Abstract: Avatars are used to graphically represent users in a communications session, and the avatars are capable of being animated. An indication of an animation of one of the avatars is received. Another avatar that represents another of the users is animated in response to, and based on, the animation of the avatar in the same communications session.

Abstract: Delivering accessory-window content to a client includes sending Internet content and accessory-window content to a client. The accessory-window content is configured to enable rendering of the accessory-window concurrent with a window used to display the Internet content, and monitoring user activity outside of the rendered accessory-window for specific activities or situations by a process related to the accessory-window. The accessory-window content is also configured to enable activating an accessory-window trigger in response to detecting one or more of the specific activities or situations, and sending an indication that the accessory-window trigger has been activated to the host. The method also includes receiving an indication that the accessory-window trigger has been activated from the client, and determining content for an accessory-window response based on the received indication.

Abstract: Perception of multiple online personas is enabled in an instant messaging communications session. At least two identities within a communications environment to whom messages may be directed are identified. A first persona of a user is enabled to be projected to a first of the identities while a second persona of the same user is enabled to be concurrently projected to a second of the identities. The first and second personas each include an avatar capable of being animated, and the first persona and the second persona differ.

Abstract: Avatars are used to graphically represent users in a communications session, and the avatars are capable of being animated. An indication of an animation of one of the avatars is received. Another avatar that represents another of the users is animated in response to, and based on, the animation of the avatar in the same communications session.

Abstract: An avatar representing a user in a communications session may be used to send to another user an out-of-band communication that conveys information independent of information conveyed directly in the text message sent. The out-of-band information may be communicated using a change in the avatar appearance or avatar animation as a communication conduit. By way of example, an out-of-band communication may include information about the sender's setting, environment, activity or mood, which is not explicitly communicated and part of a text message exchanged by a sender and a recipient.

Abstract: A graphical user interface on a display device for using a computer to communicate using an avatar includes an instant message sender display. The instant message send display has a sender portion that displays a sender avatar capable of displaying multiple animations, a message compose area capable of displaying text included in the message sent from the sender to the recipient, and communication controls. At least one communication control is operable to receive an indication that the message displayed in the message compose area is to be send from the sender to the recipient. The sender avatar is animated in response to a trigger related to content of a message sent from a sender to a recipient.

Abstract: A portable card file capable of being removed from its base such that it may be inserted into another base at a different location. The base is mountable in a vehicle.