Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products for tracking distribution of digital photographs are provided. Two or more digital photographs are obtained with a digital camera device. Distribution tags are associated with ones of the at least two digital photographs. The distribution tags include a distribution history for the at least two digital photographs.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for storing messages using multiple communication modalities, in which a first communication is received from a first communication system. One embodiment of a method includes receiving a message in a first protocol and converting the message from the first protocol to the second protocol. Some embodiments include storing the converted message in a temporary mailbox created for storing messages of the second protocol, sending the converted message to a storage component associated with the second protocol, and destroying the temporary mailbox.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for managing communications of a user. Identity information relating to the user is received, and a notification of a communication from a communicating partner is received. The user's preference for withholding the communication is obtained. An entry in a message log is created for the withheld communication.

Abstract: A system and method for receiving email instructions allowing users to remotely manage email messages on a specially adapted email server. The adapted email server comprises a registration module and database and other programming logic for verifying the user and determining the user's instructions for managing the email on the server. The user may advantageously manage email messages using any standard email client without the need to actually log in to the server system.

Abstract: Methods and systems for managing the communications and information resources of a user. A manager interfaces with communications systems such as a telecommunications and/or data network. The manager allows a user to participate in, keep track of, log, monitor, and engage or direct activities relating to communications. The manager may include user data and keep it current. The manager may receive and display data on a user's communications. The manager may respond to communications with a standard or selected response, and/or based on the user's instructions. The manager may make information related to the data or the received communications available. The manager may include a message log with entries on communications of the user including instant or chat room messages, and unanswered calls. An entry from the message log may be made available as related information to a communication received for the user. The manager may include a directory that is kept current using data on received communications.

Abstract: A system for providing group accessibility is provided. A representative resource list management system includes a group management system operable to store a resource list for a user, and a service manager operable to detect a status of a contact associated with the resource list. The resource list includes at least one group, said at least one group including a plurality of contacts. The service manager is operable to update accessibility of the at least one group in response to at least one of the plurality of contacts being accessible on a network. Methods and other systems for resource list management are also provided.

Abstract: A manager interfaces with communications systems such as a telecommunications and/or data network. The manager allows a user to participate in, keep track of, log, monitor, and engage or direct activities relating to communications. The manager may include user data and keep it current, receive and display data on a user's communications, and respond to communications with a standard or selected response. The manager may make information related to the data or the received communications available and include a message log with entries on communications of the user including instant or chat room messages, and unanswered calls. The manager may include a directory that is kept current using data on received communications and may include a calendar with scheduled activities.

Abstract: An apparatus for use with an output device coupled to one or more sources of multimedia content comprises an operator interface, a record generator and a network interface. The operator interface receives information responsive to a user's observation of a segment of multimedia content. The record generator creates a record that identifies the segment of multimedia content and includes information responsive to the user's observation of the segment of multimedia content. The network interface communicates presence information. The apparatus generates a record that provides a mechanism for interactive and collaborative communication between interested parties with access to a device that can access and synchronize the presentation of the segment of multimedia content and the user information.

Abstract: An email message is filtered to determine whether or not it is an undesired email message (e.g., “spa,” “junk mail,” etc.) that originates from an undesirable domain, such as, for example, a domain designated as originating from an undesirable geographic location. In some embodiments, upon determining that the email message originates from an undesirable domain, the email message is deleted (e.g., permanently removed, moved to a designated folder, marked for followup, etc.). In other embodiments, upon determining that the email message originates from an undesirable domain, the email message is further filtered to determine whether or not the email message includes attributes that indicate that the email message should not be discarded.

Abstract: An interactive program manager comprises a receiver, a controller and an analyzer. The receiver presents audio and visual content for display. The controller directs the receiver to select a first channel and to forward a second channel different from the first channel. The analyzer monitors a program guide and at least the second channel for content of interest in accordance with a user profile. The controller also directs the receiver in response to an operator input.

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: A system, method and computer program enable an interactive game. A game server, in response to a user request, provides a unique identifier associated with an instance of the interactive game. The game server forwards one or more invitations to join the interactive game in accordance with the user request. Thereafter, the game server registers one or more wireless communication devices to be used as data controllers for use by participants that join the game.

Abstract: Systems, methods and computer programs enable interactive viewer control of advertising content. A monitor is configured to receive audio and video content having associated therewith an indicator that alternative content is available. The system comprises a first controller, a profile store and an advertisement store. The controller receives and stores viewer profile data in the profile store. The controller also receives advertisement content from the advertisement store. The controller provides an invitation to share viewer profile data with an advertiser. In turn, the controller forwards audio and video content in response to a communication responsive to the invitation.

Abstract: Content from a source, such as the Internet, may be displayed on a window on a television, such as a crawl screen, closed caption area, or picture-in-picture (PIP) area. This may allow a user to watch television and view both television content and Internet content simultaneously without the need to access another device, such as a laptop computer, personal digital assistant, or the like. For example, a user may connect a data processing system, such as a computer, to a video control module, e.g., digital video recorder (DVR) or other box used to control a television. The user may then access a tool bar, for example, provided with an Internet browser that runs on the data processing system to identify portions of one or more Web sites to be displayed on the television through the video control module. The video control module may also be configured to allow the user to interact with the Internet content displayed on the television through use of the television remote, for example.

Abstract: Content can be delivered on a communication network by associating additional content elements with media files that may, for example, be purchased by a customer. A customer may select one or more media files that are packaged with one or more associated content elements and communicated, e.g., downloaded, to the customer. Upon receiving media file(s), the user may attempt to use or open the media file(s) at which time the user is presented with the option of accessing, potentially for a fee, one or more additional content elements that are associated with the media file(s). The additional content elements may be “locked” to prevent the customer from using them. The customer may then select one or more of the additional content elements and pay any fee that is required to receive one or more access keys that can be used to open the content elements.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for accessing messages in one communication system by another communication system. In some embodiments, a request to access data is received from a second communication system. The data is located at a first communication system. The first communication system is configured to communicate using a first standard communication protocol, while the second communication system is configured to communicate using a second standard communication protocol. The received request is converted to a command of the first standard communication protocol. Using the command, the data at the first communication system is accessed.

Abstract: Ring tones can be delivered on a communication network by associating one or more ring tones with a media file, such as a song, that may, for example, be purchased by a customer. The associated ring tones may be presented to a customer to allow the customer to choose which ring tone(s) he/she would like to have as well as to select how the ring tone(s) are to be delivered. For example, the ring tone(s) may be delivered directly to a phone using, for example, a Short Message Service (SMS) message. The ring tone(s) may also be delivered to a storage location, such as on a personal computer, for example, allowing the customer to install the ring tone(s) on his/her phone independently. A key may also be delivered to a storage location that allows the user to invoke the key at later time to trigger delivery of the ring tone(s) over the air via an SMS message.

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: Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for dynamically changing an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system. Responses to a menu of prompts are monitored. A presentation order of the menu of prompts is automatically updated according to a set of rules. The set of rules describe qualifications for dynamically changing the menu of prompts.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for managing the communications and information resources of a user. Identity information relating to the user is received. The user's preference for withholding an incoming communication is obtained. An entry is created in a message log for the withheld communication. The user is not notified of receipt of the withheld communication, yet receipt of the withheld communication is logged in the message log.