Abstract: Techniques to provide geo-targeted advertising are described. A technique may include displaying a map to an advertiser at a first zoom level. The advertiser may stay at the first zoom level or change to a second zoom level. The advertiser may also create a user-defined area of the map. The advertiser may select an advertising campaign, and the advertising system may associate the selected advertising campaign with the user-defined area and the selected zoom level. The advertising system may then provide the selected advertising campaign for display in a mapping application operating on a client device when the user-defined area and the selected zoom level are viewed in the mapping application. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: In accordance with various aspects, the present invention relates to methods and systems for sending an identity information document comprising selecting identity information from a self-identity information store for inclusion in the identity information document. The selected identity information is read from a self-identity information store. The identity information document is generated to include the selected identity information and one or more keys, and signed using a key associated with one of the keys included in the identity information document. The identity information document is then sent to a recipient. Receiving an identity information document comprises receiving a signed identity information document from an originator. A determination is made as to whether identity information in the identity information document is reliable. The identity information is saved in a recognized identity information store if the identity information is determined to be reliable.

Abstract: A method of merging contact information received from multiple sources. The method includes acts of identifying a first data record including a first information content as representing a contact, identifying a second data record that has a second information content differing from the first data record and represents the contact, and merging the first data record and the second data record into a single contact record.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer-readable medium are provided for managing consent between online entities to perform tasks. The consent mechanism uses an asynchronous protocol for submitting consent requests, managing consent requests, and resolving consent requests. An application that requires consent to perform a task submits a request for consent to the consent mechanism. The resolving authority obtains pending request information from the consent mechanism and sends the consent mechanism request resolution information. The application obtains resolved request information from the consent mechanism. If the resolved request is approved, the consent mechanism allows the application to perform the task. If the resolved request is denied, the consent mechanism does not allow the application to perform the task.

Abstract: Computer-implemented methods of processing contact records are provided. A user may merge and unmerge contact records to control which records are synchronized with each other. Identity claims of records may be compared to identify possible duplicate records. Identity claims may include addresses, phone numbers, instant messenger addresses or other contact data that is likely to be uniquely associated with a contact. When possible duplicate contact records are found, a dialog box is displayed that identifies the possible duplicate records and includes an option for merging the possible duplicate contact records.

Abstract: In a network computing environment, a user-centric system and method for controlling access to user-specific information maintained in association with a web-services service. When a web-services client desires access to the user-specific information, the client sends a request. The request identifies the reasons/intentions for accessing the desired information. The request is compared to the user's existing access permissions. If there is no existing access permission, the request is compared to the user's default preferences. If the default preferences permit the requested access, an access rule is created dynamically and the client's request is filled, without interrupting the user. If the default preferences do not permit the request to be filled, a consent user interface may be invoked. The consent user interface presents one or more consent options to a party with authority to grant consent, thereby permitting the user to control whether the client's access will be filled.

Abstract: A computerized method for allowing multiple applications to create groups in a common address book while maintaining control over access to the created group. A creating application creates a group within a shared address book and may provide access logic for access to the group. Additional applications may then send a request to an intermediary component such as an Application Program Interface (“API”) for access to the group. The API determines if there is access logic to execute. If there is no logic, access may be granted to the group. If there is access logic, then the logic is executed and access is granted or denied depending on the prerequisites for access found in the logic.

Abstract: Example embodiment of the present invention provide for assisting a user in managing the user's shared persona on a request-by-request basis. Upon requesting to share one or more types of identity information, the user is automatically presented with an interface through which the user can interact in selecting an amount of identity items to share. A subset of the total identity items selected may then be shared with specified entities. In another embodiment, the present invention assists a user in managing identity information that has been shared with others by providing the user with a visual list of entities for which the user has shared specified identity information. Other embodiments of the present invention use shared information about an entity to automatically provide the user with the ability to update identity information that has subsequently been edited.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention identify duplicate entries across multiple sources of information, such as databases. Further aspects of the invention relate to auto-suggesting entries as duplicates. Embodiments of the invention relate to an algorithm constructed to match or discard duplicates based upon information relating to at least two social identities in one store. Further embodiments of the invention relate to an algorithm constructed to match or discard duplicate entries based upon a legal and/or digital identity. This can be in conjunction with information relating to social identity.

