Abstract: A method, system, and medium are provided for operating a computing device and a mobile device to access computer software with a secure access and to access a packet network, and for operating a computer software on a mobile device with different computing devices. A mobile device is used to authenticate a user's access to computer software. The computer software may reside on the mobile device, the user's computing device, or another computing device. A unique identifier is stored in the mobile device associated with the computer software to enable the authentication.

Abstract: An embodiment of the current invention is directed to displaying additional data related to a mobile video stream. A mobile video stream is received via a network interface. Metadata related to the mobile video stream is acquired. The mobile video stream is displayed on a display device. A communications link to a mediation server is established. The metadata are communicated to the mediation server. Additional data is received from the mediation server and is displayed.

Abstract: A method, system, and medium are provided for operating a computing device and a mobile device to access computer software with a secure access and to access a packet network, and for operating a computer software on a mobile device with different computing devices. A mobile device is used to authenticate a user's access to computer software. The computer software may reside on the mobile device, the user's computing device, or another computing device. A unique identifier is stored in the mobile device associated with the computer software to enable the authentication.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for masquerading the identity of a first communication device returning a missed call placed by a second communication device to a third communication device. The first communication device receives a missed call notification indicating the second communication device placed a first call to the third communication device. Thereafter, the first communication device initiates a second call to the second communication device and directs a network to deliver to the second communication device caller identification information that indicates the second call originates from the third communication device. Moreover, the first communication device may include a missed call log that includes missed call notifications for missed calls placed directly to the first communication device as well as missed call notifications for missed calls originally placed to another communication device. The first communication device can present to a user missed call notifications stored in the missed call log.

Abstract: A system and methods for distributing media data regarding a specific topic to a user. The system comprises a media-host device, server, and distribution module. The media-host device submits a request for the media data, receives a textual structure summarizing the specific topic, and presents the textual structure to the user. The server stores the textual structure. The distribution module communicates the textual structure to the media-host device. One method comprises receiving a request to present the textual structure, retrieving the textual structure, formatting the textual structure to be readable by a media-host device, and transmitting the textual structure to the media-host device. Another method comprises determining the format of the media-host device, formatting the textual structure to be presentable on the media-host device, and transmitting the formatted textual structure to the media-host device.

Abstract: A system and method for generating textual structures describing the information contained on multiple web pages and blogs. The system comprises an ontology module, summation module, language generation module, and language bias module. The method comprises receiving a request for summarized web information, accumulating text from a plurality of web pages, parsing the accumulated text, indexing the text into a plurality of information sets, storing the plurality of information sets into a memory structure, aggregating information contained in the plurality of information sets to create a structure interpretation to satisfy the request, and creating at least one new textual structure from the structure interpretation. The ontology module parses and tags accumulated web text. The summation module creates a structure interpretation of the parsed and tagged web text. The language generation module creates textual structure describing the structure interpretation.

Abstract: A method and system for providing prepaid data service. A subscriber terminal may establish a connection with a communications network. Based on a balance of a prepaid account, traffic from the subscriber terminal may be directed to a self-service portal. At the self-service portal, a user of the subscriber terminal may provide a credit card to add value to a prepaid account and to select a type of prepaid data service. The subscriber terminal may then be granted access to a data network. The balance of the prepaid account may be adjusted in accordance with the prepaid data service that is provided. When the balance of the prepaid account meets a threshold, the subscriber terminal's access to the data network may be redirected back again to the self-service portal.

Abstract: A method and system for coupon distribution and use. A merchant provisions a coupon with a coupon server, and the coupon server delivers the coupon to a consumer's device via SMS, WAP push, e-mail, instant messaging, or in another manner. The consumer then presents the device to a merchant at a point of purchase, to convey the coupon from the consumer's device to the merchant for validation and redemption with respect to a sales transaction between the consumer and the merchant. The coupon can be conveyed from the consumer's device to the merchant in various ways, such as via radio frequency transmission or reading of the coupon from a display of the device.

Abstract: A mobile station in a wireless network can be assigned a priority level. The wireless network may support two or more different priority levels. A mobile station's priority level may be stored in a database containing other identifiers, such as the mobile station's electronic serial number and mobile identification number. The priority level can be stored as a part of a profile in the home location register or in a visitor location register. When the mobile station attempt to access the wireless network, the access request can be serviced based on the priority of the mobile station. The access request may also be serviced based on a current usage status of the wireless telecommunications network. Mobile stations with higher priorities may receive a preference for access to the wireless network's resources. Mobile stations with lower priorities may be disconnected from the wireless network to accommodate a higher priority mobile station.

Abstract: A multi-mode mobile station includes a first interface for wireless communication with a wireless local area network (WLAN) and a second interface for wireless communication with a wireless wide area network (WWAN). The multi-mode mobile station may become engaged in one or more communication sessions via a first wireless network. Session information regarding these one or more communication sessions is stored in a storage system. In response to a handoff request, a control sytem evaluates the session information to determine which of the communication sessions, if any, can be continued via the second wireless network, in accordance with a policy. The user may be notified of any sessions that can not be continued via the second wireless network and/or continued at a reduced level of performance. If the user opts to complete the handoff, continuable sessions are continued via the second wireless network and non-continuable sessions are dropped.

