Abstract: A system for detecting and charging for internet connection provided to a computer device, the computer device configured to detect any internet connection available comprising an internet access adjustment facilitator arranged to receive requests for prepaid internet connection access from the computer device; and capable of facilitating the linking of the computer device to a designated prepaid internet account for purposes of charging; wherein upon detection by the software that the internet connection is a prepaid internet connection, access and caching of any Internet content will be chargeable to a designated prepaid internet account from the at least one prepaid internet account; and upon detecting that the internet connection is any other type of internet connection, the computer device caches any Internet content accessed by the user for synchronization with other computer devices in the system linked to the designated prepaid account.

Abstract: An instant messaging system comprising an instant messaging server to which a plurality of client devices are connectable to the Internet; where client device(s) belonging to a user is connectable to the instant messaging server by using an identifier of the user; wherein in a default mode an instant message is sent from a client device to the instant messaging server for routing to an intended recipient via Internet connection; and if the Internet connection is not available the instant message is routed via another electronic link to the instant messaging server for routing to an intended recipient, the another electronic link using a session-based protocol is disclosed.

Abstract: A system for managing and allocating data bandwidth to a client device comprising a monitoring and traffic management module disposed within the client device, the monitoring and traffic management module arranged to monitor data usage on the client device; and a data traffic manager operable allocate data bandwidth to the client device and receive a request from the monitoring and traffic management module; the request including an instruction to the data traffic manager to allocate a suitable data bandwidth to the client device depending on data usage. The invention is conveniently suited for use in telecommunications system and does not require modifications to be made to existing telecommunications system.

Abstract: An instant messaging system comprising an instant messaging server to which a plurality of client devices are connectable to the Internet; where client device(s) belonging to a user is connectable to the instant messaging server by using an identifier of the user; wherein in a default mode an instant message is sent from a client device to the instant messaging server for routing to an intended recipient via Internet connection; and if the Internet connection is not available the instant message is routed via another electronic link to the instant messaging server for routing to an intended recipient, the another electronic link using a session-based protocol is disclosed.

Abstract: There is provided a system and method for facilitating sale of products and services to a mobile device subscriber comprising the monitoring of the user's access to a web resource and recommending a suitable data service plan based on the user's access to the web resource. An added feature is the provision of a free-trial period to the subscriber if the web resource accessed is a first time access or an access after an idle period of time. The method is particularly advantageous in helping to recommend action/app specific plans to prepaid users in a bid to lower the price point chargeable to these prepaid subscribers without diminishing their Internet experience.

Abstract: A system for detecting and charging for internet connection provided to a computer device, the computer device configured to detect any internet connection available comprising an internet access adjustment facilitator arranged to receive requests for prepaid internet connection access from the computer device; and capable of facilitating the linking of the computer device to a designated prepaid internet account for purposes of charging; wherein upon detection by the software that the internet connection is a prepaid internet connection, access and caching of any Internet content will be chargeable to a designated prepaid internet account from the at least one prepaid internet account; and upon detecting that the internet connection is any other type of internet connection, the computer device caches any Internet content accessed by the user for synchronization with other computer devices in the system linked to the designated prepaid account.

Abstract: The invention provides a system for adjusting the amount of data bandwidth provided to a mobile device comprising a bandwidth adjustment facilitator arranged to receive a request from the mobile device for adjusting the amount of data bandwidth; a bandwidth throttler in communication with the bandwidth adjustment facilitator; the bandwidth throttler adapted to cap or allocate excess available data bandwidth to the mobile device; wherein on receipt of the request, the bandwidth adjustment facilitator process the request and if the request is successfully processed, adjusts the data bandwidth provided to the mobile device via the bandwidth throttler. The system may further be adapted for billing/charging based on either pay-per-specified-time model or pay per action model. The invention is conveniently suited for use in telecommunications system and does not require modifications to be made to existing telecommunications system.

Abstract: A system and method for provisioning Internet access to a computing device comprising an Internet access adjustment facilitator arranged to receive a request from the computing device for adjusting Internet access from a paid Internet access mode to a toll-free Internet access mode; and a whitelist in communication with the Internet access adjustment facilitator, the whitelist maintaining a list of web resources available for toll free access by the computing device; wherein upon successful processing of the request, the list of web resources are toll free for access by the computing device. The system may further be adapted for billing/charging based on either pay-per-specified-time model or pay per action model.

Abstract: The invention provides a system for adjusting the amount of data bandwidth provided to a mobile device comprising a bandwidth adjustment facilitator arranged to receive a request from the mobile device for adjusting the amount of data bandwidth; a bandwidth throttler in communication with the bandwidth adjustment facilitator; the bandwidth throttler adapted to cap or allocate excess available data bandwidth to the mobile device; wherein on receipt of the request, the bandwidth adjustment facilitator process the request and if the request is successfully processed, adjusts the data bandwidth provided to the mobile device via the bandwidth throttler. The system may further be adapted for billing/charging based on either pay-per-specified-time model or pay per action model. The invention is conveniently suited for use in telecommunications system and does not require modifications to be made to existing telecommunications system.

