Abstract: Disclosed herein is an integration of automatic search functionality into a business application. The application is monitored for an instance wherein the user is initiating an activity that involves an expenditure. Upon detection of such an activity, a query is automatically generated based on information related to the expenditure. The query is communicated to a search component, from which corresponding search results are eventually received. Finally, at least some information related to the search results is displayed to the user. In one embodiment, assuming the user's express or implicit approval, auto-generation of data and/or modification of business process flow are facilitated based on the search results.

Abstract: Editable bookmarks shared via a social network are described. In embodiments, a bookmark is received from a client device at a media content service. The bookmark corresponds to a media asset and includes an identifier of the media asset. Metadata associated with the media asset is added to the bookmark to generate an editable bookmark. A bookmark invitation is also received from the client device, and the bookmark invitation is directed to social network contacts of a user of the client device. The editable bookmark can then be communicated to receiving client devices of the respective social network contacts identified by the bookmark invitation, and a receiving client device can initiate playback of the media asset that corresponds to the editable bookmark. Further, the editable bookmark can be updated when additional data associated with the media asset is received from a social network contact via a respective client device.

Abstract: Controllable device selection based on controller location is described. In embodiments, a companion utility is executed by a portable device to interface the portable device with a selected one of multiple controllable devices via a wireless network. A location of the portable device can be determined based on a positioning unit that is integrated with the portable device. A controllable device can then be selected that is proximate the location of the portable device for input control of the controllable device via the wireless network.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an integration of automatic search functionality into a business application. The application is monitored for an instance wherein the user is initiating an activity that involves an expenditure. Upon detection of such an activity, a query is automatically generated based on information related to the expenditure. The query is communicated to a search component, from which corresponding search results are eventually received. Finally, at least some information related to the search results is displayed to the user. In one embodiment, assuming the user's express or implicit approval, auto-generation of data and/or modification of business process flow are facilitated based on the search results.

Abstract: Access restriction for computing content is provided by operating a computing device with a first profile, recognizing an attempt to log off of the first profile, and requesting a user to supply a log off credential. If the log off credential is not correct, the computing device continues to operate with the first profile, and if the log off credential is correct, the computing device operates without the first profile.

Abstract: Selective content loading based on complexity is provided by a method of selectively loading content which includes receiving markup data at a client computing device and determining a markup weight for the markup data at the client computing device. The method further includes determining if the markup weight is less than a threshold value at the client computing device. The method further includes, if the markup weight is less than the threshold value, loading the markup data at the client computing device, and if the markup weight is not less than the threshold value, not allowing the markup data to load at the client computing device.

Abstract: In accordance with one or more aspects, a trigger corresponding to media content is retrieved from a storage device. The trigger includes a time-shift parameter identifying how much playback of the media content can be time-shifted while keeping the trigger valid. A determination is made, based at least in part on a current time and the time-shift parameter, whether the trigger is valid during playback of the media content.

Abstract: Architecture for synchronizing data between business applications according to a multi-master arrangement. Changes to business entities can be snapshot changes, delta changes, and long-running process changes, the latter which can be derived from the first two. The architecture includes automatic error retry logic, such that when synchronization errors occur, the logic can be replayed to resolve the errors, when conditions have changed where the errors can be resolved. This also applies to when one error causes a cascading set of errors. By replaying one error, the other errors will be resolved. Backup and restore of a participating application is also provided such that a new data change in a non-backup-restored application will automatically be synchronized to the recently-restored system.

Abstract: This document describes tools that enable a computing device to retrieve large data in smaller blocks. The tools also allow the computing device to receive and display data that does not include display formatting information through the use of templates.

Abstract: Embodiments provide for storing message rules in a serialized global form on a server for transfer of the data between different servers. Message rules include condition and action data structures, wherein at least the action data structures include global identifiers. A client creates a message object that includes an extended rule with the global identifiers, sets a property on the message object used to identify the object as an extended rule, serializes the message object using a code library, and stores the message object on a message server. Upon execution of a message rule, the rule is desterilized using a copy of the code library and translated into server specific for executing the extended rule on received messages.

