System, Apparatus, and Methodology for Peer-to-Peer Voice Communication Employing a Caller Specified Multimedia Announcement

Abstract

A system, method and corresponding software application installed on communication devices of the system for communicating a media-based call alert command from a calling-party device to a called-party device prior to establishing the voice call therebetween. The media-based call alert command preferably conveys media content that is played on the called-party device prior to (or concurrent with) the establishment of the voice call to alert the called-party of the call. Alternatively, the media-based call alert command need not convey the media content itself, but instead convey media identification information that identifies media content that is locally or remotely accessible by the called-party device for playback prior to (or concurrent with) the establishment of the voice call to alert the called-party of the call. Preferably, the communication of the media-based call alert command is realized as part of a service that is available to subscribers of the service.

1 . A system for communicating a multimedia announcement from a calling party to a called party as part of a voice call therebetween, the system comprising:
 a calling party device operated by the calling party, a called party device operated by the called party, and a server operably coupled to said calling party device and to said called party device over a communication network therebetween;   wherein said server includes or interfaces to at least one database for storing presence data and permissions data for a plurality of users, wherein presence data and permissions data for the called party is specified by communication from said called party device;   wherein said calling party device includes first means for identifying the called party, second means for selecting media content for a multimedia announcement, third means for communicating with said server to determine serviceability of the called party based upon said presence data and said permissions data for the called party, and fourth means for selectively initiating communication of at least one command from said calling party device to said called party device based upon serviceability of the called party as determined by said third means, said at least one command specifying or including the media content of the multimedia announcement; and   wherein said called party device includes means for receiving the at least one command and means for playing the media content of the multimedia announcement in conjunction with a call made from said calling party device to said called party device over said communication network.   
   
   
       2 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 said called party device include means for updating presence data and permissions data for the called party as stored in the at least one database in accordance with user input provided by the called party, and said calling party device includes means for updating the presence data and permission data for the calling party as stored in the at least one database in accordance with user input provided by the calling party.   
   
   
       3 . A system according to  claim 2 , wherein:
 said called party device includes a graphical user interface for updating presence data and permissions data for the called party, and said calling party device includes a graphical user interface for updating presence data and permissions data for the calling party.   
   
   
       4 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the permission data for the called party represents whether communication of any of said at least one command from the calling party to the called party should be allowed or blocked.   
   
   
       5 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the permission data for the called party represents whether communication of certain types of said at least one command from the calling party to the called party should be allowed or blocked, the certain types corresponding to types of media content specified by or included in said at least one command.   
   
   
       6 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 said calling party device and said called party device each include a list of users and associated permission information displayed thereon.   
   
   
       7 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 said fourth means can initiate communication of the at least one command from said calling party device to said called party device in the event that the presence data for the called party represents that the called party is generally available and the permission data for called party represents that communication of the least one command from the calling party device to the called party device should be allowed,   said fourth means does not initiate communication of the at least one command from said calling party device to said called party device in the event that the presence data for the called party represents that the called party is generally not-available, and   said fourth means does not initiate communication of the at least one command from said calling party device to said called party device in the event that the presence data for the called party represents that the called party is generally available and the permission data for called party represents that communication of the at least one command from the calling party device to the called party device should be blocked.   
   
   
       8 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 serviceability of the called party is based upon device information pertained to the called party device, the device information communicated from the called party device to the server and stored on the server.   
   
   
       9 . A system according to  claim 8 , wherein:
 said fourth means can initiate communication of the at least one command from said calling party device to said called party device in the event that the device data for the called party represents that communication of the at least one command to the called party device is possible, and   said fourth means does not initiate communication of the at least one command from said calling party device to said called party device in the event that the device data for the called party represents that communication of the at least one command to the called party device is not possible.   
   
   
       10 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the calling party device and the called party device store a common library of media content items, the at least one command includes identification data that identifies at least one media content item stored in the common library, and the means for playing the media content on the called party device plays the at least one media content item identified by the identification data of the at least one command in conjunction with a call made from said calling party device to said called party device over said communication network.   
   
   
       11 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the at least one command includes identification data that identifies at least one media content item that is stored on a remote content source, the called party device includes means for communicating with the remote content source to retrieve the at least one media content item identified by the identification data, and the means for playing the media content on the called party device plays the at least one media content item retrieved from the remote content source in conjunction with a call made from said calling party device to said called party device over said communication network.   
   
   
       12 . A system according to  claim 11 , wherein:
 said remote content source is realized by said server or interfaced thereto.   
   
