Systems and methods for multimedia content sharing

• US 20100036967A1
• Filed: 08/06/2008
• Published: 02/11/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/05/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Isabella Products, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Isabella Products, Inc.
• Inventors: Caine, Michael E., Tagliabue, Roberto, Koeppel, Brent, Growney, Matthew I.
• Granted Patent: US 8,909,810 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/236
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25866 Management of end-user data customer care in data networks H04L41/5077
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/274 Storing end-user multimedia data in response to end-user request , e.g. network recorder
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41407 embedded in a portable device, e.g. video client on a mobile phone, PDA, laptop constructional details of equipment or arrangements specially adapted for portable computer application G06F1/1626; arrangements specially adapted for mobile receivers in broadcast systems H04H20/57
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47205 for manipulating displayed content, e.g. interacting with MPEG-4 objects, editing locally
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/475 End-user interface for inputting end-user data, e.g. personal identification number [PIN], preference data
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6582 Data stored in the client, e.g. viewing habits, hardware capabilities, credit card number arrangements where receivers interact with the broadcast H04H20/38
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests

Abstract

The invention provides, in one aspect, a multimedia content sharing system that includes (i) a shared content server which stores items of content (such as still, moving images and audio) and (ii) a plurality of nodes, each of which is in communications with the shared content server via cellular telephone and/or other data networks. The shared content server transmits items of content to a first set of the nodes “automatically,” e.g., without requests by users of those nodes for the items. At least one node in that first set displays the content of received items (e.g., on an LCD screen) and accepts user feedback in regard to those items. That feedback—which may be, for example, a command to copy an item into an “album”, to rotate an item on the display, to block another node from displaying the items, and/or to block a sender (or creator) of the item from sending further items of content from presenting—is transmitted back to the shared content server for distribution to other nodes, which alter their own respective displays of the items accordingly.

Claims

1. A multimedia content sharing system, comprising

A. a shared content server comprising a plurality of items of content, where the items of content are any of still, moving images and audio,

B. a plurality of nodes, each in communication coupling with the shared content server via one or more networks,

C. the shared content server transmitting, via the one or more networks,

i. a first set of one or more items to each node in a first set of said nodes without a request by any user of that node for such item, where the first set comprises one or more of the plurality of nodes,

ii. a second set of one or more items to each node in a second set of said nodes without a request by any user of that node for such item, where the second set comprises one or more of the plurality of nodes and where the second set of items may overlap the first set of items, where the second set of nodes may overlap the first set of nodes,

D. at least one said node (“

first peer node”

) in at least one of the first and second sets of nodes, (i) presenting any of visually and/or aurally the content of at least one item of content received from the shared content server, (ii) accepting feedback with respect to that item of content, (ii) transmitting that feedback to the shared content server,

E. the shared content server transmitting the feedback to at least one node (“

second peer node”

) that is in the set of nodes to which the first peer node belongs, which second peer node alters a presentation on that node of the item of content with respect to which the feedback was accepted.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the shared content server transmits the feedback to said second peer node without the item of content with respect to which the feedback was accepted.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the step of accepting feedback with respect to the item of content includes one or more of (i) copying the at least one item of content to an album, (ii) rotating the at least one item of content, (iii) requesting that a further node be blocked from presenting the at least one item of content, (iv) requesting that a sender of the at least one item of content be blocked from transmitting one or more items of content.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the first peer node stores in a local store at least one of the items received from the shared content server.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the first peer node receives via a cellular modem at least one of the items from the shared content server.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the first peer node alters a presentation on that node of the item of content with respect to which the feedback was accepted.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the first peer node responds to at least selected interaction by a user of that node by adding, deleting or otherwise changing information pertaining to an item presented by that node.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the first peer node responds to at least selected user interaction by messaging users of one or more of the other nodes.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the first peer node responds to at least selected user interaction by forwarding an item of content to one or more other nodes.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein one or more of nodes comprise any of mobile phones, personal digital assistants, network-enabled digital picture frames, personal computers, and third-party servers.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein one or more of the third-party servers comprises any of a photo-sharing web site, a digital media company, and/or other repository of content.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the third-party server provides one or more items of content to the shared content server any of (i) at an initiative of that third-party server, (ii) at a request of the shared content server, and (iii) at a request of a user a node.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein one or more of the third-party servers receive content from the shared content server.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein one or more of the servers that receives content from the shared content server comprises a printing service.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein said shared content server comprises one or more servers that are coupled for communication with one another over one or more networks.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein one or more of the servers that make up the shared content server comprise a central store with records and/or other structures for storing the items of content and related information.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the related information comprises one or more of a thumbnail of an item of content, one or more versions of an item of content, supplementary information regarding acquisition of an item of content and/or its transfer to the one or more servers.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more networks include (i) a cellular network, and (ii) zero, or or more Internets, metropolitan area networks (MANs), wide area networks (WANs), local area networks, personal area networks (PANs).

