Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a recipient client device having a controller operable to receive and store a media object from an originating device, track locations where the media object has been since the media object has been stored in the recipient client device, track identifiers associated with a device or a user that has accessed the media object at the locations, and track and store annotations about the media object by the device or the user that accessed the media object. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for providing media content using a mobile device as a media server. For example, the method discovers at least one target mobile device, and determines whether the at least one target mobile device is capable of supporting wireless streaming media. The method streams the media content to the at least one target mobile device using the mobile device if the at least one target mobile device is determined to be capable of supporting wireless streaming media.

Abstract: A system and method for sharing annotations corresponding to media content among a plurality of members of a group over a communications network. The system generally includes at least one server coupled to the communications network and configured for receiving at least one annotation from a first group member corresponding to media content from the communications network; adding the at least one annotation to a database; accessing a list of members of the group, each member of the group having a user profile stored in memory; and automatically sending a notification to at least a second member of the group upon receipt of each annotation. The annotation comprises annotation content and a temporal identifier that identifies a segment of the media content to which the annotation corresponds, and the at least one server is configured for sending the annotation to at least the second group member and optionally a media stream including at least the segment of the media content with the annotation.

Abstract: A method of synchronizing first and second streams of a multimedia content program is operable for determining a temporal difference indicative of a relative timing between first and second streams of the program, the first stream being provided to a first multimedia processing resource (MPR) and the second stream being provided to a second MPR. The method includes manipulating at least one of the streams to reduce the temporal difference until the temporal difference is less than a predetermined threshold and enabling a viewer of the first stream to interact with a viewer of the second stream regarding the program. Interactions are visually detectable on a first display screen corresponding to the first MPR.

Abstract: A system and a method are provided. A textual transcript of a recorded voice communication is received. Text from a non-voice communication is received. Information about the textual transcript of the recorded voice communication and the text from the non-voice communication is provided such that a user can manage a group of communications, based at least in part on the textual transcript of the recorded voice communication and the text from the non-voice communication.

Abstract: An illustrative method for transferring data to a device includes identifying the data that is to be transferred to the device, modulating the data with a signal, providing the signal to a contact microphone that is in physical contact with an individual, and transmitting the signal through a body of the individual to the device using the contact microphone. An illustrative method for authenticating the individual includes transmitting a signal through a body of the individual in response to the individual physically contacting an authentication device, receiving a modified signal including the signal as modified by the body of the individual, removing the signal from the modified signal to identify a unique body signature of the individual, comparing the unique body signature to a database to determine if the database includes the unique body signature, and selectively authenticating the individual based upon whether the database includes the unique body signature.

Abstract: A method includes receiving at least one criterion to identify at least one media item. The method includes determining one or more media items that satisfy the at least one criterion. The method includes determining a group interest profile for each of the one or more media items. A particular group interest profile indicates a portion-varying level of group interest toward the at least one media item. The particular group interest profile is based on a plurality of ratings input by a plurality of members of a group for a plurality of portions of the at least one media item. The method includes determining a plurality of high-interest portions of the at least one media item based on the plurality of group interest profiles. The method also includes creating a high-interest media item that combines the plurality of high-interest portions.

Abstract: Virtual environments are presented on displays along with multimedia programs to permit viewers to participate in a social interactive television environment. The virtual environments include avatars that are created and maintained in part using continually updated animation data that may be captured from cameras that monitor viewing areas in a plurality of sites. User input from the viewers may be processed in determining which viewers are presented in instances of the virtual environment. Continually updating the animation data results in avatars accurately depicting a viewer's facial expressions and other characteristics. Presence data may be collected and used to determine when to capture background images from a viewing area that may later be subtracted during the capture of animation data. Speech recognition technology may be employed to provide callouts within a virtual environment.

Abstract: A method of providing video content commentary is disclosed that includes sending video content to a first set-top box device at a first time, where the first set-top box device is associated with a first subscriber. The method also includes receiving data corresponding to a comment submitted by the first subscriber. The comment relates to a particular portion of the video content. Further, the method includes sending the video content to a second set-top box device at a second time, where the second set-top box device is associated with a second subscriber. The video content sent to the second set-top box device includes a graphical representation of the comment.

Abstract: A method includes receiving at least one criterion to identify at least one media item. The method includes determining one or more media items that satisfy the at least one criterion. The method includes determining a group interest profile for each of the one or more media items. A particular group interest profile indicates a portion-varying level of group interest toward the at least one media item. The particular group interest profile is based on a plurality of ratings input by a plurality of members of a group for a plurality of portions of the at least one media item. The method includes determining a plurality of high-interest portions of the at least one media item based on the plurality of group interest profiles. The method also includes creating a high-interest media item that combines the plurality of high-interest portions.