   
       13 . A system according to  claim 10 , wherein:
 the at least one command includes at least one media content item that is played on the called party device in conjunction with a call made from said calling party device to said called party device over said communication network.   
   
   
       14 . A system according to  claim 13 , wherein:
 the at least one command includes a first command that identifies a given media content item and information related thereto, and   wherein the called party device receives and analyzes information contained in said first command to determine if the given media content item can be received and processed by the called party device, and returns a first reply that indicates whether the at least one media content item can be received and processed by the called party device.   
   
   
       15 . A system according to  claim 14 , further comprising:
 in the event that said first reply indicates that the given media content item can be received and processed by the called party device, communicating from said calling party device to said called party device a second command that includes at least the given media content item.   
   
   
       16 . A system according to  claim 15 , further comprising:
 in the event that said first reply indicates that the given media content item cannot be received and processed by the called party device, communicating from said calling party device to said server a third command that includes at least the given multimedia announcement, wherein said server processes said third command and forwards the given multimedia announcement to said called party device in a form suitable for processing by said called party device.   
   
   
       17 . A system according to  claim 16 , wherein:
 in processing said third command, said server transcodes the given media content item supplied thereto by the calling party device.   
   
   
       18 . A system according to  claim 13 , wherein:
 in response to successful transfer of the given media content item from the calling party device to the called party device, said called party device communicates to said calling party device a fourth command that indicates successful receipt of the given multimedia announcement, said calling party device receiving said fourth command and initiating the call from said calling party device to said called party device over said communication network in response to said fourth command.   
   
   
       19 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 initiation of the call from said calling party device to said called party device requests provisioning of resources of said communication network for the call subsequent to receiving said fourth command.   
   
   
       20 . A system according to  claim 18 , wherein:
 in conjunction with initiating communication of the fourth command, said called party device adapts the incoming call processing carried out by said called party device such that any incoming call originating from said calling party device will be announced by playing the at least one media content item.   
   
   
       21 . A system according to  claim 20 , wherein:
 the incoming call processing carried out by said called party device compares caller identifier information for each incoming call and automatically invokes an application for playing the at least one media content item in the event that the caller identifier information corresponds to an identifier assigned to said calling party device.   
   
   
       22 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the media content specified by or included in the at least one command is stored in a file that is protected by a DRM mechanism for controlling access thereto.   
   
   
       23 . A system according to  claim 22 , wherein:
 said called party device acquires DRM license information that allows access to the file storing the media content for at least playing the media content on said called party device.   
   
   
       24 . A system according to  claim 23 , wherein:
 said DRM license information controls access to the file storing the media content for other functions selected from the group including: allowing the file to be copied and/or saved on the called party device, prohibiting the file to be copied and/or saved on the called party device, allowing the file to be used only for intended purposes, prohibiting the file to be used for non-intended purposes, allowing the file to be forwarded to another device, prohibiting the file to be forwarded to another device, allowing the file to played a certain number of times and then automatically deleted from the called party device, and allowing the file to played until a certain date and then automatically deleted from the called party device.   
   
   
       25 . A system according to  claim 23 , wherein:
 said server supplies said DRM license information to said called party device.   
   
   
       26 . A system according to  claim 23 , wherein:
 means for supplying to the called party device first DRM license information for the media content specified by or included in the at least one command, and   means, responsive to a transaction invoked by the called party or the calling party for the media content specified by or included in the at least one command, for supplying to the called party device second DRM license information for the media content specified by or included in the at least one command, the second DRM information permitting uses that are not allows by the first DRM information.   
   
   
       27 . A system according to  claim 26 , wherein:
 the transaction invoked by the called party comprises a buy-type transaction.   
   
   
       28 . A system according to  claim 26 , wherein:
 the transaction invoked by the calling party comprises a gift-type transaction.   
   
   
       29 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 said called party device is adapted to announce the call made from said calling party device to said called party device by playing the media content specified by or included in the at least one command and to communicate at least one interactive message between said called party device and said calling party device in conjunction with the call.   
   
   
       30 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the server includes means for identifying a secondary called party device and means for communicating the at least one command thereto.   
   
   
       31 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the server includes means, operable in the event that the called party is not serviceable at the time of call initiation by the calling party, for notifying the called party with instructions on how to access the media content specified by or included in the at least one command.   
   
   
       32 . A system according to  claim 31 , wherein:
 the server stores the media content specified by or included in the at least one command and provides for access to the called party in accordance with said instructions.   
   
   
       33 . A system according to  claim 3 , wherein:
 the graphical user interface of at least the calling party device utilizes a set of multi-tiered icons to communicate device information, presence information, and permissions and status information associated with one or more parties.   
   
