Abstract: Methods, systems, computer program products, and devices distinguish audio alerts emitted from a device. A method involves relating an audio alert and distinctive data associated with an audio alert triggering event to the audio alert triggering event, detecting an occurrence of the audio alert triggering event, altering the audio alert with the distinctive data to generate an altered audio alert associated with the audio alert triggering event, and emitting the altered audio alert from the device in response to detecting the occurrence. The altered audio alert includes a unique instantiation aurally recognizable by a human as having a unique aural fingerprint. Relating the distinctive data may include relating a personal identifier of a person associated with the audio alert triggering event wherein the personal identifier can be, for example, a social security number, an employee identification number, an address, or a birth date.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and products provide communications services. A request for communications service is received that originates from a client communications device associated with a user. The request for communications service communicates to a service provider of a communications network. The service provider then permits the user to negotiate with other service providers of other communications networks to fulfill the request for communications service.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for providing communications services. One method receives a request for communications service. The request for communications service originates from a client communications device, and the request for communications service is communicated to a service provider of a communications network. A preferred scenario of segmentation, dispersion, and assemblage of electronic data is dynamically ascertained to fulfill the request. The method then bills for the communications service.

Abstract: An audio alert system, device, and method include an audio alert created by a user and programmed into a device, such as a wireless telephone. A user programs and stores in the device a data structure relating an audio alert triggering event to the audio alert. When the device detects an occurrence of the particular audio alert triggering event, the device emits the audio alert related to the triggering event. As such, users are able to customize audio alerts that are easily recognizable and that are associated with a particular event, or signal. Audio alerts can be programmed using different devices and in various formats and can be transmitted to other devices. An audio alert triggering event can modulate an audio alert according to an external variable.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for transforming and rendering scenes of video data. A frame of video data is stored as a scene file. Components within the scene are edge detected, such that boundaries of the components of the scene are determined. The edge-detected components are saved as a first synthesized scene file describing the scene. The minor components of the scene are discarded, and the remaining major components are saved as a second synthesized scene file describing the scene. Vectors describing the boundaries of the major components are saved as a third synthesized scene file describing the scene. When a request is received for the frame of video data, any of the scene files may be returned to a requesting device, depending on bandwidth and/or cost.

Abstract: An audio alert system, device, and method includes an audio alert created by a user and programmed into a device, such as a wireless telephone. A user stores in the device a data structure relating an audio alert triggering event to the audio alert. When the device detects an occurrence of the particular audio alert triggering event, the device emits the audio alert related to the triggering event. As such, users are able to customize audio alerts that are easily recognizable and that are associated with a particular event, or signal. Audio alerts can be programmed using different devices and in various formats and can be transmitted to other devices. An audio alert triggering event can modulate an audio alert according to an external variable.

Abstract: An audio alert system, device, and method includes an audio alert created by a user and programmed into a device, such as a wireless telephone. A user stores in the device a data structure relating an audio alert triggering event to the audio alert. When the device detects an occurrence of the particular audio alert triggering event, the device emits the audio alert related to the triggering event. As such, users are able to customize audio alerts that are easily recognizable and that are associated with a particular event, or signal. Audio alerts can be programmed using different devices and in various formats and can be transmitted to other devices. An audio alert triggering event can modulate an audio alert according to an external variable.

