Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer storage media having computer-executable instructions embodied thereon that present images customized for a user. In embodiments, a search query input by a user and user data associated with the user are referenced. The search query and/or user data is utilized to select one or more images to display via a display screen. Such an image(s) can be, for example, a background image that is presented as a background to a search results webpage and/or an icon image that represents a category of search results.

Abstract: Example embodiment of the present invention provide for assisting a user in managing the user's shared persona on a request-by-request basis. Upon requesting to share one or more types of identity information, the user is automatically presented with an interface through which the user can interact in selecting an amount of identity items to share. A subset of the total identity items selected may then be shared with specified entities. In another embodiment, the present invention assists a user in managing identity information that has been shared with others by providing the user with a visual list of entities for which the user has shared specified identity information. Other embodiments of the present invention use shared information about an entity to automatically provide the user with the ability to update identity information that has subsequently been edited.

Abstract: The subject disclosure pertains to a domain identification system, comprising a principal that has a key and a mnemonically meaningless identifier, the mnemonically meaningless identifier is used to identify the component in a networked environment. The mnemonically meaningless identifier can be bound to the public key by a binding. The component may be part of a neighborhood of components, and each member component knows the members' binding.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to utilizing contact data controls to simplify access to schematized contact data. Contact data controls abstract the formatting of schematized contact data from applications. In some embodiments, applications that lack the configuration to natively access schematized contact data (e.g., lack the functionality to convert between schematized and non-schematized data or are not authorized) forward requests to access schematized contact data to an external contact data control. In other embodiments, applications that lack the configuration to natively access schematized contact data forward non-schematized data, which is to be used to update schematized contact data, to an external contact data control. External contact data controls appropriately interact with the schematized data and can provide user-interface such that an application designer need not have extensive knowledge of contact schemas associated with the schematized contact data.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to utilizing contact data controls to simplify access to schematized contact data. Contact data controls abstract the formatting of schematized contact data from applications. In some embodiments, applications that lack the configuration to natively access schematized contact data (e.g., lack the functionality to convert between schematized and non-schematized data or are not authorized) forward requests to access schematized contact data to an external contact data control. In other embodiments, applications that lack the configuration to natively access schematized contact data forward non-schematized data, which is to be used to update schematized contact data, to an external contact data control. External contact data controls appropriately interact with the schematized data and can provide user-interface such that an application designer need not have extensive knowledge of contact schemas associated with the schematized contact data.

Abstract: In a network computing environment, a user-centric system and method for controlling access to user-specific information maintained in association with a web-services service. When a web-services client desires access to the user-specific information, the client sends a request. The request identifies the reasons/intentions for accessing the desired information. The request is compared to the user's existing access permissions. If there is no existing access permission, the request is compared to the user's default preferences. If the default preferences permit the requested access, an access rule is created dynamically and the client's request is filled, without interrupting the user. If the default preferences do not permit the request to be filled, a consent user interface may be invoked. The consent user interface presents the user with one or more consent options, thereby permitting the user to control whether the client will be given access to the user-specific information.

Abstract: An advertising avatar provides an engaging advertising experience. To create an advertising avatar, a user provides information that may be used to target advertisements to the user. The information is stored in a user profile and associated with an avatar ID. Additionally, an avatar image is created for the advertising avatar that is based on information provided by the user. The more information the user provides, the more fully featured the appearance of the avatar image becomes. When an advertisement is to be displayed on a user's client device, an advertisement is selected based on information in the user profile. The avatar image for the user's advertising avatar may be presented within the advertisement when the advertisement is presented on the user's client device. The presence of the avatar image within an advertisement may provide an indication to the user that the advertisement supports user interaction.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable media for facilitating personalization of web content is provided, while protecting the privacy of the user data utilized to personalize the user's experience. A privacy vault may collect user data including user activity data, demographic data, and user interests submitted by a user. In one embodiment, the privacy vault operates on a user client device. The privacy vault sends the user data to a community vault that collects user data from multiple users. The community vault generates segment rules that whether a user belongs to a user segment, which expresses a user's interest. The segment rules are then communicated back to the privacy vault, which assigns one or more user segments to the user based on the user data available to the privacy vault and the segment rules. The privacy vault may communicate user segments to one or more content providers that supply personalized content that is selected based on the user segments provided.

Abstract: In a network computing environment, a user-centric system and method for controlling access to user-specific information maintained in association with a web-services service. When a web-services client desires access to the user-specific information, the client sends a request. The request identifies the reasons/intentions for accessing the desired information. The request is compared to the user's existing access permissions. If there is no existing access permission, the request is compared to the user's default preferences. If the default preferences permit the requested access, an access rule is created dynamically and the client's request is filled, without interrupting the user. If the default preferences do not permit the request to be filled, a consent user interface may be invoked. The consent user interface presents the user with one or more consent options, thereby permitting the user to control whether the client will be given access to the user-specific information.

