Abstract: A method for flexible billing provides for a service provider to apportion billing for one or more services among a number of parties. The services may be shared among the parties and the bill may be apportioned in accordance with an apportioning scheme, or billing breakout as determined by the parties. The parties may designate a coordinator to administer the service and serve as the contact point between the parties and the service provider. The flexible billing can also provide for one party to pay a portion of the service charges for one or more other parties. Incentives in the form of reduced charges may be provided by the service provider.

Abstract: A speech recognition system having a user interface that provides both visual and auditory feedback to a user is described. In one aspect, a response time in which to receive an audible utterance is initiated. A graphic representing the response time is displayed. A first sound is played when an audible utterance is recognized. The graphic is changed to indicate passage of the response time such that the graphic diminishes in size from an original size with the passage of time. Responsive to recognizing an utterance, the graphic is presented in the original size. Responsive to expiration of the response time before the audible utterance has been recognized, a second sound is emitted to indicate that the speech recognition system has entered a dormant state.

Abstract: A speech recognition system having a user interface that provides both visual and auditory feedback to a user. The user interface includes an audio sound or speech generator that produces three distinct sounds: an “on” sound signifying that the speech recognition system is on and actively awaiting vocal input; an “off” sound indicating that the speech recognition system is off and in a sleep mode; and a “confirm” sound noting that an utterance has been recognized. The “on” sound is triggered by a key “wake up” command or by depression of button. Once awake, the speech recognition engine expects to receive an utterance within a predetermined response time. The “confirm” sound signals the start of the response time. If the response time lapses before a recognizable utterance is entered, the “off” sound is played. The user interface further includes a visual component in the form of a graphic that changes with the tolling of the response period.

Abstract: A speech recognition system having a user interface that provides both visual and auditory feedback to a user is described. In one aspect, a response time in which to receive an audible utterance is initiated. A graphic representing the response time is displayed. A first sound is played when an audible utterance is recognized. The graphic is changed to indicate passage of the response time such that the graphic diminishes in size from an original size with the passage of time. Responsive to recognizing an utterance, the graphic is presented in the original size. Responsive to expiration of the response time before the audible utterance has been recognized, a second sound is emitted to indicate that the speech recognition system has entered a dormant state.

Abstract: An electronic device has a small-area screen to display items from a navigatable set of items and an input mechanisms (e.g., keys, joystick, spin dial, etc.) that enable a user to navigate through the navigatable items. An operator interface includes a navigation glyph having multiple elements that correspond to actions of the input mechanism. Different sets of the navigation glyph elements are illuminated to indicate which user-actions on the input mechanism are presently available to navigate from a current location to another location in the navigatable set of items.