Abstract: The embodiments provide methods of selecting relevant advertisement to target users by utilizing the knowledge of friends or acquaintance of the target users. The target users and friends or acquaintances of the target users belong to the same on-line communities, groups, or circles. In an exemplary embodiment, a method for providing advertising content for display in a personal media space of an Internet networking tool of a user is provided. The method includes defining the personal media space in a display region of a graphical user interface window. The personal media space being controlled by the user in terms of content. The method also includes selecting an advertisement content unit to be added to the personal media space for display by the user. The method further includes establishing a communication session between the user and another user. The communication session includes an interaction space for enabling communication between the user and the other user.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus are directed to enabling a user to record VOIP conversations for selective instant replay. The VOIP conversation may be automatically recorded upon initiation of the conversation, or the user may select to record at least a portion of the VOIP conversation. At any point during the VOIP conversation, the user may select to bookmark a position for later replay. During the VOIP conversation, the user may select to instantly replay at least some of the recorded VOIP conversation. The user may select to instantly replay from a beginning of the recorded conversation, from the bookmarked position, or from a pre-determined time interval into the recorded conversation. Upon completion of the instant replay, the user may then return to a latest chronological rewind position within the recorded VOIP conversation. The other party may also be provided an indicator that the conversation is being recorded.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for determining whether to use a full sort sorting technique or a merge sort sorting technique to sort a partially sorted list or data set. One or more tables may be utilized to allow such a determination to be made with regard to a first partially sorted list based on parameters associated with the list including a data distribution type, a number of data items in the list, and a ratio of sorted items to unsorted items in the list.

Abstract: A server computer transmits a web page over a network to a computing device so that the web page can be displayed by a browser operating on the computing device. The web page includes an image. The server computer then receives, from the computing device, coordinates of a portion of the image, the portion of the image selected by a user of the computing device. After receiving the coordinates, the server computer transmits to the computing device an updated image for display via the browser. Portions of the updated image have different levels of opacity that depend on the number of times the selected portion and other portions have been selected by other users to which the image is made available, so that the user can visually determine from the updated image portions of the updated image that have been selected by the user and by other users.

Abstract: Apparatus and computer-readable media for associating metadata with a geographic location are provided. The apparatus includes logic for detecting that a mobile device is present at a geographic location relevant to a user of the mobile device, logic for retrieving context information associated with the location, logic for selecting a program code module based upon a contextual relevancy of the location, logic for providing the program code module for execution, where the program code module is capable of performing processing specific to at least one aspect of the location, the processing is based upon the context information, and the program code module is further capable of receiving at least one input data item from the mobile device, where the at least one input data item describes an activity of the user at the location, and logic for associating the at least one input data item with the location.

Abstract: A method and system for maintaining synchronization between a local data cache and a data store is disclosed. The method includes comparing first validation information and second validation information, and synchronizing first data stored in a local data cache with second data stored in a data store, if the comparison indicates that the synchronizing is needed.

Abstract: Methods and systems of verifying jobseeker information are disclosed. A request to verify jobseeker data can be received from a recruiter. An endorsement indicator that ratifies the validity of the jobseeker data can be requested from at least one endorsing partner. The request can be made to an endorsement module of the at least one endorsing partner. The endorsement indicator can be received from the endorsement module of the at least one endorsing partner.

Abstract: A hierarchical category system for organizing and displaying electronic advertisements is disclosed. Each electronic advertisement is assigned one or more categories from a hierarchical categorization system. Similarly, each available advertisement placement location is also provided with a category from the hierarchical categorization, system. Then, when displaying advertisements, the system attempts to locate advertisements that have matching categorizations. When no matching advertisement with an exact matching categorization can be found, the system will attempt to locate an advertisement from a more specific (child) category that is a sub category of the current category. However, the advertisement from the more specific (child) category must specify the broader category within its own allowable fall-back path.

Abstract: A real time notification for updating online identities, known as avatars, is disclosed. For example, when a user updates his or her avatar(s), the changes are stored in a user database. The changes are also detected by an event router that sends a change notification in real time to all pertinent servers that are currently supporting on-line applications for the user. The servers will send the change notification in real time to pertinent clients, e.g., an instant messenger client, a mobile instant messenger client, an interactive game client and the like.

Abstract: A device, system, and method are directed towards determining a suggested characteristic for an event. At least two events are determined. In one embodiment, at least one characteristic is determined for one of the event. A plurality of other characteristics is determined for the other event. The characteristics of the two events may be determined implicitly from communications during the events or from user input. Based on a relationship between the determined characteristics, the suggested characteristic for the event is then determined. In one embodiment, the relationship is defined as a match of characteristics. The event may then be modified based on the suggested characteristic. For example, a suggested member may be invited to join the event, or the event's time, location, or name may be changed. If the other event is current or pending, the event and the other event may be combined.