Abstract: A system for authenticating and/or authorizing users of a service includes one communication interface with an access communication channel and another communication interface with a confirmation communication channel. Requests for a user to access a service are received over the access communication channel, and confirmation codes for the user are received over a trusted confirmation channel, such as an SMS text messaging system. Confirmation codes may be received from the user requesting access to the service or by a third party acting as a gatekeeper to the service. The system tests the validity of received confirmation codes, and enables the user to access the service if a valid confirmation code is received.

Abstract: Methods and a system are provided for allowing a subscriber to control the call handling at a customer premises equipment. A calling party can place a call from anywhere in a carrier network to a subscriber at a customer premises equipment. The carrier network prompts the subscriber with call information and a list of call processing choices. The subscriber can select one of the choices and the call is handled properly by the system. The methods and system allow the subscriber to interact with the carrier network in real-time.

Abstract: A method and system for routing a call based on calling device type is disclosed. In a communication network, an originating switch may receive a call request from a calling device seeking to connect with a dialed number. The originating switch may responsively send into a signaling system a call-setup message that conveys information including a calling device type indicator, such as a serial number of the calling device. A controller may then use the calling device type as a basis to select a destination to which the call should be routed in order to facilitate connecting with the dialed number. The invention can be usefully employed to facilitate routing of customer service calls concerning a calling device.

Abstract: A service agent can receive a request to establish a communication session between a communicative entity and another communicative entity. The service agent can access profile information for the communicative entity. Using the profile information the service agent can detect a transition from a first billing mode to a second billing mode, and it can prompt the communicative entity for an authorization to transfer from the first billing mode to the second billing mode.

Abstract: A system for authenticating and/or authorizing users of a service includes one communication interface with an access communication channel and another communication interface with a confirmation communication channel. Requests for a user to access a service are received over the access communication channel, and confirmation codes for the user are received over a trusted confirmation channel, such as an SMS text messaging system. Confirmation codes may be received from the user requesting access to the service or by a third party acting as a gatekeeper to the service. The system tests the validity of received confirmation codes, and enables the user to access the service if a valid confirmation code is received.

Abstract: An IP PBX system that serves enterprise telephones via a landline IP network connection is be expanded to serve cellular wireless communication devices (WCD) via a cellular wireless carrier's radio access network (RAN). Calls to and from the cellular WCD are connected through the cellular carrier's RAN and the IP PBX system, so that the IP PBX system can control and manage the calls just as the IP PBX would control and manage calls involving other extensions on the IP PBX. A cellular WCD thereby becomes an IP PBX client station, i.e., an extension on the IP PBX system. As such, the cellular WCD can seamlessly benefit from many of the same IP PBX features that other more conventional IP PBX client stations (e.g., desk phones) enjoy.

Abstract: A method of notifying a user of two or more networks (10, 12) that the user has received a message in a messaging system (28, 58) or that a message has been deleted. The method notifies all phones (30, 54) operated by the user on all of the networks. The method also forwards calls directed to a user to a single messaging system that may reside on any network, regardless which of the user's phones a caller dials. The invention permits a user to be notified of the receipt or deletion of a message at all of the user's phones and provides messaging services on all of a user's phones with a single messaging system.

Abstract: A method and system for providing services in communications networks. A gateway layer determines information about a communication session and responsively sends a signaling message to a session manager, providing the information. The session manager may then send a signaling message to a service agent, also providing the information. The service agent may in turn apply a set of service logic based at least in part on the information, so as to derive a service treatment, and the service agent may send a signaling message so as to cause an enforcement engine (such as the gateway or session manager) to carry out the service treatment. Advantageously, this arrangement may facilitate imposition of services across various types of communication sessions (such as voice sessions and/or data sessions) and access networks (such as circuit-switched and/or packet-switched), at session initiation and during the course of an ongoing session. A variety of useful services may thereby be provided.

Abstract: An interface engine that is communicatively connected to a packet-switched network and to a legacy circuit-switched network uses a call processing protocol, such as the session initiation protocol (SIP), for packet-switched network communications and uses a legacy signaling protocol, such as IS-41, for legacy circuit-switched communications. In response to a registration request initiated by a subscriber device on the packet-switched network, the interface engine obtains a service profile for the subscriber from a call processing system, such as a home location register (HLR), of the legacy circuit-switched network. Service parameters derived from the service profile and stored in a service database may be used to apply services on the packet-switched network for the subscriber device.

Abstract: A service agent can receive a request to establish a communication session between a communicative entity and another communicative entity. The service agent can access profile information for the communicative entity. Using the profile information the service agent can detect a transition from a first billing mode to a second billing mode, and it can prompt the communicative entity for an authorization to transfer from the first billing mode to the second billing mode.