Abstract: A telecommunications system includes a plurality of remote clients (150) including a positioning controller (504) and a communications controller (502), the positioning controller receiving position information and the communications controller communicating the position information; and a server (152) including a coordinating controller (161) for maintaining a database of location-presence rules for remote clients that are being tracked. The location-presence rules are user-configurable from a network client (122). In certain embodiments of the present invention, the position information is received from a global positioning system and the communications controller is a cellular telephone controller.

Abstract: A telecommunications system includes a wireless device (150) including a positioning controller (504) and a communications controller (502), said wireless device adapted to cause an audible warning to be generated if said wireless device is determined to be outside a first predetermined range; and an administrative device (30-152) for receiving alerts from said wireless communication device via said communications controller when said positioning controller determines that said wireless device is outside said first predetermined range for longer than a predetermined period or is outside said first predetermined range and a second predetermined range.

Abstract: A telecommunications server includes a bio-print control server including one or more identification databases, a transmit/receive unit, a compare unit, and a routing control unit. Various network clients may include bio-print input units. In operation, according to certain embodiments, the user can input the bio-print using any of the selected network clients. The input is then transmitted to and received via the transmit/receive unit at the telecommunications server. The telecommunications server accesses the database(s) and compares the received bio-print input with its database to determine if there is a match. If so, then the user is given a predetermined level of access to the network client from which the bio-print has been received.

Abstract: A telecommunications system includes a network (102) and a multimedia server (104) operably coupled to the network. The multimedia server (104) is adapted to manage a multimedia conference and includes a memory (103) for storing selectable portions of the multimedia conference, as well as action prompts. The system further includes one or more client devices (122) operably coupled to the network and adapted to set action cues for use during conferences. A voice recognition system may be used to detect instances of the action cues, which cause the launching of an associated action prompt.

Abstract: A telecommunications system includes a network (102) and a multimedia server (104) operably coupled to the network. The multimedia server (104) is adapted to manage a multimedia conference and includes a memory (103) for storing selectable portions of the multimedia conference. The system further includes one or more client devices (122) operably coupled to the network and adapted to set recording cues for choosing portions of said multimedia conference for playback. The multimedia server or clients may include a voice recognition system (114) for transcribing audio portions of the conference. The voice recognition system may further be used to detect instances of the recording cues.

Abstract: Embodiments provide a system, method, apparatus, means, and computer program code that allow multiple annotations to a document to be created and that distinguish between the annotations made by different people. The people may view documents, exchange ideas and messages, etc. via a server or conference/collaboration system at different times and/or without being in direct communication with each other. In such an off-line collaboration mode, the people may want to add listen to, view, or add annotations regarding one or more documents. The methods and systems described herein allow users to follow the trail of annotations regarding a document and to distinguish between the voice or other audible annotations created by other people.

Abstract: A telecommunications system includes a plurality of electronic messaging clients (122); at least one messaging server (104) having an e-mail presence activation module (114) adapted to receive an e-mail and determine therefrom whether a presence of a recipient is to be determined, and a presence module (215) responsive to controls from the e-mail presence activation module and adapted to determine a presence of a recipient of said e-mail prior to sending the e-mail to the recipient. In one embodiment, the e-mail presence activation module (114) is adapted to read a priority level of the e-mail message to determine whether to check a presence of the recipient.

Abstract: A digital personal video stream manager (102) includes a control processor (202), a media interface (204), and one or more control interfaces. The media interface (204) can receive broadband audio and video and convert it into digital file format for transmission on a LAN, such as an IEEE 802.11 based wireless LAN, to a personal computer (110). The media interface (204) can likewise receive digital media files from the personal computer (110) via the wireless interface, and convert them to a format for playback by the audio system (118) or television (116). Further, the digital personal video stream manager (102) can receive controls from remote users to supervise media recording. The control interfaces allow control of the digital personal video stream manager, such as via infrared remote controls.

Abstract: A digital personal video stream manager (102) includes a control processor (202), a media interface (204), and one or more control interfaces. The media interface (204) can receive broadband audio and video and convert it into digital file format for transmission on a LAN, such as an IEEE 802.11 based wireless LAN, to a personal computer (110). The media interface (204) can likewise receive digital media files from the personal computer (110) via the wireless interface, and convert them to a format for playback by the audio system (118) or television (116). Further, the digital personal video stream manager (102) can receive controls from remote users to supervise media recording. The control interfaces allow control of the digital personal video stream manager, such as via infrared remote controls.

Abstract: A multimedia telecommunications system including an integrated audio stream manager (102) in association with the digital personal video stream manager. Such an integrated audio stream manager employs a personal computer (110) to record and store audio such as compact disk tracks. The personal computer (10) can then contact one or more Internet web sites for CD indices to download a list of the tracks and provide a master list of all CDs stored. The digital personal video stream manager (102) can then be used to supervise playback of the audio files via the connected audio system.

