Abstract: A single device that receives communications intended for a user having multiple contact addresses associated with different user roles is provided. The single device can receive communications intended for multiple telephone numbers, email aliases, screen names, aliases, other means of contact, or combinations thereof. Since a user engaged in a particular role might not desire to be interrupted with communications intended for a different role, the communications for the other roles can be maintained until the user is actively engaged in the role for which the communication was intended. In situations where there is an important communication sent to a non-active role, selective convergence between roles is initiated and the important communication is presented to the user.

Abstract: A single device that receives communications, resources, data, and/or other information intended for a user having multiple contact addresses is provided. The single device can receive various information intended for multiple telephone numbers, email aliases, screen names, aliases, other means of contact, or combinations thereof. The device can selectively forward the information to the user based on a current user role, user preferences, contact information, or based on other criteria. If information is to be forwarded to the user at substantially the same time as receipt, automatic means of notifying the user of the role for which the communication is intended are provided.

Abstract: End users of a multi-factor authentication service can utilize an account management service, and third-party website can register to utilize the multi-factor authentication service. Registering a third-party website can comprise the multi-factor authentication service receiving a valid digital identity certificate for the third-party website, and receiving an agreement to terms of use of the multi-factor authentication service for the third-party website. Once received, the multi-factor authentication service can enable the third-party website to utilize the service (e.g., switch the service on, or send an authorization key to the third-party website). Further, registering a user to the multi-factor authentication service can comprise determining availability of service, and providing a location-specific access code. Additionally, registering the user can comprise registering the user's mobile device, for example, to provide multi-factor authentication.

Abstract: Provided is mechanism for guiding computer searches (e.g., web, Internet, intranet . . . ). Machine learning and reasoning mechanisms are employed together with a search engine to facilitate intelligent guidance of queries and results based on a query and responses to computer generated inquires. Also, disclosed is a mechanism that enables users to validate computer-based information. Users can receive a validity metric associated with computer generated or provided results. Validation systems and methods are disclosed to facilitate determining the results including those that employ humans (e.g., referrals, voting . . . ) and/or automated ways (e.g., source analysis, data mining . . . ).

Abstract: Embodiments extend functionality of a web page using cloud-based page applications. A page application provider, executing as part of a web browser, receives notification of a web page being accessed by a user of a user computing device. One or more page applications associated with the web page are identified. The identified page applications provide functionality related to the web page and, in some embodiments, interact or share data with the web page. The page application provider presents the identified page applications to the user. Based on a selection of at least one of the presented page applications, the selected page application is provided for execution by the user computing device. In some embodiments, the correlations among the user, web pages, and page applications are available from a cloud-based page application service.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and data structures associated with the detection and resolution of duplicate data that might result when using multiple synchronization protocols are described. These techniques may use different types of identification data associated with data that is synchronized, as well as a defined set of operations that may be performed by one or more endpoints to identify and remove duplicated data.

Abstract: An apparatus and method provide a companion application via a companion application corresponding to a host window provided by a host application, the companion window providing information or metadata descriptive of data in the host window. The host application and companion applications may be separate applications such that the host application is unaware of the companion application. The companion application may hook into the host application (e.g., via an application programming interface) and may monitor host application activities and/or data. Based on identification of data or events in the host application, the companion application may obtain information characterizing or providing a context for data provided by the host application. The host window and companion window may be attached to each other, the host window providing host application data and the companion window providing data describing the host application data.

Abstract: A user entering information in an application might desire functionality not supported by that application. Based on an input or a subset of the input, a functionality associated with a different application can be automatically applied within a current application. Sometimes, a particular application or mode of communication can be used to send information and reply information can be sent in a different mode of communication. The communications can be automatically associated or related to each other. A user can be presented with information relating to both communications, upon request, although the communications might be associated with different modes of communication. Constraints or parameters can be placed on a subsequent communication by either a sender or a recipient.

Abstract: Sharing of objects may be implemented in a way that allows programs to use shared objects in much the same way that they would use local objects. In one example, a program creates an object and sets properties through normal instructions that would be used to create a local object. The program then registers the object with a shared object model, which may be maintained by a shared object server. For each machine on which the object may be used, a shared object runtime monitors for changes to the objects, and notifies the server of these changes. The server updates the object, and notifies other machines of changes to the state of the object. The shared object runtimes on those machines receive notification of the changes, and update the local copies.

Abstract: A system that enables a cloud-based data repository to function as a secure ‘drop-box’ for data that corresponds to a user is provided. The ‘drop box’ can be facilitated through the use of cryptographic keying technologies. For instance, data that is ‘dropped’ by or on behalf of a particular user can be encrypted using a public key that corresponds to a user-specific private key. Thus, although the data resides within the large pool of ‘cloud-based’ data, it is protected since it can only be decrypted by using the private key, which is kept secret. The innovation can further facilitate user-centric secure storage by partitioning the cloud-based repository into multiple partitions, each of which corresponds to specific indexing criteria.

