Abstract: A human-centric distributed network operating system that includes a platform for facilitating remote collaboration on a large scale is provided. The platform permits resources, in the form of data, to be tagged and the tags are structured into a hierarchy, called namespaces, that are available for facilitating service based social network applications. The tags may further be assigned colors for performing operations associated with handling certain applications, such as image related operations or graphic user interfaces. By integrating these tools into a platform, users may seamlessly communicate with others to build communities of any desired size and for any desired purpose. The human-centric distributed network operating system may be used to facilitate various service based social network applications. The platform provides a scalable product for real time communications in an open, collaborative environment.

Abstract: A method and system for interactively and progressively processing and determining customer satisfaction from data gathered within an online community comprises of a group of participants connected via a computer network such as the Internet. A customer satisfaction and experience processing system comprises a participant or user interface (“front interface”), a database, a search engine, a customer satisfaction processing algorithm, an intelligent optimizer, and an optional report generator. The front interface is accessible via the network, thereby allowing any participant to interactively share experiences with respct to listed items (i.e., products or services). The database stores identification information and data pertaining to the participants' satisfaction and experiences with particular items. The algorithm processes the input data and produces ranking scores for individual items.

Abstract: Video telephony is implemented via a set-top box located at each participating party's site, a number of media gateways located at one or more cable TV distribution hubs or headends, and a number of software switches located at one or more headends and/or within the Internet or a managed data network. The set-top box provides an interface for a participating party to send and receive voice, video, and data converged transmissions. The media gateway is designed to handle both in-band (media) and out-of-band (call signaling) transmissions, and comprises a switching core that directs the out-of-band transmissions to the software switch. The software switch manages all out-of-band signaling and controls the operation of the media gateway.