Abstract: Systems and methods for intelligent gift registries are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for using an intelligent gift registry may include: (1) receiving, from a gift receiver, an identification of at least one gift receiver interest; (2) receiving, from a gift giver, an identification of at least one gift giver interest; (3) at least one computer processor generating a gift giving suggestion list comprising at least one gift giving suggestion and based on the at least one gift receiver interest and the at least one gift giver interest; (4) providing, to the gift giver, the gift suggestion list; and (5) receiving, from one of the gift giver, a gift selection.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention present an approach to conversion rate estimation which relies on using past performance observations along user, publisher, and advertiser data hierarchies. More specifically, embodiments of the invention model the conversion event at different select hierarchical levels with separate binomial distributions and estimate the distribution parameters individually. It is shown how to combine these individual estimators using logistic regression to identify conversion events accurately. Embodiments of the invention can also handle many practical issues, such as data imbalance, missing data, and output probability calibration, which render this estimation problem more difficult for a real-world implementation of the approach.

Abstract: A system and method for connecting first and second transaction entities includes displaying a transaction associated with the first transaction entity where the transaction may be associated with a category of transactions. An option is also displayed to request interaction with the first transaction entity. A processor receives selection of the option and transmits a command to establish the interaction between the first transaction entity and the second transaction entity. The interaction is recorded and stored in a data storage device. The processor analyzes the recorded interaction and, according to one embodiment, detects one or more keywords in the recording. A notification may be transmitted in response to the detected one or more keywords. In another embodiment, the processor may detect a trend from analysis of the recording and may make a modification relating to future transactions associated with the category of transactions based on the detected trend.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for scoring an example with causal information includes a computer system receiving an indication of a goal and applying a predictive model to the example to yield an output score with respect to the goal. The computer system produces causal score for each feature-value pair in the example, each causal score indicating of a relative extent to which the feature-value pair is responsible for influencing the output score. Then, the computer system presents the output score and the causal score for each feature-value pair in the example.

Abstract: A system and method for identifying household users of electronic screen devices includes a server system having a digital processor, non-transient computer readable media, and a database. The computer readable media includes program instructions executable on the digital processor for: (a) retrieving from the database a stored IP address and requestor attributes associated with an advertisement (ad) request of a requestor; (b) storing an ad request that is likely of a residential origin in an IP Bucket; and (c) assigning a household identifier (HID) to the IP Bucket if it qualifies as a household.

Abstract: A financial transaction is facilitated without unlocking a mobile device, where the lock screen wallpaper of a mobile device is dynamically set to an image having a scanning code (e.g., a QR code, a barcode, etc.) for use at a business location that the user is currently located.

Abstract: A method for managing static Uniform Resource Locator (URL) access, an associated apparatus, and an associated computer program product are provided, wherein the method includes the steps of: receiving a URL request from a browser running on another electronic device, wherein the URL request includes a static URL, and the static URL is utilized for accessing a specific web page on a specific web server; sending request information representing the URL request to a control server, wherein the control server stores registered information of each web server of at least one web server, and the at least one web server includes the specific web server; receiving response information corresponding to the request information from the control server; and controlling the browser to perform a test operation according to the registered information of the specific web server, in order to selectively control web page access of the browser.

Abstract: A method includes, but is not limited to any combination of: determining a plurality of third-party content elements based in part on information associated with a request for third-party content. The request for third-party content may be received from a web browser displaying a first webpage to a user. A first element from the plurality of determined third-party content elements is transmitted to the web browser. Upon receiving from the web browser a second request for third-party content including user interaction data with the first element, data associated with the determined plurality of third-party content elements is updated based at least in part on the user interaction data. A second third-party element from the plurality of updated third-party content elements is transmitted to the web browser.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed to determine a consumer classification segment. A disclosed example method involves generating, with a processor, a list of consumer classification segments based on geographic indicators associated with a mobile device, associating, with the processor, the mobile device with a first consumer classification segment of the list of consumer classification segments if the geographic indicators were retrieved while a first application was executed, and associating, with the processor, the mobile device with a second consumer classification segment of the list of consumer classification segments if the geographic indicators were retrieved while a second application was executed.

