Abstract: A voice recognition system is disclosed. A device receives a signal indicating a user ID and transfers a signal indicating its device ID and the user ID to a processing system. The processing system obtains a device profile based on the device ID and obtains a user profile based on the user ID. The processing system generates voice recognition data customized for the device and the user based on the device profile and the user profile. The processing system transfers a signal indicating the voice recognition data to the device. The device indicates voice command readiness in response to the voice recognition data. The device receives a voice command from the user and translates the voice command based on the customized voice recognition data.

Abstract: A communication system comprises a residential wireless transceiver, a plurality of other fixed wireless transceivers, and a management system. The residential wireless transceiver generates and transmits a first signal. The other fixed wireless transceivers receive the first signal. The other fixed wireless transceivers then generate and transmit first report messages indicating characteristics of the first signal. The other fixed wireless transceivers also generate and transmit second signals. The residential wireless transceiver generates and transmits a second report message indicating characteristics of the second signals. The management system then determines the location of the residential wireless transceiver based on the characteristics of the first signal and the characteristics of the second signals.

Abstract: An intranet platform system that automatically configures and provides access to virtual intranet networks using intranet access cards. The intranet platform system comprises a processing system coupled to an interface system. The processing system is configured to process a request message for intranet access to determine if an intranet configuration exists, and if the intranet configuration exists, process the request message to connect a user who receives an intranet access card to the intranet configuration. If the intranet configuration does not exist, the processing system processes the request message to automatically create the intranet configuration and connect the user to the intranet configuration. The interface system is configured to receive the request message for the processing system.

Abstract: A product registration system and method is disclosed that automatically registers a product with a manufacturer. In the product registration system, a point of sale system obtains a communication code that is associated with a product and transfers the communication code to a code processing system. Examples of the communication code include a phone card code or a pre-paid phone card code. The code processing system processes the communication code to determine manufacturer information for the product. The code processing system transfers a product registration request to a manufacturer registration system based on the manufacturer information to register the product with the manufacturer. The code processing system also transfers the communication code and a communication code activation request to a communication code activation system to activate the communication code. The product registration system advantageously automates product registration and communication code activation.

Abstract: An intelligent voice response (IVR) unit that responds to DTMF tones is connected over a telephone call connection to a user telephone device when a user dials a predetermined telephone number of the IVR unit. An identification of the IVR unit is captured within a supplemental interface device coupled to the user telephone device and to a computer data network. A menu identifier corresponding to the identified IVR unit is transmitted via the computer data network to a name server which stores a pointer to a menu descriptor associated with the IVR unit. The supplemental interface retrieves the menu descriptor corresponding to the IVR unit in response to the pointer. The supplemental interface device graphically displays a multi-level selection menu in response to the menu descriptor.

Abstract: A method and system for brokering frequencies for use in peer-to-peer communication sessions. A frequency broker receives session-participation messages from multiple parties wishing to communicate wirelessly with each other. The broker selects a frequency for the parties to use and then instructs the parties to communicate with each other on the selected frequency. And the parties then engage in peer-to-peer communication with each other over the selected frequency.

Abstract: A bandwidth boost system is disclosed that increases the bandwidth to a client by transmitting data over both a wireline communication path and a wireless communication path. A control system receives a request from the client over the wireline communication path for a first and second data set. The control system processes the request to generate first and second transmit instructions. The control system transfers the first data set and the first transmit instructions to a wireline transfer system and transfers the second data set and the second transmit instructions to a wireless transfer system. The wireline transfer system transmits the first data set to the client over the wireline communication path. The wireless transfer system establishes the wireless communication path with the client and transfers the second data set to the client over the wireless communication path.

Abstract: A communication system comprises a transmitter, receiver, communication device, and control system. The transmitter transmits a wireless registration signal within a maximum range. The receiver receives the wireless registration signal from the transmitter when in range of the transmitter. The receiver transfers registration information based on the wireless registration signal to a control system. The control system receives and processes the registration information from the receiver to identify the user. In response to identifying the user, the control system directs communications for the user to the communication device. The communication device is located near the receiver—less than the maximum range. The maximum range could be less than one-hundred feet or less than fifty feet.

Abstract: According to the invention, a method and apparatus are disclosed for a dynamic communications service bank card billing system for authorizing and billing communications services using a bank card financial network. The communications service bank card billing system receive events from communications services and equipment providing such services. If a received event corresponds to a request for initiating a communications service, the event is tariffed and taxed, and a pre-authorization and hold request is made to the associated customer account number. If the communications service receives a service authorization or denial indication, the communications service bank card billing system provides such indication indicative of the successful or non-successful pre-authorization and hold request.

Abstract: A mobile wireless communication device is disclosed comprised of a reading system, a control system, and a user interface system. The reading system reads destination data for a destination from an object if the object is positioned in proximity to the reading system. The control system processes the destination data to generate geographic directions to the destination. The user interface system provides the geographic directions to a user to facilitate guiding the user to the destination.

