Abstract: The present invention provides techniques relating to collaboratively authored stories and electronic books, and the writing thereof. Techniques are provided in which a template relating to a story, and a set of rules governing collaborative writing of the story by multiple user authors, are obtained. Writing contributions, for integration into the story, may be obtained from each of the user authors. A completed story is obtained, in which forming the completed story includes integrating the writing contributions. Access to the story, such as in the form of an electronic book, is provided to users, such as for a fee.

Abstract: The present invention provides techniques for use in providing advertisers and other entities with information relating to target audiences. Techniques are provided in which real-time travel information may be obtained from users' GPS devices to determine one or more potential interests of users. The potential interests may then be used to generate or select advertisements that may be relevant to the users. The advertisements may be transmitted to the GPS devices for presentation on the GPS devices.

Abstract: Methods and systems are providing that include joining a user to asocial group based at least in part on social grouping settings, and targeting the user with advertising based at least in part on at least one of the settings. Social grouping setting information may be obtained from the portable electronic device user. Available social groups may be detected, based at least in part on a detected location of the user. Based at least in part on at least one of the settings, it may be determined whether to join the user to a particular available social group. Furthermore, based at least in part on at least one of the social grouping settings, and/or other social grouping related aspects or parameters, information can be derived and used in selecting and serving highly relevant advertisements to the user.

Abstract: Methods and systems are providing that include joining a user to a social group based at least in part on social grouping settings. Social grouping setting information may be obtained from a portable electronic device user, specifying one or more settings for use in determining whether to join the user to a social group. Available social groups may be detected, based at least in part on a detected location of the user. Based at least in part on at least one of the settings, it may be determined whether to join the user to a particular available social group.

Abstract: Techniques are provided that include targeting a user of a portable electronic device with an interest-based and location-based advertisement, based at least in part on advertiser bidding. Techniques are provided in which a user is indicated as being at a particular location or within a particular geographic area. An advertisement, such as an electronic coupon or discount offer, may be selected for sending to the user based at least in part on advertiser bidding. The advertisement may relate at least in part to a store or business at the particular location or within the particular area.

Abstract: Techniques are provided in which usage information is obtained, regarding reading-related usage of an ebook by a reader. Based at least in part on the usage information, a determination or approximation is made regarding a portion being read by the reader. Based at least in part on the portion, the reader is targeted with a graphical display to be presented at least in part via the ebook. The graphical display provides a social interaction-related recommendation or suggestion relating at least in part to the portion.

Abstract: Techniques are provided in which usage information is obtained, regarding reading-related usage of an ebook by a reader. The usage information can include, for example, reading rate information, page-flip information, zooming information, highlighting information, read-along information, or read out-loud information. Based at least in part on the usage information, a determination or approximation is made regarding a portion of the ebook being read by the reader, such as a chapter, page, paragraph or sentence. Based at least in part on the portion, the reader is targeted with an advertisement to be presented at least in part via the ebook.

Abstract: Techniques are provided in which a first set of information is obtained regarding ebook content evidenced as being accessed by an ebook reader, such as a page or paragraph being read, for example. Based at least in part on the ebook content, a second set of information is obtained, including multiple ebook advertising targeting parameters. Based at least in part on the targeting parameters, at least one advertisement is targeted to the ebook reader, in which the at least one advertisement is to be presented to the reader at least in part via the ebook.

Abstract: Techniques are provided that include allowing an ebook reader to select an advertising setting which specifies permissible forms of advertising to be presented to the ebook reader via one or more ebooks. Based at least in part on the selected setting, the ebook reader may be provided with a reduction relating to cost of the one or more ebooks. The reduction may be greater if the selected option indicates more valuable permissible advertising. Permissible advertising may be presented to the ebook reader via at least one of the one or more ebooks.

Abstract: The present invention provides techniques for utilizing opportunities presented by events and social gatherings, such as online advertisement targeting and communications-related opportunities. A virtual user grouping may be formed based in part on a particular event or gathering with which the users are associated, and communications between users in the grouping may be facilitated. Furthermore, social substructures, which may be associated with the virtual grouping, may be identified. Social substructures, and associated generated templates, may be used in facilitating communications between users. Feedback from use of templates may be used in modifying and improving templates for future use.

Abstract: The present invention provides techniques for utilizing opportunities presented by events and social gatherings, such as online advertisement targeting and communications-related opportunities. Techniques are provided in which information is obtained that provides an indication that a set of users, including mobile electronic device users, are in a specified area, and indicating that at least some of the set of users are at a particular event or gathering. A virtual user grouping may be formed, and communications between users of the grouping is facilitated, based at least in part on the particular event or gathering.

Abstract: The present invention provides techniques for utilizing opportunities presented by events and social gatherings, such as online advertisement targeting and communications-related opportunities. Techniques are provided in which information is obtained that provides an indication that a set of users, including mobile electronic device users, are in a specified area, and indicating that at least some of the set of users are at a particular event or gathering. A virtual user grouping may be formed, and users of the set are targeted, such as with online advertisements, based at least in part on the particular event or gathering.

Abstract: A method and a system are provided for targeting online ads by grouping and mapping user properties. In one example, the system receives user data associated with one or more users. The system identifies user properties for a user. The system eliminates unacceptable user properties associated with the user. The system identifies permutations of the user properties associated with the user. The system eliminates unacceptable permutations of the user properties associated with the user. Valid permutations remain. The system attaches a weight of importance to each valid permutation. A weight quantifies a level of importance of a valid permutation for the user with respect to buckets. A bucket is an ad category. The system grades each valid permutation relative to a bucket. The system calculates a final grade for each bucket. The system then assigns the user to zero or more buckets based on the final grade for each bucket.

Abstract: A system for serving localized advertisements receives data that defines an advertisement from an advertiser and determines a geographic location of the advertiser. The system also receives a request to serve an advertisement from a browser operated by a user and determines a geographic location associated with the user. The system communicates the advertisement to the browser if the geographic location associated with the user matches the geographic location of the advertiser.

Abstract: A system for serving an advertisement in a networked environment receives data that defines a user selection of an image. The system also selects an advertisement associated with the user selection and communicates the selected advertisement to the user. The data that defines the user selection includes an x selection coordinate, a y selection coordinate, a width, and a height that defines a region of an image. The user selection defines also defines a scene of a video. The system also includes circuitry and logic configured to extract text and to detect objects from an image region defined by the user selection and to select an advertisement associated with any extracted text and/or detected object.