Abstract: Provided herein are systems, methods and computer readable media for programmatically generating and/or revising promotion offers for a merchant based on one or more merchant self-service indicators. In providing such functionality, the system can be configured to, for example, facilitate registration and verification of merchant identities, determine promotion content and parameters based on merchant self-service indicators, and monitor and analyze promotion offers for merchants with similar merchant self-service indicators. The system may determine the relative successfulness of a promotion offer for a merchant and/or category of merchant. In some embodiments, the system may be further configured to revise the promotion offer programmatically and/or upon receiving the merchant's approval of the programmatically generated proposed edits to the promotion offer.

Abstract: A method and associated systems for generating a virtual dynamic representative of a taxonomic group with unique inheritance of attributes. Each record of a continuously updated database identifies a “vertical” attribute of an entity associated with that record, and further identifies a “horizontal” attribute upon which a business decision may be based. An account-management apparatus selects a subset of these records that are associated with a particular value of the vertical attribute and identifies the most desirable value of the horizontal attribute that is associated with any of the selected records. The apparatus then creates a virtual representative of the subset that represents the subset as a taxonomic group associated with the particular value of the vertical attribute and associates all records of the group with the most desirable value of the horizontal attribute.

Abstract: A search system includes a device controller that provisions a device to execute a copy of a selected mobile application. A crawler extracts content and metadata from states of the selected mobile application. A search input state classifier identifies search input states within the states based on a first set of heuristics, including recognition of user-visible search indicia and recognition of metadata that correlates with search functionality. A parameter identifier identifies, for each of the search input states, necessary input parameters. A search function data store stores a record for each identified search function. Each record includes a path to reach a corresponding search input state, an indication of required input parameters, and a mapping of the input parameters to user interface widgets. A query processing system uses the stored search functions to scrape content from the selected mobile application in response to a query.

Abstract: Embodiments of a computer-implemented advertisement display system are disclosed. In one embodiment, the system includes a speech recognition component that processes a video clip and produces a corresponding collection of speech recognition data indicative of an audio portion of the video clip. The system also includes a collection of advertising material. An advertisement selection component selects an advertisement from the collection of advertising material based on the corresponding collection of speech recognition data. The system also includes a display. An advertisement presentation component displays an indication of the selected advertisement on the display during a simultaneous display of the video clip.

Abstract: Techniques for determining multiple item comparisons may be provided. For example, a system may monitor user interaction of a plurality of users that includes viewing and ordering items. The system may determine one or more items that compete, such that ordering a first item in the competing category of items lowers a probability that the user will also order a second item. The system may determine a subset of the competing items and providing information about the comparison and/or items for presentation to a user.

Abstract: Among other disclosures, a method may include identifying content in an electronic communication, the content including a link. The method may include characterizing content associated with the link and storing the characterization. Upon detecting a match of a characterization, presenting one or more of the communication or portion thereof, the link or content associated with the link.

Abstract: A combined reach can be determined for multiple resources. Usage data, including audience duplication data, is used to generate audience duplication measurements for pairs of the resources. A child-resource pair is identified, and the audience duplication measurement for that resource pair is modified. The modified measurement is used to determine a combined reach for the multiple resources. A report is also generated based on the combined reach.

Abstract: A video server is configured to provide streaming video to players of computer games over a computing network. The video server can provided video of different games to different players simultaneously. This is accomplished by rendering several video streams in parallel using a single GPU. The output of the GPU is provided to graphics processing pipelines that are each associated with a specific client/player and are dynamically allocated as needed. A client qualifier may be used to assure that only clients capable of presenting the streaming video to a player at a minimum level of quality receive the video stream.

