Abstract: A method and system are provided for delivering personalized messages to a calling party who calls a called party who is engaged in an Internet session over a telephone line not capable of receiving telephone calls without interrupting the Internet connection. The called party receives a notification on her computer screen of an incoming telephone call from a calling party. A drop box on the called party's computer temporarily interrupts the called party and identifies the calling party. The called party may answer the call, forward the call to a separate telephone number, place the call on hold, send the call to voice mail, or type, select or record a personalized message that is delivered to the calling party without interrupting the Internet session. The personalized message may be a text message or a voice message. Text messages are converted from text to speech before delivery to the calling party.

Abstract: The portable automated teller machine disclosed by the present invention is a low-cost, pocket-size data terminal which can securely exchange information with a host bank computer. It is battery powered, operates without the need for direct connection to a telephone line and couples to the host bank computer via the telephone handset of any public or private telephone station. It allows its user to securely access bank and bank accounts and to securely effect either inter-account transfers or bill payments. Security is assured by assigning a PIN to each individual user and prestoring it therein, by assigning a machine identity number to each machine and storing it therein, and by providing encrypted data communication. It has prestored therein the individuals account numbers and the phone numbers and other parametrs needed for communication to the corresponding host computer bank.