Abstract: A system and method for real-time transfer of multimedia material from a remote device to a centralized multi-media storage unit, wherein the multimedia material is combined with extrinsic material to generate a virtual record. A user selects specifications and instructions via a remote terminal for retrieving the extrinsic material from external databases and interleaving the retrieved extrinsic material to the multimedia material provided by the user. Iteration of the selecting of user specifications and instructions and the interleaving process is performed until a final virtual record is produced which is satisfactory to the user.

Abstract: A method for facilitating a chat session between a first user and second users visiting a first web site comprising receiving, from the first user, a first user ID; receiving, from the second user, a second user ID; providing, to the first user, at least an indication of the second user ID; receiving, from the first user, a request to open one of a public chat session, a semi-public chat session and a private chat session with the second user; transmitting, to the second user, an indication that the first user has requested a chat session; and receiving, from the second user, an acceptance to enter the chat session designated by the first user. The method also comprises receiving from the first user a query regarding other users in a co-branded community visiting the first web site and searching a database to determine a response to the query.

Abstract: A method, computer system, computer program product, and user interface for enabling SMS users to engage in many-to-many conversation, or an SMS conference, utilizing SMS services. Specifically, a user initiates an SMS conference by sending a short message, including the contact numbers for a group of conference participants, to a control center. The control center establishes an SMS conference by storing the contact information as a conference group and assigning a unique identifier to the conference group. Thus, the SMSC establishes an SMS conference by associating the conference group with a unique identifier. The SMSC transmits the short message from the conference initiator to each participant. A participant is able to send a message to all conference participants by addressing the message to the unique identifier. The control center then forwards the message to each participant in the conference as indicated by the unique identifier.

Abstract: An automatic messaging client launcher for a communication device automatically launches the communication device's messaging client, when the device is calling a currently unavailable destination communication device. The automatic messaging client launcher consists of an availability detector and a messaging initiator. The availability detector determines if the communication device being called is available. If the destination device is unavailable, the messaging initiator launches the messaging client.

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: A method and system for determining availability of a target device in a CDMA environment includes sending a message from a source device for determining the availability of a target device, wherein an intermediary device generates an interrogation command upon receipt of the message. The intermediary device uses the interrogation command to interrogate an HLR in the CDMA environment in order to determine the availability of the target device, such that the intermediary device alerts the source device when the target device becomes available.

Abstract: A method and device for assisting a user of a mobile communication device. Country codes for numbers to be dialed are added to stored telephone numbers either by user input or automatically using a stored database. Further, user-specific data stored within the mobile device is updated automatically as the device is transported from one location to another location.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for providing a centralized access, in real-time, to messages received in, or sent from two or more mail accounts of a user. Data related to incoming and/or outgoing messages from one or more accounts of the user is continuously aggregating and/or stored in real-time. The user accesses each aggregated message received in, or sent from one or more accounts, from each of the accounts. The status of the user's aggregated updated and/or outgoing messages may be continuously updated and/or displayed to the user, in real-time.

Abstract: A remote telephone system for wireless telephony devices includes a remote server having communication control support to provide digital communication function control. Wireless telephony devices are grouped and the support is independently programmable for each group. The remote server further includes a data port connected to the communication control support for supporting a wireless data link to an individual wireless telephony device, and the remote server uses the data port to exchange programmed digital communication function control with the individual device. The data link to the control support gives the wireless device the functionality of a smart handset and bestows upon the group properties of an office exchange.

Abstract: A personal assistant system uses context to intelligently make contacts and for provisioning an address book. The system can be customized by subscribers for all or specific contacts. The system uses history information to make predictions of whether calls will be successful when no preference is specified by the user.

Abstract: A method and a system for providing configurable call progress tones in a telephony session by identifying a receiver of the telephony session, selecting a tone in accordance with the preferences of the receiver and providing a configurable call progress tone of the selected tone.

