Abstract: A system allows users to send electronic mail messages having prioritized delivery. A server receives an electronic mail message that contains a specified priority or a specified time frame for delivery. The server determines a time frame for delivery and selects procedures to ensure delivery of the electronic mail message within the determined time frame. The server then provides the electronic mail message to the receiving account within the determined time frame.

Abstract: An internet on-demand system for television presents internet content and traditional television programming as part of a single coherent interface. The system includes a server and a client capable of providing a dynamic graphical user interface. The system can display an internet gateway interface which actively scrolls through and highlights links to selected web pages which are organized according to templates corresponding to their content. The web pages are presented on the graphical user interface as channels as part of the same milieu as channels of traditional television programming. The user can select a channel from a rotary menu wheel or via channel-up, channel-down buttons on the remote control device. An intelligent agent passively filters selected web pages for a user to explore based on the user's past pattern of usage of the client.

Abstract: An internet on-demand system for television presents internet content and traditional television programming as part of a single coherent interface. The system includes a server and a client capable of providing a dynamic graphical user interface. The system can display an internet gateway interface which actively scrolls through and highlights links to selected web pages which are organized according to templates corresponding to their content. The web pages are presented on the graphical user interface as channels as part of the same milieu as channels of traditional television programming. The user can select a channel from a rotary menu wheel or via channel-up, channel-down buttons on the remote control device. An intelligent agent passively filters selected web pages for a user to explore based on the user's past pattern of usage of the client.

Abstract: A system allows users to send electronic mail messages having prioritized delivery. A server receives an electronic mail message that contains a specified priority or a specified time frame for delivery. The server determines a time frame for delivery and selects procedures to ensure delivery of the electronic mail message within the determined time frame. The server then provides the electronic mail message to the receiving account within the determined time frame.

Abstract: A system allows users to send electronic mail messages having prioritized delivery. A server receives an electronic mail message that contains a specified priority or a specified time frame for delivery. The server determines a time frame for delivery and selects procedures to ensure delivery of the electronic mail message within the determined time frame. The server then provides the electronic mail message to the receiving account within the determined time frame.

Abstract: A system allows users to send electronic mail messages having prioritized delivery. A server receives an electronic mail message that contains a specified priority or a specified time frame for delivery. The server determines a time frame for delivery and selects procedures to ensure delivery of the electronic mail message within the determined time frame. The server then provides the electronic mail message to the receiving account within the determined time frame.

Abstract: A system allows users to send electronic mail messages having prioritized delivery. A server receives an electronic mail message that contains a specified priority or a specified time frame for delivery. The server determines a time frame for delivery and selects procedures to ensure delivery of the electronic mail message within the determined time frame. The server then provides the electronic mail message to the receiving account within the determined time frame.

Abstract: An internet on-demand system for television presents internet content and traditional television programming as part of a single coherent interface. The system includes a server and a client capable of providing a dynamic graphical user interface. The system can display an internet gateway interface which actively scrolls through and highlights links to selected web pages which are organized according to templates corresponding to their content. The web pages are presented on the graphical user interface as channels as part of the same milieu as channels of traditional television programming. The user can select a channel from a rotary menu wheel or via channel-up, channel-down buttons on the remote control device. An intelligent agent passively filters selected web pages for a user to explore based on the user's past pattern of usage of the client.

Abstract: An internet on-demand system for television presents internet content and traditional television programming as part of a single coherent interface. The system includes a server and a client capable of providing a dynamic graphical user interface. The system can display an internet gateway interface which actively scrolls through and highlights links to selected web pages which are organized according to templates corresponding to their content. The web pages are presented on the graphical user interface as channels as part of the same milieu as channels of traditional television programming. The user can select a channel from a rotary menu wheel or via channel-up, channel-down buttons on the remote control device. An intelligent agent passively filters selected web pages for a user to explore based on the user's past pattern of usage of the client.

Abstract: A system allows users to send certified electronic mail messages. A server receives an electronic mail message designated for certified delivery. The server forwards the electronic mail message to a receiving account. Any action taken upon the message by the receiving account is conveyed to the server, which forwards that information to the sender.

Abstract: A user composes a multimedia greeting card or multimedia email message by selecting a design template, which has previously been created and stored on the system. The design template contains one or more slots, into which the user may simply drag and drop any desired text, video, or audio data. The user may also edit and add enhancements to the multimedia greeting card or email message. If desired, the user may electronically mail the resulting product to another user.

Abstract: An internet on-demand system for television presents internet content and traditional television programming as part of a single coherent interface. The system can display an internet gateway interface which actively scrolls through and highlights links to selected web pages which are organized according to templates corresponding to their content. The links are highlighted in a dynamic revolving sequence with associated graphics and sounds. The system includes a server and a client capable of providing a dynamic graphical user interface. The web pages are presented on the graphical user interface as channels as part of the same milieu as channels of traditional television programming. The user can select a channel from a rotary menu wheel. An intelligent agent passively filters selected web pages for a user to explore based on the user's past pattern of usage of the client.

Abstract: An internet on-demand system for television presents internet content and traditional television programming as part of a single coherent interface. The system includes a server and a client capable of providing a dynamic graphical user interface. An intelligent agent passively filters selected web pages for a user to explore based on the user's past pattern of usage of the client. The system can display an internet gateway interface which actively scrolls through and highlights links to selected web pages which are organized according to templates corresponding to their content. The web pages are presented on the graphical user interface as channels as part of the same milieu as channels of traditional television programming. The user can select a channel from a rotary menu wheel.

Abstract: An internet on-demand system for television presents internet content and traditional television programming as part of a single coherent interface. The system includes a server and a client capable of providing a dynamic graphical user interface. The server queries tLe client regarding its available data stream connections, including telephone modems, cable modems, and digital satellite broadcasting, in order to determine the most efficient delivery of different types of data through all of the available bandwidth connections. The system can display an internet gateway interface which actively scrolls through and highlights links to selected web pages which are organized according to templates corresponding to their content. The web pages are presented on the graphical user interface as channels as part of the same milieu as channels of traditional television programming. The user can select a channel from a rotary menu wheel.

Abstract: An internet on-demand system for television presents internet content and traditional television programming as part of a single coherent interface. The system can display an internet gateway interface which actively scrolls through and highlights links to selected web pages which are organized according to templates corresponding to their content. The links are highlighted in a dynamic revolving sequence with associated graphics and sounds. The system includes a server and a client capable of providing a dynamic graphical user interface. The web pages are presented on the graphical user interface as channels as part of the same milieu as channels of traditional television programming. The user can select a channel from a rotary menu wheel. An intelligent agent passively filters selected web pages for a user to explore based on the user's past pattern of usage of the client.

Abstract: A person receiving a telephone call to identifies a caller in advance of answering the telephone call by means of a image associated with the caller's Caller ID. The image is displayed on a telephone display device, television set, personal computer or other display coupled to the telephone system. The calling party may define the image to be associated with their Caller ID. The calling party transmits a image over the telephone line prior to, or concurrently with, a telephone call intended to be answered by the receiving party. The image is stored in a storage device coupled to the receiving party's telephone system along with an indication of the Caller ID of the calling party. The next time that the calling party calls the receiving party the previously stored image is accessed and displayed.