Abstract: An electronic messaging contextual storefront system and application provides electronic and instant messaging with contextual graphical and textual content which corresponds with or is related to the subject matter of an electronic or instant message string or chat stream. Graphical and textual content for the contextual storefronts is retrieved based upon detected keywords, and presented in contextual storefronts which are associated with conversation and text entry boxes or other parts of an electronic message system display. Selected graphical and textual content can be placed directly in the text stream or elsewhere in the display either by user commands or automatically by the system. The graphical and textual content is stored by subject matter or theme or by association with keywords in a relational database. Access to contextual storefront content can be tracked, accounted for and controlled by a payments processing system.

Abstract: The system provides a program guide that uses advance or contemporaneous indexing to provide richer content descriptions than in the prior art. For example, if a program is in progress, the present system will present a program guide with a general description and additional description of what is currently being presented along with what has previously happened in the program. For example, if the program is a live sporting event, the system will let you know the score, the time, which players are playing, and the outcomes of prior plays. If it is a reality competition, the guide will let the user know which contestant is currently featured and the status of the other contestants, as well as what the current activity may be.

Abstract: The system generates a heat index for each player in a sporting event. Historical data is maintained over time and is available for display by a user. In one embodiment, the heat index is provided via a network such as the internet. In another embodiment, the heat index is displayed as part of an event or game broadcast. The heat index represents the current level of performance of a player pursuant to a calculation algorithm that includes objective and subjective information. The objective information includes statistical data from a game or contest. The subjective information may include references from announcers and input from viewers.

Abstract: The system provides a computer based presentation synchronized to a broadcast and not merely to an event. The system includes a customizable interface that uses a broadcast and a plurality of secondary sources to present data and information to a user to enhance and optimize a broadcast experience. The secondary sources can comprise commercially available sources as well as user generated content that is generated prior to, or coincidentally with, the broadcast of the primary content.

Abstract: The system provides the ability to have a dashboard automatically configure itself in a dynamic manner based on a detected context in which the dashboard is being used. In one embodiment, the system is used as part of the presentation of secondary content that is synchronized to, or coordinated with, the presentation of a primary content source. The system provides a plurality of user selectable widgets that can each present secondary content as desired. The system not only permits ornamental and geographical customization of the dashboard, but allows temporal customization as well by allowing the user to request alerts for certain types of primary or secondary content. The system also provides for automatic reconfiguration that is tied to another users presence or absence.

Abstract: A Social Media Platform and method are provided wherein contextual content, in real-time, is delivered to a user along with the original content from which the contextual content is derived.

Abstract: The system provides a computer based presentation synchronized to a broadcast and not merely to an event. The system includes a customizable interface that uses a broadcast and a plurality of secondary sources to present data and information to a user to enhance and optimize a broadcast experience. The system defines templates that represent a customizable content interface for a user. In one embodiment, the templates comprise triggers, sources, widgets, and filters. In one embodiment the system receives the closed captioning feed (cc feed) of a broadcast and mines the text of the cc feed to identify keywords and triggers that will cause the retrieval, generation, and/or display of content related to the keywords and triggers. The system can also use speech recognition to supplement, or to replace, the cc feed and identify key words and triggers used to initiate content.

Abstract: The system provides a method to present a Fantasy League and Fantasy Games in a fully customizable format. The system provides a match up experience where the owner can focus on his own team as if it were a single game with all of the owner's players participating (even though the owner's players come from different teams and play at different times and even different days of the week). The system also provides for match up presentation for Head-to-Head leagues so it appears as if a real game between two Fantasy Teams is being played. The system includes a scoreboard, play by play, player profiles, boxscores, images and video, news, chat, contextual information, alerts, and other information related to the owner's team.

Abstract: The system provides a computer based presentation of promotional content synchronized to a broadcast and not merely to an event. The system includes a customizable interface that uses a broadcast and a plurality of secondary sources to present data and information to a user to enhance and optimize a broadcast experience. The system provides customizable delivery of the promotional content that is based on both the content and the context of the primary content broadcast. The contextual triggers define a state of the broadcast and select from a library of promotional content that is appropriate for that state and for the user. The system can also synchronize promotional content to any or all of the plurality of secondary sources as well. The system can provide promotional content on a user by user basis, providing uniquely user directed advertising.