Abstract: An apparatus for allowing a calling party to initiate a telephone call from an Internet-enabled device. The apparatus includes a server for receiving an originating telephone number and a destination telephone number in response to a command from the Internet-enabled device, for generating a call request, and for transmitting the request to a telecommunications network to request the network to establish a connection between the originating telephone number and the destination telephone number.

Abstract: A configurable PSTN call-handling (CPC) service enables monitoring and custom responses to calls received over multiple subscriber lines. A CPC Client Program runs on a computer and presents a graphical user interface (GUI) that allows the user to associate call-handling options with call characteristics. The GUI also allows the user to customize the notification signals provided and to provide custom responses to certain callers, by associating call characteristics with various GUI appearances, sound files, or images. The CPC relieves the communications network of performing certain call-handling functions, such as call forwarding, by moving decision-making processes to the user's PC. The user can remotely monitor any subscriber line associated with the user from any browser, because the communications network sends notifications directly to an IP address specified by the user. The IP address associated with a computer connected to the subscriber line need not be the IP address specified by the user.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the format of a video display. The apparatus includes a profile module for defining at least one profile. The profile has at least one display characteristic of video information associated with a type of application. The apparatus also includes a runtime engine in communication with the profile module. The runtime engine accepts the video information, modifies the video information according to the profile, and outputs the modified video information.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing a user with control over telecommunications services provided by a service provider. Using almost any type of communications device, a user may gain access to, view, and make changes or modifications to profile information related to the services. The changes may be made quickly and efficiently, but accuracy and thoroughness in the implementation of the changes are not sacrificed. Further, the changes to the communications services are implemented almost immediately and without involvement by the service provider. Particularly, profile information about the telecommunications service is stored on a server in a data network. A change action relating to the profile information may be received at the server from a data device (such as a wireless unit) operating on the network. The change action is implemented on the profile information to result in changed profile information, which may be provided from the server via the data network to the telecommunications system.