Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC

Stefan David Weitz

Patrick Kinsel

Alexander G Gounares

Matthew Graham Dyor

Susan Theresa Dumais

David James Gemmell

Paul J Roy

Michael James Miles

Paul Yiu

Described herein are technologies pertaining to disambiguating identities/accounts over a plurality of online services. Public data streams pertaining to accounts of different online services are analyzed, and a determination is made that the accounts are owned by a same user. A searchable profile is generated for the user that comprises data that indicates that the user represented by the profile owns the accounts. The profile is claimable by the user such that the user is enabled to customize contents of the profile.

Disambiguating online identities

Concepts and technologies are described herein for dynamically reranking search results based upon source authority. A search query is received and analyzed. One or more topics are identified in the search query. An authority index is searched to identify authoritative sources for content relating to the identified topic(s). Promoted results corresponding to content generated by the authoritative sources relating to the identified topics are obtained. The promoted results can be presented to an entity requesting the search, or injected into search results. Contribution dimensions associated with the promoted results can be determined, and filters based upon the contribution dimensions can be generated and used by an entity to dynamically manipulate the search results.

Dynamic reranking of search results based upon source authority

Techniques and processes for subsidizing network access via content and advertising revenue are described. In one implementation, a user installs a context bar tool on the user's computing device. To access a network (e.g., a wireless network), the user activates the context bar tool and requests access to a network, such as the Internet. A network services provider detects the context bar tool and provides network access to the user. A content and ads service gathers content and advertising and populates a context bar graphic interface that is displayed on the user's device with the content and advertising. Providers of the content and advertising pay for this exposure and thus generate revenue that can be used to offset the cost of providing the network access and other network services.

Contextually aware client application

Concepts and technologies are described herein for authority ranking for real time and social search. An authority index configured to store data relating to sources is generated. Data relating to the sources, including an authority value, are generated and stored at the authority index. The authority value may be defined as a function of source, topic, and point of view ('POV'), as well as other data, if desired, and may be determined based upon one or more ranking functions. The ranking functions are determined, and data corresponding to the ranking functions is obtained. Each of the ranking functions may be weighted according to a weighting function, a confidence value or interval, one or more time functions, and/or other methods. The obtained authority value may be used for affecting ranking of search results or for other purposes.

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Seattle, WA, United States of America

Stefan David Weitz