   
       34 . A system according to  claim 33 , wherein:
 a first tier of icons visually depicts device information (e.g., compatibility, configuration, call mode [silent] and location);   a second tier of icons visually depicts presence information; and   a third tier of icons visually depicts permissions and status information.   
   
   
       35 . A system according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a database of information pertaining to commercial media content items, the information of the database identifying the licensed rights and the territories associated therewith (e.g., allowed territories and/or restricted territories) for such commercial media content items (or groups thereof);   means for identifying territory for the called party device or for the calling party device;   means for accessing the database to identify restricted territories represented by the information stored in the database for the media content specified by or included in the at least one command, and for determining if the territory of the called party device or for the calling party device corresponds to a restricted territory;   in the event that the territory of the called party device or for the calling party device corresponds to a restricted territory, supplying DRM license data information to the called party device or the calling party device that restricts usage of the media content or acts to present a most-alike alternative media content item that is not restricted for purchase/download in said territory [NOTE: JUST TO BE CLEAR, IT IS THE CONTENT DISTRIBUTION THAT IS RESTRICTED, NOT THE APPLICATION/SERVICE/SYSTEM].   
   
   
       36 . A system according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a platform for distributing advertisements and/or other marketing and promotional media items to at least one of the called-party device and the calling-party device.   
   
   
       37 . A system according to  claim 36 , wherein:
 the advertisements and/or other marketing and promotional media items are communicated to the called-party device for presentation in a manner that accompanies playing of media content specified by or included in the at least one command.   
   
   
       38 . A system according to  claim 36 , wherein:
 the advertisements and/or other marketing and promotional media items are selected for the calling party or the called party by referencing user profile information in the server, as well as additional reference information from third party servers, in order to identify at least one specific advertising/marketing/promotional media item to increase the applicability of the media item for the calling party or called party.   
   
   
       39 . A system according to  claim 36 , wherein:
 the advertisements and/or other marketing and promotional media items are communicated to the calling-party device for presentation during a ring-back period when the at least one command is being communicated to the called-party device but before playing the media content of the multimedia announcement.   
   
   
       40 . A system for communicating a multimedia announcement from a calling party to a called party as part of a voice call therebetween, the system comprising:
 a calling party device operated by the calling party, a called party device operated by the called party, and a server operably coupled to said calling party device and to said called party device over a communication network therebetween;   wherein said server includes or interfaces to at least one database for storing DRM license information;   wherein said calling party device includes first means for identifying the called party, second means for selecting media content for a multimedia announcement, and third means for initiating communication of at least one command from said calling party device to said called party device, said at least one command specifying or including the media content of the multimedia announcement; and   wherein said called party device includes means for receiving the at least one command and means for playing the media content of the multimedia announcement in conjunction with a call made from said calling party device to said called party device over said communication network, wherein said called party device acquires DRM license information from said server that allows access to the file storing the media content for at least playing the media content on said called party device.   
   
   
       41 . A system according to  claim 40 , wherein:
 said DRM license information controls access to the file storing the media content for other functions selected from the group including: allowing the file to be copied and/or saved on the called party device, prohibiting the file to be copied and/or saved on the called party device, allowing the file to be used only for intended purposes, prohibiting the file to be used for non-intended purposes, allowing the file to be forwarded to another device, prohibiting the file to be forwarded to another device, allowing the file to played a certain number of times and then automatically deleted from the called party device, allowing the file to played until a certain date and then automatically deleted from the called party device, and allowing the file to be played only in a specific sequence of actions by the calling party or called party, or only in a specific sequence of plays of other media content items, or only in a predetermined combination of both.   
   
   
       42 . A system according to  claim 40 , wherein:
 the server includes
 i) means for supplying to the called party device first DRM license information for the media content specified by or included in the at least one command, and 
 ii) means, responsive to a transaction invoked by the called party or the calling party for the media content specified by or included in the at least one command, for supplying to the called party device second DRM license information for the media content specified by or included in the at least one command, the second digital rights license management information permitting uses that are not allows by the first DRM information. 
   
   
   
       43 . A system according to  claim 42 , wherein:
 the transaction invoked by the called party comprises a buy-type transaction.   
   
   
       44 . A system according to  claim 42 , wherein:
 the transaction invoked by the calling party comprises a gift-type transaction.   
   
