Abstract: Plug-ins for instant messaging (IM) systems are described. By using plug-ins in conjunction with IM systems, the functionality of IM systems may be greatly extended. Specifically, in business applications, such as workflow processes, IM provides a more reliable approach to determining actual delivery of messages.

Abstract: An observer device is provided with access to a communication, session between participant devices. A request for initiating a communication session between a host participant device and at least one other participant device is received. The communication session between the host participant device and the at least one other participant device is established, and a connection between the host participant device and the observer device is also established. The observer device is provided with access to the communication session between the host participant device and the other participant device via the connection between the host participant device and the observer device. Awareness of the other participant device of the observer device's access to the communication session depends on access rules controlling access of the observer device to the communication session.

Abstract: Systems and methods for recording of channels are provided. In a particular method, a first window of the plurality of windows is designated to display a first program of a first channel and a second window of the plurality of windows is designated to display a second program of a second channel. The first channel and the second channel are each included in a set of channels. The method also includes automatically recording the first program associated with the first channel while the first program is in progress and automatically recording the second program associated with the second channel while the second program is in progress. The method further includes sending a start of program option to a display device. In response to a selection of the start of program option, a recorded displayed program in progress is automatically replayed from a beginning of the displayed program at the display device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing advanced instant messaging (IM) notification are provided. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, an event message, which is received prior sending of an initial message by a user, is used to generate a notification to a contact. The notification indicates to the contact that the user is preparing to initiate a chat session prior to opening a chat window.

Abstract: Systems for forwarding incoming instant messages comprise a primary IM processing device configured to send and receive IM messages. The primary IM processing device is further configured to forward incoming IM messages to an available secondary IM processing devices based upon presence information and availability information on a plurality of secondary IM processing devices. A router is configured to route IM messages between the primary IM processing device and the secondary IM processing devices. An IM server is coupled to a communications network and is configured to send and receive presence information from the primary IM processing device and the secondary IM processing devices. The primary IM processing device is further configured to maintain presence information on the secondary IM processing devices including the secondary IM processing devices that were unavailable to receive a forwarded instant message. Other systems and methods are also provided.

Abstract: Universal caller identification services are provided to enable a subscriber to maintain his or her identity by communicating an outgoing communication from any one of a plurality of different communications and communicating a communications signal to a called party communications address with a Universal CallerID to always identify the calling party. Further exemplary embodiments provide the Universal CallerID signal and a third party identifier to a called party and/or the Universal CallerID signal and a called party identifier to a third party. The Universal CallerID signal and a third party identifier and/or the Universal CallerID signal and a called party identifier may include text, video, voice, and/or digital data.

Abstract: Simultaneous Ring Called Party Identification services identify an actual communications address (or other called party identifier) of an answering communications device in a simultaneous ring service. In some of the exemplary embodiments, a calling party uses a communications device that includes a computer program product—a Simultaneous Ring Called Party Identification Module—that requests a Simultaneous Ring Called Party Identification signal that includes a communications address of an answering communications device. In exemplary embodiments, the Simultaneous Ring Called Party Identification signal is updated with an second incoming communication from a third party (e.g., call waiting caller) and is communicated to the communications address of an answering communications device and to some of the associated communications devices and/or addresses. The Simultaneous Ring Called Party Identification signal may include text, video, voice, and/or digital data.

Abstract: Systems and methods of recording media content are provided. A particular method includes accessing user configuration settings. The user configuration settings include at least one premier recording option. Selection of the premier recording option indicates that initial episodes of series programs are to be recorded. The method also includes searching electronic program guide (EPG) information for the initial episodes of series programs in response to determining that the premier recording option is selected in the user configuration settings. The method further includes storing a data record scheduling recording of a particular initial episode of a particular series program identified by searching the EPG information.

Abstract: Systems and methods to schedule recording of media content are provided. A particular method includes accessing at least one recording rule that specifies a first condition. The at least one recording rule indicates that a program of media content is to be scheduled for recording when the program satisfies the first condition. The method also includes accessing at least one recording exception that specifies a second condition. The at least one recording exception prohibits recording media content that satisfies the second condition. The method further includes determining a recording schedule by analyzing information regarding a plurality of programs of media content with respect to the at least one recording rule and the at least one recording exception.

