Abstract: A method for sharing at least one annotation between a first user media terminal (102) and a second user media terminal (104) in a communication network (100) is provided. The method includes inputting (404) the at least one annotation on the first user media terminal. Further, the method includes anchoring (406) the at least one annotation to the media stream executed on the first user media terminal at a first start time. The at least one annotation is sent (408) to the second user media terminal. The at least one annotation is received (410) at the second user media terminal. Furthermore, the at least one annotation is synchronized (412) at the second user media terminal based on a relative start time. The at least one synchronized annotation is then rendered (414) to the media stream on the second user media terminal.

Abstract: A method for sharing at least one annotation between a first user media terminal (102) and a second user media terminal (104) in a communication network (100) is provided. The method includes inputting (404) the at least one annotation on the first user media terminal. Further, the method includes anchoring (406) the at least one annotation to the media stream executed on the first user media terminal at a first start time. The at least one annotation is sent (408) to the second user media terminal. The at least one annotation is received (410) at the second user media terminal. Furthermore, the at least one annotation is synchronized (412) at the second user media terminal based on a relative start time. The at least one synchronized annotation is then rendered (414) to the media stream on the second user media terminal.

Abstract: Participation in a particular networked activity (from amongst a plurality of candidate networked activities) by a plurality of members of an affinity group is facilitated by gathering (101) information regarding availability of candidate members of the affinity group to participate in at least either of two of the plurality of candidate networked activities and then automatically using (102) that information to identify a particular networked activity as being suitable for at least two of the plurality of members of the affinity group. The gathered information can, as desired, comprise inferential information and/or direct information regarding the availability of such candidate members to participate in such activities.

Abstract: A wireless communication device (101) for communicating data portions of data over an ad hoc network is provided. The wireless communication device comprises a scheduling circuit (209), a transceiver (213, 219, 225) operating via a wireless link of the ad hoc network, and an integration circuit (239). The scheduling circuit is configured to identify a plurality of data portions to divide the data. The transceiver is configured to discover a plurality of remote devices having one or more data portions of the data and transmit a task associated with the one or more data portions of the data to the plurality of remote devices. The integration circuit is configured to assemble the plurality of data portions.

Abstract: A hierarchical design transaction method which provides a shared project workspace and an individual user workspace. A desired portion of a hierarchical design is checked out from the shared project workspace and is edited in the individual user workspace. A new version of the desired portion of the hierarchical design is checked into the shared project workspace. Concurrently, another individual user workspace is provided, and another desired portion of the hierarchical design is checked out, edited and checked in. These steps are repeated for each of a plurality of desired portions of the hierarchical design, to continuously guarantee consistency between the shared project workspace and each individual user workspace.