   
       45 . A system according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 the server includes means, operable in the event that the called party is does not have his or her device enabled to accept interactive multimedia announcements at the time of voice or data call initiation by the calling party for notifying the called party with instructions on how to access, install and initialize on the called party device the applicable enabling software specified by or included in the at least one command. In said event a copy of the media content item embodied in the intended interactive multimedia announcement is stored or the server or on the called party device, or on both, for later retrieval and use by the calling party or called party, or both calling party and called party; and/or   the server includes means, operable in the event that the called party is does not have the his or her device enabled to accept interactive multimedia announcements at the time that the calling party first installs the activates the applicable software program on his or her device, or takes action to activate/recruit at least on buddy on his or her Contact List/Phone Book to be able to accept his or her interactive multimedia announcements, for notifying the called party with instructions on how to access, install and initialize the called party device the applicable enabling software specified by or included in the at least one command.   
   
   
       46 . A system according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 the server includes means to present previews of at least one media content item from a library of media content items, and to make the media content items available for download for use in interactive multimedia announcements, on the calling party device and called party device. The composition of said library of media content items may be defined by the territory or network, or both territory and network, of the calling party and called party individually [i.e., if calling party is in the USA on T-Mobile, he will see one set of media content titles (ringers). If the called party is in China on Skype, she will see another set of media content titles (ringers). There may be some overlap on what is accessible and available to both]; and/or   with a graphical user interface on the called party device, the called party may view a history of which calling parties have communicated interactive multimedia announcements to his or her called party device; view a history of which media content items have been communicated to the called party device from each of the said calling parties; play a preview of a representation of any of said historical media content items (in the case of more than one media content item, the items may be displayed in the chronological order of which they were communicated to the called party); and   purchase/download any of the media content items displayed as available for purchase/download in the called party's territory or network, or both territory and network; and/or   with a graphical user interface on the calling party device and called party device that enables the user to view and preview a list of the content media items that exist on the device of any of the user's buddies that is enabled for interactive multimedia announcements, and to be able to purchase/download any of the media content items displayed as available for purchase/download in the called party's territory or network, or both territory and network; and/or   the server includes means to (a) track instances wherein a user, by using a graphical user interface, purchases at least one media content item that was embodied in an interactive multimedia announcement or appears on a list of such items that exists on the device of any of the user's buddies, (b) report said purchases on a display accessible on the device of the purchasing party or presenting party, as applicable, and (c) issue rewards in the form of loyalty points, premium access to other device-based services (e.g., 20 free SMS messages or 10 minutes of free video sharing), or cash credits to the account of the presenting party.   
   
   
       47 . A system for communicating a multimedia announcement from a calling party to a called party as part of a voice call therebetween, the system comprising:
 a calling party device operated by the calling party, a called party device operated by the called party, and a server operably coupled to said calling party device and to said called party device over a communication network therebetween;   wherein said server includes or interfaces to at least one database of information pertaining to commercial media content items, the information of the database identifying the licensed rights and the territories associated therewith (e.g., allowed territories and/or restricted territories) for such commercial media content items (or groups thereof);   wherein said calling party device includes first means for identifying the called party, second means for selecting media content for a multimedia announcement, and third means for initiating communication of at least one command from said calling party device to said called party device, said at least one command specifying or including the media content of the multimedia announcement;   wherein said server includes
 i) means for identifying territory for the called party device or for the calling party device, 
 ii) means for accessing the database to identify restricted territories represented by the information stored in the database for the media content specified by or included in the at least one command, and for determining if the territory of the called party device or for the calling party device corresponds to a restricted territory, 
 iii) means, operating in the event that the territory of the called party device or for the calling party device corresponds to a restricted territory, for supplying DRM license data information to the called party device or the calling party device that restricts usage of the media content or acts to present a most-alike alternative media content item that is not restricted for purchase/download in said territory; and 
   wherein said called party device includes means for receiving the at least one command and means for playing the media content of the multimedia announcement in conjunction with a call made from said calling party device to said called party device over said communication network.   
   
   
       48 . A method for communicating a multimedia announcement from a calling party to a called party as part of a voice call therebetween, the method comprising:
 providing a server operably coupled to a calling party device operated by the calling party and a called party device operated by the called party, said server including or interfacing to at least one database for storing presence data and permissions data for a plurality of users, wherein presence data and permissions data for the called party is specified by communication from said called party device;   said calling party operating said calling party device to identify the called party and to select media content for a multimedia announcement;   in response to the operation of the calling party device, controlling said calling party device to communicate with said server to determine serviceability of the called party based upon said presence data and said permissions data for the called party;   selectively initiating communication of at least one command from said calling party device to said called party device based upon serviceability of the called party as determined by said third means, said at least one command specifying or including the media content of the multimedia announcement;   receiving the at least one command at said called party device; and   playing the media content of the multimedia announcement in conjunction with a call made from said calling party device to said called party device over said communication network.   
   
