Abstract: A system, computer-readable storage medium storing at least one program, and computer-implemented method for providing a collection of intention objects to a user. A collection of intention objects is accessed. Each of the intention objects comprises a data structure including a plurality of activity attributes of an intention of the user to undertake an activity. A relevancy rank for each of the collection of intention objects is determined based on the plurality of activity attributes corresponding to each intention object. The relevancy rank may provide a suggested order in which the user undertake each respective activity. One or more intention objects of the collection of intention objects with a relevancy rank above a predefined threshold are identified. A graphical representation of each of the identified intention objects is then presented in a free form spatial user interface.

Abstract: A system, computer-readable storage medium storing at least one program, and computer-implemented method for generating an intention object. Activity data defining activity attributes of an intention of a user to undertake an activity is obtained. The activity attributes may comprise at least one temporal attribute defining a time constraint relating to the activity and at least one contextual attribute identifying a context relating to the activity. One or more content items related to the activity are obtained. An intention object is then generated based on the activity attributes, the intention object comprising a data structure including the activity attributes and the one or more content items. An additional activity attribute is inferred based on the activity attributes and the one or more content items. The intention object is then updated to include the additional activity attribute.

Abstract: A system, computer-readable storage medium storing at least one program, and computer-implemented method for providing scheduling suggestions to a user. A collection of intention objects is accessed. Each of the intention objects is a data structure comprising a plurality of activity attributes of an intention of a user to undertake an activity. Calendar data from a calendar of the user is accessed and an available time slot on the calendar is determined. In response to determining the available time slot, a suggested intention object is selected from the collection of intention objects based on a plurality of activity attributes of the suggested intention object. A scheduling suggestion is then presented to the user. The scheduling suggestion may include a suggestion to schedule an activity associated with the suggested intention object in the available time slot.

Abstract: A method to share challenges between users of a social game system is described. The method may include accessing relationship data reflecting a relationship between a first user and a second user, and accessing challenge data in a challenge database. Based on (1) the challenge data and (2) the relationship between the first user and the second user reflected by the relationship data, the challenge data is selectively communicated as part of a challenge about the first user to the second user, with the challenge forming part of a challenge game.

Abstract: A method to share challenges between users of a social game system is described. The method may include accessing relationship data reflecting a relationship between a first user and a second user, and accessing challenge data in a challenge database. Based on (1) the challenge data and (2) the relationship between the first user and the second user reflected by the relationship data, the challenge data is selectively communicated as part of a challenge about the first user to the second user, with the challenge forming part of a challenge game.

Abstract: Described herein are methods for implementing a calendaring system for managing flexible events. In an embodiment of the present invention, a method is disclosed where an individual's currently calendared events are considered when scheduling a new flexible event. For example, given an individual's many previously scheduled events, a method of the present invention considers the flexibility of the new event to be scheduled to find its appropriate time slots. From the appropriate time slots, the flexible event is then scheduled. In this way, the flexible event need not be scheduled at only one time but can be scheduled as its specified attributes allow. Moreover, as further events are entered the new or pre-existing events with flexible attributes can be re-scheduled toward resolving conflicts.

Abstract: A method to automatically process social media data includes capturing captured data, describing actions and/or context relating a user across multiple social media systems. The captured data is stored within a database. One or more interfaces are provided in order to provide access to the stored captured data. A rules database is configured to store multiple social media rules (e.g., behaviors) that may be associated with a user. A behavior engine is configured to perform autonomous activities, on behalf of a user with respect to multiple social media platforms, based on the social medial rules and/or the captured data.

Abstract: A method to share challenges between users of a social game system is described. The method may include accessing relationship data reflecting a relationship between a first user and a second user, and accessing challenge data in a challenge database. Based on (1) the challenge data and (2) the relationship between the first user and the second user reflected by the relationship data, the challenge data is selectively communicated as part of a challenge about the first user to the second user, with the challenge forming part of a challenge game.

Abstract: A game machine may facilitate a photographic social game. The photographic social game may be played using, for example, camera-enabled devices (e.g., participating devices). The photographic social game may prompt users of camera-enabled devices to take and submit photographs at a particular time (e.g., 5:00 PM GMT or 5:00 PM local time), after occurrence of a particular event (e.g., 5 minutes after waking up), or any suitable combination thereof. These photos may be assembled by the game machine into a presentation that is shared among the users participating in the photographic social game, and one or more of various games may be played by the users based on the presentation.

