Abstract: A delivery assurance system for ensuring that people have an opportunity to view messages shared by authors to which they subscribe is disclosed. The delivery assurance system is configured to communicate with at least one author and a plurality of followers associated with the at least one author. The system in the preferred embodiment comprises a computer processor configured to receive a post from an author; transmit a first copy of the post to a plurality of users; determine if any of the plurality of users did not see the post; automatically transmit a second copy of the post to each of the plurality of users that did not see the first copy of the post; and remove the first copy of the post from a timeline of each user to which a second copy of the post was transmitted. Transmission of multiple copies of the messages, therefore, enables users to see a message regardless of when the author initially transmitted it.

Abstract: Embodiments of a search engine are disclosed that enable authors and third parties to influence the persistence and ranking of the author or the author's posts in search result listings using a bidding process or other compensation-based mechanism. In one embodiment, the search engine allows authors to submit bids in auction for ranking in order to keep their posts (or posts of other authors) visible to targeted searchers for a longer period of time than would normally be available. The bid amount, together with other attributes, can be used to determine the relevance and ranking of posts or authors provided in a search results page to a searcher. Embodiments of the search engine may be utilized with a microblogging service or a social networking service.

Abstract: Methods, computer readable media, and apparatuses for providing user interfaces, determining screen layouts, and displaying microblog posts are presented. A microblog client may receive a set of microblog posts and provide a user interface for displaying the received microblog posts. The microblog client also may parse the received posts and identify one or more content elements within the posts. The microblog client may then download additional information based on the content elements, and may determine a screen layout for displaying the posts based on the content elements and the additional downloaded information. In certain examples, microblog posts may be parsed and the additional related information may be downloaded prior to the selection of the posts in the user interface. The determination of a screen layout for displaying the microblog posts may also depend on the display characteristics, for example, screen size or orientation of a client device.

Abstract: Embodiments of a search engine are disclosed that enable authors and third parties to influence the persistence and ranking of the author or the author's posts in search result listings using a bidding process or other compensation-based mechanism. In one embodiment, the search engine allows authors to submit bids in auction for ranking in order to keep their posts (or posts of other authors) visible to targeted searchers for a longer period of time than would normally be available. The bid amount, together with other attributes, can be used to determine the relevance and ranking of posts or authors provided in a search results page to a searcher. Embodiments of the search engine may be utilized with a microblogging service or a social networking service.

Abstract: An on-line value bearing item (VBI) printing system that includes one or more cryptographic modules and a secure database is disclosed. The secure database has the ability to recover data in case of a database failure and includes account balances and other information for all of the on-line value-bearing item system customers and is capable of preventing access by unauthorized users. Also, a secure communication network is in operation to prevent unauthorized access to the users' data stored in the database. A plurality of subsystems located on the server system side of the on-line VBI system provide services related to purchasing, accounting, and printing of VBI. Preferably, these services run on multiple server machines allowing the system to be scalable. The number of the servers can easily be increased to meet the growing needs of the subsystems as the numbers of transactions and users increase.

Abstract: An on-line system for printing a value bearing item (VBI) that includes a client subsystem for interfacing with a user, a cryptographic device remote from the client subsystem for authenticating a plurality of users, and a server subsystem capable of communicating with the client subsystem and having code for providing customer support to a user, for administering a user VBI meter, for providing payment administration support to a user, providing accounts receivable support to a user, meter refund and withdrawal processing support to a user, providing misprint processing support to a user, and providing payment processing and billing functions. A method implementing these features is also provided.

Abstract: An on-line value bearing item (VBI) printing system that includes one or more cryptographic modules and a central database is disclosed. The cryptographic modules are capable of implementing the USPS Information Based Indicia Program Postal Security Device Performance Criteria and other required VBI standards. The modules encipher the information stored in the central database for all of the on-line VBI system customers and are capable of preventing access to the database by unauthorized users. Additionally, the cryptographic module is capable of preventing unauthorized and undetected modification, including the unauthorized modification, substitution, insertion, and deletion of VBI related data and cryptographically critical security parameters.

Abstract: An on-line VBI printing system that includes one or more cryptographic modules and a central database. The cryptographic modules are capable of implementing a variety of required security standards. A client system provides a user friendly GUI for facilitating the interface of the user to the system. The GUI system includes wizards that help the user step-by-step with processes of installation, registration, and printing In one aspect, the invention describes an on-line system for printing a value bearing item (VBI) that includes a client system for interfacing with a user comprising; a GUI for installing software for printing the VBI; a GUI for registering the user in the system; and a GUI for managing the printing of the VBI; and a server system capable of communicating with the client system over a computer network for authorizing the client system to print the VBI.