   
       49 . A method according to  claim 48 , further comprising:
 updating presence data and permissions data for the called party as stored in the at least one database in accordance with user input provided by the called party;   updating the presence data and permission data for the calling party as stored in the at least one database in accordance with user input provided by the calling party.   
   
   
       50 . A method according to  claim 49 , wherein:
 said called party device includes a graphical user interface for updating presence data and permissions data for the called party, and said calling party device includes a graphical user interface for updating presence data and permissions data for the calling party.   
   
   
       51 . A method according to  claim 48 , wherein:
 the permission data for the called party represents whether communication of any of said at least one command from the calling party to the called party should be allowed or blocked.   
   
   
       52 . A method according to  claim 48 , wherein:
 the permission data for the called party represents whether communication of certain types of said at least one command from the calling party to the called party should be allowed or blocked, the certain types corresponding to types of media content specified by or included in said at least one command.   
   
   
       53 . A method according to  claim 48 , further comprising:
 at said calling party device and at said called party device, storing a list of users and associated permission information displayed thereon.   
   
   
       54 . A method according to  claim 48 , wherein:
 communication of the at least one command can be initiated from said calling party device to said called party device in the event that the presence data for the called party represents that the called party is generally available and the permission data for called party represents that communication of the least one command from the calling party device to the called party device should be allowed,   communication of the at least one command is not initiated from said calling party device to said called party device in the event that the presence data for the called party represents that the called party is generally not-available, and   communication of the at least one command is not initiated from said calling party device to said called party device in the event that the presence data for the called party represents that the called party is generally available and the permission data for called party represents that communication of the at least one command from the calling party device to the called party device should be blocked.   
   
   
       55 . A method according to  claim 48 , wherein:
 serviceability of the called party is based upon device information pertained to the called party device, the device information communicated from the called party device to the server and stored on the server.   
   
   
       56 . A method according to  claim 55 , wherein:
 communication of the at least one command can be initiated from said calling party device to said called party device in the event that the device data for the called party represents that communication of the at least one command to the called party device is possible, and   communication of the at least one command is not initiated from said calling party device to said called party device in the event that the device data for the called party represents that communication of the at least one command to the called party device is not possible.   
   
   
       57 . A method according to  claim 48 , wherein:
 the calling party device and the called party device store a common library of media content items, the at least one command includes identification data that identifies at least one media content item stored in the common library, and the means for playing the media content on the called party device plays the at least one media content item identified by the identification data of the at least one command in conjunction with a call made from said calling party device to said called party device over said communication network.   
   
   
       58 . A system according to  claim 48 , wherein:
 the at least one command includes identification data that identifies at least one media content item that is stored on a remote content source, the called party device includes means for communicating with the remote content source to retrieve the at least one media content item identified by the identification data, and the means for playing the media content on the called party device plays the at least one media content item retrieved from the remote content source in conjunction with a call made from said calling party device to said called party device over said communication network.   
   
   
       59 . A method according to  claim 58 , wherein:
 said remote content source is realized by said server or interfaced thereto.   
   
   
       60 . A method according to  claim 48 , wherein:
 the at least one command includes at least one media content item that is played on the called party device in conjunction with a call made from said calling party device to said called party device over said communication network.   
   
   
       61 . A method according to  claim 60 , wherein:
 the at least one command includes a first command that identifies a given media content item and information related thereto, and   the called party device receives and analyzes information contained in said first command to determine if the given media content item can be received and processed by the called party device, and returns a first reply that indicates whether the at least one media content item can be received and processed by the called party device.   
   
   
       62 . A method according to  claim 61 , further comprising:
 in the event that said first reply indicates that the given media content item can be received and processed by the called party device, communicating from said calling party device to said called party device a second command that includes at least the given media content item.   
   
   
       63 . A method according to  claim 62 , further comprising:
 in the event that said first reply indicates that the given media content item cannot be received and processed by the called party device, communicating from said calling party device to said server a third command that includes at least the given multimedia announcement, wherein said server processes said third command and forwards the given multimedia announcement to said called party device in a form suitable for processing by said called party device.   
   
   
       64 . A method according to  claim 63 , wherein:
 in processing said third command, said server transcodes the given media content item supplied thereto by the calling party device.   
   
   
       65 . A method according to  claim 60 , wherein:
 in response to successful transfer of the given media content item from the calling party device to the called party device, said called party device communicates to said calling party device a fourth command that indicates successful receipt of the given multimedia announcement, said calling party device receiving said fourth command and initiating the call from said calling party device to said called party device over said communication network in response to said fourth command.   
   
