List of Yahoo! Patents
Patents assigned to Yahoo!
- Application 20090019154 – ENABLING RENT/BUY REDIRECTION IN INVITATION TO AN ONLINE SERVICE [Download PDF]
Filed: 2008-09-19Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A system and method are directed towards enabling a user to access a client service such as a client game program that interacts with an online service such as a multiplayer game. A client probe detects execution of the client service on a first client device, and sends an instant message with address information to a second client device. A messaging service on the second client device, displays a presence of the first client and provides a selectable button to initiate the client service. If not already installed, the messaging service requests the client service from a remote online service such as a portal that may be independent from the online game service. The remote online service may provide options to freely try, rent, or buy the client service. The second client device downloads the client service and uses the address to connect to the same online multiplayer game.
- Application 20080305733 – Cold Row Encapsulation for Server Farm Cooling System [Download PDF]
Filed: 2008-08-18Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Apparatuses, methods, and systems directed to efficient cooling of data centers. Some embodiments of the invention allow encapsulation of cold rows through an enclosure and allow server fans to draw cold air from the cold row encapsulation structure to cool servers installed on the server racks. In other particular embodiments, the systems disclosed can be used to mix outside cool air into the cold row encapsulation structure to cool the servers. In some embodiments, the present invention involves using multiple cold row encapsulation structures to cool the servers installed on the racks.
- Application 20080288355 – SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR LOCATION BASED MATCHING AND PROMOTION [Download PDF]
Filed: 2008-07-30Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Systems and methods for profile matching and promotion. Location-related data and other profile characteristics are used for promotion and for matching of businesses, venues and other entities with user specified criteria.
- Application 20090012866 – SYSTEM FOR SELECTING AD INVENTORY WITH A CLICKABLE MAP INTERFACE [Download PDF]
Filed: 2008-07-17Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
A method is disclosed for providing advertising content for display in a page over a network. Ad inventory is identified and/or organized based on a category and a geographic region. The ad inventory may be displayed on an interactive map that is used for selecting from the inventory based on the geographic location.
- Application 20090012865 – CLICKABLE MAP INTERFACE FOR PRODUCT INVENTORY [Download PDF]
Filed: 2008-07-10Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
A method is disclosed for providing a map for displaying inventory for sale. A clickable map interface allows users to view or purchase the inventory of a product from a seller at a particular location. A user can view the inventory of a product from sellers within a particular region.
- Application 20090013006 – SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ADAPTIVE SCHEDULING OF REFERENCES TO DOCUMENTS [Download PDF]
Filed: 2008-07-09Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
A method for determining documents to display on a web page may be utilized for adaptive scheduling of references to documents. A popularity or selection weight of a document may be monitored. The popularity or selection weight may be used to determine when to display that document and may be updated based on further monitoring.
- Application 20080270921 – PROVIDING REAL TIME INFORMATION IN A VISUAL INFORMATION UNIT [Download PDF]
Filed: 2008-07-08Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
Embodiments of the invention enable a person to easily and without having any specialized knowledge configure a webpage to automatically provide real time information. More specifically, embodiments of the invention are directed to a remotely hosted element which may be easily configured and placed in a webpage by an un-sophisticated publisher. The remotely hosted element provides the real time information. In certain embodiments, the real time information is stock quotes, charts and associated news items. In certain embodiments, the real time information unit is interactive. In other words, it allows webpage viewers to interact with it in order to cause it to show additional, or differently organized information.
- Application 20080270591 – Event Notification [Download PDF]
Filed: 2008-07-03Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
A method, apparatus, computer program product, and computer system for ensuring consistency between data displayed by multiple independent client programs that can simultaneously display server-provided data. The data are accessible only from a server that is not persistently connected to the client computer systems) displaying the data, so the client programs cannot retrieve the data independently without sending a request to the server. Client programs do not poll the server by sending a request to learn that data capable of being displayed by the multiple client programs have been updated. Instead, client programs are notified by the server program receiving the request to change the data at the time the request is received.
- Application 20080270223 – System and Method for Creating and Providing a User Interface for Displaying Advertiser Defined Groups of Advertisement Campaign Information [Download PDF]
Filed: 2008-07-02Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Systems and Methods for creating and providing a user interface for displaying advertiser defined groups of advertisement campaign information is disclosed. In one implementation, a quality score associated with an ad group is calculated based at least in part on a historical performance of the ad group. Ad campaign information associated with the ad group is then sent to a user interface for display on the user interface, the advertisement campaign information comprising a graphical representation of the calculated quality score.
- Application 20080288467 – INTEGRATION OF INSTANT MESSAGING WITH INTERNET SEARCHING [Download PDF]
Filed: 2008-07-02Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
Techniques for integrating instant messaging with Internet search features are provided. An instant messaging (IM) application allows users to launch a search of the Internet or the World Wide Web for information about another IM user or another topic. If an IM user wishes to location information relating to a friend, a search is performed through a database of registered IM members to locate a user profile for the friend. If the friend’s profile is found, the profile is displayed to the IM user. An IM application can link to an Internet search engine to search the Internet for web sites relating to the topic or person. Search results from an Internet search can be sorted based on information about a friend that is stored in the friend’s user profile.
- Application 20090012807 – System and Method for Generating Graphical Advertisements Based on Text Offers [Download PDF]
Filed: 2008-07-02Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Systems and methods for generating a graphical advertisement based on a text offer are disclosed. Generally, an ad provider receives a request for a graphical ad. The ad provider sends a script to a browser comprising a call to a keyword extraction module. The ad provider receives a keyword from the keyword extraction module and determines a text offer associated with the keyword. The ad provider sends the text offer to the browser and sends an ad template for creating graphical advertisements based on the text offer to the browser.
- Application 20080270894 – Space-Optimizing Content Display [Download PDF]
Filed: 2008-06-30Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
An apparatus, method, computer system, and computer program product to optimize space available for displaying text descriptions in a limited area, such as a sidebar. Space is optimized by displaying only the maximum portion of the text describing each selection that will fit within the limited area, thereby allowing space to display additional text descriptions in the remaining portion of the limited area. Positioning a pointer over the maximum portion of the text causes the complete portion of the text to be displayed. The complete portion of the text can serve as a link to content related to the text. Space is also optimized by providing a thin scroll bar to add space for displaying content within a window.
- Application 20090018913 – SYSTEM FOR SERVING TARGETED ADVERTISEMENTS OVER MOBILE MESSAGING SERVICES [Download PDF]
Filed: 2008-06-30Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A system is described for serving targeted advertisements over mobile messaging services. The system may include a processor, a memory and an interface. The memory may store a content related to a mobile alert service and an advertisement. The content may be provided to a user when an alert condition is met. The interface may be operatively connected to the memory and may communicate with the user. The processor may be operatively connected to the memory and the interface. The processor may receive a request from the user, via the interface, to subscribe to the mobile alert service. The processor may detect when the alert condition is met and generate a mobile message containing the content. The processor may retrieve an advertisement related to the content and may attach the advertisement to the mobile message. The processor may provide the mobile message to the user via the interface.
- Application 20080255915 – SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ADVERTISEMENT MANAGEMENT [Download PDF]
Filed: 2008-06-24Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
The present invention relates to systems and methods for optimizing and managing advertising campaigns. The method of the present invention comprises storing one or more advertisement data structures associated with an ad group data structure in the ad group data structure. One or more ad group data structures associated with a campaign data structure are stored in an ad campaign data structure. Additionally, one or more ad campaign data structures associated with an advertised property are stored in an account data structure.
- Application 20090006963 – BROWSER INTERPRETABLE DOCUMENT FOR CONTROLLING A PLURALITY OF MEDIA PLAYERS AND SYSTEMS AND METHODS RELATED THERETO [Download PDF]
Filed: 2008-06-20Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A browser interpretable document comprising a first media file or a pointer to the first media file; a graphical user interface definition, or a pointer to the graphical user interface definition, the graphical user interface definition comprising a first user interface element and a function associated with the first user interface element; and, a set of commands, or a pointer to the set of commands, for controlling the operation of a plurality of media players; wherein, when the browser interpretable document is rendered by a conventional web browser, the web browser can render a graphical user interface based on the graphical user interface definition, and wherein the rendered graphical user interface controls one of the plurality of media players to facilitate playing of the first media file.
- Application 20080256170 – SOCIAL NETWORKING FOR MOBILE DEVICES [Download PDF]
Filed: 2008-06-16Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A mobile device, system, and method are directed towards enabling an integrated display of live views. The integrated live views are generated by employing social networking information, including moods of a person, avatars, status of a member’s activities including whether they are in an IM session, or the like. Integrated live views may include a live contact list, a group view, a friend view, an activity oriented view, a list of content, or the like, based on the mobile user’s social networking information. By providing the mobile user with integrated live views of their social network, the mobile user may be able communicate with other members within the mobile social networking context, to obtain, and respond to invites from a social network member, provide opportunities for activities to other members, to grow their social network, and to consume content that is displayed relative to their social network.
- Application 20080281815 – OPTIMAL STORAGE AND RETRIEVAL OF XML DATA [Download PDF]
Filed: 2008-06-05Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
A document management system manages a large number of XML documents on an efficient and cost-effective basis. Storage requirements are reduced, because compressed versions of the XML documents, which are much smaller in size than the XML documents themselves, are used when processing queries. Processing requirements are reduced, because parsing is not a required step when processing queries. Instead of parsing, the query is processed by unpacking the compressed version of the document identified in the query, node by node until enough information has been decoded to satisfy the query. Processing speed is improved in two ways. First, unpacking as carried out according to the invention is a much faster process than parsing. Second, the entire document need not be unpacked.
- Application 20080208973 – CONTEXTUAL MOBILE LOCAL SEARCH BASED ON SOCIAL NETWORK VITALITY INFORMATION [Download PDF]
Filed: 2008-05-08Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
A system, apparatus, and method are directed to managing contextual based mobile searches. A context oriented user interface interprets inputs from a mobile user based on vitality information. In one embodiment, the input may be interpreted as a request to perform a context-based search over a network using at least some of the vitality information. Vitality information may include a location of the mobile device, a time of day, an event, information from the mobile user’s calendar, past behavior of the mobile user, weather, social networking data, aggregate behaviors, or even information about proximity of a social contact. By employing vitality information to perform a mobile search, better search results and a richer user experience may be provided that includes a sense of community, a sense of presence (e.g., a sense of “here-ness.”). In one embodiment, the mobile user may provide comments to others regarding the search results.
- Application 20080200161 – PROVIDING RELEVANT NON- REQUESTED CONTENT TO A MOBILE DEVICE [Download PDF]
Filed: 2008-04-28Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
A system and method are directed towards providing non-requested content to a mobile terminal based on characteristics of, and tracked usage of the mobile terminal to request content through an online portal service, which provides access to content in multiple subject areas. A mobile user profile is created from the characteristics and patterns of the tracked usage. The tracked usage information includes the time, location, frequency at which the content was requested. Based on the mobile user profile information, content related to previously requested content is provided to the mobile terminal upon a trigger that is related to the requested content. The trigger event may include the mobile terminal returning to a location from which certain content was previously requested. The non-requested content may further be based on a related general user profile that indicates usage of an alternate electronic device to access content through the portal.
- Patent D585421 – Bug shower radio [Download PDF]
Filed: 2008-03-22Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA) - Application 20080162438 – TECHNIQUE FOR INLINE SEARCHING IN AN INSTANT MESSENGER ENVIRONMENT [Download PDF]
Filed: 2008-02-29Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Techniques for performing inline searches in an instant messaging environment are provided. A user can implement a web search in an instant messaging window by entering a search query. A search query can be preceded by a predefined search trigger to identify the associated text as the search query. The search query is sent to an Internet search server, which processes the query and gathers search results. One or more of the search results is displayed inline in the instant messaging window to the sender and the recipient. The search result can be in XML or HTML format and can include graphics and hyperlinks.
- Application 20090012841 – EVENT COMMUNICATION PLATFORM FOR MOBILE DEVICE USERS [Download PDF]
Filed: 2008-02-27Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A method, system, and apparatus are directed to communicating data over a network. Event attributes comprising at least two of a temporal, spatial, social, or topical information are received. An event structure comprising fields associated with a different one of a temporal, spatial, social, or topical dimension based on the received event attributes is generated. An advertising attributes about an advertisement is received. The advertising attributes may comprise at least two of another temporal, spatial, social, or topical information. If the event structure matches the advertising attributes, the advertisement may be provided co-located with the event structure. The advertisement may be configured to provide a value exchange if the advertisement is activated.
- Application 20080133413 – FINANCIAL INFORMATION PORTAL [Download PDF]
Filed: 2008-02-12Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
In a system for a financial institution or other information maintainer, has a list of its account holders that also have accounts with a portal and have agreed to link their portal account and user account with the financial institution or other information maintainer. When a user logs onto the user’s portal account, the portal server can request information from the user account over a trusted link to the financial institution or other information maintainer. The portal can request data for a particular user over the trusted link or can request bulk data for all users, using portal authentication data, as opposed to user authentication data. In the preferred embodiment, the actions allowed on a user account by the portal authentication data are more restrictive than the actions allowed by the user authentication data. As an example, a brokerage house might allow the portal to read recent transaction data for the user but not to make trades on the user’s account, while the brokerage house would allow the user to perform many more actions if the user logged on directly to the brokerage house’s system using the user’s authentication data.
- Application 20080139177 – PROVIDING A SERVER AGENT FOR A MOBILE DEVICE WITH REFRESH [Download PDF]
Filed: 2008-02-12Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
The invention enables one or more agents to gather information from at least one server on a network and automatically provide this information to an inbox on a server and then providing it to an inbox on a mobile device if a wireless connection to the mobile device is available. A server agent facility provides for preprocessing requests for information from the mobile device, including, collecting the information out of band, filtering the collected information, and packaging the information for delivery in a format suitable for the mobile device. A server agent within the server agent facility may actively collect the information based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, time, event(s), user profile, mobile device profile, request(s), alert(s), and historical behavior.
- Application 20080098014 – METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DATA COLLECTION FOR ALERT DELIVERY [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-12-20Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Managing data collection for one or more scheduled alert messages. A primary or backup poller manager coordinates any number of poller services to access content and generate the alert messages. At a predefined period the poller manager is informed that an existing or new poller service is available for work. The poller manager provides a query to the poller service to access content in which one or more users have expressed an interest. Querying for a large number of users can be subdivided among the poller services. The poller service can also automatically expand the query if it yields insufficient content. The poller service generates the alert messages for the interested users and informs the poller manager when done. A change in content can be used to generate or update alert messages before their scheduled delivery. The poller manager prioritizes processing with a quality of service level.
- Application 20080077588 – IDENTIFYING AND MEASURING RELATED QUERIES [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-11-30Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
A system and method are disclosed for identifying similar queries. A user query may be compared with known search keywords. The user query may be a Chinese related query, which is converted into a different form before comparing with other converted queries or keywords. A similarity score based on different features may be used for comparing the queries.
- Application 20090013041 – REAL-TIME ASYNCHRONOUS EVENT AGGREGATION SYSTEMS [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-11-27Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A real-time asynchronous event aggregation system, method, and network device are configured to capture real-time asynchronous events, and to pass them as input to one or more aggregation engines to determine a reputation for a target. The aggregation engine(s) may then send out notifications where a reputation category changes for a target, indicating that an action may be taken to inhibit spam messages from the target, highlight a display of content from the target, or the like. As such, the event-driven aggregation engines may be designed to capture real-time asynchronous events, such as reputation reports for a wide variety of activities, including, but not limited to spam and/or not-spam messages, determining a reputation on a posting of comments to a movie, a blog posting, a play list posting, or the like. In one embodiment, a reputation of the sender of the reputation event may also be determined.
- Application 20080132215 – USER INITIATED INVITE FOR AUTOMATIC CONFERENCE PARTICIPATION BY INVITEE [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-11-21Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A mobile device, system, and method are directed towards enabling a user, virtually on the fly, to invite another user to participate in an on-line conferencing session, by providing a link that automatically enables the other user to participate in the conferencing session. In one embodiment, the conferencing session is a text messaging conference session, such as one that might employ instant messaging, or the like. In one embodiment, a user may request a conferencing session to be established, by sending a request to a server device. The request may, include an identifier of an invitee with whom the first user wishes to communicate. The server determines a unique link for the invitee and session, and sends the invitee an invite message with their unique link. Selecting the unique link enables the invitee to automatically access and to participate in the conferencing session with the first user.
- Application 20080046826 – DYNAMIC PAGE GENERATOR [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-10-31Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
An custom page server is provided with user preferences organized into templates stored in compact data structures and the live data used to fill the templates stored local to the page server which is handing user requests for custom pages. One process is executed on the page server for every request. The process is provided a user template for the user making the request, where the user template is either generated from user preferences or retrieved from a cache of recently used user templates. Each user process is provided access to a large region of shared memory which contains all of the live data needed to fill any user template. Typically, the pages served are news pages, giving the user a custom selection of stock quotes, news headlines, sports scores, weather, and the like. With the live data stored in a local, shared memory, any custom page can be built within the page server, eliminating the need to make requests from other servers for portions of the live data. While the shared memory might include RAM (random access memory) and disk storage, in many computer systems, it is faster to store all the live data in RAM.
- Application 20080171601 – GAME SERVER FOR USE IN CONNECTION WITH A MESSENGER SERVER [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-10-31Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A game and messenger client-server system is provided that includes a plurality of game clients, a game server, a plurality of messenger clients, and a messenger server. The game server includes logic to operate a multiplayer game using inputs from and outputs to an active game set of game clients, wherein game clients other than those in the active game set can join an active game by supplying the game server with a reference to the active game. Additionally, logic is included for coupling a game client to a messenger client to allow the game client to send the messenger client data used to initiate joining a game, whereby a message sent by the messenger client includes the data used to initiate joining a game. Also, logic is included for initiating a join of a game at an invitee client, using data received in a message to the invitee.
- Application 20080177825 – SERVER ASSISTED DEVICE INDEPENDENT MARKUP LANGUAGE [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-10-31Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A platform for customized rendering of an editable mobile markup language document for a mobile device. A rendering context and an editable mobile markup language (MML) document for the mobile device is received by the platform, which performs processes that can paginate and fully render pages that are subsequently delivered for display by the mobile device. The MML document and its modules and content are independent of the rendering context for the mobile device. The mobile device can be arranged as a client device that provides for wired and/or wireless communication over a network.
- Application 20080133215 – METHOD AND SYSTEM OF INTERPRETING AND PRESENTING WEB CONTENT USING A VOICE BROWSER [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-10-29Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A highly distributed, scalable, and efficient voice browser system provides the ability to seamlessly integrate a variety of audio into the system in a unified manner. The audio rendered to the user comes from various sources, such as, for example, audio advertisements recorded by sponsors, audio data collected by broadcast groups, and text to speech generated audio. In an embodiment, voice browser architecture integrates a variety of components including: various telephony platforms (e.g. PSTN, VOIP), scalable architecture, rapid context switching, and backend web content integration and provides access to information audibly.
- Application 20080207236 – NETWORK-BASED ARCHIVING FOR THREADED MOBILE TEXT MESSAGES [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-10-25Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A network device, method, and mobile device are directed towards enabling a mobile device user to archive a text message threaded conversation with another conversation participant. text messages sent from the mobile device may be replicated by a server component, whether the text message is a reply message or an incoming message. The replicated text message may then be sent to an identified personal computing device’s network-based messaging archive. In one embodiment, the messaging archive may be an outbox archive for text messages. As described, a text message being sent to the mobile device from the other conversation participant may also be replicated and archived in a network-based inbox archive for text messages on the identified personal computing device. In one embodiment, the archived text messages may be displayed to the user on the personal computing devices as threaded conversations.
- Application 20080209075 – SYNCHRONOUS DELIVERY OF MEDIA CONTENT AND REAL-TIME COMMUNICATION FOR ONLINE DATING [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-10-23Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A method and system for facilitating online dating between users including real-time communication and the viewing of synchronized media objects. The method and system provide a framework for the synchronous display of images (e.g., of a photo book), web content, or time-based media objects (e.g., video or audio files) between two remote devices. The method further includes controlling the display of media objects in response to a user entered command with a first device, and causing communication of the user entered command (e.g., play, pause, skip, next, etc.) to a second device for synchronizing the display of the media objects with the first and second devices. The first and second devices may communicate via real-time communication applications, such as an IM or VoIP application, which may be displayed in a common window as the media objects.
- Application 20090019467 – Method and System for Providing Virtual Co-Presence to Broadcast Audiences in an Online Broadcasting System [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-10-16Assignee: Yahoo! Inc., a Delaware Corporation
There is provided an online broadcasting system for providing virtual co-presence to broadcast audiences. The online broadcasting system may comprise a plurality of user terminals, a user reaction processing server and a broadcast server configured to transmit broadcast program data to the user terminals. The user terminals may be configured to: display a broadcast program based on the broadcast program data; receive individual user reaction data from a user input interface; and transmit the received individual user reaction data to the broadcast server. The user reaction processing server may be configured to: receive the individual user reaction data from each of the user terminals; aggregate the individual user reaction data to create total user reaction data based on the received individual user reaction data; generate interface control data based on the total user reaction data, wherein the interface control data, when executed, is operative to cause a client application to generate output indicative of the total user reaction data; and transmit the generated interface control data to at least one of the user terminals.
- Application 20080033840 – SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PERFORMING PURCHASE TRANSACTIONS UTILIZING A BROADCAST-BASED DEVICE [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-10-05Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
Disclosed is a system and method for performing purchase transactions utilizing a broadcast-based device. In one embodiment, an online user interface is used to enter a plurality of user preferences that are then used to tailor what purchase options will be available to a client-side broadcast-based device. In another embodiment, product purchases may be made using a broadcast-based device, where the purchase transaction options and setting have been previously defined in an online environment. In yet another embodiment, the product purchase options presented are based on predetermined criteria, such as previous user activity.
- Application 20080134052 – BOOTSTRAPPING SOCIAL NETWORKS USING AUGMENTED PEER TO PEER DISTRIBUTIONS OF SOCIAL NETWORKING SERVICES [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-10-03Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A mobile device, system, and method are directed towards enabling a social network member to bootstrap another person’s membership to a social network application and to send an invite using an augmented peer to peer distribution mechanism. The member may bootstrap membership by providing information about the invitee. A server may then determine sharable social networking information, to include within the invite, such as personal information about the member, and/or about the invitee. The invite is then automatically modified to make it appear as though it is sent by the member, by spoofing an identifier of the source of the invite. A link or other information associated with a link to the sharable social network application may be automatically included into the invite, where the link is configured to direct the invitee to a configuration of the social network application appropriate for the invitee’s mobile device.
- Application 20080301100 – SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INDICATING PAGE COMPONENT FOCUS [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-09-28Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
The present invention relates to systems and methods for providing content items containing components utilizing focus indication focus indication. The method according to one embodiment comprises receiving a request from a client by a content delivery network for a resource that comprises a plurality of resources. The plurality of resources are then concatenated at the content delivery network to generate a concatenated resource and propagated to the client through the content delivery network.
- Patent 7428522 – Real-time search term popularity determination, by search origin geographic location [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-09-27Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)Information is generated indicative of frequency of search terms presented to at least one online search service. As event indications, indicative of user interaction generally with front end servers, are being provided for persistent storage, ones of the event indications that are indicative of search events are detected. The detected ones of the search event indications are processed and it is determined, based at least in part thereon, by location, frequency data indicative of a frequency of each of a plurality of search terms presented to the at least one online search service. An indication of at least some of the frequency data is caused to be associated with indications of locations to which the frequency data corresponds. For example, the frequency data may be displayed superimposed on a map.
- Application 20080250320 – User-defined media annotations on dynamic charts [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-09-24Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
In accordance with embodiments of the invention, a method for providing a customizable media indicator on a dynamically generated graphical representation of real-time data is provided. The method includes receiving a user-defined request from a user to annotate the real-time data with at least one media indicator. Together with the dynamically generated graphical representation of the real-time data, the at least one media indicator is provided for display at a client. The method further includes receiving a first external media data defined by the user for association with the media indicator. The first media data is provided in response to a user action associated with the at least one media indicator. The at least one media indicator is sharable with a plurality of users.
- Application 20090024583 – TECHNIQUES IN USING FEEDBACK IN CRAWLING WEB CONTENT [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-09-14Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A method for providing feedback to a web crawler is provided. A content processor determines whether a crawled web page is useful to an application. This determination is passed to a learning module. The learning module analyzes crawled web pages and the determinations of usefulness made by the content processor and generates rules for crawling more useful web pages and less non-useful web pages. The learning module provides these rules to the crawler, which applies them in making crawling decisions. Rules expire after a period of time. Paths from a web site’s main web page to useful web pages are preserved. A token tree is constructed to facilitate the generation of rules.
- Application 20090019354 – AUTOMATICALLY FETCHING WEB CONTENT WITH USER ASSISTANCE [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-09-11Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
A method for performing activities on a web site is disclosed. A user’s browsing activities on a web site are captured. The user’s browsing activities includes affixing labels to web pages and filling out forms. The captured activities are analyzed for patterns. Rules for performing activities on a web site are generated based on the patterns. Further activities are performed on the web site according to the rules and content from the web site is fetched. The fetched content is used in various web service applications, including crawlers.
- Application 20080028295 – DYNAMIC PAGE GENERATOR [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-08-20Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
In accordance with embodiments of the invention, a method for providing at least one customized advertisement in a dynamically generated customized page is provided. The method includes receiving a user request for a customized page. In response to the user request, the method further includes receiving a template program specific to the user. The template program is based on user configuration information. The user configuration information includes user demographic information. The template program is received from one of at least two locations. The location is determined from the frequency of the user request for the customized page. After receiving an advertisement selected in accordance to the user demographic information, the template program is executed using the selected advertisement to generate the customized page. The customized page is provided to the user.
- Application 20080275864 – ENABLING CLUSTERED SEARCH PROCESSING VIA TEXT MESSAGING [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-08-02Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Methods and apparatus for searching data, grouping search results into categories that are ordered according to search relevance, and reviewing the search results via text messaging. In one embodiment, a search term is submitted via a search request text message to a short code for a search service. The search service searches for content based on the search term and context data, such as location of a submitting client device. The search results are clustered into categories and ranked by relevance to the search term and context within each category. The categories are also ranked relative to each other. The most relevant search result from the most relevant category is transmitted in an initial result text message, which also includes instructions to access additional results via subsequent text messages. Each result text message also includes a link to a web page of categorized search results for display in a browser.
- Application 20070266014 – SYSTEM FOR SEPARATING MOBILE SEARCH TRAFFIC FROM WEB SEARCH TRAFFIC USING KEYWORD SEPARATION [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-07-30Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A system is described for separating mobile search traffic from web search traffic. The system may include a processor, a memory and an interface. The memory may store a keyword, mobile data related to the keyword, web data related to the keyword, and a search request. The interface may communicate with a user. The processor may be operatively connected to the interface and the memory and may store the mobile data and web data in the memory. The processor may receive a search request from a user via the interface and may determine if the search request is mobile traffic or web traffic. The processor may then retrieve and serve the mobile data to the user if the search request is mobile traffic, or may retrieve and serve the web data to the user if the search request is web traffic.
- Application 20070270130 – SYSTEM FOR CREATING SEPARATE DATA SERVING SPACES FOR EACH MOBILE CARRIER IN A PLURALITY OF MOBILE CARRIERS [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-07-30Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A system is described for creating a separate data serving space for each mobile carrier in a plurality of mobile carriers. The system may include a processor, a memory and an interface. The memory may store a keyword, a plurality of mobile data items corresponding to the keyword and a plurality of mobile carriers, and a search request. The interface may communicate with a user through a mobile device. The processor may be operatively connected to the interface and the memory and may store the plurality of mobile data items in the memory. The processor may receive a mobile search request from a user via the interface, and may determine the mobile carrier in communication with the interface. The processor may then retrieve the mobile data item corresponding to the keyword and the determined mobile carrier and may serve the retrieved mobile data item to the user.
- Application 20070270188 – SYSTEM FOR DYNAMICALLY GENERATING A MOBILE PAGE RELATED TO A REVENUE GENERATOR AND FORMATTED FOR DISPLAY ON A MOBILE DEVICE OF A MOBILE CARRIER [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-07-30Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A system is described for dynamically generating a mobile page related to a revenue generator and formatted for display on a mobile device of a mobile carrier. The system may include a processor, a memory and an interface. The memory may store a mobile request and a data describing a revenue generator. The interface may communicate with a user though a mobile device. The processor may be operatively connected to the interface and the memory, and may receive a mobile request from the user for a page of the revenue generator. The processor may determine whether the requested page is formatted for display on the mobile device. If the requested page is not formatted for display on the mobile device, the processor may generate a page related the revenue generator and formatted for display on the mobile device. The processor may serve the dynamically generated mobile page to the user.
- Application 20070287458 – SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING FOR A REVENUE GENERATOR TO BID EXCLUSIVELY ON MOBILE SEARCH TRAFFIC [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-07-30Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A system is described for providing for a revenue generator to bid exclusively on mobile search traffic. The system may include a processor, a memory and an interface. The memory may store a plurality of bids, a keyword, a mobile search request and a mobile advertisement associated with a revenue generator. The interface may communicate with a user and a plurality of revenue generators. The processor may receive bids on the keyword from the revenue generators. The bids may apply to the keyword when the keyword is searched for through the mobile carrier. The processor may receive the mobile search request from the user. The processor may determine if the mobile search request originated from the mobile carrier. The processor may serve the user the advertisement if the mobile search request originated from the mobile carrier, otherwise the mobile advertisement is not served for the keyword.
- Application 20070288317 – SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING FOR A REVENUE GENERATOR TO BID INDIVIDUALLY ON MOBILE SEARCH TRAFFIC ORIGINATING FROM EACH MOBILE CARRIER IN A PLURALITY OF MOBILE CARRIERS [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-07-30Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A system is described for providing for a revenue generator to bid individually on mobile search traffic originating from each mobile carrier in a plurality of mobile carriers. The system may include a processor, a memory and an interface. The memory may store a plurality of bids, a keyword, a plurality of mobile advertisements and a mobile search request. The interface may communicate with a user and a revenue generator. The processor may receive, via the interface, the plurality of bids and the plurality of mobile advertisements from the revenue generator. Each bid and each mobile advertisement may be associated with at least one mobile carrier. The processor may receive from the user, via the interface, a mobile search request. The processor may determine which mobile carrier the mobile search request originated from and the processor may serve the mobile advertisement associated with the determined mobile carrier to the user.
- Application 20070288318 – SYSTEM FOR DISPLAYING THE ADVERTISING PERFORMANCE OF A REVENUE GENERATOR FOR EACH MOBILE CARRIER IN A PLURALITY OF MOBILE CARRIERS [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-07-30Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A system is described for displaying the advertising performance of a revenue generator for each mobile carrier in a plurality of mobile carriers. The system may include a processor, a memory and an interface. The memory may store a historical advertising performance dataset, a plurality of advertising performance data items, and a report. The interface may communicate with the revenue generator and a data source. The processor may retrieve the historical advertising performance dataset from the data source. The processor may generate the plurality of advertising performance data items from the historical advertising performance dataset. Each advertising performance data item may comprise data describing the advertising performance of the revenue generator on a mobile carrier. The processor may generate a report based on the plurality of advertising performance data items. The processor may display the report to the revenue generator, via the interface.
- Application 20080255937 – SYSTEM FOR OPTIMIZING THE PERFORMANCE OF ONLINE ADVERTISEMENTS USING A NETWORK OF USERS AND ADVERTISERS [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-07-30Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A system is described for optimizing the performance of online advertisements using a network of users and advertisers. The system may include a memory, an interface, and a processor. The memory may store a data representing a network comprised of queries linked to advertisements, a search query, a relevance value for each query, and a predicted weight for each advertisement. The interface may communicate with a plurality of users. The processor may be operatively connected to the memory and interface and may identify the network, and receive a query from a user, wherein the query exists in the network. The processor may calculate relevance values for the queries and use the queries with the highest relevance values to calculate a weight for each advertisement, the weight representing the relevance of the advertisement to the search query. The processor may then serve the advertisements with the highest weights to the user.
- Application 20080256039 – SYSTEM FOR DETERMINING THE QUALITY OF QUERY SUGGESTION SYSTEMS USING A NETWORK OF USERS AND ADVERTISERS [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-07-30Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A system is described for determining the quality of query suggestion systems using a network of users and advertisers. The system may include a memory and a processor. The memory may store data representing a plurality of query suggestion systems, a historical dataset, a plurality of residual values, and a data representing a network. The network may comprise a plurality of query items representing queries linked to a plurality of advertisement items representing advertisements via a plurality of query-advertisement link items. The processor may retrieve the historical dataset and generate the data representing the network. The processor may calculate the residual values for each query suggestion system in the plurality of query suggestion systems. The residual value may represent a value attributable to the query suggestions generated by a given query suggestion system. The processor may store the residual value of each query suggestion in the memory.
- Application 20080256059 – SYSTEM FOR GENERATING QUERY SUGGESTIONS USING A NETWORK OF USERS AND ADVERTISERS [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-07-30Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A system is described for generating query suggestions using a network of users and advertisers. The system may include a memory, an interface, and a processor. The memory may store a data representing a network comprising query items linked to advertisement items via link items, wherein each link item comprises a weight representing the strength of the relationship between each query item and advertisement item, a search query item, and a relevance value for each query item. The processor may be operatively connected to the memory and the interface and may identify the data representing the network and receive a search query item. The processor may calculate a relevance value for each additional query item in the network based on its relationship to the received search query item. The processor may then suggest the query items with the highest relevance values to the user via the interface.
- Application 20080256060 – SYSTEM FOR DETERMINING THE QUALITY OF QUERY SUGGESTIONS USING A NETWORK OF USERS AND ADVERTISERS [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-07-30Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A system is described for determining the quality of query suggestions using a network of users and advertisers. The system may include a memory and a processor. The memory may store a historical dataset, a residual value, a query-advertisement link value, a query suggestion value, and a data representing a network. The network may comprise a plurality of query items linked to a plurality of advertisement items via a plurality of query-advertisement link items. The processor may generate data representing the network and may identify a query-advertisement link item in the network. The processor may calculate the residual value of the query suggestion system represented by the match type of the query-advertisement link item. The processor may calculate the query-advertisement link value. The processor may add the residual value to the query-advertisement link value to determine a query suggestion value and may store the query suggestion value in the memory.
- Application 20080256061 – SYSTEM FOR GENERATING QUERY SUGGESTIONS BY INTEGRATING VALUABLE QUERY SUGGESTIONS WITH EXPERIMENTAL QUERY SUGGESTIONS USING A NETWORK OF USERS AND ADVERTISERS [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-07-30Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A system is described for generating query suggestions by integrating valuable query suggestions with experimental query suggestions using a network of users and advertisers. The system may include a memory, an interface, and a processor. The memory may store a historical dataset, a plurality of query suggestions, a plurality of query suggestion values, a query exploit set, a query explore set, and a data describing a network. The processor may identify the plurality of query suggestions in the historical dataset and generate data describing the network based on the historical dataset. The processor may calculate the query suggestion value for each query suggestion and may rank the query suggestions based on the query suggestion values. The processor may generate an exploit set comprising the top ranked query suggestions and an explore set comprising the remainder. The processor may suggest the query suggestions in the exploit set and the explore set.
- Application 20090029720 – SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING ELECTRONIC ADVERTISEMENTS [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-07-27Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A system for displaying electronic advertisements on a display device includes a processor having a set of instructions, a display device in communication with the processor and a network interface in communication with the processor. The processor is configured by the set of instructions to receive an initial advertisement from a central server via the network interface, display an initial advertisement and a first navigational element on the display device, receive a subsequent advertisement from the central server based on a user’s interaction with the initial advertisement, and display the subsequent advertisement on the display device when the first navigational element is selected by the user.
- Application 20080016046 – Query categorizer [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-07-26Assignee: Yahoo Inc.
In response to a user’s submission of a set of query terms through an Internet search engine’s user interface, the Internet search engine automatically ranks multiple verticals based on the estimated probabilities that those verticals will contain relevant content. After the verticals have been ranked, a set of the highest-ranked verticals is selected. Search results from each of the verticals in the selected set are presented to the user. Thus, the user may obtain a sample from verticals that are the most likely to contain relevant content. The search engine may rank a set of verticals based on historical search result selection data for similar sets of query terms. The historical search result selection data for a set of query terms indicates, for each vertical, the number of times that any user selected a search result from that vertical after conducting a search based on that set of query terms.
- Application 20090030784 – BUSINESS APPLICATIONS AND MONETIZATION MODELS OF RICH MEDIA BRAND INDEX MEASUREMENTS [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-07-26Assignee: Yahoo Inc
A method for campaign optimization of interactive rich media advertising includes providing a plurality of creatives; assigning a weight to each creative; tracking user interaction with at least some of the plurality of creatives; continuously computing a brand index (BI) for each creative based on the tracked user interaction and the weight of each tracked creative; updating an optimization engine with a latest BI for each creative, wherein the optimization engine dynamically adjusts the weight of each creative based on the latest BI for each creative; and serving over a communication network the creatives based on the weight associated with each, such that the creatives with higher weight are served more frequently than the creatives with lower weight as an optimized ad campaign of the plurality of creatives.
- Application 20090030785 – MONETIZING RICH MEDIA ADVERTISING INTERACTION [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-07-26Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A method for calculating brand index (BI) for interactive rich media advertising produces a brand effectiveness model, and includes categorizing advertising exposure of a rich media ad into a type of bucket, and for each type of bucket: assigning a weight (W.sub.j) to each of a plurality of data types collected in the bucket; assigning a score (D.sub.j) to each of the data types collected in the bucket; tracking a frequency (N.sub.j) of occurrence of each data type; and calculating a bucket brand index (BBI.sub.i)=.SIGMA.W.sub.j*N.sub.j*D.sub.j. A non-linear approach to calculating BBI may also be used. A bucket weight (W.sub.i) is assigned to each type of bucket; the BI is calculated as a weighted sum of the plurality of bucket brand indexes (BBI)=.SIGMA.W.sub.i*BBI.sub.i, and the BI is communicated to an advertiser or publisher for an ad campaign that includes the BBI.sub.i to indicate monetization value of the rich media ad.
- Application 20090030991 – SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR STREAMING VIDEOS INLINE WITH AN E-MAIL [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-07-25Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
A method of facilitating the organization and presentation of video e-mails containing embedded video provides a repository for distinguishing video e-mails from regular e-mails, displays the contents of the repository (e.g., as a list of thumbnails, etc.), and, in response to their selection, streams embedded videos from within the e-mail client where the body of an e-mail is usually displayed.
- Application 20090030707 – SYSTEM AND METHOD OF RESEARCHING REAL ESTATE [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-07-23Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
A method of researching real estate properties online uses a local Rich Internet Application (RIA) to perform an online search through a real estate web service and stores the results of the search locally so that they may be accessed offline. The results of the search may be further used by a map web service to generate maps of, and driving directions between, selected properties, and this information may also be stored locally for offline retrieval.
- Application 20090021790 – User-controlled print friendly page [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-07-20Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
An interface for viewing and/or printing a web page according to user-control of the content is provided. In one example, an interface includes at least one user-selectable option for displaying content from a web page, the web page including at least two content types, and displaying the web page according to at least one user-selectable option. The interface may include a selection interface having the at least one user-selectable option, which may include check boxes or other selectable features such as sliders, radio buttons, or drop-down menus; alternatively, a user-selectable option may be viewable during a hover or roll-over state of displayed content. The content types may include text, images, videos, advertisements, comments, and so on, which may adjust in real-time in response to a change in the user-selectable option. The interface may further include a print button for initiating a function for printing the displayed content according to the user-selected options.
- Application 20090024463 – TECHNIQUES FOR IMPROVING USER ENGAGEMENT WITH ADVERTISEMENTS [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-07-18Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
Methods and apparatus are described for stimulating user engagement with advertising content. Presentation of an interface in a display for viewing by a user is facilitated. The interface includes a content window occupying a substantially fixed location in the interface. Presentation of a sequence of units of content in the content window, some of which are advertisements is facilitated. Various techniques are described to encourage user engagement and interaction with the content window.
- Application 20090024510 – System and method of making markets for a finite subset of orders placed across continuous and countably infinite outcome spaces [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-07-18Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
An improved system and method is provided for making markets for a finite subset of orders across continuous and countably infinite outcome spaces. To do so, a prediction market engine may be provided to support prediction markets by aggregating information about orders specifying a continuous subspace of a continuous outcome space and orders specifying a subset of a countably infinite set of outcomes. The pricing and/or quantities for orders received may be determined, a response may be sent to traders indicating the pricing or quantities of orders for payment, and the amount owed for accepted orders may be collected. Winning accepted orders may be identified and payout may be made for winning accepted orders. Advantageously, the present invention may support aggregation of more information from market participants in a prediction market to forecast the likelihood of the occurrence of a certain event.
- Application 20090023429 – Asynchronous search platform for mobile device users [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-07-17Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Apparatus for an asynchronous search platform is provided in which a user may submit a request for information via a mobile device and receives a response from a researcher. In one example, the apparatus includes a server operable to receive a user-generated request from a mobile device, communicate the request to a researcher (i.e., a person) for formulating a response to the request, and communicate the response to the mobile device. Each received request is sent to a researcher that attempts to generate a response to the request for sending to the user’s mobile device. The researcher may further access user information for generating the response. The process operates asynchronously where, for example, a user’s request is queued until an actual person, i.e., a researcher, is available to serve the request by obtaining the information requested. The quality and relevancy of information obtained may be improved over automated systems that rely solely on computers to serve such requests.
- Application 20090024315 – Techniques for representing location information [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-07-17Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Methods and apparatus are described for representing points of interest relative to a user-defined geographic area in a map interface. Representation of the geographic area and a plurality of point-of-interest (POI) locations corresponding to the points of interest is facilitated in the map interface using a color scheme in which variations in color represent variations in density of the POI locations within the geographic area.
- Application 20090025036 – SYSTEM FOR PRESENTING AN ELECTRONIC PROGRAMMING GUIDE IN A SATELLITE COMMUNICATION SYSTEM [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-07-17Assignee: AT&T KNOWLEDGE VENTURES, L.P.
A system for presenting an electronic programming guide in a satellite communication system is disclosed. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a satellite media receiver having a controller element to transmit to a portal information associated with an Electronic Programming Guide (EPG). The portal can process the information to present a Graphical User Interface (GUI) window corresponding to a slideable canvas of the EPG in an Internet browser of a communication device requesting the EPG. Other embodiments are disclosed.
- Application 20090024489 – REPUTATION BASED DISPLAY [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-07-16Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
A computer-implemented method for managing the display of items to which consumers may respond, which comprises the following: determining a first display position for an item based at least in part on a reputation associated with a profile to which the item belongs; causing the item to be displayed at the first display position; and during a lifetime of the item, adjusting the reputation associated with the profile to which the item belongs based on an aggregated consumer response with respect to the item, adjusting the display position of the item to a second display position based at least in part on the adjusted reputation associated with the profile, and causing the item to be displayed at the second display position.
- Application 20090024621 – METHOD TO SET UP ONLINE BOOK COLLECTIONS AND FACILITATE SOCIAL INTERACTIONS ON BOOKS [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-07-16Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
A computer-implemented method for recommending books is provided, which comprises the following: receiving data representing at least one image of a collection of books; automatically determining at least one piece of standard information about the collection of books by processing the image data; and recommending at least one book that is not included in the collection of books to a person associated with the collection of books based on the collection of books.
- Application 20090025055 – SYSTEM FOR REMOTE ACCESS OF SATELLITE MEDIA SERVICES [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-07-16Assignee: AT&T KNOWLEDGE VENTURES, L.P.
A system for remote access of satellite communication services is disclosed. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a portal having a controller element to present at a communication device one or more manageable services of a satellite media receiver operating in a satellite communication system. Other embodiments are disclosed.
- Application 20090019053 – METHOD FOR SEARCHING FOR AND MARKETING FASHION GARMENTS ONLINE [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-07-13Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
A method of generating clothing recommendations for a potential purchaser uses user-specific information to generate a list of suggested garments for the user and displays a graphical representation of the garments. The user-specific information may include recommendations from one or more friends, fashion experts, or other purchasers, optionally including information based on purchasing history or shopping history of other purchasers. The graphical representation may include a three-dimensional representation. Recommendations may be prioritized based on ranking.
- Application 20090018770 – MOBILE NOTIFICATION SYSTEM [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-07-12Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
A method for providing information to a traveler during a vehicle trip is provided, which comprises the following: monitoring a current location of a vehicle and at least one aspect of the vehicle trip other than the current location of the vehicle; and providing information to the traveler in response to as least one status change with respect to the at least one aspect of the vehicle trip based on the current location of the vehicle.
- Application 20090019486 – METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR IMPROVED MEDIA DISTRIBUTION [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-07-12Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
This disclosure describes methods and systems for improved media distribution. More specifically, this disclosure sets forth methods and systems for distributing video to a third party.
- Application 20090017804 – System for Serving Targeted Advertisements Over Mobile Messaging Services [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-07-11Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A system is described for serving targeted advertisements over mobile messaging services. The system may include a processor, a memory and an interface. The memory may store a request for an advertisement and an advertisement. The interface may be operatively connected to the memory and the processor and may communicate with mobile network operators. The mobile network operators may be capable of providing mobile services users. The processor may be operatively connected to the interface and the memory and may receive a request for an advertisement from a mobile network operator via the interface. The request for an advertisement may be related to a mobile message sent from a first user to a second user via the mobile network operator. The processor may retrieve an advertisement based on the request for an advertisement. The processor may communicate the advertisement to the mobile network operator via the interface.
- Application 20090017805 – System for Targeting Data to Users on Mobile Devices [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-07-11Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A system is described for targeting data to users on mobile devices. The system may include a processor, a memory and an interface. The memory may be operatively connected to the processor and the interface and may store a request, a mobile identifier, a session identifier, a user behavior dataset and a data. The interface may be operatively connected to the memory and the processor and may communicate with the mobile device. The processor may be operatively connected to the interface and the memory and may receive a request from a user on a mobile device via the interface. The processor may extract a mobile identifier from the request and map the mobile identifier to a session identifier. The processor may use the session identifier to collect a user behavior dataset and may communicate data to the user based on the user behavior dataset via the interface.
- Application 20090019182 – BEHAVIORAL PREDICTIONS BASED ON NETWORK ACTIVITY LOCATIONS [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-07-11Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
A computer-implemented method for constructing network activity profiles is provided, which comprises the following: obtaining a plurality of records of network activities from an activity source, each record corresponding to an interaction with a network resource via the network from the activity source, wherein each record comprises at least a network endpoint address from where the interaction originates and an indication of a time of the interaction; for each record, determining a geographical location corresponding to the network endpoint address of that record and associating the determined geographical location with that record; and constructing at least one profile for the activity source based on the plurality of records and at least one geographical location associated with the records, wherein each profile comprises a time-based behavior pattern associated with the at least one geographical location.
- Application 20090019031 – Interface for visually searching and navigating objects [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-07-10Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Interfaces, apparatuses, and methods for searching and navigating a set of objects are provided. In one example, an interface includes a field for entering filter criteria for searching a set of objects and a display portion for displaying tiles associated with the objects according to the filter criteria. The tiles are displayed such that the best match to the filter criteria is displayed centrally and/or larger relative to other displayed tiles within the display portion. For example, the set of objects may be ranked according to the filter criteria by a suitable algorithm to determine the object having the highest rank or best match to the filter criteria. Further, tiles associated with lower ranked objects may be displayed concentrically around the best match such that the display centers on the tiles associated with the highest ranked objects per the filter criteria.
- Application 20090019497 – SYSTEM FOR CONFIGURING SATELLITE COMMUNICATION SERVICES [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-07-10Assignee: AT&T KNOWLEDGE VENTURES, L.P.
A system for configuring satellite communication services is disclosed. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a portal having a controller element to detect an installation of a satellite media receiver operating in a satellite communication system. The installation of the satellite media receiver can be detected by way of a broadband port of said satellite media receiver when coupled to a local area network accessible by the portal. The controller element can also adapt at least a portion of said portal according to said installation. Other embodiments are disclosed.
- Application 20090015599 – DRAGGABLE MECHANISM FOR IDENTIFYING AND COMMUNICATING THE STATE OF AN APPLICATION [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-07-09Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
In a method and system for identifying and communicating a state of an application, a namespace is defined for a draggable mechanism. The draggable mechanism is located within an application window housing an application. Metadata identifying application state information is appended to a URL embedded within the draggable mechanism to reflect a first application state of the application. The metadata identifying the application state information is updated at a predetermined interval to reflect new application states.
- Application 20090012855 – SYSTEM AND METHOD OF USING CAPTCHAS AS ADS [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-07-06Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
A method of using advertisements in a Completely Automatic Public Turing test to tell Computers and Humans Apart (CAPTCHA) challenge/response transaction. In accordance with one aspect, a server allows access to some resource if the response to the ad/CAPTCHA challenge is an acceptable response.
- Application 20090013033 – Identifying excessively reciprocal links among web entities [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-07-06Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A method for identifying reciprocal links is provided. At a particular host, the set of hosts which link to the particular host and the set of hosts to which the particular host links are determined. The intersection and union of the two sets of hosts are also determined, and the sizes of the intersection and union are calculated. The concentration of reciprocal links at the particular host is calculated based on the sizes of the intersection and union. A ratio of the intersection size to the union size is used to determine the concentration of reciprocal links. The particular host’s rank in a list of ranked search results may be changed as a result of identification of a high concentration of reciprocal links.
- Application 20090013054 – DETECTING SPAM MESSAGES USING RAPID SENDER REPUTATION FEEDBACK ANALYSIS [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-07-06Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A network device and method are directed towards detecting and blocking spam within a message by rapidly performing a predication analysis based on early received sender reputation reports. Reputation reports may be received from a plurality of users receiving messages that they interpret as either spam or non-spam. A reputation report rate prediction table is employed to predict the total number of user reports that will occur. The total number of spam reports and not spam (ham) reports for may then be used with a sender categorization model to rapidly predict whether the sender is likely to be a spammer. If the sender is determined to be a spammer, various preventative actions may be taken, including, but not limited to blocking messages from the sender to users, alerting third party filter generators of the spammer, or the like.
- Application 20080016055 – Geographical Location Extraction [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-07-03Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
A geographical location extraction method and tool to infer a likely geographical location from one or more search terms entered as a query by a user on a search engine or the like.
- Application 20090011743 – MOBILE TRADING CARDS [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-07-02Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A mobile device, system, and method are directed towards enabling users of a mobile device to exchange dynamic mobile trading cards. A first mobile device user may create an account with one or more profiles of sharable static and/or dynamic information. The first mobile device user may employ one of several available mechanisms, to communicate with a sharing service to identify a second mobile device user. The sharing service may then enable the second mobile device user to access and view the shared dynamic profile displayable within a multi-sided mobile trading card format. The shared profile may also be, downloadable into one or more applications onto the second mobile device user’s mobile device. Changes to the shared profile by the first mobile device user may be viewed by the second mobile device user without the first mobile device user having to resend the profile to the second mobile device user.
- Application 20090012996 – SYNDICATION OPTIMIZATION SYSTEM [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-07-02Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
Aspects of the present invention include automating the process of determining the optimal channels for syndicating content. The automation process can be based on a plurality of factors weighted in accordance with a user’s preferences. A further aspect of the present invention calls for dynamically updating the process of channel selection by continually updating the data used in the decision making process. Aspects of the present invention allow a user to apply their chosen factors at various levels of granularity such as for individual products, product lines, category of products, or company-by-company.
- Application 20090006115 – Establishing and updating reputation scores in online participatory systems [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-06-29Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
The establishment and adjustment of the reputation score of a party in an online transaction system is described. A party may provide consideration to a transaction portal. In response, the transaction portal may increase (or initially establish) a reputation score for the party based upon the consideration. The portal may return to the party at least a portion of the consideration in response to a favorable event. The portal may decrease the score based upon factors such as the value of transactions weighted by user ratings. The transaction portal may also increase the score based upon a function of commissions made in transactions involving the party.
- Application 20090006192 – Point of Presence Sponsorship Mechanism for Digital Content Objects [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-06-29Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Particular embodiments of the present invention are related to a point-of-presence distribution and sponsorship mechanism facilitating sponsored distribution and use of digital content, ad content and revenue generation opportunities.
- Application 20090002166 – System and Method of Generating Recommendations Using An RFID-Enabled Recommendation System [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-06-28Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
A RFID-enabled recommendation system and related method utilizing information from RFID tags of products (e.g., foodstuffs) to generate recommendations regarding said products. In accordance with one aspect, a server generates recommendations based on product-specific information sent from a RFID tag.
- Application 20090006109 – Rights Engine Including Event Logs [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-06-28Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A location indicator indicative of a network address where a content item is located or a content item can be received from a rights holder. An indication of access rights, in a computer-readable, canonicalized format, to be associated with the content item is received from the rights holder. The content item or the location indicator is stored in association with the indication of access rights. A searchable repository can be provided to the content consumer. The searchable repository can be utilized by the content consumer to access the content item according to search parameters that comprise the indication of access rights associated with the content item. Transaction and content consumption events may be tracked to facilitate various functions, such as dynamic pricing models, access rights enforcement, and revenue tracking.
- Application 20090006311 – AUTOMATED SYSTEM TO IMPROVE SEARCH ENGINE OPTIMIZATION ON WEB PAGES [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-06-28Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A system and method for automated search engine optimization (SEO) are disclosed. The automated SEO may analyze search query logs, or a search log database to determine popular concepts/units which may be automatically utilized to optimize a site or page for search engine results. The site or page is edited based on the automated SEO. In particular, the search log database may provide a unit frequency list reflecting the popularity of various units. The more popular units that are related to the content of the page may be used in the automated SEO of the page. The unit frequency list may be compared with the existing units of a page, so that the more popular concepts within the page may be emphasized.
- Application 20090006325 – DYNAMIC HEADLINE SWITCHER [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-06-28Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A system for dynamic headline switching. The system includes a database, a display module, an Interface module, and a search engine. The database contains entry data for accessing content such as stories, pictures, or videos. The display engine generates a display including a current headline. The Interface module indexes through each headline, for example, at a predetermined time interval, to provide new and updated information to the user. The search engine queries the database and generates a list of entries allowing the user to access content related to the current headline.
- Application 20090006532 – DYNAMIC PHISHING PROTECTION IN INSTANT MESSAGING [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-06-28Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Method, apparatus, and systems are directed to phishing detection and prevention in Instant Messaging (IM) environments. A variety of sources provide phishing data to a client phishing engine (CAE). The CAE may receive data from various applications local to the client device, from sources external to the client device, user input, and data from a plurality of other client devices. The CAE may employ the data to block access to a site and/or provide a warning message. At least some of the phishing data is provided to a centralized anti-phishing server (CAS) from a plurality of client devices. The CAS then attempts to use the received phishing data to search for the originator of the phishing site, and prevent future messages associated with the site. CAS will provide information about the detected phishing sites to a filtering application, such that the phishing site may be appropriately blocked.
- Application 20090006533 – SERVER-AIDED APPROACH TO IMPROVE MEDIA NEGOTIATION EFFICIENCY [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-06-28Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A network device, system, and method are directed towards employing a media advisor to determine a media match for media types among computing devices. During a SIP communications, a caller device sends an SIP/SDP invite message to a callee device, which is received by a first proxy server and forwarded to a second proxy server. The second proxy employs the media advisor to perform a media agreement using information about the caller and callee to determine a matching codec for the given media type. The media advisor returns the match information to the second proxy server, which reformats the invite to substitute the provided codec/media information with the match information. The proxy server then forwards the modified invite message to the callee computing device. The callee computing device, confirming the match, responds with an okay type response that is sent to the caller to establish the call session.
- Application 20090007092 – Flashed based data aggregation and exchange [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-06-28Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A system and method for affecting global change to application instance windows or applications at a client side device are disclosed herein. New and/or substitute feature, content, and/or functionality can be provided to application instance windows or applications that use flash player technology. The implementation of the new feature, content, and/or functionality may be toggled on/off by the user or it may be automatically provided to the user. The implementation affects no permanent change to the application instance windows or applications. Rather it drives user customization, improves user experience, and provides a way to potentially generate revenue.
- Application 20090007274 – Rights Engine Including Access Rights Enforcement [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-06-28Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A location indicator indicative of a network address where a content item is located or a content item can be received from a rights holder. An indication of access rights, in a computer-readable, canonicalized format, to be associated with the content item is received from the rights holder. The content item or the location indicator is stored in association with the indication of access rights. A searchable repository can be provided to the content consumer. The searchable repository can be utilized by the content consumer to access the content item according to search parameters that comprise the indication of access rights associated with the content item. Transaction and content consumption events may be tracked to facilitate various functions, such as dynamic pricing models, access rights enforcement, and revenue tracking.
- Application 20080320139 – SOCIAL MOBILIZED CONTENT SHARING [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-06-25Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A mobile device, system, and method are directed towards identifying and employing social agents within a social network for distribution of multimedia content virally over mobile devices. The social agent may identify one or more multimedia content items for distribution. The social agent may also identify recipients of the viral distributions, or the recipients may be automatically identified based on the social network. The recipients may receive a message that enables them to access a playlist of the social agent’s multimedia content. The playlist may be associated with a card display that displays information about the social agent on one side. The recipient may then `flip` the card to display the playlist. Playing of a selection in the playlist may then enable the social agent to receive a reward. The recipient may also distribute the social agent’s playlist to another recipient, thus virally distributing multimedia content within the social network.
- Application 20080320124 – DATA-ASSISTED CONTENT PROGRAMMING [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-06-22Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
Methods, systems, and apparatuses for data-assisted content programming are described. Link access data for a website is collected, such as numbers and times of views and clicks for links of the website, and link generated revenue information. The link access data is optionally stored. A link performance measure is generated for a link based on the link access data. An indication of the calculated link performance measure for the link is graphically displayed in a content scheduler. The indication may be based on an actual click through rate for the link, on an average click through rate for links in a module in which the link resides, link user engagement information, revenue generated by the link, or on other link access data. The content scheduler may display a website content schedule timeline or a webpage preview that includes the graphical indication.
- Application 20080320307 – Method for Session Security [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-06-19Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A secret string is established so as to be known only to a client computing system and a server computing system. A non-encrypted version of a message, a message counter value, and first hash value are received by the server computing system from the client computing system. The first hash value, based on a content of the message, the message counter value, and the secret string, is generated at the client computing system using a first hash algorithm. Using the first hash algorithm, the server generates second hash value based on the content of the received message, the received message counter value, and the secret string. The server computing system accepts the received non-encrypted version of the message as authentic upon determining that the received message counter value is greater than a previously received message counter value and that the second hash value matches the first hash value.
- Application 20070288483 – METHOD FOR THE REAL-TIME DISTRIBUTION OF STREAMING DATA ON A NETWORK [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-06-14Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A method for sampling of streaming data for distribution on a network (e.g., the Internet) includes receiving the steaming data (which includes periodically updated information items) from a streaming data source. The periodically updated information items of the streaming data are subsequently sampled using a sampling process based on a total update rate of the steaming data (U.sub.a) and a capacity of the network (C), thereby creating a sampled data stream. Alternatively, the periodically updated information items of the streaming data can be sampled using a sampling process that is also based on the importance (K.sub.qmin) of each of the periodically updated information items and the update rate (U.sub.q) of each of the periodically updated information items to create the sampled data stream. The sampled data stream is then distributed on the network (e.g., the Internet or a private area network).
- Application 20080311934 – MOBILE CONTEXTUAL SMS ADVERTISING [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-06-14Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A mobile device, system, and method are directed towards employing a social SMS question and response interaction to identify and provide an advertisement to questioner, along with the response. In one embodiment, the questioner may register for discounts to the SMS server in return for receiving advertisements. As the questioner sends a question to another user, the question may be intercepted and a copy stored. When the other user provides a response to the question, the response may be intercepted and used to socially refine the question. The refined question may then be used to select a contextual advertisement sent with the response. In one embodiment, the questioner may receive a discount for receiving the contextual advertisement.
- Application 20080313227 – METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MEDIA-BASED EVENT GENERATION [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-06-14Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Systems and methods are described allowing dynamic selection of media items (e.g., advertisements) for presentation within a media stream based on dynamically-generated information that describes the content of the media stream or the stream’s consumer. Systems may include meta data servers and media servers that work together to dynamically select media items and dynamically build a media stream containing the selected media items to the consumer. The media items are selected based on dynamically-generated meta data. Such meta data may be generated by previous consumers of the media stream and provide an accurate and dynamic description of the contents of the media stream. Because the media items are dynamically selected based on dynamically-generated meta data, even though the same media stream may be requested by different media consumers, each media stream is individually generated and may be a unique stream that reflects the impressions of previous consumers of the stream.
- Application 20080313541 – METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PERSONALIZED SEGMENTATION AND INDEXING OF MEDIA [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-06-14Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
This disclosure describes systems, methods and user interfaces that allow a user to identify, annotate and share a portion of a media item with another user. Through the user interface, the user may render a media item and identify a segment of the media item. Based on the media item, previously defined and shared segments may be suggested to the user allowing the user to quickly select and identify popular segments for sharing. In addition, previously used annotations of previously defined and shared segments may be suggested to the user allowing users to quickly select annotations. The sharing user may then issue a command that causes a link or other means for accessing the segment to be transmitted to a recipient. Accessing this link or other means, causes the segment defined by the sharing user to be rendered on the recipient’s device.
- Application 20080313570 – METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MEDIA LANDMARK IDENTIFICATION [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-06-14Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Methods and systems are described for allowing a user to quickly determine parts of a media item in which the user will be interested. In the methods and systems described, a timeline is provided for the media item and semantic icons are used as media landmarks along the timeline. The semantic icons are related to the content or a description of the content at the location in the media item corresponding to the semantic icon’s location on the timeline. The semantic icons, in addition to providing some immediate contextual information at a glance, also allow a user access to annotations of the media item. Semantic icons can represent tags, users who have created or modified annotations for the segment of the media item, or other relevant information. The semantic icons may also be used to determine a relative level of interest in different parts of the media item both with respect to the user and with respect to other users.
- Application 20080306819 – SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SHAPING RELEVANCE SCORES FOR POSITION AUCTIONS [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-06-08Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
The present invention is directed towards systems and methods for ranking and providing advertisements in a position auction. The method of the present invention comprises receiving a search query and selecting at least one keyword based upon the search query. A list containing at least one keyword based upon the search query is returned and a list comprising at least one bid corresponding to the returned list of keywords is retrieved. A priority score corresponding to each bid is computed and used to rank the list of bids. Advertisements are then provided corresponding to a plurality of the highest ranking bids.
- Application 20080306948 – STRING AND BINARY DATA SORTING [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-06-08Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A device, system, and method are directed towards sorting a set of string or binary data items. A segment of a fixed size from each data item is combined with a pointer to the data item in a word. The words are sorted, and words having equivalent string/binary segments are grouped together. The groups are recursively sorted until no groups remain or the end of the string or binary data in a group is sorted. Methods of the invention include determining a segment size based on a size of a pointer item and a word size, so that a segment and a pointer fit within a word, allowing comparisons and data manipulation to be performed on words.
- Application 20080306998 – METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR RENDERING A COLLECTION OF MEDIA ITEMS [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-06-08Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
The systems and methods disclosed herein relate to the identification, rendering, and publishing of collections of media items in an interactive computing environment.
- Application 20080307037 – Client Notification Mechanism Over HTTP [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-06-07Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A TCP connection is opened between a client and a server. An HTTP client request is transmitted from the client to the server over the open TCP connection. If client data is not pending at the server upon receipt of the HTTP client request at the server, the server waits for client data to become available before sending a server response to the client, thereby maintaining the open TCP connection. However, if client data is pending at the server upon receipt of the HTTP client request at the server, a server response including the client data is transmitted from the server to the client over the open TCP connection. Promptly upon receiving the server response, the client transmits a new HTTP client request to the server, thereby ensuring that an open TCP connection is maintained between the client and the server.
- Application 20080301119 – SYSTEM FOR SCALING AND EFFICIENT HANDLING OF LARGE DATA FOR LOADING, QUERY, AND ARCHIVAL [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-06-04Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
A data query system is provided, which comprises: a data storage; a load server communicatively linked with the data storage and configured to store a plurality of data in the data storage as read-only data, and publish the plurality of read-only data; and a query server separate from the load server and communicatively linked with the load server and the data storage and configured to subscribe to the publication of the plurality of read-only data from the load server, and query the published plurality of read-only data to which it has subscribed in response to a query request.
- Application 20080301579 – Interactive interface for navigating, previewing, and accessing multimedia content [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-06-04Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
An interface for navigating and previewing content is provided. In one example, an interface includes a plurality of content modules displayed in a two-dimensional array, each content module associated with a summary of content and an initial display. The initial display may include, for example, an image and text associated with the content. Selection of a content module causes a display of the summary of the content within the display space of the content module, and subsequent to the selection (e.g., in response to a user selecting a new content module or indicating they are done) the content module display is different than the initial display, thereby allowing a user to determine which content modules have been previously selected. The summary of the content may include a portion of the associated content, and may further include a link for accessing the associated content.
- Patent 7430118 – Cold row encapsulation for server farm cooling system [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-06-04Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)Apparatuses, methods, and systems directed to efficient cooling of data centers. Some embodiments of the invention allow encapsulation of cold rows through an enclosure and allow server fans to draw cold air from the cold row encapsulation structure to cool servers installed on the server racks. In other particular embodiments, the systems disclosed can be used to mix outside cool air into the cold row encapsulation structure to cool the servers. In some embodiments, the present invention involves using multiple cold row encapsulation structures to cool the servers installed on the racks.
- Application 20080281757 – TRUSTED PRIVACY INFORMATION MANAGEMENT [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-06-01Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A method for tracking and controlling privacy information within a lead sales system includes logging receipt in a log of one or more encrypted leads by a trusted privacy information manager (TPIM) that are received from a participant thereof, the one or more leads including private lead information from a lead provider having been pre-processed and encrypted with a one-way hash algorithm; comparing the received one or more encrypted leads with stored encrypted leads to find matches; updating the log related to the one or more encrypted leads with information associated with the matching one or more encrypted leads, the log information including at least one of an e-mail address and a phone number of the lead provider; and communicating to the lead provider at least one way to access a user interface of the TPIM that enables the lead provider to control his or her private lead information.
- Application 20080244414 – ON-WIDGET DATA CONTROL [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-05-31Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A system and method are directed towards enabling control of widgets using on-widget data controls. A visitor may enter selective personal information and determine what information is made available on a social networking webpage. A visitor to a social networking website may select to not have their information displayed at a social networking website, while still being displayed at another social networking website. A visitor’s information may be displayed within a reader roll, an association listing, a visitor comment page, or the like. An owner of a social networking website may also select not to have a visitor’s information displayed on the website. In one embodiment, selecting not to display information may be performed by `mousing` over the information and selecting a display option. Social networking websites may look to a centralized registration system to determine whether to display the visitor information.
- Application 20080299989 – CENTRALIZED LOCATION BROKER [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-05-31Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A centralized location system includes a location update application programming interface (API) to receive varying types of location inputs for a user from at least one location-providing application. A memory stores a location of the user and the location inputs, wherein the location update API periodically updates in the memory the location inputs when location updates are received from the at least one location-providing application. A location export API, upon request from a location-based service application, processes the location inputs to estimate a location of the user, which location estimate replaces the stored location in memory and is sent to the location-based service application. A user interface enables the user to specify a location granularity for at least one of the at least one location-providing application and the location-based service application.
- Application 20080300970 – REDEMPTION TECHNIQUES FOR ELECTRONIC COUPONS [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-05-29Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
Methods and apparatus are described for redeeming an electronic coupon. The electronic coupon corresponds to an advertiser and has an associated coupon identifier. The coupon identifier is received as part of a first communication session with a communication device. Redemption of the electronic coupon is facilitated where the communication device is associated with the advertiser.
- Application 20080301112 – ENABLING SEARCHING OF USER RATINGS AND REVIEWS USING USER PROFILE LOCATION, AND SOCIAL NETWORKS [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-05-29Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A system and method are directed towards a free-form search query of user reviews using user profile, location information, and/or social networks, to obtain a result having an associated universal aggregated rating. The user may enter in free-form a search query that may then be transparently modified using the user’s profile, social network, and/or current physical location. The search results may then be presented to the user along with aggregated weighted ratings. The user may also enter products and/or services into a data store, including comments, and a universal rating. In one embodiment, the user may provide a tag to another reviewer’s comments that may be useable to aggregate ratings. In one embodiment, the user’s profile, location, and/or social networking information may be used to further annotate the user’s inputs.
- Application 20080295008 – VISUAL BROWSING SYSTEM AND METHOD [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-05-24Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
A visual browsing method allows a user to look at an item closely by hovering over, instead of clicking on, an icon representing the item. The method also enables the user to browse items in different levels of a multiple level category without waiting for web pages to be loaded, to know where he/she has been in the multiple level category, and to back up if he/she likes. The method makes the browsing process faster and easier.
- Application 20080235089 – SYSTEM FOR SERVING ADVERTISEMENTS BASED ON OFFLINE ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-05-23Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A system is described for serving an online advertisement based on an offline advertising campaign. The system may include a memory, an interface and a processor. The memory may be operatively connected to the interface and the processor and may store an offline advertising campaign of an advertiser, an advertising effect period, a set of users, and an online advertisement. The interface may be operatively connected to the memory and may be used to serve the online advertisement to the users in the set of users. The processor may be operatively connected to the memory and the interface. The processor may identify the offline advertising campaign and the advertising effect period, the period when the offline advertising campaign is capable of effecting the online behavior of the set of users. The processor may identify an online advertisement relating to the offline advertising campaign. The processor may serve the online advertisement, to the users in the set of users, via the interface, during the advertising effect period.
- Application 20080294515 – Incentive-Based System and Method for Third-Party Web Application Development and Publication [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-05-23Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
A system and method is described by which a business entity provides an incentive to a third party to develop and publish a Web application that facilitates access to a Web service hosted by the business entity. In accordance with the system and method, a user attempts to use the third-party Web application via a Web browser executing on a client device, but fails because the user is unauthorized to use the service. Responsive to attempting to use the third-party Web application, tracking information is downloaded to the client device via the Web browser. The user then accesses a Web application hosted by the business entity to subscribe to the Web service. The Web application hosted by the business entity detects the tracking information stored on the client device and initiates a process for issuing payment to the third party responsive to detecting the tracking information.
- Application 20080294595 – VISUAL INTERFACE TO INDICATE CUSTOM BINNING OF ITEMS [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-05-22Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
Records representing items in a dimensionally-modeled fact collection are assigned to bins. A count-based portion of a user interface receives user bin assignment specification of the records based on user-specified counts of records. Actual counts for bin assignment are determined by constraining records having a same data value at a specified particular dimension to be within the same bin. A user-observable indication of the determined actual counts is provided. The user interface may include a value-based portion. The value-based portion of the user interface may be operated to receive user indication of bin assignment specification of records based on user-specified at least one value at the particular dimension. Determining actual counts includes reconciling the user indication of bin assignment specification in the count-based portion with the user indication of bin assignment specification in the value-based portion.
- Application 20080294671 – EXPORTING AGGREGATED AND UN-AGGREGATED DATA [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-05-22Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
A computer-implemented method, which comprises the following: receiving a graphical selection of a subset of data points from a set of data points, each data point representing at least one record of a dimensionally-modeled fact collection; and exporting information associated with the selected subset of data points.
