Abstract: An enhanced recommender method is provided. The method includes discovering customer features from customer behavior and customer profile and generating an initial recommender list based on the customer features and items information. The method also includes generating item social reputation (ISR) for the customer behavior and the customer profile from an online review repository and generating final recommendation results based on the initial recommender list and the item social reputation.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a server having a controller to receive a request for media content from a set top box of an Internet Protocol Television System, perform a search of one or more storage devices associated with other set top boxes for the media content based at least in part on a user profile associated with the set top box where the other set top boxes are located remotely from the set top box, receive the media content, and adjust a format of the media content prior to delivery to the set top box based at least in part on the user profile. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for supplying a multimedia content proxy. According to the invention, the method comprises: the step of receiving at least one instance of at least one model of a profiled multimedia scene adapted to a predetermined profile of users having at least one common parameter and from a loom server; the step of storing in said content proxy said at least one instance of said at least one model of profiled multimedia scene.

Abstract: Determining a video audience is disclosed, including: identifying a set of videos based at least in part on a received criterion; querying a video database to retrieve engagements associated with each of at least a subset of the set of videos; identifying a set of audience members associated with the engagements associated with each of the at least subset of the set of videos; and querying a user database to gather events associated with each of at least a subset of the set of audience members.

Abstract: A statistically overrepresented token in the descriptions of users associated with a target entity may be descriptive of the target entity. This may be true regardless of whether a primary description of the entity includes the overrepresented token. Accordingly, the entity description machine may access multiple descriptions of multiple users associated with the target entity. A portion of the multiple descriptions may each include a token descriptive of the target entity and of a subset of the multiple users. The entity description machine may determine that the token is overrepresented among the tokens within the multiple descriptions and generate a supplemental description of the target entity, where the supplemental description includes the overrepresented token. Once the supplemental description is generated, the entity description machine may use the supplemental description in referencing the target entity.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system are provided for sorting media items in a playlist on a media device that are ranked by score. One embodiment includes changing a user preference associated with a sort criteria selected by the user, wherein each of the media items includes a profile score that is calculated based on user preferences, and a replay score that affects replay of the corresponding media item; recalculating the profile score and the replay score of each of the media items; sorting the media items by the replay scores; and sorting the media items by the sort criteria indicated by a user.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is provided, which includes receiving from a user a first search query consisting of one or more first query terms, and receiving from the user an indication of a desired level of personalization of refinement options for the search query. Responsively to the search query, a set of one or more refinement terms is generated at least in part responsively to the indication. The set of refinement terms is presented to the user. Responsively to a selection of at least one of the refinement terms by the user, the selected at least one refinement term is added to the first search query to generate a second search query. Search results are presented to the user responsively to the second search query. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a profile data management system provides a central repository for data and information associated with a user. The information may be presented through an electronic user interface as a profile of the user. In an embodiment, the profile data management system maintains profiles for many users and enables users and/or secondary users to submit information and to modify the user profiles. Modifications are made to user profiles when the submitted information is sufficiently reliable. In general, the method of building and modifying profiles in the profile data management system based on the contributions of many users may be referred to as crowdsourcing profiles. Crowdsourcing profiles may advantageously enable the generation and verification of large amounts of data related to many individuals. The crowdsourcing profiles model allows secondary users to provide updates, modifications, comments, ratings, preferences, and/or other inputs to the profile data management system.

Abstract: Provided in the present invention is a repetitive fusion search method for a search system, in which: a search interface 20 displays parameter numerical value setting fields 25 for setting a numerical value for each of multiple instinct based feature parameters in order to input instinct based rating information, and a text input field 24 and a keyword selection field 26 for inputting keywords; and a search engine 13 searches, in response to search inputs input by a searcher using the search interface, a search target database 11 based on the keywords and extracts relevant targets, determines priority for the relevant targets based on the instinct based rating information, and transmits the relevant targets to the search interface 20.

Abstract: A system and method of managing online social networking which includes identifying a plurality of users related to a primary user on a social networking tool using a computer. The method and system identifies a plurality of activities performed by the plurality of users on the social networking tool, and assigning a score to each of the activities. A threshold cumulative score for users to enter a group is defined. The system and method evaluates the activities of each of the users, and calculates a cumulative score for each of the users based on their respective activities, and evaluates the cumulative score of each of users in relation to the group. One or more of the plurality of users who meet the threshold cumulative score are assigned to the group. A status for each user in the group based on their cumulative score is determined.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for providing a search-based navigation of data across different contexts. According to one embodiment, navigating and accessing data across different contexts can comprise maintaining indexed sets of data related to the different contexts. A user interface can be generated based on a search of the index and presented to a user. The user interface can comprise a view of a current context and a search element for receiving a set of user defined search criteria. The user defined search criteria can be received through the search element of the user interface and the contexts can be searched using the index and based on the search criteria. An updated user interface for presenting the search results be generated and presented to the user. The updated user interface can comprise a representation of the results of the searching and the search element.

