Abstract: In one embodiment, user information for a user of a social-networking system is retrieved. Device information is determined for a device associated with the user. Based on the device information or the user information, content associated with the user is retrieved. Using the retrieved content, a content board is composed for use in a cover feed displayed on the device The content board may comprise a background image. Finally, the content board is sent to the device. In one embodiment, updated information for content associated with the user is retrieved. The updated information may be associated with content that was included in a previously-provided content board. Using the updated information, an update to the previously-provided content boards is composed. Finally, the updates may be sent to the previously-provided content boards to the device.

Abstract: An information management and distribution system is disclosed. The information management and distribution system includes a client-side application and a server application that interact to facilitate the controlled exchange of contact information over a network. The client-side application can provide creation and design, rolodex, exchange, and update features. The information management and distribution system can also include a corporate administrator application. Still another aspect of the invention is that contact information can be distributed to registered users in a common format.

Abstract: A social networking system provides a content feed to a client device associated with the user of a social networking system, the content feed including a plurality of content items. The social networking system identifies one or more missed content items, of the plurality of content items, that were part of the content feed and were not displayed by the client device. The social networking system generates a subsequent content feed that includes one or more content items that have not been previously provided to the client device and a missed feed unit that is associated with the one or more missed content items. In one embodiment, the missed feed unit, when selected, redirects the user to a new page that presents a different content feed including the identified missed content items. The social networking system provides the subsequent content feed to the client device for presentation to the user.

Abstract: An advertisement (ad) proxy server acts as a proxy for serving content of third-party ads to users of an online system, reducing data leakage from users to advertisers. The ad proxy server acts as an intermediate storage and access point for content included in advertisement, such as images and videos. When an advertisement from an advertiser is selected for presentation by the online system, an ad tag identifying the location of the content for the selected ad is retrieved and used to retrieve a copy of the advertisement content. The ad proxy server stores the copy of the advertisement content and generates a modified ad tag identifying the ad proxy server. The modified ad tag is sent to a client device, which retrieves the copy of the advertisement content from the ad proxy server rather than directly from the advertiser.

Abstract: An online system receives a request from a user of a manager transmitter to generate a unique beacon identifier (ID) associated with a physical location. Responsive to receiving the beacon ID from the online system, the manager transmitter transmits a Bluetooth signal comprising the beacon ID to user client devices, which send the beacon ID to the online system for identification. Responsive to detecting that a received signal strength exceeds a threshold, a location context module classifies the instance of the user client device detecting the signal as an example of a user being present at the physical location. A location prediction module uses the instance as training data to train a machine-learning model to predict the presence of online system users at the physical location.

Abstract: A camera system captures images from a set of cameras to generate binocular panoramic views of an environment. The cameras are oriented in the camera system to maximize the minimum number of cameras viewing a set of randomized test points. To calibrate the system, matching features between images are identified and used to estimate three-dimensional points external to the camera system. Calibration parameters are modified to improve the three-dimensional point estimates. When images are captured, a pipeline generates a depth map for each camera using reprojected views from adjacent cameras and an image pyramid that includes individual pixel depth refinement and filtering between levels of the pyramid. The images may be used generate views of the environment from different perspectives (relative to the image capture location) by generating depth surfaces corresponding to the depth maps and blending the depth surfaces.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes detecting one or more objects in an image, generating at least one mask for each of the detected objects, wherein each of the masks is defined by a perimeter, classifying the detected objects, receiving gesture input in relation to the image, determining whether one or more locations associated with the gesture input correlate with any of the masks, and providing feedback regarding the image in response to the gesture input. Each of the masks may include data identifying the corresponding detected object, and the perimeter of each mask may correspond to a perimeter of the corresponding detected object. The perimeter of the corresponding detected object may separate the detected object from one or more portions of the image that are distinct from the detected object.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed toward systems and methods for providing a start trigger for a live video broadcast. In particular, in some embodiments the systems and methods described herein provide a live video stream received from a broadcaster client device to one or more viewer client devices. Additionally, the systems and methods described herein determine whether an audience satisfies a triggering event to provide the video stream to an audience of viewers. The systems and methods provide content for a wait screen in response to determining that the audience does not satisfy the triggering event, and provide the video stream in a live broadcast in response to determining that the audience does satisfy the triggering event.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable media can identify a set of video segments that represents a video. A subset of video segments can be selected out of the set of video segments. A list that indicates a playback sequence for the subset of video segments can be generated. Playback of the subset of video segments can be provided based on the playback sequence indicated via the list.

