Abstract: A method in a distributed computer system includes a server and a client and is for delivering Web content within a body section of electronic mail messages. The method includes receiving at a server, at least one mail message containing an embedded hyperlink. The method includes downloading Web content associated with the hyperlink into the message store at the server. The method also includes transmitting the mail message and at least one of a link to the Web content downloaded into the message store at the server and the corresponding Web content for display at the client. The method includes determining whether the client has a preset time for downloading messages containing Web content. In response to determining that a preset time for downloading Web content exists, the method includes caching the message and Web content at the server until the preset time is reached.

Abstract: A method in a distributed computer system includes a server and a client and is for delivering Web content within a body section of electronic mail messages. The method includes receiving at a server, at least one mail message containing an embedded hyperlink. The method includes downloading Web content associated with the hyperlink into the message store at the server. The method also includes transmitting the mail message and at least one of a link to the Web content downloaded into the message store at the server and the corresponding Web content for display at the client. The method includes determining whether the client has a preset time for downloading messages containing Web content. In response to determining that a preset time for downloading Web content exists, the method includes caching the message and Web content at the server until the preset time is reached.

Abstract: A distributed computer system including a server and a client, the server including a message store, a method for delivering Web content within a body section of electronic mail messages is provided. At least one mail message containing an embedded hyperlink is received at the server. Web content associated with the hyperlink is downloaded into the message content store at the server. The mail message and the corresponding Web content are then transmitted for display at the client.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of splitting bandwidth among a plurality of network transactions. First, a communication requesting a priority for a network transaction is displayed. Second, an input indicating the priority of the bandwidth is received.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for tracking communications usage time. Time increments are counted in response to a call. A call count is determined based on time increments. The call count is modified based on calling plan parameters.

Abstract: An operating system provides an interface that allows the user to assign printers for use when a print job having one or more specific attributes has been submitted. The one or more specific attributes of a print job may include the identity of the application generating the print job, the file type being printed, one or more features of the print job, the presence or absence of color, the page size, the number of pages, the draft quality specified, the paper stock selected, and combinations thereof. The attributes of the print job are identified by the operating system after receiving the print job, and the print jobs are directed to the appropriate printer by looking up the identified attributes in user-customized printer assignments.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for using a localized voice mail system that allows voice mail messages on a cellular telephone network to be stored on a remote server or other computer. These messages can be stored on a server of the cellular network or of the cellular telephone service subscriber. The method further entails downloading copies of the stored messages into another computer or a cellular telephone's memory. In this embodiment, a cellular telephone can retrieve voice mail messages even when the cellular telephone is roaming or cannot pick up a carrier signal. In another embodiment, a method is described for organizing voice mail messages stored in a cellular telephone's memory into convenient groups, directories or folders formatted to be compatible with the computer and cellular telephone.

Abstract: Apparatus for converting a visual image into a tactile image. The apparatus comprises imaging means for converting incident light from the visual image into electrical signals that are proportional to the gray scale intensity of the incident light. The apparatus also comprises a tactile display device having a two-dimensional array of variable height pixels, wherein the height of each pixel in the tactile display is dynamically variable in proportion to the electrical signals from the imaging means. Preferably, the height of each pixel is inversely proportional to the gray scale intensity of the incident light so that the maximum height of a pixel occurs when a corresponding pixel in the visual image is black.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of splitting bandwidth among a plurality of network transactions. First, a communication requesting a priority for a network transaction is displayed. Second, an input indicating the priority of the bandwidth is received.

Abstract: A method, program and system for entering messages into a database are provided. The method comprises accessing the database by means of one of a plurality of allowable communication devices, which may include phone, mobile phone, PDA, pager and computer. The user then enters a voice or text message into a designated account in the database. The message is stored in a uniform format, which is specified for the account. This uniform format is independent of the communication device used to access the database. When messages are retrieved from the database, the messages are converted from the uniform format into a format which is compatible with the device used to access the database.

Abstract: A method, program, and system for receiving personal identification information by means of a telecommunication device are provided. The invention comprises sending a communication transmission, and concurrent with receiving the communication transmission, sending a second transmission, wherein the second transmission contains personal identification information about the party sending the communication transmission. This personal identification information is independent of the identity of the device used to send the communication transmission and may include such information as name, telephone number, business name, address, email, and fax.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for tracking dropped communications. The method includes determining whether a call is dropped, determining dropped call characteristics if the call is dropped and logging the dropped call characteristics.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for using a localized voice mail system that allows voice mail messages on a cellular telephone network to be stored on a remote server or other computer. These messages can be stored on a server of the cellular network or of the cellular telephone service subscriber. The method further entails downloading copies of the stored messages into another computer or a cellular telephone's memory. In this embodiment, a cellular telephone can retrieve voice mail messages even when the cellular telephone is roaming or cannot pick up a carrier signal. In another embodiment, a method is described for organizing voice mail messages stored in a cellular telephone's memory into convenient groups, directories or folders formatted to be compatible with the computer and cellular telephone.

Abstract: An operating system provides an interface that allows the user to assign printers for use when a print job having one or more specific attributes has been submitted. The one or more specific attributes of a print job may include the identity of the application generating the print job, the file type being printed, one or more features of the print job, the presence or absence of color, the page size, the number of pages, the draft quality specified, the paper stock selected, and combinations thereof. The attributes of the print job are identified by the operating system after receiving the print job, and the print jobs are directed to the appropriate printer by looking up the identified attributes in the user-customized printer assignments.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for tracking communications usage time. Time increments are counted in response to a call. A call count is determined based on time increments. The call count is modified based on calling plan parameters.

Abstract: A distributed computer system including a server and a client, the server including a message store, a method for delivering Web content within a body section of electronic mail messages is provided. At least one mail message containing an embedded hyperlink is received at the server. Web content associated with the hyperlink is downloaded into the message content store at the server. The mail message and the corresponding Web content are then transmitted for display at the client.

Abstract: Apparatus for converting a visual image into a tactile image. The apparatus comprises imaging means for converting incident light from the visual image into electrical signals that are proportional to the gray scale intensity of the incident light. The apparatus also comprises a tactile display device having a two-dimensional array of variable height pixels, wherein the height of each pixel in the tactile display is dynamically variable in proportion to the electrical signals from the imaging means. Preferably, the height of each pixel is inversely proportional to the gray scale intensity of the incident light so that the maximum height of a pixel occurs when a corresponding pixel in the visual image is black.