Abstract: Systems and methods for delivering media files in communication sessions are disclosed. User interfaces are displayed on first and second client devices. A media file is selected at the first client device and a representation of the media file is transmitted to the second client device. The representation is selectable within a sent message region of the user interface on the second client device. In response to selecting the representation of the media file, an embedded viewer is launched within the sent message region of the user interface of the second client device that includes embedded selectable controls which, when activated, control viewing or playback of the media file within the user interface.

Abstract: Systems and methods for delivering media files in communication sessions are disclosed. User interfaces are displayed on first and second client devices. A media file is selected at the first client device and a representation of the media file is transmitted to the second client device. The representation is selectable within a sent message region of the user interface on the second client device. In response to selecting the representation of the media file, an embedded viewer is launched within the sent message region of the user interface of the second client device that includes embedded selectable controls which, when activated, control viewing or playback of the media file within the user interface.

Abstract: Systems and methods for conducting an instant messaging communication session are disclosed. A method may include displaying an instant messaging user interface that includes a message composition region for composing an instant messaging communication. The method also includes receiving a selection of media for insertion into the instant messaging communication by receiving a reference to the media. The method may further include generating a link comprising an address of the selected media. The method also includes creating a selectable control with the link embedded therein in the user interface, and detecting selection of a selectable control. The method may further include displaying a video player region within the instant messaging user interface in response to the detected selection of the selectable control, and accessing a network element to play the media within a video player region in response to the detected selection of the selectable control.

Abstract: A method of accessing content at a user terminal connected to a communication network and executing a communication client includes the client displaying a list of contacts associated with a user of the client and the client retrieving a message from the communication network. The message is related to a further user represented by one of the contacts displayed in the list of contacts, and includes a reference to content stored in a storage means accessible by the communication network. The client initiates a call to the further user over the communication network responsive to a user of the client selecting the one of the contacts in the list of contacts. Responsive to initiating the call, the client establishes communication with the storage means using the reference, accesses the content and displays the content at the user terminal.

Abstract: A method of accessing a first communication system of a first communication provider via a packet-based network, the first communication system maintaining a first list of contacts being users of the first communication system. The method comprises establishing a contact-sharing channel with a second communication system of a second, partner communication provider, wherein the second communication system is accessible via an independently executable web-browser and the packet-based network, and wherein the second communication system maintains second group of contacts being users of the second communication system. The contact-sharing channel is used to fetch contact information of one or more of the second contacts, so as to display at least part of the fetched contact information in the client application and establish a communication based on at least part of the fetched contact information.

Abstract: A method of providing instant messaging communication between a first user and at least one other user via a communication network.

Abstract: A user terminal connected to a communication network executes a communication client. The user terminal displays a list of contacts associated with a user of the client, and retrieves a message from the communication network, wherein the message is related to a further user represented by one of the contacts displayed in the list of contacts. The message includes a reference to media accessible by the communication network. The reference may be extracted from the message. A visual representation of the media may be displayed in association with one of the contacts, such that, responsive to the user actuating the visual representation, the client establishes communication with storage means using the reference and displays the media to the user.

Abstract: A method of accessing a first communication system of a first communication provider via a packet-based network, the first communication system maintaining a first list of contacts being users of the first communication system. The method comprises establishing a contact-sharing channel with a second communication system of a second, partner communication provider, wherein the second communication system is accessible via an independently executable web-browser and the packet-based network, and wherein the second communication system maintains second group of contacts being users of the second communication system. The contact-sharing channel is used to fetch contact information of one or more of the second contacts, so as to display at least part of the fetched contact information in the client application and establish a communication based on at least part of the fetched contact information.

Abstract: A method of providing selectable media content from a server to a user at a user terminal, the method comprising: storing variables relating to the user's familiarity with a communication client application executable at the user terminal; executing program code to read said variables to determine the media content to be provided to the user based on said variables; retrieving said determined media content from the server; and providing said media content to the user at the user terminal.

Abstract: A method of providing selectable media content from a server to a user at a user terminal, the method comprising: retrieving program code from the server, responsive to the user interacting with a communication client application executed at the user terminal; storing variables in a storage means at the user terminal; executing said program code at the user terminal to read said variables to determine the media content to be provided to the user based on said variables; retrieving said determined media content from the server; and providing said media content to the user at the user terminal.

Abstract: A method of providing instant messaging communication between a first user and at least one other user via a communication network.

Abstract: A method of providing instant messaging communication between a first user and at least one other user via a communication network.

Abstract: An information display system has a display unit having a display screen, a control unit for controlling the displayed information, and an input devices for inputting a user's control command. The input devices may be a distance detecting sensor adapted to detect the position of a user controlled object in a sensing field arranged at a given distance in front of the screen. The control unit is adapted to determine a display control command based on the detected object position.

Abstract: A user terminal connected to a communication network and executing a communication client. The user terminal comprises display means for displaying a list of contacts associated with a user of said client, means for retrieving a message from said communication network, wherein said message is related to a further user represented by one of said contacts displayed in said list of contacts, said message comprising a reference to media stored in a storage means accessible by said communication network, means for extracting said reference from said message, and means for displaying a visual representation of said media in association with said one of said contacts, such that, responsive to the user actuating said visual representation, the client establishes communication with said storage means using said reference and displays the media to said user.

Abstract: A method of accessing content at a user terminal connected to a communication network and executing a communication client. The method comprises: the client displaying a list of contacts associated with a user of the client; the client retrieving a message from the communication network, wherein the message is related to a further user represented by one of the contacts displayed in the list of contacts, the message comprising a reference to content stored in a storage means accessible by the communication network; the client initiating a call to the further user over the communication network responsive to a user of the client selecting the one of the contacts in the list of contacts; and responsive to initiating the call, the client establishing communication with the storage means using the reference, accessing the content and displaying the content at the user terminal.

Abstract: A method of providing instant messaging communication between a first user and at least one other user via a communication network.

Abstract: An information display system has display unit having a display screen, a control unit for controlling the displayed information, and an input devices for inputting a user's control command. The input devices may be a distance detecting sensor adapted to detect the position of a user controlled object in a sensing field arranged at a given distance in front of the screen. The control unit is adapted to determine a display control command based on the detected object position.