Abstract: A user-programmable audio alert system, device, and method includes an audio alert created by a user and programmed into a device, such as a wireless telephone. A user programs and stores in the device a data structure relating an audio alert triggering event to the audio alert. When the device detects an occurrence of the particular audio alert triggering event, the device emits the audio alert related to the triggering event. As such, users are able to customize audio alerts that are easily recognizable and that are associated with a particular event, or signal. Audio alerts can be programmed using different devices and in various formats and can be transmitted to other devices. An audio alert triggering event can modulate an audio alert according to an external variable.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for providing communications services. A request for data is processed, and a data stream is received to fulfill the request. A determination is made that a subcontracted processing service is required. At least a portion of the data stream is subcontracted to a different service provider to receive the subcontracted processing service. A result of the subcontracted processing service is received.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for providing communications services. One method receives a request for communications service. The request for communications service originates from a client communications device, and the request for communications service is communicated to a service provider of a communications network. A preferred scenario of segmentation, dispersion, and assemblage of electronic data is dynamically ascertained to fulfill the request. The method then bills for the communications service.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for providing communications services. One method receives a first data stream at a computer, with the first data stream comprising packets of data packetized according to a packet protocol. The first data stream is recursively segmented into segments, and at least one of the segments is dispersed via a network for a subsequent processing service. A result of the processing service is received, and the result is aggregated into a second data stream. The second data stream is then communicated via the network.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for providing communications services. One method receives a first data stream at a computer, and the first data stream includes packets of data packetized according to a packet protocol. The first data stream is segmented into segments according to a set of subscriber-specified rules stored in memory. A subscriber to a subscription service specifies the set of subscriber-specified rules, and the set of subscriber-specified rules specifies how electronic data is formatted for the subscriber. At least one segment is dispersed via a network for a subsequent processing service. A result of the processing service is received. A second data stream is assembled, and the second data stream includes at least one of i) the result of the processing service and ii) another segment. The second data stream is then communicated via the network.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for providing communications services. One method receives a request for communications service. The request for communications service originates from a client communications device associated with a user and requests communications service from a service provider. An availability of at least one of i) a communications network operated by the service provider and ii) another communications network operated by another service provider is dynamically assessed in real-time. A best-value scenario of segmentation, dispersion, assemblage, and routing of electronic data is assessed to fulfill the request. The best-value scenario maximizes profitability for the service provider. The communications service is provided to fulfill the request according to the best-value scenario.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for providing communications services. One method receives a request for electronic data, and the request for electronic data originating from a client communications device. The availability of network routing is assessed in real-time to fulfill the request. The availability of network bandwidth is assessed in real-time to fulfill the request. A preferred scenario of segmentation, dispersion, and assemblage of electronic data is ascertained to fulfill the request. Electronic data fulfilling the request is communicated to the client communications device, with the electronic data formatted according to the preferred scenario.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for providing communications services. One method receives a first data stream at a computer, with the first data stream comprising packets of data packetized according to a packet protocol. The first data stream is recursively segmented into segments, and at least one of the segments is dispersed via a network for a subsequent processing service. A result of the processing service is received, and the result is aggregated into a second data stream. The second data stream is then communicated via the network.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for providing communications services. One method receives a request for communications service. The request for communications service originates from a client communications device associated with a user and requests communications service from a service provider. An availability of at least one of i) a communications network operated by the service provider and ii) another communications network operated by another service provider is dynamically assessed in real-time. A best-value scenario of segmentation, dispersion, assemblage, and routing of electronic data is assessed to fulfill the request. The best-value scenario maximizes profitability for the service provider. The communications service is provided to fulfill the request according to the best-value scenario.

Abstract: Included are embodiments of systems and methods for providing information. At least one embodiment of such a method includes facilitating establishment of a communication between a user on a communications device and an interface server, the interface server being configured to provide data related to an information tree to the user, the information tree being configured with a plurality of options. Some embodiments include facilitating navigation of a user through the information tree and receiving a first version of a marker from the user, the marker being configured to mark at least one position in the information tree. Still some embodiments include associating the received first version of the marker with a position in the information tree.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for replacing an advertisement. The advertisement is categorized as overrideable, meaning the advertisement may be replaced with another advertisement. A request is received to replace the advertisement with the another advertisement. A scene, comprising content associated with the advertisement, is retrieved. The content is replaced with alternate content associated with the another advertisement. The scene comprising the alternate content is stored.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for managing an advertisement time slot. The time slot is associated to an advertisement. Ratings information is sent to advertisers that describes a popularity of content associated with the time slot. An auction is conducted for a first alternate advertisement that will be associated with the time slot. Bids are received from the advertisers to have their advertisements selected as the first alternate advertisement. The advertisers' bids are ranked, and the first alternate advertisement is awarded to a first-ranking advertiser.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for providing communications services. Multiple communications networks are discovered that are available to a client device. A request is communicated from the client device. A bid from a service provider is received at the client device.