Abstract: A computer network system establishes an instant messaging (IM) session between a first user registered with a first ISP (ISP) and at least one user registered with a second ISP when the two ISPs operate using different IM protocols. The ISPs each contain a Local IM server connected to each registered user. Each ISP also contains a Universal IM server that is connected to the distributed network. The Universal IM server includes a database that stores routing information and Presence information for each user registered with the second ISPs and facilitates communications between the first and second user using a universal format, such as XML.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for searching a searchable listing of an interactive menu prompting system. A search request is received, and the search request includes a search term. A query is sent to determine whether the search term occurs within in the searchable listing. A search result is received and communicated to a client.

Abstract: A computer network system establishes an instant messaging (IM) session between a first user registered with a first ISP (ISP) and at least one user registered with a second ISP when the two ISPs operate using different IM protocols. The ISPs each contain a Local IM server connected to each registered user. Each ISP also contains a Universal IM server that is connected to the distributed network. The Universal IM server includes a database that stores routing information and Presence information for each user registered with the second ISPs and facilitates communications between the first and second user using a universal format, such as XML.

Abstract: Rule-based release of distributed electronic content in accordance with at least one content release rule is provided. A first subcontent, a second subcontent, and a content release rule specifying a first condition for enabling access to the first subcontent and a second condition for enabling access to the second subcontent, are received. The received first subcontent, the received second subcontent, and the received content release rule are stored in a content storage device. Access to the stored first subcontent is not enabled, and access to the stored second subcontent is not enabled. Access to the stored first subcontent is enabled in accordance with the content release rule. Access to the stored second subcontent is enabled in accordance with the content release rule.

Abstract: A monetary account, such as a prepaid account or credit account, that is used as payment for purchases is divided into categories of purchased items. When a purchase is attempted, a request to apply the monetary account specifies the category of the item being purchased. Rules associated with each of the categories of the account are applied in response to the request to determine whether to approve or deny the purchase. Rules may vary from one category to the next. As one example, a rule may include a remaining monetary value of the category where a determination is made whether the cost of the item being purchased is no more than the remaining monetary value. As another example, a rule may include whether a time of the purchase matches an allowable time for the category of the item being purchased. Other examples include rules that allow for borrowing from one category for purchases from another, for specific allocations, and for event triggers to generate alarms.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for searching a searchable listing of an interactive menu prompting system. A search request is received, and the search request includes a search term. A query is sent to determine whether the search term occurs within in the searchable listing. A search result is received and communicated to a client.

Abstract: A scheduled broadcast time is retrieved for a program that is to be delivered in advance of the scheduled broadcast time, wherein the scheduled broadcast time is associated with a program content identifier for the program. Prior to the scheduled broadcast time, a pre-cast channel is selected on a network by selecting at least one of a currently unused channel or a dedicated pre-cast channel. Prior to the scheduled broadcast time, a signal is sent for placing a viewer program storage device into a pre-cast mode, such that viewing of the pre-cast channel is disabled. Prior to the scheduled broadcast time, the program is delivered to the viewer program storage device over the pre-cast channel, wherein the delivered program is associated with the program content identifier and a time stamp for disabling playback of the delivered program until arrival of the scheduled broadcast time.

Abstract: Capturing a visual image, or a sequence of visual images, that includes an advertisement for a product, a service, or an event. The captured visual image is scanned by an optical character recognition application to detect key words. The key words are provided to an input/output (I/O) device to enable one or more of the key words to be confirmed, deleted, or edited. The key words include a key word identifying an electronic destination accessible over a network and corresponding to a source for the advertisement. At least one key word that has been confirmed or edited by the I/O device is transmitted over the network to the electronic destination corresponding to the source. Digitized data is received from the source, the digitized data comprising at least one of digitized event data, digitized product data, or digitized service data. The received digitized data are stored in an advertisement database.

Abstract: Packaging live broadcast electronic content for delivery on a content delivery network is provided. A first live program broadcast on a first channel is scheduled for delivery on a livecast channel, and a second live program broadcast on a second channel is scheduled for delivery on the livecast channel. The first live program is associated with a first content identifier and the first channel in an electronic program guide, and the second live program is associated with a second content identifier and the second channel in the electronic program guide. Upon receiving a program selection of at least one of the first live program or the second live program from the electronic program guide, the program selection is delivered over the livecast channel.

