Abstract: A first query and a second query, both of which were submitted by a first user to identify information that satisfies a single information need of the first user, are received. The first query and the second query are stored in association with one another and based on a chronological order in which the first query and the second query were submitted by the first user to generate a first query reformulation path. A query is received from a user and more than one query reformulation path is accessed. The received query is compared with queries included in the accessed query reformulation paths to identify a relationship between the received query and a query included in a relevant query reformulation path. One or more prevalent end points is determined based on the relevant query reformulation path and at least one of the prevalent end points is presented to the user.

Abstract: A called party may screen for a telemarketing solicitation made by a calling party by receiving a traditional telephony call from the calling party at a messaging service platform and using the messaging service platform to perform telemarketer-screening operations. These telemarketer-screening operations may use a telemarketer blacklist and an associated whitelist in processing the traditional telephony call. When the traditional telephony call is not processed using the telemarketer blacklist or the associated whitelist, the calling party may be challenged to identify themselves. The called party may react to the traditional telephony call by selecting a call processing option that enables the traditional telephony call to be processed as a nontelemarketing telephony call, processed as a telemarketing telephony call, or added to the associated whitelist.

Abstract: Navigating on a display includes providing a navigation control operable to change a viewable portion of a page of information on a display from a first view to a second view. In response to operation of the navigation control, the display is animated to create an appearance of motion as the viewable portion of the page of information changes from the first view to the second view in response to operation of the navigation control.

Abstract: Generally, a terminal can access a resource selection device to access a content source, the content source being structured and arranged to respond directly to the terminal. For example, a PC (“personal computer”) may be pointed at a load-balancing switch. The load balancing switch translates the PC's traffic and directs the PC traffic to a server (or switch) providing streaming services. The server responds directly to the terminal, but uses the IP address/identity of the load-balancing switch with which the terminal is communicating.

Abstract: Controlling use of a telephone line includes receiving a specification from a first entity that defines one or more supervisory controls on use of a controlled telephone line by a second entity. The supervisory controls specify people with whom the second entity may or may not communicate over the controlled telephone line, and times at which the second entity may or may not communicate over the controlled telephone line. An indication of desired communications between the second entity and a third entity at a particular time over the controlled telephone line is received. A determination is made as to whether the desired communications are consistent with the specified supervisory controls. The desired communications are controlled when the desired communications are not consistent with the specified supervisory controls. In addition, the supervisory controls enable the first entity to interrupt existing calls over the controlled telephone line.

Abstract: An identity based service system is provided, in which an identity is created and managed for a user or principal, such that at least a portion of the identity is available to use between one or more system entities. A discovery service enables a system entity to discover a service descriptor, given a service name and a name identifier of the user, whereby system entities can find and invoke the user's other personal web services. The discovery service preferably provides a translation between a plurality of namespaces, to prevent linkable identity information over time between system entities.

Abstract: Various disclosed help center features provide help to a user without a staffed help center, provide help to a user before the user recognizes the need, or create targeted commerce opportunities for a provider of goods or services. One help center feature provides a user with help that is specifically related to a component in the user's computer system and that is supplied to the help center feature by the component manufacturer. Another help center feature detects a condition that degrades performance, and hence user satisfaction, and alerts the user. Another help center feature detects an attempt by a computer system to inform the user of degraded performance and offers the user a solution. Another help center feature provides a user with a commerce opportunity specifically related to a component in the user's computer system and/or to the user's geographic location.

Abstract: A method of monitoring a user of a communication system includes enabling a first user to initiate monitoring of a second user, automatically monitoring status of activity by the second user on the communication system, and delivering to the first user, one or more of an indication that the second user has added or changed a profile or away message, received a new or updated profile or away message comment, visited an Internet location, engaged in communication device activity, or has generated audio or visual input.

Abstract: Personalized transaction identification information is provided by a user to supplement the generic transaction banking information received from the user's electronic banking service. The personalized transaction identification information is maintained by the user or the user's Internet Service Provider (ISP) or host. At the time of the transaction or later, details about the transaction are entered by the user into a personal digital assistant (PDA) or online. Subsequently, when the user downloads his banking information, the downloaded banking material is matched with the stored personalized transaction identification information. As a result, the information provided to the user about a transaction is more comprehensive since information beyond check number and amount are provided.

Abstract: Post-production processing may be performed by receiving a film-processing order, determining a process useful in fulfilling film-processing order, identifying one or more resources available to perform the process useful in fulfilling the film-processing order, and scheduling with at least one of the identified resources to perform the process.