- Application 20080294760 – HOT WITH MY READERS [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-05-22Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Embodiments of the invention are directed to identifying topics that are of interest to users belonging to a selected online community, across multiple online communities visited by the users. Online communities include blogs, websites, wikis, etc. For each online community, click activity or other client behaviors are tracked and analyzed to determine statistical metrics about community activity, such as which articles, links, services, or other network resources are popular in the online community. At least some of the analysis can be performed by clients that access the online communities, by a server of each online community, and/or by a central tracking system. The results for each community may be further analyzed relative to each other. The results are filtered for the selected community and provided for the selected community. For example, a list of the most popular links for all users belonging to the authored community may be provided.
- Application 20080294768 – HOT WITHIN MY COMMUNITIES [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-05-22Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Embodiments of the invention are directed to identifying network resources or other topics that are of interest to members of multiple online communities to which a user belongs. Online communities include blogs, websites, games, e-commerce systems, messaging systems, wikis, etc. For each online community, click activity or other client behaviors are tracked and analyzed to determine statistical metrics about community activity, such as which articles, links, services, or other network resources are popular in the online community. At least some of the tracking or analysis can be performed by clients that access the online communities, by a server of each online community, and/or by a central tracking system. The results for each community may be further analyzed relative to each other. The results are provided for all communities with which a given user is associated. For example, a list of the most popular links in the user’s selected online communities.
- Application 20080114759 – DERIVING USER INTENT FROM A USER QUERY [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-05-18Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
A system and method for deriving user intent from a query. The system includes a query engine, and an advertisement engine. The query engine receives a query from the user. The query engine analyzes the query to determine a query intent that is matched to a domain. The query may be further analyzed to derive predicate values based on the query and the domain hierarchy. The domain and associated information may then be matched to a list of advertisements. The advertisement may be assigned an ad match score based on a correlation between the query information and various listing information provided in the advertisement.
- Application 20080288480 – EFFICIENT ONLINE COMPUTATION OF DIVERSE QUERY RESULTS [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-05-18Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
The system includes a query engine and an advertisement engine. The query engine is configured to receive a query from the user. The advertisement engine generates advertisement results corresponding to the query. The advertisement results are selected from entries in an advertisement database, where the entries include predicate values corresponding to a domain. The advertisement engine generates a diverse advertisement result that is a subset of the database entries that match the query. The diversity result varies at least one predicate by selecting entries for the list that include a proportional representation of each available predicate value in the database that matches the query.
- Application 20080168154 – SIMULTANEOUS SHARING COMMUNICATION INTERFACE [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-05-17Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A user can share (show) multimedia information while simultaneously communicating (telling) with one or more other users over a network. Multimedia information is received from at least one source. The multimedia information may be manually and/or automatically annotated and shared with other users. The multimedia information may be displayed in an integrated live view simultaneously with other modes of communication, such as video, voice, or text. A simultaneous sharing communication interface provides an immersive experience that lets a user communicate via text, voice, video, sounds, music, or the like, with one or more other users while also simultaneously sharing media such as photos, videos, movies, images, graphics, illustrations, animations, presentations, narratives, music, sounds, applications, files, and the like. The simultaneous sharing interface enables a user to experience a higher level of intimacy in their communication with others over a network.
- Application 20080287107 – System and Method for Providing Advertisements Over a Communication Network Utilizing Shared-Revenue Incentives [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-05-17Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Systems and methods for adverting over a communication network are disclosed. Generally, an attempt by a first communication device to communicate with a second communication device is detected. An advertisement is sent to the first communication device and an indication is stored in an account record associated with the second communication device that an advertisement was sent to the first communication device based on an attempt to communicate with the second communication device. An ad provider may then share revenue with a user associated with the second communication device based on the account record.
- Application 20080288445 – Interactive aggregation of data on a scatter plot [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-05-17Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A computer-implemented method, which comprises the following: aggregating a plurality of records in accordance with an aggregation specification, wherein the records are part of a dimensionally-modeled fact collection; graphically representing the records in un-aggregated form; graphically representing the records in aggregated form; and causing the graphical representation of the records to be switched between aggregated form and un-aggregated form based on a user indication.
- Application 20080288344 – SYSTEM FOR TIERED BIDDING IN AN ONLINE INFORMATION SYSTEM BASED ON THE INTEGRITY OF NETWORK INTERACTIONS [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-05-16Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A system is described for bidding in an online information system on tiers for a search term or group of terms in a search request based on the integrity of the network interaction which generated the search request. The system may include a processor, an interface and a memory. The memory may be operatively connected to the processor, and the interface, and may store a plurality of integrity tiers, a term, and a plurality of bid amounts. The interface may be operatively connected to the memory and the processor and may communicate with the advertisers. The processor may identify the plurality of integrity tiers. The processor may receive a plurality of bid amounts, from an advertiser via the interface, associated with the term and the plurality of integrity tiers. The processor may store the plurality of bid amounts in the memory.
- Application 20080288454 – Context-directed search [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-05-16Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
When categories are assigned to pieces of information, a search can be focused based on the categories. In an online forum, information is categorized by topic, and a search can be focused on the topic by adding additional search terms or restrictions to a search query, where the additional search terms or restrictions are based upon the categories. The restrictions may restrict the search to a particular web site that is determined based upon the category. In an online forum for answering questions, where the questions are categorized by topic, information related to a question may be located by performing a Web search for search terms extracted from the question. The search can be focused on relevant web sites restricting the search to sites that are related to the question’s category. The results of the search may be displayed as related links alongside the question in the online forum.
- Application 20080288527 – User interface for graphically representing groups of data [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-05-16Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A technique of operating a user interface that enables the user to graphically manipulate records of a dimensionally-modeled fact collection, which comprises the following: receiving a graphical selection of a subset from a set of data points, each data point representing at least one record of the dimensionally-modeled fact collection; receiving a graphical manipulation of the selected subset of data points; defining at least one data group using the selected subset of data points and based on the graphical manipulation, wherein each data group comprises between 0 to n records represented by the selected subset of data points, wherein n is the total number of data points in the set of data points; and graphically representing the at least one data group. Alternatively, the technique comprises the following: performing an operation on at least one data group as described above; and graphically representing a result of the operation.
- Application 20080288865 – APPLICATION WITH IN-CONTEXT VIDEO ASSISTANCE [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-05-16Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
At least one computing device provides user assistance functionality associated with an application. The application is executed, including causing at least one user interface to be displayed via which a user may interact with the application. Each user interface corresponds to a particular function. For each function, in a portion of the user interface corresponding to that function, a user interface element is caused to be provided that, when activated, causes a user assistance video to be played regarding that function. Executing applications are thus provided associated in-context user assistance video tutorials. The users of the application are provided a mechanism to access the user assistance video tutorials in the context of the interface for which the help is sought.
- Application 20080288325 – System and Method for Providing Information Regarding a Redirection of an Internet User to a Webpage [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-05-15Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Systems and methods for providing information related to a redirection of a user to a webpage are disclosed. In one implementation, an ad provider serves a digital ad in response to a digital ad request. A user navigation event, such as a click-through, related to the served digital ad is detected and information related to at least one of the serving of the digital ad and a user associated with the user navigation event is passed to an advertiser system that presents the user with a webpage associated with the digital ad. The advertiser system may modify, or dynamically create, the webpage presented to the user based on the received information.
- Application 20080288452 – SERVICE USING REFERRER STRINGS TO IMPROVE ADVERTISEMENT TARGETING [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-05-15Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
Query information in an indication of a referral to a web page is used to characterize the web page, e.g., for targeting advertisements and/or other supplemental content to display in association with the web page or in the process of responding to subsequent search engine queries. A referral indication may be provided by the publisher web page, indicating a referral from a search engine service to the publisher web page based on an activation of one of a plurality of search results. The referral indication, and sometimes other information as well, is processed to cause determination therefrom of characteristics of the publisher web page. Thus, for example, based at least in part on the determined characteristics, supplemental content may be determined to be displayed in association with the content of the publisher web page. In addition, the determined characteristics may be used by a search engine service in the process of responding to search queries.
- Application 20080288640 – AUTOMATED TAGGING OF SYNDICATION DATA FEEDS [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-05-15Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
One aspect is a method of providing information relevant to a query. Syndication data feeds are processed, the syndication data feeds regarding the contents of publisher web pages. The processing of the syndication data feeds includes, for each syndication data feed, causing determination from that syndication data feed of at least one tag to associate with that syndication data feed and causing the at least one tag to be stored in association with an indication of syndication data feed information corresponding to that syndication data feed. The query is received, and the query is processed in view of the stored tags. Based thereon, an indication is provided of syndication data feed information corresponding to at least one syndication data feed.
- Application 20080288342 – SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DISPLAYING ADVERTISEMENTS USING A TOOLBAR [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-05-14Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Systems and methods have been developed for displaying advertisements within a toolbar. The toolbar display is generated by a toolbar application that searches content displayed within a browser window. For each web page, one or more keywords are selected based on the contents of the web page and an advertisement associated with the selected keywords is obtained. The advertisement, which may be in the form of a hyperlink or user-selectable text or icon, is then displayed within an area of the toolbar display. In this way, toolbars associated with online service providers, such as search toolbars, may be used to actively display advertisements to users in addition to providing convenient, yet passive, access to its associated online service. In order to display the advertisement, the toolbar display may scroll text within the display or may automatically expand the area of the display to show the advertisement or advertisements displayed.
- Application 20080103899 – INSERTING ADVERTISEMENTS INTO A TICKER [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-05-10Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Systems and methods are disclosed for automatically adding advertisements into a ticker. The disclosure includes receiving a request for a ticker data feed and generating a modified ticker data feed from the original data feed. One or more advertisements are selected and inserted as data items into the modified ticker data feed. The modified ticker data feed is then transmitted to the requester. When rendered on the requestor’s device, the modified ticker data feed displays the data items of the originally requested data feed along with the advertisements in a scrolling ticker.
- Application 20080281689 – EMBEDDED VIDEO PLAYER ADVERTISEMENT DISPLAY [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-05-09Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
The present disclosure describes systems and methods for retrieving and accessing, through a media player rendering a first piece of media, other pieces of media. Metadata may be provided with media content items, such as media files containing media streams. At predefined points in time in the video, the metadata is accessed and any other media associated with that frame of video are determined therefrom. This associated media is then displayed to the user automatically. The associated media may be an advertisement related to what was being shown in that frame, or point in the playback, or additional info about what was being shown in that frame, or point in the playback. The systems and methods can be used for displaying advertisements on web pages or in media players with limited display area.
- Application 20080282020 – DETERMINATION OF SAMPLING CHARACTERISTICS BASED ON AVAILABLE MEMORY [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-05-09Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
A portion of data records of a full input data set are imported into memory of a computer system for processing by an executing application. The full input data set includes data records of a dimensionally-modeled fact collection. An amount of the data of the full input set to import is determined based on an amount of available memory of the computer system. The sampling characteristics for sampling the full input data set are determined based on the amount of the data that can be imported and on characteristics of the full input data set and application involved. The full input data set is then sampled and a portion of the records are imported into the memory of the computer system for processing. The sampling characteristics are determined such that analysis as a result of processing by the executing application of the sampled portion of the records imported is representative of the analysis that could otherwise be carried out on the full input data set, with a calculable statistical relevance.
- Application 20080235142 – SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR OBTAINING RIGHTS IN PLAYLIST ENTRIES [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-05-08Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A method of obtaining digital rights management licensing information for content comprising obtaining identification information about a user and obtaining information about a device on which the content is to be played. A secure session is created with a service provider, and the service provider provides a URL to the content, along with digital rights management (“DRM”) licensing information if necessary. The DRM licensing information is stored in a manner that facilitates access by a browser. The browser then accesses the content via the URL, and presents a user interface through which the content can be controlled.
- Application 20080235588 – MEDIA PLAYER PLAYLIST CREATION AND EDITING WITHIN A BROWSER INTERPRETABLE DOCUMENT [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-05-08Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A system and method through which a playlist can be edited in a browser, wherein the playlist comprises a plurality of playlist entries, and wherein the playlist is stored as a browser interpretable document. A method can comprise loading a browser interpretable media player playlist into a browser on a device, wherein the browser comprises a user interface area and a display window, and wherein the playlist comprises a plurality of content entries; rendering the playlist within the browser display window; receiving from a user instructions to edit the playlist; applying the instructions to the playlist; and, displaying the edited playlist within the browser display window. The edited playlist can be saved as a as a browser interpretable document.
- Application 20080281700 – Use of natural query events to improve online advertising campaigns [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-05-08Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A system and method to identify targeting criteria for online advertising campaigns based on natural query event data are described. A request to determine targeting criteria is received from an advertiser entity. Natural or algorithmic query event data related to the advertiser entity is retrieved from a data storage module. Attribute data associated with targeted customers is extracted based on the retrieved natural query event data. Finally, the attribute data is further processed to determine a set of criteria to target advertisements to the customers.
- Application 20080281921 – SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR INTER-DOMAIN MESSAGING [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-05-08Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
Methods and systems are disclosed herein for relaying a digital message from a first browser module to a second browser module. A webpage can be received from a first domain server. The webpage can have a link to a URI that references a web service on a second domain server. The webpage can be displayed in a first browser module. The URI can be referenced so as to invoke the web service. A cookie can be received from a web service and detected by a monitoring module. The cookie detected can be provided to the second browser module.
- Application 20080282169 – Multi-user interactive web-based searches [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-05-08Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A method for multiple users to jointly interact with web-based search results is provided. Selections of the search results by a user are immediately communicated to other users. Viewing options may be customized on a per-user basis for greater individual control over viewing the results. Results may be further acted upon to complete transactions. Individual results are easily referenced in chat windows. Status of query and transactions are communicated to all users.
- Application 20080282312 – SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ALLOCATING TUNER AND/OR RECORDING RESOURCES [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-05-08Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A system and method of implementing a distributed recording capability may be employed to allocate tuner resources among connected recorder devices, including digital video recorder (DVR) devices. In accordance with one aspect, a server may receive a request to record a multimedia broadcast from a user. The server may search a network for a recorder device having an available tuner from among a plurality of recorder devices connected to the network using predetermined search criteria. The server may transmit a command over the network to the identified recorder device to record the requested multimedia broadcast. The identified recorder device may automatically transfer the recorded multimedia broadcast over the network to a user-associated recorder device.
- Application 20080275775 – System and method for using sampling for scheduling advertisements in an online auction [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-05-04Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
An improved system and method is provided for using sampling for scheduling advertisements in an online auction. A multi-armed bandit engine may be provided for learning the valuation of advertisements through sampling in an online advertising auction. To do so, the multi-armed bandit may schedule advertisements for web page placements in an online advertising auction to optimize payments for maximizing the welfare of the advertisers. An initial list of advertisements may be created that is ordered by expected payment, and an optimal subset of advertisements may be determined from the initial list of advertisements for web page placements by iterative sampling. A web page placement may then be determined and allocated for each advertisement in the optimal subset in order to maximize revenue. And a charge may be calculated for each advertisement allocated the web page placement and sampled in the online advertising auction.
- Application 20080275890 – System and method for smoothing hierarchical data using isotonic regression [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-05-04Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
An improved system and method is provided for detecting a web page template. A web page template detector may be provided for performing page-level template detection on a web page. In general, the web page template classifier may be trained using automatically generated training data, and then the web page template classifier may be applied to web pages to identify web page templates. A web page template may be detected by classifying segments of a web page as template structures, by assigning classification scores to the segments of the web page classified as template structures, and then by smoothing the classification scores assigned to the segments of the web page. Generalized isotonic regression may be applied for smoothing scores associated with the nodes of a hierarchy by minimizing an optimization function using dynamic programming.
- Application 20080275901 – System and method for detecting a web page [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-05-04Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
An improved system and method is provided for detecting a web page template. A web page template detector may be provided for performing page-level template detection on a web page. In general, the web page template classifier may be trained using automatically generated training data, and then the web page template classifier may be applied to web pages to identify web page templates. A web page template may be detected by classifying segments of a web page as template structures, by assigning classification scores to the segments of the web page classified as template structures, and then by smoothing the classification scores assigned to the segments of the web page. Generalized isotonic regression may be applied for smoothing scores associated with the nodes of a hierarchy by minimizing an optimization function using dynamic programming.
- Application 20080275882 – SEARCH POGOSTICKING BENCHMARKS [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-05-02Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Disclosed are apparatus and methods for quantifying how much searchers select other search results, instead of a particular search result. In example embodiments, the number of times that other search results are selected before a particular search result is selected (referred to as pre-pogosticking) is tracked, and the number of times that other search results are selected after a particular search result is selected (referred to as post-pogosticking) is also tracked. This pogosticking information may be used to improve search result ranking as produced by a search algorithm or to provide metrics to potential or current buyers of particular search terms.
- Application 20080276193 – Smart fields [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-05-02Assignee: YAHOO!, INC.
Systems and methods are provided for smart interfaces that shift the burden of cognition from a user or data input source to the computer system controlling the software or user interfaces requiring data input. More particularly, according to embodiments of present invention, by using information known about a user or the user’s preferences, a user’s geographic location, and/or the geographic location of the site or product being used etc., rules about how to interpret data inputs can be applied to data entries so that the data entries are redisplayed or processed in a normalized format.
- Application 20080276002 – Traffic routing based on client intelligence [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-05-01Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Techniques are described for making the best connection between a client and a server. The best connection is determined based upon the proximity of the client to the server, and the load and availability of the server. Proximity is determined by connection racing in which response times to requests made to various sets of servers are compared. The load is determined by back-end monitoring logic for each set of servers and is indicated in the response sent by the server. The availability of the server is monitored by a virtual IP server located with each set of servers. The virtual IP server selects available servers to respond to the request from the client. When the client receives responses, the client selects a server based on (a) the response times and (b) load information in the responses in order to make the best connection.
- Application 20080270315 – MICROCURRENCY EXCHANGE SYSTEM [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-04-30Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
A hosted microcurrency exchange management system includes a microcurrency exchange mechanism configured to coordinate interoperation of a plurality of microcurrency payment systems. Each microcurrency payment system is associated with one of a plurality of online commerce systems. The microcurrency exchange mechanism is configured to coordinate interoperation of the plurality of microcurrency payment systems includes coordinating exchange details, wherein the exchange details include exchange rate details among the microcurrencies. A management interface is configured to receive partnership formation information including the exchange details and to configure the exchange mechanism with the exchange details for completely formed partnerships.
- Application 20080270333 – SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING SEMANTICALLY RELATED TERMS USING AN ACTIVE LEARNING FRAMEWORK [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-04-30Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Systems and methods for determining semantically related terms using an active learning framework such as Transductive Experimental Design are disclosed. Generally, to enhance a keyword suggestion tool, an active learning module trains a model to predict whether a term is relevant to a user. The model is then used to present the user with terms that have been determined to be relevant based on the model so that an online advertisement service provider may more efficiently provide a user with terms that are semantically related to a seed set.
- Application 20080270586 – ASSOCIATION TO COMMUNITIES [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-04-30Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A system and method are directed towards managing affiliation to community sites and making such affiliations visible to visitors to the community sites, and/or a member’s affiliation site. A visitor may register centrally to a plurality of community sites, and receive a member affiliation webpage. The member affiliation webpage may display community sites that the registered visitor may author, and/or community sites for which the registered visitor is affiliated. A visitor may also visit an affiliation webpage(s) for a community site that may display each visitor that is currently affiliated with that community site. By displaying members of the community site, other visitors might be able to quickly identify more interesting community sites, community sites popular to one of their friends, neighbors, family members, or the like. When a registered visitor visits a community site they may select to become affiliated or may become automatically affiliated based on a criteria.
- Application 20080271098 – SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR VIDEO CONVERSATIONS [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-04-30Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
This disclosure describes methods and systems for viewing a collection of media objects, such as a video clip and associated responses (video, audio and text), in a seamless way. Provided with a media object and a series of responses and counter responses, a real time media combining methodology is coupled with a text and audio conversion process to generate a media stream, or downloadable media object, that contains the original media object and some or all of the associated responses. The media content is formatted into the stream so that ancillary content, like text associated with a particular video response, may also be displayed. Advertisements may be inserted into the stream between responses or overlaying some portion of the viewing area during rendering of the stream.
- Application 20080267207 – CONTEXT-SENSITIVE, SELF-ADJUSTING TARGETING MODELS [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-04-27Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
In an embodiment, new traffic pattern data is received pertaining to a first time period having a first time increment. The traffic pattern data may be received as, or converted to, count information reflecting the probabilities that the user will select particular links services. An incremental table is accessed to determine stale traffic pattern count data, which is the traffic pattern count data in the incremental table over a second time period having the first time increment, wherein the second time period covers the oldest traffic pattern count data in the incremental table. Then a count table is updated to reflect removal of the stale traffic pattern count data, wherein the count table contains global count data at a higher level of granularity than the incremental table. The incremental table and count table are updated to reflect addition of the new traffic pattern data.
- Application 20080270629 – Data snychronization and device handling using sequence numbers [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-04-27Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A synchronization device such as a synchronization server or gateway device for synchronizing a client device with a remote database is provided. In one example, the synchronization devices comprises logic operable to receive a client message and a sequence number associated therewith, compare the received sequence number with a stored sequence number, and cause a response based on the comparison of the received sequence number and the stored sequence number. For example, the comparison of the sequence numbers may indicate the previous response to the client device was successfully received or needs to be resent. Further, the comparison of the sequence numbers may indicate that the client device has lost state (e.g., is out of sync with the database) and needs to refresh or perform a slow synchronization process with the database.
- Application 20080270359 – System for serving data that matches content related to a search results page [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-04-25Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A system is described for serving data matching content in a search engine marketing system. The system may include a processor, an interface and a memory. The memory may be operatively connected to the processor and may store a page, a content related to the page, a set of terms and a data. The interface may be operatively connected to the memory and the processor and may be used to communicate with a user. The processor may identify a page and a content, perform a semantic analysis on the content to generate a set of terms, match the set of terms to a data, add the data to the page, and the serve the page to a user via the interface.
- Application 20080270228 – SYSTEM FOR DISPLAYING ADVERTISEMENTS ASSOCIATED WITH SEARCH RESULTS [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-04-24Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A system and method are disclosed for displaying information associated with a search result. The information may be an advertisement that is displayed when an associated search result is displayed as a result of a search query. For example, an advertiser may identify at least one search result to be associated with its advertisement, such that the advertisement is displayed on a search result page when the identified search result is one of the search results on the page.
- Application 20080271095 – METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PREVIEWING MEDIA OVER A NETWORK [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-04-24Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Systems and methods are disclosed that allow a user to preview media content on a device while the device is downloading the media content and without interrupting the downloading of the media content. In addition, the user may preview any location within a media file regardless of whether the media data for the location has been received by the user’s device. The user’s device, upon receipt of a command to preview a specific location within a file already being downloaded, determines if the data for that location have already been received. If so, the user’s device generates a preview frame from the downloaded data. If not, the user’s device transmits a preview request to the media server which generates the preview frame and transmits back to the user’s device.
- Application 20080262859 – SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING A VIDEO RESUME [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-04-20Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
Methods and systems of providing a video resume are disclosed. An indication of a video resume template that is preferred by the recruiter is received. The video resume template can be indicative of at least one required characteristic to be present in the video resume. A video resume is received from a jobseeker. The video resume received from the jobseeker is formatted in accordance with the video resume template. The video resume is provided to the recruiter.
- Application 20080262952 – DISPLAYING FINANCIAL INFORMATION BASED ON LOCATION [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-04-20Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
According to various embodiments of the present invention, geographic information about the location of a user is utilized to select a grouping of additional securities to display to the user. When the user navigates to a portion of a web site related to displaying financial information, a listing of securities that might be interesting to the user may be displayed. As a result, the user is more likely to find out more information relating to one or more of these additional securities, and therefore generate more page views on the system.
- Application 20080262858 – Methods for Establishing Brand-Centric Websites From Bi-Directionally Linked Content [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-04-17Assignee: Yahoo, Inc.
Computer implemented methods and systems for generating a brand site for an internet website is provided. The method includes defining the internet website to include a plurality of modules, and each of the plurality of modules for the internet website being directed toward a brand. Further included, is identifying one or more instance sites where content components related to the brand are presented and linking the content components, from the identified one or more instance sites, to selected ones of the plurality of modules. The method further includes presenting the plurality of modules on the internet website to promote the brand, and the presenting is configured to integrate the content components from the instance sites into the internet website, such that the presenting further enables user interactivity with the plurality of modules and the user interactivity feeds data regarding one or more of module popularity, usage or revenue generating potential.
- Application 20080262907 – SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MANAGING A BRAND UNIVERSE FOR USER INFORMATION, BRAND RELATED MARKETING AND USER INTERACTIVITY [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-04-17Assignee: Yahoo, Inc.
Computer implemented methods and systems for generating a brand site for an internet website is provided. The method includes defining the internet website to include a plurality of modules, and each of the plurality of modules for the internet website being directed toward a brand. Further included, is identifying one or more instance sites where content components related to the brand are presented and linking the content components, from the identified one or more instance sites, to selected ones of the plurality of modules. The method further includes presenting the plurality of modules on the internet website to promote the brand, and the presenting is configured to integrate the content components from the instance sites into the internet website, such that the presenting further enables user interactivity with the plurality of modules and the user interactivity feeds data regarding one or more of module popularity, usage or revenue generating potential.
- Application 20080262908 – METHODS FOR PROMOTING BRAND-CENTRIC ADVERTISING AND MANAGING THE SAME [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-04-17Assignee: Yahoo, Inc.
Dynamic internet user interfacing methods and computer programs for enabling advertising management of advertising content related to a brand on an internet site are provided. A method includes identifying a brand to be a focus of the internet site and identifying a plurality of websites having content parts that relate to the brand. The method defines links to the content parts and assembles the internet site using the content parts to define a brand site. The method includes monitoring user interactivity with the brand site to generate content metrics and displaying a website management interface for enabling posting of advertising and analyzing of the content metrics regarding postings of the advertising. The website management interface further displays advertising options for the posting of advertising, and the advertising options enable advertisers to target promote goods or services in selected ones or all of the plurality of websites and the brand site.
- Application 20080256441 – Flash rich textfields [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-04-16Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Techniques are described for providing full support of inline images within online instant messaging applications such as those developed for Flash. When a message contains both a text component and an image component, the image component is separated from the text component. The location of the text is measured dynamically either using an XML ruler component or a bitmap ruler component. Based upon the locations of the text, the images are placed on an invisible image layer. The text is placed on a textfield to be displayed to the user. The image or textfield layer is then placed on top of the other of the image or textfield layer so that both the text component and the image component of the message are visible to the user.
- Application 20080114688 – SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING BUNDLES OF RIGHTS [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-04-13Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
Methods and systems of providing a bundle of rights is disclosed herein. Data that defines a rights bundle is received at a rights engine. The data that defines the rights bundle is indicative of access rights and obligations with respect to any content item to which the bundle of rights is applied. The rights bundle is stored in a rights database. The rights database is accessible to the rights holder to retrieve the rights bundle and apply the rights bundle to a content item previously received from the rights holder.
- Application 20080255936 – System and method for balancing goal guarantees and optimization of revenue in advertisement delivery under uneven, volatile traffic conditions [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-04-13Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Systems and methods for balancing goal guarantees and optimization of revenue in advertisement delivery under uneven, volatile traffic conditions are discloses. Generally, an advertisement delivery request is received. Using tolerance bands, a first plurality of advertisements served on a guaranteed number of impressions basis that may be served in response to the advertisement request is identified. Each advertisement of the first plurality of advertisements is delivering above a lower bound of a tolerance band associated with the advertisement and below an upper bound of the tolerance band associated with the advertisement. A second plurality of advertisements served on a performance basis that may be served in response to the advertisement delivery request is identified. An advertisement of either the first or second plurality of advertisements to be served in response to the advertisement delivery request is determined based on an amount of revenue generated for an advertisement service provider by serving the advertisement.
- Application 20080255935 – Temporal targeting of advertisements [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-04-11Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A system and method are disclosed for the temporal targeting of content, such as advertisements. The targeting may be based on time of day, day of year, season or upcoming holidays. In addition, prior search history may be utilized to determine current popularity and/or predict future popularity for a particular concept that may be used for targeting.
- Application 20080256079 – LOAD-BASED TECHNIQUE TO BALANCE DATA SOURCES TO DATA CONSUMERS [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-04-11Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
A system and method is described to determine routing configurations to route data from data producers to data consumers. Each routing configuration corresponds to a time period during which data is routed from the data producers to the data consumers. Data is routed from the data producers to the data consumers according to previously determined data routing configurations during time periods prior to a current time period. Based at least in part on indications of the data load on the data consumers corresponding to actual data routing during the time periods prior to the current time period, a new data routing configuration is determined. During the current time period, data is routed from the data producers to the data consumers according to the determined new data routing configuration.
- Application 20080256056 – System for building a data structure representing a network of users and advertisers [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-04-10Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A system is described for building a data structure representing a network of advertisers and users. The system may include a memory and a processor. The memory may be operatively connected to the processor and may store a historical dataset comprising of a plurality of query items and advertisement items, a plurality of query-advertisement link items, a weight, a data structure and a condition. The processor may identify the historical dataset, and link the query items to the advertisement items to generate query-advertisement link items. The processor may determine the weight of each query-advertisement link item and may store the query-advertisement link items and the weight in the data structure if the query-advertisement link item satisfies the condition.
- Application 20080256298 – Intelligent caching of user data for real time communications [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-04-10Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Apparatus and methods for storing user data for use in real-time communications (e.g., IM or VoIP) are provided. The apparatus comprises at least a first cache device (e.g., a cache server) and a second cache device for storing user data, wherein the user data stored with the first cache device is mirrored with the second cache device. The apparatus further comprising a server having logic for causing access to the user data (e.g., to respond to or process messages) from the first cache device, if accessible, and from the second cache device if the user data is not accessible form the first cache device. The apparatus may further include logic for causing user data to be restored to the first cache device from the second cache device if the first cache device loses user data (e.g., if the first cache device goes down).
- Application 20070239787 – Video generation based on aggregate user data [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-04-09Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Apparatus for editing and generating media assets is provided. In one example, the apparatus includes logic for receiving data (e.g., edit instructions, views, votes, etc.) from a plurality of users, the data indicating a selection of at least one media asset from each of a plurality of sets of media assets for use in an aggregate media asset; and logic for causing the generation of an aggregate media asset based on the received data. Each set of media assets may correspond to a separate time or scene for inclusion in a larger media asset; for example, a set of clips to be used for a particular scene of an aggregate video or movie. The apparatus may further comprise logic for generating a ranking of media assets within each set of media assets based on data associated with a plurality of users.
- Application 20070239788 – Topic specific generation and editing of media assets [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-04-09Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Apparatus for generating and editing media assets based on context is provided. In one example, the apparatus includes logic for causing the display of a suggestion for a media asset to a user based on context, logic for receiving at least one media asset, and logic for receiving an edit instruction associated with the at least one media asset. The context may be derived from user input or activity (e.g., in response to inquiries, associated websites where an editor is launched from), user profile information such as community or group associations, and so on. Additionally, context may include objectives of the user such as generating a dating video, wedding video, real estate video, music video, or the like.
- Application 20070240072 – User interface for editing media assests [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-04-09Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
An interface for editing media assets is provided. The interface includes a display for displaying a plurality of tiles, each tile associated with a media asset, and a timeline for displaying relative times of each of the plurality of media assets as edited by a user for an aggregate media asset. The timeline display automatically adjusts in response to edits to the media assets; in one example, the timeline concatenating in response to an edit or change in the media assets selected for the aggregate media asset (e.g., in response to the addition, deletion, or edit of a selected media asset). Additionally, in some examples, the timeline maintains a fixed length when adjusting in response to edits to the media assets. In another example, the interface includes a search interface for searching for media assets from remote or local sources.
- Application 20080016245 – Client side editing application for optimizing editing of media assets originating from client and server [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-04-09Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Apparatus for client-side editing of media assets in a client-server architecture is provided. In one example, a user of a client device uses an editor to edit local and remote media assets in an on-line environment (e.g., via a web browser), where media assets originating locally may be edited without delays for uploading the media assets to a remote storage. The apparatus includes logic (e.g., software) for generating an edit instruction in response to user input, the edit instruction associated with a media asset stored locally, and upload logic for transmitting at least a portion of the media asset to a remote storage subsequent to selecting a local media object for editing. The portion of the media asset transmitted to the remote storage may be based on the edit instruction, e.g., transmitting only the portions being edited.
- Application 20080249854 – MONETIZING LOW VALUE CLICKERS [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-04-06Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
A solution is provided wherein an identification of a user who is producing low value to a web page or service is received, wherein the identification was determined by measuring web page usage patterns for the user. Advertising is then presented on the web page or service for the user according to a retraining program, wherein the retraining program is designed to retrain the user’s behavior so that the user no longer produces low value and wherein the retraining program presents advertising in a different way than would be presented without the retraining program.
- Application 20080249986 – METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DISPLAYING CONTEXTUAL ADVERTISEMENTS WITH MEDIA [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-04-06Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Systems and methods have been developed for displaying contextually relevant advertisements to users as media objects are being rendered. One or more data sources with contextual information for different portions of each media object are maintained. From this contextual information, keywords may be generated and used to locate contextually-related advertisements. The advertisements are selected based on contextual information about the media object in order to match or otherwise be contextually relevant with the media content being rendered. As the subject matter of the media object changes during rendering, different advertisements related to the new context are provided that replace the prior advertisement. The advertisements are displayed in an area that could be used for other purposes when the rendering device is not rendering media objects.
- Application 20080249991 – Dynamic bid pricing for sponsored search [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-04-06Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A method for an online sponsored search system includes storing a database of items. At least some of the items include a keyword and a money amount associated with a respective advertiser. The method further includes receiving information about current user preferences within the online sponsored search system. When the received user information relates to a keyword of an item, the method includes automatically adjusting the money amount of the item based on the received user interest information. In response to a received user query, the method includes identifying items relating to the received user search query and generating a search result list including the related items. The method then includes ordering the related items according to the adjusted money amounts associated with the matching items. In response to the designation of a Web page to received sponsored advertisements, the method includes identifying items relating to the subject matter of one or more portions of the Web page. In this instance, the method then includes determining which items are to be shown and their placement on the Web page according to the adjusted money amounts associated with the related items.
- Application 20080250136 – ACCELERATED AND REPRODUCIBLE DOMAIN VISITOR TARGETING [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-04-05Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A device, system, and method are directed towards managing and tracking of cross-domain user activities through use of a beacon. As a user of a client device requests content from different domain services managed by a common entity, they may receive a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) to a beacon in at least one of the different domains. In one embodiment, the beacon is a single pixel image. The client device may also receive a Match-ID. A beacon server in one of the other domains may receive the request for the beacon, and store in a domain log the Match-ID, and other information about the client device, which domain service provided the URL, and/or other related user activities. The different domain logs may then be employed for use in searching for matching Match-IDs, joining common user or client device activities, and for tracking other cross-domain user activities.
- Application 20080249855 – System for generating advertising creatives [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-04-04Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A system is described for generating advertising creatives. The system may include a processor and a memory. The memory may be operatively connected to the processor and may store an ad group of an advertiser, a first set of creative components relating to the ad group, a second set of creative components relating to the ad group, a set of matched groups of creative components, and a set of destination URLs relating to the ad group. The processor may identify the ad group, the first set of creative components, the second set of creative components and the set of destination URLs, match each creative component in the first set of creative components to each creative component in the second set of creative components to create a set of matched groups of creative components and match each matched group of creative components to each destination URL in the set of destination URLs thereby generating advertising creatives.
- Application 20080250326 – User-defined visual indicators on dynamic charts [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-04-04Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, a method for providing a user-defined visual indicator on a dynamically generated graphical representation of real-time data is provided. The method includes receiving at least one user-defined condition related to the real-time data. The user-defined condition includes at least one external data condition. The method further includes receiving at least one external data related to the at least one external data condition, and providing at least one visual indicator for display along with a dynamically generated graphical representation of the real-time data in response to satisfaction of the at least one user-defined condition. In some embodiments, the at least one external data condition relates to a sentiment measure. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the sentiment measure is determined from a plurality of users.
- Application 20080249852 – SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CREATING ADVERTISEMENTS [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-04-03Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
Methods and systems of creating online advertisements are disclosed herein. An advertisement creation request can be received from an advertiser. The advertisement creation request can be submitted by the advertiser to create an online advertisement associated with an advertisement campaign. Advertisement rules can be received from the advertiser. The advertisement rules can define how the online advertisement is to be created. A job listing can be posted on an online market. The job listing can be associated with an advertising job that entails the creation of the online advertisement according to advertisement rules. A proposal from an advertisement creator for performing the advertising job associated with the job listing can be received. The received proposal can be communicated to the advertiser.
- Application 20080249885 – SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING AN INTERNET ASSET MARKETPLACE [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-04-03Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
Methods and systems of providing a market for Internet assets are disclosed. A format protocol for implementing Internet assets is established. The format protocol is established by the marketplace provider. Asset metadata associated with an Internet asset can be received from an asset provider. The Internet asset is implemented using the established format protocol. An asset listing is posted on an online market of assets. The asset listing can include a portion of the asset metadata. A request for the Internet asset can be received. The request can be received from an asset consumer that can invoke the Internet asset using the format protocol.
- Application 20080250031 – SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING SYNDICATED CONTENT [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-04-03Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
Methods and systems of providing syndicated feeds are disclosed. Content metadata is received from a feed provider. At least one rule for syndicating to a feed receiver a content item that corresponds to the content metadata is identified. A request from the feed receiver for syndication of the content item is received. The content item is requested for the feed provider. The content item received from the feed provider is syndicated in real-time to the feed receiver according to the at least one rule.
- Application 20080242281 – MOBILE ADDRESSABILITY WITH MAPPING OF PHONE NUMBERS TO DYNAMIC IP ADDRESSES [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-04-02Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A network device, method, and mobile device are directed towards enabling a computing device to initiate an Internet Protocol (IP) connection with a mobile device using text messaging. The initiating computing device may attempt to contact the mobile device by sending a request to a gateway device. In one embodiment, the request may include a phone number for the mobile device. If an existing IP connection is detected, the gateway device may employ it to establish an IP connection to the initiating computing device. Otherwise, the gateway device may employ the phone number to send a text message to the mobile device. The text message may, in one embodiment, include instructions, or the like, requesting the mobile device to establish an IP connection with the gateway device. The gateway device may then complete the IP connection between the mobile device and the initiating computing device.
- Application 20080242323 – EMPLOYING THE SMS PROTOCOL AS A TRANSPORT LAYER PROTOCOL [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-04-02Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Communicating data by transforming images or other non-text data into subsets of text characters and communicating each subset in an electronic message that can carry only a limited number of text characters. An embodiment transforms portions of binary data of an image or other non-text data into subsets of hexadecimal data that represents text characters. The subsets of hexadecimal text character data are included in SMS messages that have a predefined maximum number of characters. A header is included in the SMS messages to identify the ordering of the data. The SMS messages are communicated to a receiving device that orders the messages, transforms each subset of hexadecimal text characters back into the binary data, and assembles the binary data into it prior form for rendering to a user of the receiving device. A server may process the SMS messages, such as by inserting additional SMS messages with advertising data.
- Application 20080243480 – System and method for determining semantically related terms [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-03-30Assignee: YAHOO! Inc.
Systems and methods for determining semantically related terms are disclosed. Generally, a semantically related term tool receives a seed set and identifies a plurality of terms that constitute the seed set. For each term of the seed set, the semantically related term tool identifies concept terms associated with terms of the seed set other than the term being processed, joins the term being processed with each of the identified concept terms, and adds the resulting terms to a plurality of semantically related terms. The semantically related term tool removes invalid terms from the plurality of semantically related terms based on a language model and ranks at least a portion of the remaining terms of the plurality of semantically related terms based on a metric indicating a degree of semantical relationship between a term of the plurality of semantically related terms and one or more terms of the set seed.
- Application 20080243826 – System and method for determining semantically related terms [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-03-30Assignee: YAHOO! Inc.
Systems and methods for determining semantically related terms are disclosed. Generally, a semantically related term tool receives a seed set and identifies a plurality of terms that constitute the seed set. For each term of the seed set, the semantically related term tool identifies one or more concept terms associated with terms of the seed set other than the term being processed, determines a plurality of concept terms based on at least one of combinations and permutations of the concept terms associated with terms of the seed set other than the term being processed, and adds the resulting terms to a plurality of semantically related terms. The semantically related term tool removes invalid terms from the plurality of semantically related terms based on a language model and ranks at least a portion of the remaining terms of the plurality of semantically related terms based on a metric indicating a degree of semantical relationship between a term of the plurality of semantically related terms and one or more terms of the set seed.
- Application 20080244038 – Point of Presence Distribution Mechanism for Digital Content Objects [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-03-30Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Particular embodiments of the present invention are related to a point-of-presence distribution system mechanism facilitating distribution and use of digital content, ad content and revenue generation opportunities.
- Application 20080244053 – GEOGRAPHIC READER DISPLAY DATA [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-03-30Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A client device, system, and method are directed towards determining data on network site visits, and providing the data based on a geographical relationship of visitors to the network sites. A tracker tracks visits to, and outbound link click activity on a network site. If the click is associated with a URI, information is collected related to the click, including a network address associated with a source of the click. A geographic region may be determined based on the network address of the click source. Statistics may then be collected over time, including, what network sites, are visited for a given geographic region. Such statistics may be displayable in a variety of formats, and geographic regions, including by country, state, province, city, town, district, county, or the like. The tracker may be on the network site or on a client device of the visitor.
- Application 20080244413 – CENTRALIZED REGISTRATION FOR DISTRIBUTED SOCIAL CONTENT SERVICES [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-03-30Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A system and method are directed towards enabling centralized registration for managing a selective display of visitor information to distributed social networking websites. A visitor may enter selective personal information, and determine what information is made available on a social networking webpage. The visitor may then return to the social networking website to view selective visitor information, such as within a reader roll. A visitor to a social networking website may select to not have their information displayed at selective a social networking website, while still being displayed at another social networking website. In one embodiment, selecting to not display their information may be performed by `mousing` over their information and selecting a display option. Social networking websites may look to a centralized registration system to determine whether to display the visitor information, while still being able to obtain information about the visitor, and/or provide benefits to the visitor.
- Application 20080244428 – Visually Emphasizing Query Results Based on Relevance Feedback [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-03-30Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
An example embodiment of the present invention provides processes for visually emphasizing the displayed URLs in query results based on implicit relevance feedback. In one process, the process identifies a web page which includes results returned by a search engine. Each result might include a displayed URL and an actual URL. The process determines whether the displayed URL matches any stored URLs which were included in previous results returned by the search engine and clicked through by the user. The process detects a click-through by matching the actual URL in an HTTP request emanating from a browser to an actual URL for a stored URL. The process visually emphasizes the displayed URL when presenting the web page to the user, if the displayed URL does not match any stored URL which has been clicked through and other factors indicate a probability the user will click through the displayed URL.
- Application 20080201368 – Method and System for Registering and Retrieving Production Information [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-03-29Assignee: Yahoo! Inc., a Delaware Corporation
In particular embodiments, an online trading system receives a product registration request including product description from a user terminal. Then, image information is extracted from the product description and a resource locator of the image information is generated. Then, an image list is generated based on the product description and the resource locator of the image information. The image list is sent to a search service DB server, where the image list is associated with a keyword relevant to the product description. Further, the image list may be sent to a UCC DB server. In this case, the UCC DB server generates a UCC containing the image list and sends a resource locator of the UCC to the search service DB server, which associates the resource locator of the UCC with a keyword relevant to the product description. If the search service server receives a search query including a keyword from a user terminal, the search service server searches a search service database to retrieve an image list or a resource locator of UCC containing an image list relevant to the keyword.
- Application 20080243531 – System and method for predictive targeting in online advertising using life stage profiling [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-03-29Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
An improved system and method for predictive targeting in online advertising using life stage profiling is provided. A life stage profiling engine may be provided in an embodiment for generating a life stage profile for a user. A life stage profile may include a collection of events or a distribution of characteristics that may represent a life stage of a taxonomy of life stages that may be generated from online or offline events. The events and attributes may be categorized and assigned a probability that a user may belong to a particular life stage, and the life stage of a user may be determined using the assigned probabilities, for instance, by applying naive Bayesian techniques. Predictive targeting may be applied, either online or offline, using life stage profiles to target users for receiving advertising, content, ecommerce offers or other electronic communications.
- Application 20080243612 – System and method for using a browser extension to detect events related to digital advertisements [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-03-29Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Systems and methods for detecting events related to a digital ad are disclosed. Generally, a browser extension such as a toolbar running in conjunction with a primary application, such as an Internet browser, detects an event related to a digital ad. The event may be an Internet browser receiving one or more digital ads; one or more CSC beacon requests being sent from an Internet browser to an ad provider; a user navigation event such as a user clicking on a hyperlink associated with a digital ad or activating a digital ad; or any other event or action occurring within the Internet browser and/or browser extension. The browser extension determines the validity of the detected event and communicates an indication of the determined validity of the detected event to an online advertisement service provider.
- Application 20080243810 – METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR LAUNCHING A BROWSER [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-03-29Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Systems and methods are described for searching a publicly accessible network (e.g., the Internet) with an efficient use of space on a display device (e.g., a monitor, a screen) of a computer. Computers often use graphical interfaces for user interaction, and thus graphical space can be in short supply during some applications. In addition, requiring a user to navigate various graphical interfaces to access a searching utility can increase the effective time of the searching operation. Systems and methods are described for searching a network in an efficient and effective manner.
- Application 20080243611 – System for determining local intent in a search query [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-03-28Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A system and method are disclosed for determining local intent. Local intent may reflect whether a search query should receive results and advertisements that are geographically specific. The local intent may be determined using probabilistic models that analyze historical searches to determine which search terms tend to have local intent.
- Application 20080243783 – System for determining the geographic range of local intent in a search query [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-03-28Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A system and method are disclosed for determining the geographic range of a search query. A search query may include local intent which influences the results and advertisements that are displayed in response to the search query. The geographic range associated with the local intent may vary depending on the search query. The geographic range may be determined using probabilistic models that analyze historical searches to determine the geographic range of search queries.
- Application 20080243821 – System for providing geographically relevant content to a search query with local intent [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-03-28Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A system and method are disclosed for utilizing local intent to provide geographically relevant information in response to a search query. The search query results and advertisements may be chosen based at least in part on the local intent and geographic range of the search query. The search query may be assigned a location identifier based on the local intent that is used to expand the geographic range for ranking and selecting relevant content and advertisements.
- Application 20080183695 – Using activation paths to cluster proximity query results [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-03-27Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A search engine finds and ranks information in clusters so a user can select information listed in search results that are closer to his information needs. To do so, the search engine receives a proximity query and executes it against an entity-relationship graph. The search engine finds those entities in the graph that have similar relationships between nodes. For example, two entities in a graph may be connected to entirely different nodes, but they may connect to those different nodes using similarly labeled paths. The search engine identifies the relationship between the nodes, clusters entities that are connected by similar relationships, and presents the clustered information to the user as part of the search results. In this way, the search engine provides a user with a results from which the user can select the group of results that most closely match his information need.
- Application 20080243949 – DIVIDED BACKUP OF DATA WAREHOUSE [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-03-27Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
A data warehouse characterized by a plurality of fact tables and at least one dimension table is backed up. For fact tables that are static, those fact tables are backed up using a first backup method that is, for example, optimized for static data. For example, the first backup method may be at the file system level, below the database level, and can be a very time and computationally efficient way to synchronize blocks of data. Thus, for example, the first method may be a method that is not “database-aware” and does not consider the database structure in its backup processing. For fact tables that are dynamic, those fact tables are backed up using a second backup method. For example, the second backup method may account for the dynamic nature of data in the portion being backed up by being, for example, “database aware.” In addition, the at least one dimension table is backed up. By treating the fact tables in this way for backup, the process of backing up a data warehouse can be made more efficient overall.
- Application 20080235622 – TRAFFIC PRODUCTION INDEX AND RELATED METRICS FOR ANALYSIS OF A NETWORK OF RELATED WEB SITES [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-03-21Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
A solution is provided for determining traffic patterns involving a web page or property of interest in a computer network. This includes receiving path data regarding the web page or property of interest. Then, the number of visits to each of the other pages or properties visited by users in a session that included a visit to the web page or property of interest is counted. Then, from the path data and the counts, an aggregated data structure is constructed including, for each of the other web pages or properties visited by users in a session that included a visit to the web page or property of interest, visit count information and information regarding which web page or property within the network users visited next, if any. Then one or more metrics directed to traffic surrounding the web page or property of interest is provided using information from the aggregated data structure.
- Application 20080235680 – In-Page Installer [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-03-21Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A method of notifying a user about the existence of relevant software and facilitating the installation of such software using a browser. A user’s interactions with the browser are monitored to determine a context for a given browsing session, and it is determined whether software relevant to the context is available. If such software is available, it is recommended to the user, and if the user wishes to install the software, the installation can be performed via the browser. The software can be recommended to the user through a variety of means, including incorporating the recommendation in a static web page, incorporating the recommendation in a dynamic web page, and delivering the recommendation as part of advertising content. The recommendation may include a link to installation scripts or the like which facilitate the installation of the software by the browser.
- Application 20080235084 – EMPLOYING MATCHING OF EVENT CHARACTERISTICS TO SUGGEST ANOTHER CHARACTERISTIC OF AN EVENT [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-03-20Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A device, system, and method are directed towards determining a suggested characteristic for an event. At least two events are determined. In one embodiment, at least one characteristic is determined for one of the event. A plurality of other characteristics is determined for the other event. The characteristics of the two events may be determined implicitly from communications during the events or from user input. Based on a relationship between the determined characteristics, the suggested characteristic for the event is then determined. In one embodiment, the relationship is defined as a match of characteristics. The event may then be modified based on the suggested characteristic. For example, a suggested member may be invited to join the event, or the event’s time, location, or name may be changed. If the other event is current or pending, the event and the other event may be combined.
- Application 20080235088 – System for measuring web traffic related to an offline advertising campaign [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-03-20Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A system is described for measuring web traffic relating to an offline advertising campaign. The system may include a processor and a memory. The memory may be operatively connected to the processor and may store an offline advertising campaign of an advertiser, a time period, a set of users and web traffic data. The processor may identify the offline advertising campaign, and the period of time the offline advertising campaign was available to a set of users. The processor may measure the web traffic related to the offline advertising campaign of the users during the time period.
- Application 20080235580 – BROWSER INTERPRETABLE DOCUMENT FOR CONTROLLING A PLURALITY OF MEDIA PLAYERS AND SYSTEMS AND METHODS RELATED THERETO [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-03-20Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A browser interpretable document comprising a first media file or a pointer to the first media file; a graphical user interface definition, or a pointer to the graphical user interface definition, the graphical user interface definition comprising a first user interface element and a function associated with the first user interface element; and, a set of commands, or a pointer to the set of commands, for controlling the operation of a plurality of media players; wherein, when the browser interpretable document is rendered by a conventional web browser, the web browser can render a graphical user interface based on the graphical user interface definition, and wherein the rendered graphical user interface controls one of the plurality of media players to facilitate playing of the first media file.
- Application 20080232564 – Call hunt and ringback on the phone through messenger [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-03-19Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Techniques that enable a user to make VOIP phone calls using a traditional telephone by directing a communications module to connect the caller to another user are provided. The caller first dials a DID and identifies a receiver to be reached. Once the caller has identified the receiver, the caller may hang up the phone and wait until the communications module contacts the caller once the receiver has been connected. The communication module hunts the receiver using the receiver’s multiple contact information by calling each of the receiver’s contact numbers. Once the receiver answers one of the calls, the communications module detects that the receiver has been connected and then contacts the caller. Finally, once the caller answers the telephone, the caller and the receiver are connected and a communication may commence.
- Application 20080235589 – IDENTIFYING POPULAR SEGMENTS OF MEDIA OBJECTS [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-03-19Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Against this backdrop systems and methods have been developed for identifying popular segments of media objects. A remix system is provided to users allowing the easy remixing of a library of media objects. The remixes created by the users are recorded. From this information, the relative popularity of the segments and media objects in the library are identified based on how often they appear in the user-generated remixes. Actions may then be automatically taken related to the popularity of segments and media objects such as changing payment terms, alerting users of the popular content, and notifying interested parties of the popular or unpopular content.
- Application 20080228806 – System and method of providing context information for client application data stored on the web [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-03-16Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
An improved system and method for supporting web system services is provided for storing data and context of client applications on the web. A client application may include a web system services interface for invoking web system services to support web applications to operate over the web using different devices that may store data and context of web applications as a web application document onto a web server. A web application document may be represented by components that may include view information, content, and context information. The application may also include a web system services user interface for providing a graphical user interface for a user to invoke web system services that may include a new document system service, a store document system service, and a restore document system service. A schema for context scope may be implemented for collecting context information relevant to the web application document.
- Application 20080228807 – System and method of storing data and context of client application on the web [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-03-16Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
An improved system and method for supporting web system services is provided for storing data and context of client applications on the web. A client application may include a web system services interface for invoking web system services to support web applications to operate over the web using different devices that may store data and context of web applications as a web application document onto a web server. A web application document may be represented by components that may include view information, content, and context information. The application may also include a web system services user interface for providing a graphical user interface for a user to invoke web system services that may include a new document system service, a store document system service, and a restore document system service. A schema for context scope may be implemented for collecting context information relevant to the web application document.
- Application 20080228837 – System and method of restoring data and context of client applications stored on the web [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-03-16Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
An improved system and method for supporting web system services is provided for storing data and context of client applications on the web. A client application may include a web system services interface for invoking web system services to support web applications to operate over the web using different devices that may store data and context of web applications as a web application document onto a web server. A web application document may be represented by components that may include view information, content, and context information. The application may also include a web system services user interface for providing a graphical user interface for a user to invoke web system services that may include a new document system service, a store document system service, and a restore document system service. A schema for context scope may be implemented for collecting context information relevant to the web application document.
- Application 20080228903 – System and method of serving advertisements for web applications [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-03-16Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
An improved system and method for supporting web system services is provided for storing data and context of client applications on the web. A client application may include a web system services interface for invoking web system services to support web applications to operate over the web using different devices that may store data and context of web applications as a web application document onto a web server. A web application document may be represented by components that may include view information, content, and context information. The application may also include a web system services user interface for providing a graphical user interface for a user to invoke web system services that may include a new document system service, a store document system service, and a restore document system service. A schema for context scope may be implemented for collecting context information relevant to the web application document.
- Application 20080229241 – System and method of providing a user interface for client applications to store data and context information on the web [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-03-16Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
An improved system and method for supporting web system services is provided for storing data and context of client applications on the web. A client application may include a web system services interface for invoking web system services to support web applications to operate over the web using different devices that may store data and context of web applications as a web application document onto a web server. A web application document may be represented by components that may include view information, content, and context information. The application may also include a web system services user interface for providing a graphical user interface for a user to invoke web system services that may include a new document system service, a store document system service, and a restore document system service. A schema for context scope may be implemented for collecting context information relevant to the web application document.
- Application 20080229251 – System and method for providing web system services for storing data and context of client applications on the web [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-03-16Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
An improved system and method for supporting web system services is provided for storing data and context of client applications on the web. A client application may include a web system services interface for invoking web system services to support web applications to operate over the web using different devices that may store data and context of web applications as a web application document onto a web server. A web application document may be represented by components that may include view information, content, and context information. The application may also include a web system services user interface for providing a graphical user interface for a user to invoke web system services that may include a new document system service, a store document system service, and a restore document system service. A schema for context scope may be implemented for collecting context information relevant to the web application document.
- Application 20080228906 – MANAGING LIST TAILORING FOR A MOBILE DEVICE [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-03-15Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A network device, system, and method are directed towards enabling list content to be displayed at mobile devices having different memory page size constraints. When a mobile device requests list content, a type of mobile device is determined. This may then be used to determine a page size weight classification for the mobile device. The requested list content may then be compared against the page size weight classification, and if it exceeds the page size weight classification, the list content may be tailored. In one embodiment, the list content may be tailored by segmenting the list content into multiple segments, each segment may be coupled with <next> and/or <previous> links. Different list content types may employ different list splitting sizes for display. For example, display of movie lists may display a different number of items within the list content than, for example, an email list of messages, or the like.
- Application 20080228720 – Implicit name searching [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-03-14Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
Techniques and tools described herein provide mechanisms for displaying information that is contextually related to a search query. Using these techniques and tools, a user can lookup and discover a person or other entity from contextually related information. For example, if the user submits a search query on the title of a song (e.g., “Janie’s got a gun”), then, in addition to a variety of documents related to the title of the song, the user may be presented with information about a related entity such as “Aerosmith” (e.g., the band that sings the song). In this way, the techniques and tools provide mechanisms that identify information that is not directly related to the search query, but that is information the user may find useful or interesting based on context of the search query.
- Application 20080159383 – Tagboard for video tagging [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-03-12Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Keyframes of video are arranged on a display based on characteristics on the keyframes, such as content similarity and temporal relation as compared to each other, where input is received comprising one or more keyframes from video data and it is determined where to display the one or more keyframes along a first axis of the display based on a time associated with the keyframe or keyframes. It is determined where to display the one or more keyframes along a second axis based on the content of the keyframe or keyframes.
- Application 20080220855 – System and method for permutation betting [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-03-09Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
An improved system and method is provided for permutation betting. To do so, a permutation betting engine may be provided for providing services to support betting on an outcome resulting in an ordinal ranking of objects. Orders specifying a property of an ordering of one or more positions of an object in an ordinal ranking of objects may be received. The quantities for orders to accept may be determined, a response may be sent to traders indicating the quantities of orders for payment, and the amount owed for accepted orders may be collected. Winning accepted orders may be identified and payout may be made for winning accepted orders. Advantageously, the present invention may provide a framework for efficiently optimizing an auctioneer’s objective using linear programming for a prediction market where the outcomes of interested events are ordered statistics.
- Application 20080221862 – MOBILE LANGUAGE INTERPRETER WITH LOCALIZATION [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-03-09Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A mobile device, system, and method are directed towards enabling a mobile user to request and obtain audio, graphical, and/or textual language translations between one or more different languages virtually in real-time. In one embodiment, a system is configured to enable a mobile user to select a first language from a plurality of languages. A second language may be determined based on a current location of the mobile device, selected by the user from the plurality of languages. The user may then provide an input in one language, which may be transmitted to a server device, where a determination is made which of the languages the input is, and provides a translation to the other language back to the mobile device. In one embodiment, the server device may also provide related information to the translated input, including pronunciation support, video and/or audio clips, word origin, synonyms, or the like.
- Application 20080222653 – METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR TIME-SLICED AGGREGATION OF DATA [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-03-09Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Systems and methods are disclosed herein for aggregating event data in order to reduce the amount of storage space necessary to store event data for later use in statistical analyses of the event data. The raw event data is analyzed and, for each event ID within a time period, a specific set of numbers and sums are calculated. This set is then stored instead of the raw event ID and used for all subsequent analyses of the events. The set of numbers and sums reduce the amount of storage required for each event ID within a time period to a set of five data elements, regardless of the number of underlying events in the raw event data. The set of number and sums include a number of events, a sum of the events, a sum of the squares of the events, a sum of the cubes of the events and a sum of the events raised to the fourth power.
- Application 20080220747 – SCROLLING MOBILE ADVERTISEMENTS [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-03-08Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A mobile device, system, and method are directed towards displaying an advertisement within a navigable view on a mobile device. In one embodiment, the navigable view employs a scrollable list. In one embodiment, a capability of the mobile device is employed to determine the mechanism for displaying of the advertisement within the navigable view. In one embodiment, the display mechanism may enable the advertisement to disappear from the mobile device’s display after scrolling past the advertisement. In another embodiment, the advertisement is treated as a fixed entry within the scrollable view. As a fixed entry, scrolling past the advertisement results in the advertisement disappearing from the display of the mobile device. In still another embodiment, the advertisement is treated as a continually viewable entry within the navigable view, and in another embodiment, the advertisement may bounce to a top or a bottom of the navigable view as it is scrolled.
- Application 20080221870 – System and method for revising natural language parse trees [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-03-08Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
An improved system and method for revising natural language parse trees is provided. A revision dependency parser may learn a set of transformation rules that may be applied to dependency parse trees generated by a base parser for revising the dependency parse trees. A corpus of natural language sentences and a set of correct dependency parse trees may be used to train a revision dependency parser to correct dependency parse trees generated by the base parser. A revision engine may compare the dependency parse trees produced by the base parser with the correct ones present in the training data to produce an observation-rule pair for each dependency. A rule may specify a transformation on the predicted dependency parse tree generated by the base parser to replace an incorrect dependency with a corrected dependency or may change the type of dependency expressed for the grammatical function of the dependent word.
- Application 20080159624 – Texture-based pornography detection [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-03-06Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Techniques are described herein for detecting pornographic content in digital image data by analyzing the texture of the digital image data, and as a result of analyzing the texture of digital image data, designating the digital image as being pornographic or otherwise containing adult or offensive content.
- Application 20080159627 – Part-based pornography detection [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-03-06Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Techniques are described herein for detecting particular body parts in a digital image, and as a result of detecting at least one of these body parts, classifying the digital image as a particular type. According to an embodiment, digital image data that defines a digital image is received as input and the digital image data is analyzed to detect whether the digital image includes one or more specified body parts, such as breasts and/or buttocks. If the digital image is determined to contain one or more of the specified body parts, then the digital image is designated as a first type, such as pornography.
- Application 20080222634 – PARALLEL PROCESSING FOR ETL PROCESSES [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-03-06Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
A technique for parallel processing of data from a plurality of data sources in conjunction with an Extract-Transform-Load (ETL) process, the data being part of a related data set, which comprises the following: staging a unit of extracted data from each of the plurality of data sources, thereby generating a plurality of units of staged data; identifying a plurality of tasks relating to transforming the staged data; assigning a subset of the tasks to each of a plurality of child processes being managed by a master process, such that dependent tasks are assigned to a same child process; concurrently executing the subsets of tasks assigned to the child processes, thereby generating a plurality of units of transformed data from the plurality of units of staged data; and publishing the transformed data after all tasks are completely executed, thereby ensuring that the published data represent the related data set.
- Application 20080222130 – LINK OPTIMIZATION [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-03-05Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
In an embodiment of the present invention, keywords may be dynamically optimized. This may include techniques for reducing the number of keywords assigned to a particular web page (and selecting which keywords to eliminate). This may also include techniques for reordering keywords, introducing new keywords, and/or changing the attributes of keywords (e.g., size, font, color, spacing, etc.) assigned to a particular web page. Any of these techniques may be dynamically implemented by basing the optimization on one or more metrics and data collected from user interactions with the webpage.
- Application 20080162540 – Identifying offensive content using user click data [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-03-02Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Techniques are provided for designating an item as being of a particular type when the item has been selected after being returned in response to a search and by identifying which mode, of a plurality of modes, in which the search engine was operating when the item was selected.
- Application 20080212766 – Stateless gateways having remote dialog store [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-03-02Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Gateway apparatus for facilitating communications using a stateful protocol (e.g., SIP or SIP/SIMPLE protocol). The gateway apparatus includes a plurality of gateway devices and a remote dialog store, wherein each of the plurality of gateway devices comprises export logic for causing dialog information associated with a first received message (e.g., a request or response) to be communicated to the dialog store, and retrieval logic for causing a lookup of the dialog information in response to a second received message, the second received message associated with the first received message. In one example the gateway devices are stateless, thereby relying on the dialog store for validating and routing messages. In another example, the gateway devices are stateful and rely on the dialog store for backup (e.g., if a gateway device crashes). The gateway devices may be configured for receiving and processing messages according to SIP protocol or SIP/SIMPLE protocol.
- Application 20080208812 – Instant contact searching and presentation by category [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-02-28Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A device, system, and method are directed towards enabling a mobile device user to perform a federated search across a plurality of disparate contact data stores, including a phone directory, IM store, an email address book, a buddy list, a social networking group, a SMS list, or any of a variety of other communication contact data stores. When a user inputs a character, a dynamic search is performed across the various contact data stores. The results of the search may be repeatedly updated based on additional input characters. The results of the search may be displayed on the mobile device organized by categories of the contact data stores and/or a preferred communication mechanism. The results may also indicate a preferred mechanism for communicating with the displayed name.
- Application 20080208808 – Configuring searches [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-02-27Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A GUI is generated to receive parameters that specify properties of a search engine. Certain parameters are received via the user interface, which specify the properties for a certain search engine. The search engine is configured according to the parameters specified. A request for executing the search engine is received and search results generated by executing the search engine are presented, via the GUI. The certain parameters specify each of a set of search engine properties that include the format of the search results returned by the search engine and search domain sources of the search engine.
- Application 20080209316 – SYSTEM AND METHOD OF IMPLEMENTING AN EXTENSIBLE COMMAND-LINE INTERFACE [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-02-27Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
A system and method of implementing an extensible command-line interface may be employed to extend a command-line application. In accordance with one aspect, a plug-in management engine may define a contract that allows access to a command-line interface and may allow plug-ins honoring the contract to interface with the command-line application through the interface.
- Application 20080208852 – Editable user interests profile [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-02-26Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A method for an online information system includes tracking user interactions with the online information system, storing profile information for the user based on the user interactions, and providing user access to modify the user’s profile information. This system improves confidence in system for users who are reluctant to have their online activity tracked by the system operator. The user has access to all information that the system operator has for the user, and can edit or correct that information.
- Application 20080208836 – Regression framework for learning ranking functions using relative preferences [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-02-23Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A method and apparatus for determining a ranking function by regression using relative preference data. A number of iterations are performed in which to following is performed. The current ranking function is used to compare pairs of elements. The comparisons are checked against actual preference data to determine for which pairs the ranking function mis-predicted (contradicting pairs). A regression function is fitted to a set of training data that is based on contradicting pairs and a target value for each element. The target value for each element may be based on the value that the ranking function predicted for the other element in the pair. The ranking function for the next iteration is determined based, at least in part, on the regression function. The final ranking function is established based on the regression functions. For example, the final ranking function may be based on a linear combination of regression functions.
- Application 20080205619 – CALLER INITIATED COMMUNICATIONS INTERRUPTION [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-02-22Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Enabling a caller to automatically interrupt a currently active call. In one embodiment, a call manager receives a request from an interrupter that may indicate an urgency, an identification, an authorization, and/or other reason to interrupt the current call between a target party device and a bystander party device. Warning messages can be provide to the target and/or bystander party. The call manager may automatically connect the call or determine whether to connect the interrupter based on one or more criteria predefined by the target and/or the interrupter. Alternatively, the target may make the determination based on information about the requested interruption. The bystander party device may be placed on hold, or a conference call may be initiated automatically. Call management may be performed directly, or through one or more network carriers. A rejected interruption may be routed to voice mail. After completing the interruption, the original call is reestablished.
- Application 20080209021 – Synchronous delivery of media content in a collaborative environment [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-02-22Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
An apparatus and method for facilitating a synchronous display of a time-based media object (e.g., a video or audio file) with a remote device is provided. In one example, the apparatus comprises control logic for controlling the display of a media object in response to a user entered command with a first device, and communication logic for causing communication of the user entered command (e.g., play, pause, skip, etc.) and a metric (e.g., time or frame reference) associated with the media object to a second device for synchronizing the display of the media object with the first and second devices. The first and second devices may communicate via peer-to-peer communications, for example, in a collaborative or social application such as an IM application. Further, the apparatus may include various devices such as a personal computer, mobile phone device and/or mobile personal entertainment device, DVR, or the like.
- Application 20080209028 – DISCOVERING AND DETERMINING CHARACTERISTICS OF NETWORK PROXIES [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-02-22Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A device, system, and method are directed towards determining network information. A network address is determined for a possible proxy. A determination is made whether a port on the possible proxy is open and/or if the port supports an HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP) proxy request. A request is sent to the possible proxy over the port, the request being configured to be forwarded to a network device. A type of the possible proxy is determined based in part on a behavior of the network device. The behavior may indicate whether the request is received by the network device, or whether the possible proxy obscures an origin of the request. The proxy type may include whether the possible proxy is a non-proxy, an anonymous-proxy, a controlled-proxy, and/or an open-proxy. Various types of network analysis may then be performed using the possible proxy and the determined proxy type.
- Application 20080201304 – Federated searches implemented across multiple search engines [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-02-16Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A plurality of search engines is selected from multiple search engines based on a search query and one or more criteria. To obtain search results for the search query, one or more search queries are submitted to the plurality of search engines. For each search engine of the plurality of search engines, certain search results are received for the one or more search queries submitted to each search engine. Consolidated search results are generated with consolidation of the certain search results that are received from each search engine of the plurality of search engines.
- Application 20080201317 – Ranking documents [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-02-16Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A plurality of documents are ranked. The documents are returned as the result of a query computed for each search engine of a plurality of search engines. Each document of the plurality of documents is associated with a Uniform Resource Locator (URL). The plurality of documents includes at least one document returned as a result of the query from each of the search engines. For each URL associated with a document from the plurality of documents, a frequency of the URLs is determined. Ranking the plurality of documents includes ranking them based on one or more factors, which are based on the frequency determined for each URL associated with the plurality of documents.
- Application 20080201390 – HIGH-AVAILABILITY AND DATA PROTECTION OF OLTP DATABASES [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-02-15Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
A method is for use with a primary online transactional processing (OLTP) database, to maintain a secondary storage usable by a backup OLTP database, wherein the primary storage, of the primary OLTP database, includes data files. In accordance with the method, as transaction indications for the primary OLTP database are recorded in at least one transaction log file, in the primary storage of the primary OLTP database, the transaction indications are caused to be mirrored to the secondary storage. At the file system level of the storage of the primary OLTP database and of the secondary storage, a state of data files of the primary OLTP database is occasionally caused to be duplicated from the primary storage to the secondary storage.
- Application 20080201638 – Context avatar [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-02-15Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
Methods and systems for generating information about a physical context of a user are provided. These methods and systems provide the capability to render a context avatar associated with the user as a composite image that can be broadcast in virtual environments to provide information about the physical context of the user. The composite image can be automatically updated without user intervention to include, among other things, a virtual person image of the user and a background image defined by encoded image data associated with the current geographic location of the user.
- Application 20080195631 – System and method for determining web page quality using collective inference based on local and global information [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-02-13Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
An improved system and method is provided for determining web page quality using collective inference based on local and global web page information. A classification engine may be provided for classifying a web page using local features of a seed set of web pages and global web graph information about the seed set of web pages. A dual algorithm based on graph regularization formulated as a well-formed optimization solution may be used in an embodiment for applying collective inference for binary classification of the web page using the local web page information and global web graph information of a web page, the local web page information and global web graph information of an authoritative set of web pages, and the local web page information and global web graph information of a non-authoritative set of web pages.
- Application 20080195430 – DATA QUALITY MEASUREMENT FOR ETL PROCESSES [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-02-12Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
Techniques for maintaining data quality of transformed data generated using an Extract-Transform-Load (ETL) process and stored in at least one data warehouse, the method comprising generating a quality metric for each of a plurality of units of the transformed data with reference to at least one data quality measurement rule, the quality metric for each unit of the transformed data representing a validity measure defined by the corresponding data quality measurement rule; and generating a report organizing the quality metrics for selected units of the transformed data.
- Application 20080195635 – PATH INDEXING FOR NETWORK DATA [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-02-12Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
A solution is provided wherein path information is stored for efficient retrieval. Raw path information may be stored in a path file. A node path index file may then be created containing entries for each of one or more corresponding nodes in the path information. Each node path entry corresponds to a unique appearance of the corresponding node in the path file, and wherein each node path entry contains a path file offset and a position of the corresponding node in the path file in the path indicated by the path file offset. A node index file may then be created containing, for one or more nodes in the path information, a single node entry containing an indication of the number of times the corresponding node in the node path index file appears in the node path index file and also containing a node path index file offset.
