Abstract: A method which allows a callee and/or a caller to be billed for telecommunications and which permits notice of charges to be provided to callers, and permits acceptance of charges by callers, prior to completing a connection is disclosed. The invention allows callees to define charges to be applied to calls they receive to be credited to their billing account and/or to waive such charges for some callers and/or in some time periods. Additional information can also be supplied to a caller before the call is completed to the callee, such as an identification of a difference in time zones between the caller and the callee.

Abstract: Current telecommunication Service Providers allow Users to choose from a small selection of telecommunication services with predetermined performance parameters and prices. The invention provides a system in which Service Providers and Users negotiate the parameters and prices of telecommunication services in real time, allowing the Service Providers and Users to establish communications that better optimise their available resources and current needs. This is done by having software agents that represent each concerned party, negotiate the terms of the communication in real time. Further, the invention allows third parties to create new agent or negotiating discipline software available over the Internet, which will allow the technology to mature quickly, and to respond to new services and/or requirements.

Abstract: Methods of holding auctions over the Internet and telephone systems are known in the art but generally share the following problems: it is difficult for the auctioneer to identify bidders; telephone conferences are very noisy when they have a large number of participants; there is no method of ejecting a bidder who chooses to interfere with the auction; and it is difficult to enforce payment because it is difficult to verify the identity and creditworthiness of bidders. The invention provides for an auction system where bidders are identified using authentication or similar techniques, and their bids are filtered to reduce noise and eliminate unwanted bids or comments before being broadcast to the balance of the bidders. Other optional features are also described such as the recording and timestamping of bids.

Abstract: A complex filter minimizing mismatch error by averaging the mismatch error by integrating the real and imaginary input signals using the same integrator. A further advantage is that, as compared to known devices, the complex filter uses fewer number of components thereby reducing the consumed power. The complex filter may be used in a complex bandpass sigma-delta modulator, thereby increasing the performance of the sigma-delta modulator. The complex filter used in a sigma-delta modulator analog to digital converter increases performance of the analog to digital conversion since the mismatch noise is minimized. The complex bandpass sigma-delta modulator analog to digital converter include any number of complex filter stages.