Abstract: A social networking system identifies a user's relative preference for objects maintained by the social networking system, such as pages associated with movies, restaurants, businesses, or other content. To obtain the user's preferences, the system provides pairs, or groups, of objects to a user and prompts the user to indicate a preference between the objects in each pair. This obtained information about the user's relative preferences is stored in conjunction with the user's profile, which can then be used to select content subsequently presented to the user.

Abstract: Techniques are described herein for, among other things, providing relevant offers to group(s) of users in a social networking system. The offers may specify discounted prices (a.k.a. discounted offers) for good(s) and/or service(s). Each of the offers may be represented as a coupon, a gift certificate, etc. Users having at least one first attribute in common are assigned to a group. A measure of compatibility between the users in the group and each of a plurality of offers is determined. Each measure of compatibility may be determined by comparing at least one second attribute of the users in the group and at least one third attribute of the respective offer. The offer that has a highest measure of compatibility among the plurality of offers is deemed to be the most relevant offer for the group of users and is presented to the users (or a subset thereof) in the group.

Abstract: A social networking system associates one or more objects in the social networking system with a link to content external to the social networking system. This allows information about the object to be used as a proxy for information about the external content. An index associating objects in the social networking system with links to content external to the social networking system is maintained. A received link to external content are parsed into components, such as a domain name, a path, and a query string, and the components are compared to the index to identify an object associated with one or more of the comments of the received link. One or more rules may be applied to increase the likelihood of the identified object having similar subject matter as the external content.

Abstract: Systems and methods can enable individuals to become highly informed consumers with regard to their purchases, including directly at the point of purchase, and can allow them to fully assert their powers of consumer choice on each product or service purchase they consider. Various embodiments also enable consumers to provide individual companies and entire industries direct and clear feedback on why consumers purchased certain products or services and avoided others. Additionally, various embodiments may enable consumers with similar purchase decision criteria to consolidate and summarize their feedback without ever having to organize, meet each other, or interact in any way. Companies can be presented with organized and structured data from regarding consumers' purchasing decisions.

Abstract: A method of operating a video services system is presented here. The method presents an audiovisual stream to a user of a video services receiver. The audiovisual stream includes a first segment of primary audiovisual content, a second segment of primary audiovisual content, and a segment of secondary audiovisual content between the first segment of primary audiovisual content and the second segment of primary audiovisual content. The method continues by detecting presentation of the segment of secondary audiovisual content, obtaining a segment of audiovisual exercise content at the video services receiver, and presenting the segment of audiovisual exercise content concurrently with the segment of secondary audiovisual content.

Abstract: Methods and systems for indexing, storing, recalling and displaying social network user profiles, event calendar postings and user feed postings are described. A single, discrete set of keywords, can be utilized and assigned to both user profiles and postings and can operate as a method of indexing. The assignment of these keywords may allow users to control the display of calendar and feed content by matching assigned posting keywords to assigned profile keywords via a matching algorithm. Matched event-related postings may also be automatically displayed in a user's calendar. Searches of profiles and postings may also be performed by constructing queries using the same set of discrete keywords attached to profiles and postings. Users may have the ability to control the display of specific profile information and postings via privacy settings, which utilize unique methods of tracking relationship segmentation and social distance.

Abstract: Disclosed is a broadcast advertisement service system based on media ID matching, including: a broadcast-contents receiving terminal for receiving broadcast contents from a broadcasting system for a TV broadcaster and displaying the broadcast contents; a server for an AR advertisement broadcaster for receiving the broadcast contents from the broadcasting system for the TV broadcaster, generating a first media ID lookup table from the broadcast contents, and searching for AR advertisement data linked with on-air broadcast contents by referring to the first media ID lookup table; and a user terminal for acquiring the on-air broadcast contents in real time from the broadcast-contents receiving terminal, generating a second media ID lookup table from the acquired on-air broadcast contents, receiving the AR advertisement data linked with the on-air broadcast contents from the server for the AR advertisement broadcaster, and mixing and displaying the acquired on-air broadcast contents and the received AR advertisem