Abstract: A head mounted display (HMD) for displaying variable resolution frames for focus and non-focus areas of a user's eye. The HMD includes the display panel including gate lines and data lines, and a display driver coupled to the display panel. The display driver includes a gate signal duplicator that duplicates gate signal values across multiple adjacent gate lines for the non-focus area, and provides individual gate signals to gate lines for the focus area. The display driver may also include a programmable oscillator that generates a clock signal for the gate lines as a function of the size of the focus area relative to the size of the frame. In some embodiments, the display driver includes a data signal duplicator that duplicates data signal values across multiple adjacent data lines for the non-focus area, and provides individual data signals to data lines for the focus area.

Abstract: A lens includes immobilized liquid crystals. The liquid crystals in a first region are aligned in a first orientation. The liquid crystals in a second region, located between the first region and a third region and adjacent to the first region and the third region, are aligned in a second orientation that is distinct from the first orientation. The liquid crystals in the third region, located between the second region and a fourth region and adjacent to the second region and the fourth region, are aligned in the first orientation. The liquid crystals in the fourth region, located adjacent to the third region, are aligned in the second orientation. A method for making the lens is also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable media can transmit a quick load article request identifying a quick load article. One or more media content elements associated with the quick load article are received, the one or more media content elements comprising a first quick load embedded web content element. The first quick load embedded web content element comprises embedded web content element information identifying a first embedded web content element and snapshot information identifying a first snapshot associated with the first embedded web content element. The quick load article is rendered, wherein the rendering the quick load article comprises rendering the first snapshot in place of the first embedded web content element.

Abstract: A head mounted display (HMD) displays content to a user wearing the HMD, where the content may be based on a facial model of the user. The HMD uses an electronic display to illuminate a portion of the face of the user with. The electronic display emits a pattern of structured light and/or monochromatic light of a given color. A camera assembly captures images of the illuminated portion of the face. A controller processes the captured images to determine depth information or color information of the face of the user. Further, the processed images may be used to update the facial model, for example, which is represented as a virtual avatar and presented to the user in a virtual reality, augmented reality, or mixed reality environment.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes retrieving multiple posts containing each of the query terms after receiving a search query for posts from a user of an online social network, identifying, from an index of known phrases, one or more known phrases in the text of the retrieved posts, filtering the retrieved posts to generate a filtered set of posts, wherein the filtering comprises removing each post not containing at least one of the identified known phrases, computing features for each of the identified known phrases, calculating a score for each post in the filtered set based on the features of the identified known phrases, ranking the posts based on the calculated scores, and sending instructions, to the client system, for generating a search-results interface comprising references to one or more of the posts presented in ranked order.

Abstract: A virtual reality headset displays a three-dimensional (3D) virtual scene and includes a varifocal element to dynamically adjust a focal length of an optics block included in the virtual reality headset based on a location in the virtual scene where the user is looking. The headset tracks a user's eyes to approximate gaze lines and determines a plane of focus for a frame of the virtual scene as the intersection of the gaze lines. The varifocal element adjusts the focal length of the optics block so the optics block is focused at the plane of focus, which keeps the user's eyes in a zone of comfort as vergence and accommodation change. Based on the plane of focus, the virtual reality headset may provide depth cues, such as depth of field blur, to planes in the virtual scene deeper in the user's field of view than the plane of focus.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes rendering, based on a three-dimensional model, a virtual object in a three-dimensional virtual environment, where the rendering is customized for a user of the virtual environment, the customized rendering being based on a current stage of the user in a course of stages, wherein the course comprises a plurality of stages including a first stage, a final stage, and one or more intermediate stages, each stage being associated with one or more transition conditions, wherein the course comprises at least one path through the stages from the first stage to the final stage, detecting, in the virtual environment, one or more actions by the user, updating the current stage of the user in response to the detected actions, and providing information relating to the updated current stage of the user to an interested party.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed toward systems and methods for generating and providing an augmented reality overlay for display in connection with an augmented reality display device. For example, systems and methods described herein identify a user being viewed through an augmented reality display device, and builds an augmented reality overlay for the user that is displayed on a view of the user through the augmented reality display device. Systems and methods described herein build the augmented reality overlay based on the location of the augmented reality display device, and on other networking system information including a networking system relationship between the user wearing the augmented reality display device and the user who is being looked at through the augmented reality display device.

