Abstract: A wearable climbing device, including a main body, including a bottom section to receive a foot of a user thereon, a top section removably connected to at least a portion of the bottom section, and a spike disposed on at least a portion of the bottom section to penetrate into at least one of a tree and a utility pole, a calf strap removably connected to at least a portion of the main body to be worn around a calf of the user, and an ankle strap removably connected to at least a portion of the main body to be worn around an ankle of the user.

Abstract: A system for validating models for predicting a client behavior event includes a development module and a validation module. The development module is configured to receive a use case corresponding to the client behavior event and select a subset of variables correlated to the client behavior event. The validation module is configured to select a first model from models that predict client behavior event using the selected subset of variables. The development module selects the first model based on a predicted lift of the first model. The validation module applies the first model to client data acquired subsequent to the selection of the first model. The validation module compares the predicted lift of the first model to an actual lift of the first model as applied to the client data. The validation module selects one of the first model and a different model in response to the comparison.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present method and apparatus for advertising new content available for sharing in a network by a first node includes detecting the new content at the first node and sending a new content message to at least one neighbor node of the first node, where the new content message advertises the availability of the new content at the first node. In one embodiment, the new content message is sent only to neighbor nodes that have expressed an interest in receiving new content.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present method and apparatus for re-establishing anonymous data transfers between a first endpoint and a second endpoint in a network includes receiving, from a first node, the identity of a second node connected to the first node, where at least the first node is a neighbor node. A third node (a neighbor node) is then selected, and instructed to connect to the second node in order to establish a link for the path. In this manner, the first endpoint and the second endpoint remain unknown at least to each other (e.g., where “unknown” means that neither endpoint knows any identifying information, such as network address, about the other endpoint), and likely to all other nodes in the path as well. In another embodiment, a failure is detected at a neighbor node, where the neighbor node is part of an original path between the first endpoint and the second endpoint.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present method and apparatus for user-moderation of an online chat room in which a plurality of users are exchanging messages includes providing the chat room and controlling a manner in which the users send and receive the messages in the chat room in accordance with user feedback relating to the messages. In one embodiment, the user feedback is received in the form of user chat profiles, which describe the respective users' participation in the chat room, and flags, which users may be given in response to messages that are deemed inappropriate for the chat room.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present method and apparatus for establishing peer-to-peer karma and trust by a first user in a network includes engaging in a transaction with at least a second user in the network and exchanging feedback with the second network user regarding the transaction, where a copy of the feedback is maintained locally by at least one of the first user and the second user. The party or parties maintaining the feedback can then provide the feedback in response to inquiries by third parties. In this manner, third parties can investigate the trustworthiness (or lack thereof) of the first and/or second user.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present method and apparatus for assisting a peer-to-peer connection between a first node and a second node includes receiving, at a third node, a request for connection assistance from one of the first and second nodes. The third node then connects to both the first node and the second node, receives the data from the first node and delivers the data to the second node. In this manner, data may be transferred between the first and second nodes even if the first and second nodes are unable to directly connect to each other (e.g., due to permanent or temporary limitations).

Abstract: A system and method for sending activated instant messages includes determining a condition under which an activated instant message is permissible and determining if the condition is met. If the condition is met, the activated instant message is sent such that the activated instant message causes a receiver device of the activated instant message to automatically perform an instruction sent by the sender.

Abstract: A system and method for retrieving instant messages includes establishing a first instant message (IM) session an then, establishing a second instant message session using a same account as the first instant message session. The first IM session is rendered dormant such that active instant messages are received by the second instant message session.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present method and apparatus for reducing spam in peer-to-peer networks includes forming a search message including at least one decoy word and sending the search request message, including the decoy word(s), to one or more nodes in the network. Embodiments of the present invention make it possible to weed out nodes in the network that send spam in response to every search message (e.g., regardless of the search message's content).