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for advertising through a social network by immersion of participants in a sponsored mobile game. A game application for the sponsored game is developed on a server and deployed on consumer devices connected to the server. The game application, operating on a smart phone, utilizes onboard GPS and camera subsystems to carry out and facilitate the game functions. A dashboard is provided for designing the game around an advertising campaign. The game application is syndicated and shared through a consumer's social media community. The game is tracked by the server. Game information and rewards are delivered to participants during and after the game. In one aspect, the game involves a participant gathering digital permits prior to and during the game which are used to complete a tagging event with other participants. Rewards such as redeemable coupons are based on actions at sponsor locations.

Abstract: An information portal and method is provided. The portal comprises a computing apparatus that stores user information, the computing apparatus being connected to a data network, and a plurality of user accounts stored in computing apparatus memory and accessible through the data network, each user account being linked to a corresponding user's information. The computing apparatus supports an interface that facilitates user interaction with the information portal, the interface enabling users to enter their own user information and assign a disclosure rule to individual information entries comprising the user information, and the computing apparatus applies the disclosure rules to govern access by third parties to the user information.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of receiving an audio stream containing user speech from a first device, generating text based on the user speech, identifying a key phrase in the text, receiving from an advertiser an advertisement related to the identified key phrase, and displaying the advertisement. The method can include receiving from an advertiser a set of rules associated with the advertisement and displaying the advertisement in accordance with the associated set of rules. The method can display the advertisement on one or both of a first device and a second device. A central server can generate text based on the speech. A key phrase in the text can be identified based on a confidence score threshold. The advertisement can be displayed after the audio stream terminates.

Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus and methods for apparatus and methods for pricing on-line advertisement inventory. In one embodiment, a method for pricing on-line advertisement inventory includes (i) receiving a request for a price of a new product, wherein the new product includes a plurality of specified characteristics of a type of on-line advertisement display, (ii) providing a sample of new impressions that are predicted to be delivered for such new product, (iii) for each new impression, determining which bookings could be served by such new impression so as to define a set of overlapping bookings, (iv) determining the price of each new impression based on a weighted average of a plurality of prices of such each new impression's corresponding overlapping bookings, (v) determining the price of the new product based on an average of the prices of the new impressions, and (vi) returning the price of the new product for use in a booking negotiation with a potential buyer of such new product.

Abstract: A method of providing coupons for shopping includes storing a shopping list in an electronic device including items for purchase via a merchant, storing electronic representations of coupons in the electronic device and associating the electronic representations of coupons with items included in the shopping list.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for transferring a behavior profile anonymously across multiple domains. The behavior profile may be established from a first domain, but transferred anonymously such that it is accessible by other domains. The behavior profile may be used for generating targeted advertisements.

Abstract: A system for tethering a plurality of avatars to a user on a social networking website having a first avatar association to the user accessing the social networking site which is held in a database, and a second avatar association to the same user. The first avatar association connects the user to an avatar image that the user wishes to project, and the second avatar association connects the user to a third party advertiser that has its own avatar. Optionally, the user has a third avatar association connecting the user to the avatar of the website sponsor. A webserver generates web pages for the social networking website in response to a remote PC's request and, relying upon the stated avatar associations, delivers a webpage having the two or three avatars adjacent to a one another and adjacent to a communicative activity of the first user on the social network website.

Abstract: An electronic device with one or more processors, memory, and a display obtains, from a server, a software recommendation notification, where the software recommendation notification at least comprises a name of recommended software. The device also displays, on the display, the software recommendation notification in a notification bar, where the notification bar is in a peripheral region of the display. The device: detects a first user interaction with the software recommendation notification; and upon detecting the first user interaction with the software recommendation notification, displays descriptive information corresponding to the recommended software.

Abstract: A social networking system determines social statistics for users of the social networking system, where the social statistics are based on connections associated with the users by the social networking system. The social statistics may include aggregations of custom connections with an object in the social networking specified by entity third party system. Connections having a particular connection type are aggregated, and the aggregated connections are used to derive a social statistic. Social statistics may then be used as targeting criteria for an advertisement and/or as content included in the advertisement.

