Abstract: Embodiments are directed towards a Modified Sequitur algorithm (MSA) using pipelining and indexed arrays to identify trending topics within a plurality of documents having user generated content (UGC). The documents are parallelized and distributed across a plurality of network devices, which place at least some of the received documents into a buffer for which the MSA may then be applied to the documents within the buffer to identify n-grams or phrases within the documents' contents. The identified phrases are further analyzed to remove extraneous co-occurrences of phrases, and/or words based on a part of speech analysis. A weighting of the remaining phrases is used to identify trending topic phrases. Links to content in the plurality of UGC documents that is associated with the trending topic phrases may then be displayed to a client device.

Abstract: A network device and method are directed towards detecting and blocking spam within a message by rapidly performing a predication analysis based on early received sender reputation reports. Reputation reports may be received from a plurality of users receiving messages that they interpret as either spam or non-spam. A reputation report rate prediction table is employed to predict the total number of user reports that will occur. The total number of spam reports and not spam (ham) reports for may then be used with a sender categorization model to rapidly predict whether the sender is likely to be a spammer. If the sender is determined to be a spammer, various preventative actions may be taken, including, but not limited to blocking messages from the sender to users, alerting third party filter generators of the spammer, or the like.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for selecting a diverse mix of content items that may be displayed to a user. Content items such as user-generated events are received from a variety of sources. One or more content items are added to a set of content items based on a diversity of characteristics. The diversity of characteristics for the one or more content items may be calculated by measuring a diversity of characteristics of the set as if the one or more content items were added to the set. Content items that produce a greater diversity are selected for addition to the set. The set is displayed to the user, who is provided with a more meaningful mix of content due to the greater diversity in content.

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 device, system and method for aggregating resources, services or data across a network in which data and services from various source networks can be converted into an internal, aggregatable form (or vice versa) that can be sent to relevant properties or systems on request or through scheduling. The framework of the device, system and method permits scalability and potentially support any number of users, applications and services.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for adding annotations to an index are disclosed. Annotation is defined as any supplemental information that may be stored in an index node in addition to the usual key and data references. Adding annotations to the index opens numerous applicative possibilities, including but not limited to, storing and retrieving aggregation, statistical, and security information pertaining to the indexed data and to the index itself.

Abstract: An architecture, apparatus, and method for a cascading index of a plurality of PATRICIA trie blocks are shown. The invention discloses a method of a two-dimensional indexing system using PATRICIA trie properties in both dimensions to overcome prior art imbalances in data access as well as simplifying the access solutions.

Abstract: Enabling a first user to preview content as it would be seen by a second user, if the second user had a selected user relationship with the first user. The selected user relationship may include a relationship degree, a relationship category, a relationship rating, and/or other form of relationship. In one embodiment, a user interface enables the first user to assign user relationships to portions of content and to other users. The first user selects a user relationship, which is used to access those portions of content that are associated with the first user and assigned the selected user relationship. The corresponding portions of content are used to generate a preview display for the first user, illustrating the portions of content that would be accessible to other users assigned the same user relationship or assigned a closer user relationship. Preview may be generated by a server or a local client.

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: A network device and method are directed towards detecting and blocking spam within a message by rapidly performing a predication analysis based on early received sender reputation reports. Reputation reports may be received from a plurality of users receiving messages that they interpret as either spam or non-spam. A reputation report rate prediction table is employed to predict the total number of user reports that will occur. The total number of spam reports and not spam (ham) reports for may then be used with a sender categorization model to rapidly predict whether the sender is likely to be a spammer. If the sender is determined to be a spammer, various preventative actions may be taken, including, but not limited to blocking messages from the sender to users, alerting third party filter generators of the spammer, or the like.

