Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for selectively displaying content corresponding to web page elements. A web page element can comprise one or more DIV tags that may be used to encapsulate and identify other elements and information. The first name and the first address of the element are stored. In a receiving operation, a display request to visibly display the element, is received. A received display request identifies the first name or the first address, or both, of the element. In response to receiving the display request, content associated with the first address, and at least a portion of the content comprising the identified element are retrieved. The content to obtain the identified element is parsed, and the identified element is subsequently displayed. The displayed content be altered or adjusted based identification of a second element.

Abstract: A system is provided for recovering a mobile device by enabling an authorized user to remotely change the profile of the device to assist others in returning the device to the user. Initially, a user registers the mobile device with a recovery assist server. When the user is unable to locate the device because it is, for example, lost or stolen, the user indicates with the server that the device is missing. The device and the server are configured to communicate with each other, for example, periodically or, in another example, on device start up. If the device is identified as missing on the server, the operation of the mobile device is configured based on a missing profile associated with the mobile device. Once the device is located, the user indicates with the server that the device is no longer missing. When the device is unidentified as missing on the server, the operation of the mobile device is configured based on a user profile associated with the mobile device.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for automatically adding advertisements into a slide show data feed. The disclosure includes receiving a request for a slide show data feed and generating a modified slide show data feed from the original data feed. One or more advertisements are selected and inserted as slides into the modified slide show data feed. The modified slide show data feed is then transmitted to the requester. When rendered on the requestor's device, the modified slide show data feed displays the slides of the originally requested data feed along with the advertisements.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for automatically adding advertisements into a ticker. The disclosure includes receiving a request for a ticker data feed and generating a modified ticker data feed from the original data feed. One or more advertisements are selected and inserted as data items into the modified ticker data feed. The modified ticker data feed is then transmitted to the requester. When rendered on the requestor's device, the modified ticker data feed displays the data items of the originally requested data feed along with the advertisements in a scrolling ticker.

Abstract: In a method and system for creating an extensible media player, a multimedia player application is instantiated on a client system. A presentation data file is transmitted to the client system from a server. The presentation data file includes a playlist of timelines, with at least one multimedia file being played or at least one application being executed for each timeline. The presentation data file is parsed to activate an advertising manager module. The activated advertising manager module instantiates an advertising plug-in. The advertising plug-in connects to an advertising network and downloads select advertising policies and dynamically schedules advertisements for the timelines. Upon the occurrence of an event generated by a timeline, the advertising manager module inserts a blocking module to block execution of the timeline. An advertisement is dynamically retrieved and rendered in an advertising display overlaying a multimedia player application display.

Abstract: A system and method of pre-buffering media files may be employed to improve the initial playback performance of a media file. In accordance with one aspect, a media player application may present a list of media files for playback. Based on a location and/or movement of an input focus device, the media player may pre-buffer those media files located within a proximity of the input focus device. A pre-buffered media file may be selected for playback by the media player application.

Abstract: A system is provided for recovering a mobile device by enabling an authorized user to remotely change the profile of the device to assist others in returning the device to the user. Initially, a user registers the mobile device with a recovery assist server. When the user is unable to locate the device because it is, for example, lost or stolen, the user indicates with the server that the device is missing. The device and the server are configured to communicate with each other, for example, periodically or, in another example, on device start up. If the device is identified as missing on the server, the operation of the mobile device is configured based on a missing profile associated with the mobile device. Once the device is located, the user indicates with the server that the device is no longer missing. When the device is unidentified as missing on the server, the operation of the mobile device is configured based on a user profile associated with the mobile device.

Abstract: A system is provided for recovering a mobile device by enabling an authorized user to remotely change the profile of the device to assist others in returning the device to the user. Initially, a user registers the mobile device with a recovery assist server. When the user is unable to locate the device because it is, for example, lost or stolen, the user indicates with the server that the device is missing. The device and the server are configured to communicate with each other, for example, periodically or, in another example, on device start up. If the device is identified as missing on the server, the operation of the mobile device is configured based on a missing profile associated with the mobile device. Once the device is located, the user indicates with the server that the device is no longer missing. When the device is unidentified as missing on the server, the operation of the mobile device is configured based on a user profile associated with the mobile device.

Abstract: Systems and methods have been developed for searching an index by category. More specifically, systems and methods have been developed for launching a search program that sends to a browser a search address associated with a selected search category for transmission to a remote computing device.

Abstract: Systems and Methods of presenting video on a display are disclosed. A video clip is displayed on a video display area. The video clip is one of a plurality of video clips in a video playlist. A playlist pane can be displayed and includes video thumbnails displayed in an order that is representative of an order of playing the video clips in the video playlist. Furthermore, one or more selectable video thumbnails can also be displayed. A drag and drop input is received from a user in order to place on the playlist pane a selected video thumbnail from the one or more selectable video thumbnails. The video content corresponding to the selected video thumbnail is added in real-time to the video playlist while simultaneously continuing to play the video clip on the video display area.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for selectively displaying content corresponding to web page elements. A web page element can comprise one or more DIV tags that may be used to encapsulate and identify other elements and information. The first name and the first address of the element are stored. In a receiving operation, a display request to visibly display the element, is received. A received display request identifies the first name or the first address, or both, of the element. In response to receiving the display request, content associated with the first address, and at least a portion of the content comprising the identified element are retrieved. The content to obtain the identified element is parsed, and the identified element is subsequently displayed.

