Abstract: A real time communication session can be defined in which more than two participants communicate with each other using at least two different types of bidirectional communication. In one embodiment, the different types of bidirectional communication can include audio and video. During communication session, demoting one of the participants can be demoted so that the demoted participant is still a participant of communication session but communicates using at least one less than the two different types. Responsive to the demoting, one of the participants can be promoted so that the promoted participant is permitted to participate in the communication session using at least two different types of bidirectional communication. The promoting would not be permitted due to a system constraint on the real time communication session in absence of the demoting.

Abstract: The present invention provides a highly scalable architecture for a three-dimensional graphical, multi-user, interactive virtual world system. In a preferred embodiment a plurality of users interact in the three-dimensional, computer-generated graphical space where each user executes a client process to view a virtual world from the perspective of that user. The virtual world shows avatars representing the other users who are neighbors of the user viewing the virtual word. In order that the view can be updated to reflect the motion of the remote user's avatars, motion information is transmitted to a central server process which provides positions updates to client processes for neighbors of the user at that client process. The client process also uses an environment database to determine which background objects to render as well as to limit the movement of the user's avatar.

Abstract: A projector including: a communication section; a storage section which stores initial projection target data, updated projection target data, layout data and others; an update request reception section which receives an update request from PC via the communication section, and sequentially writes update request data indicating details of the update request into the storage section; an update section which updates the updated projection target data based on the update request data; a web information generation section which causes the communication section to transmit web information to PC based on the updated projection target data and the layout data; an image generation section which generates an image based on the updated projection target data; and a projection section which projects the image.

Abstract: In a network communication environment in which communicants operating from respective client network nodes connect to different server applications, communicants who are related to a target communicant are ascertained, statuses of the related communicants with respect to the different server applications are determined, and indications of the related communicants and the determined statuses of the related communicants are transmitted to the target communicant. Graphical representations of the related communicants and graphical indications of the statuses of the related communicants with respect to connections to the different server applications may be displayed on a display. A contact list including a respective graphical representation of each of one or more of the communicants also may be displayed in association with visual cues representing the ascertained types of current interaction activities respectively engaged in by the one or more communicants.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for providing multi-viewpoint media content services is provided. The method includes receiving a feed of content from at least one communications device that is observing an event from a specified viewpoint and/or relaying the feed of content received from another communications device. The method also includes classifying the content according to a viewpoint identifier and a content identifier. The content identifier specifies a defined portion of the event. The method further includes providing access to user-selectable viewpoints of the content via a corresponding viewpoint identifier and content identifier. Content of selected viewpoints is modifiable for creating customized content.

Abstract: A system and method for: providing virtual social networking and online dating services; providing collaborative capability between a plurality of members; and providing interactive live multi-point streaming video/audio to the members. The collaborative capability may include auditions. Further, the collaborative capability and interactive live multi-point streaming video/audios may be provided through a single site. The system and method may provide for direct referrals between members and online video dating including speed dating. Further, the social/dating service may also interact with other services.

Abstract: System for providing interactive two-way video in desktop virtualization environment, desktop virtualization environment comprising a desktop virtualization server computer and a desktop virtualization client endpoint device with associated video camera. The system includes server software for running on a desktop virtualization server and providing at least interactive user interface functions to the desktop virtualization client endpoint device and endpoint software for running on the desktop virtualization endpoint device comprising a network port, the at least one instance of endpoint software receiving an incoming real-time video stream from the network port and providing at least real-time and display functions on the desktop virtualization client endpoint device.

Abstract: A system for providing interactive two-way real-time media in desktop virtualization environment, the desktop virtualization environment comprising at least one desktop virtualization server computer and at least one desktop virtualization client endpoint device with an associated video camera.

Abstract: The present invention provides a comprehensive development platform and client-side technology for intelligent and cost-effective delivery of video, audio and broadband content over a network, such as the Internet, to desktop, mobile computing, and network connected devices. In one embodiment of the present invention, a content development environment provides a single tool for developing unified online and offline content. With the content development tool, the user interface of the offline content has a substantially similar appearance and behavior to the user interface presented by the online content. As such, the user interface for the both the online and offline content may be generated from a single user interface design. The content development tool generates and publishes a set of online content files and a set of offline content files from the single design.

Abstract: An example of a solution provided here comprises receiving a signal for sending in a side conversation, and in response to the signal for sending, sending a first portion of text, in a side conversation. The first portion of text is new, and the first portion of text is not necessarily revealed to some participants.

