prototyping - A method of creating self-designed maquette toys comprises an Internet-based system for downloading three-dimensional preformed virtual models and downloading editing modules that allow users to manipulate virtual models, add characteristics, modify existing characteristics an otherwise edit a model to create a personalized final product. The finished edited maquette file is exported to an off-site processing facility where the edited three-dimensional virtual model is sculpted into a three-dimensional model to be packaged and shipped to a user. | 07-01-2010 |
20100169186 | GOODS SELECTION APPARATUS AND METHOD - A goods selection apparatus for selecting goods on the basis of displayed goods information. The goods selection apparatus includes a display unit for displaying goods information, a detector for detecting individually a plurality of potential customers in front of the display unit, a control unit for controlling the display unit to display a plurality of display areas in the display unit, each of the display areas displaying information of respective one of the goods, the number of the plurality of display areas corresponding to the number of the plurality of potential customers detected by the detector, an input unit for receiving an input designating any one of the display areas by any of the potential customers; and a selector for selecting one of the goods corresponding to the one of display areas designated by the input unit. | 07-01-2010 |
20100169187 | Revenue raising auction processes for public goods - A computer system for a pricing and auction process allows private enterprise firms to establish an individual price for each consumer paying in to support delivery of the same units of a public good. The process solicits bids from individuals who value a public good, while reducing each individual's incentives to free ride, thereby increasing their incentives to bid or offer a payment that approaches their full value for each, successive unit of the good. Examples include farmers selling the services of land for wildlife habitat, farmers altering production processes to reduce pesticides and nutrients and increase local water quality, particularly during transition from technologically intensive farming to organic farming, or businesses established to help neighborhoods and communities become carbon neutral in a global economy. The process benefits profit or non-profit organizations supporting conservation such as wetland and salt marsh restoration or restoration of endangered species habitat. | 07-01-2010 |
20100169188 | CONVERSION OF NON-NEGOTIABLE CREDITS EARNED FROM A GAME OF CHANCE TO NEGOTIABLE FUNDS - Entertainment credits from a game of chance can be identified. The entertainment credits can be associated with an entity with which a user has previously interacted. The previous interactions can earning the entertainment credits, which are non-negotiable credits. Responsive to a user request, a conversion agency can convert a quantity of the entertainment credits to a quantity of negotiable funds, wherein the conversion agency is not directly associated with the entity. The user can be permitted to access the quantity of negotiable funds, wherein the quantity of negotiable funds are able to be applied to user specified purchases, wherein at least a portion of the user specified purchases involve at least one vender that does not honor the non-negotiable credits. | 07-01-2010 |
20100174620 | PAYMENT SYSTEM - Disclosed embodiments provide systems and methods of processing payment authorisation requests for payment transactions to be conducted via a data communications network. The method allows identification of an issuing bank from a plurality of issuing banks as one which is to be utilised in a given transaction and facilitate a user specifying, in real time in relation to the given transaction, a particular bank account that is to be used to deduct funds for that transaction. | 07-08-2010 |
20100174621 | System and method for purchasing applications and peripherals - A computerized method and system for enabling purchase of dedicated function computing is disclosed. The method and system include providing for purchase of a base microprocessing unit, accepting, at a broadband connected-user interface, of one or more user criteria indicating desired ones of the dedicated function computing, and providing for purchase and remote delivery, via the broadband connected-user interface, of the recommended at least one software peripheral. | 07-08-2010 |
20100174622 | System for searching for sound source using map information and method thereof - A sound source search system is capable of searching for a sound source using map information. If particular area information among the map information is selected, a sound source search client requests sound source tag information and sound source information associated with the selected particular area information. A sound source search server delivers the sound source tag information and the sound source information to the sound source search client in response to the request. The sound source search client displays one or more sound source tags corresponding to the particular area information on a screen based on the sound source tag information and sound source information received from the sound source search server. | 07-08-2010 |
20100174623 | System and Method for Managing Items of Interest Selected from Online Merchants - A system for managing wish list items from a plurality of online merchants is provided. The system includes a memory, processor and item management module executed by the processor. The memory stores data regarding the wish list items that have been selected by a user while browsing online merchant websites. The item management module has a receive-advice feature that sends an electronic message to user-selected contacts. The electronic message contains a request for feedback on one or more selected items of interest. When the contacts submit feedbacks, they are stored in the memory for viewing by the user. | 07-08-2010 |
20100179884 | Purchasing system and method for food service network - A purchasing system for food service industry professionals including a portal for a communication network, the portal including a buyer account registration area for processing buyer registrations; a vendor account registration area for processing vendor registrations; a login area for providing buyers and vendors access to either a buyer home area or a vendor home area; a buyer area for providing information about buyers; a vendor area for providing information about vendors; a contact area for food service industry professionals and vendors to communicate; an administrator contact area for communicating with a system administrator; a system information area for providing information about the system to buyers and vendors; and a system administrator area for providing information about the system administrators. | 07-15-2010 |
20100179885 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR EXHIBITING AT LEAST VISUAL CONTENT IN ONE OR MORE PHYSICAL RETAIL STORES - One embodiment of the present invention is directed to a system for exhibiting at least visual content in one or more physical retail stores. Another embodiment of the present invention is directed to a method for exhibiting at least visual content in one or more physical retail stores. Another embodiment of the present invention is directed to a programmed computer for exhibiting at least visual content in one or more physical retail stores. Another embodiment of the present invention is directed to a computer readable medium for exhibiting at least visual content in one or more physical retail stores. In one example, the visual content may comprise advertising and/or operating specifications and/or performance specifications and/or dimensions and/or price displayed on a television, a computer monitor, a laptop computer display, a notebook computer display and/or a netbook computer display. | 07-15-2010 |
20100179886 | SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING INFORMATION OF A GOODS IN INTERNET SHOPPING MALL AND METHOD THEREOF - The present invention relates to a system and method for providing product information for an Internet shopping mall. The system includes a web server ( | 07-15-2010 |
20100179887 | SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING GOODS AND SERVICES BASED ON ACCRUED BUT UNPAID EARNINGS - A system for enabling employees to utilize accrued and unpaid earnings to obtain externally provided goods and services includes at least one employee access node located in an employer facility and having physical resources for interfacing with subscribing employees to transfer value on the behalf thereof, a transaction processor for facilitating transfer of value on behalf of the subscribing employees; and physical resource interfaces associated with the physical resources to enable subscribing employees to input identification information, a data store a data store for storing configurations associated with providers and/or goods and services, a local server for communicating with the at least one employee access node to operate in conjunction therewith to facilitate the transfer of value on behalf of the given subscribing employee and a central processing center including one or more provider communications interfaces enabling the central processing center to communicate with a third party provider of goods or services and to facilitate a transfer of value to the third party provider on behalf of the given subscribing employee. | 07-15-2010 |
20100179888 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ESTABLISHING OR MODIFYING AN ACCOUNT WITH USER SELECTABLE TERMS - The present invention relates to methods for allowing an account holder to easily customize the terms of an account such as a loan account, an asset account, a mortgage account, an insurance account, or a brokerage account. Exemplary embodiments of the invention allow the user to specify various preferred terms such as cost (e.g., APR and annual fee), rewards programs, card design, affiliates, credit line, and payment due date, among others. The financial service provider issuing the account, e.g., the issuing bank, may make the various available terms for the account easily accessible to the user, for example through an internet website or an automated phone system, enabling the user to easily specify his or her preferences. The customization methods may be applied to the process of opening a new account or customizing an existing account. The customization methods may dynamically update the available terms as the user begins to select his or her desired terms. | 07-15-2010 |
20100185527 | ON-LINE SHOPPING SYSTEM - The present invention sets forth a method for implementing an on-line shopping system that is capable of enhancing a consumer's on-line shopping experience. In one embodiment, the method includes steps of preparing a consumer profile comprising a first consumer information, generating a consumer image on the basis of the first consumer information, and presenting a first set of selectable items according to the first consumer information. | 07-22-2010 |
20100185528 | METHOD FOR ELECTRONIC COMMERCE USING POINTS, SYSTEM AND RECORDING MEDIUM THEREOF - Embodiments of the present invention relate to a method for electronic commerce, a system, and a recording medium thereof, and more particularly, to a method for electronic commerce using a point on the basis of the grade of a member depending on the position and code of each of a GM member and an SM member on-line, an electronic commerce system, and a recording medium readable by a computer. A method for electronic commerce, an electronic commerce system, and a computer-readable recording medium of embodiments of the present invention have advantages of creating an increase in the number of members having loyalty by enhancing an association relationship between members and providing a higher incentive to a member inducing membership joining and the resultant activation of an on-line enterprise. | 07-22-2010 |
20100185529 | AUGMENTED REALITY METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DESIGNING ENVIRONMENTS AND BUYING/SELLING GOODS - Described is a method and a corresponding system for designing interior and exterior environments and for selling real world goods that appear as virtual objects within an augmented reality-generated design. The method includes the steps of generating a digitized still or moving image of a real world environment; providing in a programmable computer a database of virtual objects; parsing the image with a programmable computer to determine if the image contains any real world markers corresponding to the virtual objects in the database; retrieving corresponding virtual objects from the database and superimposing the images contained in the virtual objects in registration upon their corresponding real world markers in the image; and enabling users to retrieve the attributes of the real world objects depicted in the augmented reality image. | 07-22-2010 |
