Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for location-based visualization of geo-reference content are provided. Apparatus may include logic for causing a display of a map having at least one tag displayed therewith, and logic for causing the display of a set of content objects in response to selection of the tag, the set of content objects associated with the tag and the geographical location of the map. The content objects may be displayed in a viewing window adjacent the map and selectable by a user. The content objects may be filtered by a user, e.g., indicating that a content object is incorrectly tagged or geo-referenced. The apparatus may dynamically update the content based on user interaction. The set of tags and content objects displayed may vary based on a particular zoom level and associated tags may be displayed in response to selection of a tag and/or a content object.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for targeting specific users with specific requested actions to be performed by the user and verified by any methods on behalf of an advertiser within an Internet display advertising campaign. The system discloses techniques for receiving an advertiser's requested actions and corresponding definitions of what constitutes a satisfaction of the action. The disclosure also details techniques for determining if and when and to what degree a requested action has been completed or satisfied by the targeted user, and details corresponding techniques for compensating the user and any other real or virtual entity who had contributed to the satisfaction of the requested action. The system implements a network of sensors that can aid in the determination of if and when and to what degree a requested action has been completed or satisfied. The network of sensors registers sensor recordings within a specialized sensor recording marketplace.

Abstract: A system and method for deriving income from URL based context queries. A URL based user context query is received over a network from a user, wherein the user context comprises at least one user context criteria. A query is formulated based on the context criteria so as to search for user profile data, social network data, spatial data, temporal data, topical data and context query bid data that is available via the network and relates to the context so as to identify entries in a context query bid database that relate to user context criteria. A dynamic webpage is generated having content relating to the query and advertisements associated with the selected bid are inserted into the webpage. The dynamic webpage is transmitted to the user. The advertiser associated with the selected bid is charged a fee when a user interface event relating to the dynamic webpage occurs.

Abstract: A system and method for deriving income from URL based context queries. A URL based user context query is received over a network from a user, wherein the user context comprises at least one user context criteria. A query is formulated based on the context criteria so as to search for user profile data, social network data, spatial data, temporal data, topical data and context query bid data that is available via the network and relates to the context so as to identify entries in a context query bid database that relate to user context criteria. A dynamic webpage is generated having content relating to the query and advertisements associated with the selected bid are inserted into the webpage. The dynamic webpage is transmitted to the user. The advertiser associated with the selected bid is charged a fee when a user interface event relating to the dynamic webpage occurs.

Abstract: A system and method for deriving income from URL based context queries. A URL based user context query is received over a network from a user, wherein the user context comprises at least one user context criteria. A query is formulated based on the context criteria so as to search for user profile data, social network data, spatial data, temporal data, topical data and context query bid data that is available via the network and relates to the context so as to identify entries in a context query bid database that relate to user context criteria. A dynamic webpage is generated having content relating to the query and advertisements associated with the selected bid are inserted into the webpage. The dynamic webpage is transmitted to the user. The advertiser associated with the selected bid is charged a fee when a user interface event relating to the dynamic webpage occurs.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for creating and managing dynamic access control lists (ACL's). In a specific embodiment, a method of creating or modifying a dynamic access control policy (ACP) is disclosed. A current ACP for one or more specified resources is defined based on one or more membership rules for specifying users who can access the one or more specified resources based on user information that was or will be collected for a plurality of users. The collected user information includes at least user presence information or user communication data. The current ACP is retained for the one or more specified resources, wherein the current ACP is accessibly usable so as to dynamically allow a selected set of users, who each have corresponding collected user information which meets the one or more membership rules of the current ACP, to access the one or more specified resources. The selected set of users is changeable over time as different user information is collected over time.

Abstract: Receive a plurality of data management policies from a user. Store in a memory the data management policies in association with a context and an identifier of the user. Receive personal data of the user collected in one or more contexts by one or more collection devices. Determine whether the personal data complies with one or more of the data management policies with respect to collecting personal data of the user. If the personal data complies with the data management policies with respect to collecting personal data on the user, then storing in the memory the personal data in association with the identifier of the user. Provide a centralized interface to the user for managing the personal data stored in the memory.

Abstract: Receive a plurality of data management policies from a user. Store in a memory the data management policies in association with a context and an identifier of the user. Receive personal data of the user collected in one or more contexts by one or more collection devices. Determine whether the personal data complies with one or more of the data management policies with respect to collecting personal data of the user. If the personal data complies with the data management policies with respect to collecting personal data on the user, then storing in the memory the personal data in association with the identifier of the user. Provide a centralized interface to the user for managing the personal data stored in the memory.

Abstract: A method for generating a multi-frame image rendering of a challenge-response test on a display is presented. The method begins by identifying a pattern with graphical elements, and a display region for rendering an entry object of the multi-frame image of the challenge-response test. Then a foreground sampling window having a non-patterned area defined by the entry object is defined. The foreground sampling window captures graphical elements of the pattern along a first path. In addition, a background sampling window that captures graphical elements of the pattern along a second path is defined. The foreground sampling window is overlaid on the background sampling window at the display region of the display, such that the entry object of the challenge-response test is discernable from the pattern during a period of time when multiple frames are rendered.