- Application 20080195636 – EXTRACTION OF LOGICAL EVENTS FROM NETWORK DATA [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-02-12Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
In an embodiment of the present invention, a record is read a single time, and it is evaluated against all conditions to identify the ones that it satisfies. By organizing the conditions into appropriate data structures, the process may be further optimized by ensuring that the record is not scanned multiple times.
- Application 20080195729 – PATH IDENTIFICATION FOR NETWORK DATA [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-02-12Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
A solution is provided wherein a master process and two or more drone processes may be utilized to identify path information containing a pattern. The master process may send the pattern to the two or more drone processes, which may identify the pattern in path data. Each drone process may then send the paths that satisfy the pattern back to the master process, which may aggregate the path data so that two or more identical paths appearing in the path data are reduced to a single occurrence of a path.
- Application 20080195657 – CONTEXT-BASED COMMUNITY-DRIVEN SUGGESTIONS FOR MEDIA ANNOTATION [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-02-08Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
Disclosed are apparatus and methods for facilitating annotation of media objects by a user. Mechanisms present a user with an easily usable set of annotation suggestions that are most likely to be relevant to the particular user and/or media context. In general, existing annotations are analyzed to determine a set of suggested annotations. Annotation suggestions for a particular user are based on an analysis of the relevance, to the particular user, of existing annotations of one or more media objects so that the most likely relevant annotations are presented as suggested annotations. In particular embodiments, this analysis depends on whether the existing annotations were created and/or selected by the particular user, a member of the particular user’s social network, or members of the general public.
- Application 20080189620 – Templates for themed instant messages [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-02-07Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A method for templates for implementing instant message themes is provided. For example, the user selects between a “to-do” theme, an “invite” theme, a “postcard” theme, a “reminder” theme, etc. If the user selects the “to-do” theme, the to-do template may prompt the user to input a description of the task to be performed and a due date/time. An instant message is sent to a recipient who is to perform the task. The recipient’s instant message application displays a to-do in a themed IM window. The themed IM window may have special features that are related to the interactions for the to-do theme. For example, the themed IM window can have a “completed indicator” for the recipient to send a completion notice to the sender. Alternatively, the themed IM window could have a button to perform the task. In response to performing the task, the to-do theme could automatically send a completion notice.
- Application 20080189290 – Method and System for Representing an Exploration of Resources Over a Communication Network [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-02-06Assignee: Yahoo! Inc., a Delaware Corporation
In particular embodiments, a system and method for representing an exploration of resources over a communication network is disclosed. According to the embodiments, if a search query representing a target resource locator is received from a user, resources having links to the target resource locator are searched. Then, a data structure including a hierarchy of nodes and its graphical representation is generated for representing the resources each having a link to the target resource locator. The graphical representation may include a constellation map including a plurality of planets representing the resources each having a link to the target resource locator. Such data structure and graphical representation may be saved in a database for later retrieval. The system and method provides a user-friendly graphical representation of exploring resources linked to a target resource such as a webpage or a blog site managed by the user.
- Application 20080120257 – Automatic online form filling using semantic inference [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-02-05Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A machine learning based automated online form-filling technique provides for automatically completing user input controls based on previously stored information. An associative parser is used to identify and associate characteristics related to form controls with the corresponding form controls. The characteristics of the user input controls are input into a machine learning based semantic inference engine that was trained for the purpose of identifying the type of information that is supposed to be input into various user input controls. The semantic inference engine operates to label the controls in a manner that describes the meaning of the control, i.e., the type of information that should be automatically input into the corresponding controls. Consequently, the user input controls can be automatically filled in with previously stored user profile information associated with the corresponding labels.
- Application 20080189028 – INTELLIGENT LOCATION-TO-CELL MAPPING USING ANNOTATED MEDIA [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-02-05Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
Disclosed are apparatus and methods for providing location information for a current location of a portable device, such as a camera-phone. In general, a current, generic location, e.g., cell ID, of the portable device is mapped to a more specific location description, e.g., the name of a specific city, that is defined by one or more users. In a specific implementation, one or more users of portable devices may be encouraged to contribute specific location descriptions with respect to media objects or the like that are managed on their portable devices. When a particular user ties a specific location to a media object or the like, the media object serves to also tie the particular user’s current generic location or cell ID to the media object. Thus, a plurality of media objects and their associated specific and generic location descriptions can be analyzed to determine a most relevant specific location description for a particular generic location or cell ID. The specific location that is tied to a generic location may be used in any number of applications, such as automatically associating such specific location with any media objects that are captured in the corresponding generic location, e.g., cell ID.
- Application 20080186926 – COLLECTING IMPLICIT INFORMATION FOR DETERMINING CONTEXT OF EVENT ACTIONS [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-02-01Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A device, system, and method are directed towards determining a start and/or an end time for a spontaneous event. A mobile device user creates a group for the spontaneous event, and sends the members an invite. During the event, members share media content and/or text messages with other members. Based, in part, on a flow of media content and/or text messages between the members, a determination of a start time and/or end time of the spontaneous event is automatically performed. The start time may be based on when the group is created and/or revised when a flow rate of the media content and/or messages exceed a threshold. The end time may be based on the flow rate being less than another threshold. The location of the spontaneous event may also be determined based on a location of the member’s mobile devices during the event.
- Application 20080189174 – ADVERTISEMENT REFERRAL BASED ON SOCIAL TIES [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-02-01Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
It is determined that a particular user of network-based services has been presented or additionally has monetized a monetization opportunity (such as an advertisement) offered to the particular user via a computer network. Monetizing the monetization opportunity may include, for an advertisement, clicking on the advertisement such that money is made (typically at least in part by the service provider) as a result. Based on the determination, a monetization opportunity is caused to be referred, via the computer network, to at least one other user of the network-based services, other than the particular user, with whom the particular user has social ties. For example, the particular user may have a social tie with the at least one other user via network-based services, such as instant messaging. The social tie may be other than via network-based services, as well.
- Application 20080189247 – METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR IMPROVED CATEGORICAL SEARCHING [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-02-01Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Systems and methods have been developed for searching an index by category. More specifically, systems and methods have been developed for launching a search program that sends to a browser a search address associated with a selected search category for transmission to a remote computing device.
- Application 20080189262 – Word pluralization handling in query for web search [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-02-01Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Techniques for determining when and how to transform words in a query to its plural or non-plural form in order to provide the most relevant search results while minimizing computational overhead are provided. A dictionary is generated based upon the words used in a specified number of previous most frequent search queries and comprises lists of transformations from plural to singular and singular to plural. Unnecessary transformations are removed from the dictionary based upon language modeling. The word to transform is determined by finding the last non-stop re-writable word of the query. The context of the transformed word is confirmed in the search documents and a version of the query is executed using both the original form of the word and the transformation of the word.
- Application 20080183558 – System and method for automatically determining an advertisement type of a digital advertisement [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-01-31Assignee: YAHOO!Inc.
Systems and methods for determining a type of a digital ad are disclosed. Generally, an ad type determination module automatically determines a type of a digital ad, such as a direct response ad or a branding ad, based on at least one of (1) a number of hyperlinks associated with the digital ad, (2) a number of click throughs associated with the digital ad, (3) a click-through rate associated with the digital ad, and (4) an industry associated with the digital ad. After the ad type determination module determines a type of the digital ad, an indication of the type of digital ad may be exported to a system of an online advertisement service provider so that the online advertisement service provider may perform actions such as optimizing the digital ad, or generating reports regarding the digital ad, based on the determined type of the digital ad.
- Application 20080183675 – System for updating advertisement bids [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-01-31Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A system for updating advertisement bids including a query engine and an advertisement selection engine. The query engine provides an advertisement query to the advertisement selection engine. The advertisement selection engine includes a query processing module that retrieves advertisements associated with the advertisement query based on bids. The bid update module generates a suggested bid for an advertiser. The bid update module may be configured to automatically update the current bid for an advertisement based on the suggested bid. Further, the bid update module may be configured to determine the suggested bid by calculating a maximum profit position for the advertisement and projecting an envy free point for the maximum profit position.
- Application 20080183814 – REPRESENTING ONLINE PRESENCE FOR GROUPS [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-01-29Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
Methods and apparatus are described for communicating an online presence of a group in a network. The group includes at least one member associated with the network. Each member of the group has an independent online status. A group presence indicator corresponding to the group is presented in a first interface in the network. The group presence indicator represents an online status of the group as being online or offline. The online status of each member of the group is not apparent from the group presence indicator.
- Application 20080184248 – OPTIMIZATION OF JOB SCHEDULING FOR RESOURCE CLUSTERS WITH ACCESS CONTROL AND USAGE REPORTING [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-01-29Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A user is enabled to reserve computer resources using a calendaring graphical user interface (GUI). The calendaring GUI enables viewing of resources currently in use and/or reserved for future use, and/or available for scheduling, that is stored within a scheduling data store. The user may employ the calendaring GUI to visually identify available timeslots to reserve resources, and/or modify, or delete a scheduled job. When the user schedules a job, a reservation identifier (RID) may be provided, which may then be submitted with the job to a distinct scheduler program. Each scheduler program may employ the RID and scheduling data store to determine whether to execute the job, or place the job in a sleep mode. If a job uses more or less than a reserved time, the scheduling data store may be revised to reserve additional time, or to relinquish unused resources.
- Application 20080154666 – System for generating scores related to interactions with a service provider partner [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-01-26Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A system is disclosed for generating scores related to interactions with a service provider partner. A historical dataset corresponding to a historical behavior of a set of service provider partners may be identified. The historical dataset may be processed to identify a feature vector. A classifier model may be generated from the historical dataset and the feature vector. Current service provider partner data representing a current service provider partner may be collected. The current service provider partner data may be processed to generate a current service provider partner feature vector. A score may be generated by applying the classifier model to the current service provider partner data feature vector.
- Application 20080154667 – System for monitoring a revenue generator [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-01-26Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A system is disclosed for monitoring a revenue generator. A historical dataset corresponding to a historical behavior of a set of revenue generators may be identified. The historical dataset may be processed to identify a feature vector relating to detecting a fraudulent revenue generator. A classifier model may be generated from the historical dataset and the feature vector. Current revenue generator data representing a current revenue generator may be collected. The current revenue generator data may be processed to generate a current revenue generator feature vector. A score representing the likelihood that the revenue generator is fraudulent may be generated by applying the classifier model to the current revenue generator data feature vector. A monitor may be identified and notified of the score of the current revenue generator. The monitor may perform some action based on the score of the current revenue generator.
- Application 20080154668 – System for monitoring a service provider partner [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-01-26Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A system is disclosed for monitoring a service provider partner. A historical dataset corresponding to a historical behavior of a set of service provider partners may be identified. The historical dataset may be processed to identify a feature vector relating to detecting a fraudulent service provider partner. A classifier model may be generated from the historical dataset and the feature vector. Current service provider partner data representing a current service provider partner may be collected. The current service provider partner data may be processed to generate a current service provider partner feature vector. A score representing the likelihood that the service provider partner is fraudulent may be generated by applying the classifier model to the current service provider partner data feature vector. A monitor may be identified and notified of the score of the current service provider partner. The monitor may perform some action based on the score of the current service provider partner.
- Application 20080183685 – System for classifying a search query [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-01-26Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A system is described for classifying a search query. The system may create a machine learning classifier function that may be “trained” by a plurality of categorized queries within a query taxonomy. The system may represent the queries as term vectors and input the term vectors to the machine learning classifier function to generate a value that may correspond to a particular category within the query taxonomy. The system may regularize the machine learning classifier function based on user search click data to improve the classifying accuracy.
- Application 20080046968 – AUTHENTICATION SEAL FOR ONLINE APPLICATIONS [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-01-25Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A network device and method are directed towards providing a client side sign-in seal for use detecting phishing attempts. In one embodiment, a user of a client device may provide anti-phishing data through a sign-in setup user interface for a website, application, or the like. In one embodiment, the anti-phishing data is an image provided by the user. The user may also provide text, symbols, an audio clip, or the like. The user may also modify aspects of the image, text, symbols, or the like, such as a color. When the user accesses the website, application, or the like, the client device may provide client device data used to locate and display the sign-in seal. If the user is being phished, the anti-phishing data may not be displayed or otherwise played.
- Application 20070118796 – Dynamic page generator [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-01-22Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
An custom page server is provided with user preferences organized into templates stored in compact data structures and the live data used to fill the templates stored local to the page server which is handing user requests for custom pages. One process is executed on the page server for every request. The process is provided a user template for the user making the request, where the user template is either generated from user preferences or retrieved from a cache of recently used user templates. Each user process is provided access to a large region of shared memory which contains all of the live data needed to fill any user template. Typically, the pages served are news pages, giving the user a custom selection of stock quotes, news headlines, sports scores, weather, and the like. With the live data stored in a local, shared memory, any custom page can be built within the page server, eliminating the need to make requests from other servers for portions of the live data. While the shared memory might include RAM (random access memory) and disk storage, in many computer systems, it is faster to store all the live data in RAM.
- Application 20080052372 – Method and system for presenting information with multiple views [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-01-19Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Method and system for presenting information on a user device are disclosed. The method includes collecting a plurality of data objects on the Internet, annotating each data object in the plurality of data objects in accordance with user-defined data and implicit data, wherein the user-defined data and implicit data form metadata associated with the plurality of data objects, creating correlations between the plurality of data objects using the metadata associated with the plurality of data objects, and presenting the plurality of data objects in multiple views on the user device simultaneously according to the correlations between the plurality of data objects.
- Application 20080177841 – DYNAMIC COMBATTING OF SPAM AND PHISHING ATTACKS [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-01-19Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A self training set of robots are configured to proactively search for selective communication abuses over a network. Robots may enter a chat room to proactively send messages. The robots then analyze patterns and/or content of a received message for potential abuse. Robots may also passively reside on/off line without publishing their network address. If a message is received, the message may be interpreted to be SPAM/SPIM. Robots may also perform a variety of other actions, such as access websites, and analyze received messages to determine if the messages indicate abuse. If abuse is detected, information may also be obtained to enable blocking or filtering of future messages from the sender, or access to/from an abusive website. The information also may be used to retrain robots, so that the robots may learn from and share their collective knowledge of abusive actions.
- Application 20070156856 – METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MANAGING THE RESOURCES OF AN APPLICATION PROGRAM [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-01-17Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A software resource manager is stored on a client computer and maintains a map of unique identifiers to resources, so as to determine those resources that are stored locally on the client computer and those resources that must be retrieved from a server system. The resource manager is further programmed to either pass the resources to one or more software applications or respond to a function call from the software application indicating that resources are needed. In this way, one or more software applications can be internationalized or customized without the need to distribute all of the resources for the application and without the need to restart the application.
- Application 20070169158 – METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CREATING AND APPLYING DYNAMIC MEDIA SPECIFICATION CREATOR AND APPLICATOR [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-01-12Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Systems and methods have been developed for manipulating media assets in a networked computing environment where processing power, bandwidth and/or storage capacity may be limited. More specifically, systems and methods have been developed whereby low-resolution media assets may be created that are optimized for transfer over low bandwidth networks and for editing and manipulation in an environment with low processing power and low storage capacity, and a high-resolution media asset may be created for playback.
- Application 20070179979 – METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ONLINE REMIXING OF DIGITAL MULTIMEDIA [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-01-12Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Systems and methods have been developed for manipulating media assets in a networked computing environment where processing power, bandwidth and/or storage capacity may be limited. More specifically, systems and methods have been developed whereby low-resolution media assets may be created that are optimized for transfer over low bandwidth networks and for editing and manipulation in an environment with low processing power and low storage capacity, and a high-resolution media asset may be created for playback.
- Application 20080215620 – METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR SOCIAL REMIXING OF MEDIA CONTENT [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-01-12Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Systems and methods have been developed for manipulating media assets in a networked computing environment where processing power, bandwidth and/or storage capacity may be limited.
- Application 20080168033 – EMPLOYING MOBILE LOCATION TO REFINE SEARCHES [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-01-05Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A system and method are directed towards refining mobile device search results using location modifiers. Information about a mobile device user may be collected, including a current location, a default location, information from address books, or other social networking information. The user may input a search query that is parsed into a primary search term and possibly a location modifier. The location modifier may modify the search for the primary search term by refining a physical location over which the search is performed. Location modifiers may include user-specific location modifiers that may employ social networking information to refine the search query, or a location sub-string modifier that refines the search query by employing a hierarchy of location data and/or social networking information. In one embodiment, where no location modifier is included within the search query, a current, or default, location of the mobile device may be employed.
- Application 20080168052 – Clustered search processing [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-01-05Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Methods and apparatus for searching data and grouping search results into clusters that are ordered according to search relevance. Each cluster comprises one or more data type, such as images, web pages, local information, news, advertisements, and the like. In one embodiment, a search term is evaluated for related concepts indicating categories of data sources to search. Data sources may also be identified by context information such as a location of a client device, a currently running application, and the like. Search results in each cluster are ordered by relevance and each cluster is given a score based on an aggregate of the relevance within the cluster. Each cluster score may be modified based on one or more corresponding concepts and/or context information. The clusters are ordered based on the modified scores. Content, including advertisements, may also be added to the ordered list to appear as another cluster.
- Application 20080168113 – Time blocks and customizable time blocks [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-01-05Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Techniques are described herein for providing a plurality of graphical elements, independent of any calendar location, associated with a distinct set of predefined data describing at least one characteristic of a calendar event comprising a plurality of characteristics. The predefined data may be user-specified. The graphical element is activated, such as by clicking or dragging, and in response to the activation, a proposed calendar event is generated that has a first set of one or more calendar event characteristics based on the predefined data associated with the graphical element. User input is received defining a second set of one or more calendar event characteristics that are not associated with the graphical element, and the proposed calendar event is saved in association with a particular calendar location.
- Application 20080168048 – User content feeds from user storage devices to a public search engine [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-01-04Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Allowing unhosted user content feeds to a public search engine, such as a web search engine, involves a user easily identifying a file as a file the user wants to share with others by, for example, storing the file in a particular directory folder on the user’s device. Once identified, the file is scanned and a corresponding entry is inserted into a search index. The storage location on the user’s device may be captured, and that information added to the search index for linking to the stored file. The file may be uploaded to a caching server, for serving either primarily from the caching server or secondarily from the caching server when the file is not available from the user’s storage. An access policy, which indicates what portion of the public has permission to access the file, may be associated with the shared file.
- Application 20080168177 – ESTIMATION OF WEB CLIENT RESPONSE TIME [Download PDF]
Filed: 2007-01-04Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Apparatuses, methods, and systems directed to estimating response time and other performance metrics in network communications. Some embodiments of the invention allow users to monitor and estimate response time in real time. In other particular embodiments, the systems disclosed below can be used to estimate response time using server logs. In some embodiments, the present invention involves using open control blocks as a proxy to estimate the number of dropped connections.
- Application 20080163317 – Generation of video streams from content items [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-12-29Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
The present invention is directed towards systems and methods for the generation of a video stream from a source content item, such as a web page. One embodiment of the method comprises receiving a content item for conversion to a video stream, loading a extraction template, the extraction template comprising one or more transformation functions for the conversion of the content item to a video stream, and applying the transformation functions from the extraction template to the content item for conversion to a video stream. The video stream may be stored on an output data store.
- Application 20080162206 – Rich media engagement market targeting [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-12-28Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Targeting potential consumers for marketing purposes involves receiving an indication that a particular user interacted with a particular rich media advertisement in a particular manner. The ability to monitor more user interactions with an advertisement, such as a mouseover of a certain panel of a rich media advertisement, provides for better differentiation among users’ interactions with advertisements and more information about a user’s behavior generally. An association between the interaction and user profile information is stored, where the profile information is about the particular user other than that user’s interactions with the rich media advertisement. Consequently, important information that is useful for behavioral targeting is generated and compiled without having to follow the user to websites from links within advertisements. Furthermore, recommendations about marketing to the particular user can be provided to advertisers, as well as information regarding further use of the rich media advertisement.
- Application 20080162385 – System and method for learning a weighted index to categorize objects [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-12-28Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
An improved system and method is provided for learning a weighted index to categorize objects using ranked recall. In an offline embodiment, a learning engine may learn a weighted index for classifying objects using ranked recall by training during an entire initial pass of a training sequence of a collection of objects. In an online embodiment, a learning engine may learn a weighted index for classifying objects using ranked recall by dynamically updating the weighted index as each instance of the collection of objects may be categorized. Advantageously, an instance of a large collection of objects may be accurately and efficiently recalled for many large scale applications with hundreds of thousands of categories by quickly identifying a small set of candidate categories for the given instance of the object.
- Application 20080162686 – METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR PRE-CACHING INFORMATION ON A MOBILE COMPUTING DEVICE [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-12-28Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Systems and methods for pre-caching information on mobile computing devices are set forth in this disclosure.
- Application 20080163090 – INTERFACE OVERLAY [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-12-28Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A method and apparatus for providing a user interface overlay. In one embodiment, a toolbar remains visible and can be selected at any time to activate the interface overlay. The interface overlay provides an easily visible list computing options, such as contacts, that overlays the entire display area. The background of the overlay may be semi-transparent so that underlying windows are still visible, but the list is highlighted. The list includes selectable display elements with display characteristics, such as size or color, that indicate one or more attributes associated with the corresponding computing options, such as a frequency of interaction with certain contacts. In one embodiment, groups of contacts can be sorted or filtered by the attributes before display. Each selectable display element identifies a contact and may indicate a current availability. A user selects a display element to initiate communication, such as an instant messaging chat session.
- Application 20080172293 – Optimization framework for association of advertisements with sequential media [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-12-28Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A method and apparatus are disclosed that are suitable for automatically identifying appropriate advertisements and locations for composting an advertisement with a media file for user consumption.
- Application 20070198363 – METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MANAGING PRICING STRUCTURES AND DELIVERY CHANNELS FOR RIGHTS IN FILES ON A NETWORK [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-12-26Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Systems and methods have been developed for modifying pricing structures of rights in files on a network. Systems and methods have also been developed for modifying delivery channels of rights in files on a network. The systems and methods may provide multiple sales models, delivery channels and/or pricing structures for rights in files and may select among them based on popularity data associated with files on a network.
- Application 20070198364 – METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MANAGING MULTIPLE CATALOGS OF FILES ON A NETWORK [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-12-26Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Systems and methods have been developed for managing multiple catalogs of files on a network. The systems and methods may manage a catalog of files with rights for sale and a catalog of rights presented for free public use. The systems and methods may manage these multiple catalogs via determining when one file should be moved from one catalog into another. The systems and methods may manage rights presented in the files, including rights offered for sale, rights offered for free use, where the managing may include changing the classification of those rights based on data relating to the files. The systems and methods may provide the ability to a user to research whether rights in the file are for sale.
- Application 20070198492 – METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR SUGGESTING PRICES FOR RIGHTS IN FILES ON A NETWORK [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-12-26Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Systems and methods have been developed for suggesting prices for rights in files on a network. The systems and methods may provide suggested prices for a right in a content file which has not been sold before. The systems and methods may provide the ability for a user to purchase a right in a file about which the user may know little or nothing. The systems and methods may provide a publisher of a file to review the uses and users of the file on a network and the ability for a publisher to negotiate and sell rights in the file. The systems and methods may provide the ability to a user to research who owns a file and whether rights in the file are for sale.
- Application 20070208670 – METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR SELLING RIGHTS IN FILES ON A NETWORK [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-12-26Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Systems and methods have been developed for selling rights in files on a network. The systems and methods may provide the ability for a user to purchase a right in a file about which the user may know little or nothing. The systems and methods may provide a publisher of a file to review the uses and users of the file on a network and the ability for a publisher to negotiate and sell rights in the file. The systems and methods may provide the ability to a user to research who owns a file and whether rights in the file are for sale.
- Application 20080189283 – METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MONITORING AND MODERATING FILES ON A NETWORK [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-12-26Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Systems and methods have been developed for monitoring and moderating files on a network. The systems and methods may provide the ability for a publisher of a file to review the uses and users of the file on a network and the ability for a publisher to negotiate and sell rights in the file. The systems and methods may provide the ability to a user to research who owns a file and whether rights in the file are for sale. For example, the systems and methods may provide the ability to a user to request to buy rights in the file, even if there is not presently an offer to sell the rights.
- Application 20080147627 – CLUSTERED QUERY SUPPORT FOR A DATABASE QUERY ENGINE [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-12-22Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A device, system, and method are directed towards combining a plurality of queries to a database into a combined execution plan. The plurality of queries is received. The queries may be Structured Query Language (SQL) statements. The database may be a relational database. The plurality of queries is transformed into a plurality of parse trees. A determination is made whether the plurality of queries operates on at least the same portion of the same table. If so, then the plurality of query trees is query-optimized. The plurality of query trees are combined into a master query tree based on similar nodes in the plurality of query trees. A split node in the master query tree represents non-similarities between the plurality of query trees. The master query tree is transformed into an execution plan. The execution plan is applied to a database to return at least one result.
- Application 20080153589 – Rotisserie fantasy league visualization tools [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-12-22Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A computer-based method for generating graphical representations of statistics such as player rankings in a fantasy sports game is disclosed. A statistic for a particular team or player is displayed on a graph in a position based on the value of the statistic at a particular time. The graph displays the ranking of the user’s team relative to other players in a fantasy sports league. Graphical indicators are displayed to allow the user to visually perceive the difference in ranking between the user’s team or player and the next higher or lower ranked team or player. The graph display can be animated to show changes in team or player performance over time by varying the displayed graph to show the statistics for successive time periods.
- Application 20080154696 – SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR RECOMMENDED EVENTS [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-12-22Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Systems and methods have been developed for selecting and recommending events to a consumer of media content based on information known about the consumer, including the consumer’s interests, consumption history and preferences. In an embodiment, a system records a history of the media content accessed, purchased, viewed or otherwise consumed by a consumer. The system further includes an event database containing information about upcoming events. When a consumer interacts with the system, such as to access a media content item, the consumer is notified of one or more events based on the consumer’s history. In this way consumers are automatically provided with updated event recommendations based on the known interests of the consumer, without the need for the consumer to subscribe to an event recommendation service and maintain the subscription to accurately reflect the consumer’s current interests.
- Application 20080154717 – Publisher scoring [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-12-22Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A system and method are disclosed for a publisher scoring algorithm. Various factors or variables are analyzed for publishers to determine a score associated with the publishers. The score may be a reflection of the success or value a publisher provides to an advertisement provider or an advertiser.
- Application 20080154739 – Social Network Commerce Model [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-12-22Assignee: Yahoo! Inc
Rules-based commerce system or marketplace that proactively acquires and purchases, on behalf of consumers, works submitted by creators. In one implementation, the system involves a rules engine which makes current and future purchases of electronic content and code based on the positive fulfillment of specific pre-created criteria. Some particular implementations of the invention can be implemented to create a net of income from a large quantity of sources in order to support one or more social media activities. Other implementations of the invention can be configured to create forms of sponsorship whereby a consumer can create rules to automatically acquire and pay for a future work that meets one or more criteria. On the creator side, implementations of the invention can be configured to assist creators to develop an audience and corresponding income streams to support social media creation activities.
- Application 20080154797 – Hybrid Advertisement Pricing System and Method [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-12-22Assignee: Yahoo! Inc., a Delaware Corporation
A hybrid advertisement pricing system and method for determining the price of an advertisement on the Internet is disclosed. The system includes a CPM (Cost-Per-Million impressions) module, a CPC (Cost-Per-Click) module, a price accounting module and a controller. The CPM module is configured to compute a CPM price for an exposure of an advertisement. The price accounting module is configured to compute the price of the advertisement. The CPC module is configured to compute a CPC price for a click on an advertisement based on the CPM price and the CPC price. The controller is configured to control operations of the CPM module, the CPC module and the price accounting module. As such, it is possible to determine the price of an advertisement by computing the price based on both exposure and click based costs while reducing the effect of fraudulent clicks on the price.
- Application 20080154798 – Dynamic Pricing Models for Digital Content [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-12-22Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Dynamic pricing models which facilitate efficient distribution of digital content online. Particular implementations of the invention dynamically base pricing for digital content on relatively current, aggregated information regarding Internet user behavior and preferences, such as search query and/or page hit logs. Some implementations of the present invention are directed to pricing digital content based on the inherent properties of digital content and the mechanics of how electronic files are typically distributed on the Internet.
- Application 20080154807 – Confusion matrix for classification systems [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-12-22Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Techniques are described herein for generating and displaying a confusion matrix wherein a data item belonging to one or more actual classes is predicted into a class. The classes in which the data item may be predicted (the “predicted classes”) are ranked according to a score that in one embodiment indicates the confidence of the prediction. If the data item is predicted into a class that is one of the top K ranked predicted classes, then the prediction is considered accurate and an entry is created in a cell of a confusion matrix indicating the accurate prediction. If the data item is not predicted into a class that is not one of the top K ranked predicted classes, then the prediction is considered inaccurate and an entry is created in a cell of a confusion matrix indicating the inaccurate prediction.
- Application 20080154859 – Method and system for progressive disclosure of search results [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-12-22Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Method and system for progressive disclosure of search results are disclosed. The method includes receiving a first portion of a search query from a user, and presenting a first search result page to the user in response to the first portion of the search query, where the first search result page includes a first set of search results categorized into a first set of search result topics related to the first portion of the search query. The method of presenting a first search result page includes analyzing the first portion of the search query and predicting the first set of search results using a set of contextual information, which includes user behavior, user preferences, user environment, and context of the search query. The method further includes receiving a second portion of the search query from the user, and presenting a second search result page to the user, where the second search result page includes a second set of search results derived from the first set of search result topics and from the first and second portions of the search query.
- Application 20080154879 – Method and apparatus for creating user-generated document feedback to improve search relevancy [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-12-22Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Method and system for improving relevancy of online search results are disclosed. The method includes collecting highlighted phrases from users who review one or more documents at one or more websites, aggregating the highlighted phrases about the one or more documents in a distributed hash table, ranking relevancy of the highlighted phrases according to frequency of occurrences of similar phrases, generating search relevancy data to be used by a search relevancy algorithm of a search engine, and generating search results in response to a search query using the search relevancy data.
- Application 20080154912 – Method and system for locating events in-context [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-12-22Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Method and computer program product for locating events in-context over the Internet are disclosed. The method includes receiving a document from a user, wherein the document comprises one or more attributes, analyzing the one or more attributes of the document in accordance with a set of contextual information to generate one or more search terms, searching for events related to the one or more attributes of the document using the one or more search terms, and presenting the events to the user.
- Application 20080154951 – Link Retrofitting of Digital Media Objects [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-12-22Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A digital media link embedding mechanism for generating one or more links for digital media objects embedded in network resources, such as HyperText Markup Language (HTML) or extensible markup language (XML) pages. Particular implementations of the invention allow network application hosting sites, such as blogging sites and social networking or media sites, to automatically insert revenue generating and/or informational links in proximity to digital media objects embedded by users into personal pages, blog entries, on-line forum posts, and the like. In one implementation, analysis to generate the media links focuses on data surrounding a given digitial content object to improve the relevance, or descriptiveness, of the links. Such media-related ad or search links may be more performant (relative to clickthru rates), since the concepts or keywords used to generate the ad and or search are extracted from data surrounding the digital content.
- Application 20080155060 – Exported overlays [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-12-22Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
An overlay generator recognizes specific types of content and metadata present on a web site, and retrieves additional content related to the web site from other sources. The overlay generator makes the additional content available in a web browser as an overlay or as a hyperlink, so that the additional content can be viewed in combination with the original web site content. For example, if a zip code is present on a web site, and the web site includes a static map showing points of specialized interest in that zip code, then the overlay generator recognizes the zip code as a specific type of content related to maps, and retrieves an interactive map of the zip code from a map service, and generates an overlay for superimposing the interactive map on the static map, so that the content of both maps is displayed in a single integrated map.
- Application 20080155079 – System and method for managing access to media assets [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-12-22Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Methods and systems for managing a library of media assets, such as songs and videos, associated with a particular user are described in this disclosure. Through the systems described, a user will have access via a network to the user’s collection of media assets, as well as having local access to the same assets, regardless of where the assets actually reside on the network. Media assets, regardless of their location, may be added to the user’s collection by adding them to a master list maintained by a media asset manager on a remote device. The media asset manager can then provide the user access to any listed media asset regardless of the user’s location and device. The media asset manager further may update the user’s local collection to reflect any changes made to the master list.
- Application 20080155080 – PROVISIONING MY STATUS INFORMATION TO OTHERS IN MY SOCIAL NETWORK [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-12-22Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A device, system, and method are directed towards sending a status of a user in a social network to a recipient. In one embodiment, a status of the user is received over a channel. The channel may include an application protocol. The recipient is selected based on a membership in the social network, a preference of the recipient, or a media format of the status. Another channel is selected based on information about a mode of communication between the recipient and the user and/or another member related to the user in the social network. The status may be modified based on social network information, preferences of a recipient, receiving device information, channel information, or the like. The status is forwarded to the recipient over the other channel. Forwarding may comprise unicasting, multicasting, and/or delaying sending the status until the other channel is available.
- Application 20080155436 – Player streaks and game data visualization [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-12-22Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A computer based method visually highlights achievements of sports teams or players in displays of statistical data, such as statistical tables, that represent the performance of sports teams or players. The achievements to be highlighted may include multiple-game streaks and single-game achievements. Multiple-game streaks occur when a team or player meets a performance objective in multiple consecutive games. Such streaks are highlighted in displays of statistical data by visually emphasizing the data values that form the streak. Visual emphasis is achieved by, for example, displaying a visual indicator, such as a line, adjacent to the data values. A single-game achievement is highlighted by visually emphasizing the data value that represents the achievement, so that users can quickly identify single-game achievements in statistical tables. Details about the streak or achievement may be displayed when the user selects or passes a mouse pointer over one of the data values or over the visual indicator.
- Application 20080155547 – Transactional calendar [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-12-22Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A transactional calendar can be used to interact with online services that perform any type of tasks. The calendar’s user interface has features for choosing a service to invoke. When the calendar invokes the service, information such as the date and time currently selected on the calendar is automatically passed to the service in a defined data format. Upon completing a task, the service returns the result to the calendar in a defined format, and a calendar entry is made for the task. The calendar entry can be used to view details about the task. A calendar-based user interface allows a user to view and interact with pending and completed tasks being performed by disparate online services. The transactional calendar may automatically generate inferred tasks in response to user-created tasks.
- Application 20080155701 – METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR UNAUTHORIZED CONTENT DETECTION AND REPORTING [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-12-22Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Systems and methods have been developed for detecting the use of rights in media, for example, where the use is based on a content file’s presentation on a network. Systems and methods have been developed for determining likely rights owners for content files. Systems and methods may detect and report such use to a purported owner of the rights. Systems and methods have also been developed for offering these rights owners structured, up-to-date online reviewing of the content files, takedown options with respect to the content files, and options to claim revenue generation related to the content files. These systems and methods may control the use of the content file on a network through charging royalties, distributing advertising revenues associated with the content file to the owner, attributing the content file to the owner, restricting access to the content file, using legal action, or through other techniques.
- Application 20080153520 – Targeted short messaging service advertisements [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-12-21Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
The present embodiments relate to a system and/or method for adding targeted advertisements to messages. An analysis of a variety of parameters may be used to select and display a targeted advertisement to a user. The targeted advertisement is displayed in a message to the user. In one example, the message may be a short messaging service (SMS) message that includes the targeted advertisement.
- Application 20080154833 – Academic filter [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-12-21Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Techniques are described herein for analyzing textual responses to questions by evaluating the responses according to varying sets of rules. The text of a response is analyzed against the sets of rules and a series of values are generated as a result of, and based upon, the analysis. These values are calculated to determine a score value for the response, which is compared to a threshold value and/or to the scores of other responses to the same or a different question. The score value of the response is used to determine the likelihood of the response containing useful information in response to the question. Also, based on the third numerical value, the text of the response is displayed on a web page according to a specified format or order.
- Application 20080154955 – PROVIDING MULTIPLE MEDIA ITEMS TO A CONSUMER VIA A SIMPLIFIED CONSUMER INTERACTION [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-12-21Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
Methods and systems of providing media to a media consumer are disclosed herein. A media rating for at least one media item can be received from a consumer and stored on a consumer profile. Using a consumer interaction, the media consumer can request to import all available media having a consumer rating higher than a predetermined threshold to an online media library of the consumer. In another embodiment, using a consumer interaction, the media consumer can request to add to an online music library all media items associated with an artist, a genre, or other media item attribute.
- Application 20080154662 – System and method for generating a maximum utility slate of advertisements for online advertisement auctions [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-12-20Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
An improved system and method for generating a maximum utility slate of advertisements for online advertisement auctions is provided. Various utility factors for each advertisement that may be a candidate in a slate of advertisements may be applied within a framework in order to generate a maximum utility slate of advertisements. Either backward or forward dynamic programming may be applied to recursively evaluate the utility of subslates of advertisements in order to generate a maximum utility slate of advertisements. In an embodiment, a network with directed edges and associated costs may be defined, and the longest path may be found in the directed network for constructing a maximum utility slate of advertisements. Various utility factors may be applied for different objectives of an auctioneer and the framework presented may be extended for revenue ordering, exclusion of bidders, ordering slates according to first and second price utilities, and so forth.
- Application 20080155037 – Providing real time information in a visual information unit [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-12-20Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Embodiments of the invention enable a person to easily and without having any specialized knowledge configure a webpage to automatically provide real time information. More specifically, embodiments of the invention are directed to a remotely hosted element which may be easily configured and placed in a webpage by an un-sophisticated publisher. The remotely hosted element provides the real time information. In certain embodiments, the real time information is stock quotes, charts and associated news items. In certain embodiments, the real time information unit is interactive. In other words, it allows webpage viewers to interact with it in order to cause it to show additional, or differently organized information.
- Application 20080155399 – System and method for indexing a document that includes a misspelled word [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-12-20Assignee: YAHOO! Inc.
Systems and methods are disclosed for indexing a document such as a webpage that includes one or more misspelled words based on an index classification of the document. Generally, a document is received and it is determined whether a word in the document is spelled incorrectly. If the word in the document is spelled incorrectly, a first set of candidate words and a confidence score associated with each of the first set of candidate words is generated based on whether the word is a common misspelling or a culture-based misspelling of the word. Based on one or more index classifications of the document, a second set of one or more candidate words, which is a subset of the first set of candidate words, and a confidence score associated with each of the second set of one or more candidate words is generated. The received document is then indexed with at least one word of the second set of candidate words. The document may also be indexed with the actual spelling of the word in the document.
- Application 20080155425 – Browser Renderable Toolbar [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-12-20Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A method of creating a browser renderable toolbar or helper application, and a network architecture therefore. The browser renderable toolbar obviates the need for separately-installed software while still permitting a user to take advantage of the functionality provided by a traditional toolbar.
- Application 20080155440 – GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE TO MANIPULATE SYNDICATION DATA FEEDS [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-12-20Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
A pipe specification editor is provided to configure a plurality of modules for processing a syndication data feed. The editor is operable to provide a graphical user interface to receive a user specification of a plurality of modules and to receive a user specification of wires. Each module is characterized by at least one of a group consisting of an input node and an output node, wherein the input node, if present, is configured to input a syndication data feed and the output node, if present, is configured to output a syndication data feed. At least one of the modules is a module configured to retrieve a source syndication data feed. The wires are configured to provide a syndication data feed provided from an output node of a module to an input node of another module.
- Application 20080147476 – Propensity-to-click targeting and modeling [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-12-19Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
In an embodiment of the present invention, two or more metrics may be measured from the group consisting of: the user’s age, the user’s gender, the user’s race, the user’s geographic location, the user’s annual income, the user’s profession, types of areas of the search engine that the user frequents, types of searches that the user typically conducts, and the user’s prior history (short and/or long-term) of clicking on advertisements. A propensity-to-click score may then be calculated for the user based on the two or more measured metrics. Then this score may be used to dynamically determine how to present advertising in response to a search by the user.
- Application 20080147480 – Transferring behavioral profiles anonymously across domains for behavioral targeting [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-12-19Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
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.
- Application 20080147575 – System and method for classifying a content item [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-12-19Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
The present invention is directed towards systems and methods for the classification or scoring of content items. The method according to one embodiment comprises providing at least one labeled content item as input to an initial classification model, a given labeled item having at least one feature, a given feature being associated with a weight, computing a posterior probability of the initial classification model for the given labeled content item and generating an updated classification model using the initial classification model and the weight associated with the given feature in the given labeled content item. The updated classification model is applied to an unlabeled content item to determine a score for the unlabeled content item.
- Application 20080147616 – Dynamically constrained, forward scheduling over uncertain workloads [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-12-19Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Scheduling searchable items such as web pages for crawling involves dynamically scheduling items for downloading based on capacity based on time. The workload is distributed over time, in advance, by anticipating and accounting for the discovery of new links on the particular host. Respective times to download items can be determined based on the current size of the host’s crawl corpus relative to the maximum size of the host’s crawl corpus. The respective times may be determined based additionally on respective freshness targets for the searchable items, which characterize how often an item’s content should be refreshed by re-downloading the item, and on respective politeness factors for the host, which characterize the delay time between consecutive download requests to that host. As such, one can know precisely how the system is performing at any point in time and predict future performance.
- Application 20080147617 – Providing system configuration information to a search engine [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-12-19Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Providing a search engine with system configuration information. The system configuration information pertains to a system having a web server that provides content. For example, the content may be web pages associated with a web site, and the system may include hardware and software used to provide the content of the web site to end users. More particularly, the system can include one or more computer systems, web server software, application server software, and application programs that facilitate providing content. A search engine requests system configuration information from the web server. In response to the request, the web server provides system configuration information to the search engine. The search engine can use the system configuration information to reference portions of the content in an index. The index can be used to respond to a search query that involves content served by the web server.
- Application 20080147711 – METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING PLAYLIST RECOMMENDATIONS [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-12-19Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
Methods and systems for recommending playlists to a user are disclosed herein. A set of artist names corresponding to artists that the user has indicated a preference for is identified. A playlist repository that stores media playlists is accessed. The media playlists can include artist information. The playlist repository is searched to identify a playlist having playlist artist information that is relevant to the user-identified set of artist names. The identity of the identified playlist is communicated to the user.
- Application 20080147731 – USER BEHAVIOR REPORTING BASED ON PRE-AGGREGATED ACTIVITY DATA [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-12-19Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
User behavior relative to particular web pages is reported on. The user behavior is represented by historical raw transaction data for the users with respect to the web pages. A collection of the historical raw transaction data is processed, including aggregating the historical raw transaction data and storing the aggregated historical raw transaction data. A report query is received and the aggregated historical raw transaction data is processed based on the report query. A report is caused to be generated based on the result of processing the aggregated historical raw transaction data.
- Application 20080146160 – AUTO SNIFFING OF CARRIER PERFORMANCE USING REVERSE ROUND TRIP TIME [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-12-18Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A device, system, and method are directed towards employing a beacon to sniff a network metric. When a mobile device requests content from a content server, the content server obtains a beacon be a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) that encodes information about the mobile device, a network carrier, a time the beacon is generated, a connection type, or the like. The beacon may further provide a link to a small image, file, or the like. The beacon may be included with the response to the mobile device. When the mobile device receives the response, it may send a request for content using the beacon’s link. A time that the request for the beacon’s content is received by a server is recorded. A reverse round trip time (RRTT) may then be determined based on the encoded information and the time the beacon is received.
- Application 20080147613 – Systems and methods for identifying premium content items in a result set [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-12-18Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
The present invention is directed towards systems and methods for identifying premium content items (such as video content items) that are responsive to a query. According to one embodiment, a method for identifying one or more items of video content responsive to a given query comprises receiving a query comprising one or more terms from a given user, identifying one or more items of video content responsive to the received query and generating a result set comprising one or more items of video content responsive to the received query. The one or more links the result set associated with items of premium video content are identified and the one or more links in the result set associated with items of premium video content are filtered on the basis information associated with the user from which the query was received.
- Application 20080147974 – MULTI-LEVEL CACHING SYSTEM [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-12-18Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
The present disclosure describes caching systems and methods for managing the storage of data file in different caching levels. Each caching level represents a faster, but more expensive, storage device or location, with the lowest level, or order, of a cache being the fastest, but also most expensive, and the highest being the slowest cache. Even slower than the various system cache levels are external file storage systems referred to as filers, such as database servers. The caching algorithm used by the system is designed so that more frequently requested items migrate to the faster cache areas. The algorithm immediately brings any requested file that is not in the cache into the fastest possible cache area if space is available or else into the next fastest if space is available there. If all cache areas are full, then the file is cached to the highest `order` number cache area.
- Application 20080148106 – EVALUATING PERFORMANCE OF BINARY CLASSIFICATION SYSTEMS [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-12-18Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
Methods and apparatus are described for evaluating a binary classification system operable to classify each of a plurality of events as a first event type or a second event type. At least some of the events of the first event type are independently verifiable with reference to verification data. The binary classification system is susceptible to a first error type in which events of the first event type are classified as the second event type, and a second error type in which events of the second event type are classified as the first event type. Operation of a first configuration of the binary classification system is evaluated with reference to an objective function. The objective function is derived by expressing a number of errors of the second error type in terms of a number of errors of the first error type with reference to the verification data, and by assuming relative proportions of the first and second event types within the plurality of events.
- Application 20080033982 – System and method for determining concepts in a content item using context [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-12-15Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
The present invention is directed towards systems and methods for indexing one or more items of content. The method of the present invention comprises extracting one or more items of text from a given item of content. The one or more items of extracted text are tokenized into one or more concepts. One or more related concepts associated with the one or more concepts are identified. A support score is generated for the one or more concepts, and the item of content is index with the one or more concepts and the one or more associated support scores.
- Application 20080146194 – Automatic data back up and account creation [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-12-15Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
An apparatus is provided for automatically backing up user data from a client device and creating a user account. The apparatus includes interface logic for receiving user data from a client device, identification logic for receiving identification information associated with the device, and account logic for causing the creation of an account with a service provider, wherein account credentials for the account are based on the identification information associated with the device. In some examples, the account is created without user generated credentials (e.g., without a user entered name and password). The identification information associated with the device (or device identifier) may include a MAC address, IMEI, MSISDNI, or other suitable identifier associated with the device. The user data may include data associated with a PIM application such as contacts, calendar, notes, and the like, data associated with SMS or MMS, or with a media object.
- Application 20080147498 – System and method for adjusting parameters of a digital ad and third-party traffic based on a difference in time between geographic regions [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-12-15Assignee: YAHOO! Inc.
Systems and methods for adjusting parameters of a digital ad and third-party traffic based on a difference in time between geographic regions are disclosed. Generally, a monitoring module of an online advertisement service provider monitors performance information associated with a digital ad directed to potential customers in a first region associated with a first time zone to determine if the digital ad is performing well or performing poorly. Based on the monitored performance information associated with the digital ad directed to potential customers in the first region, at least one parameter associated with a digital ad directed to potential customers in a second region associated with a second, later time zone is adjusted to more effectively target the digital ads to potential customers in the second region.
- Application 20080147611 – Meal finder [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-12-15Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Method and system for searching for a meal using the Internet are disclosed. The method includes receiving a user request to search a meal on the Internet, presenting one or more pictures of food dishes to the user, where each picture of a food dish is associated with metadata describing characteristics of the food dish, receiving a user selection, analyzing the user selection according to the characteristics of each food dish presented, and providing additional information to the user according to the user selection.
- Application 20080147729 – MODERATED SYNDICATION DATA FEED [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-12-15Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
One or more input syndication data feeds are processed to generate an adjusted syndication data feed. The input syndication data feeds are received, and include a plurality of syndication data items. Based on a configuration of a syndication feed adjuster, particular ones of the syndication data items in the received syndication data feed are determined to not be included in an output syndication data feed. The output syndication data feed is provided based on the received input syndication data feeds and a result of the determination. The determination may be provided via a user interface via which, for example, a user may indicate particular ones of the syndication data feed items to not include in the output syndication data feed. Furthermore, in some examples, if no decision has been made about a particular syndication data feed item, that syndication data feed item is not provided in the output syndication data feed.
- Application 20080147780 – INTERVENTION PROCESSING OF REQUESTS RELATIVE TO SYNDICATION DATA FEED ITEMS [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-12-15Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
Syndication data feed items, corresponding to hosted content, are provided to a user program. A resource locator to hosted content to which a syndication data feed item corresponds is processed, including adjusting the resource locator to associate the resource locator with an intervention service with regard to the syndication data feed item. The processed syndication data feed items are provided to the user program. In addition, requests are processed to view hosted content corresponding to syndication data feed items. An intervention service receives a request from a user program to view hosted content to which a syndication data feed item corresponds, including a resource locator to the host that has been adjusted in the syndication data feed item to associate the resource locator with an intervention service. Intervention processing is performed, including causing interaction with the host of the requested content such that the host content is caused to be displayed at a user location.
- Application 20080148152 – SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING A VIDEO PLAYLIST [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-12-15Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
Systems and Methods of presenting video on a display are disclosed. A video clip is displayed on a video display area. The video clip is one of a plurality of video clips in a video playlist. A playlist pane can be displayed and includes video thumbnails displayed in an order that is representative of an order of playing the video clips in the video playlist. Furthermore, one or more selectable video thumbnails can also be displayed. A drag and drop input is received from a user in order to place on the playlist pane a selected video thumbnail from the one or more selectable video thumbnails. The video content corresponding to the selected video thumbnail is added in real-time to the video playlist while simultaneously continuing to play the video clip on the video display area.
- Application 20080148175 – Visualizing location-based datasets using "tag maps" [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-12-15Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
The visualization of datasets by associating text (keywords) with location and optionally with time is disclosed. This visualization may help the user better understand and analyze the contents of the dataset. The visualization takes as input a keyword and related parameters such as location, importance/relevance factors, time, visualization level, and keyword category, and displays the selected keywords on a map, at their associated location, with the size or other characteristic of the keyword varying according to its relevance.
- Application 20080148377 – Management of Network Login Identities [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-12-15Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Apparatuses, methods, and systems directed to facilitate the management and/or security of network login and authentication systems. Some embodiments of the invention allow users to maintain a plurality of user accounts with a given domain, and switch among multiple login sessions. In other particular embodiments, the systems disclosed below can be used to identify and prevent phishing attacks. In some embodiments, the present invention involves using a personal identification number or string as an additional security measure. In some other embodiments, the present invention involves using an application identifier while establishing a login session with the network server.
- Application 20080040374 – AUTOMATED IDENTIFICATION AND TAGGING OF PAGES SUITABLE FOR SUBSEQUENT DISPLAY WITH A MOBILE DEVICE [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-12-14Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A system, apparatus, and method are disclosed to identify and tag documents that are mobile documents in that they are compatible with limited capability devices, such as mobile phones. A website hosting a document is checked to determine whether the website considers the document to be a mobile document. The document is also for indications that the document is a mobile document. The indications include a content type, a document type, and/or markup tags that are consistent with a mobile document. A URL for the document is also checked for parameters indicating a mobile document. The above information is used to determine one or more categories of mobile devices that could display or otherwise process the document. A confidence level is determined indicating a degree of confidence that the document is a mobile document. The information is used for searching documents for those that are likely to be mobile documents.
- Application 20080040389 – LANDING PAGE IDENTIFICATION, TAGGING AND HOST MATCHING FOR A MOBILE APPLICATION [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-12-14Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A system, apparatus, and method are disclosed to provide an enhanced search index for searchable content by limited capability devices, such as mobile phones. A URL analyzer determines clusters of mobile web page URLs and corresponding tokens. A landing page identifier evaluates cluster URLs and the tokens to identify landing page URLs for mobile web pages likely to be relevant to an associated search term. A mapper associates the landing page URLs with related domain hosts that include conventional web pages generally not accessible to limited capability devices. A category tagger associates the landing page URLs with categories of conventional web pages that share a content topic. The landing page URLs, and corresponding tokens, domain host information, and categories are added to the search index. A submitted search term is evaluated relative to the tokens, domain host information, and categories to determine relevant mobile web landing pages as search results.
- Application 20080147608 – Video search and indexing systems and methods [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-12-14Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
The present invention is directed towards systems and methods for indexing one or more items of video content. A method according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises receiving a video feed from a content provider, a given video feed comprising an item of video content and one or more items of metadata, a given item of metadata comprises data identifying payment for placement of a given item of video content in a result set in response to a given query, parsing the video feed from the content provider to identify the one or more items of metadata associated with the item of video content and indexing the item of video content in accordance with the one or more items of metadata associated with the item of video content in one or more indices.
- Application 20080147636 – Video distribution systems and methods [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-12-14Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
The present invention is directed towards systems and methods for distributing one or more items of video content. A method for distributing one or more items of video content responsive to a given query according to one embodiment comprises receiving a query comprising one or more terms for one or more items of video content, identifying one or more items of video content responsive to the received query and generating an ordered result set comprising one or more links to the one or more items of video content responsive to the received query. The one or more links to the one or more items of video content associated with payment for placement information are identified the ordered result set is reordered according to the payment for placement information.
- Application 20080140489 – BID OPTIMIZATION IN SEARCH ENGINE MARKETING [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-12-12Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
Methods and apparatus are described for optimally allocating an online advertising budget for a search engine marketing (SEM) campaign among a fixed set of keywords.
- Application 20080140591 – System and method for matching objects belonging to hierarchies [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-12-12Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
An improved system and method for matching objects belonging to hierarchies is provided and an optimal matching between two feature spaces organized as taxonomies may be learned. The matching may be performed through a multi-level exploration of the hierarchical feature spaces by using multi-armed bandits where the arms of the bandit may be dependent due to the structure induced by the taxonomies. Upon the arrival of an object assigned to the first taxonomy, multi-armed bandits may be run at multiple levels of the taxonomies to select an object assigned to the second taxonomy. Then shrinkage estimation may be performed in a Bayesian framework to exploit dependencies among the arms by estimating payoff probabilities from a beta-binomial model to update payoff probabilities for matching objects from the taxonomies.
- Application 20080140637 – Environment taxonomy [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-12-12Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A search engine stores different taxonomies that each specifies categories and relationships between the categories. When the search engine receives a request having a search query, the search engine determines which taxonomy, if any, it should use to generate a search engine results page. The search engine bases this determination upon information provided to it in the request, in one embodiment. For example, the search engine might select a taxonomy based on the particular environment from which the search query originated. However, the search engine can select the taxonomy based on other information, such as a role of the user. Thus, a medical researcher and a financial analyst for a particular corporation could receive search engine results pages that were generated with appropriate taxonomies for each of them.
- Application 20080140712 – HARVESTING OF MEDIA OBJECTS FROM SEARCHED SITES WITHOUT A USER HAVING TO ENTER THE SITES [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-12-12Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A method and apparatus for enabling a user to access media objects, such as images, from a website without requiring the user to enter the website. In one embodiment, a search engine searches for websites that match a submitted search term. A selected URL to one of the resulting websites is submitted to a harvester that accesses a web page of the selected website and identifies a media object of the web page. The harvester determines the characteristic(s) of the media object, such as a dimension, an aspect ratio, a proximity to other media objects, etc. The harvester determines a second media object with substantially the same characteristic(s). The determined media objects, or subportions, are rendered in a client user interface. Relationships are mapped between a selected media object and projects that use the object. Manipulating a rendered portion causes a related operation on the whole media object.
- Application 20080140806 – Configuring a search engine results page with environment-specific information [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-12-12Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
An administrator for an environment may access an administration console to provide configuration information to tailor a search engine results page (SERP) for users in that environment. The administrator specifies which particular position on a SERP is to be reserved for environment specific information. The administrator may specify environment specific content that goes into a particular position. Rather than providing the content itself, the administrator might provide information to derive the environment specific content that goes into a particular position. The configuration information may be stored such that it is available for a search engine to user to configure a SERP with environment specific information. However, another device such as a proxy that is interposed between a client that issued the search query and the search engine may configure the SERP with environment specific information.
- Application 20080140430 – SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR RECRUITER RATING [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-12-11Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
Methods and systems of providing a rating of a recruiter are disclosed herein. A plurality of job listings to be posed is received from a recruiter. One or more modifications of at least one of the plurality of job listings are received within a period of time. A modification rate indicative of a rate at which a recruiter modifies job listings is calculated. The modification rate can be calculated by dividing the number of the one or more modifications by the number of the plurality of job listings posted by the recruiter. A recruiter profile can be tagged with a high modification indicator if the calculated modification rate is higher than a predetermined modification threshold.
- Application 20080140504 – SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING A RELEVANT LINK DESTINATION [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-12-11Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
Methods and systems of providing advertisements to a user are disclosed. A user indication of preference for an item is received. A first hyperlink that references a first webpage of an advertiser is associated with an advertisement of the item if the user indication of preference for the item is indicative of a first level of interest in the item. A second hyperlink that references a second webpage of an advertiser is associated with an advertisement of the item is the user indication of preference for the item is indicative of a second level of interest in the item. The advertisement is presented to the user on an advertisement provider webpage.
- Application 20080140520 – SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING COUPONS [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-12-11Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
Methods and systems of distributing coupons to a consumer are disclosed herein. A geographical location of the consumer is received. A set of merchants located within a predetermined distance from the geographical location is identified so that the merchants in the set of merchants are located within the vicinity of the consumer. A coupon that can be redeemed for purchase of merchandise of one of the set of merchants is further identified. The coupon can be delivered to an electronic wallet of the consumer. The electronic wallet can be accessible by the consumer through a data network such that the consumer can apply the coupon to the purchase of the merchandise from the merchant.
- Application 20080140621 – SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CREATING PERSISTENT SEARCHES [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-12-11Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
One aspect is a method for customizing a feed, the method including receiving a request from a user for a feed, the feed including an item from a pre-identified corpus of item sources, the item being associated with a search term. This aspect further includes initiating a search using the search term, wherein the search is for items associated with the search term, the items referenced by at least one of the pre-identified corpus of item sources. This aspect further includes creating the feed.
- Application 20080140680 – SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR VERIFYING JOBSEEKER DATA [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-12-11Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
Methods and systems of verifying jobseeker information are disclosed. A request to verify jobseeker data can be received from a recruiter. An endorsement indicator that ratifies the validity of the jobseeker data can be requested from at least one endorsing partner. The request can be made to an endorsement module of the at least one endorsing partner. The endorsement indicator can be received from the endorsement module of the at least one endorsing partner.
- Application 20080140707 – System and method for clustering using indexes [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-12-11Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
An improved system and method is provided for clustering objects using indexes for a matrix representing a collection of objects. Objects to be clustered may be represented as a rectangular matrix. An index may be created for accessing the rows of the matrix and an inverted index may be created for accessing the columns of the matrix based upon the connectivity of the edges between rows and columns of the matrix. Each node represented by a row may be joined to a nearest node represented by another row to produce disjoint sets of nodes. The disjoint sets of nodes may represent clusters that may then be output for use by an application. Moreover, the objects to be clustered may be clusters of objects that may be correlated into a hierarchy of clusters of objects.
- Application 20080140710 – SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING ENHANCED JOB SEARCHING [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-12-11Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
Methods and systems of providing a job search to a jobseeker are disclosed. Based on previously stored user preferences, job listings can be presented to users. User preferences can be gathered through previous search requests, resume keywords, jobseeker applies to job listings, jobseekers viewing job listings, etc. The search request can include search criteria. As such, preference data related to the jobseeker is identified based on jobseeker online behavior. In one embodiment, a set of jobs listings having associated metadata that match the search criteria is identified. A subset of job listings that match the preference data is identified. The subset of job listings is a subset of the set of job listings. At least the subset of job listings can be provided to the jobseeker. In another embodiment, a set of job listings having associated metadata that match the search criteria and the jobseeker preferences is identified and provided to the jobseeker.
- Application 20080140711 – SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING CROSS-VERTICAL PROFILING AND SEARCHING [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-12-11Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
Methods and systems of providing a user profile for multiple verticals are disclosed herein. The methods and systems disclosed herein aggregate user profile information from multiple verticals and redistributes aggregated data to the multiple verticals to create more robust personalized profiles. A first input that populates a first vertical attribute in a first vertical profile is received from a user computing device. The first vertical attribute can hold a first value for a user characteristic. A second user input that populates a second vertical attribute in the second vertical profile is received from the user computing device. The second vertical attribute can hold a second value for the user characteristic. The first value of the first vertical attribute is assigned to an attribute in the generic profile if the first vertical attribute is determined to have a greater reliability weight than a reliability weight of the second vertical attribute. The second value of the second vertical attribute is assigned to an attribute in the generic profile if the second vertical attribute is determined to have a greater reliability weight than the reliability weight of the first vertical attribute.
- Application 20080141150 – GRAPHICAL MESSAGES [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-12-11Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A device, system, and method are directed towards facilitating composing, editing, and displaying a message that includes text and graphics inline. An edit window provides a mechanism for editing the text inline. The message, including text and graphics, may be sent to a remote device. The remote device may display the message, and edit the text and graphics inline, and send a reply message to the original sender.
- Application 20080077569 – Integrated Search Service System and Method [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-12-08Assignee: Yahoo! Inc., a Delaware Corporation
In particular embodiments, an integrated search system and method for clustering search results into a plurality of groups based on its contents, each of the groups linked by a representative image, is disclosed. The system includes a clustering engine, an image engine, a database, and a web server. The clustering engine is configured to cluster resources stored in the database into a plurality of groups, each group including resources related to a common topic. The image engine determines a representative image for each of the groups. The database stores information on resources included in each of the groups and a representative image for the group. In one embodiment, the web server is configured to provide a user a plurality of images, each representing a group of resources related to common topic, where as the number of resources included in each group increases, a size of a representative image for the group becomes larger. As such, a user can recognize the level of importance of popularity of topics associated with each group of resources by viewing its representative image.
- Application 20080097891 – Virtual Stock Market Service Based on Search Index [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-12-08Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
The present application provides a method and system which provide a virtual stock exchange service. In one particular implementation, the system includes a resource locator database, a resource locator search server, a listed resource domain database, a user database, and a virtual stock trading management server. The resource locator database includes search information for a resource domain forming a search pool. The search information includes a search score assigned to the resource domain and one or more resource locators associated with the resource domain. The resource locator search server searches the resource locator database and transmits a result list of the search in response to a user’s query. The listed resource domain database includes information of the resource domain categorized as a listed resource domain or a listing candidate resource domain according to the search score of the resource domain. The user database includes information of the users participating in a trade of virtual stocks. The virtual stock trading management server manages the trade of virtual stocks and updates the listed resource domain database and the user database for reflecting a result of the trade.
- Application 20080097966 – Apparatus and Method for Providing Regional Information Based on Location [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-12-08Assignee: Yahoo! Inc. a Delaware Corporation
A method and system for providing regional information based on location is disclosed. In accordance with the present invention, a user inputs a keyword, from which a target location and a search category are extracted. A location range for search is determined by setting a center of the location range to the target location. Search result data are retrieved from a search information database based on the search category and the location range. The location range may be increased or decreased in response to a user’s request, based on which the search result data are updated. The apparatus and method of the present invention provides search results ranked within a certain geographical range from a target location, which makes it possible for a specific location-based business to advertise through an Internet search service in a cost-effective way.
- Application 20080104030 – System and Method for Providing Customized Information Based on User’s Situation Information [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-12-08Assignee: Yahoo! Inc., a Delaware Corporation
An intelligent information providing system for searching and providing customized information relevant to physical situations of a user in wired/wireless networks is disclosed. The intelligent information providing system includes a recommendation database for storing recommendation information on applicable conditions representing a plurality of possible user situations, a personalization server for extracting recommendation information from the recommendation database based on a user’s situation information, and a web server for receiving the recommendation information from the personalization server and providing it to the user. By employing the intelligent information providing system, it is possible to satisfy users’ potential needs and provide customized advertisements based on such users’ needs by providing relevant recommendation information to the users based on the users’ situation information.
- Application 20080140850 – SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ROUTING STREAMING DATA REQUESTS [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-12-08Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Against this backdrop systems and methods have been developed for selecting a least-cost transmission route for streaming data between a server and client. In an embodiment, a client sends a request for data to a gateway. The gateway maintains information regarding the servers available to stream the data and the costs associated with the different networks available between the servers and the client. From this information the gateway identified what transmission routes are available and selects the lowest cost transmission route for streaming the data. If comparable cost transmission routes are found, a selection is made based on secondary criteria. The client is the directed by the gateway to send a request to the appropriate server to stream the data via the selected transmission route.
- Application 20080140641 – KNOWLEDGE AND INTERESTS BASED SEARCH TERM RANKING FOR SEARCH RESULTS VALIDATION [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-12-07Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
Disclosed are apparatus and methods for verifying the ranking of search results, produced by a search algorithm executed for a particular search term. In certain embodiments, a plurality of users’ knowledge and/or interest in specific categories are ranked to be used to calculate new rankings of search results, e.g., web pages based on search terms. Users may also be ranked by education level and field. These user rankings are then used to determine a new ranking of search results that are generated for a particular search term. For instance, the users that select (e.g., or click on) a particular search result cause a relevance score to be compiled based on such users’ rankings in the categories to which the search results or search term belongs. Relevance scores are compiled for each search result that is selected by a plurality of users executing a plurality of searches. The new ranking of the search results for a particular search term is determined based on the relevance scores of such search results. It can then be determined whether the current ranking, produced for a particular search term by the search algorithm, is valid by comparing this new ranking to the current ranking.
- Application 20080140765 – EFFICIENT AND REPRODUCIBLE VISITOR TARGETING BASED ON PROPAGATION OF COOKIE INFORMATION [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-12-07Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A device, system, and method are directed towards providing content over a network. A test definition is defined to include at least one group of visitors and/or a range associated with the group. The test definition is then received. A plurality of requests for a first content is received from the same browser. Each of the plurality of requests includes a previously generated value (PGV)/cookie. For each of the plurality of requests, a fast-hash is performed on the same PGV/cookie to generate an identifier (e.g., number). It is then determined whether to provide a second content instead of the first content based on whether the identifier is in the range associated with the at least one group of visitors. The determination may also be based on a URL filter, a browser type, operating system type, a time-range, or an argument-value pair. The first or second content is then provided.
- Application 20080139228 – Text-based initiated call bridging [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-12-06Assignee: Yahoo, Inc
A computer implemented method for establishing a phone call between parties is provided. The method includes receiving a text message at a server. Then, processing the text message at the server to identify a type of call requested in the text message and the parties to connect. Two or more internet-based calls are initiated from the server so as to establish phone connections to each of the parties. The method then includes bridging the phone connections to establish the phone call between the parties. The phone call is thus setup in response to the content of the text message, and the phone call is configured in a manner that reduces cost to the phone call requesting text sender. The text message may dictate whether the call is to be between two or more parties, and in some examples, the text message can identify when the call should take place, thus providing advanced scheduling options, at which time the call will automatically be set up.
- Application 20080140607 – Pre-cognitive delivery of in-context related information [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-12-06Assignee: Yahoo, Inc.
An apparatus and method for providing pre-cognitive delivery of in-context related information is disclosed herein. A user’s expressed interest in a particular portion of a requested page and his/her requests for additional information relating to the particular portion are tracked. The tracked data permits determination of the content of in-context related information. For each of the particular portions of the requested page deemed to be of sufficient popularity, in-context information relating to each such particular portion is automatically provided to users along with the requested page.
- Application 20080140861 – Web Services Multi-Protocol Support [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-12-06Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A solution is provided wherein a single service implementation may be exposed to users as two or more different web service protocols. The service then appears to the user to be utilizing a desired protocol even though the service itself is potentially operating under a different protocol. A gateway may be utilized that maintains mappings between the supported protocols. When a user sends a request to a particular service, the gateway may determine whether the request is in the format of the protocol utilized by the underlying web service. If not, the gateway may convert the format to match the correct protocol. An embodiment is also possible where a single endpoint is utilized for multiple services having multiple protocols. This may be coupled with an ability to detect a protocol automatically from request contents, thus seamlessly integrating multiple protocols into a user’s experience.
- Application 20080141138 – APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING A PERSON’S STATUS [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-12-06Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
Disclosed are apparatus and methods for providing and reading status. In general, a user may select from a wide variety of status indicators so as to define his/her current status. The status indicators may correspond to any combination of the user’s mood or location, as well as location at a specific time. A status indicator may also promote an item, business, or concept for the user. A status indicator may also be automatically selected based on a particular action of the user. Mechanisms for posting one or more portions of a particular status-providing user’s current status indicator to another user’s device may also be provided. The status-providing user may also select permission settings for one or more other users to receive specific portions of the status-providing user’s status indicator so that a requesting user only receives the portions of the status-providing user’s status indicator to which he/she is authorized.
- Application 20080133343 – SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING CONTACT INFORMATION OF RECOMMENDED JOBSEEKERS [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-12-05Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
Methods and systems of providing contact information to recruiters is disclosed. A set of requisites is received from a recruiter. The set of requisites can be associated with a job listing posted by the recruiter. A set of qualifications are received from a jobseeker. The jobseeker can be automatically identified as a recommended jobseeker if one or more qualifications in the set of qualifications match the set of requisites. The recruiter of the job listing can be provided with the ability to purchase the contact information of the recommended jobseeker for a base price.
- Application 20080133344 – SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING CROSS-VERTICAL ADVERTISEMENT [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-12-05Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
Methods and systems of providing advertisements for multiple verticals are disclosed herein. A first vertical weight for a first vertical is calculated according to user activity patterns of a user in the first vertical. A second vertical weight for a second vertical is calculated according to user activity patterns of the user in the second vertical. At least one first vertical advertisement is received from a first vertical advertisement engine. At least one second vertical advertisement is received from a second vertical advertisement engine. A first score is calculated for the at least one first vertical advertisement using the first vertical weight. A second score is calculated for the at least one second vertical advertisement using the second vertical weight. The at least one first vertical advertisement is provided to the user if the first score is higher than the second score. The at least one second vertical advertisement is provided to the user if the second score is higher than the first score.
- Application 20080133477 – SPONSORED SEARCH COVERAGE EXPANSION [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-12-05Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
An embodiment is provided wherein a search query is received from a user. It may then be determined if the search query would ordinarily result in a results page having no sponsored search advertising. If the search would ordinarily result in a results page having no sponsored search advertising, then advertising that would ordinarily be displayed in response to each of two or more search terms making up the search query individually may be aggregated. Then one or more advertisements may be selected from the aggregated advertising. Then the selected advertisements may be displayed on a results page responsive to the search query.
- Application 20080133483 – Paid content based on visually illustrative concepts [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-12-05Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A system and method for providing paid content relating to search results in visually illustrative concept format is disclosed herein. Concepts relating to a query term are identified. The search results comprise a conceptual search result entry for each identified concept. Each conceptual search result entry includes at least a visual content and a paid content relating to its respective identified concept. The content for a given conceptual search result entry can come from different sources.
- Application 20080133497 – INCREMENTAL-CLICK ANALYSIS OF KEYWORD SEARCHING [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-12-05Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
Disclosed are apparatus and methods for quantifying the value of purchasing a particular search keyword, so that a particular search result is presented in a sponsored search results list for that particular search term, as compared to not purchasing the particular search keyword. In example embodiments, the quantified value of the particular search term indicates the particular search term’s incremental value when the particular search result is presented in the sponsored search result list, as compared to when the same particular search result is not presented in such sponsored search result list. The particular search term’s incremental value is based on a difference between the sum of the number of searchers who select the particular search result from the sponsored search list and the algorithmic search list, if any, versus the number of searchers who select the particular search result when it is not presented in the sponsored search list and may be only presented in the algorithmic search results.
