Abstract: A method for enabling services and functionalities across device types and service providers within a communication device includes processing a first device function type, a first service type, and a first cost function from the device, obtaining a first firmware and communicating the first firmware to the communication device for execution, activating a first set of service enabling instructions to enable a first service and a first functionality associated with the first firmware when the first firmware is executed on the communication device, processing a second device function type, a second service type, and a second cost function from the device, obtaining a second firmware to be executed on the device, communicating the second firmware to the device, and activating a second set of service enabling instructions to enable a second service and a second functionality associated with the second firmware when the second firmware is executed on the device.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes a client computing device receiving one or more advertisements for presentation to a user associated with the client computing device. The client computing device selects from among the received advertisements for presentation to the user based on information stored locally on the client computing device and associated with a value of the advertisements with respect to the user. The client computing device then presents to the user one or more of the selected advertisements to the user.

Abstract: A system for securely providing psychometric information is disclosed. The system includes a psychometric information database storing the psychometric information, wherein the psychometric information corresponds to an individual, and wherein the psychometric information is derived from an interaction with the individual. The system includes a validation module configured to validate an entity requesting the psychometric information. The system further includes an authorization module configured to selectively allow usage of a portion of the psychometric information based at least in part on a type of the portion of the psychometric information and at least in part on the interaction from which the portion of the psychometric information was derived.

Abstract: An innovative method for the display of one or more pieces of information on the Web, particularly advertising, includes the steps of: a) Connecting, through the Internet, a processor to a central server; b) Monitoring, through a sentinel programme, possible connection made by the processor to one or more remote servers for operating the download of one or more applications; c) In case of download of an application, sending from the central server to the processor, through the Web, one or more information banners that overlap the banner of the requested download; d) Computing the number of sendings, so as to associate credits to the user on the basis of the received advertising displays.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer readable-media for dynamically constructing personalized contextual video programs include extracting video metadata from a video program, extracting component metadata from video components stored in a media object library, extracting viewer preferences, receiving synchronization information about the video program, identifying a video program segment susceptible to inserting a video component, and transmitting the video component to a playback device and instructions detailing how to insert the video component in the video program segment. Video metadata can be extracted in real time. A viewer profile can be based on demographic information and user behavior. The video program and the video component can be combined before transmitting the video component and instructions to the playback device. A video component can be selected based on which advertiser offers to pay the most.

Abstract: A method of targeted advertisement distribution based on persona data derived from a social network, wherein the social network includes a plurality of content streams, each content stream associated with a user and a user summary. The method includes the steps of receiving an advertisement request from a third party environment with associated content, identifying a content stream that includes a reference to the third party content, identifying a persona based on the user associated with the identified content stream, and serving an advertisement to the third party environment based on the identified persona.

Abstract: A social networking system provides relevant third-party content objects to users by matching user location, interests, and other social information with the content, location, and timing associated with the content objects. Content objects are provided based on relevance scores specific to a user. Relevance scores may be calculated based on the user's previous interactions with content object notifications, or based on interests that are common between the user and his or her connections in the social network. Context search is also provided for a user, wherein a list of search of results is ranked according to the relevance score of content object associated with the search results. Notifications may also be priced and distributed to users based on their relevance. In this way, the system can provide notifications that are relevant to user's interests and current circumstances, increasing the likelihood that they will find content objects of interest.

Abstract: A method of operation of a navigation system includes: generating a notification of an initial offer; identifying a consumer's vacillation to the initial offer; and generating a second notification of the supplemental incentive offer based on the consumer's vacillation for displaying on a device.

Abstract: The systems and methods of the disclosure allow user from various countries to take advantage of offers when they are traveling internationally. Once the purchase associated with the offer is made, the transaction information may be processed by the system, such that, the credit and debit associated with the purchase are transmitted to the transaction account and the merchant. The transaction information may be further processed to determine whether the particular transaction is eligible for a reward. Where the transaction is eligible for a reward, the credit and debit associated with reward are transmitted to the transaction account and the sponsoring entity. The reward may be provided in any suitable currency or in various currencies based on the parameters governing the reward offer.

