Abstract: Recordings of broadcast audio content often contain errors (e.g., noise, signal loss, interference, talkover). A method and apparatus are provided for improving the quality of such a recording. Multiple recordings of a broadcast audio program are identified, and are aligned according to some time index of the program, such as the beginning, midpoint or end of one of the recordings. Samples of each recording are taken and compared. If a majority (or plurality) of the samples agree (e.g., they match within an allowable threshold of variance), one of them is used to generate or populate a new recording. If there is no majority (or plurality), one of the samples may be chosen at random, on the basis of which recording has most often been in the majority (or plurality), or on some other basis. Or, the method may be repeated or extended to obtain samples of other recordings.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for real-time call control. When a call is received at a telephone server for a service subscriber, the server identifies the subscriber and retrieves information that will allow the server to contact the subscriber via instant messaging. An instant message is sent to the subscriber, and includes any number of options for controlling or handling the call. The options may be presented as hyperlinks, or the selected option may be returned in another instant message. The subscriber selects an option and communicates it to the server, which effects the selected option. The server may establish an audio connection between the server and the subscriber's computer or communication device (to allow the parties to talk), may transfer the call to another number, play a message for the caller (which may be pre-recorded or recorded in real-time), record a voicemail (which the subscriber may screen), etc.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for real-time call control. When a call is received at a telephone server for a service subscriber, the server identifies the subscriber and retrieves information that will allow the server to contact the subscriber via instant messaging. An instant message is sent to the subscriber, and includes any number of options for controlling or handling the call. The options may be presented as hyperlinks, or the selected option may be returned in another instant message. The subscriber selects an option and communicates it to the server, which effects the selected option. The server may establish an audio connection between the server and the subscriber's computer or communication device (to allow the parties to talk), may transfer the call to another number, play a message for the caller (which may be pre-recorded or recorded in real-time), record a voicemail (which the subscriber may screen), etc.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enhanced browsing. The apparatus includes a user interface for presenting an enhanced browsing window containing a second page of content identified by a link in a first page displayed in a browser. The apparatus may include a prefetcher for prefetching the content, a cache for storing the window, and a customizer for customizing the window or content displayed in the window. When a user places a cursor near or over the link (e.g., over an icon placed near the link), the window is automatically displayed with content from the second page. One or more objects (e.g., ads, navigation controls) may be stripped from the second page before displaying remaining content in the window. The window may be converted into a full second browser in response to predetermined user activity within the window (e.g., clicking a control, entering data into a data entry field).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enhanced browsing. The apparatus includes a user interface for presenting an enhanced browsing window of content identified by a link in a page displayed by a browser. The apparatus may include a prefetcher for fetching or prefetching the content and a cache for storing the window. The apparatus may also include an ad interface for retrieving advertisements for display with the content. When a first page is displayed in the browser, content identified by a link to a second page is automatically fetched and an enhanced browsing window, which may initially be invisible, is built. When a user mouses-over a status indicator associated with the link, the window is automatically displayed and the user can navigate the displayed content. The status indicator may change appearance to indicate a status of the prefetching (e.g., initiated, completed, success, failure, communication error).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for look-ahead security. Within a document (e.g., a web page, a word processing document, a list of electronic mail messages), a link to other content or another document is selected and the content is identified before a user clicks on the link to open the content. The content is placed into a safe cache that prevents the content from adversely affecting the user's computing device. The content is scanned and/or its behavior is analyzed to detect any security threats or undesirable content (e.g., viruses, worms, scripts, adware, spyware, pornography). Results of the analysis may be collected at a central server. The link or an associated indicator may be configured to indicate whether a threat is present; more information may be provided as desired. A user may be provided with various options to ignore a threat, disable the link, etc.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for facilitating a user's browsing experience. A graphical history navigation tree is constructed and displayed as the user browses or previews electronic data (e.g., web pages, documents, images, electronic mail). A tree root is placed when the user opens a browser, initiates a new search or specifies that a new tree should be started. Thereafter, as the user accesses content linked to a given page, nodes corresponding to the content are added to the tree and connected to the tree node corresponding to the given page. The user may immediately return to any node's content by clicking or mousing-over the node. Nodes may be marked (e.g., by color, size) or notated to allow rapid identification of their content and/or level of interest to the user.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enhanced browsing of electronic data (e.g., web pages, documents, electronic mail). When a first page is displayed in a browser, content identified by links to other pages is prefetched. If the page contains a list of links (e.g., search results), an enhanced browsing stripe is superimposed on the links. The stripe is transparent or semi-transparent, so that a user can identify individual links in the list. As long as a user interface cursor remains within the stripe, whenever the cursor is placed over or adjacent to a link, an enhanced browsing window containing the prefetched content for that link is displayed. The stripe extends at least the length of the list of links. If the cursor reaches the end of the browser window, the browser page is automatically scrolled as necessary to view additional links or page content, and the stripe is extended accordingly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for prefetching electronic data (e.g., a web page, HTML, a document, an image) viewable in a browser. When a browser is opened to a web page (or other form of electronic data) that contains links (e.g., hyperlinks) to other content, content described by one or more of the links is prefetched. In particular, the content is retrieved before a user operating the browser selects any of the links. As a result, an enhanced browsing window can be very rapidly displayed when the user does select one of the prefetched links. Links on the browser page may be selected and/or prioritized for prefetching in several ways—by automatically selecting some or all links, by using a template customized for the page, by applying heuristics to identify links meeting certain criteria, etc.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enhanced browsing. The apparatus includes a user interface for presenting an enhanced browsing window of content identified by a link in a page displayed by a browser. The apparatus may include a prefetcher for prefetching the content and a cache for storing the window. The apparatus may also include an ad interface for retrieving advertisements for display with the content. The apparatus may further include an interface to a central server for exchanging data regarding user browsing behavior, facilitating identification of links on browsed pages, prioritizing links for prefetching of identified data, etc. When a first page is displayed in a browser, content identified by a link to a second page is fetched and an enhanced browsing window, which may initially be invisible, is built. When a user mouses-over the link, the window is automatically displayed and the user can navigate the displayed content.