   
       66 . A method according to  claim 48 , wherein:
 initiation of the call from said calling party device to said called party device requests provisioning of resources of said communication network for the call subsequent to receiving said fourth command.   
   
   
       67 . A method according to  claim 66 , wherein:
 in conjunction with initiating communication of the fourth command, said called party device adapts the incoming call processing carried out by said called party device such that any incoming call originating from said calling party device will be announced by playing the at least one media content item.   
   
   
       68 . A method according to  claim 67 , wherein:
 the incoming call processing carried out by said called party device compares caller identifier information for each incoming call and automatically invokes an application for playing the at least one media content item in the event that the caller identifier information corresponds to an identifier assigned to said calling party device.   
   
   
       69 . A method according to  claim 48 , wherein:
 the media content specified by or included in the at least one command is stored in a file that is protected by a DRM mechanism for controlling access thereto.   
   
   
       70 . A method according to  claim 69 , wherein:
 said called party device acquires DRM license information that allows access to the file storing the media content for at least playing the media content on said called party device.   
   
   
       71 . A method according to  claim 70 , wherein:
 said DRM license information controls access to the file storing the media content for other functions selected from the group including: allowing the file to be copied and/or saved on the called party device, prohibiting the file to be copied and/or saved on the called party device, allowing the file to be used only for intended purposes, prohibiting the file to be used for non-intended purposes, allowing the file to be forwarded to another device, prohibiting the file to be forwarded to another device, allowing the file to played a certain number of times and then automatically deleted from the called party device, and allowing the file to played until a certain date and then automatically deleted from the called party device.   
   
   
       72 . A method according to  claim 70 , wherein:
 said server supplies said DRM license information to said called party device.   
   
   
       73 . A method according to  claim 70 , further comprising:
 supplying to the called party device first DRM license information for the media content specified by or included in the at least one command, and   responsive to a transaction invoked by the called party or the calling party for the media content specified by or included in the at least one command, supplying to the called party device second DRM license information for the media content specified by or included in the at least one command, the second digital rights license management information permitting uses that are not allows by the first DRM information.   
   
   
       74 . A method according to  claim 73 , wherein:
 the transaction invoked by the called party comprises a buy-type transaction.   
   
   
       75 . A method according to  claim 73 , wherein:
 the transaction invoked by the calling party comprises a gift-type transaction.   
   
   
       76 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 said called party device announces the call made from said calling party device to said called party device by playing the media content specified by or included in the at least one command and communicates at least one interactive message between said called party device and said calling party device in conjunction with the call.   
   
   
       77 . A method according to  claim 48 , wherein:
 the server identifies a secondary called party device and communicates the at least one command thereto.   
   
   
       78 . A method according to  claim 48 , wherein:
 in the event that the called party is not serviceable at the time of call initiation by the calling party, the server notifies the called party with instructions on how to access the media content specified by or included in the at least one command.   
   
   
       79 . A method according to  claim 78 , wherein:
 the server stores the media content specified by or included in the at least one command and provides for access to the called party in accordance with said instructions.   
   
   
       80 . A method according to  claim 50 , wherein:
 the graphical user interface of at least the calling party device utilizes a set of multi-tiered icons to communicate device information, presence information, and permissions and status information associated with one or more parties.   
   
   
       81 . A method according to  claim 80 , wherein:
 a first tier of icons visually depicts device information (e.g., compatibility, configuration, call mode [silent] and location);   a second tier of icons visually depicts presence information; and   a third tier of icons visually depicts permissions and status information.   
   
   
       82 . A method according to  claim 48 , further comprising:
 providing or interfacing to a database of information pertaining to commercial media content items, the information of the database identifying the licensed rights and the territories associated therewith (e.g., allowed territories and/or restricted territories) for such commercial media content items (or groups thereof);   identifying territory for the called party device or for the calling party device;   accessing the database to identify restricted territories represented by the information stored in the database for the media content specified by or included in the at least one command, and determining if the territory of the called party device or for the calling party device corresponds to a restricted territory;   in the event that the territory of the called party device or for the calling party device corresponds to a restricted territory, supplying DRM license data information to the called party device or the calling party device that restricts usage of the media content.   
   
   
       83 . A method according to  claim 48 , further comprising:
 distributing advertisements and/or other marketing and promotional media items to at least one of the called-party device and the calling-party device.   
   
   
       84 . A method according to  claim 83 , wherein:
 the advertisements and/or other marketing and promotional media items are communicated to the called-party device for presentation in a manner that accompanies playing of media content specified by or included in the at least one command.   
   
