45th week of 2017 patent applcation highlights part 46 |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20170323250 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FULFILLING E-COMMERCE ORDERS FROM A HIERARCHY OF FULFILMENT CENTRES - A system and method are disclosed of operating a plurality of fulfillment centres, including a large fulfillment centre and a small fulfillment centre, each of the fulfillment centres being configured to fulfil customer orders. A first product and a second product are received at the large fulfillment centre. Desired quantities of the first and second products are picked at the large fulfillment centre for packing into a container, wherein the desired quantities include at least one of: quantities ordered by at least one customer to be fulfilled at the large fulfillment centre or the small fulfillment centre, and quantities predicted to be ordered by at least one customer and to be fulfilled at the small fulfillment centre. | 2017-11-09 |
20170323251 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR IDENTIFYING AND MANAGING ITEM STOCKING STATUS IN A RETAIL ENVIRONMENT - Embodiments relate to systems and methods for identifying out-of-stock situations based on customer shopping lists and patterns. A system for identifying out-of-stock situations can comprise an electronic shopping list, an inventory database, and a stocking status engine communicatively coupled with the electronic shopping list and the inventory database and configured to analyze the electronic shopping list and the inventory database to identify a stocking status of at least one item on the electronic shopping list in a retail environment. If a potential out-of-stock event is identified, the system can output a stocking personnel notification to either replenish stock of the item in the retail environment or relocate existing stock of the item to a new location in the retail environment. | 2017-11-09 |
20170323252 | RF PERMEABILITY MEASURE OF PRODUCT OUT OF STOCKS - Apparatuses, systems, and methods are provided herein useful to determining qualities associated with products presented for sale in a shopping facility. In some embodiments, the system includes a transmitter located on a first side of a group of products, wherein the transmitter is configured to emit energy toward and through the group of products. The system can also include a receiver located on a second side of the group of products, wherein the receiver is configured to receive a transmitted portion of the energy emitted toward and through the group of products, wherein the transmitted portion of the energy emitted toward and through the group of products is used to estimate a stock level of a product display. | 2017-11-09 |
20170323253 | Distributed Autonomous Robot Systems and Methods - Described in detail herein are systems and methods for detecting absent like physical objects at a first facility and replenishing the like physical objects from the second facility to the first facility. The system includes an autonomous robot device configured to detect absent like physical objects at a first facility and transmit an identifier associated with the like physical objects to a first computing system. The first computing system determines the need for the addition of the like physical objects in the first facility and transmits the data associated with the like physical objects to the second computing system. The second computing system corrects a perpetual inventory error associated with the like physical objects based on the received data and transmits instructions to an autonomous robot picker disposed at a second facility to replenish the like physical objects at the first facility. The autonomous robot picker locates, picks up and carries the like physical objects at the second facility to a conveyer belt. The like physical objects are transported from the second facility to the first facility. | 2017-11-09 |
20170323254 | AUTOMATED INVENTORY CONTROL RFID BIN - Disclosed are various embodiments for automated tracking of inventory levels in storage bins. In one embodiment, among others, an adjustable bin divider may comprise a supporting base that has a receiving slot at an end, the receiving slot comprising a slide channel that extends along a top portion of the supporting base; a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag that is attached to the supporting base; and a radio frequency (RF)-blocking slide divider that comprises a first panel with an RF shield and a second panel that has a narrowed end, the first panel being connected to the second panel at the narrowed end, the first panel being inserted in the receiving slot, the narrowed end fitting within the slide channel of the receiving slot, wherein the RF-blocking slide divider conceals the RFID tag from detection from an RFID reader at a position along the slide channel. | 2017-11-09 |
20170323255 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR INTERMODAL LOGISTICS - Systems and methods are described herein for facilitating intermodal logistics. A web page that can include an ocean carrier control associated with a list of ocean carriers can be provided to a device. In response, ocean carrier input data characterizing a selected carrier from the predefined list of ocean carriers can be received. One or more input channels can be continuously monitored for gross mass input data characterizing a gross mass of a container associated with a shipment scheduled for the selected carrier. Verification input data can be received that is indicative of a verification of the gross mass of the container. The gross mass input data can be transformed into verified gross mass input data based on a validation of the verification input data. An electronic data interchange message (EDI) can be encoded based on the verified gross mass input data and the ocean carrier input data. | 2017-11-09 |
20170323256 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ADJUSTING FREIGHT CHARGES FOR AN UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE - An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) may be used to deliver a package. The UAV may include a communication interface configured to receive a request to transport a package from a customer and a navigation unit configured to direct the UAV to the package. The UAV may also include a sensor configured to determine one or more physical characteristics of the package and a calculation unit configured to calculate adjusted freight charges by comparing anticipated freight charges based on one or more physical characteristics of the package specified in the request to the one or more physical characteristics of the package determined by the sensor. The UAV may further include an acceptance unit configured to accept the package for transport based on the acceptance of the adjusted freight charges by the customer. | 2017-11-09 |
20170323257 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ADJUSTING A PICK UP SCHEDULE FOR AN UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE - An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) may be used to deliver a package. The UAV may include a communication interface configured to receive a request to transport a package from a customer and a navigation unit configured to direct the UAV to the package. The UAV may also include a sensor configured to determine at least one of a weight and a plurality of dimensions of the package and a schedule unit configured to adjust a pick up schedule for a one or more other packages based on at least one of the weight and the plurality of dimensions of the package. | 2017-11-09 |
20170323258 | METHOD FOR TRANSMITTING PERISHABLE SHIPMENTS - A method for transmitting perishable shipments in vehicles, including: a first communications module (M | 2017-11-09 |
20170323259 | REMOTE INITIATION OF INTERACTION BY A COMPUTING ENTITY - Methods, apparatuses, systems, and computer program products for interactive deliveries are provided. For an upcoming service point that is associated with a service point device, it is determined whether the item to be delivered to the service point is within an activation zone for activating the service point device. Responsive to determining that the item is within the activation zone, the service point device is remotely activated. Remotely activating the service point device triggers dynamical provision of an alert interface. An indication of user interaction via the user interface indicating availability of the user to receive the item is received. A notification of the indication of the user interaction is provided. If the notification indicates that the individual is available to receive the item at the service point, the item is delivered to or picked-up from the service point. | 2017-11-09 |
20170323260 | SHIPPING REQUEST INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT METHOD AND SYSTEM USING CARGO TRACKING APPLICATION - A method for integrating and managing a shipment request using a cargo tracking application, the method includes: accessing, by a portable terminal, a cargo shipment management server through the application, receiving shipment course items of cargo, and displaying the shipment course items; receiving, by the portable terminal, an input screen for shipment details information from the cargo shipment management server, displaying the input screen, receiving the shipment details information, and transmitting the shipment details information to the cargo shipment management server; completing, by the cargo shipment management server, a receipt of a shipment request by receiving the shipment details information and providing shipment request receipt information to the portable terminal; providing, by the cargo shipment management server, the portable terminal with information about a car dispatching of a container truck; and providing, by a ship location providing server, the portable terminal with information about a location of a ship. | 2017-11-09 |
20170323261 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR COLLECTING AND PROCESSING IMAGE DATA - In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to collecting and processing image data relating to retail deliveries. In some embodiments, there is provided a system for capturing images of merchandise delivery containers, the system comprising: at least one unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) having an optical sensor for capturing image sequences; a memory device for storing the captured image sequences; an image database including images of at least one of text, symbols, logos, graphic designs, and pictures from known merchandise delivery containers; and a control circuit configured to: receive the captured image sequences; compare the image sequences with the images from the image database; determine individual images in the image sequences that match the images from the image database to identify merchandise delivery containers; and determine, based on the image sequences, address information corresponding to the geographical locations of the identified merchandise delivery containers. | 2017-11-09 |
