Abstract: Creating and delivering advertisements within wrapped packages of cards, which selectively include (i) media content, including advertisement(s) for item(s) available for purchase, (ii) application functionality and/or (iii) e-commerce related transactional services. By defining the sequence order in which the cards are navigated when consumed, wraps may deliver advertisements in the context of a “story” or “narrative”, which unfolds as the cards are sequentially browsed, similar to the turning of the pages of a book or magazine. Ads thus become more compelling. In addition, with built-in transactional functionality, advertised Item(s) can be immediately purchased without having to exit the wrap.

Abstract: An ecosystem that enables third party creators to create card templates and widgets and businesses and/or consumers to author wrap packages using the same for distribution. During authoring, the businesses and consumers, using a wrap package authoring tool, can incorporate the various card templates and/or widgets maintained in a library into their wrap packages. In this manner, businesses and consumers alike can quickly create wrap packages, including a wide array of highly pertinent and specialized content, application functionality, and e-commerce related services, without having to create the templates and/or widgets themselves.

Abstract: Creating and delivering advertisements within wrapped packages of cards, which selectively include (i) media content, including advertisement(s) for item(s) available for purchase, (ii) application functionality and/or (iii) e-commerce related transactional services. By defining the sequence order in which the cards are navigated when consumed, wraps may deliver advertisements in the context of a “story” or “narrative”, which unfolds as the cards are sequentially browsed, similar to the turning of the pages of a book or magazine. Ads thus become more compelling. In addition, with built-in transactional functionality, advertised Item(s) can be immediately purchased without having to exit the wrap.

Abstract: Creating and delivering advertisements within wrapped packages of cards, which selectively include (i) media content, including advertisement(s) for item(s) available for purchase, (ii) application functionality and/or (iii) e-commerce related transactional services. By defining the sequence order in which the cards are navigated when consumed, wraps may deliver advertisements in the context of a “story” or “narrative”, which unfolds as the cards are sequentially browsed, similar to the turning of the pages of a book or magazine. Ads thus become more compelling. In addition, with built-in transactional functionality, advertised Item(s) can be immediately purchased without having to exit the wrap.

Abstract: A wrap descriptor, which defines a wrap package of cards, including (i) a plurality of card descriptors, each defining card-specific components that define content, structure and a layout for an associated card and (ii) a global component descriptor for specifying a global component associated with two or more cards of the wrap package. Unlike card descriptors that define only card-specific components, global descriptors define components that can be applied to all the cards, or a designated subset of the cards, of a wrap package.

Abstract: A method for (a) delivering wrapped packages of cards, each card selectively including (i) media content, (ii) application functionality and/or (iii) e-commerce related services and (b) displaying the wrap package of cards within an overlay window presented within a web site page and/or an application.

Abstract: A variety of data structures, components, runtime viewers and methods are described for integrating external content into wrapped packages of cards. Each card may selectively include media content, and a palette of application functionality and/or supporting e-commerce related services. In some aspects a “widget” construct may be provided in one or more of the cards. The widget provides a mechanism for seamlessly integrating external content into the wrap package. Widgets can be used to provide the wrap with a wide variety of different content, functionality and/or services.

Abstract: Creating and delivering advertisements within wrapped packages of cards, which selectively include (i) media content, including advertisement(s) for item(s) available for purchase, (ii) application functionality and/or (iii) e-commerce related transactional services. By defining the sequence order in which the cards are navigated when consumed, wraps may deliver advertisements in the context of a “story” or “narrative”, which unfolds as the cards are sequentially browsed, similar to the turning of the pages of a book or magazine. Ads thus become more compelling. In addition, with built-in transactional functionality, advertised Item(s) can be immediately purchased without having to exit the wrap.

Abstract: A wrap package descriptor defining (i) a structure, layout and content for a set of cards that together constitute a wrap package corresponding to the wrap package descriptor, (ii) a plurality of card descriptors, each card descriptor arranged to define a structure, layout and content of an associated card, and (iii) an audio component, associated with one or more of the card descriptors, the audio component resulting in the playing of audio content when the associated one or more card(s) is/are rendered during consumption of the wrap package.

Abstract: A wrap descriptor, which defines a wrap package of cards, including (i) a plurality of card descriptors, each defining card-specific components that define content, structure and a layout for an associated card and (ii) a global component descriptor for specifying a global component associated with two or more cards of the wrap package. Unlike card descriptors that define only card-specific components, global descriptors define components that can be applied to all the cards, or a designated subset of the cards, of a wrap package.

Abstract: A program distribution system includes a plurality of set-top boxes that receive broadcast programming and segmentation data from content and information providers. The segmentation information indicates portions of programs that are to be included in skimmed or condensed versions of the received programming, and is produced using manual or automated methods. Automated methods include the use of ancillary production data to detect the most important parts of a program. A user interface allows a user to control time scale modification and skimming during playback, and also allows the user to easily browse to different points within the current program.

Abstract: A program distribution system includes a plurality of set-top boxes that receive broadcast programming and segmentation data from content and information providers. The segmentation information indicates portions of programs that are to be included in skimmed or condensed versions of the received programming, and is produced using manual or automated methods. Automated methods include the use of ancillary production data to detect the most important parts of a program. A user interface allows a user to control time scale modification and skimming during playback, and also allows the user to easily browse to different points within the current program.

Abstract: A program distribution system includes a plurality of set-top boxes that receive broadcast programming and segmentation data from content and information providers. The segmentation information indicates portions of programs that are to be included in skimmed or condensed versions of the received programming, and is produced using manual or automated methods. Automated methods include the use of ancillary production data to detect the most important parts of a program. A user interface allows a user to control time scale modification and skimming during playback, and also allows the user to easily browse to different points within the current program.

Abstract: In a plurality of electronic devices, a system and method is provided for providing interfaces on the plurality of electronic devices for interacting with at least one source of dynamically changing awareness information. Each of the plurality of electronic devices communicates with the at least one source to update the at least one source with individual awareness information for the electronic device in communication with the at least one source. Each of the plurality of electronic devices communicates with the at least one source to receive awareness information relating to others of the plurality of electronic devices. The awareness information can be a summary of electronic device statuses relating to a selected user. The awareness information can also include an indication of time since each of a plurality of electronic devices relating to a selected user has been in use.

Abstract: In a plurality of electronic devices, a system and method is provided for providing interfaces on the plurality of electronic devices for interacting with at least one source of dynamically changing awareness information. Each of the plurality of electronic devices communicates with the at least one source to update the at least one source with individual awareness information for the electronic device in communication with the at least one source. Each of the plurality of electronic devices communicates with the at least one source to receive awareness information relating to others of the plurality of electronic devices. The awareness information can be a summary of electronic device statuses relating to a selected user. The awareness information can also include an indication of time since each of a plurality of electronic devices relating to a selected user has been in use.