Abstract: A novel framework optimizes SQL queries that are generated from a templated virtual sematic layer. The framework introduces the use of a virtual semantic layer into database management systems' operations, whereby templated SQL queries can be rewritten according to a determined and measured nesting, dimensional structure that produces an optimized search system. This enables templated SQL fragments to be translated for query optimization, thereby reducing the drain on a database's resources and minimizing a query's impact on the database's performance.

Abstract: The disclosed systems and methods provide a novel framework that parameterizes columns in a templated virtual semantic layer. The disclosed framework enables inter- and cross-column relationships between stored data within a SQL database to be determined and stored, and then leveraged at query time to enable an optimized search of the data within the database. The disclosed framework enables a database to be construed, modified and/or configured according to a hierarchy, and/or with types of metadata, that corresponds to the determined column relationships. This not only reduces the amount of data stored and reduces the time to process queries, but also enables a more streamlined approach for searches to be constructed and executed, which can increase the performance of the database and the operations of systems that are backed by the database.

Abstract: The disclosed systems and methods provide a novel framework that optimizes SQL queries that are generated from a templated virtual sematic layer. The framework introduces the use of a virtual semantic layer into database management systems' operations, whereby templated SQL queries can be rewritten according to a determined and measured nesting, dimensional structure that produces an optimized search system. This enables templated SQL fragments to be translated for query optimization, thereby reducing the drain on a database's resources and minimizing a query's impact on the database's performance.

Abstract: Techniques are provided which allow targeting social events. Methods and systems allow a user to register a social event which involves a group of users watching a program on a television on a social networking platform. Information related to the event may be obtained and the group of users may be classified as belonging to one or more targeting segments based at least in part on the information related to the event. One or more advertisements may be selected based at least in part on the one or more targeting segments. The one or more advertisements may be transmitted such that the one or more advertisements are displayed on the television.

Abstract: Techniques are described herein for, among other things, providing relevant offers to group(s) of users in a social networking system. The offers may specify discounted prices (a.k.a. discounted offers) for good(s) and/or service(s). Each of the offers may be represented as a coupon, a gift certificate, etc. Users having at least one first attribute in common are assigned to a group. A measure of compatibility between the users in the group and each of a plurality of offers is determined. Each measure of compatibility may be determined by comparing at least one second attribute of the users in the group and at least one third attribute of the respective offer. The offer that has a highest measure of compatibility among the plurality of offers is deemed to be the most relevant offer for the group of users and is presented to the users (or a subset thereof) in the group.

Abstract: The present invention provides techniques for use in electronic and online advertising. Techniques are provided in which an advertiser provides information specifying a time-spaced sequence of advertisements to be targeted and served to a particular user, across a number of different devices and screens. Each advertisement in the sequence may be served to the user while the user is using a particular electronic device. The sequence of advertisements as a whole may be optimized with regard to eliciting a particular response from the user, and each advertisement may be optimized regarding its order in the sequence and the type of device or screen on which it is to be served.

Abstract: Techniques are provided which engage users and increase social interaction in group buying. Methods and systems may target a group of users if a group chat with one or more group offers based at least in part on the group chat information. The group offer may be displayed in the chat client. Users' responses to the proposed deal may be tracked. The group offer may be updated based at least in part on the users' responses to the group offer. The updated group offer may be displayed in the chat client.

Abstract: The present invention provides techniques for use in advertising, including online advertising. Techniques are provided that include providing to advertisers guaranteed delivery advertisement retargeting, or contracts or agreements in guaranteed delivery advertisement retargeting. Techniques are provided that allow advertisers to purchase an anticipated set of advertisement impressions to a single user. The advertisement impressions may be of an identical advertisement or similar advertisements, and may be sequenced over time.

Abstract: Techniques are provided which allow classifying users into targeting segments. Methods and systems obtain a user's social graph, which indicates the user's social network connections. A first group of targeting segments that each of the user's social network connections belong to may be determined. A second group of targeting segments, which includes targeting segments that the user does not currently belong to, may be determined from the first group of targeting segments. A confidence rating may be assigned to each of the targeting segments in the second group. The user may be classified into one or more of the targeting segments in the second group of targeting segments based at least in part on the confidence rating.

Abstract: Techniques are provided which allow targeting social events. Methods and systems allow a user to register a social event which involves a group of users watching a program on a television on a social networking platform. Information related to the event may be obtained and the group of users may be classified as belonging to one or more targeting segments based at least in part on the information related to the event. One or more advertisements may be selected based at least in part on the one or more targeting segments. The one or more advertisements may be transmitted such that the one or more advertisements are displayed on the television.

Abstract: Systems, methods and computer programs for creating a web user interface promoting products or service providers are provided. The method includes the creation of a library of products and service providers. Endorsements for products and service providers are generated by users of a social network that includes a social web site. The users create rules for sharing the endorsements with other users in the social web site or beyond the social web site. The user interface is built for a particular one of the users in the social web site, where the user interface includes a representation of the product or service provider associated with the endorsements. The user interface is created according to rules from the user that generated the object, rules by the user viewing the endorsement, and rules by a sponsor of the product or service provider associated with the endorsement. The user interface is then shown in a display.