Abstract: Described is a virtual environment built by drawing stacks of three-dimensional objects (e.g., discrete blocks) as manipulated by a user. A user manipulates one or more objects, resulting in stack heights being changed, e.g., by adding, removing or moving objects to/from stacks. The stack heights are maintained as sample points, e.g., each point indexed by its associated horizontal location. A graphics processor expands height-related information into visible objects or stacks of objects by computing the vertices for each stack to draw that stack's top surface, front surface and/or side surface based upon the height-related information for that stack. Height information for neighboring stacks may be associated with the sample point, whereby a stack is only drawn to where it is occluded by a neighboring stack, that is, by computing the lower vertices for a surface according to the height of a neighboring stack where appropriate.

Abstract: A dynamic service application is stored and executed on a mobile or wireless communication device (e.g., a cellular telephone) to enable it to be programmed without specialized hardware, software, and other proprietary information. For example, dynamic service application programs or scripts may be entered directly by a user or may be received as a wireless or radiated digital message transmission. The dynamic service application executes the dynamic service application script, which is of a format to accommodate wireless or radiated transmission and storage on the device. The dynamic service application script may be written directly by a user on a computer or a mobile communication device or may be written with the aid of scripting “wizard” software that runs on a computer and guides the writing of script without the user having to work directly with the dynamic service application script.

Abstract: The claimed subject matter provides systems and/or methods that facilitate replicating a state associated with a client, user, service, application, and the like. A third party service provider can support any number of services that can be concurrently requested by several clients without user perception of degraded computing performance as compared to conventional systems/techniques due to improved connectivity and mitigated latencies. A replication component can generate replicas of states associated with requested services. Further, the replicas can facilitate seamlessly interacting with the third party service provider (e.g., while transitioning between client devices). Additionally, by providing replicas of the state related information, differing third party service providers can effectuate services based upon a request from a client without regenerating the state.

Abstract: The subject invention provides a unique system and method that facilitates self-regulation of a social network system based at least in part on user behavior, and in particular on good or desirable user behavior. The system and method involve monitoring user behavior such as user activity and user interactions with other users and the network itself. Several factors can be weighed to determine whether the user behavior is good. Network assets or rights can be allocated to good users in the form of gifts or trade exchange opportunities whereas less desirable or bad users may not receive such gifts or trade opportunities or assets and rights might be revoked from them. By watching user behavior and promoting good behavior in this manner, the social network can be managed and self-regulated to optimize the utilization and distribution of both limited and unlimited assets (e.g., network created and user created assets or resources).

Abstract: Systems and methods that analyze aggregated tagging behavior of users, and evaluate such tagging trends to identify criteria for taxonomy applications. Initially, existence of a possible trend of tagging data based on collective user behavior is determined. Subsequently, tagging trends can be examined to identify that a predetermined convergence criteria has in fact been met, and/or establish such criteria for taxonomy applications. Machine learning systems (implicitly as well as explicitly trained) can be supplied to facilitate determining the trends and the convergence criteria.

Abstract: The claimed subject matter relates to an architecture that can facilitate creation and management of an event-oriented transient network and can further manage decommission of the transient network. In particular, the architecture can construct temporary communities based upon a particular event, project, or activity; manage (e.g., filter, prioritize, or control) communications and content associated with the community; and disband the community by deconstructing the transient network according to an aging function that controls how the network decays. In addition, the architecture can leverage existing information (e.g. profile data) and content feeds associated with disparate social networking services or communities for the benefit of the temporary community.

Abstract: An intelligent personalized agent monitors, regulates, and advises a user in decision-making processes for efficiency or safety concerns. The agent monitors an environment and present characteristics of a user and analyzes such information in view of stored preferences specific to one of multiple profiles of the user. Based on the analysis, the agent can suggest or automatically implement a solution to a given issue or problem. In addition, the agent can identify another potential issue that requires attention and suggests or implements action accordingly. Furthermore, the agent can communicate with other users or devices by providing and acquiring information to assist in future decisions. All aspects of environment observation, decision assistance, and external communication can be flexibly limited or allowed as desired by the user.

Abstract: Techniques, systems, and graphical user interfaces for presenting an interactive profile of a second entity to a first entity in an electronic communication (e.g., email, instant messaging, chat-room, etc.) application are disclosed herein. Data associated with a second entity is extracted from one or more non-dedicated sources external to the electronic communication. The extracted data is presented to a first entity as the interactive profile of the second entity in the electronic communication application. The interactive profile is also capable of acting as an electronic communication channel through which the first and second entities may communicate.

Abstract: The claimed subject matter provides systems and/or methods that facilitate replicating a state associated with a client, user, service, application, and the like. A third party service provider can support any number of services that can be concurrently requested by several clients without user perception of degraded computing performance as compared to conventional systems/techniques due to improved connectivity and mitigated latencies. A replication component can generate replicas of states associated with requested services. Further, the replicas can facilitate seamlessly interacting with the third party service provider (e.g., while transitioning between client devices). Additionally, by providing replicas of the state related information, differing third party service providers can effectuate services based upon a request from a client without regenerating the state.