- Application 20080133498 – Search Category Commercialization Index [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-12-05Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
A search category commercialization index (SCCI) may be calculated to determine the current and/or potential commercialization of a category of searches in a search engine. This may be accomplished by measuring two or more metrics from the group consisting of: number of searches within the category; number of searches within the category that result in results pages having sponsored search results; number of total advertisers in the category; average number of sponsored search listings for results pages in the category; click-through rate for advertisements in the category; share of sponsored search results that are clicked versus other items that are clicked on results pages in the category; average price per click on a sponsored search result advertisement; and lifetime value of users who perform searches within the category. The SCCI may be calculated based on the two or more metrics and then may be compared to SCCIs for other categories in the search engine.
- Application 20080133499 – SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING CONTACT INFORMATION OF SEARCHED JOBSEEKERS [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-12-05Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
Methods and systems of providing contact information to recruiters are disclosed. A search request can be received from a recruiter. The search can include search criteria. A set of jobseekers having associated metadata that match the search criteria is identified. A recruiter can provide an indication that the recruiter is interested in a jobseeker from the set of jobseekers. The recruiter can be provided with the ability to purchase contact information of the jobseeker for a base price.
- Application 20080133505 – Search results presented as visually illustrative concepts [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-12-05Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A system and method for providing search results in visually illustrative concept format is disclosed herein. Concepts relating to a query term are identified. The search results comprise a conceptual search result entry for each identified concept. Each conceptual search result entry includes at least a visual content and textual content relating to its respective identified concept. The content for a given conceptual search result entry can come from different sources.
- Application 20080133595 – SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING CONTACT INFORMATION OF APPLYING JOBSEEKERS [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-12-05Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
Methods and systems of providing contact information to recruiters is disclosed. A job search request can be received from a jobseeker that includes search criteria. A set of job listings having associated metadata that match the search criteria can also be received. The jobseeker can provide an indication that the jobseeker is interested in a job from the set of job listings. A recruiter of the job can be provided with the option of purchasing contact information of the jobseeker for a base price.
- Application 20080134235 – TELEPRESENCE VIA WIRELESS STREAMING MULTICAST [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-12-05Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A method is disclosed which provides for multicasting video of an event, thereby allowing geographically dispersed members of a user’s social network to experience a user’s current locale, so that the user’s friends may join him via live video at events (concerts, clubs, or other venues) which they cannot attend in person. The method includes the steps of enabling transmission of an invitation to at least one selected individual; processing an acceptance of the invitation; processing a live video signal of the event; storing the signal in a streaming database; and outputting a video stream in accordance with the acceptance. The outputting may be performed in real time. The processing of the live video signal may also include caching the video signal, so that the event may be viewed other than in real time.
- Application 20080133314 – DETERMINING ADVERTISEMENT PLACEMENT ON SEARCH RESULTS PAGE TO IMPROVE REVENUE GENERATION [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-12-04Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
Placement of advertisements on a display is determined. For example, the advertisements may correspond to a search term and may be displayed in conjunction with search results for that search term. An indication of the advertisements to display is received. An iterative optimization algorithm is applied to metadata regarding revenue-generating characteristics for the advertisements to determine a placement of the advertisements relative to a display. A signal is generated indicating the determined placement.
- Application 20080133482 – Topic-focused search result summaries [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-12-04Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Techniques for automatically generating and displaying topic-focused summaries for search results are disclosed. Users can “peek” inside a search result to see document excerpts that pertain specifically to a user-selected topic. Thus, a user can view the aspects of a document that are most interesting prior to deciding whether to retrieve the complete document. For each search result, a user can select from among several different available summaries, each of which focuses on a different topic of the document to which that search result refers. According to one aspect, key concepts are automatically identified in a document. For each such key concept, contextual snippets that pertain to that key concept are automatically selected. The key concepts are displayed to the user at search time. A summary that contains the contextual snippets that pertain to a user-selected key concept is displayed in response to the user’s selection of that key concept.
- Application 20080133321 – System and method for measuring awareness of online advertising using captchas [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-12-01Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
An improved system and method for providing and using captchas for online advertising is provided. An advertisement may be received, embedded in a captcha and stored for use in online advertising. A question about the advertisement may also be stored along with a valid answer for use in verifying a user has received an impression of the advertisement. In response to a request received for sending a captcha with an embedded advertisement to a web browser operating on a client, a captcha with an embedded advertisement may be selected and sent to the web browser for display as part of a web page. Upon verifying the response to the question from the user is a valid answer, receipt of an impression of the advertisement may be recorded. Additionally, the awareness of an online advertisement may be measured for a target audience and reported to advertisers.
- Application 20080133347 – System and method for providing semantic captchas for online advertising [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-12-01Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
An improved system and method for providing and using captchas for online advertising is provided. An advertisement may be received, embedded in a captcha and stored for use in online advertising. A question about the advertisement may also be stored along with a valid answer for use in verifying a user has received an impression of the advertisement. In response to a request received for sending a captcha with an embedded advertisement to a web browser operating on a client, a captcha with an embedded advertisement may be selected and sent to the web browser for display as part of a web page. Upon verifying the response to the question from the user is a valid answer, receipt of an impression of the advertisement may be recorded. Additionally, the awareness of an online advertisement may be measured for a target audience and reported to advertisers.
- Application 20080133348 – System and method for delivering online advertisements using captchas [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-12-01Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
An improved system and method for providing and using captchas for online advertising is provided. An advertisement may be received, embedded in a captcha and stored for use in online advertising. A question about the advertisement may also be stored along with a valid answer for use in verifying a user has received an impression of the advertisement. In response to a request received for sending a captcha with an embedded advertisement to a web browser operating on a client, a captcha with an embedded advertisement may be selected and sent to the web browser for display as part of a web page. Upon verifying the response to the question from the user is a valid answer, receipt of an impression of the advertisement may be recorded. Additionally, the awareness of an online advertisement may be measured for a target audience and reported to advertisers.
- Application 20080134251 – END OF PROGRAM PATTERN DETECTOR [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-12-01Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Systems and methods are set forth for detecting an end of program pattern. More specifically, systems and methods are set forth for recognizing and acting upon sequential image data that contains an end of program pattern.
- Application 20080134307 – Methods for programming a PIN that is mapped to a specific device and methods for using the PIN [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-12-01Assignee: Yahoo, Inc.
Methods for assigning a personal information number (PIN) to a device for accessing digital services from the device are provided. One of the methods include defining a PIN for the device from a website upon confirming credentials of a user and then mapping the PIN to the device at the website. The method then includes receiving an access request from the device for digital services and forwarding the device a request to enter the PIN on the device. If the PIN entered on the device matches the PIN mapped at the website, then the PIN is activated to enable accessing the digital services from the device using the PIN without having to enter credentials of the user on the device. The device is one having a limited data entry interface. Examples of the device include mobile phones, remotes for interactive televisions, and other limited data entry computing devices.
- Application 20070157245 – System and method for optimizing advertisement campaigns using a limited budget [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-11-30Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
The present invention relates to methods, systems, and computer readable media comprising instructions for generating a media plan for the distribution of one or more advertisements comprising a campaign. The method of the present invention comprises retrieving one or more advertiser specified advertising metric target values and analytics data associated with the campaign. The actual performance of the campaign with respect to one or more advertising metrics associated with the one or more advertiser specified advertising metric target values is determined. A modification is performed of one or more advertiser specified values based upon a comparison of the actual performance of the campaign and the one or more advertiser specified advertising metric target values. A media plan is thereafter generated for the campaign through use of the one or more modified advertiser specified values.
- Application 20080133474 – BIOINFORMATICS COMPUTATION USING A MAPRREDUCE-CONFIGURED COMPUTING SYSTEM [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-11-30Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
A MapReduce architecture may be utilized for sequence alignment algorithm processing (such as BLAST or BLAST-like algorithms). In addition, a MapReduce architecture may be extended such that memory of the computing devices of a MapReduce-configured system may be shared between different jobs of sequence alignment and/or other bioinformatics algorithm processing, thereby reducing overhead associated with executing such jobs using the MapReduce-configured system.
- Application 20080133503 – Keyword bidding strategy for novel concepts [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-11-30Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A system and method are disclosed for identifying a keyword that is a novel concept or anomaly based on prior search results for the keyword. Advertisements may be sold for the keyword, or the keyword may be purchased or recommended for purchase based on anticipation of increased future searches on the keyword.
- Application 20080133525 – METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MANAGING PLAYLISTS [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-11-30Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
The present invention relates to a computerized method and systems for managing feeds so that a user’s playlists may be automatically updated in accordance with a user’s desired media preferences.
- Application 20080133567 – DYNAMIC CLUSTER VISUALIZATION [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-11-30Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
A method for visually representing a plurality of clusters, the plurality of clusters comprising a plurality of entities with respect to a plurality of entity attributes is provided. The plurality of entities is segmented into the plurality of clusters, such that each individual entity belongs to at least one cluster. A plurality of entity data regarding the plurality of entities is processed to obtain a plurality of characteristics of each cluster of the plurality of clusters with respect to each entity attribute of the plurality of entity attributes. A visual display of the plurality of clusters with respect to the plurality of entity attributes is generated, such that for each cluster of the plurality of clusters and for each entity attribute of the plurality of entity attributes, a portion of the display represents at least two characteristics of the plurality of characteristics simultaneously for that cluster with respect to that entity attribute.
- Application 20080133671 – INSTANT ANSWERING [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-11-30Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A device, system, and method are directed towards facilitating receiving and responding to questions from a client device. A real time communication mechanism such as instant messaging may be used to communicate with a client device and a community of responders. Questions are received from client devices, processed, and sent to a community of responders. Responses from the community of responders are received and aggregated, and an aggregated response is sent to the client device. The aggregated response may indicate a ranking or other indication of popularity of multiple answer items, based on a number of responders selecting each answer item. A time out period may be used to facilitate quick answers to users.
- Application 20080033998 – AGENT FOR IDENTIFYING DOMAINS WITH CONTENT ARRANGED FOR DISPLAY BY A MOBILE DEVICE [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-11-29Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A system, apparatus, and method are disclosed for providing a single source for searchable content by mobile devices. Mobile user agents crawl host sites to determine whether there is content that may be viewed by any of the mobile user agents. If files are identified as viewable for a given mobile user agent, the site is tagged as crawlable. A best mobile user agent may also be identified for that site, based on number of files viewable, response time, file mobileness, or the like. The sites may be discovered by instrumentation of URLs with mobile device keywords, performing a backlink analysis to discover interlinking of mobile device related sites, exploring URLs of a known host name for potential starting points for mobile device sites, or employing a list of known popular conventional sites with a mobile user agent for possible redirections to a potential mobile device web site.
- Application 20080125228 – Evaluation of fantasy players [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-11-29Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
The evaluation of players in the context of a fantasy sports league is disclosed. In order to evaluate whether a fantasy team owner should add one player to the starting lineup of the team and drop another, player stat predictions are first used to predict end-of-season stats for the current starting lineup of a team. Historical and current league stat/point functions may then be used to determine how many points the team is expected to earn during the course of a full season based on the predicted end-of-season stats. This same methodology is then applied to a proposed revised lineup to determine how many points the revised team is expected to earn during the course of a full season. The difference between the projected point totals for the current team and the revised team are an indication of the value of this specific transaction to this specific team.
- Application 20080126175 – Interactive user interface for collecting and processing nomenclature and placement metrics for website design [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-11-29Assignee: Yahoo, Inc.
Computer implemented methods for conducting interactive surveys that define aspects of a web page, is disclosed. One method includes generating an interactive survey user interface (UI), where the interactive survey UI provides a plurality of selectable nomenclature items for a plurality of page objects of the web page. Then, enabling selection of one nomenclature item from the plurality of selectable nomenclature items. A drag and drop operation enables the selection of the one nomenclature item and dragging to the one of the plurality of page objects to define a placement for the one nomenclature item. The selection of the one nomenclature item and the defined placement is received to build metrics from multiple survey participants, where the metrics are used to define recommendation for rendering the plurality of page objects on the web page. The recommendations identify nomenclature and placement of page objects for the design of the web page.
- Application 20080127319 – Client based online fraud prevention [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-11-29Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
An anti-fraud token system is disclosed in which the authentication process is performed primarily on the client side. A client according is provided with an authentication list of websites for which authentication is required, and their respective authentic addresses. The client also asks a user to select a token, which may include graphics, text, and/or sound. When the user accesses an information source from the authentication list, the client notes that the address which the user is accessing is on the list. The client then displays the token as previously selected by the user to the user along with the accessed information, so that the user knows that the information he/she is accessing is authentic.
- Application 20080126308 – Wait timer for partially formed query [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-11-28Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
In a system where a search query based on a partially formed query expression can be sent in a request to a server before the user finishes inputting the entire query expression, an intelligent mechanism is provided at a client of the server to prevent too many unnecessary requests from being sent to the server. In response to receiving, at the client, user input, the intelligent mechanism may determine whether a corresponding search query matches a key in the local search result cache. If so, local search results are displayed to the user. In addition, a timer may be used to delay sending the request to the server.
- Application 20070243918 – Player roster selection interface [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-11-22Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A player roster interface is described including display logic operable to display a table having a playing region (e.g., a first set of rows of the table) and player logic for displaying a plurality of players (e.g., names, thumbnail images, etc.), where at least a portion of the players may be positioned within the playing region. The interface further includes selection logic for moving a player within the table in response to a drag-and-drop operation. Displayed players may be moved within the table between the playing region and a bench region (e.g., a second set of rows of the table) to make changes to a roster and select a starting roster. Such an interface may allow a user to select and view a player roster (e.g., for a fantasy sports team) by positioning players within the playing region.
- Application 20080120410 – ENABLING DISPLAY OF A RECIPIENT LIST FOR A GROUP TEXT MESSAGE [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-11-22Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A device, system, and method are directed towards providing a recipient list for a message to be communicated within a group associated with an event. A recipient list for the message is defined based on identities of a plurality of members in the group. Ordering information for the recipient list is determined based on at least one characteristic of the event. Additional ordering information may also be determined based on other characteristics of other events. The recipient list is ordered based on the determined ordering information(s). The ordered recipient list is truncated if a length of the recipient list exceeds a first threshold. A selectable option to retrieve the (truncated) recipient list is provided with the message, if a length of the message plus a length if the (truncated) recipient list exceeds a second threshold. Otherwise, the (truncated) recipient list is provided with the message.
- Application 20080120123 – Method and system for finding similar charts for financial analysis [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-11-21Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Embodiments of the invention concern finding correlations between related traded items, such as securities, commodities, currencies, or contracts. The pricing information of multiple traded items from one or more markets is analyzed and a user is provided with a listing of pairs or larger groups of traded items which are most closely correlated. Another embodiment of the invention is a system and method for finding the most related traded item to a particular predefined item. Another embodiment of the invention is a system and method for finding the traded item whose trading history is closest to a predefined curve.
- Application 20080120307 – GUIDED CLUSTER ATTRIBUTE SELECTION [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-11-20Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
A method for selecting at least one target customer attribute from a plurality of customer attributes, wherein each customer attribute represents a unique customer characteristic is provided. The plurality of customer attributes is presented for selection. A selection of at least one target customer attribute selected from the plurality of customer attributes is received. For each cluster of a plurality of clusters, indicated the statistic of customers belonging to that cluster who possess each and every one of the at least one target customer attribute. The plurality of clusters comprises a plurality of customers and each customer of the plurality of customers belongs to at least one cluster of the plurality of clusters.
- Application 20080120277 – INITIAL IMPRESSION ANALYSIS TOOL FOR AN ONLINE DATING SERVICE [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-11-17Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A system and method are directed towards managing a display of initial impression attributes to bring the most relevant information into quick view. The view can be customized by the user. Within a search context, a search may be performed based on a set of search criteria. The user may establish a set of initial impression attributes to be displayed, or employ a default set of initial impression attributes. The default set may be determined based on statistical analysis. When a result of the search is displayed, the initial impression attributes may also be displayed such that the user may review the initial impression attributes and make a decision based, in part, on the initial impression attributes. Initial impression attributes may also be employed within threaded online conversations or browsing through inventory. The search or browse contexts may include online dating searches, merchandises searches, groups, real estate, even employment searches.
- Application 20080120072 – System and method for determining semantically related terms based on sequences of search queries [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-11-16Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for determining semantically related terms based on sequences of search queries. Generally, a semantically related term tool examines search logs to associate search queries with a user submitting the search query. The semantically related term tool establishes a plurality of sequences of search queries, each sequence of search queries comprising one or more search queries associated with a common user and relating to a common concept. The semantically related term tool receives one or more seed terms and determines one or more terms related to the received seed terms based on the established plurality of sequences of search queries.
- Application 20080120276 – Systems and Methods Using Query Patterns to Disambiguate Query Intent [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-11-16Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Apparatuses, methods, and systems directed to disambiguating queries. Particular embodiments can be used in connection with query analysis and query rewrite processes to determine the intent of one or more keywords contained in a query.
- Application 20080120314 – MAP-REDUCE WITH MERGE TO PROCESS MULTIPLE RELATIONAL DATASETS [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-11-16Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
A method of processing relationships of at least two datasets is provided. For each of the datasets, a map-reduce subsystem is provided such that the data of that dataset is mapped to corresponding intermediate data for that dataset. The intermediate data for that dataset is reduced to a set of reduced intermediate data for that dataset. Data corresponding to the sets of reduced intermediate data are merged, in accordance with a merge condition. In some examples, data being merged may include the output of one or more other mergers. That is, generally, merge functions may be flexibly placed among various map-reduce subsystems and, as such, the basic map-reduce architecture may be advantageously modified to process multiple relational datasets using, for example, clusters of computing devices.
- Application 20080086303 – Aural skimming and scrolling [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-11-15Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Computer-based skimming and scrolling of aurally presented information is described. Different levels of skimming are achieved in aural presentations with allowing a user to navigate an aural presentation according to significant points identified within an information source. The significant points are identified using various indicia that suggest logical arrangements for the information contained within the source, such as semantics, syntax, typography, formatting, named entities, and markup tags. The identified significant points signal changes in playback mode for the audio presentation, such as different tones, pitches, volumes, or voices. Similar indicia may be used to generate identifying markers from the information source that can be aurally presented in lieu of the information source itself to allow for aural scrolling of the information.
- Application 20080111814 – Geometric tagging [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-11-15Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Geometric tagging is described. A method for transforming an image into a three dimensional (3D) representation includes receiving a first user input that specifies selection of a category from a set of categories of geometric objects. Each category of the set is associated with one or more taggable features. A list of user controls is presented that correspond to the taggable features of the category. A second user input is received via the list of user controls that associates tags within an image feature of an image. Each of the tags is associated with one of the taggable features. The image is processed according to the tags of the second user input. A 3D representation of the image is presented based on the processing. The image can include structured scenes, with planar and/or non-planar surfaces, and/or free-form surfaces.
- Application 20080114731 – Client-side federated search [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-11-15Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A method and apparatus for client-side federated search is provided. The user subscribes to a number of information providers, wherein a list of the information providers for the user is stored at a search engine. When the user at a client device submits a search query to the search engine, the search engine responds by sending general search results to the client device, along with search instructions that instruct the client device how to automatically initiate a search at information providers in which the user is interested. Without any further input from the user, the client device uses the search instructions to initiate searches at information providers in which the user is interested. When the client receives search results from the information providers, the client device displays the general search results concurrently with the information provider search results.
- Application 20080114758 – System and method for information retrieval using context information [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-11-15Assignee: YAHOO! Inc.
The present disclosure provides a system and method of collecting information and associated context. Information is retrieved using context information by receiving a search request to identify an information item, the search request including a context item comprising circumstantial information related to a previous experience with the information item, and searching at least one data store using the context item, so as to identify the information item associated with the context item
- Application 20080115086 – System and method for recognizing and storing information and associated context [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-11-15Assignee: YAHOO! Inc.
The present disclosure provides a system and method of collecting information and associated context. Information and associated context are collected by monitoring at least one application program executable using the computing system, so as to detect one or more events associated with the at least one application program; identifying contextual information corresponding to the detected one or more events; and storing information associated with the at least one detected event, the stored information including the identified contextual information.
- Application 20080115149 – System and method for providing context information [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-11-15Assignee: YAHOO! Inc.
The present disclosure provides a system and method of providing context information. Context information is automatically retrieved by monitoring at least one application program executable on a computing system, so as to detect an event associated with the application program, identifying information corresponding to the detected event, and retrieving, automatically without user request, context information associated with the detected event.
- Application 20080115228 – RIGHTS ENGINE [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-11-15Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
A location indicator indicative of a network address where a content item is located or a content item can be received from a rights holder. An indication of access rights to be associated with the content item is received from the rights holder. The content item or the location indicator are stored in association with the indication of access rights. A searchable repository can be provided to the content consumer. The searchable repository can be utilized by the content consumer to access the content item according search parameters that comprise the indication of access rights associated with the content item.
- Application 20080114629 – System for matching users and transportation providers [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-11-09Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A system for matching one or more users and a transportation provider. The system may include identifying a first user, identifying a second user, identifying a transportation provider and matching the first user, the second user and the transportation provider.
- Application 20080114897 – System and method for transmission of DNS beacons [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-11-09Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
The present invention is directed towards systems and methods for transmitting a DNS beacon for storage. A method according to one embodiment comprises generating one or more data items for logging and transmitting a DNS request to an authoritative DNS server for a logging domain, with the host name of the DNS request comprising the one or more data items for logging. The DNS request, which comprises the data items for logging, is stored on a storage device.
- Application 20080126387 – SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SYNCHRONIZING DATA [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-11-08Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Against this backdrop systems and methods have been developed for presenting a media stream to user next to text and other content in an interface allowing the user to select part of the content and easily associate it with a specified portion of the media stream. The system includes a graphical user interface that displays and renders a media stream, such as a video stream, to a user in a first display area. Near the first display area is a second display area displaying content, such as text, to be associated with some portion of the media stream. The interface allows a user to select some of the content in the second display area with a pointing device. The selection also identifies a portion of the media stream based on what is being rendered as the selection is made and how the selection is made.
- Application 20080126388 – CUSTOMIZABLE CONNECTIONS BETWEEN MEDIA AND META-DATA VIA FEEDS [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-11-08Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
Disclosed are apparatus and methods for associating meta-data from any meta-data source or feed, whose selection is customizable, with media objects, such as photographs or video are provided. In specific example embodiments, the meta-data from the custom-selected feeds are used to provide selectable feed tags that can be used to tag media objects. An architecture is provided that allows any combination of feeds to be selected for creation of a custom set of selected feeds that are to be used as sources of feed tags for media objects, and this custom set of selected feeds is extensible. In specific applications, different sets of feeds and feed tags may be utilized for facilitating the annotation of media objects.
- Application 20080109752 – Expanding search query input box to support livesearch interaction [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-11-07Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Techniques are described herein for a UI mechanism that supports interaction between user input and data related to the user input using a display screen. The UI mechanism first determines initial dimensions for an input region. As user inputs characters into the user input region, the UI mechanism enforces a constraint on the size of the user input region in the first direction and adapts the dimensions of the input region to fit the user input by resizing the user input box in the second direction. This allows the user input and related data to be displayed in sections on the display screen in a stable manner along a certain direction. This also allows the user to see an entire searchable text in a single glance and encourages the user to input more characters, or words, thereby leading to a highly pertinent set of results or suggestions.
- Application 20080109881 – Sharing tagged data on the Internet [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-11-07Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Techniques are disclosed for enabling people to share tagged data via the Internet. In one embodiment, an Internet site receives, via the Internet, from various different users, content items of many different content types. The site also receives a tag for each content item and maps that tag to that content item. When other users supply search query terms, the site selects tags that match the search query terms. The site presents content items that are mapped to the selected tags. Using this technique, users are able to share with each other content items of all different content types using a single Internet site, without needing to store content items of different types on different Internet sites. In order to share a particular content item with other users, the user who wants to share the content item needs only to disclose the particular content item’s tag to the other users.
- Application 20070055779 – Centralized feed manager [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-11-06Assignee: YAHOO! Inc.
A method delivering content from a plurality of sources to a plurality of end servers through a central manager is provided. The method includes receiving the content from the plurality of sources at the central manager, formatting the content to a form usable by the plurality of end servers, creating a transaction generic to the plurality of end servers where the transaction includes a reference to a set of instructions for storing the formatted content, sending the transaction to an end server in the plurality of end servers, and calling the reference to execute the set of instructions where the set of instructions store the formatted content into the memory of the end server.
- Application 20080126960 – Context server for associating information with a media object based on context [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-11-06Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A system, method, and computer readable medium are provided for associating information (including information and services) based upon context. In one example, an apparatus includes logic for associating information with a media object based upon context. The apparatus including interface logic for receiving, during a session (e.g., associated with the media object capture, an upload session, data transfer session, or the like), a media object from a user device, context information from the user device (wherein the context information is not user-generated) and user-generated information from the user device (wherein the user-generated information is related to the media object). The apparatus further comprising association logic for associating information, different from the user-generated information, with the media object based on the context information and the user-generated information.
- Application 20080126961 – Context server for associating information based on context [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-11-06Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A system, method, and computer readable medium are provided for associating information (including information and services) based upon context. In one example, an apparatus includes interface logic for receiving, during a session (e.g., during a media object capture, upload session, data transfer session, or the like), context information from a user device, and user-generated information associated with the context information. The context information may relate to time, date, location, ambient conditions, biometric (e.g., relating to the user of the device), device/user identification, or combinations thereof. The apparatus further including association logic for associating service information, different from the context information, with the user-generated information based on the context information. The associated service information may include empirical information such as a map of a particular location, the map including points of interest.
- Application 20080109273 – System and method for predicting a displayable form of a term [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-11-03Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Systems and methods for predicting a displayable form of a term is disclosed. Generally, a displayable form suggestion tool receives a term. The displayable form suggestion tool canonicalizes the term and applies a displayable form model based on search logs of an online advertisement service provider to the received term to determine a set of potential displayable forms of the term. The set of potential displayable forms of the term are suggested to an editor and the editor selects one of the suggested displayable forms of the term. The displayable form suggestion tool may then export the selected displayable form of the term to a system of the online advertisement service provider such as an advertisement campaign management system for insertion into a digital ad such as a graphical banner ad or a sponsored search listing.
- Application 20080109274 – System and method for predicting a casing variation of a term [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-11-03Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Systems and methods for predicting a proper casing variation of a term are disclosed. Generally, a term casing suggestion tool receives a term. The term casing suggestion tool determines whether a database of editorial decisions includes a proper casing variation of the received term. If the database of editorial decisions includes a proper casing variation, the term casing suggestion tool may suggest the proper casing variation to an editor or export the proper casing variation to a system of an online advertisement service provider. If the database of editorial decisions does not include a proper casing variation, one or more digital sources are searched for the term. A set of casting variations of the term is recorded a number of times each casing variation occurs in the search is recorded. At least a portion of the set of casing variations of the term is suggested to an editor. The term casing suggestion tool receives a selection a proper casing variation from the editor and may export the proper casing variation to a system of the online advertisement service provider and may update the database of editorial casing decisions.
- Application 20080109159 – Method of client side map rendering with tiled vector data [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-11-02Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
In one example, an apparatus and method are provided for rendering map images. In one example, an apparatus (e.g., a map server) includes logic for causing the transfer of tiled vector image data in response to a map request, wherein the vector data is associated with stored map data divided into a plurality of tiles. The tiled vector image data is transferred to a remote device (e.g., a client device) for rendering of the map image. Additionally, the vector image data may comprise one or more attributes associated therewith, the one or more attributes configurable by a receiving device. For example, the map image may be rendered (e.g., customized) based on one or more local attributes to vary the language used, colors, how items in the map are displayed, and other imaging characteristics of the map image.
- Application 20080109363 – System and method for generating revenue for publishers of multimedia content over a network [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-11-02Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A system and method for compensating publishers of content items, such as a video, graphics, songs, movies, images, advertisements, or any other type of content, in response to, or as a precondition to, viewing of a given content item by others at a host website. For example, multimedia content publishers upload their respective content items to a host website. The uploaded content items may be integrated into a video search engine, which is a feature of the host website. A given user wishing to view a given content item remunerates the publisher of the content item with payment through a third party payment provider, which may be a donation or minimal payment. Payment may be effected via a third party payment system such as PayPal.TM. of San Jose, Calif.
- Application 20080109422 – PERSONALIZED SEARCH [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-11-02Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Systems and methods have been developed for performing an advanced or detailed search based on information previously collected about a searcher’s interests. In response to a search request, the searcher’s interests are retrieved and inspected. In an embodiment, the interests may be obtained from multiple systems including those not associated with the search system. Based on the searcher’s interests, the search request may be limited or otherwise modified from the actual request received. The results of the limited search may then presented to the searcher as the results of the requested search.
- Application 20080102856 – Determining Mobile Content for a Social Network Based on Location and Time [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-11-01Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A device, system, and method are directed towards updating location information for a social network. A request for the location information associated with a GPS coordinate is received from a client device associated with a member of the social network. In response to the request, a location name associated with another member of the social network is provided to the client device based on the GPS coordinate. Another location name may be received from the client device. The other location name may be associated with the GPS coordinate and with the member in the social network. Thus, the GPS coordinate and/or member may be associated with a plurality of location names. A location description may also be received and associated with the location name and with the member in the social network.
- Application 20080104227 – SEARCHING AND ROUTE MAPPING BASED ON A SOCIAL NETWORK, LOCATION, AND TIME [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-11-01Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A device, system, and method are directed towards providing location information from a social network. A GPS coordinate and a search criterion are received from a client device associated with a member of a social network. The social network is searched for another member associated with a location name based on the GPS coordinate and the search criterion. The location name may be a sponsored advertisement. The location name is provided to the client device. A communication may be enabled between the member and the other member. Moreover, a start and end location may also be received. The GPS coordinate and/or search criterion may be associated with either the start or end location. The searched location name is used to determine a location of interest. A route is determined between the start and end location and through the location of interest. The route is provided to the client device.
- Application 20080104199 – Identity and preference management via universal identifier [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-10-31Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
A system is disclosed for utilizing a universal identifier (“ID”) that allows for access to information associated with the ID. The ID may be a substitute for a variety of information, such as contact information. When a user requests information for a given ID, an ID server may provide that information.
- Application 20080104649 – AUTOMATIC ASSOCIATION OF REFERENCE DATA WITH PRIMARY PROCESS DATA BASED ON TIME AND SHARED IDENTIFIER [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-10-31Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A method and system for automatically associating primary process data with reference data. The primary process data may include image, video, audio, text, search data, and the like. The reference data may include location, temperature, pressure, and the like. A primary process data processor device, such as a digital camera, is used to acquire the primary process data with time information, but without any reference data. A reference data collector device, such as a cellular telephone, is used to acquire the reference data with time information. The primary process data and the reference data are uploaded to a server and each are associated with a shared identifier, such as a user ID. Of the content and reference data associated with the shared ID, the server determines which primary process data and reference data were acquired near the same time, and automatically associates the reference data with the primary process data.
- Application 20080189399 – Social Namespace Addressing for Non-Unique Identifiers [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-10-31Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A device, system, and method are directed towards enabling a user to disambiguate an identity of a member included in a user’s social network (USN), and towards enabling an operation to be performed based on information about the member. The USN is determined. The NID of the member is received. If the NID is non-unique within the USN, member distinctions are determined for members in the USN who are associated with the same NID. The member distinctions are sent to the user. The user makes a selection of one of the members associated with one of the member distinctions. Based on the selection, information about the selected member is received. The operation is enabled to be performed based on the information about the selected member. The operation may include addressing the selected member, enabling a communication between the user and the selected member, or the like.
- Application 20080103893 – System and method for generating forecasted bids for advertisement keywords [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-10-30Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
The present invention is directed towards systems and methods for generating a forecasted bid amount for a keyword in order to display one or more advertisements in response to a search request that includes the keyword at a given position within a ranked list of advertisements. The method may comprise receiving an advertiser request specifying a keyword, an advertisement group, and a position within a ranked list of advertisements, identifying one or more advertisements displayed in response to the keyword at the advertiser specified position and retrieving a bid amount and a quality score associated with the one or more identified advertisements with respect to the advertiser specified keyword. A quality score is calculated for the advertiser specified advertisement group with respect to the advertiser specified keyword and a forecasted bid amount is calculated through use of the quality score associated with the advertiser specified advertisement group and the one or more bid amounts and quality scores associated with the one or more identified advertisements.
- Application 20080104050 – TIME-BASED ANALYSIS OF RELATED KEYWORD SEARCHING [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-10-30Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
Disclosed are apparatus and methods for displaying related search terms in a time sequence format. In example embodiments, a user search database, for retaining search terms that were used during specific times, may be available. The user search database may be searched to find which users have searched on a selected anchor term. The frequency of use of such anchor term may then be displayed in a time sequence format, e.g., over a week time period. The users that have used this selected anchor term may have also searched on other search terms, and the search terms that belong to a selected category of interest and were also used by the anchor term users may also be located in the user search database. These search terms from the selected category may also be displayed in a time sequence format, e.g., in the month preceding or proceeding the anchor use display’s time period.
- Application 20080104521 – Methods and systems for providing a customizable guide for navigating a corpus of content [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-10-30Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Methods and systems are described for navigating a corpus of content items stored in one or more information repositories within a distributed communications system. The content items may include video feeds, audio feeds, television broadcasts, website, a web log or the like. Using any browser application, the user views content items presented in an interactive scroll display. Modules are included for filtering, sorting and sampling content to ensure delivery of relevant high-quality content to the user. A feedback mechanism is also included for refining relevance filtering, sorting and sampling processes.
- Application 20080102911 – Integration of personalized fantasy data with general sports content [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-10-27Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
As a user views online content such as a news articles on a Web page, a personalized fantasy sports context interface provides information and Web links related to fantasy sports teams or players such as the names of real-life players and teams that are mentioned in the online content. The fantasy sports context is displayed in conjunction with, e.g., alongside, the online content to provide convenient access to the information and the Web links while the user is viewing the content. The displayed information includes a list of players mentioned in the article, links to Web pages related to each listed player. The fantasy sports context also provides features for performing actions related to each listed player, such as viewing recent news items the player or adding/dropping the player to/from the user’s fantasy sports team.
- Application 20080104066 – VALIDATING SEGMENTATION CRITERIA [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-10-27Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
Segmentation criteria are validated relative to a plurality of items organized according to a dimensionally-modeled data space. Each criterion nominally characterizes a segment comprising an area of interest of the dimensionally-modeled data space. The items are mapped to the segments. The mapping is processed. Based on the mapping, the validity of the segmentation criteria is evaluated, and a result of the evaluation is reported.
- Application 20080104111 – RECOMMENDATION DIVERSITY [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-10-27Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Recommendation systems and methods are disclosed that objectively determine similarities between products and quantify diversity between products for use in generating recommendations. The product interests, such as musical interests, of a user are measured based on objective characteristics of the product. Then the interests are modeled by a distribution. The resulting distribution is then used as a measure of the diversity of the user’s tastes. Based on the diversity and the characteristics of other products, recommendations are then made to the user. The systems and methods may also utilize subjective information as a secondary filter to add or remove products for which such data is known.
- Application 20080103888 – System and method for tracking purchases related to digital advertisements [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-10-26Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A system and method for tracking purchases relating to digital ads is disclosed. Generally, an ad provider receives an ad request and determines whether a user requesting the ad is a registered user. In response to determining the user is a registered user, the ad provider determines whether any membership-based ads are available to serve to the user. When available, the ad provider serves at least one membership-based ad to the user. The user completes either an online or an offline transaction with a retailer that recognizes membership program members and, as appropriate, the retailer honors any offers associated with any membership-based ads served to the user. The ad provider sends ad campaign information associated with registered users to a data warehouse and the retailer sends transaction data associated with registered users to the data warehouse. The data warehouse grants limited access to the ad campaign and transaction information to advertisers and grants limited access to the transaction data to the ad provider.
- Application 20080104256 – System and method for adaptively refreshing a web page [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-10-26Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
An improved system and method is provided for adaptively refreshing a web page. A base version of the web page may be partitioned into a collection of fragments. Then the collection of fragments may be compared with the corresponding fragments of a recent version of the web page to determine a divergence measurement of the difference between the base version and the recent version of the web page. The divergence measurement may be recorded in a change profile representing a change history of the web page that includes a sequence of numeric pairs indicating a time offset and a divergence measurement of the difference between a version of the web page at the time offset and a base version of the web page. The refresh period for the web page may be adjusted by applying an adaptive refresh policy using the divergence measurements recorded in the change profile.
- Application 20080104257 – System and method using a refresh policy for incremental updating of web pages [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-10-26Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
An improved system and method is provided for adaptively refreshing a web page. A base version of the web page may be partitioned into a collection of fragments. Then the collection of fragments may be compared with the corresponding fragments of a recent version of the web page to determine a divergence measurement of the difference between the base version and the recent version of the web page. The divergence measurement may be recorded in a change profile representing a change history of the web page that includes a sequence of numeric pairs indicating a time offset and a divergence measurement of the difference between a version of the web page at the time offset and a base version of the web page. The refresh period for the web page may be adjusted by applying an adaptive refresh policy using the divergence measurements recorded in the change profile.
- Application 20080104502 – System and method for providing a change profile of a web page [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-10-26Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
An improved system and method is provided for adaptively refreshing a web page. A base version of the web page may be partitioned into a collection of fragments. Then the collection of fragments may be compared with the corresponding fragments of a recent version of the web page to determine a divergence measurement of the difference between the base version and the recent version of the web page. The divergence measurement may be recorded in a change profile representing a change history of the web page that includes a sequence of numeric pairs indicating a time offset and a divergence measurement of the difference between a version of the web page at the time offset and a base version of the web page. The refresh period for the web page may be adjusted by applying an adaptive refresh policy using the divergence measurements recorded in the change profile.
- Application 20070124208 – Method and apparatus for tagging data [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-10-25Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A system is provided that permits the use of classification information that can be interpreted by a computer system. To this end, a system and method may be provided for creating classification information that may be interpreted by a computer system. Such classification information may be associated with content, and permit a computer system to process the content based on the classification information. In one example, classification information may be associated by a user, system, or process with a portion of content, and a computer system processes the content based on the classification information. For instance, the classification information may cause content to be processed in a particular way, presented to a user by a particular application program, cause the content to be forwarded to a particular user, or otherwise influence how the content is handled.
- Application 20080103884 – INSERTING ADVERTISEMENTS INTO A SLIDE SHOW [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-10-25Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Systems and methods are disclosed for automatically adding advertisements into a slide show data feed. The disclosure includes receiving a request for a slide show data feed and generating a modified slide show data feed from the original data feed. One or more advertisements are selected and inserted as slides into the modified slide show data feed. The modified slide show data feed is then transmitted to the requester. When rendered on the requestor’s device, the modified slide show data feed displays the slides of the originally requested data feed along with the advertisements.
- Application 20080097863 – SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR RECEIVING AND SPONSORING MEDIA CONTENT [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-10-20Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
A method and system of sponsoring a media item is disclosed herein. A media item is received from a submitter. The media item is published for consumer access. Requests for the media item are received from media consumers. A number of consumer requests for the media item is counted. A determination is made as to whether the number of consumer requests for the media item is higher than a predetermined threshold of popularity. If the number of consumer requests for the media item is determined to be higher than the predetermined threshold of popularity, the media item is sponsored on a webcast station.
- Application 20080098026 – Contextual syndication platform [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-10-19Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Techniques are disclosed for automatically annotating a document to offer, to a viewer, a choice of operations that a user can take relative to identified entities to which the document refers, where the choice of operations offered in relation to each such entity is appropriate to and based on the types of that entity. In one embodiment of the invention, for each “interesting” entity within a document, a mechanism automatically determines one or more types for that entity. The mechanism automatically annotates the document so that an application will present entity-type-specific data (including operation choices) that is generated by modules that are mapped to the types of the entities within the document. The annotations comprise metadata that indicates types of each “interesting” entity. The entity-type-specific data may be presented along with the rest of the document. A user need not navigate to a different document prior to viewing the data.
- Application 20080097820 – AUTOMATED CLUSTERING OF RECORDS, BIASED BY SUPERVISED CLASSIFICATION PROCESSING [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-10-18Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
An unsupervised classification approach is improved by imposing some order into the treatment of the records and their attributes, which otherwise would be treated as random variables. A method is provided to identify particular attributes that are most associated with the “good” records within each of the plurality of groups of records within a data set. Based on a supervised scoring method, the records of the data set are processed to indicate their measure of “goodness”. There are various ways by which the records can be processed to indicate a bias during unsupervised clustering processing.
- Application 20080097982 – System and method for classifying search queries [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-10-18Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A system and method for categorizing search queries is disclosed. Generally, a search query is received. A categorizer determines whether a probability of the search query being in a taxonomy category is greater than a probability of the search query not being in the taxonomy category. If the probability that the search query being in the taxonomy category is greater than the probability of the search query not being in the taxonomy category, the categorizer determines a confidence score based on the two probabilities. The categorizer then compares the confidence score to the confidence score threshold of the taxonomy category to determine whether the search query should be categorized in the taxonomy category.
- Application 20080098079 – INSTANT MESSAGING SYSTEM CONFIGURED TO FACILITATE EVENT PLAN MANAGEMENT [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-10-18Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
An instant messaging service is operated in cooperation with an event plan manager system. Information is received regarding a planned event from an instant messaging client with which an event organizer is associated and, based thereon, information is provided indicative of the planned event to the event plan manager system. Information is received from the event plan manager system indicative of the planned event, as maintained by the event plan manager system. Invitation instant messages are caused to be provided to instant messaging clients with which invitees of the planned event are associated, wherein the invitation instant messages are correlated to the information indicative of the planned event as maintained by the event plan manager system.
- Application 20080108036 – Statistical credibility metric for online question answerers [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-10-18Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Techniques for statistically estimating a rating or other “figure of merit” for a user are disclosed. According to one such technique, a first quantity of submissions that were submitted by a user is determined. A second quantity of submissions that (a) were submitted by the user and (b) obtained a particular rating from a rating mechanism also is determined. A user rating for the user is determined based at least in part on the first quantity, the second quantity, and a factor that is independent of both the first quantity and the second quantity–such as the probability that an answer submitted by any answerer in a population will obtain the particular rating from the rating mechanism. The influence that the second quantity has on the user rating relative to the influence that the factor has on the user rating may depend at least in part on the first quantity.
- Application 20080154819 – Social knowledge system content quality [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-10-18Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Techniques for automatically scoring submissions to an online question-and-answer submission system are disclosed. According to one such technique, an initial set of user submissions are scored by human operators and/or automated algorithmic mechanisms. The submissions and their accompanying scores are provided as training data to an automated machine learning mechanism. The machine learning mechanism processes the training data and automatically detects patterns in the provided submissions. The machine learning mechanism automatically correlates these patterns with the scores assigned to the submissions that match those patterns. As a result, the machine learning mechanism is trained. Thereafter, the machine learning mechanism processes unscored submissions. The machine learning mechanism automatically identifies, from among the patterns that the machine learning mechanism has already detected, one or more patterns that these submissions match. The machine learning mechanism automatically scores these submissions based on the matching patterns and the scores that are associated with those patterns.
- Application 20080091495 – DATES LOCATOR [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-10-17Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
Disclosed are apparatus and methods for locating one or more dates. Specific embodiments include a dates locator that is operable to analyze a date request in the form of natural language words or phrases and determine that such words or phrases correspond to a specific date or range of dates. In one natural language example, a date request may be in the form of a specified holiday or specified period of time before and/or after such specified holiday (e.g., Thanksgiving week) and the corresponding date or range of dates are retrieved by the dates locator. That is, dates locator embodiments receive a date request that uses date contextual information as input to thereby retrieve a specific date or range of dates. The retrieved date or range of dates may then be displayed based in the date request’s contextual information. Additionally, a dates locator may include a learning mechanism to learn new associations between particular contextual information and a specific date or range of dates.
- Application 20080091521 – SUPPLEMENTAL DISPLAY MATCHING USING SYNDICATION INFORMATION [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-10-17Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
Supplemental content is determined relative to web page content of a publisher web page, to display in association with the web page content. Syndication data is received regarding the content of the publisher web page. The syndication data is processed to cause determination therefrom of supplemental content to be displayed in association with the content of the publisher web page. An indication is provided of the determined supplemental content to display.
- Application 20070088897 – Interactive mapping method and system [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-10-13Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Method and computer program product for presenting a set of address locations in a browser window of a user device via the Internet are disclosed. The method includes receiving a set of address locations in a given order, presenting the set of address locations as a list of directions, and presenting the set of address locations graphically on a map, where the map includes a route connecting the set of address locations according to the given order and a marker for each of the address locations. The method further includes creating a new order of the set of address locations from the given order by dragging an address location from the map to a different position in the list of directions, updating the list of directions according to the new order of the set of address locations, and updating the map according to the new order of the set of address locations.
- Application 20070156332 – Method and system for navigating a map [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-10-13Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Method and computer program product for navigating a map in a browser window of a user device via the Internet are disclosed. The method includes providing a first map for showing geographic context of a general area, providing a second map for showing geographic context of a portion of the general area, superimposing the second map onto the first map, wherein the second map is represented by a highlighted area in the first map, and navigating the first map using the highlighted area. The method further includes displaying points of interest inside the highlighted area of the first map and in the second map for assisting a user in navigating to the points of interest, and displaying additional points of interest outside the shaded area of the first map for assisting a user in navigating to the additional points of interest.
- Application 20080091524 – System and method for advertisement price adjustment utilizing traffic quality data [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-10-13Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
The present invention relates to systems and methods for generating an adjustment factor for a cost associated with a user selection of an advertisement displayed at a website. The method of the present invention comprises retrieving analytics data and traffic quality metric data associated with the website, and calculating a traffic quality score for the website. An adjustment factor for the website is calculated based upon the traffic quality score associated with the website and a benchmark traffic quality score.
- Application 20080091834 – Systems and methods for establishing or maintaining a personalized trusted social network [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-10-13Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Automated systems and methods are provided for establishing or maintaining a personalized trusted social network for a community of users, with little or no input from any given user. To establish the personalized trusted social network, one or more trusted sources are identified for a given user. The identified trusted sources are added to a user profile for the given user. Also, identified are any annotations, bookmarks, or the like that the identified trusted sources have associated with any shared content. These annotations provide access to microcontent items that the identified trusted sources have integrated with the shared content to thereby enhance or enrich its context. One or more profiles are constructed or updated to track the associations between the identified trusted sources and their annotations. The profile information can be applied to enhance and personalize search and browsing experiences for the given user.
- Application 20080091641 – INFRASTRUCTURE FOR MORE EFFICIENT PROCESSING TO GENERATE OF AD-HOC REPORTS [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-10-11Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
Reports, based on aggregation operations on data in a data warehouse, may be efficiently generated. At least two separate aggregation processes are performed on facts of a fact table. Each of a plurality of aggregation processors accesses a separate partition of the facts of the fact table. Each aggregation processor applies the at least two separate aggregation processes are applied to the partition of the facts accessed by that aggregation processor and, for each of the at least two separate aggregation processes, an intermediate result of applying that separate aggregation process by that aggregation processor is saved. For each of the at least two separate aggregation processes, the intermediate results, of applying the aggregation processing for that process by the aggregation processors, are merged.
- Application 20070028002 – Performing multicast communication in computer networks by using overlay routing [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-10-05Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
An overlay protocol and system for allowing multicast routing in the Internet to be performed at the application level. The overlay protocol uses “native” Internet multicast and multicast routing protocols to route information, according to overlay routing tables. Overlay groups are mapped to native multicast groups to exploit native multicasting in regional or local forwarding domains. Use of the overlay protocol allows overlay distribution to be handled in a more intelligent and bandwidth-managed fashion. Overlay routers are placed at each of several local area networks, Internet service provider’s point of presence, enterprise, or other cohesively-managed locations. The overlay computers are configured according to bandwidth and security policies, and perform application-level multicast distribution across the otherwise disjoint multicast networks by using the overlay routing. The result is an overlay multicast network that is effectively managed according to local network management policies. Application-level control can be applied to the transferred data at the overlay routers.
- Application 20080086442 – MAPREDUCE FOR DISTRIBUTED DATABASE PROCESSING [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-10-05Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
An input data set is treated as a plurality of grouped sets of key/value pairs, which enhances the utility of the MapReduce programming methodology. By utilizing such a grouping, map processing can be carried out independently on two or more related but possibly heterogeneous datasets (e.g., related by being characterized by a common primary key). The intermediate results of the map processing (key/value pairs) for a particular key can be processed together in a single reduce function by applying a different iterator to intermediate values for each group. Different iterators can be arranged inside reduce functions in ways however desired.
- Application 20080086488 – SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ENHANCED TEXT MATCHING [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-10-05Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
The disclosure describes search systems and methods in which exact token searches, spelling suggestions, and split-token searches are used in conjunction to return search results to the user. Depending on the number and relevancy of results for the search query results from each of the steps the results are either merged or discarded into the final result set. The split-token search is adapted to generate two split-tokens from the token(s) of the search query in anticipation that the search token(s) is misspelled. As the location of the misspelling is unknown, the split-token search widens the scope of the results provided in response to the search. In an embodiment, the split-token search includes performing a prefix search for tokens matching a prefix split-token and a postfix search for tokens matching a postfix split-token. In an embodiment, the index is specially adapted to allow the postfix search to be performed more efficiently.
- Application 20080082481 – System and method for characterizing a web page using multiple anchor sets of web pages [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-10-03Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
An improved system and method is provided for characterizing a web page using multiple anchor sets of web pages. To do so, web pages in a collection of unknown web pages may be characterized using known anchor sets of web pages with different characterizations that may be linked to the collection of unknown web pages. A direction and method may be selected for propagating a probability distribution between vertices of a graph representing the collection of web pages and vertices of the anchor sets representing the anchor sets of web pages. Methods for propagating the probability distribution in a forward, backward or bidirectional direction are provided. Various quality measures of the characterization of the vertices are provided using the propagated probability distribution. These various quality measures may be paired and combined in different ways to provide a characterization of the vertices representing the unknown web pages.
- Application 20080082405 – Digital media benefit attachment mechanism [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-09-29Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Particular embodiments of the present invention are related to a digital media benefit attachment mechanism for generating or attaching revenue rights and other benefits to one or more entities associated with socially distributed media.
- Application 20080082486 – Platform for user discovery experience [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-09-29Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
The present invention is directed towards a platform for user discovery. A method according to one embodiment of the invention comprises receiving a request from a user to initiate a search for content items previously indexed and associated with one or more tags by a community of users and identifying a set of preliminary tags from an index of tags defined by the community, where each tag is associated with one or more content items. Input is received from the user of at least one tag or keyword to update a current set of selected tags and keywords and identify a result set of content items having associated tags and keywords matching the current set of selected tags and keywords. The result set of content items is presented along with an intermediate set of tags to serve as a potential starting point for refining the search based on the tags associated with each of the content items in the result set.
- Application 20080082904 – Script-based content-embedding code generation in digital media benefit attachment mechanism [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-09-29Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Particular embodiments of the present invention are related to a digital media benefit attachment mechanism for generating or attaching revenue rights and other benefits to one or more entities associated with socially distributed media.
- Application 20080082905 – Content-embedding code generation in digital media benefit attachment mechanism [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-09-29Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Particular embodiments of the present invention are related to a digital media benefit attachment mechanism for generating or attaching revenue rights and other benefits to one or more entities associated with socially distributed media.
- Application 20080155396 – PLATFORM FOR RENDERING CONTENT FOR A REMOTE DEVICE [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-09-29Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A platform for customized rendering of markup language (ML) documents into a document in a device specific language that is subsequently provided for display by a target remote device. A rendering context for the target remote device and an ML document is received by the platform, which performs processes that can paginate and fully render pages that are subsequently delivered for display by the target remote device. A post-rendering process may also be provided to perform additional processing of media items for the device specific language document. This additional processing may include including links to or embedding media items in pages of the device specific language document. The remote device can be arranged as a client device that provides for wired and/or wireless communication over a network.
- Application 20080082613 – COMMUNICATING ONLINE PRESENCE AND MOOD [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-09-28Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
Methods and apparatus are described for communicating an online presence of a first user in a network. An online presence indicator is presented in a first interface associated with the first user. The online presence indicator represents an online status of the first user as being online or offline. The online presence indicator further represents a mood of the first user. At least one control is provided in the first interface which is operable by the first user to select the online status represented by the online presence indicator. The at least one control is further operable by the first user to select the mood represented by the online presence indicator. The online presence indicator of the first user is presented to other users in the network.
- Application 20080189659 – METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR POSTING VIDEO [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-09-28Assignee: YAHOO, INC.!
Methods and systems for posting video content on a website are disclosed herein. An input indicative of a selection of video content is received from a user. A placeholder image is inserted in an input field to act as a placeholder for the video content being selected. Image manipulation commands are received from the user. The image manipulation commands are applied to the image placeholder in order to display the image placeholder in a user desired configuration. The placeholder image can be replaced with the video content. Displaying the video content in the user desired configuration.
- Application 20070083675 – Instant messaging interoperability between disparate service providers [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-09-27Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
An apparatus for facilitating instant messaging communications between clients of different instant messaging service provider networks is provided. The apparatus includes translation logic for translating received communications related to an instant messaging service, the received communications associated with an external instant messaging service provider network and formatted according to a secondary protocol. The translation logic translates the received communication from the secondary protocol to a primary protocol, the primary protocol native to a receiving service provider network. The communication may then be routed to a client of the primary network according to the native, primary protocol.
- Application 20070244851 – System and method for interacting with visual surrogates for real world objects [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-09-27Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
The present invention relates to systems and methods for facilitating the interaction with data using interactive data structures. The method of the present invention comprises generating one or more objects associated with one or more items of content. The one or more objects are combined to form an interactive data structure. The content associated with the one or more objects and the interactive data structure are delivered to a client device. One or more modifications may be made to the one or more objects comprising the interactive data structure. The one or more modifications made to the one or more objects comprising the interactive data structure may be propagated to the content associated with the one or more objects.
- Application 20080074391 – ZERO-CLICK ACTIVATION OF AN APPLICATION [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-09-27Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A method is described for activating an application without specific positioning of a mouse or clicking a mouse button (“zero-click activation”). This is done by evaluating motion of an input device with regard to predetermined criteria; detecting a rapid, multi-directional motion (a shaking motion) of the input device, and initiating a preconfigured application in response thereto. In an embodiment, the input device is a mouse, and the method is performed without actuating a button on the mouse. The preconfigured application may be a search function, and in particular may be a Web search invoked when a shaking action is detected while the user is viewing a Web site.
- Application 20080077568 – TALENT IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM AND METHOD [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-09-26Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Systems and methods are disclosed for automatically identifying talent from quality and popularity data available on a computing network. The computing network is monitored and new content items and their associated publishers are identified. In addition, quality and popularity data associated with each content item are retrieved from one or more locations on the network. The quality and popularity data are then analyzed to identify popular content items within a particular scope and create a popularity measure of each content item. The popularity measure of each content item is then used to create a popularity measure of each publisher.
- Application 20080077614 – System and method for creating user profiles [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-09-22Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A computer-implemented method for constructing a profile for a target user is disclosed. The method comprises monitoring electronic communications across a network to identify at least one electronic communication that identifies a target user as an intended message recipient, extracting metadata from content associated with the at least one electronic communication; and constructing a user profile for the target user on the basis of the extracted metadata. It is assumed that the message senders send their messages, including associated content, to a given target user with the belief that the content is of some interest to the target user on the basis of some knowledge regarding the target user’s personality, preferences, tastes and the like. In this manner, a profiling entity may indirectly construct a profile of the target user based on the content sent by one or more message senders to the target user.
- Application 20080111822 – METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PRESENTING VIDEO [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-09-22Assignee: YAHOO, INC.!
Methods and systems of presenting video on a computer display having a visible display area are hereby disclosed. At least one video input is received from a video source. A video corresponding to the video put is displayed in a viewing region of the display. The viewing region can be of a size that occupies a fractional portion of the visible display area. The video can be displayed in a translucent fashion so that the video is visible and so that other content displayed on the computer display is visible through the video. After a period of user inactivity, the video can be displayed in an opaque fashion so that other content displayed on the computer display is hidden under the video.
- Application 20080069081 – Path discovery and analytics for network data [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-09-18Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A solution is provided that efficiently tracks user paths within a large network. Raw node visit data may be received that indicates which users visited which nodes in the network at which time. This data may then be organized into sessions. Unique pathviews may be calculated for each session of the nodes visit data as well as the frequency of occurrence of each unique path view. This information may then be used to understand how users are progressing through a network.
- Application 20080065479 – System and method for optimizing online advertisement auctions by applying linear programming using special ordered sets [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-09-12Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
An improved system and method for optimizing online advertising auctions is provided by applying linear programming using special ordered sets. A linear programming model using special ordered sets of bids may first be created offline for the web page placements of advertisements for advertising campaigns. An expected number of impressions of advertisements for alternative bid levels may be determined for web page placements for advertising campaigns for a time period. Ordered sets of bid levels may be generated for web page placements of advertising campaigns and linear programming may be applied to determine optimal bid values for web page placements of advertising campaigns. Branching and cutting techniques may also be applied to the special ordered sets of bid values to rapidly obtain an optimal bid value for each special ordered set. Advertising campaigns may be updated with the optimal bid values for bidding in an online advertising auction.
- Application 20080065631 – USER QUERY DATA MINING AND RELATED TECHNIQUES [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-09-12Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Methods and apparatus are described for mining user queries found within the access logs of a website and for relating this information to the website’s overall usage, structure, and content. Such techniques may be used to discover valuable information to improve the quality of the website, allowing the website to become more intuitive and adequate for the needs of its users.
- Application 20080066017 – Displaying items using a reduced presentation [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-09-11Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
To reduce the amount of space needed to display an item, while still retaining meaning for the item, a reduced presentation is determined for the item. The reduced presentation is based on analysis of a portion that contains information that may be less important for the user to see in order to understand the whole item. The item may contain a portion that is based on user input. It is this portion upon which the reduced presentation determination may be made. However, the reduced presentation determination may be based on another factor. For example, the technique is applicable to displaying any list of items that have some common pattern in the items. Based on analysis of the common pattern, a reduced presentation can be determined for at least one of the items.
- Application 20070005719 – Processing user interface commands in an instant messaging environment [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-09-06Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Sharing an instant messaging environment is described. The instant messaging environment is selected from a set of stored instant messaging environments. An instant messaging environment identifier corresponding to the selected instant messaging environment is transmitted from a transmitting instant messaging application to a receiving instant messenger application. The instant messaging environment identifier is received and the stored instant messaging environment corresponding to the instant messaging environment identifier is retrieved. The instant messaging environment is activated in the receiving instant messaging application.
- Application 20080072150 – EVENT-BASED DISPLAY AND METHODS THEREFOR [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-09-06Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A system for presenting pertinent information to a user comprising a centralized server which stores at least one rule; a browser; and, a helper application associated with the browser, wherein the helper application retrieves the at least one rule from the centralized server, wherein the helper application can monitor user events triggered by at least the browser and the helper application, wherein the helper application processes the at least one rule when an event is triggered, and wherein the helper application causes an event-based display to be generated based on the rule processing results.
- Patent 7454472 – Determining a manner in which user interface commands are processed in an instant messaging environment [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-09-06Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)Sharing an instant messaging environment is described. The instant messaging environment is selected from a set of stored instant messaging environments. An instant messaging environment identifier corresponding to the selected instant messaging environment is transmitted from a transmitting instant messaging application to a receiving instant messenger application. The instant messaging environment identifier is received and the stored instant messaging environment corresponding to the instant messaging environment identifier is retrieved. The instant messaging environment is activated in the receiving instant messaging application.
- Application 20080071725 – User-converted media marketplace [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-09-01Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
At a server on a network, the reformatting of media is enabled by indicating that a media object in a first format is available for conversion into a second format, receiving, over the network, a representation of the media object in the second format, associating the media object in the second format with the media object in the first format, and making the representation available to at least one recipient. The representation may be the media object itself or a link to the media object.
- Application 20080071602 – Enhanced user reviews [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-08-31Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A review writing tool guides a user through the process of writing an enhanced product review. The review writing tool can include a web user interface, which breaks the review writing process down into multiple stages so the review writer can incrementally write the review. In addition, the review writing tool provides prompts, examples, and instructions to guide the review writer through the writing process. The review writing tool also allows a review writer to add a list of related products from a related product database to the review. For example, a review writer may have evaluated a number of products before selecting the product the review writer ended up purchasing. Accordingly, the review writer can add information about those other products to his review. Doing so allows subsequent consumers to browse not only the product a review writer purchased, but also products the review writer recommends.
- Application 20070293247 – PLATFORM FOR MANAGING MOBILE DOMAINS AND KEYWORD-ACTIVATED APPLICATIONS [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-08-30Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A mobile domain platform for subscribers (e.g. businesses, institutions, advertising agencies, partners, providers, individuals, and enterprises) to offer a text message based campaign to new or potential customers (users). A subscriber can create a mobile domain by selecting and registering at least one available keyword with a mobile domain platform for the subsequent processing of text messages sent to the platform which include one or more of the registered keywords. Also, the subscriber can register one or more keywords as a root for a mobile domain such that subsequent text messages sent to the mobile domain platform that include additional alphanumeric strings of text (root keyword plus one or more combinations of other predetermined keywords) can be automatically processed to enable one or more different actions. A mobile domain keyword is generally composed of one or more alphanumeric characters, and can be any one of a word, phrase, abbreviation, or character.
- Application 20080052263 – System and method for identifying web communities from seed sets of web pages [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-08-24Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
An improved system and method is provided for identifying web communities from seed sets of web pages. A seed set of web pages may be represented as a set of seed vertices of a graph representing a collection of web pages. An initial probability distribution may be constructed on vertices of the graph by assigning a nonzero value to the vertices belonging to the seed set. Then a sequence of probability distributions may be produced on the vertices of the graph by modifying the probability distribution over a series of one-step walks of the probability distribution over the vertices of the graph. For each probability distribution produced in the sequence, level sets of vertices may be generated, and a level set with minimal conductance may be selected for each probability distribution. The level set with the least conductance may then be output representing a community of web pages.
- Application 20080052369 – Persistent saving portal [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-08-22Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Method and computer program product for collecting information on the Internet are disclosed. The method includes parsing contents of a web page to form a plurality of collectable objects, selecting one or more objects from the plurality of collectable objects, storing the one or more objects to one or more saving portals, annotating the one or more objects in accordance with user-specified data, and annotating the one or more objects in accordance with implicit data of the one or more saving portals. The method further includes annotating the one or more objects automatically, without manual intervention, using user-specified data, and annotating the one or more objects automatically, without manual intervention, using implicit data of the one or more saving portals.
- Application 20070027771 – API for maintenance and delivery of advertising content [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-08-21Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A system comprises multiple pods coupled to a network, each pod including a data store for storing advertisement campaigns for users, each advertisement campaign containing user information, advertisement information and bid information for requesting presentation of an advertisement upon the occurrence of a predetermined event; and an application program interface capable of accessing the data store; at least one pod including a forecasting component for enabling user selection of the predetermined event; and an optimization component for assisting with selection of the bid information.
- Application 20070027770 – System and method for providing scalability in an advertising delivery system [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-08-17Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A method comprises providing a first set of geographically distributed pods for storing account information on a first set of advertisements associated with web properties associated with a first set of geographically distributed users; enabling the first set of users to update the account information on the first set of pods, each user being associated with at least one advertisement and a particular pod that is not the most distant pod from the user; recognizing that the first set of pods cannot satisfy a user demand threshold; coupling an additional pod for storing additional account information on a second set of advertisements for a second set of users; enabling the second set of users to update the additional account information, the additional pod being not the most distant pod from the second set of users; receiving a content request; and identifying a particular advertisement based on the content request.
- Application 20080046429 – System and method for hierarchical segmentation of websites by topic [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-08-16Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
An improved system and method is provided for hierarchical segmentation of websites by topic. To do so, an organization of topics may be determined within directories of a website, the hierarchical arrangement of the web pages in the website may be segmented by topic, and the segments representing regions of coherent topics in the website directory may be output. In an embodiment, a website directory may be converted into a binary tree and dynamic programming may be applied to iteratively determine whether to add a node of the tree to a segment representing a topic. A node selection cost may be evaluated to determine whether to add a node of the tree as a segment representing a topic. And a cohesiveness cost may be evaluated to determine how well a web page of the tree may be represented by its closest ancestral node that may be a segmentation point of a segment representing a topic.
- Application 20070186173 – Instant messenger alerts and organization systems [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-08-11Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
An exemplary interface apparatus having navigation logic for navigating multiple instant messaging conversations is described. The navigation logic includes display logic for displaying indicia associated with at least two conversations, selection logic for initiating the display of a conversation associated with each of the indicia in response to a selection thereof, wherein the conversation associated with each indicia is displayed in a common window, and navigation logic for navigating between two conversations within the common window. In one example, the indicia are associated with active instant messaging conversations (e.g., in which the user is engaged). Further, the conversations may be displayed mutually exclusively within the common window.
- Application 20070186177 – Content navigation interfaces and associated methods [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-08-11Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
In one aspect provided herein, a content navigation interface is described. In one example, the content navigation interface includes display logic for displaying a plurality of icons, each icon associated with content (e.g., services, applications, content, etc.). The interface further including selection logic for moving an icon to a selection position in response to user input, and content logic for displaying content associated with the icon in response to the icon being positioned at the selection position. The user may select the icon positioned in the selection position to access or view additional content associated with the icon.
- Application 20070186186 – Content structures and content navigation interfaces [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-08-11Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
In one example, a content navigation interface apparatus includes display logic for displaying selections for accessing a first entry of a content structure and a second entry of the content structure, wherein the second entry is a sub-entry of the first entry. The apparatus further including selection logic for determining the second entry for display based on a user characteristic (e.g., history, user profile, etc.). The first entry may be associated with a first level of a hierarchical content structure, and the second entry associated with a second level of the hierarchical content structure. In one example, the first entry is associated with a broad content category and the second entry associated with content, such as a media object.
- Application 20080040195 – QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS OF WEB PAGE CLUTTER THAT ACCOUNTS FOR SUBJECTIVE PREFERENCES [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-08-11Assignee: YAHOO! Inc.
A method determines a usability measure for a web page. A representation of the web page is processed in view of a usability model. The usability indication is determined based on the processing step. The representation of the web page may include an indication of at least one of structural and visual elements. For example, the indication of structural elements may include a document object model of the web page. The usability model may be a statistical model, such as a linear regression model, that provides an estimate of a statistical relationship between the usability measure and a plurality of characteristics discernible from the representation of the web page.
- Application 20080040313 – System and method for providing tag-based relevance recommendations of bookmarks in a bookmark and tag database [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-08-11Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A method comprises identifying a first user having stored in a database a set of first bookmarks associated with a topic of interest; determining a level of relatedness of a second user to the first user by comparing a first number of overlapping bookmarks that were stored in the database by the second user and that overlap the set of first bookmarks; determining a level of value of the second user to the first user by comparing a second number of related nonoverlapping bookmarks that were stored in the database by the second user, that relate to the topic of interest, and that do not overlap the set of first bookmarks; and presenting at least a portion of the related nonoverlapping bookmarks to the first user.
- Application 20080040321 – TECHNIQUES FOR SEARCHING FUTURE EVENTS [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-08-11Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A future retrieval system operable to enable searching for future events associated with a set of documents includes at least one memory device configured to store a database of the documents. The system identifies future events associated with the documents and generates temporal data and a confidence value for each future event. The confidence value represents a likelihood of occurrence for the corresponding future event. The system evaluates text associated with the future events to generate event metadata, and indexes the documents with the associated event metadata, temporal data, and confidence levels in the database. The system generates search results corresponding to selected ones of the documents in the database in response to queries which include references to future times, and ranks the search results in accordance with the confidence values associated with the future events associated with the selected documents.
- Application 20080050712 – Concept learning system and method [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-08-11Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
According to a preferred embodiment, a concept learning system and method is used for classifying instances, which, for example, may include web pages or text documents. An instance is input into the system. One or more candidate concepts are recalled from a set of candidate concepts. For each recalled concept, a classifier that corresponds to it is applied to the instance to determine if the recalled concept is related to the instance. Samples are selected from a training set. A learning method is applied, and a set of candidate concepts are updated according to the results from applying the learning method.
- Application 20080040301 – System and method for inferring user interest based on analysis of user-generated metadata [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-08-10Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
There are provided methods and systems for inferring a user’s interests from user-generated tags of web-based content. In accordance with the invention, user-generated tags from viewing web-based content are collected over a predetermined period of time. A subset of distinct or unique tags is identified from among the collected tags. A z-score is calculated for each identified distinct tag, where the z-score is a measure of the statistical significance of the tag. The subset of distinct tags is then sorted based on their corresponding z-score. All distinct tags having a corresponding z-score lower than a predetermined threshold are rejected and the remaining distinct tags, having a corresponding z-score higher than the threshold are used to infer a user’s interest. The ability to infer a user’s interests from the remaining distinct tags may thus benefit web-based applications by achieving a high degree of accuracy in predicting the interests of users by leveraging on the use of the user generated content tags and keywords.
- Application 20080040323 – Method and apparatus for reconstructing a search query [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-08-10Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Methods and systems for reconstructing a full query based on a partial query are disclosed. Existing interfaces for search engines may be rigid and require users to submit full queries to perform searched. The methods and systems described herein may solve these problems by allowing a flexible way for users to submit a partial query and reconstruct a full query based on the partial query. A search may then be performed using the reconstructed query.
- Application 20080077468 – MANAGING RESPONSES TO EXTENDED INTERVIEWS TO ENABLE PROFILING OF MOBILE DEVICE USERS [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-08-10Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A mobile profiling engine is provided. The mobile profiling engine includes an interview manager which assembles an extended interview, and partitions the extended interview into a number of discrete response tasks. The users provide contact information, including time availability. The interview is administered to the user, through their internet or SMS-enabled mobile device, over multiple sessions or multiple transactions, scheduled based on the time availability indicated by the user.
- Application 20080046738 – ANTI-PHISHING AGENT [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-08-04Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A phishing detection agent is provided. In one embodiment, a user’s browser includes a plug-in application or agent that may capture a visual record of a webpage and, with a cached copy of known, authentic websites provided to it via periodic updates, perform a series of image comparison functions to determine if the suspected website is attempting to deceive the user. The phishing detection agent is capable of performing an image recognition algorithm, such as logo recognition algorithm, optical character recognition, an image similarity algorithm, or combination of two or more of the above. If the suspected webpage corresponds to one of the authentic web pages, but the domain name of the suspected web page does not match the domain name of one of the authentic web pages, the suspected web page is flagged as a phishing web site.
- Application 20080034008 – USER SIDE DATABASE [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-08-03Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Internet applications provide personalized experiences, such as, a personalized greeting, by retrieving user information from a database maintained by a network content provider. A copy of at least some of the user information stored by the network content provider is saved on the user’s computer by a user information manager for quick retrieval by one or more Internet applications. Synchronization between the provider database and the user database can be initiated in response to a request for user information received from a user side module, in response to the user information manager receiving new user information from another source and periodically by the user information manager.
- Application 20080065737 – ELECTRONIC DOCUMENT INFORMATION EXTRACTION [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-08-03Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Methods and apparatus for extracting information from an electronic document, such as, for example, a webpage. An outline, such as, for example, the document object model, of a web page is analyzed for objects of interest, such as, photos, dates, email addresses, etc. The instructions defining which objects are objects of interests can be predetermined by the user and/or the network content provider. The user can be given the option to save objects of interest to their network account and the webpage and/or browser can be augmented with additional content related to identified objects. Objects transmitted to the network content provider are saved with an appropriate network service, for example, photos are saved in an online photo album.
- Application 20060294086 – Realtime indexing and search in large, rapidly changing document collections [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-08-02Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
The present invention is directed to systems and methods for searching content items indexed in real-time. The method according to one embodiment comprises generating an index of word location pairs that identifies the location of one or more words in one or more content items available on a network. One or more additional content items are received over the network. The received content items are stored in a stream search queue, the stream search queue operative to allow for a stream search of the one or more additional content items.
