Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and systems for intellectual property management. In an embodiment, a system includes an intellectual property asset inventory system to manage an inventory of intellectual property assets. A product inventory system manages an inventory of products, where the inventory of products corresponds to a plurality of products and one or more of the products of the plurality of products are associated with one or more of the intellectual property assets of the plurality of intellectual property assets. A marketing management system manages a plurality of marketing projects, where one or more of the marketing projects of the plurality of marketing projects are associated with at least one of (i) one or more products of the plurality of products, and (ii) one or more intellectual property assets of the plurality of intellectual property assets.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and systems for managing intellectual property assets. In an embodiment, an intellectual property protection life cycle of an intellectual property asset is managed, and an intellectual property marketing life cycle of the intellectual property asset is managed.

Abstract: A method and system is disclosed for compressing a file comprising computer markup language. Contents of a file containing markup language, including a first and second markup language tag, are read. Data corresponding to the first and second markup language tags is identified and the first markup language tag, data and a placeholder are pushed onto a stack. A method and system of decompressing the resulting compressed document are also disclosed. The first markup language tag, data and placeholder are popped off the stack, and the second markup language tag corresponding to the first markup language tag is identified. The second markup language tag corresponding to the first markup language tag is generated, and the first markup language tag, data and second markup language tag are stored in memory.

Abstract: A system and method is described for augmenting cellular telephone signals for a cellular telephone. In an exemplary embodiment, a cellular battery is equipped with a sound generating device that stores one or more audio signals that are activated upon receipt of a telephone call. Optionally, the battery may store a library of audio signals that may be programmable and edited. The system and method of the present invention enables a user to choose audio alert sounds beyond the scope of those provided by the manufacturer of a cellular telephone.

Abstract: Providing customer relationship management (CRM) between a communications service operator and their customers includes obtaining information about a requested communications service requested by a customer, retrieving information about related and/or complimentary communications services to the requested service, and conveying the retrieved information to the customer. The requested service is processed upon a determination that the retrieved information was conveyed to the customer, such that processing of the requested service is contingent upon the retrieved information being conveyed to the customer.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for testing the functionality of a synchronous optical network having a data communication channel therein. The system includes a testing device connected to a network node within the synchronous optical network and a data communication channel loop back plug connected to the testing device for returning to the synchronous optical network, any signals within the data communication channel received at the testing device. A method is also disclosed for testing a synchronous optical network having a data communication channel therein.

Abstract: Provided are methods for executing an action in response to a request for a service using location information in conjunction with service-specific parameters. A user may request a provider of a specified service (e.g., taxi, plumber, pharmacist, etc.). In evaluating the request, providers may be evaluated based on the location information in addition to service-specific parameters. An action in response may include merely displaying selected service provider(s) in response to the request, or acting on behalf of the user by communicating with a selected service provider.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a call blocking service to which a user subscribes. The preferred call blocking service includes maintaining an updateable list of calling parties that the user wishes to block from being able to complete telephone calls to the user, maintaining a buffer for storing information associated with the most recent calling party placing a telephone call to the user, and recognizing a signal that the user activates to automatically add the most recent calling party to the list of calling parties blocked from being able to complete telephone calls to the user.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments relate to a method, system, and storage medium for providing comprehensive facsimile information within a voicemail system. The method includes receiving and storing a facsimile at a voicemail system. The method also includes interpreting elements of a facsimile using an optical character recognition device. Upon receiving a request by a voicemail recipient to access a voice mailbox, the method includes converting interpreted elements of the facsimile into audible speech via a text-to-speech engine, formatting the converted elements resulting in a voicemail facsimile notification, and presenting the voicemail facsimile notification to a communications device associated with the voicemail recipient.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing real-time conversation among a plurality of disparate communication devices include receiving a first communication from a first communication device operating in a first communication mode, translating the first communication into a second communication that is suitable for processing by a second communication device operating in a second communication mode, wherein the second communication mode is different from the first communication mode, and providing the second communication to the second communication device.