20100185530 | COMPUTER SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING AN ON-LINE MALL - A method for providing an on-line mall with multiple communities. The method provides multiple communities within an on-line mall environment. Multiple stores are provided within each of the multiple communities, with each store being associated with a merchant with merchandise directed to its community. At least a partially common facade is provided for multiple stores within a particular community. | 07-22-2010 |
20100185531 | SOFTWARE-BASED COMMERCE ENGINE DEPLOYED IN VIDEO GAME ENVIRONMENT - Disclosed herein are systems that permit players of a video game to secure contracts in-game using, e.g., credit systems such as credit cards or other financial instruments. Virtual and/or real world financial penalties can be applied to players and/or player characters who default on agreements. | 07-22-2010 |
20100185532 | Placing a Purchase Order Using One of Multiple Procurement Options - A method and system for placing an order to purchase an item via the Internet. The order is placed by a user at a client system and received by a server system. The client system can display information identifying the item and, for each of multiple procurement options having information related to ordering the identified item, can display an indication of the procurement option such that selection of the displayed indication represents an ordering of the identified item using the information of the procurement option. In response to selection of a displayed indication, the client system can send to a server computer a request to order the identified item using the information of the procurement option for the selected indication. | 07-22-2010 |
20100191616 | Software method and system to enable automatic, real-time extraction of item price and availability from a supplier catalog during a buyer's electronic procurement shopping process - The present invention, termed the Interactive Organic Agent (IOA), augments electronic procurement shopping software with functionality that enables the purchasing organization to capture, in real-time, any changes in supplier item price and availability, as the buyer (user) is shopping or browsing the buyer-side remote catalog index. In particular, as the buyer is viewing remote-catalog pages of items that have been selected as the result of a search, or simply via browsing, the IOA automatically, without any required user action, makes a direct connection to the live supplier online site(s) that correspond to the items being viewed, and then retrieves the latest price & availability data. Via the use of knowledge-capture and artificial intelligence (including an Organic Profile Language) to trigger an operation termed “Organic Punch-out”, the IOA generates a background connection to a live vendor site only when, and only long enough as, necessary to retrieve updated item information, without any direct action by the buyer. | 07-29-2010 |
20100191617 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR ORDERING SUPPLIES FOR A MULTIFUNCTION DEVICE - What is disclosed is a novel apparatus and method for effectuating the ordering of supplies via a wireless handset device. In one embodiment, the handset is pre-loaded with a plurality of folders each representing a multifunction device. A user navigates the hierarchy of folders and selects a folder. The user then selects at least one graphical widget contained therein representing a particular supply commodity available for order from a supplier. In response to a user selection thereof, a part number identified by the selected graphical widget and a supplier profile are retrieved from memory. The profile contains the ordering method and contact information. An order message is prepared according to the ordering method prescribed by the profile and is sent to the supplier to place an order for that supply commodity. The process repeats until no more supplies are to be ordered. Additional features, enhancements, and embodiments have been provided. | 07-29-2010 |
20100191618 | Centralized database supported electronic catalog and order system for merchandise distribution - A system that permits a retailer to have an in-store computer terminal that is connected to the Internet and configured to access a set of pages on a supplier's server. The accessible pages show a set of merchandise items selected by the retailer and tagged with prices set by the retailer. The terminal is either made available for direct ordering by a retail customer, or ordering by store personnel at the request of a retail customer. Changes in wholesale price or models offered may cause an automatic updating of the display pages, to avoid suboptimal pricing, inaccurate display and orders of unavailable items. | 07-29-2010 |
20100191619 | USER INTERFACE AND METHODS FOR RECOMMENDING ITEMS TO USERS - Improved user interfaces and methods are provided for presenting item recommendations to a user when the user selects an item to add to an electronic shopping cart. In response to the user's selection, a page generation process generates and returns a page that includes a condensed shopping cart portion and a recommendations portion. The condensed shopping cart portion displays the contents of the shopping cart, but omits some of the item information and/or controls provided on a shopping cart page, thereby preserving more screen real estate for the display of item recommendations. The condensed shopping cart portion also includes a link to the shopping cart page. | 07-29-2010 |
20100198699 | Nutrition system - The nutrition system provides a customized nutritional and dietary plan for a user, based upon a calculated nutritional and metabolic profile of the user. The nutrition system includes a nutritional website and an online nutrition questionnaire. A nutritional and metabolic profile of the user is calculated based upon responses to the questionnaire. The user is further provided with a plurality of plate designs to select from. Once the user's plate design has been selected and the user's nutritional and metabolic profile has been calculated, a kit including the plate is formed and provided to the user. The plate has indicia formed thereon including a selected one of the plurality of plate designs and, further, including a plurality of demarcated regions. Each region represents a distinct nutritional food group, where dimensions of each region are dependent upon the calculated nutritional and metabolic profile of the user. | 08-05-2010 |
20100198700 | System and method for image-based connected mobile shopping aids - This invention relates in general to mobile phone-based connected shopping aids, and more specifically to a system and method that uses photo images of items needed by the user to construct the user's shopping list stored in the network. The user provides images of the items to be added to her shopping list by taking pictures of such items using a user device or by specifying them from a web site. Such images are uploaded to a shopping list server system in the network where image recognition techniques are used to identify the items. Coupons and promotions relevant to the items in the user's shopping list are also identified by the shopping list server system by analyzing the image items in the shopping list. Such promotions and coupons are presented to the user along with the images of the shopping list item. Routing of the user within the store is performed by analyzing the images in the shopping list, so as to minimize the distance to be traveled by the user within the store. | 08-05-2010 |
20100198701 | Method of Direct-to-Consumer Reverse Logistics - A method of reverse logistics using an auction to sell products directly to consumers from a store instead of using a third party reclamation company. One or more methods of auctioning one or more typically unsalable items directly to purchasers from a retail store including the steps of providing a communications multi-network having at least one logic engine, at least one star communication network through which non-location data is transferred to said logic engine, and at least one mesh communication network through which location data is transferred to said logic engine. The method further includes the steps of locating products for purchase that are eligible to be auctioned, the scanning of product codes of each auctionable product, tracking the scanning device in the store, transmitting auctionable product data through the star communication network, sorting auctionable products into at least one bundled lot for sale, producing a unique identifier for each bundled lot, initiating a direct-to-consumer auction for the sale of each bundled lot, and auctioning each bundled lot to a best bidder in the auction. | 08-05-2010 |
20100198702 | SYSTEM TO PROVIDE BUYER WANTED REQUEST LISTINGS - A system comprises a buyer request creation module to receive a buyer request listing, the buyer request creation module automatically to determine a listing category for the buyer request listing. A buyer request searching module locates a buyer request listing corresponding to a search criteria. A buyer request response module adds a response to the buyer request listing, the response comprising a reference to a listing for an item offered for sale on the system. | 08-05-2010 |
20100198703 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SHARING TANGIBLE ITEMS - A request list for two or more tangible items is received by a server from a first user through the Internet connection. A request for a bulk shipment of a minimum number of tangible items from the request list is received from the first user to begin a transaction through the Internet connection. The request list is searched for minimum number of tangible items producing a selected list of tangible items. The electronic database is searched for a second user willing to exchange the selected list of tangible items. A first message is sent to the second user through the Internet connection requesting that the second user ship the selected list of tangible items to the first user. A second message is received from the first user through the Internet connection that the selected list of tangible items is received by the first user completing the transaction. | 08-05-2010 |
20100198704 | Wireless Communication System - A processing system is described that includes a wireless communication interface that wirelessly communicates with one or more wireless client devices in the vicinity of an establishment. The wireless communication interface receives a remote order corresponding to an item selected by at least one of the wireless client devices. A local server computer located in proximity to the establishment generates instructions for processing the remote order received from the wireless communication interface. The local server computer then passes the processing instructions to an order processing queue in preparation for processing of the remote order. | 08-05-2010 |
20100198705 | MATCHING SESSION RECORDS OF NETWORK USERS WITH CORRESPONDING TRANSACTION DATA - A system for collecting data regarding network behaviors of users is disclosed. In one embodiment, the system combines session records of users with corresponding transaction records reflective of e-commerce transactions. The session records may, for example, be generated by one or more collection engines deployed by one or more Internet Service Providers. The transaction records may, for example, be obtained through interactions with one or more merchant web sites. By combining these two types of information, the system can, for example, identify a set of user actions that led to a particular purchase transaction. | 08-05-2010 |
