Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for generating a video stream preview. One of the methods includes receiving, from a user device, a request for a video stream preview. A payload of data is transmitted from a session system to the user device over a network. A first measure of network transmission quality is determined based on a result of transmitting the payload to the user device over the network from the session system. A second measure of network transmission quality is determined for data transmitted over the network from a session host to the session system. A video stream preview is generated from an example video stream obtained from the user device by degrading the quality of the example video stream according to the first measure of network transmission quality and the second measure of network transmission quality. The video stream preview is displayed on the user device.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for generating a video stream preview. One of the methods includes receiving, from a user device, a request for a video stream preview. A payload of data is transmitted from a session system to the user device over a network. A first measure of network transmission quality is determined based on a result of transmitting the payload to the user device over the network from the session system. A second measure of network transmission quality is determined for data transmitted over the network from a session host to the session system. A video stream preview is generated from an example video stream obtained from the user device by degrading the quality of the example video stream according to the first measure of network transmission quality and the second measure of network transmission quality. The video stream preview is displayed on the user device.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for generating a video stream preview. One of the methods includes receiving, from a user device, a request for a video stream preview. A payload of data is transmitted from a session system to the user device over a network. A first measure of network transmission quality is determined based on a result of transmitting the payload to the user device over the network from the session system. A second measure of network transmission quality is determined for data transmitted over the network from a session host to the session system. A video stream preview is generated from an example video stream obtained from the user device by degrading the quality of the example video stream according to the first measure of network transmission quality and the second measure of network transmission quality. The video stream preview is displayed on the user device.

Abstract: A user provides an annotation, such as text or graphics, in relation to a resource available on a computer network. The annotation is automatically stored and/or retrieved without requiring separate action from the user to accomplish the storage or retrieval. An annotation interface may receive the annotation from the user. The annotation is then stored in association with the user and the network address of the resource. The user's annotation may be later retrieved and displayed to the user based on the network address of the resource. In one specific embodiment, a browser toolbar receives and displays user annotations associated with Web sites or Web pages to which the user has navigated. Preferably, the annotation interface remains available to the user throughout the time in which the resource is provided. Further controls may enable the user to make an annotation publicly available to others, and to receive annotations from others.

Abstract: A user provides an annotation, such as text or graphics, in relation to a resource available on a computer network. The annotation is automatically stored and/or retrieved without requiring separate action from the user to accomplish the storage or retrieval. An annotation interface may receive the annotation from the user. The annotation is then stored in association with the user and the network address of the resource. The user's annotation may be later retrieved and displayed to the user based on the network address of the resource. In one specific embodiment, a browser toolbar receives and displays user annotations associated with Web sites or Web pages to which the user has navigated. Preferably, the annotation interface remains available to the user throughout the time in which the resource is provided. Further controls may enable the user to make an annotation publicly available to others, and to receive annotations from others.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for generating a video stream preview. One of the methods includes receiving, from a user device, a request for a video stream preview. A payload of data is transmitted from a session system to the user device over a network. A first measure of network transmission quality is determined based on a result of transmitting the payload to the user device over the network from the session system. A second measure of network transmission quality is determined for data transmitted over the network from a session host to the session system. A video stream preview is generated from an example video stream obtained from the user device by degrading the quality of the example video stream according to the first measure of network transmission quality and the second measure of network transmission quality. The video stream preview is displayed on the user device.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for generating a video stream preview. One of the methods includes receiving, from a user device, a request for a video stream preview. A payload of data is transmitted from a session system to the user device over a network. A first measure of network transmission quality is determined based on a result of transmitting the payload to the user device over the network from the session system. A second measure of network transmission quality is determined for data transmitted over the network from a session host to the session system. A video stream preview is generated from an example video stream obtained from the user device by degrading the quality of the example video stream according to the first measure of network transmission quality and the second measure of network transmission quality. The video stream preview is displayed on the user device.

Abstract: A user provides an annotation, such as text or graphics, in relation to a resource available on a computer network. The annotation is automatically stored and/or retrieved without requiring separate action from the user to accomplish the storage or retrieval. An annotation interface may receive the annotation from the user. The annotation is then stored in association with the user and the network address of the resource. The user's annotation may be later retrieved and displayed to the user based on the network address of the resource. In one specific embodiment, a browser toolbar receives and displays user annotations associated with Web sites or Web pages to which the user has navigated. Preferably, the annotation interface remains available to the user throughout the time in which the resource is provided. Further controls may enable the user to make an annotation publicly available to others, and to receive annotations from others.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for conducting user studies. One of the methods includes receiving a user study session request from a sponsor, wherein the user study session request identifies a product and one or more criteria. Session volunteer data identifying one or more available session volunteers having access to the product and one or more attributes is received. A session volunteer that satisfies the user study session request is determined, including matching the one or more attributes of the session volunteer to the one or more criteria of the session request. A session between the sponsor and the session volunteer is initiated.