Abstract: A method is provided in one example and includes receiving results of a search query initiated by a user and evaluating the received results in relation to a personal profile of the user. The personal profile includes a plurality of characteristics associated with the user and the evaluating includes comparing the plurality of characteristics to the results. The plurality of characteristics include at least one characteristic derived from observing the user's behavioral patterns over a period of time. The method further includes evaluating the results based on attributes of the user; ranking the results to generate a resultant that reflects a ranking of the results in order of likely meaningfulness to the user based on the evaluation; and communicating the resultant to the user.

Abstract: A content provider system ranks media content items with respect to a particular user based on selection scores determined for each of the media content items. The selection scores may be determined using a particular model that calculates a predicted selection score based on feature values associated with the content item with respect to the particular user. The feature values may indicate properties of the media content item, the particular user, or the particular user's relationship with the content item, including information about the novelty of the media content item with respect to the user. The particular model may be trained with sample user consumption data points that represent various combinations of media content items and users. The data point information evaluated during the training of the particular model may cause the model to assign higher selection scores to content items that are novel in particular ways.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed towards personalizing content to be provided to a user. A recommendation score may be determined for a piece of content for a user. The recommendation score may be based on a combination of an intrinsic value and/or a social value of the content to the user. The social value may be calculated based on a combination of an individual social value for each of the user's friends, which may be determined based on the combination of a social weight, an interest probability, and a recommendation score for the friend. Online personalization of content for a user may provide the user with the tools to be a valuable, appreciated member of the user's social network. By employing embodiments, as described herein, content may be determined and provided to a user, which may help the user gain the attention of their social circles.

Abstract: A system searches a first search index based on a search query to obtain first search results and searches a second search index based on the search query to obtain second search results. The system further ranks the first search results using a first ranking algorithm and one or more first ranking parameters to produce ranked first search results, and ranks the second search results using a second ranking algorithm and one or more second ranking parameters to produce second search results, where the one or more first ranking parameters are different than the one or more second ranking parameters and where the one or more second ranking parameters include at least one of previous user feedback associated with custom content that corresponds to the second search index, annotations of the custom content provided by a user, or usage patterns associated with users previously accessing and searching the custom content. The system also provides the ranked first and second search results to a user.

Abstract: System and method for presenting search results. Search results may be mixed and/or prioritized based on one or more criteria. Search results may be mixed and/or prioritized based on user profile data, preferred advertiser/merchant rankings or a combination thereof. Search results may presented to a viewer on a display device simultaneously along with broadcast and/or streaming content. The search results may be “pushed” to a client-side device and presented along with related broadcast content. Alternatively, the search results may be based on one or more user-provided search criteria.

Abstract: A computer network implemented peer forum system and method enabling question and answer rates to be increased by automatically routing questions and receiving answers to and from peers. Information is input into network via a user interface. A peer forum system enables users to ask and answer questions. A forums database captures questions and answers provided via the peer forum system. A stage database pulls and stores questions from the forums database. A question router pulls the questions from the stage database and finds peers who can answer the questions using a peer search module that uses implicit and explicit user profiles to determine the best subject matter experts to answer the questions. A set of throttle rules is associated with the question router for determining if a peer is eligible to answer a question. A delivery system delivers a communication to eligible peers requesting an answer to the question.

Abstract: A method of presenting Internet search results includes obtaining Internet search results in response to a search request from a first user of a site. Users of the site have profiles with information regarding the users. The first user has a profile with information associating certain of the users to the first user. The search results are ranked such that the search results related to the information regarding the users associated with the first user are ranked highest.