Abstract: A system and methods are provided for enabling real-time call control with minimal requirements for dedicated telecommunications PBX and dedicated switching equipment. Dynamic call routing is handled by a network carrier's equipment and an interface is provided at the carrier switch to dynamically redirect calls from outside of the carrier's network. A call's signaling channel and bearer (voice) channel are separated, allowing the voice carriage to continue to be handled by the network carrier, but the routing of the call is controlled from outside of the carrier's network. A real-time signaling path and interface is provided into the carrier network such that the associated routing decisions and business logic can remain outside of the carrier network, while the carrier network continues to carry the voice channels.

Abstract: A voice messaging system. The voice messaging system includes a set of geographically distributed devices in which voice messages are stored and logic that causes voice messages to be stored in respective devices in the set of devices from which messages can be efficiently retrieved. The logic may cause voice messages to be stored in a device from the set of devices closest to a location from which the user has retrieved messages. A voice message system comprising logic that receives and stores messages from callers for respective users and logic that selects and plays a message not left by a caller to a user. The message is selected based on information about the user, and the message not left by a caller may comprise an advertisement. A method of storing messages in a voice messaging system that has a plurality of voice mail boxes associated with a plurality of subscribers.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for forwarding information regarding a called party to a third party, for a call originated from a calling party to the called party. The information may comprise a telephone number of the called party and the call may be forwarded along with the information, so that the third party can provide a telephone service (e.g., centralized voice mail). At a telephone switch coupled to the third party, the forwarded call is received with the identifying information via a first signaling protocol (e.g., SS7). A second signaling protocol (e.g., SMDI, ISDN PRI) is used between the switch and the third party. The identifying information is retrieved from one field of the first protocol and stored in a different field of the second protocol.