Abstract: Automatically managing procurement of advertised products, services, and events is performed by transmitting content that includes an advertisement and an information matrix. The information matrix includes at least one of an advertisement identifier indicative of the product, service, or event; a date identifier; or a set of rule parameters specifying offer conditions. A signal is received that is indicative of a user expressing a conditional interest in procuring the advertised product or service, or procuring one or more tickets for the event. The conditional interest is predicated upon specified procurement conditions being met. An updated set of rule parameters is received specifying updated offer conditions. The procurement conditions are compared against the offer conditions. Based upon the comparison, an updated offer is transmitted for the product, service, or event.

Abstract: A content provider inserts at least one begin tag and at least one end tag into a broadcast program. The at least one begin tag and at least one end tag defines a video clip segment for the broadcast program. The content provider transmits the broadcast program including the at least one begin tag and the at least one end tag over a network to a digital video recorder (DVR). Upon the broadcast program ending, the content provider transmits a wrapper over the network to the DVR. The wrapper includes wrapper information comprising at least one of a sponsor advertisement, a trailer broadcast, a header broadcast, or a summary of one or more video clip segments.

Abstract: Inconveniences in switching from one Internet service provider (ISP) to another ISP are remedied by providing streamlined approaches that facilitate the migration from one ISP to another ISP. In one embodiment, users are assisted in canceling an old ISP service when the user has migrated to a new ISP service.

Abstract: Streaming content is combined with advertising using an ad selection and insertion application. Content information, ad information, and user information may all be used to select ads for incorporation into the streaming content, whether audio and/or video. Ad information may include demographic targets for an ad, as well as information about series of ads. Ad selections may be personalized for users based on viewing history and user preferences. Once an ad is played, information may be sent back to an ad service provider for tracking purposes.

Abstract: In a computer system, online auction data is retrieved by an auction analysis application program to generate recommendations for buying and selling auction items to auction participants. The auction participants may be either auction buyers or auction sellers. Profile data and auction item historical data associated with one or more auction participants is collected at the computer system from an auction website over a communication network. An output is then generated based on the profile data and the auction item historical data. The output may include recommendations for an auction seller and an auction buyer which may be utilized to increase sales of an auction item and to obtain a lowest price for an auction item.

Abstract: Methods are provided for tagging digital media files. A digital media file is obtained with a digital media device. One or more event tags are associated with the digital media file on the digital media device responsive to a user prompt. The one or more event tags identify the digital media file. Related devices and computer program products are also provided.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products that facilitate selecting advertisements for insertion into advertisement slots in broadcast content are provided. Broadcast criteria for the content and viewer criteria are identified. Broadcast criteria includes information about the content and viewer criteria includes information about viewers to whom the content is targeted. Information is retrieved from a plurality of tags attached to a respective plurality of stored advertisements that are available for insertion into the advertising slot. Each tag includes information about a respective advertisement. An advertisement having tag information that is compatible with identified broadcast criteria and viewer criteria is selected and inserted into the advertising slot. Various information about the selected advertisement, what criteria was used to select the advertisement, etc., may be recorded via a log file.

Abstract: Browsing through a plurality of content files stored on a device includes playing an audio thumbnail associated with each file highlighted by a user. Each audio thumbnail is a meaningful portion of content of a respective content file. Each audio thumbnail is user selectable and configured to play and/or display a respective content file associated therewith via the device. A method of searching content files stored on a device includes receiving an audible search command at the device from a user, wherein the search command includes search criteria for identifying one or more content files stored on the device; displaying a list of files that satisfy the search command; and serving a content file in response to user selection thereof. A voice tag may be recorded for a selected content file (or for a group of content files) via the device and stored in association with the served content file.

Abstract: A digital archive system includes a plurality of digital files and a user interface that allows a user to designate any one of the files as an anchor file and to link other ones of the files to a designated anchor file. The user interface allows a user to annotate each file linked to an anchor file with information describing the respective file and any relationship between the anchor file and the respective linked file. The content of an anchor file and all files linked thereto can be displayed via the user interface.

Abstract: Media segments are extracted from tagged media program files which may be associated with broadcast media programs in a media services network. Each media segment may be associated with a portion of a broadcast media program which is associated with a media attribute, as a character or storyline in a television series. Media segments based on the same media attribute may be linked and utilized to create a customized media program for playback on a media player.

Abstract: Media is exchanged by the interaction between devices of an environment. A first device of a first user discovers existing devices within a proximity-based communication range of the first device that have media capable of being shared. As the first user encounters different people and places that have other devices, those other devices are discovered by the first device of the user. A list of available media is provided from the discovered devices to the first device where it is then displayed. The first user may then select a media item from the list to obtain it via sharing or purchase, have it bookmarked for future retrieval from the current source, or request playback of the media item such as by streaming or broadcast. The first device may provide information about capabilities and/or user profile information to the other devices to filter which media items are presented to the first device.