Abstract: Pre-authorized communication services and/or transactions are provided via a plurality of networks in response to a request received from a user to provide at least one of a communication service, a transaction and user account information via a plurality of networks of different types. Prior to processing the request, there is verification of the user's authorization to receive the at least one of the communication service, the transaction, and the user account information, and that an account associated with the user has a sufficient amount currently available for payment of the at least one of the communication service and the transaction. After verification, an authorized account associated with the user is charged in real time as the at least one of the communication service and the transaction is provided.

Abstract: A graphics server and method for streaming rendered content via a remote graphics rendering service is provided. In one embodiment, the server includes a memory, a graphics renderer, a frame capturer, an encoder, and a processor. The memory is configured to store a pre-computed skip-frame message indicative to a client to re-use a previously transmitted frame of the video stream. The graphics renderer is configured to identify when rendered content has not changed. When the graphics renderer identifies that the rendered content has not changed, the processor is configured to cause: (1) the frame capturer to not capture the frames of the rendered content; (2) the encoder to not encode the frames of the rendered content; and (3) the pre-encoded skip-frame message to be transmitted without requiring any pixel processing.

Abstract: Pre-authorized communication services and/or transactions are provided via a plurality of networks in response to a request received from a user to provide at least one of a communication service, a transaction and user account information via a plurality of networks of different types. Prior to processing the request, there is verification of the user's authorization to receive the at least one of the communication service, the transaction, and the user account information, and that an account associated with the user has a sufficient amount currently available for payment of the at least one of the communication service and the transaction. After verification, an authorized account associated with the user is charged in real time as the at least one of the communication service and the transaction is provided.

Abstract: Pre-authorized communication services and/or transactions are provided via a plurality of networks in response to a request received from a user to provide at least one of a communication service, a transaction and user account information via a plurality of networks of different types. Prior to processing the request, there is verification of the user's authorization to receive the at least one of the communication service, the transaction, and the user account information, and that an account associated with the user has a sufficient amount currently available for payment of the at least one of the communication service and the transaction. After verification, an authorized account associated with the user is charged in real time as the at least one of the communication service and the transaction is provided.

Abstract: Pre-authorized communication services and/or transactions are provided via a plurality of networks in response to a request received from a user to provide at least one of a communication service, a transaction and user account information via a plurality of networks of different types. Prior to processing the request, there is verification of the user's authorization to receive the at least one of the communication service, the transaction, and the user account information, and that an account associated with the user has a sufficient amount currently available for payment of the at least one of the communication service and the transaction. After verification, an authorized account associated with the user is charged in real time as the at least one of the communication service and the transaction is provided.

Abstract: A graphics server and method for streaming rendered content via a remote graphics rendering service is provided. In one embodiment, the server includes a memory, a graphics renderer, a frame capturer, an encoder, and a processor. The memory is configured to store a pre-computed skip-frame message indicative to a client to re-use a previously transmitted frame of the video stream. The graphics renderer is configured to identify when rendered content has not changed. When the graphics renderer identifies that the rendered content has not changed, the processor is configured to cause: (1) the frame capturer to not capture the frames of the rendered content; (2) the encoder to not encode the frames of the rendered content; and (3) the pre-encoded skip-frame message to be transmitted without requiring any pixel processing.

Abstract: A graphics server and method for streaming rendered content via a remote graphics rendering service. One embodiment of the graphics server includes: (1) a frame capturer configured to capture frames of rendered content at a frame rate, (2) an encoder configured to encode captured frames at the frame rate, and (3) a processor configured to cause encoded frames to be transmitted if the rendered content is at least partially changed, and cause a skip-frame message to be transmitted, the skip-frame message configured to cause the frame capturer to forgo capturing and the encoder to forgo encoding if the rendered content is unchanged.

Abstract: Pre-authorized communication services and/or transactions are provided via a plurality of networks in response to a request received from a user to provide at least one of a communication service, a transaction and user account information via a plurality of networks of different types. Prior to processing the request, there is verification of the users authorization to receive the at least one of the communication service, the transaction, and the user account information, and that an account associated with the user has a sufficient amount currently available for payment of the at least one of the communication service and the transaction. After verification, an authorized account associated with the user is charged in real time as the at least one of the communication service and the transaction is provided.

Abstract: Pre-authorized communication services and/or transactions are provided via a plurality of networks in response to a request received from a user to provide at least one of a communication service, a transaction and user account information via a plurality of networks of different types. Prior to processing the request, there is verification of the users authorization to receive the at least one of the communication service, the transaction, and the user account information, and that an account associated with the user has a sufficient amount currently available for payment of the at least one of the communication service and the transaction. After verification, an authorized account associated with the user is charged in real time as the at least one of the communication service and the transaction is provided.