19. A multimedia content sharing system, comprising

A. a shared content server comprising a plurality of items of content, where the items of content are any of still images, moving images and audio,

B. a plurality of nodes, each in communication coupling with the shared content server via one or more networks,

C. the shared content server transmitting, via the one or more networks, one or more items to each node in a first set of said nodes without a request by any user of that node for such item,

D. at least one said node (“

first peer node”

) in the first set of nodes, (i) presenting any of visually and/or aurally the content of at least one item of content received from the shared content server, (ii) accepting feedback with respect to that item of content, and (iii) transmitting that feedback to the shared content server,

E. the shared content server transmitting the feedback to at least one other node (“

second peer node”

) that is in the first set of nodes, which second peer node alters a presentation on that node of the item content with respect to which the feedback was accepted.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the shared content server transmits the feedback to said second peer node without the item of content with respect to which the feedback was accepted.

21. The system of claim 19, wherein the feedback includes commands for one or more of (i) copying the at least one item of content to an album, (ii) rotating the at least one item of content, (iii) requesting that a further node be blocked from presenting the at least one item of content, (iv) requesting that a sender of the at least one item of content be blocked from transmitting one or more items of content.

22. The system of claim 19, wherein the first peer node alters a presentation on that node of the item of content with respect to which the feedback was accepted.

23. The system of claim 19, wherein the first peer node receives via a cellular modem at least one of the items from the shared content server.

24. The system of claim 19, wherein the first peer node alters a presentation on that node of the item of content with respect to which the feedback was accepted.

25. The system of claim 19, wherein the first peer node responds to at least selected interaction by a user of that node by adding, deleting or otherwise changing information pertaining to an item presented by that node.

26. The system of claim 19, wherein the first peer node responds to at least selected user interaction by messaging users of one or more of the other nodes.

27. The system of claim 19, wherein the first peer node responds to at least selected user interaction by forwarding an item of content to one or more other nodes.

28. The system of claim 19, wherein one or more of nodes comprise any of mobile phones, personal digital assistants, network-enabled digital picture frames, personal computers, and third-party servers.

29. The system of claim 28, wherein one or more of the third-party servers comprises any of a photo-sharing web site, a digital media company, and/or other repository of content.

30. The system of claim 29, wherein the third-party server provides one or more items of content to the shared content server any of (i) at an initiative of that third-party server, (ii) at a request of the shared content server, and (iii) at a request of a user a node.

31. The system of claim 28, wherein one or more of the third-party servers receive content from the shared content server.

32. The system of claim 31, wherein one or more of the servers that receives content from the shared content server comprises a printing service.

33. The system of claim 19, wherein said shared content server comprises a set of one or more servers that are coupled for communication with one another over one or more networks.

35. The system of claim 19, wherein the one or more networks include (i) a cellular network, and (ii) zero, or or more Internets, metropolitan area networks (MANs), wide area networks (WANs), local area networks, personal area networks (PANs).

34. The system of claim 34, wherein the related information comprises one or more of a thumbnail of an item of content, one or more versions of an item of content, supplementary information regarding acquisition of an item of content and/or its transfer to the one or more servers.

36. A method of multimedia content sharing, comprising

A. transmitting from a shared content server, via a first set of one or more networks, a first set of one or more items of content to each node in a first set of one or more nodes without a request by any user of that node those one or more items,

B. transmitting from the shared content server, via a second set of one or more networks, a second set of one or more items of content to each node in a second set of one or more nodes without a request by any user of that node those one or more items, where (i) the second set of items may overlap the first set of items, (ii) the second set of nodes may overlap the first set of nodes, and/or (iii) the second set of networks may overlap the first set of networks,

C. with at least one said node (“

first peer node”

) in at least one of the first and second set of nodes, performing the steps of (i) presenting any of visually and/or aurally the content of at least one item of content received from the shared content server, (ii) accepting feedback with respect to that item of content, (ii) transmitting that feedback to the shared content server,

D. with the shared content server, transmitting the feedback to at least one node (“

second peer node”

) that is in the set of nodes to which the first peer node belongs, which second peer node alters a presentation on that node of the item of content with respect to which the feedback was accepted.

