Abstract: A system for detecting and charging for internet connection provided to a computer device, the computer device configured to detect any internet connection available comprising an internet access adjustment facilitator arranged to receive requests for prepaid internet connection access from the computer device; and capable of facilitating the linking of the computer device to a designated prepaid internet account for purposes of charging; wherein upon detection by the software that the internet connection is a prepaid internet connection, access and caching of any Internet content will be chargeable to a designated prepaid internet account from the at least one prepaid internet account; and upon detecting that the internet connection is any other type of internet connection, the computer device caches any Internet content accessed by the user for synchronization with other computer devices in the system linked to the designated prepaid account.

Abstract: An instant messaging system comprising an instant messaging server to which a plurality of client devices are connectable to the Internet; where client device(s) belonging to a user is connectable to the instant messaging server by using an identifier of the user; wherein in a default mode an instant message is sent from a client device to the instant messaging server for routing to an intended recipient via Internet connection; and if the Internet connection is not available the instant message is routed via another electronic link to the instant messaging server for routing to an intended recipient, the another electronic link using a session-based protocol is disclosed.

Abstract: A system for managing and allocating data bandwidth to a client device comprising a monitoring and traffic management module disposed within the client device, the monitoring and traffic management module arranged to monitor data usage on the client device; and a data traffic manager operable allocate data bandwidth to the client device and receive a request from the monitoring and traffic management module; the request including an instruction to the data traffic manager to allocate a suitable data bandwidth to the client device depending on data usage. The invention is conveniently suited for use in telecommunications system and does not require modifications to be made to existing telecommunications system.

Abstract: A system for tracking the successful recommendation of a good/service comprising a mobile phone possessed by a receiver, a second mobile phone possessed by a recommender, the mobile phones send and receive communication messages; at least one database; and an intermediary system. The recommender composes a first communication message to the intermediary system including the mobile phone number of the mobile phone, a unique identifier of the recommender and a reference code for a good/service associated with the selected good/service.

Abstract: The invention provides a system for adjusting the amount of data bandwidth provided to a mobile device comprising a bandwidth adjustment facilitator arranged to receive a request from the mobile device for adjusting the amount of data bandwidth; a bandwidth throttler in communication with the bandwidth adjustment facilitator; the bandwidth throttler adapted to cap or allocate excess available data bandwidth to the mobile device; wherein on receipt of the request, the bandwidth adjustment facilitator process the request and if the request is successfully processed, adjusts the data bandwidth provided to the mobile device via the bandwidth throttler. The system may further be adapted for billing/charging based on either pay-per-specified-time model or pay per action model. The invention is conveniently suited for use in telecommunications system and does not require modifications to be made to existing telecommunications system.

Abstract: Systems and methods for tracking the successful recommendation of goods or services are provided. A mobile phone-in the possession of a user is capable of sending and receiving communication messages, including recommendations. A first message is composed including a mobile phone number allocated to the mobile phone, a unique identifier of the recommender, and a reference code for a good or service. The first message is parsed, a referral record is created, and the results of the recommendation are recorded.

Abstract: The invention provides a system for adjusting the amount of data bandwidth provided to a mobile device comprising a bandwidth adjustment facilitator arranged to receive a request from the mobile device for adjusting the amount of data bandwidth; a bandwidth throttler in communication with the bandwidth adjustment facilitator; the bandwidth throttler adapted to cap or allocate excess available data bandwidth to the mobile device; wherein on receipt of the request, the bandwidth adjustment facilitator process the request and if the request is successfully processed, adjusts the data bandwidth provided to the mobile device via the bandwidth throttler. The system may further be adapted for billing/charging based on either pay-per-specified-time model or pay per action model. The invention is conveniently suited for use in telecommunications system and does not require modifications to be made to existing telecommunications system.

Abstract: A system for tracking the successful recommendation of a good/service comprising a mobile phone possessed by a receiver, a second mobile phone possessed by a recommender, the mobile phones send and receive communication messages; at least one database; and an intermediary system. The recommender composes a first communication message to the intermediary system including the mobile phone number of the mobile phone, a unique identifier of the recommender and a reference code for a good/service associated with the selected good/service.

Abstract: A buddy-based, cross-carrier mobile phone based text messaging server, system and method is disclosed. A table of subscribers cross referenced against buddy subscribers who have opted in to receive text messages (SMS) is maintained. Where a recipient subscriber is not yet registered as a buddy subscriber, the server sends a message asking if the recipient subscriber wants to become a buddy subscriber of the sending subscriber. If the recipient subscriber opts-in, the recipient subscriber is added to the table as a buddy subscriber, and thereafter will be forwarded all messages through the service, sent from the particular sending subscriber, until the buddy subscriber opts-out. The invention ensures a near one to one correspondence of in/out SMS for participating mobile phone networks, and avoids any one network being overloaded with spam messaging.

Abstract: In accordance with a first aspect of the invention there is a system (10) for facilitating communications between two parties comprising a first party (12) having positive credit with a communication facilitator (16) and a second party (14) having insufficient credit with the communications facilitator (16) to initiate or continue communication. The first party (12) sends a first communication message (26) to a first destination address (18) associated with the communication facilitator (16). The communication facilitator (16) includes the first communication message (18), or at least a portion thereof, in a second communication message (28) which is sent to the second party (14) via a second destination address (22).

Abstract: A system for tracking the successful recommendation of a good or service (10) comprising a mobile phone (26) in the possession of a receiver (14), the mobile phone (26) capable of sending and receiving communication messages; a merchant system (18); at least one database (30, 32); and an intermediary system (18). The intermediary system (18) is in data communication with the at least one database (30, 32) and the merchant system (18) and in communication with the mobile phone (26) through a mobile telecommunications network (28).

