Abstract: A system including a digital radio broadcast station, a receiver, and a network. The digital radio broadcast station includes a transmitter and a server. The receiver is in communication with the digital radio broadcast transmitter and also includes a user interface for receiving user input commands comprising a request for information from the digital radio broadcast station. The receiver is configured to establish a two-way communication path between the receiver and the digital radio broadcast transmitter. The network is in communication with the server and the receiver for exchanging information therebetween. The request for information is provided to the server via the network and the server is configured to receive the request and transmit a response message to the receiver in accordance with the request.

Abstract: Systems and methods allow small businesses and other buyers to aggregate their purchases to obtain volume discounts from suppliers. The systems are especially beneficial to small businesses that may be unable to obtain any discounted price on their own. The systems reduce transaction costs, improve efficiencies, increases revenue, and provides a more accurate process to buyers and suppliers. The systems are preferably operated by an entity that already has relationships with many of the small businesses and other buyers and possibly with one or more of the suppliers. The operating entity enjoys the reduced prices and other buyer benefits and may additionally receive rebates or extra discounts from the suppliers. The operating entity also can generate goodwill with its existing customers, retain those customers, and acquire new customers.

Abstract: A method for blocking content from being presented at a client device including substitution of alternative content. The client device recognizes and evaluates the received tags and blocks content based on a user profile. Substitute content is then identified and presented to the user. Substitute content includes a blank screen, prestored contents, a screen saver, alternative server content, and user selected content. The user may be prompted prior to substitution or choose that substitute content be automatically presented without prompting. Audio may be presented while substitute video is presented.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for monitoring calls routed to a telephone network-based voice mail system. When a subscriber receives a telephone call, a determination is made as to whether the call should be routed to the voice mail system. If call monitoring services are activated, a three-way communication is set up between the calling party, the voice mail system and the subscriber. The subscriber is bridged into the call on a listen-only basis, but upon command by the subscriber, the subscriber may answer the call.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for correlating work orders. One embodiment includes communicating with a communications network and acquiring new work order information representing a new work order. The new work order information is searched for at least one correlation parameter. A database of existing work orders is also searched for the at least one correlation parameter. The new work order information is grouped with existing work order information that shares the at least one correlation parameter and that has a date and time stamp within a predetermined interval of a date and time stamp of the new work order. The process, therefore, correlates the new work order with an existing work order having the at least one correlation parameter and a similar date and time stamp.

Abstract: Processes and systems are disclosed for screening a work order to diagnose and to isolate trouble in a telephone system. One embodiment includes communicating with a communications network and acquiring work order information, the work order information representing the work order. The work order information may be annotated with at least one of a date, a time, and an origin of the work order. The work order information is filtered for a screening criteria, with the screening criteria having a corresponding action. The work order information is updated according to the corresponding action, with the corresponding action updating at least one of a telephone system status code, a telephone system route code, and a narrative portion describing the telephone system. The process screens the work order for known indications of trouble in the telephone system.

Abstract: Processes and systems are disclosed for creating and for managing trouble tickets and work orders. One embodiment includes communicating with a communications network and receiving a request to create a trouble ticket. The trouble ticket is created to investigate a problem with a communications system. The trouble ticket is assigned a work item number, with the work item number including a telephone number experiencing the problem with the communications system. The trouble ticket is tracked, from initial creation to final closure, using the assigned work item number.

Abstract: An apparatus for allowing a calling party to initiate a telephone call from an Internet-enabled device. The apparatus includes a server for receiving an originating telephone number and a destination telephone number in response to a command from the Internet-enabled device, for generating a call request, and for transmitting the request to a telecommunications network to request the network to establish a connection between the originating telephone number and the destination telephone number.

Abstract: A system and method for processing traffic study requests in a communications network. The system provides a log-in window for a user identification validation. If a user is an authorized user of the system, the system provides a window for displaying a CPNI disclaimer. The system provides a new order request window for receiving customer information and input parameters. The system provides a new study request window for receiving a telephone number to be studied. Once the traffic study is completed, the system receives a report of the traffic study. The system then forwards the report to the user.