20170323262 | COURIER MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS - A courier management system for parcel pickup and delivery scheduling using a courier management web application run through a smart electronic device for the delivery of merchandise. Persons and businesses can request a driver to pick-up/deliver merchandise without resorting to traditional shipping options. A package is picked up by a driver and delivered the same day. Drivers have the option of choosing routes closest to the pick-up and delivery locations, and all information is processed through the courier management web application including pick-up and delivery locations, driver licensing information, and online payment for services. | 2017-11-09 |
20170323263 | EQUIPMENT LIBRARY WITH LINK TO MANUFACTURER DATABASE - In one embodiment a method includes storing in non-volatile memory a library of equipment configuration code files, each equipment configuration code file including configuration code for configuration and control of a work vehicle, for configuration and control of an attachment to be carried or towed by the work vehicle, or for combined configuration and control of both the work vehicle and the attachment in combination, receiving an altered version of at least one equipment configuration code file, the altered version including OEM data provided by or altered by an original equipment manufacturer of the work vehicle or the attachment, dealer or distributor data provided by or altered by a dealer or distributor of the work vehicle or the attachment, and user data provided by or altered by a user of the work vehicle or attachment, and storing the altered version in the non-volatile memory of the library. | 2017-11-09 |
20170323264 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF JUST-IN TIME REVERSE LOGISTICS MANAGEMENT - A system and method for just in-time reverse logistics management directed to receiving one or more product orders associated with one or more individual SKU's; tracking one or more products SKU's through a cyclical product lifecycle, matching a product order with a product in the cyclical product lifecycle; assembly the product order based on the priority hierarchy; and shipping the product order based on the priority hierarchy. | 2017-11-09 |
20170323265 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SUPPLY CHAIN COMPLIANCE - Disclosed is a compliance database and management system for auditing, assessing, and tracking the compliance of companies and their suppliers and method for performing the same. A method for performing supply chain compliance includes collecting supply chain data, such as information about one or more suppliers, compiling (e.g., building) the supply chain data (e.g., into a database) and providing the compiled supply chain data so that the data is accessible to a user. The compiled supply chain data can be analyzed, filtered by one or more parameters, organized by one or more parameters, or a combination thereof by a user. | 2017-11-09 |
20170323266 | MESSAGE SERVICE METHOD USING CHARACTER, USER TERMINAL FOR PERFORMING SAME, AND MESSAGE APPLICATION INCLUDING SAME - A message service method using a character, a user terminal for performing the same, and a message application including the same are disclosed. The message service method comprises the steps of: identifying a chat mode related to a method of expressing the contents of a chat; and displaying, in a chat room, the contents of a chat between a user terminal and a counterpart terminal according to the chat mode, wherein the chat mode may include a first chat mode in which 3D characters corresponding to the user terminal and the counterpart terminal are used, and a second chat mode in which the 3D characters are not used. | 2017-11-09 |
20170323267 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING WORK ALLOCATION AND COLLABORATION - A task tracking method includes recognizing, through a message communication tool, and tracking, as a task, a message that includes project information associated with a project or complete date information of a task associated with the project; identifying a member and a non-member of the task in response to tracking the task; and assigning the task associated with the project to the non-member through the message communication tool and granting a right to use the task so that collaboration is performed between the member and the non-member perform. | 2017-11-09 |
20170323268 | SCALABLE RESPONSE PREDICTION USING PERSONALIZED RECOMMENDATION MODELS - The disclosed embodiments provide a system for processing data. During operation, the system obtains a global version of a statistical model and a user-specific version of the statistical model for a user. Next, the system applies the global version to member features of the user and job features of a set of jobs to generate a first ranking of the jobs for the user. The system then applies the user-specific version to the member features and the job features for a highest-ranked subset of jobs in the first ranking to generate a second ranking of the jobs for the user. Finally, the system outputs at least a portion of the second ranking as a set of job recommendations. | 2017-11-09 |
20170323269 | JUST-IN-TIME ONBOARDING - A system determines an intent of a current user who is interacting with an online social networking system, and requests information from the current user based on the determined intent of the current user. The system then receives the requested information from the current user, and provides a service or information to the current user based on the intent of the current user and the information provided by the current user. | 2017-11-09 |
20170323270 | GEO-LOCATION BASED MATCHING OF DIGITAL PROFILES - Provided are a system and method for performing a job search using a digital profile of a user. In one example, the method includes providing an assessment comprising a plurality of questions to a user, generating a digital profile based on answers by the user to the questions included in the assessment, the digital profile including attributes of the user that are determined by a profile server based on the answers, comparing the digital profile to available job opportunities to determine an available job opportunity having predetermined attributes matched by the attributes of the digital profile, and providing information about the available job opportunity having predetermined attributes matched by the attributes of the digital profile to a mobile device of the user. | 2017-11-09 |
20170323271 | Systems and Methods for Increasing Users of a Job Listing Service - Systems and methods for importing information about job opening candidates or employers into a database are provided. Information is extracted from a store of job candidate information and imported into the database. References or contacts, e.g., from letters of recommendation, work history items on a resume, and other documents, may also be imported. Accounts and/or profiles for the imported entities may be created. The imported entities are sent an invitation to use and/or sign up for the system. The imported job applications may be grouped by the job being applied for and each group associated with a particular job listing in the database. The system may automatically create job listings if no association can be made. Job listings may be cross-posted to other job listing services, and information from received resumes/job applications may be imported. | 2017-11-09 |
20170323272 | SYSTEM ENVIRONMENT FOR USER-SPECIFIC PROGRAM AGGREGATION AND NON-COLLOCATED THIRD PARTY SYSTEM EXTRACTION AND DEPLOYMENT - Embodiments of the invention are directed to a system, method, or computer program product for building an assistance program aggregation network. The invention generates and builds an assistance program aggregation network comprising a multitude of assistance programs and related program information compiled into a single resource. In this way, the program aggregation system may generate user-specific profiles in order to match eligible users to applicable assistance programs. Furthermore, with the authorization of the user, the system may assist the user in automatically populating and submitting applications related to assistance programs allowing for convenient and efficient program enrollment. | 2017-11-09 |
20170323273 | An Online Meeting System and Method - The invention provides an online meeting controller operable to connect devices having installed an online meeting application which is operable to present a user interface for the device. The user interface of each device is operable to display data from the other device so as to allow users at each device to participate in an online meeting. The controller is operable to communicate with a relationship manager which is operable to identify a user of a device as a host for an online meeting and identify a user of a device as the participant to be invited to the online meeting by the host The controller is also operable to receive first validation data which validates a device as a host device for an online meeting to be operated by a host of the meeting and second validation data which validates a device as a participant device to be operated by a participant invited to the online meeting. The controller is also operable to communicate with the application miming on a validated host device and a validated participant device so as to synchronise the user interfaces at the host and participant devices and so as to receive updates to data, documents or forms displayed at the user interfaces of the host and participant devices. The updates are inputs received at the user interfaces of the devices. The controller is also operable to communicate with a video communication system which provides a video communication service between devices. The controller initiates a video communication session through which the host device can connect with the participant device. | 2017-11-09 |
20170323274 | CONTROLLING AIRCRAFT OPERATIONS AND AIRCRAFT ENGINE COMPONENTS ASSIGNMENT - A method of providing a recommendation for optimizing operations of a set of industrial assets is disclosed. Digital twins of the set of industrial assets are generated. The digital twins include data structures representing states of each of a plurality of subsystems of the set of industrial assets over a time period. The states are estimated based on an application of simulations using cumulative damage models. The cumulative damage models model the effects of exogenous factors on the operation of the set of industrial assets over the time period. The digital twins are analyzed with respect to simulated operating performances to determine an optimized control of operations of the industrial assets. The optimized control of operations is calculated to jointly and severally to increase the specified operating performance criteria in time present and future of the industrial assets or decrease an economic risk associated with the operation of the industrial assets, within a specified probability. The recommendation is presented In a user interface for use in optimizing the operation of the industrial assets or automatically changing operating setpoints pertaining to the industrial assets. | 2017-11-09 |
