Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes displaying within a web browser executing on a computing device an offer to activate a data communication service for the computing device to communicate over a cellular network. A communication link is establish, through the web browser, between the computing device and a data plan web portal configured to receive information from a user of the computing device, where the information is used to activate the data communication service. An encrypted message including a unique identifier of the computing device is transmitted from the computing device, through the web browser, to the data plan web portal. A message including instructions to execute a process on the computing device to activate the data communication service for the computing device to communicate over the cellular network is received, through the web browser, at the computing device.

Abstract: An applications server is operable to provide a plurality of user driven services by running an application program. The application program is arranged to provide the services in response to user commands for selecting service options. The applications server comprises in accordance with the application program a state machine able to determine a current state of the application program from one of a pre-determined set of states defining a logical procedure through the user selected service options. The states of the state machine includes for each of the modular services, one or more states associated with one or more forms within the service. Each form defines a state of a user interface for providing the services to the user, and each state includes one or more sub-states called situations, defining the commands to be recognised and the predicates to be satisfied to select that state depending upon the estimated user commands and the session state of the user session.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of processing communications through a multimedia interface that includes a plurality of interface devices and a plurality of input/output devices. Each of the plurality of interface device is capable of connecting to a different communications network, and each of the plurality of input/output devices is capable of processing different media types.

Abstract: A method implemented by a computer-based electronic assistant to receive and manage incoming calls to a subscriber including the steps of receiving an incoming call to the subscriber from a caller; establishing a first connection between the electronic assistant and the caller; establishing a second connection between the electronic assistant and the subscriber; over the second connection, electronically notifying the subscriber of the incoming call; in response to receiving a call accept command from the subscriber over the second connection, linking the caller and the subscriber so that they may communicate with each other; upon linking the subscriber to the caller, switching the electronic assistant to a background mode in which said electronic assistant continues to monitor the subscriber over the second connection while the subscriber is linked with the caller; and in response to receiving a summoning command, switching the electronic assistant into a foreground mode, wherein the electronic assistant whe

Abstract: A method implemented by a computer-based electronic assistant to receive and manage incoming calls to a subscriber including the steps of receiving an incoming call to the subscriber from a caller; establishing a first connection between the electronic assistant and the caller; establishing a second connection between the electronic assistant and the subscriber; over the second connection, electronically notifying the subscriber of the incoming call; in response to receiving a call accept command from the subscriber over the second connection, linking the caller and the subscriber so that they may communicate with each other; upon linking the subscriber to the caller, switching the electronic assistant to a background mode in which said electronic assistant continues to monitor the subscriber over the second connection while the subscriber is linked with the caller; and in response to receiving a summoning command, switching the electronic assistant into a foreground mode, wherein the electronic assistant whe