Abstract: A method, computer program product, and apparatus for providing reverse auction services are provided. A reverse auction request for transportation or a reverse auction request for delivery is received from a communications device. Geographical location information of an origination location and a destination location for the reverse auction request for transportation or delivery is received from the communications device. The reverse auction request for transportation or delivery is transmitted. Bids to the reverse auction request for transportation or delivery are received. The bids to the request for transportation or delivery are transmitted to the communications device.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable media provide for providing an event alert. According to embodiments, a method for providing an event alert is provided. According to the method, an incoming communication from a first device is detected. An initiating party associated with the first device is identified. Whether the initiating party associated with the first device is further associated with an alert tag is determined. The alert tag may include an identifying alert identifying the initiating party associated with the first device. In response to determining that the initiating party associated with the first device is associated with the alert tag, the identifying alert is provided as the event alert on a second device.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable media provide for the real-time notification of user events. According to various embodiments described herein, a user initiates a notification process in which the geographic location of a device associated with the user, as well as any desired activity data, is generated into a real-time notification for another party. The location of the user device is determined upon the initiation of the notification process. Original or pre-programmed messages may be posted on a website or delivered along with the location of the user device to any number of communication devices. The various embodiments provide an efficient manner of updating selected individuals with the location of a user and of providing those individuals with desired information.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable media provide for utilizing a repeating function to improve quality of service. According to embodiments, a method for utilizing a repeating function to improve quality of service is provided. According to the method a first mobile cellular device is selected. An instruction is transmitted to the first mobile cellular device instructing the first mobile cellular device. The instruction causes the first mobile cellular device to relay communications between the second mobile cellular device and the cellular service provider. The first mobile cellular device thereby provides the repeating function for the second mobile cellular device.

Abstract: Systems, methods and computer products for pooling of wireless collection bandwidth. Exemplary embodiments include a bandwidth management method, in a wireless device, the method, including querying for additional wireless devices within a communication range of the wireless device, the wireless device and additional wireless devices being in communication with a network having downloadable content, initiating communication between the wireless device and the additional wireless devices, establishing an ad-hoc network among the combination of the wireless device and the additional devices, establishing communication between the combined wireless device and additional devices as the ad-hoc network, and the network having the downloadable content and requesting the downloadable content from the network to the wireless device, wherein the downloadable content is transferred over a bandwidth collectively pooled among individual bandwidths of the wireless device and the additional wireless devices.

Abstract: Systems, methods and computer products for content-derived (generated) metadata. Exemplary embodiments include a metadata generation method, including receiving a media file, searching the media file for metadata associated with the media file, adding the metadata to a metadata file associated with the media file, searching the media file for media components and adding metadata entries that are associated with the media components to the metadata file.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for transmitting maps via multimedia messaging service (MMS). The methods, systems, and computer program products include acquiring a map, displaying the map on a display screen of a device, initiating an MMS formatting application to format the map in an MMS format, and transmitting the MMS formatted map over a network.

Abstract: A test system having a sub-system to sub-system bridge may be provided that utilizes the useful attributes of a plurality of circuit testing techniques, while reducing deficiencies associated with certain types of circuit testing. A bridged test system structure is utilized to facilitate circuit testing that is more effective and time efficient. The method analyzes performance data acquired by a first component for one or more circuits, and sends that performance data to a second test component. The second test component provides test signals to the circuits, using the performance date to enhance the use of the test signals, and also provides test response data for the circuits in response to the provided test signals.

Abstract: Methods, computer program products, and virtual servers for providing virtual service are provided. A user of a virtual service is authenticated. An input is received that identifies another user in which to operatively connect for virtual service. Permission is requested to operatively connect to the other user. The user is operatively connected to the other user, in response to receiving an acceptance to operatively connect from the other user. Acquired information is transmitted and received between the user and the other user, while broadcast content is being received by the user and the other user. The acquired information and the broadcast content may be displayed together on a television.

Abstract: Included are embodiments for providing an attachment for a message. At least one embodiment of a method includes receiving a message from a sender, the message configured to be sent to at least one recipient, the message including an attachment and determining whether the at least one recipient is designated to receive the attachment. Some embodiments include determining a desired attachment representation for the attachment and in response to determining a desired attachment representation for the attachment, sending the message for delivery to the at least one recipient.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for delivering continuous integrated video via an IPTV network are provided. Input is received from multiple cameras, where each camera is focused on a portion of a larger scene and captures its portion of the larger scene. Memory of a video processor stores each camera's captured portion of the larger scene. The video processor and a buffer memory execute a process for merging each camera's captured portion of the larger scene into a continuous integrated video that is stored in a memory of a video server. The video server and a set-top box communicate via the IPTV network. The video server receives inputs from the set-top box operated by a subscriber for viewing specific portions of the integrated video. The requested portion of the integrated video is streamed from the buffer memory to the set-top box.

