Abstract: A biometric authentication system is disclosed that provides authentication capability using biometric data in connection with a challenge for parties engaging in digital communications such as digital text-oriented, interactive digital communications. End-user systems may be coupled to devices that include biometric data capture devices such as retina scanners, fingerprint recorders, cameras, microphones, ear scanners, DNA profilers, etc., so that biometric data of a communicating party may be captured and used for authentication purposes.

Abstract: A biometric authentication system is disclosed that provides authentication capability using biometric data in connection with a challenge for parties engaging in digital communications such as digital text-oriented, interactive digital communications. End-user systems may be coupled to devices that include biometric data capture devices such as retina scanners, fingerprint recorders, cameras, microphones, ear scanners, DNA profilers, etc., so that biometric data of a communicating party may be captured and used for authentication purposes.

Abstract: A speaker-verification digital signature system is disclosed that provides greater confidence in communications having digital signatures because a signing party may be prompted to speak a text-phrase that may be different for each digital signature, thus making it difficult for anyone other than the legitimate signing party to provide a valid signature.

Abstract: A trust propagation system is disclosed that propagates trust data based on established trust relationships. The trust system may automatically propagate trust data between parties A and C based on trust relationships with a common party B. Trust data may include authentication data such as biometric data, encryption data, passwords, etc. that may be used to conduct exclusive communications.

Abstract: A speaker-verification digital signature system is disclosed that provides greater confidence in communications having digital signatures because a signing party may be prompted to speak a text-phrase that may be different for each digital signature, thus making it difficult for anyone other than the legitimate signing party to provide a valid signature.

Abstract: A trust propagation system is disclosed that propagates trust data based on established trust relationships. The trust system may automatically propagate trust data between parties A and C based on trust relationships with a common party B. Trust data may include authentication data such as biometric data, encryption data, passwords, etc. that may be used to conduct exclusive communications.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing synthesized speech in a manner that takes into account the environment where the speech is presented. A method embodiment includes, based on a listening environment and at least one other parameter associated with at least one other parameter, selecting an approach from the plurality of approaches for presenting synthesized speech in a listening environment, presenting synthesized speech according to the selected approach and based on natural language input received from a user indicating that an inability to understand the presented synthesized speech, selecting a second approach from the plurality of approaches and presenting subsequent synthesized speech using the second approach.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing synthesized speech in a manner that takes into account the environment where the speech is presented. A method embodiment includes, based on a listening environment and at least one other parameter associated with at least one other parameter, selecting an approach from the plurality of approaches for presenting synthesized speech in a listening environment, presenting synthesized speech according to the selected approach and based on natural language input received from a user indicating that an inability to understand the presented synthesized speech, selecting a second approach from the plurality of approaches and presenting subsequent synthesized speech using the second approach.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods that allow more sophisticated use of custom calling services by consolidating the access to and administration of services for multiple lines and/or telephone devices. Embodiments include a single configuration interface for the calling services on all of an individual's telephone lines or devices, a single system for providing incoming calling services for all of an individual's telephone lines or devices, and a single system for providing outgoing calling services for all of an individual's telephone lines or devices. The present invention also includes features which allow custom calling services for a particular telephone device to be customized so as to interact with the custom calling services on another telephone device belonging to the same user.

Abstract: A trust propagation system is disclosed that propagates trust data based on established trust relationships. The trust system may automatically propagate trust data between parties A and C based on trust relationships with a common party B. Trust data may include authentication data such as biometric data, encryption data, passwords, etc. that may be used to conduct exclusive communications.

