Abstract: In one embodiment, a personal information profile is constructed for a user having a collection of information items. The personal information profile comprises one or more information topics, and each information topic comprises one or more information items. Each information topic has an interesting score, which indicates a level of interest the user has in the information topic. In one embodiment, a social network is inferred among a group of users, each having a personal information profile. A connection exists between every two users that share at least one common-interest information topic, indicated by their respective personal information profiles.

Abstract: A search facility includes a computerized appliance coupled to one or more private enterprise networks with connected data repositories, the appliance executing software from a machine-readable media, and a portal from one of the one or more private enterprise networks to one or more networks external to the enterprise. The software provides an interactive interface on a display of the appliance, the interface providing an input mechanism for a user to enter search criteria and an initiation mechanism for the user to initiate a search using the entered criteria, and wherein a search thus initiated searches both the data repositories within the enterprise, and sources outside the enterprise accessible by the one or more networks external to the enterprise.

Abstract: Particular embodiments receive an indication from a first user that the first user desires to play a game; retrieve, from a social-networking system, one or more second users who are connected to the first user within a threshold degree of separation within the social-networking system; and invite each second user to play the game with the first user.

Abstract: A method and system to determine a category score of a social network member is described. An example system comprises a sample selector, a weight value module, a storing module, an access module, and a category score module. The sample selector selects a random sample of member profiles from the profiles maintained by an on-line social network system. The weight value module obtains respective weight values associated with various phrases present in the random sample of member profiles. The access module accesses a member profile and the weighted phrases associated with a certain category. The category score module determines a category score for the member profile based on a presence of one or more phrases from the plurality of weighted phrases in the member profile.

Abstract: When a user enters an information retrieval query, a topic feed generator automatically generates a topic feed for publication or distribution to a set of followers or recipients who have elected to receive the topic feed from the user or based on the subject matter content of the query. A feed distributor component automatically distributes the topic feed, which includes the query, to the identified recipients. A search component executes the search and returns results, corresponding to the query, to the user.

Abstract: Particular embodiments access a search query submitted by a first user of a social-networking system; identify one or more web pages in response to the search query; for each of the one or more web pages, determine a value indicating a number of user clicks associated with the web page by one or more second users of the social-networking system who are connected to the first user within the social-networking system; and send a set of hyperlinks for the one or more web pages, wherein hyperlinks for web pages where the value is greater than zero are visually emphasized over other hyperlinks.

Abstract: An initial search request can be received. At least a portion of a set of initial search results can be presented in response to receiving the initial search request. The initial search results can include representations of searchable items that are responsive to the initial search request, where each of the searchable items can be a computer-readable data structure. A search refinement indicator can also be presented with the initial search results. User input can be received selecting the refinement indicator. In response, at least a portion of a set of refined search results can be presented. The refined search results can be a subset of the initial search results representing searchable items that meet requirements including a set of pre-defined smart refinement requirements of the refinement indicator.

Abstract: This invention relates to an advertisement machine which provides advertisements to a user searching for desired information within a data network. The machine receives, from a user, a search request including a search argument corresponding to the desired information and searches, based upon the received search argument, a first database having data network related information to generate search results. It also correlates the received search argument to a particular advertisement in a second database having advertisement related information. The search results together with the particular advertisement are provided by the machine to the user.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide a method for generating a recurring search for a research system that identifies documents as relevant to particular categories. The method generates a set of categories to include in the recurring search based on an identified user objective and an initial category by using relationship data that defines several different types of relationships between several different categories. The recurring search identifies documents from a particular period of time identified as relevant to the set of categories. The method identifies an optimal set of filters for removing specific types of documents that are relevant to the set of categories from the recurring search.

Abstract: Provided in the present invention is a repetitive fusion search method for a search system, in which: a search interface 20 displays parameter numerical value setting fields 25 for setting a numerical value for each of multiple instinct based feature parameters in order to input instinct based rating information, and a text input field 24 and a keyword selection field 26 for inputting keywords; and a search engine 13 searches, in response to search inputs input by a searcher using the search interface, a search target database 11 based on the keywords and extracts relevant targets, determines priority for the relevant targets based on the instinct based rating information, and transmits the relevant targets to the search interface 20.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a profile data management system provides a central repository for data and information associated with a user. The information may be presented through an electronic user interface as a profile of the user. In an embodiment, the profile data management system maintains profiles for many users and enables users and/or secondary users to submit information and to modify the user profiles. Modifications are made to user profiles when the submitted information is sufficiently reliable. In general, the method of building and modifying profiles in the profile data management system based on the contributions of many users may be referred to as crowdsourcing profiles. Crowdsourcing profiles may advantageously enable the generation and verification of large amounts of data related to many individuals. The crowdsourcing profiles model allows secondary users to provide updates, modifications, comments, ratings, preferences, and/or other inputs to the profile data management system.

