Abstract: An apparatus, method, and computer-readable medium for interfacing devices with communications networks are provided. According to one aspect, an interface device for providing communications between a first communications network and a device associated with a second communications network comprises one or more inputs, one or more outputs, and logic. The one or more inputs of the interface device receive data in a first format from the first communications network. The logic translates the data to a second format compatible with the second communications device. The translated data is then transmitted to the device associated with the second communications network via the one or more outputs. The first and second formats may comprise rich media content.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for testing communication capabilities of networks and devices are provided. According to one aspect, an interface device for providing communications between a first and a second device comprises an input, logic, and an output. The input of the interface device receives data in a first format from the first device. The logic identifies the second device for receiving the data and identifies a second format compatible with the second device. The data is then translated to the second format. The logic may also determine a status of the interface device by testing components of the interface device to determine if the components are accessible and functioning. The output of the interface device then transmits the translated data to the second device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing a user interface for facilitating communications between devices are provided. According to one aspect, an interface device provides communications between a first device and a second device. The interface device has an input for receiving data in a first format from the first device. Logic within the interface device is configured to receive a request to interact with the interface device and to provide a user interface in response to receiving the request. The logic identifies a second device for receiving the data from the first device. The logic identifies a second format that is compatible with the second device and translates the data to the second format. The interface device further has an output for transmitting the translated data to the second device.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and a storage medium for storing and securely transmitting digital media data in a networked system are provided. The method includes determining an amount of memory for storing the digital media data. The method further includes querying a plurality of network computers to determine an amount of available memory in a plurality of memory storage devices associated with the plurality of network computers. The method further includes receiving the digital media data and partitioning the digital media data into a plurality of digital media data sets. The method further includes encrypting the plurality of digital media data sets into a plurality of encrypted digital media data sets using at least one encryption key value. The method further includes storing the plurality of encrypted digital media data sets in at least two of the plurality of memory storage devices associated with the plurality of network computers.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for aggregating and accessing data according to user information are provided. According to one aspect, an interface device for providing data between a first device and a second device comprises an input, an output, logic, and a repository for storing personal data and data associated with one or more users. The input of the interface device receives data in a first format from the first device. The logic receives a data request, identifies a second device for receiving the data, identifies a second format for the second device, and translates the data to the second format. The translated data is then transmitted to the second device via the output. The logic may further collect, aggregate, and transmit the aggregated data to a requesting device. The input may be a product identification input device. The second device may be billed for the data services.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable media provide for the alteration and insertion of media components within a media framework. According to implementations, a media framework is received and insertion parameters are defined for inserting a media component into the media framework. The media component to be inserted is identified and inserted into the media framework according to the insertion parameters. The insertion parameters may be retrieved from the media framework, determined using an image recognition engine, or determined from visual indicators received from the media framework. The media component to be inserted may be selected according to an identified target audience. Authorization may be required for inserting the media component according to a hierarchy of media framework distributors.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for establishing emergency and alarm communications between devices via an interface device are provided. According to one aspect, an interface device comprises an input, an output, and logic. The input receives data in a first format from the first device. The logic detects whether the data is intended to request assistance from emergency services and if so, determining proper routing, retrieving location information and transmit the data and location information to the proper destination. If not intended to request assistance, a second device for receiving the data is identified as well as a second format, the data is translated to the second format and transmitted to the second device. A battery may selectively provide power to essential components of the interface device upon detection of a power failure. Notifications are made upon detection of a power failure, malfunction, or emergency request.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, and computer-readable medium for communicating between and controlling network devices are provided. According to one aspect, an interface device for providing communications between a first device and a second device comprises first, second, and third interfaces and logic. The first interface is for receiving a request for rich media from the first device and for transmitting the rich media to the first device. The second interface is for receiving rich media from the second device. The third interface is for transmitting device control instructions to the second device for controlling the second device. The logic receives the media request, provides device control instructions to the second device, receives the requested media, translates the media to a format compatible with the first device, and transmits the translated rich media to the first device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing communications and connection-oriented services to devices are provided. According to one aspect, an interface device for providing communications between a first device and a second comprises an input, logic, and an output. The input of the interface device receives data in a first format from the first device. The logic performs a connection-oriented service on the data. The connection oriented service may include overriding caller identification information associated with the data, sending the data to a voicemail system, and storing a detail record associated with the data. The logic also identifies the second device for receiving the data. The logic then identifies a second format compatible with the second device and translates the data to the second format compatible with the second device. The translated data is then transmitted to the second device via the one or more outputs.