Abstract: In accordance with a first aspect of the invention there is a unified call centre 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 messaging system (11) for conveying messages between a host server (15) and a client (13a) that is part of a GSM network and a method therefor. The GSM network includes an SMS facility to convey messages between its clients using an SMSC (25), each wireless client having a network identifying number (NIN) associated with it to uniquely identify the client within the GSM network. Each message comprises a message packet (43) including the address (49) of an intended recipient, the address (47) of the sender of the message and the message itself (51). The host server (15) may be selectively connected to a plurality of different client types (13) via the Internet (19) to convey messages therebetween. Each client has a client identifying number (CIN) associated with it to uniquely identify it to the host server (15). The host server (15) and the SMSC (25) are interconnected by the Internet (19) or another computer network to provide for communications therebetween.

Abstract: An instant messaging (IM) system and a method for communicating instant messages between an IM server 11 and a remote communication network utilising a sequential message handshaking protocol across a computer network that is prone to latency and instability. The remote communication network is a GSM network 16 having “Short Message Service” (SMS) for subscribers with mobile GSM devices 18 linked to a “Short Message Server Center” (SMSC) for sending and receiving instant messages remotely of the GSM network 16 and as part of the IM system. The SMSC is provided with an SMSC server 15 connected by a highly stable link 19 with low latency to an SMSC buffer server 14 forming part of the computer network. The SMSC buffer server 14 is connected to the IM server 11 via the internet 13 to complete the computer network.

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: A system and method for assigning a unique identifier to a prospective user of an instant messaging system. The IM system comprises a plurality of clients (111) having IM applications of the same or different types, selectively interconnected to an IM server (113) by way of the internet (117). The system includes a registration handler (119) for receiving a client specific access address (johnsmith@company.com) of a prospective user (127) on the internet (117) together with a request (115) to register or tentatively register the prospective user (127). A unique identifier assigner is provided to automatically allocate a unique numeric identifier (UIN) to the prospective user (127) and match the UIN to the client specific address (johnsmith@company.com) of the prospective user.

Abstract: An instant messaging system and a method of instant messaging between a plurality of clients having IM applications of the same or different types. The IM system includes a plurality of clients having IM client applications of the following types: a PC-based instant messaging client application program (101, 301); a GSM device (104, 303) forming part of a GSM network; an internet browser-based client application 201, 305; and an email-based client application (208, 307). An IM system host (141, 211, 316) including an IM server (143, 217, 311) is selectively connected to each of the clients via the direct electronic links or the internet (117, 213, 309) and provides a prescribed range of functionality to the clients. This functionality includes sending an IM, receiving an IM and identifying which members of a group of clients that a client is a member, or prospective member, of are online.

Abstract: A method of conveying information between a wireless communication device (13a) and a computer (15) providing a messaging service comprising sending a message from the wireless communication device (13a) to said computer (15), the message including an address for the computer (15), and receiving the communication at the computer (15). The address is formed by combining an Access Code (AC) uniquely identifying the computer and a Unique Identification Code (UIC) signifying; (i) a prescribed action to be performed by the computer (15); and (ii) an entity that is the subject of the prescribed action. At least one character of the address is common to both the Access Code and the Unique identification Code and the address is arranged such that said at least one common character is unified within the address such that the number of characters in the address string is less than the total number of characters in the Access Code and the Unique Identification Code.

Abstract: A method of conveying information between a wireless communication device (13a) and a computer (15) providing a messaging service comprising sending a message from the wireless communication device (13a) to said computer (15), the message including an address for the computer (15), and receiving the communication at the computer (15). The address is formed by combining an Access Code (AC) uniquely identifying the computer and a Unique Identification Code (UIC) signifying; (i) a prescribed action to be performed by the computer (15); and (ii) an entity that is the subject of the prescribed action. At least one character of the address is common to both the Access Code and the Unique Identification Code and the address is arranged such that said at least one common character is unified within the address such that the number of characters in the address string is less than the total number of characters in the Access Code and the Unique Identification Code.

