Abstract: A method and system for automatically populating contact information using an voice message addressed to a distribution list. In one example method, a new distribution list is identified that contains the telephone numbers or other contact information of a group of intended recipients. The contact information for the recipients is identified, and the contact information databases at least one of the recipients is automatically populated with the contact information of the other recipients and/or the distribution list information.

Abstract: A light field data acquisition device includes optics and a sensor to acquire light field image data of a scene. In at least one embodiment, the sensor is located at a substantially fixed, predetermined location relative to the focal point of the optics. The device determines a first virtual focus depth different from an optical focus depth of the light field image data, and automatically generates and outputs data representative of a first image of the scene at the first virtual focus depth. In response to user input, the device determines a second virtual focus depth and generates data representative of a second image of the scene at the second virtual focus depth.

Abstract: A user interface for manipulating objects of various types in a consistent manner. Each on-screen object is surrounded by a control region including a number of zones for performing various control operations on the object. Multiple input modes are available for interacting with the zones, allowing object manipulation commands to be initiated in several different ways, such as via stroke input, pressing a mouse button, double-clicking, menu selection, voice input, and the like. The user interface is operable using any of several different types of input devices.

Abstract: Systems and methods directed to acquiring, generating, manipulating and/or editing refocusable video data/frames. The refocusable video frames may be light field video frames that may be focused and/or re-focused after acquisition or recording of such video frames. In one aspect, method comprises: selecting a first key frame, wherein the first key frame corresponds to one of a plurality of refocusable light field video frames, selecting a second key frame, wherein the second key frame corresponds to one of the plurality of refocusable light field video frames which is temporally spaced apart from the first key frame such that a plurality of refocusable light field video frames are temporally disposed between the first and the second key frames, determining a virtual focus parameters for the first key frame and the second key frame, and generating first video data.

Abstract: A system and method solicit decision-making input from a large number of users in a structured manner that facilitates generation of useful recommendations. The individual seeking advice posts a request for advice in the form of a decision question, or identifies a previously posted decision question. Visitors to the website can post secondary questions that are intended to assist the advice-seeker in making the decision. For each secondary question, the user posting the question can specify which choice for the decision question is recommended by each answer to the secondary question. The user can also specify a strength for the recommendation. The advice-seeker then inputs answers to the secondary questions. The advice-seeker can indicate a relative significance value for some or all of the answers. For each secondary answer, a score is generated. Scores are totaled and the results are provided to the advice-seeker to assist in decision-making.

Abstract: A voice messaging system associates each stored voice message with a unique combination of a retrieval telephone number and a recipient identifier such as a recipient telephone number. When a voice message is received, the system sends a notification message containing the retrieval telephone number to the intended recipient. Upon receiving the notification message, the intended recipient can access the voice message directly by calling the message retrieval telephone number. The system detects the recipient identifier, for example, via caller identification of the recipient telephone number. Using the unique combination of retrieval telephone number and recipient identifier, the system retrieves and plays the appropriate voice message. In one embodiment, the access point for retrieving messages is different from the access point for leaving voice messages.

Abstract: A method is provided for directed advertising on a shipment tracking status webpage. Advertisements are received and categorized based on preselected criteria. Shipping orders are received and tracking numbers associated with the shipping orders are provided. Tracking status information is received for the shipping orders. A tracking status request for a shipping order is received based on a tracking number. The tracking status information for the shipping order associated with the tracking number is accessed. The tracking information for the shipping order and at least one advertisement, which is selected based on the preselected criteria, is provided for display on the shipment tracking status webpage.

Abstract: Resource usage data is automatically collected for an individual, household, family, organization, or other entity. The collected data is transmitted to a central repository, where it is stored and compared with real-time and/or historical usage data by that same entity and/or with data from other sources. Graphical, interactive displays and reports of resource usage data are then made available. These displays can include comparisons with data representing any or all of community averages, specific entities, historical use, representative similarly-situated entities, and the like. Resource usage data can be made available within a social networking context, published, and/or selectively shared with other entities.

Abstract: An acceleration engine that stores context data is operatively disposed between a network and at least one web server. Incoming requests from the network are inspected by the acceleration engine and passed on to the web server. If the inspection reveals a reference to context data, the acceleration engine retrieves the context data and asynchronously sends the context data to the web server. The web server synchronizes that request and context data and generates a response message accordingly. The response message is forwarded back to the initiator of the request with or without interception by the acceleration engine. Should context data be generated during processing of the request, such context data is sent to the acceleration engine for updating purposes.