20100205068 | Integrated electronic shopping cart system and method - Integrated shopping cart functionality is provided on a first website so that products/services from different affiliated websites can be integrated into the shopping cart at the first website and the e-commerce functionality of the first website can be utilized to purchase the selected products/services. A framework for integrating this functionality enables the first website to integrate with affiliated websites so that an increased number of users may access the first website since the proprietor of the first website may offer various products/services from a multitude of different affiliated websites, for example by providing URL links to the affiliated websites that a user may access in order to select items from the affiliated websites. These items can be integrated into the shopping cart at the first website and purchased with a single transaction. Increased user traffic is expected at the first website since a user's shopping interests can be fulfilled at a single website. Additionally, affiliated websites are benefited by this integrated shopping cart functionality since the e-commerce functionality of the integrated shopping cart is performed by a server that is associated with the first website. Therefore, affiliated websites need not include their own e-commerce functionality. Instead, they may take advantage of the e-commerce functionality of the first website and still receive the benefits of the sale of their offered products/services to the user. Maintenance costs and overhead costs with respect to including an e-commerce software engine are therefore reduced and often eliminated as a result. | 08-12-2010 |
20100205069 | Integrated Electronic Shopping Cart System And Method - Integrated shopping cart functionality is provided on a first website so that products/services from different affiliated websites can be integrated into the shopping cart at the first website and the e-commerce functionality of the first website can be utilized to purchase the selected products/services. A framework for integrating this functionality enables the first website to integrate with affiliated websites so that an increased number of users may access the first website since the proprietor of the first website may offer various products/services from a multitude of different affiliated websites, for example by providing URL links to the affiliated websites that a user may access in order to select items from the affiliated websites. These items can be integrated into the shopping cart at the first website and purchased with a single transaction. Increased user traffic is expected at the first website since a user's shopping interests can be fulfilled at a single website. Additionally, affiliated websites are benefited by this integrated shopping cart functionality since the e-commerce functionality of the integrated shopping cart is performed by a server that is associated with the first website. Therefore, affiliated websites need not include their own e-commerce functionality. Instead, they may take advantage of the e-commerce functionality of the first website and still receive the benefits of the sale of their offered products/services to the user. Maintenance costs and overhead costs with respect to including an e-commerce software engine are therefore reduced and often eliminated as a result. | 08-12-2010 |
20100205070 | Methods for Assisting a Person in Transitioning from One Disposable Absorbent Product to Another - The present disclosure generally relates to methods for assisting consumers in transitioning from a current absorbent product to a future absorbent product. Also described are transition aids for assisting in this transition. In particular, the transition aids provide a consumer with a means for comparing different characteristics of their current absorbent product with characteristics of a future absorbent product. | 08-12-2010 |
20100211478 | Redeemable Gift Message - A method for enabling redeemable gift messages to be ordered and sent comprises presenting a webpage for customer orders by means of a server. After receiving a response from a customer that a redeemable gift message has been selected, the server presents information on a webpage to the customer to enable the customer to order a redeemable gift message. After receiving a redeemable gift message order from the customer, the server sends a redeemable gift message or an invitation to accept or reject the message to a recipient designated by the customer. A system for implementing the above method comprises a storage that stores at least one order form; and a processor that presents a webpage for customer orders, the at least one order form from the storage, and sends a redeemable gift message or an invitation to accept or reject the message to a recipient designated by a customer according to information on the customer order form. The gift may be a cookie or cookies. | 08-19-2010 |
20100211479 | Virtual marketplace accessible to widgetized avatars - A system for performing online commerce within a virtual marketplace is disclosed. The system includes computer programming resident on at least one networked server, wherein the computer programming provides an online marketplace having at least one virtual storefront. A user access to the online marketplace includes a user-directed, computer programmable avatar, and further includes a computing device communicatively connected to the at least one networked server. An operator of the at least one virtual storefront provides an auction transaction for at least one item with the user directed avatar. | 08-19-2010 |
20100211480 | Handling Taxes In Computer-Based Sales Transactions - Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, implementing techniques for handling taxes in computer-based sales transactions. In a sales transaction, a buyer makes a purchase from a seller. The purchase has a purchase price and a tax amount owed on the purchase. In one aspect, the techniques include using a tax handling proxy to identify a tax calculation service for a sales transaction and to interact with the identified tax calculation service to obtain the tax amount for the sales transaction. The tax calculation service is provided by a governmental tax authority. In another aspect, the techniques include transferring payment for a tax amount from the buyer to the governmental tax authority without passing through the seller. The payment for the tax amount is transferred contemporaneously with a transfer of a payment for the purchase price to the seller. | 08-19-2010 |
20100211481 | ACQUISITION OF ITEMS OFFERED FOR PURCHASE ONLINE THROUGH A GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM - In an example embodiment, a method is provided. The method may comprise receiving an item identifier from a global positioning system (GPS) apparatus. Data associated with the item identifier is accessed and transmitted to a initiate a purchase of the item. In some embodiments, a voice portal may be used to facilitate the purchase. | 08-19-2010 |
20100217683 | ONLINE BUYBACK SYSTEM - An online buyback system is provided, including: a database storing product sale information including product identification information, product specification, product sale price, and product sale date; a buyback request information receiving unit receiving buyback request information including product identification information from a computer of a buyback requester accessing a network; a sale checking unit referring to the product sale information stored in the database to check whether or not a product corresponding to the product identification information contained in the buyback request information has been sold; and a buyback processing unit processing such that the product corresponding to the product identification information is collected from the buyback requester when the product is determined to have been sold, and a buyback price of the product is paid to the buyback requester based on a time interval from the product sale date to buyback request date. | 08-26-2010 |
20100217684 | SYSTEM AND METHOD TO CREATE LISTINGS USING IMAGE AND VOICE RECOGNITION - In various example embodiments, a system and method to provide services associated with an image is disclosed. The method includes receiving image data of an item of interest from a client device. The image data is used to identify a similar item from an image catalog based on the image data of the item. Attribute information associated with the similar item is retrieved and used to pre-populate a template. The pre-populated template is sent to the client device, and modified data from the client device is received in response, with the modified data resulting in a final template. A listing based on the final template is generated. | 08-26-2010 |
20100217685 | SYSTEM AND METHOD TO PROVIDE GESTURE FUNCTIONS AT A DEVICE - Systems and methods for providing gesture functionality are provided. In example embodiments, a gesture input is received. The gesture input represents a commerce-related action, whereby the commerce-related action relates to an action to be performed within a networked environment. A determination is performed to determine that the commerce-related action is executable. The commerce-related action is then performed based on the determination that the commerce-related action is executable. | 08-26-2010 |
20100217686 | SYSTEM FOR MANAGING COMMUNICATION BETWEEN A REAL ESTATE AGENT AND CLIENTS - An Internet-based system for managing communication between a real estate agent and one or more clients is described. The system allows the real estate agent to provide MLS search results to the clients and the clients can indicate a level of interest for each property. The system facilitates easy two-way communication between the agent and the clients and keeps track of such communication so that the agent and the clients have a ready record of the properties that have been considered and the clients' level of interest in each property. For the agent, the system automates searching and information by client so that the agent can easily keep track of the type of property desired by each client and the properties considered by each client. For each of the clients, the system creates a personalized website that the client can visit at any time to view the new properties located by the agent and to review the properties already considered. Using conventional webpage user interface elements, the clients can indicate a level of interest for each property, thereby saving time for the agent and the client. | 08-26-2010 |
20100217687 | WEB-BASED AUCTION SYSTEM - An auctioneer-led virtual auction which takes place entirely on the World Wide Web. There is no physical auction site, there are no bidders physically in the presence of the auctioneer and the items up for auction remain in the possession of their sellers. The items for sale are located at its/their respective locations, the auctioneer is located at a location different from the items for sale and the bidders are located at locations different from the items for sale and the auctioneer. The auctioneer is connected to the virtual auction via either a telephone or an Internet-connected computer and calls out the bidding as he or she monitors the virtual auction. | 08-26-2010 |
20100217688 | ACQUISITION OF ITEMS OFFERED FOR PURCHASE ONLINE THROUGH A MOBILE COMPUTING APPRATUS - In an example embodiment, a method is provided. The method may comprise receiving an item identifier from a mobile computing apparatus, such as a mobile telephone or global positioning system (GPS) device. Data associated with the item identifier is accessed and transmitted to a initiate a purchase of the item. In some embodiments, a voice portal may be used to facilitate the purchase. | 08-26-2010 |
20100217689 | Methods, Systems, And Products For Providing Electronic Media - Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for providing electronic media to a customer. One method prompts a customer to license a right to electronic media. If the customer agrees to license the right, then the license is electronically stored on behalf of the customer. The licensed electronic media is communicated to the customer via a communications network. | 08-26-2010 |
20100217690 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR RECOMMENDING WEBSITE HOSTING APPLICATIONS - Systems and methods of the present invention allow for recommending hosting applications. An exemplary method may comprise the steps of receiving a URL for a Submitted Website from a potential customer, determining the features of the Submitted Website, and offering Hosting Applications (that implement the Submitted Website's features) for sale to said potential customer. | 08-26-2010 |
20100217691 | Transfer Instrument - A method performed by a transfer instrument issuer involves issuing, to a recipient, a certificate which is linked to a national card account obtained by the transfer instrument issuer from an account issuer different from the transfer instrument issuer, without both issuing and providing a physical card for the national card account to the recipient of the certificate, the certificate having been purchased by a purchaser, who is not also the recipient, and containing all information necessary for the purchase of goods or services from any merchant who is capable of processing economic transactions involving one of the plurality national card accounts for which a physical card has issued, but without presentment of the physical card. | 08-26-2010 |
