Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for authenticating an identity of an online user. One method includes receiving from the user, through a first device, a request to access a web page associated with the user's online account; transmitting to the user an image that contains a unique ID and a URL of an authentication server; and receiving from the user, through the first device, an authentication request containing the unique ID. The method also includes receiving from the user, through a second device, a log-in ID associated with the user and the unique ID; and authenticating the identity of the user to grant the user access, through the first device, to the web page associated with the user's online account.

Abstract: The invention provides two enhancements for the use of favorites during a Web browsing session. A first enhancement identifies when a user is adding a favorite to his favorites list and auto-suggests a category under which the favorite could be stored. A second enhancement allows a user to review his favorites list and see a summary of feed content (RSS or other standard) on each feed enabled page on his favorites list, without requiring the user to link to the page in question.

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: Separations or images relating to film or other fields may be registered using a variety of features, such as, for example: (1) correcting one or more film distortions; (2) automatically determining a transformation to reduce a film distortion; (3) applying multiple criteria of merit to a set of features to determine a set of features to use in determining a transformation; (4) determining transformations for areas in an image or a separation in a radial order; (5) comparing areas in images or separations by weighting feature pixels differently than non-feature pixels; (6) determining distortion values for transformations by applying a partial distortion measure and/or using a spiral search configuration; (7) determining transformations by using different sets of features to determine corresponding transformation parameters in an iterative manner; and (8) applying a feathering technique to neighboring areas within an image or separation.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for identifying and managing topical content for websites. In accordance with one implementation, a method is provided for identifying and managing topical content for a website. The method may include determining a set of topics at a first level of popularity, determining a set of topics at a second level of popularity, and discounting the set of topics at the second level of popularity based on the set of topics at the first level of popularity to determine a revised set of topics for the second level of popularity. The method may also include managing the topical content based on the revised set of topics for the second level of popularity.

Abstract: A method of disseminating advertisements includes the step of transmitting to a media device (110) an embedded media player page for playing a media file. The embedded media player page allows a user of the media device (110) to create a bookmark for a browser. The bookmark points to the embedded media player page. The bookmark includes an address of the media file as a parameter. When the bookmark is used in the browser to play the media file, the embedded media player page instructs the media device (110) to request an advertisement from an advertisement server (104) for display in the embedded media player page.

Abstract: Electronic information is made more readily available to one or more access requestors based on an anticipated demand for the electronic information using a process, system or computer software. For instance, electronic information stored on a first storage medium is identified for transport (e.g., in response to a request of at least one of the access requestors), and the electronic information is transported accordingly. Afterwards, a determination is made to store the electronic information on a second storage medium that is more accessible to the access requestors than the first storage medium. The determination is based on an anticipated demand of the access requestors for the electronic information. The anticipated demand is determined based at least on information that is not particular to any single access requestor. The electronic information then is stored on the second storage medium and the access requestors are provided access to the electronic information from the second storage medium.

Abstract: Social network information may be shared across online service providers. Thus, one online service provider M that maintains a membership separate from a second online service provider N may nevertheless use the social network maintained by the second online service provider N to tailor content and/or services based on such social network information.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for inserting an advertisement into a data stream. In accordance with one implementation, a method is provided that includes operations performed by one or more processors, including extracting a metatag from the data stream and identifying an advertising descriptor based the extracted metatag and characteristics of a scene associated with the data stream. The method also includes selecting, based on the identified advertising descriptor, an advertising object from a plurality of advertising objects, the identified advertising descriptor reflecting a temporal transformation of the advertising object within the scene, so that the advertising object appears as if the advertising object was originally included in the data stream. In addition, the method includes inserting the advertising object into the scene included in the data stream and transmitting the data stream with inserted advertising object to a recipient.

Abstract: Identifying a caller includes establishing, by a service provider, a connection over a computer network with a user device and accessing information enabling determination of a location of the user. A request to place a call to a call recipient is received from the user and a pool of temporary telephone numbers is accessed. Based on the location of the user, a temporary telephone number from the pool of temporary telephone numbers is selected. The temporary telephone number is associated with the call, the call is initiated to the call recipient, and information sufficient to identify the temporary telephone number is provided in call information sent to the call recipient.

