Abstract: Methods and systems for communicating a story mail between communications devices extends voice mail are provided. In one embodiment, user specified correlation information that describes a correlation for presenting visual media with continuous audio data is used to generate synchronization information. A story mail transmitting device transmits a story mail that is associated with synchronization information. A story mail receiving device uses the synchronization information to present the continuous audio data and the visual media associated with the story mail. Either the story mail transmitting device or the story mail receiving device is a handheld communications device.

Abstract: A method and system for interfacing a digital device with an interactive display surface (IDS) is presented. The IDS detects the digital device when it is brought into proximity, and attempts to identify the device. The IDS communicates with the device, and displays interactive representations of information stored on the device.

Abstract: A user input module that enables user input without the relatively high costs associated with dedicated user input mechanisms or the relatively high costs associated with handheld devices. A user input module for a device according to the present teachings includes a set of RFID tags for storing a user input and a switching mechanism for activating the RFID tags such that the RFID tags when activated transmit the user input. Devices may use RFID readers to obtain the transmitted user input and then act on the user input as appropriate.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention pertains to a method of creating photo vignettes. In one embodiment, the present invention accesses digitized photos. In the embodiment, the present invention also accesses photo-clustering parameters. The present embodiment then clusters the photos to obtain digitized photo vignettes, based on the photo-clustering parameters.

Abstract: A method and system of synchronizing a clock in an electronic device having image capture capabilities includes receiving an image of a time keeping device from the electronic device with image capture capabilities, determining a current time using image analysis operations on the image of the time keeping device and setting the current time on a clock associated with the electronic device with image capture capabilities.