Abstract: A novel system that facilitates monitoring and/or updating data contained within a plurality of network devices. The system includes a file system user interface (UI) that can render a unified representation of the content across multiple stores corresponding to a plurality of disparate network devices. The UI facilitates searching and/or browsing content of a plurality of disparate devices via a single unified experience. Another feature of the invention is that it allows for sharing and/or synchronizing without the use of conventional folders. The invention provides for a metadata-centric view of user content (e.g., files) wherein files can be grouped by type, date, author, etc., without regard to the physical location of the content. Additionally, the invention separates or distinguishes (e.g., decouples) the synchronization of metadata (e.g., author, modification date) from the synchronization of the corresponding data files.

Abstract: Systems and methods that recognize items based on aggregated tagging behavior of users regarding the items. Individual users can establish relationships among tagged items and the system analyzes aggregate of such established relationships, to recognize the item and/or infer additional information regarding the items (e.g., wisdom of crowd such as metadata annotations, relevance ranking, and the like). Subsequently, search engine crawlers can be supplied with such additional information (e.g., extra metadata for reverse link search tables) to facilitate enterprise management and search.

Abstract: Personal data mining mechanisms and methods are employed to identify relevant information that otherwise would likely remain undiscovered. Users supply personal data that can be analyzed in conjunction with data associated with a plurality of other users to provide useful information that can improve business operations and/or quality of life. Personal data can be mined alone or in conjunction with third party data to identify correlations amongst the data and associated users. Applications or services can interact with such data and present it to users in a myriad of manners, for instance as notifications of opportunities.

Abstract: The present invention is a compound of formula (I) or formula (II) which are suitable as NP-1 antagonists.

Abstract: A computer object access control graphical user interface allows a user to set computer locations where a computer object may be accessed and other users who may access the computer object. The computer object may be a computer file, a computer message, person contact information, etc. The access control user interface may operate, for example, to save a computer object to one or more computer locations, and also to specify sharing of the computer object with one or more other users so that they can access the object. Saving a computer object and setting the sharing of it are together referred to as controlling access to the object, the former referring to where the object may be accessed from and the latter referring to who may access the object. This provides, therefore, a unified interface for selecting and displaying destinations that can be either a file store or a person, thereby unifying the control of access to a computer object.

Abstract: Wish list creation and population is provided where users can associate one or more images as items in a wish list. To this end, an image can be provided, such as a photograph taken by the user, and analyzed to locate matching items and information related thereto. In this regard, the user can observe and desire to purchase an item without knowledge of specifics about the item. The user can then take a picture of the item and tag the picture for upload to their wish list. Matching can be provided to identify one or more items in the picture to facilitate retrieval of information related to the items. Also, items can be selected based on discerned characteristics of the picture in a design/fashion consultant context.

Abstract: A rule-based programming language may be devised for programming an entity in an environment. Computer systems may therefore be configured to program the entity with at least one rule comprising at least zero language conditions representing an action condition, at least one language verb representing an action, and at least zero language verb parameters representing an action object. The computer system may also be configured to facilitate entry by a user of a rule set according to the rule-based programming language by receiving user selections of language conditions, language verbs, and language verb parameters. By facilitating the programming by users of entities within environments, the computer system may facilitate individuals (such as non-technical individuals, aspiring programmers, and children) in understanding programming concepts, encourage the development of experience with computer programming, and permit the generation of useful computer programs by non-proficient programmers.

Abstract: Technologies are described herein for compensating multiple contributing participants in a virtual world. A license associated with a composite content item is received upon a sale, rental, or lease of the composite content item to a purchasing participant in the virtual world. At least a first contributing participant and a second contributing participant are identified in a participant list within the license. Compensation is provided to the first contributing participant and the second contributing participant in accordance with the participant list.

Abstract: A technique for adding a search control by a user to a file, webpage, desktop, or mobile device, for example. The control lets the end user create documents, webpages, or dashboards with static and/or dynamic content as easily as inserting pictures. The technique also facilitates the imbedding of control access to the search information via this control. When a document is created, the control allows for adding a search into the document, authoring the default view of the query (e.g., thumbnail, details, extended view, slideshow, timeline, etc.), setting the scope (e.g., local computer, website, company human resources database, etc.), and “publishing” states (e.g., dynamically update, static-fixed, query run on local machine, etc). The technique also facilitates the adding of views such as via a user interface control for “adding a search” and standard “search list view control.

Abstract: Architecture that facilitates generation of an event report that is an aggregation of public and private data related to a specific task. Information about the event is automatically compiled, including the recipients, URLs, shares, attachments, and documents, as well as location maps and social relationships. The report can be a one-page document that summarizes topics of a meeting or event, the attendees, how the attendees relate, their motivations, and what the attendees may be looking for from the meeting. The report can be formatted to structure event information in a certain way such as according to a company organizational chart, such that an attendee that is higher up on the org chart will be presented on the report higher than someone who is lower on the org chart. Moreover, attendees can be grouped according to functions, or social groupings or project groups, for example.

Abstract: The disclosed technique analyzes the source of the query and the query itself, to automatically determine the results view presented to the user. This view can be inferred or authored. Before the query is displayed, the query and the source can be analyzed, the results of which are then passed as view control information to the view control component. In addition, analysis can be performed on the type of items in the result set, number of items in the result set, and/or previously selected views of the user and/or from a community of users. For example, if the results are all images, the view is for images, and if the result set is very large, the results can be shown in a grouped view. The user can be provided the option to override the default view.