1081 results about "Social network" patented technology

Methods and apparatus are described for detecting social relationships across multiple networks and/or communication channels. These social relationships may then be utilized in a wide variety of ways to support and enhance a broad range of user services.

The invention generally concerns systems and methods for monitoring and controlling the power consumption of a power-consuming device. The system and method may connect to a power source and a power-consuming device, connecting the power-consuming device to the power source. The power usage of the power-consuming device may then be measured and monitored. This monitoring data may then be stored and optionally sent to a controlling device on a data network. The location of the power-consuming device may also be determined, recorded, and sent to a controlling device. The system may also control the power usage of the power-consuming device. In some cases, a remote server may connect multiple energy monitoring systems in order to gain additional efficiencies and foster a community-based social network.

Various methods, systems and apparatus for associating fictitious user identities (e.g. screen names, user names, email addresses, handles, etc.) used in electronic communications (e.g. over the internet or mobile network via instant messenger, e-mail, social networks, ecommerce, auction websites, etc.) with real personal information (e.g. the true identity of an individual such as their name, address, credit score, driving record, mobile number, etc.) are disclosed. One such method may include discovering, verifying and storing real personal information, associated with fictitious user identities and email addresses. The method may further include allowing a remote user or service to submit a fictitious user identity and a query requesting real-user information associated with the submitted fictitious user identity. In one possible embodiment, a targeted-advertising service may utilize real user information, associated with a fictitious user name, to target advertisements at the user of the fictitious user name.

A method for creating and maintaining a social network system using a computer system includes constructing a first database for storing identification information and a second database for storing contact information of a user, the second database being connected to the first database; receiving registration from users in the computer system, the registration containing identification and contact information of the users; sending invitation initiated by a first user to a second user specified by the first user; if the second user accepts the invitation, creating a direct link between these two users, the direct link allowing the two users to access the other's contact information. The method may further include creating an address book containing identification information and contact information of users that are directly connected to a user A for the user A. Any amendment of the information of a user initiated by the user who is directly connected to user A will be reflected in user A's address book. The invention also provides a computer system for implementing the method for creating and maintaining the social network system.

Relevant content is prepared and selected for delivery to a member of a network based, in part, on prior online activities of the other members of the network, and the closeness of the member's relationship with the other members of the network. The relevant content may be an online ad, and is selected from a number of candidate online ads based on click-through rates of groups that are predefined with respect to the member and with respect to certain attributes. An online ad's revenue-generating potential may be considered in the selection process.

An electronic smoking system includes an electronic smoking device; a pack communicatively linked to the device, the pack configured to hold the device; and a computer communicatively linked to the pack and to at least one communication channel; wherein the communication channel is configured to share data with at least one of a social network, a vendor, a clinical monitoring program, or a data collection program.

Method and apparatus for collecting and storing information about individuals in a social network. A member account is created by verifying a user's identity and collecting user identity data from the user. The user sends an invitation to one or more members or non-members. The one or more members or non-members can accept or decline the user's invitation. If the one or more non-members accept or decline, they must create a member account. The one or more members post paid comments or free comments about the user and one or more user weight values are calculated based on one or more of the following: a number of members in a user's group and their one or more user weight values, a total value of posted paid comments about the user and volume of posted comments about the user. The user can post a reply to the posted comment by the one or more members.

The present invention allows users to interact with people, who have interacted with other people, and obtain media files and recommendations from those having common interests, thereby creating interactive media communities and spawning electronic social networks based on media and other types of electronic entertainment.

The present invention allows users to interact with people, who have interacted with other people, and obtain media files and recommendations from those having common interests, thereby creating interactive media communities and spawning electronic social networks based on media and other types of electronic entertainment.

A system and method for context based query augmentation. A question is received over a network from a questioning user comprising an identification of a user and at least one question criteria. A first query is formulated so as to search, via the network, for user profile data, social network data, spatial data, temporal data and topical data so as to identify user context data relevant to question criteria. The question is modified using the user context data to create at least one modified question having at least one additional criteria based on the user context data. A second query is formulated so as to search, via the network, for knowledge data, user profile data, social network data, spatial data, temporal data and topical data so as to identify knowledge data relevant to the identified user and the modified question criteria. The knowledge data is transmitted, over the network, to the questioning user.

Embodiments of the present invention provide users with suggested content that is preloaded on a media player. The suggested content is selected based on playback data from individuals and groups in a social network or playback data from anonymous users, or explicit suggestions from peers of the user in the social network, such as friends or family. The user may set aside space on their media player, such as a DVR or PC hard drive. A service then populates this space with suggested content. For example, the user may elect to populate this space with shows that their friends are watching, automatically. In addition, embodiments of the present invention allow users to track and create recommendations of content and to automatically schedule recording of showings of this content. The user may automatically record everything suggested, or require the user make selections. The present invention also provides for automatic selections, based on content type, time of day, or a random pattern. Finally, a user may acknowledge that they have watched a show suggested by their friends and automatically or manually send feedback about that show.

Provided herein is a method and system for supporting behavior-changing decisions. The system solves the challenges encountered in identifying effective personalized behavior-changing recommendations, providing support for behavior-change in real time, and adhering with necessary steps towards an objective. The system can comprise a calendar platform and a messaging platform, thereby providing a user with an array of tools to track, send, and receive information, customized and personalized reminders, participate in a social network, and receive rewards. The system is also capable of building differentiated personalized profiles of antecedants, behaviors and rewards to develop highly targeted treatment indicators and better behavioral outcomes.

A system and method for creating and using a searchable and browsable directory of verified, network connected and geo-coded users, listing members according to their proximity to each other and according to the longitude and latitude coordinates of each user. By making the member directory accessible to users dynamically the system eases the connection and interaction of neighbors and members of the same physical community.

The present invention provides a system and method for providing a social context to software applications. According to one embodiment of the invention, a user of a social network authorizes access by an external software application to information available in the social network. At some time later, the user of the social network uses an application designed by a third-party software developer. The application contacts the social network provider for permission to access the information available in the social network. If access has been authorized, the application incorporates the information from the social network into its interaction with the user, providing a social context to the user's interaction with the application.

A system for facilitating interactive communications with humans on a social media environment where communities meet and share information to impact positive social measurements and generational awareness for improving community cultural and economic values. The system is configured for sharing knowledge for human observations, extracting database information and analyzing queried occurrences to identify stored patterns for communications, providing substance of things hoped for, revealing the evidence of things not commonly seen to embrace sustainable cultural independence using CA, mobile communications or for communications with a WCD configured for short range communication with a smart phone associated with users of a social network platform to receive, transmit, talk and listen to social communications. Social communications includes text messages, interactive television, voice commands, wearable communication, information showing/sharing, harvesting energy, receiving and transmitting data, monitoring physiological conditions of wearer of the DE, and communicating detections to programmed recipients.