Abstract: There is provided a method that includes (a) receiving a text message that was sent from a first user device via a communications network, (b) detecting a text string in the text message, (c) executing a process, in response to detecting the text string, wherein the executing yields a result, and (d) sending the result to a second user device via the communications network. In an exemplary embodiment, a user of a first mobile telephone uses an SMS message to invoke a process that provides, to a user of a second mobile telephone, a map that shows a location of the first mobile telephone.

Abstract: There is provided a system having a processor, and a memory having instructions stored therein in a form that is readable by the processor. The instructions, when read by the processor, cause the processor to perform steps of: receiving a first signal that indicates an initiation of a communication from a calling device to a called device; receiving a context parameter of the called device; evaluating the context parameter; and generating a second signal, based on the step of evaluating, to control a routing of the communication.

Abstract: A content consumption session completion system and method useful in conjunction therewith, the system comprising an apparatus for detecting uncompleted content consumption sessions by monitoring consumption of data services by a user and logging information regarding at least one uncompleted content consumption session between at least one user and at least one data service. The system further includes an apparatus for diagnosing a reason why at least one individual content consumption session was uncompleted, and also includes an apparatus for responding to at least one uncompleted content consumption session as a function of the reason.

Abstract: A system and method for adding contact information to a personal network address book is provided. Contact information is added to the address book by analyzing a billing database or call detail record in order to determine telephone numbers which meet predetermined criteria set by a user. Telephone numbers meeting the predetermined criteria are extracted and transferred to the user. The user is prompted for a nickname corresponding to each extracted telephone number. The nickname and the corresponding telephone number are then stored in the personal network address book. In a voice activated dialing system, the user is able to speak the nickname in order to initiate the dialing process.

Abstract: There is provided a method for providing telephone directory assistance. The method includes (a) receiving, via a communication network, first information concerning a telephone call being proposed for a telephone having a first telephone number, (b) obtaining second information relating to a prior call involving the first telephone number, (c) obtaining a resultant telephone number, based on the first information and the second information, and (d) outputting the resultant telephone number, via the communication network.

Abstract: A method includes obtaining first information based on communication engaged in by a first subscriber via a communication service, calculating a first popularity rating of the first subscriber based on the first information, obtaining second information based on communication engaged in by a second subscriber via the communication service, calculating a second popularity rating of the second subscriber based on the second information, determining a ranking of the first subscriber based on comparing the first popularity rating and the second popularity rating, and providing a component service based on the ranking.

Abstract: A method for providing video content to a target system, the method including: acquiring multiple groups of frames from a stream of frames; processing each group of frames out of the multiple groups of frames to provide a video file; and transmitting the video file to the target system; wherein the acquiring, processing and transmitting partially overlap.

Abstract: A communications device having a display and an integral camera and being provided with a walkie-talkie mode for conveying real time streaming audio-video to one or more receiving devices.

Abstract: An authorization subscriber identification module card, including: (a) a subscriber identification module chip; and (b) a near field communication chip, connected to the subscriber identification module chip, wherein the near field communication chip is adapted to update a balance value in a memory of the authorization subscriber identification module card in response to balance updating information, and to transmit a near field communication confirmation transmission to an external system; wherein the authorization subscriber identification module card is further adapted to provide identification information to a charging authority server; to receive a balance updating information from the charging authority server; and to update the balance value in response to charging information.

Abstract: A network-based method for secure messaging is performed by: receiving a message sent by a sender to a recipient with a store-and-forward protocol, at a network location. The received message is decrypted at the network location with the sender's encryption key. Then the decrypted message is encrypted at the network location with the recipient's encryption key, and forwarded from the network location for delivery to the recipient.

Abstract: A system for providing multimedia ring back for a voice-call. The system may include an MMRB for VC control module and a network access module operatively connected to the MMRB for VC control module. The network access module is adapted to interface the MMRB for VC control module with external network components. The MMRB for VC control module is responsive to an indication that a caller is inviting a callee to join the voice-call with the caller and wherein the caller and/or the callee is subscribed to an MMRB for VC service for invoking an MMRB for VC service.

