Abstract: A system and method facilitating online shopping at different merchant sites is provided. A client-based shopping cart application generates an online shopping cart usable at plural merchant sites. The shopping cart application can be a browser plug-in running on a remote client computer. The client shopping cart application stores product and shopper configuration information locally on the client computer and allows the exchange of information between merchant sites and the shopping client. The client shopping cart can contain items from different merchant sites. At check-out time, the shopping cart application seamlessly transfers information about the purchaser and the items in the shopping cart to the various merchant sites. The client shopping cart can be configured to limit various shopping attributes, such as the sites that can be visited, the amount that can be spent shopping, the time of day that shopping can take place, as well as language and currency limitations.

Abstract: A party who makes a telephone call (a “calling party”) sets up a “personalized” menu identifying a set of information options from which he or she desires to select when placed on-hold in a telephone system. The user's personal preferences are then saved. When the party later makes a call to a telephone system and is placed on-hold, the telephone system accesses the user's personalized menu and offers the one or more information options as defined in the menu. In an illustrative embodiment, the personalized menu options are voiced over the telephone line and the calling party then makes selections using keypad (i.e. DTMF signaling) or voice input. A response may be interrupted to make another menu selection, or to repeat the current response. If the response being played has not completed when the called party answers, that response is suspended and may be completed when the caller is placed back on hold or the call is completed.

Abstract: An information system for communication between a digital camera and bidirectional device that is located in proximity to a photographic site is disclosed. In the absence of the digital camera, the bidirectional device may provide communication with a personal digital communication device (PDCD) carried by the photographer. The digital camera may transmit preferences and camera data to the bidirectional device so that customized information, prepared by an information provider, may be automatically transmitted to the digital camera or PDCD or, via the Internet, to the photographer's e-mail address. A standardized photographic identification data packet (PIDDP) may be defined for use by the digital camera or the PDCD, for communication with the bidirectional device. The PIDDP may be transmitted by means of radio frequency, infrared, Bluetooth enabled transmission, or any other transmission method.

Abstract: A system and method for notifying a user of urgent phone messages is provided. When a telephone or text message is received by the phone answering system, a priority is determined for the message. If the telephone call is identified as an urgent telephone call, the system repeatedly dials the subscriber's phone in order to notify the user of the urgent message. In one embodiment, multiple locations, such as pagers, email addresses, and alternate phone numbers are contacted in order to inform the user of the urgent message. When the user is contacted, the urgent messages are played for the user. In a mobile telephone system environment, determinations are made as to whether the user is operating in roam mode before messages are delivered. A caller id function can further be included to selectively allow messages to be identified as urgent based upon the identification of the caller.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a local telephone directory based on a mobile telephone location is provided. When the mobile telephone moves from one mobile telephone area, such as a cell, to another area, new local telephone information is received from the mobile telephone company. The mobile telephone receives the local telephone information and stores the information in a dynamic directory storage area. The user can enter preferences such as a preferred language, that is used to identify local numbers. Dynamic speed dial keys may also be assigned so that, for example, the local police station is always assigned to the same speed dial key even though the local police station phone number changes as the mobile phone moves from one area to another. The filtering of data can be performed at either the mobile telephone company or on the mobile telephone after receiving the local directory information.

Abstract: An impaired person is provided with a personalized accessibility device, which communicates an identification of a disability or impairment to an assistance device, which provides assistance. The present invention also provides a method and apparatus for providing feedback to a person with impairment. The feedback may be configured based on the type and extent of impairment, as well as personal preferences, such as a preferred language. The assistance device may also request a response from the disabled or impaired person, thus solving the person's Special Needs in a conversational manner without calling attention to the impairment.

Abstract: A method for delivering coupons to consumers via mobile communication devices, based on location. The present invention includes an electronic database of merchant coupons. Users can then access the database by means of mobile phone, laptop computer, personal digital manager (PDA) or other mobile device. The user receives a menu of service preferences such as retail, dining, automobile service, lodging and entertainment and selects the desired services. Discount coupons for merchants in the user's vicinity are then sent to the user. The coupons are chosen based on the selected preferences and the user's location, which is determined according to the remote transmitting tower through which the user's signal is being sent.