Abstract: A method for facilitating VoIP communication between VoIP providers. First and second VoIP service providers are registered with a VoIP communication system, which generates a table of registered VoIP subscribers from the first and second VoIP service providers. The information from the table is applied to a call generated from a subscriber on the first VoIP service provider, such that if the desired party is a subscriber to the second VoIP service provider as noted in the table, the call generated from the subscriber on the first VoIP service provider is sent to the desired party as a packet switched call.

Abstract: An enhanced services platform said platform includes an interface for receiving a communication from a user requesting a desired data. A response module parses the communication and retries the desired data. The platform arranges the desired data into a response message that is sent to the user. A user identifier database module stores information about the users in a user profile that including at least a preferences field and a preference value field identifying relative values of user preferences stored in the preference field, wherein when a preference having a higher ranking in the preference value field is non available, a second preference having a lower ranking in the preference value field is utilized.

Abstract: An enhanced services platform has an interface for receiving a communication from a user requesting a desired data. An automated response module parses the communication and retrieves the desired data. The enhanced services platform arranges the desired data into a response message that is sent to the user, where the response message includes an embedded code corresponding to a link allowing the user to re-contact the enhanced services platform. An operator assistance module receives communications from the user initiated via the link to provide further assistance regarding the user's request.

Abstract: An enhanced services platform has an interface for receiving a communication from a user requesting a desired data. An automated response module parses the communication and retrieves the desired data. The enhanced services platform arranges the desired data into a response message that is sent to the user, where the response message includes an embedded code corresponding to a link allowing the user to re-contact the enhanced services platform. An operator assistance module receives communications from the user initiated via the link to provide further assistance regarding the user's request.

Abstract: A communication assistance system includes a database having a plurality of listings therein, each of the listings includes a least one contact name and a contact information. A means is provided for receiving incoming communications from a plurality of requesters seeking a listing. A table stores past requested listings of the requesters, where the system reviews the table for storing past requested listings and, based on contents contained in the past requested listing table, develops a list of requesters to target a promotion to, whereupon when a requester who is among the list of requesters contacts the system, they are provided with the promotion.

Abstract: An enhanced services platform has an interface for receiving a communication from a user requesting a desired data. An automated response module parses the communication and retrieves the desired data. The enhanced services platform arranges the desired data into a response message that is sent to the user, where the response message includes an embedded code corresponding to a link allowing the user to re-contact the enhanced services platform. An operator assistance module receives communications from the user initiated via the link to provide further assistance regarding the user's request.

Abstract: A system for facilitating communications with an automated response system includes a database for storing an address book entry. The address book entry includes a location name and contact number for a location that employs an automated response platform that does not accept voice commands. The address book entry also includes at least one stored voice command related to a navigation command of the automated response platform and one stored associated assigned keystroke for the command. A voice response signal digital signal processor receives a voice input from a user corresponding to the stored voice command. A telephonic signal generator is included, such that when the user utters the voice input corresponding to the stored voice command, the system recalls the stored associated assigned keystroke and delivers a signal corresponding to the keystroke as a telephonic signal to the automated response platform.

Abstract: A system for facilitating communications with an automated response system includes a database for storing an address book entry. The address book entry includes a location name and contact number for a location that employs an automated response platform that does not accept voice commands. The address book entry also includes at least one stored voice command related to a navigation command of the automated response platform and one stored associated assigned keystroke for the command. A voice response signal digital signal processor receives a voice input from a user corresponding to the stored voice command. A telephonic signal generator is included, such that when the user utters the voice input corresponding to the stored voice command, the system recalls the stored associated assigned keystroke and delivers a signal corresponding to the keystroke as a telephonic signal to the automated response platform.

Abstract: An enhanced services platform said platform includes an interface for receiving a communication from a user requesting a desired data. A response module parses the communication and retries the desired data. The platform arranges the desired data into a response message that is sent to the user. A user identifier database module stores information about the users in a user profile that including at least a preferences field and a preference value field identifying relative values of user preferences stored in the preference field, wherein when a preference having a higher ranking in the preference value field is non available, a second preference having a lower ranking in the preference value field is utilized.

Abstract: A communication assistance system includes a database having a plurality of listings therein, each of the listings includes a least one contact name and a contact information. A means is provided for receiving incoming communications from a plurality of requesters seeking a listing. A table stores past requested listings of the requesters, where the system reviews the table for storing past requested listings and, based on contents contained in the past requested listing table, develops a list of requesters to target a promotion to, whereupon when a requester who is among the list of requesters contacts the system, they are provided with the promotion.

