Patent Publication Number: US-2022215334-A1

Title: Utilizing near-field communications to select third party products/services for ordering from third party inventory management computer systems and methods of use thereof

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application No. 14/987,697, filed Jan. 4, 2016, entitled “ELECTRONIC GAMING PLATFORMS ALLOWING USERS TO REAL-TIME ADDITION OF THIRD PARTY PRODUCTS/SERVICES WHILE MAINTAINING PERSISTENT ELECTRONIC LINKS TO THIRD PARTY INVENTORY MANAGEMENT COMPUTER SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF USE THEREOF”, which claims the priority of U.S. provisional patent application No. U.S. Provisional Appln. No. 62/099,297, filed Jan. 2, 2015, entitled “SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DELIVERING A GAME TO A USER CONFIGURED TO ALLOW FOR A VIRTUAL SHOPPING EXPERIENCE,” which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for all purposes. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     In some embodiments, the present invention relates to electronic gaming platforms allowing users to real-time addition of third party products/services while maintaining persistent electronic links to third party inventory management computer systems and methods of use thereof. 
     BACKGROUND 
     There are video games allowing users to build virtual realities (e.g., houses, cities, etc.) where players can move freely through a virtual world. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     In some embodiments, the present invention is directed to a specifically programmed virtual gaming computer system, including: at least one specialized computer machine, including: a non-transient memory, electronically storing particular computer executable program code; and at least one computer processor which, when executing the particular program code, becomes a specifically programmed computer processor of the specifically programmed virtual gaming computer system that is configured to concurrently perform, for each of at least a thousand of users, at least the following operations: electronically causing, via a first computer network, to display at least one specialized dynamic real-time updatable graphical user interface, including: a plurality of specialized tools programmed to allow each user to operate a virtual business offering real-life products, services, or both in a virtual reality realm; where the plurality of programmed specialized tools comprises: at least one tool programmed to allow a particular user to add to a visual representation of a particular virtual business at least one real-life product, service, or both, which are being displayed via an electronic on-line presence of a third party; where the specifically programmed virtual gaming computer system is configured to at least: i) create at least one software object to represent the at least one real-life product or the at least one service and 2) maintain an electronic interface with a computer inventory management program of the third party to track availability and fulfillment of the at least one real-life product and the at least one real-life service; electronically and continuously calculating a product placement priority score value for each of at least a thousand products, services, or both; where the calculating the product placement priority score value is based, at least in part, on: i) a product value of a particular product or a particular service, ii) a product advertisement value of the particular product or the particular service, iii) a user status value of the particular user who offers the particular product or the particular service, and iv) a business value of the particular virtual business that the particular user uses to offer the particular product or the particular service; and electronically and visually promoting each product and each service within the virtual reality realm, based on a corresponding product placement score value. 
     In some embodiments, the electronic on-line presence is a website. 
     In some embodiments, the electronic on-line presence is an application programmed for portable electronic devices. 
     In some embodiments, the product value is based, at least in part, on: a quality rating of the particular product or the particular service and profitability value of the particular product or the particular service. 
     In some embodiments, the product advertisement value is based, at least in part, on: a number of unique shares and a pre-determined advertising factor. 
     In some embodiments, the user status value is based, at least in part, on: points accumulated by the particular user within the virtual reality realm. 
     In some embodiments, the electronically and visually promoting each product and each service based on the corresponding product placement score value, including: adjusting a visual presentation of each product and each service based on the corresponding product placement score value. 
     In some embodiments, the present invention is directed to a computer-implemented method, including: electronically causing, by a specifically programmed virtual gaming processor, via a first computer network to display at least one specialized dynamic real-time updatable graphical user interface, including: a plurality of specialized tools programmed to allow each user to operate a virtual business offering real-life products, services, or both in a virtual reality realm; where the plurality of programmed specialized tools comprises: at least one tool programmed to allow a particular user to add to a visual representation of a particular virtual business at least one real-life product, service, or both, which are being displayed via an electronic on-line presence of a third party; creating, by the specifically programmed virtual gaming processor, at least one software object to represent the at least one real-life product or the at least one service; maintaining, by the specifically programmed virtual gaming processor, an electronic interface with a computer inventory management program of the third party to track availability and fulfillment of the at least one real-life product and the at least one real-life service; electronically and continuously calculating, by the specifically programmed virtual gaming processor, a product placement priority score value for each of at least a thousand products, services, or both; where the calculating the product placement priority score value is based, at least in part, on: i) a product value of a particular product or a particular service, ii) a product advertisement value of the particular product or the particular service, iii) a user status value of the particular user who offers the particular product or the particular service, and iv) a business value of the particular virtual business that the particular user uses to offer the particular product or the particular service; and electronically and visually promoting, by the specifically programmed virtual gaming processor, each product and each service within the virtual reality realm, based on a corresponding product placement score value. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention will be understood and appreciated more fully from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, taken in conjunction with the drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary virtual gaming platform&#39;s architecture accordance with some embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary virtual gaming platform&#39;s architecture in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention; and 
         FIGS. 3-44  are screenshots which illustrate certain aspects of an exemplary virtual gaming platform in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     The figures constitute a part of this specification and include illustrative embodiments of the present invention and illustrate various objects and features thereof. Further, the figures are not necessarily to scale, some features may be exaggerated to show details of particular components. In addition, any measurements, specifications and the like shown in the figures are intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Among those benefits and improvements that have been disclosed, other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures. Detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely illustrative of the invention that may be embodied in various forms. In addition, each of the examples given in connection with the various embodiments of the invention which are intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. 
     Throughout the specification and claims, the following terms take the meanings explicitly associated herein, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The phrases “in one embodiment” and “in some embodiments” as used herein do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment(s), though it may. Furthermore, the phrases “in another embodiment” and “in some other embodiments” as used herein do not necessarily refer to a different embodiment, although it may. Thus, as described below, various embodiments of the invention may be readily combined, without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. 
     In addition, as used herein, the term “or” is an inclusive “or” operator, and is equivalent to the term “and/or,” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The term “based on” is not exclusive and allows for being based on additional factors not described, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In addition, throughout the specification, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references. The meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on.” 
     As used herein, a “virtual store” refers to (1) a brick-and-mortar store (e.g., Target store, Bloomingdale&#39;s, etc.) and/or online store (e.g., Overstock, Amazon, etc.) and/or (2) a store that solely exists in the game (i.e., the store does not exist outside of the game). 
     In some embodiments, the system(s) of the present invention is/are a game(s) configured to deliver a plurality of shopping events to at least one user. In some embodiments, the system(s) of the present invention is/are a game(s) configured to deliver a plurality of shopping events to a plurality of users. In some embodiments, the game can be configured to be played on any device having a graphical user interface, where a device can be a mobile phone, tablet, terminal, computer, watch, etc. In some embodiments, a shopping event can include purchasing a product/service, placing a product/service in a virtual store, marketing a product/service, offering and/or accepting money for a good/service, generating a receipt of purchase, or any other typical activities associated with shopping. In some embodiments, the game is configured to allow each user of a plurality of users to (i) shop for, (ii) discover, (iii) purchase, (iv) market, or any combination thereof, products and/or services from active domestic and/or international merchants, companies/brands, suppliers, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the game is configured to allow each user of a plurality of users to operate/manage a virtual store. In some embodiments, the game is configured to allow each user of a plurality of users to select at least one product/service and virtually place at least one product/service in the virtual store. In some embodiments, the game is configured to identify at least one purchase of the at least one product/service in the virtual store. In some embodiments, the game is configured to award at least one reward when the at least one product/service is purchased by at least one other user (e.g., a second user, a third user, a fourth user, etc.) of a plurality of users. In some embodiments, the game can be configured to allow each user of a plurality of users to identify, market, advertise, offer for sale, buy, or any combination thereof, actual products/services. In some embodiments, the game can be configured to allow a user to obtain the actual products/services at retail or service location (e.g., for pick-up and/or use in the store location) and/or by typical delivery methods. 
     In some embodiments, the system(s) of the present invention is/are a game(s) configured to allow a plurality of users to open, grow, close, manage, or any combination thereof, at least one virtual store. In some embodiments, the game is configured to allow the plurality of users to open, grow, close, manage, or any combination thereof, a plurality of virtual stores (e.g., 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, etc.). In some embodiments, the game is configured to allow each user to stock each virtual store with the products/services identified by the user. In some embodiments, the game is configured to allow a greater amount of products/services to be sold in a larger store. In some embodiments, the game is configured to allow physically larger products/services to be sold in a larger store. In some embodiments, the game is configured to allow a store to be virtually occupied by 1-1,000,000 items (for example, but not limited to, rings, lip gloss, wallets, etc.). In some embodiments, the game is configured to allow a user to stock a store with 1-100,000 items. In some embodiments, the game is configured to allow a user to stock a store with 1-10,000 items. In some embodiments, the game is configured to allow a user to stock a store with 1-1,000 items. In some embodiments, the game is configured to allow a user to stock a store with 1-100 items. In some embodiments, the game is configured to allow a user to stock a store with 1-50 items. In some embodiments, the game is configured to allow a user to stock a store with 1-10 items. In some embodiments, the game is configured to allow a user to stock a store with 10-1,000,000 items. In some embodiments, the game is configured to allow a user to stock a store with 50-1,000,000 items. In some embodiments, the game is configured to allow a user to stock a store with 100-1,000,000 items. In some embodiments, the game is configured to allow a user to stock a store with 1,000-1,000,000 items. In some embodiments, the game is configured to allow a user to stock a store with 10,000-1,000,000 items. In some embodiments, the game is configured to allow a user to stock a store with 100,000-1,000,000 items. 
     In some embodiments, the game is configured to allow a user to stock a larger store with larger merchandise, e.g., but not limited to, bicycles, cars, motorcycles, posters, furniture, etc. In some embodiments, larger merchandise can occupy a virtual space in the virtual store comparable to actual measurements of the merchandise. 
     In some embodiments, the inventive system(s) of the present invention is/are a game(s) configured to operate in real-time. In some embodiments, a virtual tracking number is assigned to each item purchased by a user. 
     In some embodiments, it is understood that an illustrative inventive system of the present invention (the illustrative virtual gaming platform) is programmed to allow a plurality of users to concurrently perform in real-time each and every action/operation described herein with respect to being performed by and/or for a single user. In some embodiments, the plurality of user includes at least 100 users. In some embodiments, the plurality of user includes at least 1,000 users. In some embodiments, the plurality of user includes at least 10,000 users. In some embodiments, the plurality of user includes at least 100,000 users. In some embodiments, the plurality of user includes at least 1,000,000 users. In some embodiments, the plurality of user includes at least 1,000,000,000 users. 
     In some embodiments, the system(s) of the present invention is/are a game(s) configured to allow a user to view an inventory of a virtual store similar to an actual experience of shopping in a brick-and-mortar store, e.g., inventory viewed by walking through aisles of a store. In some embodiments, the user is allowed to view a virtual store in a manner similar to view locations as displayed by Google Earth, where users can travel to the store, to see the store from the exterior at various angles where the user can virtually walk/travel through the aisles of a store, browse book shelves, shop racks of clothes, or any other typical actions associated with general shopping patterns of a shopper in a brick-and-mortar store. 
     In some embodiments, the system(s) of the present invention is/are a game(s) configured to allow at least 1,000 users to shop simultaneously, where shopping can include, e.g., but not limited to, browsing, researching, paying, receiving, etc. In some embodiments, at least 10,000 users can shop simultaneously. In some embodiments, at least 100,000 users can shop simultaneously. In some embodiments, at least 1,000,000 users can shop simultaneously. In some embodiments, at least 10,000,000 users can shop simultaneously. In some embodiments, at least 100,000,000 users can shop simultaneously. In some embodiments, at least 1,000,000,000 users can shop simultaneously. 
