Abstract: Methods and apparatus for metering the presentation of computer-based media presentation are disclosed. An example disclosed method performed by a computer that is configured to execute an operating system and a media presentation program comprises modifying the media presentation program to re-direct a function call made to the operating system by the media presentation program, and processing the re-directed function call to determine media presentation information.

Abstract: An improved playing card is provided. In one embodiment, on each of the four corners of the face of a standard playing card is provided the rank and suit of the card in a font size that is relatively small compared to the font size of the rank and suit that appears elsewhere prominently on the face of the card.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for detecting on-screen media sources are disclosed. An example method includes monitoring a region of interest of a video signal for a first image, comparing the first image to a stored image, and confirming the media device change when the stored image differs from the first image and is associated with a secondary criterion.

Abstract: Structured hierarchies for communicating contextual information relating to a VoIP conversation are provided. The structured hierarchies are utilized for efficient communications of various amounts and types of contextual information over a VoIP conversation channel. Information identifying at least one structured hierarchy, which will be used to carry the contextual information, is transmitted during establishment of a conversation between two VoIP enhanced devices and prior to the exchange of contextual information. The structural hierarchy is selected from a set of predefined and declared structured hierarchies. Subsequently transmitted contextual information exchanged between two VoIP enhanced devices is represented in accordance with the identified structural hierarchy. Additionally, the structural hierarchies can be extensible by the addition of more definitions to the current structural hierarchies.

Abstract: Method and arrangement for capturing and automatically formatting video signals in both synchronized and deflection driven forms in which a single real-time capture module is provided including three input channels for receiving the video signals, three analog to digital converters for processing the video signals and three dynamic memories. Data from the converters is stored in the three dynamic memories. A line location look-up table is generated during the storage of data which holds the starting address of the stored lines of synchronized video. A video signal is then generated by addressing the line location look-up table.

Abstract: Method and arrangement for capturing and automatically formatting video signals in both synchronized and deflection driven forms in which a single real-time capture module is provided including three input channels for receiving the video signals, three analog to digital converters for processing the video signals and three dynamic memories. Data from the converters is stored in the three dynamic memories. A line location look-up table is generated during the storage of data which holds the starting address of the stored lines of synchronized video. A video signal is then generated by addressing the line location look-up table.

Abstract: A method and system for processing contextual information relating to an exchange of a conversation over a communication channel is provided. Several users, and/or service providers are allowed to specify a set of rules relating to a conversation channel. Contextual information, including information relating to the specified set of rules and conditions of the users, is exchanged among the users and/or several service providers when one user requests to initiate a communication channel. The received contextual information is processed to extract a set of rules and the current conditions of users. If the current conditions of the users satisfy the set of rules, a corresponding communication channel is established among the users. However, additional contextual information may be received and processed whenever there is a change in the contextual information during the conversation. Appropriate actions to the existing communication channel may be determined based on the changes.

Abstract: A method and system for collecting contextual information in order to provide a requested service is provided. A service provider and a user may exchange a conversation and/or contextual information relating to a service over a communication channel. Based on the received user contextual information, the server may determine an appropriate source for obtaining more information relating to the requested service from the user. The server contacts the appropriate source and obtains information from it. Additionally, the server identifies the user interfaces for collecting more information relating to the requested service from the user. The server may transmit a set of contextual information, such as embedded instructions for invoking the user interfaces on a user's device, over the communication channel. While the user interacts with the user interfaces, new user's contextual information may be obtained by the server.

Abstract: A method and system for collecting and providing required information to a VoIP client or other service providers is provided. The inquiry for information will be received and processed to identify appropriate contextual information which will be transmitted to the information inquiring party. For example, an inquiry for location information of the VoIP client may be received and the contextual information relating to the location of the VoIP client is collected and provided. Upon identifying the appropriate contextual information, a source suitable for providing the appropriate contextual information is determined. By utilizing various paths, the appropriate contextual information is obtained from the source. The obtained appropriate contextual information is provided to the VoIP client.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention are directed at obtaining contextual information with a voicemail message. In accordance with one embodiment, a method is provided that obtains additional contextual information that is not obtained automatically when a voicemail message is received. More specifically, the method includes automatically obtaining a first set of contextual information from a client associated with the caller when the caller is transferred to a voicemail system. Then a determination is made regarding whether the callee requests that additional contextual information be obtained. If the callee requests that additional contextual information be obtained, the requested information is obtained from a third-party service or by prompting the caller.