Abstract: A recommendation system and method uses data structured according to an indicator-based recommendation paradigm. Items to be considered for recommendation are stored in a text retrieval system, along with associated meta-data such as title and description. To these conventional characteristics are added additional characteristics known as indicators which are derived from an analysis of the usage of the system by users. This indicator-based system provides a more robust recommendation system that is able to capture a greater depth and variety of real-world relationships among items, and is able to handle p-adic systems and systems with ternary or higher relations.

Abstract: A network device located in the data path between a user computer and a server stores application data, processing instructions, and/or rule sets. By storing user computer-specific application data, processing instructions, and/or rule sets in the data path between the user computer and the server, the invention reduces the complexity of the web server, improves the handling of server failure, and increases the overall scalability and performance of the system.

Abstract: A system and method for storing context data in a network device that is in the data path between a user computer and a server, thereby allowing for the secure and ongoing storage of user computer-specific context data without adding unnecessary complexity to existing web server methods, while at the same time supporting redundancy and facilitating effective load-balancing. By storing user computer-specific context data in the data path between the user computer and the server, the invention reduces the complexity of the web server, improves the handling of server failure, and increases the overall scalability of the system.

Abstract: A centrally tracked artificial currency is provided within the context of an enterprise. This currency serves as a unit of account, medium of exchange, and store of value in a corporate “attention economy.” Users (typically coworkers) in the enterprise are allotted a base number of currency units, which they can earn, exchange, and spend in a variety of ways to signal importance and “purchase” attention of others, or priority for other organization resources. In one aspect, senders of messages can specify an amount of currency to be associated with the message, so that recipients can see the specified amount before deciding whether to read the message. Once such a system is in use, it facilitates exchange of value based on user-created transactions regarding behavior, communication, resources, incentives, and priorities.

Abstract: A collapsible umbrella has an open position and a collapsed position. In a collapsed position, the umbrella of the present invention can be used as a towel, to clean, wipe, and or dry objects, hands, faces, and the like. In an open position, the umbrella function is enabled, so as to protect a person or objects from rain and/or sun. In one embodiment, the canopy of the umbrella is constructed from material having two surfaces performing different functions. In one embodiment, the umbrella of the present invention contains a mechanism adapted to collapse the umbrella in a manner that turns the canopy inside out when in the collapsed position, so as to hide the water-resistant surface of the canopy and expose the absorbent surface. The absorbent surface then becomes naturally accessible for use when the umbrella is in the collapsed position.

Abstract: A financial reporting system for reading, organizing and manipulating any accounting data and producing financial reports that may be customized to the preferences of the user. In one embodiment there is an organizational data structure for accounting data, including a trial balance data structure having a plurality of trial balance data structure elements containing accounts of the accounting data, wherein the trial balance data structure elements are linked by a distinct doubly linked list of trial balance data structure elements pointers, further comprising sub-lists of trial balance data structure elements pointers to group the accounts of the accounting data into financial statement items.

Abstract: The invention relates to a media system and a method for providing a messaging service. One example media system includes a database containing digital media files, each digital media file associated with one or more categories. A subscription service receives and records subscription requests from subscribers, where each subscription request relates to one of the categories. A receiving module receives a new digital media file from a subscriber, wherein the identifier identifies the one or more categories with which the new digital media file is to be associated. A transmission module provides the new digital media file to the subscribers of the category that is associated with the new digital media file.

Abstract: A display module for displaying information on a screen, using a display data structure, wherein the display data structure is a doubly linked list. A display space in defined in video memory and the display space is filled by sequentially copying at least a portion of a set of characters from the display data structure into the video memory.

Abstract: A password authentication mechanism is capable of determining whether a password has expired without referring to a database or other information repository. Additional information can be encoded in the password without unduly lengthening the password, so that the additional information can be extracted from the password when the user provides the password for authentication purposes. Thus, the password serves as an information-carrying data item as well as acting as an authentication mechanism. Such a password can be used, for example, to provide time-limited access to a vehicle in response to receipt of timely payment, and to disable the vehicle if payment is not made.

Abstract: A report shows website visitation statistics including page visits before and after a path that can include one or more pages. The report responds to user selection of a page by adding the selected page to the path and regenerating the report. The user can click on pages to add them to the path, or to replace existing pages in the path. The user can also request and receive additional information about any page represented in the report.

Abstract: User exposure to media items is detected and measured. A mobile client device carried by a user digitally samples the audio environment of the user on a regular basis. These samples are transformed into a stream of data signatures and compared with reference media items to detect user exposure to the reference items. Purchase behavior following exposure to selected media content items can be detected and tracked as well, so as to gauge effectiveness of media items such as advertisements.