Abstract: A trading and auction system (10), and a method for the authentication of buyers and sellers and for the transmission of trading instructions in a trading and auction system (10) is disclosed. To register with the trading and auction system (10), a user must provide a unique identifier of a messaging-capable wireless device (22) belonging to the user. After assigning a password to the user, the trading and auction system (10) communicates the password to the user and receives a confirmation of said password from said user, with at least one of the steps of communicating the password and receiving a confirmation of the password being performed using the wireless device's messaging capability (22). The user's account or trading instruction is activated if the password is correct. The trading and auction system (10) assigns a unique identification number to each product or service for sale or auction.

Abstract: A buddy-based, cross-carrier mobile phone based text messaging server, system and method is disclosed. A table of subscribers cross referenced against buddy subscribers who have opted in to receive text messages (SMS) is maintained. Where a recipient subscriber is not yet registered as a buddy subscriber, the server sends a message asking if the recipient subscriber wants to become a buddy subscriber of the sending subscriber. If the recipient subscriber opts-in, the recipient subscriber is added to the table as a buddy subscriber, and thereafter will be forwarded all messages through the service, sent from the particular sending subscriber, until the buddy subscriber opts-out. The invention ensures a near one to one correspondence of in/out SMS for participating mobile phone networks, and avoids any one network being overloaded with spam messaging.

Abstract: A messaging system (11) for conveying messages between a host server (15) and a client (13a) that is part of a GSM network and a method therefor. The GSM network includes an SMS facility to convey messages between its clients using an SMSC (25), each wireless client having a network identifying number (NIN) associated with it to uniquely identify the client within the GSM network. Each message comprises a message packet (43) including the address (49) of an intended recipient, the address (47) of the sender of the message and the message itself (51). The host server (15) may be selectively connected to a plurality of different client types (13) via the Internet (19) to convey messages therebetween. Each client has a client identifying number (CIN) associated with it to uniquely identify it to the host server (15). The host server (15) and the SMSC (25) are interconnected by the Internet (19) or another computer network to provide for communications therebetween.

Abstract: An instant messaging (IM) system and a method for communicating instant messages between an IM server 11 and a remote communication network utilising a sequential message handshaking protocol across a computer network that is prone to latency and instability. The remote communication network is a GSM network 16 having “Short Message Service” (SMS) for subscribers with mobile GSM devices 18 linked to a “Short Message Server Center” (SMSC) for sending and receiving instant messages remotely of the GSM network 16 and as part of the IM system. The SMSC is provided with an SMSC server 15 connected by a highly stable link 19 with low latency to an SMSC buffer server 14 forming part of the computer network. The SMSC buffer server 14 is connected to the IM server 11 via the internet 13 to complete the computer network.

Abstract: In accordance with a first aspect of the invention there is a system (10) for facilitating communications between two parties comprising a first party (12) having positive credit with a communication facilitator (16) and a second party (14) having insufficient credit with the communications facilitator (16) to initiate or continue communication. The first party (12) sends a first communication message (26) to a first destination address (18) associated with the communication facilitator (16). The communication facilitator (16) includes the first communication message (18), or at least a portion thereof, in a second communication message (28) which is sent to the second party (14) via a second destination address (22).

Abstract: A system and method for assigning a unique identifier to a prospective user of an instant messaging system. The IM system comprises a plurality of clients (111) having IM applications of the same or different types, selectively interconnected to an IM server (113) by way of the internet (117). The system includes a registration handler (119) for receiving a client specific access address (johnsmith@company.com) of a prospective user (127) on the internet (117) together with a request (115) to register or tentatively register the prospective user (127). A unique identifier assigner is provided to automatically allocate a unique numeric identifier (UIN) to the prospective user (127) and match the UIN to the client specific address (johnsmith@company.com) of the prospective user.

Abstract: An instant messaging system and a method of instant messaging between a plurality of clients having IM applications of the same or different types. The IM system includes a plurality of clients having IM client applications of the following types: a PC-based instant messaging client application program (101, 301); a GSM device (104, 303) forming part of a GSM network; an internet browser-based client application 201, 305; and an email-based client application (208, 307). An IM system host (141, 211, 316) including an IM server (143, 217, 311) is selectively connected to each of the clients via the direct electronic links or the internet (117, 213, 309) and provides a prescribed range of functionality to the clients. This functionality includes sending an IM, receiving an IM and identifying which members of a group of clients that a client is a member, or prospective member, of are online.

Abstract: A method of conveying information between a wireless communication device (13a) and a computer (15) providing a messaging service comprising sending a message from the wireless communication device (13a) to said computer (15), the message including an address for the computer (15), and receiving the communication at the computer (15). The address is formed by combining an Access Code (AC) uniquely identifying the computer and a Unique Identification Code (UIC) signifying; (i) a prescribed action to be performed by the computer (15); and (ii) an entity that is the subject of the prescribed action. At least one character of the address is common to both the Access Code and the Unique identification Code and the address is arranged such that said at least one common character is unified within the address such that the number of characters in the address string is less than the total number of characters in the Access Code and the Unique Identification Code.

Abstract: A method of conveying information between a wireless communication device (13a) and a computer (15) providing a messaging service comprising sending a message from the wireless communication device (13a) to said computer (15), the message including an address for the computer (15), and receiving the communication at the computer (15). The address is formed by combining an Access Code (AC) uniquely identifying the computer and a Unique Identification Code (UIC) signifying; (i) a prescribed action to be performed by the computer (15); and (ii) an entity that is the subject of the prescribed action. At least one character of the address is common to both the Access Code and the Unique Identification Code and the address is arranged such that said at least one common character is unified within the address such that the number of characters in the address string is less than the total number of characters in the Access Code and the Unique Identification Code.