Abstract: A method for merging content channels is disclosed. The method includes identifying, by a processing device, target channels to merge into a result channel, wherein the result channel is formed in view of at least one set of users of the target channels viewing at least one of a same set or a similar set of content items from the target channels. The method further includes subscribing, by the processing device, the users of the target channels to the result channel and associating, by the processing device, the set of the content items of the target channels with the result channel.

Abstract: An improved method of facilitating contact between mutually interested people takes advantage of existing contact lists such as those on social networking sites, instant messaging programs, or cell phones. A program is integrated into one or more of those technologies, allowing the user to characterize each contact on the basis of the user's level of interest in that contact as a date. The program keeps these rankings secret until two users indicate an interest in each other that surpasses a certain threshold. The users are then notified of the mutual interest. Ads and dating advice are sent along with the notification.

Abstract: Aspects differentially drive the graphic display of links overlaid between people in a group photograph as a function of associated relationship type. Individuals are distinguished within the photograph and relationships are identified among the individuals that differ from one another with respect to type of relationship, by extracting relationship data via natural language processing relative to social network data of one or more of the identified individuals. The social network data includes business association data, family data and social network contact data. Thus, a graphic display device is driven to display the identified relationships via each of different overlay elements that are depicted directly on the photograph, link respective ones of the identified individuals, and use different graphic elements to convey differences in respective types of the relationships that are determined among the identified individuals.

Abstract: Improved podcasts and techniques that facilitate their use are disclosed. The improved techniques can pertain to creating, publishing, hosting, accessing, subscribing, managing, transferring, and/or playing podcasts. According to one aspect, a client application can subscribe to podcasts and then automatically monitor the podcasts for updates to be downloaded. In the event that user interest in a podcast becomes inadequate, downloading of further updates can be restricted. According to another aspect, a podcast can be subscribed to through use of a portable subscription file. According to still another aspect, podcast feeds can be enhanced to include segment elements and other metadata.

Abstract: A recommendation system communicates with end user devices over a computer communications network and includes a recommendations engine that communicates with the network from behind a firewall that inhibits unauthorized communications from the network, a data file system that receives disposition update data in response to purchase actions initiated by an end user device and receives ingested user activity data in response to activity at a network storefront initiated by an end user device, and a database system that updates a recommendation model for the end user device in response to receiving the disposition update data and ingested user activity data. The recommendations engine generates a recommendation for the end user device in response to the update of the recommendation model.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes identifying a profile. The method identifies one or more mobility patterns. The one or more mobility patterns are associated with the profile. The method identifies social media content from at least one location. The social media content from at least one location is associated with the profile. The method identifies user generated content from at least one location. The user generated content is associated with the profile. The method determines a set of behavioral patterns for the profile. The set of behavioral patterns is based on the mobility patterns, the social media content from at least one location, and the user generated content from at least one location. The method returns a recommendation for the profile. A corresponding computer system and computer program product are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system, method, computer program product and computer program for evaluating links between objects are provided. A receive ontology component receives an ontology and an identify component identifies, from the ontology, semantic feature types within the ontology that can be used to measure the links between the objects. A data receive component receives instance information and maps the instance information into an ontological form of the instance information. An analyze component analyzes the ontological form to generate an ontological mapping of the instance information. A match component analyzes the mapping to identify matches with semantic patterns. A strength component analyzes the associated semantic features associated with the objects of the matches to determine weightings for the links of the matches. An alert component provides the links and associated weightings.

Abstract: Features are disclosed for analyzing requests for network accessible content, including but not limited to web pages, to determine which topics and other characteristics are popular or are gaining in popularity (“trending”). Content items or sources may be profiled to determine characteristics that two or more content items or sources may have in common. Content requests from multiple client devices may be tracked and analyzed to determine the trending or popular characteristics. Data feeds or reports regarding the summarized content requests may be generated and distributed to content servers, advertisers, and other entities. The data feeds may be used to tailor content, such as by highlighting or featuring content associated with the most-requested content characteristics, or utilizing demographic data to tailor content for different users.

