Abstract: Various technologies and techniques are disclosed that enhance an ongoing cell phone communication. A separate computing device determines that a communication is in progress on a cell phone. Information is retrieved from a data store that is related to a party participating in the communication. The information is displayed on a display device of the separate computing device for at least a portion of time that the communication is in progress on the cell phone. Management options related to the communication are displayed on the display device of the separate computing device. The user can manage the communication on the cell phone from the separate computing device using the management options.

Abstract: Various technologies and techniques are disclosed that allow an eraser to be used for additional operations. A pen feature is provided that supports various eraser gestures. An eraser gesture is detected from a pen input device. If the eraser gesture matches a supported eraser gesture, then an operation associated with the supported eraser gesture is performed. For example, a scratchout gesture made with the eraser can undo a previous erasure of text made by the eraser. A customization feature is provided that allows a user to customize some or all of the eraser gestures.

Abstract: In an information system, caller identification information for incoming telephone calls can be selectively displayed on displays at any of the set top box, television, remote or keyboard. Further, microphones and speakers on each of the remote control and keyboard can be used for communication on a telephone call, at the user's option, in place of a microphone on the main unit and a television speaker.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for automatically retrieving and displaying supplemental information about a called party on the CPE of a calling party. When a caller places a call, the number called is used to look up and return to the caller the Universal Resource Locator (URL) of the called party. Application software resident in the caller's CPE uses the URL to retrieve the home page of the called party from the Internet.

Abstract: A system and method for providing user-selected information to a paging-capable device. An enhanced paging system responsive to information sources and a selection device transmits information to a paging-capable device. The enhanced paging system comprises a storing means, a selecting means, a storage device, and a transmitter. Such a system can provide user-selected information to a paging-capable device, allowing the user to control what information will be sent and when the information will be sent. Intelligent-agent software can automatically search for and store information that would be of interest to the user and can alert the user that more detailed information is available. It can also send critical information to the user without user request.

Abstract: A system and method for providing user-selected information to a paging-capable device. An enhanced paging system responsive to information sources and a selection device transmits information to a paging-capable device. The enhanced paging system comprises a storing means, a selecting means, a storage device, and a transmitter. Such a system can provide user-selected information to a paging-capable device, allowing the user to control what information will be sent and when the information will be sent. Intelligent-agent software can automatically search for and store information that would be of interest to the user and can alert the user that more detailed information is available. It can also send critical information to the user without user request.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for paging from a pagor to a pager is disclosed. In one step, a page is sent wirelessly to the pager and received from the pagor. After determining that the pagee has not responded to the page for a predetermined time period, the page is converted to a message and a message-waiting indicator is activated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing broadband conferencing services is provided. The method includes the steps of establishing a voice channel over a circuit switched telephone network and a virtual data channel over a packet data network between at least two parties. The apparatus includes a telephone line and a digital data line sharing a single subscriber loop in addition to means for establishing a virtual data channel over a packet data network. Further, an advanced intelligent network telephone network having a first database of customer premise equipment and a second database having data addresses associated with the customer premise equipment is disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for coordinating access to a network for a plurality of user devices includes a server configured to establish a placeholder at the server, and control logic configured to retrieve and display a subset of information indicated by the placeholder. The server is connected to the network, and the placeholder indicates information available from the network and is established upon demand from a requesting user device connected to the network and in communication with the server. The control logic retrieves and displays the information, upon demand, at a receiving user device having a device type, with the subset based on the device type.

Abstract: A method for communicating text through a telephone system comprises the steps of generating a text message in a TTY format and electronically converting the text message in the TTY format to a pager format capable of display on a pager. The text message is sent to the pager in pager format and displayed on the pager. The user of the pager may then communicate back with the user of the TTY device through another communications device, such as a pay phone.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for automatically retrieving and displaying supplemental information about a called party on the CPE of a calling party. When a caller places a call, the number called is used to look up and return to the caller the Universal Resource Locator (URL) of the called party. Application software resident in the caller's CPE uses the URL to retrieve the home page of the called party from the Internet.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for automatically retrieving and displaying supplemental information about a called party on the customer premise equipment (CPE) of a calling party. When a caller places a call, the number called is used to look up and return to the caller the Universal Resource Locator (URL) of the called party. Application software resident in the caller's CPE uses the URL to retrieve the home page of the called party from the Internet.