Abstract: The invention provides a display interface in a social networking system that enables the presentation of information related to a user in a timeline or map view. The system accesses information about a user of a social networking system, including both data about the user and social network activities related to the user. The system then selects one or more of these pieces of data and/or activities from a certain time period and gathers them into timeline units based on their relatedness and their relevance to users. These timeline units are ranked by relevance to the user, and are used to generate a timeline or map view for the user containing visual representations of the timeline units organized by location or time. The timeline or map view is then provided to other users of the social networking system that wish to view information about the user.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes sending a login request to a server computing device; receiving a first derivative identifier from the server computing device; storing the first derivative identifier; sending a content request to the server computing device for a web page; receiving, from the server computing device, a content frame and a trusted frame for display on the client device, wherein the content frame comprises a second derivative identifier; according to instructions associated with the content frame, requesting the trusted frame to verify whether the second derivative identifier matches the first derivative identifier; according to instructions associated with the trusted frame, verifying whether the second derivative identifier matches the stored first derivative identifier; and displaying the requested web page in the content frame based on a verification confirmation from the trusted frame that the second derivative identifier matches the stored first derivative identifier.

Abstract: A fluidic device controls fluid flow in a channel conduit from a fluid entrance to a fluid exit. In some embodiments, the fluidic device comprises the channel conduit, a flexible element, a cross member, and a gate. The channel conduit is bounded by an inner surface that includes a protrusion. The flexible element is coupled to the inner surface of the channel conduit on a different side of the inner surface as the protrusion. The cross member has a first end that is coupled to a deformable surface that is part of the inner surface of the channel conduit and a second end that is coupled to the flexible element. The gate is configured to deform the deformable surface in accordance with a fluid pressure at the gate. An amount of deformation imparted by the gate controls a position of the flexible element via the cross member.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving an indication of a first location of a first user from a mobile-client system of a first user, generating one or more search queries based on the location of the first user, executing one or more of the search queries, and sending a plurality of search results corresponding to the executed search queries to the mobile-client system.

Abstract: An apparatus for dampening vibrations generated by exhaust fans may include (1) at least one exhaust fan that (A) generates airflow across an array of storage devices that include rotating disks and (B) generates acoustic waves that produce propagating vibrations and (2) at least one acoustic attenuator that (A) includes a group of honeycomb-shaped openings that dampen the acoustic waves generated by the exhaust fan and (B) mitigates, by way of the honeycomb-shaped openings, interference to the rotating disks caused by the propagating vibrations produced by the acoustic waves. Various other apparatuses, systems, and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes determining a current geo-location of a mobile client computing device associated with a first user; and selecting content associated with the current geo-location that was provided by a second user. The selection is based at least in part on a relationship between the first and second users. The method also includes sending to the mobile client computing device while the mobile client computing device is at or near the current geo-location a notification associated with the content.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving, from a client system of a first user, a request associated with a particular content item; identifying communications authored by one or more users, each identified communication being associated with the particular content item; generating one or more search-results modules related to the particular content item, each search-results module being of a particular module type, wherein each search-results module includes information from a subset of the identified communications, the information corresponding to the particular module type of the search-results module, and wherein a number of communications in the subset of the identified communications including each search-results module is greater than a module-specific threshold number of communications; and sending, to the client system, a search-results interface comprising one or more of the search-results modules.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving information associated with interactions of one or more first users with one or more applications; identifying one or more interactive elements associated with the applications based at least in part on the received information; and providing for display on a user interface (UI), one or more of the identified interactive elements. The displayed interactive elements are dynamically adjusted based on receiving updated information of interactions associated with one or more of the interactive elements.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a message associated with a user at an information exchange system. At least one correspondent associated with the user may be determined, based on the message. A social connection between the user and the at least one correspondent may be assessed with respect to a social-networking system. The information exchange system may provide an interface for display to the user, the interface comprising information associated with the message. If the social connection is confirmed, the interface may include social-networking information associated with the at least one correspondent. Otherwise, the interface may provide functionality to create a social connection between the user and the at least one correspondent with respect to the social-networking system.

