Abstract: An integrated communication interface is provided for composing and sending messages. The interface is multi-configurable to seamlessly switch between different communication methods, e.g., electronic mail, instant messaging, SMS, chat, voice, and the like, without loss of message content. The interface allows a user to begin composing a message to be sent using one communication method, such as electronic mail, and subsequently change the communication method and send the message via a second communication method, such as instant messaging. When the communication method is changed, the user interface may also change to include elements specific to a particular communication method. The integrated communication interface may display information about participants in the communication, such as the participants' presence, i.e., whether they are online and available for communication, and may automatically choose the best method of communication based on the preferences and online presence of the participants.

Abstract: An integrated communication interface is provided for composing and sending messages. The interface is multi-configurable to seamlessly switch between different communication methods, e.g., electronic mail, instant messaging, SMS, chat, voice, and the like, without loss of message content. The interface allows a user to begin composing a message to be sent using one communication method, such as electronic mail, and subsequently change the communication method and send the message via a second communication method, such as instant messaging. When the communication method is changed, the user interface may also change to include elements specific to a particular communication method. The integrated communication interface may display information about participants in the communication, such as the participants' presence, i.e., whether they are online and available for communication, and may automatically choose the best method of communication based on the preferences and online presence of the participants.

Abstract: An integrated communication interface is provided for composing and sending messages. The interface is multi-configurable to seamlessly switch between different communication methods, e.g., electronic mail, instant messaging, SMS, chat, voice, and the like, without loss of message content. The interface allows a user to begin composing a message to be sent using one communication method, such as electronic mail, and subsequently change the communication method and send the message via a second communication method, such as instant messaging. When the communication method is changed, the user interface may also change to include elements specific to a particular communication method. The integrated communication interface may display information about participants in the communication, such as the participants' presence, i.e., whether they are online and available for communication, and may automatically choose the best method of communication based on the preferences and online presence of the participants.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus, system and method for use in generating and maintaining an electronic address book. The address book is generated and maintained by searching through archives of e-mails for e-mail addresses, evaluating the e-mail addresses based on criteria, and adding the e-mail addresses to an address book if the criteria is satisfied. In some embodiments, the address book is generating and maintaining by accessing an archive, searching the archive for the e-mail addresses, retrieving e-mail addresses, applying criteria to retrieved e-mail addresses, and adding addresses to an electronic address book if the criteria is met. The apparatus for use in establishing and updating an electronic address book includes means for scanning an archive and retrieving e-mail addresses, means for filtering the e-mail addresses if a criterion is met, and means for adding the e-mail addresses to the address book.

Abstract: An integrated communication interface is provided for composing and sending messages. The interface is multi-configurable to seamlessly switch between different communication methods, e.g., electronic mail, instant messaging, SMS, chat, voice, and the like, without loss of message content. The interface allows a user to begin composing a message to be sent using one communication method, such as electronic mail, and subsequently change the communication method and send the message via a second communication method, such as instant messaging. When the communication method is changed, the user interface may also change to include elements specific to a particular communication method. The integrated communication interface may display information about participants in the communication, such as the participants' presence, i.e., whether they are online and available for communication, and may automatically choose the best method of communication based on the preferences and online presence of the participants.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system are directed towards managing unsolicited email messages, and the like, in part, by providing segmentation of an email inbox. In one embodiment, the email inbox is segmented into segments associated with a message from a trusted, trusted email address, an untrusted email address, and a segment for a bulk email message, such as spam, and the like. A determination that the message is from a trusted email address may be made based, in part, on whether the email address is associated with one's address book, a degree of separation that may be determined based on an association with another's address book, whether the email address was a sent email address, and the like. By segmenting the email inbox, the invention minimizes a risk associated with incorrectly discarding a message from a desired, but untrusted source.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus, system and method for use in generating and maintaining an electronic address book. The address book is generated and maintained by searching through archives of e-mails for e-mail addresses, evaluating the e-mail addresses based on criteria, and adding the e-mail addresses to an address book if the criteria is satisfied. In some embodiments, the address book is generating and maintaining by accessing an archive, searching the archive for the e-mail addresses, retrieving e-mail addresses, applying criteria to retrieved e-mail addresses, and adding addresses to an electronic address book if the criteria is met. The apparatus for use in establishing and updating an electronic address book includes means for scanning an archive and retrieving e-mail addresses, means for filtering the e-mail addresses if a criterion is met, and means for adding the e-mail addresses to the address book.

Abstract: An optical multiplexer/demultiplexer with an improved spectral characteristic is provided by two diffraction gratings (21, 20) arranged optically in tandem and one being configured to embrace the other, the gratings also being arranged to provide free spectral ranges differing by a factor of at least two, and having a coupling (22′) between them that carries over into the second grating information concerning the dispersion afforded by the first grating.

Abstract: An optical multiplexer/demultiplexer with an improved spectral characteristic is provided by two diffraction gratings (61, 60) arranged optically in tandem, the gratings being arranged to provide free spectral ranges differing by a factor of at least two, and having a coupling between them that carries over into the second grating information concerning the dispersion afforded by the first grating.

Abstract: An monolithic version of optical multiplexer/demultiplexer with an improved spectral characteristic is provided by two diffraction gratings arranged optically in tandem and with a field stop in the coupling between them, the gratings also being arranged to provide free spectral ranges differing by a factor of at least two, and having a coupling between them that carries over into the second grating information concerning the dispersion afforded by the first grating. The field stop is constituted by a pair of etched troughs arranged in the pattern of an open chevron.

Abstract: A `big spot` semiconductor laser has a passive modal spot size transformer (2) formed integrally in tandem with the active region (1) of the laser. The passive transformer has a layer structure (5, 6) that supports a restricted set of modes and is designed such that, at the laser frequency, its length provides a phase slippage of .pi. between modes of adjacent order.

Abstract: An optical directional coupler provides good guidance in the lateral direction by the use of projecting rib optical waveguide structure. One embodiment enables the use of sharper curves in the integrated optical circuitry with reduced optical loss.

Abstract: A monolithic version of optical multiplexer/demultiplexer with an improved spectral characteristics is provided by two diffraction gratings arranged optically in tandem and with a field stop in the coupling between them, the gratings also being arranged to provide free spectral ranges differing by a factor of at least two, and having a coupling between them that carries over into the second grating information concerning the dispersion afforded by the first grating. The field stop is constituted by a pair of etched troughs arranged in the pattern of an open chevron.