Abstract: Methods, systems, and tangible computer-readable memory media are disclosed that relate to a video player configured to play a video file. During playback, the video player, in one embodiment, is configured to access metadata relating to, but separate from, the video file to dynamically display graphical content distinct from the video file. A server system may receive, from a client computer system (e.g., of the video owner), information specifying metadata for the video file. This metadata may specify the display of overlay graphics and/or navigation graphics, the overlay of audio, etc. Additionally, the metadata may specify items needed to perform a process depicted in an instructional video; upon playing the video, the video player may provide one or more purchase links for such items. In one embodiment, a server system may edit the underlying video file—e.g., to include overlay graphics.

Abstract: A communication device provides a message composition interface. In the message composition interface, the communication device presents a maximum allowable remaining number of characters allowable for further entry in the message only when a character count of the number of character inputs received in the message is greater than or equal to a warning count value. The warning count value is less than a maximum allowable number of characters of the message.

Abstract: A control circuit monitors treatment of incoming social content and then uses this treatment information to determine an identifying image to present for given social content sources. The monitored treatment can comprise, for example, whether the recipient opens incoming social content from various social content sources over some relevant period of time. By one approach, when the recipient user is tending to ignore social content from a given social content source, these teachings can provide for automatically selecting and displaying an image of a non-face portion of that social content source (such as an image of the backside of a person's head) to thereby convey a sense that the recipient's relationship with this particular person has been neglected.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for use in presenting a position indication for a selected item of a list having a plurality of items. At least some of the items in the list are displayed, and a selected item of the list is highlighted. A position indication is also displayed, along or within the selected item, at a lengthwise position that is proportional to a relative position of the selected item within the list. Various examples and alternatives are provided for an even further advantageous user interface.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for use in providing presentations for the composition of messages having size limitations are described. A communication device receives, via its user interface, one or more character inputs in a message composition field for a new message being composed. While a character count of the message is less than a warning count value, the device refrains from presenting the number of allowed characters remaining for entry in the message. On the other hand, while the character count is greater than or equal to the warning count value, the device causes the number of allowed characters remaining for entry in the message to be presented. The message may be transmitted via a wireless network via a short message service (SMS). In one example, the number of remaining characters is provided in an alert bar, which is presented by being set in motion from an initial hidden position behind the message composition field to a final revealed position, with intermediate positions therebetween.

Abstract: An apparatus, and an associated method, for providing charging energy to a portable power supply, sourced at the portable power supply of another portable electronic device. The portable electronic devices are arranged in a charging configuration in which the portable electronic device from which energy is to be sourced is coupled to the portable electronic device to which the charging energy is to be applied. A controller controls the charging operations to ensure that energy of a host portable power supply is not depleted beyond a minimum level, and the application of the charging energy is terminated when a recipient portable power supply is charged to a desired level or the host portable power supply is depleted to the minimum level.

Abstract: A system and a method are provided for displaying message history while composing a message. The method includes displaying a message composition application comprising a first recipient field, a message history display area, and a message composition field; detecting an input into the first recipient field for specifying a recipient; and upon detecting that the recipient has been specified: displaying a second recipient field; navigating application focus from the first recipient field to the second recipient field; and displaying a message history associated with the recipient in the message history display area.

Abstract: An unobtrusive tab is provided in a user interface (UI) used in communicating with a contact, for providing a notification of new information, and to enable access to the information or a representation of the information. The items provided in the information pane may also be selectable to enable further information to be displayed, e.g. an application related to or containing the selected item. Various data items can also be associated with items in the information pane in order to enable further content and information to be launched through selection of an item in the information pane. The information pane can be used as an alternative communication channel and portal for sending and receiving data items such as links, pictures, or other attachments to enable sharing between contacts without disrupting or cluttering a conversational exchange or consuming resources in a particular communication medium.

Abstract: A method and system are provided which enable an alternative identifier to be used instead of a normally used identifier such as a personal identification number (PIN) in a peer-to-peer (P2P)-based system. The alternative identifier can be used to avoid divulging the normally used identifier and can be cancelled or de-activated at a later time or can be converted to the normally used identifier at a later point.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for use in providing presentations for the composition of messages having size limitations are described. A communication device receives, via its user interface, one or more character inputs in a message composition field for a new message being composed. While a character count of the message is less than a warning count value, the device refrains from presenting the number of allowed characters remaining for entry in the message. On the other hand, while the character count is greater than or equal to the warning count value, the device causes the number of allowed characters remaining for entry in the message to be presented. The message may be transmitted via a wireless network via a short message service (SMS). In one example, the number of remaining characters is provided in an alert bar, which is presented by being set in motion from an initial hidden position behind the message composition field to a final revealed position, with intermediate positions therebetween.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and tangible computer-readable memory media are disclosed that relate to a video player configured to play a video file. During playback, the video player, in one embodiment, is configured to access metadata relating to, but separate from, the video file to dynamically display graphical content distinct from the video file. A server system may receive, from a client computer system (e.g., of the video owner), information specifying metadata for the video file. This metadata may specify the display of overlay graphics and/or navigation graphics, the overlay of audio, etc. Additionally, the metadata may specify items needed to perform a process depicted in an instructional video; upon playing the video, the video player may provide one or more purchase links for such items. In one embodiment, a server system may edit the underlying video file—e.g., to include overlay graphics.

