Abstract: A unified social graph for representing online content items of an online service is disclosed, such as online and social media and representations of users and groups of users. The social graph comprises a plurality of nodes, each representing one online content item, a plurality of edges, each connecting two nodes of the plurality of nodes and each indicating a relationship between two online content items represented by the two nodes, and a unified interface configured to allow access to the plurality of nodes and, for a node representing an online content item, to allow pushing data related to the online content via the node to connected nodes, and to allow pulling data related to further online content via the node from connected nodes representing the further online content. Furthermore, a system hosting an online service and a method for distributing data related to online content are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for logging actions and/or achievements of a user of a computer-implemented environment. The method comprises: detecting whether said user has taken one of a plurality of predefined actions or has arrived at one of a plurality of predefined achievements in said computer-implemented environment; when said predefined action or predefined achievement was detected, modifying a subscore of the user in at least one of a plurality of categories based on the detected predefined action or predefined achievement, and updating a global score of said user based on the subscores of said user in each of said plurality of categories.

Abstract: A server for connecting devices is disclosed, comprising: a network interface to enable connections of a plurality of devices with the server and one or more execution environments, each execution environment representing one of the plurality of devices, each execution environment running an operating system of the respective device and exposing an interface specifying capabilities of the device, wherein the one or more execution environments are persistently maintained by the server. Furthermore, a terminal device and a method for connecting devices via an online service are described.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are described that allow more comprehensive interaction between users of a telecommunication system. For example, a described method comprises: receiving, from a first communication unit, a request to establish a voice communication call between a first user of the first communication unit and a second user of a second communication unit; receiving, from said first communication unit, additional information with regard to said request; and presenting, by said second communication unit, an indication of said request to establish said voice communication call and said additional information to said second user.

Abstract: A method for simultaneous evaluation of items via online services and an online system hosting an online service therefore are described. The method comprises the steps of initiating an evaluation activity for a group of users of the online service, said evaluation activity directed at a plurality of items, establishing a communication channel connecting the users of the group with each other, said communication channel being coupled to the evaluation activity, providing to each user of the group a representation of the evaluation activity customized for the user and one or more further representations of the evaluation activity, each customized for another user of the group, detecting an interaction of a user of the group with a representation provided to the user, updating the representations in response to the interaction, and simultaneously providing updates of the representations to at least some of the users of the group.

Abstract: A method for enabling purchase of items within an online system is described, comprising the steps of providing an element representing an offer of one or more items, the element specifying a price of one of the items and a time period for purchase of the items; automatically presenting the element by the online system to a plurality of users, such that each user is enabled to interact with the element and purchase at least one of the items during the time period; and adjusting the price of the item as a function of the remaining time for purchase and an interaction of at least one of the users with the element. Furthermore, a corresponding online system enabling purchase of items and a data structure are defined.

Abstract: A method, a computer-readable medium, and an online system for determining ratings of users of the online system. The online system enables each user to directly assign rating scores to other users of the online system and to assign rating scores to content items created by other users. The method comprises retrieving a first score indicative of rating scores directly assigned to a user of the online system by other users of the online system; retrieving a second score indicative of rating scores assigned to content items by other users of the online system, wherein the content items are created by the user; and determining a rating of the user based on the first and second scores. Each content item created by the user represents one of an online content published by the user in the online system and an activity initiated by the user within the online system.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to simultaneous experience of online content via online services, such as in social networks. A method according to an embodiment comprises receiving from a first user of the online service a selection of online content provided by the online service; providing to the first user a list of further users of the online service in response to a set of selection rules defining selection criteria for users; receiving from the first user a selection of one or more second users from the list of further users; inviting the one or more second users to join a simultaneous experience of the online content; defining a group of users including the first user and the second users accepting the invitation; and providing the online content to the group of users in response to a set of access rules defining access criteria for the online content.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to providing advertisements to users of an online service. A method for providing advertisements to users of an online service is provided, including receiving, from a user of the online service, information related to content of the user provided via the online service to other users of the online service; associating at least some of the information with an advertisement space related to the content; providing, by the online service, advertisements based on the information associated with the advertisement space; selecting at least some of the provided advertisements for display in the advertisement space; and displaying the advertisement space to one or more of the other users viewing at least some of the related content. Furthermore, a server for providing advertisements and an online service hosted by the server are defined.