Abstract: A method for initiating a session in a store and forward messaging system, such as a voice/video call answering (VCA) system, is provided. A data storage device stores capability information for subscribers of the messaging system, the capability information including data such as video codecs and audio codecs supported by the subscriber's device. When a session initiation request is received from a guest of the messaging system, the capability information of the device used by the guest is compared to the stored capability information of the device used by the subscriber for whom the guest wishes to deposit a message. If the capability information matches, the system presents to the guest only the matching capability information. The session continues using the matching capability information, thereby eliminating the need to transcode data when the message is retrieved by the subscriber.

Abstract: Provided is a method for exchanging information, the method including: receiving content destined to a virtual representation of a recipient; sending the content to a recipient communication device that is being utilized by the recipient for non-virtual communication by utilizing an association between a virtual representation of the recipient and an identity of the recipient while concealing the association. Also provided is a method for participating in a virtual environment, the method including: receiving instructions from a limited device not capable of interfacing with the virtual environment; converting the instructions to a virtual environment-compliant format; sending the converted instructions to a virtual environment computer; receiving content from the virtual environment; converting the content to a limited device-compliant content; and sending the converted content to the limited device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of providing interactive services through a telecommunications network. In the method an audio/visual (A/V) stream and control data is exchanged between an application server and a multiplexing and access control module of the telecommunications network, by means of a multimedia bidirectional interactive protocol. Internet protocol television (IPTV) service protocols are implemented within the telecommunications network for communicating with customer premises television equipment, wherein the IPTV protocols include a streaming protocol for transmission to customer premises television equipment of an A/V stream received from the application server and a monodirectional interactive protocol for receiving user commands at the multiplexing and access control module.

Abstract: A system for providing voucher dispensing and redeeming using current mobile communications hardware and infrastructure. The system enables the creation, reception and usage of voice vouchers, wherein digital vouchers are embodied as attachments within voicemail messages. In this way, the system enables the transfer and interaction with online vouchers using existing voicemail systems, such that the content and authentication data of a voucher may be received and redeemed using a standard mobile communications device. Furthermore the voucher may be verified and controlled by a voucher vendor, by using a specialized voucher server.

Abstract: A content consumption session completion system and method useful in conjunction therewith, the system comprising an apparatus for detecting uncompleted content consumption sessions by monitoring consumption of data services by a user and logging information regarding at least one uncompleted content consumption session between at least one user and at least one data service. The system further includes an apparatus for diagnosing a reason why at least one individual content consumption session was uncompleted, and also includes an apparatus for responding to at least one uncompleted content consumption session as a function of the reason.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for creating a personalized phone bill populated with names from a subscriber's personal address book on the subscriber's device. A billing application receives a request to generate a phone bill for a subscriber, and obtains usage data for that subscriber's device. In one embodiment, the billing application then sends a request to a translation server to search a network address book, which is synchronized with the personal address book on a subscriber's device, to match the usage data with the names from the network address book. The matched names are then transmitted from the translation server to the billing application, where the billing application includes the matched names in a usage section of the bill, thereby generating a personalized phone bill that a subscriber can more easily review and understand.

Abstract: An apparatus for identifying participants of a conference call in a telephony network, each participant using a respective channel to participate in the conference call, the apparatus including: a sampler, deployed in the telephony network, and configured to continuously sample each of the channels during the conference call, a dominant channel identifier, in communication with the sampler, and configured to identify in real time a dominant one of the sampled channels, and a current speaker data disseminator, in communication with the dominant channel identifier, and configured to disseminate, in real time, data pertaining to a participant who uses the dominant channel to at least one remaining participant of the conference call, so as to identify the participant who uses the dominant channel as a current speaker to the remaining participant.

Abstract: A system and method of message indicating that enable the sender of a message to chose the ringing tone of the receiver's cellular telephone upon arrival of the sender's message. The sender has the ability to either choose or create the ringing tone to be played on the receiver's cellular telephone. The sender also has the ability to create either SMS or multimedia messages to be sent with the ringing tone. The ringing tones may also be chosen or downloaded from Internet sites.

Abstract: An apparatus including a capturer and a converter. The capturer is configured to capture at least one word spoken by a calling party of a phone call in accordance with a predetermined capturing policy. The converter is in communication with the capturer and configured to automatically convert at least one of the at least one captured word into a textual sequence.