20170323275 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROCESSING CLOSED LOOP CARDS AT A MERCHANT POINT OF SALE - Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for redeeming a closed loop card/code funded with an amount of money. The system receives, at a merchant, an indication from a consumer of a desire to sell a closed loop account not issued by the merchant and receives a confirmation, via a computing device, of an amount of money in the closed loop account. The system presents the consumer with an offer to buy the closed loop account and receives from the consumer an acceptance of the offer. The system processes the closed loop account to yield a processed closed loop account such as by transferring the account to one of the merchant and an entity and applies a benefit to the consumer based on the processed closed loop account. | 2017-11-09 |
20170323276 | Method for conducting monetary and financial transactions by treating amounts as collections of distinct units of account - A method for conducting monetary and financial transactions in an economy by treating amounts as collections of distinct individual, minimal, and indivisible units of account, each of which has a persistent identity and history throughout its lifecycle. A method is disclosed for conducting monetary transactions on the basis of appending the record of relationship between each individual unit of account and its respective owners throughout the lifecycle of the unit. Further, a method is disclosed for identifying the units in binary computer notation and assigning specific informational content to each unit by designating various sub-sections within the binary identifier of each unit to hold specific information and values relevant to the unit. | 2017-11-09 |
20170323277 | MUSIC DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS - Music is blanket transmitted (for example, via satellite downlink transmission) to each customer's user station where selected music files are recorded. Customers preselect from a list of available music in advance using an interactive screen selector, and pay only for music that they choose to playback for their enjoyment. An antipiracy WID tag is woven into the recorded music so that any illegal copies therefrom may be traced to the purchase transaction. Music is transmitted on a fixed schedule or through an active scheduling process that monitors music requests from all or a subset of satellite receivers and adjusts scheduling according to demand for various CD's. Receivers store selections that are likely to be preferred by a specific customer. In those instances where weather conditions, motion of atmospheric layers or dish obstructions result in data loss, the system downloads the next transmission of the requested CD and uses both transmissions to produce a “good copy”. In conjunction with the blanket transmission of more popular music, an automated CD manufacturing facility may be provided to manufacture CD's that are not frequently requested and distribute them by ground transportation. | 2017-11-09 |
20170323278 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING A TAILORED USER EXPERIENCE AT A SELF-SERVICE KIOSK - Embodiments of the disclosure enable a tailored user experience to be provided. A kiosk system includes a scanner component configured to identify biometric data; a metric component configured to communicate with the scanner component to identify user identifier data based on the biometric data; a transaction component configured to communicate with the metric component to identify a financial account corresponding to the identified user identifier data, and generate a request for authorization for a financial transaction using the identified financial account; and a dispenser component configured to communicate with the transaction component to determine whether to dispense the beverage. Aspects of the disclosure provide for tailoring a user experience based on various factors including a user metric and/or an account metric. | 2017-11-09 |
20170323279 | KIOSKS FOR REMOTE COLLECTION OF ELECTRONIC DEVICES FOR VALUE, AND ASSOCIATED MOBILE APPLICATION FOR ENHANCED DIAGNOSTICS AND SERVICES - A kiosk for accepting a portable electronic device from a client in exchange for payment includes a display, one or more cameras, a portable device receiving arrangement, a payment dispensing arrangement, and a communication connection to a remote server and/or operator. The kiosk is configured to, in conjunction with the remote server and/or operator, perform one or more of associating a fundraising even with an amount payable for the accepted portable electronic device, change or defer payments in accordance with at least some attributes that are yet to be evaluated, and to perform authentication of the accepted portable electronic device. | 2017-11-09 |
20170323280 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR FACILITATING INSTALLMENTS IN AN ELECTRONIC TRANSACTION - A method for facilitation of installments for an electronic transaction includes: receiving a transaction message for an electronic transaction including an account identifier, transaction identifier, transaction date, and transaction amount; storing a transaction record for the transaction including the transaction identifier, transaction amount, transaction date, and a due date based on the transaction date; receiving an installment request, the request including the transaction identifier and installment options; calculating installment terms based on the installment options, transaction amount, transaction date, and due date, wherein the installment terms and/or options including an installment amount and number of installments; generating a plurality of transaction records, each related to an installment including the transaction identifier, installment amount, and a payment date based on the due date and number of installments, the number of transaction records being equivalent to the number of installments; and replacing the transaction record with the generated plurality of transaction records. | 2017-11-09 |
20170323281 | Methods and Systems for Tracking Carts and Retail Products in a Shopping Space - In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful for a retail facility to maintain information regarding product location, in part, from correlating a shopper's cart path and their purchased items with those of other shoppers. In some approaches, the methods and apparatuses may determine a cart path for a particular shopping cart by analyzing aisle markers captured by an image capturing device in the shopping cart, associate that cart path with the purchased items from that shopping cart, and compare the associated cart path and purchased items with similar information from other customers. In some examples, by comparing the associated cart paths and purchased items form a plurality of customers, an aisle location of one of the retail items is identified and the database of aisle locations and retail items may be updated accordingly. | 2017-11-09 |
20170323282 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR EXCHANGING AND/OR TRANSFERRING VARIOUS FORMS OF VALUE - Methods and systems for exchanging various forms of value, including coins, currency, credit, debit, and/or bank account funds, for prepaid cash cards, credit cards, phone cards, and the like. In one embodiment, a value exchange machine includes a coin input region, a coin sorting/counting apparatus, a card reader, and a communications facility configured to communicate with a remote computer network. In another embodiment, a value exchange system includes one or more of the value exchange machines connected to one or more remote computers via a communications link. A user wishing to purchase, for example, a prepaid cash card can visit one of the value exchange machines, select the desired transaction, and pay for the card with coins, currency, a credit card, a debit card, and/or bank account funds. After confirming payment, the value exchange machine dispenses the card to the user. | 2017-11-09 |
20170323283 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SPLITTING A CARD DATA STRUCTURE - Methods, systems, and computer program products are included for splitting a gift card by generating one or more other gift cards. A transaction processor receives a request to split a first value that corresponds to a first data structure, the request including a first identifier that is associated with the first data structure. Responsive to the request, the transaction processor generates a second data structure. The transaction processor assigns a second identifier and a second value to the second data structure. The transaction processor receives a second request that includes the second identifier and a third value. The transaction processor reduces the third value by the second value. | 2017-11-09 |
20170323284 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR IMPLEMENTING TELEPHONE PAYMENTS - There is provided a method of implementing a payment in relation to a telephone call between a customer and a merchant or service provider, the telephone call consisting of a signalling component and a media component. The method comprises, when establishing the telephone call, routing the signalling component to the merchant/service provider via a payment service system and routing the media component directly to the merchant/service provider. The method further comprises, at a communication management system of the merchant or service provider, sending an indication that the customer is required to make a payment to the payment service system and, at the payment service system, upon receipt of the indication that the customer is required to make a payment, using the signalling component of the telephone call to implement a redirection of the media component of the telephone call via the payment service system, extracting payment details of the customer from the redirected media component, and providing the payment details to a payment processing system to action the payment. | 2017-11-09 |