Abstract: An advertising database method and system provides an advertisement database service which is accessible to website publishers. Advertisement selection information may be received from a publisher of a website, and advertisements may be selected from an advertisement database in accordance with the selection information. The advertisement is provided to the website publisher for display on the website of the publisher. An endorsement of the advertisement by the publisher or by another user may be retrieved from the database and published with the advertisement.

Abstract: A method and system is described to facilitate variable pricing for electronically viewable content. Consumers pay different amounts to view portions of electronically viewable content obtained from a work, where the amount paid may be based on a characteristic of the work (e.g., the genre or publisher), the consumer's past viewing behavior or purchases, including the portions of content (e.g., the number of pages or chapters) previously viewed from the same or other work, or the number or amount of purchases made of other works or products, or the aggregated viewing behavior or purchases of a number of consumers.

Abstract: A user provides an annotation, such as text or graphics, in relation to a resource available on a computer network. The annotation is automatically stored and/or retrieved without requiring separate action from the user to accomplish the storage or retrieval. An annotation interface may receive the annotation from the user. The annotation is then stored in association with the user and the network address of the resource. The user's annotation may be later retrieved and displayed to the user based on the network address of the resource. In one specific embodiment, a browser toolbar receives and displays user annotations associated with Web sites or Web pages to which the user has navigated. Preferably, the annotation interface remains available to the user throughout the time in which the resource is provided. Further controls may enable the user to make an annotation publicly available to others, and to receive annotations from others.

Abstract: A system is provided for providing location-specific images to a mobile device for display. The system generally comprises three components: a mobile device having a screen, a position identification system (e.g., a GPS receiver) that determines the position of the mobile device, and a database containing location-specific images taken at various locations. Each location-specific image is associated with geographic coordinates of the location at which the image was taken. Based on the position of the mobile device as determined by the position identification system, a location-specific image is selected from the database and displayed on the screen of the mobile device. For example, when a user is using the mobile device as a car navigation system, a location-specific image of the user's destination location can be selected and displayed when the determined position of the mobile device comes within a certain distance from the geographic coordinates of the destination location.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for pausing interactive sessions. One of the methods includes initiating a live interactive session between a first user and a second user over a data communication network; during the interactive session, determining that the quality of the interactive session has become unacceptable to the first user; pausing the interactive session; while the session is paused, recording a segment of video captured by a user device of the second user; and providing the segment of video for presentation to a user device of the first user with acceptable quality.

Abstract: A device includes a case for holding a mobile computer against a user's body so that a camera of the mobile computer faces away from the user's body. The device includes a wedge assembly, including a hinge and a wedge piece for contacting the user's body. The mobile computer can cause the wedge piece to rotate about the hinge, thereby positioning the case to an angle with respect to the user's body.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for providing local expert sessions. In one aspect, a method includes receiving a request to initiate a local expert session from a user; identifying available local experts in response to the request, wherein a local expert is a user who has registered to offer local expert sessions in a geographic location relevant to the physical location of the user; selecting an available local expert; and initiating a local expert session between the user and the selected local expert, wherein initiating the local expert session comprises providing video captured by a session accessory worn by the user to a user device for presentation to the selected local expert and establishing communication between the user and the selected local expert.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for wearable camera systems. In one aspect, a hat and a camera system for the hat can be used for an interactive session with a remote user. In another aspect, the hat and camera system for the hat can be used to interact with an emergency situation routing system.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method and system for generating an online listing, such as a yellow pages listing, that includes information about an object, such as a business, and also includes at least one image of the structure containing the object. For example, the image may be a digital image of the store front of a business taken at a street view. Additionally, a user may select an image from a plurality of images that the user perceives as being an appropriate representative image for the business. Based on votes received a default representative image may be identified that is provided in response to a request for information about the business.

Abstract: A user provides an annotation, such as text or graphics, in relation to a resource available on a computer network. The annotation is automatically stored and/or retrieved without requiring separate action from the user to accomplish the storage or retrieval. An annotation interface may receive the annotation from the user. The annotation is then stored in association with the user and the network address of the resource. The user's annotation may be later retrieved and displayed to the user based on the network address of the resource. In one specific embodiment, a browser toolbar receives and displays user annotations associated with Web sites or Web pages to which the user has navigated. Preferably, the annotation interface remains available to the user throughout the time in which the resource is provided. Further controls may enable the user to make an annotation publicly available to others, and to receive annotations from others.

Abstract: A system is provided for providing location-specific images to a mobile device for display. The system generally comprises three components: a mobile device having a screen, a position identification system (e.g., a GPS receiver) that determines the position of the mobile device, and a database containing location-specific images taken at various locations. Each location-specific image is associated with geographic coordinates of the location at which the image was taken. Based on the position of the mobile device as determined by the position identification system, a location-specific image is selected from the database and displayed on the screen of the mobile device. For example, when a user is using the mobile device as a car navigation system, a location-specific image of the user's destination location can be selected and displayed when the determined position of the mobile device comes within a certain distance from the geographic coordinates of the destination location.