Abstract: Methods for optimizing social media are disclosed. Such methods may include identifying at least one keyword utilized for at least one webpage, identifying social media correspondence referencing the at least one keyword, analyzing content collected from the social media to determine a frequency of references to the at least one keyword and generating at least one report including information based on the analysis. The report may include recommendations for optimizing social media by, for example, purchasing paid posts or links on a social media website. Systems for performing the methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Architecture that automatically detects historical search contexts as well as behaviors related to a search query. Machine learning and hand-authored rules are employed to automatically identify search contexts. Historical information likely to be useful in the current context is surfaced. When a user enters a search query or executes another search behavior, past behaviors are exposed which are contextually related to the current behavior. The architecture also provides automatic discovery of historical contexts, features related to the contexts, and training or authoring of a system for classifying behavior into contexts, using some combination of the machine learning and/or hand-authored rules. A runtime system classifies the current user behavior into a context and surfaces contextual information to the user.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a search query from a client system associated with a first user, and obtaining one or more candidate identifiers associated with the first user. The method also includes identifying a social network set of search results matching the search query and social network criteria for the first user. The social network criteria is satisfied for a respective search result when the respective search result is authored or annotated by one or more author identifiers, and at least one author identifier of the one or more author identifiers is associated with at least one candidate identifier of the one or more candidate identifiers associated with the first user. The method also includes providing to the client system a list of search results including at least a subset of the social network set of search results.

Abstract: Various technologies described herein pertain to using social activity data to personalize ranking of results returned by a computing operation for a user. For each of the results returned by the computing operation, a respective first affinity of the user to a corresponding result and a respective second affinity of the user to the corresponding result can be calculated and used for ranking the results. The respective first affinity of the user to the corresponding result can be calculated based on correlations between social activity data of the user and social activity data of a first group of historical users that clicked the corresponding result. Moreover, the respective second affinity of the user to the corresponding result can be calculated based on correlations between the social activity data of the user and social activity data of a second group of historical users that skipped the corresponding results.

Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products for providing personalized educational content recommendations are disclosed. A computer-implemented method may include receiving information describing a body of content, receiving data describing an interaction of a user with one or more elements of the body of content, receiving a context that includes one or more criteria associated with the body of content, generating a list of modules from the body of content based on the data describing the interaction of the user with the one or more elements of the body of content in view of the context, and providing the generated list of modules to an interested party.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a receiving apparatus including: an extracting part configured to extract signature data representing a feature of reproduced content from the content; a profile generating part configured to generate user profile data; a query generating part configured to generate a query containing the signature data and the user profile data, transmit the query thus generated to a transmitting apparatus, and receive a response that is sent back from the transmitting apparatus in accordance with the query and that has been caused to match with the user profile data in the transmitting apparatus; and an application executing part configured to acquire and execute an application in conjunction with reproduction of the content based on the response thus received.

Abstract: A system and method for collecting and validating information in connection with the pre-employment process. A potential employee is presented with a plurality of questions relating to at least one of personal profile information, personal identification information, employment information, regulatory information, and policy acknowledgement information. One or more responses to the plurality of questions are received from the potential employee. The responses are stored in a database. Upon receiving the responses, at least one of (i) transmitting at least one of the responses to a third party service provider for validation; and (ii) reporting at least one of the responses to a regulatory body, an exchange or an association is automatically performed.

