Abstract: A system and method for using a communication lease to open a communication channel is provided. An initiation terminal transmits a channel initiation request for access to a resource manager through a target terminal. Evaluation of a communication lease controlling access to the resource manager is awaited. Approval of the channel initiation request is received upon the successful evaluation of the communication lease. A communication channel is opened between the initiation terminal and the target terminal upon receipt of the approval.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and computer program products are disclosed that use a lease to manage interpersonal communications over a computer-mediated network such as a telephone network or the Internet, whether using textual, audio, or video communication means. The use of the lease allows enables negotiated evolution and revocation of a communication privilege in a socially-acceptable manner.

Abstract: In general, in one aspect, the disclosure describes an apparatus that includes two panels pivotally connected together. The panels can pivot from an open arrangement where the two panels lay side by side to a closed arrangement where the two panels lay one on top of another. The apparatus also includes a flexible display connected to the two panels and having a portion that is mechanically free from the two panels. The apparatus further includes a cavity to receive at least a portion of the free portion of the display when the panels are pivoted into the closed arrangement.

Abstract: An enhanced thumbnail apparatus produces thumbnails in which one or more elements, such as a document header, or keywords specified by a user, are modified to facilitate review by the user. The enhanced thumbnails are produced by generating a reduced-size representation associated with the document, and modifying the appearance of at least one element in the reduced-size representation. The appearance of the at least one element may be modified by modifying its appearance while in a document format, and/or by modifying its appearance after being converted to a reduced-size representation.

Abstract: A thumbnail image includes at least one selectable element. The selectable element may be selected, or the document as a whole may be selected. The selectable element is associated with either (a) a portion of the original document, smaller than the original document as a whole or (b) a document other than the original document. When the thumbnail as a whole is selected, the original document is displayed. When the selectable element is selected, the appropriate portion of the original document, or the document other than the original document, is displayed.

Abstract: A feedback mechanism usable with graphical user interface systems that do not have a cursor improves the usefulness of such graphical user interfaces. Locating, identifying and/or selecting hyperlink targets or active areas within a displayed image map or within a Web page is facilitated by providing distinctions to the hyperlink targets or active areas or by providing other locational indicators for a designated time period in response to a single user gesture. The distinctions or locational indicators may be provided in combination with other distinctions or locational indicators to further aid the hyperlink target or active area location, identification and/or selection process. After a designated time period expires, the distinctions, locational indicators, or their combination, are removed from the display without any additional user gesture. This increases the efficiency and convenience of locating, identifying and/or selecting hyperlink targets or active areas in a graphical user interface system.

Abstract: A thumbnail is generated by generating a thumbnail of an original document, generating at least one selectable element, and associating the at least one selectable element with the thumbnail in a display of the thumbnail. By selecting one of the selectable elements in the thumbnail, a document or document portion linked to the selectable element can be directly accessed.

Abstract: A thumbnail of an original document has at least one appearance characteristic that is different from a corresponding appearance characteristic in an original document. When retrieving a document associated with the thumbnail, a document version is displayed that is more similar in appearance to the thumbnail than the original document. If desired, one or more further versions of the document, closer to or identical to the first version, may be subsequently displayed.

Abstract: A thumbnail is generated by generating a thumbnail of an original document, generating at least one selectable element, and associating the at least one selectable element with the thumbnail in a display of the thumbnail. By selecting one of the selectable elements in the thumbnail, a document or document portion linked to the selectable element can be directly accessed.

Abstract: An enhanced thumbnail apparatus produces thumbnails in which one or more elements, such as a document header, or keywords specified by a user, are modified to facilitate review by the user. The enhanced thumbnails are produced by generating a reduced-size representation associated with the document, and modifying the appearance of at least one element in the reduced-size representation. The appearance of the at least one element may be modified by modifying its appearance while in a document format, and/or by modifying its appearance after being converted to a reduced-size representation.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention is a method of using a computer to identify a conversation. Another aspect is a method for an audio processing system that identifies conversations and enhances each conversation for each user in the conversation.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention is a computer controlled method for use with a communication system. The method includes a step of receiving a plurality of communications, where each one of the plurality of communications is from one of a plurality of communication sources; includes a step of mixing (that is responsive to a plurality of floor controls) the plurality of communications for a plurality of outputs associated with plurality of communication sources; and includes a step of analyzing, for a plurality of users associated with the plurality of communication sources, one or more conversational characteristics of two or more of the plurality of users. The method also includes a step of automatically adjusting the plurality of floor controls responsive to the step of analyzing. Other embodiments include systems and devices that use the method as well as program products that cause a computer to execute the method.

Abstract: A feedback mechanism usable with graphical user interface systems that do not have a cursor improves the usefulness of such graphical user interfaces. Locating, identifying and/or selecting hyperlink targets or active areas within a displayed image map or within a Web page is facilitated by providing distinctions to the hyperlink targets or active areas or by providing other locational indicators for a designated time period in response to a single user gesture. The distinctions or locational indicators may be provided in combination with other distinctions or locational indicators to further aid the hyperlink target or active area location, identification and/or selection process. After a designated time period expires, the distinctions, locational indicators, or their combination, are removed from the display without any additional user gesture. This increases the efficiency and convenience of locating, identifying and/or selecting hyperlink targets or active areas in a graphical user interface system.