Abstract: There is provided a method that includes (a) presenting, on a display of a user interface, a line for entry of data, (b) receiving, from the user interface, a first string of data, (c) presenting a representation of the first string of data, on the display, on the line, (d) receiving, from the user interface, data that represents a space, (e) presenting a representation of the space, on the display, on the line, (f) receiving, from the user interface, a second string of data, (g) presenting a representation of the second string of data, on the display, on the line, (h) accepting the first string of data as a first parameter, and (i) accepting the second string of data as a second parameter. There is also provided an apparatus that performs the method, and a storage device that contains instructions for controlling a processor to perform the method.

Abstract: A method includes obtaining a liability limit indicative of an available funding, determining whether a first amount of liability contributed by a first subscriber during a provision of a service to the first subscriber exceeds a first balance indicative of a first portion of the available funding that may be consumed by the first subscriber, determining whether a second amount of liability contributed by a second subscriber during a provision of a service to the second subscriber exceeds a second balance indicative of a second portion of the available funding that may be consumed by the second subscriber, issuing a first communication to a device to affect the provision of a service to the first subscriber if the first amount of liability exceeds the first balance, and issuing a second communication to the device to affect the provision of a service to the second subscriber if the second amount of liability exceeds the second balance.

Abstract: A method includes determining whether a first amount of liability contributed by a first subscriber during a provision of a service to the first subscriber exceeds a first balance indicative of a first portion of available funding that may be consumed by the first subscriber, determining whether a second amount of liability contributed by a second subscriber during a provision of a service to the second subscriber exceeds a second balance indicative of a second portion of the available funding that may be consumed by the second subscriber, issuing a first communication to a device to affect the provision of a service to the first subscriber if the first amount of liability exceeds the first balance, and issuing a second communication to the device to affect the provision of a service to the second subscriber if the second amount of liability exceeds the second balance.

Abstract: Recognition of proper nouns by an automated speech recognition system is improved by augmenting the pronunciation of each proper noun or name in the natural language of the speech recognition system with at least one “native” pronunciation in another natural language. To maximize recognition, preferably the pronunciations are predicted based on information not available to the speech recognition system. Prediction of pronunciation may be based on a location derived from a telephone number or postal address associated with the name and the language or dialect spoken in the country or region of that location. The “native” pronunciation(s) may be added to a dictionary of the speech recognition system or directly to the grammar used for recognizing speech.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining at least one recognition parameter, associated with a grammar, for use in attempting to recognize utterances using the grammar includes an input configured to receive indicia of the grammar, an output configured to provide the at least one recognition parameter, and a processor coupled to the input and to the output and configured to analyze words of the grammar to determine a feature of the grammar and to provide indicia of the at least one recognition parameter to the output based on the determined feature.

Abstract: An interactive voice response system has speak-ahead capabilities similar to type-ahead IVR systems by determining multi-level grammars for responses. Preferably, an existing IVR application is processed automatically to generate a multi-level grammar database that can then be used in recognizing multi-level responses by a user.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and systems for providing voicemail services having expanded functionality. One embodiment of the invention saves a copy of messages sent in the sender's mailbox. Methods and systems, according to this embodiment, mark a message sent as a ‘sent message’ and store the sent message in a standard message store. These methods and systems can present a full set of sent messages (sent within a configured time interval, 30 days for example) upon a specific request for sent messages. In one embodiment, a user can access these sent messages by accessing the sent message folder. Embodiments of the invention also provide a method for determining the other (if any) recipients of a received voice message. Methods and systems according to one embodiment store a full list of recipients with a message. Thus, a system according to this embodiment can present the list of recipients to the subscriber when it retrieves a message.

Abstract: A system for automatically synchronizing a shared subscriber directory server with a voice messaging system. Update requests are generated for updating the shared subscriber directory server when a subscriber action or an administrative action updates subscriber information in the voice messaging system. The update requests are appended to a queue managed by an update server, and are handled by the update server in the same order as the corresponding actions that generated the requests. The update requests are read from the queue on a first-in first-out basis, are sent to the shared subscriber directory server, and are sent to the shared subscriber directory server where they are applied, thereby synchronously updating the subscriber directory server in real-time based.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for managing a call based on multimedia data. According to one embodiment, the invention provides a method for managing a call. The method includes receiving first data related to a call sent by a calling party to a called party. In response to the first data, the method obtains from a database second data related to the call. At least one of the first data, the second data, and a combination of the first and second data includes multimedia data. The method manages the call based at least in part on the multimedia data. In another embodiment, the present invention provides a system for managing a call. The system includes: a database operative to store data associated with subscribers; and a MPCM service in communication with the database. The MPCM service has an interface for communicating over a network. The MPCM service receives over the network first data related to a call sent by a calling party to a called party.

