Abstract:
A method for recording an audible event includes receiving an incoming call from a calling party on a first calling line. The incoming call is connected to a voice mailbox associated with a voicemail witness service. An extended timeout period associated with the incoming call. Telecommunications data associated with an audible event is received over the first calling line for up to the extended timeout period. A voicemail witness record is generated by storing a representation of the received telecommunications data and associating the stored representation with the calling party.
Abstract:
A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a system having a controller to offer for sale an avatar engine that generates a visual representation of an interactive avatar capable of engaging in a verbal communication exchange by way of an audio system of a computing device from which the avatar engine is adapted to operate, receive a purchase request from a communication device, transmit to the communication device a usage policy and a copy of the avatar engine responsive to determining that the purchase request involves a request for a reproduction of at least a portion of the avatar engine, and enable the communication device to access services of the avatar engine responsive to determining that the purchase request involves the request for services of the avatar engine. Other embodiments are disclosed.
Abstract:
A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a system having a controller to collect one or more user-generated comments from each of a plurality of computing devices, detect a correlation in the one or more user-generated comments collected from the plurality of computing devices, and establish a social network between the plurality of computing devices according to the detected correlation. The one or more user-generated comments can be temporally associated with media content presented at the plurality of computing devices. Other embodiments are disclosed.
Abstract:
A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a computing device operative in an interactive television (iTV) network, including a controller to: receive a signal from a first communication device to start a first media evaluation session of media content and associate a first user-generated comment with the media content; receive, at a different time, a signal from at least a second communication device to start a second media evaluation session of the media content and associate a second user-generated comment with the media content; synchronize the first user-generated comment and the second user-generated comment into a single commentary timeline; and insert the synchronized user-generated comments in a temporal vicinity of the media content as an overlay for playback by a media device. Other embodiments are disclosed.
Abstract:
A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, an avatar engine having a controller to present a user an avatar correlated to a profile of the user, detect a communication exchange between the user and the avatar, identify from the communication exchange a directive from the user to share the avatar with an other user, and submit to an other avatar engine associated with the other user a shared avatar comprising a usage policy and at least one of a replica in whole or in part of the avatar engine or in whole or in part of characteristics of the avatar. Other embodiments are disclosed.
Abstract:
A method that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, the steps of transmitting media content to a group of set top boxes for presentation with an overlay superimposed onto the media content, receiving a first comment from a first set top box of the group of set top boxes where the first comment is presentable with the overlay and the media content by the group of set top boxes, determining a first advertisement based on the first comment, and transmitting the first advertisement to the first set top box for presentation with the overlay and the media content. Other embodiments are disclosed.
Abstract:
Systems, methods, and computer products for providing podcasts via Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) are disclosed herein. Exemplary embodiments include a network-based method for providing digital media podcasts. The method includes receiving a request to render at least one podcast on a communications device authenticated on an IPTV network, retrieving the at least one podcast from the IPTV network, and providing the at least one podcast to the communications device.
Abstract:
A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a computing device having a controller to transmit a client program having a graphical user interface (GUI) to a media device operating in an interactive television (iTV) network, wherein the client program presents an overlay that superimposes onto media content received by the media device and enables the media device to associate a user-generated comment with the media content received at the media device, receive at least one of a plurality of user-generated comments and media content in a temporal vicinity of the plurality of user-generated comments via the client program, receive a request to transmit to a recipient device a portion of the plurality of user-generated comments or the media content in the temporal vicinity of the plurality of user-generated comments, and transmit to the recipient device one of the portion or one or more links to the portion. Other embodiments are disclosed.
Abstract:
A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, an avatar engine having a controller to retrieve a user profile, present a user an avatar having characteristics that correlate to the user profile, detect a change in a developmental growth of the user, adapt a portion of the characteristics of the avatar responsive to the detected change, and present the user the adapted avatar. Other embodiments are disclosed.
Abstract:
A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a system having a controller to collect one or more user-generated comments from each of a plurality of computing devices, detect a correlation in the one or more user-generated comments collected from the plurality of computing devices, and establish a social network between the plurality of computing devices according to the detected correlation. The one or more user-generated comments can be temporally associated with media content presented at the plurality of computing devices. Other embodiments are disclosed.