Abstract: A method includes receiving characteristic information pertaining to respective portions of content from each of a plurality of users. Aggregate characteristic information is updated based on the received characteristic information. The aggregate characteristic information is communicated to a user to assist the user in navigation of the content.

Abstract: Certain embodiments include a system and a method for delivering EST to patients through a standardized, predetermined period of time, manualized program. The method includes receiving information from the patient. The information received from the patient relates to a psychological condition of the patient. The method further includes transmitting the information to a psychotherapeutic practitioner. The psychotherapeutic practitioner includes a licensed therapist and a behavioral coach. Further, the method includes receiving information from the psychotherapeutic practitioner based on the patient's information. The information includes a standardized program of empirically-supported therapy treatment over a predetermined period of time.

Abstract: Provided is an interactive kiosk system and method of use. Certain embodiments of a kiosk system may provide users with a wide variety of targeted information, materials and/or services that can be separately administered remotely by multiple unique parties, such as, for example, a plurality of advertisers and one or more managers. In certain embodiments, an interactive kiosk may include videoconferencing capability so that a manager can provide virtual face-to-face assistance to a user. In certain embodiments, an interactive kiosk provides a uniform interface adapted to allow the user to interact with the reservation systems of a plurality of third-parties when the user's identification or payment information is entered only once.

Abstract: A method to synchronize file sharing in a video conference includes periodically labelling each video stream or document sharing stream with a session identifier (ID) to synchronize the conference video streams; periodically reporting to a server the session ID being streamed to the client, and comparing a received session ID with a session ID uploaded by the host client and sending a correct session ID to a client whose session ID exceeds a pre-determined synchronization tolerance.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide methods to manage communication between a local and remote computing system communicating with each other through a network. In some embodiments, a method includes broadcasting a poll across a network to a plurality of remote computing systems in response to user interaction at the local computing system, as well as establishing video conferencing between one of the plurality of remote computing systems and the local computing system in response to the one of the plurality of remote computing systems answering the poll. In alternative embodiments, a method includes automatically establishing video conferencing between a local computing system and a remote computing system in response to receiving a poll from the local computing system, as well as automatically establishing control of at least a portion of the local computing system from the remote computing system.

Abstract: True collaborative interactive video streaming is advantageously achieved in accordance with certain illustrative embodiments of the present invention. A method and apparatus in accordance with one illustrative embodiment of the present invention enables a plurality of clients to concurrently view and interactively modify the playout of a video program—which may advantageously comprise either a stored (i.e., prerecorded) video program (e.g., a movie) or a real-time (i.e., live) video program—wherein the video program is being streamed from a video server to all of the clients synchronously (i.e., the same video is being played out concurrently to all clients). In accordance with this illustrative embodiment of the present invention, each of the plurality of clients is advantageously capable of transmitting control commands to the video server, and the video server responds to such control commands by appropriately modifying the video streaming process, but does so synchronously to all clients.

Abstract: An electronic mail processing apparatus includes a data receiving section (101) that receives mail data including video data or audio data, a cited data detecting section (103) that detects a cited part of the received video data or audio data as cited data from the mail data received by the data receiving section, and a reproduction control section (104) that controls a reproducing method of the received mail data. The reproduction control section (104) controls the reproduction method so that a reproduction method (for example, reproduction speed) for the cited data is deferent from a reproduction method for data other than the cited data in the received mail data.

Abstract: A telestration system comprises a telestration server configured to communicate with an arbitrary number of telestration clients over a network. The telestration server is further configured to receive telestration input signals from respective ones of the clients and to send telestration output signals to the respective clients, with the telestration output signal sent to a given one of the clients comprising telestration information derived from the telestration input signal received from at least one other one of the clients. Each of the clients with the support of the telestration server can generate a combined telestration overlay for presentation with associated visual content shared between the clients.

Abstract: A slide kit creation system and method allows reviewers of a slide kit to insert non-textual comments, such as audio comments, to be associated with selected slides. In one embodiment, audio comments are transmitted to a host computer by telephone, and may be posted on the host computer for access by other reviewers. The audio comments may also be transcribed in text form. In another embodiment, comments may be associated with various portions of a video, in the same manner. A video navigation bar is coded to indicate which portions of the video are associated with comments. Alternatively, certain attributes of the video can be altered to indicate the presence of comments associated with specific scenes of the video.

Abstract: A video processing system may include a display and a video processor coupled to the display. The video processor may be configured to ingest a time-referenced video and media content, correlate the media content to corresponding points in time in the time-referenced video, and generate on the display a video window for playing the time-referenced video and a media window for displaying the media content. The video processor may also be configured to bi-directionally associate the video window and the media window so that playing of the video changes the media window based upon reaching corresponding points in time in the time-referenced video, and so that selection of media content in the media window changes the video play to reflect corresponding points in time in the time-referenced video.

