Abstract: A system and method for generating a profile of communication sessions involves generating ratings for a selected set of messages and metadata associated with content items that are shared by social network users participating in a communication session. Ratings may be based on keyword scores which may then be adjusted based on user participation parameters, social network characterization parameters, and user selected options. Communication session profiles change over time and so recomputation is effected on periodic or scheduled bases. Generated profiles may be stored, frequently retrieved, or used in applications such as but not limited to content filtering, recommending content shared by participating social network members, selecting relevant advertisements, providing topic suggestions or user list invitations.

Abstract: A control system renders a shared virtual environment to one or more users and obtains metadata associated with content accessed by the users. Representations based on the gathered metadata are provided to a viewing user, and may include visual elements serving as host, content and/or presence representations. Applicable representations are identified from a plurality of defined possible content representations based on the metadata associated with and obtained for a hosting user. The representations may be descriptive of a variety of parameters, including but not limited to the type, timing, nature or other parameters associated with content currently being accessed by a hosting user, content available from the hosting user, a future schedule for content access, time remaining for the hosting user to remain within a shared virtual environment, the hosting user's social network status relative to the viewing user.

Abstract: A first user's trust level with regard to a second user can be determined by providing questions to the second user, with the questions based on a previously-collected knowledge base including information about the first user. The information about the first user may be partitioned into levels of trust, and the second user's responses to the questions may be evaluated to determine which level of trust the second user is entitled to. The knowledge base may be assembled by prompting the first user for information and/or by scanning or otherwise collecting already-existing data about the first user. The knowledge base and/or trust assessment may be distributed across a network, and in some embodiments the knowledge base or parts thereof is distributed to other users according to the trust level of those users.

Abstract: A system and method for providing proximity-based quality for multimedia content, including: transmitting multimedia content, and intentionally controlling a quality level of a presentation of the multimedia content based on proximity of a user to a particular location.

Abstract: Content distributions may be optimized based on data from past distributions, including recipients, content metadata, and distribution path strength parameters. A content distribution package may be assembled, with the package including content metadata and an optimized distribution path. Clients that receive the package may modify the distribution. The details of the modified distribution may be reported back for inclusion in the distribution history records. In some embodiments, updates to the distribution records may be reflected in real-time such that ongoing distributions of content may be adjusted in response to feedback regarding distributions of other content. Each client may maintain a content management queue for users to specify, for each content package, which content is to be downloaded, which content is to be disregarded, and parameters and preferences for further distribution of the package itself.

Abstract: Computer-based systems and methods provide additional management options for members of social networks whereby the members can define and participate in conferences, with the extent of the participation and messaging within such conferences based on the structure of the underlying social network(s). Metadata sent by participants includes one or more distribution parameters, with the parameter(s) specifying the extent to which a message is distributed within a conference and/or the extent of participation in the conference. In some embodiments, replies to messages cannot extend beyond the original recipient list, but may be further limited. Embodiments of a client interface for use in social networking conference systems are disclosed, and may include threaded chat areas and content sharing areas.

Abstract: A first user's trust level with regard to a second user can be determined by providing questions to the second user, with the questions based on a previously-collected knowledge base including information about the first user. The information about the first user may be partitioned into levels of trust, and the second user's responses to the questions may be evaluated to determine which level of trust the second user is entitled to. The knowledge base may be assembled by prompting the first user for information and/or by scanning or otherwise collecting already-existing data about the first user. The knowledge base and/or trust assessment may be distributed across a network, and in some embodiments the knowledge base or parts thereof is distributed to other users according to the trust level of those users.

Abstract: The invention includes a system and method for providing notification of the availability of a peer computer in a peer-to-peer network. The system includes a peer network server (PNS) configured to provide the peer-to-peer network. The PNS receives a request for access to the peer computer and determines whether the peer computer is connected to the peer-to-peer network. In the event that the peer computer is not connected to the peer-to-peer network at the time the request is received, the PNS provides a notification that the peer computer has connected to the peer-to-peer network after the peer computer connects to the peer-to-peer network.

Abstract: A first user's trust level with regard to a second user can be determined by providing questions to the second user, with the questions based on a previously-collected knowledge base including information about the first user. The information about the first user may be partitioned into levels of trust, and the second user's responses to the questions may be evaluated to determine which level of trust the second user is entitled to. The knowledge base may be assembled by prompting the first user for information and/or by scanning or otherwise collecting already-existing data about the first user. The knowledge base and/or trust assessment may be distributed across a network, and in some embodiments the knowledge base or parts thereof is distributed to other users according to the trust level of those users.

Abstract: A target user's profile may be generated based on scanning metadata related to various content items made available for sharing by the user. For instance, some content items may be made available for sharing by the target user while other items are made available for sharing by one or more other users in the target user's social network. A list of keywords related to each item may be generated from the metadata. Each keyword may then be scored using social network data. For example, social network data corresponding to one or more users associated with each content item may be used to score keywords related to that item. Scoring may be based on factors such as social network distance, relationship type, trust, length of time in the social network, amount of content, amount of metadata, and other factors.

