Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure assist users with creative development of advertisements by converting successful advertisements into templates for use in the creation of new advertisements. The system and method suggest an advertisement to a user based on the type of content for which the user is advertising. For example, an advertisement may include a set of display criteria, and a set of creative content. The display criteria define a set of circumstances during which the advertisement may be displayed (e.g., a set of keywords that trigger the display of the advertisement). Advertisements that are particularly successful for a given set of display criteria are depersonalized and converted to templates. These templates may be provided during creation of new advertisements as suggested content.

Abstract: A method and a system for allocating a vehicle to a passenger is provided. A booking request for booking a ride is received from a passenger device of the passenger. Based on the booking request, a first message is transmitted to the passenger device that indicates a confirmation of the booking request without allocating any vehicle to the passenger. The first message includes a code for pairing with one of vehicles in a queue at a pickup area. The passenger provides the code to a driver of a first vehicle from the vehicles in the queue, when the passenger is at the pickup area. The code is received from a driver device of the first vehicle. The code is validated, and the first vehicle is allocated to the passenger for the ride based on successful validation of the code.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically generating an online advertising campaign is disclosed. A campaign building engine receives an advertiser's landing page and determines a set of key terms. From the key terms, the campaign building engine determines classifications for potential advertising structures. The campaign building engine then generates proposed advertising structures by assigning each key word to one of the classifications. The proposed advertisings structures can then be presented to a user for selection of advertising structures of the advertising campaign.

Abstract: A forwarding agent is implemented on a router. The forwarding agent receives instructions from a service manager for redirecting packets that match the instructions. A packet is received that matches the instructions and the packet is redirected according to the instructions.

Abstract: A system and method are described for selecting a server to handle a connection. The method includes receiving at a service manager a connection request intercepted by a network device having a forwarding agent that is operative to receive instructions from a service manager, the connection request having been forwarded from the forwarding agent on the network device to the service manager. A preferred server is selected at the service manager from among a group of available servers. The preferred server is the server that is to service the connection request. Instructions are sent from the service manager to the forwarding agent. The instructions include the preferred server that is to service the connection request so that the connection request may be forwarded from the network device to the preferred server.

Abstract: A network is disclosed that includes a first tier of forwarding agents connected to a first tier of network devices. A second tier of forwarding agents is connected to a second tier of network devices. A service manager is configured to receive a packet from one of the forwarding agents; determine the tier of the forwarding agent; and send an instruction to the forwarding agent directing the forwarding agent to forward the packet to a network device connected to the tier of forwarding agents that includes the forwarding agent.

Abstract: An apparatus for managing network access is provided that includes a billing system element operable to receive one or more packets of a communication flow and to communicate with a price server. The price server is operable to receive a query from the billing system element associated with a pricing parameter relating to a data segment to be accessed by an end user associated with the communication flow. The price server is also operable to return a response to the billing system element that includes the pricing parameter relating to the data segment such that the end user can verify the pricing parameter before accessing the data segment.

Abstract: A forwarding agent is implemented on a router. The forwarding agent receives instructions from a service manager for redirecting packets that match the instructions. A packet is received that matches the instructions and the packet is redirected according to the instructions.

Abstract: A network is disclosed that includes a first tier of forwarding agents connected to a first tier of network devices. A second tier of forwarding agents is connected to a second tier of network devices. A service manager is configured to receive a packet from one of the forwarding agents; determine the tier of the forwarding agent; and send an instruction to the forwarding agent directing the forwarding agent to forward the packet to a network device connected to the tier of forwarding agents that includes the forwarding agent. filed Jul. 2, 1999 (Attorney Docket No. CISCP519) entitled SENDING INSTRUCTIONS FROM A SERVICE MANAGER TO FORWARDING AGENTS ON A NEED TO KNOW BASIS which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes; and co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/347,126, filed Jul. 2, 1999 (Attorney Docket No. CISCP520) entitled DISTRIBUTION OF NETWORK SERVICES AMONG MULTIPLE SERVICE MANAGERS WITHOUT CLIENT INVOLVEMENT, filed Jul.