Skyword Inc.

Be Free, Inc.

Rakuten Group, Inc.

Freedom of Information, Inc.

Thomas A Gerace

John L Mihalik

Richard A Meyer

David A Sandborg

Russell G Barbour

Helen R Feder

Kurt Wescoe

James E Bostick

Jennifer R Hann

William Evans

Timothy R Tresch

David McKenna

Ralph Jenkins

Gregory Garay

Michael Shaheen

Francois Gagnon

Teresa Shine

Carl Laneave

Aaron Reinard

Stephen Evans

Sam Gerace

Keith Kost

Scott Jangro

Lauren Sozio

Craig Palli

Raj Melville

Patricia Travaline

Ellen Brezniak

Christopher Marstall

Adam Oliveri

Padmanabhan Krishnamoorthy

In a global network of computers, a method ad system of profiling a user for targeting advertisements is disclosed. The method and system obtains and/or infers demographic information from end-users using on-line means. The invention next monitors end user activity and determines keywords therefrom. The system and method profiles an end user as a function of the determined end-user activity keywords and obtained/inferred end-user demographic information. Profiles of end-users are matched against targeted profiles of advertisements which are defined by the respective advertisers. This results in targeting advertisements to end-users based on end user profiles. Advertisers bid for advertisement placement with the system. In some embodiments, the system employs Vickrey auction type bidding. Using observed user behavior and the auction results, ads are prioritized for selection and viewing placement in a manner that provides the greatest potential value to the system.

Computer method and apparatus for targeting advertising

A computer system for publishing content includes a categorization member, a rating module, a user profiling assembly and a suggested-reading engine. The categorization member enables an author-user and reader-users of an authored work to categorize content of the authored work using a fixed taxonomy, keywords, tags and/or keyword combinations. The rating module enables reader-users to rate authored works and makes a determination of quality of each authored work in the system. Rating includes reader-user response activity such as number of times the reader recommends, forwards or otherwise effectively promotes the authored work. The user profiling assembly measures words and word combinations used (written or read) by a user and generates therefrom a profile of the user. The suggested-reading engine is responsive to the rating module and provides a ranked list of suggested reading (authored works) for a user. The suggested reading is based on the user's ratings of authored works, respective relevance of authored works to the user and editorial promotion of certain articles/authored works.

Computer method and system for searching and navigating published content on a global computer network

A global computer network system includes a method and apparatus for writer compensation, a method and apparatus for reader rating and a method and apparatus for enabling readers to tip an author. The system further provides content organization according to user relationship and website community. Another feature effects content browsing by relationship of users in the system. The system provides determination of content scarcity and advertisement (ad inventory) scarcity. The system also includes user-specified comments or reader indications on system contents such as authored works and bookmarks.

User-driven media system in a computer network

A host computer site of a computer-based social network of users profiles users for targeting advertisements. The system obtains and/or infers demographic information from end-users using on-line means. The system next monitors end user activity and determines keywords therefrom. The system profiles an end user as a function of the determined end-user activity keywords and obtained/inferred end-user demographic information. Profiles of end-users are matched against targeted profiles of advertisements which are defined by respective advertisers. Using observed user behavior and other factors, ads are prioritized for selection and viewing placement. This results in (i) targeting advertisements to end-users based on end user profiles, and (ii) real-time customization of web pages viewed by end-users.

A database search method and system utilize user community defined facets and facet values for refining searches. The system provides access to a database having a plurality of records in respective categories of information. Each record has one or more facets to the respective category of information, usable in connection with a search as suggested additional parameters for further refining search terms or guiding user navigation of the database. The facets and facet values are defined by a computer network community of users over time and through use of the network community portal. Another embodiment is an advertising engine that displays targeted advertisements to the user based on refined search. Another embodiment is a method that utilizes refined search to help the user with navigation of a site (e.g., website or other computer network site) as a component of a GUI.

Methods and systems for using community defined facets or facet values in computer networks

A computer method and system for ranking computer network portal users is provided. The system and method comprise a ranking module which determines rank of an individual in a community of global computer network users. The ranking module determines rank of an individual as a function of user demand. The function of user demand includes any one or combination of number of requests to be connected to the individual user, readership following of the individual user and keywords common between profiles or authored works by the individual user and those of other users. An output member is coupled to receive the determined rank from the ranking module and generates an ordered list of user names ordered by determined rank of individuals. The rank of individuals may be provided to external entities such as fraud detection systems or advertising targeting engines.

Computer method and system for target advertising based on user rank in a computer network

Computer method and system for recommending content in a computer network

Computer method and system for detecting and monitoring negative behavior in a computer network

Computer method and system for determining expert-users in a computer network

Computer method and system for ranking users in a network community of users

A database search method and system utilize user community defined facets and facet values for refining searches. The system provides access to a database having a plurality of records in respective categories of information. Each record has one or more facets to the respective category of information. The system enables user input of a search term formed of a first parameter indicative of at least one category of information of the database. In response to the user input, the invention system displays (a) a set of search results, including records from the database of the at least one category of information, and (b) a listing of facets and/or facet values of the records in the search results. The listing of facets and/or facet values serve as suggested additional parameters for further refining the search terms or guiding user navigation of the database. In response to user selection of a facet value from the listing, the system refines the search term resulting in a refined search term formed of the first parameter plus the user selected facet and/or facet value. A search of the database is rerun using the refined search term. The facets and facet values are defined by a computer network community of users over time and through use of the network community portal. Another embodiment is an advertising engine that displays targeted advertisements to the user based on refined search. Another embodiment is a method that utilizes refined search to help the user with navigation of a site (e.g., website or other computer network site) as a component of a GUI.

An application program interface (API), enables web development tools to interact directly with a hyperlink database subsystem. Tool developers use this API to design functionality that enables affiliates to log on to the hyperlink database system and generate merchant links. In response to requests from vendors' tools, the invention API uses the XML format to deliver requested hyperlink generation information. The requests are encrypted for users' privacy. The returned hyperlink generation information includes lists of merchants, lists of hyperlinks to the merchants web sites, the HTML code supporting the hyperlinks, and graphics for the links. Users implement hyperlinks by selecting among the choices returned in the response to the request and graphically placing (i.e., by drag and drop interaction) the resulting hyperlinks on subject web pages in a simple, error-free manner.

Method and apparatus for generating website links

Computer network method and apparatus provides targeting of appropriate audience based on psychographic or behavioral profiles of end users. The psychographic profile is formed by recording computer activity and viewing habits of the end user. Content of categories of interest and display format in each category are revealed by the psychographic profile, based on user viewing of agate information. Using the profile (with or without additional user demographics), advertisements are displayed to appropriately selected users. Based on regression analysis of recorded responses of a first set of users viewing the advertisements, the target user profile is refined. Viewing by and regression analysis of recorded responses of subsequent sets of users continually auto-targets and customizes ads for the optimal end user audience.

Computer program apparatus for determining behavioral profile of a

Method and apparatus for determining behavioral profile of a computer

Growing community of inventors

Boston, MA, United States of America

Thomas A Gerace