Abstract: Digital content distribution systems and methods are provided for distributing for digital data files, such as digital audio and video data files. In accordance with one implementation, a token-based authentication system is provided that does not require knowledge of the individual user requesting the download of digital content data or real-time access to user account information. Instead, the token-based authentication system embeds the authentication information, or token, in the download request information itself. In this way, the download or content server authenticates the download request using the token contained in the download request information and therefore does not require any additional information to carry out this authentication, such as access to user account information.

Abstract: The present invention discloses systems and methods for sharing video content within a user's social network. In particular, the members of the user's social network can act as both recipients and senders of shared video content. An exemplary method for sharing videos includes identifying a video to be shared, identifying one or more recipients, and causing a playlist for each recipient to be populated with the shared video.

Abstract: Access to a first instant messaging service using an online identity that is associated with a second instant messaging service is enabled. A profile is accessed. The profile indicates that another instant messaging service is to be provided with presence information regarding the use of the online identity to access the first instant messaging service. The other instant messaging service is provided with the presence information regarding the use of the online identity to access the first instant messaging service.

Abstract: A subscriber who seeks to block access to contact information may receive identifying information for people attempting to access the subscriber's contact information. The subscriber also may be provided interfaces to enable the attempting person to contact the subscriber, in a variety of escalating forms, without revealing the subscriber's contact information. In a particular implementation, a request is received from an information seeker for contact information for a subscriber. A data structure is accessed that includes an indication that the subscriber should be provided with information relating to requests received for the subscriber's contact information. A message address for the subscriber is accessed, and a message is sent to the subscriber indicating the request for the subscriber's contact information.

Abstract: A graphical user interface between a user of a computer service and the computer service includes a list of other users of the computer service selected by the user as significant to the user and an icon associated with one of the other listed users indicating that a communication has occurred between the user and the other user.

Abstract: A method for communicating between an operator at an operator device and a user recipient includes enabling an operator of the operator device to enter a device-independent unique identifier for a user recipient by requiring interaction between the operator and the operator device without requiring interaction between the operator and software on the operator device that is designed for communication over an IP-based network. The method includes identifying an IP network address associated with the user recipient based on the device-independent unique identifier and routing a message entered by the operator to the determined IP network address.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for managing the resetting of online identities or accounts of users of Internet web pages. One method includes: receiving, through an electronic device, a request to reset login information to access a web page associated with the user's online account; determining that an IP address associated with the request is not identified as being suspicious; receiving user data intrinsic to the user's request; automatically verifying two or more values of the data intrinsic to the user's request as being indicative of a level of trust of the identity of the user; and transmitting, to the user over the Internet, a subset of options to reset the login information, the subset being selected based on the level of trust.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system for generating and displaying a calendar containing user-selected events from user-selected categories. A plurality of categories of events are provided. The user can select which categories are of interest, and then select individual events within those categories. Events are overlaid on a calendar unique to the user. Calendars may also be shared among a number of selected users, if desired. Online purchasing and related actions can be associated with each event.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring conversations of a community of users to identify topics of interest is provided. A user community which is based partly on social networking connections relative to a first user is identified. Conversations involving at least one member of the identified user community are monitored. Based in part on an aggregated analysis of the monitored conversations, keywords are selected to present to the first user. The first user is then provided with a display in which the selected keywords associated with the user community are presented to the first user such that the first user can select a keyword to access content associated therewith.

Abstract: Network connectivity is selectively established by monitoring, on a client, communications activity incident to accessing a network, the communications activity including a request to access the network. An application associated with the communications activity is be identified. A communications configuration associated with the application is accessed, the communications configuration indicating how the application is configured to access the network. Network connectivity is selectively established based on the communications configuration, and the application may be enabled to access the network to support the communications activity.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for providing, generating, and managing profiles. Such systems and methods may be implemented to control access to a function of a web server or site based on a level of trust associated with a user or device profile. According to one exemplary method, session information associated with a request to access a function of a web server is identified. At least one processor determines whether the request is associated with a trusted device profile based on the at least the session information. Access to the requested function is provided when the request is associated with a trusted device profile.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for controlling access to an application. A first request to use an application may be received from a first user and an application access rule associated with the first user may be accessed. Based on the application access rule, it may be determined that permission is required for the first user to use the application. In response, a second request may be sent to a second user requesting permission for the first user to use the application and a response to the second request may be received from the second user. The response may include authorization information used in determining whether the first user has permission from the second user to use the application. In response to receiving the response from the second user, the first request to use the application initiated by the first user may be handled based on the authorization information.

Abstract: Computer-implemented systems and methods for identifying an object in an image are provided. In one example, the method includes identifying a first object related to an electronic image. The image includes at least a second object. Based at least in part on the identity of the first object, social networking information related to the first object is used to programmatically identify the second object. The first object and/or the second object may be a person. In some embodiments, metadata associated with the image may be used to identify the second object. Based at least in part on the identifications, social networking information may be associated between the first object and the second object.

Abstract: A client may be enrolled in a notification system by receiving a notification instruction for a user to enroll in the notification system, identifying metadata associated with the notification instruction, prompting the user for activation of notifications for the metadata based on the metadata, and enabling the user profile to receive notifications for the metadata when a user elects to receive notifications in response to the prompt.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for displaying available or recommended electronic multimedia content to a user, including electronic media content on the Internet. According to one implementation, a method is provided that includes receiving a request from a user, the request specifying electronic media content desired by the user; analyzing an indexed web history of a plurality of other users, based on the request for desired content; and selecting and sorting a subset of available content groups, based on the request for desired content and the indexed web history. The method also includes selecting and sorting, for each selected and sorted content group, a subset of available content; providing instructions to display, to a user, the selected and sorted content groups along a first axis of a two-dimensional grid; and further providing instructions to display, to the user, the selected available content for each content group along a second axis of the two-dimensional grid.

Abstract: Enabling recipients to share tags that they associate with received e-mails includes receiving an e-mail from a sending user addressed to a receiving user, the e-mail including a header and a body and being capable of supporting attachments to the e-mail that are distinct of the body. The receiving user is enabled to perceive the e-mail and associate at least one tag with the e-mail, the at least one tag being a textual descriptor for the received e-mail distinct from the header, body, and attachments of the received e-mail. The received e-mail and the at least one tag are stored in a data store associated with the receiving user. The at least one tag is propagated to at least one of the sending user and another recipient of the e-mail to whom the sender sent the e-mail.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for filtering electronic communications in a communication system. The method includes receiving a message report from a user in response to an electronic message received by the user, and identifying a confidence value associated with the user from whom the message report is received. The method also includes adding, if the confidence value exceeds a predetermined confidence value threshold, the confidence value to a signature value associated with the electronic message, and determining if the signature value exceeds a signature value threshold. The method further includes filtering the electronic message if the signature value exceeds the signature value threshold.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for dynamically selecting a connection path between a client device and a server. One method includes receiving, over a network at a server, a connection request from a client device; authenticating, by the server, the connection request from the client device; determining, by the server, a connection path for the authenticated client device based on the connection request; determining, by the server, whether the connection path for the authenticated client device is a new connection path based on the connection request; and storing, by the server, the connection path to a connection database in association with the authenticated client device when the connection path is determined to be new, the connection database including a plurality of connection paths between the client device and the server.

Abstract: A method for transmitting data to one or more users of a communications system by establishing a connection with one or more users; designating targeting rules applicable to online users; acquiring context information of online users; applying the targeting rules to the context information to identify targeted online users; and sending data to the targeted online users.