20170323285 | WEARABLE PERSONAL DIGITAL DEVICE FOR FACILITATING MOBILE DEVICE PAYMENTS AND PERSONAL USE - Provided is a wearable personal digital device for point of healthcare saliva testing. The wearable personal digital device may comprise a processor, a display, biometric sensors, activity tracking sensors, a memory unit, a communication circuit, a housing, an input unit, a projector, a timepiece unit, a haptic touch control actuator, a band, a mounting clip, a saliva sample insert apparatus, a pinhole, a light emitting diode board, a battery, and a set of sensors. The processor may be operable to receive data from an external device, provide a notification to a user based on the data, receive a user input, and perform a command selected based on the user input. The housing may be adapted to enclose the components of the wearable personal digital device. The band may be adapted to attach to the housing and secure the wearable personal digital device on a user body. | 2017-11-09 |
20170323286 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TRANSACTION PAYMENTS USING A MOBILE DEVICE - A system and method for performing a financial transaction may include processing a purchase transaction for products for purchase by a customer to determine a transaction amount. A communication with a mobile device of the customer may include communicating a store identifier, POS identifier, and the transaction amount. In response to receiving an approval number for the purchase transaction from a financial institution of the customer, completing the purchase transaction for the purchase of the products by the customer. | 2017-11-09 |
20170323287 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING PAYMENT SERVICE - The present invention relates to a system and method for providing a payment service of a two-channel authentication method utilizing a card reader infrastructure and a portable user terminal. The system for providing a payment service according to an aspect of the present invention includes an affiliate POS terminal configured to receive MIN card information and generate and transmit a transaction approval request signal, and a server configured to receive the transaction approval request signal, transmit a transaction authentication request signal to a portable user terminal, and transmit approval request information to a financial institution server when transaction authentication is completed from an input signal of the portable user terminal. | 2017-11-09 |
20170323288 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PAYING A MERCHANT BY A REGISTERED USER USING A CELLULAR TELEPHONE ACCOUNT - A system and method allows users to make purchases by charging or funding a prepaid debit card with their cell phone accounts by simulating a user roaming with their mobile device. | 2017-11-09 |
20170323289 | A SIMULATION APPARATUS, A REAL CARD MANAGER AND A DATA INTERACTIVE SYSTEM - Provided in the present disclosure are a simulation apparatus, real card manager and data interactive system. The apparatus includes: a first interface, configured to receive first data; a security module, configured to process the first data to obtain second data; and a wireless interface, configured to send the second data to a real card manager; in which the wireless interface is further configured to receive third data sent by the real card manager and to send the third data to the security module; the security module is further configured to receive the third data sent by the wireless interface, to process the third data to obtain fourth data, and to send the fourth data to the first interface; and the first interface is further configured to receive the fourth data sent by the security module and to send the fourth data to the terminal. | 2017-11-09 |
20170323290 | DEVICE PROVISIONING USING PARTIAL PERSONALIZATION SCRIPTS - Embodiments of the invention relate to systems and methods for efficiently provisioning mobile devices with personalization data. For some embodiments, a method is disclosed comprising receiving a request for provisioning comprising device information for a mobile device and user authentication information for a user, generating a partial personalization script, an activation script, and a deletion script using the device information, sending the partial personalization script, the activation script, and the deletion script to an application provider computer, wherein the application provider computer initiates execution of the partial personalization script on the mobile device, authenticating the user authentication information, and sending an activation message to the application provider computer, wherein the application provider computer initiates execution of the activation script. | 2017-11-09 |
20170323291 | ON-DEMAND PAYMENT GENERATION TRANSACTION SYSTEMS - Methods and systems for generating on-demand payment instruments are described. A user with a user payment account may perform a transaction with a user device and request an on-demand payment instrument. The request may be communicated to a transaction device. The transaction device may authenticate the request and associate an on-demand payment instrument to the user payment account. Information associated with the on-demand payment instrument information may then be tokenized and communicated to the user device, the merchant, or another party and the information may be entered and/or processed for the transaction. | 2017-11-09 |
20170323292 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR MAKING PAYMENTS - A computer-implemented method and computer system are proposed for assisting a consumer associated with a plurality of payment cards. When the consumer wishes to make a payment transaction, a computer system with access to information about the payment cards and access to at least one consequence database storing information relating to consequences of the making payment using the payment cards, determines consequences of making the payment using each of a plurality of the payment cards. According to the determined consequences, the computer system makes an automatic selection of one of the payment cards to use for the purchase. The computer system's selection may be presented to the consumer as a proposal. Upon the consumer accepting the proposal, the payment transaction is performed using the selected payment card. | 2017-11-09 |
20170323293 | Processing Transactions - A method for maintaining a multicurrency card for use with a processing scheme for processing transactions, the multicurrency card being associated with a plurality of currencies, each of the plurality of currencies being associated with a respective wallet capable of representing funds in its respective currency, the processing scheme being configured so as to preferentially debit, for a transaction, the wallet associated with the currency of the transaction, the method comprising the step of: inhibiting the crediting of the balance of a subset of the wallets associated with the plurality of currencies such that the balance for each of said subset of wallets is less than or equal to a predetermined amount irrespective of the currency of credit credited to the multicurrency card. | 2017-11-09 |
20170323294 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR INSTANTANEOUS PAYMENT USING RECORDED GUARANTEES - A method for processing a guaranteed electronic transaction, includes: storing account profile, each include an account number and balance; receiving a transaction message from an acquiring financial institution via a payment network, the message including a specific account number, transaction amount, and payment guarantee data; identifying a specific account profile that includes the specific account number; deducting the transaction amount from the account balance in the specific account profile; generating a record of payment guarantee that includes the transaction amount and data associated with the payment guarantee data; generating a return message including a response code indicating transaction approval and data associated with the generated record; transmitting the generated record to a computing system via a communication network; and transmitting the generated return message to the acquiring financial institution via the payment network. | 2017-11-09 |
20170323295 | System and/or methods enabling the processing of one or more events associated with a transaction executing the purchase and/or use of one or more products - A system, one or more methods, and one or more computer program products capable of automatically authorizing, clearing, and/or settling the withdrawal of funds from at least one account based on the matching of an offer condition attribute with at least one transaction attribute value. | 2017-11-09 |
20170323296 | SECURE MULTI-FACTOR TOKENIZATION-BASED PUSH/RESPONSE COMMERCE PLATFORM - Example methods, apparatuses, and systems are presented that allows a user to make a secure purchase online, directly through accessing an online advertisement and without being redirected to multiple, cumbersome webpages to process different pieces of information to complete the transaction, while still leveraging existing e-commerce entities, such as existing payment platforms and existing ad/content networks. The present system includes a commerce ads engine (CA engine) that interfaces with the user through an app associated with the CA engine, a tokenization platform for authentication of the user, and a merchant providing relevant offer and check out information about a product being advertised in an online ad. The present system integrates new information embedded into online advertisements that interfaces with the CA engine and allows for the user to reliably provide authentication while purchasing the desired product, and without accessing or being redirected to multiple websites as is conventionally done. | 2017-11-09 |
20170323297 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVISIONING PAYMENT TOKEN TO PAYMENT ACCESSORY DEVICE - A payment accessory device is operatively coupled to a smart speaker. The smart speaker provides a voice-implemented personal assistant software service. A method of operating the payment accessory device includes communicating with a remote server computer via a mobile device. The purpose of the communication is for the mobile device to receive a payment token. The payment token is provisioned from the mobile device to the payment accessory device while positioning the mobile device in proximity to the payment accessory device. The provisioning of the payment token includes transfer of data from the mobile device to the payment accessory device. | 2017-11-09 |
20170323298 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SECURELY TRANSFERRING FUNDS BETWEEN PERSONS - A computer-based method includes receiving, at a computer-based authorization system, a request to authorize payment to a first party at an electronic payment device from an account with funds that have been paid by a second party. The request includes an encrypted indication of an account number that corresponds to the account and a cash card number entered by the first party at the electronic payment device. The method further includes deriving an unencrypted version of the account number from the encrypted indication; comparing the unencrypted version of the account number to one or more identification codes in an electronic database, where one of the identification codes corresponds to the account; and authorizing payment from the account at the payment device based, at least in part, on whether the comparing yields a match between the unencrypted version of the account number and the identification code that corresponds to the account. | 2017-11-09 |