Abstract: The disclosed computer-implemented method may include, (1) observing, via at least one sensor, at least one attribute of a user, (2) mapping the observed attribute of the user to a computer-generated avatar that represents the user, (3) determining a level of realism for the avatar, with the level of realism specifying a relationship between an appearance of the avatar and an actual appearance of the user, and (4) dynamically adjusting a computer-generated presentation of the avatar in accordance with the determined level of realism. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.

Abstract: An online system identifies seed users of high value to a sponsored content provider. Characteristics of the seed users are identified, and additional users having a threshold measure of similarity to the seed users are identified based on the characteristics. A score is determined for each of the additional users based on the measure of similarity. The seed users are placed in an initial tier of a tiered set of users for the sponsored content, and the additional users are placed in additional tiers of the tiered set of users based upon the determined scores such that each additional tier includes those users of the additional users having a specified range of determined scores, the tiers of the tiered set of users ranked according to the determined scores of users within each tier.

Abstract: An information management and distribution system is disclosed. The information management and distribution system includes a client-side application and a server application that interact to facilitate the controlled exchange of contact information over a network. The client-side application can provide creation and design, rolodex, exchange, and update features. The information management and distribution system can also include a corporate administrator application. Still another aspect of the invention is that contact information can be distributed to registered users in a common format.

Abstract: Exemplary methods, apparatuses, and systems for processing a search query of a user are detailed. For example, a search query may be received from a user at a social networking system, processed to generate a search result of a plurality of entity result cards and each result card that each include a plurality of order comments about the entity, a plurality of ordered images associated with the entity, contact information for the entity, wherein the comments and images take into account information about the user stored at the social networking system, and a result send to the user.

Abstract: A distortion calibration system generates a distortion map for a head-mounted display (HMD). The system includes a camera that takes pictures of a test pattern displayed by the HMD. The images are taken at different camera positions and/or states of the HMD. The system determines a distortion map using the captured images, and uploads it to the HMD as part of, e.g., an optical model. The HMD comprises an electronic display, an eye tracking unit, an optics block, and a module. The module estimates distortion values based on eye tracking information from the eye tracking unit, an optical model, and a state of the HMD (e.g., a distance between the optics block and the electronic display). The module determines an adjusted state of the HMD using the estimated distortion values, the eye tracking information, and the optical model, and adjusts the state of the HMD to the adjusted state.

Abstract: An online system using attributes of users to select content for presentation to the users predicts one or more attributes of users whose attributes are unavailable to the online system. For a user with one or more attributes unavailable to the online system, the online system applies a model to attributes of additional users to predict one or more attributes of the user. Attributes of the additional user use in the prediction may include demographic information and interactions with content by the additional users. The online system may determine an accuracy of the model by using the model to predict attributes for users whose attributes are known to the online system and comparing the predicted attributes to the known attributes. If the model's accuracy is less than a threshold value, the online system discontinues using the model to predict attributes of users.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to the generation and presentation of merchant insights to a brick-and-mortar merchant. More specifically, one or more embodiments of the present disclosure relate to detecting and identifying users visiting a merchant's retail location, determining product preferences of the identified users that relate to the merchant, and providing merchant insights to the merchant based on the determined product preferences.

Abstract: Various embodiments include a conversation engine for facilitating a conversation between member accounts (e.g., personal accounts) and social network entities (e.g., corporate accounts) in a social networking system. The conversation engine can enable interactions between a member account and a social network entity via a messaging application when an end-user device associated with the member account is in proximity to a physical establishment associated with the social network entity. The end-user device can scan for available access points and determine its location based on the wireless source identifier(s) of the available access points. The end-user device and/or the social networking system can compare the wireless source identifier(s) to a set of known wireless source identifiers to determine the end-user device's location. Messages can be generated by the conversation engine that include content that is generated based at least in part on the location of the end-user device.