Abstract: The subject disclosure pertains to systems and methods that facilitate managing groups entities for access control. A negative group is defined using a base group, where the negative group associated with a base group includes any entities not included in the base group. Negative groups can be implemented using certificates rather than explicit lists of negative group members. A certificate can provide evidence of membership in the negative group and can be presented for evaluation to obtain access to resources. Subtraction groups can also be used to manage access to resources. A subtraction group can be defined as the members of a first group, excluding any members of a second group.

Abstract: The claimed subject matter provides systems and/or methods for propagating viral advertising content to multiple mobile devices without utilizing an intermediary interposing hosting and/or distribution service. The system includes devices that receive viral advertising content on a mobile device, modify the viral advertising content with further viral advertising content previously received from a disparate mobile device, determine sets of recipients to whom the modified viral advertising content can be perceived as compelling, and disseminates the modified viral advertising content to the sets of recipients each of whom can be associated with a disparate mobile device.

Abstract: The claimed subject matter provides systems and/or methods that effectuate distribution of advertising as real-time video calls. The system can include devices that detect whether or not a mobile device associated with a user is in the vicinity of a retail establishment, ascertains whether or not the proximate mobile device is receptive to receipt of advertising from the retail establishment, negotiates with the mobile device to determine at least one user preference with respect to a real-time video call, and based on the ascertained user preferences, downloads the appropriate real-time video call to the mobile device and/or establishes a live audio-visual connection with a representative of the retail establishment, wherein during the live audio-visual connection negotiations between the user and the representative is effectuated and the user comprehends that they are communicating with a famous personality.

Abstract: Computer systems, methods and media for optimizing an advertisement are provided. Creative elements for an ad campaign are received from an advertiser. In response to an ad call from a target device, device information, application information, and user information are accessed. Based on the accessed information and the creative elements of the dynamic creative, a customized ad is created that includes an optimized set of creative elements for the target device and the application such that the user gets an optimized user experience regardless of the target device presenting the ad.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for synchronizing data stored in remote stores. Data stored in locations such as computer applications, consumer electronic devices and Internet websites is synchronized with a central database within a computer device. The computer device may also store constraints that limit the type of data that may be synchronized with individual stores. A graphical user interface may use different formats or icons to distinguish between data stored in a store and data included within the central database.

Abstract: The claimed subject matter provides a system and/or a method that facilitates accessing information content based at least in part on relevancy to a user by leveraging user ambitions. User ambitions can take the form of to-do lists, calendar items, goals, or interests. These can be leveraged with or without contextual information, historical data, user profiles, and the like to determine the relevancy of content to a specific user. This can facilitate determining what content is accessible to a user based on relevance. A threshold relevance level can be dynamically adjusted.

Abstract: Computer-implemented methods of processing contact records are provided. A user may merge and unmerge contact records to control which records are synchronized with each other. Identity claims of records may be compared to identify possible duplicate records. Identity claims may include addresses, phone numbers, instant messenger addresses or other contact data that is likely to be uniquely associated with a contact. When possible duplicate contact records are found, a dialog box is displayed that identifies the possible duplicate records and includes an option for merging the possible duplicate contact records.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for synchronizing a file system with presence information on a network. Presence information is discovered for nearby users on the network. Data corresponding to the nearby users, such as a display name and sharing address, are stored in the file system. The data is synchronized either in a folder corresponding to nearby users, or is synchronized in a general contacts folder that is enhanced by the presence information. As people move in and out of the network, the entries in the file system are updated.

Abstract: A schema is provided that defines people, groups and organizations by their corresponding contact information and other related characteristics. The schema defines a person by personal data, name data, location data, and e-address data. A group is defined by group membership data and e-address data. An organization is defined by location data and by e-address data. The schema also defines role occupancies for interrelating the various contacts. The role occupancies are defined by role occupancy data that may include employee data, team member data, group membership data, family data, customer or business data, and other types of data that can link two or more contacts. By interrelating contacts based on role occupancies, the schema is able to provide rich querying of one or more databases for obtaining desired contact information.

Abstract: A data structure with endpoint address and security information. The data structure includes an address field that includes one or more endpoint addresses for an entity. The data structure further includes a security field that includes one or more keys for facilitating secure communications with the entity. The data structure may also be such that the contents of the address field and the security field are serialized in the data structure. The data structure may be extensible such that new address fields and security fields may be added.

Abstract: Consent management between a client and a network server. In response to a request for consent, a central server determines if requested user information is included in a user profile associated with a user and if the user has granted consent to share the requested user information. A user interface is provided to the user via a browser of the client to collect the requested user information that is not included in the user profile and the consent to share the requested user information from the user. After receiving the user information provided by the user via the user interface, the service provided by the network server is allowed access to the received user information, and the central server updates the user profile. Other aspects of the invention are directed to computer-readable media for use with profile and consent accrual.