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable media provide for the display of overlying alternative media content in real time upon the initiation of a fast-forwarding action associated with underlying media content. According to implementations, a method includes displaying underlying media content at a first playback rate. A modification of the playback rate, from a first rate to a second rate, is detected. As a result of detecting the second playback rate, alternative media content is retrieved and displayed. According to one aspect, the underlying media content is television programming while the alternative media content is screen frames selected from the television programming at predetermined time intervals. According to another aspect, the alternative media may include media content that is unrelated to the television programming.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable media are provided for location-based information delivery. One system described herein includes a matching server operative to identify a geographic area in which an informational message should be transmitted to subscriber devices located within the area. The geographic area may be a statically defined fixed geographic area, such as a neighborhood, that the matching server identifies utilizing one or more fixed geographic indicators. The geographic area identified by the matching server may alternatively be an ad-hoc variably sized geographic area. The matching server may utilize one or more variable geographic indicators to identify the geographic area. Once a geographic area has been identified, the matching server is operative to transmit an informational message to subscriber devices located within the geographic area. The informational message may contain content relevant to the geographic area.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for prioritizing communications between devices are provided. According to one aspect, an interface device for providing communications between at least one source device and at least one destination device comprises an input, logic, and an output. The input of the interface device receives data in a first format from the source device. The logic identifies the destination device for receiving the data. The logic then identifies a second format compatible with the destination device and translates the data from the first format to the second format. Transmission of the translated data is then prioritized by the logic based on characteristics of the translated data, which may include the format of the translated data or a service plan associated with the destination device or source device. The translated data is then transmitted to the identified destination device via the output.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, and computer-readable medium for interfacing communication devices are provided. According to one aspect, an interface device for providing communications between a first device and a second device comprises one or more inputs, one or more outputs, and logic. The one or more inputs of the interface device receive data in a first format from the first device. The logic translates the data to a second format compatible with the second device. The translated data is then transmitted to the second device via the one or more outputs. The translation may be based on a user profile or device characteristics and may include translating between signaling protocols, transmission media, and filtering or enhancing the content of the data.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present is a method of using location information to transmit alerting information to a communications device. Such a method comprises receiving location information regarding a communications device; selecting alerting information based on the location of the communications device; and transmitting to the communications device information pertaining to the alerting information. Other methods and systems are also provided.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for performing differential media time calculation and display are provided. A method includes determining a time of media origination, determining a current time, and calculating a differential media time as a difference between the current time and the time of media origination. The method also includes using the differential media time to determine information update data and outputting the information update data for display.

Abstract: A method of aggregating medical information can include receiving, at a remote aggregation system, individual syndromes collected by mobile personal medical devices associated with respective bodies as the mobile personal medical devices move within an environment, aggregating the individual syndromes at the remote aggregation system, and determining whether an environmental syndrome exists for at least some of the individual syndromes. Related systems and computer program products are also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for obtaining an offer for a sale of a desired product or a service are provided. The method includes iteratively transmitting a first signal including a first data message using a mobile transceiver device. Each of the first data messages includes information relating to the desired product or service. The method further includes receiving at least one of the first signals having the first data message and determining whether a product or service provider has the desired product or service available for sale. Finally, the method includes transmitting a second signal including a second data message to the mobile transceiver device. The second data message includes an offer to sell the desired product or service.

Abstract: A method of detecting syndromes can include receiving, at a mobile personal medical device, a measurement of a parameter associated with a body and comparing, at the mobile personal medical device, the measurement of the parameter to stored data associated the body to provide a syndrome associated with the body. Related Devices and computer program products are also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and a storage medium for storing and securely transmitting digital media data in a networked system are provided. The method includes determining an amount of memory for storing the digital media data. The method further includes querying a plurality of network computers to determine an amount of available memory in a plurality of memory storage devices associated with the plurality of network computers. The method further includes receiving the digital media data and partitioning the digital media data into a plurality of digital media data sets. The method further includes encrypting the plurality of digital media data sets into a plurality of encrypted digital media data sets using at least one encryption key value. The method further includes storing the plurality of encrypted digital media data sets in at least two of the plurality of memory storage devices associated with the plurality of network computers.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for providing communications services. One method receiving at a service provider a user's request for communications service. The user is permitted to negotiate with other service providers to fulfill the request for communications service.