Abstract: A social networking system may infer interests based on extracted topics from content items on the social networking system. A user's comments and page likes in a social networking system are used to infer topics in which the user is interested. Topics may also be automatically extracted from users' posts, and the extracted topics may be generalized using a category tree to identify additional topics for the user. The social networking system may target content such as advertisements to users based on these extracted topics. For example, the social networking system may boost stories related to the extracted topics in the user's content feeds, append stories about the extracted topics to advertisements that are also related to the topics, append advertisements to stories about the extracted topics, or use the extracted topics as targeting criteria for an advertisement.

Abstract: Some of the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method comprising performing, by a peripheral device, an image translation operation on an image; in response to performing the image translation operation on the image, detecting, by the peripheral device, an attribute associated with the image; transmitting, by the peripheral device, the attribute to a server over a network; in response to transmitting the attribute to the server over the network, receiving, by the peripheral device, an advertisement that is generated based on the attribute; and providing, by the peripheral device, the advertisement to a user of the peripheral device.

Abstract: A method and system for deriving a consumer's shopping habits includes a process for deriving a consumer's shopping habits whereby data representing financial transactions conducted by a given consumer using one of more payment methods is obtained. Payee identification data for the payees associated with the financial transactions is then obtained/derived from the financial transactions data. The payees' identification data is then analyzed to determine each payee's geographic location. The data representing the geographic location of the various payees is then aggregated, mapped, and analyzed to derive a geographical shopping area for the consumer, i.e., to determine where the consumer does a significant amount of his or her shopping.

Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatus, computer program code, and means for receiving a search request from a user operating a wireless device, determining at least one of a location and a desired search location of the user, determining a search response based on a user profile and the at least one of a location and a desired search location, and transmitting a response to the wireless device. In some embodiments, the response includes at least one of an offer and a display sequence selected based at least in part on the user profile.

Abstract: A search technology generates recommendations with minimal user data and participation, and provides better interpretation of user data, such as popularity, thus obtaining breadth and quality in recommendations. It is sensitive to the semantic content of natural language terms taken from user profiles at social networking and online dating applications and blogs. The profiles and blogs can include interests, eccentricities, age, gender, and location information associated with the user. The interest information can include music, movies, sports and personality traits. Based on the user's profile information, the system determines which ad from a stock of ads is best suited to a given profile and delivers that ad. The system can enable advertisers to create and manage online advertising campaigns using a campaign manager in which they attach descriptions to ads in their inventory, thereby generating a profile for each ad which is then compared to the profiles in the target online environment.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for creating a digital consumer profile that may be dynamically and transiently generated, drawing upon attribute data that is available at time of the digital consumer profile creation. The digital consumer profile may further provide for dynamic and transient generations of a plurality of user profiles to fit definitions and use cases not anticipated at the outset of targeting or attribution efforts and attribute data collection. Regulatory conditions, privacy policies, enterprise rules and the like may determine, at least in part, the collection, analysis, and auditing of attribute data, and the merging of such data to form aliases that may be associated with consumers. The digital consumer service may comprise binding expression syntax to dynamically, and transiently, identify profiles to give flexibility and extensibility beyond having a flat match table.

Abstract: Methods and systems to identify a user across multiple browsers and machines are described. In some embodiments, a web request is received at a retrieval service from a browser. The web request may include a request to access a retrieval service website of the retrieval service and may be initiated by a redirection of the browser from a requesting service to the retrieval service. A unique identifier associated with a user logged in to an account of the retrieval service may be determined. The user may be logged in to the account via the browser. A redirect request is sent from the retrieval service to the browser. The redirect may include the unique identifier and may redirect the browser from the retrieval service website to the requesting service. The unique identifier may be used by the requesting service to perform additional functionality specific to the user.