Abstract: A method for communicating text through a telephone system comprises the steps of generating a text message in a TTY format and electronically converting the text message in the TTY format to a pager format capable of display on a pager. The text message is sent to the pager in pager format and displayed on the pager. The user of the pager may then communicate back with the user of the TTY device through another communications device, such as a pay phone.

Abstract: A system and method for providing user-selected information to a paging-capable device. An enhanced paging system responsive to information sources and a selection device transmits information to a paging-capable device. The enhanced paging system comprises a storing means, a selecting means, a storage device, and a transmitter. Such a system can provide user-selected information to a paging-capable device, allowing the user to control what information will be sent and when the information will be sent. Intelligent-agent software can automatically search for and store information that would be of interest to the user and can alert the user that more detailed information is available. It can also send critical information to the user without user request.

Abstract: According to the invention, a method for paging from a pagor to a pager is disclosed. In one step, a page is sent wirelessly to the pager and received from the pagor. After determining that the pagee has not responded to the page for a predetermined time period, the page is converted to a message and a message-waiting indicator is activated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing broadband conferencing services is provided. The method includes the steps of establishing a voice channel over a circuit switched telephone network and a virtual data channel over a packet data network between at least two parties. The apparatus includes a telephone line and a digital data line sharing a single subscriber loop in addition to means for establishing a virtual data channel over a packet data network. Further, an advanced intelligent network telephone network having a first database of customer premise equipment and a second database having data addresses associated with the customer premise equipment is disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing broadband conferencing services is provided. The method includes the steps of establishing a voice channel over a circuit switched telephone network and a virtual data channel over a packet data network between at least two parties. The apparatus includes a telephone line and a digital data line sharing a single subscriber loop in addition to a system for establishing a virtual data channel over a packet data network. Further, an advanced intelligent network telephone network having a first database of customer premise equipment and a second database having data addresses associated with the customer premise equipment is disclosed.

Abstract: A system provides for the coordination of caller ID devices connected to a common telephone line and additionally may provide control of a number of electronic appliances within a home or building. Within a home or building, caller ID devices as well as a number of electronic appliances receive electrical energy through the electronic power lines. Each of the caller ID devices includes a processor which allows the transmission of control signals over the power lines in order that all caller ID devices on the same telephone line can be synchronized. This system can be further expanded to include a home controller which, via the power lines controls the operation of the electronic appliances. The home controller is connected to the common telephone line, and may download information and generate the appropriate command signals to control remotely located appliances.

Abstract: An adaptable communication system provides capability to change the format of multimedia files being transmitted over a data network in real-time. Incorporated into a network server is a processor and other functionality for downloading multimedia files and then recreating the files to accommodate different download formats. A file may be created that is appropriate for real-time playing for a 14.4 k modem connection as well as an high-bandwidth line, such as an ADSL line connection. A separate file is created in the network server for these different type of connections. Also incorporated into each of the newly created multimedia files are reference marks which are located at the same playing interval for each of the files. Once a system user has accessed and is viewing a multimedia file as it is being downloaded, an interface connection may detect that noise or other problems on the network are decreasing the quality of the playback.

Abstract: A telecommunications system and method are provided in which network-based telecommunication devices provide advanced telecommunications services. The station set of such a telecommunications system contains the elements necessary for the presentation of a user interface and for converting electrical signals to and from speech. The components that provide advanced telephony services and even basic telephony functionality such as touch-tone generation are remotely located from the station set in the telecommunications network.