Abstract: A navigation system comprises a processor, a geographic database and a guidance application executable on the processor. The guidance application obtains data from the geographic database and obtains a photographic image. The guidance application overlays an advertisement route highlight on said photographic image. The advertisement route highlight graphically illustrates a path corresponding to a route and a direction of travel for the route. The advertisement route highlight includes a series of advertisement decals.

Abstract: The present technology is directed to improving the conversion rate of invitational content that is provided to the user of an interactive, content-receiving-and-displaying device. The content of a large number of primary-content sources is analyzed and keyword and/or other context-providing information is extracted from the primary-content sources. The keyword and/or other context-providing information is used to index the primary-content sources into an index according to a hierarchical taxonomy; the hierarchical taxonometric index is used to identify primary-content sources with which a given item of invitational content correlates; and the given item of invitational content is delivered to a user in response to the user accessing a primary-content source with which the given item of invitational content correlates.

Abstract: A context of a mobile device is determined. A context preference of a user associated with the mobile device is determined. The context of the mobile device and the user context preference is transmitted to another node and responsively returned data is received. Available free space in the mobile device is determined. All data whose timestamp is within a predetermined threshold is cached. The data is cached in at least a portion of the free space.

Abstract: Described are methods and apparatuses for dynamic integration and presentation of advertising content and media content. A server computing device receives a request for media content from a remote computing device. The server computing device provides, in response to the request, an interactive advertising unit which includes a first content layer with the requested media content and a media player, a second content layer with the advertising content, wherein the advertising content includes a virtual representation of an advertised product, and an integration module which displays the requested media content in the media player, displays the advertising content in the second content layer, wherein the virtual representation provides at least a portion of the functionality provided by the advertised product on which the virtual representation is based, and receives input associated with the functionality provided by the virtual representation from the remote computing device.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method managing telephonic connections is disclosed. The method includes transmitting from a computer server system, for display on an electronic communication device, an advertisement from an advertiser; receiving from the electronic communication device a request to be connected telephonically with the advertiser; automatically playing a predetermined audio message after connecting telephonically with the advertiser; and connecting the electronic communication device telephonically with the advertiser after playing the predetermined audio message.

Abstract: Media and methods are provided for creating and operating a keyword expression language. Syntax is generated as an abbreviation to represent a list of keywords. The syntax is executed as part of the keyword expression language to provide keywords. The syntax includes tokens that substitute for groups of information. Advertisers generate syntax which is subsequently used by a third-party to match to search queries and ads. The third-party may also generate keywords to match to the search queries and ads. The keywords are used to trigger advertising over the Internet.

Abstract: Methods and systems to publish information associated with products and/or services for sale or auction within a selected private network are described. In some example embodiments, the systems receive product description information associated with an available product or service, identify one or more private networks to which to display the product description information, and publish the product description information within the identified private network or networks.

Abstract: Disclosed is a media information post recommendation method, including: calculating the recommendation index of a media information post according to the degree of matching between the industry to which a customer product belongs and a channel, as well as the target population covered by each media information post; and recommending a media information post to users according to the calculated recommendation index. Accordingly disclosed is a media information post recommendation system. The embodiments of the present disclosure do not rely on human experience to recommend media information posts, so it is possible to achieve systematic media information post recommendation and improve the recommendation efficiency of the media information posts as well as the releasing effect of media information.

Abstract: A commerce system has retailers offering products for sale to consumers. A database is provided including product information corresponding to a plurality of products. A shopping list is provided including a set of the products. The shopping list is evaluated to determine a difference between a budget and a total price of the shopping list. An interface is provided to alter the shopping list or total price of the shopping list based on the difference between the budget and the total price of the shopping list. The commerce system is controlled by displaying the budget and total price with the shopping list to influence purchasing decisions. An individualized offer is presented to reduce the total price of the shopping list. An alternate product is presented to add to the shopping list. A warning is provided to signify that the total price of the shopping list exceeds the budget.

