Abstract: A method of reducing telephone usage charges billed by a telephone service provider for connecting a source telephone to a target telephone by communicating to a computer system the telephone number of the source telephone, and communicating to the computer system the telephone number of the target telephone, with the computer system originating a connection to the source telephone and originating a connection to the target telephone. The computer system then connects the source telephone to the target telephone. This connection is made such that a telephone service provider for the source telephone interprets the source telephone as a receiving telephone and bills the source telephone number at the discount rate for incoming calls for the telephone call. The computer system for this system may include a PBX system and computers capable of managing phone calls to and from the PBX system to accommodate both two party and multiple party calls.

Abstract: A system having a plurality of portable data terminals positioned at a plurality of separate consumer site visiting locations and an apparatus and methods of advertising are provided. Each of the plurality of portable data terminals preferably has a display associated therewith. Each consumer site visiting location preferably has one or more of the plurality of portable data terminals. Each of the plurality of portable data terminals is preferably networked through a data communication path to a remote computer having advertising software stored in memory of or associated with the computer and defining an advertising server. The advertising server advantageously allows selected product or service previews such as sneak previews of new movie releases, new or existing video game releases, new or existing sportswear, new or existing food products, new or existing beverages, new or existing equipment, and new or existing services.

Abstract: A method for connecting a source telephone to a target telephone by communicating to a computer system the telephone number of the source telephone, and communicating to the computer system the telephone number of the target telephone, with the computer system originating a connection to the source telephone and originating a connection to the target telephone. The computer system then connects the source telephone to the target telephone. The computer system for this system may include a PBX system and computers capable of managing phone calls to and from the PBX system to accommodate both two party and multiple party calls.