20170323299 | FACIAL RECOGNITION IDENTIFICATION FOR IN-STORE PAYMENT TRANSACTIONS - The present disclosure relates to systems, methods, and devices for facial recognition identification for in-store payment transactions. In particular, a payment system allows a user to engage in a payment transaction with a merchant to purchase goods or services at an in-store checkout location. For example, one or more implementations involve receiving a payment request to initiate an in-store payment transaction between a user and a merchant, the payment request including an image of the user. One or more embodiments identify a payment account for the user based on the image and send a payment confirmation request to a client device of the user. Additionally, one or more embodiments process the in-store payment transaction based on a confirmation response received from the client device. | 2017-11-09 |
20170323300 | UNIVERSAL SECURE REGISTRY - A mobile electronic device for authenticating a user involved in a transaction and a method thereof is provided. The mobile electronic device includes a biometric sensor, a user interface configured to PIN or other secret information known to the user, and one or more processors configured to authenticate the user based on the user input, authenticate the user based on the biometric information, retrieve identification information including mobile device and user account information, and generate a one-time authentication code specific to the transaction. The device also includes a wireless communications interface configured to transmit the identification information and the one-time authentication code to a computer system for processing, where generating the one-time authentication code occurs responsive to successful authentication of at least one of the biometric information and the user input, and where the wireless communications interface is further configured to receive an enablement signal indicating an approved transaction. | 2017-11-09 |
20170323301 | UNIVERSAL SECURE REGISTRY - A computer system for authenticating a user involved in a transaction and a method thereof is provided. The computer system comprises a communications interface configured to receive identification information including information specific to a mobile electronic device and information specific to a user account, and a one-time authentication code. One or more processors are configured to retrieve account information, and to use the retrieved account information to validate the received identification information and one-time authentication code. The one-time authentication code is generated by the mobile electronic device responsive to successful authentication of at least one of biometric information of the user and a user input comprising a PIN or other secret information known to the user. The biometric information is captured by a biometric sensor, and the user input is received by a user interface. | 2017-11-09 |
20170323302 | SECURITY SYSTEMS AND METHODS - A personal wireless communication device (PWD) has a data store that stores a first unique code. A registration database, remote from the PWD, receives and stores the first code. The registration database transmits to the PWD a second unique code that is stored in the PWD. A data reader at the PWD reads a third unique code that is carried on a payment card to be authenticated. A code generator at the PWD generates a fourth unique code in response to user input at the PWD. A code generator at the PWD generates a unique encryption key utilising the first, second, third and fourth codes. The PWD encrypts a unique authorisation code using the unique encryption key that it has generated and transmit the encrypted authorisation code to the remote registration database, which decrypts the authorisation code to authenticate the payment card by reference to the authorisation code. Once authenticated, the owner of the PWD transmits authorisation data to a retailer at location C, who in turn sends the authorisation data to the registration database for confirmation, upon receipt of which a transaction can be completed. | 2017-11-09 |
20170323303 | DISTRIBUTING COUPON CONTENT AND TRANSACTIONAL ADVERTISEMENTS - A system, method, and computer-readable storage medium having processor-executable instructions recorded thereon is provided for distributing transactional advertisements from a distribution site over a network to online publishers. Transactional data items are rendered by the online publishers, with control elements provided from the distribution site, to control use of the transactional data items on the user terminal. | 2017-11-09 |
20170323304 | ITEM STATUS TRACKING - A method and system for tracking the status of a label. The system can include a memory with a database. The database can include an indicator of the label status. The system can additionally include a processor that operates in accordance with instructions stored in the memory. The processor can receive a request to generate a label, update the first database with an identifier that indicates the existence of the label, receive a signal indicating that a service requested by the label has been provided, and update the identifier in the first database to indicate that the requested service has been provided. | 2017-11-09 |
20170323305 | MECHANISM FOR SECURING LEGAL INTERACTIONS - Provided are mechanisms and processes relating to securing legal interactions between a client and a legal professional. In one example, a process includes receiving a legal transaction request from a client, where the legal transaction request includes legal transaction parameters such as location and practice area. Legal professional profiles associated with legal professionals are then obtained, where the legal professional profiles include legal professional parameters such as level of experience and practice area. At least one legal professional is selected based on a comparison of the legal professional profiles and the legal transaction request. A legal services agreement is then generated by analyzing legal services agreements for prior legal transactions and determining vector space distances between these legal services agreements and the legal transaction parameters. The legal services agreement is transmitted to the client to secure a legal services arrangement between the client and a selected legal professional. | 2017-11-09 |
20170323306 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONSUMER-SELECTED ADVERTISING AND BRANDING IN INTERACTIVE MEDIA - A user of an interactive medium may select advertising for display on the user's avatar, property, or other user-associated environment. The invention presents one or more advertisements to the user and allows the user to select at least one advertisement to display. The user may also choose a location for displaying the selected advertisement. The invention presents the selected advertisement to other users of the interactive medium. The invention tracks these presentations or displays and rewards the original user based on the presentation. The tracking data may also be used to bill the advertiser or optimize the process of selecting and displaying advertisements. | 2017-11-09 |
20170323307 | SPECIFYING MEDIA CONTENT PLACEMENT CRITERIA - To control advertisement or other media content placement in content, content owners or other interested parties may include ad or media content placement metadata in the content item. Media content placement metadata may provide specifications such as a maximum media content (e.g., ad) duration, media content rating, media content size, payment information, placement location on a screen (i.e., for videos or images) and the like. The media content metadata may be extracted and used to retrieve matching media content such as advertisements for inclusion during play of a corresponding content item. | 2017-11-09 |
20170323308 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DISTRIBUTING ADVERTISEMENTS USING SOCIAL NETWORKS AND FINANCIAL TRANSACTION CARD NETWORKS - An exemplary method for distributing an offer to a mobile device includes identifying a location of a first mobile device, identifying offer preferences for a user of the first mobile device, and distributing the offer to the first mobile device. The offer is an offer for the purchase of goods or services, the offer meets the offer preferences of the user of the first mobile device, and the offer is encoded with a first offer identifier corresponding to the user of the first mobile device. | 2017-11-09 |
20170323309 | DYNAMIC TRACKING, ANALYSIS AND ACQUISITION OF E-COMMERCE ADVERTISING CHANNELS FOR TOLL-FREE MARKETS - The present invention assists the critical real-time decision making required to make important decision on bidding on various customer procurement commodities in a telephonic sales market. The invention provides dynamic pricing as a function of Internet or other types of advertisement costs for the telephonic market. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention is a virtual or physical e-commerce application with an interface connected to the telephonic routing system. A tracking identifier is used with an advertisement, usually a web-based ad, and routed via the vendor to the analysis and procurement system to measure advertising channel effectiveness. A pool of bidders can analyze the tracking data for effective and bid and procure an automated or manual | 2017-11-09 |
20170323310 | MOBILE-BASED COMMON PLATFORM ENABLING ELECTRONIC OUTLETS FOR COMPANIES - In one example, a method for providing a common platform enabling electronic outlets for companies is described. A plurality of companies and users may be enabled to subscribe with a cloud-based server. A mobile device of a user may be authenticated when the user logs-in through a client application running on the mobile device. A plurality of electronic outlets associated with the plurality of companies may be provided on a user interface of the mobile device of the user through the client application running on the mobile device. A selection of a first electronic outlet associated with a first company of the plurality of electronic outlets may be received. Benefit data specific to the first electronic outlet may be provided on the user interface of the mobile device via the client application upon selecting the first electronic outlet. | 2017-11-09 |
