Abstract: Previously published content is played back by identifying a previous time in which the previously published content was previously published and automatically adding an indication of the previous time in which the content was previously published, while playing back the previously published content. The indication may include a timestamp of the previous time, ambience and/or historical context of the previous time, an electronic program guide for the previous time, a current events guide for the previous time and/or archived content for the previous time that is related to the user of the content. Related systems, methods, computer program products and content playback devices are described.

Abstract: A method and system implements supplementary media channels to Internet-protocol television (IPTV) channels. An IPTV user may receive a selected IPTV program on an IPTV channel. The IPTV program may be correlated in time with metadata describing the content of the IPTV program. At a point in the IPTV program, the metadata may match with user configuration information for receiving supplemental content. A supplementary media channel may be used at such point to provide the supplemental content to the IPTV user during the IPTV program. Supplemental content may include additional storyline content for the IPTV program or an advertising message, a redeemable coupon, a promotional offer, or an order invitation. The supplementary media channel may include a telephone connection with the IPTV user, an email message, a text message, or an instant message sent to the IPTV user, or a voice-over-Internet-protocol (VoIP) connection with the IPTV user.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed that allow for the exchange of voice mail messages between different VMSs of different service providers and/or in different networks by the transmission of such messages through a data network using a standard protocol of the data network. Methods and systems also are disclosed that validate message transactions among subscribers receiving regional messaging services over the PSTN. The subscribers are located in different geographic areas and may be provided their voice, facsimile or data messaging services by different companies. The present invention validates passing messages (data) among customers of potentially different companies located in different areas by assessing the validity of the transaction in light of a number of conditions, including applicable regulatory or business conditions.

Abstract: Content and/or services are provided for a session to a user by controlling use of at least two different networks to deliver the content and/or services for the session to the user. The at least two different networks have different data transfer characteristics. Control of use of the at least two different networks is based on the data transfer characteristics of the at least two different networks and characteristics of the content and/or services for the session to the user.

Abstract: Previously published content is played back by identifying a previous time in which the previously published content was previously published and automatically adding an indication of the previous time in which the content was previously published, while playing back the previously published content. The indication may include a timestamp of the previous time, ambience and/or historical context of the previous time, an electronic program guide for the previous time, a current events guide for the previous time and/or archived content for the previous time that is related to the user of the content. Related systems, methods, computer program products and content playback devices are described.

Abstract: An Internet protocol television (IPTV) system includes a server operable to send a performance guide and a time code over the IPTV system to two or more clients. The server receives a performance from each of the clients over the IPTV system, combines the performances into an overall performance, and sends the overall performance over the IPTV system to the clients.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, an intermediary engine having a controller, and a storage medium for storing instructions to be executed by the controller. The instructions, when executed by the controller, can cause the controller to receive a measure of a mood of an individual, invoke an intermediary according to the measure of the mood of the individual, and present the intermediary to an entity requesting to interact with the individual. The measure of the mood can be synthesized from collected information associated with a behavior of the individual, and can have a plurality of dimensions. The mood can also indicate an availability of the individual and a receptiveness of the individual to accept a request to interact with an entity. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a metaphor engine having a controller, and a storage medium for storing instructions to be executed by the controller. The instructions, when executed by the controller, cause the controller to receive a measure of a mood of an individual, create a metaphor according to the measure of the mood of the individual, and present the metaphor to an entity requesting to interact with the individual. The measure of the mood can be synthesized from collected information associated with a behavior of the individual, and can indicate an availability of the individual and a receptiveness of the individual to accept a request to interact with an entity. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A network recording system records multimedia programs responsive to transport streams being unavailable. A first portion of a multimedia program may be stored on a customer premises equipment and a second portion stored on the network recording system. The network recording system may transport the multimedia program via file download or real-time streaming.

Abstract: A method to remotely control a wireless unit, includes receiving an activation/deactivation request from a user. It is determined if the user is authorized to activate/deactivate the wireless unit. If the user is authorized to activate/deactivate the wireless unit, a signal is sent to the wireless unit causing the wireless unit to power-on/power-off in response to the signal.

Abstract: A method to remotely control a wireless unit, includes receiving an activation/deactivation request from a user. It is determined if the user is authorized to activate/deactivate the wireless unit. If the user is authorized to activate/deactivate the wireless unit, a signal is sent to the wireless unit causing the wireless unit to power-on/power-off in response to the signal.