Abstract: A system and a method for establishing or specifying the online status of a user forming part of an instant messaging system. The IM system includes clients having IM client applications, an IM server, and a user information database that is selectively connected to the clients via the internet. The user database stores an activity status for each user's activity with the IM server system. The activity status includes: (i) a time variable signifying the time of or time since the last prescribed involvement with the IM server; and (ii) a probability variable signifying the likelihood of the user still being online. Monitoring means is provided to continuously monitor user activity with said IM server and to continuously update the activity status of users stored on the database. Checking means is also provided to check the activity status of each user stored on the database and adjust said probability variable.

Abstract: A method and a system for performing financial transactions between parties having clients (15a, 15b) with an electronic messaging facility and a banking account facility with a financial institution. Each party has an electronic messaging address (CIN) associated with the electronic messaging facility and a banking account number (CAN) associated with the banking account facility (27) thereof. A financial service provider server (13) is interfaced with the electronic messaging facility to handle communications between the clients (15a, 15b) of the parties and is also interfaced with the banking account facilities (27) of the parties to perform the financial transaction. The electronic messaging address (CIN) of each party is linked with the banking account facility therefor, and thus the banking account number(s) (CAN) thereof, within a database (45) associated with the server (13) to facilitate the financial transaction.

Abstract: A messaging system (11) for conveying messages between a host server (15) and a client (13a) that is part of a GSM network and a method therefor. The GSM network includes an SMS facility to convey messages between its clients using an SMSC (25), each wireless client having a network identifying number (NIN) associated with it to uniquely identify the client within the GSM network. Each message comprises a message packet (43) including the address (49) of an intended recipient, the address (47) of the sender of the message and the message itself (51). The host server (15) may be selectively connected to a plurality of different client types (13) via the Internet (19) to convey messages therebetween. Each client has a client identifying number (CIN) associated with it to uniquely identify it to the host server (15). The host server (15) and the SMSC (25) are interconnected by the Internet (19) or another computer network to provide for communications therebetween.

Abstract: A system and a method for establishing or specifying the online status of a user forming part of an instant messaging system. The IM system (11) includes a plurality of clients having IM client applications of the same or different types, including: a PC-based instant messaging client application program (101); a GSM device (102) forming part of a GSM network: an internet browser based client application (103); and an email-based client application (104). An IM system server (13) including an IM server (111) and a user information database (112) is selectively connected to each of the clients via the internet (113). The user database (112) stores an activity status for each user of the IM system (11) in relation to its activity with the IM server system (13). The activity status includes: (i) a time variable signifying the time of or time since the last prescribed involvement of the user with the IM server; and (ii) a probability variable signifying the likelihood of the user still being online.

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: An instant messaging (IM) system and a method for communicating instant messages between an IM server 11 and a remote communication network utilising a sequential message handshaking protocol across a computer network that is prone to latency and instability. The remote communication network is a GSM network 16 having “Short Message Service” (SMS) for subscribers with mobile GSM devices 18 linked to a “Short Message Server Center” (SMSC) for sending and receiving instant messages remotely of the GSM network 16 and as part of the IM system. The SMSC is provided with an SMSC server 15 connected by a highly stable link 19 with low latency to an SMSC buffer server 14 forming part of the computer network. The SMSC buffer server 14 is connected to the IM server 11 via the internet 13 to complete the computer network.

Abstract: A system and method for assigning a unique identifier to a prospective user of an instant messaging system. The IM system comprises a plurality of clients (111) having IM applications of the same or different types, selectively interconnected to an IM server (113) by way of the internet (117). The system includes a registration handler (119) for receiving a client specific access address (johnsmith@company.com) of a prospective user (127) on the internet (117) together with a request (115) to register or tentatively register the prospective user (127). A unique identifier assigner is provided to automatically allocate a unique numeric identifier (UIN) to the prospective user (127) and match the UIN to the client specific address (johnsmith@company.com) of the prospective user.

Abstract: An instant messaging system and a method of instant messaging between a plurality of clients having IM applications of the same or different types. The IM system includes a plurality of clients having IM client applications of the following types: a PC-based instant messaging client application program (101, 301); a GSM device (104, 303) forming part of a GSM network; an internet browser-based client application 201, 305; and an email-based client application (208, 307). An IM system host (141, 211, 316) including an IM server (143, 217, 311) is selectively connected to each of the clients via the direct electronic links or the internet (117, 213, 309) and provides a prescribed range of functionality to the clients. This functionality includes sending an IM, receiving an IM and identifying which members of a group of clients that a client is a member, or prospective member, of are online.