Abstract: The invention is a data network system (110) and method for forwarding a communication message intended for one device to another device. A target user of a target device (one of 102-108) configures configuration data of the target device for the system. The configuration information includes one or more forwarding lists in which each forwarding list identifies at least one next device (another one of 102-108). The system then receives (204) a communication message from an originating device (yet another one of 102-108) and retrieves (206) configuration data of the target device. Next, the system determines (208) whether the target device is available for interactive communication with the originating device based on the configuration data. If the target device is available for interactive communication with the originating device, then the system routes (210) the communication message to the target device.

Abstract: An apparatus (20) and methods are provided for providing Instant Messaging (IM) in a wireless communication system. The apparatus (20) comprises an IM data storage device (22) configured to store first IM contact data associated with an IM client and an IM server (24) configured to access the IM data storage device (22) and retrieve the first IM contact data associated with the IM client. The apparatus (20) is further comprised of an IM access portal (26) in operable communication with the IM server (24) and configured to access second IM contact data associated with the IM client and transmitted to a wireless device (29) of the IM client during a prior wireless connection. The IM access portal (26) is further configured to perform a comparison of the first IM contact data and the second IM contact data and transmit difference IM contact data (54) to the wireless device (29) of the IM client that is produced with the comparison of the first IM contact data and the second IM contact data.

Abstract: The invention is a data network system (110) and method for forwarding a communication message intended for one device to another device. A target user of a target device (one of 102-108) configures configuration data of the target device for the system. The configuration information includes one or more forwarding lists in which each forwarding list identifies at least one next device (another one of 102-108). The system then receives (204) a communication message from an originating device (yet another one of 102-108) and retrieves (206) configuration data of the target device. Next, the system determines (208) whether the target device is available for interactive communication with the originating device based on the configuration data. If the target device is available for interactive communication with the originating device, then the system routes (210) the communication message to the target device.

Abstract: An apparatus (20) and methods are provided for providing Instant Messaging (IM) in a wireless communication system. The apparatus (20) comprises an IM data storage device (22) configured to store first IM contact data associated with an IM client and an IM server (24) configured to access the IM data storage device (22) and retrieve the first IM contact data associated with the IM client. The apparatus (20) is further comprised of an IM access portal (26) in operable communication with the IM server (24) and configured to access second IM contact data associated with the IM client and transmitted to a wireless device (29) of the IM client during a prior wireless connection. The IM access portal (26) is further configured to perform a comparison of the first IM contact data and the second IM contact data and transmit difference IM contact data (54) to the wireless device (29) of the IM client that is produced with the comparison of the first IM contact data and the second IM contact data.

Abstract: A messaging system implements a group call in a controller (110, 120) by receiving (306) first and second messages intended for first and second recipients and determining (416) that the first and second messages are identical to one another. In response to making that determination, the controller transmits (522) the first and second messages as a single group call message.

Abstract: The system controls one or more VCRs to perform various operations including rapid and accurate tape repositioning from any point to any other point utilizing time codes and VCR performance data. They system includes the ability to encode, record, and reproduce a video signal with time codes and other information such as text commentary, directories to the tape content and VCR commands. Tapes prepared on any implementation of the system can be positioned on any other implementation except that the copying process must translate as appropriate between different signal formats (NTSC, PAL, SECAM), tape formats (VHS, Video 8, etc.) and encoding systems. The system includes a method for characterizing the tape transport performance of individual VCRs in the various tape transport modes including fast forward and rewind and during transitions between transport modes.