   
       85 . A method according to  claim 83 , wherein:
 the advertisements and/or other marketing and promotional media items are selected for the calling party or the called party by referencing user profile information in the server, as well as additional reference information from third party servers, in order to identify at least one specific advertising/marketing/promotional media item to increase the applicability of the media item for the calling party or called party.   
   
   
       86 . A method according to  claim 83 , wherein:
 the advertisements and/or other marketing and promotional media items are communicated to the calling-party device for presentation during a ring-back period when the at least one command is being communicated to the called-party device but before playing the media content of the multimedia announcement.   
   
   
       87 . A method for communicating a multimedia announcement from a calling party to a called party as part of a voice call therebetween, the method comprising:
 providing a server operable coupled to a calling party device operated by the calling party and a called party device operated by the called party, said server including or interfacing to at least one database for storing DRM license information;   said calling party operating the calling party device to identifying the called party and to select media content for a multimedia announcement,   in response to the operation of the calling party device, said calling party device initiating communication of at least one command from said calling party device to said called party device, said at least one command specifying or including the media content of the multimedia announcement; and   said called party device receiving the at least one command and playing the media content of the multimedia announcement in conjunction with a call made from said calling party device to said called party device over said communication network, wherein said called party device acquires DRM license information from said server that allows access to the file storing the media content for at least playing the media content on said called party device.   
   
   
       88 . A method according to  claim 87 , wherein:
 said DRM license information controls access to the file storing the media content for other functions selected from the group including: allowing the file to be copied and/or saved on the called party device, prohibiting the file to be copied and/or saved on the called party device, allowing the file to be used only for intended purposes, prohibiting the file to be used for non-intended purposes, allowing the file to be forwarded to another device, prohibiting the file to be forwarded to another device, allowing the file to played a certain number of times and then automatically deleted from the called party device, allowing the file to played until a certain date and then automatically deleted from the called party device, and allowing the file to be played only in a specific sequence of actions by the calling party or called party, or only in a specific sequence of plays of other media content items, or only in a predetermined combination of both.   
   
   
       89 . A method according to  claim 87 , further comprising:
 said server supplying to the called party device first DRM license information for the media content specified by or included in the at least one command, and   responsive to a transaction invoked by the called party or the calling party for the media content specified by or included in the at least one command, said server supplying to the called party device second DRM license information for the media content specified by or included in the at least one command, the second digital rights license management information permitting uses that are not allows by the first DRM information.   
   
   
       90 . A method according to  claim 89 , wherein:
 the transaction invoked by the called party comprises a buy-type transaction.   
   
   
       91 . A method according to  claim 89 , wherein:
 the transaction invoked by the calling party comprises a gift-type transaction.   
   
   
       92 . A method according to  claim 48 , further comprising:
 in the event that the called party is does not have his or her device enabled to accept interactive multimedia announcements at the time of voice or data call initiation by the calling party, said sever notifying the called party with instructions on how to access, install and initialize on the called party device the applicable enabling software specified by or included in the at least one command. In said event a copy of the media content item embodied in the intended interactive multimedia announcement is stored or the server or on the called party device, or on both, for later retrieval and use by the calling party or called party, or both calling party and called party; and/or   in the event that the called party is does not have the his or her device enabled to accept interactive multimedia announcements at the time that the calling party first installs the activates the applicable software program on his or her device, or takes action to activate/recruit at least on buddy on his or her Contact List/Phone Book to be able to accept his or her interactive multimedia announcements, said server notifies the called party with instructions on how to access, install and initialize the called party device the applicable enabling software specified by or included in the at least one command.   
   
   
       93 . A method according to  claim 48 , further comprising:
 presenting previews of at least one media content item from a library of media content items, and making the media content items available for download for use in interactive multimedia announcements, on the calling party device and called party device. The composition of said library of media content items may be defined by the territory or network, or both territory and network, of the calling party and called party individually [i.e., if calling party is in the USA on T-Mobile, he will see one set of media content titles (ringers). If the called party is in China on Skype, she will see another set of media content titles (ringers). There may be some overlap on what is accessible and available to both]; and/or   with a graphical user interface on the called party device, the called party may view a history of which calling parties have communicated interactive multimedia announcements to his or her called party device; view a history of which media content items have been communicated to the called party device from each of the said calling parties; play a preview of a representation of any of said historical media content items (in the case of more than one media content item, the items may be displayed in the chronological order of which they were communicated to the called party); and purchase/download any of the media content items displayed as available for purchase/download in the called party's territory or network, or both territory and network; and/or   with a graphical user interface on the calling party device and called party device that enables the user to view and preview a list of the content media items that exist on the device of any of the user's buddies that is enabled for interactive multimedia announcements, and to be able to purchase/download any of the media content items displayed as available for purchase/download in the called party's territory or network, or both territory and network; and/or   the server includes means to (a) track instances wherein a user, by using a graphical user interface, purchases at least one media content item that was embodied in an interactive multimedia announcement or appears on a list of such items that exists on the device of any of the user's buddies, (b) report said purchases on a display accessible on the device of the purchasing party or presenting party, as applicable, and (c) issue rewards in the form of loyalty points, premium access to other device-based services, or cash credits to the account of the presenting party.   
   
