Abstract: This disclosure relates to methods and systems for transmitting advertising content to a messaging device and playing and/or viewing the advertisements. In one representative embodiment, a method of transmitting advertising content to a user of a messaging device comprises the user requesting access to a message file on the messaging device. The request can be transmitted over a network to an advertising content server. The method can also comprise transmitting one or more advertisement files to the messaging device from the advertising content server over the network and playing or displaying the one or more advertisements when the message file is accessed on the messaging device.

Abstract: This disclosure is related to methods and systems involving combination of sponsored advertisements with multimedia files and methods of playback. In one representative embodiment, a method of combining advertising content with multimedia content available for download by a user comprises receiving a request to download a multimedia file from a multimedia content server available through a multimedia provider service, the request originating from a client media player. The method further comprises combining the multimedia file with advertisements provided by sponsors to create a combined multimedia and advertisement file, transmitting the combined multimedia and advertisement file to the client media player, saving the combined multimedia and advertisement file for later playback, and playing the advertisements when the combined multimedia and advertisement file is played back.

Abstract: As described herein, a method is provided that includes receiving a request to initiate a file transfer from a user's computing device, initiating the file transfer, and delivering supplemental data to the user to run on the user's computing device during the file transfer.

Abstract: A method for distribution of advertising that includes combining an audio data file that produces an advertising message when processed with a data file that produces a performance of a musical composition when processed. Alternatively the invention may be viewed as a method for distribution of music which includes providing a server connected to a computer network, permitting message data files to be provided for a fee paid by the party providing the message, purchasing rights to multimedia data files from owners of such rights and making available to end users data files comprising a message and a licensed multimedia file by a connection to the network server. Preferably the method provides a multimedia file that comprises a musical composition. An especially preferred embodiment provides a multimedia data file that is an MP3 file comprising a musical composition.

Abstract: A method for distribution of advertising that includes combining an audio data file that produces an advertising message when processed with a data file that produces a performance of a musical composition when processed. Alternatively the invention may be viewed as a method for distribution of music which includes providing a server connected to a computer network, permitting message data files to be provided for a fee paid by the party providing the message, purchasing rights to multimedia data files from owners of such rights and making available to end users data files comprising a message and a licensed multimedia file by a connection to the network server. Preferably the method provides a multimedia file that comprises a musical composition. An especially preferred embodiment provides a multimedia data file that is an MP3 file comprising a musical composition.

Abstract: A method for distribution of advertising that includes combining an audio data file that produces an advertising message when processed with a data file that produces a performance of a musical composition when processed. Alternatively the invention may be viewed as a method for distribution of music which includes providing a server connected to a computer network, permitting message data files to be provided for a fee paid by the party providing the message, purchasing rights to multimedia data files from owners of such rights and making available to end users data files comprising a message and a licensed multimedia file by a connection to the network server. Preferably the method provides a multimedia file that comprises a musical composition. An especially preferred embodiment provides a multimedia data file that is an MP3 file comprising a musical composition.

Abstract: The system includes providing a recorded version of a popular song for download to a plurality of users. One or more of the plurality of users are allowed to download the popular song, record their own voice to the popular song, and save the new version of the modified popular song. The modified popular song is received and providing for download to the plurality of users.

Abstract: A disclosed method for incorporating audio content in an Internet communication includes assigning a phone number to the audio content, incorporating the phone number in the communication, and providing the communication to a recipient. The audio content may be a recorded audio message. The communication may be a post or status update on a blogging service, or a post to a Web page. The phone number may be automatically dialed when a recipient of the communication selects the phone number. The method may also include receiving a telephone call from the recipient and directed to the phone number, and providing the audio content to the recipient in response to the received telephone call. Two network servers are described, each including a memory that stores communication software, and a processor to execute the communication software. The communication software configures each processor to carry out steps of the disclosed method.

Abstract: A disclosed wireless phone includes a user interface having at least one button, a processor coupled to the user interface to detect a user's activation of the button, and software stored in a memory including: an acquisition process to obtain a secondary phone number in response to the user's activation of the button, and a display process to display the secondary phone number to the user. A described telecommunications server provides the secondary phone number to the wireless phone, and includes a forwarding process that forwards incoming phone calls directed to the secondary phone number to the wireless phone with modified caller-id information. A described method of enabling anonymous reception of phone calls includes automatically determining a programmed phone number of a wireless phone, and providing a button that causes the wireless phone to automatically obtain a secondary phone number.

Abstract: Several methods and systems for providing audio content to callers placed on hold are described. In some on-hold phonecasting methods, a two-way telecommunications link is established between a caller and a call terminus. The caller or the call terminus is temporarily isolated from the link. The audio content is provided via the link while the caller or call terminus is isolated to indicate that the link is still in place. At least a portion of the audio content is specified by a really simple syndication feed. The audio content may include one or more podcasts publicly available via the Internet. The audio content may be generated according to configuration information and by concatenating an audio advertisement or public service essage with the portion of the audio content. The method may also include periodically checking the RSS feed for updates to the audio content, and downloading updated audio content.

Abstract: A disclosed phonecasting system and method involves receiving a telephone call from a caller via a telephone number, and providing an audio signal in response. An audio file including audio content corresponding to the telephone number is played, thereby producing the audio signal. A message is selectively sent to the caller while the audio signal is being provided to the caller. The audio file may include, for example, a podcast publicly available via the Internet. The audio file may also include an audio advertisement or public service message. The message may be, for example, a text message or an electronic mail (email) message. Alternatively, or in addition, the message may be or include one or more images (e.g., pictures, drawings, diagrams, and the like).

Abstract: Incoming phone calls are answered with playback of an audio feed. A listener can enter a phone number or other identifier to refer a friend. A message recommending the phonecast is then sent to the friend, possibly including a link or some other form of a ‘click-to-call’ facilitation. In some embodiments, the message is a text message sent via the short-message service (SMS) system. Email or voice mail messages may alternatively be employed. The referral identifier is captured along with identifying information of the caller and any message the caller wishes to provide. The system generates recommendation messages based on the captured information.

Abstract: A disclosed method for rewarding a commentator includes enrolling the commentator to create commentary on a computer network. A sponsor is enrolled to distribute a message. The message is incorporated in the commentary created by the commentator. A fee is collected from the sponsor each time the commentary is displayed. At least a portion of the fee is provided to the commentator. The commentary may be a network post, such as a post to a thread, a blog, a newsgroup, or a bulletin board. The message may be an announcement or an advertisement. The commentary may be stored on a network server. A described network server includes a memory storing reward system software, and a processor coupled to the memory to execute the reward system software. A disclosed communication system includes a memory storing embedding software, and a processor coupled to the memory to execute the embedding software.