Abstract: The functionality of a browser application is enhanced using a browser plug-in, which enables the browser application to access portions of a file system not otherwise accessible to the browser application. The enhanced functionality provided by the browser plug-in is used in one example by an image uploading web application. The browser application may also start a task in the background, such as a task for uploading several images, and then monitor the progress of the task even when the browser application navigates away from the page that initiated the task. The browser application may use a local web server running on the client device to perform tasks, including the rendering of images and monitoring progress of long running tasks.

Abstract: An online system matches a user across multiple online systems based on image data for the user (e.g., profile photo) regardless whether the image data is from the online system, a different but related online system or a third party system. For example, to match the user across a social networking system and INSTAGRAM™ system, the online system compares the similarity between images of the user from both systems in addition to similarity of textual information in the user profiles on both systems. The similarity of image data and the similarity of textual information associated with the user are used by the online system as indicators of matched user accounts belonging to the same user across both systems. The online system applies models trained using deep learning techniques to match a user across multiple online systems based on the image data and textual information associated with the user.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to receiving a digitized content item that is indicated to be shared with users (e.g., all, some, or one) of a social networking system; selecting, based on one or more characteristics of the digitized content item, a second server computing device at which to further compute or store the digitized content item; and transmitting, to the second computing device, the digitized content item for storage at the second computing device. At least one of the characteristics can be a classification of a user who transmitted the digitized content item via the data communications network. By selecting second server computing devices based on characteristics, data communications network performance can be improved.

Abstract: A method includes monitoring media content at media content locations to identify media content items. The media content locations are identified in social network data stored by a set-top box device. The method includes receiving, at the set-top box device, a command to present image cells to a display device. The command is responsive to an alert sent from the set-top box device. The method also includes presenting the image cells at the display device. At least one of the image cells includes an image corresponding to an identified media content item.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and/or devices for controlling access to and presenting content on presentation devices based on selection criteria are described herein. In one aspect, a server system receives requests to access a presentation device from a plurality of user devices. A request corresponding to a user device of the plurality of user devices is selected based on one or more selection criteria. Access to the presentation device is granted to the user device of the plurality of user devices, in response to selecting the request. After granting access to the user device, a data stream that includes vocals is received from the user device. The data stream is transmitted to the presentation device for presentation.

Abstract: Techniques to promote filtered messages based on historical reply rate are described. In one embodiment, an apparatus may comprise a messaging interface component operative to receive an incoming message; and transmit the incoming message to a configured delivery mailbox on a client device; and a destination mailbox configuration component operative to determine one or more connection categories between the sender account and the recipient account; determine a predicted reply rate for the incoming message based on the one or more connection categories, a recipient reply history for the recipient account, and a sender reply history for the sender account; configure the delivery mailbox for the incoming message based on the predicted reply rate; identify a most-prominent connection category of the one or more connection categories; and configure the incoming message with a banner message indicating the most-prominent connection category. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: An online system receives a media stream from a host of a live broadcasting stream and a second media stream from a guest of the host, and generates a single composite stream that includes the multiple live streams. The online system decodes and aligns the video and audio frames of each live stream to ensure that the composite stream displays the multiple live streams in a synchronized fashion. Additionally, the composite stream can display the multiple live streams in a particular format (e.g. side-by-side, or picture-in-picture), and therefore, the online system adjusts the video and audio frames of each live stream to fit that format. For each composite stream, the online system employs a decision engine that identifies the optimal set of encoded composite streams based on a variety of characteristics. The online system encodes the composite stream and distributes the appropriately encoded composite stream to client devices for display to viewers.