Abstract: One embodiment of the present method and apparatus for creating searches in peer-to-peer networks includes forming clusters comprising data from a user's media library and formulating at least one search request message in accordance with the clusters. Formation of the clusters may be guided at least in part by data attributes that the user indicates are important. In this way, the user's media library may be “mined” for information that will aid in creating searches for data that the user may be interested in, but may not necessarily know how to search for or may not necessarily know exists.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present method and apparatus for improving data transfers in peer-to-peer networks includes receiving a search request message from a requesting node, where the search request message requests specific data. A responding node then sends a response message to the requesting node including a referral message comprising at least one referred node that is expected to have the requested data, based on knowledge of the referred node's previous incoming and outgoing data transfers. The responding node may also indicate that the responding node has the requested data. In addition to increasing the requesting node's view of the peer-to-peer network, this also enables the identification of nodes (e.g., referred nodes) with which the requesting node may wish to establish direct peer-to-peer connections, e.g., to build peer-to-peer communities of nodes having similar interests.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for controlling access to a chat room using a peer-to-peer (“P2P”) network. The method includes the steps of sending a search request to a first set of nodes in the P2P network, the first set of nodes neighboring a node requesting the search and including at least one node; forwarding the request to a second set of nodes neighboring the at least one node in the first set, the second set of nodes including at least one node; comparing the search request to a local profile topic list in each node in the first and second sets; receiving a zero or more responses from nodes in the first and second sets; and establishing a network connection between the node requesting the search and at least one of the nodes responding to the request to form a community.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present method and apparatus for efficiently expanding a P2P network includes receiving a search request message from a requesting node and sending a response message to the requesting node on behalf of a node that has the requested data, where the response message originates at an intermediate node. The intermediate node may respond on behalf of the “responding” node, for example, in cases where the responding node is too far away from the requesting node to receive the search request message.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present method and apparatus for reducing spam on a peer-to-peer network includes determining, in accordance with a list of known spammer nodes, whether a responding node offering data for download is a known spammer node. If the responding node is a known spammer node, communication from the responding node is discarded. However, if the responding node is not a known spammer node, the offered data is retrieved from the responding node. If it is then determined that the retrieved data does, in fact, include spam, at least one other node on the network is notified that the responding node has sent spam. This information then allows the other node to determine whether or not it would like to receive data from the responding node in the future.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present method and apparatus for reducing leeches on a P2P network includes receiving a data request message and at least one reference from a requesting node, where the reference pertains to at least one previous data transfer in which the requesting node has engaged. The reference is then verified and it is determined, in accordance with the reference, whether to provide the requested data to the requesting node.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for expanding the search space in a Peer-to-Peer (“P2P”) network. In one embodiment, the search space is expanded by increasing the time-to-live value of the search request message. The P2P network may include a plurality of nodes, and the method for increasing the search space in the network includes the steps of receiving a search request message; changing a time-to-live value carried by the message; and forwarding the message to at least one peer node.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention is a method and apparatus for inferring the read status of instant messages. One embodiment of the inventive method involves displaying the instant message on the receiver's computing device and sending a message to the sender indicating a probability with which the receiver has viewed the instant message. In one embodiment, this probability is based at least in part on an amount of the instant message that is in view on the receiver's computing device and on user input that is received by the receiver's computing device, e.g., from the receiver.

Abstract: A method, device and system for characterizing an image sharing objects within a network The method steps include initiating a query for a query object on a first device connected to a network of devices. Finding a similar object similar to the query object on a second device connected to the network of devices, wherein the similarity is automatically judged by any device on the network. Transferring the similar object from the second device to the first device.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention is a method and apparatus for transparent TCP negotiations. In one embodiment, endpoint machines (e.g., clients and servers) negotiate network characteristics through use of TCP header fields, which provide backward capability. Negotiations may be requested or initiated by either endpoint, and if the receiving endpoint is not capable of negotiating, the existing TCP connection will continue to operate as normal.