Abstract: A mood state may be modeled using mood information for a content selection (e.g., a digitally-encoded song) and/or by using mood information determined by how a user is interacting with a media player. For example, a playlist engine on a host may determine that a particular song is associated with an uplifting mood, thus determining that a user who has selected that particular song currently is in an uplifting mood, and correspondingly may select additional songs and advertisements consistent with, or responsive to, the uplifting mood. Mood information also may be used to present a mood state of users (e.g., co-users) in a network for display in a graphical user interface (GUI). For example, a user's screen name appearing in an America Online (AOL) Instant Messenger's Buddy List may indicate a determined user's mood, such as “happy”, “sad”, “silly”, or “angry.

Abstract: A videoconferencing application includes a user interface that provides multiple participant panels, each of which is displayed with perspective with the panels appearing to be angled with respect to the user interface window. The participant panels display live video streams from remote participants. A two-way layout provides two participant panels for two remote participants, each of which is angled inwardly towards a center position. A three-way layout provides three participant panels for three remote participants, with a left, center and right panel, with the left and right panels angled inwardly towards a center position.

Abstract: A system is provided for using a communicator application to identify experts and to establish communication with experts. A computing device in the system causes a display device to display a graphical user interface (GUI) of the communicator application to a first user. The communicator application is an application that initiates communication sessions between users. Subsequently, the computing device receives search input via the GUI. The search input indicates a type of expertise. After the computing device receives the search input, the computing device causes the display device to display a user identifier within the GUI, the user identifier identifying a second user. The second user possesses the type of expertise indicated by the search input.

Abstract: A system and method for moving a mouse cursor along with the keyboard cursor on a display. The method extracts a location of the keyboard cursor on a display, and locates the mouse cursor into the location of keyboard cursor automatically. The method of an embodiment of the invention saves the mouse dragging time on the display while performing a mouse operation at the location of the keyboard cursor.

Abstract: There is described a content distribution network comprising at least one server adapted to generate a substantially real-time instance of a root website and generate host site data in a frame of a host website, the frame comprising content of the host website and at least one blank segment; and at least one user machine connected to the network, the user machine having at least one application running on a processor for displaying the frame comprising content of the host website and having the real-time instance of the root website embedded therein via the at least one blank segment, thereby allowing access to the root website while remaining on the host website, wherein embedding the substantially real-time instance of the root website into the frame of the host website is done on one of the at least one server and the user machine.

Abstract: Method, system, and computer program product example embodiments of the invention are disclosed to provide multi-network secure video teleconferencing (VTC) for VTC endpoints. The embodiments of the invention provide distributed components to perform the necessary operations, rather than co-locating the components in the VTC endpoint. Some system components are located with the VTC endpoint, other components are placed in a network operations center (NOC) and still other components are distributed on the various networks.

Abstract: A content-management interface is implemented using superposition of graphical “widget” elements onto an on-screen display of the real-time image of a user. The widgets are motion-sensitive control elements which are responsive to user movement that produces motion of the user's displayed image at an on-screen location associated with that widget. The user can operate the widget virtually, for example by moving his hand over a widget, or pushing a widget along. Meta-data descriptive of the content to be managed is mapped onto widgets, enabling the user to interact with the meta-data, notably by changing it or by selecting content with reference to it.

Abstract: A videoconferencing application includes a user interface that provides multiple participant panels, each of which is displayed with perspective with the panels appearing to be angled with respect to the user interface window. The participant panels display live video streams from remote participants. A two-way layout provides two participant panels for two remote participants, each of which is angled inwardly towards a center position. A three-way layout provides three participant panels for three remote participants, with a left, center and right panel, with the left and right panels angled inwardly towards a center position.

Abstract: A live content information system is used to register, promote and distribute true live content, pseudo-live content and on-demand content. The live content information system associates a registration number with the content. The live content is integrated into an overall presentation that includes auxiliary content. Snapshots or a portion of the content is integrated into a promotional viewer and distributed to advertise the content. The live primary content and auxiliary content are integrated and distributed within a live content viewer. The live primary content and auxiliary content are distributed from the appropriate sources to be displayed at the end user's computer system within the live content viewer. The live content information system also allows a producer of live content to be connected to one or more sponsors who will pay money for sponsoring the distribution of live content.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed in which a group of people are able to replicate the physical world experience of going with a group of friends to pick a movie, watch the movie together, and provide commentary on the movie itself in the virtual world on a virtual couch while each user is sitting in different physical locations. Additionally, the virtual representation of the destination that the group of people are watching the movie together in can be themed to allow users to watch movies in different locations pivoting on special events or by the users choice.