Abstract: A method, a computer-readable medium, and an online system for determining ratings of users of the online system. The online system enables each user to directly assign rating scores to other users of the online system and to assign rating scores to content items created by other users. The method comprises retrieving a first score indicative of rating scores directly assigned to a user of the online system by other users of the online system; retrieving a second score indicative of rating scores assigned to content items by other users of the online system, wherein the content items are created by the user; and determining a rating of the user based on the first and second scores. Each content item created by the user represents one of an online content published by the user in the online system and an activity initiated by the user within the online system.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for providing a persistent virtual room by an online service, wherein said virtual room represents activities hosted by the online service. The method comprises the steps of automatically creating the virtual room in response to an activity being initiated by a user of the online service, said creating including linking the activity to the virtual room and associating the user with the virtual room as a member of the virtual room, associating at least one further user with the virtual room as a member of the virtual room in response to the at least one further user joining at least one activity represented by the virtual room, removing a member from the virtual room in response to the member leaving an activity represented by the virtual room, and persistently maintaining the virtual room during a predetermined period of time after the number of members of the virtual room has decreased below a threshold.

Abstract: A user of a network system may be provided with geographical area information and may define geographical zones associated with his personal interests. This may allow a network server to provide said user with updated information relating to this particular geographical zone and the specified user interests. Described embodiments facilitate communication and contact among the members of a social network.

Abstract: A user of a network system may be provided with customized information relating to geographical zones defined by said user and personal interests associated with these zones. The personal interests may be compared against selected criteria provided by a customized information provider, to allow efficient targeting.

Abstract: A described method comprises: displaying a browser window on a display device, wherein said browser window is adapted to display live content and current activities of said user in relation to said live content; detecting user input in relation to the displayed live content and/or activity, wherein the user input includes dragging the live content and/or current activity from the browser window and dropping it in at least one slot of a sidebar of said browser window; creating a new slot associated with a current activity to be displayed on said sidebar, if the current activity was dropped in a dedicated slot of the sidebar; displaying the new slot on the sidebar; tracking changes inside the activity associated with an existing slot; modifying the existing slot in the sidebar based on changes inside the activity associated with the existing slot; and displaying the modified slot in said sidebar.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to parent-child guidance support for social networks. A method for providing controlled access to an online resource via a child account comprises (a) when said child account is registered for said online resource, providing access to said online resource via said child account, and at least one of the following steps: (b) in response to a user request via said child account, registering said child account for said online resource only when an age specification of the child account is higher than an average age specification of user accounts currently registered for said online resource, and (c) when registering said child account for access to said online resource in response to a user request via said child account, also registering at least one parent account associated with said child account for said online resource.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates in general to social networks run in a computer environment and in particular to methods and systems for posting messages about future events to users of a social network who are registered users of the social network, preferably in accordance with selectable, pre-selectable or adjustable settings for individual users. The method and system allows a user to post a message about a future plan or event that is taking place at a specified time rather than the time that the message is sent. The approach according to the present disclosure is directed to a unique way of social networking via an ordered list of events, such as a timeline or calendar, that shows when future plans will take place, and to a ‘matchmaking’ service between people organizing or taking part in such an event and other users who may also be interested in that event.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for targeting of an advertisement comprises receiving content uploaded by a user, assigning information to the content by the user, selecting an advertisement based on the information, presenting the content in connection with the selected advertisement based on the information, modifying the information by the user after the advertisement has been selected, selecting a new advertisement based on the modified information, and presenting the content in connection with the selected new advertisement based on the modified information. Furthermore, a server for targeting of an advertisement is defined. The method and server for targeting of an advertisement greatly improve the selection and presentation of advertisements related to uploaded content on a system or platform.

Abstract: A system for remote management and display of advertisements comprises: a processing unit configured to manage a plurality of advertisements; one or more clients connected to the processing unit, configured to send booking requests to the processing unit to book one or more of the plurality of advertisements; a data link coupled to the processing unit, configured to transport advertisements automatically selected by the processing unit based on the booking requests; one or more display units coupled to the data link, configured to display advertisements transported via the data link; and a distribution channel for broadcasting a live recording of at least one of the one or more display units to an audience.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for generating tags for content items of an online system. A method for generating tags for content items of an online system is provided, comprising the steps of providing, by a user of the online system, a content item in the online system, said content item being linked with one or more other content items of the online system; assigning a first group of tags to the content item; automatically generating a second group of tags based on tags associated with at least one of the one or more other content items; and assigning the second group of tags to the content item. Furthermore, an online system enabling generation of tags for content items and a server hosting the online system are defined.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates in general to social networks run in a computer environment and relates in particular to methods and systems for displaying an individual timeline of a registered user (member) of a social network in accordance with selectable, pre-selectable or adjustable settings for individual users. The method and system according to the present application provides a user a persistent way to track social moments with content and people, including tracking the past and future of a user's time (e.g., activities and events). At a glance, the user can see not only the moment, but also the associated people or content and its significance, in a graphical representation referred to as a “timeline.