Abstract: An apparatus for recording media files from a portable storage medium, includes a content receiver for receiving a broadcast and a content identifier, the content identifier associated with the broadcast. The apparatus also includes a content storage/player in communication with the content receiver, the content storage/player operable for selecting the content identifier from the content receiver and initiating a request for an activity via the content identifier, the content identifier being mapped to the activity. Wherein the content storage/player includes an intelligent device for reading media files from the portable storage medium and a digital recording device that is capable of recording media files to a storage device.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for translating text to speech. One such method receives content for translation to speech, identifies a textual sequence in the content, and correlates the textual sequence to a phrase. A voice file storing multiple phrases is accessed, with the voice file mapping each phrase to a corresponding sequential string of phonemes. The sequential string of phonemes, corresponding to the phrase, is retrieved and processed when translating the textual sequence to speech.

Abstract: A computer network system establishes an instant messaging (IM) session between a first user registered with a first ISP (ISP) and at least one user registered with a second ISP when the two ISPs operate using different IM protocols. The ISPs each contain a Local IM server connected to each registered user. Each ISP also contains a Universal IM server that is connected to the distributed network. The Universal IM server includes a database that stores routing information and Presence information for each user registered with the second ISPs and facilitates communications between the first and second user using a universal format, such as XML.

Abstract: A method and system for distributing electronic messages, such as e-mails, using a subject-category-identifier are disclosed. A server receives electronic messages having an subject-category-identifier. The server includes logic for reading the subject-category-identifier and logic for sorting the electronic messages into a category based at least upon the subject-category-identifier. The server determines whether the electronic message is a valid electronic message for distribution; and responsive to determining that the electronic message is valid, the server distributes the electronic message according to the subject-category-identifier.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for creating a message log. The message log tracks non-recorded communications sent by and received by a user. One such system, for example, includes a processor communicating with memory. A communications manager is stored in the memory. The communications manager includes computer-readable instructions for storing an entry in the message log for each non-recorded communication sent by and received by a user. The message log may track any of wireline communications, voice mail communications, email communications, facsimile communications, pager communications, instant messages, electronic chat room communications, and unanswered telephone call attempts to contact the user.

Abstract: Providing communication between a network communication device and a mobile communication device is disclosed. A server is in communication with a mobile communications network. The server communicates with mobile communication devices in the mobile communications network using a first protocol. The server monitors the state of each mobile communication device, and provides network state information for a group of mobile communication devices to a network communication device. The network communication device and the server communicate using a second protocol, and the network communication device is adapted to display network state information for the group of mobile communication devices and adapted to provide a user interface for communicating with the mobile communication devices. The network communication device includes logic for receiving network information for a communications network. The network information is related to the presence of a mobile communication device in the communications network.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for maintaining and controlling different versions of electronic files in a distributed server environment. As such, one embodiment, among others, accesses a local file and compares the local file to a master file. The local file has a local file identifier, which comprises a name portion and a version number portion. The master file has a master file identifier, which comprises a name portion and a version number portion. The name portion of the master file identifier is substantially identical to the name portion of the local file identifier.

Abstract: A system for regulating e-mail comprises a database of information profiling legitimate e-mail usage. When an e-mail is received at the system, it is scrutinized relative to the information in the database. If the e-mail is found to be legitimate based upon this evaluation, it is delivered to the intended recipient. If, however, the e-mail appears on the basis of the evaluation to be the last in a series of illegitimate e-mails or otherwise has characteristics inconsistent with the profile of legitimate e-mail usage, the e-mail may not be delivered and the postmaster and administrator at the source of the e-mail is contacted.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed in which image representations of text strings can be easily edited. As such, one embodiment, among others, includes the step of receiving input from a user. The received input is indicative of a selection of an image. The image corresponds to a text string. That embodiment further comprises the step of correlating the image to the corresponding text string. Upon correlating the image to the text string, the text string is displayed to the user.

Abstract: In some embodiments, among others, a searchable segment of a document is identified in accordance with an identification criterion. Thereafter, an image is generated from the searchable segment. The image is a substantially unsearchable representation of the searchable segment. A reference to the generated image is substituted for the searchable segment.