Abstract: A trust propagation system is disclosed that propagates trust data based on established trust relationships. The trust system may automatically propagate trust data between parties A and C based on trust relationships with a common party B. Trust data may include authentication data such as biometric data, encryption data, passwords, etc. that may be used to conduct exclusive communications.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods that allow more sophisticated use of custom calling services by consolidating the access to and administration of services for multiple lines and/or telephone devices. Embodiments include a single configuration interface for the calling services on all of an individual's telephone lines or devices, a single system for providing incoming calling services for all of an individual's telephone lines or devices, and a single system for providing outgoing calling services for all of an individual's telephone lines or devices. The present invention also includes features which allow custom calling services for a particular telephone device to be customized so as to interact with the custom calling services on another telephone device belonging to the same user.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for predicting customer response to content and selecting content for delivery to particular customers in accordance with the predictions. As information is delivered to and received from a plurality of customers over multiple communication channels, data streams representing communications between providers and customers are analyzed and selected data extracted therefrom. Linkages are created between data collected from the different channels and data are anonymized. The data are analyzed to create a customer response predictor for each customer that models customer behavior and predicts customer response to advertisements. As content, such as advertisements, are to be delivered to a destination, information from a predictor created using data collected from a customer associated with the destination is used to select appropriate content.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing synthesized speech in a manner that takes into account the environment where the speech is presented. A method embodiment includes, based on a listening environment and at least one other parameter associated with at least one other parameter, selecting an approach from the plurality of approaches for presenting synthesized speech in a listening environment, presenting synthesized speech according to the selected approach and based on natural language input received from a user indicating that an inability to understand the presented synthesized speech, selecting a second approach from the plurality of approaches and presenting subsequent synthesized speech using the second approach.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing synthesized speech in a manner that takes into account the environment where the speech is presented. A method embodiment includes, based on a listening environment and at least one other parameter associated with at least one other parameter, selecting an approach from the plurality of approaches for presenting synthesized speech in a listening environment, presenting synthesized speech according to the selected approach and based on natural language input received from a user indicating that an inability to understand the presented synthesized speech, selecting a second approach from the plurality of approaches and presenting subsequent synthesized speech using the second approach.

Abstract: A system and method permit a customer obtaining communication services to modify account parameters governing terms on which that service is provided. Customer account parameters are stored in one or more databases and accessed by one or more servers. The customer, upon accessing the communication service, is provided with an opportunity to modify the account parameters via automated interactive communication with the server. The invention can applied to wireless communication services such as wireless telephone service, wireless internet access, paging, or other forms of interactive wireless communication; to telephone or other wired interactive communication; to cable services; and to any other form of interactive subscriber communications. The invention may be implemented using existing equipment, and can be optimized for the type of communication device at issue.

Abstract: A system and method permit a customer obtaining communication services to modify account parameters governing terms on which that service is provided. Customer account parameters are stored in one or more databases and accessed by one or more servers. The customer, upon accessing the communication service, is provided with an opportunity to modify the account parameters via automated interactive communication with the server. The invention can applied to wireless communication services such as wireless telephone service, wireless internet access, paging, or other forms of interactive wireless communication; to telephone or other wired interactive communication; to cable services; and to any other form of interactive subscriber communications. The invention may be implemented using existing equipment, and can be optimized for the type of communication device at issue.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods that allow more sophisticated use of custom calling services by consolidating the access to and administration of services for multiple lines and/or telephone devices. Embodiments include a single configuration interface for the calling services on all of an individual's telephone lines or devices, a single system for providing incoming calling services for all of an individual's telephone lines or devices, and a single system for providing outgoing calling services for all of an individual's telephone lines or devices. The present invention also includes features which allow custom calling services for a particular telephone device to be customized so as to interact with the custom calling services on another telephone device belonging to the same user.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing synthesized speech in a manner that may take into account the environment where the speech is presented. In certain cases, the manner in which speech is presented can take into consideration ambient noise and/or can seek to optimize speech audibility.

Abstract: A method and apparatus provide an advanced scheduling and messaging system in which information about an appointment is received from a user. Information about an attendee associated with the appointment, including attendee notification information, is also received. When it is determined that the user will be late for the appointment, an attendee notification message is automatically generated using the attendee notification information. Appointment time information and appointment location information can also be received by the scheduling system along with user location information. It can then be determined if the user will be late for the appointment based on the user location information, the appointment location information, the appointment time information and a time associated with the user location information.