Abstract: A system and method for providing multimedia content between a plurality of user terminals is presented. A first multimedia presentation on a first user terminal is selected by a first user. Data corresponding to the first multimedia presentation is transmitted to a second user terminal. Data is received corresponding to a second multimedia presentation from the second user terminal by the first user terminal. The first multimedia presentation or the second multimedia presentation is displayed on the first user terminal and the second user terminal based on, respectively, a first profile of the first user terminal and a second profile of the second user terminal.

Abstract: At least one multimedia presentation is selected by a user of a first device, accessed from a storage source, and presented to the user. Simultaneously, information is transmitted to at least a second device to cause the selected multimedia presentation to be presented by the at least second device without the at least second device receiving input from a second user. Continuous media streams from the first user may be captured and transmitted to the second device. The presenting of the multimedia presentation on the first device is coordinated with the presenting of the multimedia presentation on the second device. The presenting of the captured media streams on the second device is coordinated with the capturing of those streams and the presenting of the multimedia presentation on the second device. Users may individually control the multimedia presentations and the captured media streams.

Abstract: A ConnectIcon View is employed to establish collaborative communications between a plurality of participants in a group. Specifically, it is a dynamic visual representation of the participants of a group being invited to communicate together with their presence information, lists of documents and URLs (Uniform Resource Locators) to be examined, and a set of mechanisms (email, chat, voice, and the like) to initiate communication, each of which can be billed to the originator or otherwise as desired. The available presence information allows a user to employ the best mode of communicating for the instant purpose, namely, either asynchronous communication or synchronous communication.

Abstract: A natural language-based interface data presentation system interfaces, for example, information visualization system interfaces, is realized by employing so-called open-ended natural language inquiries to the interface that translates them into database queries and a set of information to be provided to a user. More specifically, a natural language inquiry is translated to database queries by determining if any complete database queries can be formulated based on the natural language inquiry and, if so, specifying which complete database queries are to be made. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, knowledge of the information visualization presentation is advantageously employed in the interface to guide a user in response to the user's natural language inquiries.

Abstract: A user of a first device may select at least one multimedia presentation. Based on this selection, the multimedia presentation is accessed from a storage source and presented to the user. Simultaneously, information is transmitted to at least a second device that causes the selected multimedia presentation to be presented by the at least second device without the at least second device receiving input from a second user. Continuous media streams from the first user may be captured and transmitted to the second device(s). The presenting of the multimedia presentation on the first device are coordinated with the presenting of the multimedia presentation on the second device(s). The presenting of the captured media streams on the second device(s) are coordinated with the capturing of those streams and the presenting of the multimedia presentation on the second device(s). Users may control the multimedia presentations and the captured media streams.

Abstract: A ConnectIcon View is employed to establish collaborative communications between a plurality of participants in a group. Specifically, it is a dynamic visual representation of the participants of a group being invited to communicate together with their presence information, lists of documents and URLs (Uniform Resource Locators) to be examined, and a set of mechanisms (email, chat, voice, and the like) to initiate communication, each of which can be billed to the originator or otherwise as desired. The available presence information allows a user to employ the best mode of communicating for the instant purpose, namely, either asynchronous communication or synchronous communication.