Abstract: Systems and methods for invoking a third-party program as an additional participant of a chat session include monitoring events of a chat session of a messaging platform. At least one of the events of the chat session is determined to satisfy a triggering condition associated with a third-party program. In response to determining that the at least one of the events of the chat session satisfies the triggering condition associated with the third-party program, the third-party program is invoked as an additional participant of the chat session.

Abstract: Systems and methods for invoking a third-party program as an additional participant of a chat session include monitoring events of a chat session of a messaging platform. At least one of the events of the chat session is determined to satisfy a triggering condition associated with a third-party program. In response to determining that the at least one of the events of the chat session satisfies the triggering condition associated with the third-party program, the third-party program is invoked as an additional participant of the chat session.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to enhance existing caches in a network to better support streaming media storage and distribution. Helper machines are used inside the network to implement several methods which support streaming media including segmentation of streaming media objects into smaller units, cooperation of Helper machines, and novel placement and replacement policies for segments of media objects.

Abstract: A chat-based communication capability is presented. The chat-based communication capability may support encapsulation of a user interface within a chat session. The encapsulation of a user interface within a chat session may be provided by dynamically creating the user interface within the chat session. The creation of a user interface within a chat session may be supported by determining that the user interface is to be created within the chat session and propagating, toward a device supporting the chat session, information configured for use by the device to create the user interface within the chat session. The creation of a user interface within a chat session may be supported by receiving information configured for use by a device to create the user interface within the chat session and initiating creation of the user interface within the chat session based on the information configured for use by the device to create the user interface within the chat session.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to enhance existing caches in a network to better support streaming media storage and distribution. Helper machines are used inside the network to implement several methods which support streaming media including segmentation of streaming media objects into smaller units, cooperation of Helper machines, and novel placement and replacement policies for segments of media objects.

Abstract: A chat-based communication capability is presented. In at least some embodiments, a chat-based communication capability may utilize a chat-based communication paradigm to support one or more communication interaction types not typically supported by chat-based communication paradigms. In at least some embodiments, a chat-based communication capability may support chat-based communication between a human entity and a non-human entity or between multiple non-human entities. In at least some embodiments, a chat-based communication capability may support extended operations which may be provided within the context of a chat-based system. In at least some embodiments, a chat-based communication capability or other communication or interaction environment may support one or more of relationship identification and notification capabilities, question and answer management functions, message attribution management functions, software developer functions, or the like.

Abstract: A chat-based communication capability is presented. In at least some embodiments, a chat-based communication capability may utilize a chat-based communication paradigm to support one or more communication interaction types not typically supported by chat-based communication paradigms. In at least some embodiments, a chat-based communication capability may support chat-based communication between a human entity and a non-human entity or between multiple non-human entities. In at least some embodiments, a chat-based communication capability may support extended operations which may be provided within the context of a chat-based system. In at least some embodiments, a chat-based communication capability or other communication or interaction environment may support one or more of relationship identification and notification capabilities, question and answer management functions, message attribution management functions, software developer functions, or the like.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to enhance existing caches in a network to better support streaming media storage and distribution. Helper machines are used inside the network to implement several methods which support streaming media including segmentation of streaming media objects into smaller units, cooperation of Helper machines, and novel placement and replacement policies for segments of media objects.

Abstract: The present invention supports services that span multiple service domains. In one embodiment, the present invention provides service-level interaction between an enterprise network and a non-enterprise network (or networks), thereby enabling enterprise users at remote locations (i.e., at home, on vacation, or at other locations remote from the enterprise location) to use services typically only available to the enterprise users while at the enterprise location (e.g., while in the office). The present invention provides a calendar notification service, whereby a calendar notification originating in an enterprise network is provided to a remote enterprise user via a non-enterprise network. The present invention provides an enterprise dialing plan service, whereby a remote enterprise user may register a remote user device to be able to use an enterprise dialing plan.