Abstract: Evaluating content, comprising: setting threshold levels for desired categories of attributes which are to be used to evaluate the content, wherein the content has a set of attributes; comparing the set of attributes of the content to the threshold levels for desired categories; and allowing access to the content when the set of attributes of the content is within the threshold levels.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for training scoring models. One method includes storing data identifying a plurality of positive and a plurality of negative training images for a query. The method further includes selecting a first image from either the positive group of images or the negative group of images, and applying a scoring model to the first image. The method further includes selecting a plurality of candidate images from the other group of images, applying the scoring model to each of the candidate images, and then selecting a second image from the candidate images according to scores for the images. The method further includes determining that the scores for the first image and the second image fail to satisfy a criterion, updating the scoring model, and storing the updated scoring model.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with bi-temporal user profiling are described. An event is detected that occurs at a valid event time. In response to the event, a repository is accessed that stores data describing one or more user profiles that include a profile record valid time period specifying a time at which the given profile record is valid. A prior user profile record is retrieved that has a profile record valid time period that overlaps with the valid event time. An updated user profile record is created based, at least in part, on the event. The updated user profile record is saved with the valid event time demarcating the start of a profile valid time period. The prior user profile with the valid event time demarcating the end of the profile record valid time period is also saved for subsequent processing.

Abstract: Provided are a method, computer program product and system for classifying and displaying information. A boundary within an electronic map is determined, based on a drawn closed shape. At least one geographic object, at least partially within the boundary, is identified. Each geographic object is representable by one or more geographic coordinates. A search is performed, on an external data source, for unstructured information associated with the at least one geographic object and a plurality of search results are received. The plurality of search results are classified and displayed according to a user topic of interest.

Abstract: A system and method of managing online social networking which includes identifying a plurality of users related to a primary user on a social networking tool using a computer. The method and system identifies a plurality of activities performed by the plurality of users on the social networking tool, and assigning a score to each of the activities. A threshold cumulative score for users to enter a group is defined. The system and method evaluates the activities of each of the users, and calculates a cumulative score for each of the users based on their respective activities, and evaluates the cumulative score of each of users in relation to the group. One or more of the plurality of users who meet the threshold cumulative score are assigned to the group. A status for each user in the group based on their cumulative score is determined.

Abstract: A method comprising using at least one hardware processor for: executing, based on a query, a document-oriented search in an index of documents each associated with at least one profile, to output a set of document results; executing, based on the set of document results, a profile-oriented search in an index of profiles, to output a set of profile results and facets associated with the profile results; and displaying the set of profile results and the facets.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for re-ranking a current search result by evaluating previous actions of other users, who acted similarly to a target user on previous queries unrelated to the current search result, with respect to an information node returned in the current search result.

Abstract: A method of sorting search results by recommendation engine is provided herein. The method starts off with receiving a search query from a user associated with a specific user ID. The method goes on to applying the search query to a search engine and to a content database, to yield search results. The method then goes on to retrieving a profile of the specific user from a preferences and history database, based on the user ID. Then the method proceeds to reordering the search results by a recommendation engine, based on the retrieved profile. Finally, the method concludes with providing the user with the reordered search results such that the order matches the profile of the user.

Abstract: Methods and a system are disclosed for a collaborate brainstorming interface that defines a collaboration session with a three dimensional holographic mind map. An intelligent agent guides a collaboration session that is structured by the interface. The intelligent agent detects key words, work flow steps and user interactions in the session to initiate searches that are filtered using artificial intelligence. The results are presented to developers interacting through the interface.

Abstract: Described herein is a technology that facilitates efficient automated mining of topic-related aspects of user-generated content based on automated analysis of the user-generated content. Locations are automatically learned based on dividing documents into document segments, and decomposing the segments into local topics and global topics. Techniques are described that facilitate automatically extracting snippets. These techniques include, for example, computer annotating travelogues with learned tags and images, performing topic learning to obtain an interest model, performing location matching based on the interest model, calculating geographic and semantic relevance scores, ranking snippets based on the geographic and semantic relevance scores, and searching snippets with a “location+context term” query.

Abstract: Various systems, methods, and programs embodied in computer-readable mediums are provided for saving search results. A representative example includes receiving an indication of a selected first search result. The selected first search result included in a first plurality of search results matching a first search criteria. This example also includes aggregating the selected first search result and a second plurality of search results matching a second search criteria, and providing the aggregated search results.

Abstract: Implementations generally relate to providing a summary presentation. In some implementations, a method includes determining a triggering event associated with a subject person. The method also includes receiving a plurality of media content items associated with the subject person. The method also includes selecting media content items from the plurality of media content items based on one or more predetermined selection criteria. The method also includes providing a summary presentation of the selected content media items.