37. The system of claim 36, wherein the items of content are any of still images, moving images and audio.

38. The system of claim 36, wherein one or more of nodes comprise any of mobile phones, personal digital assistants, network-enabled digital picture frames, personal computers, and third-party servers.

39. The method of claim 36, comprising providing one or more items of content to the shared content server from one or more of the nodes.

40. The method of claim 39, comprising (i) acquiring an item of content with a camera coupled to one of the nodes and transmitting that item of content to the shared content server, and (ii) transmitting that item of content to one or more of the other nodes via any of steps (A) and (B).

41. The method of claim 39, comprising (i) acquiring an item of multimedia content from any of a web site, networked computer, hard drive, memory stick, DVD, CD or other device or system, and (ii) transmitting that item of content to one or more of the nodes via any of steps (A) and (B).

42. The method of claim 39, comprising utilizing the shared content server to combine a said item of content received from a said node with supplementary information provided with that item of content and/or in connection with the transmission thereof from that node.

43. The method of claim 42, wherein the supplementary information comprises any of (i) header information provided with transmission of the item of content, and (ii) metadata provided with the item of content.

44. The method of claim 42, wherein any of steps (A) and (B) include transmitting a said item of content, along with at least some of the respective supplementary information, to a said node.

45. The method of claim 42, comprising, with the shared content server, processing any of (i) an item of content received from a said node, (ii) supplementary information for that item of content.

46. The method of claim 45, wherein the processing step includes generating any of (i) a thumbnail representing a said item of content received from a said node, and (b) one or more versions of such item of content optimized for presentation on one or more said nodes.

47. The method of claim 46, wherein the processing step includes generating one or more of the optimized versions by any of adjusting resolution, adjusting color, adjusting contrast, cropping, and red-eye reduction.

48. The method of claim 45, wherein the processing step includes tagging an item of content received from a said node to facilitate categorization of such item into one or more sets defined by one or more users of the one or more nodes.

49. The method of claim 48, wherein the tagging step includes tagging an item of content m accord with any of (a) a user designation, (b) supplementary information for that item of content, and (c) content of that item.

50. The method of claim 36, wherein any of steps (A) and (B) include transmitting a said item of content to a said node based on any of polling, scheduled transmission times, when one or more sensors in the node sense selected conditions thereof.

51. The method of claim 36, wherein any of steps (A) and (B) include transmitting to a said node a said item of content optimized for presentation on that node.

52. The method of claim 36, wherein step (C)(iii) includes presenting items of content received from the shared content server any of individually and/or in groups.

53. A method of multimedia content sharing, comprising

A. transmitting from a shared content server, via a first set of one or more networks, a first set of one or more items of content to each node in a first set of one or more nodes without a request by any user of that node those one or more items,

B. with at least one said node (“

first peer node”

) in the first set of nodes, performing the steps of (i) presenting any of visually and/or aurally the content of at least one item of content received from the shared content server, (ii) accepting feedback with respect to that item of content, (ii) transmitting that feedback to the shared content server,

C. with the shared content server, transmitting the feedback to at least one node (“

second peer node”

) that is in the first set of nodes, which second peer node alters a presentation on that node of the item of content with respect to which the feedback was accepted.

54. The method of claim 53, wherein step (A) includes transmitting the first set of items to the first peer node automatically upon activation of that node and its coupling to the one or more networks.

55. The method of claim 53, wherein step (A) includes transmitting the first set of items to the first peer node on one or more bases, including, any of (i) polling, (ii) scheduled transmission times, (iii) sensed activity of a user of the first peer node.

56. The method of claim 53, wherein step (A) includes transmitting the first set of items to the first peer node optimized based on the characteristics of that node.

57. The method of claim 53, wherein step (B)(i) includes presenting one or more items in the first set of images any of individually and/or in groups.

