Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for enforcing publisher content item block requests. In one aspect, a method includes receiving a set of declared network locations for a content item and rendering the content item. A request is initiated for a resource that is referenced by the content item, and network locations fetched in response to the request are logged. A composite set of network locations that includes the fetched network locations and declared network locations is generated. The composite set of network locations is used to enforce publisher block requests.

Abstract: A method for rendering advertisements on touchscreen devices having small screens is provided. Components of the existing GUI (i.e., controls) are used for rendering advertisement (or other) data. Existing mobile device GUI elements have visible surfaces filled with a background color (or pattern). These surfaces are “painted” by an advertisement data similar to a wall painted by graffiti. The advertisement data can be static or it can be generated on-the-fly. The GUI controls can be used independent of each other. Thus, the advertising data can be selectively displayed only on some of the controls without distracting the user from the main tasks.

Abstract: A system and method for calculating a space required for a tenant in a building includes determining the areas of rooms required by the tenant. A circulation factor for each of the rooms based on the area of each room is calculated. The total of the room areas and the circulation factors are added to determine a pure space required by the tenant. The losses in actual usable space are determined for a building and an inefficiency factor is calculated based on these losses. The pure space is multiplied by the inefficiency factor to obtain a building efficiency loss. The building efficiency loss is added to the pure space to obtain the space required for the tenant in the building. The system may be configured on a network computer system or a standalone computer.

Abstract: A method and system for facilitating the hiring and recruitment of candidates for a particular position. The system would include information relating to the skill level and expertise of various candidates irrespective of a particular job. The candidates will have their various skills assessed through the use of an anonymous assessor. The assessor would provide the system with a rating of each candidate's various assessed skills. The candidate has the option to have this assessment evaluated by a disinterested third party. A client or employer would access the system for the purpose of receiving a listing of potential candidates, their skill levels as well as assessments. The client will provide the system with a list of potential candidates to the position. The clients would utilize this information to hire a particular candidate.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus, systems and methods that provide each of a plurality of users, in response to each particular user's request, information concerning, and an identification of: each carrier of a plurality of carriers that supports the shipper's preferred shipping location; whether each carrier supports the shipper's preferred shipping location for shipping a particular parcel; and pricing for each service offered by each carrier for the shipper's chosen shipping location, wherein each user accesses the computer system over a global communications network using a client computer device, each user client computer device having their own individual electronic connection to the global communications network.

Abstract: A system for advertising an employment opportunity and efficiently providing information needed for a prospective employee to make a holistic assessment of the opportunity includes a job posting made accessible to potential candidates via a computer network or computer readable media. The job posting is comprised of a plurality of sections, with each section being devoted to one or more specific topics. The sections are accessible from an intuitive main menu. The sections provide an orderly arrangement of details concerning the employment position, significant co-workers, schools, housing, the community, nearby universities, an interview itinerary and links to local websites of interest, as well as views of residents (e.g., community leaders) concerning the community. The information may be presented in text, graphics, animation, audio and/or video formats.

Abstract: A routing apparatus includes a sensor unit which has capabilities to detect an object in a target field of view and measure position of the object, and an electronic control unit which controls movements of the autonomous mobile unit. An electronic control unit determines velocity and a travel direction of the object based on changes in the position of the object obtained from the sensor unit over a plurality of measurement cycles, determines a path of the autonomous mobile unit so as to avoid collision with the object based on the position, the velocity, and the travel direction of the object, and determines the path of the autonomous mobile unit by setting the velocity of the object to a value equal to or lower than a predetermined value if the object recognized in the previous measurement cycle is not recognized in the current measurement cycle.

Abstract: A method and system for enabling personalization of services for a user. A first and second computerized service system that includes a first and second server, respectively, is utilized. An information server of a computerized information system receives a different request from the first and second server for first and second personalization information of the user, respectively. The first and second personalization information enables a first and second entity that uses the first and second server to provide a service to the user in response to the user having previously requested the service from first and second entity, respectively. The information server determines that first and second criteria for the first and second entity to receive the first and second personalization information, respectively, have been satisfied, after which the information server sends the first and second personalization information to the first and second server, respectively.

Abstract: A method and article of manufacture for providing a mechanical bond and an improved water vapor seal between a lens (11, 41) and a base (17, 47) in an instrument housing (10, 40), includes heating the components and a hot butyl rubber sealant (18, 58) prior to assembly, maintaining a level of heating for the assembly during assembly, dispensing the heated sealant (18, 58) into a channel (25, 65) to form a ring-shaped body of sealant (18, 58), assembling the lens (11, 41) to the base (17, 47) and pressing a lower edge (11a, 41a) of the lens (11, 41) into the ring of sealant (18, 58) and bending an upper edge (17b, 47b) of the side wall (17a, 47a) over a portion (11b, 41b) of the lens (11, 41). The method is applied in a second embodiment to an instrument having at least two signal conductors (55) entering the base (47) at two entry points. Apparatuses manufactured with the method are also disclosed.

