Abstract: A hybrid telecommunications system, method, and device are provided. The system may include a plurality of unidentified users, a broadcaster, a source of information content, and a packet or switched network. The users may each be equipped with a transreceiving device for receiving broadcast communications and generating communications of their own. According to the method, a broadcaster may receive a first communication, the first communication being directed to the broadcaster over a packet or switched network, from a user or a source of information content. The broadcaster, in turn, broadcasts the first communication to one or more unidentified users. One or more unidentified users who received the first broadcast communication may generate a second communication which is transmitted to the broadcaster. Upon receipt of the second communication by the broadcaster, the broadcaster may broadcast it to one or more unidentified users.

Abstract: Systems and methods of the invention for providing real-time, in-person social networking provide a plurality of instructions to individuals in a group as well as a setting and time for the group to carryout the instructions. A networking kit may be provided to each individual in the group. The instructions may further comprise having each individual in the group write his or her name and a personal characteristic on labels from the kit, having each individual place a first label and a second label on a visible and accessible portion of his or her clothes, and having each individual greet another individual in the group and write clauses or sentences of about another individual greeted during the function. This networking style may continue for a predetermined time until the group convenes to discuss their observations and insights.

Abstract: A hybrid telecommunications system, method, and device are provided. The system may include a plurality of unidentified users, a broadcaster, a source of information content, and a packet or switched network. The users may each be equipped with a transreceiving device for receiving broadcast communications and generating communications of their own. According to the method, a broadcaster may receive a first communication, the first communication being directed to the broadcaster over a packet or switched network, from a user or a source of information content. The broadcaster, in turn, broadcasts the first communication to one or more unidentified users. One or more unidentified users who received the first broadcast communication may generate a second communication which is transmitted to the broadcaster. Upon receipt of the second communication by the broadcaster, the broadcaster may broadcast it to one or more unidentified users.

Abstract: Methods and systems for telecommunications operations and controls include (1) an enhanced text message process or methodology that allows a remote user who does not have, already installed, a specialized voice telephony program to nevertheless place and participate in a voice call, (2) call admission control using a “degrees of separation” metric, (3) real time controlled sharing of contact (buddy) lists, (4) multi-service instance messaging conferences, and (5) “meta buddies” or buddy lists that can be automatically imported and made part of a user's own buddy list.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and method for acquiring, normalizing, indexing and storing information related to RSS feeds and their constituent content items in a searchable database. In some embodiments, the invention includes an application that accesses electronic feed documents for a plurality of RSS feeds to ascertain information regarding the feed and content items within the feed. The information is then parsed to identify characteristics of the feeds and their content items. The characteristics of the feeds and content items can then be stored in a common format in a database. This enables, inter alia, creation of custom feeds by utilizing the normalized feed data.

Abstract: Methods and systems for telecommunications operations and controls include (1) an enhanced text message process or methodology that allows a remote user who does not have, already installed, a specialized voice telephony program to nevertheless place and participate in a voice call, (2) call admission control using a “degrees of separation” metric, (3) real time controlled sharing of contact (buddy) lists, (4) multi-service instance messaging conferences, and (5) “meta buddies” or buddy lists that can be automatically imported and made part of a user's own buddy list.