Abstract: Methods relating to prepaid services include determining an unlocked status of an account configured to track usage of prepaid services. The methods further include locking the account for a length of time after the determining step. The methods further include providing, for a service period, a service to a user associated with the account subsequent to the locking step, and continuously extending the locking for an additional length of time throughout the service period.

Abstract: Prepaid services include a multi-user prepaid services account as well as a prepaid balance associated with the account. A plurality of user records associated with the account each includes a quota. A service monitoring component may be configured to repeatedly draw down the prepaid balance by providing one or more allocations of the prepaid balance during a service period to a user associated with a respective user record.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for achieving completion of a telephone call by way of an instant communications client.

Abstract: A messaging response system is disclosed wherein a service providing system provides services to users via messaging communications. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, multiple respondents servicing users through messaging communications may appear to simultaneously use a common “screen name” identifier.

Abstract: A messaging response system is disclosed wherein a service providing system provides services to users via messaging communications. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, multiple respondents servicing users through messaging communications may appear to simultaneously use a common “screen name” identifier.

Abstract: Systems, methods and program products are disclosed for determining billable usage of a communications system where services are provided involving telephony and instant communications. In some exemplary embodiments, the present invention provides for authorizing the fulfillment of service requests based upon information pertaining to a billable account.

Abstract: A media translator is disclosed for converting among speech signals and textual information, such as between telephony speech signals and textual information communicated via a messaging communications system.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for achieving completion of a telephone call by way of an instant communications client.

Abstract: An interactive telephony services system is provided with instant communications function. In accordance with some embodiments, presence information related to the availability of a called party to be contacted via instant communications affects the handling of telephone calls to the called party. In accordance with some embodiments, a telephone call may be connected to an instant communications client used by a called party.

Abstract: Systems, methods and program products are disclosed for determining billable usage of a communications system wherein services are provided via instant communications. In some embodiments, the present invention provides for authorizing the fulfillment of service requests based upon information pertaining to a billable account.

Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed which provide for a communications gateway to be operatively coupled to a messaging system. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, communications are established via the gateway responsive at least to messaging communications involving the communications gateway.

Abstract: Phone calls between data modems may be transferred without dropping the phone calls. An intermediate modem phone call is established between modems that are not currently involved in a modem call to activate a modem that is to receive a modem call transfer. After the modem that is to receive the transfer is activated, the modem call transfer occurs with the assistance of a switching mechanism, such as an automatic call distributor (ACD). The interruption to the modem caused by the transfer is negligible enough so as to not cause the modem call to be dropped. For some types of modems, a three-way conference call may be established between modems and one of the modems may be dropped to realize the modem call transfer.