Abstract: For providing a telephone service between a source telephone and a target telephone, the target telephone is equipped with an incoming channel and an outgoing channel. Upon an incoming call from the source telephone received at the target telephone via the incoming channel being unanswered, the target telephone simultaneously establishes an outgoing call with a server via the outgoing channel. This creates a bridge between the source telephone and the server, thereby rendering a message prompt produced by the telephone service audible at both the source and target telephones. The server may be a voice mail system that allows call screening by the target telephone of a call by the source telephone if the target telephone does not go off-hook within a predetermined time interval. Or the server may provide a personalized ring signal or message to the target telephone until the target telephone goes off-hook.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for replying to an incoming E-mail message by a corresponding voice message response. The recipient reads, or listens to the incoming E-mail message and voice data, containing a recorded voice reply to the incoming E-mail message is then generated. An E-mail reply message which comprises the voice data is generated and sent to the originator of the incoming E-mail message, as an E-mail reply message. The incoming E-mail message may be attached to the generated voice data before sending it sent to the originator.

Abstract: An interactive multimedia, two-way notification system and method transforms a notification message into a dynamic marketing channel. When a notification message is triggered, an external application provides promotional text that is personalized to the intended recipient of the notification message. The promotional text is added to the notification message, which is then forwarded to the recipient. If the recipient replies to the notification message, an interactive two-way messaging session is established between the recipient and the external application.

Abstract: An Application Level Gateway (ALG) based on an universal parser, in a data transmission network. This ALG enables all data flow of an application level protocol to be checked for concordance with the formal syntax description of the data transmission protocol, and with a security policy. The ALG contains a transmission controller, universal parser, and at least one parser plug-in for each universal parser. This parser plug-in is specific to the data transmission protocol, and can be automatically created from the formal syntax description of a data transmission protocol. A security policy (rules, restrictions) can be implemented in the parser plug-in and/or in the settings.

Abstract: System for providing CATV subscribers an access to a UMS (Unified Messaging System) and/or VMS (Voice Mail System), wherein each subscriber is provided with a TV set connected to the CATV network directly-or-through a set-top box. The system comprises a connection between subscribers of the CATV network and the UMS and/or VMS and an interface for permitting exchange of information between the subscribers and the UTMS and/or VMS and a client software for the UMS and/or VMS, which when the connection is through the set-top box resides on, or is coupled to, the set-top box. The interface may comprise a UMS and/or VMS handler and a CATV network handler for providing data connection between the UMS and/or VMS and the subscribers. The interface may also comprise a multimedia message management interposed between the UMS and/or VMS handler and the CATV network handler.

Abstract: A system and method for request verification in an Application Level Gateway (ALG) located between a client and a server in a data transmission network. The ALG receives from a server a message that requires some responsive actions from a client. The ALG adds to this message Verification Data (VD) that includes information about expected actions required from the client. The ALG then sends the message with the above-mentioned additions to the client. The client receives this message and sends a response, with the actual actions and with the VD, to the server. The ALG obtains this response with the VD, and compares the description of the expected actions with actual actions of the client. If the actions of the client are legitimate, the ALG sends the client response to the server.

Abstract: A system and method that provides remotely generate facsimile printouts of Web page content, without having to attach a printer or facsimile machine to the device. The system may be configured with a variety of different devices, such as wireless telephones, pagers, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), telephones, browsers, and interactive TVs. To initiate a Web page facsimile printout, a device generates a message that includes a Web page location and/or a facsimile machine location. The message is then communicated to a facsimile machine server. The Web page data is obtained and then communicated to one or more facsimile machines for subsequent output.

Abstract: A method and system for effecting billing via a CATV infrastructure in respect of a service or product provided by an invoicing party to a customer, associated with whom there is a unique ID, and who is also a billing service subscriber of a billing service operated by a payment intermediary, and has a charge account details of which are known by the payment intermediary. The payment intermediary receives a billing request from the invoicing party in respect of a bill to be paid by the customer and maps the customer to a billing service subscriber. An e-bill is conveyed to the billing service subscriber via the CATV infrastructure, and upon receiving authorization from the billing service subscriber to pay the e-bill, the payment intermediary facilitates payment of the bill on behalf of the billing service subscriber.

Abstract: A method and system for replacing at least one item in a source string compiled at a TV set-top box for conveying via a TV communication infrastructure. A TV communication gateway receives the source string from the TV set-top box, parses the source string and identifies at least one item that requires replacing. Such item may be incorrectly spelled or the TV communication gateway may run an application that translates the source string to a foreign language. For each item that requires replacing, the TV communication gateway determines at least one replacement item, compiles data which it forwards to the TV set-top box. In the case of a spell-check program, the data may be an XML list including for each incorrectly spelled item a list of alternatives. The list of replacement items relating to the selected item is displayed, allowing a user to select a desired replacement item.