Abstract: A method and apparatus for creation and storage of online community groups is provided. In various implementations, digital communication data is stored representing interactions between users as part of an online community platform. In various implementations, a user of the online community platform indicates the desire to create a group comprising digital accounts which have interacted with the user as indicated by the digital communication data. In various implementations, a digital communication group is created comprising digital accounts specifically chosen by a user of an online community platform.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for creation and storage of online community groups is provided. In various implementations, digital communication data is stored representing interactions between users as part of an online community platform. In various implementations, a user of the online community platform indicates the desire to create a group comprising digital accounts which have interacted with the user as indicated by the digital communication data. In various implementations, a digital communication group is created comprising digital accounts specifically chosen by a user of an online community platform.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for creation and storage of online community groups is provided. In various implementations, digital communication data is stored representing interactions between users as part of an online community platform. In various implementations, a user of the online community platform indicates the desire to create a group comprising digital accounts which have interacted with the user as indicated by the digital communication data. In various implementations, a digital communication group is created comprising digital accounts specifically chosen by a user of an online community platform.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for creation and storage of online community groups is provided. In various implementations, digital communication data is stored representing interactions between users as part of an online community platform. In various implementations, a user of the online community platform indicates the desire to create a group comprising digital accounts which have interacted with the user as indicated by the digital communication data. In various implementations, a digital communication group is created comprising digital accounts specifically chosen by a user of an online community platform.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to perform data migration in a distributed cloud management automater are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a source data generator to generate a migration package corresponding to a source cloud management automater; a target cloud management automater migrator to migrate data of the migration package into a target cloud management automater; and performing a schema upgrade of a target database of the target cloud management automater; and a target service upgrader to upgrade service components at the target cloud management automater based on the migration package.

Abstract: Users of social networking computer systems provide location information that is transformed into geo-coded coordinates specifying user locations. Providers of content, such as messages or documents, also participate in the social networking system and use drawing tools or provide data files that define one or more geographical areas or regions of a map, which may define a larger geographical area that encompasses the users of the social networking system. Data specifying the areas is stored. The content providers create one or more messages and associate each of the one or more messages with one or more of the areas. The users communicate requests for messages to the social networking system; in response, the system associates the user location data with the stored areas and messages and returns only those messages that have been associated with the particular areas in which the users are located.

Abstract: A system and method for generating a recommendation counter for a business entity based on social networking interactions is provided. In an embodiment, a social networking server provides an interface for users of social networking accounts to request recommendations for business entities and to reply to the requests with recommendations. When the social networking server computer receives a recommendation for a particular business entity, the social networking server computer determines whether the recommending social networking account has recommended the particular business entity in the past. In response to determining that the social networking account has not recommended the particular business entity in the past, the social networking server computer increments a recommendation counter for the particular business entity.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to perform data migration in a distributed cloud management automater are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a source data generator to generate a migration package corresponding to a source cloud management automater; a target cloud management automater migrator to migrate data of the migration package into a target cloud management automater; and performing a schema upgrade of a target database of the target cloud management automater; and a target service upgrader to upgrade service components at the target cloud management automater based on the migration package.

Abstract: Users of social networking computer systems provide location information that is transformed into geo-coded coordinates specifying user locations. Providers of content, such as messages or documents, also participate in the social networking system and use drawing tools or provide data files that define one or more geographical areas or regions of a map, which may define a larger geographical area that encompasses the users of the social networking system. Data specifying the areas is stored. The content providers create one or more messages and associate each of the one or more messages with one or more of the areas. The users communicate requests for messages to the social networking system; in response, the system associates the user location data with the stored areas and messages, and returns only those messages that have been associated with the particular areas in which the users are located.

Abstract: A system and method for generating a recommendation counter for a business entity based on social networking interactions is provided. In an embodiment, a social networking server provides an interface for users of social networking accounts to request recommendations for business entities and to reply to the requests with recommendations. When the social networking server computer receives a recommendation for a particular business entity, the social networking server computer determines whether the recommending social networking account has recommended the particular business entity in the past. In response to determining that the social networking account has not recommended the particular business entity in the past, the social networking server computer increments a recommendation counter for the particular business entity.

