Abstract: Methods and systems for facilitating various e-commerce joint payment scenarios are provided. According to one embodiment, a computer system of a communication service provider receives payment information from a first member of a caregroup that shall serve as a primarily responsible individual for periodic service fees associated with communication services provided by the communication service provider to a digital mailbox appliance of a second member of the caregroup. Responsive to a request by the primarily responsible individual, the computer system enables the periodic service fees to be shared by other members of the caregroup by allowing one or more of the other members of the caregroup to commit to payment of a portion of the periodic service fees as secondarily responsible individuals.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for promoting and managing communications among members of a caregroup. Potential recipients of digital gifts are limited to targets of caregroups in which the members participate. An indication of a digital gift to be delivered in hardcopy form to a hardcopy-based email appliance of the target is received. The email appliance is operable to receive digital gifts and produce hardcopy output of the digital gifts. For each content-containing component of the digital gift, default content items are selected based upon one or more of biographical information previously supplied information regarding communications history with the target, ascertained preferences of the target, and the digital gift type. The member of the caregroup is allowed to initiate delivery of the digital gift with the selected default content items or is allowed to personalize the digital gift prior to delivery within a digital gift editor.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for promoting and managing communications from members of a caregroup to a target of the caregroup. According to one embodiment a method is provided for delivering digital gifts to a target of a caregroup. Information defining a caregroup, including a target of a care group, members of the caregroup that are permitted to send digital gifts to the target of the caregroup and one or more administrating caregivers of the caregroup, is received. Potential recipients of digital gifts from the members of the caregroup are limited to the target of the caregroup and targets of any other caregroups of which the members are a part. An indication of a digital gift desired to be generated and caused to be delivered in hardcopy form to a hardcopy-based email appliance of the target of the caregroup is received.

Abstract: Methods and systems for analysis of aggregate data from multiple caregroups participating in a closed communication service are provided. According to one embodiment, a closed communication service is provided that is configured to facilitate and encourage communications among members of caregroups and targets of the caregroups. The targets of the caregroups use communication appliances associated with respective caregroups to transmit and receive electronic communications via the closed communication service to and from members of the respective caregroups. Data relating to the electronic communications is collected and aggregated. Diagnosis of subpopulations of disease or disability and evaluation or discovery of new methods of diagnosis or intervention strategies to slow, ameliorate, prevent or remediate a condition including one or more of a chronic condition in elders, a disability, a disease and a mental or physical condition is facilitated by analyzing the collected and aggregated data.

Abstract: Methods and systems for improving the well-being or reducing stress of a primary caregiver of an elder subject are provided. According to one embodiment, a communications network provides a closed communication service. A database is operable to store information regarding caregroup membership. One or more server computers coupled to the database are operable to receive from and distribute electronic communications among electronic communication access systems associated with members of a caregroup and a communication appliance associated with a target of the caregroup. The one or more server computers have stored therein one or more routines operable to facilitate and encourage one or more of affective communication, activity stimulating communication and intellectually stimulating communication among the members of the caregroup and the target of the caregroup as a method of improving well-being or reducing stress of a primary, residential caregiver of the target.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for promoting and managing communications among a social support network. According to one embodiment, a communication system includes a closed communication service platform and a hardcopy-based communication appliance. The communication service platform provides a caregroup virtual private network (VPN) through which only registered members of the caregroup, authorized personnel of the communication service platform, processes associated with the communication service platform, and a target of the caregroup are permitted to exchange communications.

Abstract: Systems and methods for facilitating photo completion are provided. According to one embodiment, a system is provided including a hand held device, an application running on the hand held device, and a printing system. The hand held device includes the capability to both capture and transmit digital photos. The application provides the hand held device with hyper-simplified photo capture and delivery. In one embodiment, the application defaults a number of parameters that can be configured on the hand held device, such as the target, the photo review mechanism, the presentation method. These defaults can be set (reset) directly in the application or overridden in the system post transmission processing. In one embodiment, the printing system may control the schedule of publication. For example, the printing system may print received digital photos immediately, the next morning, on a periodic basis, or after receiving eMail confirmation.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for diagnosis and/or treatment of physical or mental conditions, disorders, disabilities or illnesses, injuries, and chronic conditions. According to one embodiment, a communications network that provides a closed communication service to facilitate and encourage affective communication, activity stimulating communication and/or intellectually stimulating communication among members of a caregroup and a target of the caregroup is used as a method of treatment for (i) a physical or mental condition, disorder, disability or illness, (ii) an injury, and/or (iii) a chronic condition of the target.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for promoting and managing communications among a social support network. According to one embodiment, a communication system includes a closed communication service platform and a hardcopy-based communication appliance. The communication service platform provides a caregroup virtual private network (VPN) through which only registered members of the caregroup, authorized personnel of the communication service platform, processes associated with the communication service platform, and a target of the caregroup are permitted to exchange communications.

Abstract: An electronic spreadsheet system includes an intelligent analytical graphing module for creating complex analytical graphs from user-supplied information. Methods are described for automatically creating one or more desired analyses on a spread of user-supplied information, all without the user having to modify his or her information or supply (or even understand) the operations necessary for a given analysis. The system includes a preferred interface for receiving selections from the user indicating one or more analyses to be performed on the information, and for displaying analytical graphs for visualizing the result of a selected analysis.

Abstract: An electronic spreadsheet system includes an intelligent analytical graphing module for creating complex analytical graphs from user-supplied information. Methods are described for automatically creating one or more desired analyses on a spread of user-supplied information, all without the user having to modify his or her information or supply (or even understand) the operations necessary for a given analysis. The system includes a preferred interface for receiving selections from the user indicating one or more analyses to be performed on the information, and for displaying analytical graphs for visualizing the result of a selected analysis.