Abstract: Particular embodiments access a query from a first user, the query comprising a first user attribute; identify a plurality of candidate users sharing the same first user attribute; retrieve one or more members of a social-networking system who are connected to the first user within a threshold degree of separation; compare each candidate user with each member who is connected to the first user within the threshold degree of separation; and if a candidate user matches a member who is connected to the first user within the threshold degree of separation, then identify the matching candidate user as a match result to the query.

Abstract: Architecture that provides a data structure to facilitate personalized ranking over recommended content (e.g., documents). The data structure approximates the social distance of the searching user to the content at query time. A graph is created of content recommended by members of the social network, where the nodes of the graph include content nodes (for the content) and recommending member nodes (for members of the social network who recommended the content). If a member recommends content, an edge is created between the member node and the content node. If a member is a “friend” (tagged as related in some way) of another member, an edge is created between the two member nodes. Each node is converted to a lower dimensional feature set. Feature sets of the content are indexed and the feature set of the searching user is utilized to match and rank the search results at query time.

Abstract: Social networking services, such as Facebook, Twitter, MySpace and Orkut, are changing our communication habits by introducing new tools that simplify and increase on-line interaction. The exemplary embodiments present methods for measuring the social strength among contacts on the basis of users' on-line interactions, which may be significantly used in real-time collaborative task management (e.g., inviting contacts for collaboration, selecting suitable tools for communication, prioritizing information flow). Moreover, exemplary embodiments provide a framework for developing new mobile social networking applications (social search client, smart dialer or contact applications) by extending the use of social ranking of contacts.

Abstract: An approach is provided in which a web page management system receives web page content requested by a browser, and parses the web page content according to one or more assessment categories. The web page management system analyzes the parsed web page content and generates content characterization results in response to the analysis. In turn, by comparing the content characterization results to knowledge base entries, the web page management system generates an “age level content ranking” of the web page content and performs an action on the web page content based upon the age level content ranking.

Abstract: The present disclosure is related in general to data management. Information for a single user that is stored by different entities is obtained and unified to create a unified user profile. The unified user profile is stored and can be search, displayed, and/or otherwise used. There are other embodiments as well.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes accessing N electronic media-content items and a plurality of media-content templates, where each of the media-content templates includes a pre-determined number of surface areas for a pre-determined number of media-content items. The method includes scoring, based on one or more features, for each of one or more of the media-content templates, the placement of X of the electronic media-content items in the media-content template, where X equals the lesser of N and the pre-determined number of surface areas of the media-content template. The method includes selecting one of the media-content templates with a highest score and providing the X electronic media-content items in the selected media-content template for display to a user.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for presenting search results. One of the methods includes obtaining, based on a search request, search results that comprise a first user profile and a second user profile. The method includes determining a popularity difference between a first popularity associated with the first user profile and a second popularity associated with the second user profile. The method includes determining that the popularity difference exceeds a threshold. The method includes based on determining that the popularity difference exceeds the threshold, causing the search results to be presented in a display area such that the first user profile is emphasized relative to the second user profile within the display area.

Abstract: A device may receive identity information associated with an identity, and may determine a relationship between at least one of: the identity and another identity, or the identity and an attribute. The device may determine a credibility score, associated with the relationship, that indicates a likelihood that the relationship is an accurate representation of the identity. The device may determine a confidence score based on the identity information and the credibility score, and may output or store the confidence score.

Abstract: A user's domain expertise may be estimated through several factors by monitoring different aspects of a user's interaction with a web browser. Based on the user's domain expertise, search results may be presented to the user that is commensurate with their expertise, resulting in a more efficient and productive on line session. A user's expertise in a knowledge domain may be determined from the user's behavior, including analyzing search queries, monitoring how the user navigates between and through websites, and analyzing the specific cites visited. As a user interacts with a browser, the user's estimated domain expertise may be updated and used to provide appropriate and useful search results. In many embodiments, a user may have different expertise levels for different technical domains.

Abstract: The subject disclosure is directed towards evaluating search engine implementation performance using a task-based assessment metric. Logged user activities associated with the search engine implementation are processed into sessions and atomic events corresponding to the user activities within the sessions. The atomic events corresponding to the user activities are classified into tasks based on similarity of the queries within the user activities. After applying the task-based assessment metric to task information associated with the search engine implementation, an evaluation mechanism determines indicia of search engine implementation performance in terms of user behavior.

