Abstract: A method and apparatus enabling inter-widget communication and control uses a central server to receive selected widgets and settings associated with at least one widget, wherein the received settings are used to at least partly determine the settings of the other selected widgets according to a pre-defined relationship between or among the widgets.

Abstract: A brand engine receives a request from a user device operated by a first user to display user information of a second user. User information of the first user is mapped to at least the user information of the second user by the brand engine. The mapping may map the user information of the first user to user information of further users in a social network. The mapping may map of any combination of spatial, temporal, social, and topical data related to the users. A modified representation of received content is generated by the brand engine based on the mapping. The modified representation is transmitted to the user device. The user device displays the modified representation for the first user. The modified representation of the received content may include any combination of filtered and/or sorted content items, recommended content items, and/or modified content items.

Abstract: A brand engine receives a request from a user device operated by a first user to display user information of a second user. User information of the first user is mapped to at least the user information of the second user by the brand engine. The mapping may map the user information of the first user to user information of further users in a social network. The mapping may map of any combination of spatial, temporal, social, and topical data related to the users. A modified representation of a brand profile of the second user is generated by the brand engine based on the mapping. The modified representation is transmitted to the user device. The user device displays the modified representation for the first user. The modified representation of the brand profile may include any combination of filtered and/or sorted brand objects, recommended brand objects, and/or modified brand objects.

Abstract: Allowing unhosted user content feeds to a public search engine, such as a web search engine, involves a user easily identifying a file as a file the user wants to share with others by, for example, storing the file in a particular directory folder on the user's device. Once identified, the file is scanned and a corresponding entry is inserted into a search index. The storage location on the user's device may be captured, and that information added to the search index for linking to the stored file. The file may be uploaded to a caching server, for serving either primarily from the caching server or secondarily from the caching server when the file is not available from the user's storage. An access policy, which indicates what portion of the public has permission to access the file, may be associated with the shared file.

Abstract: An infrastructure facility for interactive commerce in media objects over a network is described. Consumers are provided with searchable access to media object suppliers using standardized commercial packages. A commercial package is associated with a media object by using a commerce tag consisting of embedded metadata to identify the associated commercial package and optionally parameterize a commercial offer. The infrastructure facility provides a searchable database of available media objects with commerce tags, media object suppliers, and an accessible reference for commercial packages and associated tags.

Abstract: An offer is presented to a user via a user device, wherein the terms of the offer include at least one activity to be performed by the user or at least one behavior to be observed by the user and at least one incentive to be rewarded to the user responsive to the performance of the at least one activity or the observance of the at least one behavior. A determination is made as to whether the user has performed the at least one activity or observed the at least one behavior based on at least spatial, temporal, social and/or topical data obtained from a network-based tracking engine. Responsive to a determination that the user has performed the at least one activity or observed the at least one behavior, the user is provided with the at least one incentive.

Abstract: A brand engine receives a request from a user device operated by a first user to display user information of a second user. User information of the first user is mapped to at least the user information of the second user by the brand engine. The mapping may map the user information of the first user to user information of further users in a social network. The mapping may map of any combination of spatial, temporal, social, and topical data related to the users. A modified representation of received content is generated by the brand engine based on the mapping. The modified representation is transmitted to the user device. The user device displays the modified representation for the first user. The modified representation of the received content may include any combination of filtered and/or sorted content items, recommended content items, and/or modified content items.

Abstract: A brand engine receives a request from a user device operated by a first user to display user information of a second user. User information of the first user is mapped to at least the user information of the second user by the brand engine. The mapping may map the user information of the first user to user information of further users in a social network. The mapping may map of any combination of spatial, temporal, social, and topical data related to the users. A modified representation of a brand profile of the second user is generated by the brand engine based on the mapping. The modified representation is transmitted to the user device. The user device displays the modified representation for the first user. The modified representation of the brand profile may include any combination of filtered and/or sorted brand objects, recommended brand objects, and/or modified brand objects.

Abstract: A personal broadcasting system and method is described herein for automatically matching and introducing users based on their real-time locations, such that users identified as capable of or likely to form a relationship can be notified of that fact at a point in time when it is easy to meet. A system and method is also described herein that allows at least one of two users that have visited or passed through the same location at different points in time to automatically receive information about the other despite the temporal separation between them.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed that are suitable for automatically identifying appropriate advertisements and locations for composting an advertisement with a media file for user consumption.

Abstract: Allowing unhosted user content feeds to a public search engine, such as a web search engine, involves a user easily identifying a file as a file the user wants to share with others by, for example, storing the file in a particular directory folder on the user's device. Once identified, the file is scanned and a corresponding entry is inserted into a search index. The storage location on the user's device may be captured, and that information added to the search index for linking to the stored file. The file may be uploaded to a caching server, for serving either primarily from the caching server or secondarily from the caching server when the file is not available from the user's storage. An access policy, which indicates what portion of the public has permission to access the file, may be associated with the shared file.

Abstract: A smart electronic receipt system that provides intelligent receipts, called Smart Receipts, that electronically document a transaction between two parties and maintains a persistent connection between the two parties following a successful online transaction. A Trusted Agent on the Buyer's client system creates an order record which is stored in a database on a Trusted Agent Server and starts the transaction process with the merchant. A Smart Receipt is delivered by a Smart Receipt Agent over a secure connection from the merchant to the Trusted Agent Server upon successful completion of a purchase and reflects the details of the transaction. It is stored in a secure database on the Trusted Agent Server and is made available to the Buyer (user) through a Trusted Agent located on his machine. The Trusted Agent Server compares the order record Limited Edition Digital Objects (LEDOs) stored in database with the Smart Receipt's LEDO to find the corresponding order record.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and systems facilitating payments over a computer network. The on-line payment system of the present invention can be used to facilitate person-to-person payments, person-to-business payments, and business-to-business payments. In one embodiment, the on-line payment system of the present invention leverages the viral elements of on-line payment systems to market other financial services, such as credit and/or debit card services. Other embodiments provide efficient payment protocols reducing transaction costs and fees associated with such payments. Other embodiments of the invention allow users to transfer funds to other users with a telephone number.

Abstract: A trusted agent server provides a networked application that assists a customer in managing their online commercial affairs. A user contacts the server using a network access device, such as a browser on a personal computer. The trusted agent client component augments the user's network access device to perform business transactions on behalf of the user. The user controls these transactions through the trusted agent server. A trusted agent service is a trusted agent client component application which operates in conjunction with the trusted agent server. The trusted agent service is an Internet-based mechanism that makes single-click buying available on any commercial Web site. The trusted agent also provides customers with access to personal and credit card information used during single-click transactions, smart receipts used for ongoing customer support, merchant and product preference settings, and direct response product offerings keyed to these preferences.

Abstract: A smart electronic receipt system that provides intelligent receipts, called Smart Receipts, that electronically document a transaction between two parties and maintains a persistent connection between the two parties following a successful online transaction. A Trusted Agent on the Buyer's client system creates an order record which is stored in a database on a Trusted Agent Server and starts the transaction process with the merchant. A Smart Receipt is delivered by a Smart Receipt Agent over a secure connection from the merchant to the Trusted Agent Server upon successful completion of a purchase and reflects the details of the transaction. It is stored in a secure database on the Trusted Agent Server and is made available to the Buyer (user) through a Trusted Agent located on his machine. The Trusted Agent Server compares the order record Limited Edition Digital Objects (LEDOs) stored in database with the Smart Receipt's LEDO to find the corresponding order record.