Abstract: An approach is provided for acquiring media corresponding to a target expression. The expression platform receives a request specifying one or more target expressions. Next, the expression platform causes, at least in part, acquisition of media including an expression of one or more emotions. Next, the expression platform performs recognition analysis on the media to extract expression data. Next, the expression platform matches the extracted expression data against reference data corresponding to the one or more target expressions. Then, the expression platform computes a similarity score between the extracted expression data and the matched target expression.

Abstract: An approach is provided for presenting navigation information to a user. An image representing one or more three dimensional map objects is retrieved. A point on one of the map objects is selected. The one map object is transformed at the selected point to represent a navigational element. Presentation of the transformed map object is caused, at least in part, using a graphical user interface of a mobile device.

Abstract: An approach is provided for selectively receiving communication from a sender. After the communication platform receives a communication from a user device, the communication platform generates a request for an action to be performed by a user via the user device and transmits the request to the user device. Then, the communication platform receives, from the user device, a response relating to the action, and evaluates the response for treatment of the communication.

Abstract: An approach is provided for presenting media segments. A media segment manager receives an input, from a device, for specifying a plurality of segments. Each of the plurality of segments corresponds to one or more media streams and is associated with a respective duration of time. The media segment manager then causes, at least in part, presentation of the plurality of segments in a predetermined order based on the input and the respective durations of time.

Abstract: In accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention, a method for providing information search service is disclosed. A first request comprising a search query expression is received from a first party (138), the search query expression comprising an identifier (ID X) for a search item. A data member of the search item is received (146). A search result is generated based at least in part on the search query expression and the data member. The search result is sent to the first party (152).

Abstract: An apparatus for determining interactions with annotations to objects based upon real-world affordances of the objects in audio-visual media data may include a processing element configured to receive image data describing one or more objects having real-world affordances, to identify the one or more objects having real-world affordances, and to create one or more semiotic regions by associating with the one or more objects interaction rules corresponding to the respective real-world affordances of the one or more objects.

Abstract: An approach is provided for presenting search information based on search parameters including a specified search region. Input parameters graphically specifying a search region on an image of a map are received. The input parameters include a height parameter and the search region corresponds to one or more search criteria. A search based on the criteria is caused, at least in part, according to the specified search region to output a search result. Presentation of the search result is caused, at least in part, within the search region.

Abstract: An approach is provided for thematically modifying location and related information. A location modification platform determines location information of a device associated with a first user. The location modification platform then modifies the location information to indicate a location other than an actual location of the device according to a predetermined theme and causes, at least in part, actions that result in presentation of the modified location information to a second user.

Abstract: An approach is provided for grouping points-of-interest on a map. Information is aggregated about a plurality of points-of-interest. The plurality of points-of-interest are categorized into a first level grouping based on a first criterion and the aggregated information. The plurality of points-of-interest are categorized into a second level grouping based on a second criterion that is less restrictive than the first criterion and the aggregated information. The first level grouping is assigned to a first scale level of a map. The second level grouping is assigned to a second scale level of the map.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product are disclosed which provide availability to a media file with the media file including media data and access to associated instructions regarding the disposition of the media file in response to one or more inputs. The method, apparatus and computer program product may also receive information as an input and then automatically alter at least one aspect of the media file. The at least one aspect of the media file may be automatically altered based upon the input and as directed by the instructions associated with the media file that define the disposition of the media file.

Abstract: An approach is provided for modifying the image content of returned images resulting from a search query. The portions of each image that is unrelated to the search query is omitted or other wise obscured so as to reduce the amount of image data in the search results. Additionally, related advertising, hyperlinks, or other object can be combined with the image data to enhance the information returned to the user.

Abstract: An approach is provided for selecting comments to present when rendering content such as music, images, video, games and other digital media. The approach includes determining a preference of a user for types of expressions presented as comments. Content received for rendering on a device of the user is determined. A comment about the content, based on the preference of the user, is automatically presented on the device in response to the content being received for rendering. In some embodiments an entity is determined to which the comment is attributed, and an identifier for the entity, such as an avatar, is also presented on the device when the content is being rendered to represent that the identified entity is providing the comment. In various embodiments, the entity is a default commentator, a celebrity or a contact of the user.

Abstract: A method includes receiving first media data from a plurality of persons; identifying first media data generated within a window of time at a certain location and associating the identified first media data with an occurrence of a first event; determining which persons of the plurality of persons were present at the occurrence of the first event; and storing information related to the first event in association with information identifying those persons determined to be present at the occurrence of the first event.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining media item privacy settings may include a processor. The processor may be configured to receive media item capture data associated with a media item. The media item capture data may include at least a capture location. The processor may also be configured to identify a privacy context that corresponds to the media item capture data. In this regard, the capture location of the media item capture data may be within a geographic zone of the privacy context. The processor may be further configured to determine a privacy setting for the media item based on the corresponding privacy context, and, in some embodiments, control access to the media item in accordance with the determined privacy setting. Associated methods and computer program products may also be provided.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods for automating avatar selection for groups are disclosed. A representative method includes providing a software application accessible to multiple users, and a database of available avatar characteristics that are selectively combinable to create user-specific avatars with which the users can represent themselves to each other in the application. User(s) associated with a group provide an instruction that associates a first set of the available avatar characteristics with the group. For users associated with the group, access is then restricted to the first set of avatar characteristics, and for users not associated with the group, access is restricted to a different second set of available avatar characteristics. Avatar characteristics in the first set may be selected by an automated procedure that analyzes user-specific avatars of some users, and selects which of the available avatar characteristics to include in the first set based on the analysis.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining interactions with annotations to objects based upon real-world affordances of the objects in audio-visual media data may include a processing element configured to receive image data describing one or more objects having real-world affordances, to identify the one or more objects having real-world affordances, and to create one or more semiotic regions by associating with the one or more objects interaction rules corresponding to the respective real-world affordances of the one or more objects.

Abstract: An apparatus for enabling the use of media content for providing awareness cues may include a processor. The processor may be configured to provide, to a network device, a query regarding a particular entity, receive a content item from the network device in response to the query, the content item being determined as a result of a search by the network device for content stored in association with a current location of the particular entity, and present the received content item.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to methods and devices as well as handheld stations and computer program products for sending video game content to handheld mobile terminals, comprising broadcasting common video game content to handheld mobile communication terminals via a digital video broadcast handheld channel, to enable said handheld mobile terminals to execute video game applications.

Abstract: Personal augmented reality advertising involves detecting a proximity between a participant's mobile device and a viewer's mobile device. An identifier of the participant's mobile device and biometric data that describes the participant have both been made publicly available. The biometric data is obtained in response to detecting the proximity between the participant's mobile device and the viewer's mobile device. A match is detected between the biometric data of the participant and an image captured from a sensor of the viewer's mobile device. In response to detecting the match, the captured image and an advertisement presented with the captured image is presented in the viewer's mobile device. The advertisement is associated with the participant.

Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatuses for gaming using one or more mobile communication devices and one or more remotely-controllable drones, the one or more mobile communication devices being adapted to remotely-control the one or more remotely-controllable drones; including providing game control software to one or more of the mobile communication devices, the game control software including rules for play affecting the operation of the remotely-controllable drones; and, operating a remotely-controllable drone using the mobile communication device with remote control within the rules of play of the game.