Abstract: A data structure with endpoint address and security information. The data structure includes an address field that includes one or more endpoint addresses for an entity. The data structure further includes a security field that includes one or more keys for facilitating secure communications with the entity. The data structure may also be such that the contents of the address field and the security field are serialized in the data structure. The data structure may be extensible such that new address fields and security fields may be added.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for synchronizing data stored in remote stores. Data stored in locations such as computer applications, consumer electronic devices and Internet websites is synchronized with a central database within a computer device. The computer device may also store constraints that limit the type of data that may be synchronized with individual stores. A graphical user interface may use different formats or icons to distinguish between data stored in a store and data included within the central database.

Abstract: A method of merging contact information. A method of merging contact information received from multiple sources comprising the acts of identifying a first data record including a first information content as representing a contact, identifying a second data record, having a second information content differing from the first data record, and representing the contact, and merging the first data record and the second data record into a single contact record.

Abstract: A contact text box interface for resolving user input with contact information selected from contact directories and compared against usage patterns. Users are provided with a list of potentially relevant contacts from which a selection can be made. When a contact is selected, the corresponding and appropriate contact information is automatically provided to the application. Various criteria can be used to identify which contacts will be presented to the user and how they will be presented.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for synchronizing a file system with presence information on a network. Presence information is discovered for nearby users on the network. Data corresponding to the nearby users, such as a display name and sharing address, are stored in the file system. The data is synchronized either in a folder corresponding to nearby users, or is synchronized in a general contacts folder that is enhanced by the presence information. As people move in and out of the network, the entries in the file system are updated.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for publication and discovery of the presence of nearby users on a network. When the system is enabled, the presence of the local user is published on the network. Nearby users that also have a similar system enabled can discover the local user's presence on the network. Furthermore, the local user may discovery the presence of the other nearby users that are currently publishing their presence on the network.

Abstract: Consent management between a client and a network server. In response to a request for consent, a central server determines if requested user information is included in a user profile associated with a user and if the user has granted consent to share the requested user information. A user interface is provided to the user via a browser of the client to collect the requested user information that is not included in the user profile and the consent to share the requested user information from the user. After receiving the user information provided by the user via the user interface, the service provided by the network server is allowed access to the received user information, and the central server updates the user profile. Other aspects of the invention are directed to computer-readable media for use with profile and consent accrual.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to utilizing contact data controls to simplify access to schematized contact data. Contact data controls abstract the formatting of schematized contact data from applications. In some embodiments, applications that lack the configuration to natively access schematized contact data (e.g., lack the functionality to convert between schematized and non-schematized data or are not authorized) forward requests to access schematized contact data to an external contact data control. In other embodiments, applications that lack the configuration to natively access schematized contact data forward non-schematized data, which is to be used to update schematized contact data, to an external contact data control. External contact data controls appropriately interact with the schematized data and can provide user-interface such that an application designer need not have extensive knowledge of contact schemas associated with the schematized contact data.

Abstract: Computer-implemented methods of processing contact records are provided. A user may merge and unmerge contact records to control which records are synchronized with each other. Identity claims of records may be compared to identify possible duplicate records. Identity claims may include addresses, phone numbers, instant messenger addresses or other contact data that is likely to be uniquely associated with a contact. When possible duplicate contact records are found, a dialog box is displayed that identifies the possible duplicate records and includes an option for merging the possible duplicate contact records.

Abstract: In accordance with various aspects, the present invention relates to methods and systems for sending an identity information document comprising selecting identity information from a self-identity information store for inclusion in the identity information document. The selected identity information is read from a self-identity information store. The identity information document is generated to include the selected identity information and one or more keys, and signed using a key associated with one of the keys included in the identity information document. The identity information document is then sent to a recipient. Receiving an identity information document comprises receiving a signed identity information document from an originator. A determination is made as to whether identity information in the identity information document is reliable. The identity information is saved in a recognized identity information store if the identity information is determined to be reliable.

Abstract: Computer-implemented methods of processing contact records are provided. A user may merge and unmerge contact records to control which records are synchronized with each other. Identity claims of records may be compared to identify possible duplicate records. Identity claims may include addresses, phone numbers, instant messenger addresses or other contact data that is likely to be uniquely associated with a contact. When possible duplicate contact records are found, a dialog box is displayed that identifies the possible duplicate records and includes an option for merging the possible duplicate contact records.