Abstract: A system for voice portal-based control of a digital personal video stream manager (102), for example, to program a video recording device (114). Such a system includes a DPVSM control module (3304, 3306, 3308) at a server (3202) of a service provider. The DPVSM control module (3304, 3306, 3308) is adapted to respond to a user calling in a predetermined phone number and using an interactive voice response system, issue prompts and accept inputs for DPVSM control. The DPVSM control module (3304, 3306, 3308) then converts the inputs to a DPVSM Instant Message or a DPVSM e-mail control message. The DPVSM Instant Message or a DPVSM e-mail control message is then transmitted to the user's personal computer (110), where the IM or e-mail plug in translates it and uses it to control the DPVSM (102).

Abstract: A system for Instant Messaging based control of the digital personal video stream manager (102), for example, to program a video recording device (114). The system includes a personal computer (110) having an Instant Messaging client (2202) and equipping the Instant Messaging client with a DPVSM control plug in (2204). The DPVSM control plug in (2204) is adapted to identify a special DPVSM control Instant Message (2301) which is then translated by the DPVSM control program (312). The digital personal video stream manager (102) then activates at the appropriate time to record the program.

Abstract: A system for Short Message Service-based control of a digital personal video stream manager (102), for example, to program a video recording device (110). Such a system includes one or more cellular telephones (2602) including SMS capabilities and a DPVSM control module (2606, 2608, 2610) in the SMS server (2604) of the cellular service provider. The DPVSM control module (2606, 2608, 2610) is adapted to identify a special DPVSM control SMS message (2700) which is then translated by the DPVSM control module (2606, 2608, 2610) and converted to a DPVSM Instant Message or a DPVSM e-mail control message. The DPVSM Instant Message or a DPVSM e-mail control message is then transmitted to the user's personal computer (110), where the IM or e-mail plug in translates it and uses it to control the DPVSM.

Abstract: A multimedia telecommunications system including and controlled by a wireless local area network remote control device (1300) to control a digital personal video stream manager (102) from anywhere in the house. The wireless remote (1300) may be provided with an LCD screen (1308), an 802.11 interface (1502), and an IP telephony interface (1302). The LCD screen (1308) provides the user with a graphical interface that allows a user to interact with the digital personal video stream manager (102) in a manner similar to that employed when using the personal computer (110). In addition, the IP telephony interface (1302) allows the user to make and receive IP telephone calls, such as Internet telephone calls. In such an embodiment, the personal computer (110) may implement an IP telephone gateway.

Abstract: A telecommunications system includes a network (102), a destination multimedia server (104), and a destination presence server (215) operably coupled to the network. A plurality of multimedia clients (122) are also operably coupled to the network. The multimedia clients (122) include a presence option (128) and are adapted to be able to select whether the option is to be activated. In operation, when a client sends an e-mail to another client, the destination multimedia server (104) receives the e-mail and determines if the recipient supports presence. If so, the destination multimedia server (104) sends a query to the destination presence server (215) to check the recipient's presence. If the recipient is present, the message can be delivered. If not, the message can be held on the server until the recipient is present.

Abstract: A context-based search system (3800) for control of a digital personal media stream manager (102), for example, to control the programming of a video recording device (114). Such a system may be maintained by a service provider and can identify a program and date and time without receiving complete details thereof; the DPVSM (102) can then control the recording of the program using IM or e-mail based-techniques. The context-based search system (3800) includes a message receiver (3902) for receiving the DPVSM message; one or more databases (3808, 3816) for storing keywords and program information; a confirmation message generator (3818) for informing the user of identified programming; and a DPVSM control (3820) for causing the DPVSM (102) to supervise the media recording once one of the identified results have been selected by the user.

Abstract: A system and method for e-mail control of a digital personal video stream manager (102), for example, to program a video recording device (114). The system includes a personal computer (110) having an e-mail client (1802) and equipping the e-mail client with a DPVSM control plug in (1800). The DPVSM control plug in (1800) is adapted to identify a special DPVSM control e-mail (1900) which is then translated by the DPVSM control program (312). The digital personal video stream manager (102) then activates at the appropriate time to record the program.

Abstract: A system for collaboration summarization playback includes a graphical user interface (950) for displaying summarization categories (952) associated with recording cues and clips of the multimedia conference. The categories may be arranged as a list or as thumbnails and typically includes a length of time for each category; a time during the conference when the associated clip was recorded; and a media type. The categories are clickable and allow the associated clip to be played or displayed as recorded. In addition, in certain embodiments, a voice recognition transcription of audio clips may be provided.

Abstract: A telecommunications system includes a network (102) and a multimedia server (104) operably coupled to the network. The multimedia server (104) is adapted to manage a multimedia conference and includes a memory (103) for storing selectable portions of the multimedia conference. The system further includes one or more client devices (122) operably coupled to the network and adapted to set recording cues for choosing portions of said multimedia conference for playback. The multimedia server or clients may include a voice recognition system (216) for transcribing audio portions of the conference. The voice recognition system may further be used to detect instances of the recording cues. In addition, in certain embodiments, the system provides for a moderator or participants to the conference an ability to adjust relevance probabilities generated upon recognition of the cues.

Abstract: A telecommunications system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an instant messaging (IM) server (106) and a VoIP server (110); and a plurality of system clients having both VolP and IM sub-clients. The system clients can log on to their respective servers in parallel. The IM server (106) and the VoIP server (110) can communicate lists of common participants and allow for IM conferences among at least subsets of the system clients while an audio or video teleconference is ongoing.