     In some embodiments, the system(s) of the present invention is/are a game(s) configured to deliver identifying features to a user regarding specific items (e.g., tagged items), where, as a non-limiting example, a “Schwinn bike” can include 1,000 bikes, where non-limiting examples of each of the 1,000 Schwinn bikes are: “classic deluxe 7 women&#39;s,” “tango tandem,” “town &amp; country,” “fiesta,” “hornet,” “meridian,” or any other product identified as a Schwinn bicycle. In some embodiments, the specific item (e.g., tagged item) can be a “Revlon lip product,” which can, include 1,000 Revlon lip products, where non-limiting examples of each of the 1,000 Revlon lip products can include products from the “colorburst™,”“colorstay™,” or “ultra HD™” product lines, as non-limiting examples: colorburst™ lacquer balm having a Coquette shade, colorstay™ overtime lipcolor having a Forever Pink shade, ultra HD™ lip lacquer having a HD Pink Ruby shade, or any similar products as marketed in these or similar Revlon product lines. 
     In some embodiments, the system(s) of the present invention is/are a game(s) configured to allow a user to (i) advertise at least one product/service and/or (ii) store the at least one product/service, where the advertising and/or storing can be recorded/used by other virtual platforms, e.g., but not limited to, social networks (e.g., but not limited to, Facebook, LinkedIn, MySpace, Twitter, Pinterest, etc.). In some embodiments, the game allows a status of the virtual store to grow/increase within a community when a user actively manages the virtual store (e.g., but not limited to, buying, selling, marketing, or any combination thereof, product/services). In some embodiments, the game is configured to allow both game advertising and external advertising. External advertising opportunities include but not limited to traditional and digital media sources such as Radio Ads, TV Ads, Billboards, Social Media Banner Ads, etc. In game advertising includes but not limited to billboards, radio broadcasts, banner ads, direct peer to peer communication and alerts. In some embodiments, a status can grow/increase by creating a larger store, moving a store to a location of higher traffic, adding socially acknowledged higher profile features to the store (e.g., but not limited to, a helipad, a limo service, a personal shopper, etc.). In some embodiments, an increased status is directly proportional to the increased virtual currency the store earns, e.g., per hour, day, week, month, year, etc. In some embodiments, the game is configured to offer real products/services for sale and receive tender for purchasing the real products/services. In some embodiments, the game is configured to illustrate at least one game board, where the game board can be a community (e.g., town, city, hamlet, etc.) that is currently in existence (e.g., New York, New York; London, England; Paris, France, etc.). In some embodiments, the game is configured to illustrate customers entering and leaving the virtual store(s). In some embodiments, the game is configured to illustrate customer groups or crowds indicating level of activity in the virtual store(s). 
     In some embodiments, the system(s) of the present invention is/are a game(s) configured to deliver a shopping experience to at least one user (i.e., a shopper, where the shopper can be a buyer and/or seller of product(s)/service(s)). In some embodiments, the game is configured to allow a user to launch (i.e., start) the game and provide a plurality of opportunities to the user to participate in typical shopping events, e.g., but not limited to, locate products and/or services using any typical search parameter, e.g., but not limited to: geolocation searching, combination of key word, geography, product names, descriptions, price point, or any combination thereof. 
     In some embodiments, the system(s) of the present invention is/are a game(s) configured to deliver at least one prompt to the user, where the prompt provides a selection of products/services to the user to allow the user to identify the products/services of interest to that user. In some embodiments, some non-limiting examples of products provided to the user in the prompt can be: a watch from Zurich, Switzerland, a handbag from Santa Monica, California, shoes from Florence, Italy etc. In some embodiments, some non-limiting examples of services provided to the user in the prompt can be: a lunch in Tokyo, Japan, or a dinner in New York City, N.Y., etc. 
     In some embodiments, the system(s) of the present invention is/are a game(s) configured to present an illustrative news feed (e.g., including pictures of products/services) to a user, where the news feed can include products/services that competing virtual stores are stocking and/or selling, products/services that a plurality of users are purchasing, products/services that are newly available for purchasing/stocking, etc. In an embodiment, for example, the game will provide a plurality of images of actual Men&#39;s Swiss Watches to a user (e.g., but not limited to, displaying the plurality of images in a grid form) in response to a user initiating a search specifying “Men&#39;s Swiss Watches”. In some embodiments, the game is configured to visually display details about a product. In some embodiments, the game is configured to allow a user to add/remove products/services to a virtual shopping cart. In some embodiments, the game is configured to allow a user to virtually place/identify products/services as “favorites”. In some embodiments, the game is configured to allow a user to virtually place/identify products/services as products/services the user is not interested in. 
     In some embodiments, the system(s) of the present invention is/are a game(s) configured to allow a user to virtually search and/or browse products/services. In some embodiments, the game is configured to allow a user to identify a product/service as a “favorite” item. In some embodiments, the game is configured to allow a user to buy products/services using a typical eCommerce platform (e.g., Amazon using Paypal). In some embodiments, the game is configured to allow a user to build the user&#39;s game statistics using passive and/or interactive methods. In some embodiments, the game is configured to allow a user to earn increased virtual currency by offering shopping mini-games. In an embodiment, for example, a mini-game is delivered to a user, and upon completion of the game, the user is awarded 25 additional cents. In some embodiments, the game is configured to allow a user to choose a virtual currency (e.g., coins, dollars, cents, yen, etc.). In an embodiment, for example, the awarded cents are virtual tender that can be used for increasing the size of the user&#39;s store and/or buy more expensive products/services. In some embodiments, the awarded money can be provided to the user to allow the user to purchase real products/services. In some embodiments, the awarded money cannot be used to purchase real products/services. In some embodiments, the awarded money can be provided to the user to allow the user to gain an increased status of the virtual store (e.g., addition of a percentage of store space (5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, etc.), or moving the location of the virtual store to a location of higher traffic (e.g., from Ithaca, New York to New York City, N.Y.)). In some embodiments, the awarded money can be obtained in the form of cash back payments. In some embodiments, the awarded money can be obtained in the form of commissions on the sale of products. In some embodiments, the awarded money can be increased the player earning additional experience or performing actions. 
     In some embodiments, the system(s) of the present invention is/are a game(s) configured to deliver a news feed to a user, where the news feed includes a text entry location having an auto-complete functionality. In some embodiments, the text entry location can be at a centrally located part of the screen, e.g., the top of the screen. In some embodiments, the system is configured to identify a search string input by a user. In some embodiments, each word in the search string can be visually encapsulated (e.g., the word is placed in a shape (e.g., a pill shape, a block shape, etc.)). In some embodiments, the system of the present invention allows each word to be deleted by the user, where each word is independent of other words in the search string. In some embodiments, the system of the present invention is configured to query each word provided by the user, where the query compares the word provided by the user to words stored (i.e.,“tagged words” or “tags”) in a database. In some embodiments, the tagged words/tags can be identifiers of specific products, e.g., but not limited to, “Rolex” is a tag for “gold Rolex watch,” “Revlon” is a tag for “Revlon lipstick shade 100”, etc. In some embodiments, the database is configured to include product tags, keywords, business names, places, addresses, brands, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the search string can be configured to remain in place until, e.g., the user types in another search string, the user searches a link from within a city, the user searches a link within a category search, the user searches a store or another user, or any combination thereof. 
       FIG. 5A  illustrates an embodiment of the present invention, showing features of the system including: a coach, product results, modes, mini games on a GUI.  FIG. 5B  illustrates an embodiment of the present invention, showing features of the system including sharing abilities, adding items to a cart, inventory, favorites, or any combination thereof on a GUI. 
       FIG. 6A  illustrates an embodiment of the present invention, showing features of the system including: sponsored listings and organic results on a GUI.  FIG. 6B  illustrates an embodiment of the present invention, showing features of the system including gathering additional details regarding products/services on the GUI. 
       FIG. 7A  illustrates an embodiment of the present invention, showing features of the system including: the parameters of “my store mode”, including the coach avatar, customers, starter shop, starter automobile, indicators, and upgrade center on the GUI.  FIG. 7B  illustrates an embodiment of the present invention, showing features of the system including: providing hints to a user on the GUI. 
       FIG. 8A  illustrates an embodiment of the present invention, showing features of the system including: upgrading the user&#39;s store, construction activity, and increasing speed of construction on the GUI.  FIG. 8B  illustrates an embodiment of the present invention, showing features of the system including: identifying open/closed status of the user&#39;s store, store virtual inventory, avatar coach, and side menu including further details on the GUI. 
       FIGS. 9A and 9B  illustrate embodiments of the present invention, showing features of the system including information regarding the name of the store on the GUI. 
       FIG. 10A  illustrates an embodiment of the present invention, showing features of the system including information regarding shopping for bling, e.g., a private jet, on the GUI. 
       FIG. 10B  illustrates an embodiment of the present invention, showing features of the system including information regarding promoting the store on the GUI. 
       FIG. 11A  illustrates an embodiment of the present invention, showing features of the system including information regarding advertising the store through various social media websites (e.g., Facebook, etc.) on the GUI. 
       FIG. 11B  illustrates an embodiment of the present invention, showing features of the system including information regarding features that can be upgraded using the game of the inventive system (i.e., an advanced level of the shopping game) on the GUI. 
       FIG. 12A  illustrates an embodiment of the present invention, showing features of the system including information regarding buying a franchise and/or billboard ads on the GUI.  FIG. 12B  illustrates an embodiment of the present invention, showing features of the system including information regarding booking a real hotel stay using the game of the system of the present invention on the GUI. 
       FIG. 13A  illustrates an embodiment of the present invention, showing features of the system including information regarding purchasing a jet and the impact this purchase can have for purchased plane trips on the GUI through the game.  FIG. 13B  illustrates an embodiment of the present invention, showing features of the system including purchasing real tickets (e.g., using Ticketmaster) on the GUI through the game. 
       FIG. 14A  illustrates an embodiment of the present invention, showing features of the system including donating points (or real money) to charities on the GUI.  FIG. 14B  illustrates an embodiment of the present invention, showing features of the system including a mini-game (i.e., a timed game within the game of the inventive system) on the GUI. 
       FIGS. 15A and 15B  illustrate embodiments of the present invention, showing additional features of the system regarding a mini-game on the GUI. 
     An Illustrative Example of PRODUCT PLACEMENT PRIORITY (PPP) in Accordance with Some Embodiments of the Present Invention 
     In some embodiments, the PPP determines each products placement and/or relative size in a search result and/or the generic news feed. For example, Each Product will have a PPP score which is used as a seed value for the Ranking or Placement in the search result. For example, the PPP Score can be calculated as follows: 
       PPP Score=(Product Value+Product Advertisement Value+Player Status Value+Store Value)*random number. 
     In some embodiments, the illustrative inventive programmed virtual platform of the present invention can assign a Product Value (e.g., but not limited to, scored as values from 1-100) to each product or service. For example, the Product Value is a value attributed to a unique product or service, and is independent of the store or player&#39;s actions. This is a global value stored with the product or service itself and every store that caries it will have this same value. 
     Below are illustrative exemplary non-limiting calculations that are related to the Product Value parameter and can be utilized by the illustrative inventive programmed virtual platform of the present invention to manage the displayed visual output: 
     1) Product Value=Quality Rating+Profitability 
     2) Quality Rating=Reviews Score+Return Percentage+Stores Listed 
     3) Review Score=(Sales−Returns)/Sales*Return Factor+Review Rating*Review Factor 
     4) Review Rating=Vendor Product Rating*Review Factor 
     5) Review Factor=set to integer (start at 100) 
     6) Vendor Product Rating=Unique to each supplier. Normalize Scale from (0-1) 
     7) Profitability=List Price/Our Cost*Profit Factor 
     8) Profit Factor=set to integer (start at 100) 
     9) Stores Listed=Appearance in All Stores/Total Players * Listed Factor 
     10) Listed Factor=set to integer (start at 100) 
     11) Product Advertisement Value=Number of Unique Shares*Ad Factor 
     12) Ad Factor=set to integer (start at 100) 
     13) Player Status Value=Sum of all Bling Points (or activity points)*Player Status Factor 
     14) Player Status Factor=set to integer (start at 100) 
     15) Product Image Size: Image size keeps same aspect ratio as original. The original long axis of the image is scaled to 600 pixels and then further scaled to a value between 20-100% using the Image Scale Factor of that size during run time. In some embodiments, the illustrative inventive programmed virtual platform of the present invention can manipulate Images to put them into a collage to fit within viewing space; therefore, maximizing the screen space coverage. 
     16) Image Scale Factor=PPP score (normalized between 20% and 100% of 600 pixels) and then rounded to values that are multiples of 25 pixels with a max size of 600 pixels. 
     An Illustrative Example of Algorithm-Driven Rule Engine Implementation in Accordance with Some Embodiments of the Present Invention ( FIG. 16 ) 
     Tables 1 lists various algorithms that the illustrative inventive programmed virtual platform of the present invention can utilize in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, as outlined in an exemplary workflow of  FIG. 16  (parts  16 A- 16 E), to manage at least 1) the players activities and product/service-related actions within the game environment and 2) a manner how the game environment interfaces with other computer systems (e.g., inventory management /fulfillment systems of actual real-life businesses). 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
             