Abstract: Systems and methods for efficiently addressing technical and privacy/authorization obstacles associated with tracking of individuals in a vehicle, and enabling route-based analysis to determine driving behavior, socio-demographics, future profitability, and interests of individuals or self-driving systems. Driving information is collected using a device associated with a driver and a vehicle or using data collected by systems of self-driving vehicles. The frequency and methods used for the collection of driving information can be modified based on location and movement of the device and based on previous classification of the driver or self-driving system, thereby enabling efficient use of bandwidth and battery and increasing accuracy of the classification.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing coordination between two or more different media distribution channels. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a server and associated client processes disposed of various components of a managed content distribution network (e.g., cable or satellite network). The server process coordinates with the client processes to obtain user interactivity data useful is assessing the efficacy of certain secondary content (e.g., advertisements). In one variant, input is received from, and provided to, other associated media campaigns (e.g., print, online, and/or telephonic) so as to allow rapid and effective coordination between the campaigns. Mechanisms for improving user engagement to the secondary content are also disclosed.

Abstract: A computer system image is executed on a computing node over a network. A system specification file transmitted over the network specifies the computer system image by specifying components of the computer system image. The components include an operating system and at least one resource. The system specification file also contains a signature associated with the resource. A resource is determined to be authorized to be incorporated into the computer system image by verifying the signature. A computer system image can then be formed based on the components specified by the system specification file and executed locally.

Abstract: A method and a system for providing an overlay network interworking with an underlay network are disclosed.

Abstract: A system includes a processor programmed to receive a first data value from a first data collector as an input to operate a first vehicle. The processor is further programmed to determine to exclude the first data value as the input to operate the first vehicle. The computer is further programmed to receive a second data value from a second data collector as the input to operate the vehicle, the second data value being provided by a source remote to the first vehicle; and actuate a first vehicle component based in part on the second data value.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices of the various embodiments enable advertisements (e.g., promotions, signs, logos, samples, etc.) to be part of the 3-D printing process. In an embodiment, advertisements (i.e., “ads”), such as partial product samples, may be 3-D printed prior to 3-D printing a purchased 3-D printable good. In another embodiment, ads may be 3-D printed on a 3-D printable good itself (e.g., embossed, impressed, as a tag, etc.). In a further embodiment, users may select the ads to be 3-D printed on their goods in return for compensation from advertisers.

Abstract: User activity data describing how a user interacts with recipes posted on a web page or provided by an application is received. A first set of recommended recipes for the user is generated based on the user activity data. A content model that aligns recipe features extracted from the content of the recipes is built based on content of the recipes. A second set of recommended recipes is generated based on the content model. The first set of recommended recipes and the second set of recommended recipes are merged and transmitted for display to the user.

Abstract: A method includes monitoring an activity stream to identify actions that match stored sponsored story specifications, for providing one or more sponsored stories to a viewing user. The sponsored story specifications include a visual specification for the sponsored story, and matched sponsored stories are ranked for a viewing user. Users can set privacy preferences related to sponsored stories. The ranking and privacy settings contribute to which sponsored stories are provided for display to the viewing user.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for dynamic ad selection of ads stored on a device. In one embodiment, a device includes a storage medium to store software programs including advertising services software and software applications. Processing logic is coupled to the storage medium and a display device. The processing logic is configured to execute instructions of at least one of the software programs to receive user input for initiating a software application on the device, determine attributes for the device including software applications currently operating in the storage medium and placement information for the initiated software application, and dynamically select one of the video ads stored on the device based on the attributes including software applications currently operating in the storage medium and placement information for the initiated software application.