Abstract: A computer software product for allowing simultaneous multi-level collaboration, including in real time between an author and a group of reviewers invited by the author to comment on a document stored in a computer file. The computer software enables each reviewer to view the document and make changes thereto which are stored in a secondary data file without modifying the contents of the original document. The author receives and views the secondary data files from the reviewers and selectively incorporates the changes into the document. Each reviewer may invite an unlimited number of sub-reviewers to review the document, the comments of each sub-reviewer similarly being stored in a secondary data file wherein only the author may edit the document directly.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems, devices, and methods for obtaining, analyzing, and sharing gesture information between participants of a communication session. The present invention is particularly well suited for use in video communication sessions where participants may want to be aware of the indications that their gestures are giving to other participants. The present invention is also capable of being employed in non-video communication sessions to share gesture information and other visual indicia to other participants that cannot otherwise view the speaking/acting participant.

Abstract: A discussion support apparatus includes a holding unit, a first accepting unit and a generating unit. The holding unit holds pieces of discussion state information each indicating a state of a discussion at a corresponding one of points in time included in a period of time during which discussions are performed. The first accepting unit accepts a discussion end operation indicating an end of discussion on a topic for which discussion has been completed. The generating unit generates, based on one or more of the discussion state information indicating states of discussions at points in time before a point in time when the first accepting unit accepts a discussion end operation for a certain topic, topic-related information indicating at least one piece of discussion state information which is related to the certain topic and which is specified from among the one or more of the discussion state information.

Abstract: A system and method for combining computer generated 3D environments (virtual environments) with satellite images. In a specific application, the system enables users to see and communicate with each other as live avatars in the computer generated environment in real time.

Abstract: A system and method provides live-interaction between a user and an advertiser or the advertiser's representative. An advertisement and a corresponding live interaction icon is displayed before a user. The user may select the icon to indicate a desire for additional information concerning the advertisement. Upon selection, the system initiates a video-conference session between the user and advertiser for the live exchange of information. During the session the advertiser may provide supplementary content, such as a video or electronic document, for display in the user's browser. The system consists of three dedicated modules that perform the aforementioned method steps.

Abstract: Embodiments provide a shared space for communicating information. In an embodiment a number of users associated with a computing environment can use a shared space to communicate information with one another. Each computing device of the computing environment can include a shared space application. The shared space application includes a number of interactive tools that can be used to persist various communications between associated computing devices of a computing environment.

Abstract: In a service providing system, a live-distribution service for live-distributing contents supplied according to a reservation, and a chat service for providing the use of a chat space corresponding to the reservation for the live distribution are provided. When a personal computer and another personal computer use the live-distribution service and the chat service, they need to be authenticated by a streaming server and a communication server. For authentication, both the streaming server and the communication server use a shared password registered in a reservation data base when the live distribution is reserved.

Abstract: [Object] To provide communication space for the user to have crossing over of discussions with respect to plural phrases while allowing the discussions to be conducted individually in parallel. [Means for Solution] A module for generating phrase object (FO) data which contain identification information of phrase data and position information of a FO on a chat canvas (CC), a module for generating chat data which contain message text data and display position information on CC, a module for transmitting the chat data to a server, and receiving the chat data distributed from the server, a module for transmitting the FO data to the server and receiving the FO data distributed from the server, and a module for displaying the FO or the message text on the CC based on the FO data or the chat data are provided. The display mode of the message text is determined based on the display mode of the FO located close to the display position of the message text.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for tracking real-time communication data within a single contact tracking application for diverse communication providers and applications. A global data store is synchronized with real-time communication data, such as presence, status, unread messages, and unread notifications, from each application/provider. Real-time communication data for contacts dynamically determined to be recent contacts is retrieved from the data store, based on properties such as a most recent communication time, a communication count, and the like. Real-time communication data corresponding to contacts identified as pinned contacts for which display of real-time communication data is preferred, also may be retrieved. A user interface is generated for displaying the one or more recent and/or pinned contacts, which may vary in size based on the number of contacts identified as pinned contacts, from which a contact may be selected for real-time conversation or e-mail.