Abstract: A support device is disclosed for supporting an article. The device has a shank having a first and a second end. The first end may be driven into a member for securing the shank therein. A first and a second support member outwardly extend from the shank. The first and the second support member support the article when attached to or suspended from at least one of the first and the second support member.

Abstract: Phone systems for an integrated chat client service are provided. A representative phone system includes a call processing system operable to check a chat server for accessibility of a calling party chat client associated with a calling party and coupled to the internet, the call processing system being further operable to prompt a called party to select to talk or chat. Methods to connect telephone calls and answer telephone calls are also provided.

Abstract: A method and system for tracking telephone usage and notifying a user of his telephone usage includes a software program for tracking telephone usage based on the time and day that a phone call is made. The software program designates a timer for tracking phone usage. The timer has a time block and a time usage variable associated therewith. When a call is made, the time used by the call is recorded to the time usage variable if the call was made within the time block. The user may then be notified of how much time has been used. The software may be implemented in a number of environments, including a computer system accessible remotely or a processor located on the user's telephone.

Abstract: Methods and systems for enabling a subscriber to interrupt a review of messages in a voice mail system (VMS), to make a call or take some other action, and to return to the same position as occupied at the time of interruption in the review of messages in the VMS. In response to an indication from the subscriber's communication to leave the review, an identifier is created to mark the position of the subscriber's communication in the review. The identifier is stored in the VMS. The VMS transmits a release message with respect to the subscriber's communication, the message including a copy of the identifier. The message may be a GR-1120 message including a remote operations (RO) parameter with the copy of the identifier. In response to the release message, a service control point (SCP) stores the copy of the identifier and causes whatever action is indicated in the message to be taken with respect to the subscriber's communication.

Abstract: A communications network for accessing a call management profile. The network includes a database storing the call management profile, a server in communication with the database for generating an interface document including the call management profile, and an AIN in communication with the server.

Abstract: A method for moving permanent virtual circuits in an ATM network with minimal downtime includes creating a list of the permanent virtual circuits to be moved; building a set of shadow permanent virtual circuits using the new ATM port and a temporary set of virtual path identifier and virtual circuit identifier pairs; moving a physical connection from the original ATM port to the new ATM port; deleting the permanent virtual circuits on the original ATM port; and changing the shadow permanent virtual circuits to use the original virtual path identifier and virtual circuit identifier pairs.

Abstract: A DTMF generating device for automatically generating DTMF tones corresponding to a predefined phone number comprises a processor, a memory, and a speaker enveloped in a credit card sized casing. The memory has stored therein DTMF tone samples corresponding to the predefined phone number. When a user presses on a portion of the casing, the DTMF tone samples are played by the speaker.

Abstract: A system and method for managing sponsorships by a sponsor, in which the party requesting the sponsorship requests to use content owned and protected by the sponsor, such as trademarks, logos, and copyrighted material. An embodiment of the method involves receiving, at a computer network site, a request for sponsorship from a requester and responding to the request by sending either an approval or a rejection. If an approval is sent, the method further involves providing the requestor with access to content of the sponsor through the site. As part of providing this access, the method can involve requiring the requestor to accept an agreement posted on the site. The method can also include monitoring the requestor's actual use of the content.

Abstract: A peripheral hardware device may be provided for a computing system including a software operating system. The peripheral hardware device may include functional electronics configured to provide functionality for the peripheral hardware device. The peripheral hardware device may also include interface electronics configured to provide communication between the functional electronics and the software operating system, wherein the interface electronics are configured to provide both a virtual network interface and a virtual serial interface with the software operating system. Related computing systems are also discussed.

Abstract: Systems for providing automated diagnosis of problems for an electronic network include a central diagnosis engine configured to include modules that rank identified policy/configuration changes into potential causes, verify the ranked potential causes and determine whether any of the ranked potential causes is a likely cause or contributor to the problem. An estimator module is configured to calculate distances associated with the ranked potential causes such that a list of potential causes of the problem can be presented in order of likelihood. Other systems and methods are also provided.