Abstract: A server includes a communicating unit, a storage unit, and a control unit. The communicating unit communicates with a plurality of clients and a plurality of streetlights, receives advertisements from the plurality of clients, and information of a user's personal consumption preference sent by and from each of the streetlights. The storage unit stores the advertisements provided by the plurality of clients. The control unit obtains the advertisements from the storage unit according to the information of the user's personal consumption preference transmitted by and from a streetlight, and controls the communicating unit to transmit the obtained advertisements to the streetlight. A related system is also provided.

Abstract: A method and system for displaying relevant advertisements based on characteristic tags. The method includes displaying an article on a webpage for a first user. The method also includes receiving, from the first user, a recommendation of the article for a second user. The method further includes enabling characteristic tagging of the second user to a category associated with the article. Further, the method includes creating a characteristic map for the second user based on one or more characteristic tags. Moreover, the method rendering a relevant advertisement to the second user along with the recommendation based on the characteristic map. The system includes a plurality of electronic devices, a communication interface, a memory, and a processor.

Abstract: Method and device for: receiving station identified content data, receiving a request for synchronized content from a user device, identifying station identified content identifiers in the station identified content data, identifying and retrieving content associated with the identifiers from an external repository, synchronizing retrieved content with station identified content data, and sending synchronized content to the user device.

Abstract: A system for identifying a same user of multiple communication devices is configured to perform the steps of: (a) receiving first data relating to a first device operated by a user; (b) receiving second data relating to a second device operated by a user; (c) determining that the user of the first device is the user of the second device based on identifying that the first data is substantially the same as the second data; and (d) selecting and transmitting a sponsored content to the second device for display thereon, wherein the sponsored content has a relevance to the first and second data and/or a user characteristic datum associated with the user.

Abstract: A system for distributing messages to consumers. A consumer may opt-in to receive messages by sending a text message with a keyword to an aggregator. The aggregator is a message distributor and the opt-in message opts in for a particular advertiser and other advertisers. The advertiser may send messages to the consumer and other consumers who specifically opt in for the advertiser. Other advertisers may send messages to the consumer if sufficiently nearby or related to the advertiser, or if sharing a consumer cloud of the advertiser. The advertisers may manage all messages using a mobile or other interface. Messages are sent for a fee. A portion of the fee is remitted to charitable organizations identified for such purpose by recipient consumers receiving the messages. Messages sent by advertisers may include text messages, emails or instant messages.

Abstract: A method includes monitoring an activity stream to identify actions that match stored sponsored story specifications, for providing one or more sponsored stories to a viewing user. The sponsored story specifications include a visual specification for the sponsored story, and matched sponsored stories are ranked for a viewing user. Users can set privacy preferences related to sponsored stories. The ranking and privacy settings contribute to which sponsored stories are provided for display to the viewing user.

Abstract: A system and method for remote acquisition and delivery of goods provides for potential customers, having computers in communication via the internet, to be able to contact an agent for the purchase and potential delivery of one or more goods for the customers. An agent is able to contact an original or secondary customers, which could be friends, family, co-workers or the like, through either a social or business network to inquire about obtaining goods on behalf of the customers. In any case, the agent provides the customer with at least real-time image data to assure the exact good desired by the customer is acquired.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for representing fitting of clothing for a plurality of users. At least one database is accessed that includes at least personal size information representing measurements respectively associated with at least one person. Clothing information is received that represents at least one of the plurality of articles of clothing. The received clothing information is processed to associate the clothing information with at least some of the personal size information associated with one of the plurality of persons. Thereafter, a value is determined, as a function of the processed clothing information, that represents the fit of the one of the articles of clothing with at least one person. Information associated with the information is displayed.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for populating a product recommendation list can include identifying a first set of products using customer data and a second set of products using social network data, identifying a third set of products, wherein the third set of products includes products in the second set of products and not in the first set of products, calculating a product score for each product in the second set of products, and populating the product recommendation list of the customer with a subset of the first set of products and a subset of the third set of products based on the calculated product scores.