Abstract: A voice messaging system. The voice messaging system includes a set of geographically distributed devices in which voice messages are stored and logic that causes voice messages to be stored in respective devices in the set of devices from which messages can be efficiently retrieved. The logic may cause voice messages to be stored in a device from the set of devices closest to a location from which the user has retrieved messages. A voice message system comprising logic that receives and stores messages from callers for respective users and logic that selects and plays a message not left by a caller to a user. The message is selected based on information about the user, and the message not left by a caller may comprise an advertisement. A method of storing messages in a voice messaging system that has a plurality of voice mail boxes associated with a plurality of subscribers.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for converting a textual portion of an electronic mail message into audio and delivering the audio through a telephone call to a recipient. An electronic mail server is configured to receive a mail message and parse an address to retrieve a telephone number included in or associated with said address. One or more textual portions of the mail message are converted to audio by a text-to-audio converter and combined into an audio message. The audio message may include an identifier of a sender or originator of the mail message, a subject of the mail message, text included in the body of the mail message, etc. An audio attachment included with the mail message may be included in the audio message. A call processor establishes a telephonic connection with the recipient, plays the audio message and may record a response from the recipient. If a response is provided, it is relayed back to the originator of the mail message. The recipient may be able to specify circumstances (.g.

Abstract: A voice messaging system. The voice messaging system includes a set of geographically distributed devices in which voice messages are stored and logic that causes voice messages to be stored in respective devices in the set of devices from which messages can be efficiently retrieved. The logic may cause voice messages to be stored in a device from the set of devices closest to a location from which the user has retrieved messages. A voice message system comprising logic that receives and stores messages from callers for respective users and logic that selects and plays a message not left by a caller to a user. The message is selected based on information about the user, and the message not left by a caller may comprise an advertisement. A method of storing messages in a voice messaging system that has a plurality of voice mail boxes associated with a plurality of subscribers.

Abstract: A system and method for establishing a telephone connection between two parties without disclosing either party's telephone number. The system receives from a first party a call request for a second party. The call request includes an identifier of the second party (e.g., electronic mail address, instant messaging user name) and data concerning the first party (e.g., telephone number, name, picture). The system informs the second party (e.g., via electronic mail) of the call request and solicits the second party's telephone number if not known. If the second party approves the call, the system establishes a telephone connection between them. System subscribers may configure various preferences, including default rules regarding their availability for all or certain types of calls, how to classify calls (e.g., by caller identity, date, time, nature of call). The system may be used to reach a party matching specified parameters (e.g., pizza shop, customer service department).

Abstract: A system and method for facilitating navigation of an interactive voice response (IVR) menu. When a subscriber desires a connection (e.g., telephone call) with an organization or other entity accessed though an IVR menu, the system maps or translates the IVR menu options into a textual or graphical format for presentation on a suitable subscriber device (e.g., computer, PDA, telephone). The mapped IVR options may be provided to the subscriber in real-time, while the subscriber is connected to the organization. Or, the mapping may be presented off-line so that the subscriber may select a navigation path or destination prior to a connection being established. The system may enter the menu choices (e.g., via DTMF signals) for the subscriber, and the caller may be connected to the call before or after the target of the call answers.

Abstract: A system and method for establishing a telephone connection between a subscriber and a party identified on the basis of criteria specified by the subscriber. A request is received from the subscriber for a telephone connection with a general party, where the party is not identified by a telephone number. The party may be described by a brand, a good or service or as a particular department or group in an organization. The system selects a suitable party and, when the subscriber is determined to be available for the call, the system establishes a telephone connection with the party. The subscriber may be coupled to the telephone connection or the party may be directed to contact the subscriber.

Abstract: A subscriber data page includes data regarding a subscriber, such as name, residential address, shipping address, electronic mail address, telephone numbers, billing data (e.g., credit card number), photograph, sound file (e.g., a greeting), etc. The page is customizable so that different information may be displayed for different parties. For example, the subscriber may specify that particular parties (e.g., identified friends or relatives) may view one set of details while merchants may view a second set of details and unknown or public parties yet another set. A merchant may retrieve shipping, billing and/or other information from the subscriber's data page when the subscriber places an order with the merchant. Illustratively, a link or reference to the subscriber's data page may be sent to a called party when the subscriber requests a connection with that party (or vice versa), while the subscriber and called party are connected, or after the connection.