Abstract: A method and system for connecting a computer user with an information provider over a digitized speech connection. By determining what information a computer user is viewing, the system determines a telephone number associated with that information. The telephone number can be determined via (1) database lookup, (2) parsing of the information, and (3) a directory service using a portion of the name of the information as the query string. The telephone number can then be used to form a telephone connection with the information provider.

Abstract: A group-browsing system for a plurality of clients each including a shared web browser when browsing non-secure parts of a web site. A server is linked to the shared web browser of each client and is configured to monitor the transmission of the web site URL request from the shared web browser of one client of the group and to direct the request to the shared web browser of other clients in the group. A gatekeeper module is configured to first mask the identity of each client's computer on the shared browser. This prevents the web site from retrieving any client's actual identifier. Second, the gatekeeper is also configured to create a same temporary identifier for each client when any client logs on to the web site so that the same web page is displayed for all the clients in the group. When browsing secure parts of a web site, a non-shared web browser is executed instead of using the shared web browser to avoid sharing sensitive or personal information.

Abstract: A call flow server is disclosed that processes call flow events from a plurality of gateways bridging between traditional circuit-switched networks and packet-switched networks. The call flow server server, which may be implemented with either a single processor or multi-processor design, includes call flow engine and call flow thread manager modules capable of managing a plurality of call flow events by distributing the call flow scripts associated with such events among a plurality of threads executing on the call flow server. Each call flow event in the form of a call flow script is processed on a single thread within a selected processor. Processing each call flow script on a single thread fully utilizes the processor resources and ensures that a call flow script need not be blocked while another call flow script is running. The call flow server includes a thread manager to direct a given call flow script to a thread that has excess capacity.

Abstract: A utility for enabling real-time, point-to-point communications over computer networks between users having dynamically assigned Internet Protocol addresses includes the ability to identify incoming communications, and, based on the identity of the incoming communication, selectively responding. In one embodiment, an information profile contained within an incoming signal is compared to a plurality of information profiles contained within the personal directory of a user, and if a match occurs, the notification signal associated with the matched profile is generated. In an alternative embodiment, the information profile contained within the incoming communication includes an identifier of a notification signal which is used to select from a number of predefined notification signals resident within the user's private directory.

Abstract: A portable, multimedia terminal adapter cellular (MTAC) has input/outputs for a cellular phone, a PSTN, a cellular network, an IP network and a telephone, which may be integrated. The MTAC has a Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) adapted for connection to both the IP network and the PSTN, and connects signaling, media and DC power with the cellular phone. A service platform determines operative presence of the cellular phone. Transcoding between the cellular network and the IP network is performed only by a codec of the cellular phone. The MTAC bridges the PSTN and the cellular phone without gateway functionality, and has gateway functionality that bridges the IP network and the cellular phone without transcoding.

Abstract: A federation of multinational PSTN, IP and cellular service providers coordinate their accounting by: populating a subscriber database of subscribers to one number services, a service providers database and a payments clearing database having amounts owed across the service providers based on the individual service provider's portion of pre-agreed payments for services; collecting accounting data from the service providers; updating the relevant databases with the data collected; and providing accounting data to the service providers and subscribers. Voice over IP service is applied to a cellular phone by selecting a compatible codec at peripheral gateways of IP network paths, thereby avoiding transcoding by a connecting multimedia terminal adapter.

Abstract: A portable, personal, multimedia terminal adapter cellular internet protocol gateway (MTAC IPG) bridges between a cellular phone of a cellular network and an IP network to: select SIM card programming of the cellular phone based upon geographic location of the MTAC IPG, with reference to database information of geographic location dependent service availability and user preferences; provide SIM card programming signaling to a SIM card residing in the cellular phone, particularly by signaling exchange of complementary fractions of encryption and decryption keys over two separate communication channels, thereby improving security of information and probability that the SIM card will be programmed in the appropriate authenticated cellular phone; select a service provider based upon call session specific pricing dependent upon geographic location of the MTAC; direct a traveling subscriber to the nearest source of compatible SIM cards when the cellular phone connected to the MTAC IPG is determined to employ an inc

Abstract: A utility for enabling real-time, point-to-point communications over computer networks between users having dynamically assigned Internet Protocol addresses includes the ability to identify incoming communications, and, based on the identity of the incoming communication, selectively responding. In one embodiment, an information profile contained within an incoming signal is compared to a plurality of information profiles contained within the personal directory of a user, and, if a match occurs, the notification signal associated with the matched profile is generated. In an alternative embodiment, the information profile contained within the incoming communication includes an identifier of a notification signal which is used to select from a number of predefined notification signals resident within the user's private directory.

Abstract: A group-browsing system for a plurality of clients each including a shared web browser. A server is linked to the shared web browser of each client and is configured to monitor the transmission of the web site URL request from the shared web browser of one client of the group and to direct the request to the shared web browser of other clients in the group. A gatekeeper module is configured to first mask the identity of each client's computer on the shared browser. This prevents the web site from retrieving any client's actual identifier. Second, the gatekeeper is also configured to create a same temporary identifier for each client when any client logs on to the web site so that the same web page is displayed for all the clients in the group.

