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 real-time locater for digital media objects, related to one or more musical compositions and accessible over a network, is described. A service-provider maintains a master index of the digital media objects and a playlist-resolver server. The master index is organized by considering each media object to be an example of a primary attribute associated with the media object by a multitude of users. The reference is constructed as a data structure of primary attributes and means of locating the media objects as instances of primary attributes. The playlist-resolver works with the master index to translate a list of references to creative works into a series of successful accesses to the corresponding media object files.

Abstract: A system and method for Context Enhanced Mapping. A request is received from a user over a network for a map comprising an identification of a physical location, and at least one criteria. The physical location is mapped. Spatial, temporal, topical, and social data available to the network relating to the physical location and criteria is retrieved using a global index of data available to the network and prioritized for inclusion based upon the user and context of the request. The map of the physical location and at least some of the retrieved spatial, temporal, topical, and social data is displayed on a display medium.

Abstract: Receive a plurality of data management policies from a user. Store in a memory the data management policies in association with a context and an identifier of the user. Receive personal data of the user collected in one or more contexts by one or more collection devices. Determine whether the personal data complies with one or more of the data management policies with respect to collecting personal data of the user. If the personal data complies with the data management policies with respect to collecting personal data on the user, then storing in the memory the personal data in association with the identifier of the user. Provide a centralized interface to the user for managing the personal data stored in the memory.

Abstract: Systems and methods have been developed for displaying contextually relevant advertisements to users as media objects are being rendered. One or more data sources with contextual information for different portions of each media object are maintained. From this contextual information, keywords may be generated and used to locate contextually-related advertisements. The advertisements are selected based on contextual information about the media object in order to match or otherwise be contextually relevant with the media content being rendered. As the subject matter of the media object changes during rendering, different advertisements related to the new context are provided that replace the prior advertisement. The advertisements are displayed in an area that could be used for other purposes when the rendering device is not rendering media objects.

Abstract: A method of creating a browser renderable toolbar or helper application, and a network architecture therefore. The browser renderable toolbar obviates the need for separately-installed software while still permitting a user to take advantage of the functionality provided by a traditional toolbar.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system for annotating video. A software application operating on a user computing device monitors a first display of video content transmitted over a network from a video server. The software application detects an action performed by a user of the user computing device on a first frame of the video content during display of the first frame. The action corresponds to the user identifying a portion of the displayed video frame upon which to overlay a visible marking on the first frame. The marking is associated with an object in the first frame. The software application iteratively derives a further position for the marking in a further frame of the video content, the further position associated with the location of the object in the further frame. The software application generates metadata associated with the user and transmits the metadata to a metadata sever.

Abstract: Systems and methods have been developed for expanding collections of media objects that are stored remotely. More specifically, systems and methods have been developed for continuously monitoring and updating collections of media objects stored in a user's media repository (e.g., a “media locker”).

Abstract: Particular embodiments of the present invention are related to a digital media benefit attachment mechanism for generating or attaching revenue rights and other benefits to one or more entities associated with socially distributed media.

Abstract: A real-time locater for digital media objects, related to one or more musical compositions and accessible over a network, is described. A service-provider maintains a master index of the digital media objects and a playlist-resolver server. The master index is organized by considering each media object to be an example of a primary attribute associated with the media object by a multitude of users. The reference is constructed as a data structure of primary attributes and means of locating the media objects as instances of primary attributes. The playlist-resolver works with the master index to translate a list of references to creative works into a series of successful accesses to the corresponding media object files.

Abstract: A system and method for Context Enhanced Mapping. A request is received from a user over a network for a map comprising an identification of a physical location, and at least one criteria. The physical location is mapped. Spatial, temporal, topical, and social data available to the network relating to the physical location and criteria is retrieved using a global index of data available to the network and prioritized for inclusion based upon the user and context of the request. The map of the physical location and at least some of the retrieved spatial, temporal, topical, and social data is displayed on a display medium.

Abstract: Particular embodiments of the present invention are related to a digital media benefit attachment mechanism for generating or attaching revenue rights and other benefits to one or more entities associated with socially distributed media.

Abstract: This disclosure describes methods and systems for improved media distribution. More specifically, this disclosure sets forth methods and systems for distributing video to a third party.

Abstract: Receive a plurality of data management policies from a user. Store in a memory the data management policies in association with a context and an identifier of the user. Receive personal data of the user collected in one or more contexts by one or more collection devices. Determine whether the personal data complies with one or more of the data management policies with respect to collecting personal data of the user. If the personal data complies with the data management policies with respect to collecting personal data on the user, then storing in the memory the personal data in association with the identifier of the user. Provide a centralized interface to the user for managing the personal data stored in the memory.

Abstract: Systems and methods have been developed for expanding collections of media objects that are stored remotely. More specifically, systems and methods have been developed for continuously monitoring and updating collections of media objects stored in a user's media repository (e.g., a “media locker”).

Abstract: This disclosure describes methods and systems for improved media distribution. More specifically, this disclosure sets forth methods and systems for distributing video to a third party.

Abstract: A system and method for distributing media related to a location. The physical location of a media presentation device is received over a network. The physical location of a plurality of end users are identified, via the network, wherein each of plurality of users is associated with a user device capable of storing media files. At least one of the end users is identified who is located in such proximity to the media presentation device that the user can perceive media that presented on the media presentation device. At least one media file that is currently being presented on the media presentation device is identified and transmitted over the network to each of the identified end users.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for implementing a reality overlay device. A reality overlay device captures information that is pertinent to physical surroundings with respect to a device, the information including at least one of visual information or audio information. The reality overlay device may transmit at least a portion of the captured information to a second device. For instance, the reality overlay device may transmit at least a portion of the captured information to a server via the Internet, where the server is capable of identifying an appropriate virtual billboard. The reality overlay device may then receive overlay information for use in generating a transparent overlay via the reality overlay device. The transparent overlay is then superimposed via the device using the overlay information, wherein the transparent overlay provides one or more transparent images that are pertinent to the physical surroundings.

Abstract: Systems and methods for pre-caching information on mobile computing devices are set forth in this disclosure.

Abstract: A system and method for selecting and presenting media on a network to tune an environment to the tastes of the users within that environment, thus improving the experience of that location. A physical location of a media presentation device is received over a network. The physical location of a plurality of end users are identified via the network, wherein each of plurality of users associated are with a plurality of media files stored on the network. A least one of the end users that are within a defined proximity to the media presentation device are identified. At least one media file associated with the end users that are within a defined proximity to the media presentation device are identified and transmitted over the network to the media presentation device.