Abstract: By modifying the communication endpoints to be presence aware and connecting them to a presence network, communication connections can be created wherein networks are added, or dropped, from the connection in order to keep the connection seamless from the perspective of the parties to the communication session. In one embodiment, an initiating user initiates a communication session on a first network (for example, a cellular network) to a target user served by a second network. During the communication session, the initiating user moves from his/her car to a landline and the communication session is transferred to a plain old telephone system (POTS) network. In one embodiment, on the target user's communication device an avatar representing the initiating user is updated to reflect that a landline network has been substituted for the cellular network.

Abstract: A set activation fee pay telephone permits a telephone customer to place a telephone call from a pay telephone if the customer presents valid billing information, and charges the customer a fixed fee for the call, plus any other applicable network charges. The set activation pay telephone accepts two inputs: a telephone number the customer desires to call and billing information. The set activation fee pay telephone stores the telephone number locally and transmits the billing information to a network element. A determination is made as to whether the billing information is valid. Typically, the determination is made by querying a billing database. If the billing information is valid, then an approval signal is transmitted to the set activation fee pay telephone. Once the set activation fee pay telephone receives the approval signal, it passes the telephone number stored in memory to the PSTN and the call is placed normally.

Abstract: A method and system for assigning a communication to a network of a service provider. Through a communication device, a user provides an indication of a preference for a network of a service provider to the telecommunications system serving the communication device. In the preferred method, the preference is indicated by the user by pressing the “#” key followed by pressing the “1” key on the keypad of the communication device. The pressing of the “#” key followed by the “1” key results in two different dual tone multifrequency (DTMF) signals in a certain order being passed to the system serving the communication device.

Abstract: A method and system for assigning a communication to a network of a service provider. Through a communication device, a user provides an indication of a preference for a network of a service provider to the telecommunications system serving the communication device. In the preferred method, the preference is indicated by the user by pressing the "#" key followed by pressing the "1" key on the keypad of the communication device. The pressing of the "#" key followed by the "1" key results in two different dual tone multifrequency (DTMF) signals in a certain order being passed to the system serving the communication device. The system's receipt of the "#" DTMF signal followed by the "1" DTMF signal results in the override of the subscription assignment at the communication device, and assignment of the communication to the network of the selected service provider associated with the "#" DTMF and "1" DTMF signals.

Abstract: The invention is a U-shaped lighting device that is adapted to be mounted about a home thermostat. The device includes a hood that surrounds a portions of the bulb for the purpose of directing the light toward the thermostat and away from the user's eyes. The bulb and hood can be moved from one side of the device to the other side of the device so that light can be shined on any portion of the thermostat. The light is battery powered and a push-button type switch is used to initiate lighting of the bulb.