Abstract: A system and method are provided wherein SMS-only contacts are integrated into an IM environment. An IM contact list interface distinguishes between SMS and IM chats (and contacts), such that limitations and potential differential costs associated with the respective mediums can be identified. The system is also configured to route SMS messages into the IM contact list interface for later filtering and/or selection by the user. By providing SMS-specific categories with the IM contact list interface SMS integration operations such as routing of SMS messages can be controlled to avoid degrading the user's experience.

Abstract: Facilitating ad-hoc congregation using an application on a wireless mobile device is provided. Geographic locations defined as meet-ups are shared with members of group. When a wireless mobile device of one of the members of the group enters the geographic location of the meet-up, the wireless mobile device sends a meet-up notification message via a wireless network to other members of the group to identify it's presence at the pre-defined location. Group members can then decide to proceed to the meet-up location based upon the received notification messages.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and tangible computer-readable memory media are disclosed that relate to a video player configured to play a video file. During playback, the video player, in one embodiment, is configured to access metadata relating to, but separate from, the video file to dynamically display graphical content distinct from the video file. A server system may receive, from a client computer system (e.g., of the video owner), information specifying metadata for the video file. This metadata may specify the display of overlay graphics and/or navigation graphics, the overlay of audio, etc. Additionally, the metadata may specify items needed to perform a process depicted in an instructional video; upon playing the video, the video player may provide one or more purchase links for such items. In one embodiment, a server system may edit the underlying video file—e.g., to include overlay graphics.

Abstract: Methods of providing message content data to a plurality of electronic messaging services. The methods include generating, for each of a plurality of electronic messaging services identified in instructions to post new message content, a corresponding instruction data set, each instruction data set executable by at least one processor associated with the corresponding electronic messaging service to cause the new message content to be posted; and providing a generated instruction data set to at least one processor associated with at least one of the plurality of electronic messaging services. Media and devices for carrying out the methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present specification provides a method, system and apparatus for posting data to a plurality of accounts at a plurality of remote servers. A display is controlled to generate a message region for receiving message data to be posted to at least a subset of the plurality of accounts. The display is controlled to generate icons, associated with the plurality of accounts, in a one-to-one relationship, the icons provided adjacent to the message region, each icon comprising: a first respective indicator of a respective account; a second respective indicator of a service associated with the account; and a respective picture. Icons are selected and the display is controlled to provide an indicator of selection at each of the selected icons. Message data is transmitted to each of the plurality of accounts associated with each of the icons which are selected via the communication subsystem.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for making highly accurate data propagation delay measurements in a serializer/deserializer (SERDES) integrated circuit. The invention detects a selected special character when the special character is present at the input of a transmit data path of the SERDES integrated circuit. The invention also detects the special character when the special character appears at the output of the transmit data path. The invention then counts the number of clock cycles during which the selected character was in the transmit data path. This provides the data propagation delay of the special character through the transmit data path. The invention also makes data propagation delay measurements for a receive data path of a SERDES integrated circuit.

Abstract: A system and method for managing multiple instant messaging (IM) clients associated with a single contact in an IM application for a mobile device is provided. A unified IM contact list associates multiple available IM clients with each contact listing. In one aspect, the current default IM client may be conveniently switched to another default IM client by receiving a first input to display a toggle list listing the available IM clients associated with the particular contact, and then receiving a second input indicating the selection of the desired default IM client. In another aspect, the current conversation IM client may be conveniently switched to a standby IM client when a contact in the conversation logs off. In yet another aspect, the current default IM client may be switched to another default IM client upon the occurrence of one or more external events.

Abstract: CrtW carotenoid ketolases are provided useful for the production of astaxanthin. The ketolases genes of the present invention exhibit improved ketolase activity when converting cyclic hydroxylated carotenoid intermediates into astaxanthin. Recombinant expression of the present carotenoid ketolases in host cell producing cyclic hydroxylated carotenoid intermediates enabled increased production of astaxanthin.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for making highly accurate data propagation delay measurements in a serializer/deserializer (SERDES) integrated circuit. The invention detects a selected special character when the special character is present at the input of a transmit data path of the SERDES integrated circuit. The invention also detects the special character when the special character appears at the output of the transmit data path. The invention then counts the number of clock cycles during which the selected character was in the transmit data path. This provides the data propagation delay of the special character through the transmit data path. The invention also makes data propagation delay measurements for a receive data path of a SERDES integrated circuit.