Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for communicating using SMS messages between devices in different home networks, and, in one embodiment, to a method and system for assigning a local SMS number to a recipient device in a different home network such that a user is charged reduced communications costs.

Abstract: A system and method for homogeneously merging locations in a telecommunications network including: calculating a first characteristic of a carrier at a first location and a second location; determining a penalty for excluding the carrier based in part on the first characteristic; comparing the a penalty determined to a preselected value; and, if the penalty is less than the preselected value, merging the first location and the second location, thereby forming a merged location.

Abstract: A system and method for homogeneously merging locations in a telecommunications network including: calculating a characteristic of a carrier at a first location and a second location; determining a penalty for excluding the carrier based in part on the characteristic; comparing the penalty determined to a preselected value; and, if the penalty is less than the preselected value, merging the first location and the second location, thereby forming a merged location.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for communicating using SMS messages between devices in different home networks, and, in one embodiment, to a method and system for assigning a local SMS number to a recipient device in a different home network such that a user is charged reduced communications costs.

Abstract: A sponsor purchases a prepaid card that can be transmitted to an intended user with increased security. Using a prepaid card dispenser, the sponsor elects an amount for the prepaid card and is prompted for at least one telephone number at which a server platform should contact the sponsor when the intended user wants to authenticate the card. The sponsor may enter additional phone numbers that will be called if the sponsor does not answer the first number when called by the server platform. When an intended user has received the prepaid card, the intended user calls a telephone number associated with the server platform and is connected to the sponsor via a telephone bridge so that the sponsor may authenticate the intended user. The sponsor may then inform the server platform (e.g., via DTMF tones) that the card has been authenticated.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for communicating using SMS messages between devices in different home networks, and, in one embodiment, to a method and system for assigning a local SMS number to a recipient device in a different home network such that a user is charged reduced communications costs.

Abstract: A sponsor purchases a prepaid card that can be transmitted to an intended user with increased security. Using a prepaid card dispenser, the sponsor elects an amount for the prepaid card and is prompted for at least one telephone number at which a server platform should contact the sponsor when the intended user wants to authenticate the card. The sponsor may enter additional phone numbers that will be called if the sponsor does not answer the first number when called by the server platform. When an intended user has received the prepaid card, the intended user calls a telephone number associated with the server platform and is connected to the sponsor via a telephone bridge so that the sponsor may authenticate the intended user. The sponsor may then inform the server platform (e.g., via DTMF tones) that the card has been authenticated.

Abstract: A method of transferring value to an electronic wallet includes obtaining a first telephone number from a user, the first telephone number being associated with a mobile telephone of the user; obtaining a PIN from the user, the PIN being associated with a prepaid money transfer card, the prepaid money transfer card having a value associated therewith; obtaining a second telephone number from the user, the second telephone number being associated with a mobile telephone of an intended recipient of at least some of the value associated with the prepaid money transfer card; and transferring the at least some of the value associated with the prepaid money transfer card with an electronic wallet associated with the second telephone number.

Abstract: There is provided a multi-mode wireless communication device. A cellular transceiver communicates over a cellular network in a cellular mode. A wireless transceiver communicates over a wireless network in a wireless mode. A selector makes a selection between operating in the cellular mode and the wireless mode. The selector uses a subscriber profile and other information, such as financial information, to make the selection. The subscriber profile includes information such as a minimally acceptable quality of service acceptable for a communication.

Abstract: A sponsor purchases a prepaid card that can be transmitted to an intended user with increased security. Using a prepaid card dispenser, the sponsor elects an amount for the prepaid card and is prompted for at least one telephone number at which a server platform should contact the sponsor when the intended user wants to authenticate the card. The sponsor may enter additional phone numbers that will be called if the sponsor does not answer the first number when called by the server platform. When an intended user has received the prepaid card, the intended user calls a telephone number associated with the server platform and is connected to the sponsor via a telephone bridge so that the sponsor may authenticate the intended user. The sponsor may then inform the server platform (e.g., via DTMF tones) that the card has been authenticated.

Abstract: A method of routing calls through a network (5) includes: receiving an incoming call at a signaling transfer point (STP); transferring information related to the incoming call to a routing engine by decoding ISUP signaling information related to the incoming call; determining an optimized route based at least in part on the transferred information; and signaling the STP to a destination number based on the optimized route.