Abstract: Methods for producing and multiplexing a file format, as well as structures for a hierarchical file format and data file, are provided. The data file may include data that is divided in a hierarchical manner, including a highest level document portion that supports all lower level portions of the data file. The hierarchical data file forms a multimedia document that can be displayed on a computer display with accompanying audio. The multimedia document may include data in a variety of file formats, including image data, sound data, textual data, and video data. At least some of the data is preferably multiplexed in the data file, so that the multiplexed data can be progressively played and displayed as it is downloaded by a computer. Data that cannot be progressively played need not be multiplexed in the data file and can be located in an area of the data file separate from the multiplexed data.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for the configuration of a home-networking system. Home-networking configuration information may be stored on a host system in a manner accessible to the home-networking system and migrated to a home-networking gateway or router that has not yet been configured. Wireless configuration information may be stored on a home-networking gateway or router and used to configure one or more wireless access points through the use of a physical connection, such as a wired communications pathway. One or more wireless home-networking devices may be configured based on wireless configuration information stored in a central repository on a host system or a home-networking system. The wireless configuration information may be accessible only through the use of a security code.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for reducing the number of maneuvers presented in narrative driving directions for a route from an origin location to a destination location. Maneuvers are combined to reduce the number of maneuvers presented. Maneuvers may be combined based on a maneuver being associated with a highway interchange or maneuvers including a shared reference to a particular road.

Abstract: A user interface on a display enables user perception of information regarding a communications session that leverages an instant messaging platform. The user interface includes an instant messaging application user interface and one or more tear-off elements corresponding to ongoing instant messaging communications sessions. Each tear-off element is configured to enable perception and selection by a user of a corresponding instant messaging communications session. Also, each tear-off element is configured to be independently visually separated from other elements of the instant messaging application user interface and maintained as a separate entity on the instant messaging application user interface.

Abstract: Latency in a real-time electronic communication is dynamically managed. A communication delay arising from a receiving data buffer is measured and a latency adjustment necessary to adjust the size of the communication delay to within a predetermined range and an optimal range for a size of the communication delay are determined. Using these parameters, the number of samples for an audio playback data block passing through the receiving data buffer is modified.

Abstract: Images may be registered using temporal (time-based) and spatial information. In a film implementation, because film is a sequence of frames, using information from neighboring frames may enable a temporally smoother visual experience. In addition, it may be beneficial to take advantage of the fact that consecutive frames are often shifted similarly during the photographic process. Distortion measures may be used that discount candidate transformations that are considered to be too far from one or more preferred transformations, such as, for example, an optimal transformation from another frame or block or a currently-optimal transformation from the same frame/block. Composite color images may be processed to provide registration of underlying components.

Abstract: A user interface that enables user perception of status regarding communications that leverage an instant messaging platform may be rendered on a display. The user interface includes an instant messaging application user interface that enables perception and selection of instant messages for an instant messaging user, and a status indicator that provides a perceivable indication to the user of statistics regarding concurrent instant messaging sessions.

Abstract: A method and system for capturing data for automating interactions occurring across the Internet includes storing data at a central Web server adapted for maintaining a database. Responsive to a program script requesting data, computer program code at the central Web server selectively extracts stored data from the database, manipulates the data in accordance with the request, and supplies the manipulated data in a desired format. The program script is also able to capture manually entered data to the database when new request data is entered manually after the normal form submission.

Abstract: Temporal drift correction may be provided in a real-time audio communication system by measuring a size of a receiving data buffer and comparing that size to a predetermined nominal data buffer size. An amount of temporal drift is characterized as a number of samples per audio playback data block based on the measured data buffer size and the nominal data buffer size. A number of samples to be inserted or removed for each audio playback data block to correct the temporal drift may be determined, and the number of samples of each audio playback data block may be modified. For example, an instantaneous size of the receiving data buffer may be measured, and if measured multiple times, may be averaged over a time period. Heuristic resampling of the audio playback data block also may be performed.

Abstract: According to one general aspect, a method for searching includes receiving, at a host from a client device, a search query that enables access to location data associated with multiple users. Receiving the search query includes receiving a travel objective and receiving an indication of a particular place. The method also includes accessing the location data associated with the multiple users and referencing the travel objective that relates to the location data associated with the multiple users. The method also includes identifying a result associated with the particular place, and enabling the client device to access the result.