Abstract: Virtual environments are presented on displays along with multimedia programs to permit viewers to participate in a social interactive television environment. The virtual environments include avatars that are created and maintained in part using continually updated animation data that may be captured from cameras that monitor viewing areas in a plurality of sites. User input from the viewers may be processed in determining which viewers are presented in instances of the virtual environment. Continually updating the animation data results in avatars accurately depicting a viewer's facial expressions and other characteristics. Presence data may be collected and used to determine when to capture background images from a viewing area that may later be subtracted during the capture of animation data. Speech recognition technology may be employed to provide callouts within a virtual environment.

Abstract: Virtual environments are presented on displays along with multimedia programs to permit viewers to participate in a social interactive television environment. The virtual environments include avatars that are created and maintained in part using continually updated animation data that may be captured from cameras that monitor viewing areas in a plurality of sites. User input from the viewers may be processed in determining which viewers are presented in instances of the virtual environment. Continually updating the animation data results in avatars accurately depicting a viewer's facial expressions and other characteristics. Presence data may be collected and used to determine when to capture background images from a viewing area that may later be subtracted during the capture of animation data. Speech recognition technology may be employed to provide callouts within a virtual environment.

Abstract: A user interest profile, which indicates a portion-varying level of user interest toward a first streaming media item, is determined. The user interest profile is based on a plurality of ratings inputted by a user for a plurality of respective portions of the first streaming media item. A second streaming media item is recommended to the user based on the user interest profile.

Abstract: Virtual environments are presented on displays along with multimedia programs to permit viewers to participate in a social interactive television environment. The virtual environments include avatars that are created and maintained in part using continually updated animation data that may be captured from cameras that monitor viewing areas in a plurality of sites. User input from the viewers may be processed in determining which viewers are presented in instances of the virtual environment. Continually updating the animation data results in avatars accurately depicting a viewer's facial expressions and other characteristics. Presence data may be collected and used to determine when to capture background images from a viewing area that may later be subtracted during the capture of animation data. Speech recognition technology may be employed to provide callouts within a virtual environment.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for providing media content using a mobile device as a media server. For example, the method discovers at least one target mobile device, and determines whether the at least one target mobile device is capable of supporting wireless streaming media. The method streams the media content to the at least one target mobile device using the mobile device if the at least one target mobile device is determined to be capable of supporting wireless streaming media.

Abstract: Virtual environments are presented on displays along with multimedia programs to permit viewers to participate in a social interactive television environment. The virtual environments include avatars that are created and maintained in part using continually updated animation data that may be captured from cameras that monitor viewing areas in a plurality of sites. User input from the viewers may be processed in determining which viewers are presented in instances of the virtual environment. Continually updating the animation data results in avatars accurately depicting a viewer's facial expressions and other characteristics. Presence data may be collected and used to determine when to capture background images from a viewing area that may later be subtracted during the capture of animation data. Speech recognition technology may be employed to provide callouts within a virtual environment.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention is a method and apparatus for synchronous, collaborative media consumption. In one embodiment, a method for providing media to a plurality of users includes delivering synchronously the media to a plurality of devices operated by the plurality of users via a communications channel and enabling a substantially real-time interaction among the plurality of users on the communications channel while delivering the media.

Abstract: A system and method for sharing annotations corresponding to media content among a plurality of members of a group over a communications network. The system generally includes at least one server coupled to the communications network and configured for receiving at least one annotation from a first group member corresponding to media content from the communications network; adding the at least one annotation to a database; accessing a list of members of the group, each member of the group having a user profile stored in memory; and automatically sending a notification to at least a second member of the group upon receipt of each annotation. The annotation comprises annotation content and a temporal identifier that identifies a segment of the media content to which the annotation corresponds, and the at least one server is configured for sending the annotation to at least the second group member and optionally a media stream including at least the segment of the media content with the annotation.

Abstract: A computer implemented method includes receiving, at a media server, a request from a first viewer to create a media content server including select segments of media content for display at a display device. The computer implemented method includes accessing a media content analyzer generated based on viewer annotation data associated with media content. The viewer annotation data is received from viewers other than the first viewer. The computer implemented method includes identifying segments of the media content using the media content analyzer. The computer implemented method includes selecting at least one segment of the identified segments of the media content for inclusion in a media content summary. The computer implemented method includes sending the media content summary including the at least one selected segment of the media content to the display device.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a recipient client device having a controller operable to receive and store a media object from an originating device, track locations where the media object has been since the media object has been stored in the recipient client device, track identifiers associated with a device or a user that has accessed the media object at the locations, and track and store annotations about the media object by the device or the user that accessed the media object. Other embodiments are disclosed.