Abstract: In a method for delivering targeted television advertisements based on online behavior, IP addresses indicating online access devices and IP addresses indicating television set-top boxes are electronically associated for a multitude of users. Using user profile information derived from online activity from one of the online access IP addresses, a television advertisement is selected, such as by using behavioral targeting or demographic information, and automatically directed to the set-top box indicated by the set-top IP address associated with that online access IP address. Preferably neither the user profile information nor the electronic association of online access and set-top box IP addresses includes personally identifiable information.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for distributing content based on context are disclosed. In one aspect, a method includes identifying, in a single resource, multiple different content item slots that are available for presentation of multiple different content items. A determination is made that a first content item slot is located in a first portion of the single resource, and that a second content item slot is located in a second different portion of the resource. A first content item is selected for presentation in the first content item slot based on terms that correspond to a first topic of the first portion of the resource. A second content item is selected for presentation in the second content item slot based on terms that correspond to a second topic of the second portion of the resource.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed by which a first computer system that is associated with a first organization provides a software component to a second computer system that is associated with a second organization, where the software component, when embedded and executed within a user interface provided by the second organization, includes in the user interface a first link to a first media content item and a second link to a second media content item. In one implementation, the first media content item and the second media content item reside in a data store associated with the first organization, and the first media content item and the second media content item are selected from a plurality of media content items based on content in the user interface.

Abstract: A magazine distribution system retrieves digital content associated with a digital magazine published by a publisher by using a plurality of feeds. The magazine distribution system retrieves an issue feed from a publisher of a digital magazine. The issue feed includes information about an issue of the digital magazine. The magazine distribution system analyzes the issue feed to retrieve an identifier identifying a section feed published by the publisher. The magazine distribution system retrieves the section feed from the publisher using the identifier identifying the section feed and analyzes the retrieved section feed to identify information about the section of the digital magazine and a digital content item to be included in the section of the issue of the digital magazine. The magazine distribution system formats the issue of the digital magazine and presents the formatted issue of the digital magazine to a user.

Abstract: Systems, methods and interfaces for sharing content access information associated with content among devices in a communication network are provided. One or more devices collect content access information related to the presentation of content to a user on user devices. Based on a determination of a synchronization event, the originating device transmits the collected content access information, resulting in the receipt of the content access information by a content management system. The content management system can process receiving content access information from various devices and user accounts and aggregate the processed content access information into one or more ordered lists. Thereafter, the content management system can publish, or otherwise make available, one or more of the ordered lists to various network resources, originating devices, or other user devices or user accounts.

Abstract: Described are computer-based methods and apparatuses, including computer program products, for dynamically enabling customized web content and applications. One or more rules are stored in a database. Default tag code is transmitted to a browser in response to a request from the browser, the default tag code including data that causes the browser to generate a tag module. An update is received from the tag module comprising data indicative of a visitor's interaction with web page content displayed through the browser. A condition associated with a rule from the one or more rules is determined to be satisfied based on the update. An action associated with the rule is performed, comprising transmitting custom targeted tag code to the tag module, wherein the custom targeted tag code includes data that causes the browser, upon execution of the custom targeted tag code by the tag module, to perform an action.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for analyzing performance of video content are disclosed herein. In one aspect, performance data indicative of a number of presentations of a video at user devices is received. The performance data specifies a portion of the total duration of the video that was presented prior to presentation being terminated. For each of two or more segments of the total duration, a play-through rate is determined for the segment. The play through rate for each segment is based on a number of the presentations of the video that were not terminated prior to an end of the segment. A play-through graph generated based on the play through rates is provided. A determination is made that user interaction occurred with a particular area of the play-through graph. A portion of the video from a particular segment that corresponds to the particular area is provided.