Abstract: A method and system provides a targeted advertisement on a package to be delivered to a recipient. The advertisement is specifically directed towards the recipient of the package. Advertisement information is received from an advertiser that includes one or more advertisements that the advertiser desires to be placed. The advertisement information is associated with advertisement selection criteria. A request for a package to be delivered to the recipient is received. The package has one or more package characteristics, and the recipient has one or more recipient characteristics including at least one location characteristic. The advertisement selection criteria associated with an advertisement are analyzed in conjunction with the package characteristics and recipient characteristics associated with the package and its recipient.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a media processor having a controller to receive from a media communication system metadata describing one or more marketable items depicted in a media program supplied by the media communication system, present images of the media program at a media presentation device without highlighting the one or more marketable items, present an icon at least at one of a remote controller managing operations of the media processor or the media presentation device to indicate a presence of the one or more marketable items in one or more of the images presented at the media presentation device, detect a selection of the icon, and highlight the one or more marketable items. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for displaying advertisements to members of a network comprises identifying one or more communities of members, identifying one or more influencers in the one or more communities, and placing one or more advertisements at the profiles of one or more members in the identified one or more communities.

Abstract: A method is provided for performing targeted ad insertion in over-the-top delivery of content by detecting ad replacement opportunities in a live content stream and preparing the content for seamless replacement with segmented HTTP adaptive streaming delivery. The method includes provisions for multi-stage proxy-based segment replacement for targeted ad delivery. The method provided works transparently with standard HTTP adaptive streaming clients. A system is also specified for implementing a client and server content delivery infrastructure in accordance with the provisions of the method.

Abstract: A conceptual tagging and message matching system and method are provided. In one example, the system and method generate web pages or third party web pages with pieces of content combined with the message.

Abstract: The invention includes a system, apparatus, and method for storing media content within a service provider network. The system includes multi-service servers associated with access points adapted to allow end-user devices to access the service provider network. Each multi-service server includes a common storage partition adapted for storing media content and a plurality of end-user storage partitions adapted for maintaining associations to media content. The system includes media servers that communicate with the multi-service servers for providing media content to the multi-service servers. In response to a request for media content received from one of a plurality of end-user devices, the requested media content stored in the common storage partition is associated with a selected one of the end-user storage partitions associated with the end-user. The request for media content is received in response to end-user directed advertisements received at any of the plurality of end-user devices.

Abstract: A method for integrating television brand advertising with promotional marketing includes providing an image to be displayed in different television commercials for products from different advertisers, the image indicating a website; and providing at the website coupon offers for the products from the different advertisers. The image will alert a viewer of the television commercial that a special coupon offer is available at a website. The viewer will go to the website and be able to select from one or more coupon offers available to consumers in their market area. The consumer then prints the coupons, or adds credit to a coupon card, which is then redeemed at the retailer. The system allows for Point Of Sale (POS) redemption, or more traditional redemption through a coupon clearinghouse.

Abstract: A method and system provides a targeted advertisement on a package to be delivered to a recipient. The advertisement is specifically directed towards the recipient of the package. Advertisement information is received from an advertiser that includes one or more advertisements that the advertiser desires to be placed. The advertisement information is associated with advertisement selection criteria. A request for a package to be delivered to the recipient is received. The package has one or more package characteristics, and the recipient has one or more recipient characteristics including at least one location characteristic. The advertisement selection criteria associated with an advertisement are analyzed in conjunction with the package characteristics and recipient characteristics associated with the package and its recipient.