20170323311 | INFORMATION COLLECTION SYSTEM - An information collection system | 2017-11-09 |
20170323312 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR BRAND MANAGEMENT USING SOCIAL NETWORKS - A system for brand management using social networks comprising an application server, social network crawler software modules, third party service integration software modules, an analytics server, a report generator, a search engine, a behavioral analysis engine, a recommendation engine, and a database. A user registers and provides data pertaining to a brand. Upon retrieving content from a plurality of social networks pertaining to the brand, the analytics server module analyzes the content to a content value specific to the brand among members of the social networks. The behavioral analysis engine obtains content elements generated by a first member a social network and analyzes the first member's behavior to compute an audience value of the first member. The report generator prepares reports specific to the brand, the reports comprising at least indicia of content value, indicia of audience value, and recommendations for improving member engagement with the brand. | 2017-11-09 |
20170323313 | INFORMATION PROPAGATION METHOD AND APPARATUS - An information propagation method includes: determining a first user corresponding to to-be-propagated information, the first user being a user whose influence is greater than a preset value in an interest type network to which the first user belongs; and acquiring a user relation network that takes the first user as a starting point, and propagating the information in the user relation network by taking the first user as a starting point. The method improves efficiency and credibility of information propagation. | 2017-11-09 |
20170323314 | SURVEY BASED ON USER BEHAVIOR PATTERN - A method is provided to identify availability of a user and to prompt the user about a survey which is due on the user. The identification of availability is based on defined behavior patterns of the user. The survey is split into small components and provided to the user via multiple messaging applications. | 2017-11-09 |
20170323315 | INFORMATION COLLECTING APPARATUS AND INFORMATION COLLECTING METHOD - According to one embodiment, an information collecting apparatus outputs a question asking for an answer with a commodity to an output device of a user terminal. The information collecting apparatus detects a commodity which is input as an answer to the question from an input device of the user terminal. The information collecting apparatus acquires information on the detected commodity in association with information specifying a user of the user terminal. | 2017-11-09 |
20170323316 | Method for Documenting a Customer's Journey Using an Online Survey Platform - A method for documenting a customer's journey using an online survey platform has an administrator account and a plurality of user profiles, each of which are managed by a remote server and are also associated with corresponding PC devices. The method begins by receiving a project creation request from the administrator account. The project creation request initiates the survey creation process. Next, a survey template is created to function as the framework around which the survey is structured. The survey template is then formatted to contain the appropriate questions that gauge user experience while moving through the phases of a task. The formatted survey template is sent multiple user profiles. The user associated to those profiles then respond to the survey. Finally, the responses are analyzed and the results of the analysis is presented to the administrator account. | 2017-11-09 |
20170323317 | ELECTRONIC PRICE LABEL SYSTEM - An electronic price label system and a method for an electronic price label system, the electronic price label system comprising a product database in which products are listed. In the method a new price for a product is determined, wherein the new price is based at least in part on a current price of the product, a ratio of the currently used sales time to the total duration of the sales season, and a ratio of the sales of the products in the previous observation time frame, e.g. a week, to the planned sales of the products in the observation time frame. The determined new price for the product is sent to the electronic price label linked to the product. | 2017-11-09 |
20170323318 | ENTITY-SPECIFIC VALUE OPTIMIZATION TOOL - Examples of the disclosure provide a system and method for entity-specific value optimization. An elasticity estimation module receives a data request for an item associated with an individual entity, and identifies a value response curve for the item associated with the individual entity. The elasticity estimation module determines an elasticity measure for the item associated with the individual entity. A value optimization module dynamically adjusts the identified value response curve for the item associated with the individual entity as new data corresponding to the item and the individual entity is received, and generates a value optimization recommendation based on the dynamic adjustment. | 2017-11-09 |
20170323319 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING AI-BASED COST ESTIMATES FOR SERVICES - Systems and methods for providing AI-based cost estimates for services are disclosed. The method may comprise receiving, at one or more processors, data from a scanning of a location, the scanning performed by one or more of a camera, a computer vision device, an inertial measurement unit, or a depth sensor. Data may be received, at one or more processors, related to the identification of one or more key elements at the location. An itemized statement and quote of work to be performed may be generated at one or more processors. | 2017-11-09 |
20170323320 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DETERMINING PRICE COMPETITIVENESS - Disclosed are methods and systems for obtaining airfare data, analyzing the airfare data in response to user provided parameters, transforming the data into a visual display, and providing the display as a visual representation of competitiveness of a plurality of airfare for one or more first carriers compared to one or more second carriers which are different than the first carriers. The disclosed software provides a useful tool for quickly determining which airfares for a carrier are competitive, not competitive or are overly-competitive. The software can determine competitiveness of a carrier by demand segments, against one or more other carrier(s) and in any particular departure vs. return date combinations, over a wide range of possible date combinations. This allows the airlines to quickly diagnose its competitive position and respond quickly to changing airfare data in order to maintain competitiveness and/or reduce dilution (loss of potential revenues due to prices that are lower than what consumers are willing to pay). | 2017-11-09 |
20170323321 | SYSTEM FOR INCENTIVIZING CHARITABLE GIVING BASED ON PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND A METHOD OF USING THE SAME - A system and method for incentivizing charitable giving based on physical activity includes a computer and a sports ball associated with a first participant identifier. The sports ball includes a sensor that detects and logs activity data. The activity data is received by the computer, and in further transmitted to a server. The server stores the received activity data in a participant record associated with the first participant identifier and assigns a plurality of credits to the participant record associated with the first participant identifier based on the activity data stored in the participant record. Software executing on the server generates a report based on the credits assigned to the participant record associated with the first participant identifier and transmits the report to a participant computer associated with the first participant identifier. | 2017-11-09 |
20170323322 | Fortune Cookies With Promotional Messages - A fortune cookie includes a cookie and printed messages that promote the theme of the restaurant providing the fortune cookie and that provide promotional material that enhances customer loyalty (and enhanced business for the restaurant) through promotional advertising, giveaways, and the like. For example, a fortune cookie with a Southern country theme is formed from cornbread, shortbread, red velvet, pecan pie, or other American Southern or country-style flavor and includes messages on one side with a home-spun country theme and promotional materials on the other side. The promotional materials may include free items such as candy from a country store for the children and giveaways or discounts correlated with the point of sale on purchases from the country store or for future food purchases from the restaurant. The promotions also may be directed to cross-promotions with other retail and online establishments. | 2017-11-09 |
20170323323 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR REWARD POINTS REDEMPTION FOR COMPUTER-BASED ACTIVITY - A system and method for a user to have a credit card, debit card, or stored value card that is linked to their reward points account in such a way as to permit them to pay for purchases with a merchant by using the card, wherein the merchant uses the existing credit card payment infrastructure as if payment were being made/authorized by a bank linked to the credit card or debit card account, but in fact the card is linked to the user's reward points account. In this manner, the user and merchant can use the reward points account to pay for purchases in a seamless manner whereby reward points are used for consideration rather than or as a supplement to cash and traditional credit. | 2017-11-09 |
20170323324 | PREFERENCE BASED DATA COLLECTION AND DISCOUNTING SYSTEM - The preference based data collection and discounting system and methods herein collect consumer product preferences and track the buying habits of a consumer and reward consumers through discounts. The buying habits may be interrogated by a database of one or more algorithms, which will result in a collated database about consumer buying habits. This metadata may be used by vendors to make marketing assumptions that will influence a consumer's future purchase decisions. Consumers directly input and update their preferences as well. | 2017-11-09 |
20170323325 | Systems and Methods for Automating Design Transformations Based on User Preference and Activity Data - A method includes determining a recommended aspect for content that includes at least one image. The recommended aspect is determined at least in part based on activity data that indicates aspects of other content authored by or interacted with by a plurality of authors in at least one social network, website, application software, or mobile application software (app). The method further includes generating the content including the at least one image according to the recommended aspect. The recommended aspect is an aspect of the at least one image. | 2017-11-09 |