Abstract: A consumer oriented method and system for product preference management is disclosed where the consumer explicitly communicates product preferences and reasoning for such preferences allowing marketers, advertisers, distributors and manufacturers to directly understand said consumer desires. The data provided by such system being invaluable to marketers, advertisers, distributors and manufacturers allows them to modify their products to make them more attractive to the specific tastes of the consumer and to build consumer loyalty. The preference management system allows, if a consumer desires, to filter undesired advertising communication from the other parties.

Abstract: Systems and methods personalize interaction between an intermediary system, a plurality of consumers, and a plurality of third party providers of products and services. For each consumer, a plurality of personalized value propositions may be generated for various products and/or services. The value propositions have personalized terms such that the same good or service offered to one consumer may be offered on different terms to another consumer. The system may generate a list of personalized value propositions for each consumer corresponding to various products and/or services to promote to that consumer. When a consumer interacts with the intermediary system, one value proposition from the list may be selected for presentation. In other embodiments, a plurality of value propositions from the list may be selected for presentation to a consumer as a package.

Abstract: Systems and methods for dynamic customization of advertising content are described. In some implementations, a process may include providing at least one selection signal indicative of a viewer preference, receiving a dynamically customized audio-visual content including a dynamically customized advertising content portion having at least one revised content portion customized in accordance with the at least one selection signal, and displaying the dynamically-customized audio-visual content.

Abstract: Various embodiments in this disclosure describe a method and a system for including advertisements in streaming content. For example, a manifest file may be accessed by a client device from a server device via a network, the manifest file including one or more media segment URLs and one or more advertisement markers arranged in a predetermined sequence. The advertisement markers included in the manifest file may be replaced by the client device with advertisement URLs associated with user-customized advertisements. The media segment URLs and the advertisement URLs included in the manifest file may then be sequentially accessed in accordance with the predetermined sequence.

Abstract: In one aspect, a database in which target subscribers of different subscriber classes that can be reached via a communications system are allocated, and one respective marketer is assigned to each of the subscriber classes. When the communications system establishes a first communications relation between a first subscriber and a target subscriber while using a destination address given by the first subscriber, the subscriber class of the target subscriber is determined based on the destination address. The determination of the subscriber class results in the establishment of a second communications relation between the first subscriber and a marketer assigned to the determined subscriber class.

Abstract: The method and system for dynamic font support on a mobile communication device is disclosed herein. The present invention determines if a mobile communication device such as a mobile phone can properly render a digital communication from an enterprise using the native language of the mobile communication device. If not, the invention will render the digital communication at a server and transmit a raster equivalent to the mobile communication device.

Abstract: A system for product promotion made up of an administrator subsystem that provides input by way of various modules, an agent subsystem that provides input by way of various modules, and a customer subsystem that provides input by way of various modules where the product promotion output is determined by the modules of the three subsystems and data provided to or generated from the system is stored on a non-transitory computer readable medium.

Abstract: A system may include a signage controller configured to control digital signage (e.g., at least one digital display). In one embodiment, the signage controller may collect and compile demographic information and feedback from mobile devices via close-proximity or short-range communication prior to providing it to cloud resources. The cloud resources may then determine content and mobile content based on the demographic information and feedback. At least the content may be provided to the signage controller, which may cause the digital signage to display some of the content (e.g., at least one advertisement). The mobile content may be pushed to the mobile devices, and may cause the mobile devices to display information and/or provide functionality related to the displayed content. In one embodiment, statistics (e.g., at least one of offer availability or offer acceptance statistics corresponding to the at least one advertisement) may also be displayed on the digital signage.