Abstract: A method and system for improving data access times for a client system located remote from a central server. One example system includes the client system, the central server, and a client web cache located in close geographical proximity to the client system. The central server receives data requests from the client system and retrieves the data from the appropriate data source. The central server also sends the requested data and scripts to the local client web cache for instructing the client web cache to store the cache data. Alternatively, client web cache may have received a prior one-time instruction to cache predetermined types of data. The client web cache receives the data from the central server and based on the scripts or the one-time instruction, and caches the cache data, as instructed. The cache data may then be accessed by the client system.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a method is provided for advertising on a content-screened web page. The method includes receiving an impression request for a URL for which an advertising impression is desired; screening HTML content of a web page identified by the URL; generating a rating for the URL based on the HTML content of the web page; assigning the rating to the impression request; and serving an advertising impression on the web page based on the rating.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for evaluating the supply of electronic content on an electronic network. In accordance with one implementation, a computer-implemented method includes receiving search results history for a plurality of queries, determining a variability of the search results history for queries for at least one keyword, and determining a supply value indicative of a supply of electronic content on the electronic network relating to the at least one keyword, based on the determined search results variability. The method further includes requesting, over the electronic network, electronic content relating to the at least one keyword based on the determined supply value.

Abstract: In general, a two or more stage spam filtering system is used to filter spam in an e-mail system. One stage includes a global e-mail classifier that classifies e-mail as it enters the e-mail system. The parameters of the global e-mail classifier generally may be determined by the policies of e-mail system owner and generally are set to only classify as spam those e-mails that are likely to be considered spam by a significant number of users of the e-mail system. Another stage includes personal e-mail classifiers at the individual mailboxes of the e-mail system users. The parameters of the personal e-mail classifiers generally are set by the users through retraining, such that the personal e-mail classifiers are refined to track the subjective perceptions of their respective user as to what e-mails are spam e-mails.

Abstract: In the event of an unintentional interruption, a token issued by a host system to a client system is used to reestablish communications without disrupting applications on the client system. If the host system provided an Internet Protocol address to the client system to be used during the interrupted communications session, the host system reserves the communications address during an interruption in communications for a period sufficient to permit reestablishment of communications using the reserved address.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for contextual analysis and segmentation of information objects. According to one implementation, information objects, such as web pages and user profiles, may be analyzed to identify key terms. These key terms may be included in a contextual representation of an information object. By comparing the contextual representations of a plurality of information objects, one or more contextual segments (i.e., categories of information objects) may be created. Each contextual segment may also be associated with its own contextual representation. Once a contextual segment has been created, information objects may be assigned to the contextual segment. These contextual segments may be used to deliver targeted advertising, for example.

Abstract: Computer-implemented methods and systems are provided for scanning web sites and/or parsing web content, including for testing online opt-out systems and/or cookies used by online systems. In accordance with one implementation, a computer-implemented method is provided for testing an opt-out system associated with at least one advertising system that uses cookies. The method includes transmitting a first request to an opt-out system, wherein the first request corresponds to a first test for testing at least one of the opt-out system and an advertising system; receiving a first stream sent in response to the first request; determining a first outcome of the first test based on the first stream; and generating a report based on the first outcome.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for using the existing Universal Resource Identifier (URI) history feature of browsers to maintain user preference settings, or other state information, used by one or more web sites or other systems. In one embodiment, when a user makes a particular preference selection on a web site, the user's selection is recorded in the browser's URI history by causing the browser to access a URI (or a set of URIs) representing the particular selection. The same or a different web site may subsequently test the browser's URI history for this particular URI by including appropriate JavaScript or other executable code in a page requested by the browser. Depending upon the outcome of this test, the web site and/or the page's executable code may take an appropriate action or inaction consistent with the preference selection.

Abstract: Computer-implemented systems and methods for a simplified instant messaging interface are provided for allowing users to initiate and engage in instant messaging conversations. In various embodiments, the systems and methods reduce the overhead involved in initiating and/or engaging in instant messaging conversations. In some embodiments, the simplified instant messaging interface allows users to initiate and or engage in conversations without having to open a separate standard messaging window for every conversation. In some embodiments, the simplified instant messaging interface may be used in conjunction with a standard instant messaging interface.

Abstract: Processes are disclosed for fingerprinting and identifying client applications based on the analysis of client requests. In an HTTP-based embodiment, a fingerprint is constructed based on the presence and order of HTTP headers included in a request from a client application or device. This fingerprint may then be compared to known fingerprints associated with particular client applications to identify the particular client application and/or to assess whether the client application is malicious. The results of this analysis may, for example, be used to determine how to respond to the current request and/or subsequent requests.