Abstract: A controlled content distribution system (CCDS) employs a peer-level application into which a content producer can import digital content (e.g., video, audio, graphic, image, text, code files, etc.) The content producer identifies distribution parameters including an initial distribution list and a level limit representing the maximum number of levels, or degrees of separation for allowed distribution in a FOAF social network. Distribution parameters also include an alteration definition for one or more allowable levels in the network. Alteration definitions may identify a file degradation characteristic, file augmentation, or deletion parameter for altering the digital content from its original form. Alteration definitions often vary at each level. A distribution package is created by the CCDS and includes the digital content, a configuration data file, a key ID and a license key seed. The distribution package is processed at a FOAF license server before being sent to additional content recipients.

Abstract: A first user's trust level with regard to a second user can be determined by providing questions to the second user, with the questions based on a previously-collected knowledge base including information about the first user. The information about the first user may be partitioned into levels of trust, and the second user's responses to the questions may be evaluated to determine which level of trust the second user is entitled to. The knowledge base may be assembled by prompting the first user for information and/or by scanning or otherwise collecting already-existing data about the first user. The knowledge base and/or trust assessment may be distributed across a network, and in some embodiments the knowledge base or parts thereof is distributed to other users according to the trust level of those users.

Abstract: A proxy server and corresponding method are provided for managing the controlled distribution of digital content as it propagates through a social network. A proxy server receives digital content and associated distribution parameters from an originating peer. The distribution parameters define access rights for n allowable levels of possible network distribution. After other peers are invited to share the digital content or the invited peers request access to the digital content, the proxy server generates a rights-managed form of the requested digital content in accordance with the access rights established by the originating peer for the level associated with the requesting peer(s). The proxy server forwards a copy of a content key and other content identifiers to an associated license server and then sends the rights-managed form of digital content to the requesting peer(s).

Abstract: A first user's trust level with regard to a second user can be determined by providing questions to the second user, with the questions based on a previously-collected knowledge base including information about the first user. The information about the first user may be partitioned into levels of trust, and the second user's responses to the questions may be evaluated to determine which level of trust the second user is entitled to. The knowledge base may be assembled by prompting the first user for information and/or by scanning or otherwise collecting already-existing data about the first user. The knowledge base and/or trust assessment may be distributed across a network, and in some embodiments the knowledge base or parts thereof is distributed to other users according to the trust level of those users.

Abstract: A license server and corresponding method are provided for managing the rights of content as it is propagates through a social network. A license server receives a distribution package from a content producer and establishes a plurality of level-licenses, one for each of n allowable levels as defined by the content producer. Level-licenses define level-rights, or access rules, based on alteration definitions and other distribution parameters provided by the content producer for each allowable level. Alteration definitions may identify degradation characteristics or augmentation files for association with the distributed digital content. Content recipients who receive encrypted copies of the distributed digital content may request a license from the license server. Upon authentication, a license and decryption key is sent to a valid content recipient to enable viewing of a form of the digital content in accordance with the level-rights predetermined by the content producer for that level of access.

Abstract: A social network circuit includes two or more members of a social network in live communication with one another. Systems and methods of administering social network circuits include computing devices configured to determine the existence and extent of social network circuits. Client applications associated with computing devices used by each member may be configured to provide one or more servers with session data indicating the existence of live communication links. Based on the session data, the server(s) may track one or more social network circuits. Data representing the circuits may be provided to the clients in the circuits. Clients may selectively participate in social network circuits based on user- and system-provided parameters. For example, a subset of social network users in active communication may be further divided into a particular social network circuit devoted to a particular topic of discussion. Users may participate in multiple social network circuits at any given time.

Abstract: A system and method for providing near live disc jockey (DJ) audio commentary segments or snippets to a client device including one of an internet radio station host streaming device or a user mobile device for real-time insertion into a music playlist. The system is operative to transmit metadata segment packets to the client device; transmit audio content segment packets to the client device, with the audio content segment packets matching directly to the metadata segment packets. The system also receives usage segment packets as a response from the client device.

Abstract: A method of conducting a disc jockey (DJ) commentary analysis for indexing and search is provided. More specifically, a method is provided for automatically generating metadata related to commentary of media segments to enable tagging, storing and context relevant searching. Speech-to-text conversion technology and audio/video analysis are used to generate content and metadata. Subject matter is then identified and filtered to a predetermined set of subjects. Metadata tags and context profiles for the media segments are generated to index the media segments. Moreover, context information of the user is used to generate a context profile of the user in a format similar to that of the media segment. Indexed media segments are searched to match with the user context profile and a relevant media segment is presented to the user.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to communication and controlled sharing of digital content among networked users, and is more particularly concerned with creation of an improved sharing network for relaying data among linked nodal members of a social network. An ad hoc network may be a hybrid P2P network that conforms to a virtual peer representation accessible as a single node from outside the given social network nodes. Members of a pre-existing social network may selectively activate embedded latent peers and link to an aggregation node to form a hybrid P2P network. Content may be shared in a controlled distribution according to level rights among participating network nodes. Playlists and/or specialized user interfaces may also be employed to facilitate content sharing among social network members of a virtual peer.

Abstract: An optimization server with associated databases for use in social networks utilizes previous interactions and other factors and parameters to optimize a user's level in a social network. The optimization server may be configured to proactively and/or reactively optimize a user's level in a social network by selecting previous social network instances, merging data from the selected instances into a single social network data representation, determining the shortest path between originating and recipient nodes in the network, and assigning a default level for the recipient node based on the shortest path. Additional optimization parameters may be applied to increase or decrease the recipient node's default network level (within certain optionally established limits for change).