Abstract: Providing a user of a mobile communication device with direction information is disclosed. A router is adapted to receive a direction information query message for direction information for a destination telephone number from a mobile communication device. The router determines whether the destination telephone number is associated with a first telephony system or is associated with a second telephony network. A server and a gateway are connected to the router. The server is in communication with a database having directory information associated with the first telephony network stored therein. The gateway is in communication with the second telephony network. If the destination telephone number is associated with the first telephony network, the router provides the server with the direction information query message. If the destination telephone number is associated with the second telephony network, the router provides the gateway with the direction information query message.

Abstract: Providing a user of a mobile communication device with directory information for a missed call is disclosed. A router is adapted to receive a query message for directory information for a given telephone number from a mobile communication device. The router determines whether the given telephone number is associated with the first telephony system or is associated with a second telephony network. A server and a gateway are connected to the router. The server is in communication with a database having directory information associated with the first telephony network stored therein. The gateway is in communication with the second telephony network. If the given telephone number is associated with the first telephony network, the router provides the server with the query message. If given telephone number is associated with the second telephony network, the router provides the gateway with the query message.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for managing a network community. Briefly described in architecture, some embodiments comprise an offer, which is configured to expire at a predetermined time, that can be conveyed to a recipient that is identified by a member of a communication service.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for managing a network community. Briefly described in architecture, some embodiments of such a system provide an account database that maintains resident accounts for resident users of the network community and also maintains guest accounts for guests of the resident users. Correspondingly, an account server accesses a guest account to determine a status of the guest account and also updates the resident account of the resident user sponsoring the particular guest account with the status of the guest account. Other systems and methods are also provided.

Abstract: Some embodiments, among others, include a search for sensitive information. Once a result of the search has been obtained, a score is assigned to the obtained result in accordance with a predefined criterion.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for managing accounts within a network community. Briefly described in architecture, some embodiments of such a system provide an account server to manage direct accounts for resident users of the network community and guest accounts for guests of the resident users. In addition, a client of a respective resident user of the network community is configured to send to a non-resident user of the network community an invitation to become a guest of the respective resident user. Other systems and methods are also provided.

Abstract: A method and system is disclosed for configuring a messaging communication, including an instant message (IM) communication among others, transmitted in a messaging system in which applets corresponding to attached files in the messaging communication are included. An attachment module attaches a corresponding applet for an attachment file. One or more applets can be associated with a package of attachment files as the attachment files are designated from within user applications. A delayed delivery module transmits the applet to an intermediate location, separately from the messaging communication, where it is stored until requested by a recipient of the messaging communication.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a telecommunications system initiating telephone connections between, for example, a consumer and a service provider based on the criteria provided by the consumer and the services available from the service provider. The system is suitable for consumers requiring direct communication with a staff member of a service provider capable of meeting the consumer's service requirements. The system compiles a prioritized list of service providers matching the consumer's criteria. Starting with the first service provider on the list, the system rings the service provider and determines whether or not a staff member answers the call. If the line is busy or the call is not answered by a staff member, the system moves on to the next service provider on the list until a service provider having a staff member is located. Once such a service provider is located, the system rings the consumer and connects the two parties.

Abstract: Disposable communications services are provided to enable a subscriber to maintain his or her privacy by communicating an incoming communication to a disposable communications address. According to an exemplary embodiment, a database associates the disposable communications address with a true communications address, a communications instruction, and/or subscriber information and a routing device processes the incoming communication to the disposable communications address. The disposable communications address may be a disposable telecommunications address and/or a disposable data communications address. The true communications address may be a true telecommunications address and/or a true data communications address.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for accessing messages in one communication system by another communication system. In some embodiments, a request to access data is received from a second communication system. The data is located at a first communication system. The first communication system is configured to communicate using a first standard communication protocol, while the second communication system is configured to communicate using a second standard communication protocol. The received request is converted to a command of the first standard communication protocol. Using the command, the data at the first communication system is accessed.