Abstract: Multi-client single-session media streaming is disclosed. One process includes setting up a single logical connection to a media server for a media to be transmitted, and transmitting the media from the media server over the single logical connection to a plurality of clients.

Abstract: The present invention is a system that allows customers to use a mobile device or personal terminal to obtain complete product or service information so as to complete an impartial list. The system aides in the identification of a store or place of interest where the customer may obtain the list items. The system further provides the customer with directions to the store or place of interest, and to the needed item or service within the store, thereby increasing the customers efficiency. The list and directions may be dynamically changed based upon the customers changing needs and changing location.

Abstract: A multimedia distribution kiosk can communicate with a remote user to receive multimedia requests and can communicate with a multimedia content provider to obtain requested multimedia content. The kiosk can cache received multimedia content and provide the content as desired. The kiosk can also be used to upload multimedia content to a server. For example, an occupant of an automobile may access a system of kiosks to determine the nearest kiosk and request download of content prior to arrival at that kiosk.

Abstract: Mobile telephone-based peer-to-peer sharing is disclosed. One method includes storing a content in a first mobile telephone and allowing a second mobile telephone to obtain the content from the first mobile telephone.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining at least one recognition parameter, associated with a grammar, for use in attempting to recognize utterances using the grammar includes an input configured to receive indicia of the grammar, an output configured to provide the at least one recognition parameter, and a processor coupled to the input and to the output and configured to analyze words of the grammar to determine a feature of the grammar and to provide indicia of the at least one recognition parameter to the output based on the determined feature.

Abstract: A voice-mail platform in which a voice message can be combined with a sound sample such that the combined message contains background noise to enhance the persuasiveness of the message. The voice message and the sound sample may be stored either together or separately and can be forwarded from an original recipient to a third party recipient with or without the sound sample. The voice message can be recorded while the user is listening to the selected sound sample. Further, a user can store a personal audio stationary to select sound samples which accompany voice messages.

Abstract: The present invention is a system that allows users to compose and deliver voicemail messages that contain embedded applets. Users may interact with the system via telephone, multi-access device, PC, or any number of other devices. Users may also interact with the system via a variety of interfaces such as speech, dual tone multi-frequency, and graphical user interface. The system allows user to compose voicemail messages with embedded applets for delivery to multiple recipients. The applets provide the sender with the ability to leverage the voice messaging system so as to take full advantage of all systems and applications of the computer platform upon which the applet is being run. The voice message based applets may be updated dynamically based upon variables such as when the recipient receives the message. The message sender may also configure the system to provide notification and statistics regarding receipt of the message and embedded applets.

Abstract: An incoming telephone call is held in a telephony network while a subscriber is notified that the call is waiting to be handled. A guide menu presenting call handling options is displayed on an entertainment center while a program played through the entertainment center is paused and recorded. The subscriber selects a desired call handling option using a remote control device and the call is handled in a manner corresponding to the selected call handling option.

Abstract: Picture Caller Line Identification (PCLI) systems and methods are provided for enabling present and future mobile telephony systems to provide PCLI information to a called party. A PCLI system that interacts with a mobile telephony system includes a storage unit for storing PCLI information and a processor that is programmed to detect a request for a call from a caller to a called party, to retrieve PCLI information for the caller from the storage unit, and to forward the PCLI information to the called party. The processor may be further programmed to suspend completion of the call until verification of receipt of the call by the called handset to ensure that the PCLI information is available at the called party's handset prior to completion of the call. Mobile handsets that may be used with the PCLI system discussed above are also provided.

Abstract: Picture Caller Line Identification (PCLI) systems and methods are provided for enabling present and future mobile telephony systems to provide PCLI information to a called party. A PCLI system that interacts with a mobile telephony system includes a storage unit for storing PCLI information and a processor that is programmed to detect a request for a call from a caller to a called party, to retrieve PCLI information for the caller from the storage unit, and to forward the PCLI information to the called party. The processor may be further programmed to suspend completion of the call until verification of receipt of the call by the called handset to ensure that the PCLI information is available at the called party's handset prior to completion of the call. Mobile handsets that may be used with the PCLI system discussed above are also provided.

Abstract: A method for providing a bookmark in a voice application includes presenting the voice application to a user, allowing the user to access the voice application and provide vocal input to the voice application, creating, upon a user request, a bookmark to a location in the voice application in accordance with vocal input provided to the voice application, and providing the user with access to the bookmark in the voice application in order to return to the bookmarked location.