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 1 
                 Cost Per Unit 
                 CPU 
               
               
                 2 
                 CheckURL 
                 CheckURL 
               
               
                 3 
                 CheckStock 
                 CheckStock 
               
               
                 4 
                 Internal Product Demand 
                 IPD 
               
               
                 5 
                 List of Stores in Search Radius 
                   
               
               
                 6  
                 List of Stores in User Radius 
                   
               
               
                 7  
                 Player Level 
                 PL 
               
               
                 8 
                 Revenue Per unit 
                 RPU 
               
               
                 9  
                 Store Power 
                 SP 
               
               
                 10  
                 RoundLog10 
                 RoundLog10 
               
               
                 11  
                 Store Product Power 
                 SPP 
               
               
                 12  
                 Store Product Search Strength 
                 SPSS 
               
               
                 13 
                 Global Search Engine Optimization And 
                 GSEOAR 
               
               
                   
                 Result 
                   
               
               
                 14 
                 Brand Collected Revenue 
                 BCR 
               
               
                 15 
                 Player Experience Points 
                 PEP 
               
               
                 16 
                 Collected Revenue Per Product 
                 CRPP 
               
               
                 17 
                 Daily Like Demand 
                 DLD 
               
               
                 18 
                 Daily Purchase Demand 
                 DPD 
               
               
                 19  
                 Daily Search Demand 
                 DSD 
               
               
                 20 
                 Daily Store Demand 
                 DSTD 
               
               
                 21 
                 Total Internal Product Store Demand 
                 TIPSD 
               
               
                 22 
                 Exclusive Internal Product Demand 
                 EIPDI 
               
               
                   
                 Influence 
                   
               
               
                 23 
                 Internal Product Current Supply 
                 IPCS 
               
               
                   
                 Allocation 
                   
               
               
                 24 
                 Internal Product Supply Allocation Ratio 
                 IPSAR 
               
               
                 25 
                 Store Crowd 
                 SC 
               
               
                 26 
                 Store Level Cost (SLC) 
                 SLC 
               
               
                 27 
                 Store Floor Upgrade Cost (SFUC) 
                 SFUC 
               
               
                 28 
                 Store Floor Starting (SFS) 
                 SFS 
               
               
                 29 
                 Store Floor Maximum (SFM) 
                 SFM 
               
               
                 30 
                 Store Floor Additional (SFA) 
                 SFA 
               
               
                 31 
                 Store Floor Maximum Inventory (SFMI) 
                 SFMI 
               
               
                 32 
                 Store Shelf Spaces per Floor (SSSF) 
                 SSSF 
               
               
                 33 
                 Store Shelf Spaces Starting (SSSS) 
                 SSSS 
               
               
                 34 
                 Store Shelf Spaces Max (SSSM) 
                 SSSM 
               
               
                 35 
                 Store Maximum Number of Staff (SMNS) 
                 SMNS 
               
               
                 36 
                 Store Maximum Total Inventory (SMTI) 
                 SMTI 
               
               
                 37 
                 Store Product Advertising Power 
                 SPAP 
               
               
                 38 
                 Store Product Last Facebook Share 
                 SPLFS 
               
               
                 39 
                 Store Product Last Twitter Share 
                 SPLTS 
               
               
                 40 
                 Store Product Last Pinterrest Share 
                 SPLPS 
               
               
                 41 
                 Store Product Last Google +Share 
                 SPLGS 
               
               
                 42 
                 Store Floor Additional Inventory 
                 SFAI 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Tables 2-42 illustrate operational details for various algorithms listed in Table 1. 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
             
               
                 TABLE 2 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                 Algorithm ID 
                 01 
                   
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 Name 
                 Cost Per Unit 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Short 
                 CPU 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Summary 
                 Cost for one unit of an Internal product at a time 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 (in Stocket Bucks) 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Detail  
                 Cost per unit indicates the cost of one virtual 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Description 
                 good that is carried in a store. This cost is based 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 upon the real retail cost of the good, if available 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 and then multiplied by a random factor that has 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 an effect of some products being more profitable 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 than others. The Cost Per Unit is set as a 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 fraction of the Retail Cost and is calculated be 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 the Retail Cost divided by the Retail Cost 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 Factor. 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Formula 
                 =Retail Cost/Retail Cost Factor 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                 TABLE 3 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Algorithm ID 
                 02 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 Name 
                 CheckURL 
               
               
                   
                 Short 
                 CheckURL 
               
               
                   
                 Summary 
                 Check a product URL 
               
               
                   
                 Detail  
                 Check if a product URL is still valid 
               
               
                   
                 Description 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Formula 
                 Check internet 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Call Product URL, if return HTTP  
               
               
                   
                   
                 error return false, if HTTP OK, return  
               
               
                   
                   
                 true Check Native URL 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
             
               
                 TABLE 4 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                 Algorithm ID 
                 03 
                   
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 Name 
                 CheckStock 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Short 
                 CheckStock 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Summary 
                 Check is a product is still valid or not 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Detail  
                 Check if a product still exist in the system and 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Description 
                 remove it if necessary 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Formula 
                 The Internal Product has a double value element 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 with functions: InternalProductValidation 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 Value 1: Date of Last Check 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 Value 2: LastValidation 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 Function Check Stock 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 case 1: Date of last Check = Today 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 return LastValidation 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 case 2: Date of last Check = Not today 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 LastValidation = CheckURL(productID) 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 DateofLastCheck = today 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 return LastValidation 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
             
               
                 TABLE 5 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                 Algorithm ID 
                 04 
                   
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 Name 
                 Internal Product Demand 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Short 
                 IPD 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Summary 
                 Level of product demand 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Detail  
                 The Internal Product Demand Measures the 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Description 
                 relative demand of a given product in the 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 system. The higher the demand, the higher it&#39;s 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 GSEOaR will be as well as many other 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 functions in the system that utilize Product 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 Demand, these include Crowd Size and Virtual 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 Sales Volumes. 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Formula 
                 The calculation of the Out is the following: 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 temp_level = 0 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 temp_level += search_demand_weight * DSD 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 result 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 temp_level += store_demand_weight * DSTD 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 result 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 temp_level += purchase_demand_weight * DPD 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 result 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 temp_level += like_demand_weight * DLD 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 result 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 temp_level += total_ip_demand_weight * 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 TIPSD result 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 temp_level = temp_level*EIPDI 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 level = max 10 ( | temp_level/ 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 level_demand_increment | ) 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 Out = level 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
             
               
                 TABLE 6 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                 Algorithm ID 
                 05 
                   
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 Name 
                 List of Stores in Search Radius 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Short 
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Summary 
                 returns users and stores in a circular area based 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 on the user&#39;s location and out to a distance or the 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 Search Radius 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Detail  
                 The List of Stores in a Search Radius is a list of 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Description 
                 store names that is generated by a search result 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 of a user. The Search Radius is a user defined 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 distance from the users stated location outward, 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 defining a circular search area. All stores in this 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 search area are returned as a list of results of 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 store names. As an example if the user sets the 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 Search Radius to 20 miles, the search result 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 returns all the users and their store names within 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 a radius of 20 miles from the user&#39;s location. 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 The result will return all users within the 20 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 mile search radius. 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Formula 
                 Ordered List 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
             
               
                 TABLE 7 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                 Algorithm ID 
                 06 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 Name 
                 List of Stores in User Radius 
               
               
                   
                 Short 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Summary 
                 returns users and stores in a circular area up to 
               
               
                   
                   
                 the number of of users specified in the user 
               
               
                   
                   
                 radius. The result returns the closest users 
               
               
                   
                   
                 expanding outward from the user until the 
               
               
                   
                   
                 number specified is met. 
               
               
                   
                 Detail  
                 The List of Stores in a User Radius is a list of 
               
               
                   
                 Description 
                 store names that is generated by a search result 
               
               
                   
                   
                 of a user. The Search User Radius is a user 
               
               
                   
                   
                 defined number of Users radiating outward from 
               
               
                   
                   
                 the users stated location outward, defining a 
               
               
                   
                   
                 circular search area. All Users and User&#39;s stores 
               
               
                   
                   
                 in this search area are returned as a list of results 
               
               
                   
                   
                 of store names. As an example if the user sets 
               
               
                   
                   
                 the User Radius to 20, the search result is the 
               
               
                   
                   
                 closest other 20 users, near the user&#39;s location. 
               
               
                   
                   
                 The result will be limited to only 20 users 
               
               
                   
                   
                 regardless of distance to the user. 
               
               
                   
                 Formula 
                 Ordered List 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
             
               
                 TABLE 8 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                 Algorithm ID 
                 07 
                   
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 Name 
                 Player Level 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Short 
                 PL 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Summary 
                 Player level calculation 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Detail  
                 The Player Level is an indication of the player&#39;s 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Description 
                 experience and effort in the application. 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 Currently this is capped at level 20. As the 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 player level increases, the player&#39;s points and 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 opportunity to earn additional revenue is 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 increased. A player&#39;s commission and cash back 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 on sales is based on a linear equation of the 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 players level with the maximum awarded to a 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 player at level 20. A player&#39;s level is determined 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 by an algorithm and is based on experience 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 earned with game play and shopping behavior. 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 This includes buying products, searching for 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 products, advertising products, upgrading a store 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 and city, adding followers, adding new products 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 sharing products, stocking products and earning 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 virtual currency. 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Formula 
                 Experience Points needed to get this level: 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 RoundLog10(player_factor_exponential ∧ player 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 level-2)*player_factor_base) 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
               
             
               
                 TABLE 9 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 Algorithm ID 
                 08 
               
               
                 Name 
                 Revenue_Per_unit 
               
               
                 Short 
                 RPU 
               
               
                 Summary 
                 Revenu Per Unit in function of the CPU 
               
               
                   
                 calculated with a random factor 
               
               
                 Detail Description 
                 Revenue per unit, simple linear equation of the 
               
               
                   
                 cost with a factor. The basic calculation is the 
               
               
                   
                 cost per unit times the product demand. A 
               
               
                   
                 random value is also added along with any 
               
               
                   
                 modifiers set by the system. 
               