Abstract: A background module in a multi-tiered encryption system verifies the integrity of keys used to encrypt and decrypt data. Each encryption tier in the system can include a node programmed to service encryption and/or decryption requests, a key store to store encryption keys, and an audit log to store key identifiers. Each computing node may include a background module that continuously or periodically verifies the integrity of keys. For example, the background module may retrieve an identifier in the audit log, retrieve the object stored at a location in the key data store identified by the identifier, decrypt the encrypted key in the object, and use the decrypted key to decrypt the encrypted identifier in the object. The identifier is compared with the decrypted identifier, and if the identifiers do not match, the background module generates an alert indicating that the key is not valid.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for improving the quality of the posts in a social network. A topic of a post to a social network environment is identified using natural language processing. The tense of the post directed to the identified topic is detected using natural language processing. The post is transformed to a suggested post of a second tense directed to the same topic to the user using natural language processing. A suggested message to be posted by the user to the social network in a third tense (e.g., past tense) based on the posts directed to the identified topic in the first and second tenses (e.g., future and present tenses) is generated using natural language processing thereby forming a past/present/future pairing of posts. By forming a past/present/future pairing of posts, a more complete and understandable view of the user's personal history may be obtained.

Abstract: A computer implemented system and method includes a recommendation engine that provides accurate recommendations based on an accurate analysis of the tastes and preferences of a user. The recommendation engine takes into consideration the information corresponding to the tastes and preferences of the users using information gathered from social networking profiles of the user as well as the reviews previously provided by the user. The recommendation engine collaborates this information with the review related information obtained from the reviewers in order to ascertain the recommendations that would match the preferences and tastes of the user.

Abstract: A device provides, to a user device, a list of on demand content available for purchase or rental from the device, and receives, from the user device, an indication of a selected on demand content from the list of on demand content. The device provides, to the user device, points-based purchase or rental options for the selected on demand content, and the points-based purchase or rental options include points associated with a loyalty program provided by the device for a user of the user device. The device receives, from the user device, a selected points-based option from the points-based purchase or rental options, and provides the selected on demand content to the user device based on the selected points-based option.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for customizing a user's experience with an application such as a search engine application. The user's experience is customized based on inferring a mood and/or interests of the user at least in part from an analysis of the user's posts on one or more social media sites. The search engine application is configured to include a user-following engine which follows a user's activities on social media websites. By tracking a user's posts and other activity on social media websites, and possibly those of his or her friends, the user-following engine is able to draw inferences about a user, including for example the user's emotional state, current trending interests, future plans, likes/dislikes and aspirations. The user-following engine may then customize the user's search experience based on these drawn inferences.

Abstract: An example method of pattern mining includes identifying, via a logic circuit, a plurality of patterns present in a plurality of transactions, the transactions including sets of items, and selecting, via the logic circuit, one of the identified patterns based on an occupancy of the identified pattern in the transactions.

Abstract: Marketing program data associated with a social group-based marketing program offered by a merchant is obtained. Access to social group identification data identifying two or more socially connected consumers and their respective financial data is obtained and analyzed to identify two or more spending and socially connected consumers. Two or more marketing program eligible spending and socially connected consumers who meet defined marketing program eligibility criteria are then identified and registered with the marketing program. Spending data associated with the registered spending and socially connected consumers is then monitored and when the spending data associated with the registered spending and socially connected consumers indicates the marketing program requirements of the social group-based marketing program have been met, the registered spending and socially connected consumers are provided the benefits of the social group-based marketing program.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of acquiring tax data for use in tax preparation application includes acquiring an image of at least one document containing tax data therein with an imaging device. A computer extracts one or more features from the acquired image of the at least one document and compares the extracted one or more features to a database containing a plurality of different tax forms. The database may include a textual database and/or geometric database. The computer identifies a tax form corresponding to the at least one document from the plurality of different tax forms based at least in part on a confidence level associated with the comparison of the extracted one or more features to the database. At least a portion of the tax data from the acquired image is transferred into corresponding fields of the tax preparation application.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method includes receiving an indication of a request from a user to view a stream associated with the user, generating a request for one or more items visible to the user for display within the stream, the request including a search query identifying search criteria including one or more tokens, the one or more tokens including at least a user token identifying the user, receiving one or more items in response to the request, the one or more items including at least one of the one or more tokens and further being visible to the user and providing the one or more items for display to the user within the stream in response to the request. Other aspects can be embodied in corresponding systems and apparatus, including computer program products.