Abstract: To promote a merchant's products on a social networking system, a promotion engine receives data from a merchant site regarding the merchant site's users' activities. The users' purchases of a promoted product are correlated with the user's activities performed in connection with a related product. An automated process running on a computer system then determines promotion criteria for the promoted product, based at least in part on the activities performed in connection with the related product. A promotion for the promoted product is generated and communicated to a social networking system, which displays the promotion to one or more users of the social networking system based on the determined promotion criteria.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods allow for revenue sharing between data providers and web page publishers. In one aspect, a computer-implemented method includes: receiving a request for alternative content based on a request for content; receiving user identifier data from at least one data provider; selecting at least one first alternative content from a first pool of alternative content that is contextually related to the requested content; determining a first cost of the at least one first alternative content; selecting, by at least one processing circuit, at least one second alternative content from the first pool, and from the second pool of alternative content that is related to the user identifier data; determining a second cost of the at least one second alternative content; and determining a pricing value of the user identifier data based on a difference between the second and the first costs.

Abstract: The determination of similarities between users in an online entertainment environment is disclosed. For example, one disclosed embodiment comprises a method of operating an entertainment server, wherein the method includes receiving user information that comprises user demographic information and user media selection information from each user of a plurality of users. For a current user, a plurality of similarity values are determined that each quantifies a similarity of the current user to another user based upon similarities between the user information of the current user and the user information of the other user. Then, the method comprises determining a list of other users to present to the current user based upon the similarity values determined, and sending the list of other users to the current user.

Abstract: Computer implemented methods and systems are provided for intelligent advertisement selection from multiple sources. A request for a content page is received from a device. An advertisement source is selected from a plurality of advertisement sources based on an advertisement source request from a content provider. The content page is generated based on the selection of the advertisement source. An advertisement is selected from a plurality of advertisements based on an advertisement from the content page. The content page is provided to the device. The advertisement is provided to the device.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for adding an advertisement to a digital message. An advertisement generator residing on a network host accepts digital messages from contributors and allows the contributors to select an advertisement to be displayed with their contributed messages. These digital messages may be sent to specified recipients or published on a Web site. Using stored personal data associated with the contributor and with the recipient of a digital message, in addition to the content of the message itself, the advertisement generator suggests advertisements to be included with the digital messages based on their contextual relevance. If the contributor-selected advertisement is provided by a third party advertiser, the message, contributor, and advertisement data may be utilized to compensate the contributor of that message for sending it to at least one recipient or posting it on a Web site.

Abstract: Techniques are provided which allow users to receive additional information relating to advertisements. Login information is received from a user. An advertisement is displayed in a browser application. A user interface action indicating interaction with the user interface element may be received. The user's contact information may be retrieved based on the login information. In response to the user interface action, additional information relating to the advertisement may be transmitted to the user in accordance with the contact information.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to systems, methods and computer program products for micro-targeting users at household level. An exemplary apparatus is configured to: determine a first user is accessing an account, wherein the account is associated with a first user and a second user, wherein the account is presented on a user interface; and in response to determining the first user is accessing the account, transmit a first offer to the first user, wherein the first offer is based on user information and account information associated with the first user, wherein the first offer is presented on the user interface, and wherein the first offer enables the first user to receive a discount or a rebate on a transaction associated with the first offer.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to systems, methods and computer program products for reverse couponing. An exemplary apparatus is configured to determine user information and account information associated with a user; adjust offer information associated with an offer based on the user information and the account information, wherein the offer enables the user to receive at least one of a discount or a rebate on a purchase from a merchant; and transmit the adjusted offer to the user.

Abstract: A real-time electronic, public display system, offered by a company, that is portable and mountable on a stanchion that can provide immediate and dynamic, 2-way communication that is useful to customers as well as the company. The system comprises a terminal, a housing, a processor located inside the housing, a solar power panel, a digital screen for displaying information, one or more external speakers, a power line harness conduit and a stanchion insert connector connected to the power line harness conduit. The invention describes how any paired technology, including any combination of NFC, WiFi, or Bluetooth NFC can facilitate wireless, targeted, and customized interaction for customers waiting in queues, while providing the company with a dashboard that controls offerings and communications.

Abstract: A system and method for providing the dynamic display of content is provided. A network resource, such as Web page, can include a plurality of dynamic content modules. Depending on the available display area and additional display criteria, each dynamic content module displays a subset content. Each dynamic content module corresponds to an integration of multiple layers of content, such as text, graphics and image rendering information.