Abstract: Methods, systems, devices, and computer program products for implementing condition alert services are provided. A method includes receiving information elements from a source that identify a condition, aggregating the information elements from the source with information elements from other sources that identify the same condition, and creating a composite file that includes the aggregated information elements representing each of the sources. The method also includes generating a condition alert from the composite file and transmitting the condition alert to a recipient communications device.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, systems, and computer program products for real-time high dynamic range (HDR) imaging are provided. A method includes creating a first HDR image file for a subject image captured from a first angle and at a first time increment (T1). The first HDR image file is created by a first image capturing device. The method also includes receiving a second HDR image file for the subject image captured from a second angle at T1, creating a first composite HDR image file by combining elements of the first HDR image file with elements of the second HDR image file, and generating a first three-dimensional HDR image from the composite HDR image file. The second HDR image file is received in real-time, such that the first three-dimensional HDR image reflects the subject at T1.

Abstract: A method, computer program product, and apparatus for providing reverse auction services are provided. A reverse auction request for transportation or a reverse auction request for delivery is received from a communications device. Geographical location information of an origination location and a destination location for the reverse auction request for transportation or delivery is received from the communications device. The reverse auction request for transportation or delivery is transmitted. Bids to the reverse auction request for transportation or delivery are received. The bids to the request for transportation or delivery are transmitted to the communications device.

Abstract: A digital media content file containing electronically captured content is received over a network. The received digital media content file is associated with at least one destination identifier specifying a destination for the electronically captured content and at least one output medium identifier specifying an output medium for the electronically captured content. An output medium is produced that includes the electronically captured content using the at least one output medium identifier. The produced output medium is sent to the destination specified by the at least one destination identifier.

Abstract: System, methods, and computer program products for a virtual presence service are provided. The virtual presence service includes configuring a virtual presence community and registering a user for the virtual presence community. Also, the virtual presence service includes providing a filter to detect triggering events corresponding to the virtual presence community and initiating group communications in response to detecting the triggering event.

Abstract: A cellular system for handling outgoing calls from a mobile station (1) including a network element (8) being capable of recognizing voiced commands and names, and has in memory a database of telephone numbers corresponding to an array of names; The mobile station (1) connects to the network element (8) and the mobile station user communicates the desired outgoing call function to the network element (8) by voice. This desired outgoing call function may be communicated while the mobile station (1) is engaged in using supplementary services provided by the network element (8), at any operation point in those services. The network element (8) evaluate the voice communication, retrieves any corresponding information, including telephone numbers, and communicates the necessary information need by the mobile station (1) to carry out the desired function to the mobile station (1).

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for implementing personalized dissemination of information are provided. A method includes receiving personal information elements for a subject, and applying business rules to the personal information elements, data elements designated for publication by a source of the data elements, and a database of information strings. The information strings include words and phrases that are commonly recognized across a populace. In response to application of the business rules, the method also includes selecting one or more of the data elements from the source, one or more of the personal information elements, and an information string from the database of information strings. The method further includes constructing a contextually relevant output string that is relevant to the subject. The output string includes portions of the selected information string, data elements, and personal information elements.

Abstract: Displaying an instant messaging (IM) presence indicator for each of a plurality of devices associated with a first user, wherein the plurality of devices include a first device representing a first type of instant messaging device and second device representing a second type of instant messaging device. Presence information is acquired for the first and second devices. A first device type identifier is associated with a first activation/deactivation flag indicative of whether or not the first device is activated to receive incoming instant messages, and a second device type identifier is associated with a second activation/deactivation flag indicative of whether or not the second device is activated to receive instant messages. The device type identifiers and activation/deactivation flags are transmitted to a third device associated with a second user for display on the third device.

Abstract: Included are embodiments for providing dynamic media rights. At least one embodiment includes receiving content from at least one uploading user and determining at least one attribute associated with the content. Some embodiments include determining at least one compensation schedule for providing the content to at least one content consumer and providing an option to compensate the at least one uploading user, according to the compensation schedule, for providing the content to the at least one content consumer, wherein the compensation schedule is determined from the at least one attribute.