Abstract: A system for responding to queries has an interface for receiving request communications from requesters. An agent platform is configured to receive the request communications and to provide replies to the requesters. A tracking module tracks the request communications and the replies and a news module tracks news events. A correlation module correlates increases in request communications relative to a first news event over a set time frame. An analysis module generates a search assistance routine based on the correlated increases in request communications relative to the first news events over a set time frame, where the search assistance routine is activated when a second news event is detected, similar to the first news event.

Abstract: A communication method includes the steps of receiving a call from a caller for connection to a subscriber, attempting a connection to the subscriber and retrieving a media file associated with the subscriber. The media file is played to the caller during a ring-back period of the attempted connection, playing of the media file to the caller is charged to the provider of the media file.

Abstract: A personalized assistance system for a user of a mobile device including a first database having a digital file library associated with the user, where the digital file library includes at least one digital file supplied to the first database by the user. An identification code uniquely associated with the mobile device is transmitted to the personalized assistance system, when the user calls the system. A customer service representative terminal is coupled to the database, where the identification code prompts automatic retrieval of at least a portion of the digital file library to the customer service representative terminal in response to processing of the identification code, the customer service representative terminal searching the digital file library in response to a user query to locate a designated digital file from the user's digital file library and causing the delivery of the digital file to a desired destination indicated by the user.

Abstract: A method for determining the location of a VoIP caller includes receiving an emergency call from a VoIP phone from the internet via a VoIP enabling device. A device identifier of the VoIP enabling device through which the call from the VoIP device originated is received. The device identifier is compared against a pre-defined table of device identifiers, where each device identifier in the table has an associated physical location. The physical location of the VoIP enabling device is returned during the call from the VoIP phone.

Abstract: A directory assistance system includes a request handling module for receiving a plurality of incoming directory assistance requests from requesters and an agent platform for handling the directory assistance requests by providing at least one listing to the requester. A record database stores a record relating to the first request, and includes a first identifier, a time and a listing entry. An incoming request tracking module tracks second incoming directory assistance requests, by reviewing a second identifier associated with the directory assistance request, comparing the second identifier against the first identifiers in the records, and if a record has a matching first identifier to second identifier from request, then, prior to the second request being sent to the agent platform, offering to automatically provide the stored listing entry from the record to the requester.

Abstract: A communication assistance system includes a database having a plurality of listings therein, each of the listings includes a least one contact name and a contact information. A means is provided for receiving incoming communications from a plurality of requesters seeking a listing. A table stores past requested listings of the requesters, where the system reviews the table for storing past requested listings and, based on contents contained in the past requested listing table, develops a list of requesters to target a promotion to, whereupon when a requester who is among the list of requesters contacts the system, they are provided with the promotion.

Abstract: A method for determining the location of a VoIP caller includes receiving an emergency call from a VoIP phone from the internet via a VoIP enabling device. A device identifier of the VoIP enabling device through which the call from the VoIP device originated is received. The device identifier is compared against a pre-defined table of device identifiers, where each device identifier in the table has an associated physical location. The physical location of the VoIP enabling device is returned during the call from the VoIP phone.

Abstract: An identification services system having a database module configured to support an account for a subscriber having at least one identification code relating to the subscriber. A services platform allow the subscriber of the account to map any one of a plurality of objects and locations to the account, each having a unique identifier such that information corresponding to the objects and location is provided for storage in the database module using the account. The identification code and the unique identifiers are communicated to the services platform and are associated to the subscriber account. A response platform communicates with the subscriber, providing updated advertising information to the subscriber based on the information received corresponding to the objects and locations.

Abstract: A method for providing directory assistance, including receiving at least one request from a requester for an un-listed contact information, where the un-listed contact information is stored in one of a plurality of carrier databases. A request is generated to a third party for the un-listed contact information, where the third party is in contact with the carriers, one of which has the un-listed contact information. A notification is received from the third party indicating that the un-listed contact information has been retrieved by said third party and a message is sent to the un-listed contact information, through the third party, indicating that the requester is trying to contact them.

Abstract: A method for providing search results in response to a web based query includes receiving incoming communications each configured to generate a user profile, along with input from the users to set preferences. Tracked web activity history from the plurality of users are stored in the profiles. The tracked histories are analyzed in combination with their preferences and at least one group profile for users having similar preferences is generated. When additional web based queries are received, search results are provided where the results are affected by the tracked web activity history from the users with similar stored preferences in the group profile to the user making the additional web based query.