58. The method of claim 57, wherein step (B)(i) includes basing presentation of one or more items in the first set of items based on characteristics including any of tags, item sender, item subject, and/or time/date of image acquisition.

59. The method of claim 53, comprising the step of

D. acquiring one or more items of content via one or more of the nodes and transmitting that item to the shared content server for transmission to one or more of the other nodes.

60. The method of claim 59, wherein step (D) includes acquiring one or more items of content via the first peer node and transmitting that item of content to the shared content server for transmission to one or more nodes in the first set of nodes.

61. The method of claim 60, wherein step (D) includes acquiring an item of content using a camera that is any of built-in or attached to the first peer node.

62. The method of claim 60, wherein step (D) includes acquiring an item of content via download from one or more other devices and/or systems.

63. A method of multimedia content sharing, comprising

A. grouping one or more items of content on a shared content server into one or more groups,

B. transmitting to one or more nodes from the shared content server, via a first set of one or more networks, one or more items of content from a first such group of items to each of one or more nodes in a first set of nodes having permissions in that group without a request by any user of that node for those one or more items,

C. with at least one said node (“

first peer node”

) in the first set of nodes, performing the steps of (i) presenting any of visually and/or aurally the content of at least one item of content from the first group of items received from the shared content server, (ii) accepting feedback with respect to that item of content, (iii) transmitting that feedback to the shared content server,

D. with the shared content server, transmitting the feedback to at least one node (“

second peer node”

) that is in the first set of nodes, which second peer node alters a presentation on that node of the item of content with respect to which the feedback was accepted.

64. The method of claim 63, wherein step (A) includes grouping a plurality of items of content on the shared content server into a plurality of groups.

65. The method of claim 63, wherein step (A) includes grouping the one or more items of content into groups based on the feedback received accepted in step (C).

66. The method of claim 63, wherein step (A) includes grouping the one or more items of content into groups based on based on user-defined rules.

67. The method of claim 66, wherein the rules are a function of tags and/or other information associated with the respective items of content.

68. The method of claim 63, wherein step (A) includes selectively transmitting the one or more items of content from the first group of items to one or more nodes in the first set of nodes.

69. The method of claim 68, wherein step (A) includes selectively transmitting the one or more items of content from the first group of items to one or more nodes in the first set of nodes based on preferences defined for the respective nodes.

70. The method of claim 69, wherein those preferences include blocking transmission of items of content from any of designated senders, nodes and/or selected groups.

71. The method of claim 63, comprising setting permissions for nodes in a group as a function of any of payment of a service fee, activation of a user account, action of a node user, and action of an administrator.

72. The method of claim 63, wherein the items of content are any of still images, moving images and audio.

73. The method of claim 63, wherein one or more of nodes comprise any of mobile phones, personal digital assistants, network-enabled digital picture frames, personal computers, and third-party servers.

74. The method of claim 63, wherein step (C)(ii) includes accepting as feedback a command to identifying at least one item of content as belonging to one or more of the groups.

75. The method of claim 63, including the step of blocking from transmission to one or more nodes in the first set items of content from which those nodes have been excluded.

76. The method of claim 65, wherein the blocking step includes blocking from transmission to one or more nodes in the first set of node one or more items of content from which those nodes have been excluded by a user that provide such items of content.

77. The method of claim 63, comprising the step of

E. providing one or more items of content to the shared content server from one or more of the nodes.

78. The method of claim 77, wherein step (E) includes

(i) acquiring an item of multimedia content from any of a camera, web site, networked computer, hard drive memory stick, DVD, CD or other device or system coupled to one of the nodes and transmitting that item of content to the shared content server, and

(ii) transmitting that item of content to one or more of the nodes via step (B).

79. The method of claim 77, comprising utilizing the shared content server to combine a said item of content received from a said node with supplementary information provided with that item of content and/or in connection with the transmission thereof from that node.

80. The method of claim 79, comprising determining a grouping an item of content received from a said node in accord with any of (a) a user designation, (b) supplementary information for that item of content, and (c) content of that item.

81. The method of claim 80, wherein the supplementary information comprises any of (i) header information provided with transmission of the item of content, and (ii) metadata provided with the item of content.

82. The method of claim 80, wherein step (B) include transmitting a said item of content, along with at least some of the respective supplementary information, to a said node.

