Abstract: A method for recording media generated within a virtual world from user selectable locations that chosen by a participant of the virtual world without requiring a link with a location of their avatar. The media may be audio or video or still images generated or rendered within the virtual world. The method allows a user to insert independent movie recorders in a virtual world with the cameras associated with such recorders being independent from the avatar and each other. A virtual world generator may include a movie recorder module that allows a participant of the virtual world to insert a movie recorder into the world. The user may also change its position to selectively position a camera on the front portion of the movie recorder body and change the orientation of the movie recorder to allow the user to determine the scene within the world recorded by the camera.

Abstract: A network collaboration system facilitates collaborations between network clients having access to a digital network. The system uses audio mixes to provide different levels of voice conferences between the meeting participants. In a main collaboration, those participating in the main collaboration receive an audio output that includes audio inputs from the other participants. A subset group of clients may also have a voice chat, in which their audio inputs are removed from the outputs delivered to the clients not participating in the voice chat. Meanwhile, the participants in the voice chat hear each other at full volume, but hear the collaborators who are not part of the voice chat at a reduced volume.

Abstract: A system allows for a real world person to make and receive a real world phone call using virtual world tools. The system runs software for rendering a virtual environment in which users at workstations in the real world are represented by avatars in the virtual world. The virtual world software of the present system is interconnected via a network to a private and public telephone network to allow a connection between a virtual and real world phone system. The virtual world embodiment of the communication between the virtual world and real world includes a plurality of states by which a conversation is visually and audibly indicated.

Abstract: Presence-enhanced calendaring is provided. A user can enter scheduled-activity information related to the user in a manner consistent with conventional calendaring systems. In addition to receiving scheduled-activity information related to a user, the presence-enhanced calendaring systems receive sensor-generated information related to a current activity of the user. The presence-enhanced calendaring system integrates the sensor-generated information related to a current activity of the user with the scheduled-activity information related to the user.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for accessing related computer objects. In one embodiment, computer objects related to a user's current task by a metric are listed. In another embodiment, other users related to a user's current task by a metric are listed. In one embodiment, the metric used to determine whether a user is related to a computer object determines whether the user accessed the computer object. In another embodiment, the metric used to determine whether a user is related to a computer object determines whether the user is referenced in the computer object. In other embodiments, the metric used to determine whether a user is related to a computer object involves other measures of relatedness. In one embodiment, the metric used to determine whether a computer object is related to another computer object determines whether the computer objects have a related user in common.

Abstract: A system and method for connecting pending and preset telephone calls to facilitate transitioning to a phone call. Embodiments of the present invention include a method for anticipating and connecting a telephone call comprising identifying a trigger action associated with an anticipated outgoing telephone call, retrieving a phone number associated with said trigger action, and automatically setting a programmable speed dial button wherein by selecting the speed dial button, said phone number associated with said trigger action is dialed.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a shared window into which a remote user can input commands from a remote computer system subject to access control. The system operates by receiving a command from the remote user on the remote computer system, wherein the command is directed toward the local computer system in order to operate the local computer system. If the command passes a filtering process, the system executes the command to a local operating system so that the command can operate on the local computer system. The system also displays the command on the shared window on the local computer system so that a local user can view the command. The system additionally allows the command to be displayed on a remote copy of the shared window on the remote computer system, so that the remote user can view the command. In one embodiment of the present invention, if the shared window is in an approval mode, the filtering process involves allowing the local user to approve the command.

Abstract: In a plurality of electronic devices, a system and method is provided for providing interfaces on the plurality of electronic devices for interacting with at least one source of dynamically changing awareness information. Each of the plurality of electronic devices communicates with the at least one source to update the at least one source with individual awareness information for the electronic device in communication with the at least one source. Each of the plurality of electronic devices communicates with the at least one source to receive awareness information relating to others of the plurality of electronic devices. The awareness information can be a summary of electronic device statuses relating to a selected user. The awareness information can also include an indication of time since each of a plurality of electronic devices relating to a selected user has been in use.