Abstract: A method and system for communicating a variable set of contextual information relating to a conversation over a communication channel is provided. When the contextual information is exchanged, any authorized sending party of the contextual information can change the scope, content, or amount of the contextual information that is transmitted to a next receiving party in a determined communication channel path. Before transmitting the contextual information, a desirable scope of the contextual information may be determined based on the next receiving party, in conjunction with the sending party's rules. The contextual information may be updated by adding new contextual information and/or deleting part of the contextual information which is outside of the scope. No contextual information may be transmitted if the next destination desires no contextual information or does not have capabilities to receive any contextual information.

Abstract: Method for controlling stroke video generation components by creating a program to command the video generation components to provide video signals and integrating high level software constructs into the program. Integration of the high level software constructs into the program may entail integrating a GOTO command to enable repetition of a section of the program and repetition of a display sequence provided by implementation of that section, integrating a GOSUB and RETURN command to enable multiple use of a single section of the program at different locations within the program, integrating a conditional command to enable one portion of the program to be implemented when the condition is satisfied and another portion to be implemented when the condition is not satisfied, and/or integrating a DO-WHILE loop to enable repetition of a section of the program when a condition is satisfied and continuation of the program when the condition is not satisfied.

Abstract: A system for identifying an object corresponding to user input including a first grammar, a user specific file and a controller. The first grammar is a list of objects. The user specific file designates a subset of the list of objects in the first grammar which are related to the user. The controller receives the user input and compares the user input to the objects of at least the user specific file. The controller identifies to the user the object corresponding to the user input, giving preference to those objects designated in the user specific file.

Abstract: Improved systems and methods are provided for transcribing audio files of voice mails sent over a unified messaging system. Customized grammars specific to a voice mail recipient are created and utilized to transcribe a received voice mail by comparing the audio file to commonly utilized words, names, acronyms, and phrases used by the recipient. Key elements are identified from the resulting text transcription to aid the recipient in processing received voice mails based on the significant content contained in the voice mail.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide a method for presenting computer-generated characters. The method defines several frames for a character and sequentially presents the frames. Each frame depicts a particular representation of the character. Also, at least two of the frames provide different representations of the character. Some embodiments provide a method for applying effects to computer-generated characters. This method applies an effect to the computer-generated characters by first generating an effect script. It then selects the generated effect script to apply to the computer-generated characters.

Abstract: The subject innovation pertains to filtration of voice, facsimile and the like communications. These messages can be analyzed to determine if they are unsolicited bulk communications (i.e., spam) or include malicious code. Analysis or filtration can be accomplished by, among other things, transforming the message into an email. The email can include the message as an attachment and a body that provides at least a portion of the content. Conventional and novel analysis tools can subsequently be applied to the email to scan for spam and viruses, among other things.

Abstract: Programmable video generation and analyzer including a video asset for generating video signals having a primary composite video module for producing different types of a primary video signal and outputting the primary video signal via output channels, and a secondary video source module for producing a secondary composite video signal and outputting the secondary composite video signal via output channels. The secondary video source module produces the secondary composite video signal in an identical or different format than the primary video signal and different than the primary video signal. An NTSC/PAL converter is included, for example, as part of the secondary video source module, for generating video in NTSC format and PAL format. The NTSC/PAL converter accepts a stream of data from the primary composite video module and the secondary video source module and converts it into Composite Baseband Video, Y/Pr/Pb Component Video, Y/C Video (S_Video) or RGB Video.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide a method for presenting computer-generated characters. The method defines several frames for a character and sequentially presents the frames. Each frame depicts a particular representation of the character. Also, at least two of the frames provide different representations of the character. Some embodiments provide a method for applying effects to computer-generated characters. This method applies an effect to the computer-generated characters by first generating an effect script. It then selects the generated effect script to apply to the computer-generated characters.

Abstract: Video processing arrangement including a host computer having a monitor, a video asset coupled to the computer for generating video signals and an interface for connecting the video asset to the computer to enable the display of video signals on the monitor. The video asset includes various primary elements including a primary composite video module for producing different types of a primary video signal and outputting the primary video signal via output channels, a stroke generator module for generating a stroke XYZ video signal and outputting the stroke video signal via output channels and a real time capture module for capturing video signals in a plurality of different modes. The video asset also includes a common distributed time base module for generating and distributing clock signals to all of the primary elements.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to systems and methods that enable dynamic programming and execution of an electronic communications dialog. In one aspect, a configurable messaging system is provided. The system includes a configuration file to describe interface options of a computerized dialog session, wherein the configuration file specifies interface activities and state transitions between the interface options within the configuration file. A state controller executes the interface options during communications activities with the dialog session. The configuration file can also describe prompt elements to solicit information from users or applications.