Google Inc.

Qingshan Luo

Dong Zhang

Hang Cui

Bo Zhang

Arturo Crespo

Timothy M Dierks

Tim Dierks

An online social networking system can be used to rank social network objects of various different object types, each according to its type. The objects may comprise types such as users, communities, blogs, blog entries, events, forums, forum topics, postings, photographs, and/or images. The product comprises code for carrying out a method that begins with receiving ranking data about social network objects that comprises data about events performed on the social network. For each social network object, a ranking function is applied to ranking data about the social network object based on its type. In addition, the recency of an event on the social network related to the social network object is evaluated, in order to calculate the score for the social network object. A relative ranking for each of the plurality of social network objects based on its score is determined, and the score and relative ranking of each of the social network objects stored.

Ranking social network objects

In general, the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in methods, systems, and program products for determining a time zone for a computing device. A computing system identifies an approximate location of the computing device. The computing system identifies multiple time zones that correspond to the approximate location of the computing device. The computing system identifies a time offset for the computing device at a point in time. The computing system determines, as being a time zone for the computing device, a single time zone of the multiple time zones that matches the time offset at the point in time.

Time zone determination

A computer-implemented method of determining a time zone for a computing device is disclosed. The method includes identifying a first time offset for the device at a first instant in time, identifying a second time offset for the device at a second instant in time, and determining a time zone for the device using the first and second offsets.

Growing community of inventors

Beijing, China

Qingshan Luo