20170323326 | METHOD AND SYSTEMS FOR DETERMINING PROGRAMMATICALLY EXPECTED PERFORMANCES - Embodiments of the present disclosure provide methods, systems, apparatuses, and computer program products for assessing a performance and/or determining a programmatically expected performance of a marketing campaign. In one embodiment a method for creating a unified data set from a plurality of data sets received from third-party service providers is disclosed. In one embodiment, a graphical user interface is used to facilitate user access to visual representation of the unified data set. In one embodiment, the unified data set may be used to train a machine learning model. In some implementations, the machine learning model may predict an expected performance for marketing campaigns. In one embodiment, the machine learning model may adjust one or more parameters of the marketing campaign in order to increase the effectiveness of the marketing campaign and the associated revenue. | 2017-11-09 |
20170323327 | Synthetic Control Generation and Campaign Impact Assessment Apparatuses, Methods and Systems - The SYNTHETIC CONTROL GENERATION AND CAMPAIGN IMPACT ASSESSMENT APPARATUSES, METHODS AND SYSTEMS (“SCG”) provides a platform that, in various embodiments, is configurable to evaluate efficacy and/or return on investment of advertising and/or other media campaigns and/or to recommend actions for improvement thereof. In some implementations, multi-faceted campaigns of media and/or advertising behavior (e.g., including one or more of: internet advertising, television advertising, radio advertising, print advertising, social media publication, product placement, and/or the like) may be considered as a whole in relation to global metric behaviors and/or patterns in order to evaluate the efficacy and/or return on investment associated with the campaign as a whole. | 2017-11-09 |
20170323328 | SYSTEM FOR OUTPUTTING LINKED ADVERTISEMENT ON BASIS OF SMARTPHONE - The present invention relates to a system for outputting linked advertisement on basis of a smart phone which is capable of displaying an advertisement so that exposure frequency may be adjusted depending on an exposure index considering cost-per-click (CPC) price, possibility of selling products, and an amount of accumulated reward money, and displaying the advertisement information with a larger font size while more increasing possibility of access of users to advertisements having priority within a predetermined priority range. | 2017-11-09 |
20170323329 | Sequential Hypothesis Testing in a Digital Medium Environment - Sequential hypothesis testing techniques are described, which involve testing sequences of increasingly larger number of samples until a winner is determined. In particular, sequential hypothesis testing techniques is based on whether a result of a statistic has reached statistical significance that defines a confidence level in the accuracy of the results. Sequential hypothesis testing also permits the user to “peek” into the test through use of a user interface (e.g., dashboard) to monitor the test in real time as it is being run. Real time output of this information in a user interface as a part of sequential hypothesis testing may be leveraged in a variety of ways. In a first example, a user may make changes as the test is run. In another example, flexible execution is also made possible in that the test may continue to run even if initial accuracy guarantees have been met. | 2017-11-09 |
20170323330 | MEDIA SPEND MANAGEMENT USING REAL-TIME PREDICTIVE MODELING OF TOUCHPOINT EXPOSURE EFFECTS - A touchpoint exposure predictive model defines the relationship between a number of messages deployed in a message campaign and the response so as to model diminishing returns on the response due to the number of messages. A predicted message deployment—response curve is rendered on a display of a user computer depicts the effectiveness of the response to the messages. The user runs a simulation to increase the number of the messages in the campaign, and a modified message deployment—response curve for the messages, which incorporates diminishing returns, is rendered from the touchpoint exposure predictive model. | 2017-11-09 |
20170323331 | Sample Size Determination in Sequential Hypothesis Testing - Sample size determination techniques in sequential hypothesis testing in a digital medium environment are described. The sample size may be determined before a test to define a number of samples (e.g., user interactions with digital marketing content) that are likely to be tested as part of the sequential hypothesis testing in order to achieve a result. The sample size may also be determined in real time to define a number of samples that likely remain for testing in order to achieve a result. The sample size may be determined in a variety of ways, such as through simulation, based on a gap between conversion rates for different options being tested, and so on. | 2017-11-09 |
20170323332 | METHODS AND APPARATUS TO INCORPORATE SATURATION EFFECTS INTO MARKETING MIX MODELS - Methods and apparatus to incorporate saturation effects into marketing mix models are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a reach calculator to convert adstock data associated with an advertising campaign into effective reached realized (ERR) data based on a relationship between reach and adstocked gross rating points indicative of saturation effects of the advertising campaign on a target audience of the advertising campaign. The adstock data corresponds to adstocked gross rating points generated from marketing mix input data. The marketing mix input data includes (a) sales data associated with sales over a period of interest and (b) advertising data associated with the advertising campaign during the period of interest. The apparatus also includes a regression engine to determine an impact of the advertising campaign on the sales during the period of interest based on the ERR data analyzed relative to the sales data. | 2017-11-09 |
20170323333 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR GENERATING A SCHEDULE DATA STRUCTURE FOR PROMOTIONAL DISPLAY SPACE - Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with computing and generating schedule data structures for items in a display are described. In one embodiment, a method includes accessing a sales data structure corresponding to a store and analyzing sales records for items associated with subcategories to calculate a subcategory profit contribution score for each subcategory. The method may also include selecting a first subcategory from the subcategories as a candidate subcategory of items and analyzing the sales records to calculate an item profit contribution score for each of the items assigned to the candidate subcategory. A first item is selected from the candidate subcategory to be placed on a promotional display space, based upon the item profit contribution score of the first item. A schedule data structure is generated that assigns the first item to the promotional display space. | 2017-11-09 |
20170323334 | Segmented User Profiles - A web page personalization system comprises a profile database and a profile manager. The profile database stores profiles for users. The profiles are comprised of segments of profile information for the users. The profile manager receives a request over an Internet for a group of segments of profile information about a user from a requestor. The request includes an anonymized identifier stored on a device for the user. The profile manager identifies a profile from the profiles for the user in the profile database using the anonymized identifier. The profile is comprised of the segments of the profile information about the user. The profile manager sends a portion of the profile information corresponding to the group of segments in an anonymized form in a reply over the Internet to the requestor. The requestor uses the group of segments to generate a personalized web page for the user. | 2017-11-09 |
20170323335 | METHOD FOR ADVERTISING OR SELLING PRODUCTS ON BASIS OF USER'S SOCIAL NETWORK SERVICE ACTIVITY - Provided is a method for advertising a product on the basis of a social network service activity of a user comprises posting, by an operation server, information on a product online for a predetermined time period; receiving an experience application for the product, through a user device of each user, from at least one user who has registered in the operation server with SNS interworking information for interworking with at least one SNS server; selecting at least one person to experience the product who will promote the product from among the users who have applied for the experience according to a predetermined condition when the predetermined time elapses; and providing the product to the person to experience the product and requesting the user device to share the review information related to the product with another user in an SNS server registered by the person to experience the product. | 2017-11-09 |
20170323336 | DELIVERING CONTENT - The invention relates to a user device comprising: an output component for outputting media content to a user; computer storage holding a user model of a user, the user model comprising personal information of the user; an input component configured to receive a content identification document identifying pieces of content to be output to the user by the output component: a content modifier configured to modify the document received by the input component based on the user model of the user, the content modifier operable to filter out at least one piece of content identified by the content document to generate a modified identification document, wherein the output component is configured to interpret each piece of content identified in the modified identification document for outputting to the user, wherein the filtered out piece(s) of content is not provided to the user. | 2017-11-09 |
20170323337 | ADVERTISEMENT PUSH SYSTEM, APPARATUS, AND METHOD - An advertisement push apparatus and method are provided. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes: a foreground advertisement playing module configured to play a foreground advertisement according to a playing address of the foreground advertisement provided by a background server; a material displaying module configured to display preview materials of all or some of n candidate advertisements upon detection of a selection instruction triggered by a user during a process of playing the foreground advertisement, where n is a positive integer; and a candidate advertisement selecting and playing module configured to select at least one candidate advertisement from the n candidate advertisements for playing, in response to a selection operation of the user performed on the preview materials of the candidate advertisements. | 2017-11-09 |
