Abstract: An interactive sports-themed game is disclosed. The virtual game is associated with a real game, such as a baseball or golf game. Users play the virtual game, which is based on events in a real game that is followed by the users simultaneously as they play the virtual game. In one embodiment, the real game is a baseball game. In another embodiment, the real game is a golf game. A server communicates with clients to allow multiple users to compete in the virtual game via the use of client devices. In one embodiment, the game involves generating a list of predicted outcomes of the next play of a live sporting event, ranking the list, selecting one or more of the predicted outcomes to form a subset list. The outcome of the next play of the live sporting event is then compared to the subset list, and the player of the interactive sports-themed game is awarded points if the outcome of the play of the live sporting event matches one of the predictions in the subset list.

Abstract: A method and system for playing a virtual game is disclosed. The virtual game is associated with a real game, such as a baseball or golf game. Users play the virtual game which is based on events in a real game that is followed by the users simultaneously as they play the virtual game. In one embodiment, the real game is a baseball game. In another embodiment, the real game is a golf game. A server communicates with clients to allow multiple users to compete in the virtual game via the use of client devices.

Abstract: Disclosed are the method and apparatus for collecting and analyzing media content metadata. The technology retrieves web documents referencing media objects from web servers. Metadata of the media objects such as global tags and category weight values are generated from the web documents. Affinity values between user identities and the media objects are generated based on online behaviors of the users interacting with the media objects. Based on the affinity values and metadata of the media objects, the technology can provide recommendations of media objects.

Abstract: Disclosed are the technology for seamless media navigation. A computing device according to the technology includes a processor, a network interface, a input device (e.g. touch screen) and a media navigation module. The network interface communicates with multiple media servers. The input device generates user input signals of swipe motions. The media navigation module configured, when executed by the processor, to perform a process. The process includes playing a first media object, gradually switching from playing the first media object to playing multiple media objects including the first media object based on a first swipe motion; and gradually switching from playing the multiple media objects to playing one individual media object of the media objects based on a second swipe motion subsequent to the first swipe motion.

Abstract: Disclosed are the method and apparatus for pre-caching contents of online media objects. A proxy running on a computing device determines a first media object that a media navigation application running on the computing device is playing and one or more second media objects that relates to the first media object. The proxy retrieves from one or more content servers data of the first media object and the one or more second media objects on behalf of the media navigation application. The proxy stores the data of the first media object and the one or more second media objects in a buffer of the computing device, and satisfy a data request for the first media object or the one or more second media objects from the media navigation application by supplying the data stored in the buffer to the media navigation application.

Abstract: Disclosed is the technology for normalizing media object metadata. The technology receives a plurality of web documents from web servers. The web documents reference one or more media objects. Then the technology extracts content tags from the web documents, wherein the content tags relate to contents of the media objects. The technology determines a set of media object metadata based on the content tags. The set of media object metadata provides a consistent way of describing the contents of the media objects. For at least some of the media objects, the technology stores the set of media object metadata and the values associated with the media object metadata in a media content database.

Abstract: Disclosed are the method and apparatus for recommending media objects based on media object metadata. The technology generates media content metadata that relate to contents of a plurality of media objects from a plurality of web documents. The web documents reference one or more of the media objects. The technology further determines feature vectors of the media objects. The elements of the feature vectors comprise values of the media content metadata. The technology then calculates a distance in a feature vector space between a first feature vector of a first media object of the media objects and a second feature vector of a second media object of the media objects, and transmits a recommendation of the second media object based on the distance between the first and second feature vectors.

Abstract: A method and system for playing a virtual game is disclosed. The virtual game is associated with a real game, such as a baseball or golf game. Users play the virtual game which is based on events in a real game that is followed by the users simultaneously as they play the virtual game. In one embodiment, the real game is a baseball game. In another embodiment, the real game is a golf game. A server communicates with clients to allow multiple users to compete in the virtual game via the use of client devices.

Abstract: An interactive sports-themed game is disclosed. The game involves generating a list of predicted outcomes of the next play of a live sporting event, ranking the list, selecting one or more of the predicted outcomes to form a subset list. The outcome of the next play of the live sporting event is then compared to the subset list, and the player of the interactive sports-themed game is awarded points if the outcome of the play of the live sporting event matches one of the predictions in the subset list.

Abstract: An interactive sports-themed game is disclosed. The game involves generating a list of predicted outcomes of the next play of a live sporting event, ranking the list, selecting one or more of the predicted outcomes to form a subset list. The outcome of the next play of the live sporting event is then compared to the subset list, and the player of the interactive sports-themed game is awarded points if the outcome of the play of the live sporting event matches one of the predictions in the subset list.