Abstract: In accordance with a first aspect of the invention there is a unified call center system for multiple service providers comprising at least one server; and at least one database in communication with the at least one server. A service provider executes software stored on the at least one server to register an account, the registration process requiring the service provider to enter a predetermined set of information, including at least one identifier for an electronic voice communication device, an additional identifier for an electronic communication device (voice or text) and a personal identifier. After entry of the predetermined set of information, the software generates a unique identifier for the account and communicates the unique identifier and a return destination address for activating the account. The service provider then operates to activate the account by communicating their personal identifier to the return destination address using the electronic communication device.

Abstract: A buddy-based, cross-carrier mobile phone based text messaging server, system and method is disclosed. A table of subscribers cross referenced against buddy subscribers who have opted in to receive text messages (SMS) is maintained. Where a recipient subscriber is not yet registered as a buddy subscriber, the server sends a message asking if the recipient subscriber wants to become a buddy subscriber of the sending subscriber. If the recipient subscriber opts-in, the recipient subscriber is added to the table as a buddy subscriber, and thereafter will be forwarded all messages through the service, sent from the particular sending subscriber, until the buddy subscriber opts-out. The invention ensures a near one to one correspondence of in/out SMS for participating mobile phone networks, and avoids any one network being overloaded with spam messaging.

Abstract: An interrupt payment system (100) comprising means (100) for detecting an interrupt signal generated by a party to a call; means (102) for obtaining details of a payment to be made on detection of an interrupt signal; a payment processor (104) operable to process the payment in accordance with the obtained details (104); and means (100) for resuming the call between all parties concerned on processing of a payment by the payment processor (104).

Abstract: In accordance with a first aspect of the invention there is a system (10) for facilitating communications between two parties comprising a first party (12) having positive credit with a communication facilitator (16) and a second party (14) having insufficient credit with the communications facilitator (16) to initiate or continue communication. The first party (12) sends a first communication message (26) to a first destination address (18) associated with the communication facilitator (16). The communication facilitator (16) includes the first communication message (18), or at least a portion thereof, in a second communication message (28) which is sent to the second party (14) via a second destination address (22).

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention there is a system for establishing a parimutuel fund (30) comprising a first mobile phone (14) and a second mobile phone (18) and a parimutuel administrator (22). Each mobile phone (14, 18) has an associated credit balance (16, 20).

Abstract: A message archiving system (100) comprising a message archiving server (102), at least one message service centre interface (106); and at least one POI interface (108). When a mobile phone number of a participating user (116) is designated as the receiver of a mobile phone-based message (120) communicated by way of at least one message service centre (110) associated with a message service centre interface (106) or by way of at least one POI (109) associated with a POI interface (108), the message service centre interface (106) or POI interface (108), as applicable, operates to provide a copy of the mobile phone-based message (120) to the message archiving server (102) for storage.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention there is a system for establishing a parimutuel fund (30) comprising a first mobile phone (14) and a second mobile phone (18) and a parimutuel administrator (22). Each mobile phone (14, 18) has an associated credit balance (16, 20).

Abstract: A purchasing system comprising a user and a purchasing server wherein the user provides electronic content to the purchasing server. The purchasing server operates to create a unique code for the electronic content and create an altered version of the electronic content having the unique code embedded therein. The altered version of the electronic content is returned to the user who can distribute it through any electronic media system. On receipt of a communication from a purchaser containing the unique code, the purchasing server provides a copy of, or directions on accessing a copy of, the original electronic content to the purchaser. The purchaser is then charged for purchasing the original electronic content. In a further variation of this system, the purchaser may purchase goods or services depicted in the electronic content and differentiated by a unique code displayed in the altered electronic content rather than purchasing the electronic content.

Abstract: A trading and auction system (10), and a method for the authentication of buyers and sellers and for the transmission of trading instructions in a trading and auction system (10) is disclosed. To register with the trading and auction system (10), a user must provide a unique identifier of a messaging-capable wireless device (22) belonging to the user. After assigning a password to the user, the trading and auction system (10) communicates the password to the user and receives a confirmation of said password from said user, with at least one of the steps of communicating the password and receiving a confirmation of the password being performed using the wireless device's messaging capability (22). The user's account or trading instruction is activated if the password is correct. The trading and auction system (10) assigns a unique identification number to each product or service for sale or auction.

Abstract: A buddy-based, cross-carrier mobile phone based text messaging server, system and method is disclosed. A table of subscribers cross referenced against buddy subscribers who have opted in to receive text messages (SMS) is maintained. Where a recipient subscriber is not yet registered as a buddy subscriber, the server sends a message asking if the recipient subscriber wants to become a buddy subscriber of the sending subscriber. If the recipient subscriber opts-in, the recipient subscriber is added to the table as a buddy subscriber, and thereafter will be forwarded all messages through the service, sent from the particular sending subscriber, until the buddy subscriber opts-out. The invention ensures a near one to one correspondence of in/out SMS for participating mobile phone networks, and avoids any one network being overloaded with spam messaging.

Abstract: An interrupt payment system (100) comprising means (100) for detecting an interrupt signal generated by a party to a call; means (102) for obtaining details of a payment to be made on detection of an interrupt signal; a payment processor (104) operable to process the payment in accordance with the obtained details (104); and means (100) for resuming the call between all parties concerned on processing of a payment by the payment processor (104).