               
                 Formula 
                 RPU = Integer roundup [IPD × (CPU + 
               
               
                   
                 (Random (1,Max Rev))) × Product Revenue 
               
               
                   
                 Special Factor] 
               
               
                   
                 Max Rev = Maximum Revenue set for all 
               
               
                   
                 products in super admin as INT, start at a value 
               
               
                   
                 of 100 
               
               
                   
                 Product Revenue Special Factor = Special game 
               
               
                   
                 characteristic for that product. Maybe due to a 
               
               
                   
                 promotion we are running or in game event. 
               
               
                   
                 This is set to one normally. If other than one, we 
               
               
                   
                 may need to apply a time factor to it, whereas 
               
               
                   
                 the special runs for a limited amount of time 
               
               
                   
                 then reverts to 1. 
               
               
                   
                 IMPORTANT: The RPU is set when the 
               
               
                   
                 product is ingested the first time then it doesn&#39;t 
               
               
                   
                 change 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
               
             
               
                 TABLE 10 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 Algorithm ID 
                 09 
               
               
                 Name 
                 Store Power 
               
               
                 Short 
                 SP 
               
               
                 Summary 
                 Power of one store depending on the Store 
               
               
                   
                 Crowd 
               
               
                 Detail Description 
                   
               
               
                 Formula 
                 total = 0 
               
               
                   
                 total += store_brand_factor*nob 
               
               
                   
                 total += store_crowd_factor*SC 
               
               
                   
                 total += store_product_power_factor*tpp 
               
               
                   
                 return total*store_level*store_level_factor 
               
               
                   
                 using: 
               
               
                   
                 nob = ΣBrand Number of Brand in the Mall 
               
               
                   
                 tpp = ΣSPP Total Product Power 
               
               
                   
                 sl Store Level 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                 TABLE 11 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 Algorithm ID 
                 10 
               
               
                   
                 Name 
                 RoundLog10 
               
               
                   
                 Short 
                 RoundLog10 
               
               
                   
                 Summary 
                 Log10 Round 
               
               
                   
                 Detail Description 
                 With this formula we can have a number round 
               
               
                   
                   
                 at his maximum digit (178863 will be round 
               
               
                   
                   
                 200000) 
               
               
                   
                 Formula 
                 = round(x, -ROUNDDOWN(log(x)/log(10),0)) 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
               
             
               
                 TABLE 12 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 Algorithm ID 
                 11 
               
               
                 Name 
                 Store Product Power 
               
               
                 Short 
                 SPP 
               
               
                 Summary 
                 Product game power will influence Store power 
               
               
                 Detail Description 
                 The Store Product Power (unique product) is the 
               
               
                   
                 sum of the product demand and the store 
               
               
                   
                 advertising power, multiplied by the exclusive 
               
               
                   
                 strength of the product. 
               
               
                 Formula 
                 Store Product Power = [IPD + SPAP] * SPEM 
               
               
                   
                 SPEM 
               
               
                   
                 if no exclusive 1 
               
               
                   
                 If copper exclusive 2 
               
               
                   
                 if silver exclusive 4 
               
               
                   
                 if gold exclusive 10 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
             
               
                 TABLE 13 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                 Algorithm ID 
                 12 
                   
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 Name 
                 Store Product Search Strength 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Short 
                 SPSS 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Summary 
                 = Racking Level in the search competition 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Detail  
                 The “Store Product Search Strength” Algorithm 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Description 
                 will define the power of a product for the 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 competition with other products, the highest 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 power wins the search competition. It&#39;s the store 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 power * the player power (player level) * store 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 product power 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Formula 
                 SPSS = SP*PL*SPP 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
               
             
               
                 TABLE 14 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 Algorithm ID 
                 13 
               
               
                 Name 
                 Global Search Engine Optimization And Result 
               
               
                 Short 
                 GSEOAR 
               
               
                 Summary 
                 Search result sorting system 
               
               
                 Detail Description 
                 Global ranking system that ranks individual 
               
               
                   
                 products against other products in the system. 
               
               
                   
                 When a search for a product is conducted, all 
               
               
                   
                 products that meet the search criteria are 
               
               
                   
                 returned in an ordered list. This list is generated 
               
               
                   
                 by comparing the Store Product Search Strength 
               
               
                   
                 against the other results. These are then 
               
               
                   
                 displayed in an ordered list with the highest 
               
               
                   
                 ranked product returned a the top of the list and 
               
               
                   
                 progressing downward to lower ranked 
               
               
                   
                 products. 
               
               
                 Formula 
                 Ranking System: 
               
               
                   
                 1/ Each store holding this product (having this 
               
               
                   
                 store product) is in the competition 
               
               
                   
                 2/ Each store have a specific SPSS for this 
               
               
                   
                 product 
               
               
                   
                 3/ The store with the highest SPSS win the 
               
               
                   
                 competition 
               
               
                   
                 4/ If 2 or more best store have equal SPSS the 
               
               
                   
                 biggest crowd is the winner, if equal a random 
               
               
                   
                 system is used 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
             
               
                 TABLE 15 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                 Algorithm ID 
                 14 
                   
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 Name 
                 Brand Collected Revenue 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Short 
                 BCR 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Summary 
                 Aggregation of Virtual Sales for Each Brand 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 Store (goes to zero after moved to bank) 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Detail  
                 Aggregation of Virtual Sales for Each Brand 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Description 
                 Store (goes to zero after moved to bank) 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Formula 
                 The BCR is the sum of CRPP for this brand 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 Function 1: How many Stocket Bucks inside 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 the BCR 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 Function 2: Empty the BCR 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 The atomicity of these functions is not a priority 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 as the real numbers are not visible to the user 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
               
             
               
                 TABLE 16 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 Algorithm ID 
                 15 
               
               
                 Name 
                 Player Experience Point 
               
               
                 Short 
                 PEP 
               
               
                 Summary 
                 Aggregation of Player Action as experience 
               
               
                   
                 point 
               
               
                 Detail Description 
                 Aggregation of Player Actions stored in the 
               
               
                   
                 Database and linked to the player ID 
               
               
                 Formula 
                 The PEP is the sum of the following actions 
               
               
                   
                 using a table of corresponding Experience 
               
               
                   
                 points: 
               
               
                   
                 Profile actions 
               
               
                   
                 Game actions 
               
               
                   
                 Sharing actions 
               
               
                   
                 Buying actions 
               
               
                   
                 Selling actions 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
               
             
               
                 TABLE 17 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 Algorithm ID 
                 16 
               
               
                 Name 
                 Collected Revenue Per Product 
               
               
                 Short 
                 CRPP 
               
               
                 Summary 
                 Sum of RPU on a product basis (goes to zero 
               
               
                   
                 after moved to bank) 
               
               
                   
                 Buffer/Collection of RPU for a product 
               
               
                 Detail Description 
                 Sum of RPU on a product basis (goes to zero 
               
               
                   
                 after moved to bank) 
               
               
                   
                 Buffer/Collection of RPU for a product 
               
               
                 Formula 
                 The CRPP is basically a buffer to collect the 
               
               
                   
                 RPU upon generation. 2 functions: 
               
               
                   
                 Function 1: How many Stocket Bucks inside 
               
               
                   
                 the the CRPP 
               
               
                   
                 Function 2: Empty the CRPP 
               
               
                   
                 The atomicity of these functions is not a priority 
               
               
                   
                 as the real numbers are not visible to the user 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
               
             
               
                 TABLE 18 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 Algorithm ID 
                 17 
               
               
                 Name 
                 Daily Like Demand 
               
               
                 Short 
                 DLD 
               
               
                 Summary 
                 Level of like demand for an internal product 
               
               
                   
                 GLOBAL 
               
               
                 Detail Description 
                 The Like Demand measures the number of times 
               
               
                   
                 users have expressed that they like the product 
               
               
                   
                 over a given time period and is then averaged 
               
               
                   
                 and weighted. Like Demand is a calculation of 
               
               
                   
                 the number of likes a unique product acquires 
               
               
                   
                 over a given time period and then multiplied by 
               
               
                   
                 the like_demand_weight_factor. The Like 
               
               
                   
                 Demand is a factor in determining overall 
               
               
                   
                 product demand for a given product and 
               
               
                   
                 contributes to the Global Search Engine 
               
               
                   
                 Optimization and Results calculations 
               
               
                   
                 (GSEOaR). A high Like Demand will boost 
               
               
                   
                 product demand as well as the product&#39;s 
               
               
                   
                 GSEOaR. 
               
               
                 Formula 
                 get UT current day 
               
               
                   
                 sum like value for day - 1 to day -1 - 
               
               
                   
                 demand time interval 
               
               
                   
                 result = | like search value/demand  
               
               
                   
                 time interval | 
               
               
                   
                 Out = result 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
               
             
               
                 TABLE 19 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 Algorithm ID 
                 18 
               
               
                 Name 
                 Daily Purchase Demand 
               
               
                 Short 
                 DPD 
               
               
                 Summary 
                 Level of purchase demand for an internal 
               
               
                   
                 product GLOBAL 
               
               
                 Detail Description 
                 The Daily Purchase Demand indicates the actual 
               
               
                   
                 number of purchases of the given product. 
               
               
                   
                 These are real purchases and not virtual 
               
               
                   
                 purchases. These are tracked both by internal 
               
               
                   
                 means and by external product suppliers and 
               
               
                   
                 represent sales generated by users of the system. 
               
               
                   
                 As product sales increase, the relative worth of 
               
               
                   
                 that product increases. This is represented both 
               
               
                   
                 in the demand of the product, the amount of 
               
               
                   
                 virtual sales that are made for the product and 
               
               
                   
                 by virtual crowds attributed to the product. 
               
               
                 Formula 
                 get UT current day 
               
               
                   
                 sum purchase value for day - 1 to day -1 - 
               
               
                   
                 demand_time_interval 
               
               
                   
                 result = | sum purchase value/demand_ 
               
               
                   
                 time_interval | 
               
               
                   
                 Out = result 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
             
               
                 TABLE 20 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                 Algorithm ID 
                 19 
                   
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 Name 
                 Daily Search Demand 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Short 
                 DSD 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Summary 
                 Level of search demand for an internal product 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 GLOBAL 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Detail  
                 The Daily Search Demand indicates the number 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Description 
                 of times the product is present in a search result. 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 Search results may occur by searching for a 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 product name, brand name, keyword, tag, 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 associated user or store name, related product or 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 other methods. Search Demand is aggregated on 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 a daily basis and reset. Increased search demand 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 increases a product&#39;s overall demand as well as 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 its GSEOaR. 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Formula 
                 get UT current day 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 sum search value for day − 1 to day − 1 − 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 demand_time_interval 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 result = | sum search value/ 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 demand_time_interval | 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 Out = result 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                 TABLE 21 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 Algorithm ID 
                 20 
               
               
                   
                 Name 
                 Daily Store Demand 
               
               
                   
                 Short 
                 DSTD 
               
               
                   
                 Summary 
                 Level of store demand for an internal product 
               
               
                   
                   
                 GLOBAL 
               
               
                   
                 Detail Description 
                 The Daily Store Demand is a measure of the 
               
               
                   
                   
                 number of unique stores that carry the given 
               
               
                   
                   
                 product. The greater the number of stores the 
               
               
                   
                   
                 product is carried in, the greater the product 
               
               
                   
                   
                 demand will be and its GSEOaR. 
               