Abstract: A redirection service may be used to direct a user's request to specific providers of various types of services. When a user requests a web service (e.g., mapping, search, bookmarks, weather reports, etc.), the request is received by a redirection service. The redirection service identifies a provider of the service, and issues a redirect instruction to the user's browser that redirects the browser to the identified service provider. The service provider may be determined by user selection, by default, or by any other mechanism. In one example, the user's request for a service comes by selecting a link included in a web page. In another example, a user issues a direct request for the service in the form of a command. The command may be entered, in one example, through a browser or desktop search box.

Abstract: An apparatus and method provide a companion application via a companion application corresponding to a host window provided by a host application, the companion window providing information or metadata descriptive of data in the host window. The host application and companion applications may be separate applications such that the host application is unaware of the companion application. The companion application may hook into the host application (e.g., via an application programming interface) and may monitor host application activities and/or data. Based on identification of data or events in the host application, the companion application may obtain information characterizing or providing a context for data provided by the host application. The host window and companion window may be attached to each other, the host window providing host application data and the companion window providing data describing the host application data.

Abstract: Content management architecture for a portable wireless device. Caching and fetching techniques are provided to improve content handling for portable devices such as cellular telephones and portable computers. A search component automatically performs searches as a background process, and potentially desired content is received and cached by a content storing component to be available in the future when and if needed, mitigating latency associated with slow download speeds, refresh rates, and other system and/or network impediments. Content from background search results can be trickled into the device as part of the background process so as not to burden system resources for other processes. As part of memory management, aged and/or low priority or low interest content can be selectively removed or archived to increase available cache or memory space, as well as to maintain relevant content within the device. A presentation component facilitates presentation of the pre-stored content.

Abstract: Automatic capturing and recording of data in a single application is provided. The data can be obtained from multiple sources and over a short time or over an extended time. Personalized notations can be annotated with the data to provide a user with more personal information relating to why the particular data was captured and recorded. Selection of the single application can be a function of a type of the data, a user preference, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: A system that enables a cloud-based data repository to function as a secure ‘drop-box’ for data that corresponds to a user is provided. The ‘drop box’ can be facilitated through the use of cryptographic keying technologies. For instance, data that is ‘dropped’ by or on behalf of a particular user can be encrypted using a public key that corresponds to a user-specific private key. Thus, although the data resides within the large pool of ‘cloud-based’ data, it is protected since it can only be decrypted by using the private key, which is kept secret. The innovation can further facilitate user-centric secure storage by partitioning the cloud-based repository into multiple partitions, each of which corresponds to specific indexing criteria.

Abstract: Embodiments of erasure coded storage aggregation are disclosed. The erasure coded storage aggregation includes storing a data file as erasure coded fragments in a plurality of nodes of one or more data centers. The erasure coded storage aggregation further includes monitoring an access frequency of the data file. Based on the comparison between the access frequency and a predetermined threshold, the data file is either reconstructed from the erasure coded fragments and stored in a storage node or retained as erasure coded fragments in the plurality of nodes of the one or more data centers.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and data structures for augmenting data placed on the clipboard with additional data are disclosed. Where the data placed on the clipboard may include one or more references to other information, such systems, methods, or data structures may retrieve data referred to by a reference and place such data, or data associated with the retrieved data, on the clipboard.

Abstract: Providing a remote computer user authentication service involves providing a reference to a user authentication service in a host server's source code (e.g., website source code). Further, integration code that may be used in an application programming interface (API) on the host server for interaction with a user authentication service can be provided. Additionally, a user interface (UI) for user authentication on the host server, and an authentication-test message on the host server using the UI may be provided. Also, providing authentication can comprise sending an authentication-request message to a mobile device designated by the user; and/or can comprise the user responding with information from the authentication-test message. The host server can be notified of the user's authentication after a correct response is received by the user authentication service.

Abstract: Embodiments of erasure coded storage aggregation are disclosed. The erasure coded storage aggregation includes storing a data file as erasure coded fragments in a plurality of nodes of one or more data centers. The erasure coded storage aggregation further includes monitoring an access frequency of the data file. Based on the comparison between the access frequency and a predetermined threshold, the data file is either reconstructed from the erasure coded fragments and stored in a storage node or retained as erasure coded fragments in the plurality of nodes of the one or more data centers.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and data structures for augmenting data placed on the clipboard with additional data are disclosed. Where the data placed on the clipboard may include one or more references to other information, such systems, methods, or data structures may retrieve data referred to by a reference and place such data, or data associated with the retrieved data, on the clipboard.