Abstract: A cache management system and method and a content distribution system. In one embodiment, the cache management system includes: (1) a content request receiver configured to receive content requests, (2) a popularity lifetime prediction modeler coupled to the content request receiver and configured to generate popularity lifetime prediction models for content that can be cached based on at least some of the content requests, (3) a database coupled to the popularity lifetime prediction modeler and configured to contain the popularity lifetime prediction models and (4) a popularity lifetime prediction model matcher coupled to the content request receiver and the database and configured to match at least one content request to the popularity lifetime prediction models and control a cache based thereon.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to enhance existing caches in a network to better support streaming media storage and distribution. Helper machines are used inside the network to implement several methods which support streaming media including segmentation of streaming media objects into smaller units, cooperation of Helper machines, and novel placement and replacement policies for segments of media objects.

Abstract: A communication technique includes routing communications over an internet topology using coordinates, which correspond to estimated round trip times, of an origination, a destination and at least one intermediary host or node. A disclosed example includes identifying candidate intermediary nodes based upon selected criteria such as proximity to at least one of the origination or destination for the communication. A disclosed example includes identifying a plurality of intermediary nodes for some applications.

Abstract: A cache management system and method and a content distribution system. In one embodiment, the cache management system includes: (1) a content request receiver configured to receive content requests, (2) a popularity lifetime prediction modeler coupled to the content request receiver and configured to generate popularity lifetime prediction models for content that can be cached based on at least some of the content requests, (3) a database coupled to the popularity lifetime prediction modeler and configured to contain the popularity lifetime prediction models and (4) a popularity lifetime prediction model matcher coupled to the content request receiver and the database and configured to match at least one content request to the popularity lifetime prediction models and control a cache based thereon.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for restricting end-user access to content Access of an end-user to content is restricted by receiving a request from the end-user to access the content; identifying and authorizing user associated with the end-user; providing an authorization message to the authorizing user, wherein the authorizing user is remote from a location of the end-user; and providing the end-user with access to the content if authorized by the authorizing user. For example, the end-user can be a child and the authorizing user can be an individual responsible for the child, such as a parent or guardian. In a further variation, the end-user can be an automated recording device and authorization request is responsive to an attempt by the recording device to record the content.

Abstract: The present invention provides a network-hosted server, a method of monitoring a call connected to a network-hosted server and a network-hosted voicemail server associated with a called party. In one embodiment, the network hosted server includes: (1) a call-alerter configured to provide an indication to a called party when a call between a calling party and the network-hosted server is established and (2) a call monitor coupled to the call-alerter and configured to establish a one-way connection of the call between the server and the called party to allow the called party to monitor the call in progress.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to enhance existing caches in a network to better support streaming media storage and distribution. Helper machines are used inside the network to implement several methods which support streaming media including segmentation of streaming media objects into smaller units, cooperation of Helper machines, and novel placement and replacement policies for segments of media objects.

Abstract: A call priority management system is implemented on or as part of one or more communication networks, for allowing authorized calling parties to control call disposition when the party being called is already on another call. In operation, when a first terminal initiates communication with a second terminal that is already in communication with a third terminal, the system determines if the newly initiated communication is a priority communication. By “priority” communication, it is meant a communication associated with a user and/or terminal having a designated or assigned privilege to interrupt ongoing communications at the second terminal. If so, the ongoing communication between the second and third terminals is interrupted, and a communication link is established between the first and second terminals. Prior to interruption, the calling party may be informed that the second/called terminal is already engaged in another call, for optionally interrupting the ongoing call.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enhancing existing caching systems to better support streaming media over the Internet and other public network system are disclosed herein. By using helpers inside the network, which operate as caching and streaming agents, existing caching techniques are enhanced to better support streaming media over the Internet. The helpers serve to implement several methods specifically designed to support streaming media, including proxy caching, client request aggregation which describes the use of memory and disk resources at the helpers, and data transfer rate control to reduce start-up latency. The method and apparatus advantageously reduces server and network loads by employing the above methods to overcome arrival time and range heterogeneity in client requests thereby improving the quality perceived by end users.