Abstract: Systems for forwarding incoming instant messages comprise a primary IM processing device configured to send and receive IM messages. The primary IM processing device is further configured to forward incoming IM messages to an available secondary IM processing devices based upon presence information and availability information on a plurality of secondary IM processing devices. A router is configured to route IM messages between the primary IM processing device and the secondary IM processing devices. An IM server is coupled to a communications network and is configured to send and receive presence information from the primary IM processing device and the secondary IM processing devices. The primary IM processing device is further configured to maintain presence information on the secondary IM processing devices including the secondary IM processing devices that were unavailable to receive a forwarded instant message. Other systems and methods are also provided.

Abstract: Systems for forwarding an E-mail message to a user when instant messages from a sender cannot be forwarded to a secondary IM processing device comprise a primary IM processing device configured to send and receive E-mail messages and a router configured to route E-mail messages between the primary IM processing device and a sender's processing device. An E-mail user agent is coupled to the router and configured to provide access to E-mail information including an address of the sender such that an E-mail message can be sent to the sender's processing device. The router is further configured to receive notification at the primary IM processing device of a reply from the sender's processing device. Other systems and methods are also provided.

Abstract: Interactive program guide (IPG) and instant messaging (IM) convergence is provided by displaying an IPG that includes one or more IM icons. In response to detection of a user clicking on an icon of the one or more displayed IM icons or hovering over an icon of the one or more displayed IM icons, a pull-down menu is displayed that includes one or more IM options or a new screen is displayed that includes one or more instant messaging options. The pull-down menu or new screen displays a list of all IM users that are watching a program in a particular geographic location. Alternatively or additionally, the pull-down menu or new screen displays a list of all buddies for the user that are watching a program listed in the IPG.

Abstract: Systems for forwarding an E-mail message to a user when instant messages from a sender cannot be forwarded to a secondary IM processing device comprise a primary IM processing device configured to send and receive E-mail messages and a router configured to route E-mail messages between the primary IM processing device and a sender's processing device. An E-mail user agent is coupled to the router and configured to provide access to E-mail information including an address of the sender such that an E-mail message can be sent to the sender's processing device. The router is further configured to receive notification at the primary IM processing device of a reply from the sender's processing device. Other systems and methods are also provided.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and products provide called party identification to a calling party. A communication is processed from a calling communications address to one of a plurality of communications addresses associated with a simultaneous ring. When an answer is detected at one of the plurality of communications addresses, an answering communications address is sent to the calling communications address.

Abstract: A system for a video stream adaptive frame rate comprises a video capture device for sending video samples captured from a video source and a video playback device for receiving video samples from the video capture device. The video capture device includes a playback buffer and is configured to adjust a playback of the video samples from the playback buffer when the buffer is not within a designated target range. Other systems and methods are also provided.

Abstract: A system for a video stream adaptive frame rate comprises a video capture device for sending video samples captured from a video source and a video playback device for receiving video samples from the video capture device. The video capture device includes a playback buffer and is configured to adjust a playback of the video samples from the playback buffer when the buffer is not within a designated target range. Other systems and methods are also provided.

Abstract: Simultaneous Ring Called Party Identification services identify an actual communications address (or other called party identifier) of an answering communications device in a simultaneous ring service. In some of the exemplary embodiments, a calling party uses a communications device that includes a computer program product—a Simultaneous Ring Called Party Identification Module—that requests a Simultaneous Ring Called Party Identification signal that includes a communications address of an answering communications device. The Simultaneous Ring Called Party Identification signal may be associated with multiple communications devices of the answering communications address, such as a POTS phone and a computer coupled with a modem communicating with a telecommunications network from the same switch. The Simultaneous Ring Called Party Identification signal may include text, video, voice, and/or digital data.

Abstract: Systems for instant messaging private tags preferably comprise a parser for parsing an instant message for sensitive data and an encryption engine for encrypting the sensitive data. A modified uuencoder is also preferably included for converting the encrypted sensitive data into a data stream that complies with an XML format. Other systems and methods are also provided.

Abstract: A system for an audio stream adaptive frequency comprises an audio capture device for sending audio samples captured from an audio source and an audio playback device for receiving the audio samples. The audio playback device includes a playback buffer and is configured to adjust playback of the audio samples from the playback buffer when the buffer is not within a designated target range. Other systems and methods are also provided.

Abstract: Systems for instant messaging private tags preferably comprise a parser for parsing an instant message for sensitive data and an encryption engine for encrypting the sensitive data. A modified uuencoder is also preferably included for converting the encrypted sensitive data into a data stream that complies with an XML format. Other systems and methods are also provided.