Abstract: A facility for ranking a list of priced alternatives is described. The facility attributes criteria to a user. The facility determines values for the criteria based on information about the user. The facility uses the determined values to adjust the actual prices of the priced options. The facility uses the adjusted prices to rank a list of options and presents them to a user.

Abstract: During a first driving cycle, a combustion process is controlled in at least one combustion chamber for the purpose of performing a check on an emission reduction system of an internal combustion engine. During a second driving cycle following the first cycle, a check is performed to establish whether an error in the emission reduction system was detected during the first cycle. An idle time between the first and the second cycles is determined, in the event of an error of the emission reduction system detected during the first cycle. During the second cycle, the combustion process in the at least one combustion chamber is only controlled for the purpose of the check on the emission reduction system, in the event of an error detected in the emission reduction system during the first cycle and in the event of the idle time being longer than a pre-determined repair time.

Abstract: A urinal deodorizer set includes a support frame member, which has an upright board, a sloping flow guide board disposed at the top side of the upright board, and first diversion boards perpendicularly extended from the upright board and the sloping flow guide board, a holder frame member, which has an outer upright board, an arched bottom board, two sideboards, and second diversion boards perpendicularly extended from the outer upright boards and respectively abutted against the first diversion boards and defining with the first diversion boards an accommodation space, a deodorizer block accommodated in the accommodation space, and an anchoring member provided at the support frame member for securing the urinal deodorizer set to the vertical wall of a urinal to let flushing water run through the urinal deodorizer in mixing with the deodorizer block to achieve effective cleaning of the vertical and bottom walls of the urinal.

Abstract: The invention provides method of displaying strengths of social relationships between users of a computerized network. The invention evaluates network information, such as network communications, between one user of the network and other users of the network to produce metrics. The invention then normalizes the metrics from the perspective of the viewing user to produce relationship values representing strengths of social relationships between the viewing user and the other users. The invention classifies the relationship values into different groups, and optionally assigns context commands to each of the groups. The invention places each of the other users in one of the groups (according to their relationship value) and then displays a listing of the other users and their associated group identifications.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention allows a merchant to obtain a request sent by an investigator for supporting documentation or information and reply with a scanned document in reply to the investigator's request. The investigator can then process the scanned document and/or merchant response and quickly and efficiently resolve a disputed payment transaction.

Abstract: An item migration system generates a workflow process comprising logical nodes and physical nodes. Candidate physical nodes are associated with the logical nodes. An item generated at an initial logical node within the workflow process is inserted into the workflow and logically migrated to a subsequent logical node. The system determines whether the item requires physical migration based on properties of the item, characteristics of the subsequent logical node, characteristics of candidate physical nodes, and weighting factors applied to the properties and characteristics. If the item requires physical migration, the system selects an optimum target physical node from the candidate physical nodes. The present system migrates the item to the physical location corresponding to the selected physical node. Otherwise, the present system performs logical migration to the logical node without physical migration.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling access to relationship information in a social network are described. One described method comprises receiving a request from an observer for relationship information indicating at least a first relationship between a target in a social network and a second entity in the social network, identifying at least a first privacy rule for the first relationship, and outputting at least part of the relationship information to the observer if the first privacy rule is satisfied.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for maintaining security and data gathering for a number of vehicles. The systems include a vehicle activity module for each of the vehicles. The vehicle activity module has a wireless transmitter, a storage device, at least one sensor for receiving event information from identification devices, such as RFID cards, keypads, magnetic ID cards, and the like, a releasable key container, and a processor for accessing and analyzing information. The VAMs are wirelessly connected to a computer system. The VAMs control access to the keys, monitor information relating to access, and store and transmit information relating to sales events, non-sales events, and intrusion events. The VAMs are capable of autonomous operation, without the need to access the computer system to verify event information. The VAMs further include signal attenuating mechanisms to facilitate use of “smart keys.

Abstract: A method and system for discovering dependencies in project plans of a distributed system. Project plans are located by a project plan path. A project plan contains dependency information of a task to be performed, a resource necessary to perform the task, and a prerequisite task to perform the task. The method generates a master project plan containing all dependency information in all project plans in the distributed system, which dictates an order of tasks or task-resource maps in all project plans pursuant to the dependency information in project plans. The method utilizes project plan files in diverse formats in generating the master project plan for the distributed system.

Abstract: A system and method for calculating a space required for a tenant in a building includes determining the areas of rooms required by the tenant. A circulation factor for each of the rooms based on the area of each room is calculated. The total of the room areas and the circulation factors are added to determine a pure space required by the tenant. The losses in actual usable space are determined for a building and an inefficiency factor is calculated based on these losses. The pure space is multiplied by the inefficiency factor to obtain a building efficiency loss. The building efficiency loss is added to the pure space to obtain the space required for the tenant in the building. The system may be configured on a network computer system or a standalone computer.

Abstract: The methodology draws from three disciplines, namely public relations, social network analysis and computer-based information extraction. The analysis permits the visualization of how various people, organizations, products, subjects, key messages etc. are linked/form a network dynamic in media coverage. This type of analysis can assist corporations and other organizations to understand, plan and measure the effectiveness of communication.