20100223153 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MANAGING SALE OF PRODUCT BASED ON TIME COST - The present invention relates to product sale management system and method based on time-cost. The product sale management system for executing product sale management based on time-cost according to the present invention comprises a sale management server including a member subscribing unit receiving member information from a user connected to a home page and issuing a membership card to admit the user as a member; a product list providing unit providing the user with a product list to which time-cost is applied; an order reservation receiving unit receiving order information including a consumption period (i.e. product receipt date) and a place of delivery (i.e. a local mart) of a specific product in the product list from the user; and an order processing unit transmitting the order information to a corresponding seller and a place of delivery. | 09-02-2010 |
20100223154 | APPARATUS TO PROVIDE LIQUID FUNDS IN THE ONLINE AUCTION AND MARKETPLACE ENVIRONMENT - A method, apparatus, and computer readable storage to implement a lending system for use with electronic commerce web sites such as auction sites. A seller may receive a cash loan for items placed for sale but not yet purchased by a buyer. The seller can be required to pay back the loan after a predetermined amount of time or as soon as the item for sale is sold and payment is received from the buyer. The lender would charge interest or commission for the loan. In this manner, sellers can receive cash for items listed on auction sites before those items are actually sold, generating additional cash flow for the seller. | 09-02-2010 |
20100223155 | ONLINE SYSTEM FOR COLLABORATIVE PUBLISHING AND COMMERCE - An online system for managing collaborative greeting cards, gift cards, and guest books comprising an interface system including a creator interface and a contributor interface for creating the card and contributing to the card. The system may further include a messaging system, for circulating invitations to contribute signatures, messages, and other media to the card, notify contributors of card status, and/or deliver the card to a recipient and/or notify recipient of the card and/or gift. The system may further include a payment system for contributing to a group gift and/or create an individual gift. | 09-02-2010 |
20100223156 | ARTWORK-TRADING SYSTEM AND ARTWORK-TRADING PROGRAM FOR TRADING ARTWORKS CREATED BY ARTIST OVER NETWORK - An artwork-trading computer system includes a primary auction for trading an artwork put up by an artist for the first time and a secondary auction for the following reselling. A server judges whether a bidding is for the primary auction or the secondary auction. When the server judges it as the primary auction, the server sends the artist a signal for requesting to select a winning bidder among the bidding collectors. Meanwhile, when the server judges it as the secondary auction, the server decides the winning bidder who offers the best bid price. | 09-02-2010 |
20100223157 | ONLINE VIRTUAL KNOWLEDGE MARKETPLACE - A system and method for providing a virtual knowledge marketplace in the form of an Internet-based on-demand commercial exchange for professional knowledge and services. In one embodiment, the Knowledge Marketplace System is a networked computer system comprising a computerized data processing and communication network operative to exchange data. The system includes a plurality of networked servers including a web applications server which provides an interface portal for Knowledge Consumers and Knowledge Producers to access the system and exchange information. In one embodiment, the system is operative to both receive, organize, and store knowledge content in information packets created by Knowledge Producers in a database, and further operative in turn to enable Knowledge Consumers to search or browse for knowledge content and then purchase the content for viewing at a predetermined price. In one embodiment, the system provides a subscription service enabling Knowledge Consumers to purchase viewing rights to entire topical categories of knowledge content. The system is further operative to financially compensate Knowledge Producers based on the number of times their own knowledge content is purchased by Knowledge Consumers. | 09-02-2010 |
20100223158 | System and Method for Vehicle Retail Sales, Distribution, and Post-Sales Maintenance - An online method for vehicle retail sales, distribution, and post-sales maintenance includes a series of computer processor implemented steps. The method includes steps of providing vehicle-related information to a customer, receiving vehicle-related selections from the customer specifying a vehicle that the customer is to purchase, communicating relevant selections to business partners, receiving an order submission from the customer, and processing the order submission. One or more of the vehicle-related selections at least partially require products or services from a business partner. The method of the present embodiment further comprises receiving a bridge vehicle request from the customer. A computer system implementing the method is also provided. | 09-02-2010 |
20100223159 | CONSUMER SHOPPING EXPERIENCE INCLUDING AVAILABILITY OF SERVICES INDICATION - Systems and methods are disclosed for providing a consumer shopping experience. The disclosed systems and methods include receiving a user input and providing, in response to the user input, one of a first series of pages, a second series of pages, and a third series of pages. Furthermore, the first series of pages are configured to allow a user to select at least one of products and services from at least one business line before the first series of pages request personal information. In addition, the second series of pages are configured to indicate whether currently received services at a first location are available at a second location. Moreover, the third series of pages are configured to allow the user to select at least one of products and services from the at least one business line. | 09-02-2010 |
20100223160 | Money Management Network - A money management network including a money management network, a bank web site hosted by a bank, and a vendor web site hosted by a vendor. The bank web site is accessible by a bank/vendor customer. The vendor web site accessible by the bank/vendor customer. The bank web site has means for accepting authorization for a purchase transaction from the bank/vendor customer such that the authorization verifies the bank/vendor customer's identification for the vendor. In one preferred embodiment the vendor receives authorization for a purchase without the vendor receiving customer account information from the bank/vendor customer, the bank, or the money management network. | 09-02-2010 |
20100223161 | Reservation of Digital Media Items - Techniques for interacting with an online media store using a first device to identify a digital media item of interest to a user of the first device, using the first device to store an interest indicator for the digital media item of interest at the online media store, and subsequently interacting with the online media store using a second device to purchase or preview the digital media item of interest as identified by the interest indicator. Additionally, ring tones and graphics associated with the digital media item of interest can also be purchased. | 09-02-2010 |
20100228646 | Integration of scanner/sensor apparatuses, web-based interfaces, and pull-supply chain management into product, clothing, apparel, shoe, and/or accessory markets - The patent pertains to an embodiment of an invention and/or process for scanning a person's, object's, and/or animal's body and/or physical disposition using a scanner/sensor apparatus to generate measurements and/or avatars comprised of exact, specific, and/or unique body measurements, physical dispositions, and/or spatial requirements within three dimensional and 360 degree space. Once the avatars are generated, stored to a database and/or memory device and uploaded to a Web-based interface, consumers will be able to purchase products, clothing, apparel, shoes, and/or accessories across varying lines, brands, styles, and trends that are manufactured to their exact body measurements. Businesses and/or commercial entities will have the ability to create digital images of their subsequent lines, brands, styles, and trends of products, clothing, apparel, shoes, and/or accessories and upload them to a Web-based interface. Businesses and/or commercial entities will also be able to advertise their abilities to market; manufacture, and sell varying lines, brands, styles, and trends of their products, clothing apparel, shoes, and/or accessories to consumers. Finally, businesses and/or commercial entities will be able to utilize pull-supply chain management as a result of utilization of the invention and/or process. | 09-09-2010 |
20100228647 | 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. | 09-09-2010 |
20100235256 | SYSTEM FOR ONLINE CONTENTS MARKETPLACE AND THE OPERATION METHOD THEREOF - The present invention relates to an online content marketplace system and a method of operating the system, in which the authors of personal media content can share their writing, individuals or groups can purchase necessary shared content, and purchased content is provided such that it can be conveniently and effectively used. Using an online content marketplace system including a content sale means ( | 09-16-2010 |
20100235257 | Multimedia gift registry system - Electronic purchasing is facilitated by enabling an initiator to upload a multimedia file created by the initiator, along with a personal text message. The multimedia file enables enhanced personalization of communication between the initiator and the responder. The initiator schedules sending of notice of the uploaded multimedia file to a responder, with either a gift for the responder or a wish list of items so that the responder can pick a gift for the initiator. A purchase order for the gift is provided to a merchant, the purchase order being from either the initiator or the responder. | 09-16-2010 |
20100235258 | Method Of Customized Cleat Arrangement - A method for producing articles of footwear with customized cleat arrangements is disclosed. The method includes a step of designing a customized cleat arrangement using a graphical interface system; a step of drilling holes into an outer plate according to the designed customized cleat arrangement; a step of inserting receiving members into the holes; a step of attaching the outer plate to an upper; and a step of associating a plurality of cleats with the receiving members. | 09-16-2010 |
20100235259 | SYSTEM AND METHOD ALLOWING SOCIAL FASHION SELECTION IN AN ELECTRONIC MARKETPLACE - In various exemplary embodiments, a system and an associated method to retrieve information related to marketplace items within an electronic environment are disclosed. A network architecture comprises a listing module to store the information related to the marketplace items. The related information includes one or more user-created items such as an image of a model with one or more tagged items worn by the model. Each of the one or more tagged items has associated descriptive metadata. A communications module is arranged to receive a query including search terms related to social fashion items from an end-user. A query engine is coupled to the communications module to match the search terms contained within the query to the associated descriptive metadata of the tagged items in the listing module. A processing module then displays to the end-user the model and the one or more tagged items. | 09-16-2010 |
20100235260 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ORDERING OLIGONUCLEOTIDES - A system is described for ordering oligonucleotides through a network, such as the Internet. The system provides a mechanism for validating the data provided by a customer, and then displaying graphical images to represent any data that has errors. The system can also pool multiple oligonucleotide samples together by providing graphical images representing oligonucleotide containers, and allowing the customer to select the proper containers to pool. | 09-16-2010 |
