Abstract: Methods and apparatus for extracting structured data from weblogs are disclosed. In some examples, the methods and apparatus include a web crawler to access a home page of a weblog, and identify a feed associated with the weblog. The methods and apparatus also include a feed finder to determine whether items in the feed contain sufficient content for feed-guided segmentation. The methods and apparatus also include a feed classifier to determine whether the items in the feed contain full content of the weblog. The methods and apparatus also include a wrapper to map data found in the feed into a representation of a weblog post, and screen scrape the weblog into the representation of the weblog post.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for extracting structured data from weblogs are disclosed. In some examples, the methods and apparatus include retrieving a feed referenced on a webpage of the weblog and, in response to determining that the feed does not contain a first portion of a weblog post, creating, via a processor, a representation of the weblog post based on a second portion of the weblog post included in the feed, searching, via the processor, the weblog for the second portion of the weblog post, when the second portion of the weblog post is found in the weblog, identifying, via the processor, a node associated with the second portion in the webpage, and modifying, via the processor, the representation based on information from within the node to reconstruct the weblog post.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture to rank a web site are disclosed herein. An example method to rank the influence of a web site includes accessing a query based on a topic term, determining topic specific posts by applying the query to a first plurality of posts to a web site, comparing the topic specific posts to a list of web sites to determine a topic volume per site, determining a plurality of inbound links to the first plurality of posts, determining a number of inbound links to the posts that are relevant to the topic term by comparing the topic volume per site and the inbound links, and generating a rank of the web site based on the number of inbound links to the posts that are relevant to the topic term and times between the inbound links.

Abstract: A method of extracting individual posts from a weblog comprises the steps of: (a) providing a feed associated with the weblog; and (b) screen scraping the weblog into a representation for weblog posts using the feed data containing partial content of the weblog.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to classify text communications are disclosed. An example method includes determining a first score indicating a likelihood that a text belongs to a first classification mode by combining a first sentence score and a second sentence score retrieved from an index, the first sentence score indicating a probability that a first sentence in the text belongs to the first classification mode, the second sentence score indicating that a second sentence following the first sentence belongs to the first classification mode, determining a second score indicating a likelihood that the text belongs to a second classification mode, comparing the first score to the second score, classifying the text as the first classification mode when the first score is greater than the second score, and determining a confidence level that the text belongs to the first classification mode by dividing the first score by the second score.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture to rank a web site are disclosed herein. An example method to rank the influence of a web site involves receiving a topic term, filtering out a post that is not relevant to the topic term from a first plurality of posts to a web site, determining a number of inbound links to the web site based on the topic term, determining a time between the inbound links to the web site based on the topic term, and generating a rank of the web site based on the number of inbound links and the time between the inbound links.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to classify text communications are disclosed. An example method includes determining a first conditional probability of a first feature occurring in a text given that the text belongs to a classification mode, wherein the first feature is included in the text, determining a second conditional probability of a second feature occurring in a text given that the text belongs to the classification mode, wherein the second feature is included in the text, determining a probability of the classification mode occurring, multiplying the first conditional probability, the second conditional probability and the probability of the classification mode to determine a product, and storing the product in a tangible memory as a score that the message belongs to the first classification mode.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus of the present invention collect data associated with a consumer through generation of a consumer feedback communication via a wide area network. A business to which the consumer feedback communication is directed is identified in response to input from a consumer via the wide area network. Feedback data relating to the business is obtained from the consumer via the wide area network. At least a portion of the consumer feedback communication is automatically generated using the feedback data. Data associated with the consumer is then collected from the obtained feedback data.

Abstract: The present application presents methods for performing topical sentiment analysis on electronically stored communications employing fusion of polarity and topicality. The present application also provides methods for utilizing shallow NLP techniques to determine the polarity of an expression. The present application also provides a method for tuning a domain-specific polarity lexicon for use in the polarity determination. The present application also provides methods for computing a numeric metric of the aggregate opinion about some topic expressed in a set of expressions.

Abstract: The present application presents methods for performing topical sentiment analysis on electronically stored communications employing fusion of polarity and topicality. The present application also provides methods for utilizing shallow NLP techniques to determine the polarity of an expression. The present application also provides a method for tuning a domain-specific polarity lexicon for use in the polarity determination. The present application also provides methods for computing a numeric metric of the aggregate opinion about some topic expressed in a set of expressions.

Abstract: A system and method for collecting and analyzing electronic discussion messages to categorize the message communications and to identify trends and patterns in pre-determined markets. The system comprises an electronic data discussion system wherein electronic messages are collected and analyzed according to characteristics and data inherent in the messages. Objective data is collected by the system for use in analyzing the electronic discussion data against real-world events to facilitate trend analysis and event forecasting based on the volume, nature and content of messages posted to electronic discussion forums. The message posting activity of a plurality of posters can be tracked to determine the tendency of individual posters to initiate or moderate discussions, accurately predict events external to the discussion forums, accelerate or decelerate a buzz level in a forum, or precede a rising market or a falling market.

