Abstract: Apparatus and methods for social media networking using devices configured to communicate in a data communications network where exchanged information is organized according to discussion topics. Users may exchange content with selected members of discussion-topic groups. Initiating comments and replies may be posted to a discussion topic for review by participants. Sub-discussion topics may be defined for discussion topics. A user may further flexibly define active tag and associated arguments for the active tags as a relational or linking structure for a discussion topic. Conventional email messages may be converted and ported into the discussion-topic system.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for sharing electronically rendered information between a plurality of devices over a data communications network with limited used of network data storage is described. Content may be shared automatically between members of a share group, without interactive content-sharing operations being executed by users. The embodiments include content tagging, commenting, searching, and syncing of content. Action metadata messages, that are not viewed by a user of a device, may be sent separately from content portions to notify share-group members of content to be shared. Sharing of content can be accomplished via peer-to-peer links as well as intermediary links, which may execute concurrently.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for social media networking using devices configured to communicate in a data communications network where exchanged information is organized according to discussion topics. Users may exchange content with selected members of discussion-topic groups. Initiating comments and replies may be posted to a discussion topic for review by participants. Sub-discussion topics may be defined for discussion topics. A user may further flexibly define active tag and associated arguments for the active tags as a relational or linking structure for a discussion topic. Conventional email messages may be converted and ported into the discussion-topic system.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for sharing electronically rendered information between a plurality of devices over a data communications network with limited used of network data storage is described. Content may be shared automatically between members of a share group, without interactive content-sharing operations being executed by users. The embodiments include content tagging, commenting, searching, and syncing of content. Action metadata messages, that are not viewed by a user of a device, may be sent separately from content portions to notify share-group members of content to be shared. Sharing of content can be accomplished via peer-to-peer links as well as intermediary links, which may execute concurrently.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for social media networking using devices configured to communicate in a data communications network where exchanged information is organized according to discussion topics. Users may exchange content with selected members of discussion-topic groups. Initiating comments and replies may be posted to a discussion topic for review by participants. Sub-discussion topics may be defined for discussion topics. A user may further flexibly define active tag and associated arguments for the active tags as a relational or linking structure for a discussion topic. Conventional email messages may be converted and ported into the discussion-topic system.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for sharing electronically rendered information between a plurality of devices over a data communications network with limited used of network data storage is described. Content may be shared automatically between members of a share group, without interactive content-sharing operations being executed by users. The embodiments include content tagging, commenting, searching, and syncing of content. Action metadata messages, that are not viewed by a user of a device, may be sent separately from content portions to notify share-group members of content to be shared. Sharing of content can be accomplished via peer-to-peer links as well as intermediary links, which may execute concurrently.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for sharing electronically rendered information between a plurality of devices over a data communications network with limited used of network data storage is described. Content may be shared automatically between members of a share group, without interactive content-sharing operations being executed by users. The embodiments include content tagging, commenting, searching, and syncing of content. Action metadata messages, that are not viewed by a user of a device, may be sent separately from content portions to notify share-group members of content to be shared. Sharing of content can be accomplished via peer-to-peer links as well as intermediary links, which may execute concurrently.

Abstract: A method for hosting a programming environment and processing user input includes the step of receiving, during a first session between a user and an interaction environment, via one of a plurality of media gateways, a definition of an expression type, the definition specifying an expression format and a response type. The definition is stored. During a second session between a second user and the interaction environment, an expression having a semantic structure is received, from a user, via one of a plurality of media gateways. The semantic structure of the expression is evaluated. An expression format of the received expression is identified as the expression format specified by the definition of the expression type, responsive to the evaluation. A response to the expression is generated responsive to an execution of a computer program associated with the response type specified by the definition of the expression type.

Abstract: In a method and system for hosting a programming environment and processing user input within an information retrieval system, a definition of an expression is received from a user, during a first session between the user and an information retrieval system, the definition specifying an expression format, a response type, and a display format. The definition is stored. During a second session between the user and the information retrieval system, an expression having a semantic structure is received. The semantic structure of the expression is evaluated. A response to the expression is displayed to the user in a user interface according to the display format specified by the definition of the expression type.

Abstract: System of correcting misspelled words in input text detects a misspelled word in the input text, determines a list of alternative words for the misspelled word, and ranks the list of alternative words based on a context of the input text. In certain embodiments, finite state machines (FSMs) are utilized in the spelling and grammar correction process, storing one or more lexicon FSMs, each of which represents a set of correctly spelled reference words. Storing the lexicon as one or more FSMs facilitates those embodiments of the invention employing a client-server architecture. The input text to be corrected may also be encoded as a FSM, which includes alternative word(s) for word(s) in need of correction along with associated weights. The invention adjusts the weights by taking into account the grammatical context in which the word appears in the input text.