Abstract: A method to automatically process social media data includes capturing captured data, describing actions and/or context relating a user across multiple social media systems. The captured data is stored within a database. One or more interfaces are provided in order to provide access to the stored captured data. A rules database is configured to store multiple social media rules (e.g., behaviors) that may be associated with a user. A behavior engine is configured to perform autonomous activities, on behalf of a user with respect to multiple social media platforms, based on the social medial rules and/or the captured data.

Abstract: A universal or special-purpose auction system and method are disclosed wherein at least one auction allocation policy is implemented which results in adjusting a bid submitted by a trader or a clearing calculation is modified to incorporate a constraint.

Abstract: Conducting an auction is disclosed. Instructions specifying a market phase for an auction are received. An auction allocation policy is defined based at least in part on the instructions. A first bid is received during the market phase of the auction. The first bid price is automatically adjusted based on the auction allocation policy. A plurality of successful bids is selected after the predetermined termination time.

Abstract: A system and method for managing multilateral negotiations are disclosed. The method generally includes sending a negotiation initiating offer object to a first negotiating party for specifying rules of the negotiation and for forming a negotiation initiating offer including specification of at least one attribute. The method also includes receiving the negotiation initiating offer from the first negotiating party, sending a counter offer object to a second negotiating party for forming a counter offer to the first negotiating party, receiving the counter offer from the second negotiating party, validating the counter offer if the counter offer complies with the rules of the negotiation, and sending the validated counter offer to the first negotiation party to engage the negotiation parties in an active negotiation. The counter offer object is adapted for specification of at least one additional attribute.

Abstract: Managing a concurrent bilateral negotiation is disclosed. A first active negotiation between a first party and a second party is facilitated. A second active negotiation between the first party and a third party is facilitated. An indication of an acceptable negotiation associated with the first active negotiation is received. A message is sent to the third party to submit a final multi-attribute offer.

Abstract: A system and method for managing multilateral negotiations are disclosed. The method generally includes sending a negotiation initiating offer object to a first negotiating party for specifying rules of the negotiation and for forming a negotiation initiating offer including specification of at least one attribute. The method also includes receiving the negotiation initiating offer from the first negotiating party, sending a counter offer object to a second negotiating party for forming a counter offer to the first negotiating party, receiving the counter offer from the second negotiating party, validating the counter offer if the counter offer complies with the rules of the negotiation, and sending the validated counter offer to the first negotiation party to engage the negotiation parties in an active negotiation. The counter offer object is adapted for specification of at least one additional attribute.

Abstract: An auction system and method for suitable use with online transactions which provide a plurality of enhanced auctions is disclosed. The present invention extends, augments or otherwise enhances various auction elements including, for example, the selection of participants, the grouping of participants, the moves made by participants, the bidding process of participants, the information revelation process, the auction closing process, and the auction clearing process, among others. In addition, enhanced auction modules may be used separately or together during the auction process.

Abstract: An auction system and method for suitable for use with online transactions which provide a plurality of enhanced auctions is disclosed. The present invention extends, augments or otherwise enhances various auction elements including, for example, the selection of participants, the grouping of participants, the moves made by participants, the bidding process of participants, the information revelation process, the auction closing process, and the auction clearing process, among others. In addition, enhanced auction modules may be used separately or together during the auction process.

Abstract: An auction system and method for suitable for use with online transactions which provides a plurality of enhanced auctions is disclosed. The present invention extends, augments or otherwise enhances various auction elements including, for example, temporal negotiations, bundled-based auctions, tournament auctions, team auctions, conversion auctions, and bargain market auctions among others. In addition, the enhanced auction modules may be used separately or together during the auction process.

Abstract: An enhanced system and method for carrying out online transactions and auctions using a “shopping games” mechanism module is disclosed. The shopping games system provides for a mechanism scheme allowing “game moves” as well as bidding and message exchanging moves. The participants of the system may engage in game play in conjunction with an auction process, wherein the game play affects the auction process to provide a entertaining and amusing environment for participants to carry out online transactions without limiting the participants to traditional auction “moves”.

Abstract: A method of providing interactive online communication through a network comprising creating a population from a plurality of network participants in which the said participants are operatively coupled to participate in a game, then selecting a sub-population from the population based upon some pre-selected criteria, inviting the population to said game and receiving a confirmation from said sub-population.