Abstract: An Internet Protocol television (IPTV) system includes a selector module that selects a content item and sends a stream of the content item to a set-top box. The set-top box analyzes content information associated with the content item using a speech interpretation algorithm or a text interpretation algorithm to create an index of the content information and determines to record the content item based upon the index of the content information. A method includes sending a content item from an IPTV network to a set-top box, directing the set-top box to analyze content information associated with the content item using a speech interpretation algorithm or a text interpretation algorithm, and directing the set-top box to record the content item based upon the analysis of the content information.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a computing device may access a search query provided by a user; identify a set of search results in response to the search query, wherein one or more search results in the set are associated with a feature of a social-networking system; rank the set of search results based on one or more factors; boost one or more ranks of the one or more search results associated with the feature to bring the feature to the user's attention; and present the set of search results to the user in order of its ranking.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for profiling a subject's search engine keywords and results based on relevancy feedback. Because the system is based on the search behavior of the user, the profiling is language independent and balances the specificity of search terms against the profiled interests of the user. The system can also synthesize new keyword combinations to assist the user in refining the search or acquiring related content. The system has application in text mining, personalization, behavioral search, search engine optimization, and content acquisition, to name but a few applications.

Abstract: Systems and methods for sharing user profile information using tag clouds are provided in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. A first tag cloud may be generated from attributes stored in a first user profile and a second tag cloud may be generated from attributes stored in a second user profile. A user may drag-and-drop attributes between the two tag clouds and, in response, the underlying user profiles may be updated. Tag clouds may thus present a user's media preferences in an attractive and compelling visual arrangement that, in some embodiments, also functions as an intuitive interface for copying preferences between user profiles.

Abstract: A device is provided for visually indicating a replay status of media items on a media device. Aspects of the device include displaying in a graphical user interface (GUI) of the media device a representation of a first media item; displaying a profile score of the first media item that is based on user preferences; and displaying a replay score for the first media item that affects replay of the first media item.

Abstract: Biasing of search results based on device profile and activity data. In various embodiments, biasing operations are performed on search results generated in response to a search query received from a client device. The biasing operations are based on device profile data associated with the client device. Such data may indicate media consumption capabilities of the device or other device hardware and software configuration details. In some embodiments, device activity/sensor data may likewise be employed to bias search results. Biasing operations may include, for example, ranking, prioritizing, or filtering search results to favor results that may be consumed by a client device. Translated and/or targeted and supplemental information may also be provided based on device profile data or user profile data. In certain embodiments, searching and biasing operations may be performed by an intermediary or proxy device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for predicting search queries for a user on a search-based system is described. A search engine tracks search queries from a user received at the search engine. A prediction engine compares a search query history from the user with search query histories from other users on the search engine. The search query histories are stored in a storage device of the search-based system. A prediction of a search query for the user is generated based on the comparison. Search query histories from other users having greater similarities with the search query history from the user have a greater computation weight than search query histories from other users with less similarities with the search query history from the user.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present disclosure can be embodied in a method that includes receiving a search query from a user via an interface of a search engine. User-selected options are identified for excluding at least one search category in a plurality of predetermined search categories. Each search category corresponds to one or more query signals and page signals used by the search engine to execute search queries. The search query is executed based on the user-selected options, one or more query signals related to the search query received from the user, and one or more page signals related to each potential result of the search query to be executed. Search results are provided to the user based on the executed search query.

Abstract: A method and system for matching a search request to a human assistant and/or other items based on information indicated in a profile associated with the search request is described. A ranking of a guide is determined based on matching of information associated with the guide and information associated with a search request. Profile information such as demographic, geographic, personality, areas of interest, people, hobbies, etc. may be used in addition to other information such as keywords or categories which are associated with a request in order to select a guide. Items such as a search result, an advertisement, a search resource, a previous query, etc. may be selected based on profile information associated with the item. Profile information may be associated with an item based on profile information associated with a guide and/or a user who has expressed an opinion regarding the item.

Abstract: This invention is generally directed to one or more methods or systems relating to collections of linked databases. This invention is further directed to methods and systems for conducting social-network analysis. Still further, this invention is generally directed to one or more systems or methods relating to personal communication networks and the analysis of personal-communication-network data.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein provide systems and methods that allow a member of an online community to assign personal rankings to other members of the online community to prioritize and personalize content generated by the other members of the online community to the member of the online community.