Abstract: A method for processing user input includes the step of receiving, during a session, via one of a plurality of media gateways, from a user, an expression having a semantic structure. The semantic structure of the expression is evaluated. An expression type is identified, responsive to the evaluation of the semantic structure. Based on the expression type, a response to the expression is generated. A determination is made as to whether to store the received expression, the response, and an identification of the user.

Abstract: A method for processing user input includes the step of receiving, during a first session between a user and an interaction environment, via one of a plurality of media gateways, from the user, a resource including a plurality of predefined markers and at least one expression. An expression type is identified, responsive to an evaluation of the semantic structure and to one of the predefined markers. A determination is made as to whether to store at least one of: an identification of the user and the at least one expression. The resource is displayed in a viewable display format, responsive to a second predefined marker. A second expression is received. An expression type is identified, responsive to an evaluation of a semantic structure of the second expression. Based on the expression type and on the resource received during the first session, a response to the second expression is generated.

Abstract: In a method and system for processing user input, a resource is received during a session between a user and an interaction environment, the resource including predefined markers and a first program executable by a browser, at least one of the predefined markers identifying a display format of at least one interface element in a user interface. A definition specifying a response type is received, the response type identifying a second program for execution upon an interaction with the at least one interface element. During a second session, the user provides an expression and interacts with the at least one interface element. A response to the expression is generated based on an execution of the second computer program identified by the response type. The response is displayed in a user interface including the at least one interface element formatted responsive to at least one of the plurality of predefined markers.

Abstract: A method for hosting a programming environment and processing user input includes the step of receiving, during a first session between a user and an interaction environment, via one of a plurality of media gateways, a definition of an expression type, the definition specifying an expression format and a response type. The definition is stored. During a second session between a second user and the interaction environment, an expression having a semantic structure is received, from a user, via one of a plurality of media gateways. The semantic structure of the expression is evaluated. An expression format of the received expression is identified as the expression format specified by the definition of the expression type, responsive to the evaluation. A response to the expression is generated responsive to an execution of a computer program associated with the response type specified by the definition of the expression type.

Abstract: In a method and system for hosting a programming environment and processing user input within an information retrieval system, a definition of an expression is received from a user, during a first session between the user and an information retrieval system, the definition specifying an expression format, a response type, and a display format. The definition is stored. During a second session between the user and the information retrieval system, an expression having a semantic structure is received. The semantic structure of the expression is evaluated. A response to the expression is displayed to the user in a user interface according to the display format specified by the definition of the expression type.

Abstract: System of correcting misspelled words in input text detects a misspelled word in the input text, determines a list of alternative words for the misspelled word, and ranks the list of alternative words based on a context of the input text. In certain embodiments, finite state machines (FSMs) are utilized in the spelling and grammar correction process, storing one or more lexicon FSMs, each of which represents a set of correctly spelled reference words. Storing the lexicon as one or more FSMs facilitates those embodiments of the invention employing a client-server architecture. The input text to be corrected may also be encoded as a FSM, which includes alternative word(s) for word(s) in need of correction along with associated weights. The invention adjusts the weights by taking into account the grammatical context in which the word appears in the input text.

Abstract: Described are techniques used suggesting alternative terms to an advertiser which are associated with an advertisement. The advertiser issues a request including one or more initial advertisement terms to an advertisement publication system. In response to the request, the advertisement publication system provides a list of suggested alternatives to the one or more initial advertisement terms. The advertiser may select a term from the suggested alternatives to be associated with the advertisement. The term selected affects when the electronic advertisement is displayed to a subsequent user. As part of determining the suggested alternatives, the advertisement publication system: obtains a list of documents including the initial advertisement terms and the categories associated with the documents, ranks the categories, and presents a portion of the categories as the suggested alternatives.

Abstract: A method for processing user input includes the step of receiving, during a first session between a user and an interaction environment, via one of a plurality of media gateways, from the user, a resource including a plurality of predefined markers and at least one expression. An expression type is identified, responsive to an evaluation of the semantic structure and to one of the predefined markers. A determination is made as to whether to store at least one of: an identification of the user and the at least one expression. The resource is displayed in a viewable display format, responsive to a second predefined marker. A second expression is received. An expression type is identified, responsive to an evaluation of a semantic structure of the second expression. Based on the expression type and on the resource received during the first session, a response to the second expression is generated.

Abstract: Information repository and answering system. Memory structure stores computer-executable process steps and information input by a user in plain language. A processor executes the process steps to (1) store the user input information in a repository linked to the user; (2) to retrieve the user input information; and (3) to answer a query input by the user.

Abstract: A method for processing user input includes the step of receiving, during a session, via one of a plurality of media gateways, from a user, an expression having a semantic structure. The semantic structure of the expression is evaluated. An expression type is identified, responsive to the evaluation of the semantic structure. Based on the expression type, a response to the expression is generated. A determination is made as to whether to store the received expression, the response, and an identification of the user.