Abstract: A system, method, and media for dynamically controlling rankings and privacy settings for a social network is presented. Upon receipt of an electronic communication from a second user of the social network directed to a first user of the social network, determining whether the first and second users of the social network are connected and determining whether the second user has been blocked from electronically communicating with the first user. in response to determining that the second user is not blocked, executing a ranking process on the second user, based on privacy level settings criteria pre-specified by the first user. The privacy level settings criteria includes preferred attributes of communicating users and a threshold ranking score and the ranking process compares the attributes of the second user to the privacy level settings criteria.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and media are directed to providing a pop-up display having dynamically updated summary data on a website, is presented. In particular, electronically submitting updated informational content to a third party source repository and providing a graphical item having embedding linking instructions configured to bilaterally communicate with the third party source repository and render a pop-up display containing the updated informational content. Thus, upon actuation of the graphical item, the embedded linking instructions causes establishment of bilateral communications with the third party source repository, accesses the corresponding updated informational content stored in the third party source repository, retrieves the updated informational content, and automatically displays the updated informational content in a pop-up display.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and media are directed to the creation of a user-controlled, pre-populated personal information profile to be used in conjunction with social networks. The creation of the personal profile information includes electronically transmitting first instructions requesting entry of unique personal identification information of the potential new user, determining the validity of the received unique personal identifier information, and electronically transmitting second instructions requesting entry of profile information of the new user. Furthermore, processing the received profile information to generate a pre-populated personal profile of the new user, electronically transmitting the pre-populated personal profile in a form that is viewable and revisable to facilitate changes thereof, completing the registration process and establishing the newly-registered user personal information profile in the social network site.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for improving word-of-mouth online advertising are provided. Construct a social network including multiple users based on the users' social network data and optionally further based on the users' demographical and/or other personal information. Categorize the users in the social network with respect to a type of product in terms of their propensity to adopt the type of product and to influence others in the social network in adopting the type of product. Determine appropriate content object(s) for each category of users, and send the content object(s) to each category of users via different channels at the appropriate time during the product's lifecycle.

Abstract: A method for providing information to a traveler during a vehicle trip is provided, which comprises the following: monitoring a current location of a vehicle and at least one aspect of the vehicle trip other than the current location of the vehicle; and providing information to the traveler in response to as least one status change with respect to the at least one aspect of the vehicle trip based on the current location of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method for tracking sales leads, including a lead clearing house logging receipt in a log of one or more encrypted leads received from a participant of the lead clearing house, the one or more leads including personal lead information having been encrypted with a one-way hash algorithm; comparing the received one or more encrypted leads with stored encrypted leads to find any matches; updating the log related to the one or more encrypted leads with unencrypted log information associated with the matching one or more encrypted leads; and communicating a status to the participant based on the log relating to the one or more leads.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for improving word-of-mouth online advertising are provided. Construct a social network including multiple users based on the users' social network data and optionally further based on the users' demographical and/or other personal information. Categorize the users in the social network with respect to a type of product in terms of their propensity to adopt the type of product and to influence others in the social network in adopting the type of product. Determine appropriate content object(s) for each category of users, and send the content object(s) to each category of users via different channels at the appropriate time during the product's lifecycle.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for determining the effectiveness of web pages are described. For each of a plurality of conversion points corresponding to a particular product or service, a plurality of paths leading to the conversion point are determined. Each of the plurality of paths leading to the conversion point includes a plurality of web pages connected by links. Each web page is characterized with respect to each of selected ones of the plurality of conversion points which may be reached from the web page via at least one of the paths. Characterizing each web page and/or its content includes determining a measure of effectiveness which represents a likelihood that viewing of the web page will lead to one or more of the selected conversion points.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for recommending books is provided, which comprises the following: receiving data representing at least one image of a collection of books; automatically determining at least one piece of standard information about the collection of books by processing the image data; and recommending at least one book that is not included in the collection of books to a person associated with the collection of books based on the collection of books.

Abstract: A method for providing information to a traveler during a vehicle trip is provided, which comprises the following: monitoring a current location of a vehicle and at least one aspect of the vehicle trip other than the current location of the vehicle; and providing information to the traveler in response to as least one status change with respect to the at least one aspect of the vehicle trip based on the current location of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method for tracking and controlling privacy information within a lead sales system includes logging receipt in a log of one or more encrypted leads by a trusted privacy information manager (TPIM) that are received from a participant thereof, the one or more leads including private lead information from a lead provider having been pre-processed and encrypted with a one-way hash algorithm; comparing the received one or more encrypted leads with stored encrypted leads to find matches; updating the log related to the one or more encrypted leads with information associated with the matching one or more encrypted leads, the log information including at least one of an e-mail address and a phone number of the lead provider; and communicating to the lead provider at least one way to access a user interface of the TPIM that enables the lead provider to control his or her private lead information.

Abstract: A method for tracking sales leads, including a lead clearing house logging receipt in a log of one or more encrypted leads received from a participant of the lead clearing house, the one or more leads including personal lead information having been encrypted with a one-way hash algorithm; comparing the received one or more encrypted leads with stored encrypted leads to find any matches; updating the log related to the one or more encrypted leads with unencrypted log information associated with the matching one or more encrypted leads; and communicating a status to the participant based on the log relating to the one or more leads.