83. The method of claim 80, comprising, with the shared content server, processing any of (i) an item of content received from a said node, (ii) supplementary information for that item of content.

84. The method of claim 83, wherein the processing step includes generating any of (i) a thumbnail representing a said item of content received from a said node, and (b) one or more versions of such item of content optimized for presentation on one or more said nodes.

85. The method of claim 84, wherein the processing step includes generating one or more of the optimized versions by any of adjusting resolution, adjusting color, adjusting contrast, cropping, and red-eye reduction.

86. The method of claim 83, wherein the processing step includes tagging an item of content received from a said node to facilitate categorization of such item into one or more sets defined by one or more users of the one or more nodes.

87. The method of claim 63, wherein any of steps (B) and (E)(ii) include transmitting to a said node a said item of content optimized for presentation on that node.

88. A digital data device that facilitates user selection of a function, comprising:

A. a processor,

B. a display that is coupled to the processor,

C. the processor driving the display to present function selection options in a first graphical format

(i) a subset of function-selection icons selected from a set of function-selection icons, each of which function-selection icons is associated with a function and/or a differing display of options,

(ii) one or more menu-index icons,

D. the processor responds to

(i) user selection of one of the menu-index icons by repeating step (C)(i) with a differing subset of function-selection icons selected from the set of function-selection icons,

(ii) user selection of selected ones of the function-selection of icons presented in step (C)(i) by invoking a corresponding function.

89. The digital device of claim 88, wherein step (D) includes a step (iii) wherein the processor responds to user selection of other selected ones of the function-selection of icons presented in step (C)(i) by driving the display to present function selection operations in a second grahical format that differs from the first graphical format.

90. The digital data device of claim 88, wherein the display is a touch-sensitive display.

91. The digital data device of claim 89, wherein step (D) includes responding to user touch of the touch-sensitive display for invoking any of steps (D)(i) and D(ii).

92. The digital data device of claim 88, wherein the set of function-selection icons is ten or larger and the subsets of function-selection icons is five or smaller

93. The digital data device of claim 92, wherein the set of function-selection icons is fifteen or larger and the subsets of function-selection icons is five or smaller.

94. The digital data device of claim 93, wherein the set of function-selection icons is twenty or larger and the subsets of function-selection icons is five or smaller.

95. The digital data device of claim 88, wherein the set of function-selection icons is ten or larger and the subsets of function-selection icons is three or smaller

96. The digital data device of claim 95, wherein the set of function-selection icons is fifteen or larger and the subsets of function-selection icons is three or smaller.

97. The digital data device of claim 96, wherein the set of function-selection icons is twenty or larger and the subsets of function-selection icons is three or smaller.

98. The digital data device of claim 88, wherein a size of the set of function-selection icons is large relative to the available space on the display on which icons displayed.

138. A digital data device according to claim 88, wherein the processor drives the display to present one or more screens of the type shown in FIGS. 10-30,

99. A method of function selection on a digital data device, comprising:

A. driving a display to present function selection options in a first format

(i) a subset of function-selection icons selected from a set of function-selection icons, each of which function-selection icons is associated with a function and/or a differing display of options,

(ii) one or more menu-index icons,

B. responding to

(i) user selection of one of the menu-index icons by repeating step (C)(i) with a differing subset of function-selection icons selected from the set of function-selection icons,

(ii) user selection of selected ones of the function-selection of icons presented in step (C)(i) by invoking a corresponding function.

100. The method of claim 99, wherein step (D) includes a step (iii) wherein the processor responds to user selection of other selected ones of the function-selection of icons presented in step (C)(i) by driving the display to present function selection operations in a second format that differs from the first format.

101. The method of claim 99, wherein the display is a touch-sensitive display.

102. The method of claim 100, wherein step (D) includes responding to user touch of the touch-sensitive display for invoking any of steps (D)(i) and D(ii).

103. The method of claim 99, wherein the set of function-selection icons is ten or larger and the subsets of function-selection icons is five or smaller

104. The method of claim 103, wherein the set of function-selection icons is fifteen or larger and the subsets of function-selection icons is five or smaller.

105. The method of claim 104, wherein the set of function-selection icons is twenty or larger and the subsets of function-selection icons is five or smaller.

106. The method of claim 99, wherein the set of function-selection icons is ten or larger and the subsets of function-selection icons is three or smaller

107. The method of claim 106, wherein the set of function-selection icons is fifteen or larger and the subsets of function-selection icons is three or smaller.

