Abstract: A system and method for managed peer-to-peer (p2p) file sharing. The peer nodes can include a web browser and a p2p agent. The web browser can connect to the Internet and can interface with the p2p agent. The p2p agent provides the file sharing utilities for implementing the p2p network. A web server connected to the Internet can monitor and manage p2p activity, including providing persistent storage for the p2p networks. The web server can interface with a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) to provide access to the p2p network for PSTN peer nodes that do not have web browsing capabilities. A method of implementing managed p2p file sharing includes registering users; providing login and logout functions; creating p2p sessions; preparing, forwarding, receiving, accepting and/or rejecting invitations to join p2p sessions; quitting p2p sessions; deleting p2p sessions or selected members of p2p sessions; and sharing and transferring files.

Abstract: In an exemplary method, contacts data for a network address book is maintained, data representative of at least a portion of a local address book maintained on an access device is received over a network, and the received local address book data is used to perform at least one connected address book operation. In one example in which the contacts data includes data representative of a network address book listing associated with a user, data representative of a persona associated with the user is maintained, a request to access the network address book listing is received, and at least a subset of the data representative of the network address book listing is identified and provided in response to the request and based at least in part on the persona.

Abstract: An exemplary method includes generating a graphic configured to represent a strength of communication between a user and another user and modifying the graphic based on at least one factor associated with one or more communications between the users. An exemplary system includes a storage facility configured to maintain data associated with a strength of communication between a user and another user and a strength of communication facility configured to generate a graphic configured to graphically represent the strength of communication in accordance with the data. The strength of communication facility is further configured to modify the graphic based on a change in at least one factor associated with one or more communications between the users.

Abstract: In an exemplary method, an agent facility associated with an access device and a user is maintained, data representative of one or more rules associated with the user is also maintained, at least one environmental factor of the user is detected, and a predefined action is performed with the agent facility in response to the detected environmental factor and in accordance with at least one of the rules. In another exemplary method, a virtual entity configured to electronically represent one or more traits is maintained, electronic interaction by the virtual entity with at least one user is facilitated, at least one environmental factor of the user is detected; and at least one parameter defining the virtual entity is adjusted in accordance with the at least one detected environmental factor.

Abstract: A system and method for managed peer-to-peer (p2p) file sharing. The peer nodes can include a web browser and a p2p agent. The web browser can connect to the Internet and can interface with the p2p agent. The p2p agent provides the file sharing utilities for implementing the p2p network. A web server connected to the Internet can monitor and manage p2p activity, including providing persistent storage for the p2p networks. The web server can interface with a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) to provide access to the p2p network for PSTN peer nodes that do not have web browsing capabilities. A method of implementing managed p2p file sharing includes registering users; providing login and logout functions; creating p2p sessions; preparing, forwarding, receiving, accepting and/or rejecting invitations to join p2p sessions; quitting p2p sessions; deleting p2p sessions or selected members of p2p sessions; and sharing and transferring files.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, user input is received, a selected portion of a digital image is identified based on the user input, and a tag is applied to the selected portion of the digital image. The applied tag provides an association between the selected portion of the digital image and a data instance.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a graphical user interface (“GUI”) including a live camera sensor view is displayed and, in response to the capture of a camera image, an image manager pane is displayed together with the live camera sensor view in the graphical user interface. The image manager pane includes a visual indicator representative of the captured camera image. In certain embodiments, a camera image is captured and automatically assigned to a session based on a predefined session grouping heuristic. In certain embodiments, data representative of a captured camera image is provided to a content distribution subsystem over a network, and the content distribution subsystem is configured to distribute data representative of the camera image to a plurality of predefined destinations.

Abstract: An exemplary method includes receiving data representative of a content instance over a network from an access device associated with a user, storing the data representative of the content instance, providing the user with an interface configured to allow the user to define at least one access rule corresponding to the content instance, the at least one access rule based on at least one user profile and at least one access device profile, receiving a communication from another access device over the network, and performing a predefined action related to the content instance in response to the communication and in accordance with the at least one access rule.

Abstract: A device receives an audio voice mail message, converts the audio voice mail message to a text voice mail message, analyzes the text voice mail message for voice mail information, and provides the voice mail information associated with the audio voice mail message to enable review of the voice mail information.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide a video messaging service for transmitting video messages between network terminals over a network. After a caller's video-messaging terminal receives a notification that a receiver failed to respond to a communication request, the caller's video-messaging terminal may enable the caller to record a video message and store it for viewing on-demand by a receiver's video-messaging terminal. After recording, the caller's video-messaging terminal transmits a stored message notification terminal to a network server which, in turn, transmits a stored message notification, including an identifier of the caller's video-messaging terminal, to the receiver. Based on the identifier, the receiver's video-messaging terminal may request access to the video message from the caller's video-messaging terminal. In response to the request, the caller's video-messaging terminal retrieves the video message from storage and provides it to the receiver's video-messaging terminal over the network.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide personal channels from a network-capable user terminal. A first user terminal may receive a request from a second user terminal for access to a personal channel created by a user and stored on the first user terminal in association with media content. In response to the request, the first user terminal may access the media content associated with the requested personal channel and provide the media content to the first user terminal over the network. A data center accessible by both the first and second user terminals may facilitate the access to the personal channel by storing information associated with the personal channel, including terminal identifiers and metadata, and providing a searchable catalog interface to identify personal channels to view.