Abstract: As part of the general search functionality in the context of a comparison shopping site, a skip by popularity functionality evaluates each keyword submitted to a search engine. The skip by popularity functionality then determines whether the keyword or keywords submitted are highly relevant to a specific attribute or category. When a relevance threshold with respect to a specific attribute or category is met, certain criteria may be applied to test whether the user can be skipped over intermediate navigational steps and immediately delivered to the highly relevant category or attribute or even to a comparison shopping page for a specific product. Skip by popularity functionality may be used to determine and select the single most popular product associated with the keyword as determined either by users, or according to some other suitable determination scheme.

Abstract: Systems and methods for facilitating online comparison shopping, including a similarity engine, a navigational system, and a step skipping system. The systems and methods according to the invention include a method for determining similarity between two preferably disparate products. The systems and methods also preferably include a method of increasing efficiency of navigation in a comparison shopping site based on product coverage and product entropy. The systems and methods further include a method of step-skipping to quicken user navigation through a comparison shopping site.

Abstract: Systems and methods for facilitating online comparison shopping, including a similarity engine, a navigational system, and a step skipping system. The systems and methods according to the invention include a method for determining similarity between two preferably disparate products. The systems and methods also preferably include a method of increasing efficiency of navigation in a comparison shopping site based on product coverage and product entropy. The systems and methods further include a method of step-skipping to quicken user navigation through a comparison shopping site.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include systems and methods for searching a defined area. In one embodiment, the present invention includes a method comprising receiving a plurality of product data, wherein the product data describes a plurality of products offered for sale by a plurality of businesses. Product data may be associated with a defined area, where the businesses each have a point-of-sale store located in the defined area. A user may enter a search request, and the system searches product data for a plurality of products in a plurality of point-of-sale stores in the defined area. The system outputs product data for point-of-sale stores located in said defined area matching said search request.

Abstract: Systems and methods for facilitating online comparison shopping, including a similarity engine, a navigational system, and a step skipping system. The systems and methods according to the invention include a method for determining similarity between two preferably disparate products. The systems and methods also preferably include a method of increasing efficiency of navigation in a comparison shopping site based on product coverage and product entropy. The systems and methods further include a method of step-skipping to quicken user navigation through a comparison shopping site.

Abstract: The present invention is a rear sight for a firearm that is usable for both Close Quarters Combat (“CQB”) and standard shooting scenarios. The invention features both a primary targeting aperture and a CQB “notch”, both for use in conjunction with a standard sighting bead for the desired effects. The larger notch allows a greater field of view and raises the weapon slightly in comparison with the regular targeting aperture, thus making its use more efficient for CQB situations.

Abstract: A system for monitoring a person's location in a defined area (“monitoring system”) according to the present invention includes a plurality of ID badges remote from a plurality of ID readers and a CPU. Each ID badge includes a badge transmitter and a badge receiver; each ID reader includes a reader transmitter and a reader receiver. An alarm and a plurality of kiosks are preferably included. The respective ID readers detect the presence of the ID badges and communicate their respective positions to the CPU. If an ID badge exits the defined area or is disabled, the alarm is activated. The kiosks may be used to add interactivity to the monitoring system, and the ID badges may also include interactive elements. The CPU may perform various additional functions, such as directing a wearer of an ID badge to a destination and conveying information to the kiosks.

Abstract: An isolator eliminator for a linear transmitter receives a plurality of digital samples of an information signal and a drive signal sampled from a feedback loop at periodic time intervals and, responsive to processing the digital samples, provides high accuracy phase and level correction signals to the feedback loop. The phase and level correction signals maintain stable, linear operation of the feedback loop and limit splatter. In a preferred embodiment, the isolator eliminator includes a digital signal processor such that multiple communication protocols may be accommodated by changing software code executed by the processor.

Abstract: Systems and methods for facilitating online comparison shopping, including a similarity engine, a navigational system, and a step skipping system. The systems and methods according to the invention include a method for determining similarity between two preferably disparate products. The systems and methods also preferably include a method of increasing efficiency of navigation in a comparison shopping site based on product coverage and product entropy. The systems and methods further include a method of step-skipping to quicken user navigation through a comparison shopping site.