108. The method of claim 107, wherein the set of function-selection icons is twenty or larger and the subsets of function-selection icons is three or smaller.

109. The method of claim 99, wherein a size of the set of function-selection icons is large relative to the available space on the display on which icons displayed.

110. A device for multimedia content sharing, comprising

A. a processor,

B. a display that is coupled to the processor,

C. the processor (i) driving the display to present content of at least one item of content received from a shared content server (ii) effecting acceptance of feedback with respect to that item of content from a user of the device, (iii) transmitting that feedback to the shared content server for transmission to at least one other device to which that item of content was transmitted by the shared content server for altering that other device'"'"'s presentation of that item of content.

111. The device of claim 110, comprising a sensor that senses characteristics of any of (i) the device, (ii) an environment local to the device, and/or (ii) a user of the device.

112. The device of claim 111, wherein the processor is coupled to the sensor and responds to a characteristic sensed thereby by any of (i) altering a state of the device, (ii) altering the presentation of an item of content by the device, (iii) generating and/or altering a user notification on the device, (iv) tagging an item of content, (v) generating a notification to the shared content server or to another device, (vi) sending an item of content to shared content server and/or another device, (vii) altering a prioritization of tasks by the device and/or the shared content server, and/or (viii) scheduling transmission of items of content.

113. The device of claim 112, wherein the sensor includes one or more of a motion sensor, radio frequency identification (RFID) reader, bluetooth transceiver, photo-detector, network presence/characteristic sensor, microphone, touch sensor, proximity sensor, and/or camera.

114. The device of claim 112, wherein the processor responds to a photo-detector on the device to effect any of dimming or brightening of the display.

115. The device of claim 112, wherein the processor responds to a motion sensor on the device to detect the presence of a user and to switch among modes of presentation on the display.

116. The device of claim 112, wherein the processor responds to the sensor to determine an identity of a user thereof.

117. The device of claim 116, wherein the processor tags an item of content based on the determination of user identity.

118. The device of claim 116, wherein the processor responds to the determination of user identity by presenting on the display one or more items of content specific to that user.

119. The device of claim 116, wherein the processor responds to the determination of user identity by presenting on the display one or more notifications specific to that user.

120. The device of claim 116, wherein the processor responds to the determination of user identity by notifying any of the shared content server and/or another device of a presence of that user.

121. The device of claim 112, wherein the processor responds to the sensor to determine any of device location, local time, and date.

122. The device of claim 112, wherein the processor tags an item of content based on any of device location, local time, and date.

123. The device of claim 112, wherein the processor alters any of

(i) a state of the device,

(ii) the presentation of one or more items of content on the device,

(iii) notifications presented to a user of the device

based on any of device location, local time, and date.

124. The device of claim 123, wherein those notifications include any of weather forecasts, birthday reminders, missing child alerts, shopping and vendor-specific notifications.

125. The device of claim 112, wherein the processor responds any of a touch sensor, motion sensor and/or proximity sensor on the device to determine user interest in an item of content.

126. The device of claim 125, wherein the processor tags an item of content based on the determination of the user interest.

127. The device of claim 126, wherein the processor alters presentation of an item of content as a function of the determination of user interest.

128. The device of claim 126, wherein the processor transmits to the shared content server an indication of user interest in an item of content.

129. The device of claim 128, wherein that indication of user interest is a tag.

130. The device of claim 112, wherein the processor responds to the sensor to detect interaction by a user of that device.

131. The device of claim 130, wherein the processor responds to the detection of user interaction by generating one or more notifications to any of the shared content server and another device.

132. The device of claim 130, wherein the processor responds to the detection of user interaction by sending an item of content to another device.

133. The device of claim 130, wherein the processor responds to the detection of user interaction by replying to a sender of an item of content.

134. The device of claim 130, wherein the processor responds to the detection of user interaction by forwarding an item of content to another device.

135. The device of claim 130, wherein the processor responds to the detection of user interaction by placing an order to purchase a hardcopy of an item of content

136. The device of claim 130, wherein the processor responds to the detection of user interaction by blocking the sender of an item of content.

137. The device of claim 112, wherein the processor responds to the sensor to suspend transmission of items of content from the shared content server.