Abstract: Techniques for automatically scoring submissions to an online question-and-answer submission system are disclosed. According to one such technique, an initial set of user submissions are scored by human operators and/or automated algorithmic mechanisms. The submissions and their accompanying scores are provided as training data to an automated machine learning mechanism. The machine learning mechanism processes the training data and automatically detects patterns in the provided submissions. The machine learning mechanism automatically correlates these patterns with the scores assigned to the submissions that match those patterns. As a result, the machine learning mechanism is trained. Thereafter, the machine learning mechanism processes unscored submissions. The machine learning mechanism automatically identifies, from among the patterns that the machine learning mechanism has already detected, one or more patterns that these submissions match.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present application provide methods and systems for automatically generating web page augmentation for web pages. In one embodiment, a computer implemented method for automatically providing a web page augmentation is provided. The method includes analyzing content of a web page to determine if a web page augmentation is needed for the web page. If the web page augmentation is needed, the method proceeds to determine a type of web page augmentation needed for the web page based on the content of the web page. The method also includes issuing a request to generate the web page augmentation, and receiving the web page augmentation sent by a web page augmentation generating system. The method further includes displaying the web page augmentation.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided that may be used to utilize user selection data on web documents in a list of search results to provide relevant search results in response to a search query.

Abstract: The embodiments described show that wireless devices can be used to distribute and/or to endorse (or promote) advertisements (ads) by individuals and by ad distributors. In one embodiment, a computer implemented method of forwarding an advertisement received on a first mobile device to a second mobile device is provided. The method includes sending the advertisement to the first mobile device, and detecting forwarding of the advertisement from the first mobile device to the second mobile device. The method also includes determining if the advertisement that was forwarded to the second mobile device includes an endorsement for the advertisement. The endorsement was generated at the first mobile device. The method further includes monitoring activity on the second mobile device regarding the advertisement when the advertisement includes the endorsement and when the advertisement does not include the endorsement.

Abstract: A method of allocating servers for range requests includes receiving a range request for items in a database that is distributed across storage devices that are accessible through corresponding servers in a network that includes the storage devices and the servers; and initializing a server-allocation value for the range request, where the server-allocation value specifies a number of servers to allocate for executing the range request. The method further includes executing the range request by allocating the servers and using the allocated servers to provide values from the range request to a client that accesses the network; and updating the server-allocation value while executing the range request to improve a consumption rate for the client by comparing changes in the consumption rate with changes in the number of allocated servers.

Abstract: Techniques are described herein that are capable of taking into consideration the intent of a user with respect to a search query received from the user. A Web server determines that the search query matches a reference query pattern. The Web server executes a semantic search extension application in response to the search query matching the reference query pattern. For example, values of respective parameters may be determined based on the search query matching the reference query pattern. In this example, semantic application results may be generated for presentation to the user based on the values of the respective parameters.

Abstract: Methods and systems for post-processing video to identify interests based on clustered user interactions are provided. A client application program running on a set-top box is provided to enable a user to interactively select a point of interest within video content being played via the set-top box. The selected points of interest of multiple users is aggregated, and clusters of the points of interest are determined. Objects associated with the clusters are determined by analyzing video segments containing the clustered points of interest. Messages related to the objects are created and sent to the relevant users that indicated selection of points of interest which correlate to the objects.

Abstract: Methods and system for rendering context aware multimedia content include identifying a plurality of multimedia content that is uploaded for rendering. The uploaded multimedia content is examined to determine metadata associated with each of the plurality of multimedia contents. Contextual information associated with the metadata is identified and a grouping of the multimedia content into a plurality of groups is performed based on the contextual information. Each of the plurality of groups is then integrated into one or more photo stories. The photo stories are defined and rendered as content rich documents.

Abstract: Techniques are described herein that enable a determination of a user's mood based on biometric characteristic(s) of the user in an online system. An online system is a system that supports the transfer of information via the Internet. The mood of the user at a time instance (i.e., a mood instance) is determined based on the biometric characteristic(s) of the user and a substantially real-time instance(s) associated with the user. A substantially real-time instance associated with the user is any occurrence with respect to the user that is determined in substantially real-time. The mood instance of the user and the substantially real-time instance that is associated with the user may (or may not) occur at the same time instance. Online content may be provided to the user and/or action(s) may be recommended to the user in response to determining the mood instance of the user.

Abstract: An improved system and method is provided for optimizing the reserve price and allocation of web page placements in an online keyword auction using generalized trade reduction. To do so, a generalized trade reduction engine may be provided to convert an implementation of an online keyword auction into a double-sided auction that may optimize the reserve price and allocation of web page placements to maximize revenue. An online keyword auction may be converted into a double-sided market by turning every bidder in the auction into a buyer and every web page placement into a virtual seller. The allocation of buyers and sellers may be divided into disjoint procurement sets and the generalized trade reduction engine may add or remove procurement sets in iterations until conditions of competition among remaining traders may be fulfilled to optimize the reserve price and allocation of web page placements to maximize revenue.