- Application 20060294134 – Trust propagation through both explicit and implicit social networks [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-08-02Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
The present invention is directed towards systems and methods for trust propagation. The method according to one embodiment comprises calculating a first feature vector for a first user, calculating a second feature for a second user and comparing the first feature vector with the second feature vector to calculate a similarity value. A determination is made as to whether the similarity value falls within a threshold. If the similarity value falls within the threshold, a relationship is recorded between the first user and the second user in a first user profile and a second user profile.
- Application 20080033810 – System and method for forecasting the performance of advertisements using fuzzy systems [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-08-02Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
The present invention relates to forecasting the performance of advertisements using fuzzy systems. The method according to one embodiment comprises calculating a ranking score for an advertisement, mapping the advertisement to at least one query using a bidded search term and retrieving analytics data for at least one advertisement associated with the mapped query to construct at least one fuzzy set. A fuzzy membership function and at least one rule associated with the fuzzy membership function is identified and a truth level for at least one rank for the advertisement is calculated through the use of the ranking score. At least one average forecasted advertising metric value for the advertisement is calculated, which may be on the basis of one or more of the ranking score, fuzzy set, fuzzy membership function and truth level.
- Application 20080027802 – System and method for scheduling online keyword subject to budget constraints [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-07-31Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
An improved system and method for scheduling online keyword auctions subject to budget constraints is provided. A linear programming model of slates of advertisements may be created for predicting the volume and order in which queries may appear throughout the day for use in allocating bidders to auctions to optimize revenue of an auctioneer. Each slate of advertisements may represent a candidate set of advertisements in order of optimal revenue to an auctioneer. Linear programming using column generation with the keyword as a constraint and a bidder’s budget as a constraint may be applied to generate a column that may be added to a linear programming model of slates of advertisements to determine optimal revenue to an auctioneer. Upon receiving a query request, a slate of advertisements that may provide optimal revenue to the auctioneer may be output for sending to a web browser for display.
- Application 20080027803 – System and method for optimizing throttle rates of bidders in online keyword auctions subject to budget constraints [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-07-31Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
An improved system and method for scheduling online keyword auctions subject to budget constraints is provided. A linear programming model of slates of advertisements may be created for predicting the volume and order in which queries may appear throughout the day for use in allocating bidders to auctions to optimize revenue of an auctioneer. Each slate of advertisements may represent a candidate set of advertisements in order of optimal revenue to an auctioneer. Linear programming using column generation with the keyword as a constraint and a bidder’s budget as a constraint may be applied to generate a column that may be added to a linear programming model of slates of advertisements to determine optimal revenue to an auctioneer. Upon receiving a query request, a slate of advertisements that may provide optimal revenue to the auctioneer may be output for sending to a web browser for display.
- Application 20080028330 – System and method of identifying and measuring response to user interface design [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-07-31Assignee: YAHOO! Inc.
In accordance with aspects disclosed herein, impact that a user interface design has on a user’s experience is measured. User response to one or more user interface designs is measured. Two or more user interface designs can be compared based on user response to each design. A single user interface design can be evaluated based on one or more measures of user response to the user interface, or two or more user interface designs can be compared using one or more user response measures corresponding to the user interface designs.
- Application 20080026804 – Fantasy sports agent [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-07-28Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A fantasy sports alert agent provides notifications of relevant news articles and occurrences in a fantasy sports game, such as fantasy team roster changes or player trades, and also suggests changes to a fantasy team roster to improve the team’s chances of winning. The notifications are based on items of data received from an item generator, which is typically a server process that communicates with the agent via a network. The alert agent may suggest alternative fantasy team roster lineups and, if the user accepts a suggestion, the agent may change the lineup. Each notification includes a call to action feature, such as a web link, which a user can select to perform an action, such as accepting a trade or changing the team’s roster. The notifications may be displayed on a user’s computer screen by the alert agent, or by an RSS reader or electronic mail reader.
- Application 20080027914 – System and method for searching a bookmark and tag database for relevant bookmarks [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-07-28Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A method comprises receiving a search request to search a bookmark package database storing bookmarks and tag information, e.g., user-generated keywords; using the search request to search the tag information in the bookmark package database to locate relevant bookmarks and to generate search results; and presenting the search results to a user. The search results may identify user-specific relevant bookmarks, and/or relevant bookmarks regardless of the creator. The method may include determining related terms and enabling selection of the related terms to initiate additional searching. The method may include generating a relevance value based on keyword order, meta-information type, number of bookmarks to a given content item, number of hits on a given bookmark, time of last bookmarking to a given content item, and/or content analysis. Search result organization may be based on the relevance values. The bookmark package database may further store automatically generated and user-generated meta-information.
- Application 20080096664 – Fantasy sports alert generator [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-07-28Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A fantasy sports alert agent provides notifications of relevant news articles and occurrences in a fantasy sports game, such as fantasy team roster changes or player trades, and also suggests changes to a fantasy team roster to improve the team’s chances of winning. The notifications are based on items of data received from an item generator, which is typically a server process that communicates with the agent via a network. The alert agent may suggest alternative fantasy team roster lineups and, if the user accepts a suggestion, the agent may change the lineup. Each notification includes a call to action feature, such as a web link, which a user can select to perform an action, such as accepting a trade or changing the team’s roster. The notifications may be displayed on a user’s computer screen by the alert agent, or by an RSS reader or electronic mail reader.
- Application 20080027970 – Business intelligent architecture system and method [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-07-27Assignee: YAHOO! Inc.
The present disclosure describes a standardized logical model architecture, for use in building a business intelligent systems, and a system and method of using the logical model architecture to populate a data repository (e.g., a data mart/warehouse) with the data to satisfy reporting and data analysis needs.
- Application 20080028066 – System and method for population-targeted advertising [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-07-27Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
An improved system and method for web destination profiling for online population-targeted advertising is provided. A web destination profiler may be provided for generating web destination profiles. Traffic may be analyzed at a particular web destination in order to understand the population visiting the web destination. The analysis of user traffic, including differentiated clickstream data, may be applied for determining known characteristics of a web destination profile. Moreover, unknown characteristics of a web destination profile may be determined using a variety of techniques including inferring characteristics by modeling traffic flow through other web destinations, estimating characteristics from other web destination profiles by predicting traffic flow through other web destinations, propagating characteristics to a web destination profile by smoothing a joint distribution of characteristics of other web destination profiles, and so forth. Web destination profiles may be used by applications such as an online application for population-targeted advertising.
- Application 20080028067 – System and method for web destination profiling [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-07-27Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
An improved system and method for web destination profiling for online population-targeted advertising is provided. A web destination profiler may be provided for generating web destination profiles. Traffic may be analyzed at a particular web destination in order to understand the population visiting the web destination. The analysis of user traffic, including differentiated clickstream data, may be applied for determining known characteristics of a web destination profile. Moreover, unknown characteristics of a web destination profile may be determined using a variety of techniques including inferring characteristics by modeling traffic flow through other web destinations, estimating characteristics from other web destination profiles by predicting traffic flow through other web destinations, propagating characteristics to a web destination profile by smoothing a joint distribution of characteristics of other web destination profiles, and so forth. Web destination profiles may be used by applications such as an online application for population-targeted advertising.
- Application 20070027768 – System and method for collection of advertising usage information [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-07-26Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A system comprises users disposed in various locations within a region, each user associated with an advertisement of an associated web property, each advertisement for enabling visitors to navigate to the associated web property; pods distributed within the region, each user being associated with at least one pod located more proximate to the user than another pod and that stores account information on the advertisement associated with the user; an advertisement channel for receiving a content request from a visitor, for obtaining an advertisement of a web property based on the content request, and for presenting the advertisement to the visitor in response to the content request; and a tag-based tracking mechanism for collecting visitor events if the visitor navigates to the web property and for forwarding visitor data based on the visitor events to the pod associated with the user that is associated with the advertisement.
- Application 20080028064 – Time slicing web based advertisements [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-07-26Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
A system and method are disclosed for rotating an advertisement on a single page or screen. The advertisement may be rotated when the user is active on the page or screen. In addition, the advertisement that replaces the original ad may be based on the user’s activity, or may be based on the content displayed in the page or screen. This system and method may increase advertising inventory that is displayed on a page or screen by displaying advertisements for a set time interval, which results in increased flexibility for sellers and buyers of online advertising.
- Application 20070027766 – Architecture for high speed delivery of advertising content [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-07-25Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A system comprises advertisement channels coupled to a network and disposed in various locations within a region, each channel configured to receive a content request from a visitor of the channel; and advertisement servers coupled to the network and distributed within the region such that each channel has at least one server more proximate than another server, the servers for storing advertisements for web properties, each advertisement associated with criteria indicating when presentation of the advertisement is desired; a given channel for providing request information regarding a content request to a given server; at least one of the servers for determining whether the request information meets any of the criteria; a relatively more proximate server configured to forward an advertisement to the given channel in response to the request information when the criteria have been met, and the given channel for presenting the advertisement in response to the content request.
- Application 20080027913 – System and method of information retrieval engine evaluation using human judgment input [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-07-25Assignee: YAHOO! Inc.
An information retrieval engine evaluation system and method is disclosed, which uses judgment input, or feedback, received from one or more individuals, or judges. Judgment input is provided by the one or judges, each of whom review at least one aspect of performance of a software application, and provide judgment input in the form of responses to questions. The judgment input is received and analyzed, and can be used to generate the one or more metrics. The metrics can be examined to evaluate at least one indicator in order to determine performance of the software application.
- Application 20070033105 – Architecture for distribution of advertising content and change propagation [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-07-19Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A system comprises an interface for enabling a user having a web property to input advertisement information including a web property advertisement, criteria indicating when presentation of the advertisement is desired by the user, a bid for the presentation of the advertisement when the criteria are met, and subsequent modifications to the advertisement information; geographically distributed servers, a plurality of the geographically distributed servers for storing the advertisement information, at least one of the geographically distributed servers for receiving a request for advertisement content from an advertising channel, at least one of the geographically distributed servers for determining whether the request meets the criteria, and at least one of the geographically distributed servers for forwarding the advertisement to the advertising channel in response to the request when the criteria have been met; and a distribution component for propagating the advertisement information to the geographically distributed servers according to an arrangement.
- Application 20080021859 – Multi-tiered storage [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-07-19Assignee: YAHOO! Inc.
Methods and apparatus are described for storing a plurality of objects in a plurality of storage options. An importance index is generated for each of the plurality of objects with reference to importance data associated with each object. At least a portion of the importance data represents relevance of the associated object relative to a population of users interacting with the plurality of objects. Each of the objects is stored in a selected one of the storage options with reference to the corresponding importance index and a hierarchy of the storage options. The hierarchy of storage options represents at least partial ordering of the storage options with reference to economic costs and efficiency of retrieval.
- Application 20070027765 – Architecture for an advertisement delivery system [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-07-18Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A system comprises an advertiser coupled to a network and having a web property to advertise; an advertisement campaign management system coupled to the network, the advertising campaign management system having a geographically distributed set of servers for storing an advertisement for the web property, criteria indicating when presentation of the advertisement is desired by the advertiser, and a bid for the presentation of the advertisement when the criteria are met; and an advertising channel coupled to the network for requesting ad content from the advertisement campaign management system and for receiving the advertisement from the advertisement campaign management system in response to the request for ad content.
- Application 20080021876 – Action tags [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-07-18Assignee: YAHOO! Inc.
Disclosed are apparatus and methods for performing actions with respect to objects. An object having an action tag, that specifies that a particular action script is to be performed with respect to the object, is provided. The action tag can be in the form of a textual label or any suitable user interface object that can be associated with the object. A search is then performed in a plurality of reference action tags, that each correspond to a different action script, for the provided action tag. When a matching reference action tag is found for the provided action tag, the corresponding, matching action script is then invoked so that the matching action script is automatically performed with respect to the object. Embodiments of the present invention also provide an action tag management architecture that is independent of the actions that are triggered by the action tags associated with particular objects and, accordingly, provides flexibility by allowing the set of actions to be expanded without requiring code changes to the tag management architecture.
- Application 20080015878 – Real-time user profile platform for targeted online advertisement and personalization [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-07-17Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A method stores a universal user profile for a user across multiple web applications, updates the universal user profile based on up-to-the-second user activity, and retrieves the updated user profile in real-time for a requesting web application. The method enables providing targeted content to a user based on the up-to-the-second user preferences and user activity. The method enables data cleanup and notification, based on an occurrence of specific user activities, an update of a user profile, a data policy, or passage of time. A notification may result in sending of marketing information to the user or updating the user’s profile, or may result in further updating of user’s profile.
- Application 20080034428 – ANTI-PHISHING FOR CLIENT DEVICES [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-07-17Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A network device and method are directed towards providing a client side identification mechanism for use detecting phishing attempts. In one embodiment, a user of a client device may provide anti-phishing data through an anti-phish setup interface for a website, application, or the like. In one embodiment, the anti-phishing data is an image. The client device then receives client device data indicating the website, application, or the like, for which the anti-phishing data is associated and where the anti-phishing data is located. In one embodiment, the client device data is received in the form of a cookie. When the user of the client device accesses the website, application, or the like, the client device may provide the client device data which is then used to locate and display the anti-phishing data. If the user is being phished, the anti-phishing data may not be displayed or otherwise played.
- Application 20080010250 – System and method for generalization search in hierarchies [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-07-07Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
An improved system and method is provided for searching a collection of objects that may be located in hierarchies of auxiliary information for retrieval of response objects. A framework to perform a generalization search in hierarchies may be used to generalize a search by moving up to a higher level in a hierarchy of taxonomies or to specialize a search by moving down to a lower level in the hierarchy of taxonomies. Once the system may decide to enumerate response objects at a particular level of generalization, a budgeted generalization search may be used for enumerating a set of response objects within a budgeted cost.
- Application 20080010251 – System and method for budgeted generalization search in hierarchies [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-07-07Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
An improved system and method is provided for searching a collection of objects that may be located in hierarchies of auxiliary information for retrieval of response objects. A framework to perform a generalization search in hierarchies may be used to generalize a search by moving up to a higher level in a hierarchy of taxonomies or to specialize a search by moving down to a lower level in the hierarchy of taxonomies. Once the system may decide to enumerate response objects at a particular level of generalization, a budgeted generalization search may be used for enumerating a set of response objects within a budgeted cost.
- Application 20070112840 – System and method for generating functions to predict the clickability of advertisements [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-06-29Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
The present invention is directed towards systems and methods for predicting a frequency with which an advertisement displayed in response to a query will be selected. The method of the present invention comprises receiving analytics data associated with a display of one or more advertisements in response to one or more queries. One or more features associated with the one or more advertisements displayed in response to the one or more queries are identified. One or more functions are generated for predicting a frequency with which a given advertisement displayed in response to a query will be selected using the analytics data and features associated with the one or more advertisements displayed in response to the one or more queries.
- Application 20080005052 – AGGREGATION-SPECIFIC CONFIDENCE INTERVALS FOR FACT SET QUERIES [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-06-29Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
An aggregation operation is performed on a subset of facts sampled from a full structured collection of facts, to determine an aggregation result. Based on the determined aggregation result and on an indication of characteristics of the sampled subset of facts relative to the full structured collection of facts, an indication of a difference is determined, between what would be the result of the aggregation-type operation on the full structured collection of facts and the actual result of the aggregation-type operation on the sampled subset of facts. The full structured collection of facts may be comprised of a plurality of component structured collections of facts, where the sampled subset of facts includes facts that are sampled from the plurality of component structured collections of facts, in a manner that is deterministic across the component structured collections of facts, and then joined to constitute the sampled subset of facts.
- Application 20080005096 – MONETIZATION OF CHARACTERISTIC VALUES PREDICTED USING NETWORK-BASED SOCIAL TIES [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-06-29Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
A method is provided to predict a value for a particular characteristic of a particular user of network-based services. A plurality of other users, other than the particular user, is determined, wherein the particular user has social ties to the plurality of other users. The social ties may be discerned, for example, by examining connections provided by the network-based service. In some examples, the social ties may be inferred by other methods as well. A value is predicted for the particular characteristic of the particular user based on values associated with the particular characteristic of the other users, with whom the particular user is determined to have the social ties. The predicted value for the particular characteristic of the particular user is monetized, such as by selling advertising to be caused to be displayed to at least the particular user. For example, requested compensation for the advertising is determined based at least in part on the predicted value for the particular characteristic of the particular user.
- Application 20080005347 – MESSENGER SYSTEM FOR PUBLISHING PODCASTS [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-06-29Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
The present invention relates to a messenger system adapted to support the creation and publication of podcast episodes (either audio or video) from communications made via the messenger system. The messenger system may be entirely server-based, may require the use of limited client side software or may be entirely client based. The messenger system allows a user to select that a call be recorded for later use causing the messenger software to store the various audio and any video streams provided from each party to the call. A user interface is then provided that allows the user, after the call, to edit, combine, modify, or add to the different audio and video streams as desired to create a single media file containing audio or audiovisual data. This media file may then be published as an episode to a podcast.
- Application 20060294311 – Dynamic bloom filter for caching query results [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-06-26Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Methods, systems, and machine-readable media are disclosed for searching a corpus of information by utilizing a Bloom filter for caching query results. According to one aspect of the present invention, a method of caching information from a corpus of information can include populating one or more Bloom filters with a plurality of bits representative of information in the corpus of information. A search request can be received identifying requested information from the corpus of information. One or more bits in the filter(s) associated with the requested information can be checked and the requested information can be retrieved from the corpus of information based on results of said checking. Furthermore, the filter(s) can be used to determine which information to make available to a particular user in a system where certain information is associated with or access is limited to certain users or groups of users.
- Application 20070156719 – System and method for navigating and indexing content [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-06-22Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
According to one embodiment, a content data store maintains the one or more content items in accordance with a programmable indexing schemes, with each container in the comprising storage for one or more references to one or more content items. Systems and methods are provided that re-index the references to content items that the content data store is indexing in accordance with one or more container creation schemes for ease of management and navigation.
- Application 20080010281 – User-sensitive pagerank [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-06-22Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
Techniques are described for generating an authority value of a first one of a plurality of documents. A first component of the authority value is generated with reference to outbound links associated with the first document. The outbound links enable access to a first subset of the plurality of documents. A second component of the authority value is generated with reference to a second subset of the plurality of documents. Each of the second subset of documents represents a potential starting point for a user session. A third component of the authority value is generated representing a likelihood that a user session initiated by any of a population of users will end with the first document. The first, second, and third components of the authority value are combined to generate the authority value. At least one of the first, second, and third components of the authority value is computed with reference to user data relating to at least some of the outbound links and the second subset of documents.
- Application 20070078832 – METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR USING SMART TAGS AND A RECOMMENDATION ENGINE USING SMART TAGS [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-06-19Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
The present invention relates to a system and method for recommending tags and/or content items in response to requests received from remote computing devices. In one aspect, a content item recommendation system comprises a database configured to store an identifier of a first content item, a first tag and information from which a tag density associated with the first tag and with the first content item may be derived. The tag density may be a measure of times a tag has been associated with a content item by any user of a plurality of users who are members of a community. The system also comprises a recommendation engine configured to receive search results containing the first tag from a search engine and to correlate the first tag with information stored in the database. The recommendation engine may be further configured to determine a recommended tag, based on a recommendation threshold and a tag density, the tag density associated with both the recommended tag and the first content item.
- Application 20070293321 – System and method for creating an affinity between persons and an online entity [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-06-16Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
A method and system associated with creating an affinity between persons and an online entity through a multi-team game. In one embodiment, the steps of the multi-team game involve at least in part some interaction between the players playing the game and the online entity, so as to engender an affinity between them. In another embodiment, the online entity is associated with online services and thus, affinity is engendered between these online services and the players.
- Application 20070293322 – System and method for use in a multi-team game [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-06-16Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
A method and system associated with playing a multi-team based game. In one embodiment, the multi-team game comprises multiple teams of players competing for the high score among a series of episodes each having a content release and associated responses. In one embodiment, team scoring is based on correct and incorrect responses, and a temporal factor, and player scoring is based on the player’s team scoring and team roster.
- Application 20070294203 – SEARCH EARLY WARNING [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-06-16Assignee: Yahoo!
Systems and methods for automatically delivering information to a user concerning the embedded code contained in a web page before the user downloads the web page are disclosed. A search engine, in addition to performing a standard subject matter word search requested by a user, searches each web page to be listed to the user as part of the search results for information indicating that there is embedded code in the web page. If it is determined that a web page contains embedded code, the search results graphical user interface is provided with additional information indicating to the user which web page in the results contains embedded code. The user may also be alerted if a web page contains embedded code known to be malicious and the order of the search results may be modified based on the embedded code information of the web pages in the results.
- Application 20080004937 – USER ACTIVITY RATING [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-06-15Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
An indication is generated of desirability of user’s activity relative to a website that includes a plurality of web pages. Indications of the user’s activity with respect to the plurality of web pages are processed. At least a portion of the indications are of user’s activity with respect to the website other than a conversion activity with respect to the website. Based on the processed indications, generating an overall indication of desirability of the user’s activity with respect to the web site. Theses steps may be repeated for a plurality of users. Each user’s activity may be categorized (not based on the determined overall indication of desirability), and a measure of the quality of the category determination may be determined using the determined overall indications of desirability. In one example, the categorization is a result of applying click fraud detection filter processing, and the determined overall indications of desirability can be used to determine a measure of the quality of the click fraud detection filter processing.
- Application 20070083558 – Media item registry and associated methods of registering a rights holder and a media item [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-06-14Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
A media item registry associated with media items, whether media item portions or composite media items portions and their associated rights holders. In one embodiment, a method of registering a rights holder. In another embodiment, a method of registering a media items. In one embodiment, the media item registry enables the appropriate payment to each rights holder associated with a media item through a media item payment system. In another embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a method for handling discrepancies among media items, rights holders, and their associated ids.
- Application 20070094139 – Media item payment system and associated method of use [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-06-14Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
A system and method of calculating payment associated with the use of a media item when a media item (whether it is a composite media item and/or media item portion) is purchased and/or used. In one embodiment, the system receives data indicating the use or purchase of a media item, references a media item database for a record associated with the media item, determines, from the record, whether the media item comprises one or more media item portions. Then, for each media item portion, the system determines the rights associated with the media item portion, the identity of a rights holder associated with said media item portion, and a price associated with said media item portion so as to calculate an appropriate payment to each identified rights holder.
- Application 20070219910 – Providing a limited use syndicated media to authorized users [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-06-09Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
A system and method for providing a limited use syndicated media item to authorized users. In one embodiment, a universal resource identifier that identifies the syndicated media item may be limited to a predetermined number of times it may be accessed by a particular user. In one embodiment, the limited use URL may or may not be associated with an already authorized media item. In another example, the URL may be limited to being accessed a predetermined number of times during a predetermined period of time, such as no more than three times a day. In a further example, the URL may be limited to a predetermined number of instances the URL may be accessed or distributed by a user. In one embodiment, once the predetermined threshold has been met, further attempts to access will result in the extent of access being affected.
- Application 20060277271 – PREFETCHING CONTENT BASED ON A MOBILE USER PROFILE [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-06-06Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A system and method are directed towards prefetching content for a mobile terminal based on characteristics of, and tracked usage of the mobile terminal to request content through an online portal service, which provides access to content in multiple subject areas. A mobile user profile is created from the characteristics and patterns of the tracked usage. The tracked usage information includes the time, location, frequency at which the content was requested. Based on the mobile user profile information, content similar to previously requested content is prefetched and cached in anticipation of the mobile terminal making a similar request. Prefetching may also occur based on a trigger event such as the mobile terminal returning to a location from which certain content was previously requested. Prefetching may further be based on a related general user profile that indicates usage of an alternate electronic device to access content through the portal.
- Application 20060277308 – PROVIDING RELEVANT NON- REQUESTED CONTENT TO A MOBILE DEVICE [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-06-06Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A system and method are directed towards providing non-requested content to a mobile terminal based on characteristics of, and tracked usage of the mobile terminal to request content through an online portal service, which provides access to content in multiple subject areas. A mobile user profile is created from the characteristics and patterns of the tracked usage. The tracked usage information includes the time, location, frequency at which the content was requested. Based on the mobile user profile information, content related to previously requested content is provided to the mobile terminal upon a trigger that is related to the requested content. The trigger event may include the mobile terminal returning to a location from which certain content was previously requested. The non-requested content may further be based on a related general user profile that indicates usage of an alternate electronic device to access content through the portal.
- Application 20070282954 – PROVIDING AN ACTIONABLE EVENT IN AN INTERCEPTED TEXT MESSAGE FOR A MOBILE DEVICE BASED ON CUSTOMIZED USER INFORMATION [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-06-06Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A network device, method, and apparatus are directed towards intercepting a message, such as an SMS, EMS, MMS message, email message, or the like, from a source device directed towards a mobile device. The intercepted message’s contents are analyzed. In addition, a mobile user profile is determined from characteristics of the mobile device and tracked usage of a mobile user of the mobile device. An actionable event may then be inserted into the intercepted message based, in part, on the analysis and the mobile user profile. The modified message is then provided to the mobile device, where the mobile user may select the actionable event to receive non-requested content.
- Application 20070283039 – MAIL APPLICATION WITH INTEGRATED TEXT MESSAGING FUNCTIONALITY [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-06-06Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A network device, method, and mobile device are directed towards enabling a user to compose a message using an email interface, and then to send the message to a recipient as a text message. The message is automatically converted into one or more SMS, EMS, MMS messages, or the like. In addition, any attachments in the message may be converted to a URL link the enables the recipient to access the attachment. When the user sends the text message, a copy of the message may be placed in the user’s email sent folder. If a response is received as a text message, it may be converted to an email message. In addition, the response message may be moved to the user’s email inbox folder. A notification of its receipt may also be provided to the user through the email interface.
- Application 20070280209 – COMBINING SELECTED AUDIO DATA WITH A VOIP STREAM FOR COMMUNICATION OVER A NETWORK [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-06-02Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A system, method, and apparatus are directed towards combining playable data with other playable data and/or a Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP) stream for communication over a network. A sender may select audio data through a customized user interface. The audio data may be converted to playable data. The playable data may be combined with the other playable data and/or the VOIP stream to generate a combined VOIP stream, for example, by utilizing digital audio mixing, or the like. The combined VOIP stream may be communicated over the network, to the at least one receiver. The at least one receiver of the VOIP stream may play the combined VOIP stream, thereby, enabling both the playable data and an original VOIP data to be played. Alternately, the sender may select to communicate the audio data out-of-band of the VOIP stream to the at least one receiver.
- Application 20070282676 – AUTOMATED RESPONDER TARGETING [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-05-31Assignee: YAHOO! Inc.
Presentation of media of a particular campaign via a network, to which a plurality of client computers are connectable, is managed. The particular campaign is to present media of the campaign to the client computers for response evocation. An event is received indicating that media of the campaign is to be provided to a particular client computer via the network. Indications of responses to primary media of the campaign are processed and, based thereon and in response to receiving the event indicating that media of the campaign is to be provided to the particular client computer, one of primary media of the campaign and secondary media of the campaign is selected to provide to the particular client computer via the network. The indications of responses are automatically maintained based at least in part on whether the particular client computer responds to the primary media of the campaign.
- Application 20070282785 – Keyword set and target audience profile generalization techniques [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-05-31Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
A variety of techniques are described by which keyword sets and target audience profiles may be generalized in a systematic and effective way with reference to relationships between keywords, profiles, and the data of an underlying user population.
- Application 20070276826 – AGGREGATION OF AFFINITY LISTS [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-05-26Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
A method is provided to aggregate a plurality of affinity lists to generate a single aggregated affinity list representing predicted affinities of a particular item, to other items, under a plurality of conditions. Each of the plurality of affinity lists represents an affinity of the particular item, to other items, under a subset of the plurality of conditions that is less than all of the plurality of conditions. For each of the affinity lists, a sub-list is determined corresponding to that affinity list by determining a subset of the entries of that affinity list based on the indicated affinity, and the indicated lifts of the entries of that affinity list. For each entry of the sub-list, a normalization indication is determined for that entry. Based on the determined normalization indications, the single aggregated affinity list is generated. Each entry of the single aggregated affinity list indicates a unique one of the other items as indicated by entries in one or more of the sub-lists.
- Application 20070273909 – Method and system for providing job listing affinity utilizing jobseeker selection patterns [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-05-25Assignee: YAHOO! Inc.
A method and system of establishing affinity of job listings is disclosed. A first job listing for which a jobseeker has applied is determined. The first job listing has a first job attribute. A second job listing for which the jobseeker has applied is also determined. The second job listing has a second job attribute. A first job attribute value and a second job attribute value are compared to determine a similarity score that represents a similarity between the first job attribute and the second job attribute. The first job listing and the second job listing are affiliated if the similarity score is higher than a predefined threshold level.
- Application 20070288308 – Method and system for providing job listing affinity [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-05-25Assignee: Yahoo Inc.
A method and system of establishing affinity of two job listings is disclosed. A first job listing is identified. The first job listing has a first job listing attribute. A second job listing is identified. The second job listing has a second job listing attribute. A first job listing attribute value and a second job listing attribute value are compared to determine if the first job listing attribute and the second job listing attribute are similar according to a predefined set of rules. The first job listing and the second job listing are affiliated if the first job listing attribute and the second job listing attribute are determined to be similar.
- Application 20070271109 – Method and system for providing job listing monitoring [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-05-19Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
A method and system of providing monitoring of a job listing is disclosed. A request to post a job listing is received from a recruiter. An indication of interest in employment for a job represented by the job listing is received form a jobseeker. A determination is made as to whether the job listing is being monitored. The jobseeker information is placed in a monitored folder if the job listing is determined to be monitored. The monitored folder is a data folder that is accessible to the recruiter. Furthermore, the jobseeker information is placed in a non-monitored folder if the job is not to be monitored.
- Application 20070271270 – System and method for selecting object metadata evolving over time [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-05-19Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
An improved system and method for selecting and visualizing object metadata evolving over time is provided. An application may generate a visualization depicting the temporal evolution of metadata describing objects in an object store over a plurality of time intervals. The application may switch between a visualization of object metadata flowing like a river or cascading like a waterfall over time. A ranked list of metadata items may be determined for some pre-selected intervals during a pre-processing step. Then at runtime when a request may be received for providing a ranked list of metadata items for a query interval, a combination of time intervals from the pre-selected time intervals may be determined that cover the query time interval, and the ranked lists of metadata items for each time interval in the combination of time intervals that cover the query time interval may be aggregated and output for visualization.
- Application 20070283290 – System and method for visualizing the temporal evolution of object metadata [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-05-19Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
An improved system and method for selecting and visualizing object metadata evolving over time is provided. An application may generate a visualization depicting the temporal evolution of metadata describing objects in an object store over a plurality of time intervals. The application may switch between a visualization of object metadata flowing like a river or cascading like a waterfall over time. A ranked list of metadata items may be determined for some pre-selected intervals during a pre-processing step. Then at runtime when a request may be received for providing a ranked list of metadata items for a query interval, a combination of time intervals from the pre-selected time intervals may be determined that cover the query time interval, and the ranked lists of metadata items for each time interval in the combination of time intervals that cover the query time interval may be aggregated and output for visualization.
- Application 20070271370 – CONTROLLED STUDY OF SPONSORED SEARCH [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-05-18Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
A computer system is operated to study effects on users of an advertisement under study. Actions by the users result in displaying information correspond to the actions of the users and of advertisements corresponding to the actions by the user and/or to the displayed information. In response to a display event resulting from action by a particular user, corresponding to the advertisement under study, the information corresponding to that action is caused to be displayed to that particular user. The advertisement under study is selectively caused to be displayed to that particular user in association with the information corresponding to that action, based on information that is substantially independent of that action and of the particular user. Later, indications relative to the subject matter of the advertisement under study are elicited from that particular user. The elicited indications for the plurality of particular users are processed to analyze the effect, collectively, of the advertisement under study.
- Application 20060265472 – Systems and methods for providing short message service features and user interfaces therefor in network browsing applications [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-05-17Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A method of transferring content between a plurality of devices, one embodiment of the method comprising opening a network browsing application on a first device; identifying content to be transferred to at least one second device; causing a content transfer user interface to be opened on the first device; identifying the at least one second device; and, causing the identified content to be transferred to the at least one identified second device.
- Application 20060265481 – Systems and methods for providing features and user interfaces therefor in network browsing applications [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-05-17Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A method and user interfaces for permitting a user to define and edit a set of web sites to be loaded when a network browsing application is loaded. This allows the user to easily keep track of the latest changes to one or more of the user’s favorite web sites, to track the status of corporate information, or the like. The set of web sites can be individually controlled, or an administrator or other entity may specify at least a subset of the set of web sites to be loaded.
- Application 20070157106 – Multiple sidebar module open states [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-05-15Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Typical sidebars comprise a plurality of application modules stacked in a vertical column. Thus, each application module has a limited amount of space to display useful information to the user. In one embodiment, the application module of a sidebar can exist in one of a plurality of display states comprising, a closed state, which displays a title and a button to change states, a full open state, which displays a complete list of information associated with the application module and a preferred open state, which displays a subset of the information associated with the application module. The subset of information is selected based on instruction that can be predefined by a sidebar user and/or a sidebar provider.
- Application 20070157107 – Sidebar information sharing [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-05-15Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
The Internet comprises a wealth of information that is regularly shared amongst its users. In one embodiment, information sharing buttons are provided to a user at the bottom of a slidesheet of a sidebar. Thus, if the user sees information that they are interested in, they can easily share the information with another Internet user. In one embodiment, a plurality of information sharing buttons are displayed in a slidesheet, so that the user can choose from more than one communication application to share the information.
- Application 20070157108 – Community information updates in a sidebar [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-05-15Assignee: Yahoo! Inc
Members of Internet community websites, such as for example, social networking sites, photo sharing sites, review site, and other community sites, regularly make updates to the websites. Therefore a member of those sites is constantly checking those sites for new updates. In one embodiment, an application module of a sidebar provides an indicator, such as, for example, a new item in the application module, to the sidebar user when an update is made to a community website by another member of the site.
- Application 20070157119 – Sidebar photos [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-05-15Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A sidebar can be used to display images stored on a local computer and/or retrived from the Internet. In one embodiment, a slidesheet of a photo application module of a sidebar provides a sidebar user with a search field, so that the user can search an Internet photo sharing website for photos to display in their sidebar. If the user likes the results of the search, the user can select a subscription button to add the photos to their list of photos displayed in the sidebar.
- Application 20060258416 – ANALYZER FOR DATA RELATING TO NETWORKED GAMES [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-05-12Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A data warehouse is employed for collecting, multidimensionally analyzing, and publishing statistics and other information relating to a plurality of independent networked games and participants in such games. Data to be added to the data warehouse may be obtained periodically by way of a games monitor. Analyzed data may be used in generating profiles of users and groups of users. Information on game users and groups of users may be employed to provide intelligent matchmaking based on user ability measurements.
- Application 20060258417 – MAPPING ONLINE SERVICE USER ID TO PORTAL USER ID [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-05-12Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A system and method are directed towards mapping a first user ID, such as an alias game ID, which may be used by multiple users, to a second user ID, such as a portal messenger ID. A user registers with an intermediary service, such as a game data aggregation service, and provides both the first user ID and the second user ID. The aggregation service detects when the first user ID is being used by one or more users in a first service, such as an online game service. The aggregation service also detects when a client probe reports to a second service, such as a portal messenger service, that the second user ID is participating in the same service. The aggregation service determines whether one instance of the first user ID from the first service corresponds to the second user ID from the second service.
- Application 20060258460 – ENABLING RENT/BUY REDIRECTION IN INVITATION TO AN ONLINE SERVICE [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-05-12Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A system and method are directed towards enabling a user to access a client service such as a client game program that interacts with an online service such as a multiplayer game. A client probe detects execution of the client service on a first client device, and sends an instant message with address information to a second client device. A messaging service on the second client device, displays a presence of the first client and provides a selectable button to initiate the client service. If not already installed, the messaging service requests the client service from a remote online service such as a portal that may be independent from the online game service. The remote online service may provide options to freely try, rent, or buy the client service. The second client device downloads the client service and uses the address to connect to the same online multiplayer game.
- Application 20060258461 – DETECTING INTERACTION WITH AN ONLINE SERVICE [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-05-12Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A system and method are directed towards detecting that a client is participating in an online service such as an online multiplayer game. A client probe module monitors an operating system process list to detect an executable file name, indicating that a client program is executing. The client probe evaluates client program communication to determine whether the communication is consistently directed to the same online service and meets a predefined communication rate threshold. The executable file name and communication rate threshold are provided before the client probe begins monitoring the process list. Meeting the threshold may cause the client program to instruct a client messaging module to send a message to contacts associated with the client through an independent portal service. The contacts may not be registered members of the online service, but the message may include information that enables the contacts to communicate with the same online service.
- Application 20060259623 – PROXY FOR ENABLING COMMUNICATION BETWEEN MOBILE DEVICE AND GAME SERVICE [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-05-12Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A system and method are directed towards managing communication with an online service on behalf of a device that may have intermittent communication. A proxy server provides a reliable communication session with the online service, such as a game service, and relays information between the online service and an intermittent communication device, such as a mobile terminal. The proxy server stores messages and/or other information from the online service while the intermittent communication device is not communicating with the proxy server. The proxy server may manage the communication upon request from the intermittent communication device, the online service, or from another source such as a portal with which the intermittent communication device communicates. The proxy server uses a table of unique identifiers to map messages between multiple intermittent communication devices and one or more online services. Proxy communication may terminate after a command or an elapsed time of interrupted communication.
- Application 20060259632 – REDIRECTION AND INVITATION FOR ACCESSING AN ONLINE SERVICE [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-05-12Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A system and method are directed towards enabling a user to access an online service such as an online multiplayer game. The online service notifies a message service, such as a portal service, that a first client is interacting with the online service. The message may include a network address to which the first client is connected, or the network address may be obtained separately. The message may also identify a second client, which the first client wishes to invite to participate in the online service. The second client can also be identified by the message service with a contact list. The message service may determine a current presence of the second client to determine a device and format currently being used by the second client. The message service provides the second client with a link to the network address and/or a redirection link to the online service.
- Application 20070186178 – Method and system for presenting photos on a website [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-05-10Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Method and system for presenting photos on a website are disclosed. The method includes selecting one or more thumbnail images in a browser window on a website in response to a select command from a user, dragging the one or more thumbnail images to a drop target in response to a drag command from the user, displaying the one or more thumbnail images in transit to the drop target as collapsible thumbnail images, and dropping the collapsible thumbnail images to the drop target in response to a drop command from the user.
- Application 20070186189 – Persistent photo tray [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-05-10Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Method and system for maintaining a persistent photo tray on a website are disclosed. The method includes displaying a photo tray in a browser window for storing one or more thumbnail images, maintaining a unique identifier for each of the one or more thumbnail images, tracking the unique identifier of each thumbnail image using a corresponding cookie, monitoring the one or more thumbnail images in the photo tray, and updating the corresponding cookie in response to changes to the thumbnail images in the photo tray.
- Patent 7483886 – Search engine account monitoring [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-05-09Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)A system and method of generating an ordered search list via a search engine by determining various account balances to determine where a search listing will appear, if at all, in a search results list. If a web site advertiser’s account is below a threshold, the search listing associated with the advertiser will not appear in the search list. Various balances may be used. Some of the balances may be closer to real-time balances and others may be more accurate, for example by removing certain event charges that were later determined to be non-chargeable. By using and monitoring the various account balances, the search engine prevents over-delivery of advertising through search result listings and possible over-billing of the advertisers.
- Application 20070077921 – Pushing podcasts to mobile devices [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-05-03Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
The present invention relates to a system and method for pushing podcasts to mobile devices, such as cellular phones, from a remote subscription management system. A subscription management system is described that is adapted to retrieve episodes from one or more remote computing devices and transmit retrieved episodes to a mobile device over a wireless network. The transmissions are made via a telephone number associated with the mobile device. The system includes a datastore, in communication with the server, containing at least one telephone number of a mobile device associated with a user and at least one podcast subscription associated with the user. The podcast lists episodes that are located on one or more of the remote computing devices. When a search module identifies a new episode, the system retrieves the new episode and transmits it to the mobile device using the telephone number to address the transmission.
- Application 20070255755 – Video search engine using joint categorization of video clips and queries based on multiple modalities [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-05-01Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A method comprises generating a first classification model, e.g., metadata-based, for determining whether a video belongs to a category; generating a second classification model, e.g., content-based, for determining whether the video belongs to a category, the first classification model and second classification model being based on different modalities; and generating a fusion model that blends the categorization results of the models. Each classification model may classify the video to multiple categories. During operation, a method obtains a video; uses the first classification model, the second classification model and the fusion model to determine whether the video belongs to a category; and indexes the video in a video index. The method may enable selection of a category corresponding to the video search results. The category may be identified based on a query profile, which may be learned from users’ query logs or popular queries and click history.
- Application 20070255684 – System and method using flat clustering for evolutionary clustering of sequential data sets [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-04-29Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
An improved system and method for evolutionary clustering of sequential data sets is provided. A snapshot cost may be determined for representing the data set for a particular clustering method used and may determine the cost of clustering the data set independently of a series of clusterings of the data sets in the sequence. A history cost may also be determined for measuring the distance between corresponding clusters of the data set and the previous data set in the sequence of data sets to determine a cost of clustering the data set as part of a series of clusterings of the data sets in the sequence. An overall cost may be determined for clustering the data set by minimizing the combination of the snapshot cost and the history cost. Any clustering method may be used, including flat clustering and hierarchical clustering.
- Application 20070255736 – System and method using hierachical clustering for evolutionary clustering of sequential data sets [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-04-29Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
An improved system and method for evolutionary clustering of sequential data sets is provided. A snapshot cost may be determined for representing the data set for a particular clustering method used and may determine the cost of clustering the data set independently of a series of clusterings of the data sets in the sequence. A history cost may also be determined for measuring the distance between corresponding clusters of the data set and the previous data set in the sequence of data sets to determine a cost of clustering the data set as part of a series of clusterings of the data sets in the sequence. An overall cost may be determined for clustering the data set by minimizing the combination of the snapshot cost and the history cost. Any clustering method may be used, including flat clustering and hierarchical clustering.
- Application 20070255737 – System and method for evolutionary clustering of sequential data sets [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-04-29Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
An improved system and method for evolutionary clustering of sequential data sets is provided. A snapshot cost may be determined for representing the data set for a particular clustering method used and may determine the cost of clustering the data set independently of a series of clusterings of the data sets in the sequence. A history cost may also be determined for measuring the distance between corresponding clusters of the data set and the previous data set in the sequence of data sets to determine a cost of clustering the data set as part of a series of clusterings of the data sets in the sequence. An overall cost may be determined for clustering the data set by minimizing the combination of the snapshot cost and the history cost. Any clustering method may be used, including flat clustering and hierarchical clustering.
- Application 20070255785 – MULTIMEDIA SHARING IN SOCIAL NETWORKS FOR MOBILE DEVICES [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-04-28Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A mobile device, system, and method are directed towards sharing multimedia information on a mobile device based at least in part on vitality information and other social networking information. Multimedia information may be received and/or synchronized on the mobile device based on a relationship between vitality information of members of a social network. The relationship may comprise a common membership in a group, a common multimedia usage behavior, a geographical proximity of members of the social network, a degree of separation of members of the social network, a common search behavior, or the like. Multimedia information captured on the mobile device may be manually and/or automatically annotated and shared with members of the social network. The multimedia information may be displayed in an integrated live view in conjunction with other social networking information.
- Application 20070255807 – SOCIAL NETWORKING FOR MOBILE DEVICES [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-04-28Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A mobile device, system, and method are directed towards enabling an integrated display of live views. The integrated live views are generated by employing social networking information, including moods of a person, avatars, status of a member’s activities including whether they are in an IM session, or the like. Integrated live views may include a live contact list, a group view, a friend view, an activity oriented view, a list of content, or the like, based on the mobile user’s social networking information. By providing the mobile user with integrated live views of their social network, the mobile user may be able communicate with other members within the mobile social networking context, to obtain, and respond to invites from a social network member, provide opportunities for activities to other members, to grow their social network, and to consume content that is displayed relative to their social network.
- Application 20070255831 – CONTEXTUAL MOBILE LOCAL SEARCH BASED ON SOCIAL NETWORK VITALITY INFORMATION [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-04-28Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A system, apparatus, and method are directed to managing contextual based mobile searches. A context oriented user interface interprets inputs from a mobile user based on vitality information. In one embodiment, the input may be interpreted as a request to perform a context-based search over a network using at least some of the vitality information. Vitality information may include a location of the mobile device, a time of day, an event, information from the mobile user’s calendar, past behavior of the mobile user, weather, social networking data, aggregate behaviors, or even information about proximity of a social contact. By employing vitality information to perform a mobile search, better search results and a richer user experience may be provided that includes a sense of community, a sense of presence (e.g., a sense of “here-ness.”). In one embodiment, the mobile user may provide comments to others regarding the search results.
- Application 20070250513 – File caching [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-04-24Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A system and method for publishing a file on a network is disclosed. A caching service is disclosed that reduces the load on the publisher’s server by publishing that the file is at a fictitious network location. Requests directed to the fictitious location are received by the caching service and the fictitious network location is parsed to determine what file is being requested. If the caching service already has a copy of the file, then the copy is transmitted to the requestor without alerting to the requester that the address is fictitious. If the caching service does not have a copy of the file, then a copy is automatically obtained based on information contained in the fictitious network location.
- Application 20070250511 – Method and system for entering search queries [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-04-21Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Method and apparatus for entering search queries are disclosed. The method includes presenting a web page, wherein the web page includes at least a story and a thumbnail image associated with the story, dragging the thumbnail image to a search box on the web page, releasing the thumbnail image to the search box, and populating the search box with keywords associated with the thumbnail image.
- Application 20060274869 – Dynamically generating content based on capabilities of a mobile device [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-04-19Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A system, apparatus, and method is directed to dynamically generating content on the fly based on at least one characteristic of a computing device requesting the content, including a characteristic of a network connection. The invention may receive information from a variety of sources, including a manufacturer of the computing device, a header sent by the computing device, and specific test results performed on computing devices similar to the requesting computing device. The information may include screen size, screen resolution, memory size, browser capabilities, applications supported, and so forth. The network connection information may include bandwidth, delays, degradation, connection type, and so forth. The information may be combined to determine an overall device profile. When a request for content is made, the server may employ the device profile to dynamically format the content and provide it optimized for the computing device.
- Application 20070243917 – Player roster selection interface [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-04-18Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A player roster interface is described. In one example, player roster interface logic includes display logic operable to display a playing region (which may include a graphical representation of a playing field associated with a sport) and player logic operable to display a plurality of players, wherein at least a portion of the players may be displayed within the playing region. The interface logic further includes selection logic operable to determine a player roster based on the position of the players relative to the playing region. Such an interface may allow a user to select and view a player roster (e.g., for a fantasy sports team) by positioning players within the playing region.
- Application 20070245020 – Publishing scheduler for online content feeds [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-04-18Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
The present invention relates to a system and method for publishing files online via feeds. In one aspect, the present invention includes a method and system for allowing web site operators to cause files to be published automatically based on directive information provided by a user. In one example, the present invention may include a computer-implemented method of providing access over time to a plurality of files via a feed.
- Application 20070244739 – Techniques for measuring user engagement [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-04-13Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
Methods and apparatus are described for measuring engagement of a plurality of users with a product. User engagement data are generated representative of interaction with the product by the plurality of users. The user engagement data correspond to a plurality of user engagement variables. A user engagement score is generated for each of the plurality of users. Each user engagement score includes contributions corresponding to at least two of the user engagement variables for the corresponding user. Each contribution is weighted in accordance with at least one correlation among the plurality of user engagement variables.
- Application 20070239831 – Interface for editing, binding, and displaying an annotation for a message [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-04-06Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Methods and systems are directed toward associating, displaying, and managing notes or other annotations with emails, instant messages, or other messages. A user interface provides a listing of message headers. Selecting an annotation area associated with a message header causes an editor to open, and allows a user to enter an annotation, such as a text note, a URL, and/or other data. An annotation fragment, such as a snippet of text, is generated from the annotation and associated with the annotation and message. The annotation, the annotation fragment, an icon or another representation remains perceptibly associated with the corresponding message header whenever the message header is moved in the user interface. Placing a cursor over, or selecting the annotation representation causes the full annotation to be accessed and displayed. Clicking on, or otherwise selecting the annotation representation opens the editor to revise the full annotation.
- Application 20070233814 – System and method for interacting with data using visual surrogates [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-03-31Assignee: Yahoo!, Inc.
The present invention relates to systems and methods for facilitating the interaction with data using interactive data structures. The method of the present invention comprises generating one or more objects associated with one or more items of content. The one or more objects are combined to form an interactive data structure. The content associated with the one or more objects and the interactive data structure are delivered to a client device. One or more modifications may be made to the one or more objects comprising the interactive data structure. The one or more modifications made to the one or more objects comprising the interactive data structure may be propagated to the content associated with the one or more objects.
- Application 20070239642 – Large scale semi-supervised linear support vector machines [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-03-31Assignee: Yahoo!, Inc.
A computerized system and method for large scale semi-supervised learning is provided. The training set comprises a mix of labeled and unlabeled examples. Linear classifiers based on support vector machine principles are built using these examples. One embodiment uses a fast design of a linear transductive support vector machine using multiple switching. In another embodiment, mean field annealing is used to form a very effective semi-supervised support vector machine. For both these embodiments, the finite Newton method is used as the base method for achieving fast training
- Application 20060230061 – Displaying aggregated new content by selected other user based on their authorization level [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-03-29Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Enabling a content publisher and a receiving user to control access to content updates based on user relationships. The content publisher and the receiving user may assign a relationship degree, relationship category, and/or relationship rating to each other and to other users. The content publisher and/or receiving user also specify a required relationship that is needed to access or accept a content update. The content publisher and receiving user may further specify acceptable types of content updates, such as blog entries, product reviews, photos, and the like that are accessible or acceptable. Upon logon or other event, a summary of content updates is provided to each receiving user that meets each content publisher’s required relationship, and the content updates are delivered according to a selected delivery method from those content publishers that meet the relationship requirements of the receiving users. Delivery includes email, instant message, RSS feeds, and the like.
- Application 20070233850 – User status control for a messaging interface [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-03-29Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
Methods and apparatus are described for controlling an online status of a user in a network. A messaging interface is provided with which the user may initiate communication with other users in the network. The messaging interface includes first status information representing the online status of the user. The messaging interface further includes a status control element which is visible in the messaging interface without requiring action by the user. Second status information representing the online status of the user is provided to selected ones of the other users. In response to selection of the status control element, the first and second status information are updated to represent a corresponding change of the online status of the user. The selection of the status control element requires only a single selection action by the user.
- Application 20070234226 – Smart drag-and-drop [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-03-29Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
Methods and apparatus are described for manipulating objects in a user interface. The user interface includes a first interface object operable to be selected and moved within the user interface. In response to selection and movement of the first interface object in the user interface, at least one additional interface object is presented in the user interface in proximity of the first interface object. Each additional interface object represents a drop target with which the first interface object may be associated.
- Application 20070226207 – System and method for clustering content items from content feeds [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-03-27Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
An improved system and method for clustering text or content described by text is provided. Each text in a set of texts may be represented as a dimensional vector of words. Singleton texts that may not be similar to another text may be excluded from the set of texts for clustering. Texts identified as good nearest neighbors may then be grouped in the same cluster. In addition, metadata describing content may be used for clustering items of aggregated content from content feeds. Metadata describing items of content from content feeds may be converted into a set of texts and texts identified as good nearest neighbors may then be clustered. Items of content feeds described by the clustered texts may then be similarly clustered. Any types of items of content that may be described by text may be clustered, including audio, images, video, multimedia content, and so forth.
- Application 20070244874 – System and method for good nearest neighbor clustering of text [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-03-27Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
An improved system and method for clustering text or content described by text is provided. Each text in a set of texts may be represented as a dimensional vector of words. Singleton texts that may not be similar to another text may be excluded from the set of texts for clustering. Texts identified as good nearest neighbors may then be grouped in the same cluster. In addition, metadata describing content may be used for clustering items of aggregated content from content feeds. Metadata describing items of content from content feeds may be converted into a set of texts and texts identified as good nearest neighbors may then be clustered. Items of content feeds described by the clustered texts may then be similarly clustered. Any types of items of content that may be described by text may be clustered, including audio, images, video, multimedia content, and so forth.
- Application 20070220048 – Limited and combined podcast subscriptions [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-03-20Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
The present invention relates to a computerized system and method for managing subscriptions to podcasts or other feeds so that the user obtains only selected episodes from only selected podcasts. In the system, a user selects one or more podcast feeds from those available and further selects one or more filter criteria. Then, as new episodes are added to the selected podcast feeds, the system compares the new episodes against the filter criteria. Episodes conforming to the filter criteria are then presented to the user while the user is not alerted to episodes that do not conform to the filter criteria. The system may create a derivative feed on a local or remote computing system to which is copied only the episode identification information that conforms to the filter criteria. The system can then have the user’s device subscribe to derivative feed, thus requiring no change of the user’s podcasting software.
- Application 20060206517 – System and method for listing administration [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-03-11Assignee: YAHOO! Inc.
A system and method of providing listing data administration to a lister user is disclosed. The listing data is posted on a web search bank hosted by a listing administration provider. Furthermore, the listing data is posted with an assigned hyperlink that references a lister user website hosted by a lister user web server. A selection token is transmitted to the lister web server when an end user selects the assigned hyperlink. An action token is received from the lister web server. The action token can include end user activity data that represents actions performed by the end user at the lister website.
- Application 20060206584 – System and method for listing data acquisition [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-03-11Assignee: YAHOO! Inc.
A method and system of data acquisition by a listing service provider is disclosed. A network address is received from a client computer that is operated by a lister. The network address can be indicative of a location of listing data on a computer network. The listing data comprises at least one information item provided by the lister. The network address received from the lister is accessed by opening a computer network connection to retrieve the listing data. The lister makes available the listing data for retrieval so that the listing data can be posted in a search bank hosted by the listing service provider. The listing data is retrieved from the network address using the computer network connection by copying the listing data onto a listing data database.
- Patent 7251578 – Method and system of measuring data quality [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-03-10Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)Data quality measurement is provided for use in a data processing stream, which comprises at least one upstream data processing system and at least one downstream data processing system. An input alert component can be used to provide a measurement of data prior to its input to a data processing system (e.g., a downstream data processing system or an upstream data processing system). An output alert component can be used to provide a measurement on data output by a data processing system. A self-consistency component can be used to measure consistency between items of input, or output data. An end-to-end component can be used to measure data quality using data items from both input data and output data. These components can be used in some combination, or independent of the other, and in any order. In addition, the data quality measurements can be performed separate from that processing performed by either the upstream or downstream processing system.
- Patent 7464293 – System and method for automated recovery after an error in a batch processing system caused by malformatted or unsupported data [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-03-10Assignee: YAHOO! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)A system and method for automated recovery of processing of a unit of work during an error in a batch processing system is disclosed. Generally, at least a portion of a unit of work and instructions of operations to perform to process the portion of the unit of work is sent to a worker data structure. A periodic heartbeat is received from the worker data structure indicating the worker data structure is processing the at least a portion of the unit of work. If an unexpected termination of the worker data structure is detected, a signal is sent to a crash handler data structure instructing the crash handler data structure to detect and store a current input location of the at a portion of the unit of work. The records from the current location at the crash are skipped during reprocessing of the unit of work to increase the chances of success during reprocessing.
- Application 20070214222 – Activating automatic messaging session [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-03-09Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Methods and systems are directed toward enabling a user of a target device, such as a mobile device, to register for automatic initiation of a messaging service on the target device. A target device user interface, such as a login user interface, provides a selectable activation element for the user to indicate that future messaging sessions with the target device should be established automatically. An activation indicator and target identifier are associated with a user identifier and stored in a messaging system data store. When the user ceases use of a messaging session on another device, such as a general purpose computing device, the messaging system uses the user identifier and target identifier to automatically establish a corresponding messaging session on the target device. The user of the target device may then hold a messaging session with an existing third party device or with a different third party device.
- Application 20070219908 – Providing syndicated media to authorized users [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-03-02Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
System and method for providing a syndicated media item to authorized users. In one embodiment authorization can be granted through payment, in exchange for watching advertisements and/or as part of another Internet service. A syndication feed comprising a link to an authorization server instead of a direct link to the media item is displayed to a syndication subscriber. Selecting the link, sends a message to the authorization server comprising a subscriber’s ID and a media item ID. The authorization server uses the IDs to determine if the subscriber is authorized to receive the media item. If the subscriber is authorized the authorization server sends a token to the subscriber, which can be used to access the media item. If not, the subscriber is given instruction on how to obtain the media item.
- Application 20060195516 – Method and system for generating affinity based playlists [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-02-28Assignee: YAHOO! Inc.
A system and method of generating a playlist of affinity related media files using affinity relationship data. In one aspect the relationship affinity data is based upon a user rating score obtained from a population of user’s ratings associated with media file attributes. In one aspect, a media file attribute which can include an artist, album, title, and genre information associated with a media file is received from a user, indicating the user’s desire to create an affinity playlist of media files having an affinity relationship based upon the selected media file attribute.
- Application 20070186182 – Progressive loading [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-02-28Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A system and method for dynamic loading of data elements included in a page are disclosed herein. The data elements to be positioned within a portion of the page currently viewable in a browser window are loaded. The data elements to be positioned outside of the portion of the page currently viewable at the browser window are not loaded. Changes to the viewable portion of the page are monitored to load additional data elements on an as-needed basis.
- Application 20060195515 – System and method for rating media [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-02-27Assignee: YAHOO! Inc.
A method and system for leveraging user media file rating data. In one aspect, the system comprises a component in communication with a plurality of media file related services, a rating storage, and a component for making the user rating data available to be used by plural services so that each respective service can use the rating data to tailor a user experience during interaction by the particular user with the respective service. In one aspect, the user preference rating is received from any of the media file related services. In one aspect the user preference rating information and the associated media file information are associated with a particular user regardless of the respective media file related service the preference rating was received from.
- Application 20060195790 – Method and system for exploring similarities [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-02-27Assignee: YAHOO! Inc.
A method and computer readable medium for exploring similar users and items of a media service. In one aspect, a user can explore for similar users iteratively. In one aspect, a user interface is generated that displays a user selectable indicia representing a similar member function for allowing a user to search a media service for at least one other user which has a degree of similarity with respect to the searching user. In another aspect, a method facilitates the search of such a similar user within a media service.
- Application 20060136843 – Method of controlling an Internet browser interface and a controllable browser interface [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-02-24Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
The present invention is directed to a method of dynamically controlling and displaying an Internet browser interface, and to a dynamically controllable Internet browser interface. In accordance with the present invention, a browser interface may be customized using a controlling software program that may be provided by an Internet content provider, an ISP, or that may reside on an Internet user’s computer. The controlling software program enables the Internet user, the content provider, or the ISP to customize and control the information and/or functionality of a user’s browser and browser interface.
- Application 20060195462 – System and method for enhanced media distribution [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-02-24Assignee: YAHOO! Inc.
A method and a computer readable medium for searching for media items from a network of users using a media management application and an instant messenger platform and a system for handling searches such searches. In one aspect, the method comprises receiving from a user having a group of messenger friends, a search request for a media item, identifying other users of the instant messaging service to form a list of candidate users, searching media items associated with each candidate user to develop a search result that fulfills the search request, and returning to the searching user the search result comprising information identifying which candidate user is associated with a media item source that can act as a source of a media item identified in the search result.
- Application 20060195512 – System and method for playlist management and distribution [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-02-24Assignee: YAHOO! Inc.
A system and method for storing a playlist of media files that is accessible from various locations in a network. In one aspect, the playlist is accessible from multiple users of the network. A method is also described for arranging the media files of a playlist. In one aspect, the method for arranging the media files is based in part on implicit and/or explicit user behavior.
- Application 20060195513 – System and method for networked media access [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-02-24Assignee: YAHOO! Inc.
A method, system, and media management application for providing a user access to a media file from multiple locations on a network. In one aspect, a user communicates a desire to access a media file at a future time and is able to access the bookmarked media file from various locations on a network at any future time. In one aspect, the media file is available from multiple locations on the network and in different media formats.
- Application 20060195514 – Media management system and method [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-02-24Assignee: YAHOO! Inc.
A media management system for managing a user’s media files and information related to such media files and a method of the same. In one aspect, the system and method are operable on a user’s computing device. In one aspect, the system comprises a storage management component, a server communication component, a media player component, an instant messaging component, and a media engine component. In one aspect, the method allows a user to browse and/or exchange media files with other users via a network using an instant messaging component.
- Application 20060195789 – Media engine user interface [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-02-24Assignee: YAHOO! Inc.
A user interface and associated computer readable medium for a user interface within a media management application. In one aspect, the user interface comprises a plurality of panes displaying a list of one or more media file sources, a list of user selectable media file identifiers, selected information associated with the listed media file identifiers, instructional information as to how a user can cause one of the panes to display selected information associated with the listed media file identifiers and a media player control interface. In one aspect, the user interface comprises panes displaying an instant messaging platform as a media file source and a list of indicia representing messaging users that a user communicates with. In another aspect, selecting the indicia representing a messaging user can cause a pane to display information associated with media files found in a media library of the selected messaging user.
- Patent 7450003 – User-defined private maps [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-02-24Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)A method, device, and system for presenting one or more user-defined private maps with a public map for sharing among a group of users are disclosed. The device includes a processor for executing computer programs, a memory for storing data, an input module for entering user commands, a communication module for transmitting and receiving data, and a display for showing information on a screen. The device further includes logic for importing a public map representing a publicly available mapping of an area or a location, logic for creating one or more user-defined private maps, logic for linking the one or more user-defined private maps to the public map through a set of corresponding map icons, and logic for displaying the public map and the one or more user-defined private maps.
- Application 20070079321 – Picture tagging [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-02-17Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A system and method for tagging discrete locations and/or sections within a pre-existing media file with images without modifying the media file are disclosed. The system includes a rendering device that receives user tag selections and creates information that can be used when rendering the media file in the future. When a tagged media file is rendered by a device capable of interpreting the information, the images are concurrently displayed on the interface of the rendering device. The discrete locations and/or sections can be associated with one or more user-selected image files. In an embodiment, the system and method can be performed without modifying the media file itself and thus no derivative work is created.
- Application 20060242139 – Interestingness ranking of media objects [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-02-08Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Media objects, such as images or soundtracks, may be ranked according to a new class of metrics known as “interestingness.” These rankings may be based at least in part on the quantity of user-entered metadata concerning the media object, the number of users who have assigned metadata to the media object, access patterns related to the media object, and/or a lapse of time related to the media object.
- Application 20060242178 – Media object metadata association and ranking [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-02-08Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Metadata may be associated with media objects by providing media objects for display, and accepting input concerning the media objects, where the input may include at least two different types of metadata. For example, metadata may be in the form of tags, comments, annotations or favorites. The media objects may be searched according to metadata, and ranked in a variety of ways.
- Application 20070185884 – Aggregating and presenting information on the web [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-02-07Assignee: YAHOO! Inc.
Methods and apparatus are described for aggregating and presenting information in a network. A plurality of information sources relating to a category of subject matter are identified. Each information sources represents content from an associated site on the network. Each site has at least one parameter associated therewith representative of reliability with respect to the category. The content is periodically received from each of the plurality of information sources. The content received from the information sources via the network is indexed in a database. A portion of the content from the database is presented to a user via the network. The portion of the content corresponds to an index specified by the user.
- Application 20070185599 – Sports player ranker [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-02-03Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
In one example, a system for ranking sports players is provided. The system includes display logic operable to display two players from a plurality of players, and selection logic operable to store a selection of one of the two players by a user. The system further includes logic operable to rank the players based upon user selections of the players. The system may pair players, e.g., select a first player and a second player for display and selection by a user, based on their relative rankings. In one example, a first player is selected and the second player is selected based on the ranking of the first player such that closely ranked players are paired for selection by users with greater frequency than remotely ranked players.
- Application 20060112102 – Method of controlling an Internet browser interface and a controllable browser interface [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-02-02Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
The present invention is directed to a method of dynamically controlling and displaying an Internet browser interface, and to a dynamically controllable Internet browser interface. In accordance with the present invention, a browser interface may be customized using a controlling software program that may be provided by an Internet content provider, an ISP, or that may reside on an Internet user’s computer. The controlling software program enables the Internet user, the content provider, or the ISP to customize and control the information and/or functionality of a user’s browser and browser interface.
- Application 20060112341 – Method of controlling an Internet browser interface and a controllable browser interface [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-02-02Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
The present invention is directed to a method of dynamically controlling and displaying an Internet browser interface, and to a dynamically controllable Internet browser interface. In accordance with the present invention, a browser interface may be customized using a controlling software program that may be provided by an Internet content provider, an ISP, or that may reside on an Internet user’s computer. The controlling software program enables the Internet user, the content provider, or the ISP to customize and control the information and/or functionality of a user’s browser and browser interface.
- Application 20060129937 – Method of controlling an Internet browser interface and a controllable browser interface [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-02-02Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
The present invention is directed to a method of dynamically controlling and displaying an Internet browser interface, and to a dynamically controllable Internet browser interface. In accordance with the present invention, a browser interface may be customized using a controlling software program that may be provided by an Internet content provider, an ISP, or that may reside on an Internet user’s computer. The controlling software program enables the Internet user, the content provider, or the ISP to customize and control the information and/or functionality of a user’s browser and browser interface.
- Application 20070078712 – Systems for inserting advertisements into a podcast [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-02-02Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Systems and methods are provided for automatically delivering media files with advertisements over a network. A method and system is disclosed for automatically adding an advertisement to the beginning or the end of a media file, such as a podcast episode, when the media file is requested by a consumer. In another aspect, the media file may be automatically searched for an advertisement marker, such as a specific tone or data element in the media file, that acts as a submission point for the automatic insertion of an advertisement into the media file. Aspects of the present invention allow for automatic insertion of advertisements after the creation of the media file, potentially without any interaction between the creator and the advertiser. The systems can be implemented at a central server, at the media file source, at a consumer’s media player or distributed throughout various computing devices.
- Application 20070078713 – System for associating an advertisement marker with a media file [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-02-02Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Systems and methods are provided for automatically delivering media files with advertisements over a network. A method and system is disclosed for automatically adding an advertisement to the beginning or the end of a media file, such as a podcast episode, when the media file is requested by a consumer. In another aspect, the media file may be automatically searched for an advertisement marker, such as a specific tone or data element in the media file, that acts as a submission point for the automatic insertion of an advertisement into the media file. Aspects of the present invention allow for automatic insertion of advertisements after the creation of the media file, potentially without any interaction between the creator and the advertiser. The systems can be implemented at a central server, at the media file source, at a consumer’s media player or distributed throughout various computing devices.
- Application 20070078714 – Automatically matching advertisements to media files [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-02-02Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
The present invention relates to a system and method for selecting advertisement for delivery over a network in response to requests received from remote computing devices. In one aspect, the present invention includes a method and system for automatically matching an advertisement with a media file, such as a podcast episode, when the media file has been requested by a consumer. Aspects of the present invention allow for automatic selection of advertisements after the creation of the media file, potentially without any interaction between the creator and the advertiser.
- Application 20070078884 – Podcast search engine [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-02-02Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Systems and methods are provided for subscribing to podcast feeds from a single location. A server-based search engine is provided that identifies podcasts located throughout a network that are available to a user’s rendering device and presents the user with a user interface from which the user can search for podcasts, subscribe to an identified podcast, listen to an identified podcast, or obtain additional information related to an identified podcast.
- Application 20070088832 – Subscription control panel [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-02-02Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Systems and methods are provided for centrally managing subscriptions to feeds accessible at different locations on a network. A subscription server is provided that a user can log in to from any of the user’s rendering devices and use to manage subscriptions to feeds, including subscribing to feeds, listening to episodes of feeds, downloading episodes to a rendering device, and rating and reviewing episodes. The user’s history of actions with respect to feeds is tracked and stored on the subscription server. The user can then access this history via user interfaces generated by the subscription server to determine what actions the user has performed in the past.
- Application 20070179835 – Syndicated ratings and reviews [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-02-02Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
The present invention relates to a computerized system and method for syndicating independent review and rating information for use by third parties. In one aspect, the present invention includes a method and system for allowing web site operators to cause syndicated ratings from an independent rating provider to appear on web pages generated in response to requests to the operators’ web sites, while preserving the independence of the content of the ratings and providing assurance to the viewing public of that independence. Aspects of the present invention allow for ratings from an independent rating provider to be provided in real time and further assists the rating provider in obtaining additional ratings through the web site operators’ web pages.
- Patent 7412534 – Subscription control panel [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-02-02Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)Systems and methods are provided for centrally managing subscriptions to feeds accessible at different locations on a network. A subscription server is provided that a user can log in to from any of the user’s rendering devices and use to manage subscriptions to feeds, including subscribing to feeds, listening to episodes of feeds, downloading episodes to a rendering device, and rating and reviewing episodes. The user’s history of actions with respect to feeds is tracked and stored on the subscription server. The user can then access this history via user interfaces generated by the subscription server to determine what actions the user has performed in the past.
- Application 20070179943 – Method for node classification and scoring by combining parallel iterative scoring calculation [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-02-01Assignee: YAHOO! Inc.
A plurality of documents is scored, where at least some of the documents are characterized by at least one link from at least one other of the documents. For each of at least particular ones of the plurality of documents, a score is assigned to that particular document, with respect to a topic, based at least in part on an incoherency characteristic associated with at least one document linking to that particular document.
- Application 20070078876 – Generating a stream of media data containing portions of media files using location tags [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-01-27Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A system and method are provided for identifying discrete locations and/or sections within a pre-existing media file without modifying the media file. The discrete locations and/or sections can be associated with one or more user-selected descriptors. The system and method allows for the identifying information to be communicated to consumers of the media file and the media file to be selectively rendered by the consumer using the identifying information, thus allowing a consumer to render only the portion of the media file identified or render from a given discrete location in the media file. In an embodiment, the system and method can be performed without modifying the media file itself and thus no derivative work is created.
- Application 20070078883 – Using location tags to render tagged portions of media files [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-01-27Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A system and method are provided for identifying discrete locations and/or sections within a pre-existing media file without modifying the media file. The discrete locations and/or sections can be associated with one or more user-selected descriptors. The system and method allows for the identifying information to be communicated to consumers of the media file and the media file to be selectively rendered by the consumer using the identifying information, thus allowing a consumer to render only the portion of the media file identified or render from a given discrete location in the media file. In an embodiment, the system and method can be performed without modifying the media file itself and thus no derivative work is created.
- Application 20070078896 – Identifying portions within media files with location tags [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-01-27Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A system and method are provided for identifying discrete locations and/or sections within a pre-existing media file without modifying the media file. The discrete locations and/or sections can be associated with one or more user-selected descriptors. The system and method allows for the identifying information to be communicated to consumers of the media file and the media file to be selectively rendered by the consumer using the identifying information, thus allowing a consumer to render only the portion of the media file identified or render from a given discrete location in the media file. In an embodiment, the system and method can be performed without modifying the media file itself and thus no derivative work is created.
- Application 20070078897 – Filemarking pre-existing media files using location tags [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-01-27Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A system and method are provided for identifying discrete locations and/or sections within a pre-existing media file without modifying the media file. The discrete locations and/or sections can be associated with one or more user-selected descriptors. The system and method allows for the identifying information to be communicated to consumers of the media file and the media file to be selectively rendered by the consumer using the identifying information, thus allowing a consumer to render only the portion of the media file identified or render from a given discrete location in the media file. In an embodiment, the system and method can be performed without modifying the media file itself and thus no derivative work is created.