Abstract: A system for targeting advertising content includes the steps of: (a) receiving respective requests for advertising content corresponding to a plurality of mobile communication facilities operated by a group of users, wherein the plurality includes first and second types of mobile communication facilities with different rendering capabilities; (b) receiving a datum corresponding to the group; (c) selecting from a first and second sponsor respective content based on a relevancy to the datum, wherein each content includes a first and second item requiring respective rendering capabilities; (d) receiving bids from the first and second sponsors; (e) attributing a priority to the content of the first sponsor based upon a determination that a yield associated with the first sponsor is greater than a yield associated with the second sponsor; and (f) transmitting the first and second items of the first sponsor to the first and second types of mobile communication facilities respectively.

Abstract: Requests for content are received, for example, an HTTP request for a web page is received. Each request has a landing context, which may include information about the user sending the request, the request itself, the referrer, or another subject. This information can be found in the requests or external to the requests. The information of the landing context is compared to appropriate triggering criteria. For requests that satisfy the appropriate triggering criteria, a destination is provided based on one or more weighted treatments. The request is directed to the provided destination. The results of the requests are subsequently analyzed and used to adjust the treatments in an automated fashion.

Abstract: There is disclosed a server and local device that interface for selecting advertisements to be viewed by users of an online service based upon user activity. The local device preferably maintains a targeted activity list of activity identifiers and associated advertisements. The local device monitors the activity on the local device and compares the activity to the identifiers in the targeted activity list. If the activity matches one of the identifiers, the local device plays one or more advertisements.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a content object is disclosed with an in-stream ad unit inserted into the content object for a content object player. The content object is audio and/or video. A media services platform (MSP) knows of one or more in-stream slots in the content object where in-stream ad units may be placed. The MSP queries a display ad server (DAS) to specify the in-stream ad unit, however the DAS does not natively support in-stream ad units in this embodiment. The MSP maps one or more in-stream slots in the content object to corresponding display ad locations. The MSP places the in-stream ad unit into the slot of the content object to create a processed content object. The MSP optionally transcodes the processed content object. The processed content object is downloaded or streamed to the content object player.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for dynamically adjusting advertisement (“ad”) time for a multicast channel. In one embodiment, a variable ad insertion function operates to receive one or more multicasts of media content from a core distribution network, insert ad timeslots into the media content, and optionally perform late-binding of ads to the ad timeslots. The media content including the inserted ad timeslots and late-binded ads, if any, is then multicast to associated client devices over a feeder network using corresponding multicast channels. For each multicast channel, insertion of ad timeslots into the associated media content is dynamically controlled based on the number of users currently consuming or predicted to consume the multicast channel, the number of client devices receiving or predicted to receive the multicast channel, or both.

Abstract: A virtual content server and method are provided for virtual content providers to provide multiple items of their virtual to users as part of an ordered virtual content campaign. A provider may define the order for the presentation of the content items, such as a linear sequence or based on a particular logic, e.g., a state transition graph or matrix, and such order information is stored in a campaign database. The server stores information regarding the state of the campaign for a particular user, e.g., how many or which ones of the content items of the ordered campaign have been presented to the user. Additionally, the provider may define certain performable actions with respect to particular states or content items. Actions performed by the user may be detected, and the server may store information regarding performed actions in association with the user id.

Abstract: An apparatus and method use client information to automatically select products appropriate for the client. According to one aspect of the invention, client information, information about the products, ancillary data, and decision criteria pertaining to selection from among the products are stored in a storage device Decision-making logic circuitry use the stored data to select the products. An output device prepares a client communication identifying the selected products and incorporates a portion of the client information and a portion of the product information into the client communication.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a context-based service look up, wherein a service instance, having a scope includes at least one service instance data set having a hierarchy of levels. A service consumer data set, having a hierarchy of levels is received from a service consumer, having a situation. Comparisons are made of each service consumer data set with each service instance data set, for the same level. Dependent on results of the comparisons, it is determined whether said situation of said service consumer matches said scope of said service instance.

