Abstract: A service request is received from a terminal device, and payment parameters are received for the user of the terminal device. Information of the service request and payment parameters is communicated to a plurality of service providers, sufficient for the service providers to bid on the service request. Bids are received from at least one of the service providers, and a service provider is selected to fulfill the service request based on the bids.

Abstract: A method and system for sending information in the form of a wireless message to a wireless device subscriber requesting advertising, product, or service information is described. The method includes assigning an information request code by a service provider to the information provided by an advertiser, presenting or displaying the information request code along with an advertisement to potential consumers, receiving the information request code from the wireless device, and sending a wireless message to the potential consumer's wireless communication device. The system includes an advertisement comprising an information request code, a wireless communication device operable for sending the information request code and receiving a wireless data message, a wireless communication center in communication with a wireless network and operable for relaying, storing, and forwarding the wireless data message to the wireless communication device.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, a Logging Administration Maintenance and Billing Entity (LAMB) is interfaced to a network transport bus for logging network traffic, for error tracking, error replay, and billing functions. In the exemplary embodiment, the LAMB records transactions from a subscriber configuration interface (SCI). Information about SCI transactions may include, for example, time, date, originator information, transaction ID, destination information, message information, SCI functions accessed by the originator, errors, and any other function or process performed by the SCI.

Abstract: A component of the wireless network detects when a party who is sending an electronic message desires to have the sender's ID information blocked. If a determination is made that the sender's ID information is to be blocked, the network component removes the ID information from the communication and transmits the message to the intended recipient without the sender's ID information being included in the transmission.

Abstract: A call from a wireline unit to a wireless unit may be made by the wireline unit using an extension of the wireless unit rather than a wireless number of the wireless unit. A table includes an entry for the wireless unit that includes the wireless extension and a corresponding wireless number of the wireless unit. The extension is used to obtain the corresponding wireless number from the entry for the wireless unit in the table. The call then is routed pursuant to the obtained corresponding wireless number. Similarly, the inclusion of wireless units in the communications network allows for calls using extensions between a wireless unit and a wireline unit, between wireless units, and of course, between wireline units.

Abstract: System and methods for alleviating the signaling system number 7 (SS7) network by routing WNP data queries for a number's Service Provider ID (SPID) from the SS7 network to a database that resides within the IP network and processed therein for many applications, including inter-carrier SMS and MMS. The WNP data is maintained by the carrier internally, and the query is an IP query for a Service Provider ID (SPID). The system includes an intelligent routing server connected to a messaging service center. The intelligent routing server determines: (i) if the originator subscriber is a valid user of a particular service; and (2) whether the remote receiver is one of its own carrier subscribers. If it is determined that the remote receiver is one of the carriers own subscriber's service provider, then the intelligent routing server routes the SMS to an appropriate messaging service center for delivery of the message to the remote receiver.

Abstract: The present invention permits a user to conduct remote transactions without a network while using an untrusted computing device, such as a hand-held personal digital assistant or a laptop computer. The computing device is augmented with a smartcard reader, and the user obtains a smartcard and connects it to the device. This design can be used by an untrusted user to perform financial transactions, such as placing bets on the outcome of a probabilistic computation. Protocols are presented for adding (purchasing) or removing (selling) value on the smartcard, again without requiring a network connection. Using the instant protocols, neither the user nor the entity issuing the smartcards can benefit from cheating.

Abstract: A system and method are presented for interfacing multiple plain old telephone system (POTS) devices with multiple cellular devices in communication with a cellular network to enable efficient communication among these devices. In a broad sense, the system includes an interface configured to function as a bridge between the POTS devices and the cellular devices. The interface selectively routes call attempts from a POTS device to one of a group of cellular devices which connect the calls from the POTS device over the cellular network. The interface may be configured to detect a key sequence for selecting a particular cellular device in the group during an outgoing call attempt from the POTS device. The interface then routes the outgoing call to the selected cellular device. The interface may also be configured to detect a telephone number entered into the POTS device during an outgoing call attempt and route the outgoing call to a particular cellular device based on criteria pre-programmed in the interface.