Abstract: Particular embodiments access a search query submitted by a first user; identify one or more sponsored web pages in response to the search query, wherein each sponsored web page is associated with a hyperlink; determine whether one or more of the sponsored web pages has been accessed by one or more second users, wherein the one or more second users are connected in a graph structure to the first user within a threshold degree of separation; and send a response comprising a hyperlink for at least one of the sponsored web pages in response to the search query, wherein the response further includes a visual tag or a reference to the visual tag for the hyperlink if the sponsored web page has been accessed by at least one of the one or more second users.

Abstract: Techniques for distributing information over a network having a database in data communication with said network include a method that records in the database a plurality of computer readable profiles. Each computer readable profile corresponds to one of multiple users of the network. One of the computer readable files includes a query term that is associated with it. Generated on a common user interface are both perceivable stimuli in response to activity on said network of users corresponding to subgroup of the plurality of computer readable profiles, and information corresponding to computer readable profiles of the subgroup. The corresponding users of the subgroup possess knowledge related to the query term. A region of the user interface in which the perceivable stimuli is present defines an activity stream region. A region of the user interface in which said information is present defines a connections region of the user interface.

Abstract: A computerized system and methods for determining a schedule and availability of an establishment's products and services for a user that includes a server system with a processor, an input system and an output system. There is also a plurality of system units that access the server system through a communications network and a web server application with an application for collecting information about usage of the establishments, providing the usage information and usage times and a wireless portal and a website on the server system with web pages for entering the schedule and availability of the establishment's products and services related information.

Abstract: A search engine may perform a search for a user search query. A rankings of result items may be returned as a result of the search. The user may enter new suggested rankings for some of the items. The new suggested rankings may change the rankings of result items when other users search for the same search query or a similar search query at a later time.

Abstract: A method for providing name pronunciation guides includes storing a plurality of audio files in a database, each audio file representing a particular pronunciation of one of a plurality of names, receiving user information from the first user via a communication network, the user information including name information of the first user, searching the database to find one or more audio files corresponding the name information, providing the first user with one or more audio files in the database corresponding to the name information via the communication network for the first user's listening and selection, creating a user profile for the first user, the user profile comprising the user information and the selected audio file, storing the user profile in the database, allowing a second user-initiated search for names, providing a second user with first user profiles indicating the first user's name and name pronunciation preferences.

Abstract: A computer network implemented peer forum system and method enabling question and answer rates to be increased by automatically routing questions and receiving answers to and from peers. Information is input into network via a user interface. A peer forum system enables users to ask and answer questions. A forums database captures questions and answers provided via the peer forum system. A stage database pulls and stores questions from the forums database. A question router pulls the questions from the stage database and finds peers who can answer the questions using a peer search module that uses implicit and explicit user profiles to determine the best subject matter experts to answer the questions. A set of throttle rules is associated with the question router for determining if a peer is eligible to answer a question. A delivery system delivers a communication to eligible peers requesting an answer to the question.

Abstract: A system records browsing activity of a user using a browser. The system determines browsing statistics from the recorded browsing activity and graphically displays the browsing statistics to the user via the browser.

Abstract: Particular embodiments access a search query submitted by a first user of a social-networking system; identify one or more web pages in response to the search query; for each of the one or more web pages, determine a value indicating a number of user clicks associated with the web page by one or more second users of the social-networking system who are connected to the first user within the social-networking system; and send a set of hyperlinks for the one or more web pages, wherein hyperlinks for web pages where the value is greater than zero are visually emphasized over other hyperlinks.

Abstract: An Internet Protocol television (IPTV) system includes a selector module adapted to select content items based upon metadata information associated with the content items, send the content items to a respective set-top box, direct each respective set-top box to record the content item and analyze content information associated with the content item to create an index of the content information, and receive from the set-top boxes the indices of the content information. A method includes selecting a content item based upon metadata information associated with the content item, sending the content item to a set-top box on an IPTV network, directing the set-top box to record the content item, and directing the set-top box to analyze content information associated with the content item to create an index of the content information in response to recording the content item.

Abstract: Provided is a lifestyle collecting apparatus that collects information for determining a lifestyle of a user, and includes: an object information detecting unit configured to detect object information representing an object around the user; a relevance degree calculating unit configured to calculate a relevance degree of the user to the object, using the object information; an appearance information extracting unit configured to extract appearance information from the object information, and add the relevance degree to the extracted appearance information, the appearance information representing an appearance of the object; and a lifestyle database which stores the appearance information to which the relevance degree has been added, as the information for determining the lifestyle of the user.