Abstract: A method of establishing personalized limits on a search responsive to a key word query in an enterprise search system is described that includes receiving an object types access history for a particular user. Applying this method, the object types access history includes records of object types selected from search results returning multiple object types and records of object types selected via interfaces other than search results. The method continues with determining and storing in computer readable memory a personalized scope of object types. The personalized scope of object types sets a limit on object types initially returned by an enterprise search system for the particular user in response to key word queries by the particular user that do not specify object types to search.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for controlling metadata associated with content on an electronic device that includes displaying interface screens for user entry of metadata control instructions, accepting user instructions, modifying metadata of applicable content, and associating the modified metadata with the applicable content. The system can export and/or store the applicable content along with modified metadata. The system can automatically modify metadata according to one or more profiles. Relevant profiles can be determined based on the export mechanism, destination or type of content. The system can add watermarks to indicate metadata modification. The system can display metadata for user modification. The content can include photos, videos or other content. The system can display metadata and geolocation indicators for each content item that indicate whether that item has associated metadata and geolocation information. The user can selectively modify metadata of selected content.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for providing devices capable of the reception and playback of one or more crafted media channels transmitted over an intermittent connection. An exemplary method of personalized rendering of media content includes receiving media files and file metadata defining attributes of the media files over a data link at a receiver. The method further includes executing, using a processor of the receiver, instructions stored in a memory of the receiver. The instructions cause the processor to store certain ones of the media files characterized by file metadata consistent with one or more channel profiles in the memory, remove certain of the ones of the media files stored within the memory, and sequence the ones of the media files stored within the memory for rendering based upon one or more of the channel profiles.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a system that processes data. During operation, the system obtains a set of records, wherein each of the records comprises one or more metrics and at least one dimension associated with the one or more metrics. Next, the system creates a data segment from the records by sorting the records by a primary sort column having a first set of possible values, creating a set of dictionaries for a set of columns in the records, and building a set of forward indexes for the columns using the set of dictionaries.

Abstract: Content recommendation includes: determining a plurality of user behavior categories pertaining to a plurality of user behaviors by a plurality of users within a period of time, and a plurality of user behavior frequencies corresponding to the plurality of user behavior categories; determining whether the number of user behavior categories exceeds a preset category threshold; in the event that the number of user behavior categories exceeds the preset threshold, excluding one or more user behavior categories such that the number of remaining user behavior categories does not exceed the preset threshold; determining, based at least on the remaining user behavior categories and corresponding user behavior frequencies, user preference data comprising frequency distribution information of a plurality of pieces of content information targeted by user behaviors in the remaining user behavior categories; and recommending content information to a user based on the user preference data.

Abstract: Prioritizing items based on user activity includes determining a user interest based on a current user activity and prioritizing items in a list presented in a display based on the user interest.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for mediating user communications. A user persona manager maintains one or more user profiles and manages user interactions with other parties and with service providers based on user preferences associated with the user profile or profiles selected for a particular interaction. The persona manager receives a single set of user authentication information to establish the user identity, and provides previously stored information to other parties and service providers as appropriate, and otherwise conducts user interactions involving communications initiated by or on behalf of the user. The persona manager also examines interactions initiated by others, selects user profiles appropriate to the interactions, and routes and responds to the interactions based on information stored in the user profiles.

Abstract: A method and system for evaluating the reputation of a member of a social networking system is disclosed. Consistent with an embodiment of the invention, one or more attributes associated with a social networking profile of a member of a social network are analyzed. Based on the analysis, a ranking, rating or score is assigned to a particular category of reputation. When requested, the ranking, rating or score is displayed to a user of the social network.

Abstract: Improved mobile content presentation capabilities are disclosed for mobile communications facilities, such as cell phones. Information relating to the user transaction history associated with a mobile communication facility and other capabilities are employed to improve the presentation and relevance of mobile content to appropriate or desirable mobile communication facilities.

Abstract: Various users' navigational behaviors relative to search results presented by a search engine are monitored. URLs that are visited and revised queries that are submitted after the submission of an original query are placed within a trail that begins with the original query. These trails are grouped based on the original queries with which they begin. For each trail group, a set of URLs that frequently occur in that group's trails, and a set of revised queries that frequently occur in that group's trails, are determined. These frequently occurring elements are mapped to the original queries with which all the trails in the corresponding trail group begin. In response to subsequent submissions of the same original query, the search engine ensures that URLs and revised queries that are mapped to the original query are prominently displayed on the search results pages that are initially returned in response to those submissions.

Abstract: An approach is provided that visually distinguishes between entity types in a communication system. A Data store with entities is queried, with entities connected to one another as senders and receivers, resulting in a query result. A node data structure corresponding to each of the entities is created and an edge data structure corresponding to each of the connections between the entities is also created. Nodes corresponding to the node data structures are displayed, along with edges (e.g., connection lines) corresponding to the edge data structures. A user selects one of the nodes that is displayed, and the selected node is visually highlighted. Different types of non-selected nodes are identified based on the selected node. Types of nodes may include sender type nodes, receiver type nodes, and sender/receiver type nodes. The types of identified nodes are highlighted in a manner that visually distinguishes each type from the other types.