20170323338 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR TARGETED MARKETING BASED ON ESTIMATED BUILDING OCCUPANCY - An occupancy based targeted marketing system for augmenting market control techniques corresponding to one or more buildings of one or more building types within a geographic subsector is provided. The occupancy based traffic control system includes a subsector occupancy aggregator, an other facility occupancy estimator, and a subsector market control processor. The subsector occupancy aggregator is configured to receive energy consumption and outside temperature streams corresponding to a portion of the one or more buildings, and is configured to employ occupancy components for each of the portion of the one or more buildings to process the streams, and is configured to generate average occupancy components corresponding to each building type within the portion of the one or more buildings and a first aggregated occupancy component for the first portion of the one or more buildings, where the occupancy components are generated by exclusively processing the streams. The other facility occupancy estimator is coupled to the subsector occupancy aggregator, and is configured to receive the average occupancy components, and is configured to match the average occupancy components to remaining ones of the one or more buildings not in the first portion according to building type, and is configured to generated a second aggregated occupancy component for the remaining ones. The subsector market control processor is configured to employ the first and second aggregated occupancy components to determine an occupancy estimate for the one or more buildings, and is configured to modify defaults of one or more corresponding market control devices based on the occupancy estimate to optimize targeted advertising to a flow of pedestrians and automotive vehicles in the geographic subsector. | 2017-11-09 |
20170323339 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR FOCUSED MARKETING MESSAGING BASED ON ESTIMATED BUILDING OCCUPANCY - An occupancy based focused marketing system for augmenting market control techniques corresponding to one or more buildings of one or more building types within a geographic subsector is provided. The occupancy based traffic control system has a subsector occupancy aggregator, an other facility occupancy estimator, and a subsector market control processor. The subsector occupancy aggregator is configured to receive energy consumption and outside temperature streams corresponding to a portion of the one or more buildings, and is configured to employ occupancy components for each of the portion of the one or more buildings to process the streams, and is configured to generate average occupancy components corresponding to each building type within the portion of the one or more buildings and a first aggregated occupancy component for the first portion of the one or more buildings, where the occupancy components are generated by exclusively processing the streams. The other facility occupancy estimator is coupled to the subsector occupancy aggregator, and is configured to receive the average occupancy components, and is configured to match the average occupancy components to remaining ones of the one or more buildings not in the first portion according to building type, and is configured to generated a second aggregated occupancy component for the remaining ones. The subsector market control processor is configured to employ the first and second aggregated occupancy components to determine an occupancy estimate for the one or more buildings, and is configured to identify particular ones of the one or more buildings based on the occupancy estimate, and is configured to transmit targeted marketing messages to the particular ones of the one or more buildings directed towards increasing traffic flow. | 2017-11-09 |
20170323340 | SELECTING CONTENT FOR PRESENTATION TO A GROUP OF ONLINE SYSTEM USERS BASED ON TEMPORAL, SPATIAL, INTEREST, AND PURPOSE INFORMATION OF THE GROUP - An online system identifies a group of users of the online system based on connections between the users of the group maintained by the online system and distances between the users during a particular time interval. The online system predicts a purpose of the group and one or more common interests shared by users of the group. The predicted purpose and common interest(s) are mapped to content items eligible to be presented to one or more users of the group. A confidence score and/or bid price is computed for each content item to which the purpose and common interest(s) of the group are mapped. The online system selects one or more content items for presentation to one or more users of the group based on the confidence scores/bid prices. | 2017-11-09 |
20170323341 | LOCATION-BASED SERVICE USING ZONES - A location-based information system and method therefor, which is responsive to the user's selection of geographic zone and parameters. A proprietary app (application) is installed in a mobile device of the user, which insures that a connection to the user from a caller is based on the user's defined zone and other parameters without the disclosing the exact location of the user. Various embodiments of the invention provide an option for user-to-user location-based connection without depending on a remote server. | 2017-11-09 |
20170323342 | ADVERTISEMENT MANAGEMENT BASED ON MOBILE RESOURCE PERFORMANCE - Mobile device performance is predicted for a specified timeframe to drive selection of presentation media to be rendered on the mobile device during the specified timeframe. Further, mobile device context is determined for the specified timeframe according to current and historical context data. Presentations identified as suitable for a given context are delivered to the mobile device according to the determined mobile device context. | 2017-11-09 |
20170323343 | ADVERTISEMENT MANAGEMENT BASED ON MOBILE RESOURCE PERFORMANCE - Mobile device performance is predicted for a specified timeframe to drive selection of presentation media to be rendered on the mobile device during the specified timeframe. Further, mobile device context is determined for the specified timeframe according to current and historical context data. Presentations identified as suitable for a given context are delivered to the mobile device according to the determined mobile device context. | 2017-11-09 |
20170323344 | CUSTOMER SEGMENTATION USING CUSTOMER VOICE SAMPLES - Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for customer segmentation. Customers can use mobile devices to interact with e-commerce retailers via Internet connections, in order to shop for products and services. E-commerce retailers aim to provide a more personalized shopping experience. Based on voice interactions with a customer, e-commerce retailers may apply embodiments of the present invention to store voice segments of a customer; assign voice segments to the customer; analyze the customer's spending behaviors; assign a customer segment to the customer based on the customer's spending behaviors; and generate offers to the customer based on the customer segment. | 2017-11-09 |
20170323345 | USING COGNITIVE COMPUTING TO PROVIDE TARGETED OFFERS FOR PREFERRED PRODUCTS TO A USER VIA A MOBILE DEVICE - Techniques are disclosed utilizing cognitive computing to improve commercial communications from vendors to users. A user's financial account(s) and location may be monitored to determine when a user is within a threshold distance of a vendor. If the user is within the threshold distance the methods and systems disclosed may determine which targeted commercial communications to transmit to the user based upon a shopping profile for the user. The shopping profile may include a dataset indicative of the shopping habits of the user. | 2017-11-09 |
20170323346 | Segmented Advertising Database System - A method and apparatus for managing a personalization database. The computer system selects a number of segments of profile information about a user from a plurality of segments of the profile information about the user located in a human resources database. A record for the user in the personalization database is identified by the computer system, wherein an anonymized identifier for the user is used to locate the record. The number of segments selected is placed, by the computer system, into the record for the user in the personalization database, wherein a profile manager for the personalization database handles requests for information about users. | 2017-11-09 |
20170323347 | DISTRIBUTION USING SOCIAL PROXIMITY - An initial user is selected and social data associated with the user is retrieved. Social contacts within the profile are identified and assessed for association with a product or product type. Social contacts are sorted according to their proximity to the initial user. Target or reference contacts are identified based on product association and proximity. | 2017-11-09 |
20170323348 | METHOD, APPARATUS, AND COMPUTER-READABLE MEDIUM FOR CONTENT DELIVERY - Method, apparatus, and computer-readable medium for content delivery, including receiving a plurality of content items and target criteria corresponding to a target consumer of the plurality of content items, embedding a plurality of metadata tags in the plurality of content items based at least in part on the target criteria, storing the plurality of content items in a campaign data structure, transmitting a content item in the plurality of content items to a user, selecting a content path from the one or more content paths linked to the content item within the campaign data structure based at least in part on one or more metadata tags embedded in a next content item in each of the one or more content paths and a user profile corresponding to the user, and transmitting information associated with the next content item in the selected content path to the user. | 2017-11-09 |
20170323349 | OFFLINE-TO-ONLINE MASS PERSONAL DIRECT MAIL AUTOMATION SYSTEM AND METHODS - The system and methods of the present invention enable a paradigm shift in mass mailing campaigns wherein printing personalized images in a mailer takes the conventional focus of direct mailing from the marketer and fundamentally changes the focus to the recipient. The recipient is at the center of the correspondence, not the marketer's desire to sell a service or product. The recipient notices this shift and is more likely to engage with the marketer. The mailer greatly facilitates allowing the recipient to go from the offline medium of the mailer to an online Web page where additional personalized content may be displayed. The marketer may be notified, for example via SMS or phone call, as soon as the Web page is visited by the recipient. | 2017-11-09 |