Abstract: Embodiments provide for extending the architecture of a legacy messaging system that otherwise communicates message rules to a client as rows in a rule table. Due to architectural limitations of some messaging systems, rules larger than a specified size are prevented from being streamed between a server and a client. Example embodiments provides for extended rules that represent a combination of conditions, actions or exceptions to be performed on messages and are created by a client as message objects. Because they are created by a client as message objects, rather than rows on a table, the extended rules are allowed to be streamed between the client and server, thus extending the architecture of a legacy messaging system. The client also sets a property value on the message object created, thereby allowing the server to identify the message object as including the extended rule. The system, however, still supports legacy clients.

Abstract: This document describes tools capable of updating data-consuming entities. These tools allow a developer of an application to use data binding to update data-consuming entities without the need to write custom code.

Abstract: In accordance with one or more aspects, a request to run an application is received. The application has an associated tune manifest that identifies one or more resources that the application may use. The tune manifest is compared to a device resource record, and a check is made, based at least in part on the comparing, whether the one or more resources identified in the tune manifest can be satisfied by the device. If the one or more resources identified in the tune manifest can be satisfied by the device, then the application is run; otherwise, a notification of a conflict between the application and the device is presented. Additionally, when the application exits, a device tune state that identifies a content source to which the device was tuned prior to running the application can be retrieved and the device restored to this device tune state.

Abstract: This document describes tools capable of enabling a media device to assign available resources to media content prior to receiving a request to display that media content. In one embodiment, the tools determine a next media content to be requested and available resources on a media device to display that next content. The tools may assign the available resources to the next page of media content prior to receiving a request to display the next page of media content.

Abstract: In accordance with one or more aspects, a trigger including both a criteria portion and a payload portion is accessed, the criteria portion identifying one or more criteria that includes a keyword, and the payload portion identifying one or more actions for presenting advertising content. Data corresponding to media content being presented is also accessed, and a check is made as to whether the data satisfies the one or more criteria. The one or more actions are performed in response to the data satisfying the one or more criteria. The trigger associating the advertising content with the keyword can be received in exchange for compensation.

Abstract: In accordance with one or more aspects, a trigger corresponding to media content is retrieved from a storage device. The trigger includes a time-shift parameter identifying how much playback of the media content can be time-shifted while keeping the trigger valid. A determination is made, based at least in part on a current time and the time-shift parameter, whether the trigger is valid during playback of the media content.

Abstract: A service broker for asynchronous execution of software. The broker functions include dynamically loading working modules from a specified directory, publishing the working module commands, receiving service requests from clients, and upon successful authentication and authorization, dispatching the requests to module command queues for scheduling and execution. The modules are invoked in separate domains so that management functions can control the modules independently. A management application facilitates interactive user scheduling of the actions being invoked. This can also be accomplished automatically according to business rules, for example. The management application also facilitates checking the progress on an action that is occurring, displaying errors that occur during the command execution, results of an action can also be displayed, and scheduling of requests.

Abstract: Architecture for synchronizing data between business applications according to a multi-master arrangement. Changes to business entities can be snapshot changes, delta changes, and long-running process changes, the latter which can be derived from the first two. The architecture includes automatic error retry logic, such that when synchronization errors occur, the logic can be replayed to resolve the errors, when conditions have changed where the errors can be resolved. This also applies to when one error causes a cascading set of errors. By replaying one error, the other errors will be resolved. Backup and restore of a participating application is also provided such that a new data change in a non-backup-restored application will automatically be synchronized to the recently-restored system.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of providing keyword purchasing assistance to a business for online marketing or advertising includes the step of identifying product or service offerings, of the business, to be targeted with the online marketing or advertising. Once the offerings to be targeted are identified, business data corresponding to the identified offerings is obtained. A statistical analysis is performed on the business data to determine keywords. Then, based upon those keywords determined from the statistical analysis, keyword suggestions are provided.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of conducting an online advertising and marketing campaign includes the step of selecting one of a plurality of business rules to use in targeting product or service offerings in the online advertising and marketing campaign. The selected business rule is then run against a business database to identify at least one target offering candidate. The at least one identified target offering candidate is then recommended to a user (e.g., by specifying the target offering, by recommending keywords for the target offering, etc.).