Abstract: In a service providing system, a live-distribution service for live-distributing contents supplied according to a reservation, and a chat service for providing the use of a chat space corresponding to the reservation for live distribution are provided. After the live distribution finishes, a communication server sends the whole or a part of the contents of chatting performed in the chat space corresponding to the reservation for the live distribution, to a personal computer. With this, even if the user of the personal computer, who supplies the contents, could not participate in a chat with a user of another personal computer while capturing the contents, for example, the user of the personal computer can check the contents of the chat later.

Abstract: In a service providing system, a live-distribution service for live-distributing contents supplied according to a reservation, and a chat service for providing the use of a chat space corresponding to the reservation for the live distribution are provided.

Abstract: A system, to persist state in a dynamic electronic form, may include a communications module to receive a request to load an electronic form, a merge module to merge a template associated with the electronic form and data values associated with the electronic form, a delta extractor to access delta data associated with the electronic form, and an overlay module to overlay the delta data onto the electronic form. The delta data, in an example embodiment, includes attributes and properties associated with the electronic form that are being designated to persist between editing sessions of the electronic form.

Abstract: The present system is a “just-in-time” approach that locates an online video file when it is requested by an online or mobile application, transfers it from the Web server, transcodes it, and serves it to the mobile handset in the appropriate format, speed, frame-size, and streaming method. Latency is low, with an acceptable balance between user experience and flexibility. Once a video has been transferred to the system, it is cached so it remains available for instant delivery on subsequent requests.

Abstract: A mobile terminal for providing a video sharing function in a multi-party call state and its video sharing method are disclosed. When a video sharing menu is selected while a user is performing individual call communication or multi-party call communication, one or a plurality of video share keys in relation to a user selected for video sharing are displayed, so that the user can select a desired one of the displayed video share keys to share video with the selected user. In addition, a video share authority change key is disposed on the screen of a terminal set as a video share authority (chief authority) change target, so that a corresponding terminal can select the video share authority change key during individual or multi-party video sharing to acquire the authority of video sharing (chief authority) from a terminal currently having the authority of video sharing, thus perform bi-directional video sharing in real time.

Abstract: An electronic Meeting system that utilizes unique methods and processes to create consecutive successions of audio video Meeting Sessions that occur in set blocks of time continuously 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, world-wide across all time zones. The system provides for a plurality of Members to be simultaneously matched real-time to other Members, using varied matching preferences, for a series of short Meetings to interact one on one for a fixed period of time in a controlled environment. The use of a live Countdown Clock Display allows for a spontaneous use of the system by visually communicating to Members that a Check-in Process for Meetings is always available.

Abstract: Techniques to manage recordings for multimedia conference events are described. An apparatus may comprise a recording management component operative to manage recording and reproduction operations for a multimedia conference event. The recording management component may comprise an event capture module operative to record a multimedia conference event to form a recorded meeting event. The recording management component may comprise an event entity module communicatively coupled to the event capture module, the event entity module operative to generate an entity event list for the recorded meeting event. The recording management component may comprise an event reproduction module communicatively coupled to the event entity module, the event reproduction module operative to reproduce the recorded meeting event.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an information providing apparatus and an information providing apparatus. Images which are consecutive in time series are sequentially enlarged and displayed such that the enlarged images are continuous spirally in the time-series order from the inner circumferential side. In this manner, according to the present invention, it is possible to understand easily a before-after relationship between a large number of images which are consecutive in time series by applying the present invention to a set-top box for digital satellite broadcasting, for example.

Abstract: Teachings presented herein provide a method of sharing video content over one or more communication networks. In particular, a first user can initiate a “video push,” wherein specified video content is delivered to a second user via a video call. Return video content from the second user is received over the video call. Sending the return video content to the first user allows the first user to observe the second user's reaction to the pushed video content, thereby enhancing the experience of sharing video content for both users. The return video content can be streamed back to the first user in real-time or near real-time, or can be buffered for non real-time return. Thus the outgoing leg of a video call pushes specified video content to a targeted user, and, advantageously, the incoming leg of the video call receives return video capturing the targeted user's reaction to the pushed video.

Abstract: Techniques are described for initiating a video conferencing and a desktop sharing session are described. The techniques include sending an invitation to participants of the video conferencing and a desktop sharing session and communicating market information among participants of the video conferencing and desktop sharing session.

Abstract: A communications network, coupled to a first and a second port, for communicating a media resource; and a first and second real-time communication client, coupled respectively to the first and second ports, each of the clients including: a communications subsystem for receiving the media resource; a renderizer subsystem, responsive to a control signal, for rendering the media resource; an interface for generating the control signal; and a synchronization subsystem for communicating the control signal; wherein a first one of the communications clients generates the control signal and communicates the control signal to the second one communications client to render the media resource in substantial synchronization on the communications clients.