Abstract: Data specified by a distributor can be printed in an arrangement similar to that of the display state corresponding to the layout which is viewed by a person, to whom a printed matter is distributed, on the screen of his/her device in use. By specifying a user, i.e., the distribution destination for the printed matter, an information processing system can print the output data for a portlet application in accordance with the layout on the portal screen displayed by the user. In the portal server 102, the user information control section 205 manages the registration status of portlet application on a per-user or per-group basis and the layout information about print data. When a user or a group, i.e., the distribution destination for the printed matter, is specified, the output data for a portlet application is printed in accordance with the layout displayed on the portal screen set in the device used by the specified user, based on user information.

Abstract: An advertisement system includes an advertising manager that receives a content-event indicator, which indicates playback of an advertisement for viewing on a first display screen at a media-playback device or indicates playback of recorded content that includes advertisements. The advertising manager can determine an optimal time offset as a duration of time before or after playback of an advertisement to the start of an event that is associated with the advertisement for viewing on a second display screen at a mobile device. For recorded content, an optimization schedule is determined that replaces and time-shifts advertisements during playback of the recorded content. The advertising manager can also determine a fulfillment criterion for a product or service based on latency constraints to indicate a duration of time within which fulfillment of the product or service is expected when offered as a second advertisement corresponding to a first advertisement.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for various embodiments of an automated campaign generation tool for creating content given one or more sources of data. The campaign generation tool may provide an interface to guide a user through a series of steps by which an automated content generation task is specified and created, such that when the automated content generation task is executed, one or more content objects may be generated in order to be provide to a search engine. By automating the content generation, a user may be able to manage a large and frequently updated source of data.

Abstract: The demand aggregation system includes deal room sponsored by a third party host. The third party host facilitates commercial transactions between a plurality of buyers and at least one seller. In exchange for sponsorship of such a deal room, the third party host can receive an incentive such as a percentage of sales, seller discount or the like. Furthermore, mechanisms are provided to aid discovery of sellers and/or offers that can be included in a group buying event for a buying group. The buying group receives a greater discount as the total purchase amount in the group buying event increases.

Abstract: In one embodiment of a method for generating targeted content, an indication of a geographic position is received from a mobile electronic device. An instance of targeted content is generated based upon the geographic position of the mobile electronic device.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are disclosed for enabling the reconfiguration of services supported by a network of devices. Such reconfiguration can be realized dynamically and in real time without compromising the security of the overall system from external threats or internal malfunctions. These systems, devices and methods may provide a first functional stack supporting a previous version of a specific service and the provisioning of a second functional stack dynamically and in real-time that supports an updated version of the specific service. In addition, an administration function may be included in the embodiment such that the administration function manages and controls the functional stacks and network operations. Using these mechanisms, an existing service can be changed dynamically or a new service can be added dynamically in a secure manner without interruption of other existing services.

Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatuses for generating a user profile of a mobile device user are disclosed. One method includes tracking user stays of the user over time, wherein the user stays include at least one location, and generating the user profile based at least in part on at least one of an arrival time, a time duration or a frequency of visits of the user at each of the user stays. Another method includes determining a current state of a mobile device user. The method includes tracking locations of user stays of the mobile device user over time, and determining a current state of a mobile device user based on user stays within a predetermined time of a present time, wherein the predetermined time is dependent upon an application of the user device or an observed behavior of a user of the user device.

Abstract: A transaction handler receives, for forwarding to a sponsor account's issuer, a coupon authorization request message from a merchant's acquirer that identifies the sponsor account and a coupon for an item being purchased by a consumer in a transaction with the merchant. The issuer determines eligibility of the coupon for use by the consumer, and sends an authorization response message to the merchant via its acquirer and the transaction handler for the application of a corresponding discount for the item when the coupon is eligible. One or more coupon eligibilities for the purchase of the item by the consumer from the merchant can be derived from comparisons of the transaction to predetermined times, geographies, jurisdictions, sets of merchants, and/or the number of times that coupons have been used in other transactions. The transaction handler can further process the transaction for authorization the consumer's account to pay of the transaction.

