Abstract: A system and method for providing time-sensitive information to a handset using a scrolling ticker. The method includes receiving the time-sensitive information at a server, determining the time period before the next update for a second set of information, and if less than a pre-determined value, then streaming the time sensitive information at the end of the time period to the handset. If the time period is greater that than the pre-determined value, then streaming the time-sensitive information immediately. In an alternative embodiment, a method is provided which includes determining a base schedule for periodically streaming the information to a handset via a scrolling ticker, receiving time-sensitive information relating to an event, determining a second schedule for periodically streaming time-sensitive information related to the event, and streaming the time-sensitive information in accordance with the second schedule during a time period associated with the event.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a storage medium including computer instructions to receive sensory information at a media device from a first mobile communication device where the first mobile communication device obtains at least a portion of the sensory information from at least one second mobile communication device in response to a broadcast by the first mobile communication device of a wireless signal representing a notice to obtain the sensory information, where the sensory information is associated with an environment of the first mobile communication device, and where the sensory information comprises images of the environment. The computer instructions can enable generating a plurality of personal content utilizing at least a portion of the sensory information, where each of the plurality of personal content includes some of the images captured at different perspectives. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Sensitive content is securely shared. A request is received from a first communication device to share sensitive content. The first communication device is associated with an account for a communication service provided by a network provider. A message including a link to the sensitive content is sent to a second communication device associated with a phone number. That message is addressed to the second communication device. An authentication message is received, indicating that the second communication device is associated with the phone number. Responsive to receipt of the authentication message, the sensitive content is made accessible via the second communication device without requiring that the second communication device be associated with an account for the communication service provided by the network provider.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, obtaining first images that are captured by a first camera system at a first location associated with a live presentation by the first user, transmitting first video content representative of the first images over a network for presentation by a group of other processors that are each at one of a group of other locations associated with corresponding other users, receiving second video content representative of second images that are associated with each of the other users, and presenting the second video content in a telepresence configuration that simulates each of the other users being present in an audience at the first location. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, determining a latency area of a network based on latency testing, identifying a configuration of a network route of a telepresence session exchanging media content between media processors of first and second users at first and second locations based on the latency area, determining a first latency associated with a first presentation of the media content at the first location, determining a second latency associated with a second presentation of the media content at the second location, and determining one of a first delay for the first presentation, a second delay for the second presentation or both based on one of the first latency, the second latency or both. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A method or apparatus that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a method for retrieving a plurality of sensory information from an environment of a device. A digital representation of the environment of the device is identified corresponding to the plurality of sensory information from the environment of the device. A media presentation element of the device associated with media content of the device is identified. A user interface of the media presentation element is adapted to modify a presentation of the media content by the media presentation element of the device according to the digital representation of the environment of the device. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A network component comprising a communications portion and a processor portion is disclosed. The communications portion may be configured to detect a signal indicative of a call associated with a mobile device. The processor portion may be configured to detect at least one record cue in the signal. The processor portion may be also be configured to respectively capture at least one portion of the call upon the at least one record cue being detected. The processor portion may also be configured to respectively associate at least one identifier with the at least one captured portion of the call. The identifier may respectively identify the at least one captured portion of the call.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring and updating user availability based upon presence and television viewing behavior are described herein. In one embodiment, a presence system is used to detect a user's presence to update the user's availability status. The availability status is then used to update a contact list, voicemail message, and/or busy message. In further embodiments, user preferences are used in combination with presence data to update the user's availability status. In still further embodiments, a user's television viewing behavior is used in combination with the presence data, user preferences, or both to update the user's availability status. Alternative embodiments provide systems and methods in accordance with the present invention for other interactive devices.

