Abstract: A method and system for inferring user attributes in a social networking system. The method includes maintaining a social graph comprising a plurality of nodes and a plurality of edges between the nodes. An unknown, incomplete, or inaccurate user attribute for a user is identified, and a plurality of probability lists are generated using a corresponding plurality of probability algorithms that utilize known user attributes and the social graph. The probability lists include a set of probability entries, each including a prediction we value for the unknown, incomplete, or inaccurate user attribute and a confidence score. Using the probability lists and a plurality of weights corresponding to the probability algorithms, an inferred user attribute value is generated and stored.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention automatically detects when a user is in a state of vacillation based on user on-line behavior, records relevant parameters regarding the vacillation event, and then responds accordingly. This response may include providing relevant and/or targeted information that can be used by the user to help remove the indecision. The response may also or alternatively include providing third-party businesses, such as retailers, marketers, and advertisers, with information about vacillation events and associated behaviors for a single user or groups of users so that such businesses can identify potential markets/customers or directly engage similar users to facilitate the decision-making process.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for detecting and explaining bursty stream events in targeted groups. In one example, the method includes receiving validated bursty events, finding explanatory data sources having relevant bursty events that are relevant to the validated bursty events, wherein the explanatory sources explain the presence of the validated bursty events, correlating the validated bursty events to the relevant bursty events of the explanatory data sources to obtain burst results, and sending the burst results to a burst database that is accessible to an end user.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for detecting and explaining bursty stream events in targeted groups. In one example, the method includes receiving validated bursty events, finding explanatory data sources having relevant bursty events that are relevant to the validated bursty events, wherein the explanatory sources explain the presence of the validated bursty events, correlating the validated bursty events to the relevant bursty events of the explanatory data sources to obtain burst results, and sending the burst results to a burst database that is accessible to an end user.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention automatically detects when a user is in a state of vacillation based on user on-line behavior, records relevant parameters regarding the vacillation event, and then responds accordingly. This response may include providing relevant and/or targeted information that can be used by the user to help remove the indecision. The response may also or alternatively include providing third-party businesses, such as retailers, marketers, and advertisers, with information about vacillation events and associated behaviors for a single user or groups of users so that such businesses can identify potential markets/customers or directly engage similar users to facilitate the decision-making process.

Abstract: A system and method for observing the communication behavior of a user, and analyzing data regarding the user's contacts and community. An electronic message (for example, from the user to a group of contacts) is intercepted and copied; the message content and message data are stored in a database. A contact value is determined (for example, a score is computed) for each contact in the community of the user. Each contact in the community is optionally assigned a ranking. Relationship data (data regarding the user's relationships with the contact and community) is extracted from the message content and message data. Statistics are compiled relating to the user, the contact, and/or the community. A list of contacts is compiled and monitored over time, thereby providing information regarding patterns of the user's behavior.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention automatically detects when a user is in a state of vacillation based on user on-line behavior, records relevant parameters regarding the vacillation event, and then responds accordingly. This response may include providing relevant and/or targeted information that can be used by the user to help remove the indecision. The response may also or alternatively include providing third-party businesses, such as retailers, marketers, and advertisers, with information about vacillation events and associated behaviors for a single user or groups of users so that such businesses can identify potential markets/customers or directly engage similar users to facilitate the decision-making process.

Abstract: A device, system, and method are directed towards sending a status of a user in a social network to a recipient. In one embodiment, a status of the user is received over a channel. The channel may include an application protocol. The recipient is selected based on a membership in the social network, a preference of the recipient, or a media format of the status. Another channel is selected based on information about a mode of communication between the recipient and the user and/or another member related to the user in the social network. The status may be modified based on social network information, preferences of a recipient, receiving device information, channel information, or the like. The status is forwarded to the recipient over the other channel. Forwarding may comprise unicasting, multicasting, and/or delaying sending the status until the other channel is available.

Abstract: A device, system, and method are directed towards sending a status of a user in a social network to a recipient. In one embodiment, a status of the user is received over a channel. The channel may include an application protocol. The recipient is selected based on a membership in the social network, a preference of the recipient, or a media format of the status. Another channel is selected based on information about a mode of communication between the recipient and the user and/or another member related to the user in the social network. The status may be modified based on social network information, preferences of a recipient, receiving device information, channel information, or the like. The status is forwarded to the recipient over the other channel. Forwarding may comprise unicasting, multicasting, and/or delaying sending the status until the other channel is available.

Abstract: A device, system, and method are directed towards sending a status of a user in a social network to a recipient. A status of the user is received over a channel. The recipient is selected based on a membership in the social network, a preference of the recipient, or a type of the status. Another channel is selected based on information about a mode of communication between the recipient and the user and/or another member related to the user in the social network. The status may be modified from one type to another type based on the recipient. The status is forwarded to the recipient over the other channel. Forwarding may comprise unicasting, multicasting, and/or delaying sending the status until the other channel is available. A channel may include an application protocol.