Abstract: A disclosed method of weather forecasting with respect to a set of irrigation criteria includes enabling an irrigation system controller operating on a user defined schedule to wirelessly receive soil condition information from an environmental sensor, evaluate the soil condition information for satisfaction of an irrigation criterion, and activate an irrigation valve associated with the environmental sensor when the irrigation criterion is satisfied. The soil condition information may indicate a chemical composition or moisture content of the soil. The irrigation system controller is further enabled to generate a warning message based on the soil condition. The irrigation system controller is further enabled to send the warning message to a lawn care service. The irrigation system controller is further enabled to generate a report of the soil condition. The irrigation system controller is further enabled to generate a report indicative of water consumption per irrigation valve.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a synthesis engine having a controller, and a storage medium for storing instructions to be executed by the controller. The instructions, when executed by the controller, can cause the controller to retrieve collected information associated with a behavior of an individual, synthesize from the information a measure of a mood of the individual to interact with others, and transmit the measure to a system associated with the individual to manage requests between the individual and the entity. The measure of the mood of the individual can indicate an availability of the individual and a receptiveness of the individual to accept a request to interact with an entity. The measure can be described by a plurality of dimensions. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: The cumulative utilization of communication system resources by a communication terminal is determined. An alert is generated through the communication terminal in response to the cumulative utilization exceeding a threshold amount. The cumulative utilization of resources may be determine by a core network of the communication system and/or by the communication terminal. The core network may transmit an alert message to the communication terminal to trigger an alert therefrom in response to the cumulative utilization of resources exceeding a threshold value.

Abstract: Information is exchanged between a user of a communications device and an application during an ongoing conversation between the user using the communications device and a party, without disrupting the conversation. An application associated with the communications device is accessed via the communications device in response to a command and keyword spoken by the user during the communications session. Information is retrieved from the application according to the keyword spoken by the user. When the information is retrieved from the application, the user is prompted in a manner transparent to the party, after which a response is sent to the user.

Abstract: Methods, systems, devices and computer program products obtain and share personal data of celebrities and others over a communications network. The methods include; (a) electronically capturing personal data associated with a plurality of celebrities; (b) electronically storing the captured data in a database of electronic personal data records, the records being correlated to a respective celebrity; (c) accepting user input to request data of interest for a particular celebrity; (d) electronically automatically extracting records in the historical data base related to the user input; and (e) electronically publishing celebrity personal data to the user based on the extracting step.

Abstract: Methods, systems, devices and computer program products obtain and share personal data of celebrities and others over a communications network. The methods include; (a) electronically capturing personal data associated with a plurality of celebrities; (b) electronically storing the captured data in a database of electronic personal data records, the records being correlated to a respective celebrity; (c) accepting user input to request data of interest for a particular celebrity; (d) electronically automatically extracting records in the historical data base related to the user input; and (e) electronically publishing celebrity personal data to the user based on the extracting step.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide systems and method for viewing electronic documents. Briefly described, one embodiment of the system, among others, includes an electronic viewer application to display contents of an electronic document; and a visual indicator logic configured to display at least one visual indicator on the electronic display, each visual indicator indicating a portion of the contents that are to be subsequently displayed on the electronic display in response to a navigation command. Other systems and methods are also provided.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed that allow for the exchange of voice mail messages between different VMSs of different service providers and/or in different networks by the transmission of such messages through a data network using a standard protocol of the data network. Methods and systems also are disclosed that validate message transactions among subscribers receiving regional messaging services over the PSTN. The subscribers are located in different geographic areas and may be provided their voice, facsimile or data messaging services by different companies. The present invention validates passing messages (data) among customers of potentially different companies located in different areas by assessing the validity of the transaction in light of a number of conditions, including applicable regulatory or business conditions.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide systems and method for viewing electronic documents. Briefly described, one embodiment of the system, among others, includes an electronic viewer application to display contents of an electronic document; and a visual indicator logic configured to display at least one visual indicator on the electronic display, each visual indicator indicating a portion of the contents that are to be subsequently displayed on the electronic display in response to a navigation command. Other systems and methods are also provided.