Abstract: A system is provided for recovering a mobile device by enabling an authorized user to remotely change the profile of the device to assist others in returning the device to the user. Initially, a user registers the mobile device with a recovery assist server. When the user is unable to locate the device because it is, for example, lost or stolen, the user indicates with the server that the device is missing. The device and the server are configured to communicate with each other, for example, periodically or, in another example, on device start up. If the device is identified as missing on the server, the operation of the mobile device is configured based on a missing profile associated with the mobile device. Once the device is located, the user indicates with the server that the device is no longer missing. When the device is unidentified as missing on the server, the operation of the mobile device is configured based on a user profile associated with the mobile device.

Abstract: A system is provided for recovering a mobile device by enabling an authorized user to remotely change the profile of the device to assist others in returning the device to the user. Initially, a user registers the mobile device with a recovery assist server. When the user is unable to locate the device because it is, for example, lost or stolen, the user indicates with the server that the device is missing. The device and the server are configured to communicate with each other, for example, periodically or, in another example, on device start up. If the device is identified as missing on the server, the operation of the mobile device is configured based on a missing profile associated with the mobile device. Once the device is located, the user indicates with the server that the device is no longer missing. When the device is unidentified as missing on the server, the operation of the mobile device is configured based on a user profile associated with the mobile device.

Abstract: Systems and methods of presenting media access patterns to a user are disclosed herein. A geographic indicator is received from a user. The geographic indicator can be representative of a geographic area. A media item identifier corresponding to a media item having the greatest number of media access requests is identified. The media access requests are received from a plurality of consumers associated with the geographic area. The media item is identified from a logging database that stores media access requests. The media item identifier can be communicated to the user.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for presenting media access patterns to a user. Requests are received for a media item from consumers located in a first geographic area, or media access information is otherwise collected. A first plurality of media accesses are recorded in a logging database associated with consumers who requested the media item and who are located in the first geographic area. Requests are received for the media item from consumers located in a second geographic area. A second plurality of media accesses associated with consumers who requested the media item and who are located in the second geographic area are recorded in the logging database. A first graphical representation of the first plurality of media accesses is displayed on a map. A second graphical representation of the second plurality of media accesses is also displayed on the map.

Abstract: A system is provided for tracking a mobile device by enabling a user to remotely monitor the external surrounding environment of the mobile device. Initially, a mobile device is configured to selectively report on the device's surrounding environment based on one or more reporting events. Upon an occurrence of a reporting event, the mobile device generates a report by capturing at least one sensory datum related to its external surrounding environment. At least one locating datum is included in the report which can provide at least an approximate geographic location of the mobile device at the time the report is generated. Once the report is generated, the mobile device selectively sends the report to a tracking assist server, which makes the report remotely accessible to the user. Accordingly, when a mobile device is missing, a user can review one or more reports accessible on the server to determine whether the mobile device is stolen.

Abstract: System and method for processing a search query using partial indexing to enable use of abbreviated search terms in the query. A mobile device sends a search request (e.g. a text message) to a server over a network. Search request terms can include subsets of feature identifiers and function as partial indexes. The search request can include additional context (e.g. to indicate desired service such as restaurant or transportation, or additional geographic information). The server matches the terms to an interim search result such as one or more geographic locations, and then provides information regarding the interim result to the mobile device. Partial indexing of a database or of one or more tables of the database (e.g. for a geographic area) can be adjusted to balance a minimum term size (e.g. minimum number of characters) against an average, maximum, or median number of matching locations or services.

Abstract: A method of presenting media access patterns to a user is disclosed. Requests are received for a media item from consumers located in a first geographic area, or media access information is otherwise collected. A first plurality of media accesses are recorded in a logging database associated with consumers who requested the media item and who are located in the first geographic area. Requests are received for the media item from consumers located in a second geographic area. A second plurality of media accesses associated with consumers who requested the media item and who are located in the second geographic area are recorded in the logging database. A first graphical representation of the first plurality of media accesses is displayed on a map communicated to a user. The first graphical representation is displayed in association with a graphical representation of the first geographical area on the map. A second graphical representation of the second plurality of media accesses is also displayed on the map.

Abstract: System and method for processing a search query using partial indexing to enable use of abbreviated search terms in the query. A mobile device sends a search request (e.g. a text message) to a server over a network. Search request terms can include subsets of feature identifiers and function as partial indexes. The search request can include additional context (e.g. to indicate desired service such as restaurant or transportation, or additional geographic information). The server matches the terms to an interim search result such as one or more geographic locations, and then provides information regarding the interim result to the mobile device. Partial indexing of a database or of one or more tables of the database (e.g. for a geographic area) can be adjusted to balance a minimum term size (e.g. minimum number of characters) against an average, maximum, or median number of matching locations or services.

Abstract: A system is provided for tracking a mobile device by enabling a user to remotely monitor the external surrounding environment of the mobile device. Initially, a mobile device is configured to selectively report on the device's surrounding environment based on one or more reporting events. Upon an occurrence of a reporting event, the mobile device generates a report by capturing at least one sensory datum related to its external surrounding environment. At least one locating datum is included in the report which can provide at least an approximate geographic location of the mobile device at the time the report is generated. Once the report is generated, the mobile device selectively sends the report to a tracking assist server, which makes the report remotely accessible to the user. Accordingly, when a mobile device is missing, a user can review one or more reports accessible on the server to determine whether the mobile device is stolen.

Abstract: Systems and methods of presenting media access patterns to a user are disclosed herein. A geographic indicator is received from a user. The geographic indicator can be representative of a geographic area. A media item identifier corresponding to a media item having the greatest number of media access requests is identified. The media access requests are received from a plurality of consumers associated with the geographic area. The media item is identified from a logging database that stores media access requests. The media item identifier can be communicated to the user.

Abstract: A system is provided for recovering a mobile device by enabling an authorized user to remotely change the profile of the device to assist others in returning the device to the user. Initially, a user registers the mobile device with a recovery assist server. When the user is unable to locate the device because it is, for example, lost or stolen, the user indicates with the server that the device is missing. The device and the server are configured to communicate with each other, for example, periodically or, in another example, on device start up. If the device is identified as missing on the server, the operation of the mobile device is configured based on a missing profile associated with the mobile device. Once the device is located, the user indicates with the server that the device is no longer missing. When the device is unidentified as missing on the server, the operation of the mobile device is configured based on a user profile associated with the mobile device.

Abstract: In a method and system for identifying and communicating a state of an application, a namespace is defined for a draggable mechanism. The draggable mechanism is located within an application window housing an application. Metadata identifying application state information is appended to a URL embedded within the draggable mechanism to reflect a first application state of the application. The metadata identifying the application state information is updated at a predetermined interval to reflect new application states.

Abstract: Method and system for searching for a meal using the Internet are disclosed. The method includes receiving a user request to search a meal on the Internet, presenting one or more pictures of food dishes to the user, where each picture of a food dish is associated with metadata describing characteristics of the food dish, receiving a user selection, analyzing the user selection according to the characteristics of each food dish presented, and providing additional information to the user according to the user selection.