Abstract: A computing system creates and stores semantic metadata on content, such as videos, that enables efficient searching of the content. The existing metadata of a video file, for example, is examined and a keyword list is created. The processes used to derive the keyword list may depend on the type and format of the existing metadata. The keywords from the list are compared against external structured knowledge data sources that are topic oriented. Based on these comparisons and the matches found, semantic data, including topic, topic type, and attribute data are inserted into a topic table. This uniform and structured table is stored on the computing system and is efficiently searchable for finding relevant videos and for finding relationships between videos.

Abstract: A method and system for extracting relevant information from content metadata is provided. User access to content is monitored. A set of extraction rules for information extraction is selected. Key information is extracted from metadata for the content based on the selected extraction rules. Additionally, a type for the content can be determined, and a set of extraction rules is selected based on the content type. The key information is used in queries for searching information of potential interest to the user, related to the content accessed.

Abstract: A system and method in a network of devices, which ascertains the user's context to suggest the most preferred task for the user to perform. User's context includes his/her location, the content he/she is interested in, the devices which are being used by him/her, and the devices and content allowed to be used by the user. Using this context, the system suggests tasks to the user that are appropriate to that context. The determination of context and the suggestion of tasks are performed by keeping track of the content and the devices available to the user at any given time. The suggestion of tasks is performed in accordance with certain policies. For example, the user can control the behavior of the system by changing the rules in the policy. Tasks are in the form of simple sentences that can be easily understood by the user. If, based on certain context, more than one task is possible, the system suggests the task with the highest priority to the user.

Abstract: A method and system that enable an automatic invocation of device functionalities on devices in a network. Invocation mechanisms are provided to support heterogeneous invocation mechanisms including new invocation mechanisms. Invocation mechanisms using scripts can be added without the need for recompilation of support systems such as home-networking middleware systems. This further enables the use of scripts that can coordinate the use of multiple devices in accomplishing a task.

Abstract: A method of ranking pieces of media content is provided. Each of the plurality pieces of media content has at least one relationship with at least one user. Each of the users has at least one relationship with at least one of the pieces of media content. Weights are associated with each piece of media content, user and relationship. The weight of a particular piece of media content is determined by recursively calculating and updating the weights of the pieces of media content and the users. The weight associated with a piece of media content or a user is calculated based on the weights of the at least one relationship and the weights of the at least one piece of media content or the at least one user with which the piece of media content or the user has the at least one relationship.

Abstract: Various methods for combining ClipRank and Collaborative Filtering are provided. According to one embodiment, the ClipRank weights associated with pieces of media content are calculated based on the relationships among the pieces of media content and various users. Those pieces having ClipRank weights greater than or equal to a predefined weight threshold are selected from the pieces of media content to obtain selected pieces of media content. Collaborative Filtering is then performed on the selected pieces of media content and the users.

Abstract: System and method for automatically rating the content of video media based on video operations performed on a media device and in reference to a plurality of rating rules are provided. Usage of the media device is continuously monitored and user actions with respect to operating the video media on the media device are automatically logged. Each rating rule includes a device usage pattern with respect to operating videos on the media device and a rating action indicating adjustments to content ratings of the videos based upon characteristics described by the device usage pattern that are inferred from the recorded user inputted video control operations. When the device usage pattern of a rating rule is inferred from one or more user actions operating a piece of video media directly on the media device, the content rating of the piece of video media is adjusted based on the rating rule.

Abstract: In a first embodiment of the present invention, a method is provided comprising: determining if a portion of a script of web application code within a web application is migratable to a remote infrastructure, wherein the portion of the script contains one or more functions; and modifying the portion of the script if the portion of the script is migratable, such that execution of the portion of the script results in the one or more functions being executed on the remote infrastructure, wherein the remote infrastructure is not restricted to the device on which the web application was designed or distributed.

Abstract: A method and system for facilitating access to content on an electronic device is provided. Facilitating access involves maintaining a temporal log of metadata for content accessed by one or more users, segregated based on time slots; searching the log to detect a pattern related to the metadata for one or more times slots; and constructing a temporal usage profile based on the pattern. The temporal usage profile may be used for recommending appropriate content to a user at an appropriate time.

Abstract: An interest value indicative of the interest of a particular entity in one or more items can be determined based on a general interest value (e.g., a group interest/preference value) associated with a plurality of entities (e.g., persons, members of a group) that include that particular entity. The interest value can be determined based on Collaborative Filtering (CF) data and/or individual (or non-collaborative) data. In contrast to the Collaborative Filtering (CF) data which may include data associated with various entities, the individual (or non-collaborative) data typically pertains to one entity, namely, the entity whose interest is to be determined. It will be appreciated that both collaborative and non-collaborative data pertaining to individuals can be considered, thereby allowing for a better estimation of individual interests.