20100235261 | Software Application Framework for Network-Connected Devices - A facility for provisioning and managing registered applications is described. Registered applications can be downloaded to a mobile device from an application provisioning server. When the download is complete, the mobile device may begin execution of the registered application. However, at least portions of the registered application cannot be executed by the mobile device without first passing control to an application provisioning server via a network connection. Upon receiving temporary control of the registered application, the application provisioning server can perform tasks such as license verification and other tasks before turning control of the application back to the mobile device. | 09-16-2010 |
20100235262 | 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. | 09-16-2010 |
20100235263 | 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. | 09-16-2010 |
20100235264 | Process for the on-line sale of a software product - 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. | 09-16-2010 |
20100235265 | Process for the on-line sale of a software product - 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. | 09-16-2010 |
20100241525 | IMMERSIVE VIRTUAL COMMERCE - An immersive virtual store can be presented to a user that allows the user to navigate through the store in a manner similar to a physical store. The presented virtual store can allow the user to travel along aisles, stop and browse items at a table of a vendor, as well as perform searches for different items. Items of the store can be arranged in a manner that facilitates purchase and feedback of the arrangement can be collected and used in other arrangements. | 09-23-2010 |
20100241526 | UNIFIED CLASSIFICATION APPROACH FOR DIFFERENT TYPES OF ITEMS IN ENTERPRISE PROCUREMENT CATALOGS - Particular embodiments provide an order procurement application to allow users to search for items in an order procurement catalog. A classification of items in the order procurement catalog is determined. A plurality of different types of items are classified. The different types may be characterized by different methods of ordering that are needed to order an item of the type. During searching, a query for the order procurement catalog may be received. A classification position may be determined based on the query. For example, a node in a hierarchy may be determined. Ancestor and descendant positions in the classification may also be determined, such as ancestor and descendant nodes for the current node. A plurality of items is then determined for the classification position, ancestor position, and descendant position. The plurality of items that are determined may then be displayed to a user in response to the query. | 09-23-2010 |
20100241527 | TRANSACTION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM IN A MULTICAST OR BROADCAST WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORK - The reverse path transaction management system enables the subscriber to receive a multicast on their wireless subscriber device via the forward path of a multicast channel or via a unidirectional broadcast channel concurrently with a plurality of other subscribers on the same multicast channel or broadcast channel. The subscribers can simultaneously initiate a transaction to purchase goods and/or services via the reverse path associated with the shared multicast channel or via a separate cellular communication connection associated with the broadcast channel. Typically, goods and/or services are offered to the subscriber as part of the multicast extant on the shared forward channel. | 09-23-2010 |
20100241528 | ANTI-COUNTERFEITING SYSTEM AND METHOD - An online auction website has anti-counterfeiting measures. The website requires a seller of an item to input information about the product for sale, including at least a brand of the product and a product identification code. If the brand code and product identification code are not entered, the website does not allow the seller to post the item for sale. If entered, the brand and the product identification code are included in the listing on the online auction webpage that advertises the product for sale during the auction period. Verification may be performed on the item to determine its authenticity. The verification process includes comparing the listed brand and product identification codes with a plurality of authentic brand and product identification codes. When the brand and product identification codes are determined to be counterfeit, the listing is terminated and the sale of counterfeit items is prevented. | 09-23-2010 |
20100241529 | CONTENT TRANSACTION METHOD AND SYSTEM - Content transaction method and system are disclosed. The method includes: searching, by a first mobile terminal, for at least one mobile terminal to perform a short-range wireless communication; performing, by the first mobile terminal, a connection with the searched at least one mobile terminal for the communication; receiving, by the first mobile terminal, a list of content for sale from the connected at least one mobile terminal; requesting. from a second mobile terminal storing content to sell, the content by the first mobile terminal; receiving, by the first mobile terminal, the requested content that is requested from the second mobile terminal; and accessing a payment server by the first mobile terminal and the second mobile terminal to transmit content transaction record information. | 09-23-2010 |
20100241530 | INTERACTIVE JOB CHART - A machine for tracking job completion is disclosed. The machine for tacking job completion includes a software program installed on a memory that is coupled to a microprocessor. The software instructs the microprocessor to store data assigned to participants, jobs and rewards. In a particular embodiment the participants are children and jobs are assigned to them by their parents. Children can earn points by completing jobs. Children can trade the earned points for rewards. Parents use the assigned jobs and the rewards available to teach responsibility and work ethic, and to accurately track job completion and reward allowance. | 09-23-2010 |
20100241531 | Secure Item Purchasing And Fraud Avoidance System - The invention is a system supporting a payment and inspection service used to securely purchase merchandise on an online sale website. A buyer or seller can select using the payment and inspection service. The buyer pays the payment and inspection service, which holds the payment in an escrow account. The seller ships the item to a store where the payment and inspection service is located. The buyer goes to the store and, while being monitored by an agent or employee of the service, the buyer inspects the merchandise. If the buyer accepts the item, he leaves the store with the item and the service releases the payment from the escrow account to the seller. If the buyer does not want to accept the item (he rejects the item), the item is then repacked and returned to the seller, and the service returns the payment, less cost of shipping the item back to the seller, to the buyer. | 09-23-2010 |
20100250393 | Networked task management - A system for network-based task management is disclosed. The system for network-based task management includes a task management server comprising a task management content generation module, a task management content access module, a conversation module, and a contact management module. The task management content can be tightly coupled to other functionality such as conversations and payment options associated with the task content. A method for network-based task management is also disclosed. | 09-30-2010 |
20100250394 | Method and system of online auction using blog - Methods of online auction are provided by cooperating with a system including user terminals, seller terminals, web servers each including seller blogs each having an item description web page, an online billing platform, and bank terminals connected together via the Internet. In one embodiment of the methods, a representative of a bidding group may participate the online bidding. | 09-30-2010 |
20100250395 | Method and system of online shopping via third party using blog - A system of online shopping via a sales agent includes user terminals ( | 09-30-2010 |
20100250396 | POPULATING A SERVICE REGISTRY WITH WEB CONTENT - One embodiment is a method that receives a list of service providers offering services at web sites and extracts content from the web sites to identify the services offered by the service providers. The method then populates service registries with the content. | 09-30-2010 |
20100250397 | Internet Retail Sales Method and System Using Third Party Web Sites - System, computer readable medium, and computer implemented method for displaying products from vendors for immediate sale on webpages generated by a web publisher server, the web publisher providing no infrastructure for such purchase. The vendor's product, product description, and purchase link on the webpage generated by the web publisher bypasses the traditional link traversal to the vendor's home page. In one embodiment, a set of scripts are embedded within the standard markup language of a webpage. When executed, the scripts cause the browser to request product information from the product server when the client computer parses and renders the webpage. The product information includes a uniform resource locator to directly purchase the advertised product from the product server. A “Buy Now” link corresponding to the uniform resource locator is “clicked” on by the user from the webpage to purchase the product. | 09-30-2010 |
20100250398 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR FACILITATING USER SELECTION EVENTS OVER A NETWORK - In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, systems and methods for facilitating transactions over a network utilize a first component adapted to communicate with a user via a client device over the network and a merchant via a merchant device over the network and a second component adapted to monitor user navigation events over the network, generate a user selection group based on user selections, track user selections, and display user selections to the user via a selection window provided on the client device. | 09-30-2010 |
20100250399 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR ONLINE COLLECTIONS - Embodiments of the present disclosure provide methods and systems for creating and managing online collections. In one embodiment, a system comprises: a client device in communication with a business entity server through a network, wherein a user of the client device is able to create and manage collections based on items, products and/or services selected from the business entity server on a stage displayed on the client device, and wherein the collections are adapted to be saved such that arrangement and data associated with the items, products and/or services are persisted into the collection. | 09-30-2010 |
20100250400 | APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR THE SALE OF SOFTWARE PRODUCTS - Establishing a first communication between a programmable electronic device and a first site for an online purchase of a software product followed by establishing a second communication between the programmable electronic device and a second site for the purpose of enabling a use of the software product in the programmable electronic device. In one implementation, the software product is transmitted to the programmable electronic device during the first communication, while in another implementation the software product is transmitted to the programmable electronic device after the use enabling process made during the second communication is complete. In one implementation, the use enabling process involves the activation of a use license associated with the software product. | 09-30-2010 |
20100250401 | METHOD FOR SELLING CONTENT OVER A NETWORK - A method to generate revenue from supplied content is provided. Content is provided to a consumer via a network by providing a content service that allows the consumer to select and retrieve content as a package together with a clearing of the selectable content to an operator used by the consumer to select and retrieve the content via the network. Any content selected by the consumer is supplied directly to the consumer via the operator. The operator is charged for the supplied content. | 09-30-2010 |