Abstract: One or more embodiments of the disclosure include systems and methods that generate and utilize digital visual codes. In particular, in one or more embodiments, the disclosed systems and methods generate digital visual codes comprising a plurality of digital visual code points arranged in concentric circles, a plurality of anchor points, and an orientation anchor surrounding a digital media item. In addition, the disclosed systems and methods embed information in the digital visual code points regarding an account of a first user of a networking system. In one or more embodiments, the disclosed systems and methods display the digital visual codes via a computing device of the first user, scan the digital visual codes via a second computing device, and provide privileges to the second computing device in relation to the account of the first user in the networking system based on the scanned digital visual code.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a text query comprising one or more n-grams inputted by a first user, identifying one or more primary entities matching one or more n-grams of the received text query, and identifying, for each of the identified primary entities, one or more related entities based on one or more related-entity indexes associated with the primary entity. The method also includes accessing, for each identified related entity, one or more posts authored by the identified related entity, each accessed post matching all of the n-grams of the received text query, calculating a score for each of the accessed posts, and sending to the first user one or more search results corresponding to one or more of the accessed posts having scores higher than a threshold score, respectively.

Abstract: Application code for deployment to a client over a data link is optimized to minimize download time by supplying only the application code with a particular object that is required by the object. In a web application that includes multiple pages, the HTML and JAVASCRIPT are scanned to identify code resources called by a particular web page. When all called resources are identified, they are extracted and concatenated into a single resource file. When the page is downloaded to the client, the import file is included with the page. The import file may be cached so that it need only be downloaded once, rather than being downloaded every time the page is requested. The invention is suitable for use with other interpreted scripting languages.

Abstract: Apparatuses, methods, and systems for selecting an ADC for each RF chain of an RRU are disclosed. One embodiment of the RRU includes a plurality of antennas and a plurality of RF chains configured to receive a plurality of wireless signals, A plurality of outputs of the RRU connected to a front-haul, wherein the front-haul electrically connects the plurality of outputs of the RRU to a baseband unit (BBU), wherein each of the outputs is connected to an output of one of a plurality of ADCs. Further, the RRU selects a one of the plurality of ADCs having the plurality of ADC resolutions for each of the RF chains based on the capacity of the front-haul, a channel gain of each of the RF chains, and a performance parameter of the RRU. A switch connects each of the RF chains to a corresponding one of the plurality of ADCs.

Abstract: Systems and methods for communicating in a point to multipoint (PTMP) network that includes an aerial station and a plurality of ground stations. The method includes the aerial station receiving positional information of a ground station of the plurality of the ground stations, selecting antenna elements on a phased antenna array for generating a directional beam based on the positional information, sweeping the directional beam to cover the plurality of ground stations, determining that the directional beam has a beam width sufficient to cover the plurality of ground stations and a transmit power sufficient to provide signals to the ground stations based on the sweeping of the directional beam; and establishing a radio link between the aerial station and the ground station in the plurality of ground stations.

Abstract: Aspects of an optical communications network are described that include two or more optical fibers arranged to allow communication in the same direction. The optical network includes a first optical amplifier coupled to the first optical fiber, a second optical amplifier coupled to the second optical fiber, a first optical pump to provide optical power to the first optical fiber, and a second pump to provide optical power to both the first and the second optical fibers. By sharing the second pump between the first and the second optical fibers, a need to deploy additional pumps is alleviated. Scaling of the optical network to include additional optical fibers provides further cost savings by allowing more pumps to be shared among the multiple optical fibers.

Abstract: An expansion card latching mechanism may include a base anchored to a printed circuit board. The latching mechanism may also include a latch coupled to the base such that a proximal end of the latch locks a proximal end of an expansion card to a fixed position on the printed circuit board. In addition the latching mechanism may include a compression spring wrapped around an arm of the latch such that the compression spring exerts a tension to maintain a locked position of the latch. Various other apparatuses, systems, and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: An online system enables content providers to efficiently create and publish sponsored content in multiple phases. Each phase of the content creation is represented by a draft of the content. Multiple drafts of the content are stored in a repository of the online system for optimizing content delivery and publication, such as quick identification of conflicts in a draft based on analysis of draft fragments of the draft. Objects associated with the sponsored content are stored in an object model, including a key-value table. The connections amongst the various draft segments of a draft are stored in a hierarchy structure, e.g., a tree structure. Each user associated with a draft has a role, such as an owner or a collaborator, where all of the roles can contribute to the draft. The online system efficiently publishes the drafts of the sponsored content and presents the sponsored content to its target users.