Abstract: A system and method for matching candidates and placement providers through trusted recommenders without the need for the recommenders' direct engagement. The method includes receiving input from a provider regarding a recommender of candidates and from a candidate regarding a recommendation for that candidate by the recommender. A first trust score for the recommender is calculated, in accordance with a number of providers having a trust relationship with the recommender. A second trust score is calculated for the candidate with respect to a given provider, in accordance with the first trust score for the recommender, a trust relationship between the provider and the recommender, and a trust relationship between the candidate and the recommender. An ordered list of candidates is generated for the provider, in accordance with the second trust score.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for a web browser toolbar signature. In one example, the method includes receiving a submission of user content from a source webpage, receiving a producer identity of a producer who submitted the user content, receiving identifying information about the destination webpage, coding signed content using the user content and the producer identity, wherein the signed content includes a signature, and submitting the signed content to a server hosting the destination webpage.

Abstract: A social environment is provided by creating an object in response to recognition of an entity in a portion of web content, wherein the object represents the entity, the object is associated with a type selected from a set of types, and the type is associated with a schema selected from a set of schemas, where the social environment includes a set of objects including the object, wherein the objects are instances of corresponding types in a rich system of predefined types, the schemas are associated with the types, metadata is associated with the objects, and there is at least one relationship between at least two objects selected from the set of objects, where the set of objects and the metadata are extensible, such that extensions provided by a first user are available for use by a second user. In one example, metadata provided by a first user is only available to a second user having a relationship with the first user.

Abstract: A device, system, and method are directed towards sending a status of a user in a social network to a recipient. A status of the user is received over a channel. The recipient is selected based on a membership in the social network, a preference of the recipient, or a type of the status. Another channel is selected based on information about a mode of communication between the recipient and the user and/or another member related to the user in the social network. The status may be modified from one type to another type based on the recipient. The status is forwarded to the recipient over the other channel. Forwarding may comprise unicasting, multicasting, and/or delaying sending the status until the other channel is available. A channel may include an application protocol.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for detecting social relationships across multiple networks and/or communication channels. These social relationships may then be utilized in a wide variety of ways to support and enhance a broad range of user services.

Abstract: The disclosure describes systems and methods for scheduling an event in which user data, which may include social data, spatial data, temporal data and logical data, associated with each of the designated attendees of the event is used to prioritize and optimally schedule the event. Based on user data collected from past interactions with the network, for each attendee a priority score is generated for the event based on a comparison of the attendee's user data and the event information. One or more proposed alternate events are then identified based on the various attendees' priority scores of the event and their previously scheduled events. The organizer of the event may then select one of the proposed alternate events which is subsequently added to the attendees' electronic calendars.

Abstract: A system and method for matching candidates and placement providers through trusted recommenders without the need for the recommenders' direct engagement. The method includes receiving input from a provider regarding a recommender of candidates and from a candidate regarding a recommendation for that candidate by the recommender. A first trust score for the recommender is calculated, in accordance with a number of providers having a trust relationship with the recommender. A second trust score is calculated for the candidate with respect to a given provider, in accordance with the first trust score for the recommender, a trust relationship between the provider and the recommender, and a trust relationship between the candidate and the recommender. An ordered list of candidates is generated for the provider, in accordance with the second trust score.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention automatically detects when a user is in a state of vacillation based on user on-line behavior, records relevant parameters regarding the vacillation event, and then responds accordingly. This response may include providing relevant and/or targeted information that can be used by the user to help remove the indecision. The response may also or alternatively include providing third-party businesses, such as retailers, marketers, and advertisers, with information about vacillation events and associated behaviors for a single user or groups of users so that such businesses can identify potential markets/customers or directly engage similar users to facilitate the decision-making process.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for detecting and explaining bursty stream events in targeted groups. In one example, the method includes receiving validated bursty events, finding explanatory data sources having relevant bursty events that are relevant to the validated bursty events, wherein the explanatory sources explain the presence of the validated bursty events, correlating the validated bursty events to the relevant bursty events of the explanatory data sources to obtain burst results, and sending the burst results to a burst database that is accessible to an end user.

Abstract: A system and method for observing the communication behavior of a user, and analyzing data regarding the user's contacts and community. An electronic message (for example, from the user to a group of contacts) is intercepted and copied; the message content and message data are stored in a database. A contact value is determined (for example, a score is computed) for each contact in the community of the user. Each contact in the community is optionally assigned a ranking. Relationship data (data regarding the user's relationships with the contact and community) is extracted from the message content and message data. Statistics are compiled relating to the user, the contact, and/or the community. A list of contacts is compiled and monitored over time, thereby providing information regarding patterns of the user's behavior.