Abstract: A communication network includes a network selection system and an enterprise system that are connected to a PSTN. The network selection system receives a connection request from the enterprise system through the PSTN network, identifies the enterprise system, retrieves a cost/performance profile of the enterprise system, retrieves ISP cost and performance information for each independent ISP of the plurality of independent ISPs, processes the ISP cost and performance information for each of the plurality of independent ISPs against the cost/performance profile, and selects the one independent ISP from among the plurality of independent ISPs based on the processing of the ISP cost and performance information against the cost/performance profile.

Abstract: A communication device automatically transfers a software application to a bridge agent in response to an operational control channel between the communication device and the bridge agent. The bridge agent executes the software application to translate a bridge request into a bridge command. The bridge agent transfers the bridge command to the communication device. The communication device receives the bridge command through a physical port dedicated to bridge control. The communication device processes the bridge command to implement a bridge.

Abstract: A process for a transfer of funds for payment for goods and/or services in which a purchaser of the goods and/or services requests that a financial services organization generate a financial certificate in an amount equal to the payment. The requester receives the requested certificate and then transmits the certificate to the provider of good and/or services. Upon validation of the certificate by the provider, the transaction is completed and the purchaser so notified. The purchaser is subsequently billed by the financial services organization for the cost of the certificate.

Abstract: A user device and a control system operate to register a user with a communication system. The user device receives a user input requesting registration and transfers call tones to a telephone to initiate a telephone call. The control system answers the telephone call and transfers answer tones. The user device receives the answer tones and transfers user identification tones. The control system receives the user identification tones and a telephone number for the telephone. The control system processes the user identification tones and the telephone number to transfer acceptance tones over the telephone call and to transfer a route instruction to direct communications for the user to a communication device associated with the telephone number. The user device receives the acceptance tones and indicates successful registration to the user.

Abstract: An access communication system provides access between a user system and a plurality of communication networks. The plurality of communication networks provide services to a user in the user system. An access communication system includes a database system and an access server that is connected to the user system and the plurality of communication networks. The access server receives information including a first alias. The access server then processes the information to determine whether an alias translation exists for the first alias in an alias schedule. The access server modifies the information based on the alias translation in response to the determination the alias translation exists.

Abstract: A business card communication system and auto-dial business cards. The auto-dial business cards include business information indicia and computer readable call connection information. The computer readable call connection information is configured to permit a card holder to automatically place a call to a call destination designated by the card provider. The business card communication system comprises a processing system coupled to an interface system. The processing system is configured to process a call request from a communication device to translate an access number provided in the call request and generate call handling information that routes the call request to the business premise. The interface system is configured to receive the call request from the communication device and transmit the call handling information for the processing system.

Abstract: A call center system is described that is comprised of an information control system and a portal system. The information control system receives a call agent identifier. The information control system formats and transfers a message that includes the call agent identifier. The portal system receives the message and caller information for the caller. The portal system transmits the caller information to a call agent system over the Internet based on the call agent identifier.

Abstract: A vehicular traffic monitoring system communicates with a plurality of mobile communication devices carried in moving vehicles and capable of determining their respective geographic positions and velocities. A data collector receives data samples from the plurality of mobile communication devices, each data sample comprising instantaneous location and velocity information of a respective mobile telephone at a respective time. A road segment identifier is coupled to the data at the collector for matching data samples wherein a respective instantaneous location corresponds to one of a plurality of road segments monitored by the traffic monitoring system. A sliding average calculator coupled to the road segment identifier determines an average speed corresponding to matched data samples for a particular one of the road segments in response to a predetermined sliding window.

Abstract: An intelligent voice response (IVR) unit coupled to a public switched telephone network provides predetermined services to a user according to an IVR menu having navigational paths to the predetermined services. The user provides selection signals to the IVR unit via a corresponding telephone call in the public switched telephone network to access the predetermined services. A navigator database stores menu definitions of respective navigational paths and is responsive to a request from the user to provide a digital representation of at least one of the navigational paths. The request identifies a desired navigational path, a desired format for the digital representation, and a destination for delivering the digital representation. An electronic delivery system transmits the digital representation in the desired format to the destination independently of the telephone call.

Abstract: A multifrequency tone generator sends data over a telephone voice channel. An alphanumeric character generator sequentially generates alphanumeric characters. Preferably, the character generator may be a keypad or keyboard. A plurality of tone generators have a summed output for transmitting a tone signal selectably including a combination of standard DTMF frequency tones, but not restricted to always having both frequency tones usually paired together by standard DTMF tones. A translation circuit is responsive to an alphanumeric character from the character generator to activate the plurality of tone generators to produce a predetermined combination of the DTMF frequency tones corresponding to the alphanumeric character wherein each bit of the binary ASCII code is represented by a respective one of the individual DTMF frequencies.