   
       94 . A method for communicating a multimedia announcement from a calling party to a called party as part of a voice call therebetween, the system comprising:
 providing a server operably coupled to a calling party device operated by the calling party and a called party device operated by the called party, said server including or interfacing to at least one database of information pertaining to commercial media content items, the information of the database identifying the licensed rights and the territories associated therewith (e.g., allowed territories and/or restricted territories) for such commercial media content items (or groups thereof);   operating said calling party device to identify the called party and to select media content for a multimedia announcement;   in response to operation of said calling party device, initiating communication of at least one command from said calling party device to said called party device, said at least one command specifying or including the media content of the multimedia announcement;   wherein said server identifies the territory for the called party device or for the calling party device, accesses the database to identify restricted territories represented by the information stored in the database for the media content specified by or included in the at least one command, and determines if the territory of the called party device or for the calling party device corresponds to a restricted territory; and   in the event that the territory of the called party device or for the calling party device corresponds to a restricted territory, said server supplies DRM license data information to the called party device or the calling party device that restricts usage of the media content or acts to present a most-alike alternative media content item that is not restricted for purchase/download in said territory; and   said called party receives the at least one command and plays the media content of the multimedia announcement in conjunction with a call made from said calling party device to said called party device over said communication network.   
   
   
       95 . In a system for communicating a multimedia announcement from a calling party to a called party as part of a voice call therebetween, an apparatus comprising:
 a server operably coupled to a calling party device operating by the calling party and a called party device operated by the called party, the serving including or interfacing to at least one database for storing presence data and permissions data for a plurality of users, wherein presence data and permissions data for the called party is specified by communication from said called party device and used to selectively initiate communication of the multimedia announcement from a calling party to a called party   wherein said server identifies the territory for the called party device or for the calling party device, accesses the database to identify restricted territories represented by the information stored in the database for the media content specified by or included in the at least one command, and determines if the territory of the called party device or for the calling party device corresponds to a restricted territory; and   
   
   
       96 . In a system for communicating a multimedia announcement from a calling party to a called party as part of a voice call therebetween, an apparatus comprising:
 a server operably coupled to a calling party device operating by the calling party and a called party device operated by the called party, the serving including or interfacing to at least one database of information pertaining to commercial media content items, the information of the database identifying the licensed rights and the territories associated therewith (e.g., allowed territories and/or restricted territories) for such commercial media content items (or groups thereof);   said server including means for identifying the territory for the called party device or for the calling party device, accessing the database to identify restricted territories represented by the information stored in the database for the media content specified by or included in the at least one command, determining if the territory of the called party device or for the calling party device corresponds to a restricted territory, and supplying DRM license data to the called party device or the calling party device, said DRM license data based upon the determination.   
   
   
       97 . In a system for communicating a multimedia announcement from a calling party to a called party as part of a voice call therebetween, a software application loaded or loadable onto a calling party device operated by the calling party, the software application including a graphical user interface utilizing a set of multi-tiered icons to communicate device information, presence information, and permissions and status information associated with one or more parties. 
   
   
       98 . A software application according to  claim 97 , wherein:
 a first tier of icons visually depicts device information (e.g., compatibility, configuration, call mode [silent] and location);   a second tier of icons visually depicts presence information; and   a third tier of icons visually depicts permissions and status information.   
   
   
       99 . A system or apparatus as claimed above, wherein:
 the multimedia announcement is presented to the called party in conjunction with interactive elements related thereto.   
   
   
       100 . In a system for communicating a multimedia announcement from a calling party to a called party as part of a voice call therebetween, a software application loaded or loadable onto a calling party device operated by the calling party, the software application including:
 means for identifying the called party;   means for selecting media content for the multimedia announcement; and   means for initiating communication of at least one command from said calling party device to said called party device, said at least one command specifying or including the media content of the multimedia announcement, and said at least one command comprising a command type selected from a plurality of command types (such as local-ID type, remote-URL type, peer-to-peer type).