Abstract: Methods and systems providing access to integrated communications services are disclosed. A notification of a call to a user is received at a device associated with the user, the device being connected to a data network and including a base unit, a handset, and a user interface, wherein the device is determined based on retrieved data corresponding to the user, and the retrieved data was retrieved using information pertaining to the call. Input from the user indicative of a response to the notification is also received at the device. Response information reflective of the response to the notification is then sent to the server, wherein the server instructs a service control point to connect the call based on the response to the notification.

Abstract: A method for providing a message to a called party through a network comprised of both a telephone network and a data network, and at least one gateway device connected to both the telephone network and the data network. The method performed by the gateway device includes receiving, through the telephone network, signaling information representing a message from a calling party to a called party and providing the message to the called party via the data network by displaying an instant message containing a notification of the message on a display device visible to the called party.

Abstract: A system and method for managed peer-to-peer (p2p) file sharing. The peer nodes can include a web browser and a p2p agent. The web browser can connect to the Internet and can interface with the p2p agent. The p2p agent provides the file sharing utilities for implementing the p2p network. A web server connected to the Internet can monitor and manage p2p activity, including providing persistent storage for the p2p networks. The web server can interface with a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) to provide access to the p2p network for PSTN peer nodes that do not have web browsing capabilities. A method of implementing managed p2p file sharing includes registering users; providing login and logout functions; creating p2p sessions; preparing, forwarding, receiving, accepting and/or rejecting invitations to join p2p sessions; quitting p2p sessions; deleting p2p sessions or selected members of p2p sessions; and sharing and transferring files.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for performing contact management services. Systems and methods may maintain one or more address books. Contacts may be added to the address book from one or more sources. Systems and method may receive a command to add a party to the address book. Contact-related information associated with the party may obtained and added to the address book. A user may be notified of an incoming call placed by a calling party and destined to a communication device associated with the user. Systems and methods may receive a command, responsive to the notification, to add the calling party to an address book associated with the user. An address book may be updated to reflect changes in the contact-related information.

Abstract: A call log associated with outgoing calls originating from calling devices may be established and maintained. Filter parameters may be set to specify which outgoing calls to log. Outgoing call information associated with calls originating from a user's calling devices may be obtained and transmitted to a service center. A server in the service center may determine whether or not to log the outgoing call information based on the filter settings. The outgoing call information may be stored in the call log, which may reside in a database in the service center. The user may access the call log from a user terminal and/or the calling devices. The call log may be used to add contacts to a contact list and facilitate data analyses.

Abstract: Methods and Systems are provided for managing one or more communications lines associated with a user of a communications network. A service center may receive from a user line management information regarding one or more of the user's communications lines. This line management information may include a request from the user to handle all calls to the communications line in a particular manner (e.g., forward all calls to a different number). This line management information may also include information regarding scheduling the handling of calls to the communications line (e.g., scheduling call forwarding) or a request to handle calls differently based on information identifying the origination of the call (e.g., caller-ID). The service center may then forward instructions to the communications network such that the components (e.g., SSP or SCP) of the communications network implement the user's modifications.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for obtaining contact-related information associated with a party using an identifier. The identifier may include a calling party number, a previously-dialed number, and/or a number specified by a user. The identifier could also include an e-mail address, an instant messenger address, a photograph, etc. A request for contact-related information may be initiated by a user and/or a device associated with the user. The request may include an identifier associated with a party. Methods and systems may retrieve contact-related information associated with the party using the identifier. Methods and systems may leverage one or more networks to retrieve the contact-related information. Contact information may be retrieved in order to add a contact to a user's address book.

Abstract: Methods and systems for screening a call are disclosed. Methods and systems consistent with the present invention screen calls. A first server receives information pertaining to a call to a user from a calling party. The first server then determines whether a real-time call management function is enabled for the user and determines whether a calling party number associated with the calling party is valid when the real-time call management function is not enabled. A call screening function is performed when the calling party number is invalid. The first server provides a notification of the call to a device associated with the user when the real-time call management function is enabled. A second server initiates the call screening function when the user selects a call screening option included in the notification.

Abstract: A method for providing a message to a called party through a network comprised of both a telephone network and a data network, and at least one gateway device connected to both the telephone network and the data network. The method performed by the gateway device includes receiving, through the telephone network, signaling information representing a message from a calling party to a called party and providing the message to the called party via the data network by displaying an instant message containing a notification of the message on a display device visible to the called party.