Abstract: A system and method for collecting and analyzing electronic discussion messages to categorize the message communications and to identify trends and patterns in pre-determined markets. The system comprises an electronic data discussion system wherein electronic messages are collected and analyzed according to characteristics and data inherent in the messages. Objective data is collected by the system for use in analyzing the electronic discussion data against real-world events to facilitate trend analysis and event forecasting based on the volume, nature and content of messages posted to electronic discussion forums. The message posting activity of a plurality of posters can be tracked to determine the tendency of individual posters to initiate or moderate discussions, accurately predict events external to the discussion forums, accelerate or decelerate a buzz level in a forum, or precede a rising market or a falling market.

Abstract: A computer assisted/implemented method for developing a classifier for classifying communications includes roughly four stages, where these stages are designed to be iterative: (1) a stage defining where and how to harvest messages (i.e., from Internet message boards, ews groups and the like), which also defines an expected domain of application for the lassifier; (2) a guided question/answering stage for the computerized tool to elicit the user's criteria for determining whether a message is relevant or irrelevant; (3) a labeling stage where the user examines carefully-selected messages and provides feedback about whether or not it is relevant and sometimes also what elements of the criteria were used to make the decision; and (4) a performance evaluation stage where parameters of the classifier training are optimized, the best classifier is produced, and known performance bounds are calculated.

Abstract: A system and method for collecting and analyzing electronic discussion messages to categorize the message communications and the identify trends and patterns in pre-determined markets. The system comprises an electronic data discussion system wherein electronic messages are collected and analyzed according to characteristics and data inherent in the messages. The system further comprises a data store for storing the message information and results of any analyses performed. Objective data is collected by the system for use in analyzing the electronic discussion data against real-world events to facilitate trend analysis and event forecasting based on the volume, nature and content of messages posted to electronic discussion forums.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing an analysis of attitudes expressed in web content, comprising: a collector for collecting attitude-data in relation to a predetermined subject from one or more pre-selected web site, the attitude-data containing attitudes in relation to the predetermined subject; a processor, associated with the collector, for processing the attitude data so as to generate an attitude analysis; and an outputter, associated with the processor, for outputting the attitude analysis, thereby to provide an indication of attitudes being expressed in the web content in relation to the predetermined subject.

Abstract: The present application presents methods for performing topical sentiment analysis on electronically stored communications employing fusion of polarity and topicality. The present application also provides methods for utilizing shallow NLP techniques to determine the polarity of an expression. The present application also provides a method for tuning a domain-specific polarity lexicon for use in the polarity determination. The present application also provides methods for computing a numeric metric of the aggregate opinion about some topic expressed in a set of expressions.

Abstract: A system and method for collecting and analyzing electronic discussion messages to categorize the message communications and the identify trends and patterns in pre-determined markets. Electronic messages are collected and analyzed according to characteristics and data inherent in the messages. Objective data is collected by the system for use in analyzing the electronic discussion data against real-world events to facilitate trend analysis and event forecasting based on the volume, nature and content of messages posted to electronic discussion forums. The message posting activity of a plurality of posters can be tracked to identify opinion leaders, and patterns in the messages can be identified using at least one of the following techniques: chaos theory; complexity theory; social network theory; and neural network theory.

Abstract: A system and method for collecting and analyzing electronic discussion messages to categorize the message communications and the identify trends and patterns in pre-determined markets. The system comprises an electronic data discussion system wherein electronic messages are collected and analyzed according to characteristics and data inherent in the messages. The system further comprises a data store for storing the message information and results of any analyses performed. Objective data is collected by the system for use in analyzing the electronic discussion data against real-world events to facilitate trend analysis and event forecasting based on the volume, nature and content of messages posted to electronic discussion forums.

Abstract: A system and method for collecting and analyzing electronic discussion messages to categorize the message communications and the identify trends and patterns in pre-determined markets. The system comprises an electronic data discussion system wherein electronic messages are collected and analyzed according to characteristics and data inherent in the messages. Objective data is collected by the system for use in analyzing the electronic discussion data against real-world events to facilitate trend analysis and event forecasting based on the volume, nature and content of messages posted to electronic discussion forums. The message posting activity of a plurality of posters can be tracked to determine the tendency of individual posters to initiate or moderate discussions, accurately predict events external to the discussion forums, accelerate or decelerate a buzz level in a forum, or precede a rising market or a falling market.

Abstract: A system and method for collecting and analyzing electronic discussion messages to categorize the message communications and the identify trends and patterns in pre-determined markets. The system comprises an electronic data discussion system wherein electronic messages are collected and analyzed according to characteristics and data inherent in the messages. The system further comprises a data store for storing the message information and results of any analyses performed. Objective data is collected by the system for use in analyzing the electronic discussion data against real-world events to facilitate trend analysis and event forecasting based on the volume, nature and content of messages posted to electronic discussion forums.