- Application 20070078898 – Server-based system and method for retrieving tagged portions of media files [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-01-27Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A system and method are provided for identifying discrete locations and/or sections within a pre-existing media file without modifying the media file. The discrete locations and/or sections can be associated with one or more user-selected descriptors. The system and method allows for the identifying information to be communicated to consumers of the media file and the media file to be selectively rendered by the consumer using the identifying information, thus allowing a consumer to render only the portion of the media file identified or render from a given discrete location in the media file. In an embodiment, the system and method can be performed without modifying the media file itself and thus no derivative work is created.
- Application 20060117107 – Method and system for enabling a script on a first computer to exchange data with a script on a second computer over a network [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-01-19Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A method and system for enabling a script on a first computer to communicate and exchange data with a script on a second computer so as to provide access by the script to data typically inaccessible by a script. The method and system enable a first computer to control the Internet navigation of a second computer, and also enable instant messaging between a first computer and a member of a synchronization group. The computers may be connectable with each other over any type of network (e.g., LAN, WAN, intranet, Internet, cellular, etc.).
- Application 20060161534 – Matching and ranking of sponsored search listings incorporating web search technology and web content [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-01-18Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A system is disclosed for generating a search result list in response to a search request from a searcher using a computer network. A first database is maintained that includes a first plurality of search listings. A second database is maintained that includes documents having general web content. A search request is received from the searcher. A first set of search listings is identified from the first database having documents generating a match with the search request and a second set of search listings is identified from the second database having documents generating a match with the search request. A confidence score is determined for each listing from the first set of search listings wherein the confidence score is determined in accordance with a relevance of each listing when compared to the listings of the second set of search listings. The identified search listings from the first set of search listing are ordered in accordance, at least in part, with the confidence score for each search listing.
- Application 20070100802 – Clickable map interface [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-01-12Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
A method is disclosed for providing a map for displaying inventory. A clickable map interface allows users to view or purchase the inventory of a product at a particular location. A user can view the inventory of a product from retail stores within a particular region. Alternatively, a user can view a map with the inventory of advertisements available within a particular geographic region.
- Application 20070162524 – Network document management [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-01-11Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Methods and systems for managing documents on a network, such as, for example the Internet. Links to websites and/or copies of the sites are saved in a personal account with a network content provider. In one embodiment, the saved information is retrieved from a user’s computer. The saved websites can be sorted, searched and accessed by a network user through a network content provider website.
- Application 20070156636 – Apparatus and method for controlling content access based on shared annotations for annotated users in a folksonomy scheme [Download PDF]
Filed: 2006-01-03Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A method for sharing content with a user includes receiving from a user a first set of keywords for annotating an annotated user; receiving from the user a second set of keywords that designate whether annotated content annotated by at least one keyword included in the second set of keywords may be shared with the annotated user; storing in a data store a first association of the first set of keywords with the annotated user, and a second association of the second set of keywords with the annotated user; receiving a keyword selection for a select keyword and an identifier for the annotated user; and displaying on the client system content annotated by the select keyword if the annotated user is annotated by at least one keyword in the first set of keywords, and if the select keyword is included in the second set of keywords.
- Application 20070143264 – Dynamic search interface [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-12-21Assignee: YAHOO! Inc.
A dynamic search interface presents a context which changes in response to user interaction. When the user engages the interface, it responds dynamically to display relevant information and controls. When the user disengages the interface, it returns to a simpler form.
- Application 20060184578 – Control for enabling a user to preview display of selected content based on another user’s authorization level [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-12-20Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Enabling a first user to preview content as it would be seen by a second user, if the second user had a selected user relationship with the first user. The selected user relationship may comprise a relationship degree, a relationship category, a relationship rating, and/or other form of relationship. In one embodiment, a user interface enables the first user to assign user relationships to portions of content and to other users. The first user selects a user relationship, which is used to access those portions of content that are associated with the first user and assigned the selected user relationship. The corresponding portions of content are used to generate a preview display for the first user, illustrating the portions of content that would be accessible to other users assigned the same user relationship or assigned a closer user relationship. Preview may be generated by a server or a local client.
- Application 20060184997 – Control for inviting an unauthenticated user to gain access to display of content that is otherwise accessible with an authentication mechanism [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-12-20Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Enabling an unauthenticated user to access content associated with an authenticated user as though the unauthenticated user had a selected user relationship with the authenticated user. The user relationship may comprise a relationship degree, a relationship category, a relationship rating, and/or the like. An invitation to join an electronic service, such as an online social network, is sent to the unauthenticated user at an address known to the authenticated user. The invitation includes a time-limited token, such as a URL, that includes an invitation identifier, which relates the invitation to the authenticated user content. The token may be encrypted in the invitation. The unauthenticated user returns the token as a request to preview the authenticated user content without first becoming an authenticated user of the electronic service. If the token is still valid, access is granted. The unauthenticated user may also request to establish a connection with the authenticated user.
- Application 20070143248 – Method using query processing servers for query processing of column chunks in a distributed column chunk data store [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-12-19Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
An improved system and method for query processing in a distributed column chunk data store is provided. A distributed column chunk data store may be provided by multiple storage servers operably coupled to a network. A storage server provided may include a database engine for partitioning a data table into the column chunks for distributing across multiple storage servers, a storage shared memory for storing the column chunks during processing of semantic operations performed on the column chunks, and a storage services manager for striping column chunks of a partitioned data table across multiple storage servers. Query processing may be performed by storage servers or query processing servers operably coupled by a network to storage servers in the column chunk data store. To do so, a hierarchy of servers may be dynamically determined to process execution steps of a query transformed for distributed processing.
- Application 20070143259 – Method for query processing of column chunks in a distributed column chunk data store [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-12-19Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
An improved system and method for query processing in a distributed column chunk data store is provided. A distributed column chunk data store may be provided by multiple storage servers operably coupled to a network. A storage server provided may include a database engine for partitioning a data table into the column chunks for distributing across multiple storage servers, a storage shared memory for storing the column chunks during processing of semantic operations performed on the column chunks, and a storage services manager for striping column chunks of a partitioned data table across multiple storage servers. Query processing may be performed by storage servers or query processing servers operably coupled by a network to storage servers in the column chunk data store. To do so, a hierarchy of servers may be dynamically determined to process execution steps of a query transformed for distributed processing.
- Application 20070143261 – System of a hierarchy of servers for query processing of column chunks in a distributed column chunk data store [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-12-19Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
An improved system and method for query processing in a distributed column chunk data store is provided. A distributed column chunk data store may be provided by multiple storage servers operably coupled to a network. A storage server provided may include a database engine for partitioning a data table into the column chunks for distributing across multiple storage servers, a storage shared memory for storing the column chunks during processing of semantic operations performed on the column chunks, and a storage services manager for striping column chunks of a partitioned data table across multiple storage servers. Query processing may be performed by storage servers or query processing servers operably coupled by a network to storage servers in the column chunk data store. To do so, a hierarchy of servers may be dynamically determined to process execution steps of a query transformed for distributed processing.
- Application 20070143274 – Method using a hierarchy of servers for query processing of column chunks in a distributed column chunk data store [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-12-19Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
An improved system and method for query processing in a distributed column chunk data store is provided. A distributed column chunk data store may be provided by multiple storage servers operably coupled to a network. A storage server provided may include a database engine for partitioning a data table into the column chunks for distributing across multiple storage servers, a storage shared memory for storing the column chunks during processing of semantic operations performed on the column chunks, and a storage services manager for striping column chunks of a partitioned data table across multiple storage servers. Query processing may be performed by storage servers or query processing servers operably coupled by a network to storage servers in the column chunk data store. To do so, a hierarchy of servers may be dynamically determined to process execution steps of a query transformed for distributed processing.
- Application 20070143311 – System for query processing of column chunks in a distributed column chunk data store [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-12-19Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
An improved system and method for query processing in a distributed column chunk data store is provided. A distributed column chunk data store may be provided by multiple storage servers operably coupled to a network. A storage server provided may include a database engine for partitioning a data table into the column chunks for distributing across multiple storage servers, a storage shared memory for storing the column chunks during processing of semantic operations performed on the column chunks, and a storage services manager for striping column chunks of a partitioned data table across multiple storage servers. Query processing may be performed by storage servers or query processing servers operably coupled by a network to storage servers in the column chunk data store. To do so, a hierarchy of servers may be dynamically determined to process execution steps of a query transformed for distributed processing.
- Application 20070143359 – System and method for recovery from failure of a storage server in a distributed column chunk data store [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-12-19Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
An improved system and method for recovery from failure of a storage server in a distributed column chunk data store is provided. A distributed column chunk data store may be provided by multiple storage servers operably coupled to a network. A storage server provided may include a database engine for partitioning a data table into the column chunks for distributing across multiple storage servers, a storage shared memory for storing the column chunks during processing of semantic operations performed on the column chunks, and a storage services manager for striping column chunks of a partitioned data table across multiple storage servers. Any data table may be flexibly partitioned into column chunks using one or more columns with various partitioning methods. Storage servers may then fail and column chunks may be recreated from parity column chunks and redistributed among the remaining storage servers in the column chunk data store.
- Application 20070143369 – System and method for adding a storage server in a distributed column chunk data store [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-12-19Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
An improved system and method for adding a storage server in a distributed column chunk data store is provided. A distributed column chunk data store may be provided by multiple storage servers operably coupled to a network. A storage server provided may include a database engine for partitioning a data table into the column chunks for distributing across multiple storage servers, a storage shared memory for storing the column chunks during processing of semantic operations performed on the column chunks, and a storage services manager for striping column chunks of a partitioned data table across multiple storage servers. Any data table may be flexibly partitioned into column chunks using one or more columns with various partitioning methods. Additional storage servers may then be added and column chunks may be redistributed among the storage servers in the column chunk data store.
- Application 20070143557 – System and method for removing a storage server in a distributed column chunk data store [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-12-19Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
An improved system and method for removing a storage server in a distributed column chunk data store is provided. A distributed column chunk data store may be provided by multiple storage servers operably coupled to a network. A storage server provided may include a database engine for partitioning a data table into the column chunks for distributing across multiple storage servers, a storage shared memory for storing the column chunks during processing of semantic operations performed on the column chunks, and a storage services manager for striping column chunks of a partitioned data table across multiple storage servers. Any data table may be flexibly partitioned into column chunks using one or more columns with various partitioning methods. Storage servers may then be removed and column chunks may be redistributed among the remaining storage servers in the column chunk data store.
- Application 20070143564 – System and method for updating data in a distributed column chunk data store [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-12-19Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
An improved system and method for importing update data in a distributed column chunk data store is provided. A distributed column chunk data store may be provided by multiple storage servers operably coupled to a network. A storage server provided may include a database engine for partitioning a data table into the column chunks for distributing across multiple storage servers, a storage shared memory for storing the column chunks during processing of semantic operations performed on the column chunks, and a storage services manager for striping column chunks of a partitioned data table across multiple storage servers. Any data table may be flexibly partitioned into column chunks using one or more columns with various partitioning methods. Update data may then be incrementally imported as separate column chunks that may later be merged with the column chunks of the partitioned data table.
- Patent 7464079 – System and method for influencing a position on a search result list generated by a computer network search engine [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-12-19Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)A method for providing a search result list. The method includes receiving a search request from a searcher. In a database of search listings in which each search listing is associated with an advertiser and includes at least one search term and a bid amount by the advertiser, search listings generating a match with the search request are identified. A predetermined number of identified search listings are selected according to bid amount for display to the searcher. The identified search listings are arranged for display in a random order as the search result list. The search result list is then communicated to the searcher.
- Patent 7464247 – System and method for updating data in a distributed column chunk data store [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-12-19Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)An improved system and method for importing update data in a distributed column chunk data store is provided. A distributed column chunk data store may be provided by multiple storage servers operably coupled to a network. A storage server provided may include a database engine for partitioning a data table into the column chunks for distributing across multiple storage servers, a storage shared memory for storing the column chunks during processing of semantic operations performed on the column chunks, and a storage services manager for striping column chunks of a partitioned data table across multiple storage servers. Any data table may be flexibly partitioned into column chunks using one or more columns with various partitioning methods. Update data may then be incrementally imported as separate column chunks that may later be merged with the column chunks of the partitioned data table.
- Application 20060195403 – System and method for improved portable media file retention [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-12-16Assignee: Yahoo!, Inc.
A method of acquiring rights to content to be burned to a CD, comprising defining a first content set; defining a second content set comprised of content selected from the first content set whose content attributes match those selected by a user; identifying as a third content set that content in the second content set for which DRM rights sufficient to permit the content to be burned to CD are not currently possessed; allowing a user to authorize obtaining rights for members of the second content set for which rights permitting the content to be burned to CD are not currently possessed; obtaining rights which allow at least a subset of the third content set to be burned to CD; and, allowing the content defined in the second content set and for which appropriate rights have been obtained to be burned to CD.
- Application 20060195864 – Portable media device interoperability [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-12-16Assignee: Yahoo!, Inc.
A method of adding content to a portable entertainment device, comprising identifying DRM capabilities of the portable entertainment device, defining a first set of content, defining a second set of content which is comprised of content selected by a user from the first content set, identifying content which is not compatible with the DRM capabilities of the portable entertainment device, and obtaining rights which allow at least a subset of the identified content to be copied to the portable entertainment device. The method also allows new content to be periodically added to the portable entertainment device. Also disclosed is a user interface through which the user can build a list of content to be copied to the portable entertainment device and through which the user can obtain any necessary rights to such content.
- Application 20070140117 – Tracking and blocking of spam directed to clipping services [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-12-15Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A method and apparatus tracks and blocks content requested by a first remote device for forwarding over a network to a second remote device. For a given content item, one or more usage identities are tracked. Usage identities may include any combination of one or more of a source identity, a content identity, and/or a destination identity. One or more thresholds associated with the tracked usage identities are applied to determine whether a request to forward content should be blocked; a threshold is a limit on the number of times a content item having a particular usage identity may be forwarded within a time period. Misuse of content-forwarding messaging services by spammers and the like may thereby be discouraged. In one embodiment, the invention may be employed as part of a content clipping service for forwarding content to mobile devices by way of SMS or another mobile messaging technology.
- Application 20070133523 – Replay caching for selectively paused concurrent VOIP conversations [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-12-09Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A system, method, and apparatus are directed to enabling a user to manage multiple VOIP sessions concurrently using on-ready replay of buffered VOIP conversations. The user may initiate a plurality of VOIP conversations between different parties. When the user pauses, or otherwise initiates a VOIP conversation with another party, the currently active VOIP conversation(s) are placed in a pause mode that automatically activates recording of a subsequent portion of the conversation provided by the other party. When the user subsequently un-pauses a selected VOIP conversation, the recorded VOIP conversation is automatically played back to the user. By selectively pausing, and un-pausing different VOIP conversations, the user may conveniently manage switching between multiple VOIP conversations. In one embodiment, the pause and un-pausing of VOIP conversations may employ a toggle button, or the like.
- Application 20070133524 – Selectable replay of buffered conversation in a VOIP session [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-12-09Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A system, method, and apparatus are directed to enabling a user to record VOIP conversations for selective instant replay. The VOIP conversation may be automatically recorded upon initiation of the conversation, or the user may select to record at least a portion of the VOIP conversation. At any point during the VOIP conversation, the user may select to bookmark a position for later replay. During the VOIP conversation, the user may select to instantly replay at least some of the recorded VOIP conversation. The user may select to instantly replay from a beginning of the recorded conversation, from the bookmarked position, or from a pre-determined time interval into the recorded conversation. Upon completion of the instant replay, the user may then return to a latest chronological rewind position within the recorded VOEP conversation. The other party may also be provided an indicator that the conversation is being recorded.
- Application 20070083496 – user interface for media item portion search tool [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-11-30Assignee: Yahoo!, Inc.
A user interface for accessing and utilizing a media item portion database. In one aspect, the database entry comprises a data container. In another aspect, the media item portion entries may be used to identify media item portions used in creating composite media items.
- Application 20070083497 – Method of searching for media item portions [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-11-30Assignee: Yahoo!, Inc.
A method for searching for a media item portion and utilizing a database of media item portion entries. In one aspect, the database entry comprises a data container. In another aspect, the media item portion entries may be used to identify media item portions used in creating composite media items.
- Application 20070124805 – Cookie with multiple staged logic for identifying an unauthorized type of user [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-11-29Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
One or more staged cookies are used to control access to a special service, such as a service to send clips of search results to a mobile device. In one embodiment, a client obtains a staged cookie when the client completes a permitted task that a server determines is performed by a typical user and not by a client programmed to circumvent server protections. One or more staged cookies indicate a trust level based on the client behavior with or without client registration, authentication, or other conventional security scheme. The server may digitally sign each issued cookie to ensure they are valid. When a client submits a request, the server checks the staged cookies to determine whether the client should be allowed to access the special service. The staged cookies enable a client user to remain anonymous, but also enable a server to prevent abuses, such as spam.
- Application 20070136279 – URL shortening and authentication with reverse hash lookup [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-11-29Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A shortened identifier, such as a shortened URL, is used to access data, a service, and/or another resource that is associated with a full identifier, such as a full URL. In an exemplary embodiment, a hash key is generated from the full URL and included with a domain identifier to form a shortened URL. Other codes can also be included in the shortened URL. The shortened URL can be included in a message, page, and/or other data element that is generally too small for the full URL. When received from a client, a property code, a user ID, and/or other data is used to locate one or more full URLs. A selected hash function is applied to the full URLs to generate a table of hash keys. If a match exists with the hash key from the shortened URL, the resource is accessed at the corresponding full URL.
- Application 20070115991 – Multi-modal auto complete function for a connection [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-11-23Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
An apparatus, method, and system are directed to managing a multi-modal communication over a network. In one embodiment, the method, apparatus, and system employ an instant messaging client to perform actions. The actions may include receiving contact information associated with a plurality of communication mediums. The contact information includes contact names and addresses that are integrated into a unified contact store. When a user inputs a character for use in initiating a communication, a dynamic search is performed on the unified contact store. The results of the search may be repeatedly updated based on additional input characters. The results display contact names and addresses, where either the contact name or address includes the input character(s). The user may then select an address, and automatically initiate a communication with a contact name associated with the selected address over a communication medium associated with the address.
- Application 20070124387 – Previous communication updating in instant messaging [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-11-22Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Methods, systems, and program code for implementing instant messaging systems having a feature permitting modification/deletion/substitution of previously transmitted messages in an instant messaging session are provided. In an example, a first computer is operable to interpret a user action as a request to modify at least one previous instant message, to capture a selection to modify of the at least one previous instant message, query the user for the modification to be applied, and formulate content that indicates the modification for transmission to a server. The server is operable to receive the content, detect the modification in the content and form an update message for transmission to each client participating in the instant messaging session. Each client in the instant messaging session may be operable to receive, and use the update message for altering a display of the at least one previous instant message according to the modifications indicated.
- Patent 7401074 – Canonicalization of terms in a keyword-based presentation system [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-11-17Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)A presentation system accepts presentations or references to presentations from prospective presenters. Some or all of the presentations or references are stored in a database and referenced by keywords such that presentations to be presented in response to particular searches can be identified. A presentation manager handles accepting bids and settling terms between prospective presenters. A presentation server handles retrieving presentations from a presentation details database for presentation to users along with requests such as search results. Both the presentation manager and the presentation server can operate on a keywords-basis, wherein presentation terms specify keywords to be associated with particular presentations and the presentation server serves particular presentations based on keywords in a search query for which the presentations are to be returned. The association of keywords can be done using canonicalization so that, under certain conditions, different keywords are treated as the same keyword.
- Application 20070110031 – Automated connection to a VOIP session [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-11-15Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A system, method, and apparatus are directed to status-based automatic answering and conferencing for presence-enabled VOIP communications. A first device may send a message to a plurality of devices indicating that it is available for an automatic VOIP connection. The message may be sent based, in part, on a contact list, buddy list, or the like, associated with the first device. The message may also include a topic, event, or talk show. When the second device places a VOIP call to the first device, the first device automatically answers the call and establishes an active VOIP session over the VOIP connection. A display may indicate that the user of the second device is listening. In addition, a third device may also place a VOIP call to the first device, which is automatically answered to establish at least a three-way VOIP conferencing session.
- Application 20070112954 – Efficiently detecting abnormal client termination [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-11-15Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
The invention is directed to managing an abnormal client termination of a network connection with a server. When a client establishes a connection with the server, the server provides various heartbeat values to the client. The server may also send heartbeat values at various other times based on a variety of factors. Heartbeat values may be based on a network load, a CPU load, or the like, as well as different states of the client. For example, one heartbeat value may be used when the client is in an idle state. Other heartbeat values may be used when the client is engaged in a VOIP session, in a videoconferencing session, a streaming video session, or the like. When the client changes state, a different heartbeat value may be used to automatically modify a frequency for sending the heartbeat signal to the server.
- Application 20070113178 – Remote selection and installation of auxiliary content [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-11-15Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A system, method, and apparatus are directed to managing auxiliary content through an enhanced content management system (ECMS), for such as a blog, over a network. Auxiliary content may be selected from a networked device over the network for integration with another site, such as the blog. Such auxiliary content may include graphics, advertisements including sponsored advertisements, selectable audio clips, or the like. When the auxiliary content is selected, and a identifier of the other site is provided, data that may include a script, code, or the like, and that enables access to the auxiliary content is provided to the ECMS using the identifier. The ECMS may then use the data to position the auxiliary content within the other site. Once the position is determined, automatic incorporation of the auxiliary content within a webpage may also be performed using the ECMS.
- Application 20070112777 – Identification and automatic propagation of geo-location associations to un-located documents [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-11-08Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Systems and methods are provided for identifying pages that can be authoritatively, to some confidence level or another, associated with a geographic location, and systems and methods for grouping documents such that authoritative location associations can be propagated from pages with higher location confidence to pages with lower location confidence. Pages might be identified with authoritative indicators, groups of pages identified including at least one addressed page and at least one unaddressed page, wherein an addressed page is a page having a higher confidence level than an unaddressed page, and at least one processing step performed that is location specific. The confidence level assigned to a page as part of the process represents the confidence that the page is associated with an identifiable geographic location, with documents having a high confidence level being determined to be strongly associated with a particular geographic location while documents having a low confidence level being determined to be weakly associated with a particular geographic location or not associated at all with a geographic location.
- Application 20060265518 – Systems and methods for improving access to syndication feeds in network browsing applications [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-10-31Assignee: Yahoo!, Inc.
A browsing application includes instructions for identifying and subscribing to a syndication feed delivered over a network. The instructions include code for analyzing a page of data that has been retrieved over the network by a browsing application to determine the availability of the syndication feed, code for causing a user interface element to be displayed on the browsing application, the user interface element indicating the availability of the syndication feed, and code for responding to a user’s selection of the user interface element by causing the browsing application to display a page which permits the user to subscribe to the syndication feed.
- Application 20060265652 – Systems and methods for language translation in network browsing applications [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-10-31Assignee: Yahoo!, Inc.
A browsing application for accessing resources over a network includes code for receiving a command from a user to translate textual material appearing on an arbitrary page displayed in the content display area, and code for causing the textual material to be passed to a translation resource on the network, whereby the display area of the browsing application is caused to display a page which includes a translation of the textual material. The application may display a menu accessible from an arbitrary page whereby the user may select among translation options such as a translate to language and a translate from language. The application may be configured to cause text selected by a user to be translated, and/or may cause an entire page to be translated. Translated text may be displayed along with graphics in a layout similar to that of the original page.
- Application 20070014278 – Counter router core variants [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-10-31Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A method, apparatus, and system for routing changes to information between a plurality of content nodes and a command memory of a content router. Content nodes may be user devices (such as mobile phones) and user accounts (such as email accounts). Content nodes may hold one or more content types such as email, contacts, tasks, events and library items. A command memory centralizes conflict detection, resolution and error handling within a content routing system.
- Application 20070028000 – Content router processing [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-10-31Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A method, apparatus, and system for routing changes to information between a plurality of content nodes and a command memory of a content router. Content nodes may be user devices (such as mobile phones) and user accounts (such as email accounts). Content nodes may hold one or more content types such as email, contacts, tasks, events and library items. A command memory centralizes conflict detection, resolution and error handling within a content routing system.
- Application 20070100836 – User interface for providing third party content as an RSS feed [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-10-28Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A system, method, and apparatus are directed to managing a subscription to an RSS feed. A search component enables searching over a network for content associated with an RSS feed. In one embodiment, the search component receives a search query in the form of a structured query language (SQL), Boolean expression, or the like. The search component may search for content based on the search query and validate the RSS feed associated with the results from the search. A list of validated RSS feeds may be sent to the user. The user may then select from the list and subscribe to a validated RSS feed. In addition, the user may employ the search query as an RSS feed. Thus, the same search may be performed automatically and the results compared to the previous search results. If a change in the search results is detected, the user may be alerted.
- Application 20070100959 – Customizing RSS content for use over a network [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-10-28Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A system, apparatus, and method are directed to managing customization of a subscription and/or an alert for an RSS feed over a network. An RSS Content Source (RCS) may provide feed templates that may be used to modify a subscription interface. The RCS may further provide additional feed templates that are useable to modify an RSS alert and/or the RSS content. Moreover, a RSS subscription service provider may also provide one or more feed templates. The feed templates may include co-branding information, advertisements, related RSS feeds, services related to the RCS’s business, products available from the RCS, or the like. The feed templates may further change a look and feel of a subscription interface, and/or RSS alert to enhance subscriber loyalty, and improve business opportunities. In one embodiment, the feed templates include material that may change based, in part, on a subscriber’s behavior.
- Application 20070100960 – Managing content for RSS alerts over a network [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-10-28Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A system, apparatus, and method are directed to managing an alert to a subscriber based on a change of content at an RSS content source (RCS). A content collector identifies changes in content from various RCSs. In one embodiment, the RCS may notify the content collector of a change in content. In another embodiment, a crawler is used to identify an RCS with changed content based, in part, on a subscriber’s request. Information about the RCS with changed content is provided to at least one of a plurality of matching engines using a load-balancing mechanism. Each of the matching engines manages a store that identifies subscribers that have requested an alert from a particular RCS. The matching engines further determine when the subscriber was last notified of a change in content from that RCS so that the subscriber is not notified multiple times of the same change.
- Application 20070100975 – Scalable software blade architecture [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-10-28Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A system and method for servicing user accounts are disclosed. The system includes one or more blades for servicing the user accounts, where each blade includes software components and hardware components, and each blade serves a group of user accounts, a blade manager for managing states of the one or more blades, and logic for incrementally adding one or more new blades in response to increase in the number of new user accounts.
- Application 20070101021 – Recovering a blade in scalable software blade architecture [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-10-28Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A system and method for servicing user accounts are disclosed. The system includes one or more blades for servicing the user accounts, where each blade includes software components and hardware components, and each blade serves a group of user accounts, a blade manager for managing states of the one or more blades, logic for detecting a failed blade among the one or more blades, and logic for recovering the failed blade using the states of the one or more blades managed by the blade manager.
- Application 20070101022 – Sharing data in scalable software blade architecture [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-10-28Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A system and method for sharing data between two users on different blades in scalable software blade architecture are disclosed. The system includes a plurality of blades, where each blade includes software components and hardware components, each blade serves a predefined group of users, and each user is associated with one or more user devices. The system further includes a first blade and a second blade, where the first blade connects a first user to a first connected dataset and the second blade connects a second user to a second connected dataset, and the first blade and the second blade operate independent of each other, a blade manager for managing the first and second blades, a pipe device for connecting the first and second blades, and logic for sharing portions of the first connected dataset of the first user with the second user using the pipe device.
- Application 20070101412 – Low code-footprint security solution [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-10-28Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Apparatus and method for conducting secured communications with a client device in a network are disclosed. The method includes receiving at the server a request message from the client device, wherein the request message comprises a nonce, a nonce count and an encrypted request, determining whether the client device has permission to access the server using the nonce and the nonce count, forming an encrypted server response message in response to the encrypted request and the client device has permission to access the server, and issuing the encrypted server response message from the server to the client device.
- Application 20060136420 – System and method for providing improved access to a search tool in electronic mail-enabled applications [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-10-24Assignee: Yahoo!, Inc.
Disclosed is a system and method for providing users of web-accessible E-mail services with improved access to their E-mail messages and other information. In one embodiment, access to a search tool is provided to users of a web-accessible electronic mail service by software which integrates with a mail-enabled application running on a user’s client machine. The software displays a field within a user interface of the mail-enabled application for receiving user input of a search term. The search term is used to build a URL that is communicated to a web-accessible E-mail service. A browser is launched to display at least one page resulting from the communication of the URL.
- Application 20070100856 – Account consolidation [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-10-21Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
In one aspect a system and method for aggregating data from multiple content nodes are provided. In one example, a system for aggregating content nodes on a single content node backend includes logic operable to associate a first content node with a second content node on a first backend, wherein the first content node is hosted by the first backend, the second content node is mirrored from a remote location, and the second content node is hosted by the remote location. The data of the first and second content nodes may be grouped as a single dataset (e.g., a connected dataset) hosted by the first backend, and the data of the first and second content nodes may be organized as separate folders of the connected dataset.
- Application 20070094250 – Using matrix representations of search engine operations to make inferences about documents in a search engine corpus [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-10-20Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
In a computer system including a search engine that receives queries and returns search results comprising zero or more hits from a document index, a method of post-rocessing queries and results comprising collecting search sets, wherein a search set comprises a query and at least some set of the search results provided by the search engine in response to the query from a corpus, storing the plurality of search set in reference symbol storage, identifying an analysis set comprising at least two documents in the corpus to comparatively analyze, retreating from the retrievable storage search sets containing at least one document of the analysis set, thus obtaining a group of one or more search sets, generating an inference between the documents in the analysis set based on which is search sets occur in the group.
- Application 20060224951 – Multiple window browser interface and system and method of generating multiple window browser interface [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-10-19Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A browser plug-in application provides functionality to allow the creation of a multiple window browser interface environment. By way of example, when the plug-in is activated, each time a user selects a URL to retrieve a new web document, the plug-in displays a new browser window in addition to the existing browser window within a single instance of the web browser application, as opposed to displaying the new browser window in place of the existing browser window. The plug-in, thus, permits users to dynamically view multiple web documents in a side-by-side or tiled fashion in a single instance of the browser application.
- Application 20070088605 – System and method for achieving linear advertisement impression delivery under uneven, volatile traffic conditions [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-10-19Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A tolerance band is determined for an online advertisement campaign. The tolerance band defines upper and lower bounds on acceptable deviation from a cumulative linear advertisement delivery goal for the length of the campaign and may be employed to manage delivery of advertisement impressions during the campaign. The upper and lower bounds of tolerance band may flatten with time: acceptable deviation is generally higher at the beginning of the campaign and is lower as the campaign approaches its end date. The tolerance band may be employed to modify a periodically-determined delivery quota for an advertisement line based on the current performance of the advertisement line in relation to its tolerance band. An advertisement line that has fallen below the lower bound may get higher delivery priority relative to other advertisement lines so that it may be given more delivery opportunities. An advertisement line that is delivering above the upper bound may have its quota reduced, possibly to zero, and get lower delivery priority.
- Application 20070174286 – Systems and methods for providing features and user interface in network browsing applications [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-10-18Assignee: Yahoo!, Inc.
A browsing application in one embodiment includes instructions for accessing a resource over a network using a general purpose computer, the instructions comprising code for examining an address field of the browsing application and matching a first string input therein with at least one shortcut in a predefined list of shortcuts to search resources on the network, code for using the shortcut list to identify at least a portion of a predefined URL associated with the matched first string, and code for causing a second string input into the address field to be passed as a parameter to a resource on said network and associated with the predefined URL. In another embodiment, the browsing application includes instructions including code for using a string input into an address field of the browsing application to generate and display a task list which includes a plurality of possible resources to which the string can be passed. Code is provided for receiving a user selection of a task in the task list, and for causing the string input into the address field to be passed as a parameter to a resource on the network and associated with the selected task.
- Patent 7483903 – Unsupervised learning tool for feature correction [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-10-17Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)Techniques for correcting miscategorized features excerpted from web pages are provided. For each of several categories and several pages on a particular web site, a separate feature may be excerpted from that page and associated with that page in relation to that category. Often, many of the “high confidence” features that have been associated with the same category are found to be associated with similar characteristics regardless of the pages from which those features were excerpted. Thus, a set of category characteristics, which are often found associated with the “high confidence” features in a particular category, may be determined. For each page, a candidate feature that is associated with the set of category characteristics may be identified in that page. If, in relation to the particular category, a feature other than the candidate feature is associated with that page, then that other feature may be replaced by the candidate feature.
- Application 20070088727 – Media device and user interface for selecting media [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-10-14Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A media device and user interface for selecting media. In one embodiment, the media is selected based upon a desired relationship measure between at least two media files. In another embodiment, the media is selected based upon a skip command control functions.
- Application 20070089057 – Method and system for selecting media [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-10-14Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A system and method for selecting media. In one embodiment, the media is selected based on a desired relationship measure, a user input, relationship data, and the identity of a media file. In another embodiment, the present method and system is implemented onto portable devices, car audio systems, consumer electronics devices, cellular phones or software programs running on personal computers and any other device capable of reproducing media files.
- Application 20060195521 – System and method for creating a collaborative playlist [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-10-12Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A method, server, and user interface associated with creating a collaborative playlist between one or more users based on user interaction with a media program. In one embodiment, the media program is an instant messaging application.
- Application 20070083380 – Data container and set of metadata for association with a media item and composite media items [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-10-10Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Various types of metadata and data containers associated with a media item and media item portions. In one aspect, a data container associated a media item, a rights-preserving metadata subset associated with a media item portion, and a set of metadata associated with a composite media item. In another aspect, the data container may contain commerce-enabling information.
- Application 20070083762 – Set of metadata for association with a composite media item and tool for creating such set of metadata [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-10-10Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A set of metadata for association with the composite media item and a tool for creating a composite media item with an associated set metadata. In one embodiment, the tool comprises a component for extracting a portion of a first media item having first metadata and for extracting a portion of a second media item having second metadata, a component for combining the first portion and the second portion to form a composite media item, and a component for analyzing the first metadata and the second metadata to extract portions of the first and second metadata to form a new set of metadata for association with the composite media item. In one embodiment, the new metadata is a data container.
- Application 20070078828 – Customizable ordering of search results and predictive query generation [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-10-05Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
In a computerized search system, a document corpus is searched according to a query and results of the search are presentable as an ordered search result set comprising one or more search hits, a search hit being a document of the document corpus or reference thereto. Based on content of the search result set, a number of suggested queries and/or parameter options are presented to a querier, thereby allowing the querier to select a suggested query and/or provide values for the parameters and those selections can be used to reorder the hits of the search result set. The particular suggested queries and/or parameters presented depend on the page elements of the search result set’s documents and their categorization. The categorization might be done using concept networks.
- Application 20060026071 – Targeted advertisements using time-dependent key search terms [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-10-04Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
An advertisement generation system presents a time-dependent advertisement to a user via a communication network, the advertisement based upon a search term of a search query during a period of time. The system includes a search engine coupled to a web server for receiving the search query and for presenting a search results page. The search results page is accompanied with an immediate advertisement. In one embodiment, the system includes an advertisement repository to store data representing a plurality of advertisements and includes the immediate advertisement and the time-dependent advertisement. Also, the system includes a user profiler configured to communicate a plurality of search characteristics and includes a data structure to store the search characteristics. Lastly, an advertisement server is included to provide to the web server the immediate advertisement with an associated search results page and the time-dependent advertisement with a web page presented after the display of the search results page, until a period of time expires.
- Application 20070076646 – Peer-to-peer message chaining for initiating a data exchange with a server [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-10-04Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A system and method are directed towards enabling a server to activate a plurality of peer devices. The server may send a notification to a first peer device and employ subsequent peer devices to send further notifications to other peer devices in a sequence of peer devices, thereby reducing a number of notifications sent by the server. The peer devices may be mobile devices. In one embodiment, the notification indicates that data is available for download to the peer devices. In one embodiment, the sequence is dynamically determined by the server. In one embodiment, an instruction to send a notification to another peer device is provided to a peer device in the sequence along with the downloaded data. In another embodiment, the instruction is provided with the notification. In one embodiment, a notification may be sent using a hidden message mechanism of Short Message Service (SMS), or the like.
- Patent 7298714 – Peer-to-peer message chaining for initiating a data exchange with a server [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-10-04Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)A system and method are directed towards enabling a server to activate a plurality of peer devices. The server may send a notification to a first peer device and employ subsequent peer devices to send further notifications to other peer devices in a sequence of peer devices, thereby reducing a number of notifications sent by the server. The peer devices may be mobile devices. In one embodiment, the notification indicates that data is available for download to the peer devices. In one embodiment, the sequence is dynamically determined by the server. In one embodiment, an instruction to send a notification to another peer device is provided to a peer device in the sequence along with the downloaded data. In another embodiment, the instruction is provided with the notification. In one embodiment, a notification may be sent using a hidden message mechanism of Short Message Service (SMS), or the like.
- Application 20070077949 – Shortcut for establishing a communication channel with a remote device over a network [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-10-03Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Two-way communication between a general purpose computing device, such as a PC, and a mobile terminal, such as a cell phone. The general device executes a conversation user interface through which a user enters a message. The message is sent to an intermediary communication service, such as a portal server, along with a mobile terminal identifier, such as a phone number. The intermediary service creates a mapping between the mobile identifier, a general device user identifier, and an extension to an intermediary device identifier, such as an extension to an SMS short code. The intermediary service sends the message to the mobile terminal along with the intermediary service identifier and the extension. The mobile device returns a response with the mobile identifier, the intermediary service identifier, and the extension. The intermediary service uses the mobile identifier and the extension to determine the general device user identifier and send the response.
- Patent 7409402 – Systems and methods for presenting advertising content based on publisher-selected labels [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-09-20Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)Systems and methods allowing publishers to define relationships between their own content items (e.g., World Wide Web pages) and content items created or maintained by other publishers. Publishers insert referral labels into their content items to indicate a referral relationship between or among publishers. In one embodiment, advertisements to be displayed while the user is viewing a content item are selected based at least in part on matching a referral label included in the target content item to a referral label in the advertisement. The referral label can also be used to manage referral-based revenue sharing among publishers.
- Patent 7421441 – Systems and methods for presenting information based on publisher-selected labels [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-09-20Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)Publishers define relationships between their own content items (e.g., World Wide Web pages) and content items created or maintained by other publishers. A central namespace manager provides grouping labels that publishers insert into their content items. Content items having matching grouping labels are identified as related. Different classes of grouping labels can be used to define different types of relationships, and multiple classes of grouping labels can co-exist. Grouping labels are made available to an information server such as a search server, which uses the labels in identifying content items related to a currently displayed content item.
- Application 20070061195 – Framework for selecting and delivering advertisements over a network based on combined short-term and long-term user behavioral interests [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-09-13Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Targeted advertising content is provided for display in a page over a network in accordance with a technique in which advertisements are selected based on a determination of a user’s short-term and long-term behavioral interests. Short-term and long-term information relating to a user’s online activities is collected and associated with predetermined interest categories. Based on the collected information, short-term and long-term behavioral interest scores are determined for specific categories. The scores are employed to generate values for use in selecting advertisements. In one embodiment, a short-term score and two long-term scores are determined for one or more interest categories. A first long-term score models awareness with respect to a given category. A second long-term score and the short-term score are response-oriented scores that model the user’s interest in making a response with respect to a given category, such as by purchasing a product or service within the category.
- Patent 7447839 – System for a distributed column chunk data store [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-09-13Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)An improved system and method for a distributed column chunk data store is provided. A distributed column chunk data store may be provided by multiple storage servers operably coupled to a network. A storage server may include a database engine for partitioning a data table into the column chunks for distributing across multiple storage servers, a storage shared memory for storing the column chunks during processing of semantic operations performed on the column chunks, and a storage services manager for striping column chunks of a partitioned data table across multiple storage servers. Any data table may be flexibly partitioned into column chunks using one or more columns as a key with various partitioning methods. There may also be a storage policy for specifying how to partition a data table for distributing column chunks across multiple servers and for specifying a level of redundancy for recovery from failure of storage servers.
- Patent 7447865 – System and method for compression in a distributed column chunk data store [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-09-13Assignee: Yahoo ! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)An improved system and method for compression in a distributed column chunk data store is provided. A distributed column chunk data store may be provided by multiple storage servers operably coupled to a network. A storage server provided may include a database engine for partitioning a data table into the column chunks for distributing across multiple storage servers, a storage shared memory for storing the column chunks during processing of semantic operations performed on the column chunks, and a storage services manager for striping column chunks of a partitioned data table across multiple storage servers. Any data table may be flexibly partitioned into column chunks using one or more columns with various partitioning methods. Domain specific compression may be applied to a column chunk to reduce storage requirements of column chunks and increase transmission speeds for sending column chunks between storage servers.
- Patent 7457935 – Method for a distributed column chunk data store [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-09-13Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)An improved system and method for a distributed column chunk data store is provided. A distributed column chunk data store may be provided by multiple storage servers operably coupled to a network. A storage server may include a database engine for partitioning a data table into the column chunks for distributing across multiple storage servers, a storage shared memory for storing the column chunks during processing of semantic operations performed on the column chunks, and a storage services manager for striping column chunks of a partitioned data table across multiple storage servers. Any data table may be flexibly partitioned into column chunks using one or more columns as a key with various partitioning methods. There may also be a storage policy for specifying how to partition a data table for distributing column chunks across multiple servers and for specifying a level of redundancy for recovery from failure of storage servers.
- Application 20060168056 – System and method for providing improved access to SPAM-control feature in mail-enabled application [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-09-12Assignee: Yahoo!, Inc.
Disclosed is a system and method for providing users of web-accessible E-mail services with improved access to their E-mail messages and other information. In a first embodiment, a SPAM-control feature of a web-accessible electronic mail service is provided to a user of a mail-enabled application running on the user’s client machine by software which integrates with the mail-enabled application. The software scans E-mail messages for a bulk-indicating indicia inserted by SPAM detection software running on a remote machine, and an E-mail message identified as including such bulk-indicating indicia is routed to a bulk folder.
- Application 20060053379 – Multimodal interface for mobile messaging [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-09-07Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A system and method are directed towards providing a user interface for controlling a communication mode of a client device. The interface enables a user to set a presence and/or a communications mode, which the client device communicates to other devices directly or via an intermediary server. The presence generally reflects the user’s availability, communication capability, desire to communicate, and the like. The presence can be directly or indirectly associated with the communication mode, which can comprise SMS, IM, email voice, and the like. The interface includes a contact list an enables the user to select a mode to communicate with a contact. The communication modes associated with each contact can also be incorporated into and displayed in an email address book. The interface also indicates the communication mode of each incoming and outgoing message in conversations with one or more other client devices.
- Application 20060059164 – Online dating service enabling testimonials for a service subscriber [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-09-06Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A system, method, and apparatus are directed towards enhancing an online dating service experience by enabling a subscriber to the service to provide an online dating testimonial from a friend, family member, companion, and the like, to another subscriber. The invention further enables the subscriber to tell a date how they may feel about the date in a non-email format. In one embodiment, the subscriber may select from a list of predefined online dating messages. The subscriber may also modify the predefined online dating message before sending to the date.
- Application 20060059142 – System and method of modifying an on-line dating search using inline editing [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-09-02Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A method, system, and apparatus are directed towards enabling a subscriber of an online dating service to perform a search for potential candidates to a long-term relationship. Various search criteria may be employed to generate an initial list of candidates. The invention employs the search criteria to identify a potential candidate list for the user. The invention further allows the user to edit inline with a display of the potential candidates various search criteria components using, for example, a drop-down menu to identify an importance of a search criteria component, or to otherwise revise the search criteria. The revised search criteria may then be employed in revising the potential candidate list.
- Application 20070043626 – Customization of an online shopping experience [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-08-22Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Modification of the presentation of page appearance, page navigation flow, and other aspects of the user experience of an online shopper navigating the virtual shopping cart and checkout pages of an online store is achieved without compromising the security of checkout processing. The modification may include customization, and various configuration and customization tools may be employed. The online shopper experiences continuity between unsecured-connection pages presenting items for purchase and secured-connection pages presented for checkout processing. In one embodiment, page navigation flow is modified using continuations implemented using a relatively small stack to save information relating to the flow. In another embodiment, a page designer enables a dynamic version of a page specification program to be generated, such as by way of a page customization interface. Partial evaluation is employed to generate a version of the program that is executed at request time.
- Application 20070043832 – Scalable specification of page flows [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-08-22Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
The invention enables a specification of a customized flow of pages for an interactive web application. Execution of page flows is differentiated from other aspects of execution. Instead of implementing continuations by using an entire procedure call stack, a separate, relatively small page flow stack is used to save state information relating to page flow. Additional resource economies may be achieved by analyzing a page flow processing program. In one embodiment, the invention is employed for expressing page flows associated with the checkout phase of an online store web application. An online store operator may define various kinds of common page flows that may then be provided to third-party merchants for use in customizing online store sites.
- Application 20070044016 – Employing partial evaluation to provide a page [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-08-22Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A web page is generated by applying a partial evaluation technique. In one embodiment, at design time, a page designer enables a dynamic version of a page specification program to be generated, such as by way of a page customization interface. This dynamic version can be executed during the design process, with page customization choices evaluated in a dynamic manner. The parts of the page specification that can be evaluated to static form at design time are identified, and the program is partially evaluated, with the identified parts transformed to static form. The remaining dynamic parts of the page specification program are executed at request time, resulting in a generation of the page to be provided for display over the network. In general, different parts of a page specification program may be selected for evaluation at different times, and there may be more than two phases of evaluation.
- Application 20070043706 – Search history visual representation [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-08-18Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A search entry system and method of search entry where the search terms and type of search to be performed can be selected from entries in a search history query log. A search system can include one or more entry modules, which may include a query window configured to accept a search query. The search system can also be configured to display the contents of the search history query log. The search history query log can be configured to store the query terms submitted in a prior search and a type of search conducted for the corresponding query. The search history query log can include identical queries having different search types. A user can select a search query from the displayed search history to retrieve a query and corresponding search type. The user can submit the retrieved query and initiate a search of the same type associated with the query.
- Application 20080065617 – Search entry system with query log autocomplete [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-08-18Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A search entry system and method of search entry where the query terms can be autocompleted based on entries in a search history query log. A search system can include one or more entry modules, that can include a query window, configured to accept a search query. A query log can store one or more queries each query containing one or more query terms. Concurrent with entry of query terms in a query window, a query searcher can be configured to search one or more query logs for stored queries having the query terms contained anywhere within the query. An autocompletion module can be configured to process the results obtained from the query searcher and display or otherwise indicate to a user a selection of autocompletion options containing the current query terms.
- Application 20070035764 – System and method for uploading files [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-08-12Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
According to various aspects and examples described herein, systems and methods for uploading/transferring files are provided. In one aspect, an upload manager is provided, the upload manager for coordinating a transfer of an image file to a remote location. In one example, the upload manger includes logic for creating a reduced size image file associated with the image file, the reduced size image file having a smaller data size than the image file, initiating a transfer of the reduced size image file to the remote location, and initiating a transfer of the image file to the remote location subsequent to initiating the transfer of the reduced size image file. Transferring a reduced size image file (e.g., a thumbnailed version) may allow for relatively fast transfer and access times of the reduced size file compared to the full size version image file.
- Application 20060095416 – Link-based spam detection [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-08-04Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A computer implemented method of ranking search hits in a search result set. The computer-implemented method includes receiving a query from a user and generating a list of hits related to the query, where each of the hits has a relevance to the query, where the hits have one or more boosting linked documents pointing to the hits, and where the boosting linked documents affect the relevance of the hits to the query. The method associates a metric to each of at least a subset of the hits, the metric being representative of the number of boosting linked documents that point to each of at least a subset of the hits and which artificially inflate the relevance of the hits. The method then compares the metric, which is representative of the size of a spam farm pointing to the hit, with a threshold value, processes the list of hits to form a modified list based in part on the comparison, and transmits the modified list to the user.
- Patent 7356589 – Content collection [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-08-04Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)In a web service system with one or more web servers, a system and method for distributing content directly from each web server to a single computer transfers files generated on web servers to a central location for access by a system operator. If files generated by multiple web servers are aggregated on a single computer, processing and analysis can be performed on all of the files. Generally, in one aspect, the invention relates to a system and method for transmitting content from one computer to another in a web service system. The web service system includes web servers that provide web pages in response to web page requests. First and second web server agents provide an interface between the web service system and first and second computers, respectively. The first web server agent runs on the first computer and identifies at least a portion of a file for transmission to the second web server agent running on the second computer in the web service system. At least a portion of the file from the first web server agent is transmitted to the second web server agent and then stored by the second web server agent.
- Application 20070033255 – Establishing communication between a messaging client and a remote device [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-08-03Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A first device running a messaging application, such as an instant messaging (IM) application, engages in messaging communication with a remote device running a browsing application. The remote device user is not associated with the messaging network of the first device. The first device sends an instant message directed to the remote device. The remote device is addressed using a means other than the addressing means used in the IM community associated with the first device, such as the MSISDN number of the remote device. The message is processed so that it may be displayed on the remote device by way of the browsing application. The user of the remote device may reply to the message using the browsing application, in which case the reply message is processed and forwarded to the first device, where it is converted into the IM format for display within the IM application.
- Application 20060059147 – System and method of adaptive personalization of search results for online dating services [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-07-28Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A system and method are directed towards automatically modifying an online dating service’s search results based on adaptive personalizations from a user’s activities. A user provides input to questions that seek information regarding the user. The invention employs the input to identify a list of candidates for a potential long-term social relationship with the user. The invention may then develop a unified search score for each candidate that represents a weighted sum of normalized search subscores. The subscores represent various user activities, affinities with a candidate, frequencies of viewing a candidate profile, and feedback about a candidate from the user. The unified search score for each candidate is then used to rank order the results presented to the user.
- Application 20070028184 – Automatically generating a search result in a separate window for a displayed symbol that is selected with a drag and drop control [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-07-27Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A system and method are directed towards using an icon, animation, or other indicator to search for content associated with one or more words, language characters, or other symbols on a display. A pointing device, such as a mouse, is used to drag and drop the indicator onto a displayed symbol. Display data near the drop location of the indicator are evaluated to determine one or more words or other symbols. A determined symbol is submitted to a search system to access a definition, a translation, an encyclopedia entry, an audio clip, an image, and/or other content associated with the determined symbol. The indicator may be controlled on a client device which initiates the search by submitting a search request over a network to a server. Resulting content is displayed in a separate result window, which may also include tabs, buttons, and/or other elements for selecting other content.
- Application 20070014243 – System and method for provisioning a user device [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-07-14Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
System and method for providing multiple entry points for connecting one or more user devices in a communication network are disclosed. The method includes providing a server for communicating with the one or more user devices, where the server includes a connected-data-set and the one or more user devices share portions of the connected-data-set, receiving from the user device a request for accessing the connected-data-set from one of the multiple entry points, determining attributes of the user device automatically, selecting a method of communication from a database of predetermined client devices using the attributes of the user device, and provisioning the user device in accordance with the method of communication.
- Application 20070014244 – Alert mechanism for notifying multiple user devices sharing a connected-data-set [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-07-14Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
System and method for notifying a user status of communications between a server and the user having one or more user devices in a communication network are disclosed. The system includes a server for communicating with the user, where the server includes a connected-data-set and the one or more user devices share portions of the connected-data-set, logic for monitoring communications between the server and the one or more user devices for a predetermined set of notification conditions, and logic for sending a notification message to the one or more user devices when a notification condition is detected.
- Application 20070014277 – Content router repository [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-07-14Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A content router including a repository is provided for synchronizing information among a plurality of dissimilar content nodes, such as user devices and user accounts. Some content nodes may include similar content types but in incompatible forms. The content router may strip off or transform incompatible sections of an incoming command when forming an outgoing command to be sent a content node. The content router may use the repository to hold a section of content related to content sent to a content node where that section is incompatible with the content node. If the content is return, the content router may restore the incompatible section before propagating the content to other content nodes.
- Application 20070014300 – Content router notification [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-07-14Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
An apparatus, method and computer program product for communicating an outgoing command from a command memory of a content router to a content node using a notification signal to a gateway.
- Application 20070014303 – Content router [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-07-14Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A method, apparatus and system for routing changes to information between a plurality of content nodes and a command memory of a content router. Content nodes may be user devices (such as mobile phones) and user accounts (such as email accounts). Content nodes may hold one or more content types such as email, contacts, tasks, events and library items. A command memory centralizes conflict detection, resolution and error handling within a content routing system.
- Application 20070014307 – Content router forwarding [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-07-14Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A method and apparatus are provided for removing an attachment from content and/or metadata before routing a command including the attachment through a command memory of a content router and for reattaching the attachment to an associated command after receiving the command from the command memory.
- Application 20070016559 – User entertainment and engagement enhancements to search system [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-07-14Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
According to one aspect of the present invention, a method of actively engaging a user of a search system can include receiving from the user a search query for a search of a corpus of information and providing the user with search results for the search. The user can also be prompted to participate in a search-related activity wherein at least one aspect of the search-related activity is dependent on a context of the search. User input for performing the search-related activity can be accepted and an activity response can be provided to the user.
- Application 20070016632 – System and method for synchronizing between a user device and a server in a communication network [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-07-14Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
System and method for synchronizing a server and one or more user devices in a communication network are disclosed. The system includes a server for communicating with the user device, where the server includes a connected-data-set and the one or more user devices share portions of the connected-data-set, logic for creating a backup of the connected-data-set at the server in accordance with a predetermined backup interval, logic for generating a checkpoint marker for tracking the time intervals when the backup of the connected-data-set is created, and logic for sending the checkpoint marker to the one or more user devices for maintaining a first record of changes to the connected-data-set.
- Application 20070016636 – Methods and systems for data transfer and notification mechanisms [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-07-14Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
In one aspect a device such as a mobile device includes logic operable to display an email message received from a remote location, the email message having associated data (e.g., an attachment) located remotely to the device (e.g., with a server or the like). The system further includes logic operable to receive a request for the associated data, and initiate an asynchronous fetch of the associated data, wherein the associated data is fetched in the background of the device. The system may further include logic operable to initiate a notification after receiving the request for the data that the associated data will be fetched, and/or initiate a notification that the associated data has been fetched. The associated data may include an attachment, media object, or other data associated with the email message.
- Application 20070016646 – Universal calendar event handling [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-07-14Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
System and method for handling calendar events among a plurality of user devices in a communication network are disclosed. The system includes a device manager for interfacing with the plurality of user devices, where the plurality of user devices use different calendar applications and have calendar events in different data formats, and the plurality of user devices include at least a meeting organizer device and one or more attendee devices. The system further includes a calendar gateway for processing the calendar events to form a corresponding connected calendar-data-set for each connected user, where the connected calendar-data-set is stored in a calendar backend server and is shared among one or more devices of each connected user, and an email gateway for communicating the calendar events between the calendar gateway and the plurality of user devices.
- Application 20070016676 – System and method for servicing a user device [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-07-14Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
System and method for providing services to a user with one or more user devices in a communication network are disclosed. The system includes a server for communicating with the one or more user devices, where the server includes a connected-data-set and the one or more user devices share portions of the connected-data-set, a configuration database for storing configurations and settings of the one or more user devices, where the configuration database includes type descriptions, transcodings, account templates, service descriptions, and settings of the connected-data-set, and logic for providing services to the one or more user devices using the connected-data-set and the configuration database.
- Application 20070028293 – Content router asynchronous exchange [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-07-14Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
An apparatus, method and computer program product in a content routing system for facilitating transportation of commands having separable segments among a plurality of content nodes comprising detaching the segments prior to the commands being saved to a command memory of a store and forward logic.
- Application 20070038703 – Content router gateway [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-07-14Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A gateway is provided which includes an interface to a command memory of a content routing server, interfaces to different types of content nodes, protocol translators to transform communications between the command memory of the content routing server and the interfaces to the content nodes. The gateway may interface to content nodes that are servers or to content nodes that are client. The gateway provides a common interface to the command memory of the content routing server for coupling content and metadata to content nodes operating disparate protocols.
- Patent 7245929 – Enabling text messaging between a member and non-member of a community based on a common short code [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-07-05Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)Enabling a user of a device, such as a wired or wireless device, that is associated with a telephone number to communicate text messages with another user of another device that is not associated with a telephone number (or the telephone number is unknown to the sender). Although the other user’s telephone number is not known or does not exist, the other user is associated with a user identifier for a user community that is assigned a Common Short Code (CSC). The text message includes a source telephone number (sender/user’s device telephone number) and a destination number (the CSC for the other user/recipient’s user community). The content of the text message includes a user identifier, where the identifier indicates the particular other user within the user community. A server employs the CSC to determine the user community and the identifier to determine the particular user in the determined community that is the intended recipient of the text message.
- Application 20080005064 – Apparatus and method for content annotation and conditional annotation retrieval in a search context [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-06-28Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Computer systems and methods incorporate user annotations (metadata) regarding various pages or sites, including annotations by a querying user and by members of a trust network defined for the querying user into search and browsing of a corpus such as the World Wide Web. A trust network is defined for each user, and annotations by any member of the querying user’s trust network are made visible to the querying user during search and/or browsing of the corpus if the querying user and trust network members use similar queries to identify documents in the corpus. Users can also limit searches to content annotated by members of their trust networks or by members of a community selected by the user.
- Application 20060294192 – Access control systems and methods using visibility tokens with automatic propagation [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-06-27Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Access control systems and methods regulate access to shared content items in a corpus using visibility tokens. A user provides other users with access to a content item by associating a content token with the content item and associating a matching user token with each user who is to be granted access. A user who attempts to access the content item succeeds only if that user has a user token matching the content token associated with the content item. User tokens can be propagated automatically from one user to another, e.g., based on trust relationships among the users. Content tokens can be indexed with content items so that when a user searches the corpus, a search engine can detect matches between user tokens and content tokens and filter the search results based on whether they are visible to the querying user.
- Application 20060059160 – Apparatus and method for online dating service providing threaded messages with a notes and diary function [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-06-16Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A notes function and a diary function for an online dating service is provided. Each subscriber to the online dating service has access to a message center for communicating messages between candidates. The messages in the message center are organized as threads. Additionally, a subscriber may create and edit a note associated with a candidate and/or an email message between the subscriber and the candidate. The note is by default accessible to the subscriber and inaccessible to the candidate. Furthermore, the message center can provide a facility for enabling a subscriber to create a diary regarding online dating service activities. The diary can include the authored notes, summaries, impressions, videos, movies, pictures, graphics, colors, messages, threaded messages, threaded list views, and the like.
- Application 20080045203 – Communication Platform and Method for Packet Communication Between a Service Provider and a Radio Communication Device [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-06-15Assignee: YAHOO’ INC.
The present invention relates to a communication platform for packet communication between at least one service provider in a first network and a radio communication device in a second network, the second network comprises a first network node provided to, at least partly, handle communication between the radio communication device and a gateway located in the second network. The gateway is provided to handle communication between the second network and the communication platform, and the communication platform is provided to collect first data information relating to the radio communication device and second data information relating to a service provider application connected to the radio communication device through the communication platform. The communication platform is further provided to relate the first and second data information to each other to generate a user record specifying usage characteristics for usage of the service provider application by the radio communication device.
- Application 20060282314 – Universal advertisement services architecture [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-06-10Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A universal advertisement services system provides a common framework for managing web-based advertisement campaigns associated with various kinds of advertisement formats and advertisement pricing mechanisms. A unified set of interfaces is provided for advertisement configuration, fetching, arbitration and optimization, and advertisement campaign validation, exposing services to external parties as well as internal users. The universal advertisement services system enables delivery of an optimal available guaranteed or performance-based advertisement for a specified position in a web page and based on given business rules and metrics.
- Application 20060020596 – Content-management system for user behavior targeting [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-06-02Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A system including a plurality of web servers configured to serve base content and relevant content to a user system; a set of additional-content servers configured to serve the relevant content to the web servers if units in the user profile match units associated with the relevant content; a parsing server configured to extract the units in the user profile from the base content requested by the user and generate a ranked list of the units in the user profile; and a unit-matching module configured to determine whether the units in the user profile match units associated with the relevant content if the user requests the base content, wherein the web servers are configured to serve the base content and the relevant content if the units in the user profile match units associated with the relevant content.
- Application 20060256776 – Statistical approach to automatic gain control for managing audio messages over a network [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-05-16Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A system, method, and apparatus are directed towards managing an audio message, such as a Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP) message over a network. The invention employs a statistical mechanism to automatically optimize a gain control for setting a volume of an audio message being sent by a client device. An initial gain value is automatically adjusted based, in part, on a statistical sampling of energy levels in the audio message. Environmental factors, such as a sound card within the client device, background noise, and the like, may also be considered through a setting of a servo coefficient that may be used to map between volume levels and decibel levels. The servo coefficient may also be adjusted based, at least in part, on decibel (dB) feedback information from a destination device for which the audio message is intended.
- Application 20060256721 – Dynamically selecting codecs for managing an audio message [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-05-13Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A system, method, and apparatus are directed towards managing a Voice over IP (VOIP) messages over a network, employing the Real-time Transport Protocol (RTP) and Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) over the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP). The VOIP messages are sent by a source device to a destination device through a relay server. The relay server may throttle the VOIP messages employing buffer management. When the buffer is substantially full, the relay server will drop packets from the source device. Indication of the lost packets may be provided to the source device through a Real-time Transport Control Protocol (RTCP) report. The source device may then employ the RTCP report to modify a type of codec employed, and thereby adjust a rate of flow of VOIP packets sent towards the destination device. Additionally, the relay server may provide port translation services for RTP/RTCP packets between the source and destination devices.
- Application 20060256810 – Dynamically selecting CODECS for managing an audio message [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-05-13Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A system, method, and apparatus are directed towards a system, method, and apparatus for managing a communication session by dynamically selecting a CODEC. A client device requests a communication session with a receiver device. If available, historical information may be used to establish an initial CODEC and its associated sampling frequency for the communication session. Signals, such as a white noise signal, and/or a ring tone may be sent between the client device and the receiver to determine a metric for the communication session. The metric may be used to adjust the CODEC and/or its sampling frequency for the communication session. In one embodiment, if it is determined that the sampling frequency is less than a minimum determined value, a message may be sent to the client device advising that the current communication session be terminated.
- Application 20060256816 – Integrating access to audio messages and instant messaging with VOIP [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-05-13Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A system, method, and apparatus are directed towards providing integrated access to call information to an end-user using any of a variety of client applications, including an Instant Messaging (IM), a web-browser, and/or a VOIP client. An end-user may employ any of the above client applications to establish a communication session and enable an integrated access display for use in managing such call information as audio messages, call histories, and instant messaging conversations. The integrated access display may be managed through an intelligent integration client that may reside on a client device, such as a personal computer, a mobile device, a VOIP phone, and the like. Through the intelligent integration client, the end-user may search, retrieve, and/or view the call information. For example, using the VOIP phone, the end-user may search for and access a stored audio message, such as a voice mail message, or the like.
- Application 20060259511 – Media object organization across information management services [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-05-13Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A media object organizer organizes media objects, such as still or moving photographic images, audio files, or documents. The media object organizer includes memory for storing metadata concerning media objects, and association logic for associating at least one metadatum with at least one organizational attribute maintained by an information management service. The information management service may be a PIM-type service, such as calendar, address book or task list. The organizational attribute may be based upon time, place or person, among other attributes.
- Application 20060167857 – Systems and methods for contextual transaction proposals [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-05-12Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Context-specific transaction proposals are automatically generated and presented to a user who expresses interest in a particular topic. A user viewing a World Wide Web page or other content item activates an interface to indicate that he or she is interested in additional information related to the subject of the page. A context vector or other representation of the content of the page being viewed is transmitted to an information server, which identifies possible transactions related to the content and proposes one or more of these transactions to the user. Transaction proposals can be presented together with a contextual search interface that allows the user to submit zero or more search terms together with the context vector as a search query.
- Application 20060256771 – Proxy server for relaying VOIP messages [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-05-12Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A system, method, and apparatus are directed towards managing a Voice over IP (VOIP) message over a network, where the VOIP message may employ the Real-time Transport Protocol (RTP) and possibly Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) over the User Datagram Protocol (UDP). The invention enables a VOIP client device, such as an IP phone, and the like, to communicate a message to a local proxy residing on a local computing device. The communications between the VOIP device and the local proxy may employ SIP/RTP over UDP. Upon receipt of the communications, the local proxy converts the transport protocol to another transport protocol, such as Transmission Control Protocol (TCP). The local proxy may also perform a port translation on the message. The converted communications may then be sent to a remote server, where it may be employed in its present SIP/RTP over TCP format, or be converted back to using UDP.
- Application 20060256772 – Selecting a network for routing real-time audio [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-05-12Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A system, method, and apparatus are directed towards managing a Voice over IP (VOIP) message over a network. A computing device may be configured to select a network connection for which to send the message to a destination based on a variety of factors. Duplicate message packets may be communicated to the destination device through multiple network connections. The multiple network connections may include a peer-to-peer network connection, a peer network connection, an ad-hoc network connection, or the like. Metrics may be collected about the multiple network connections. A determination may be made based, in part, on the metrics whether one network connection is optimal over another network connection. If so, that network connection may be selected to continue to provide the message packets, and the communication of the duplicate packets is ceased.
- Application 20060268828 – Selecting a network based on metrics for real time communication [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-05-12Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A system, method, and apparatus are directed towards routing a Voice over IP (VOIP) messages over a network. The VOIP messages are sent by a source client device to a destination client device through a portal service that has access to multiple routing services such as peering partners, carriers, etc. A VOIP system of the portal service aggregates call quality data after each VOIP call over each routing service. The call quality data is analyzed to determine a perception factor for each routing service at various times of day, days of the week, day of the year, geographic areas, and the like. When a VOIP call is requested through the portal service, the VOIP system determines a current cost, a current quality of service, and the perception factor for each routing service. A weighting is applied to each criterion and a routing service is selected for routing the VOIP call.
- Patent 7313133 – Selecting a network based on metrics for real time communication [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-05-12Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)A system, method, and apparatus are directed towards routing a Voice over IP (VOIP) messages over a network. The VOIP messages are sent by a source client device to a destination client device through a portal service that has access to multiple routing services such as peering partners, carriers, etc. A VOIP system of the portal service aggregates call quality data after each VOIP call over each routing service. The call quality data is analyzed to determine a perception factor for each routing service at various times of day, days of the week, day of the year, geographic areas, and the like. When a VOIP call is requested through the portal service, the VOIP system determines a current cost, a current quality of service, and the perception factor for each routing service. A weighting is applied to each criterion and a routing service is selected for routing the VOIP call.
- Patent 7313134 – Proxy server for relaying VOIP messages [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-05-12Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)A system, method, and apparatus are directed towards managing a Voice over IP (VOIP) message over a network, where the VOIP message may employ the Real-time Transport Protocol (RTP) and possibly Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) over the User Datagram Protocol (UDP). The invention enables a VOIP client device, such as an IP phone, and the like, to communicate a message to a local proxy residing on a local computing device. The communications between the VOIP device and the local proxy may employ SIP/RTP over UDP. Upon receipt of the communications, the local proxy converts the transport protocol to another transport protocol, such as Transmission Control Protocol (TCP). The local proxy may also perform a port translation on the message. The converted communications may then be sent to a remote server, where it may be employed in its present SIP/RTP over TCP format, or be converted back to using UDP.
- Patent 7451152 – Systems and methods for contextual transaction proposals [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-05-12Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)Context-specific transaction proposals are automatically generated and presented to a user who expresses interest in a particular topic. A user viewing a World Wide Web page or other content item activates an interface to indicate that he or she is interested in additional information related to the subject of the page. A context vector or other representation of the content of the page being viewed is transmitted to an information server, which identifies possible transactions related to the content and proposes one or more of these transactions to the user. Transaction proposals can be presented together with a contextual search interface that allows the user to submit zero or more search terms together with the context vector as a search query.
- Application 20050273706 – Systems and methods for identifying and extracting data from HTML pages [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-05-04Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Systems and methods for analyzing HTML formatted web pages to automatically identify and extract desired information. A computer algorithm identifies and extracts different pieces of information from different web pages automatically after minimal manual setup. The algorithm automatically analyzes pages with different content if they have the same, or similar, formats. The algorithm is fast and efficient and performs the extraction process quickly in real-time. The systems and methods are useful to build databases from unstructured web information. The algorithm can be used as an agent that captures information about products, and compares prices or other characteristics. It can also be used to populate structured databases that, given the different pieces of information, can analyze products and their characteristics. And it can also be used for data mining applications looking for patterns useful for marketing analyses, or other uses.
- Application 20050246332 – Method and apparatus for performing a search [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-05-02Assignee: Yahoo ! Inc.
A method and apparatus for generating search results with higher relevancy. More specifically, the present invention provides a determination whether a search term belongs to a particular category. Namely, properly associating a search term with the correct category will greatly enhance the generation of search results with higher relevancy.
- Patent 7315899 – System for controlling and enforcing playback restrictions for a media file by splitting the media file into usable and unusable portions for playback [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-04-28Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)Files are divided into parts and at least some of the parts are transmitted to a client using a communication channel. At least some of the transmitted parts are cached locally. This allows subsequent streaming playback of the file while using less bandwidth by transmitting the part of the file that hasn’t been cached, and combining the cached parts with the transmitted parts. In some embodiments, files may be represented at a low quality level by a first data set, and at higher quality levels with additional data sets. Data sets are cached locally, so that during subsequent streaming playback of the file, the quality level of the playback may be improved by sending additional data sets using bandwidth that would otherwise be dedicated to transmitting the cached data sets.
- Patent 7308261 – Method for quick registration from a mobile device [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-04-25Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)A system, apparatus, and method is directed towards managing a quick registration of a mobile device over a network. The quick registration is directed at enabling an end-user to conveniently register a mobile device to be useable for such communications sessions, as an instant messaging (IM) session, and the like. The invention employs a pre-determined extension to a short code that instructs a server to register the mobile device sending the message. The message includes an account identifier along with a password to the account. The message may be a single message line, thereby providing a quick and convenient mechanism for registering the mobile device. The server receives the message along with a mobile device identifier, and stores a mapping relationship between the account identifier and the mobile device identifier after validating the password. In one embodiment, the message includes a command that the mobile device also be logged into an IM session.
- Application 20070005782 – Traffic messaging system [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-04-21Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
According to the invention, a digital message system for receiving a plurality of digital messages is disclosed. The digital message system includes a message receiving function, a message grouping function and a traffic shaping unit. The message receiving function interacts with the first and second digital messages. The message grouping function associates a first digital message and a second digital message to a group that are similar in at least one way. The traffic shaping unit does not delay delivery of the first digital message, but delays a second digital message. Messages are delayed when traffic for the group compares unfavorably with a traffic profile for the group.
- Application 20060230170 – Streaming media content delivery system and method for delivering streaming content [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-03-30Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
A method for delivering streaming media files to a plurality of end users from a streaming media delivery system including a filer for storing the media files and a streaming server for serving the media files generally includes the steps of monitoring demand for the streaming media files, identifying at least one of the streaming media files to be cached when demand for the at least one of the streaming media files reaches a pre-defined threshold, copying the streaming media file to a streaming server from a media storage device, and streaming the streaming media file using the copy stored locally on the streaming server.