               
                   
                   
                 store_value = Internal Product Total Added to 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Store - Internal Product Total Removed from 
               
               
                   
                   
                 store (if != 0 |0) 
               
               
                   
                 Formula 
                 sum store_value for day - 1 to day -1 - 
               
               
                   
                   
                 demand_time_interval 
               
               
                   
                   
                 result = | sum store value/demand_ 
               
               
                   
                   
                 time_interval | 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Out = result 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
               
             
               
                 TABLE 22 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 Algorithm ID 
                 21 
               
               
                 Name 
                 Total Internal Product Store Demand 
               
               
                 Short 
                 TIPSD 
               
               
                 Summary 
                 Simple agregator of store demand 
               
               
                 Detail Description 
                 This algorithm is a simple data set/get algorithm 
               
               
                   
                 to keep track of the total store with this product 
               
               
                   
                 on a shelf 
               
               
                 Formula 
                 If add: +1 to this agregator, It&#39;s call when: a 
               
               
                   
                 product is added to a store 
               
               
                   
                 If remove: −1 to this agregator, it&#39;s call 
               
               
                   
                 when: a product is remove from a store (by the 
               
               
                   
                 user/by the depletion + outdated product with 
               
               
                   
                 checkstock) 
               
               
                   
                 if get : return agregator 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
               
             
               
                 TABLE 23 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 Algorithm ID 
                 22 
               
               
                 Name 
                 Exclusive Internal Product Demand Influence 
               
               
                 Short 
                 EIPDI 
               
               
                 Summary 
                 Simple table value 
               
               
                 Detail Description 
                 This algorithm return the internal product 
               
               
                   
                 modifier for a exclusive product 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
            
               
                 Formula 
                 if no exclusive  
                 1 
               
               
                   
                 If copper exclusive  
                 1.1 
               
               
                   
                 if silver exclusive 
                 1.2 
               
               
                   
                 if gold exclusive  
                 1.4 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
               
             
               
                 TABLE 24 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 Algorithm ID 
                 23 
               
               
                 Name 
                 Internal Product Current Supply Allocation 
               
               
                 Short 
                 IPCS 
               
               
                 Summary 
                 Number of product currently in the game 
               
               
                 Detail Description 
                 The Internal Product Current Supply Allocation 
               
               
                   
                 measures the current level of inventory of 
               
               
                   
                 virtual goods in the system. This allocation is 
               
               
                   
                 increased as product demand increases. The 
               
               
                   
                 system allows for 10,000 virtual units for each 
               
               
                   
                 level of demand for the product. 
               
               
                 Formula 
                 set is a table lookup value 
               
               
                   
                 get is ′= Σ Inventory(Product Type) 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
               
             
               
                 TABLE 25 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 Algorithm ID 
                 24 
               
               
                 Name 
                 Internal Product Supply Allocation Ratio 
               
               
                 Short 
                 IPSAR 
               
               
                 Summary 
                 % of internal product supply inventory/current 
               
               
                   
                 supply allocation 
               
               
                 Detail Description 
                 The Internal Product Supply Allocation Ratio is 
               
               
                   
                 a percentage of the entire product allocation 
               
               
                   
                 currently in inventory in users stores. This ratio 
               
               
                   
                 is an indication of how active users are 
               
               
                   
                 restocking the given product. This indirectly is 
               
               
                   
                 related to overall product activity and product 
               
               
                   
                 demand. 
               
               
                 Formula 
                 % ( internal product supply inventory)/IPCS 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                 TABLE 26 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 Algorithm ID 
                 25 
               
               
                   
                 Name 
                 Store Crowd 
               
               
                   
                 Short 
                 SC 
               
               
                   
                 Summary 
                 This is the sum of the store crowd 
               
               
                   
                 Detail Description 
                 The Store Crowd is the sum of all the factors 
               
               
                   
                   
                 that add crowd to the store. 
               
               
                   
                   
                 The factors include the Product Demand, the 
               
               
                   
                   
                 store followers, the sum of the store product 
               
               
                   
                   
                 advertising power and city upgrades. 
               
               
                   
                 Formula 
                 total = 0 
               
               
                   
                   
                 total += [Σ internal products demand (IPD) in 
               
               
                   
                   
                 the mall] * crowd_product_weight 
               
               
                   
                   
                 total += [Σ user followers] * 
               
               
                   
                   
                 crowd_followers_weight 
               
               
                   
                   
                 total += [Σ SPAP]* crowd_adv_weight 
               
               
                   
                   
                 total += [Σ city upgrades]* 
               
               
                   
                   
                 crowd_city_upgrades_weight 
               
               
                   
                   
                 total += [Σ store upgrades] * 
               
               
                   
                   
                 crowd_store_upgrades_weight 
               
               
                   
                   
                 total = round(total) 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Note: The crowd maximum visible is set to a 
               
               
                   
                   
                 variable crowd_maximum_visible 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Note: City upgrades are city discoverable 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                 TABLE 27 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 Algorithm ID 
                 26 
               
               
                   
                 Name 
                 Store Level Cost (SLC) 
               
               
                   
                 Short 
                 SLC 
               
               
                   
                 Summary 
                 Cost of Building 
               
               
                   
                 Detail Description 
                 The is the cost of the building at the  
               
               
                   
                   
                 designated level. 
               
               
                   
                 Formula 
                 =RoundLog10(store_cost_exponentiel ∧ (store 
               
               
                   
                   
                 level-1)*store_cost_factor) 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
               
             
               
                 TABLE 28 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 Algorithm ID 
                 27 
               
               
                 Name 
                 Store Floor Upgrade Cost (SFUC) 
               
               
                 Short 
                 SFUC 
               
               
                 Summary 
                 Cost per floor (additional) 
               
               
                 Detail Description 
                 Cost to add an additional floor at the current 
               
               
                   
                 building level. 
               
               
                 Formula 
                 =RoundLog10(store_cost_floor_exponentiel ∧ (store  
               
               
                   
                 level-1)*store_cost_floor_factor) 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                 TABLE 29 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 Algorithm ID 
                 28 
               
               
                   
                 Name 
                 Store Floor Starting (SFS) 
               
               
                   
                 Short 
                 SFS 
               
               
                   
                 Summary 
                 Starting Number of Floors 
               
               
                   
                 Detail Description 
                 Starting number of floors at the current  
               
               
                   
                   
                 building level. 
               
               
                   
                 Formula 
                 rounddown(2 ∧ (store level-4)*10) 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
               
             
               
                 TABLE 30 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 Algorithm ID 
                 29 
               
               
                 Name 
                 Store Floor Maximum (SFM) 
               
               
                 Short 
                 SFM 
               
               
                 Summary 
                 Maximum Number of Floors 
               
               
                 Detail Description 
                 Maximum number of floors of the building  
               
               
                   
                 at its current level. 
               
               
                 Formula 
                 rounddown(2 ∧ (store level-3)*10) 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
               
             
               
                 TABLE 31 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 Algorithm ID 
                 30 
               
               
                 Name 
                 Store Floor Additional (SFA) 
               
               
                 Short 
                 SFA 
               
               
                 Summary 
                 Difference between previous 
               
               
                 Detail Description 
                 Additional floors available to add to current 
               
               
                   
                 building before reaching maximum at that level. 
               
               
                 Formula 
                 SFM (store level)- SFS (store level) 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                 TABLE 32 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Algorithm ID 
                 31 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 Name 
                 Store Floor Maximum Inventory (SFMI) 
               
               
                   
                 Short 
                 SFMI 
               
               
                   
                 Summary 
                 Maximum Inventory Per Product 
               
               
                   
                 Detail  
                 Maximum inventory allowed on current store 
               
               
                   
                 Description 
                 floor at the current building level. 
               
               
                   
                 Formula 
                 SFM(store level)*SFAI(store level) 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
               
             
               
                 TABLE 33 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 Algorithm ID 
                 32 
               
               
                 Name 
                 Store Shelf Spaces per Floor (SSSF) 
               
               
                 Short 
                 SSSF 
               
               
                 Summary 
                 Number of Products Per Floor 
               
               
                 Detail Description 
                 Number of Shelf Spaces are the number of 
               
               
                   
                 products allowed on the current floor. 
               
               
                 Formula 
                 store level * 9 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
               
             
               
                 TABLE 34 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 Algorithm ID 
                 33 
               
               
                 Name 
                 Store Shelf Spaces Starting (SSSS) 
               
               
                 Short 
                 SSSS 
               
               
                 Summary 
                 Starting Number of product (level with not 
               
               
                   
                 additional floor) 
               
               
                 Detail Description 
                 This is the base number of store shelves or 
               
               
                   
                 products, that the building starts with at its 
               
               
                   
                 current level. 
               
               
                 Formula 
                 SFS(store level)*SSSF(store level) 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
               
             
               
                 TABLE 35 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 Algorithm ID 
                 34 
               
               
                 Name 
                 Store Shelf Spaces Max (SSSM) 
               
               
                 Short 
                 SSSM 
               
               
                 Summary 
                 Maximum Total Number Products (level with 
               
               
                   
                 full additional floors) 
               
               
                 Detail Description 
                 The is the maximum number of shelves or 
               
               
                   
                 products the store can carry at its current level, 
               
               
                   
                 assuming all additional floors have been added. 
               
               
                 Formula 
                 SFM(store level)*SSSF(store level) 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
               
             
               
                 TABLE 36 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 Algorithm ID 
                 35 
               
               
                 Name 
                 Store Maximum Number of Staff (SMNS) 
               
               
                 Short 
                 SMNS 
               
               
                 Summary 
                 Maximum number fo staff per floor  
               
               
                   
                 (1 per floor) = SFM 
               
               
                 Detail Description 
                 The maximum number of staff allowed on 
               
               
                   
                 current floor. 
               
               
                 Formula 
                 SFM (store level) 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
               
             
               
                 TABLE 37 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 Algorithm ID 
                 36 
               
               
                 Name 
                 Store Maximum Total Inventory (SMTI) 
               
               
                 Short 
                 SMTI 
               
               
                 Summary 
                 Maximum inventory for a floor (info) 
               
               
                 Detail Description 
                 The total inventory allowed in the store at its 
               
               
                   
                 current level assuming all floors have been 
               
               
                   
                 added. 
               
               
                 Formula 
                 SSSM (store level)*SFMI (store level) 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
             
               
                 TABLE 38 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                 Algorithm ID 
                 37 
                   
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 Name 
                 Store Product Advertising Power 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Short 
                 SPAP 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Summary 
                 Power of Adv. on a Product 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Detail  
                 The Store Product Advertising Power is the 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Description 
                 value boost to a product based on recent 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 advertising activities by the user. Advertising 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 efforts on social media platforms of a given 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 product are added to the product power. Weight 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 factors are used to boost different platforms as 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 desirable. 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Formula 
                 if [(date of today − SPLFS) &lt; active_time ] then 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 total += facebook_weight 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 if [(date of today − SPLFS) &lt; active_time ] then 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 total += twitter_weight 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 if [(date of today − SPLFS) &lt; active_time ] then 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 total += pinterest_weight 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 if [(date of today − SPLFS) &lt; active_time ] then 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 total += google_plus_weight 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 return total 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                 TABLE 39 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 Algorithm ID 
                 38 
               
               
                   
                 Name 
                 Store Product Last Facebook Share 
               
               
                   
                 Short 
                 SPLFS 
               
               
                   
                 Summary 
                 Date of last share on Facebook 
               
               
                   
                 Detail Description 
                 This is just a date value, recording the date of 
               
               
                   
                   
                 the last sharing 
               
               
                   
                 Formula 
                 date record 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                 TABLE 40 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Algorithm ID 
                 39 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 Name 
                 Store Product Last Twitter Share 
               
               
                   
                 Short 
                 SPLTS 
               
               
                   
                 Summary 
                 Date of last share on Twitter 
               
               
                   
                 Detail  
                 This is just a date value, recording  
               
               
                   
                 Description 
                 the date of the last sharing 
               
               
                   
                 Formula 
                 date record 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                 TABLE 41 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 Algorithm ID 
                 40 
               
               
                   
                 Name 
                 Store Product Last Pinterest Share 
               
               
                   
                 Short 
                 SPLPS 
               
               
                   
                 Summary 
                 Date of last share on Pinterest 
               
               
                   
                 Detail Description 
                 This is just a date value, recording the date of 
               
               
                   
                   
                 the last sharing 
               
               
                   
                 Formula 
                 date record 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                 TABLE 42 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 Algorithm ID 
                 41 
               
