Abstract: The disclosed technology is a computer application that establishes communication between a conversation-finder module and a computer application environment. The conversation-finder module determines a conversational floor based on three or more floor determination inputs. The conversational floor associates at least two of the three or more floor determination inputs as being on the conversational floor. The conversation-finder module and the computer application environment can be responsive to each other and can adapt to each other. That is (either or both), the computer application environment can adapt to the conversational floor(s) determined by the conversation-finder module; and the conversation-finder module can determine the conversational floors responsive to a floor determination input and/or control input from the computer application environment.

Abstract: Communication is carried out using devices with user-maintained modes that enable synchronous content sharing and communication. Each user-maintained mode enables a lightweight interface for positioning content in a conversation by initiating and terminating data transmission through user produced feedback to create a shared conversational experience.

Abstract: A method for interactive communication among lightweight audio communication devices over a communication network is stored and executed as an application for use by network devices. The method includes directing an initial message from a first audio communication device to a second audio communication device through an audio channel. Within the network devices a response message is produced and sent to the first audio communication device. A determination is made as to whether the first communication device is responsively engaging the response message. If so, a reply message is recorded as an audio stream and is transmitted from the first audio communication device.

Abstract: A system for interactive communication among lightweight audio communication devices over a communication network in which an application is stored and executed for use by network devices. The system includes a session management module for management of communication sessions among the audio communication devices. Session management includes receiving an initial message as an audio stream through an audio channel from a first audio communication device, producing a response message within the network devices, and determining whether the first communication device is responsively engaging the response message. The system also includes an audio processing module for storage, retrieval, and transmission of audio communication streams, including sending a response message to the first audio communication device and recording a reply message as an audio stream through the audio channel from a first communication device if the first communication device indicates responsive engagement with the response message.

Abstract: A system is described for displaying images of a virtual three-dimensional book having one or more virtual pages. The system comprises a display system capable of executing a display program wherein images of the virtual three-dimensional book are produced on the display system. The display system may include a magnification function producing a virtual magnifier moveable over the virtual pages. The display system may also include a the “stretchy page” display method wherein one section of the page is directly magnified, while other adjacent sections may be directly magnified in a horizontal or vertical direction, but not both directions. Moreover, a virtual page may also be tilted about a central axis of the virtual page to accommodate viewing of a desired section on the display system. Finally, a computer program product comprising a computer usable medium having computer readable code embodied therein for producing images of a virtual three-dimensional book is also disclosed.

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: Flexible display membranes are provided in various geometries in which a display area may be expanded to an operable position and collapsed to a smaller area for storage. In various configurations, the display membrane may be provided in general polygon or rounded shapes having one or more individual collapsible sections.

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 system is described for displaying images of a virtual three-dimensional book having one or more virtual pages. The system comprises a display system capable of executing a display program wherein images of the virtual three-dimensional book are produced on the display system. A degree of interest (DOI) function is provided for allocating available space on the display system. A page selection function may provide a user-selectable scale along a long axis of the virtual book for selecting virtual pages. Virtual chapter tabs may also be provided for navigating within the virtual book. The display system may also include a page flipping function with several different page flipping speeds and several different page flipping animations for moving between virtual pages in the virtual book. Moreover, a scroll bar function provided to facilitate page navigation wherein space on the scroll bar is allocated using a DOI function.

Abstract: A system is described for displaying images of a virtual three-dimensional book having one or more virtual pages. The system comprises a display system capable of executing a display program wherein images of the virtual three-dimensional book are produced on the display system. A degree of interest (DOI) function is provided for allocating available space on the display system. A page selection function may provide a user-selectable scale along a long axis of the virtual book for selecting virtual pages. Virtual chapter tabs may also be provided for navigating within the virtual book. The display system may also include a page flipping function with several different page flipping speeds and several different page flipping animations for moving between virtual pages in the virtual book. Moreover, a scroll bar function provided to facilitate page navigation wherein space on the scroll bar is allocated using a DOI function.