- Application 20060230112 – Method for signing into a mobile device over a network [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-03-18Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A system, apparatus, and method are directed to managing automatic sign in to an Instant Messaging (IM) session on mobile device from another computing device, such as a personal computer (PC), over a network. The end-user of the PC may provide an account identifier, password, and the like, and in response, receive a cookie, that may further include the account identifier, encoded string, and the like. The end-user may then request initiation of the IM session using a toolbar selection, a script, applet, form, web page selection, and the like. As part of the request, the cookie may be provided to the server. If the request is authenticated based, in part, on the cookie information, the server uses the account identifier to locate an associated a mobile device identifier. The mobile device identifier is employed to log the end-user automatically into the mobile device.
- Application 20060252435 – Enabling application wakeup on a mobile device with a hybrid client [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-03-18Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A system, apparatus, and method are directed to managing a message communications to a mobile device. The mobile device may include a first application that is unresponsive to a wakeup alert from a server. For example, the first application may be an instant messaging (IM) client that is developed as a mobile java application (MIDlet) that employs a MIDP1.0 specification, and the like. If the first application is determined to be unresponsive to a wakeup alert, the server may reformat a message to another message communication format, such as Short Messaging Service (SMS), for use by a second application that is responsive to the wakeup alert. The server may provide the reformatted message to the second application, which may be employed respond to the message. Alternatively, an end-user of the mobile device may wakeup the first application, for use in responding to the message.
- Application 20050216454 – Inverse search systems and methods [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-03-15Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Inverse search systems and methods operate on identifiers of content items in a corpus such as the World Wide Web In an inverse search, the user submits a query that includes an identifier of a target content item in the corpus and receives information (metadata) about the target content item being returned to the user. Many types of metadata can be returned, including ratings or other metadata related to the target content item obtained from users, popularity data specific to the target content item, information about previously submitted forward search queries that led to the target content item being identified as a hit, and metadata extracted from the target content item.
- Application 20050216457 – Systems and methods for collecting user annotations [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-03-15Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Computer systems and methods allow users to annotate content items found in a corpus such as the World Wide Web. Annotations, which can include any descriptive and/or evaluative metadata related to a document, are collected from a user and stored in association with that user. Users are able to annotate and view their annotations for any document they encounter while interacting with the corpus, including hits returned in a search of the corpus. Users are also able to search their annotations or to limit searches to documents they have annotated. Metadata from annotations can also be aggregated across users and aggregated metadata applied in generating search results.
- Application 20050234891 – Search systems and methods with integration of user annotations [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-03-15Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Computer systems and methods allow users to annotate content items found in a corpus such as the World Wide Web. Annotations, which can include any descriptive and/or evaluative metadata related to a document, are collected from a user and stored in association with that user. Users are able to annotate and view their annotations for any document they encounter while interacting with the corpus, including hits returned in a search of the corpus. Users are also able to search their annotations or to limit searches to documents they have annotated. Metadata from annotations can also be aggregated across users and aggregated metadata applied in generating search results.
- Application 20050256866 – Search system and methods with integration of user annotations from a trust network [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-03-15Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Computer systems and methods incorporate user annotations (metadata) regarding various pages or sites, including annotations by a querying user and by members of a trust network defined for the querying user into search and browsing of a corpus such as the World Wide Web. A trust network is defined for each user, and annotations by any member of a first user’s trust network are made visible to the first user during search and/or browsing of the corpus. Users can also limit searches to content annotated by members of their trust networks or by members of a community selected by the user.
- Application 20050256867 – Search systems and methods with integration of aggregate user annotations [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-03-15Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Computer systems and methods allow users to annotate content items found in a corpus such as the World Wide Web. Annotations, which can include any descriptive and/or evaluative metadata related to a document, are collected from a user and stored in association with that user. Users are able to annotate and view their annotations for any document they encounter while interacting with the corpus, including hits returned in a search of the corpus. Users are also able to search their annotations or to limit searches to documents they have annotated. Metadata from annotations can also be aggregated across users and aggregated metadata applied in generating search results.
- Application 20060230021 – Integration of personalized portals with web content syndication [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-03-15Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Personal portal pages for individual users are integrated with web content syndication. For example, when a search query is received from the user, a list of hits is generated. For each hit, it is determined whether there is an associated syndication feed, such as an RSS feed. The list of hits is displayed for the user, and a syndication option is included for each hit that has an associated syndication feed. The user can select the syndication option and thereby subscribe their personal portal page to that syndication feed. In some embodiments, the user may also be able to select syndication feeds for subscription via an alternative interface.
- Application 20060031346 – Automated solicited message detection [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-03-14Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
The invention relates to determining electronic text communication distributed in bulk is likely solicited. In one step, a first electronic and a second electronic submission are received. It is determined that the first electronic submission is likely solicited. A first portion is extracted from the first electronic submission and a second portion from the second electronic submission. The content of the first electronic submission influences extraction of the first portion, and the content of the second electronic submission influences extraction of the second portion. A first code is determined for the first portion and a second code is determined for the second portion, where the first code is indicative of the first portion and the second code is indicative of the second portion. The first code is compared to the second code. It is determined that the second electronic submission is likely solicited, at least in part, in response to comparing the first code to the second code.
- Application 20060206713 – Associating a postmark with a message to indicate trust [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-03-14Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A method and system directed to the communication of the trust characteristics of electronic messages using visual and audio postmarks. The postmarks may represent a particular trust level on a continuum that can range from suspicious to trusted. A message system may determine the baseline trust level of a message and assign a postmark to the message. The postmark can communicate the trust level of the message to a user without requiring the message to be opened or read. In one embodiment of the invention the user can create rules and filters to classify messages by trust level.
- Patent 7321922 – Automated solicited message detection [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-03-14Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)The invention relates to determining electronic text communication distributed in bulk is likely solicited. In one step, a first electronic and a second electronic submission are received. It is determined that the first electronic submission is likely solicited. A first portion is extracted from the first electronic submission and a second portion from the second electronic submission. The content of the first electronic submission influences extraction of the first portion, and the content of the second electronic submission influences extraction of the second portion. A first code is determined for the first portion and a second code is determined for the second portion, where the first code is indicative of the first portion and the second code is indicative of the second portion. The first code is compared to the second code. It is determined that the second electronic submission is likely solicited, at least in part, in response to comparing the first code to the second code.
- Application 20060205397 – Tester for determining the validity of a feature in a remote device [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-03-11Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
One or more test classes implement an object oriented interface that specifies an execution method and a results method called from a user interface running on the mobile terminal or an emulator. The user interface enables a user to select one or more tests to run, view results, and upload results to a server. For each test, the user interface calls the execution method to initiate the test and obtain a success or failure indication. The user interface also calls the results method to obtain data on a capability and/or to obtain validation that the capability is complete and reliable. Tests that require specific hardware are activated or deactivated, depending on whether the mobile terminal includes the required hardware. Test include a memory size test, a memory integrity test, a socket connection test, an HTTP test, a camera test, an image rendering speed test, a message test, and the like.
- Application 20060206474 – System for modifying queries before presentation to a sponsored search generator or other matching system where modifications improve coverage without a corresponding reduction in relevance [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-03-10Assignee: Yahoo!, Inc.
Techniques are provided for modifying queries to increase the number of sponsored links that are returned in response to the queries. A query modification system uses a predefined set of rules that are designated to modify a query to increase the chance that the modified query will match more sponsored links. The modified query is then matched against a listing of search query strings that have been pre-selected by sponsors. Each pre-selected search query strings corresponds to one or more sponsored web links. If the modified query matches one of the pre-selected search query strings, the corresponding sponsored web links are returned and displayed to the user.
- Application 20060206476 – Reranking and increasing the relevance of the results of Internet searches [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-03-10Assignee: Yahoo!, Inc.
Techniques are provided for reranking and increasing the relevance of the results Internet searches. A search query is initially parsed into individual units. Each unit corresponds to one or more words that represents a natural concept. A concept network is analyzed to locate concepts that are related to the units in the search query. Particular concepts are selected from the concept network. Independent Internet searches are performed for each of the selected concepts. The search results from these searches are then compared to units in the original search query and ranked according to their relevance to the original search query.
- Patent 7203754 – Cooperative management of distributed network caches [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-03-02Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)The techniques described employ a cooperative organization of network service providers to provide improved distributed network services. The network service providers that are constituent to the cooperative organization represent various perspectives within the overall Internet content distribution network, and may include network owners, telecommunications carriers, network access providers, hosting providers and distribution network owners, the latter being an entity that caches content at a plurality of locations distributed on the network. Aspects include managing content caches by receiving control signals specifying actions related to cached content that is distributed on a network, such as the Internet, and forwarding the control signals through to the caching locations to implement the actions represented by the control signals, thus providing content publishers the capability of refreshing their content regardless of where it is cached.
- Application 20050259612 – Seamless interfacing for instant messaging and internet telephony across wireless networks [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-02-10Assignee: Yahoo!, Inc.
A method for managing communications while an application location changes between a first wireless network and a second wireless network is provided. The method includes mapping an internal address to a first external address for the first wireless network. A second wireless network is determined to use for sending communications for the application. The internal address is then mapped to a second address for the second wireless network.
- Application 20050259798 – Integrated instant messaging, routing and telephone services billing system [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-02-10Assignee: Yahoo!, Inc.
Techniques for using billing services to manage a personal address book are provided. The techniques comprise receiving a call detail record (CDR) for a plain old telephone system (POTS) or a voice-over-IP (VOIP) call by a user. The CDR is created by a telecommunication carrier that routed the call. The CDR may be stored on a telecommunications server associated with the telecommunications carrier. Address information for the call is determined from the CDR. This address information is added to the personal address book for the user. This address information may be available for the user when using an IM client.
- Application 20060023695 – Predictive communication routing scheme using instant messaging preferences and/or settings for routing packet traffic for voice, video and other multimedia communications [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-02-10Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Techniques for using instant messaging preferences and settings are used for predictive communications, including routing of data traffic, are provided. A voice call can be routed over a packet-based network if a voice network is not available, or for other reasons. In addition to voice calls, embodiments of the invention can route video calls, multimedia communications and other communications. In some implementations, an instant message presence can be queried for in determining how to route a voice-over-IP or PSTN telephone call. Thus, a call might be routed to a computer or computing device unrelated to the location of the PSTN telephone line being called, if an associated instant messenger presence is detected on that computer or computing device.
- Patent 7260082 – Seamless interfacing for instant messaging and internet telephony across wireless networks [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-02-10Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)A method for managing communications while an application location changes between a first wireless network and a second wireless network is provided. The method includes mapping an internal address to a first external address for the first wireless network. A second wireless network is determined to use for sending communications for the application. The internal address is then mapped to a second address for the second wireless network.
- Application 20060167852 – System and method for improving online search engine results [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-01-28Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
System and method for improving online search engine results. In one embodiment, a search system queries one or more servers of a destination site to obtain detailed and relevant information. In one embodiment, this query is in the form of an application programming interface call. Based on the content received in response to the aforementioned queries, a plurality of content pages may then be used to build one or more search databases against which user searches may be made during some future time period.
- Patent 7406466 – Reputation based search [Download PDF]
Filed: 2005-01-14Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)A method of providing relevant search information comprises receiving a search term. The method also comprises locating a first search result that matches the search term, wherein the first search result is associated with a first measure of reputation, locating a second search result that matches the search term, wherein the second search result is associated with a second measure of reputation, and preferentially presenting the first and the second search results based on the first and the second measures of reputation.
- Application 20060069687 – Session continuity for providing content to a remote device [Download PDF]
Filed: 2004-12-30Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A method and apparatus is directed to provide a clip of content to a remote device, such as a mobile device. The invention enables an end-user to select content from a networked device, such as a personal computer. The selected content may include content from a webpage, graphic images, audio files, and the like. Selecting the content includes entry of an identifier such as a Mobile Identification Number (MIN), and a Mobile Station International ISDN Number (MSISDN). When the end-user employs the remote device to access the content, a server employs the identifier to determine if the remote device is authenticated and authorized to access the content. If it is, then the server provides the content to establish session continuity with the remote device. The content may then be transmitted to the remote device using any of a variety of messaging protocols.
- Application 20060143208 – Bitmask access for managing blog content [Download PDF]
Filed: 2004-12-29Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Methods, devices, and systems are directed towards managing a database using moderator determined attributes, and a contributor employable bitmask. In one embodiment, the database is employable for use in managing a weblog (blog). The bitmask is configured to enable contributors of a content item to modify selected options of an attribute for the provided content item. In one embodiment the bitmask is stored in the database and is associated with the content item in the database. By enabling a contributor to directly control options associated with an attribute for the content item, changes to selected attributes of the database’s content may be made with minimum interaction with a database administrator. For example, in one embodiment, the contributor may directly control anonymity associated with the provided content item, access to the provided content item, and how the provided content items is displayed.
- Application 20060155759 – Scalable cache layer for accessing blog content [Download PDF]
Filed: 2004-12-29Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Methods, devices, and systems are directed towards a caching layer for managing access to blog content. The invention includes a caching layer that communicates with a web server and a database server. The caching layer includes a plurality of slots arranged to hold information. The web server is directed to the caching layer for information. If the information is not in the caching layer, the caching layer accesses it from the database. When information from the database is accessed, it is transferred into a slot in the caching layer. An index associated with each slot is usable to further improve access to cached information. When a slot is unavailable, the slot may be automatically emptied. The emptied slot may then be available to receive additional information. The slot may be emptied when without querying when the information was placed in the caching layer or when the information was last accessed.
- Application 20050192946 – Lateral search [Download PDF]
Filed: 2004-12-27Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A search query is received. Personal information for a user is then determined. A search is performed in a general subdomain of general content using the search query. For example, the general subdomain of general content may be a WWW search. Then, a vertical subdomain is determined based on the personal information. A search is then performed in the vertical subdomain of specialized content using the search query. The search performed in the general subdomain and the search performed in the vertical subdomain generate general search results and vertical search results. The results may be combined and outputted to a client.
- Application 20050108155 – Systems and methods for implementing person-to-person money exchange [Download PDF]
Filed: 2004-12-22Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Systems and methods for effecting online financial transactions between individuals or between individuals and entities such as banks, merchants and other companies. Each user accesses a fund exchange server to establish an online account, which is used to transfer funds to and from other entities’ online accounts. To fund an online account, funds can be transferred to the online account from a credit card account or from another online account. To withdraw funds, money can be transferred to a credit card account or other bank account. Any user may initiate a send money transaction or a request payment transaction with any other entity provided that entity has an e-mail address. For a send money transaction, the user sending money (payor) enters an amount of funds to be transferred and an e-mail address of the recipient of the funds (payee). The system sends an e-mail message to the payee at the address provided indicating that the amount of funds has been “received” on the payee’s behalf. The payee must then either open an online account or identify an existing online account to complete the transaction. For a request money transaction, a user enters an amount of funds owed and an e-mail address for the recipient of the payment request (payor), and the system sends a payment request to the payor via e-mail at the provided address. If the payor accepts the payment request, the payor identifies an online account from which to transfer funds to the payee (initiator of the payment request). If the payor does not have an online account established, the payor must sign up for an online account and provide a credit card number to fund the online account. Thereafter, the amount of funds are transferred to the payee and the system sends an e-mail notification to the payee indicating that the funds have been “received” on the payee’s behalf. In both cases, to complete a transaction, the payee must direct the received funds to an online account, for example, by providing an online account number and/or other identifying information such as a password. The payor may cancel the transaction at any time until the payee directs the received funds to an online account.
- Application 20050172213 – Automated bulk communication responder [Download PDF]
Filed: 2004-12-21Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
The invention relates to processing similar electronic text communication. In one step, a first electronic and a second electronic submission, that are part of a plurality of electronic submissions, are received. A first portion is extracted from the first electronic submission and a second portion from the second electronic submission. Content of the first electronic submission influences extraction of the first portion and content of the second electronic submission influences extraction of the second portion. Locations for the first and second portions could vary with content. A first code is determined for the first portion and a second code for the second portion, where the first code is indicative of the first portion and the second code is indicative of the second portion. The first code to the second code are compared to associate the first and second electronic submission together.
- Patent 7359948 – Automated bulk communication responder [Download PDF]
Filed: 2004-12-21Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)The invention relates to processing similar electronic text communication. In one step, a first electronic and a second electronic submission, that are part of a plurality of electronic submissions, are received. A first portion is extracted from the first electronic submission and a second portion from the second electronic submission. Content of the first electronic submission influences extraction of the first portion and content of the second electronic submission influences extraction of the second portion. Locations for the first and second portions could vary with content. A first code is determined for the first portion and a second code for the second portion, where the first code is indicative of the first portion and the second code is indicative of the second portion. The first code to the second code are compared to associate the first and second electronic submission together.
- Application 20060059130 – System and method of automatically modifying an online dating service search using compatibility feedback [Download PDF]
Filed: 2004-12-14Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A system and method are directed towards automatically modifying an online dating service’s search results based on a user’s compatibility feedback. A user provides input to a series of questions that seek information regarding the user. The invention employs the input to identify a list of candidates for a potential long-term social relationship with the user. The invention may analyze the user’s evaluation of the candidates for possible adjustments, by modifying the candidate list based on, for example, whether the user has contacted a candidate, a frequency of the user’s contacts with a candidate, an order in which the user contacts candidates, and other compatibility feedback of the candidates by the user. Based on the user’s compatibility feedback, the invention automatically adjusts the search rankings for the user’s search results and updates the potential candidate list.
- Patent 7406465 – System and methods for ranking the relative value of terms in a multi-term search query using deletion prediction [Download PDF]
Filed: 2004-12-14Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)The likely relevance of each term of a search-engine query of two or more terms is determined by their deletion probability scores. If the deletion probability scores are significantly different, the deletion probability score can be used to return targeted ads related to the more relevant term or terms along with the search results. Deletion probability scores are determined by first gathering historical records of search queries of two or more terms in which a subsequent query was submitted by the same user after one or more of the terms had been deleted. The deletion probability score for a particular term of a search query is calculated as the ratio of the number of times that particular term was itself deleted prior to a subsequent search by the same user divided by the number of times there were subsequent search queries by the same user in which any term or terms including that given term was deleted by the same user prior to the subsequent search. Terms are not limited to individual alphabetic words.
- Application 20060122994 – Automatic generation of taxonomies for categorizing queries and search query processing using taxonomies [Download PDF]
Filed: 2004-12-06Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Systems and methods for processing search requests are provided, including automatic generation of taxonomies and query processing using those taxonomies.
- Patent 7428533 – Automatic generation of taxonomies for categorizing queries and search query processing using taxonomies [Download PDF]
Filed: 2004-12-06Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)Systems and methods for processing search requests are provided, including automatic generation of taxonomies and query processing using those taxonomies.
- Application 20050228775 – Method and apparatus for adaptive personalization of navigation [Download PDF]
Filed: 2004-11-30Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A system for dynamically adaptively personalizing at least one navigation control for a web site. Based on collected behaviors for a user, at least one navigation control is dynamically updated to link to a portion of the web site that may be of most interest to the user. Personalized navigation controls for accessing portions of the web site can be dynamically arranged on the web page displayed to the user. Additionally, the personalized navigation may be employed to drives screens of a mobile or living room device.
- Application 20060059184 – Optimal storage and retrieval of XML data [Download PDF]
Filed: 2004-11-16Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A document management system manages a large number of XML documents on an efficient and cost-effective basis. Storage requirements are reduced, because compressed versions of the XML documents, which are much smaller in size than the XML documents themselves, are used when processing queries. Processing requirements are reduced, because parsing is not a required step when processing queries. Instead of parsing, the query is processed by unpacking the compressed version of the document identified in the query, node by node until enough information has been decoded to satisfy the query. Processing speed is improved in two ways. First, unpacking as carried out according to the invention is a much faster process than parsing. Second, the entire document need not be unpacked.
- Patent 7403940 – Optimal storage and retrieval of XML data [Download PDF]
Filed: 2004-11-16Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)A document management system manages a large number of XML documents on an efficient and cost-effective basis. Storage requirements are reduced, because compressed versions of the XML documents, which are much smaller in size than the XML documents themselves, are used when processing queries. Processing requirements are reduced, because parsing is not a required step when processing queries. Instead of parsing, the query is processed by unpacking the compressed version of the document identified in the query, node by node until enough information has been decoded to satisfy the query. Processing speed is improved in two ways. First, unpacking as carried out according to the invention is a much faster process than parsing. Second, the entire document need not be unpacked.
- Patent 7412655 – Method and system of providing dynamic dialogs [Download PDF]
Filed: 2004-11-02Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)Methods and systems for providing dynamic dialogs, used with a downloadable toolbar for an Internet browser. In an embodiment of the invention an add-on browser toolbar, which may be implemented as a downloadable toolbar application that adds functionality to a Web browser, receives downloadable toolbar data that comprises dialog display data. In response to an event that calls for the display of a dialog, a dialog object is created and the dialog display data is loaded in the dialog object and then displayed to the user.
- Application 20050097321 – System and method for a subscription model trusted email database for use in antispam [Download PDF]
Filed: 2004-10-28Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
The invention is directed to implementing a trust rating subscription model for email addresses and/or domains in a trust-oriented email network that is supported by a deployment of a trusted email database (TED) system. The TED maintains the trust rating for individual email addresses relative to the recipients. Also, the subscription model enables the email end users and inbox service providers to register with the TED to obtain the trust rating of a specific email sender relative to the recipient. This trust rating may then be used by the email end user or an inbox service provider to filter spam, if the sender is untrusted, or deliver the message to an inbox, if the sender is trusted. A sender (individual email address, domain, and the like) can also subscribe and obtain limited rights to email subscribers of the TED system.
- Patent 7181764 – System and method for a subscription model trusted email database for use in antispam [Download PDF]
Filed: 2004-10-28Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)The invention is directed to implementing a trust rating subscription model for email addresses and/or domains in a trust-oriented email network that is supported by a deployment of a trusted email database (TED) system. The TED maintains the trust rating for individual email addresses relative to the recipients. Also, the subscription model enables the email end users and inbox service providers to register with the TED to obtain the trust rating of a specific email sender relative to the recipient. This trust rating may then be used by the email end user or an inbox service provider to filter spam, if the sender is untrusted, or deliver the message to an inbox, if the sender is trusted. A sender (individual email address, domain, and the like) can also subscribe and obtain limited rights to email subscribers of the TED system.
- Application 20050102351 – Method, apparatus and system for providing a server agent for a mobile device [Download PDF]
Filed: 2004-10-19Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
The invention enables one or more agents to gather information from at least one server on a network and automatically provide this information to an inbox on a server and then providing it to an inbox on a mobile device if a wireless connection to the mobile device is available. A server agent facility provides for preprocessing requests for information from the mobile device, including, collecting the information out of band, filtering the collected information, and packaging the information for delivery in a format suitable for the mobile device. A server agent within the server agent facility may actively collect the information based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, time, event(s), user profile, mobile device profile, request(s), alert(s), and historical behavior.
- Patent 7356572 – Method, apparatus and system for providing a server agent for a mobile device [Download PDF]
Filed: 2004-10-19Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)The invention enables one or more agents to gather information from at least one server on a network and automatically provide this information to an inbox on a server and then providing it to an inbox on a mobile device if a wireless connection to the mobile device is available. A server agent facility provides for preprocessing requests for information from the mobile device, including, collecting the information out of band, filtering the collected information, and packaging the information for delivery in a format suitable for the mobile device. A server agent within the server agent facility may actively collect the information based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, time, event(s), user profile, mobile device profile, request(s), alert(s), and historical behavior.
- Application 20050131813 – Systems and methods for implementing person-to-person money exchange [Download PDF]
Filed: 2004-10-08Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Systems and methods for effecting online financial transactions between individuals or between individuals and entities such as banks, merchants and other companies. Each user accesses a fund exchange server to establish an online account, which is used to transfer funds to and from other entities’ online accounts. To fund an online account, funds can be transferred to the online account from a credit card account or from another online account. To withdraw funds, money can be transferred to a credit card account or other bank account. Any user may initiate a send money transaction or a request payment transaction with any other entity provided that entity has an e-mail address. For a send money transaction, the user sending money (payor) enters an amount of funds to be transferred and an e-mail address of the recipient of the funds (payee). The system sends an e-mail message to the payee at the address provided indicating that the amount of funds has been “received” on the payee’s behalf. The payee must then either open an online account or identify an existing online account to complete the transaction. For a request money transaction, a user enters an amount of funds owed and an e-mail address for the recipient of the payment request (payor), and the system sends a payment request to the payor via e-mail at the provided address. If the payor accepts the payment request, the payor identifies an online account from which to transfer funds to the payee (initiator of the payment request). If the payor does not have an online account established, the payor must sign up for an online account and provide a credit card number to fund the online account. Thereafter, the amount of funds are transferred to the payee and the system sends an e-mail notification to the payee indicating that the funds have been “received” on the payee’s behalf. In both cases, to complete a transaction, the payee must direct the received funds to an online account, for example, by providing an online account number and/or other identifying information such as a password. The payor may cancel the transaction at any time until the payee directs the received funds to an online account.
- Patent 7343568 – Navigation pattern on a directory tree [Download PDF]
Filed: 2004-10-05Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)Navigation management occurs in a mobile device during a directory up-down scroll and it involves a user interface and a directory (e.g., mobile directory of photos). The directory is a tree-shaped hierarchy of nodes such that any node on the directory is selectable by a user via the user interface. This way navigation can flow up-down through the directory. Additionally, the navigation management involves associating a state and one or more action items with each node and saving the state. The state is an expanded or collapsed condition of the node. If the state of a particular node is expanded, additional nodes at a lower level of the hierarchy are presented to the user. If its state is collapsed only that particular node is presented and the other nodes are hidden. The user interface includes for any node selected by the user its associated one or more action items.
- Application 20050050215 – Systems and methods for predicting traffic on internet sites [Download PDF]
Filed: 2004-10-01Assignee: YAHOO!, INC.
Systems and methods are provided for predicting visitor traffic to a network of web site pages. The systems and methods are used, as an example, to predict the inventory of total available online advertisements available within the network for a forthcoming period. The visitor traffic includes page viewing, listening or transacting on web pages within a web site, wherein the web pages are categorized by subject, interest areas or specific user queries such as word or phrase searches. For each page whose traffic is being predicted, the system takes into account annual seasonality, day-of-week, holidays, special events, short histories, user demographics, user web behavior (viewing, listening and transacting) and parent and child web page characteristics.
- Application 20050111439 – Voice integrated VOIP system [Download PDF]
Filed: 2004-09-29Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
An integrated VoIP unified message processing system includes a voice platform that processes data in native VoIP format. There is no use of hardware telephone interface cards (TICs) or software transcoding to transform data to PCM or other formats. Cost reductions are achieved by the elimination of expensive dedicated hardware and scalability is achieved by obviating the need for software transcoding.
- Application 20060085731 – Method for providing a clip for viewing at a remote device [Download PDF]
Filed: 2004-09-28Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A method and apparatus is directed to provide a clip of content to a remote device, such as a mobile device. The invention enables an end-user to determine content from a networked device, such as a personal computer. The determined content may include content from a webpage, graphic image, audio file, file, and the like. The determined content may be selected using a clip mechanism within a browser, or other application. The clip mechanism may provide a pop-up window, field entry, or the like, that enables entry of an identifier associated with the remote device. The clipped content may then be formatted based on a configuration of the remote device. The formatted clipped content may be transmitted to the remote device using a variety of messaging mechanisms, such as a SMS message, which includes a Universal Resource Locator (URL) to the clipped content.
- Application 20050171954 – Selective electronic messaging within an online social network for SPAM detection [Download PDF]
Filed: 2004-09-21Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A method, apparatus, and system are directed towards communicating a message within a social network based, in part, on user-defined criteria. The user-defined criteria may be applied towards filtering outgoing and/or incoming messages. The user-defined criteria may include degrees of separation between members of the social network, a relationship to the prospective recipient, as well as criteria based, in part, on activities, such as dating, employment, hobbies, and the like. The user-defined criteria may also be based on a group membership, a strength of a relationship, and the like. Such user-defined relationship criteria may then be employed to determine to whom a message may be sent, as well from whom a message may be received.
- Application 20050171955 – System and method of information filtering using measures of affinity of a relationship [Download PDF]
Filed: 2004-09-21Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A system, apparatus, and method are directed towards enabling information filtering using measures of an affinity of a relationship between subscribers of an online portal system. The affinity of a relationship may be determined based, in part, on the tracking of various online behaviors of and between subscribers of the portal system. Any of a variety of behaviors may be tracked, including message communications between subscribers, participation in instant messaging groups, purchases, activities, categories, and so forth. Such behaviors may be employed to determine a level of trust (or affinity) between subscribers of the portal system. This affinity measurement may be used to filter various information, including, but not limited to, product recommendations, ratings, polling queries, advertising, social network communications, personal ads, search results, and the like. Moreover, this affinity measurement may also be employed to perform message spam detection.
- Application 20050114777 – Calendar integration with instant messaging [Download PDF]
Filed: 2004-08-05Assignee: Yahoo, Inc.
In some embodiments, techniques for calendar integration into instant messaging comprises receiving data associated with a calendar event; wherein the data includes status information; and automatically communicating with at least one recipient.
- Application 20060026013 – Search systems and methods using in-line contextual queries [Download PDF]
Filed: 2004-07-29Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Systems and methods are provided for implementing searches using contextual information associated with a Web page (or other document) that a user is viewing when a query is entered. The page includes a contextual search interface that has an associated context vector representing content of the page. When the user submits a search query via the contextual search interface, the query and the context vector are both provided to the query processor and used in responding to the query.
- Application 20050086599 – Method and system for maintaining font sizes on different platforms [Download PDF]
Filed: 2004-07-09Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
The invention is directed to a system and method for automatically enabling the font size for text in a web page to be maintained as intended across different types of platforms and without disabling the native controls for adjusting font sizes. If a web page that employs the invention is selected for display, the type of platform, i.e., particular operating system and browser application, for displaying the web page is automatically determined. Once the platform is determined, the invention automatically provides the platform with predetermined small, big, and default font sizes that enable the display of the text at the same size(s) as intended for the web page. Research is performed for the different types of platforms to predetermine font sizes for small, big and default text that will enable the display of text as intended by the author of the web page at a similar size on each platform.
- Application 20050097319 – System and method for managing a trusted email datastore [Download PDF]
Filed: 2004-07-08Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A Trust Email Datastore (TED) system is employed to maintain a list of message addresses with associated trust ratings. The trust rating of a message address is derived from an underlying message address relationship network around the message address of interest through various network related activities such as message sending, forwarding, deleting, blocking, marking as is/is not spam, saving to address book, etc. There may be at least two components of the trust rating between two message addresses. One component of the trust rating, called a relationship trust, may be determined based on proximity of two message addresses in a message address relationship graph. Another component of the trust rating is substantially independent of the positions of two message addresses in the message address relationship graph, and is referred to as a universal trust rating. The trust rating components can be combined and employed for spam filtering.
- Patent 7155738 – System and method for managing a trusted email datastore [Download PDF]
Filed: 2004-07-08Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)A Trust Email Datastore (TED) system is employed to maintain a list of message addresses with associated trust ratings. The trust rating of a message address is derived from an underlying message address relationship network around the message address of interest through various network related activities such as message sending, forwarding, deleting, blocking, marking as is/is not spam, saving to address book, etc. There may be at least two components of the trust rating between two message addresses. One component of the trust rating, called a relationship trust, may be determined based on proximity of two message addresses in a message address relationship graph. Another component of the trust rating is substantially independent of the positions of two message addresses in the message address relationship graph, and is referred to as a universal trust rating. The trust rating components can be combined and employed for spam filtering.
- Application 20050160083 – User-specific vertical search [Download PDF]
Filed: 2004-06-29Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Techniques for performing user-specific searches are provided. A search engine receives a search query and performs processing to determine whether a user-specific search is indicated. If the search engine so determines, user-specific data is searched using user identity information to generate user-specific search results specific to the user identified by the user identity. Accordingly, the search results include information that is specific to the user determined from the user identity associated with the search query.
- Application 20050198319 – Techniques for parental control of internet access including a guest mode [Download PDF]
Filed: 2004-06-16Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Techniques are provided for limiting access to Internet content using a parental control filtering system. One or more user systems are connected to the Internet through a network device such as a gateway router. The network device restricts Internet access to pre-selected Internet content in a guest mode without requiring a user to login to a user account. A guest user who does not have a user account is allowed limited access to the Internet through a user system in the guest mode. A user who has a user account can bypass the guest mode and obtain less restrictive access to the Internet by logging into the user account. Parental control settings of any level can be applied to a user account. The parent control setting assigned to a user account are applied to the user system when the user successfully logins to his user account.
- Application 20050171832 – Method and system for sharing portal subscriber information in an online social network [Download PDF]
Filed: 2004-06-14Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A method, apparatus, and system are directed towards making a user’s online portal information available to members of an online social network. Portal information can include information entered by the user and information determined based on the user’s online behaviors, such as frequenting a Web site, sending spam messages, and the like. The online social network enables multiple degrees of relationships among members of the online social network. At least a portion of the portal information is made accessible to at least some of the members of the online social network who have a relationship to the user. The relationship can be through a public activity available to all members and/or through a user-defined category of members, such as family, friends, business contacts, and the like. The portal information can be used to determine which relationships will be established and/or which information will be available to members.
- Patent 7143118 – Method and system for alert delivery architecture [Download PDF]
Filed: 2004-06-11Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)An architecture for providing an alert message based on content that may be received as an event based feed or a time based feed in one or more formats. The architecture includes a data collection processing module for normalizing the content into a predefined data structure, and indexing the content for processing large amounts of content according to selected characteristics. A matching engine employs user queries to associate the event based content with one or more users who have indicated an interest in receiving alert messages associated with selected content. The matching engine also generates the corresponding alert messages. A poller fetches content on behalf or users at a predefined period and generates a corresponding alert message. A delivery interface determines which alert messages are to be sent immediately and which alert messages are to be scheduled for later delivery. The architecture is mirrored for scalability and backup.
- Patent 7334001 – Method and system for data collection for alert delivery [Download PDF]
Filed: 2004-06-11Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)Managing data collection for one or more scheduled alert messages. A primary or backup poller manager coordinates any number of poller services to access content and generate the alert messages. At a predefined period the poller manager is informed that an existing or new poller service is available for work. The poller manager provides a query to the poller service to access content in which one or more users have expressed an interest. Querying for a large number of users can be subdivided among the poller services. The poller service can also automatically expand the query if it yields insufficient content. The poller service generates the alert messages for the interested users and informs the poller manager when done. A change in content can be used to generate or update alert messages before their scheduled delivery. The poller manager prioritizes processing with a quality of service level.
- Patent 7346630 – Method and system for delivery alerts to a user [Download PDF]
Filed: 2004-06-11Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)Delivering one or more alert messages via one or more delivery methods to one or more users who have indicated an interest in receiving the alert messages. A delivery service receives an alert document and a list of receiving users. This list indicates which users desire immediate delivery, which users desire delivery at a scheduled time, a service priority and/or other delivery criteria. Any black out period or other deferral is associated with the deferring users to prevent alert delivery during those times. For scheduled deliveries, the alert message is stored on one of a plurality of storages, based on alert type, user priority, storage loads, and/or other parameters. At the scheduled time, the stored alert message is accessed and marked for immediate delivery. The alert message is delivered as an email, instant message, short message service message, and/or the like. A history is maintained of all alert deliveries.
- Application 20050171799 – Method and system for seeding online social network contacts [Download PDF]
Filed: 2004-06-08Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A method, apparatus, and system are directed towards seeding a user’s contacts for their online social network. The invention is arranged to automatically recommend to the user a set of seed contacts that the user may employ to invite to join their social network. The set of seed contacts may be harvested from the user’s existing portal activities, as well as other sources. In one embodiment, the invention analyzes portal activity, such as email exchanges with the user, and the like, to determine a frequency of contact with the user. Other sources may include but not be limited to emails, names within an address book of the user, names within an address book of another person, a buddy list, an instant messaging list, an activity, a mailing list, an online discussion group, a membership in a category, chat group, and the like.
- Patent 7428579 – Method and system for segmentation of a message inbox [Download PDF]
Filed: 2004-05-27Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)A method, apparatus, and system are directed towards managing unsolicited email messages, and the like, in part, by providing segmentation of an email inbox. In one embodiment, the email inbox is segmented into segments associated with a message from a trusted, trusted email address, an untrusted email address, and a segment for a bulk email message, such as spam, and the like. A determination that the message is from a trusted email address may be made based, in part, on whether the email address is associated with one’s address book, a degree of separation that may be determined based on an association with another’s address book, whether the email address was a sent email address, and the like. By segmenting the email inbox, the invention minimizes a risk associated with incorrectly discarding a message from a desired, but untrusted source.
- Application 20060041621 – Method and system for providing a disposable email address [Download PDF]
Filed: 2004-05-21Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A method, apparatus, and system are directed towards providing a Disposable Email Address (DEA) that may be employed, in part, to manage email spam. The DEA may be generated based, in part, on an end-user profile, a keyword, and a domain address. The DEA may be distinguishable from a non-DEA by a selection of at least one preserved character, such as a dash. Moreover, the DEA may be discarded at some time later, without affecting an end-user’s `permanent` email address.
- Application 20050261919 – Apparatus, system and method for use in providing user ratings according to prior transactions [Download PDF]
Filed: 2004-05-19Assignee: Yahoo! Inc., a Delaware corporation
The present embodiments provide methods, apparatuses, systems, architectures, computer readable medium, and processes for use in notifying users of other users’ transaction ratings. Some embodiments provide a method for use in facilitating transactions between users. This method determines that a first user is interested in entering into a transaction with a second user, determines a summary rating of the second user, and notifies the first user of the second user’s summary rating prior to the first user entering into a transaction with the second user. The method can further determine that the second user’s summary rating is below a first threshold, generate the notification to the first user to review the second users summary rating, and implement the notification of the first user when the second user’s summary rating is below the first threshold. In some embodiments, the method notifies the first user by displaying a warning box.
- Patent 7209895 – Methods for use in providing user ratings according to prior transactions [Download PDF]
Filed: 2004-05-19Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)The present embodiments provide methods, apparatuses, systems, architectures, computer readable medium, and processes for use in notifying users of other users’ transaction ratings. Some embodiments provide a method for use in facilitating transactions between users. This method determines that a first user is interested in entering into a transaction with a second user, determines a summary rating of the second user, and notifies the first user of the second user’s summary rating prior to the first user entering into a transaction with the second user. The method can further determine that the second user’s summary rating is below a first threshold, generate the notification to the first user to review the second users summary rating, and implement the notification of the first user when the second user’s summary rating is below the first threshold. In some embodiments, the method notifies the first user by displaying a warning box.
- Application 20050256755 – System and method for providing automobile marketing research information [Download PDF]
Filed: 2004-05-17Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A system and method for providing customized reports regarding pre-sale auto interest is enclosed herein. The reports are configured to provide pre-sale marketing research information about potential shoppers of particular auto models. The reports are also configured to provide information about competitors’ auto models. The reports are also configured to provide demographic and interest information of the potential shoppers of the particular auto models.
- Application 20050177385 – Method and system for customizing views of information associated with a social network user [Download PDF]
Filed: 2004-04-26Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A method, apparatus, and system are directed towards managing a view of a social network user’s personal information based, in part, on user-defined criteria. The user-defined criteria may be applied towards a user’s relationship with each prospective viewer. The user-defined criteria may include degrees of separation between members of the social network, a relationship to the prospective viewer, as well as criteria based, in part, on activities, such as dating, employment, hobbies, and the like. The user-defined criteria may also be based on a group membership, a strength of a relationship, and the like. Such user-defined relationship criteria may then be mapped against various categories of information associated with social network user to provide customized views of the social network user.
- Patent 7269590 – Method and system for customizing views of information associated with a social network user [Download PDF]
Filed: 2004-04-26Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)A method, apparatus, and system are directed towards managing a view of a social network user’s personal information based, in part, on user-defined criteria. The user-defined criteria may be applied towards a user’s relationship with each prospective viewer. The user-defined criteria may include degrees of separation between members of the social network, a relationship to the prospective viewer, as well as criteria based, in part, on activities, such as dating, employment, hobbies, and the like. The user-defined criteria may also be based on a group membership, a strength of a relationship, and the like. Such user-defined relationship criteria may then be mapped against various categories of information associated with social network user to provide customized views of the social network user.
- Application 20050154746 – Content presentation and management system associating base content and relevant additional content [Download PDF]
Filed: 2004-04-21Assignee: Yahoo!, Inc.
A system for determining associations between base content and relevant content and for publishing the base content and relevant content on a client browser. The system includes a parsing module configured to parse the base content to form parsed base content; a unit-dictionary module including a plurality of query units; a unit-extraction module configured to extract query units included in the unit dictionary from the parsed base content, wherein the query units extracted from the base content are referred to as the extracted-query units; a unit-ranking module configured to rank the extracted-query units based on at least one of relevance scores and revenue-generation amounts for the query units; and a unit-matching module configured to generate at least one association between the base content and the relevant content based on whether the extracted-query units and at least one of query units and keywords associated with the relevant content are the same.
- Patent 7483891 – Content presentation and management system associating base content and relevant additional content [Download PDF]
Filed: 2004-04-21Assignee: Yahoo, Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)A system for determining associations between base content and relevant content and for publishing the base content and relevant content on a client browser. The system includes a parsing module configured to parse the base content to form parsed base content; a unit-dictionary module including a plurality of query units; a unit-extraction module configured to extract query units included in the unit dictionary from the parsed base content, wherein the query units extracted from the base content are referred to as the extracted-query units; a unit-ranking module configured to rank the extracted-query units based on at least one of relevance scores and revenue-generation amounts for the query units; and a unit-matching module configured to generate at least one association between the base content and the relevant content based on whether the extracted-query units and at least one of query units and keywords associated with the relevant content are the same.
- Application 20050234883 – Techniques for inline searching in an instant messenger environment [Download PDF]
Filed: 2004-04-19Assignee: Yahoo!, Inc.
Techniques for performing inline searches in an instant messaging environment are provided. A user can implement a web search in an instant messaging window by entering a search query. A search query can be preceded by a predefined search trigger to identify the associated text as the search query. The search query is sent to an Internet search server, which processes the query and gathers search results. One or more of the search results is displayed inline in the instant messaging window to the sender and the recipient. The search result can be in XML or HTML format and can include graphics and hyperlinks.
- Application 20050234885 – Integration of instant messenging with Internet searching [Download PDF]
Filed: 2004-04-19Assignee: Yahoo!, Inc.
Techniques for integrating instant messaging with Internet search features are provided. An instant messaging (IM) application allows users to launch a search of the Internet or the World Wide Web for information about another IM user or another topic. If an IM user wishes to locate information relating to a friend, a search is performed through a database of registered IM members to locate a user profile for the friend. If the friend’s profile is found, the profile is displayed to the IM user. An IM application can also launch a Internet search for information relating to a topic or a friend. The IM application can link to an Internet search engine to search the Internet for web sites relating to the topic or person. Search results from an Internet search can be sorted based on information about a friend that is stored in the friend’s user profile.
- Application 20050235219 – Techniques for simultaneously displaying a background page and an interactive content page in an application window [Download PDF]
Filed: 2004-04-19Assignee: Yahoo!, Inc.
Techniques are provided for maintaining the visibility of a priority page in the background of a software application window while simultaneously displaying unrelated content from a content tab. The content displayed in the content tab can be obtained from a web page. A user can resize or minimize the content tab, but the background priority page is always visible in the window. The priority page can be a friends lists displayed in the background of an instant messenger application. Content from a content tab is simultaneously displayed in the instant messenger window with the friends list.
- Patent 7363295 – Techniques for inline searching in an instant messenger environment [Download PDF]
Filed: 2004-04-19Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)Techniques for performing inline searches in an instant messaging environment are provided. A user can implement a web search in an instant messaging window by entering a search query. A search query can be preceded by a predefined search trigger to identify the associated text as the search query. The search query is sent to an Internet search server, which processes the query and gathers search results. One or more of the search results is displayed inline in the instant messaging window to the sender and the recipient. The search result can be in XML or HTML format and can include graphics and hyperlinks.
- Patent 7409384 – Integration of instant messaging with internet searching [Download PDF]
Filed: 2004-04-19Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)Techniques for integrating instant messaging with Internet search features are provided. An instant messaging (IM) application allows users to launch a search of the Internet or the World Wide Web for information about another IM user or another topic. If an IM user wishes to locate information relating to a friend, a search is performed through a database of registered IM members to locate a user profile for the friend. If the friend’s profile is found, the profile is displayed to the IM user. An IM application can also launch a Internet search for information relating to a topic or a friend. The IM application can link to an Internet search engine to search the Internet for web sites relating to the topic or person. Search results from an Internet search can be sorted based on information about a friend that is stored in the friend’s user profile.
- Patent 7487455 – Techniques for simultaneously displaying a background page and an interactive content page in an application window [Download PDF]
Filed: 2004-04-19Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)Techniques are provided for maintaining the visibility of a priority page in the background of a software application window while simultaneously displaying unrelated content from a content tab. The content displayed in the content tab can be obtained from a web page. A user can resize or minimize the content tab, but the background priority page is always visible in the window. The priority page can be a friends lists displayed in the background of an instant messenger application. Content from a content tab is simultaneously displayed in the instant messenger window with the friends list.
- Application 20040249801 – Universal search interface systems and methods [Download PDF]
Filed: 2004-04-05Assignee: Yahoo!
Systems and methods for enhancing information retrieval and communication functionality through the use of a universal interface that is configurable to interface with multiple applications resident on a user computer, and which provides a persistent two-way communication channel for communicating with search intelligence on a remote system. Sharable, actionable labels and codebooks of labels may be defined by a user. Each label may be defined in a natural language format and may include a mapping to a specific application or set of applications executable on a user system. Transfer of labels and codebooks between user systems allows for enhanced information exchange and retrieval among users as well as information exchange tracking and analysis by a server system.
- Application 20050228780 – Search system using search subdomain and hints to subdomains in search query statements and sponsored results on a subdomain-by-subdomain basis [Download PDF]
Filed: 2004-04-05Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A method and apparatus for generating search results including searching by subdomain and providing sponsored results by subdomain is provided. A search system according to embodiments of the present invention analyzes search queries to determine if they are to be routed to subdomains and presents results include sponsored hits sponsored on a subdomain by subdomain basis.
- Application 20040199597 – Method and system for image verification to prevent messaging abuse [Download PDF]
Filed: 2004-04-02Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
The invention is directed to a system and method for determining if a “spam” message is originating from a messaging account by challenging a particular client’s outbound email usage with a test that requires verification of content that is easily understood by a human being, not an automated computer program such as those used by “spammers.” If a limit on the number of recipients for outbound messages has been exceeded, a test is presented the next time a client attempts to send a message. The client must successfully answer the test within a relatively short period of time or else the ability to send messages will be disabled. Once disabled, the client can reinstate the ability to send messages by contacting a representative of the message system out of band, e.g., a telephone call to confirm legitimate outbound email use.
- Application 20040249800 – Content bridge for associating host content and guest content wherein guest content is determined by search [Download PDF]
Filed: 2004-03-31Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A method and apparatus for generating content for an electronic content access system wherein requests for host content are received and responses to such requests include at least references to the host content requested and at least references to guest content related to the host content requested, comprising obtaining host content from sources external to the electronic content access system, importing the obtained host content to a host content database, distilling the host content to derive host content summary data for the host content, storing the host content summary data in an indexable structure and storing guest content in an indexable structure, such that a query using host content summary data can be applied as a search against the guest content to retrieve guest content related to the requested host content without requiring preassociated links to guest content.
- Patent 7107264 – Content bridge for associating host content and guest content wherein guest content is determined by search [Download PDF]
Filed: 2004-03-31Assignee: Yahoo, Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)A method and apparatus for generating content for an electronic content access system wherein requests for host content are received and responses to such requests include at least references to the host content requested and at least references to guest content related to the host content requested, comprising obtaining host content from sources external to the electronic content access system, importing the obtained host content to a host content database, distilling the host content to derive host content summary data for the host content, storing the host content summary data in an indexable structure and storing guest content in an indexable structure, such that a query using host content summary data can be applied as a search against the guest content to retrieve guest content related to the requested host content without requiring preassociated links to guest content.
- Patent 7359893 – Delivering items based on links to resources associated with search results [Download PDF]
Filed: 2004-03-31Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)Techniques are described for delivering search results pages to the users of a search engine, where one or more search result listings on the search results pages include one or more items that are associated with links to resources that satisfy a related search and that satisfy a specified condition. The items that are delivered with the search results may be associated with a party that is different than the party that controls the resource to which the link is associated, and may be delivered such that any item that is displayed based on the item’s association with a link to a resource is displayed in a frame of display that is different than a frame of the display in which the link to which the item is associated is displayed.
- Application 20050216533 – Search using graph colorization and personalized bookmark processing [Download PDF]
Filed: 2004-03-29Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
In a search processing system, identifying input authority weights for a plurality of pages, wherein an input authority weight represents a user’s weight of a page in terms of interest; distributing a page’s input authority weight over one or more pages that are linked in a graph to the page; and using a resulting authority weight for a page in effecting a search result list. The search result list might comprise one or more of reordering search hits and highlighting search hits.
- Patent 7343374 – Computation of page authority weights using personalized bookmarks [Download PDF]
Filed: 2004-03-29Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)In a search processing system, identifying input authority weights for a plurality of pages, wherein an input authority weight represents a user’s weight of a page in terms of interest; distributing a page’s input authority weight over one or more pages that are linked in a graph to the page; and using a resulting authority weight for a page in effecting a search result list. The search result list might comprise one or more of reordering search hits and highlighting search hits.
- Application 20050039019 – Method and system for authenticating a message sender using domain keys [Download PDF]
Filed: 2004-03-19Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A method and system is directed to providing policies for handling authenticated messages, such as email, and the like, by combining Public Key encryption and the Internet Domain Name System (the “DNS”). The policies include system, user, statistics, new domain, unverified domain, and third party. A domain owner may validate that an email originates from an authorized sender within their domain by using a private key component to digitally sign email outbound from its domain. Employing a public key component, along with a selector, an email recipient may check the validity of the signature, and thus determine that the email originated from a sender authorized by the domain owner. In one embodiment, the public key component used to verify an email signature may be “advertised” or otherwise made available via a TXT record in the DNS.
- Patent 7313700 – Method and system for authenticating a message sender using domain keys [Download PDF]
Filed: 2004-03-19Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)A method and system is directed to providing policies for handling authenticated messages, such as email, and the like, by combining Public Key encryption and the Internet Domain Name System (the “DNS”). The policies include system, user, statistics, new domain, unverified domain, and third party. A domain owner may validate that an email originates from an authorized sender within their domain by using a private key component to digitally sign email outbound from its domain. Employing a public key component, along with a selector, an email recipient may check the validity of the signature, and thus determine that the email originated from a sender authorized by the domain owner. In one embodiment, the public key component used to verify an email signature may be “advertised” or otherwise made available via a TXT record in the DNS.
- Application 20050201290 – Method and system for finding a friend in a social network [Download PDF]
Filed: 2004-03-11Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A process for reducing the resources employed in real time to communicate a message between related nodes that are separated by multiple degrees of separation in a social network. At least a portion of the shortest path for the multiple degrees of separation between at least two related nodes in a social network is determined out of band prior to the initiation of a process to communicate between the related nodes. By pre-processing at least a portion of the degrees of separation for the shortest path between the nodes, the actual resources employed in real time to calculate the entire shortest path can be reduced. Typically, approximately fifty percent or more of the shortest paths for the degrees of separation between related nodes in the social network are pre-processed. Since the amount of resources for determining the shortest path for each degree of separation can exponentially increase with each degree, the pre-processing of a portion of the degrees of separation along a shortest path can significantly reduce the resources required in real time to complete the determination of the shortest path. Also, if a common intermediate node is identified in the pre-processing of the shortest paths for two nodes in the social network, the intermediate shortest paths can be stored for reuse as a complete shortest path between these two nodes,
- Patent 7016307 – Method and system for finding related nodes in a social network [Download PDF]
Filed: 2004-03-11Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)A process for reducing the resources employed in real time to communicate a message between related nodes that are separated by multiple degrees of separation in a social network. At least a portion of the shortest path for the multiple degrees of separation between at least two related nodes in a social network is determined out of band prior to the initiation of a process to communicate between the related nodes. By pre-processing at least a portion of the degrees of separation for the shortest path between the nodes, the actual resources employed in real time to calculate the entire shortest path can be reduced. Typically, approximately fifty percent or more of the shortest paths for the degrees of separation between related nodes in the social network are pre-processed. Since the amount of resources for determining the shortest path for each degree of separation can exponentially increase with each degree, the pre-processing of a portion of the degrees of separation along a shortest path can significantly reduce the resources required in real time to complete the determination of the shortest path. Also, if a common intermediate node is identified in the pre-processing of the shortest paths for two nodes in the social network, the intermediate shortest paths can be stored for reuse as a complete shortest path between these two nodes.
- Patent 7359873 – Self-service catalog manager for stores implemented on a communications network [Download PDF]
Filed: 2004-03-11Assignee: Yahoo, Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)A computerized self-service platform assists merchants in creating and managing stores on a computer network. In one aspect, a system for managing a store includes a product database and an ecommerce storefront, with the ecommerce storefront referencing information in the product database. A product administration module (e.g., a catalog manager) allows the merchant to manage the product database on a self-serve basis. Separating the storefront from the product database can yield numerous advantages.
- Patent 7487441 – Method and system of enhanced messaging [Download PDF]
Filed: 2004-03-11Assignee: Yahoo!Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)Methods and apparatus for providing rich media for enhancing user interaction with a messaging program. The rich media includes user perceptible content and content specific information. User perceptible content may include a small animated picture with an embedded sound file that messaging program users can send to each other during a messaging session. Content specific information may include a description of the perceptible content, context menu items including universal resource identifiers that link to information related to the content and information related to other messaging program content. In addition computer code is provided to allow communication between the rich media and the messaging program so that the messaging program and the rich media can interoperate.
- Application 20050080795 – Systems and methods for search processing using superunits [Download PDF]
Filed: 2004-03-09Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
In a search processing system, a concept network is generated from a set of queries by parsing the queries into units and defining various relationships between the units based in part on patterns of units that appear together in queries. Units in the concept network that have some similar characteristic(s) are grouped into superunits. For each superunit, there is a corresponding signature that defines the similar characteristic of the group. A query is processed by identifying constituent units, determining the superunit membership of some or all of the constituent units, and using that information to formulate a response to the query.
- Patent 7340460 – Vector analysis of histograms for units of a concept network in search query processing [Download PDF]
Filed: 2004-03-09Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)A set of concept networks is generated, with each concept network based on a different group of queries. From these concept networks, histogram vectors are defined for various units, where a unit’s histogram vector reflects the frequency of occurrence of that unit in the different concept networks. Analysis of histogram vectors for different units across the same set of concept networks can enable detection of patterns of user behavior that can be used in responding to a subsequently received query.
- Patent 7346629 – Systems and methods for search processing using superunits [Download PDF]
Filed: 2004-03-09Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)In a search processing system, a concept network is generated from a set of queries by parsing the queries into units and defining various relationships between the units based in part on patterns of units that appear together in queries. Units in the concept network that have some similar characteristic(s) are grouped into superunits. For each superunit, there is a corresponding signature that defines the similar characteristic of the group. A query is processed by identifying constituent units, determining the superunit membership of some or all of the constituent units, and using that information to formulate a response to the query.
- Application 20040225685 – Method and apparatus for accessing targeted, personalized voice/audio web content through wireless devices [Download PDF]
Filed: 2004-03-08Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A wireless web system allows users to navigate web pages that include links to audio content where the pages are provided over a data connection and the audio content is provided over a voice connection. An audio content reference generator generates a reference to a portion of static audio content and that audio content reference is provided to the user’s wireless web client as a link on a wireless web page, or other page retrieved by the wireless web device over the data connection. The audio content reference and a telephone number of an audio server form the link on the page, so that when a user selects that link, the wireless device establishes a voice connection to the audio server using the telephone number and then provides the audio server with the audio content reference so that the user hears the specifically referenced audio content over the voice channel.
- Patent 7206745 – Method and apparatus for accessing targeted, personalized voice/audio web content through wireless devices [Download PDF]
Filed: 2004-03-08Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)A wireless web system allows users to navigate web pages that include links to audio content where the pages are provided over a data connection and the audio content is provided over a voice connection. An audio content reference generator generates a reference to a portion of static audio content and that audio content reference is provided to the user’s wireless web client as a link on a wireless web page, or other page retrieved by the wireless web device over the data connection. The audio content reference and a telephone number of an audio server form the link on the page, so that when a user selects that link, the wireless device establishes a voice connection to the audio server using the telephone number and then provides the audio server with the audio content reference so that the user hears the specifically referenced audio content over the voice channel.
- Application 20050097170 – Community-based green list for antispam [Download PDF]
Filed: 2004-03-01Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A community-based “green list” (CGL) message filter for mail service providers. The CGL filtering enables trusted messages to be delivered directly into a user’s inbox folder and other messages to be delivered to other folders associated with the user. The CGL filtering indicates which messages are sent from those message addresses listed as friends in the user’s personal address book. Also, the scope of CGL filtering includes more than those message addresses that the user interacts with directly (one degree of separation). For example, the CGL filtering also evaluates message addresses that are connected more remotely to the user through other nodes (users) in the online community that are located multiple degrees of separation away from the user.
- Patent 7181498 – Community-based green list for antispam [Download PDF]
Filed: 2004-03-01Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)A community-based “green list” (CGL) message filter for mail service providers. The CGL filtering enables trusted messages to be delivered directly into a user’s inbox folder and other messages to be delivered to other folders associated with the user. The CGL filtering indicates which messages are sent from those message addresses listed as friends in the user’s personal address book. Also, the scope of CGL filtering includes more than those message addresses that the user interacts with directly (one degree of separation). For example, the CGL filtering also evaluates message addresses that are connected more remotely to the user through other nodes (users) in the online community that are located multiple degrees of separation away from the user.
- Patent 7373415 – System and method for monitoring delivery of digital content, including streaming media [Download PDF]
Filed: 2004-02-27Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)A system for monitoring digital content, including streaming media having one or more client test machines configured to receive and test digital content; one or more streaming servers configured to read content and provide the digital content to the client test machines; and one or more application servers configured to provide a test data file, having a URL to an item of the digital content, to the client test machines. The client test machines store the test results and transmit them to an application server for analysis. The application server may aggregate the information and sort the information via various categories of test results to pinpoint the location of potential points of failure along the path providing the digital content.
- Patent 7421454 – Method and system for managing digital content including streaming media [Download PDF]
Filed: 2004-02-27Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)The present invention describes a system and method of managing digital content received from content providers and for facilitating access to the digital content to many subscribers. The method includes receiving from the content providers incoming feed files where each feed file contains information describing the content. The method determines if the feed files are approved by applying a template to the feed files and also receives request files from the subscribers where each request file contains search criteria. The method provides one or more answer files in response to the request files where each answer file identifies feed files that meet the search criteria of a corresponding request file. The answer files are used to access or permit access to digital content on the web. In addition, a graphical user interface is described to manage, edit, promote and delete the feed files provided to the system.
- Application 20050193002 – Method and system for generating recommendations [Download PDF]
Filed: 2004-02-26Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
A method and system for generating recommendations across multiple product or service domains are disclosed. The system includes a plurality of domain servers for handling user events and for interfacing with users via the Internet, a database for storing the user events, and a recommendation engine. The recommendation engine further includes one or more computer programs containing instructions for collecting the user events across a plurality of product or service domains in the database, receiving a triggering event for recommendations, analyzing the user events to formulate correlations between the user events in the database, and generating recommendations in response to the triggering event in accordance with the correlations between the user events in the database. The disclosure uses user input data from different domains for producing recommendations in any of those domains. The disclosure allows for access to a greater amount of user input data which in turn improves the quality of recommendations.
- Patent 7359898 – Scoring mechanism selection along multiple dimensions [Download PDF]
Filed: 2004-02-26Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)Techniques for selecting a scoring mechanism from a plurality scoring mechanisms for processing queries are provided. The techniques comprise the steps of, for each scoring mechanism of multiple scoring mechanisms, determining, based on a query, multiple parameter values for the scoring mechanism, generating a score based on the multiple parameter values determined for the scoring mechanism, and selecting which scoring mechanism to use to process the query based on the score generated for each scoring system.
- Patent 7337185 – System and method for providing an improved graphical user interface for search [Download PDF]
Filed: 2004-02-20Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)There is provided a system for visually associating a search region containing search criteria with a search category from which the results of a search are found. The system contains a search region containing a user’s search criteria, a result region comprising indicia of several search categories, and a connection indicator establishing a visual connection between the search term contained in a search region and a selected one of search category indicia so as to enable a user to make a cognitive connection indicating that the user’s search term was found in the particular search category indicated by the connection indicator.
- Application 20050176449 – Method and system for simplified access to alerts with a mobile device [Download PDF]
Filed: 2004-02-05Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A method, apparatus, client and server are directed to enabling simplified access to a message with a mobile device. The mobile device is registered with a server to receive the message. In one embodiment, the message is an email message. The message is stored at a location based, in part, on a universal message identifier. The server determines a message index based on the universal message identifier and a device identifier. The server sends a short message, such as SMS message, to the mobile device that includes a message hook. In one embodiment, the message hook is a URL that further includes the message index. If the message hook is selected at the mobile device, the server employs the message index to access the stored message. The accessed message is formatted to be readable by a mobile browser and sent towards the mobile browser.
- Application 20050166053 – Method and system for associating a signature with a mobile device [Download PDF]
Filed: 2004-01-28Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A method, apparatus, and system are directed towards associating a device signature with a mobile device. The invention is configured to determine at least one level of trust associated with the mobile device and an associated carrier gateway. In one embodiment, the mobile device may have multiple levels of trust associated with it. One tier of trust may be determined based on whether the mobile device provides a device identifier. Another tier of trust may be determined based on whether the mobile device is configured to receive a cookie. Still a third tier of trust may be determined based on a dynamic session identifier. The level of trust may also be determined based, in part, on a trust associated with the carrier gateway.
- Application 20050114783 – Visibility profile [Download PDF]
Filed: 2004-01-09Assignee: Yahoo, Inc.
Visibility profiles associated with a substantially real time messaging environment are disclosed. Additionally, techniques for managing visibility profiles are disclosed, which include automatically associating a first profile with a first situation, automatically associating a second profile with a second situation, and where the first and second profiles are associated with visibility. Visibility profiles may be used to manage the appearance of a user to other users/friends for communication using applications such as instant messaging, electronic mail, web-based mail programs, or other types of data communication exchange applications.
- Patent 7197544 – Voice and video greeting system for personal advertisement and method [Download PDF]
Filed: 2004-01-09Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)A system is provided for appending a personal greeting onto a personal advertisement for presentation on a hosted website over the Internet. The system includes a client, a communication link, and a server. The client has an input device and a browser. The server has memory for storing a database of personal advertisements and at least one of a voice and a video greeting system. The greeting system cooperates with the database and the communication link to enable a user of the client to access a personal advertisement from the database, input a personal greeting to the server from client, and associate the personal greeting with the personal advertisement. A method is also provided.
- Patent 7451190 – Associating multiple visibility profiles with a user of a real-time communication system [Download PDF]
Filed: 2004-01-09Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)Visibility profiles associated with a substantially real time messaging environment are disclosed. Additionally, techniques for managing visibility profiles are disclosed, which include associating a first visibility profile with a first situation, and associating a second visibility profile with a second situation, A visibility profile indicates a set of friends, of a particular user, that are allowed, or disallowed, to view the particular user as available when the particular user is in the associated situation. A situation refers to one or more of a particular time period that a user is logged in, a particular location of the user, a particular device that the user is currently using, or a particular log-in that the user is currently using. Visibility profiles are used to manage the appearance of a user to other users/friends for communication using applications such as instant messaging, electronic mail, web-based mail programs, or other types of data communication exchange applications.
- Application 20050108033 – Communication among browser windows [Download PDF]
Filed: 2004-01-06Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A technique for communicating among browser windows includes communicating between a first browser window and a first plugin file; communicating between the first plugin file and a second plugin file, wherein the second plugin file is associated with a second browser window; and communicating between the second plugin file and the second browser window, and wherein the plugin files function as a communication medium between the first and second browser windows.
- Patent 7346556 – System and method for performing purchase transactions utilizing a broadcast-based device [Download PDF]
Filed: 2004-01-06Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)Disclosed is a system and method for performing purchase transactions utilizing a broadcast-based device. In one embodiment, an online user interface is used to enter a plurality of user preferences that are then used to tailor what purchase options will be available to a client-side broadcast-based device. In another embodiment, product purchases may be made using a broadcast-based device, where the purchase transaction options and setting have been previously defined in an online environment. In yet another embodiment, the product purchase options presented are based on predetermined criteria, such as previous user activity.
- Patent 7458093 – System and method for presenting fantasy sports content with broadcast content [Download PDF]
Filed: 2004-01-06Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)A system and method for presenting fantasy sports content with broadcast content is disclosed. One aspect of the invention is to provide a way for a user to customize and configure how fantasy-sports-related content is presented along with broadcast content. In one embodiment, an online user interface is used to set a plurality of user preferences and settings which tailors and formats the fantasy-sports-related content and services available via a client-side device. Another aspect of the invention is to present the customized fantasy-related content along with broadcasted content, such as a sporting event. In one embodiment, a user is able to view a broadcasted sporting event simultaneously with information relating to the user’s fantasy team and players.
- Patent 7424617 – Offline-online incentive points system and method [Download PDF]
Filed: 2003-12-31Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)An electronic points system that allows consumers to redeem online those points that were earned offline is described. In one implementation, the offline-online points system is applied to a soft drink bottle caps program. A soft drink company is sponsoring a promotions program where certain bottle caps are worth so many points. A consumer buys a soft drink bottle at a local store. The lucky consumer discovers that he is the beneficiary of a winning bottle cap, and in particular, a bottle cap that is worth N points. Instead of redeeming this winning bottle cap in the traditional way, the consumer logs onto the soft drink company’s website and registers his bottle cap code. Thereafter, after registration, the consumer can redeem these points for any merchandise that is available for purchase with these points at any participating company’s online store.
- Patent 7257570 – Geographical location extraction [Download PDF]
Filed: 2003-12-22Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)A geographical location extraction method and tool to infer a likely geographical location from one or more search terms entered as a query by a user on a search engine or the like.
- Application 20050267870 – Data sharing [Download PDF]
Filed: 2003-12-05Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A technique for sharing data is disclosed. The technique comprises performing a search in a first application to obtain a first search result, transferring search data associated with the search to a second application, and providing, in the second application, a second search result based on the search data.
- Patent 7120672 – Method and system for sharing information in an instant messaging environment [Download PDF]
Filed: 2003-12-05Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)A technique for providing a wish list is disclosed. The technique comprises displaying the wish list, modifying the wish list, and sending substantially in real-time information associated with the wish list.
- Patent 7200590 – Data sharing [Download PDF]
Filed: 2003-12-05Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)A technique for sharing data is disclosed. The technique comprises performing a search in a first application to obtain a first search result, transferring search data associated with the search to a second application, and providing, in the second application, a second search result based on the search data.
- Application 20040111367 – Systems and methods for implementing person-to-person money exchange [Download PDF]
Filed: 2003-12-02Assignee: Yahoo’ Inc.
Systems and methods for effecting online financial transactions between individuals or between individuals and entities such as banks, merchants and other companies. Each user accesses a fund exchange server to establish an online account, which is used to transfer funds to and from other entities’ online accounts. To fund an online account, funds can be transferred to the online account from a credit card account or from another online account. To withdraw funds, money can be transferred to a credit card account or other bank account. Any user may initiate a send money transaction or a request payment transaction with any other entity provided that entity has an e-mail address. For a send money transaction, the user sending money (payor) enters an amount of funds to be transferred and an e-mail address of the recipient of the funds (payee). The system sends an e-mail message to the payee at the address provided indicating that the amount of funds has been “received” on the payee’s behalf. The payee must then either open an online account or identify an existing online account to complete the transaction. For a request money transaction, a user enters an amount of funds owed and an e-mail address for the recipient of the payment request (payor), and the system sends a payment request to the payor via e-mail at the provided address. If the payor accepts the payment request, the payor identifies an online account from which to transfer funds to the payee (initiator of the payment request). If the payor does not have an online account established, the payor must sign up for an online account and provide a credit card number to fund the online account. Thereafter, the amount of funds are transferred to the payee and the system sends an e-mail notification to the payee indicating that the funds have been “received” on the payee’s behalf. In both cases, to complete a transaction, the payee must direct the received funds to an online account, for example, by providing an online account number and/or other identifying information such as a password. The payor may cancel the transaction at any time until the payee directs the received funds to an online account.
- Patent 7373329 – Systems and methods for implementing person-to-person money exchange [Download PDF]
Filed: 2003-12-02Assignee: Yahoo, Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)Systems for effecting online financial transactions between individuals are disclosed. Any user may initiate a send money transaction or a request payment transaction with any other entity provided that entity has an e-mail address. For a send money transaction, the user sending money (payor) enters an amount of funds to be transferred and an e-mail address of the recipient of the funds (payee). The transfer request may include an identity confirmation through which the payor confirms the identity of the payee. The system sends an e-mail message to the payee at the address provided indicating that the amount of funds has been “received” on the payee’s behalf. The payee may open an online account or identify an existing online account to complete the transaction as well as provide identity confirmation for the payor. Upon confirmation, the transfer may occur.
- Application 20040199498 – Systems and methods for generating concept units from search queries [Download PDF]
Filed: 2003-11-12Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Systems and method for enhancing search functionality provided to a user. In certain aspects, a query processing engine automatically decomposes queries into constituent units that are related to concepts in which a user may be interested. The query processing engine decomposes queries into one or more constituent units per query using statistical methods. In certain aspects, no real world knowledge is used in determining units. In other aspects, aspects of world and content knowledge are introduced to enhance and optimize performance, for example, manually using a team of one or more information engineers.
- Application 20050102259 – Systems and methods for search query processing using trend analysis [Download PDF]
Filed: 2003-11-12Assignee: YAHOO! INC.
Systems and methods for processing search requests include analyzing received queries in order to provide a more sophisticated understanding of the information being sought. In one embodiment, queries are parsed into units, which may comprise one or more words or tokens of the query, and the units are related in concept networks. Trend analysis is performed by sorting the queries into subsets along a dimension of interest and comparing concept networks for different subsets. Trend information is usable to enhance a response of an automated search agent to a subsequently received query.
- Patent 7051023 – Systems and methods for generating concept units from search queries [Download PDF]
Filed: 2003-11-12Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)Systems and method for enhancing search functionality provided to a user. In certain aspects, a query processing engine automatically decomposes queries into constituent units that are related to concepts in which a user may be interested. The query processing engine decomposes queries into one or more constituent units per query using statistical methods. In certain aspects, no real world knowledge is used in determining units. In other aspects, aspects of world and content knowledge are introduced to enhance and optimize performance, for example, manually using a team of one or more information engineers.
- Patent 7240049 – Systems and methods for search query processing using trend analysis [Download PDF]
Filed: 2003-11-12Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)Systems and methods for processing search requests include analyzing received queries in order to provide a more sophisticated understanding of the information being sought. In one embodiment, queries are parsed into units, which may comprise one or more words or tokens of the query, and the units are related in concept networks. Trend analysis is performed by sorting the queries into subsets along a dimension of interest and comparing concept networks for different subsets. Trend information is usable to enhance a response of an automated search agent to a subsequently received query.