Abstract: Pre-authorized communication services and/or transactions are provided via a plurality of networks in response to a request received from a user to provide at least one of a communication service, a transaction and user account information via a plurality of networks of different types. Prior to processing the request, there is verification of the users authorization to receive the at least one of the communication service, the transaction, and the user account information, and that an account associated with the user has a sufficient amount currently available for payment of the at least one of the communication service and the transaction. After verification, an authorized account associated with the user is charged in real time as the at least one of the communication service and the transaction is provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing mobile commerce, electronic commerce, customer care and communication services via a plurality of networks, including receiving in a roaming network from a user device, an identification number and a request for a service, forwarding from the roaming network, to a home network, the identification number, the request for the service, and adding a service provider identification number that relates to a service provider and a cost or rate of the service, if the service is to be charged, verifying, by a convergent communication platform located on the home network, that the identification number relates to a valid user account, that the user device is authorized to receive the service and that the valid user account has sufficient value to pay for the service, providing an authorization to the service provider, if the identification number relates to the valid user account, the user device is authorized to receive the service and the valid user account has sufficient value, i

Abstract: Pre-authorized communication services and/or transactions are provided via a plurality of networks in response to a request received from a user to provide at least one of a communication service, a transaction and user account information via a plurality of networks of different types. Prior to processing the request, there is verification of the user's authorization to receive the at least one of the communication service, the transaction, and the user account information, and that an account associated with the user has a sufficient amount currently available for payment of the at least one of the communication service and the transaction. After verification, an authorized account associated with the user is charged in real time as the at least one of the communication service and the transaction is provided.

Abstract: Pre-authorized communication services and/or transactions are provided via a plurality of networks in response to a request received from a user to provide at least one of a communication service, a transaction and user account information via a plurality of networks of different types. Prior to processing the request, there is verification of the users authorization to receive the at least one of the communication service, the transaction, and the user account information, and that an account associated with the user has a sufficient amount currently available for payment of the at least one of the communication service and the transaction. After verification, an authorized account associated with the user is charged in real time as the at least one of the communication service and the transaction is provided.

Abstract: Pre-authorized communication services and/or transactions are provided via a plurality of networks in response to a request received from a user to provide at least one of a communication service, a transaction and user account information via a plurality of networks of different types. Prior to processing the request, there is verification of the user's authorization to receive the at least one of the communication service, the transaction, and the user account information, and that an account associated with the user has a sufficient amount currently available for payment of the at least one of the communication service and the transaction. After verification, an authorized account associated with the user is charged in real time as the at least one of the communication service and the transaction is provided.

Abstract: A graphics server and method for streaming rendered content via a remote graphics rendering service. One embodiment of the graphics server includes: (1) a frame capturer configured to capture frames of rendered content at a frame rate, (2) an encoder configured to encode captured frames at the frame rate, and (3) a processor configured to cause encoded frames to be transmitted if the rendered content is at least partially changed, and cause a skip-frame message to be transmitted, the skip-frame message configured to cause the frame capturer to forgo capturing and the encoder to forgo encoding if the rendered content is unchanged.

Abstract: Pre-authorized communication services and/or transactions are provided via a plurality of networks in response to a request received from a user to provide at least one of a communication service, a transaction and user account information via a plurality of networks of different types. Prior to processing the request, there is verification of the user's authorization to receive the at least one of the communication service, the transaction, and the user account information, and that an account associated with the user has a sufficient amount currently available for payment of the at least one of the communication service and the transaction. After verification, an authorized account associated with the user is charged in real time as the at least one of the communication service and the transaction is provided.

Abstract: An inhaler device comprises a fibrous cylindrical plug with a paper wrapper around the plug. An aromatic substance is applied along the centerline of the plug. Such substance may include eucalyptus oil or menthol. An airtight foil surrounds the paper wrapper and the ends of the cylindrical plug. The inhaler device may be used to ease nasal congestion and quell cough.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing mobile commerce, electronic commerce, customer care and communication services via a plurality of networks, including receiving in a roaming network from a user device, an identification number and a request for a service, forwarding from the roaming network, to a home network, the identification number, the request for the service, and adding a service provider identification number that relates to a service provider and a cost or rate of the service, if the service is to be charged, verifying, by a convergent communication platform located on the home network, that the identification number relates to a valid user account, that the user device is authorized to receive the service and that the valid user account has sufficient value to pay for the service, providing an authorization to the service provider, if the identification number relates to the valid user account, the user device is authorized to receive the service and the valid user account has sufficient value, i