Abstract: Systems, methods and computer program products are disclosed for facilitating the collection of activity data, organizational hierarchy data and distribution list data within a private computer network (especially an intranet) while complying with applicable privacy laws and regulations, as well as individual organizations' business rules addressing intranet users' privacy to display a social graph of organization members related to a requesting organization member. Such systems, methods and computer program products allow for the collecting of such data passively without a need for active participation from the requester. A computer-implemented process for displaying a social graph further comprises calculating sub-scores for each of activity data, organizational data and distribution list data and calculating a total score for each related organization member and displaying the social graph comprising those organization members whose score exceeds a predetermined value as related to the requester.

Abstract: A method of refining a search comprising receiving, by a mobile communication device, a user input, the user input defining a search request; refining, by the mobile communication device, the search request based on a user profile; sending, by the mobile communication device, the refined search request to a search engine; receiving, by the mobile communication device, a search result from the search engine; displaying, by the mobile communication device, the search result.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer-readable storage medium and a method for automatically providing support solutions in response to user feedback items. The method comprises receiving user feedback items and corresponding support solutions. The method further comprises identifying, using clustering techniques, associations between the user feedback items and the corresponding support solutions. The method further comprises storing the identified associations as an items-solutions model that correlates the user feedback items with the corresponding support solutions. The method further comprises receiving a new user feedback item. The method further comprises automatically determining, using the items-solutions model, at least one support solution that corresponds to the new user feedback item. The method further comprises providing the at least one support solution in response to the received new user feedback item.

Abstract: A web page has a player for playing media objects, a sequencer which displays a playlist that defines an order in which media objects are played by the player, and a media access area for containing a plurality of graphical icons. Each graphical icon representing a media object, and the graphical icons can be manipulated by a user to modify the play list. For example, the media icons may be dragged to the sequencer to add them to the sequencer.

Abstract: Apparatus for syndicated data stream content provisioning, the apparatus comprising: an interaction tracker, configured to track at least one interaction of a user with at least one content object of a respective one of a group consisting of at least one syndicated data stream received on a computer device, the interaction being implicitly indicative of a preference of the user, a ranking function calculator, in communication with the interaction tracker, configured to calculate a ranking function based on the tracked interaction, and a content ranker, in communication with the ranking function calculator, configured to rank a plurality of content objects of the syndicated data streams of the group, in an order based on the calculated ranking function.

Abstract: Provided is a process of profiling a user of a mobile computing device, the process including: obtaining a location history of a user, the location history being based on signals from a mobile computing device of the user; obtaining a location-attribute score of a location identified in, or inferred from, the location history; determining, with a computer, a user-attribute score based on the location-attribute score; and storing the user-attribute score in a user-profile datastore.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and method for sharing anonymous user profiles with a third party. In one aspect of the invention, the system shares user profiles with content servers on a mobile data network so that they may select content responsive to the user's profile. The system provides a store of user profiles for associating profile information with either a source IP address or mobile phone number, where the profile includes information on the user and the user's network usage. The system detects a user's transaction request and inspects it for either an IP address or phone number, which it uses to retrieve the appropriate profile. The system subsequently applies predetermined opt-out policies to determine how much of the user profile may be provided in response to the profile request. The system then returns the profile information such that the user's identity is masked.

Abstract: In this invention, systems and methods for providing keywords for advertising are provided. After a user searches for another user in a social network, the webpage or blog of the queried user is retrieved, and keywords are extracted from this webpage. The keywords may be extracted from the user's profile on the social network (e.g., favorite sports, music artists, etc.), or keywords may be extracted from the text of the webpage (e.g., comments that comprise the blog entries). Once extracted, these keywords may then be used by an advertising system to provide targeted advertisements to the user.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and system for learning models of the preferences of members drawn from some population or group, utilizing arbitrary paired preferences of those members, in any commonly used ranking model. In particular the present invention involves techniques for learning Mallows models, and mixtures thereof, from pairwise preference data.

Abstract: A system and method for managing access to content is provided. One example embodiment provides for a method including acts of identifying a filter of content based at least in part on the preferences a user and a subject presented in the content and presenting the content using the filter to the user. Another example embodiment provides for a system that includes a controller configured to identify a filter of content based on preferences of a user, to present content using the identified filter and to update the preferences of the user based on feedback from the user and the subjects presented in the content.