Abstract: A method of assisting communication for a user is provided. The method includes receiving an IM message including a request for a voice carry over from the user, and transmitting to the user an invitation to join a first voice connection. The method further includes initiating the first voice connection with the user, and initiating a second voice connection with a recipient. Additionally, the method includes communicating to the recipient a first voice communication from the user over the first and second voice connections, and communicating to the user a response IM message including a transcribed version of a second voice communication from the recipient. An apparatus for assisting communication for a user is provided. A computer-readable medium having stored thereon computer-executable instructions is provided. The computer-executable instructions cause a processor to perform a method when executed.

Abstract: A method of assisting communication for a user is provided. The method includes receiving an IM message including a request for a voice carry over from the user, and transmitting to the user an invitation to join a first voice connection. The method further includes initiating the first voice connection with the user, and initiating a second voice connection with a recipient. Additionally, the method includes communicating to the recipient a first voice communication from the user over the first and second voice connections, and communicating to the user a response IM message including a transcribed version of a second voice communication from the recipient. An apparatus for assisting communication for a user is provided. A computer-readable medium having stored thereon computer-executable instructions is provided. The computer-executable instructions cause a processor to perform a method when executed.

Abstract: A method of assisting communication for a user is provided. The method includes receiving an IM message including a request for a voice carry over from the user, and transmitting to the user an invitation to join a first voice connection. The method further includes initiating the first voice connection with the user, and initiating a second voice connection with a recipient. Additionally, the method includes communicating to the recipient a first voice communication from the user over the first and second voice connections, and communicating to the user a response IM message including a transcribed version of a second voice communication from the recipient. An apparatus for assisting communication for a user is provided. A computer-readable medium having stored thereon computer-executable instructions is provided. The computer-executable instructions cause a processor to perform a method when executed.

Abstract: A method of assisting communication for a user is provided. The method includes receiving an IM message including a request for a voice carry over from the user, and transmitting to the user an invitation to join a first voice connection. The method further includes initiating the first voice connection with the user, and initiating a second voice connection with a recipient. Additionally, the method includes communicating to the recipient a first voice communication from the user over the first and second voice connections, and communicating to the user a response IM message including a transcribed version of a second voice communication from the recipient. An apparatus for assisting communication for a user is provided. A computer-readable medium having stored thereon computer-executable instructions is provided. The computer-executable instructions cause a processor to perform a method when executed.

Abstract: A method of assisting communication for a user is provided. The method includes receiving an IM message including a request for a voice carry over from the user, and transmitting to the user an invitation to join a first voice connection. The method further includes initiating the first voice connection with the user, and initiating a second voice connection with a recipient. Additionally, the method includes communicating to the recipient a first voice communication from the user over the first and second voice connections, and communicating to the user a response IM message including a transcribed version of a second voice communication from the recipient. An apparatus for assisting communication for a user is provided. A computer-readable medium having stored thereon computer-executable instructions is provided. The computer-executable instructions cause a processor to perform a method when executed.

Abstract: A communications system is designed to allow sound-impaired persons to communicate with sound-unimpaired individuals via the Internet. When a sound-impaired person at a Text Teletypewriter (TTY) terminal initiates a call that is destined for a sound-unimpaired person, the communications system ascertains whether the sound unimpaired person is currently using the Internet and, if so, automatically completes the call over the Internet and the communications system without the help of any communications assistant.

Abstract: A smart card that allows for the categorization of expenses at the time they are incurred and the automatic generation and storage of information concerning the date, payee, and amount of the transaction. A single smart card is utilized to record and categorize transactions as they occur by transaction identities. These transaction identities are business or personal classification, cash, check, or credit card type transactions, and expense categories. The smart card has a alphanumeric display and a keyboard for selecting the class, type, and category. These items are selected by the entry of numbers on the keyboard but textual information is displayed to identify these items in response to the entered numbers. A program in a personal computer is used to specify the class, type, and categories along with the textual information in the smart card via a smart card reader. These specifications correspond to a spreadsheet that has been entered on the personal computer by the user of the smart card.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing secure smart card transactions are disclosed. Smart cards are arranged in a smart card hierarchy, the hierarchy including a first smart card at a first hierarchical level and a second smart card at a second hierarchical level higher than the first hierarchical level. A smart card reader is equipped to read smart cards and to accept personal identification (PIN) number inputs. According to one embodiment, a first PIN number is stored on the first smart card, the first PIN number corresponding to the first hierarchical level. A first security key is also stored on the first smart card. A second PIN number is stored on the second smart card, the second PIN number corresponding to the second hierarchical level. A second security key is stored on the second smart card. The PIN numbers and security keys are used to selectively lock and/or unlock a smart card.