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 method for encoding hierarchical data stored in an index, partitioned into blocks, over keys representing the data. For every key K representing a record R in the index, the key of the children records of record R are prefixed with K. The method includes traversing to a first R record represented in the index, traversing from the record R to the next sequential R such that the path in the index from the position representing R to the position representing the next sequential R does not include information relating to the children of R. Next, repeating the latter operation for 0 or more R records, and for any 0 or more particular R records, traversing from the particular R to its children. The index constitutes a balanced structure of blocks.

Abstract: A method for encoding XML tree data that includes the step of encoding the semi-structured data into strings of arbitrary length in a way that maintains non-structural and structural information about the XML data, and enables indexing the encoded XML data in a way that facilitates efficient search and browsing.

Abstract: An architecture and method for efficient termination of variable length keys in a PATRICIA trie is disclosed. By adding a null-labeled link, it is possible to terminate such variable length PATRICIA trie nodes, allowing to overcome the need for complex termination solutions. Specifically, a ternary PATRICIA block is introduced.

Abstract: A method for encoding hierarchical data stored in an index, partitioned into blocks, over keys representing the data. For every key K representing a record R in the index, the key of the children records of record R are prefixed with K. The method includes traversing to a first R record represented in the index, traversing from the record R to the next sequential R such that the path in the index from the position representing R to the position representing the next sequential R does not include information relating to the children of R. Next, repeating the latter operation for 0 or more R records, and for any 0 or more particular R records, traversing from the particular R to its children. The index constitutes a balanced structure of blocks.

Abstract: Enabling a content publisher and a receiving user to control access to content updates based on user relationships. The content publisher and the receiving user may assign a relationship degree, relationship category, and/or relationship rating to each other and to other users. The content publisher and/or receiving user also specify a required relationship that is needed to access or accept a content update. The content publisher and receiving user may further specify acceptable types of content updates, such as blog entries, product reviews, photos, and the like that are accessible or acceptable. Upon logon or other event, a summary of content updates is provided to each receiving user that meets each content publisher's required relationship, and the content updates are delivered according to a selected delivery method from those content publishers that meet the relationship requirements of the receiving users. Delivery includes email, instant message, RSS feeds, and the like.

Abstract: Enabling an unauthenticated user to access content associated with an authenticated user as though the unauthenticated user had a selected user relationship with the authenticated user. The user relationship may comprise a relationship degree, a relationship category, a relationship rating, and/or the like. An invitation to join an electronic service, such as an online social network, is sent to the unauthenticated user at an address known to the authenticated user. The invitation includes a time-limited token, such as a URL, that includes an invitation identifier, which relates the invitation to the authenticated user content. The token may be encrypted in the invitation. The unauthenticated user returns the token as a request to preview the authenticated user content without first becoming an authenticated user of the electronic service. If the token is still valid, access is granted. The unauthenticated user may also request to establish a connection with the authenticated user.

Abstract: Enabling a first user to preview content as it would be seen by a second user, if the second user had a selected user relationship with the first user. The selected user relationship may comprise a relationship degree, a relationship category, a relationship rating, and/or other form of relationship. In one embodiment, a user interface enables the first user to assign user relationships to portions of content and to other users. The first user selects a user relationship, which is used to access those portions of content that are associated with the first user and assigned the selected user relationship. The corresponding portions of content are used to generate a preview display for the first user, illustrating the portions of content that would be accessible to other users assigned the same user relationship or assigned a closer user relationship. Preview may be generated by a server or a local client.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for adding annotations to an index are disclosed. Annotation is defined as any supplemental information that may be stored in an index node in addition to the usual key and data references. Adding annotations to the index opens numerous applicative possibilities, including but not limited to, storing and retrieving aggregation, statistical, and security information pertaining to the indexed data and to the index itself.

Abstract: An architecture, apparatus, and method for a cascading index of a plurality of PATRICIA trie blocks are shown. The invention discloses a method of a two-dimensional indexing system using PATRICIA trie properties in both dimensions to overcome prior art imbalances in data access as well as simplifying the access solutions.