Abstract: Performing an operation is disclosed. A first keyword is received. For the first keyword an associated semantic group of one or more keywords associated by a semantic relationship is identified. An electronic advertising operation is performed using a second keyword associated with the identified semantic group.

Abstract: An electronic service provides a sample of a media item to a user, along with a prompt. The prompt gives the user the opportunity to receive an additional part of the item substantially without further interaction with the user. The streamlined acquisition of the additional part of the media item is enabled by the user's establishment, in advance, of user identification information, payment information, and so on.

Abstract: Information management techniques for performing private information request are provided. Original information request entered on a personal computing device are obscured by a camouflaging engine. The obscured information request is then submitted to a search engine accessible over the Internet by the device. Subsequently, the search engine will generate search results based on the obscured information request. Upon completion of the search, a filtering engine on the device will filter the obscured search result based on the original entered information request, preferences or personal profile. The output of the filtering engine, reflecting the personalized result for the original information request, can be displayed on the device. The device could also include ways to receive advertisements from the search engine, or a third or an outside advertisement party. An advertisement filtering engine on the device filters the received advertisements and displays the filtered advertisements on the device.

Abstract: A system for targeting advertising content includes the steps of: (a) receiving respective requests for advertising content corresponding to a plurality of mobile communication facilities operated by a group of users, wherein the plurality includes first and second types of mobile communication facilities with different rendering capabilities; (b) receiving a datum corresponding to the group; (c) selecting from a first and second sponsor respective content based on a relevancy to the datum, wherein each content includes a first and second item requiring respective rendering capabilities; (d) receiving bids from the first and second sponsors; (e) attributing a priority to the content of the first sponsor based upon a determination that a yield associated with the first sponsor is greater than a yield associated with the second sponsor; and (f) transmitting the first and second items of the first sponsor to the first and second types of mobile communication facilities respectively.

Abstract: Architecture for presenting advertisements in realtime in retail establishments. A sensor component includes sensors for collecting information about a customer or group of customers as they move through the store. The sensors can include capability for image processing, audio processing, light sensing, velocity sensing, direction sensing, proximity sensing, face recognition, pose recognition, transaction recognition, and biometric sensing, for example. A customer component analyzes the information and generates a profile about the customer. Advertisements are selected for presentation that target the customers as they walk in proximity of a presentation system of the store. An advertisement component facilitates dynamic presentation of a targeted advertisement to the individual as a function of the profile. The customer component can infer information during analysis using machine learning and reasoning.

Abstract: In one example of customizable application functionality activation, a user interface receives a user's interactive input to a functionality activation sequence field, a security component receives a user's interactive input to the functionality activation sequence field on the user interface to unlock functionality for one or more device features, an integration component receives a customized algorithm for revising at least the appearance of the functionality activation sequence field on the user interface to unlock functionality for the one or more device features, and a functionality implementation component implements a customized functionality activation sequence on the user interface.

Abstract: Techniques for generating leads for a company's products and/or services are presented. A message publishing module provides a means for specifying different member-interest buttons to be presented in connection with messages published to the activity or content streams of members of a social network service, where such messages relate to specific products and/or services of a company. The social network service detects which members interact or select the various member-interest buttons, and in connection with which specific products and services. This information is then provided to authorized administrators or representatives of the company, and made available as member-targeting criteria for targeting members with subsequent messages.

Abstract: An advertisement delivery device acquires a value regarding a degree of relevance with content to which advertisement information set to the content is allowed to be delivered when a delivery request of advertisement information to be delivered to content is received, calculates a degree of relevance between the content and the advertisement information, determines whether the calculated degree of relevance is higher than the acquired value regarding the degree of relevance, and delivers the advertisement information as the advertisement information to be delivered to the content when the degree of relevance is determined as being higher than the value regarding the degree of relevance.