20100262514 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DISPLAYING, SEARCHING, AND INTERACTING WITH A TWO DIMENSIONAL PRODUCT CATALOG - A system and method for use in presenting information relevant to a product catalog. The system receives a search request and presents to a user in a two-dimensional format a plurality of iconic images each representative of a page of a product catalog. Each of the iconic images is activatable to cause a display of an image of the page of the product catalog represented by the iconic image. One or more of the presented plurality of iconic images that are linked to a page of the product catalog having a product responsive to the search request are highlighted to the user. | 10-14-2010 |
20100262515 | INTERINSTITUTIONAL LOAN OF ELECTRONIC CONTENT - An electronic content loan system is disclosed. The loan system includes a library server configured to store electronic content associated with a lending institution. The loan system further includes a user interface accessible to a requesting institution and configurable to display a listing of electronic content available on the library server, the electronic content including content for which limited-time access is available. The loan system also includes an order processing system configured to receive requests for limited-time access to the content and process payments associated with those requests. | 10-14-2010 |
20100262516 | Electronic Commerce System for Processing Auxiliary Order Form on On-Line Open Market and Method Thereof - An electronic commerce system and method for processing auxiliary order information in an on-line open market are provided. The system includes an on-line market server for brokering the on-line transaction on the Internet, wherein the on-line market server, when entrusted with partial or full processing of acquisition of auxiliary order documents for an object for sale requested for purchase from the buyer, acquires the auxiliary order documents from an issuing authority and requests the seller to deliver the object for sale, based on the auxiliary order documents; and at least one database for storing information related to the buyer and the seller. | 10-14-2010 |
20100262517 | Systems and Methods for Displaying Goods - Systems and methods that enable a customer to receive assistance from a staff member located in a store that is remote from the location of the customer. The system and methods enabled the customer to request information from the staff member about a product and the staff member to provide information about the product. | 10-14-2010 |
20100262518 | META-WEB - In a preferred embodiment, the invention dynamically generates content and presentation to a user by modifying conventional content, e.g. rendering, restructuring, filtering, or supplementing such content, based on information, e.g. annotations, stored in a database. The invention, referred to as the Meta-Web, allows a user at a Web browser, which may be any standard Web browser supported by a standard computing platform, to posit a query which is routed to a Meta-Web server. The Meta-Web server returns search results to the Web browser and the user may then explore the results, for example by clicking on a URL in the search results. The results returned to the user are produced after the Meta-Web server forwards the query to a search engine. The search engine then returns the results to the Meta-Web server. Unique to the invention is the provision of a registry | 10-14-2010 |
20100268621 | NETWORK AV CONTENTS PLAYBACK TERMINAL, SERVER, AND SYSTEM - In a service of downloading contents whose contract is to be automatically renewed, an establishing of a synchronization between information about a period stored on the side of a terminal and information about a period to be renewed on the side of a server, causes a problem of load increase and others because a large amount of contents have to be synchronized at frequent intervals. | 10-21-2010 |
20100268622 | Micro Personal Digital Assistant with a Compressed BIOS System - A personal digital assistant module with a local CPU, memory, and I/O interface has a host interface comprising a bus connected to the local CPU and a connector at a surface of the personal digital assistant for interfacing to a bus connector of a host general-purpose computer, providing direct bus communication between the personal digital assistant and the host general-purpose computer. In an embodiment, the personal digital assistant also has a means for storing a security code. The personal digital assistant according to the invention forms a host/satellite combination with a host computer having a docking bay, wherein upon docking a docking protocol controls access by the host to memory of the personal digital assistant based on one or more passwords provided by a user to the host. In another embodiment the personal digital assistant has a compressed BIOS chip, and in yet another embodiment also has an expansion port connected to the local CPU, and expansion peripheral devices may be connected and operated through the expansion port. | 10-21-2010 |
20100268623 | Purchase Handoff in a Travel Search Engine - A method and apparatus are provided for a dynamic information connection engine. User actions are detected on at least one client system. In response, a determination is made whether the user is searching for supported information. When the user is searching for supported information, information is extracted electronically from third party web sites, direct supplier connections, and intermediate databases. Potential information suppliers are automatically selected in response to the detected user search. Queries are formulated from the user search and transferred to each selected supplier over a network coupling. The queries include a request for information. Responses are received from the suppliers, and the responses are used to generate a result list for the user. The result list includes information and query status information. Further, an electronic link may be provided to a web site of each supplier from which the information was derived. | 10-21-2010 |
20100268624 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DEALING WITH NON-PAYING BIDDERS RELATED TO NETWORK-BASED TRANSACTIONS - A method and system for dealing with non-paying bidders related to network-based transactions are disclosed in which a submission of a complaint to a network-based facility is facilitated. The complaint is related to a party who has failed to complete a transaction. A resolution of the complaint is facilitated. A record associated with the part is updated if the complaint is not resolved. The record indicates a count of failed transactions related to the party. A submission of a refund request can also be facilitated if the complaint is not resolved. | 10-21-2010 |
20100280919 | System and method for item-based economy in a virtual world - There is provided a system and method for an item-based economy in a virtual world. There is provided a server for providing an item exchange for a virtual world lacking a common currency for item valuation, comprising a processor configured to receive a request from a client having an inventory to initiate the item exchange, present a user interface on a display of the client for the item exchange, receive a selection of either a second quantity of second items or a third quantity of third items for the item exchange from the client, remove from the inventory of the client a first quantity of tradable items defined by a first exchange value or a second exchange value based on the selection, and add the second quantity of second items or the third quantity of the third items to the inventory of the client based on the selection. | 11-04-2010 |
20100280920 | System And Method For Generating Recommendations Based On Similarities Between Location Information Of Multiple Users - Various embodiments of a system and method for generating recommendations based on similarities between location information of multiple users are described. Various embodiments may include a location-based recommendation system configured to, for each given user of a group of users, determine the given user has traveled to one or more respective locations and determine one or more characteristics of the given user. The system may also determine that a particular user has traveled to or will travel to each of one or more particular locations. The system may further determine a similarity between the one or more particular locations and one or more locations to which specific ones of the group of users have traveled. The system may generate a recommendation for the particular user based on at least some of the determined characteristics of the specific ones of the group of users for which the similarity was determined. | 11-04-2010 |
20100280921 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR IMPLEMENTING AND MANAGING VIRTUAL GIFT CARDS - According to one aspect, embodiments of the invention provide a method for administering a virtual gift card, the method comprising acts of receiving a request from a server of a retailer, providing, in response to the request, an interface to a terminal operated by a purchaser, the interface comprising fields for receiving a value and a recipient for the virtual gift card, receiving from the terminal, in response to input from the purchaser, the value and the recipient for the virtual gift card, generating a code for the virtual gift card, and sending a message to the recipient of the virtual gift card, the message including the code for the virtual gift card. | 11-04-2010 |
20100280922 | ILLUMINATION AND DECORATION FOR AMPLIFIER AND SPEAKER NETWORKS - An illumination system is driven by a speaker level, audio frequency signal. The illumination system utilizes active current limiting circuitry electrically coupled between an input that receives the speaker level audio frequency signal and an illumination arrangement having at least one illumination device, such as a light emitting diode. The active current limiting circuitry has at least one active semiconductor device for limiting the current allowed to pass there through. As such, an illumination device is coupled to the active current limiting circuitry so as to be driven by the audio frequency speaker level signal received by the input in such a way that the active current limiting circuitry limits the current delivered to at least one illumination device. The illumination system can also include other systems including a digital controller, filters and other circuitry. | 11-04-2010 |
20100280923 | ELECTRONIC-COMMERCE, COMMUNICATION-NETWORK METHOD - A sourcing-provider-implemented, electronic-commerce, communication-network method for controlling acquisition-access to electronically-deliverable, affinity-interest deliverables in portions of which rights are held both by a sourcing provider and by a contributing network communicant. The method includes (a) establishing an electronic, network-connected, sourcing-provider-associated-and-controlled catalogue designed to contain at least one such deliverable, (b) vetting the entrepreneurial talent of at least one network communicant relative to the creation, catalogue-placement, and network-acquisition-promotional offering to others, by that one communicant of such a deliverable, whereby, through deliverable-creation and catalogue-placement thereof, the vetted network communicant becomes a contributing network communicant, (c) authorizing the vetted network communicant to become a contributing network communicant, and to create, to place or have placed, and to offer to other network communicants, deliverables-acquisition network access to such a catalogue-placed deliverable, and (d) rewardingly incentivizing such offers. | 11-04-2010 |
20100280924 | Method And System For Receiving And Providing Access To Information At A Web Site - At a vendor-managed web site, purchasing information is received from a first terminal, including purchasing information that is customized for a customer. The customer includes first and second users having respective first and second levels of authorized access to the purchasing information. The first user is identified by a first identifier, and the second user is identified by a second identifier. To a second terminal, access at the vendor-managed web site is provided to: only a first portion of the purchasing information in response to receiving the first identifier from the second terminal which identifies the first user; and at least a second portion of the purchasing information in response to receiving the second identifier from the second terminal which identifies the second user. The second portion includes at least a part of the first portion and a third portion of the purchasing information. The part of the first portion includes at least a portion of the customized purchasing information. | 11-04-2010 |
