Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a controller can be operable to generate a target list of subscribers by filtering a list of potential target users of an application existing on a source device by removing target subscribers from the target list of subscribers according to selection criteria. The controller can be further operable to transmit to devices of the target list of subscribers content associated with the application that when accessed invites the target list of subscribers to use the application, and to provision the application on at least one device associated with the target list of subscribers. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Media content that meets pre-fetching criteria may be distributed to the device, in a non-requested instance, and stored in the pre-fetched segments database. Rather than relying on caching methods for the first-time access of a media object, at least a portion of the media object may be pre-stored, prior to any requests for access, on the client's device. Thus, when a user attempts to access a particular media stream from the network, if the client's device already has a segment of the desired media object stored, the stored segment access can be directly from the client's device. To further efficiently use bandwidth, the distribution of the segment of a media object to be stored on a user's local machine, the distribution may be done out of band or based on a balance of network resources.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, obtaining images that are captured by a camera system at a location associated with a user, transmitting video content representative of the images over a network for presentation by another media processor at another location, receiving at a media processor media content and second video content representative of second images that are associated with the second user, and presenting at a display device at the location the media content and the second video content in a telepresence configuration that simulates a presence of the other user at the location, where the presentation of at least one of the media content and the second video content at the display device is delayed based on latency parameters associated with the other media processor.

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.

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: Media content that meets pre-fetching criteria may be distributed to the device, in a non-requested instance, and stored in the pre-fetched segments database. Rather than relying on caching methods for the first-time access of a media object, at least a portion of the media object may be pre-stored, prior to any requests for access, on the client's device. Thus, when a user attempts to access a particular media stream from the network, if the client's device already has a segment of the desired media object stored, the stored segment access can be directly from the client's device. To further efficiently use bandwidth, the distribution of the segment of a media object to be stored on a user's local machine, the distribution may be done out of band or based on a balance of network resources.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a controller can be operable to generate a target list of subscribers by filtering a list of potential target users of an application existing on a source device by removing target subscribers from the target list of subscribers according to selection criteria. The controller can be further operable to transmit to devices of the target list of subscribers content associated with the application that when accessed invites the target list of subscribers to use the application, and to provision the application on at least one device associated with the target list of subscribers. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Media can be provided by requesting a data channel, wherein the request includes a bid for bandwidth. The bid can be indicative of a price that a user is willing to pay for the bandwidth. It can subsequently be determined, based on the price, to service the request for the data channel, establish the data channel, and charge an account an amount, based on the price.

Abstract: A recognition system is employed in conjunction with a subscriber's cellular phone and the network serving the subscriber. According to an embodiment, a subscriber can use a cellular phone to receive and capture data signals, from, for example, an audio output. The captured data signals can be transmitted to a remote network element that receives and translates the captured data and performs a plurality of functions. A promotion can be selectively tailored to a user based in part on the user location.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing the status of participants of a tele-networking meeting are disclosed. During a tele-networking meeting, a network device may monitor the talk time of each participant of the meeting. If a participant's talk time exceeds the target talk time, the network device may prompt the chair, and the chair may take action. Action may include managing a participant's status by muting, disconnecting, or spinning the participant off into a subconference. Additionally, during a tele-networking meeting, a chair may also create a subconference on network device. Thus, the chair may be able to spin off participants of a tele-networking meeting into a subconference controlled by a subchair.

Abstract: An audio interface adapted to reduce a subscriber voice may receive a subscriber voice and a background noise. The subscriber voice may then be compared to the to the background noise. If the received subscriber voice is louder than the received background noise, the audio interface may output a message to the cellular telephone subscriber indicating the subscriber may reduce his speaking volume. Additionally, an audio interface may process a voice waveform that corresponds to the subscriber voice and a background waveform that corresponds to the background noise to generate a substantially opposite voice waveform and a substantially opposite background waveform respectively. The substantially opposite voice waveform and background waveform may be substantially out of phase from the voice waveform and background waveform respectively and output via one or more output ports of the audio interface.

Abstract: A device, method, and system for routing communications to an output of a communications device, such as a mobile telephone, based on the format of an incoming communication and an output mode of the communications device is disclosed. An incoming speech communication can be delivered to a speaker output or forwarded to a format converter to create a text communication that can be delivered to a display output. An incoming text communication can be delivered to a display output or forwarded to a format converter to create a speech communication for delivery to a speaker output. The output mode of the communication device can be set according to device settings, application settings, or location of the device, or a combination thereof. The invention provides new delivery options for communications which can be inure appropriate for a location or current use of the communication device than those previously available.

Abstract: Social networking is used to enhance content delivery to mobile devices. Sometimes a mobile device lacks network connectivity, such as when the mobile device is off. Content cannot be sent to the mobile device when lacking network connectivity. A social network, however, may be retrieved for interim storage of the content. When the mobile device lacks network connectivity, the content may be routed to a member device of the social network associated with the mobile device. The member device stores the content until the mobile device resumes network connectivity. The member device may then send or forward the content to the mobile device.

Abstract: The system may include a plurality of radio frequency identification (RFID) tags and a mobile telephone. The RFID tags may be affixed to one or more personal objects, such as a key, a watch, a wallet, a purse, a medicine container, or the like. The mobile telephone may be associated with the plurality of RFID tags. A display of the mobile telephone may indicate whether each of the RFID tags is in communication with an RFID reader. For example, the RFID reader may be embedded in a drawer lining, embedded in the mobile telephone itself, or embedded in a handheld wand. The mobile telephone may generate an alert when at least one of the plurality of RFID tags is not in communication with the RFID reader. For example, a trigger RFID may be affixed to a doorway. The trigger RFID may cause the mobile telephone to alert the user to a missing item.

Abstract: Methods and systems for use in connection with a fitness routine and/or an exercise apparatus. In one such method, fitness information is stored in a fitness analysis system and operative communication is established with an exercise apparatus and/or a wireless communication device. A fitness information request is received at the fitness analysis system, and the system sends a setting associated with the exercise apparatus to facilitate a workout using an exercise apparatus. The system receives exercise information corresponding to the workout, and updates fitness information during the workout. The updated fitness information is analyzed to generate associated with the exercise apparatus to facilitate a subsequent workout.

Abstract: Embodiments describe a recognition system that works in conjunction with a subscriber's cellular phone and the network serving the subscriber. According to an embodiment, a subscriber can use a cellular phone to receive and capture data signals, from, for example, an audio output. The captured data signals can be transmitted to a remote network element that receives and translates the captured data and performs a plurality of functions. A promotion can be selectively tailored to a user based in part on the user location.

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: 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: One embodiment of the disclosed technology involves determining a preferred communication connection between two parties that are communication-network end-users, at least one of which parties has access to at least two networks. A database contains information on the current connectivity of the two parties and a preferred communication connection is determined based on information from the database. The preferred connection may be used to exchange multimedia content that can be transmitted in real time, or, based on the connectivity information, can be sent to a multimedia relay from which it will be obtained by the recipient when the recipient has appropriate connectivity.

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.