               
                   
                 Name 
                 Store Product Last Google+ Share 
               
               
                   
                 Short 
                 SPLGS 
               
               
                   
                 Summary 
                 Date of last share on G 
               
               
                   
                 Detail Description 
                 This is just a date value, recording the date of 
               
               
                   
                   
                 the last sharing 
               
               
                   
                 Formula 
                 date record 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                 TABLE 43 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Algorithm ID 
                 42 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 Name 
                 Store Floor Additional Inventory 
               
               
                   
                 Short 
                 SFAI 
               
               
                   
                 Summary 
                 Simple linear value 
               
               
                   
                 Detail  
                 Additional inventory for a floor, simple  
               
               
                   
                 Description 
                 linear value with the store level 
               
               
                   
                 Formula 
                 store_inventory_factor*sl + 
               
               
                   
                   
                 store_invetntory_factor_base 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Table 43 identifies certain values as constants which are utilized in the the illustrative algorithms of Tables 2-42. 
                         TABLE 43               Name   Description                  coins_to_dollars   1$ = 1000 coins       cost_factor   real $ to coins factor       demand_time_interval   demand calculation interval       first_search_radius   radius around the search define by the           closest ‘first_search_radius’ number of           stores       global_supply_allocation   Maximum supply for a store product in           the game at all time       level_demand_increment   Step for each product base level step       like_demand_weight   weight for like demand * 0 for MVP       purchase_demand_weight   weight for purchase demand       search_demand_weight   Low level weight for search demand       store_cost_exponentiel   store cost expo factor       store_cost_factor   store cost multiply factor       store_cost_floor_exponentiel   store cost expo factor       store_cost_loor_factor   store cost multiply factor       store_demand_weight   Moderate weight for store demand       store_inventory_factor   25       store_invetntory_factor_base   125       store_shelf_factor   factor that will influence the store shelf           size       supply_allocation_weight   Moderate weight for store demand       supply_exponentiel   internal supply expo factor       supply_factor   internal supply multiply factor       third_search_radius   radius around the search define by the           closest ‘third_search_radius’ number of           stores       third_search_radius_   incremental third_search_radius       increment   number of stores       total_ip_demand_weight   Moderate weight for total store demand       facebook_weight   weight of social product sharing in the           store product power       twitter_weight   weight of social product sharing in the           store product power       pinterest_weight   weight of social product sharing in the           store product power       google_plus_weight   weight of social product sharing in the           store product power       active_time   duration of the social sharing reward       crowd_product_weight   Crowd weight for each product       crowd_followers_weight   Crowd weight for each follower       crowd_adv_weight   Crowd weight for each adv       crowd_city_upgrades_weight   Crowd weight for each city upgrade       crowd_maximum_visible           store_brand_factor   store power weight values       store_product_power_factor   store power weight values       store_crowd_factor   store power weight values       store_level_factor   store power weight values       player_factor_exponential   Player exponential factor for level           calculation       player_factor_base   Player base factor for level calculation       retail_cost_factor   product cost factor                    
An Illustrative Example for Digital Object Aggregation, Augmentation and Display of External Digital Content by a User in Accordance with Some Embodiments of the Present Invention
 
     In some embodiments, the illustrative inventive programmed virtual platform of the present invention provides a Graphical User Interface (GUI) that allows users to at least, but not limited to, 1) in real-time, identify, select, quantify, augment, organize, copy, edit, and/or reference external content (e.g., information (e.g., textual and/or image-based)) about a product and/or a service being sold/offered/advertised on a third party electronic resource (e.g., a website, an app, etc.), and 2) automatically, in real-time, generate a corresponding software object based on the external content and assign an object name to such software object for, for example but not limited to, tracking and/or manipulation of such object within the inventive gaming realm. 
     For example, user identifies objects from external sources that are of interest to the user, and that the user wishes to include in a user curated database of objects. In some embodiments, these objects might include, but not limited to, the digital representation of physical and electronic products, services, imagery, video, and audio content. 
     After the user has identified the Objects of interest, tools and widgets are provided by this method to copy, augment or reference these objects to be represented in a user curated dataset. For example, the illustrative inventive programmed virtual platform of the present invention can utilize a User Datastore which is a digital storage of aggregated content that is associated with a user (e.g., a unique user, a unique group of users). In some embodiments, the illustrative inventive programmed virtual platform of the present invention can utilize the same datastore as a database of objects to represent a digital eCommerce store, services site, and/or other suitable forms of a digital content compilations. In some embodiments, the illustrative inventive programmed virtual platform of the present invention can allow the user to digitally share the same datastore in a variety of methods including, but not limited to: social networks, digital games, email, SMS, Twitter (TM) and other similarly suitable ways. In some embodiments, the visual representation of the datastore includes websites, desktops, mobile platforms, game consoles, and other electronic software/hardware platforms. 
     In some embodiments, user generated content as well as content created from the exemplary inventive platform may also be persistent on the external digital content site and discernible by other users of the illustrative system. For example, as shown in  FIG. 17 , a customer writes a review of a product found on an external site. This review is then viewable by other users. The following illustration example is based on an viewer&#39;s review of a movie posted on an external website which the user of the illustrative inventive programmed virtual platform of the present invention comes across and desires to incorporate into his or hers electronic virtual presence managed by the illustrative inventive programmed virtual platform of the present invention. 
     For example, an external digital object&#39;s content in the datastore may include some or all of the following illustrative types of data/information: 
     Title 
     URLs 
     Tracking Cookies 
     Transparent Data Stored on Target Site 
     Description 
     Cost 
     Inventory 
     Remaining Items 
     Discount 
     Reviews 
     Dates 
     Social Data 
     Demographic Data 
     Content Codes Including:
         Product ID   Product SKU   Product Bar Code   Product UPC       

     Duration 
     Sizes 
     Colors 
     Textures 
     Materials 
     Images 
     Video 
     Audio 
     In some embodiments, the illustrative inventive programmed virtual platform of the present invention offers the user some of all of the following tools and widgets to allow user to: 
     Drag select items 
     Click to identify 
     Click to select 
     Add to store 
     Arrange 
     Edit 
     Augment 
     Comment 
     Replace 
     Sharing 
     Buying 
     Selling 
     Re-selling. 
     In some embodiments, the illustrative inventive programmed virtual platform of the present invention can utilize an illustrative webapp launcher code of Table 44 to allow the user to incorporate the external content into the user&#39;s activity within the inventive online realm. 
     For example, the illustrative code of Table 44, on the application side (in this case the mobile in app web browser), the illustrative inventive programmed virtual platform of the present invention uses the user information (e.g., user id, store id) to create a Javascript [Method string BuildJavaScript (string whId)], which is interfaced with a third party&#39;s Application Programming Interface (API) that is used to add the displayed external digital content site. For example,  FIG. 18  exemplifies the user content added to an external website. For example, in  FIG. 18 , the site, Sierra Trading Post, has 3 different symbol icons placed on the external site: 
     1) an S symbol ( 1801 ) indicates that the Object has identified by the user and the user may click to add this Object in the datastore; 
     2) the next icon ( 1802 ) indicates that the object already exists in the user&#39;s warehouse (archived datastore); and 
     3) the third symbol ( 1803 ) of the store represents that the object is in the user&#39;s active datastore. 
     For example, the illustrative code of [Method public void ShowWithJS (string url, string javaScr=“”, Action ponclose =null)] in Table 44 is utilized to add the external digital content to the inventive realm of the present invention which can be: 
     1) Additional Information 
     
         
         
           
             Product exists in the current user&#39;s store 
             Other user information that may include:
           Avatar   Name   Location   Statistics   
         
             Any additional game information that may include:
           Product owner   Game rewards   
         
             Any additional ecommerce information that may include:
           Rewards   Coupons   
         
           
         
       
    
     2) Additional Actions 
     
         
         
           
             Identify a product or a service 
             Interact with other user (product owner) 
             Any additional game action that may include:
           Add product to the store   Remove product to the store   Share   
         
             Any additional ecommerce action that may include:
           Buy   Sell   Re-Sell   Share on social network   
         
           
         
       
    