Abstract: A method and system of utilizing a secondary telephone line service, and in one embodiment encompasses analyzing a dialing sequence to convert from utilizing the secondary telephone line service to utilizing a primary telephone line service without the use of a manual override. By referencing a database of numbers, the present invention is able to determine if an outgoing service request is compatible with a preferred interface (e.g., the secondary interface), and, if not, to direct the outgoing service request to another interface (e.g., the primary interface, such as a POTS network).

Abstract: A method and system are provided for managing voice and multimedia sessions over a network. The method includes initializing a SIP maintenance unit, performing tests on SIP proxies, adjusting a value of a counter based on the results of the tests, and managing the voice and multimedia sessions based on the results of the tests. The system includes SIP proxies, a SIP session initiator for selecting a SIP proxy to establish a media path, error counters, and a SIP maintenance unit for communicating between the components of the system and testing the SIP proxies. The system and method improve the performance of call routing and the average quality of media paths established for communicating multimedia data by testing the SIP proxies of a communication environment have varying characteristics.

Abstract: A computer based system, computer program product, and method for managing network status message data flow. A computer based system, computer program product, and method are provided for managing the flow rate of network status messages to a remote network operations console. Detailed network status is abstracted into hierarchical levels of detail so that an appropriate level of detail can be provided from a flow control daemon to the requesting network operations console without exceeding a predetermined allocation of bandwidth set aside for network status reporting.

Abstract: A method and system of utilizing a secondary telephone line service, and in one embodiment encompasses analyzing a dialing sequence to convert from utilizing the secondary telephone line service to utilizing a primary telephone line service without the use of a manual override. By referencing a database of numbers, the present invention is able to determine if an outgoing service request is compatible with a preferred interface (e.g., the secondary interface), and, if not, to direct the outgoing service request to another interface (e.g., the primary interface, such as a POTS network).

Abstract: A group-browsing system for a plurality of clients each including a shared web browser. A server is linked to the shared web browser of each client and is configured to monitor the transmission of the web site URL request from the shared web browser of one client of the group and to direct the request to the shared web browser of other clients in the group. A gatekeeper module is configured to first mask the identity of each client's computer on the shared browser. This prevents the web site from retrieving any client's actual identifier. Second, the gatekeeper is also configured to create a same temporary identifier for each client when any client logs on to the web site so that the same web page is displayed for all the clients in the group.

Abstract: A method comprising the steps of: receiving via internet a time, a date and a telephone number for a reminder telephone call (such as a wakeup call); storing in a database the time, date and telephone number of the reminder telephone call; and delivering to the subscriber via telephone the reminder telephone call at the specified time, date and telephone number. In one embodiment, the reminder call comprises a marketing message. In another embodiment, the method further comprises the steps of: receiving via the internet demographic information corresponding to the subscriber; matching the marketing message to the demographic information; and delivering the matched marketing message to the subscriber during the reminder telephone call. In other embodiments, the method further comprises the steps of receiving via the internet a personal reminder message or a selection for information, and delivering the personal reminder message or selected information to the subscriber during the reminder telephone call.

Abstract: 18A method and system for controlling the switching and control operation of at least one of an Softswitch system, an Signal Transfer Points (STP) and a gateway (GW) (e.g., in a SS7 signaling environment). By providing support for redundancy, a second switch system can take over the routing and control operations of a first switch system when the first switch system experiences difficulty. Difficulty may be any one of several forms (e.g., switch crash, congestion, hardware failure).

Abstract: A method comprising the steps of: receiving via internet a time, a date and a telephone number for a reminder telephone call (such as a wakeup call); storing in a database the time, date and telephone number of the reminder telephone call; and delivering to the subscriber via telephone the reminder telephone call at the specified time, date and telephone number. In one embodiment, the reminder call comprises a marketing message. In another embodiment, the method further comprises the steps of: receiving via the internet demographic information corresponding to the subscriber; matching the marketing message to the demographic information; and delivering the matched marketing message to the subscriber during the reminder telephone call. In other embodiments, the method further comprises the steps of receiving via the internet a personal reminder message or a selection for information, and delivering the personal reminder message or selected information to the subscriber during the reminder telephone call.

Abstract: A file conversion system provides a plurality of network computing platforms, each computing platform having one or more conversion engines executing thereon. When a file is to be transferred, a plurality of destination file types is determined. If all destination file types are different from the file's current type, the file is converted to a file having a type corresponding to one of the destination file type. If the file needs to be converted, then a conversion path, potentially passing through multiple conversion engines associated with a least conversion cost is chosen to perform the conversion. The file is sent to the computing platform on which the conversion engines associated with the least cost conversion are executing. Moreover, the least cost conversion can take into account the destination cost. Conversion costs are determined using a table of costs for performing various conversions.

Abstract: Compliance with subscriber job delivery requirements is managed and tracked. Job requirements set forth in service level agreements are stored electronically as delivery parameters. A queue manager creates a prioritized list of delivery jobs. A delivery manager delivers the jobs in accordance with the prioritized list. A routing manager determines optimal routes, e.g., least cost route for delivery of each job. Retries of jobs that are not successfully delivered can be performed. delivery job sources include broadcast subscribers, high- and low-priority single address subscribers, free subscribers and off-peak subscribers.

Abstract: A method and system for delivering messages to customers/subscribers by “pushing” the message to the intended recipient(s) in voice form. By utilizing a digitized voice stream that can be routed over a packet switched network, the message can be distributed to multiple recipients cost effectively.