Abstract: Devices and methods are disclosed for establishing interaction among electronic devices of an environment. The device has a transmitter, receiver, memory for storing interaction rules, and a processor for learning the interaction rules in association with the transmitter, receiver, and other devices of the environment. The device also includes components for performing the device specific functions and a state sensor for determining the logical or physical state of the device. Methods involve observing at one or more devices change of state activity among the plurality of devices through receiving a change of state message that is transmitted to the one or more devices. A set of rules are learned at the one or more devices based upon observing the change of state activity. The learned set of rules are then applied at the one or more devices to automatically control changes of state of devices within the plurality of devices.

Abstract: A method and system for routing messages through a communications network based on the content of the message. The method of the present invention comprises providing a method for retrieving information through a telecommunications network comprising receiving, in a message data structure, a request message comprising a command; sending a query message to a content provider based on the command; receiving a query response message from the content provider comprising response information; and sending a request response message based on the response information.

Abstract: A system for storing subscriber information in a centralized location includes a processor, memory coupled to the processor, and a data storage device coupled to the processor. The data storage device includes a subscriber profile portion for storing personal information about a subscriber. The subscriber profile portion includes a subscriber identification portion for storing an identification string. The subscriber profile portion is associated with an account type portion for storing account information, a portal portion for storing portal information, and an account status portion for storing account status information. The data storage device further includes a subscription portion for storing subscription information. The subscription portion is associated with a device portion for storing device information, a services portion for storing services information, and a mobile subscription portion for storing mobile subscription information.

Abstract: An arrangement includes an input to receive DTMF tones, logic to convert the DTMF tones to SMPP protocol, and an output to provide the SMPP protocol.

Abstract: A method that provides improved invoice validation in a wireless telecommunication system comprises receiving billing input data for a circuit and indicating a discrepancy if a billed amount and a calculated amount differ by greater than a threshold amount, the billing input data including the billed amount. In addition the method includes indicating billing parameters used to create the calculated amount.

Abstract: A service request is received and associated with a subscriber id. Profile information is accessed for the source of the service request. A copy of the profile information is stored in a network element employed by the source of the service request to access the network.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling information output based on user feedback about the information is provided that comprises a plurality of information sources providing information. The information sources may be electronic mail providers, chat participants, or page links. At least one neural network module selects one or more of a plurality of objects to receive information from the plurality of information sources based at least in part on a plurality of inputs and a plurality of weight values during that epoch. At least one server, associated with the neural network module, provides one or more of the objects to a plurality of recipients. The objects may comprise electronic mail messages, chat participants viewers, or slots within a link directory page. The recipients provide feedback about the information during an epoch.

Abstract: Devices and methods are disclosed for assisting in blood flow from a weakened or injured heart, particularly for pediatric patients. A low profile, multi-chambered implantable mechanism is used to collect blood from a blood vessel and re-pump the blood out with an induced pressure emanating from a fluid pressure source. The devices and methods described herein are easy to use and may be attachable to body tissue without use of suture anastomosis.

Abstract: A system providing an alarm indication for a base transceiver station comprising: a voltage actuated device for sensing power to a tower mounted amplifier (TMA); and an alarm board for sensing an alarm initiated from the voltage actuated device. A method provided for alarm indication for a based transceiver station comprising: triggering a voltage actuated device to provide an alarm upon a loss of power and providing the alarm from the voltage actuated device to an alarm board. A method provided for connecting an alarm for a power out linear amplifier comprising: connecting a voltage actuated device to a power out linear amplifier; connecting the voltage actuated device to an alarm board; connecting the alarm board to a mobile switching center; and connecting the mobile switching center to a diagnostic tool.

Abstract: A server for use in a mobile communications network to convert an input alphanumeric string into an output numeric string. The server includes an input gateway to receive the input alphanumeric string; memory; and a processor coupled to the input gateway and the memory. The processor is operable to receive the input alphanumeric string; replace one or more characters within the input alphanumeric string with its numeric equivalent to generate an output numeric string; and return the output numeric string.