Abstract: A system and method for connecting pending and preset telephone calls to facilitate transitioning to a phone call. Embodiments of the present invention include a method for anticipating and connecting a telephone call comprising identifying a trigger action associated with an anticipated outgoing telephone call, retrieving a phone number associated with said trigger action, and automatically setting a programmable speed dial button wherein by selecting the speed dial button, said phone number associated with said trigger action is dialed.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for providing distributed parties reciprocal information regarding each other's activities. For example, the method of the invention provides selected information regarding the availability of an intended recipient to engage in a communication session with an initiator, and reciprocally informs the intended recipient of the initiator's access to such information. Further, the method of the invention can provide a signal to an intended recipient to indicate an initiator's intention to establish a communication session. Further, the method of the invention provides a signal to each party to indicate whether a communication session has been established. In another aspect, the invention provides a method for informing the participants in a communication session of a party's intention to terminate its participation in the session.

Abstract: A system and method effectuates scheduling and initiating contact between people without sensitivity to time issues, and can ascertain when is the best time and most promising communications medium to use to reach another person to schedule time together or by which to initiate contact. A system and method also ascertains a person's expected activities. This provides effective and accurate information on general patterns that can be timely promulgated to all group members to help initiate contact without requiring simultaneous virtual presence to be effective. A system and method ascertain a person's activities, location, and corresponding rhythms and allows corresponding inferences regarding coordination, communication, and contact. An embodiment of the present invention thus provides to distributed co-workers some of the cues and advantages enjoyed in more traditional workplaces which facilitate such interaction therein.

Abstract: A lightweight indicator provides an indication of divergence of views for a collaboratively used user interface element. The lightweight indicator identifies the magnitude of the divergence of views. The user interface may be, for example, a graphical widget, such as a mouse cursor or a scrollbar. The indicator is “lightweight” in that the indicator only subtly modifies the appearance of the user interface element. The indicator is also “lightweight” in that it provides an indication without incurring significant computational or memory overhead.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for accessing related computer objects. In one embodiment, computer objects related to a user's current task by a metric are listed. In another embodiment, other users related to a user's current task by a metric are listed. In one embodiment, the metric used to determine whether a user is related to a computer object determines whether the user accessed the computer object. In another embodiment, the metric used to determine whether a user is related to a computer object determines whether the user is referenced in the computer object. In other embodiments, the metric used to determine whether a user is related to a computer object involves other measures of relatedness. In one embodiment, the metric used to determine whether a computer object is related to another computer object determines whether the computer objects have a related user in common.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for integrating dynamic, context-sensitive awareness into software applications. In one embodiment, a computer interface is provided that helps users identify and interact with advisors having a particular expertise or interest. The list of advisors is dynamically created, based on an activity that the user os performing. In one embodiment, a list of advisors meeting defined criteria are identified and optionally ranked according to the level of expertise or knowledge the person has, in relation to the specified criteria.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for automatic electronic document versioning system. One embodiment of the present invention automatically and permanently saves information about the changes made between successive document states. Thus, every previous document state is retrievable. Another embodiment provides an interface for retrieving previous document states. A set of potentially memorable events are arranged in a timeline and used to identify certain previous document states. In one embodiment, closing a document is a memorable event used to identify a document state. In another embodiment, copying or synchronizing the document to another device is a memorable event used to identify a document state. In yet another embodiment, attaching the document to an electronic mail message is a memorable event used to identify a document state. In yet another embodiment, a user explicitly requesting a document state be saved as memorable is a memorable event used to identify a document state.

Abstract: In a plurality of electronic devices, a system and method is provided for providing interfaces on the plurality of electronic devices for interacting with at least one source of dynamically changing awareness information. Each of the plurality of electronic devices communicates with the at least one source to update the at least one source with individual awareness information for the electronic device in communication with the at least one source. Each of the plurality of electronic devices communicates with the at least one source to receive awareness information relating to others of the plurality of electronic devices. The awareness information can be a summary of electronic device statuses relating to a selected user. The awareness information can also include an indication of time since each of a plurality of electronic devices relating to a selected user has been in use.