- Application 20040199496 – Canonicalization of terms in a keyword-based presentation system [Download PDF]
Filed: 2003-11-07Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A presentation system accepts presentations or references to presentations from prospective presenters. Some or all of the presentations or references are stored in a database and referenced by keywords such that presentations to be presented in response to particular searches can be identified. A presentation manager handles accepting bids and settling terms between prospective presenters. The results of such processes might be stored in a presentation details database. A presentation server handles retrieving presentations from the presentation details database for presentation to users along with requests such as search results. Both the presentation manager and the presentation server can operate on a keywords-basis, wherein presentation terms specify keywords to be associated with particular presentations and the presentation server serves particular presentations based on keywords in a search query for which the presentations are to be returned. The association of keywords can be done using canonicalization so that, under certain conditions, different keywords are treated as the same keyword. Canonicalizations might include plural/singular forms, gender forms, stem word forms, suffix forms, prefix forms, typographical error forms, word order, pattern ignoring, acronyms, stop word elimination, etc. Conditions might include aspects of the search query state, such as the user’s demographics, the page from which the search query was initiated, etc.
- Patent 7007014 – Canonicalization of terms in a keyword-based presentation system [Download PDF]
Filed: 2003-11-07Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)A presentation system accepts presentations or references to presentations from prospective presenters, some or all of which are stored in a database and referenced by keywords such that presentations to be presented in response to particular searches can be identified. A presentation manager handles accepting bids and settling terms between prospective presenters. The results of such processes might be stored in a presentation details database and a presentation server handles retrieving presentations from there for presentation to users along with requests. Both the presentation manager and the presentation server can operate on a keywords-basis, wherein presentation terms specify keywords to be associated with particular presentations and the presentation server serves particular presentations based on keywords in a search query for which the presentations are to be returned. The association of keywords can be done using canonicalization so that, under certain conditions, different keywords are treated as the same keyword.
- Patent 7356838 – System and method for controlling access to digital content, including streaming media [Download PDF]
Filed: 2003-10-22Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)A system and method for controlling access to digital content, including streaming media. The system includes a web server, media server and end user processor, such as a personal computer, coupled to a network. The web server cryptographically generates a ticket in response to an end user’s request for access to a file. The ticket is based, at least in part, on a time at or near when the ticket is generated. The media server generates an authorization ticket, preferably using the same cryptographic algorithm as the web server. The media server authorization ticket is based, at least in part, on a time at or near when the media server receives the request for access to the file. The media server determines whether to grant access to the file by comparing the ticket, as generated by the web server, to the ticket, as generated by the media server.
- Application 20040078432 – Systems and methods for matching participants to a conversation [Download PDF]
Filed: 2003-10-14Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Systems and methods for connecting two or more individuals to an Internet conversation based on their mutual interests, the current content they may be viewing and what they want to talk about at that time. The techniques of the present invention allow an individual who starts a conversation to maintain full control over who is able to join that conversation as well as how many are able to join at any one time. A user who desires to start or join a conversation about a particular topic or story selects an indicator, such as an icon, associated with the specific topic or story. The user is presented with an option to start or join a conversation. If the user opts to start a conversation, the user is presented with a comment page, and the user enters a comment, or comments, that preferably is intended to spark an interest in other users. The comment is then presented to other users. Those users who may desire to join in a conversation with the conversation starter respond with their own comment, which is then sent to the conversation starter. The conversation starter reviews the comment, and if the comment is subjectively acceptable, the conversation starter brings the responding user into a conversation. The responding user and conversation starter are then connected in a messaging session, such as an instant messaging session. Multiple users may be connected in a single messaging session by the conversation starter in this manner.
- Patent 7120668 – Systems and methods for matching participants to a conversation [Download PDF]
Filed: 2003-10-14Assignee: Yahoo!, Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)Systems and methods for connecting two or more individuals to an Internet conversation based on their mutual interests, the current content they may be viewing and what they want to talk about at that time. The techniques of the present invention allow an individual who starts a conversation to maintain full control over who is able to join that conversation as well as how many are able to join at any one time. A user who desires to start or join a conversation about a particular topic or story selects an indicator, such as an icon, associated with the specific topic or story. The user is presented with an option to start or join a conversation. If the user opts to start a conversation, the user is presented with a comment page, and the user enters a comment, or comments, that preferably is intended to spark an interest in other users. The comment is then presented to other users. Those users who may desire to join in a conversation with the conversation starter respond with their own comment, which is then sent to the conversation starter. The conversation starter reviews the comment, and if the comment is subjectively acceptable, the conversation starter brings the responding user into a conversation. The responding user and conversation starter are then connected in a messaging session, such as an instant messaging session. Multiple users may be connected in a single messaging session by the conversation starter in this manner.
- Application 20040254887 – Access control and metering system for streaming media [Download PDF]
Filed: 2003-10-06Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
The present invention provides systems and techniques for transmitting a streaming media file. One of the techniques includes sending a metering uniform resource locator (URL) from a first server to a client player over a network, and sending a streaming media file from a second server to the client player over the network. The streaming media file includes at least one embedded metering event. In response to receiving the metering URL and the embedded metering event at the client player, a user meter is ticked.
- Patent 7383229 – Access control and metering system for streaming media [Download PDF]
Filed: 2003-10-06Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)The present invention provides systems and techniques for transmitting a streaming media file. One of the techniques includes sending a metering uniform resource locator (URL) from a first server to a client player over a network, and sending a streaming media file from a second server to the client player over the network. The streaming media file includes at least one embedded metering event. In response to receiving the metering URL and the embedded metering event at the client player, a user meter is ticked.
- Patent 7130819 – Method and computer readable medium for search scoring [Download PDF]
Filed: 2003-09-30Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)A method and apparatus for generating search results with higher relevancy. The present invention exploits the fact that users’ choices on each given search term tend to converge to several products from several merchants, and all of the results are very relevant to the search term. In one embodiment, these results are used to decide the order of merchants for each search term. By learning the users’ choices, especially from purchasing and/or clicking information, highly relevant and most popular products can be assigned a higher score or rank over text relevant only products.
- Application 20050050440 – Automatically identifying required job criteria [Download PDF]
Filed: 2003-09-25Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A technique is disclosed for automatically identifying a criterion of designated type. The technique comprises providing a description; identifying a passage of the description with a predefined trigger phrase; determining whether the passage includes a type of criterion; and identifying a criterion within the passage as being the same type of criterion associated with the trigger phrase
- Patent 7379929 – Automatically identifying required job criteria [Download PDF]
Filed: 2003-09-25Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)A technique is disclosed for automatically identifying a criterion of designated type. The technique comprises providing a description; identifying a passage of the description with a predefined trigger phrase; determining whether the passage includes a type of criterion; and identifying a criterion within the passage as being the same type of criterion associated with the trigger phrase
- Application 20050065844 – System and method for managing an advertising campaign on a network [Download PDF]
Filed: 2003-09-24Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
The invention is directed to a system and method for automating the management of an advertising campaign for a sponsored search application. An advertiser can easily manage their advertising campaign based on a budget and other information that they are most familiar with, e.g., the length of time for the campaign, desired number of total clicks during the campaign, the time zone of the campaign, keywords to be bid upon for the sponsored search application, the advertisement (copy and heading), and the URL associated with the location of the advertisement copy. With this relatively basic information provided, the invention can automatically manage the bidding on both small and relatively large numbers of keywords for an advertising campaign.
- Patent 6986049 – Method and system for authenticating a message sender using domain keys [Download PDF]
Filed: 2003-09-24Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)A method and system is directed to providing authentication of a message, such as email, and the like, by combining Public Key encryption and the Internet Domain Name System (the “DNS”). A domain owner may validate that an email originates from an authorized sender within their domain by using a private key component to digitally sign email outbound from its domain. Employing a public key component, along with a selector, an email recipient may check the validity of the signature, and thus determine that the email originated from a sender authorized by the domain owner. In one embodiment, the public key component used to verify an email signature may be “advertised” or otherwise made available via a TXT record in the DNS.
- Patent 7464020 – Visibly distinguishing portions of compound words [Download PDF]
Filed: 2003-09-24Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)A method and apparatus for displaying a compound word is provided. According to one aspect, a component word is located within a compound word. The compound word is displayed with the component word visibly distinguished from the remainder of the compound word. As a result, the compound word is displayed in a way that implements useful highlighting even when only a portion of the compound word is of interest to a searcher.
- Application 20050027382 – Game server for use in connection with a messenger server [Download PDF]
Filed: 2003-09-18Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A game and messenger client-server system is provided including a plurality of game clients, a game server, a plurality of messenger clients, and a messenger server. The game server includes logic to operate a multiplayer game using inputs from and outputs to an active game set of game clients, wherein game clients other than those in the active game set can join an active game by supplying the game server with a reference to the active game. Additionally, logic is included for coupling a game client to a messenger client to allow the game client to send the messenger client data used to initiate joining a game, whereby a message sent by the messenger client includes the data used to initiate joining a game. Also, logic is included for initiating a join of a game at an invitee client, using data received in a message to the invitee.
- Application 20040216036 – Browser user interface [Download PDF]
Filed: 2003-09-04Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
In a client-server system where a client system presents a browser for user interaction, a browser user interface includes functionality for handling dynamic interface elements received by the browser in connection with received pages, presented as part of the browser user interface and modified in response to selected user input without requiring further interaction with a server. In addition to, or in place of, dynamic interface elements such as slide sheets, the browser user interface might also include a rotation display area, tool displays that can overlay a page, opaquely or semi-transparently, menu structures, and an ability for the user to modify a page layout without requiring server interaction. The browser might comprise storage for a plurality of rotation display items for storing a summary and a primary presentation for each rotation display item, logic for displaying, by the browser, primary presentations for less all of the plurality of rotation display items in the rotation display area, logic for displaying, by the browser, summaries for items wherein the number of summaries is greater than the number of primary presentations presented at one time, logic for highlighting, among the summaries displayed, the ones of the summaries that correspond to the primary presentations displayed in the rotation display area; and logic for rotating the plurality of rotation display items to display primary presentations for a different subsets of the rotation display items and for updating highlighting of summaries to correspond to the different subsets of rotation display items.
- Application 20050050301 – Extensible user interface [Download PDF]
Filed: 2003-08-29Assignee: YAHOO!, Inc.
A method, apparatus, computer system and computer program product that enable a server to provide information and control the display of the information at a client dynamically without being persistently connected to the client. Functionality of the user interface can be changed without changing a client application displaying the information, installing a new application on the client computer system, or maintaining a persistent network connection between the client computer system and the server computer system. A control program running on the client computer system is configured to operate according to instructions provided by the server. The instructions provide information such as particular modules to present within the user interface and the layout of windows that provide access to the modules. The server also provides instructions for responses to be performed upon receiving events.
- Patent 7325204 – Slideout windows [Download PDF]
Filed: 2003-08-29Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)An apparatus, method, computer system, and computer program product that provide a slideout window. The slideout window presents content related to original content displayed in a host window when the user clicks on the original content. The related content can be displayed such that the related content is visually associated with the content in the host window to which it is related. In one embodiment, a click on a link within the host window to view the slideout window does not close the host window or other windows. The host window can remain open so that the user can simultaneously view the original content to which the related content in the slideout window is related. A main browser window simultaneously displaying another web page can remain open with the web page unchanged when the slideout window is presented. The slideout window can provide a link to additional related content.
- Patent 7395500 – Space-optimizing content display [Download PDF]
Filed: 2003-08-29Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)An apparatus, method, computer system, and computer program product to optimize space available for displaying text descriptions in a limited area, such as a sidebar. Space is optimized by displaying only the maximum portion of the text describing each selection that will fit within the limited area, thereby allowing space to display additional text descriptions in the remaining portion of the limited area. Positioning a pointer over the maximum portion of the text causes the complete portion of the text to be displayed. The complete portion of the text can serve as a link to content related to the text. Space is also optimized by providing a thin scroll bar to add space for displaying content within a window.
- Patent 7469302 – System and method for ensuring consistent web display by multiple independent client programs with a server that is not persistently connected to client computer systems [Download PDF]
Filed: 2003-08-29Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)A method, apparatus, computer program product, and computer system for ensuring consistency between data displayed by multiple independent client programs that can simultaneously display server-provided data. The data are accessible only from a server that is not persistently connected to the client computer system(s) displaying the data, so the client programs cannot retrieve the data independently without sending a request to the server. Client programs do not poll the server by sending a request to learn that data capable of being displayed by the multiple client programs have been updated. Instead, client programs are notified by the server program receiving the request to change the data at the time the request is received.
- Patent 7359952 – Content delivery frequency capping method [Download PDF]
Filed: 2003-08-25Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)A method for limiting the delivery of content, particularly advertisements intended to be displayed in a communications network environment, to individual recipients based on frequency considerations, including a method for storing statistical data relevant to making a determination about the limiting of content delivery and a method for providing alternate content in case it is decided that the original content should not be delivered to a recipient.
- Application 20040083297 – Centrally controllable instant messaging system [Download PDF]
Filed: 2003-08-08Assignee: Yahoo!, Inc.
A system providing real-time communication over an electronic communication network between two or more users includes a client application associated with each user, a first authentication application having authentication information for at least one user and associated with at least one of the client applications, and a messaging service application maintaining the connection status of all of the users. The first authentication application and the client applications associated with the first authentication application reside on a first private network in communication with a public network. A second authentication application associated with at least one of the client applications and having authentication information for at least one other user reside on a second private network in communication with public network. The authentication applications can receive authentication information from directory services of their private networks. Communication between the authentication applications and the messaging service application is preferably via a secure communications connection.
- Patent 7240214 – Centrally controllable instant messaging system [Download PDF]
Filed: 2003-08-08Assignee: Yahoo!, Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)A system providing real-time communication over an electronic communication network between two or more users includes a client application associated with each user, a first authentication application having authentication information for at least one user and associated with at least one of the client applications, and a messaging service application maintaining the connection status of all of the users. The first authentication application and the client applications associated with the first authentication application reside on a first private network in communication with a public network. A second authentication application associated with at least one of the client applications and having authentication information for at least one other user reside on a second private network in communication with public network. The authentication applications can receive authentication information from directory services of their private networks. Communication between the authentication applications and the messaging service application is preferably via a secure communications connection.
- Application 20040186848 – Apparatus, system and method for use in generating and maintaining an electronic address book [Download PDF]
Filed: 2003-07-21Assignee: Yahoo! Inc. a Delaware corporation
The present invention provides an apparatus, system and method for use in generating and maintaining an electronic address book. The address book is generated and maintained by searching through archives of e-mails for e-mail addresses, evaluating the e-mail addresses based on criteria, and adding the e-mail addresses to an address book if the criteria is satisfied. In some embodiments, the address book is generating and maintaining by accessing an archive, searching the archive for the e-mail addresses, retrieving e-mail addresses, applying criteria to retrieved e-mail addresses, and adding addresses to an electronic address book if the criteria is met. The apparatus for use in establishing and updating an electronic address book includes means for scanning an archive and retrieving e-mail addresses, means for filtering the e-mail addresses if a criterion is met, and means for adding the e-mail addresses to the address book.
- Patent 7188143 – Messenger-controlled applications in an instant messaging environment [Download PDF]
Filed: 2003-07-02Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)Techniques for controlling an application in an instant messaging environment are described. The instant messaging environment retrieves and executes an instant messaging application. An identifier is assigned to the instant messaging application, which is retrieved and executed in the instant messaging environment between two or more instant messaging clients. The instant messaging environment identifies a selected instant messaging application and generates a control message. The control message includes the identifier which is used to retrieve and execute the instant messaging application. The instant messaging environment also determines whether a supporting application is required, based on the instant messaging application identifier, to execute the instant messaging application.
- Application 20050004835 – System and method of placing a search listing in at least one search result list [Download PDF]
Filed: 2003-07-01Assignee: YAHOO! INC
A system and method is provided for qualifying search listings for placement in at least one search result list and ordering the search listings according to an algorithm. Specifically, a searching device is adapted to received items of information, such as search listings (e.g., www.yahoo.com, etc.), search terms (e.g., “cars,” “beauty supplies,” etc.) and monetary amounts (e.g., $1.00, etc.), from a plurality of promoting devices, receive a search inquiry (i.e., a search term) from a reception device, and provide (in response thereto) at least one search result list including search listings (i) associated with the search inquiry and (ii) qualified for placement in the search result list. In other words, if the search term linked to the search listing is the same as (or substantially similar to) the search inquiry, then the first prong is met. Furthermore, if a predetermined number of monetary amounts (i.e., as linked to a predetermined number of search listings associated with the search inquiry) are not higher than the monetary amount linked to the search listing, then the second prong is met and the search listing is qualified for placement. Thus, only a predetermined number of search listings (e.g., three, five, etc.) that are both (i) associated with the search inquiry and (ii) linked to the highest monetary amounts are qualified for placement in the search result list. Once the search listings are qualified for placement in the search result list, the searching device is adapted to arrange the qualified search listings according to an algorithm (e.g., randomly, according to relevance, according to monetary amounts, etc.).
- Application 20040215721 – System and method for instant messaging using an e-mail protocol [Download PDF]
Filed: 2003-06-30Assignee: Yahoo!, Inc.
Systems and methods allowing an instant messaging user to exchange messages with an e-mail user. To the instant messaging user, the experience is a seamless exchange of instant messages; to the e-mail user, the experience is a seamless exchange of e-mail messages. Conversion of an instant message to an e-mail message includes insertion of a token into the e-mail message, and conversion of an e-mail message to an instant message includes validating a token extracted from the e-mail message.
- Patent 7406501 – System and method for instant messaging using an e-mail protocol [Download PDF]
Filed: 2003-06-30Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)Systems and methods allowing an instant messaging user to exchange messages with an e-mail user. To the instant messaging user, the experience is a seamless exchange of instant messages; to the e-mail user, the experience is a seamless exchange of e-mail messages. Conversion of an instant message to an e-mail message includes insertion of a token into the e-mail message, and conversion of an e-mail message to an instant message includes validating a token extracted from the e-mail message.
- Application 20050022128 – System and method for providing a webpage [Download PDF]
Filed: 2003-06-25Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A system and method are disclosed for providing a webpage comprising receiving instructions for previewing a page; creating a preview version of the page, wherein links are modified to reflect a location of the preview version; and displaying the preview version of the page.
- Patent 7111229 – System and method for providing a webpage [Download PDF]
Filed: 2003-06-25Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)A system and method are disclosed for providing a webpage comprising receiving instructions for previewing a page; creating a preview version of the page, wherein links are modified to reflect a location of the preview version; and displaying the preview version of the page.
- Patent 7133928 – Performing multicast communication in computer networks by using overlay routing [Download PDF]
Filed: 2003-06-19Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)An overlay protocol and system for allowing multicast routing in the Internet to be performed at the application level. The overlay protocol uses “native” Internet multicast and multicast routing protocols to route information, according to overlay routing tables. Overlay groups are mapped to native multicast groups to exploit native multicasting in regional or local forwarding domains. Use of the overlay protocol allows overlay distribution to be handled in a more intelligent and bandwidth-managed fashion. Overlay routers are placed at each of several local area networks, Internet service provider’s point of presence, enterprise, or other cohesively-managed locations. The overlay computers are configured according to bandwidth and security policies, and perform application-level multicast distribution across the otherwise disjoint multicast networks by using the overlay routing. The result is an overlay multicast network that is effectively managed according to local network management policies. Application-level control can be applied to the transferred data at the overlay routers.
- Patent 6813580 – Method and system of automatic bandwidth detection [Download PDF]
Filed: 2003-06-16Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)A method for measuring a bandwidth of a signal path between a data source and a data recipient involves sending a block of test data from the data source along the signal path to the data recipient, using that test data to obtain a measured bandwidth of the signal path, and transferring information from the data source along the signal path to the data recipient in accordance with the measured bandwidth. The measured bandwidth value can be calculated each time the data recipient accesses a website or the measured bandwidth value can be retained for future use.
- Patent 6873996 – Affinity analysis method and article of manufacture [Download PDF]
Filed: 2003-04-16Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)A computer based method of organizing text items comprising: receiving a multiplicity of individual groups of text items; assigning respective unique integer item codes to respective individual text items from the multiplicity of individual groups; identifying pairs of text items from individual groups of the multiplicity of groups; ordering pairs of text items based upon the unique item codes assigned to individual text items of respective pairs of text items such that each respective pair has a respective unique order position relative to other pairs; providing in computer readable media a pair order information structure that stores respective associations between respective identified pairs and their respective unique order positions.
- Patent 7062492 – Remote web site authoring system and method [Download PDF]
Filed: 2003-04-14Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)A remote web site authoring system is located on a server in communication with one or more clients via a network with in a distributed computing environment. The system provides a what-you-see-is-what-you-get (WYSIWYG) interface program that enables the client to edit a web page of within a web site maintained on the remote server while concurrently viewing a replica of that web page. The system dynamically generates the replica of the web page while the client is editing the web page. The system combines the two elements of remote authoring, i.e., editing the web site and viewing the web site, enabling the user to view a replica of the web site during the editing process.
- Patent 7327696 – Intelligent voice converter [Download PDF]
Filed: 2003-03-27Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)A voice converter includes upstream and downstream resource managers for allocation half-duplex resources of a full duplex DSP transcoder. The resource managers schedule available upstream or downstream resources and provide transcoded voice data to requesting applications.
- Patent 6813489 – System and method for mobile electronic messaging [Download PDF]
Filed: 2003-02-26Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)A method and system for transmitting a voice message to an electronic address, generally includes establishing a data connection between a first server of a voice messaging system and a wireless device so as to enable a user to access an electronic mail account. The first server then captures a wireless device identifier and accesses an association of the wireless device identifier to a telephone number of the wireless device. A call is then initiated from the wireless device to a second server of the voice messaging system to record a voice message. The previously stored recipient electronic address is retrieved using the captured telephone number and an email including a link to the voice message is generated. The email is then transmitted to the recipient electronic address.
- Patent 7406458 – Generating descriptions of matching resources based on the kind, quality, and relevance of available sources of information about the matching resources [Download PDF]
Filed: 2003-02-11Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)Techniques are provided for generating descriptions of matching resources in a manner that takes into account the kind, quality, and relevance of the available sources of information about the matching resources. For example, after the search engine identifies matching resources based on the query terms, the search engine determines the kinds of available sources of information about each matching resource. For each matching resource, based on the kinds of available sources of information about the matching resource, one of a plurality of processes is selected to generate a description for the matching resource. Using the content-sensitive description generation techniques described herein, a single result set may include abstracts that were generated using several different processes, where the difference in process corresponds to a difference in the kind, quality, and relevance of the available sources of information about each matching resource.
- Patent 7440941 – Suggesting an alternative to the spelling of a search query [Download PDF]
Filed: 2003-02-10Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)A method and apparatus for suggesting an alternative spelling for a search query is provided. A request to search for files that match the search query is received. The alternative spelling is selected based on a set of factors. According to one aspect, the set of factors includes how frequently the alternative spelling occurs in a plurality of files. According to one aspect, the set of factors includes how frequently the alternative spelling occurs in one or more previously received requests to search for files.
- Patent 7278111 – Systems and methods for selecting a date or range of dates [Download PDF]
Filed: 2002-12-26Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)Systems and methods for selecting a time/date, or a range of times/dates are provided. In one aspect, systems and methods having non-linear timeline UI mechanism(s) for selecting a date, or selecting a date range, are provided. In recognition that user interaction with and recall of time varies depending upon how far away the time period of interest is from the present time, the non-linear timeline provides UI mechanism(s) for selecting a time having different granularities of time in different portions of the timeline. Additionally, in recognition that user interaction with dates and times is not always in terms of numbers, but rather in terms of events, etc., occurring at or around a particular time period of interest, systems and method having date relation UI techniques are provided.
- Patent 7024485 – System for controlling and enforcing playback restrictions for a media file by splitting the media file into usable and unusable portions for playback [Download PDF]
Filed: 2002-11-08Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)Files are divided into parts and at least some of the parts are transmitted to a client using a communication channel. At least some of the transmitted parts are cached locally. This allows subsequent streaming playback of the file while using less bandwidth by transmitting the part of the file that hasn’t been cached, and combining the cached parts with the transmitted parts. In some embodiments, files may be represented at a low quality level by a first data set, and at higher quality levels with additional data sets. Data sets are cached locally, so that during subsequent streaming playback of the file, the quality level of the playback may be improved by sending additional data sets using bandwidth that would otherwise be dedicated to transmitting the cached data sets.
- Patent 7028027 – Associating documents with classifications and ranking documents based on classification weights [Download PDF]
Filed: 2002-09-30Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)A method and apparatus for associating documents with classification values and ranking documents based on classification weights is provided. It is determined if a document is associated a classification. If the document is associated with a classification, then it is determined if a classification value, which is associated with the document, is associated with a weight. If the classification value is associated with a weight, then a rank of the document is adjusted based on the weight that is associated with the classification value.
- Application 20040024752 – Method and apparatus for search ranking using human input and automated ranking [Download PDF]
Filed: 2002-08-05Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A search system provides search results to searchers in response to search queries and the search results are ranked. The ranking is determined by an automated ranking process in combination with human editorial input. A search system might comprise a query server for receiving a current query, a corpus of documents to which the current query is applied, ranking data storage for storing information from an editorial session involving a human editor and a reviewed query at least similar to the current query, and a rank adjuster for generating a ranking of documents returned from the corpus responsive to the current query taking into account at least the information from the editorial session.
- Patent 7228317 – Method and apparatus for accelerating and improving access to network files [Download PDF]
Filed: 2002-06-18Assignee: YAHOO! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)A method and apparatus for accelerating and improving access to network files is provided. One technique for providing data quickly and efficiently is to send a thumbnail of a file to a user rather than sending the entire file. Another technique for providing data quickly and efficiently is to generate the difference between a current version of data and a non-current version of data, to transmit this difference to the requesting user, and to use the difference to update the non-current version of data the user currently has access to. A third technique that can be used in combination with the first two techniques is to compress data, such as the thumbnail or file difference, before transmitting this data. A fourth technique that can be used in combination with the third technique is to securely transmit the compressed data.
- Application 20030204585 – Method for the real-time distribution of streaming data on a network [Download PDF]
Filed: 2002-04-25Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A method for sampling of streaming data for distribution on a network (e.g., the Internet) includes receiving the streaming data (which includes periodically updated information items) from a streaming data source. The periodically updated information items of the streaming data are subsequently sampled using a sampling process based on a total update rate of the streaming data (U.sub.a) and a capacity of the network (C), thereby creating a sampled data stream. Alternatively, the periodically updated information items of the streaming data can be sampled using a sampling process that is also based on the importance (K.sub.qmin) of each of the periodically updated information items and the update rate (U.sub.q) of each of the periodically updated information items to create the sampled data stream. The sampled data stream is then distributed on the network (e.g., the Internet or a private area network).
- Patent 7305483 – Method for the real-time distribution of streaming data on a network [Download PDF]
Filed: 2002-04-25Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)A method for sampling of streaming data for distribution on a network (e.g., the Internet) includes receiving the streaming data (which includes periodically updated information items) from a streaming data source. The periodically updated information items of the streaming data are subsequently sampled using a sampling process based on a total update rate of the streaming data (U.sub.a) and a capacity of the network (C), thereby creating a sampled data stream. Alternatively, the periodically updated information items of the streaming data can be sampled using a sampling process that is also based on the importance (K.sub.qmin) of each of the periodically updated information items and the update rate (U.sub.q) of each of the periodically updated information items to create the sampled data stream. The sampled data stream is then distributed on the network (e.g., the Internet or a private area network).
- Patent 7398271 – Using network traffic logs for search enhancement [Download PDF]
Filed: 2002-04-16Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)A method and apparatus for using network traffic logs for search enhancement is disclosed. According to one embodiment, network usage is tracked by generating log files. These log files among other things indicate the frequency web pages are referenced and modified. These log files or information from these log files can then be used to improve document ranking, improve web crawling, determine tiers in a multi-tiered index, determine where to insert a document in a multi-tiered index, determine link weights, and update a search engine index.
- Application 20030177233 – Proxy client-server communication system [Download PDF]
Filed: 2002-03-14Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A communication system includes a browser system coupled to a communication network. A first server system is coupled to the communication network and has a plurality of first processes and a first proxy group. The first proxy group has a first shared memory and a first proxy. The first shared memory has a plurality of first slots, each first slot being assigned to one of the plurality of first processes and configured to store data transmitted by or to be received by the assigned first process. The first server system further includes a plurality of process mark devices and a single proxy mark device to regulate the data flow of the first proxy group. A second server system is coupled to the communication network and has a plurality of second processes and a second proxy group. The second proxy group has a second shared memory and a second proxy, wherein the first proxy and the second proxy are configured to form a communication link with the other.
- Patent 7103671 – Proxy client-server communication system [Download PDF]
Filed: 2002-03-14Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)A communication system includes a browser system coupled to a communication network. A first server system is coupled to the communication network and has a plurality of first processes and a first proxy group. The first proxy group has a first shared memory and a first proxy. The first shared memory has a plurality of first slots, each first slot being assigned to one of the plurality of first processes and configured to store data transmitted by or to be received by the assigned first process. The first server system further includes a plurality of process mark devices and a single proxy mark device to regulate the data flow of the first proxy group. A second server system is coupled to the communication network and has a plurality of second processes and a second proxy group. The second proxy group has a second shared memory and a second proxy, wherein the first proxy and the second proxy are configured to form a communication link with the other.
- Application 20030140103 – Providing instant messaging functionality in non-instant messaging environments [Download PDF]
Filed: 2002-01-22Assignee: Yahoo, Inc.
A system and method are disclosed for enabling a guest user who is not a registered user of an instant messaging system to communicate by instant messaging with a registered user of the system. An indication that the guest user desires to communicate with the registered user by instant messaging is received. Browser-executable computer code comprising computer instructions for providing at least limited instant messaging functionality to the guest user at the guest user’s client computer system, without requiring the guest user to download and install client side instant messaging application software and without requiring the guest user to register as a user of the instant messaging system, is sent to the guest user’s client computer system. An instant messaging session between the guest user and the registered user is facilitated.
- Patent 7359943 – Providing instant messaging functionality in non-instant messaging environments [Download PDF]
Filed: 2002-01-22Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)A system and method are disclosed for enabling a guest user who is not a registered user of an instant messaging system to communicate by instant messaging with a registered user of the system. An indication that the guest user desires to communicate with the registered user by instant messaging is received. Browser-executable computer code comprising computer instructions for providing at least limited instant messaging functionality to the guest user at the guest user’s client computer system, without requiring the guest user to download and install client side instant messaging application software and without requiring the guest user to register as a user of the instant messaging system, is sent to the guest user’s client computer system. An instant messaging session between the guest user and the registered user is facilitated.
- Application 20020095435 – Remote web site authoring system and method [Download PDF]
Filed: 2002-01-02Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A remote web site authoring system is located on a server in communication with one or more clients via a network with in a distributed computing environment. The system provides a what-you-see-is-what-you-get (WYSIWYG) interface program that enables the client to edit a web page of within a web site maintained on the remote server while concurrently viewing a replica of that web page. The system dynamically generates the replica of the web page while the client is editing the web page. The system combines the two elements of remote authoring, i.e., editing the web site and viewing the web site, enabling the user to view a replica of the web site during the editing process.
- Patent 6581061 – Remote web site authoring system and method [Download PDF]
Filed: 2002-01-02Assignee: Yahoo!, Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)A remote web site authoring system is located on a server in communication with one or more clients via a network with in a distributed computing environment. The system provides a what-you-see-is-what-you-get (WYSIWYG) interface program that enables the client to edit a web page of within a web site maintained on the remote server while concurrently viewing a replica of that web page. The system dynamically generates the replica of the web page while the client is editing the web page. The system combines the two elements of remote authoring, i.e., editing the web site and viewing the web site, enabling the user to view a replica of the web site during the editing process.
- Patent 7464086 – Metatag-based datamining [Download PDF]
Filed: 2001-09-14Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)A system for displaying products or services for purchase on any document displayed on any computer device, comprising conducting a statistical frequency analysis of the word occurrence in the document to determine the primary subject matter of the document and/or keywords in the document, selecting products which are relevant to the subject matter and keywords of the document, either by manual selection or by automatic selection. Conducting a statistical frequency analysis of the word occurrence in the product or service descriptions, to determine the keywords in the product descriptions, and matching the keywords from the document with the keywords from the product descriptions accomplish automatic selection.
- Patent 7007074 – Targeted advertisements using time-dependent key search terms [Download PDF]
Filed: 2001-09-10Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)An advertisement generation system presents a time-dependent advertisement to a user based upon to a search term of a search query during a period of time via a communication network The system includes a search engine coupled to a web server for receiving the search query and for presenting a search results page. The search results page is accompanied with an immediate advertisement. In one embodiment, the system includes an advertisement repository to store data representing a plurality of advertisements and includes the immediate advertisement and the time-dependent advertisement. Also, the system includes a user profiler configured to communicate a plurality of search characteristics and includes a data structure to store the search characteristics. Lastly, an advertisement server is included to provide to the web server the immediate advertisement with an associated search results page and the time-dependent advertisement with a web page presented after the display of the search results page, until a period of time expires.
- Application 20030046159 – Safe advertising campaign aggregation system [Download PDF]
Filed: 2001-09-04Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
An autonomous correlation system correlates user data from a content provider and advertising view data from an advertising provider, wherein the user data is present on one autonomous system and the advertising view data is present on another autonomous system distinct from the one autonomous system, the systems being autonomous in that each is normally secured against unconstrained access by another. The autonomous correlation system comprises logic to accept a first message from a user, wherein the first message contains an indication of an object being presented to the user, the object being at least one of a content page and an advertisement, a first user identifier associated with the user by a presenter of the object; a reference database for storing an association between the first user identifier and the user; logic to accept a second message from the user, wherein the second message contains an indication of an object being presented to the user, the object being at least one of a content page and an advertisement, a second user identifier associated with the user by a presenter of the object; wherein the reference database stores an association between the second user identifier and the user.
- Patent 7257546 – System and method for correlating user data from a content provider and user data from an advertising provider that is stored on autonomous systems [Download PDF]
Filed: 2001-09-04Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)An autonomous correlation system correlates user data from a content provider and advertising view data from an advertising provider, wherein the user data is present on one autonomous system and the advertising view data is present on another autonomous system distinct from the one autonomous system, the systems being autonomous in that each is normally secured against unconstrained access by another. The autonomous correlation system comprises logic to accept a first message from a user, wherein the first message contains an indication of an object being presented to the user, the object being at least one of a content page and an advertisement, a first user identifier associated with the user by a presenter of the object; a reference database for storing an association between the first user identifier and the user; logic to accept a second message from the user, wherein the second message contains an indication of an object being presented to the user, the object being at least one of a content page and an advertisement, a second user identifier associated with the user by a presenter of the object; wherein the reference database stores an association between the second user identifier and the user.
- Patent 6892206 – Reduction of meta data in a network [Download PDF]
Filed: 2001-08-24Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)A method of encoding data strings in a web page, comprising mapping the data strings to a fixed-length string; replacing said data strings in the web page; and transmitting the page with said fixed-length strings.
- Patent 6950994 – Data list transmutation and input mapping [Download PDF]
Filed: 2001-08-24Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)A method for converting a list of data, each entry in said list having at least one alpha-numeric character, to a format suitable for display and manipulation in a limited display area. The method comprises: sorting said list based on a first of said alpha-numeric characters in each said entry in said list of data; grouping entries into a plurality of sets, each set comprising entries in said list of data having at least a common first character; generating an abbreviated list of said first characters; and linking each entry in said abbreviated list to the corresponding set of entries having said at least common first character.
- Patent 6912534 – Web service [Download PDF]
Filed: 2001-08-15Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)A system for serving web pages manages a plurality of web servers. The system provides an operator with features and tools to coordinate the operation of the multiple web servers. The system can manage traffic by directing web page requests to available web servers and balancing the web page request service load among the multiple servers. The system can collect data on web page requests and web server responses to those web page requests, and provide reporting of the data as well as automatic and manual analysis tools. The system can monitor for specific events, and can act automatically upon the occurrence of such events. The events can include predictions or thresholds that indicate impending system crises. The system can include crisis management capability to provide automatic error recovery, and to guide a system operator through the possible actions that can be taken to recover from events such as component failure or network environment problems. The system can present current information about the system operation to a system operator. The system can manage content replication.
- Patent 7133900 – Sharing and implementing instant messaging environments [Download PDF]
Filed: 2001-08-15Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)Sharing an instant messaging environment is described. The instant messaging environment is selected from a set of stored instant messaging environments. An instant messaging environment identifier corresponding to the selected instant messaging environment is transmitted from a transmitting instant messaging application to a receiving instant messenger application. The instant messaging environment identifier is received and the stored instant messaging environment corresponding to the instant messaging environment identifier is retrieved. The instant messaging environment is activated in the receiving instant messaging application.
- Patent 7051119 – Method and system for enabling a script on a first computer to communicate and exchange data with a script on a second computer over a network [Download PDF]
Filed: 2001-07-12Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)A method and system for enabling a script on a first computer to communicate and exchange data with a script on a second computer so as to provide access by the script to data typically inaccessible by a script. The method and system enable a first computer to control the Internet navigation of a second computer, and also enable instant messaging between a first computer and a member of a synchronization group. The computers may be connectable with each other over any type of network (e.g., LAN, WAN, intranet, Internet, cellular, etc.).
- Patent 7454509 – Online playback system with community bias [Download PDF]
Filed: 2001-07-10Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)A method for entertaining individuals according to a community having similar tastes. Information derived from user accounts form the basis of a community and collateral preferences allow other subscribing individuals to enjoy the benefit of wider-ranging tastes according to the preferences expressed by the other members of the community. Additionally, assuming that individuals sharing one preference in common may be likely to share others, the present method allows those who choose to listen to the “fan station” the ability to enjoy similar music or other data streams according to preferences expressed by the fan community as a whole.
- Application 20020086732 – Game server for use in connection with a messenger server [Download PDF]
Filed: 2001-07-02Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A game and messenger client-server system is provided including a plurality of game clients, a game server, a plurality of messenger clients, and a messenger server. The game server includes logic to operate a multiplayer game using inputs from and outputs to an active game set of game clients, wherein game clients other than those in the active game set can join an active game by supplying the game server with a reference to the active game. Additionally, logic is included for coupling a game client to a messenger client to allow the game client to send the messenger client data used to initiate joining a game, whereby a message sent by the messenger client includes the data used to initiate joining a game. Also, logic is included for initiating a join of a game at an invitee client, using data received in a message to the invitee.
- Patent 6699125 – Game server for use in connection with a messenger server [Download PDF]
Filed: 2001-07-02Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)A game and messenger client-server system is provided including a plurality of game clients, a game server, a plurality of messenger clients, and a messenger server. The game server includes logic to operate a multiplayer game using inputs from and outputs to an active game set of game clients, wherein game clients other than those in the active game set can join an active game by supplying the game server with a reference to the active game. Additionally, logic is included for coupling a game client to a messenger client to allow the game client to send the messenger client data used to initiate joining a game, whereby a message sent by the messenger client includes the data used to initiate joining a game. Also, logic is included for initiating a join of a game at an invitee client, using data received in a message to the invitee.
- Patent 7370011 – Financial information portal [Download PDF]
Filed: 2001-06-28Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)In a system for a financial institution or other information maintainer, has a list of its account holders that also have accounts with a portal and have agreed to link their portal account and user account with the financial institution or other information maintainer. When a user logs onto the user’s portal account, the portal server can request information from the user account over a trusted link to the financial institution or other information maintainer. The portal can request data for a particular user over the trusted link or can request bulk data for all users, using portal authentication data, as opposed to user authentication data. In the preferred embodiment, the actions allowed on a user account by the portal authentication data are more restrictive than the actions allowed by the user authentication data. As an example, a brokerage house might allow the portal to read recent transaction data for the user but not to make trades on the user’s account, while the brokerage house would allow the user to perform many more actions if the user logged on directly to the brokerage house’s system using the user’s authentication data.
- Patent 7350231 – System and method for controlling access to digital content, including streaming media [Download PDF]
Filed: 2001-06-06Assignee: Yahoo ! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)A system and method for controlling access to digital content, including streaming media. The system includes a web server, media server and end user processor, such as a personal computer, coupled to a network. The web server cryptographically generates a ticket in response to an end user’s request for access to a file. The ticket is based, at least in part, on a time at or near when the ticket is generated. The media server generates an authorization ticket, preferably using the same cryptographic algorithm as the web server. The media server authorization ticket is based, at least in part, on a time at or near when the media server receives the request for access to the file. The media server determines whether to grant access to the file by comparing the ticket, as generated by the web server, to the ticket, as generated by the media server.
- Application 20030208598 – Centralized feed manager [Download PDF]
Filed: 2001-05-31Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A method delivering content from a plurality of sources to a plurality of end servers through a central manager is provided. The method includes receiving the content from the plurality of sources at the central manager, formatting the content to a form usable by the plurality of end servers, creating a transaction generic to the plurality of end servers where the transaction includes a reference to a set of instructions for storing the formatted content, sending the transaction to an end server in the plurality of end servers, and calling the reference to execute the set of instructions where the set of instructions store the formatted content into the memory of the end server.
- Patent 7177931 – Centralized feed manager [Download PDF]
Filed: 2001-05-31Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)A method delivering content from a plurality of sources to a plurality of end servers through a central manager is provided. The method includes receiving the content from the plurality of sources at the central manager, formatting the content to a form usable by the plurality of end servers, creating a transaction generic to the plurality of end servers where the transaction includes a reference to a set of instructions for storing the formatted content, sending the transaction to an end server in the plurality of end servers, and calling the reference to execute the set of instructions where the set of instructions store the formatted content into the memory of the end server.
- Patent 6903779 – Method and system for displaying related components of a media stream that has been transmitted over a computer network [Download PDF]
Filed: 2001-05-16Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)A system and method for displaying related components of a media stream that has been transmitted over a computer network includes at least one storage device that communicates with a television decoder and with the video display. Information from one or more components of the media stream is extracted from the media stream and delivered to one or more storage devices. This stored component is subsequently transmitted to the video display in response to an information release signal that is embedded in the information. The invention can be used to display closed caption and other information with associated audio and video signals using an audio-visual media player.
- Application 20020174133 – Method and apparatus for accessing targeted, personalized voice/audio web content through wireless devices [Download PDF]
Filed: 2001-05-15Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
A wireless web system allows users to navigate web pages that include links to audio content where the pages are provided over a data connection and the audio content is provided over a voice connection. An audio content reference generator generates a reference to a portion of static audio content and that audio content reference is provided to the user’s wireless web client as a link on a wireless web page, or other page retrieved by the wireless web device over the data connection. The audio content reference and a telephone number of an audio server form the link on the page, so that when a user selects that link, the wireless device establishes a voice connection to the audio server using the telephone number and then provides the audio server with the audio content reference so that the user hears the specifically referenced audio content over the voice channel.
- Patent 6728731 – Method and apparatus for accessing targeted, personalized voice/audio web content through wireless devices [Download PDF]
Filed: 2001-05-15Assignee: Yahoo!, Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)A wireless web system allows users to navigate web pages that include links to audio content where the pages are provided over a data connection and the audio content is provided over a voice connection. An audio content reference generator generates a reference to a portion of static audio content and that audio content reference is provided to the user’s wireless web client as a link on a wireless web page, or other page retrieved by the wireless web device over the data connection. The audio content reference and a telephone number of an audio server form the link on the page, so that when a user selects that link, the wireless device establishes a voice connection to the audio server using the telephone number and then provides the audio server with the audio content reference so that the user hears the specifically referenced audio content over the voice channel.
- Patent 7251665 – Determining a known character string equivalent to a query string [Download PDF]
Filed: 2001-05-03Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)A system, method, and computer program product perform text equivalencing. The text equivalencing is performed by modifying a string of characters by applying a set of heuristics, comparing the modified strings of characters to known strings of characters. If a match is found, the text equivalencing engine performs database update and exits. If no match is found, sub-strings are formed by grouping together frequently occurring sets of characters. An information retrieval technique is performed on the sub-strings to determine equivalent text.
- Application 20020091762 – Information display system and methods [Download PDF]
Filed: 2001-03-07Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Systems and methods for displaying real time media broadcasts with pages of related information. The systems and methods allow a user to interact with related online information while simultaneously viewing a video presentation or listening to an audio presentation. A client application executing on a client system processes a streaming data signal and displays an associated real time media presentation, live or archived, on one portion of a display. Reference data pushed to the client application in the streaming data signal identifies pages of related information. The client application retrieves the pages, e.g., via HTTP requests, and displays the pages in a data frame on a second portion of the display. The pages can be created in advance of the media presentation, and when retrieved and displayed, include current information related to the subject matter of the media presentation. Information included in the pages can include links to other related information. Upon selection of a link by a user, the link is passed to an active browser window displayed on a third portion of the display. The user may interact with information in the browser window and data frame while simultaneously viewing the real time media presentation.
- Patent 7406529 – System and method for detecting and verifying digitized content over a computer network [Download PDF]
Filed: 2001-02-09Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)A system for detecting digitized content and selecting matches from a master verification database. The detection of digitized content is performed using a verification database which contains a master table of contents identifiers and songprints for corresponding digitized content. A network server is programmed to receive selections of a table of contents identifiers from computers, and to request selections of songprint identifiers from the computers and selects matches from the master verification database.
- Patent 6801945 – Systems and methods for predicting traffic on internet sites [Download PDF]
Filed: 2001-01-31Assignee: Yahoo ! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)Systems and methods are provided for predicting visitor traffic to a network of web site pages. The systems and methods are used, as an example, to predict the inventory of total available online advertisements available within the network for a forthcoming period. The visitor traffic includes page viewing, listening or transacting on web pages within a web site, wherein the web pages are categorized by subject, interest areas or specific user queries such as word or phrase searches. For each page whose traffic is being predicted, the system takes into account annual seasonality, day-of-week, holidays, special events, short histories, user demographics, user web behavior (viewing, listening and transacting) and parent and child web page characteristics.
- Patent 6842773 – Processing of textual electronic communication distributed in bulk [Download PDF]
Filed: 2001-01-31Assignee: Yahoo ! Inc.
(Santa Clara,
CA)The invention relates to processing of electronic text communication distributed in bulk. In one embodiment, a process for blocking electronic text communication distributed in bulk is disclosed. In the process, a first electronic and a second electronic submission are received. A first portion is extracted from the first electronic submission and a second portion is extracted from the second electronic submission. A first code is determined for the first portion and a second code is determined for the second portion. The first code is indicative of the first portion and the second code is indicative of the second portion. After the first code is compared to the second code, the second electronic submission is filtered in response to that comparison.
- Patent 6931433 – Processing of unsolicited bulk electronic communication [Download PDF]
Filed: 2001-01-31Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Santa Clara,
CA)The invention relates to processing of electronic text communication distributed in bulk. In one embodiment, a method for detecting electronic text communication distributed in bulk is disclosed. After receiving a first electronic text communication, it is processed with an algorithm to produce a first fingerprint. A time period is begun for the first electronic text communication. After receiving a second electronic text communications, it is also processed with the algorithm to produce a second fingerprint. The first fingerprint to the second fingerprint are compared to determine if the first electronic text communication is similar to the second electronic text communication. A count for the first electronic text communication is updated based upon the comparison. It is determined if the count during the time period reaches a first threshold.
- Patent 7149778 – Unsolicited electronic mail reduction [Download PDF]
Filed: 2001-01-31Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)The present invention involves reducing the amount of unsolicited e-mail. In one embodiment, a method for automatically detecting unsolicited electronic mail from a mailer and automatically notifying facilitators of the mailer of the unsolicited electronic mail is disclosed. In one step, an electronic mail message is received from the mailer. It is automatically determined if the electronic mail message is probably unsolicited. A check for an open relay in routing information of a header of the electronic mail message is performed. The facilitating party of the mailer is determined. Information relating to the electronic mail message is automatically reported to the facilitating party.
- Patent 7325030 – High performance client-server communication system [Download PDF]
Filed: 2001-01-25Assignee: Yahoo, Inc.
(Santa Clara,
CA)A communication system includes a client and a sever. The client has a first proxy, a first memory, and a plurality of first processes. The first memory includes a plurality of first slots, each first slot being assigned to one of the plurality of first processes and configured to store data to be transmitted or received by the assigned first process. The server has a second proxy, a second memory, and a plurality of second processes. The second memory includes a plurality of second slots being assigned to one of the plurality of second processes and configured to store data to be transmitted or received by the assigned second process. The first proxy and second proxy are configured to form a communication link with the other.
- Patent 6965919 – Processing of unsolicited bulk electronic mail [Download PDF]
Filed: 2000-12-01Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Santa Clara,
CA)The present invention involves detecting unsolicited electronic mail distributed in bulk. In one embodiment, a method for automatically processing electronic mail loads an electronic mail message. Non non-textual information is removed from the electronic mail message. A first portion from the electronic mail message is located and a first code smaller than the first portion and indicative of the first portion is generated. A second portion from the electronic mail message is located and a second code smaller than the second portion and indicative of the second portion is generated. The first code and the second code are stored.
- Patent 7418390 – Multi-language system for online communications [Download PDF]
Filed: 2000-11-20Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)An online communications system for converting language. The language conversion is achieved by first storing words and phrases corresponding to a language key and a unique key value in a table at both the transmit and receive ends of the communication. The computer located at the transmit end receives and converts the word or phrase into the unique key value and transmits the unique key value to the computer at the receiving end. The computer at the receiving end receives and converts the unique key value into the corresponding word or phrase.
- Patent 7120608 – Systems and methods for implementing person-to-person money exchange [Download PDF]
Filed: 2000-10-30Assignee: Yahoo ! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)Systems and methods for effecting online financial transactions between individuals or between individuals and entities such as banks, merchants and other companies. Each user accesses a fund exchange server to establish an online account, which is used to transfer funds to and from other entities’ online accounts. To fund an online account, funds can be transferred to the online account from a funding account, e.g., credit card account, checking or savings account, or other account, or from another online account. To withdraw funds, money can be transferred to a funding account. A verification procedure requires that a user enter information sufficient to effect financial transfers to and from a funding account. The system deposits one or more small amounts into the funding account, and queries the user to enter the amount of each deposit. If the amount(s) match, the account is considered verified.
- Patent 6556563 – Intelligent voice bridging [Download PDF]
Filed: 2000-09-11Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)An intelligent voice bridging system and process that scaleably extends the functionality of a VOIP telecommunication application by bridging data from external components into the VOIP data stream.
- Patent 6567419 – Intelligent voice converter [Download PDF]
Filed: 2000-09-11Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Santa Clara,
CA)A voice converter includes upstream and downstream resource managers for allocation half-duplex resources of a full duplex DSP transcoder. The resource managers schedule available upstream or downstream resources and provide transcoded voice data to requesting applications.
- Patent 6580786 – Message store architecture [Download PDF]
Filed: 2000-09-11Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Santa Clara,
CA)A unified, intelligent message store is scalable and is optimized to provide both streaming and non-streaming data, as required, to telephony and web-based applications. A message application server (MAS) includes an expandable number of message pools, each message pool having message blocks that can be linked to store variable length messages. Multiple MASs can be used to extend the system.
- Patent 7095733 – Voice integrated VOIP system [Download PDF]
Filed: 2000-09-11Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)An integrated VoIP unified message processing system includes a voice platform that processes data in native VoIP format. There is no use of hardware telephone interface cards (TICs) or software transcoding to transform data to PCM or other formats. Cost reductions are achieved by the elimination of expensive dedicated hardware and scalability is achieved by obviating the need for software transcoding.
- Patent 7146416 – Web site activity monitoring system with tracking by categories and terms [Download PDF]
Filed: 2000-09-01Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)A traffic monitor provides statistics of traffic using an activity input for receiving data related to activity on a server system. Events being monitored are binned by topic or term, where the terms are associated with categories. The categories can be a hierarchy of categories and subcategories, with terms being in one or more categories. The categorized events include page views and search requests and the results might be normalized over a field of events and a result output for outputting results of the normalizer as the statistical analyses of traffic.
- Patent 7058699 – System and methods for implementing code translations that enable persistent client-server communication via a proxy [Download PDF]
Filed: 2000-08-29Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)Systems and methods for extending or modifying the behavior of mobile (downloadable) software, such as JavaScript, HTML, and/or data that can be downloaded to a client device. One or more morphing agents are provided for translating and modifying code and data from a software source, such as a remote server. Each morphing agent translates and modifies one or more particular types of code. For example, one morphing agent may be provided for processing JavaScript code and another may be provided for processing HTML code and data. Each morphing agent typically includes a tokenizer module, a parser module and a translation module, each of which follows specific rule sets. Original software content is first tokenized according to a set of tokenizer rules, and subsequently parsed according to a set of parser rules. The parsed code is then translated according to the set of translator rules to produce the desired modified software content. An exception handler module is also provided for implementing exception rules when an exception occurs.
- Patent 6920609 – Systems and methods for identifying and extracting data from HTML pages [Download PDF]
Filed: 2000-08-24Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)Systems and methods for analyzing HTML formatted web pages to automatically identify and extract desired information. A computer algorithm identifies and extracts different pieces of information from different web pages automatically after minimal manual setup. The algorithm automatically analyzes pages with different content if they have the same, or similar, formats.
- Patent 7031939 – Systems and methods for implementing person-to-person money exchange [Download PDF]
Filed: 2000-08-15Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)Systems and methods for effecting online financial transactions between individuals or between individuals and entities such as banks, merchants and other companies. Each user accesses a fund exchange server to establish an online account, which is used to transfer funds to and from other entities’ online accounts. To fund an online account, funds can be transferred to the online account from a credit card account or from another online account. To withdraw funds, money can be transferred to a credit card account or other bank account. Any user may initiate a send money transaction or a request payment transaction with any other entity provided that entity has an e-mail address. For a send money transaction, the user sending money (payor) enters an amount of funds to be transferred and an e-mail address of the recipient of the funds (payee). The system sends an e-mail message to the payee at the address provided indicating that the amount of funds has been “received” on the payee’s behalf. The payee must then either open an online account or identify an existing online account to complete the transaction. For a request money transaction, a user enters an amount of funds owed and an e-mail address for the recipient of the payment request (payor), and the system sends a payment request to the payor via e-mail at the provided address. If the payor accepts the payment request, the payor identifies an online account from which to transfer funds to the payee (initiator of the payment request). If the payor does not have an online account established, the payor must sign up for an online account and provide a credit card number to fund the online account. Thereafter, the amount of funds are transferred to the payee and the system sends an e-mail notification to the payee indicating that the funds have been “received” on the payee’s behalf. In both cases, to complete a transaction, the payee must direct the received funds to an online account, for example, by providing an online account number and/or other identifying information such as a password. The payor may cancel the transaction at any time until the payee directs the received funds to an online account.
- Patent 6381594 – System and method for personalized information filtering and alert generation [Download PDF]
Filed: 2000-07-11Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)A search engine that forms a compact representation of a plurality of user queries to efficiently find desired information in an information network. The search engine comprises a profile processor having logic to receive the queries from the users and a search module. The search module is coupled to the profile processor and has logic to receive the information content, to combine the user queries into a master query, and to match the master query with the information content to determine matching content. The search engine also includes logic to analyze the matching content to determine if any of the queries has been satisfied.
- Patent 7185333 – Method and system for managing the resources of a toolbar application program [Download PDF]
Filed: 2000-06-02Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)A software resource manager is stored on a client computer and maintains a map of unique identifiers to resources, so as to determine those resources that are stored locally on the client computer and those resources that must be retrieved from a server system. The resource manager is further programmed to either pass the resources to one or more software applications, e.g. a toolbar application, or respond to a function call from the software application indicating that resources are needed. In this way, one or more software applications can be internationalized or customized without the need to distribute all of the resources for the application and without the need to restart the application.
- Patent 6523069 – Transmission of multicast media between networks [Download PDF]
Filed: 2000-03-13Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)A multicast media system includes a network access facility that directly interconnects a second multicast-enabled network to a first multicast-enabled network. The network access facility is configured to pass a requested multicast data stream from the first multicast-enabled network to a terminal in the second multicast-enabled network that request receipt of the multicast data stream. The direct peering of multicast media can be scaled to accommodate large numbers of users.
- Patent 6651086 – Systems and methods for matching participants to a conversation [Download PDF]
Filed: 2000-02-22Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Santa Clara,
CA)Systems and methods for connecting two or more individuals to an Internet conversation based on their mutual interests, the current content they may be viewing and what they want to talk about at that time. The techniques of the present invention allow an individual who starts a conversation to maintain full control over who is able to join that conversation as well as how many are able to join at any one time. A user who desires to start or join a conversation about a particular topic or story selects an indicator, such as an icon, associated with the specific topic or story. The user is presented with an option to start or join a conversation. If the user opts to start a conversation, the user is presented with a comment page, and the user enters a comment, or comments, that preferably is intended to spark an interest in other users. The comment is then presented to other users. Those users who may desire to join in a conversation with the conversation starter respond with their own comment, which is then sent to the conversation starter. The conversation starter reviews the comment, and if the comment is subjectively acceptable, the conversation starter brings the responding user into a conversation. The responding user and conversation starter are then connected in a messaging session, such as an instant messaging session. Multiple users may be connected in a single messaging session by the conversation starter in this manner.
- Patent 7143193 – Content collection [Download PDF]
Filed: 1999-12-13Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)In a web service system with one or more web servers, a system and method for distributing content directly from each web server to a single computer transfers files generated on web servers to a central location for access by a system operator. If files generated by multiple web servers are aggregated on a single computer, processing and analysis can be performed on all of the files. Generally, in one aspect, the invention relates to a system and method for transmitting content from one computer to another in a web service system. The web service system includes web servers that provide web pages in response to web page requests. First and second web server agents provide an interface between the web service system and first and second computers, respectively. The first web server agent runs on the first computer and identifies at least a portion of a file for transmission to the second web server agent running on the second computer in the web service system. At least a portion of the file from the first web server agent is transmitted to the second web server agent and then stored by the second web server agent.
- Application 20040165007 – METHOD OF CONTROLLING AN INTERNET BROWSER INTERFACE AND A CONTROLLABLE BROWSER INTERFACE [Download PDF]
Filed: 1999-10-28Assignee: YAHOO! Inc.
The present invention is directed to a method of dynamically controlling and displaying an Internet browser interface, and to a dynamically controllable Internet browser interface. In accordance with the present invention, a browser interface may be customized using a controlling software program that may be provided by an Internet content provider, an ISP, or that may reside on an Internet user’s computer. The controlling software program enables the Internet user, the content provider, or the ISP to customize and control the information and/or functionality of a user’s browser and browser interface.
- Patent 7107548 – Method of controlling an internet browser interface and a controllable browser interface [Download PDF]
Filed: 1999-10-28Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)The present invention is directed to a method of dynamically controlling and displaying an Internet browser interface, and to a dynamically controllable Internet browser interface. In accordance with the present invention, a browser interface may be customized using a controlling software program that may be provided by an Internet content provider, an ISP, or that may reside on an Internet user’s computer. The controlling software program enables the Internet user, the content provider, or the ISP to customize and control the information and/or functionality of a user’s browser and browser interface.
- Patent 7461022 – Auction redemption system and method [Download PDF]
Filed: 1999-10-20Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Santa Clara,
CA)An electronic auction system known as the Yahoo! Auction System provides functionality that permits users to conduct auction transactions with various payment units, such as incentive points and credit points, as well as money. Points can be earned in a variety of ways and redeemed via online auctions. The Yahoo! Auction System includes a web server, a messaging server, a database server, and various databases including an account database for storing information about account balance, expiration date for each point or group of points, and redemption information. The Yahoo! Auction System provides different auction formats, such as Standard Auction, Dutch Auction, Progressive Auction, Buy-or-Bid Auction, and Declining Bid Auction. The Yahoo! Auction System reserves the bid amount associated any new valid bid in the bidder’s account and unreserves those bid amounts that were previously reserved but are no longer the winning bid or otherwise displaced from the top bid positions.
- Patent 6553364 – Information retrieval from hierarchical compound documents [Download PDF]
Filed: 1999-09-28Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)A search query is applied to documents in a document repository wherein the documents are organized into a hierarchy. A search engine searches the hierarchy to return documents which match a query term either directly or indirectly. A specific embodiment of the search engine organizes the query term into individual subterms and matches the subterms against documents, returning only those documents which indirectly match the entire search query term and directly match at least one of the query subterms.
- Patent 6974078 – Personal communication device with bar code reader for obtaining product information from multiple databases [Download PDF]
Filed: 1999-09-28Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)A communication system including a personal communication device that allows a user to communicate over the Internet with a network of multiple remote databases and to search the databases for desired product-related information from any location. The communication device includes an input mechanism, such as a bar code scanner or OCR reader, for entering product information such as product codes from product labels. The communication device establishes a communication link with a communications server, and the product information is transmitted to the server, which interfaces with one or more product information libraries to determine a product identifier based on the input product information. The product identifier is used by the server to search various databases over the Internet for desired product-related information in response to a search query from the user.
- Patent 7171414 – Dynamic page generator [Download PDF]
Filed: 1999-09-10Assignee: Yahoo, Inc.
(Santa Clara,
CA)An custom page server is provided with user preferences organized into templates stored in compact data structures and the live data used to fill the templates stored local to the page server which is handing user requests for custom pages. One process is executed on the page server for every request. The process is provided a user template is either generated from user preferences or retrieved from a cache of recently used user templates. Each user process is provided access to a large region of shared memory which contains all of the live data needed to fill any user template. Typically, the pages served are news pages, giving the user a custom selection of stock quotes, news headlines, sports scores, weather, and the like. With the live data stored in a local, shared memory, any custom page can be built within the page server, eliminating the need to make requests from other servers for portions of the live data. While the shared memory might include RAM (random access memory) and disk storage, in many computer systems, it is faster to store all the live data in RAM.
- Patent 6976093 – Web server content replication [Download PDF]
Filed: 1999-08-19Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)This invention relates to managing multiple web servers, and more particularly to a web service system and method that allows a system operator to distribute content to each web server in the web service system. In one embodiment, a method for replicating changes in a source file set on a destination file system includes identifying changes in a source file set, storing the identified changes in a modification list, and transmitting the modification list to an agent having access to a destination file system. In another embodiment, a method for replicating changes in a source file set on a destination file system includes identifying changes in a source file set, storing the identified changes in a modification list, and transmitting the modification list to a plurality of web servers. In another embodiment, a web service system includes a manager for managing the web service system, a host comprising a web server for receiving web page requests and an agent in communication with the manager, and a content distributor for providing content changes to the host. In another embodiment, a content distributor includes an identification module for identifying changes in a source file set, a modification list for storing identified changes, and a transmitter for transmitting the modification list to an agent having access to a destination file system.
- Patent 7035943 – Web server content replication [Download PDF]
Filed: 1999-08-19Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)Changes to files in a master source file set on a master computer are identified. Local host addresses of the files are converted to uniform resource locators. The identified changes are stored in a modification list comprising the uniform resource locators specifying changed files of the master source file set. The modification list is transmitted to one or more computers, notifying the one or more computers that the master source file set has changed. A response is received from at least one of the one or more computers, indicating that the identified changes are installed. An alert is issued indicating that a copying of the changes by an agent in at least one of the one or more computers has failed, to cause a traffic manager that redirects traffic to decrease requests made to a web server on the computer having the agent.
- Patent 6499052 – Electronic commerce system for referencing remote commerce sites at a local commerce site [Download PDF]
Filed: 1999-08-11Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)According to the present invention, an electronic commerce method and system for referencing remote merchant sites at a local commerce site is provided. The local commerce site may also be a remote merchant integration server (RMIS). The remote commerce site may also be a remote merchant site. The remote merchant site may be a website of a merchant. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the electronic commerce method and system for referencing remote merchant sites at a local commerce site includes the following: session managing a client request from a user client and a cookie stripped merchant response, where the session managing includes generating a processed remote merchant integration server (RMIS) response related to a merchant cookie and to the cookie stripped merchant response; traffic relaying the client request and a content transformed merchant response, where the traffic relaying includes generating a processed client request related to the client request, removing the merchant cookie from the content transformed merchant response, and generating the cookie stripped merchant response related to the content transformed merchant response; service integrating the processed client request; and content transforming a merchant response from the remote merchant site, where the content transforming includes generating the content transformed merchant response related to the merchant response.
- Patent 6990628 – Method and apparatus for measuring similarity among electronic documents [Download PDF]
Filed: 1999-06-14Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)A method and apparatus are provided for determining when electronic documents stored in a large collection of documents are similar to one another. A plurality of similarity information is derived from the documents. The similarity information may be based on a variety of factors, including hyperlinks in the documents, text similarity, user click-through information, similarity in the titles of the documents or their location identifiers, and patterns of user viewing. The similarity information is fed to a combination function that synthesizes the various measures of similarity information into combined similarity information. Using the combined similarity information, an objective function is iteratively maximized in order to yield a generalized similarity value that expresses the similarity of particular pairs of documents. In an embodiment, the generalized similarity value is used to determine the proper category, among a taxonomy of categories in an index, cache or search system, into which certain documents belong.
- Patent 6910180 – Removing cookies from web page response headers and storing the cookies in a repository for later use [Download PDF]
Filed: 1999-05-10Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Santa Clara,
CA)Methods and apparatus to handle cookies in a response Web page requested by a client. One method includes the steps of (a) generating a session id to identify a new session, (b) striping off any cookies set by an external web site from the response header of the response Web page, (c) appending the session id to all of the links embedded in the response page, and (d)sending the modified response page, with the new header, to the client.
- Patent 6938073 – Method and apparatus for re-formatting web pages [Download PDF]
Filed: 1999-04-30Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Santa Clara,
CA)Methods and apparatus to selectively display a pre-determined set of contents for a specific class of devices. The apparatus includes an image generator, a section identifier and a section manipulator. The image generator generates an image of a pre-determined rendition of the set of contents; the section identifier identifies a section in the contents based on a preference of the provider of the set of contents; and the section manipulator re-formats the identified section to generate a new rendition, depending on a characteristic of the specific class of devices and a preference of the provider. After the re-formatting, the new rendition is displayed on the specific class of devices.
- Patent 6631372 – Search engine using sales and revenue to weight search results [Download PDF]
Filed: 1999-02-12Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)A search engine selects one or more search hits from among a plurality of hits, wherein a hit is a reference to a page or a site, based on a user interest, comprising an input module for accepting a query from a user, the query representing an interest of the user; a tracking module for tracking the user’s navigation through the plurality of pages, including at least a destination purchase page, the destination purchase page being a page from which the user makes a purchase; a sales module which records associations between purchases and queries where the associations are provided, at least in part by an output of the tracking module; and a search module, which takes as its inputs at least a query and sales associations of that query provided by the sales module, and which outputs one or more search hits based on at least the query and the sales associations of that query. In some systems, instead of using sales data to alter the weights of the search results, merchant bidding is used to alter the weights of the search results, or a combination of the two is used.
- Patent 6359633 – Apparatus and method for abstracting markup language documents [Download PDF]
Filed: 1999-01-15Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Santa Clara,
CA)An apparatus and a method to generate a hyperlinked abstract from a markup language document by parsing the document to create a syntax tree, analyzing statistically the syntax tree based on at least one rule, classifying information at each node of the syntax tree, adapting information at each node of the classified tree for outputting and summarizing the adapted tree to create a hyperlinked abstract of the document to be presented at an output device. The abstract can be considered as a summarized version of the document. It occupies less bandwidth than the document, allowing it to be transmitted to a user at a much faster pace, even if the user’s computing system and connection are not very sophisticated. Through the abstract, the user can quickly become aware of the coverage of the document. If more detailed information is preferred, the user can access those materials in the document through hyperlinks. In one embodiment, the summarization step includes grouping, in which a pre-determined number of nodes are grouped together. In another embodiment, after summarization, the tree can be modified by an output-specific filter, and can be sent to an output device.
- Patent 6216157 – Method and apparatus for a client-server system with heterogeneous clients [Download PDF]
Filed: 1998-06-17Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Santa Clara,
CA)Method and apparatus to deliver an application to a client through a transmission medium. The application can be an interactive application, and the apparatus includes an appliance-specific transducer and an adaptive-transmission transducer. The appliance-specific transducer, in view of the client’s request for the interactive application in the server, is configured to modify the application based on at least one characteristic of the client and at least one characteristic of the application to generate an appliance-specific output. Based on at least one characteristic of the application and at least one characteristic of the medium of transmission, the adaptive-transmission transducer is configured to modify the appliance-specific output to generate an adapted output. The output is delivered through the medium to the client, which includes a decoder and a user-interface. The decoder decodes the adapted output to produce a modified version of the interactive application to be used by a party through the user-interface. In another embodiment, the application can be a push application.
- Patent 6446040 – Intelligent text-to-speech synthesis [Download PDF]
Filed: 1998-06-17Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Santa Clara,
CA)A method and an apparatus of synthesizing speech from a piece of input text 104. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of retrieving the input text 104 entered into a computing system, and transforming the input text 104 based on the semantics 152 of at least one word of the input text 104 to generate a formatted text 108 for speech synthesis. The transforming includes adding an audio rendering effect tot he input text based on the semantics of at least one work, the audio rendering effect comprising background music, special effect sounds, and context-sensitive sounds. In another embodiment, the transformation also depends on at least one characteristic of the person listening to the speech output 118. In yet another embodiment, the transformation further depends on at least one characteristic of the hardware employed by the user to listen to the speech output 118. The transformed text can be further modified to fit a text-to-speech engine to generate the speech output 118.
- Patent 5991756 – Information retrieval from hierarchical compound documents [Download PDF]
Filed: 1997-11-03Assignee: Yahoo, Inc.
(Santa Clara,
CA)A search query is applied to documents in a document repository wherein the documents are organized into a hierarchy. A search engine searches the hierarchy to return documents which match a query term either directly or indirectly. A specific embodiment of the search engine organizes the query term into individual subterms and matches the subterms against documents, returning only those documents which indirectly match the entire search query term and directly match at least one of the query subterms.
- Patent 5983227 – Dynamic page generator [Download PDF]
Filed: 1997-06-12Assignee: Yahoo, Inc.
(Santa Clara,
CA)An custom page server is provided with user preferences organized into templates stored in compact data structures and the live data used to fill the templates stored local to the page server which is handing user requests for custom pages. One process is executed on the page server for every request. The process is provided a user template for the user making the request, where the user template is either generated from user preferences or retrieved from a cache of recently used user templates. Each user process is provided access to a large region of shared memory which contains all of the live data needed to fill any user template. Typically, the pages served are news pages, giving the user a custom selection of stock quotes, news headlines, sports scores, weather, and the like. With the live data stored in a local, shared memory, any custom page can be built within the page server, eliminating the need to make requests from other servers for portions of the live data. While the shared memory might include RAM (random access memory) and disk storage, in many computer systems, it is faster to store all the live data in RAM.
- Patent 6205469 – Method for client-server communications through a minimal interface [Download PDF]
Filed: 1997-05-27Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Santa Clara,
CA)The concept of a subroutine call is one of the basic ideas in computer science. The invention relates to a technique for achieving the effect of subroutine calls in certain situations where they would not otherwise be possible. The invention allows for the simulation of subroutine calls in applications where the interaction with a client is reduced to successive iterations in which the application sends the client a set of keys, and the client chooses one of the keys and sends it back to the application (i.e., a minimal interface). In one implementation, the invention is used to simulate subroutine calls in an application running on a Web server and communicating with the client through successive Web pages.
- Patent 6343302 – Remote web site authoring system and method [Download PDF]
Filed: 1997-02-13Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
(Sunnyvale,
CA)A remote web site authoring system is located on a server in communication with one or more clients via a network with in a distributed computing environment. The system provides a what-you-see-is-what-you-get (WYSIWYG) interface program that enables the client to edit a web page of within a web site maintained on the remote server while concurrently viewing a replica of that web page. The system dynamically generates the replica of the web page while the client is editing the web page. The system combines the two elements of remote authoring, i.e., editing the web site and viewing the web site, enabling the user to view a replica of the web site during the editing process.