Abstract: Discloses a system for Internet based audio video communications where a user participation in a communications session including a video component includes functionality to enable the participant to provide a video feed that is based on a user selection of a real time video capture or a still capture image. The system provides a toggle control to enable a participant to select between a video capture mode and a still image mode before or during the communications session.

Abstract: Discloses a system and method for display of live content on a telephone handset with an input keypad and a graphical display. The live content is gathered from a one source of live content information and a configuration agent receives user live content selection input from a computer or the handset and stores the selection a profile data base. A display agent interoperates with the profile database to obtain information from the user selected source of live content information and displays at least a portion of the information obtained on the telephone handset display. In a preferred manner of operation, a crawler connects to and receives information from an information provider and the received information is stored in an information cache. A display agent periodically dispatches information from the information cache to the handset display as selected by the user.

Abstract: A media appliance for receiving streaming media content from the Internet includes a user activatable buy button to permit user purchase of selected media content. User operation of the buy button communicates with a media materials agent to obtain identification of the media content and determine the availability of a distributable copy of the media content. Where a distributable copy is available, purchase of a copy of the media is facilitated by an authentication and payment agent which arranges delivery of the copy of the media content to a user in real time, via email or other user defined arrangement.

Abstract: Discloses a system and method for producing a status alert indicating a user contact is now online on a communications device operable with a soft phone application running on an internet interface device in communication with at least one messaging service provider. The communications device has a telephone style handset with alert means to produce a visual and/or audio user perceptible alert. The communications device includes a keypad and display for displaying a user contact list of the soft-phone service application. The list of user contacts for each messaging service provider is monitored to find specified user contacts that have come online. A visible and/or audible alert is produced for each newly online contact the user has specified an alert for. The user can specify the parameters of the alert to obtain a unique alert for each selected contact.

Abstract: Discloses a system method for producing a status alert indicating a user contact is now online on a communications device operable with a soft phone application running on an internet interface device in communication with at least one messaging service provider. The communications device has a telephone style handset with alert means to produce a visual and/or audio user perceptible alert. The communications device includes a keypad and display for displaying a user contact list of the soft-phone service application. The list of user contacts for each messaging service provider is monitored to find specified user contacts that have come online. A visible and/or audible alert is produced for each newly online contact the user has specified an alert for. The user can specify the parameters of the alert to obtain a unique alert for each selected contact.

Abstract: A wireless conference phone system has a base station to couple at least one conference unit to a telephone network, such as the public switched telephone network (PSTN) or a digital telephone network such as a voice over internet protocol (VolP) network.