Abstract: A system and method for context based query augmentation. A question is received over a network from a questioning user comprising an identification of a user and at least one question criteria. A first query is formulated so as to search for user profile data, social network data, spatial data, temporal data and topical data in order to identify user context data relevant to question criteria. The question is modified using the user context data to create at least one modified question having at least one additional criteria based on the user context data. A second query is formulated so as to search for knowledge data, user profile data, social network data, spatial data, temporal data and topical data in order to identify knowledge data relevant to the identified user and the modified question criteria. The knowledge data is transmitted to the questioning user.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described to protect personal information by decoupling it from user identity. According to specific embodiments, this is accomplished by associating each user with an anonymous token that is decoupled from the user's identity. Personal information (e.g., a user's physical or geographic location) is stored in association with this anonymous token, with no apparent connection to the user. Those allowed to access the personal information—including the owner himself—are granted the ability through a variety of mechanisms to connect the anonymous token back to the owner. The personal information can then be retrieved by locating the data stored in association with the anonymous token in the data store.

Abstract: According to the disclosed subject matter, various embodiments for generating a search results page that provides contextual information to an entity/target site associated with a search result are presented. In response to receiving a search query from a user, a set of search results is obtained. Each search result in the set of search results comprises a hyperlink to content at a target site. From the set of identified search results, a search results page is generated. The generated search results page includes at least one search result that is encoded with data for providing contextual information of the user's current query context to the corresponding target site upon user selection of the at least one search result. The generated search results page is then provided to the user in response to the search query.

Abstract: Content source owners may associate their sites with a user as the user's preferred source. According to the disclosed subject matter, a preference communication is received indicating that an identified content source is to be a preferred source for an identified user. A set of search results is obtained responsive to a search request from the identified user. The set of search results include at least one search result referencing content from the identified content source. The set of search results is rearranged according preferred sources associated with the identified user, including the identified content source, such that the search result referencing content from the identified content source is repositioned within the ordered set of search results to a more prominent position in the rearranged set of search results. A search results page is generated from the rearranged set of search results and returned to the identified user.

Abstract: While some search engines personalize search results for a user, search engines have failed to enable personalization according to a user's explicitly preferred sources of content. According to the disclosed subject matter, a list of preferred sources is maintained for a user. When a search query is received from the user, a set of search results responsive to the query is obtained. From the set search results, one or more search results that correspond to a preferred source are identified. The set of search results is arranged with the one or more search results placed in more prominent positions in the set of search of search results. A search results page is generated according to the arranged set of search results and the generated search results page is returned in response to the user's search query.

Abstract: While some search engines personalize search results for a user, search engines have failed to enable personalization according to a user's explicitly preferred sources of content. According to the disclosed subject matter, a list of preferred sources is maintained for a user as well as a plurality of entities. When a search query is received from the user, a set of search results responsive to the query is obtained. From the set search results, one or more search results that correspond to a preferred source are identified. The set of search results is arranged with the one or more search results placed in more prominent positions in the set of search of search results. A search results page is generated according to the arranged set of search results and the generated search results page is returned in response to the user's search query.

Abstract: Presented in this disclosure are systems and methods for enabling access to content from a preferred source to a computer user is presented. A preferred source is a source of content that a user has identified as being “preferred.” Once a user establishes a source as a preferred source (through a first channel), other channels by which the user can obtain content from the preferred source are identified. In various embodiments, the other channels are automatically enabled for the user or, alternative, presented to the user for opting into receiving the content from that channel.

Abstract: Embodiments for providing a search results page that includes at least one advertisement responsive to a search request are presented. A search request is received from a user. The search request is associated with a query term upon which advertisers have bid. A set of search results is obtained responsive to the search request. Bids from multiple advertisers are identified. Identifying bids from advertisers includes dynamically determining a present bid amount of a first bid according to the position of a search result in the set of search results. After determining the bid value of each bid, a winning bid is selected from the identified bids. A search result page is generated a portion of the search results and the advertisement corresponding to the selected bid. The generated search results page is returned to the user for display responsive to the search request.

Abstract: A method of obtaining access to an Internet service using a multi-step challenge response test is presented. The method calculates a threshold probability for access to the Internet service and generates a number of challenge-response tests. Each of the challenge-response tests is rendered on a display of a client device. An input corresponding to the response to one of the challenge-response tests is received and an authentication probability is calculated after each response. The authentication probability is evaluated after each response and if the authentication probability is higher than the threshold probability access to the Internet service is provided.

Abstract: The present invention is a portable camera and lighting unit for standalone use in videography to create a high-resolution well-illuminated video feed from a vast array of camera angles and positions, the illumination source always inherently tracking with the camera. The unit may also be used as a satellite in combination with a primary video conferencing and production station (VVPR) for multi-camera production and teleconferencing capabilities. The portable camera and lighting unit includes a portable base, a mast extending upward from the base, and an articulating boom that is fully-pivotable and extendable. A remote control Pan-Tilt-Zoom camera is mounted at the end of the boom for overhead images of healthcare procedures, and an adjustable beam light source is mounted directly on the camera for lighting.

Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus and methods for associating a mobile device with a web service or a user account. A unique code is displayed on the mobile device. The unique code is associated with a user account or web service to be utilized with the mobile device. Instructions for a user to enter the unique code in an authentication process via an authentication portal of a management device are also displayed. After it is determined that a user has performed the authentication process, any user identification, which has been associated with the unique code, is then obtained from the management device. The obtained user identification is then stored for use by the mobile device. After user identification has been obtained and stored, the stored user identification is used for the mobile device to participate in an authentication process for authorizing the mobile device to utilize a web service or user account associated with the user identification.