     When the user interacts with the object on the external digital content site, through this javascript, the result of this interaction is available in the datastore. For example when adding a product, an action is triggered on a server side of the illustrative inventive programmed virtual platform of the present invention to add the product/service. For example, the illustrative added javascript of Table 44 will display a callback information of this action to at least allowing the standard website behavior after adding a product/service, and displaying the correct image of the store on the top of the product/service. 
     For example, the illustrative added javascript of [Callback in ShowWithJS: Action ponclose] in Table 44 is a call back that can include a request for additional information input from the user. 
     For example, the javascript in Table 44 only communicates with a server API of the illustrative inventive programmed virtual platform of the present invention and the illustrative datastore, then the mobile application synchronizes with the server API on exit of the in app web browser, by utilizing the javascript [ Method void_Close_WebView( )] in Table 44. 
                     TABLE 44                  using UnityEngine;       using System.Collections.Generic;       using UnityEngine.UI;       using System;       using Social Voucher;       using DG.Tweening;       public enum showOrigin {          Unknow = 0,          Warehouse,          Store       }       public class WebViewLauncher : Singleton&lt;WebViewLauncher&gt;       {        public UniWebView mainWebView;        public Canvas _canvas;          public RectTransform containerOfButtons;          public GameObject background;          string jsScr = ″ ″;          int sInsetUp = 0;          int sInsetLeft = 0;          int sInsetDown = 0;          int sInsetRight = 0;        List&lt;GSDeactiveBrand&gt; deactiveBrands = new List&lt;GSDeactiveBrand&gt; ( );        string warehouseId = ″ ″          string brID = ″ ″;          showOrigin webFromView = showOrigin.Unknow;        void Start ( )        {         GetDeactiveBrands ( );            sInsetUp = (int)(containerOfButtons.GetHeight ( ) / _canyas.rectTransform       ( ).GetHeight ( ) * UniWebViewHelper.screenHeight);            // Workaround Android not calculating the tool bar size            #if UNITY_ANDROID            // add 48 for the android navigation bar            sInsetUp += 48;            #endif            mainWebView = gameObject.GetComponent&lt;UniWebView&gt;( );            mainWebView.OnLoadComplete += OnWebLoadComplete;            mainWebView.insets = new UniWebViewEdgeInsets(sInsetUp,0,0,0);        }       public void Show (string url, string brandID = ″ ″, Action ponclose = null) {            if (isBrandDeactivate (brandID)) {             CommonUtils.ShowAlert (″This brand is not available yet, please come       back later!″);             return;            }            brID = brandID;            UIManager.Instance.Desactivate3D ( );            WareHouse wh = WareHouseManager.Instance.GetWareHouseOfLoginUser       (brandID);            ShowWithJS (url, BuildJavaScript (wh !=null ? wh.sceneCode : ″ ″), ponclose);          }        public void ShowFromView (string url, string brandID = ″ ″, showOrigin ori =       showOrigin.Unknow)        {         if (isBrandDeactivate (brandID)) {          CommonUtils.ShowAlert (″This brand is not available yet, please come back later!″);          return;         }            brID = brandID;            webFromView = ori;            UIManager.Instance.Desactivate3D ( );         WareHouse wh = WareHouseManagerinstance.GetWareHouseOfLoginUser (brandID);         ShowWithJS (url, BuildJavaScript (wh != null ? wh.sceneCode : ″ ″), null);        }        public void ShowWithJS (string url, string javaScr=″ ″, Action ponclose = null)        {         CanvasManager.Instance.HideAllButThis (_canvas);            gameObject.SetActive (true);            background.SetActive (true);            jsScr = javaScr;            // Add loading call back for a new website            mainWebView.OnLoadComplete −= OnWebLoadComplete;            mainWebView.OnLoadComplete += OnWebLoadComplete;            mainWebView.url = url;            mainWebView.AddJavaScript(this.jsScr);            mainWebView.Show ( );            mainWebView.Load ( );        }        string BuildJavaScript (string whId)        {         warehouseId = whId;         string domain = NetworkHelper.kGSdomainJavaScript;            string javaStr = ″javascript:(function       stockit(){document.body.appendChild(document.createElement(′script′)).src=′″ + domain + ″?r=′+       Math.floor(Math.random( )*999);document.body.appendChild(document.createElement(′script′)).       innerHTML = ′var whcode=\″_WAREHOUSE_CODE_\″,storeid=\″_STORE ID″\,       access token=\″_ACCESSTOKEN_\″;′})( );″;       #if UNITY_EDITOR            javaStr =       ″javascript:(function( ){document.body.appendChild(document.createElement(′script′)).src=′″ +       domain + ″?r=′ +       Math.floor(Math.random( )*999);document.body.appendChild(document.createElement(′script′)).       innerHTML = ′var whcode=\″_WAREHOUSE_CODE_\″,storeid=\″_STORE_ID\″,       acces_ token=\″_ACCESSTOKEN_\″;′})( );″;       #endif            javaStr = javaStr.Replace (″_WAREHOUSE_CODE_″, whId);         javaStr = javaStr.Replace (″_STORE_ID″,       SharedDataManager.Instance.ShoppingMallData.Id);         javaStr = javaStr.Replace (″_ACCESSTOKEN_″,       NetworkHelper.Instance.AccessToken);         return javaStr;        }        void GetDeactiveBrands ( )        {         NetworkHelper.Instance.GetDeactiveBrands ((response) =&gt; {          if (response != null &amp;&amp; response.Data != null) {           deactiveBrands = response.Data;          }         });        }        bool isBrandDeactivate (string brandId)        {         for (int i = 0; i &lt; deactiveBrands.Count; i++) {          if (brandId == deactiveBrands [i].Id)           return true;         }         return false;        }          public void OnClick_Next ( )          {            mainWebView.GoForward ( );          }          public void OnClick_Back ( )          {            mainWebView.GoBack ( );          }          public void OnClick_Reload ( )          {            mainWebView.Reload ( );          }          public void OnClick_Close( )          {            gameObject.SetActive (false);            background.SetActive (false);            _Close_WebView ( );          }          void _Close_Web_View( ) {            // Must unactivate the webview ****            mainWebView.Hide ( );            // All this should be done with a lambda from the call (onClose Action) ***** To       Be Done            UIManager.Instance.Activate3D ( );         CanvasManager.Instance.RecoverPreviousStateOfCanvases ( );         if (!NetworkHelper.Instance.isInVisitorMode ( )) {             if (webFromView == showOrigin.Warehouse)              // From the warehouse              WareHouse wh =       WareHouseManager.Instance.GetWareHouseOfLoginUser (brID);              WareHouseManager.Instance.ShowWarehouseView (wh);             } else if (webFromView == showOrigin.Store) {              // From the store              // Refreshing Information from the web view              SharedDataManager.Instance.UpdateUserStoreInfor ( );              GSBrand brand = MallDirectoryManager.Instance.GetBrand       (brID);              StoreDetailManager.Instance.InitStoreDetail       (MallDirectoryManager.Instance.StoreInfo, brand, !NetworkHelper.Instance.isInVisitorMode       ( ));             }             // From all             if ( warehouseId == ″″ {            WareHouseManager.Instance.RefreshAllWarehouseStatus ( );             }         }         DOVirtual.DelayedCall (1f, ( ) =&gt; {          Resources.UnloadUnusedAssets ( );          System.GC.Collect ( );         });          }          // Delagates Methods          void OnDisable ( )           {            if (mainWebView != null)             mainWebView.OnLoadComplete −= OnWebLoadComplete;          }          public void OnClick_Buy ( )          {            mainWebView.EvaluatingJavaScript (″TFR.toggleStockItBtn( );″);          }          void OnWebLoadComplete (UniWebView webView, bool success, string errorMessage)          {            webView.EvaluatingJavaScript (″stockit″);            #if UNITY_EDITOR            webView.EvaluatingJavaScript (this.jsScr);            #endif          }          void FinishEvalJavaScript (UniWebView webView, string result)          {            Debug.Log (″UNINSLOG : Finished JS″);          }          UniWebViewEdgeInsets InsetsForScreenOreitation (UniWebView webView,       UniWebViewOrientation orientation)          {            UniWebViewEdgeInsets insets = new UniWebViewEdgeInsets (sInsetUp,       sInsetLeft, sInsetDown, sInsetRight); // hard coding the up insets            return insets;          } }                    
Illustrative Examples of Product/Service ObjEct-Related Rules in Accordance with Some Embodiments of the Present Invention
 
     Adding Product/Service-Objects 
     Case 1: If product does not exist in warehouse, not in store
         Display Suckit icon in  FIG. 19A     Add product to both warehouse and store (warehouse for that product&#39;s brand will be built automatically)       

     Case 2: If product exists in store:
         Display an icon in  FIG. 19B , and it&#39;s not clickable (i.e., do nothing)       

     Case 3: If product exists in warehouse, but not in store
         Display an icon in  FIG. 19C , clickable   Add product to store if space allows, in next available space   If no space in store, display a popup:
           if no more floor possibility available : “No more space available in your store, please upgrade your store.”, button “Upgrade”/“Cancel”   if floor possibility available: “No more space available in your store, please add one floor to your store.”, button “Upgrade”/“Cancel”   
               

     For example, in some embodiments, the illustrative inventive programmed virtual platform of the present invention can allow a user to delete product from store and/or a warehouse. 
     Case 4: If the store is full
         Call for an update       

     Case 4bis: If all warehouses in city are taken and there is not a warehouse or store of this brand yet in city/store
         Warning popup       

     Case 5: If user store is full and there is still space in warehouse
         Add product to warehouse       

     Deleting Products 
     Case 1: Delete products in Warehouse will automatically delete same products in Store:
         Display a popup “Are you sure you want to delete the selected products? These products will also be deleted from your Store.”
           (Yes/Cancel)   
               

     Case 2: Delete products in Store will do nothing to same products in Warehouse
         Display a popup “Are you sure you want to delete the selected products? Deleting these products will also delete its income. You can double-click on the products to collect income before deleting.” (Yes/Cancel)       

     Case 3: Deleting warehouse will not delete the brand in Store automatically
         For example: suppose user has warehouse BestBuy with product A, B
           Example 1: delete Brand
               User deletes warehouse BestBuy, then product A, B will be deleted in Warehouse and in Store   Display a popup “Would you like to remove the brand in Store?”, button “Yes”/“Cancel”
                   If “Yes”, delete brand BestBuy in Store   If “Cancel”   
                   
               
               

     The brand BestBuy in Store still exists
         Example 2: delete all products of the Brand   User deletes product A, B in warehouse BestBuy, then product A, B will be deleted in Store too   Display a popup “You have deleted the last product of this brand, would you like to remove the brand?”, button “Yes”/“Cancel”
           If “Yes”, delete both warehouse and brand BestBuy in Store   If “Cancel”
               Warehouse BestBuy still exists (i.e., empty warehouse)   The brand BestBuy in Store still exists (i.e., empty brand)   
               
               

     Inventory Management 
     For example, in some embodiments, each Internal Product will have a limited total inventory in the game initially:
         Internal Product Current Supply Allocation (IPCS)=supply_exponential{circumflex over ( )}(IPD-1)*supply_factor
           supply_exponential &amp; supply_factor are parameters in Settings   
           IPD=max 10 (|temp_level/level_demand_increment|)
           temp_level+=search_demand_weight*DSD result+store_demand_weight*DSTD result+purchase_demand_weight*DPD result+like_demand_weight*DLD result
               search_demand_weight, store_demand_weight, purchase_demand_weight, like_demand_weight are parameters in Settings   level_demand_increment is parameter in Settings   
               
               

     For example, in some embodiments, each user can add the product to a store, even with no Inventory/Inventory at 0.
         When a user adds a product
           Store Shelf Spaces per Floor (SSSF)
               Number of Product per Floor=Store Level×STORE_SHELF_SPACE_PER_FLOOR_FACTOR   
               Store Shelf Spaces Max (SSSM)
               noOfShelfSpacesMaximum =SSSF * (Store Floor Maximum of each Store level)   
               
           Store Shelf Spaces Starting (SSSS)
           Store Shelf noOfShelfSpacesDefault=SSSF*(Store Floor Starting of each Store level)   
           When a user stock a product
           For example, in some embodiments, a user has a limited maximum size of inventory for a store product inventory (current_store_product_inventory)
               current_store_product_inventory&lt;=SPIMS   Store Product Inventory Max Size (SPIMS)=SPIMS=(store_floor_inventory_factor*Store Level+store_floor_inventory_factor_base)*nbFloors
                   store_floor_inventory_factor=25   store_floor_inventory_factor_base=125 Max inventory for a product in the store   
                   Store Total Inventory Max Size (STIMS)=SPIMS Max inventory for all product in the store   
               
           When a user clicks stock, the user has to buy products (with defined quantity) at
           a cost per unit value Cost Per Unit (CPU)=|cost_factor (retail price)|×Product Demand (IPD)   
           The Inventory will be sell at a values revenue per unit (RPU) values following a time lapse (constant)-&gt;the inventory will get down automatically, little by little (depletion) by a rate (SPRS)
           Revenu Per Unit (RPU)=CPU*revenue_factor revenue_factor=110%   Volume Per Unit (VPU): Each hour unstock nbProduct where nbProduct=IPD; which is a product selling speed   
               