20100287067 | Method of Distributing Video Content Via the Internet - A system and methods for transmitting, distributing and storing video content using a proprietary format to provide undisturbed playback among an unlimited number of various customer devices supporting copyright control provisions, wherein a database at a service provider is searched to locate a title of audio, video or audio/video content associated with the title. At least one link indexed to the title is presented for selection upon identification of the title in the database. The selection of the link is received at the service provider via the Internet, and a check is performed to determine whether a download of a data file incorporating the audio, video or audio/video content associated with the link indexed to the title has been requested. A determination is made as to whether permanent ownership of the requested audio, video or audio/video content associated with the title is desired and each segmented element is downloaded to a computer via the Internet for playback based on sequence codes in each segmented element. | 11-11-2010 |
20100287068 | Online Transaction Method and System Using a Payment Platform and a Logistics Company - The disclosed online transaction method and system uses payment platform acting as an intermediary agent between the merchant and the shipping company to handle the payment. While the payment platform receives payment from the shipping company, the merchant receives payment from the payment platform. The method and system do not require buyers to use the payment method provided by an intermediary transaction platform to make a payment. Instead, the buyer may pay directly to the shipping company. Unlike conventional transaction method based on COD, however, the disclosed online transaction method and system centrally manage a logistics platform or multiple logistics operations run by logistics companies. The merchant does not receive the payment from the logistics company, but rather receive the payment from a centralized payment platform to ensure secure and fast payment. | 11-11-2010 |
20100287069 | 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. | 11-11-2010 |
20100287070 | DIGITAL CONTENT MANAGEMENT, PLAYBACK AND DELIVERY - An electronic information system and method pursuant to which at least one user interface is adapted for interaction with a user; at least one database comprising adult digital content associated with a server is remotely accessible and accessed by the user, and a network provides remote access to the at least one database to enable downloading of adult digital content. | 11-11-2010 |
20100287071 | COMPUTER BASED MEDIA ACCESS METHOD AND SYSTEM - The disclosed system and method includes a global computer network facility which provides a platform allowing artists to quickly and easily promote their music. A method and system of uploading songs establishes unique characteristics of each song with audio-analytical tools, and stores the analyzed songs on an online cloud computing storage facility. The artist-users can efficiently promote their music directly to the right suited audience in a fair fashion, providing a platform for all artists, including lesser known and popular artists. Simultaneously, the system allows listeners to readily access their entire music library from any mobile device via syncing music to devices with the invention's client application. At the same time, listener-users are automatically prompted with new or recommended music based on audio/acoustical characteristics of the song that they are currently listening to. | 11-11-2010 |
20100287072 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR PERFORMING REDIRECTS TO A SEARCH ENGINE - The present invention is related to methods and systems for processing search requests and for performing searches over a network. In an embodiment, a recipient designation is received from a user over a network. The designation indicates that future searches performed by the user are to be associated with the recipient (even if the subject matter of the search is not related to the recipient). A search request is received from the user; causing a search to be performed in response to the search request. An identifier corresponding to the recipient is stored in association with an indication regarding the occurrence of the first search request. | 11-11-2010 |
20100293071 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CUSTOMIZATION BY SALE OF COMPONENT PARTS AND ACCESSORIES - A method for selling component parts to a customer over a communications network includes providing a plurality of component part selections over the communications network, the component part selections being from a plurality of different manufacturers. The method further includes receiving a selection of a first component part over the communications network, sending a first image for display to the customer, the first image being of the first component part, receiving a selection of a second component part. The method further includes sending a second image for display to the customer, the second image being of the second component part, such that the second image being displayed in a position proximate the first image and registered relative to the first image to visually depict an assembly having both the first component part and the second component part. | 11-18-2010 |
20100293072 | Preserving the Integrity of Segments of Audio Streams - Methods and systems for preserving the integrity of segments of audio streams are provided. An audio playback device may receive an audio stream from an audio transmission source. The audio stream may include a plurality of segments. The segments may each include a whole or partial song, talk program, commercial, DJ chatter, news or weather report, or the like. The audio stream may be temporarily stored in a buffer that contains a contiguous portion of the audio stream from a preceding time period. The buffer may reside in memory of the audio playback device. Indicia of a selection may be received via a user interface of the audio playback device. The indicia of the selection may be associated with the segment being currently received from the audio transmission source. The segment associated with the indicia of the selection may be stored in memory of the audio playback device. | 11-18-2010 |
20100293073 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PRESENTING FILTER OPTIONS TO A USER BASED ON ONGOING MONITORING OF FILTER SELECTIONS - Various embodiments are presented which comprise an electronic catalog of products, wherein the catalog comprises a taxonomy of product categories and products within the categories, wherein various users input filter parameters and these are monitored, whereupon the information about which filter parameters have been selected is used to change which values of attributes relevant to the products are displayed for the user when they are making their selections. | 11-18-2010 |
20100293074 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TRACKING FILTER ACTIVITY AND MONITORING TRENDS ASSOCIATED WITH SAID ACTIVITY - Various embodiments are presented which comprise an electronic catalog of products, wherein the catalog comprises a taxonomy of product categories and products within the categories, wherein various users input filter parameters and these are monitored, whereupon the monitored data is manipulated and analyzed and presented to the user to help the user appreciate trends in the filter data. | 11-18-2010 |
20100293075 | METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING SHOES BY USING AN INTERACTIVE SYSTEM - A method for obtaining shoes includes a step for obtaining shoe information; a step for communication with manufacturers; a step for manufacturing the shoes; a step for delivery and/or try-on; a step for amendment, and a step for finish manufacture. The method allows the customers to design their shoes by themselves and communicate with the shoe manufactures so as to obtain desired shoes. | 11-18-2010 |
20100293076 | Method and system for providing fitting and sizing recommendations - A method and system for displaying footwear information. The method and system utilize a database on a computer readable medium, the database including a plurality of footwear representations including various measurement parameters. A user inputs a selection of a reference footwear model. A footwear representation of the reference footwear model is loaded from the database along with footwear representations for a plurality of additional models of footwear. The footwear representation for the reference footwear model and the footwear representations for the additional models of footwear are compared to identify at least one of the additional models of footwear having similar measurement parameters as the reference footwear model. Additional models identified are presented to the user as a recommendation. | 11-18-2010 |
20100293077 | INTERNET SERVICE SYSTEMS AND METHODS - A method of operating an internet service system comprises receiving a service request, wherein the service request identifies a user and indicates a service requested by the user, selecting a first brand for display on a first section of a web page based on an identity of the user and the service requested by the user, selecting a second brand for display on a second section of the web page based on the identity of the user and the service requested by the user, generating the web page with the first brand and the second brand, and transferring the web page for display to the user with the first brand in the first section of the web page and the second brand in the second section of the web page. | 11-18-2010 |
20100299225 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DISPLAYING PURCHASING INFORMATION - An approach is provided for displaying purchasing information on a mobile device. Purchasing information that is transmitted for display using a purchasing application on the mobile device is redirected for display on a browser application or a messaging application when the purchasing application is not resident on the mobile device. | 11-25-2010 |
20100299226 | Apparatus, System and Method for a Brand Affinity Engine Using Positive and Negative Mentions and Indexing - An apparatus, system and method of implementing a computerized brand affinity engine. The apparatus, system and method include at least a plurality of computerized access points having accessible thereto a plurality of sites mentioning at least one sponsor, a categorized, hierarchical database of keywords, wherein at least the keywords falling in at least one category of the hierarchy correspond to a sponsor category of the at least one sponsor, and a tracker, wherein the tracker tracks positive ones of the mentions of the at least one sponsor on ones of the plurality of sites and negative ones of the mentions of the at least one sponsor on ones of the plurality of sites, in accordance with positive and negative keywords of the categorized, hierarchical database in the sponsor category, and wherein the tracker issues an rating with regard to the at least one sponsor in accordance with the positive ones and the negative ones of the mentions. An assessment of optimal sponsors for particular markets and/or in particular geographies that additionally increases sponsorship opportunities in particular markets and/or in particular geographies is thereby provided. | 11-25-2010 |
20100299227 | ELECTRONIC COMMERCE RULE-BASED MULTI-SELECTION GIFTING - A method for multi-selection gifting, including identifying a multi-selection gift, the multi-selection gift including a plurality of items of merchandise, and at least one selection rule governing selection of at least two of the items of merchandise, and interactively guiding a gift recipient in selecting at least one item of merchandise in accordance with the at least one selection rule, wherein each selection rule is a member of the group including allowing the gift recipient to select up to a specified total number of items of merchandise in the multi-selection gift, allowing the gift recipient to select items of merchandise in the multi-selection gift up to a specified total cost, and allowing the gift recipient to select items of merchandise in the multi-selection gift up to a specified total measure. A system and a computer-readable storage medium are also described and claimed. | 11-25-2010 |