Abstract: A system for planning maintenance activities in a communication network is provided. The system comprises a query execution module, an out of sync record generator module, and a network maintenance function command module. The query execution module is operative to search a database to identify elements in the network that are out of sync. The out of sync record generator module is operative to record the identity of all the elements identified by the query execution module as being out of sync. The network maintenance function command module is operative to issue a series of commands wherein each command is operative to cause one of the out of sync elements to become in sync. The command module is also operative to issue the commands during a scheduled maintenance window.

Abstract: A system notifies a computing device of an incoming message. In the system, a message server is coupled to a data communications network for receiving the incoming message, and a communications system is coupled to the message server so that the message server can communicate to the communications system that the incoming message awaits retrieval by the computing device. A communications line is coupled to the communications system and to the computing device so that the communications system can signal the computing device over the communications line that the incoming message awaits retrieval by such computing device. The computing device is for receiving the aforementioned notification and retrieving the incoming message from the message server, and includes a communications device for coupling with the aforementioned communications line.

Abstract: A system and method for retaining institutional customer contact knowledge and experience is disclosed. The system and method permits multiple users to interact with a centralized database that retains customer contact information. The system and method allows multiple users to send information to the database. The database also makes the customer contact information available to multiple users. In another aspect of the invention, customer contact information can be used to measure the performance of a firm's employees.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses are disclosed for enabling a virtual personalized network. Communications are established with a personal digital gateway to control access, sharing, security, and/or management of up-to-date personalized data exchanged between or among a plurality of associated communications devices and/or communications networks. The associated communications devices are owned, operated, and/or accessed by a common user.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed that provides a gateway function. The apparatus has an enclosure surrounding a network interface device. The network interface device has a communications network interface to a communications network and a power line network interface to a power line carrier-based network. A communications module stores in a memory device, a processor communicates with the memory device, and the communications module provides gateway services for the communications network and for the power line network.

Abstract: A caller ID device includes a switch and a control circuit in communication with the switch, wherein the control circuit includes a memory, the memory having a table of blocked calls, and wherein each of the blocked calls is identified as a blocked call in response to a user activating the switch.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention relates to a method for collecting SNMP bandwidth data from a network device via a data collection system. The method involves simultaneously collecting data samples from a port on the network device by collecting servers. The collecting servers include a master server and at least one slave server. The method further involves producing a master text file by the master server and a slave text file by the slave server. Data computation activities are performed which include generating a clean data file utilizing the master and slave text files and computing delta values for data samples in the clean text file. Control of data computation activities is transferred to the slave server upon a failure detected at the master server. Other embodiments include a system and a storage medium.

Abstract: This specification relates to a method for providing information about a caller before the call is completed. The invention comprises a method for intercepting a telephone number from a phone line or phone system, searching a database for information associated with that phone number and displaying the information on a computer screen, such that a person may see the information before the phone is answered. This provides immediate access to information related to an incoming or outgoing call to an individual without the need to manually search for the file.

Abstract: A system and method of providing long distance service products to users. Post-paid debit calling cards are purchased on-line by a customer or user and the user is billed monthly, along with other service charges. The calling card account, however, is debited as it is used. Since the fee for the account is charged against an existing customer account, fraudulent purchases are reduced. In an embodiment, the purchaser is provided access to a restricted web page on the Internet using a user name and password, where the user name and password are associated with the customer's account. Once accessed, the user is able to purchase “post-paid debit calling cards.” Upon sending a request to purchase such a calling card, the user is provided a toll free number and PIN. Subsequently, the purchase is logged and the fee is added to the customer's monthly bill.

Abstract: Methods and systems for automatically routing a long distance call placed by a subscriber to a prepaid service provider. Methods are discussed for allowing the prepaid subscriber to directly dial a called party's long distance telephone number, and then routing the placed call to a prepaid service. The subscriber, in each case, is not required to first dial the telephone number of the prepaid service provider before dialing the called party.

Abstract: A control device operates to selectively provision power. The control device can be implemented as part of an electrical apparatus, such as a computer, television, VCR, hairdryer or other device which operates on AC power. The control device can be also implemented as part of a common power outlet or breaker system typically found in businesses and households.