Abstract: Sensitive content is securely shared. A request is received from a first communication device to share sensitive content. The first communication device is associated with an account for a communication service provided by a network provider. A message including a link to the sensitive content is sent to a second communication device associated with a phone number. That message is addressed to the second communication device. An authentication message is received, indicating that the second communication device is associated with the phone number. Responsive to receipt of the authentication message, the sensitive content is made accessible via the second communication device without requiring that the second communication device be associated with an account for the communication service provided by the network provider.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may, for example, receive a request for a telepresence seat at an event, obtain media content comprising event images of the event that are captured by an event camera system, receive images that are captured by a camera system at a user location, and provide the media content and video content representative of the images to a processor for presentation at a display device utilizing a telepresence configuration that simulates the first and second users being present at the event, where the providing of the first and second video content establishes a communication session between the first and second users. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A method or apparatus that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a method for retrieving a plurality of sensory information from an environment of a device. A digital representation of the environment of the device is identified corresponding to the plurality of sensory information from the environment of the device. A media presentation element of the device associated with media content of the device is identified. A user interface of the media presentation element is adapted to modify a presentation of the media content by the media presentation element of the device according to the digital representation of the environment of the device. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for providing time-sensitive information to a handset using a scrolling ticker. The method includes receiving the time-sensitive information at a server, determining the time period before the next update for a second set of information, and if less than a pre-determined value, then streaming the time sensitive information at the end of the time period to the handset. If the time period is greater that than the pre-determined value, then streaming the time-sensitive information immediately. In an alternative embodiment, a method is provided which includes determining a base schedule for periodically streaming the information to a handset via a scrolling ticker, receiving time-sensitive information relating to an event, determining a second schedule for periodically streaming time-sensitive information related to the event, and streaming the time-sensitive information in accordance with the second schedule during a time period associated with the event.

Abstract: A network component comprising a communications portion and a processor portion is disclosed. The communications portion may be configured to detect a signal indicative of a call associated with a mobile device. The processor portion may be configured to detect at least one record cue in the signal. The processor portion may be also be configured to respectively capture at least one portion of the call upon the at least one record cue being detected. The processor portion may also be configured to respectively associate at least one identifier with the at least one captured portion of the call. The identifier may respectively identify the at least one captured portion of the call.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for linking sounds and emoticons to allow a recipient of a message containing an emoticon to hear audio associated with the emoticon. In one aspect of the invention, a first user or sender establishes a link or association between the emoticon being sent and a sound file to be associated with that particular emoticon. The emoticon is then transmitted from the sender to the recipient along with the link or association such that the recipient can hear the audio when the emoticon is displayed.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, determining a latency area of a network based on latency testing, identifying a configuration of a network route of a telepresence session exchanging media content between media processors of first and second users at first and second locations based on the latency area, determining a first latency associated with a first presentation of the media content at the first location, determining a second latency associated with a second presentation of the media content at the second location, and determining one of a first delay for the first presentation, a second delay for the second presentation or both based on one of the first latency, the second latency or both. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and systems of filtering spam messages for cellular network subscribers are provided that may include receiving a message from a decoy subscriber number. The method and systems may further be adapted to determine whether the message at the decoy subscriber number may be spam. If the message at the decoy number tends to be spam, the message may be output to a filtering service for further analysis. In the final analysis if a message is determined to be spam, then new rules may be created and distributed to front end spam and/or virus engines to restrict such traffic from reaching subscribers.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, receive a request for a telepresence seat at an event, obtain media content comprising event images of the event that are captured by an event camera system, receive images that are captured by a camera system at a user location, provide the media content and video content representative of the images to a processor for presentation at a display device utilizing a telepresence configuration that simulates the first and second users being present at the event, where the providing of the first and second video content establishes a communication session between the first and second users. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Sensitive content is securely shared. A request is received from a first communication device to share sensitive content. The first communication device is associated with an account for a communication service provided by a network provider. A message including a link to the sensitive content is sent to a second communication device associated with a phone number. That message is addressed to the second communication device. An authentication message is received, indicating that the second communication device is associated with the phone number. Responsive to receipt of the authentication message, the sensitive content is made accessible via the second communication device without requiring that the second communication device be associated with an account for the communication service provided by the network provider.

Abstract: A method or apparatus that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a method for adapting media content of a source device for a recipient device. Characteristics of a first environment of a source device and of a second environment of a recipient can be identified. At least one difference between the characteristics of the first environment of the source device and the characteristics of the second environment of the recipient device can be determined. A presentation of media content can be modified according to the at least one difference between the characteristics of the first environment of the source device and the characteristics of the second environment of the recipient device. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A method or apparatus for controlling a media device using gestures may include, for example, modifying media content to generate first updated media content according to a comparison of first information descriptive of a first environment of the source device to second information descriptive of a second environment of the recipient device, capturing images of a gesture, identifying a command from the gesture, and modifying the first updated media content to generate second updated media content according to the command. Other embodiments are disclosed.