Abstract: A sponsor purchases a prepaid card that can be transmitted to an intended user with increased security. Using a prepaid card dispenser, the sponsor elects an amount for the prepaid card and is prompted for at least one telephone number at which a server platform should contact the sponsor when the intended user wants to authenticate the card. The sponsor may enter additional phone numbers that will be called if the sponsor does not answer the first number when called by the server platform. When an intended user has received the prepaid card, the intended user calls a telephone number associated with the server platform and is connected to the sponsor via a telephone bridge so that the sponsor may authenticate the intended user. The sponsor may then inform the server platform (e.g., via DTMF tones) that the card has been authenticated.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, a first automated system monitors at least one call characteristic (e.g., frequency of abnormally short calls) to determine whether quality of service standards are being met by the various carriers being utilized by the system. Such an at least one call characteristic can be stored in a database for later retrieval by an automated link diagnosis system. If appropriate, a link re-routing system can respond to an analysis of the link diagnosis system in order to re-route calls—by either taking at least one link out of service or by placing at least one link back into service.

Abstract: A system for generating royalty revenue includes: a business entity configured to acquire rights to at least one intellectual property asset from at least one IP owner; a licensing group operating on behalf of the business entity, configured to perform at least one licensing activity to generate royalty revenue from the at least one intellectual property asset, thereby providing income for the at least one IP owner, wherein the business entity is configured to defend the at least one intellectual property asset for the at least one owner. A method of using intellectual property to generate licensing revenue includes: forming a business entity; acquiring at least one intellectual property asset from at least one IP owner who is not an employee of the business entity; generating royalty revenue from the at least one intellectual property asset; defending the at least one intellectual property asset; and providing at least one investor with at least a portion of the royalty revenue.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for screening media segments received from at least one originator. The method includes receiving at least one media segment from an originator, providing the media segment to at least one screener, associating feedback from the at least one screener with the at least one segment, thereby obtaining associated feedback, and delivering the associated feedback regarding the at least one segment to the originator of the media segment. The feedback provided to the originator is input by a screener using a portable screening room. The system for screening media segments includes an interface enabling communication between the originator of the media segment and at least one screener screening the media segment and a portable screening room used by the at least one screener to associate feedback with the media segment that is then sent to the originator.

Abstract: A prepaid virtual calling card, specifically for providing users (consumers and business affiliates) with an on-line method and apparatus to create custom prepaid calling cards for immediate use and distribution, wherein the prepaid virtual calling card is created by: connecting a user via a communications network to at least one server; presenting the user with an applications supplied by the server for the issuance of the virtual calling card; submitting the application to the server; and issuing the virtual calling card.

Abstract: A method for matching advertisements with broadcasts includes: receiving at least one characteristic of an advertisement into a pool of available advertisements; searching the pool of available advertisements for a broadcasting match to the at least one characteristic; and signaling that the advertisement matches the at least one characteristic. Another method includes: receiving at least one characteristic of a broadcast into a pool of available broadcasts; searching the pool of available broadcasts for an advertising match to the at least one characteristic; and signaling that the broadcast matches the at least one characteristic. A system includes: a database containing information related to at least one of a broadcast and an advertisement; a search engine to search the database based on at least one characteristic received; and a signal that the at least one characteristic matches at least one of the at least one broadcast and at least one advertisement.

Abstract: A system for determining a relative value of at least one patent includes: a database configured to store at least one factor for calculating a Z score for the at least one patent; a database for storing at least one received subjective factor relevant to the at least one patent; a first computer program product configured to calculate a Z score based on the at least one factor; a second computer program product configured to modify the Z score based on the at least one subjective factor, thereby obtaining a modified Z score; and a third computer program product configured to output the modified Z score.

Abstract: A system of accounting is provided for an intellectual property trust that manages multiple intellectual property accounts and assets. The system provides for the allocation of new intellectual property assets to the trust and a determination of a unit value of those intellectual property assets. The system further provides for the entry of a transaction of those assets and a determination of the unit value of that transaction. The unit value of the transaction is posted to the unit values of the intellectual property assets and of the account. By comparing the unit value of the intellectual property assets and the account, a determination of the shareholdings of the beneficiaries in the corpus is made.