Methods and systems for video messaging

Abstract

Methods and systems for managing messaging are described. In an illustrative embodiment, widget code is transmitted from a server to a user terminal, wherein the widget code, when executed is configured to display a playlist. A message management system receives from the widget a user request to transmit at least one selected video from the video playlist to a recipient and user text to be transmitted to the recipient in conjunction with the selected video. The transmission of the video message and the user text to the recipient is initiated.

1 . A method of managing video content, the method comprising:
 transmitting widget code to a user terminal, wherein the widget code is embeddable by the user on a plurality of web pages associated with the user, and the widget code includes a unique identifier;   receiving at a server system a first request via a widget corresponding to the widget code;   at least partly in response to the first request, transmitting over a network a video playlist previously defined by the user at a first website;   receiving from the widget at the server system a user request to transmit at least one selected video from the video playlist to a recipient;   receiving from the widget at the server system user text to be transmitted to the recipient in conjunction with the selected video; and   initiating the transmission of the video message and the user text to the recipient.   
     
     
         2 . The method as defined in  claim 1 , the method further comprising:
 receiving from the widget at the server system an indication as to the positioning of the user text with respect to the video; and   causing the text to be positioned in accordance with the positioning indication.   
     
     
         3 . The method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the user can access the playlist via the widget on a variety of websites. 
     
     
         4 . The method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the playlist includes videos playable via the widget. 
     
     
         5 . The method as defined in  claim 1 , transmitting to the widget costs associated with sending a video included in the playlist to a recipient. 
     
     
         6 . The method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the widget includes a play control. 
     
     
         7 . The method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the widget includes a play control, wherein prior to the user activating the play control, a frame from at least one video in the playlist is presented as a still image. 
     
     
         8 . The method as defined in  claim 1 , the method further comprising transmitting the video message to a webpage. 
     
     
         9 . The method as defined in  claim 1 , the method further comprising transmitting the video message to an email address. 
     
     
         10 . The method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein data is passed between the widget and the server system as XML data and/or HTTP post data. 
     
     
         11 . The method as defined in  claim 1 , the method further comprising receiving from the widget at the server system a definition of a video playlist. 
     
     
         12 . The method as defined in  claim 1 , the method further comprising:
 receiving a selection of videos from the user to thereby define at least one playlist of videos;   receiving an instruction from the user to download the widget; and generating code for the widget at least partly based on the playlist.   
     
     
         13 . The method as defined in  claim 1 , the method further comprising:
 transmitting to a user terminal a menu of videos organized according to genre and sub-genre;   receiving a selection of videos from the user of videos to thereby define at least one playlist of videos; and   generating code for the playlist at least partly based on the playlist.   
     
     
         14 . The method as defined in  claim 1 , the method further comprising:
 receiving at the server system an indication that the message has been delivered to the recipient; and   transmitting from the server system to the widget a notification that the recipient received the message.   
     
     
         15 . The method as defined in  claim 1 , the method further comprising at least partly causing a carrier associated with the user mobile phone to bill the user for the at least one selected video. 
     
     
         16 - 19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . A method of managing video content, the method comprising:
 transmitting widget code from a server to a user terminal, wherein the widget code, when executed is configured to display a playlist;   transmitting to the widget a cost associated with sending a video message;   receiving from the widget at the message management system a user request to transmit at least one selected video from the video playlist to a recipient;   receiving from the widget at the message management system user text to be transmitted to the recipient in conjunction with the selected video; and   initiating the transmission of the video message and the user text to the recipient.   
     
     
         21 . The method as defined in  claim 20 , wherein the widget code is embeddable by the user on a plurality of web pages associated with the user. 
     
     
         22 . The method as defined in  claim 20 , wherein the widget code includes a unique identifier associated with the user. 
     
     
         23 - 35 . (canceled) 
     
     
         36 . A method of managing video content, the method comprising:
 receiving over a network at a first server a user request for a widget;   transmitting widget code over the network, wherein the widget code is configured to be embedded on a user specified web page, and where the widget code, when executed, is configured to display a content playlist selected and/or defined by the user;   including a unique identifier in the widget, the unique identifier associated with the host of the user specified web page;   receiving, over the network from the widget at the messaging system the unique identifier in association with activity data, including at least one of the following:   an indication as to when and/or how many times the widget has been launched and/or loaded via the web page;   an indication as to which playlist content has been viewed and/or how many times at least a first playlist content has been viewed;   an indication as to which playlist content has been sent and/or how many times at least a first playlist content has been send;   storing at least a portion of the activity data in computer readable memory; and   generating report based on at least a portion of the activity data.   
     
     
         37 . The method as defined in  claim 36 , wherein the playlist includes video content. 
     
     
         38 - 43 . (canceled)