Abstract: Systems and methods are set forth for detecting an end of program pattern. More specifically, systems and methods are set forth for recognizing and acting upon sequential image data that contains an end of program pattern.

Abstract: A system is provided for tracking a mobile device by enabling a user to remotely monitor the external surrounding environment of the mobile device. Initially, a mobile device is configured to selectively report on the device's surrounding environment based on one or more reporting events. Upon an occurrence of a reporting event, the mobile device generates a report by capturing at least one sensory datum related to its external surrounding environment. At least one locating datum is included in the report which can provide at least an approximate geographic location of the mobile device at the time the report is generated. Once the report is generated, the mobile device selectively sends the report to a tracking assist server, which makes the report remotely accessible to the user. Accordingly, when a mobile device is missing, a user can review one or more reports accessible on the server to determine whether the mobile device is stolen.

Abstract: System and method for processing a search query using partial indexing to enable use of abbreviated search terms in the query. A mobile device sends a search request (e.g. a text message) to a server over a network. Search request terms can include subsets of feature identifiers and function as partial indexes. The search request can include additional context (e.g. to indicate desired service such as restaurant or transportation, or additional geographic information). The server matches the terms to an interim search result such as one or more geographic locations, and then provides information regarding the interim result to the mobile device. Partial indexing of a database or of one or more tables of the database (e.g. for a geographic area) can be adjusted to balance a minimum term size (e.g. minimum number of characters) against an average, maximum, or median number of matching locations or services.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for presenting a media stream to user next adjacent to text and other content via a graphical user interface. The graphical user interface allows allowing the user to select part of the content and associate it with a specified portion of the media stream. The a graphical user interface that displays and renders a media stream, such as a video stream, to a user in a first display area. Near the first display area is a second display area displaying content, such as text, to be associated with some portion of the media stream. The interface allows a user to select some of the content in the second display area with a pointing device. The selection also identifies a portion of the media stream based on what is being rendered as the selection is made and how the selection is made.

Abstract: Methods and system for navigation in a data grid include defining a first region in a containment window of a display device associated with a computer system, to render data in a first data grid. The first data grid includes a plurality of rows and columns of data representing a portion of data in the data grid. A second region within the containment window provides a smaller, visual representation of the data in the data grid. The second region includes a two-dimensional data grid with a plurality of data portions with each data portion corresponding to a page of data in the data grid. Each of the plurality of data portions in the second region is provided with preview information to identify the content contained therein. A thumb tool within the second region enables selection and navigation to a coordinate point within a selected data portion within the second region using the two-dimensional data grid information.

Abstract: The subject matter disclosed herein relates to presenting informational content via a backdrop image within at least a portion of a computer generated container area.

Abstract: To provide up-to-date search results containing Internet addresses that have become extremely popular very recently, search engines fine-tune search result rankings using communications sent by users of real-time messaging systems to each other. Instant messaging systems are one type of real-time messaging systems. Search engines use a URL found in instant messages to promote the ranking of Internet addresses and to refresh abstracts and caches. Similar demographics between the search engine user and senders of instant messages might be a requisite for promotion. The number of hops taken by a URL among instant messaging users might determine the extent of the promotion. To prevent unfair manipulation of search results, a URL should hop a threshold number of times. Call centers also promote the rankings of knowledge articles presented to call center operators based on how often keywords related to each knowledge article are detected in a conversation with a caller.

Abstract: System and method for processing a search query using partial indexing to enable use of abbreviated search terms in the query. A mobile device sends a search request (e.g. a text message) to a server over a network. Search request terms can include subsets of feature identifiers and function as partial indexes. The search request can include additional context (e.g. to indicate desired service such as restaurant or transportation, or additional geographic information). The server matches the terms to an interim search result such as one or more geographic locations, and then provides information regarding the interim result to the mobile device. Partial indexing of a database or of one or more tables of the database (e.g. for a geographic area) can be adjusted to balance a minimum term size (e.g. minimum number of characters) against an average, maximum, or median number of matching locations or services.

Abstract: A system is provided for tracking a mobile device by enabling a user to remotely monitor the external surrounding environment of the mobile device. Initially, a mobile device is configured to selectively report on the device's surrounding environment based on one or more reporting events. Upon an occurrence of a reporting event, the mobile device generates a report by capturing at least one sensory datum related to its external surrounding environment. At least one locating datum is included in the report which can provide at least an approximate geographic location of the mobile device at the time the report is generated. Once the report is generated, the mobile device selectively sends the report to a tracking assist server, which makes the report remotely accessible to the user. Accordingly, when a mobile device is missing, a user can review one or more reports accessible on the server to determine whether the mobile device is stolen.