Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for displaying a plurality of presentation elements to a user. A progress bar is displayed. A length of the progress bar is representative of a duration of a multimedia presentation. A communication box is also displayed. The communication box comprises a marker and a communication composed by an originator in relation to a certain point or time period within the multimedia presentation. The progress bar and the communication box are displayed such that the marker is in alignment with a position along the length of the progress bar that corresponds to the point or time period in the multimedia presentation in relation to which the communication was composed. The marker may be moved relative to the progress bar.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for augmenting a user's multimedia consumption experience. The methods comprise while the user is consuming the multimedia presentation using a first device, that device provides (to one or more remote processors) information that may be used to identify a relevant location. The one or more processors use this information to identify the location and acquire a virtual environment. This virtual environment may be a virtual representation the location. The virtual environment is presented to the user on a second (companion) device. Using the second device, the user may explore the virtual environment and interact with virtual objects therein.

Abstract: While a user views a primary content item (for example, a movie on a television screen), secondary content items are selected and presented to the user, either on the same screen or on a screen of the user's companion device. To choose selections that are relevant to the user's current interests, the selection process considers information beyond the realm of primary and secondary content. Over time, the selection process learns to make more relevant selections by monitoring selection choices made by other systems.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for displaying information relating to a portion of a multimedia presentation. A progress bar is provided and displayed. A length of the progress bar is representative of a duration of the multimedia presentation. A user selects a first and a second point in the multimedia presentation, thereby defining a portion of the presentation. Depending on the selection, one or more communications (e.g., comments, online postings, etc.) may be identified. Each of these communications may have been composed in relation to at least a point of the multimedia presentation that is within the defined portion. Information depending on those identified communications may then be displayed to the user.

Abstract: Generating a sequential semantic representation and a resulting content item sequence or presentation is disclosed. A set of nodes and paths among the nodes are determined. Each node includes a corresponding a set of criteria. The paths define a relationship among the plurality of nodes. Transitional operators that define additional criteria for the nodes, are associated with the paths. Content items that include characteristics that are determined to match the corresponding set of criteria for at least one of the nodes are retrieved.

Abstract: Generating a sequential semantic representation and a resulting content item sequence or presentation is disclosed. A set of nodes and paths among the nodes are determined. Each node includes a corresponding a set of criteria. The paths define a relationship among the plurality of nodes. Transitional operators that define additional criteria for the nodes, are associated with the paths. Content items that include characteristics that are determined to match the corresponding set of criteria for at least one of the nodes are retrieved.

Abstract: While a user views a primary content item (for example, a movie on a television screen), secondary content items are selected and presented to the user, either on the same screen or on a screen of the user's companion device. To choose selections that are relevant to the user's current interests, the selection process considers information beyond the realm of primary and secondary content. Over time, the selection process learns to make more relevant selections by monitoring selection choices made by other systems.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for determining an influence score for a user of one or more social-networking services. The methods comprise acquiring a set of one or more criteria, the criteria having been specified by a first party, acquiring a dataset comprising information that relates to the user's interactions with one or more of the social networks provided by one or more of the social-networking services, selecting from the dataset data that are in accordance with the one or more criteria, and determining some function of the selected data, thereby providing the influence score for the second party.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for augmenting a user's multimedia consumption experience. The methods comprise whilst the user is consuming the multimedia presentation using a first device, that device provides (to one or more remote processors) information that may be used to identify a relevant location. The one or more processors use this information to identify the location and acquire a virtual environment. This virtual environment may be a virtual representation the location. The virtual environment is presented to the user on a second (companion) device. Using the second device, the user may explore the virtual environment and interact with virtual objects therein.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for displaying information relating to a portion of a multimedia presentation. A progress bar is provided and displayed. A length of the progress bar is representative of a duration of the multimedia presentation. A user selects a first and a second point in the multimedia presentation, thereby defining a portion of the presentation. Depending on the selection, one or more communications (e.g., comments, online postings, etc.) may be identified. Each of these communications may have been composed in relation to at least a point of the multimedia presentation that is within the defined portion. Information depending on those identified communications may then be displayed to the user.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for displaying a plurality of presentation elements to a user. A progress bar is displayed. A length of the progress bar is representative of a duration of a multimedia presentation. A communication box is also displayed. The communication box comprises a marker and a communication composed by an originator in relation to a certain point or time period within the multimedia presentation. The progress bar and the communication box are displayed such that the marker is in alignment with a position along the length of the progress bar that corresponds to the point or time period in the multimedia presentation in relation to which the communication was composed. The marker may be moved relative to the progress bar.