Abstract: A computer-implemented method is disclosed that includes receiving on a mobile device a search query associated with a geographic location, providing one or more search results in response to the search query, the search results each being associated with a geographic location, and presenting on a graphical display of the computing device icons corresponding to each search result and also corresponding to a key on the computing device.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system of quarantining user location information receives from a user device user location information that includes personally identifiable user data and user position data associated with one or more geographic positions of the user. The user location information is temporarily stored in a quarantine data storage database for a predetermined quarantine time, during such time it can be used for various analyses. After the quarantine time, personally identifiable user data of the user location information is filtered out before the user position data is sent for long-term storage to a filtered data storage system.

Abstract: A method of initiating a telecommunication session for a communication device include submitting to one or more telecommunication carriers a proposal for a telecommunication session, receiving from at least one of the one or more of telecommunication carriers a bid to carry the telecommunications session, and automatically selecting one of the telecommunications carriers from the carriers submitting a bid, and initiating the telecommunication session through the selected telecommunication carrier.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system of building a user reputation database for use in a user location data system. The method and system receive user location information containing personally identifiable data of a user and user position data. The user position data may or may not represent one or more actual geographic positions of the user. The user location information is temporarily stored and analyzed to provide a spam score associated with the user position data indicative of whether the user position data represents the actual geographic positions of the user. Data indicative of the spam score is also provided to user reputation database to store a user reputation score associated with the user.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is disclosed that includes receiving on a mobile device a search query associated with a geographic location, providing one or more search results in response to the search query, the search results each being associated with a geographic location, and presenting on a graphical display of the computing device icons corresponding to each search result and also corresponding to a key on the computing device.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system of building a user reputation database for use in a user location data system. The method and system receive user location information containing personally identifiable data of a user and user position data. The user position data may or may not represent one or more actual geographic positions of the user. The user location information is temporarily stored and analyzed to provide a spam score associated with the user position data indicative of whether the user position data represents the actual geographic positions of the user. Data indicative of the spam score is also provided to user reputation database to store a user reputation score associated with the user.

Abstract: A method of initiating a telecommunication session for a communication device include submitting to one or more telecommunication carriers a proposal for a telecommunication session, receiving from at least one of the one or more of telecommunication carriers a bid to carry the telecommunications session, and automatically selecting one of the telecommunications carriers from the carriers submitting a bid, and initiating the telecommunication session through the selected telecommunication carrier.

Abstract: A method of initiating a telecommunication session for a communication device include submitting to one or more telecommunication carriers a proposal for a telecommunication session, receiving from at least one of the one or more of telecommunication carriers a bid to carry the telecommunications session, and automatically selecting one of the telecommunications carriers from the carriers submitting a bid, and initiating the telecommunication session through the selected telecommunication carrier.

Abstract: A method of initiating a telecommunication session for a communication device include submitting to one or more telecommunication carriers a proposal for a telecommunication session, receiving from at least one of the one or more of telecommunication carriers a bid to carry the telecommunications session, and automatically selecting one of the telecommunications carriers from the carriers submitting a bid, and initiating the telecommunication session through the selected telecommunication carrier.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is disclosed that includes receiving on a mobile device a search query associated with a geographic location, providing one or more search results in response to the search query, the search results each being associated with a geographic location, and presenting on a graphical display of the computing device icons corresponding to each search result and also corresponding to a key on the computing device.

Abstract: A computer-implemented mapping method is disclosed and includes displaying a first map view of a geographic area on a display of a computing device, receiving a voice or key-press zoom command and generating a first zoom box of a predetermined size on the display relative to the first map view in response to the zoom command, and displaying a second map view of a zoomed geographic area corresponding to the zoom box.

Abstract: A method of initiating a telecommunication session for a communication device include submitting to one or more telecommunication carriers a proposal for a telecommunication session, receiving from at least one of the one or more of telecommunication carriers a bid to carry the telecommunications session, and automatically selecting one of the telecommunications carriers from the carriers submitting a bid, and initiating the telecommunication session through the selected telecommunication carrier.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for creating and using personalized location information tags (geotags). Personalized geotags take the place of generic location information such as latitude/longitude coordinates or granular city/state information. Such geotags may be published to present to selected people, e.g., family and friends, a user's current location. Thus, the user's location may be shown as “Home” or “Gym,” providing user-specific information without having to list a street address or latitude/longitude coordinates. Personalized geotags may be inferred based upon historical location information of the user. Geotags may also be inferred based upon geotag selections from other users in a network. A matching engine may select an appropriate geotag given the current location of a user device or based upon historical location information associated with the user.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is disclosed that includes receiving on a mobile device a search query associated with a geographic location, providing one or more search results in response to the search query, the search results each being associated with a geographic location, and presenting on a graphical display of the computing device icons corresponding to each search result and also corresponding to a key on the computing device.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer-readable medium for regulating data traffic between a client device and a server. The system determines whether a transmission of a data file is allowable based on pre-defined criteria. The system provides an indication of whether the transmission is allowable and under what conditions the transmission would be allowable. If the transmission of a data file is requested and the transmission is not allowable, a message is sent from the server to the client device that first pre-defined criteria are not met and the message indicates that the transmission of the data file will be allowed when second pre-defined criteria are met.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to enhancement or refinement of estimated locations based upon user-specific information. Upon user authorization, geographical information is extracted from a number of user-related sources, including the web browser history, search history, maps history, address book, e-mail archives and calendar entries. Such information is used to build a spatial index of specific physical locations for a geocoded result set. From this, heat maps identifying particular locations from the user-related sources are created for different periods of time. The heat maps may be used to refine an initial location estimate of the user. This may be done by determining whether one or more positions in a given heat map provide a more accurate position of the user than the initial estimate. If so, a best position is selected. This can be used to provide enhanced driving directions to the user.

Abstract: A system and method for recommending video programs to a user comprising determining a first video program that is of interest to a user and then determining a second video program to recommend to the user, the second video program being determined from a recommendation database assembled by analyzing access logs from one or more search engines or online video content providers.

Abstract: The invention pertains to location approximation of devices, e.g., wireless access points and client devices in a wireless network. Location estimates may be obtained by observation/analysis of packets transmitted or received by the access point. For instance, data rate information associated with a packet is used to approximate the distance between a client device and the access point. This may be coupled with known positioning information to arrive at an approximate location for the access point. Confidence information and metrics about whether a device is an access point and the location of that device may also be determined. Accuracy of the location determination may be affected by factors including propagation and environmental factors, transmit power, antenna gain and diversity, etc. A location information database of access points may employ measurements from various devices over time. Such information may identify the location of client devices and provide location-based services to them.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer-readable medium for regulating data traffic between a client device and a server. The system determines whether a transmission of a data file is allowable based on pre-defined criteria. The system provides an indication of whether the transmission is allowable and under what conditions the transmission would be allowable. If the transmission of a data file is requested and the transmission is not allowable, a message is sent from the server to the client device that first pre-defined criteria are not met and the message indicates that the transmission of the data file will be allowed when second pre-defined criteria are met.

Abstract: A method of initiating a telecommunication session for a communication device include submitting to one or more telecommunication carriers a proposal for a telecommunication session, receiving from at least one of the one or more of telecommunication carriers a bid to carry the telecommunications session, and automatically selecting one of the telecommunications carriers from the carriers submitting a bid, and initiating the telecommunication session through the selected telecommunication carrier.