Abstract: A computing system creates and stores semantic metadata on content, such as videos, that enables efficient searching of the content. The existing metadata of a video file, for example, is examined and a keyword list is created. The processes used to derive the keyword list may depend on the type and format of the existing metadata. The keywords from the list are compared against external structured knowledge data sources that are topic oriented. Based on these comparisons and the matches found, semantic data, including topic, topic type, and attribute data are inserted into a topic table. This uniform and structured table is stored on the computing system and is efficiently searchable for finding relevant videos and for finding relationships between videos.

Abstract: A method and system for facilitating access to content on an electronic device is provided. Facilitating access involves maintaining a temporal log of metadata for content accessed by one or more users, segregated based on time slots; searching the log to detect a pattern related to the metadata for one or more times slots; and constructing a temporal usage profile based on the pattern. The temporal usage profile may be used for recommending appropriate content to a user at an appropriate time.

Abstract: In a first embodiment, first information regarding an object in a virtual world is received from a virtual world client. The first information is stored in a database. Second information regarding the object is received from a second virtual world client. The second information is then also stored in the database. In a second embodiment, a request is received from a virtual world client. Then a database is searched based on the request and based on tags corresponding to virtual world objects, wherein the tags are stored in the database, wherein the searching returns one or more tagged virtual world objects. Then the one or more tagged virtual world objects are sent to the virtual world client.

Abstract: In a first embodiment of the present invention, a method for automatically creating a list of media items for a user is provided. Information relating to the user is obtained from a social networking site. One or more keywords are then extracted from the information. The one or more keywords are then sent to a media item search engine. A list of media items relating to the keywords are received from the media item search engine.

Abstract: A method of ranking a plurality pieces of media content is provided. Each of the plurality pieces of media content has at least one relationship with at least one of a plurality of users. Each of the plurality of users has at least one relationship with at least one of the plurality pieces of media content. Each of the plurality pieces of media content is associated with a weight, each of the plurality of users is associated with a weight, and each relationship is associated with a weight. For each of the plurality pieces of media content and each of the plurality of users, recursively calculating and updating the weight associated with the piece of media content or the user until a difference between the weights associated with the plurality pieces of media content and the plurality of users calculated during a current iteration and the weights associated with the plurality pieces of media content and the plurality of users calculated during a previous iteration is less than a predefined threshold.

Abstract: Various methods for combining ClipRank and Collaborative Filtering are provided. According to one embodiment, the ClipRank weights associated with a plurality of pieces of media content are calculated based on the relationships among the plurality of pieces of media content and a plurality of users. Those pieces having ClipRank weights greater than or equal to a predefined weight threshold are selected from the plurality of pieces of media content to obtain a plurality of selected pieces of media content. Collaborative Filtering is then performed on the plurality of selected pieces of media content and the plurality of users. According to another embodiment, Collaborative Filtering on a plurality of pieces of media content and a plurality of users is performed for one of the plurality of users.

Abstract: System and method for automatically rating the content of video media based on video operations performed on a media device and in reference to a plurality of rating rules are provided. Usage of the media device is continuously monitored and user actions with respect to operating the video media on the media device are automatically logged. Each rating rule includes a device usage pattern with respect to operating videos on the media device and a rating action indicating adjustments to content ratings of the videos based upon characteristics described by the device usage pattern that are inferred from the recorded user inputted video control operations. When the device usage pattern of a rating rule is inferred from one or more user actions operating a piece of video media directly on the media device, the content rating of the piece of video media is adjusted based on the rating rule.

Abstract: A method and system implementing a process for suggesting search queries on an electronic device is provided. The process involves displaying terms related to content accessed by a user for selection by the user, obtaining one or more key terms related to a user-selected term, and displaying the one or more key terms to the user as query suggestions corresponding to the selected term. Obtaining one or more key terms involves obtaining one or more key terms related to the selected term, based on local content information and/or external content information.

Abstract: A method and system for accessing audio/visual content is provided. Such access involves initiating a download of selected content over a communication link, for display on a display device, and monitoring the download status to detect download conditions that may lead to a delay in the display of the selected content. Then, upon detecting download conditions that may lead to delay in display of the selected content, displaying alternate available content on the display device.

Abstract: A method and system for providing information to a user of a device on a local network is provided. This involves obtaining information about current user activity on the local network, obtaining contextual information about current user activity on the local network and obtaining additional information interrelated to the contextual information and the user activity information. Then correlations are identified between the additional information, the contextual information and the user activity information. The correlations are used in forming a query to search for information related to the current user activity, to provide to the user.