20100299228 | ELECTRONIC COMMERCE RULE-BASED MULTI-SELECTION GIFTING - A method for multi-selection gifting, including maintaining, by at least one of a plurality of computers, a gift database including records for multi-selection gifts, each record including a plurality of product identifiers for items of merchandise, and at least one selection rule governing selection of at least two of the items of merchandise, and interactively enabling, by at least one of the plurality of computers, a gift giver to generate a multi-selection gift for at least one gift recipient, including presenting, to the gift giver, a group of selection rules for selection by the gift giver, the group including allowing a gift recipient to select up to a specified total number of items of merchandise in the multi-selection gift, allowing the gift recipient to select items of merchandise in the multi-selection gift up to a specified total cost, and allowing the gift recipient to select items of merchandise in the multi-selection gift up to a specified total measure. A system and a computer-readable storage medium are also described and claimed. | 11-25-2010 |
20100306082 | Garment fit portrayal system and method - An on-line garment fit portrayal system configured to operate on a specialized server linked over the internet or any network using standard web services to at least one web-enabled player device capable of common image format display is described. The system comprises a server-side garment model storage capability containing one or more garments, with parameters for each garment chosen from the groupings that include a garment piece parts list, piece spatial properties, piece mechanical parameters, piece optical parameters, and assembly information; a server-side modeler mechanism configured for generating a three-dimensional model of a subject's body from individual body data, the model being represented by body data stored in a body model storage capability; a server-side simulator mechanism operatively coupled with the garment model storage capability and the body model storage capability for simulating a three-dimensional form fit of a garment represented in the garment model storage capability onto a body represented in the body model storage capability, the simulator mechanism producing a portrayal subject model; and a server-side rendering mechanism operatively coupled with the simulator mechanism for portraying a perspective view on any web-enabled device's display screen of the portrayal subject model representing a three-dimensional form fit of the garment on the subject's body. | 12-02-2010 |
20100306083 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR THE CONFIRMATION OF DOWNLOAD DELIVERY AND ITS USE WITHIN A CLEARINGHOUSE SERVICE - Systems and methods for the tracking and reporting of the progress, status and completion of the delivery of digital assets, through a network such as the Internet and/or a wireless network, to an end-user device such as a computer or a handheld device, captured by a database that serves as a clearinghouse for multiple parties who are interested in the knowledge provided about the digital asset delivery status and completion. Consequently, the described systems and methods, acting as a centralized clearinghouse of asset delivery transactional data, assist merchants, content owners, and other business stakeholders in determining when the transaction with a consumer is fully complete and associated fees can be exchanged between consumer and merchant as well as between merchant and content owner and other stakeholders. Furthermore, the systems and methods are for management and reporting of the consumer's behavioral trends, inclusive of many data points that can be correlated in order to establish content access credentials, business rules, fees, recommendations, and other parameters that can be put to use by merchants, content owners, and other stakeholders to improve the consumer experience and to offer consumers additional services, including additional entitlement to said digital asset, or a refund for failure to deliver, as the case may be. | 12-02-2010 |
20100306084 | NEED-BASED ONLINE VIRTUAL REALITY ECOMMERCE SYSTEM - An online virtual reality ecommerce system imposes needs upon its avatars, thereby enhancing the simulation of reality, and providing need-based motivations for ecommerce in addition to enjoyment-based motivations. The virtual needs also cause avatars to be perceived as independent beings which can independently enjoy, desire, and suffer based on experiences and purchases within the virtual world. This causes users to emotionally bond with their avatars, and to feel compassion, empathy, and even friendship toward them. Users feel increased desires to spend time online with their avatars, and to purchase goods for their avatars as well as for themselves. Avatars can be fantasy avatars in a virtual fantasy world, and their needs can include special, fantasy items. Basic needs can include food, clothing, shelter, exercise, bathing, shaving, medicine, and haircuts. Entertainment can be needed to avoid boredom, and specific tools, equipment, fuel, and/or transportation can be needed for various activities. | 12-02-2010 |
20100312670 | Method and apparatus for enchancing open house video tours for real estate properties - A method and a system to provide real estate agents across the United States the ability to support and enhance open house video tours for residential and commercial properties using the Internet. | 12-09-2010 |
20100312671 | INTER-GALLERY TRADING SYSTEM FOR ARTWORKS - A clearinghouse system for inter-gallery trading of artworks is described. A central database stores digital images and metadata about artworks owned by all member galleries. The data is duplicated and stored in local databases at each member gallery. Customers at a first gallery can view images and information about artworks owned by other galleries using display devices installed at the first gallery. If the customer is interested in an artwork owned by a second gallery, a price request is transmitted from the display device to a remote clearinghouse management server. The clearinghouse management server transmits the price to the first gallery via an information receiver other than the display device. The first gallery may then quote a price to the customer by adding a markup to the price received from the clearinghouse management server. A purchase request can also be generated from the display device. | 12-09-2010 |
20100312672 | Electric restaurant marketplace - A system for determining the best price of food-related products comprises an input device for receiving a selection of food-related products from a user and a computer. The computer has a communications interface with the interne, a memory for storing a plurality of addresses associated with various vendors, and a processor coupled to the input device for receiving from the user a selection of one or more food-related products. In response to receiving a selection from a user, the computer generates and transmits bid requests to a plurality of the vendors, receives bids from the vendors, determines the best price, and displays to the user the best price and vendor for the selected product or products. | 12-09-2010 |
20100318443 | APPARATUS FOR ASSESSING AND METHOD FOR DELIVERING AN EQUIPMENT UPGRADE PROPOSAL - A computer-implemented method for delivering an equipment upgrade proposal is disclosed herein. The computer-implemented method includes the step of receiving input related to the nature of use of current equipment. The computer-implemented method also includes the step of estimating a payback period based on the received input. The computer-implemented method also includes the step of displaying textual information detailing the payback period for consideration by a potential customer. The computer-implemented method also includes the step of generating a plurality of different screen displays including at least one screen display during the receiving step and at least one screen display during the displaying step. The computer-implemented method also includes the step of customizing at least one of the plurality of different screen shots based on information associated with the potential customer other than the input related to the nature of use of current equipment. An apparatus for practicing the method and a readable memory containing program code operable to be executed by a computer in performing the method are also disclosed herein. | 12-16-2010 |
20100325015 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR USING IMAGE DATA TO PROVIDE SERVICES IN CONNECTION WITH AN ONLINE RETAIL ENVIRONMENT - An image recognition system is provided with a reference image and the image recognition system functions to discern a context for the reference image. A user is thereafter presented with recommendations for products or other online services that are relevant to the discerned context for the image. | 12-23-2010 |
20100325016 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DYNAMICALLY GENERATING A GALLERY OF AVAILABLE DESIGNS FOR KIT CONFIGURATION - Methods, computer-readable storage media, and apparatuses for dynamically generating a gallery of available designs for a particular kit configuration including a plurality of different products are presented. | 12-23-2010 |
20100325017 | ONLINE BIDDING SYSTEM, METHOD AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT - A system, method and computer program product for online bidding for vehicle purchases, including a server configured to receive a vehicle request specifying a vehicle desire to be purchased from a buyer computer device. The server is configured to transmit the vehicle request to one or more computer devices of vehicle sellers. The server is configured to receive bids based on the vehicle specified in the vehicle request from the computer devices of the vehicle sellers. The server is configured to display bids received from the one or more computer devices of the vehicle sellers on the computer device of the buyer and the computer devices of the vehicle sellers. | 12-23-2010 |
20100332349 | Systems and methods for fund transfers using prepaid calling cards and telephones - Systems and methods are provided for electronically transferring funds between entities without requiring the entities to have an account with a financial institution. The system employs financial cards which customers can purchase. Each has a monetary value associated therewith. Subsequent to purchasing the card, the consumer can activate the card and then perform fund transfers by sending a request message to the system. The message identifies the card, the amount of the desired transfer and preferably, but not required, a PIN, the preferred destination of the funds, and the preferred recipient of the funds. | 12-30-2010 |
20100332350 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR BUILDING A PRODUCT - Systems and methods for building a product that has a plurality of components. A product builder receives the user request to build the product and communicates with one or more APIs that identify a category of the product, a plurality of components associated with the category of the product, and relationships between the plurality of components. The product builder then displays a first list of components in the category of the product. The product builder receives a user selection of one of components in the first list, and then displays a second list of components that are compatible with the first selected component. The user then selects one of the components in the second list, and so on, until the product is ready to be built. The product builder can then be used to purchase the built product that is specific to the user or direct the user to websites that sell each of the components necessary to build the product. | 12-30-2010 |
20100332351 | SAME SCREEN QUICK PAY BUTTON - A payment button on a device, such as a mobile phone, allows the user to remain on the window or page from which an item was selected for purchase. When the user is ready to purchases, the button is selected, and the user simply enters an identifier, such as a password or PIN, and the transaction is processed. The button remains on the same screen and changes during different stages of the payment process. | 12-30-2010 |
20100332352 | ELECTRONIC TASTING ROOM FOR FOODS AND BEVERAGES AND DISTRIBUTION THEREOF - An electronic sampling system for providing a sample of a product from a producer to a customer which includes a producer interface capable of communicating with the producer and requesting a quantity of product from the producer, a user interface capable of communicating with the user in order to show the user a listing of producers and samples that are available for distribution and receive requests from the user samples which are prepared by an operations center capable of receiving the quantity of product from the producer and sending the requested sample of the product to the user. | 12-30-2010 |