Abstract: On-demand scheduling for presentations in movie theatres is enabled by providing users with the ability to communicate content, theatre and time slot selections. The communication can use message or telephone based devices. By tabulating the selections of plural users, selections which will attract an audience greater in number than a predetermined threshold for the presentation in a given venue and time of a particular content can be identified. Feeding this information back to an exhibitor allows the presentation to be implemented. Communicating the fact of the scheduling to the selecting users and others who may also have interest in the presentation multiplies the potential audience. Others who may have an interest in the scheduled presentation include a) individuals associated in a social network with a selecting user and b) individuals registered with social networking or specialty web sites devoted to content which is the same as, or similar to, the scheduled presentation.

Abstract: On-demand scheduling for presentations in movie theatres is enabled by providing users with the ability to communicate content, theatre and time slot selections. The communication can use message or telephone based devices. By tabulating the selections of plural users, selections which will attract an audience greater in number than a predetermined threshold for the presentation in a given venue and time of a particular content can be identified. Feeding this information back to an exhibitor allows the presentation to be implemented. Communicating the fact of the scheduling to the selecting users and others who may also have interest in the presentation multiplies the potential audience. Others who may have an interest in the scheduled presentation include a) individuals associated in a social network with a selecting user and b) individuals registered with social networking or specialty web sites devoted to content which is the same as, or similar to, the scheduled presentation.

Abstract: A method for a sponsor/vendor to provide customer on-line help support for consumer products such as software includes providing a prepaid Internet access account which is supplied with the consumer product. Upon accessing the Internet the customer is "hot-linked" to the domain of the sponsor/vendor where help queries can be input and help answers received, either in real time or in a time delayed fashion via E-mail. The sponsor/vendor can mandate a tour of the domain for marketing purposes prior to allowing access to on-line help services. Finally, registration of the customer is promoted since registration can be made an integral part of the log on procedure.

Abstract: A method for promoting a sponsor's products by providing a consumer or potential consumer with sponsor-paid access to the Internet includes the step of distributing a floppy disc with Internet access software thereon. Associated with the floppy disc is a unique PIN number along with instructions on installing and using the Internet access software on a personal computer (PC). The Internet access software accesses and "handshakes" with an "Internet Entry Server", which verifies the PIN number, provides the access and times the sponsor paid Internet access time. In return, the Internet Entry Server performs as registration process which includes a number of personal questions and custom data gathering queries tailored by the sponsor for response by the user and initially gives the user a mandatory "guided tour" of the sponsor's Internet Home Page and domain where the user is exposed to current products and/or services of the sponsor and can download promotional coupons, product information, etc.

Abstract: A method for providing prepaid Internet Access and/or long distance including the distribution of specialized calling cards, each with a unique PIN number associated therewith. Each card entitles a recipient to limited access to the Internet, free or low cost Internet access software, and/or time limited long distance calls. The cards can be a sponsor promotion in which the card holder is automatically hot-linked into the sponsor's Internet home page where he or she is given a "guided tour". An "Enhanced Entry Server" (EES), verifies the PIN number, provides the Internet and/or long distance access and times the sponsor paid Internet access or calling time.

Abstract: The present invention is a telecommunications system for allowing a business to control customer service. The system is comprised of a switching network and an enhanced services platform. Calls from the customer to the business are routed to the enhanced services platform by the switching network. Using codes acquired from the customer and the switching network, the enhanced services platform identifies a program specified by the business and also retrieves customer information. The information contains an account of telecommunications available, and the customer is connected to the business as long as a pre-determined amount is in the account. Action is taken when a second pre-determined amount remains. The customer is allowed to refresh the account and the enhanced services platform is capable of collecting information from the customer as a pre-requisite to customer service.