     For example, in some embodiments, a stock lock system allows the user to keep the stock possibility before it goes back to the global inventory. The stock lock will be release when the inventory for this store product runs out. For example, this specific stock lock can be managed through Supply Allocation; by, for example, setting the maximum and current amount of inventory allowed to be stock by the user for a Store Product. For example, this Supply Allocation is hold on the user side and do not return to the Global Inventory. 
     Illustrative Operating Environments 
       FIG. 1  illustrates one embodiment of an environment in which the present invention may operate. However, not all of these components may be required to practice the invention, and variations in the arrangement and type of the components may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. In some embodiments, the inventive system and method may include a large number of members and/or concurrent transactions. In other embodiments, the inventive system and method are based on a scalable computer and network architecture that incorporates varies strategies for assessing the data, caching, searching, and database connection pooling. An example of the scalable architecture is an architecture that is capable of operating multiple servers. 
     In embodiments, members of the computer system  102 - 104  include virtually any computing device capable of receiving and sending a message over a network, such as network  105 , to and from another computing device, such as servers  106  and  107 , each other, and the like. In embodiments, the set of such devices includes devices that typically connect using a wired communications medium such as personal computers, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics, network PCs, and the like. In embodiments, the set of such devices also includes devices that typically connect using a wireless communications medium such as cell phones, smart phones, pagers, walkie talkies, radio frequency (RF) devices, infrared (IR) devices, CBs, integrated devices combining one or more of the preceding devices, or virtually any mobile device, and the like. Similarly, in embodiments, client devices  102 - 104  are any device that is capable of connecting using a wired or wireless communication medium such as a PDA, POCKET PC, wearable computer, and any other device that is equipped to communicate over a wired and/or wireless communication medium. 
     In embodiments, each member device within member devices  102 - 104  may include a browser application that is configured to receive and to send web pages, and the like. In embodiments, the browser application may be configured to receive and display graphics, text, multimedia, and the like, employing virtually any web based language, including, but not limited to Standard Generalized Markup Language (SMGL), such as HyperText Markup Language (HTML), a wireless application protocol (WAP), a Handheld Device Markup Language (HDML), such as Wireless Markup Language (WML), WMLScript, XML, JavaScript, and the like. In embodiments, programming may include either Java, .Net, QT, C, C++ or other suitable programming language. 
     In embodiments, member devices  102 - 104  may be further configured to receive a message from another computing device employing another mechanism, including, but not limited to email, Short Message Service (SMS), Multimedia Message Service (MMS), instant messaging (IM), internet relay chat (IRC), mIRC, Jabber, and the like or a Proprietary protocol. 
     In embodiments, network  105  may be configured to couple one computing device to another computing device to enable them to communicate. In some embodiments, network  105  may be enabled to employ any form of computer readable media for communicating information from one electronic device to another. Also, in embodiments, network  105  may include a wireless interface, and/or a wired interface, such as the Internet, in addition to local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), direct connections, such as through a universal serial bus (USB) port, other forms of computer-readable media, or any combination thereof. In embodiments, on an interconnected set of LANs, including those based on differing architectures and protocols, a router may act as a link between LANs, enabling messages to be sent from one to another. 
     Also, in some embodiments, communication links within LANs typically include twisted wire pair or coaxial cable, while communication links between networks may utilize analog telephone lines, full or fractional dedicated digital lines including T1, T2, T3, and T4, Integrated Services Digital Networks (ISDNs), Digital Subscriber Lines (DSLs), wireless links including satellite links, or other communications links known to those skilled in the art. Furthermore, in some embodiments, remote computers and other related electronic devices could be remotely connected to either LANs or WANs via a modem and temporary telephone link. In essence, in some embodiments, network  105  includes any communication method by which information may travel between client devices  102 - 104 , and servers  106  and  107 . 
       FIG. 2  shows another exemplary embodiment of the computer and network architecture that supports the methods and systems of the instant invention. In some embodiments, the member devices  202   a ,  202   b  thru  202   n  shown each at least includes a computer-readable medium, such as a random access memory (RAM)  208  coupled to a processor  210  or FLASH memory. In some embodiments, the processor  210  may execute computer-executable program instructions stored in memory  208 . In some embodiments, such processors comprise a microprocessor, an ASIC, and state machines. In some embodiments, uch processors comprise, or may be in communication with, media, for example computer-readable media, which stores instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform the steps described herein. Embodiments of computer-readable media may include, but are not limited to, an electronic, optical, magnetic, or other storage or transmission device capable of providing a processor, such as the processor  210  of client  202   a , with computer-readable instructions. In some embodiments, other examples of suitable media may include, but are not limited to, a floppy disk, CD-ROM, DVD, magnetic disk, memory chip, ROM, RAM, an ASIC, a configured processor, all optical media, all magnetic tape or other magnetic media, or any other medium from which a computer processor can read instructions. Also, various other forms of computer-readable media may transmit or carry instructions to a computer, including a router, private or public network, or other transmission device or channel, both wired and wireless. In some embodiments, the instructions may comprise code from any computer-programming language, including, for example, C, C++, Visual Basic, Java, Python, Perl, and JavaScript. 
     In some embodiments, member devices  202   a - n  may also comprise a number of external or internal devices such as a mouse, a CD-ROM, DVD, a keyboard, a display, or other input or output devices. Examples of client devices  202   a - n  may be personal computers, digital assistants, personal digital assistants, cellular phones, mobile phones, smart phones, pagers, digital tablets, laptop computers, Internet appliances, and other processor-based devices. In general, a client device  202   a  may be any type of processor-based platform that is connected to a network  206  and that interacts with one or more application programs. Client devices  202   a - n  may operate on any operating system capable of supporting a browser or browser-enabled application, such as Microsoft™, Windows™, or Linux. The client devices  202   a - n  shown may include, for example, personal computers executing a browser application program such as Microsoft Corporation&#39;s Internet Explorer™, Apple Computer, Inc.&#39;s Safari™, Mozilla Firefox, and Opera. Through the client devices  202   a - n , users,  212   a - n  communicate over the network 206 with each other and with other systems and devices coupled to the network  206 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , server devices  204  and  213  may be also coupled to the network  206 . In an embodiment of the present invention, one or more clients can be a mobile client. 
     In some embodiments, the term “mobile electronic device” may refer to any portable electronic device that may or may not be enabled with location tracking functionality. For example, a mobile electronic device can include, but is not limited to, a mobile phone, Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), Blackberry™, Pager, Smartphone, or any other reasonable mobile electronic device. For ease, at times the above variations are not listed or are only partially listed, this is in no way meant to be a limitation. 
     In some embodiments, the terms “proximity detection,” “locating,” “location data,” “location information,” and “location tracking” as used herein may refer to any form of location tracking technology or locating method that can be used to provide a location of a mobile electronic device, such as, but not limited to, at least one of location information manually input by a user, such as, but not limited to entering the city, town, municipality, zip code, area code, cross streets, or by any other reasonable entry to determine a geographical area; Global Positions Systems (GPS); GPS accessed using Bluetooth™; GPS accessed using any reasonable form of wireless and/or non-wireless communication; WiFi™ server location data; Bluetooth™ based location data; triangulation such as, but not limited to, network based triangulation, WiFi™ server information based triangulation, Bluetooth™ server information based triangulation; Cell Identification based triangulation, Enhanced Cell Identification based triangulation, Uplink-Time difference of arrival (U-TDOA) based triangulation, Time of arrival (TOA) based triangulation, Angle of arrival (AOA) based triangulation; techniques and systems using a geographic coordinate system such as, but not limited to, longitudinal and latitudinal based, geodesic height based, cartesian coordinates based; Radio Frequency Identification such as, but not limited to, Long range RFID, Short range RFID; using any form of RFID tag such as, but not limited to active RFID tags, passive RFID tags, battery assisted passive RFID tags; or any other reasonable way to determine location. For ease, at times the above variations are not listed or are only partially listed, this is in no way meant to be a limitation. 
     In some embodiments, near-field wireless communication (NFC) can represent a short-range wireless communications technology in which NFC-enabled devices are “swiped,” “bumped,” “tap” or otherwise moved in close proximity to communicate. In some embodiments, NFC could include a set of short-range wireless technologies, typically requiring a distance of 10 cm or less. In some embodiments, NFC may operate at 13.56 MHz on ISO/IEC 18000-3 air interface and at rates ranging from 106 kbit/s to 424 kbit/s. In some embodiments, NFC can involve an initiator and a target; the initiator actively generates an RF field that can power a passive target. In some embodiment, this can enable NFC targets to take very simple form factors such as tags, stickers, key fobs, or cards that do not require batteries. In some embodiments, NFC peer-to-peer communication can be conducted when a plurality of NFC-enable devices within close proximity of each other. 
     For purposes of the instant description, the terms “cloud,” “Internet cloud,” “cloud computing,” “cloud architecture,” and similar terms correspond to at least one of the following: (1) a large number of computers connected through a real-time communication network (e.g., Internet); (2) providing the ability to run a program or application on many connected computers (e.g., physical machines, virtual machines (VMs)) at the same time; (3) network-based services, which appear to be provided by real server hardware, and are in fact served up by virtual hardware (e.g., virtual servers), simulated by software running on one or more real machines (e.g., allowing to be moved around and scaled up (or down) on the fly without affecting the end user). In some embodiments, the instant invention offers/manages the cloud computing/architecture as, but not limiting to: infrastructure a service (IaaS), platform as a service (PaaS), and software as a service (SaaS).  FIGS. 3 and 4  illustrate schematics of exemplary implementations of the cloud computing/architecture. 
       FIGS. 20-44  are screenshots illustrating certain aspects of the illustrative inventive programmed virtual platform of the present invention. 
     Of note, he embodiments described herein may, of course, be implemented using any appropriate computer system hardware and/or computer system software. In this regard, those of ordinary skill in the art are well versed in the type of computer hardware that may be used (e.g., a mainframe, a mini-computer, a personal computer (“PC”), a network (e.g., an intranet and/or the internet)), the type of computer programming techniques that may be used (e.g., object oriented programming), and the type of computer programming languages that may be used (e.g., C++, Basic, AJAX, Javascript). The aforementioned examples are, of course, illustrative and not restrictive. 
     In some embodiments, the present invention is directed to a specifically programmed virtual gaming computer system, including: at least one specialized computer machine, including: a non-transient memory, electronically storing particular computer executable program code; and at least one computer processor which, when executing the particular program code, becomes a specifically programmed computer processor of the specifically programmed virtual gaming computer system that is configured to concurrently perform, for each of at least a thousand of users, at least the following operations: electronically causing, via a first computer network, to display at least one specialized dynamic real-time updatable graphical user interface, including: a plurality of specialized tools programmed to allow each user to operate a virtual business offering real-life products, services, or both in a virtual reality realm; where the plurality of programmed specialized tools comprises: at least one tool programmed to allow a particular user to add to a visual representation of a particular virtual business at least one real-life product, service, or both, which are being displayed via an electronic on-line presence of a third party; where the specifically programmed virtual gaming computer system is configured to at least: i) create at least one software object to represent the at least one real-life product or the at least one service and 2) maintain an electronic interface with a computer inventory management program of the third party to track availability and fulfillment of the at least one real-life product and the at least one real-life service; electronically and continuously calculating a product placement priority score value for each of at least a thousand products, services, or both; where the calculating the product placement priority score value is based, at least in part, on: i) a product value of a particular product or a particular service, ii) a product advertisement value of the particular product or the particular service, iii) a user status value of the particular user who offers the particular product or the particular service, and iv) a business value of the particular virtual business that the particular user uses to offer the particular product or the particular service; and electronically and visually promoting each product and each service within the virtual reality realm, based on a corresponding product placement score value. 
     In some embodiments, the electronic on-line presence is a website. 
     In some embodiments, the electronic on-line presence is an application programmed for portable electronic devices. 
     In some embodiments, the product value is based, at least in part, on: a quality rating of the particular product or the particular service and profitability value of the particular product or the particular service. 
     In some embodiments, the product advertisement value is based, at least in part, on: a number of unique shares and a pre-determined advertising factor. 
     In some embodiments, the user status value is based, at least in part, on: points accumulated by the particular user within the virtual reality realm. 
     In some embodiments, the electronically and visually promoting each product and each service based on the corresponding product placement score value, including: adjusting a visual presentation of each product and each service based on the corresponding product placement score value. 
     In some embodiments, the present invention is directed to a computer-implemented method, including: electronically causing, by a specifically programmed virtual gaming processor, via a first computer network to display at least one specialized dynamic real-time updatable graphical user interface, including: a plurality of specialized tools programmed to allow each user to operate a virtual business offering real-life products, services, or both in a virtual reality realm; where the plurality of programmed specialized tools comprises: at least one tool programmed to allow a particular user to add to a visual representation of a particular virtual business at least one real-life product, service, or both, which are being displayed via an electronic on-line presence of a third party; creating, by the specifically programmed virtual gaming processor, at least one software object to represent the at least one real-life product or the at least one service; maintaining, by the specifically programmed virtual gaming processor, an electronic interface with a computer inventory management program of the third party to track availability and fulfillment of the at least one real-life product and the at least one real-life service; electronically and continuously calculating, by the specifically programmed virtual gaming processor, a product placement priority score value for each of at least a thousand products, services, or both; where the calculating the product placement priority score value is based, at least in part, on: i) a product value of a particular product or a particular service, ii) a product advertisement value of the particular product or the particular service, iii) a user status value of the particular user who offers the particular product or the particular service, and iv) a business value of the particular virtual business that the particular user uses to offer the particular product or the particular service; and electronically and visually promoting, by the specifically programmed virtual gaming processor, each product and each service within the virtual reality realm, based on a corresponding product placement score value. 
     While a number of embodiments of the present invention have been described, it is understood that these embodiments are illustrative only, and not restrictive, and that many modifications may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Further still, the various steps may be carried out in any desired order (and any desired steps may be added and/or any desired steps may be eliminated).