Abstract: An interactive sports-themed game is disclosed. The game involves generating a list of predicted outcomes of the next play of a live sporting event, ranking the list, selecting one or more of the predicted outcomes to form a subset list. The outcome of the next play of the live sporting event is then compared to the subset list, and the player of the interactive sports-themed game is awarded points if the outcome of the play of the live sporting event matches one of the predictions in the subset list.

Abstract: A method and system for playing a virtual game is disclosed. The virtual game is associated with a real game, such as a baseball or golf game. Users play the virtual game which is based on events in a real game that is followed by the users simultaneously as they play the virtual game. In one embodiment, the real game is a baseball game. In another embodiment, the real game is a golf game. A server communicates with clients to allow multiple users to compete in the virtual game via the use of client devices.

Abstract: An interactive sports-themed game is disclosed. The game involves generating a list of predicted outcomes of the next play of a live sporting event, ranking the list, selecting one or more of the predicted outcomes to form a subset list. The outcome of the next play of the live sporting event is then compared to the subset list, and the player of the interactive sports-themed game is awarded points if the outcome of the play of the live sporting event matches one of the predictions in the subset list.

Abstract: Systems, methods and computer program products are provided that can allow users to obtain information about, and participate in, auctions being conducted at a plurality of on-line auction sites. A Web site of an intermediary maintains information about items being auctioned at a plurality of remotely located auction sites in communication with a computer network, such as the Internet. Auction information is displayable to users accessing the intermediary web site via clients, such as Web browsers, via the computer network. Potential buyers accessing an intermediary Web site can search for and place bids for items being auctioned at remote, on-line auctions. In addition, sellers can utilize an intermediary Web site to locate on-line auctions within which to list items for sale.

Abstract: A connector assembly is shown which includes a receptacle connector and a plug connector assembly. The plug connector assembly is comprised of a plug housing and upper and lower flanges. The plug connector housing is spring-loaded rotationally relative to the upper and lower flanges, and includes a stop feature to orient the plug connector to the upper and lower flanges. The plug connector can rotate relative to the flanges, but there is always a home position for the plug polarized position.

Abstract: An electrical connector (10) includes a housing (12) having at least one conductor-receiving aperture (16) and an associated terminal-receiving passageway (32) intersecting each conductor-receiving aperture (16), and a terminal (40) disposed in each terminalreceiving passageway (32). Each terminal (40) includes a body (42) having a first connecting section (44) extending from one end thereof and a pair of upstanding arms (46) defining an insulation displacement contact at an opposite end. Each terminal (40) is partially inserted into the terminal-receiving passageway (32) in a first position and upon positioning the first connecting sections (44) in corresponding through-holes (62) of a circuit board (60), the terminals (40) can be secured to the board (60). The ends of insulated conductors (70) then can be inserted into respective conductor-receiving apertures (16) and terminated to respective terminals (40) therein by moving the housing (12) toward the board (60) to a second position against the board (60).

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly 20 for a card reader including a housing 24 having opposed major and minor sides 26,30 defining a card receiving mouth 32, a plurality of conductive electrical terminals 36 disposed in the housing 24 and having portions 38 thereof extending into the mouth 32, and a conductive shroud 50 encircling the housing 24, the shroud 24 having inwardly spaced contact portions extending into the mouth 32 along at least one of the major sides 26 of the housing 24, the shroud contact portions being spaced from the electrical terminal portions 38 when the shroud 50 is assembled to the housing 24. The inwardly spaced contact portions can be spring fingers 54 extending into the mouth 32 from an edge 53 of the shroud 50 or dimples 254 expressed into the mouth from an outer surface of the shroud 250.

Abstract: A conductive ground shroud (50) for use with an electrical connector (22) having a plurality of electrical terminals (36) with surface mountable contact sections (42) for electrically engaging circuitry (84) on a circuit board (80). The shroud (50) provides ground reference for the terminals (36). Shroud 50 includes an electrically conductive plate-like body 52 having first and second portions, (54, 62) the first portion (54) adapted to be disposed on a board remote surface (26) of the connector housing. The second portion is configured to extend over the surface mountable contact sections (42) when the shroud (50) is disposed on housing (24). The second portion (62) includes at least one second contact section (70) extending outwardly therefrom for engagement to ground circuitry of circuit board (80). The second portion further includes at least one elongated aperture (64) extending therethrough proximate the surface mountable contact sections (40).