Abstract: A system and method is provided for synchronizing related entries in different electronically stored directories. In one implementation, the method includes the steps of: storing first entries in a first directory, one of a plurality of directories, the first entries having first fields for different types of information and each first field having a related stored confidence level indicating the degree of confidence of the accuracy of the data stored in each first field; storing second entries in related second fields in a second memory, each of the second field entries having a corresponding stored confidence level; determining when a change has been made to a field of an entry; and updating the corresponding field in the other directory with a confidence level for the field when a change exceeds a threshold.

Abstract: A system and methods provide an annotated advertisement referral for presentation on an electronic device by employing the steps of receiving at an electronic processor an indication of a referral of an advertisement and the identity of a target to whom the advertisement is referred, and then directing the electronic signal representing a version of that advertisement to an electronic device associated with that target to whom the advertisement is referred. Preferably, that directed electronic signal includes an indication of the origin of the referral and a ranking of the advertisement given by the referring party.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for television program announcements, involving a television; a storage device connected to the television that stores multimedia summaries of a plurality of television programs, including the channel and time of display of the program for which it is a summary; the capacity to change channels; and a processor program to sense when the television has been connected to a new channel and to select and display on that television the multimedia summary of the program being presented on the new channel at the time of the connection of the television to the new channel.

Abstract: A term-specific navigation method and system is provided for information searching by a user of an Internet browser, that modifies, by using a processor, a copy of Internet content identified as a result of a specific user's search to mark in that copy the locations of a user's search terms; and provides the user with one or more links that will direct the user's browser to the locations in the copy where the user's specific terms were found.

Abstract: Input data queries directed at a plurality of target databases and originating from any of a plurality of sources are first converted to validated canonical forms, which are then used to query the target databases. Specifically, upon receiving an input data query, a relatively accurate reference database is selected based on the type of the input data. This reference is then queried for the input data with the intent of finding an exact matching record or a near-matching record that can be considered an exact match and thereby validating the input data. Otherwise, the requesting source is instructed to provide a new query. Once having a validated record, it is converted to a canonical form, which is then used to query the target databases intended to be searched. In a further embodiment, multiple reference databases are queried to determine a canonical form of the data or to determine multiple canonical forms of the data.

Abstract: Input data queries directed at a plurality of target databases and originating from any of a plurality of sources are first converted to validated canonical forms, which are then used to query the target databases. Specifically, upon receiving an input data query, a relatively accurate reference database is selected based on the type of the input data. This reference is then queried for the input data with the intent of finding an exact matching record or a near-matching record that can be considered an exact match and thereby validating the input data. Otherwise, the requesting source is instructed to provide a new query. Once having a validated record, it is converted to a canonical form, which is then used to query the target databases intended to be searched. In a further embodiment, multiple reference databases are queried to determine a canonical form of the data or to determine multiple canonical forms of the data.

Abstract: A system and method for using networked mobile devices in a vehicle in a tightly integrated manner is presented. The vehicle has an OBE, a mobile device client, and vehicle components, and the mobile device has a mobile device proxy and applications, such that the mobile device client and the mobile device proxy communicate, enabling dynamic transfer of the applications to the OBE and execution of the applications on the mobile device and the OBE using the plurality of vehicle components at runtime. In one embodiment, the mobile device client and the mobile device proxy authenticate each other. The authentication can be performed using digital certificates. The mobile device client can communicate the vehicle components on the vehicle to the mobile device proxy. The mobile device client and the mobile device proxy can communicate using Bluetooth. The vehicle components can include dashboard displays, speakers, and voice I/O systems.

Abstract: A system and method to enable dynamic partner selection and subsequent order fulfillment by a service provider is presented. The system and method has an order entry device for obtaining an order, a service specification corresponding to the order, a flow execution engine, a partner selector mechanism, at least one partner, and at least one component obtained from the service specification, the component being broadcast from the partner selector mechanism to the partner, who responds to the broadcast, such that all of the partner responses are optimized by the partner selector mechanism for execution by said flow execution engine to fulfill the order.

Abstract: A system and method for allowing external execution-time adaptation of application behavior of an application in a telecommunication system without modification to the application code comprises an application having at least one break point and residing on an application server, at least one identifiable decision engine, and a listing of break points that has for each break point at least one identifier of the decision engine, such that at one of the break points, the application accesses the listing of break points, invokes the listed instances of the decision engine corresponding to the break point, and adapts application behavior based on the decision engine. In addition, each entry in the listing of break points can have a sequence number so that if two entries for the same break point have equal sequence numbers, the decision engines identified in these entries can be invoked in parallel.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method, system and a program storage device for remotely accessing medically relevant data stored on a server and provides remote access over a cellular or PCS communications network employing either a SMS or MMS communication protocol allowing dissemination of an individual's medically relevant data in an emergency, wherein the server authenticates each accessing PCS device by determining whether said accessing PCS device ID is stored in an emergency medical profile database and sending the user inputted emergency related personal data if the accessing PCS device ID is found in the emergency medical database device.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to logical telephone numbers. In particular, dynamic number users are able to obtain dynamic numbers and to map those numbers to routable numbers of their choosing. The present invention provides a tool for protecting privacy while sharing and/or publicizing a number for public purposes. The present invention relates to a Dynamic Telephone Number Service (DTNS.) wherein users are provided with a logical temporary telephone number that is mapped dynamically to a physically addressable number. The use of the DTNS allows a dynamic number user to publish the logical number, thus avoiding the need to publish private information and phone numbers for public purposes. Further, the logical number is not permanently assigned, but rather is temporary and provided to the dynamic number user for a relatively short period of time.

Abstract: The present invention provides system and method for delayed answering of a call to a cellular phone which can operate in either a distributed or a centralized manner. In particular, the system and method according to the present invention allows the cellular phone user upon receiving a call to play a message to the caller, such as informing the caller to “hold on” for a short time and that the user will be available shortly. The present invention provides a number of advantageous alternatives to provide a cellular phone user flexibility in answering incoming calls.

Abstract: Method and apparatus to generate a dynamic contact list of contact and presence information about contact events in a communication system when a calling entity unsuccessfully attempts to communicate with a called entity. When such a contact event occurs, a routing processor or call agent generates contact information about the contact event, including the calling party, called party, time of the contact event, and purpose of the contact event. A presence management processor also generates the presence information about the calling party's subsequent availability for return communication, including if a calling party is available for return communication, when the calling party is available for return communication, how long the calling party is available for return communication, and how the calling party is available for return communication.

Abstract: An Object-Based Contact List (OBCL) allows users to interact with multiple Notification Service Providers (NSP) on a network simultaneously. The NSPs provide smart events wherein notification of the user may be governed by response logic as defined in an NSP-based program.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to logical telephone numbers. In particular, dynamic number users are able to obtain dynamic numbers and to map those numbers to routable numbers of their choosing. The present invention provides a tool for protecting privacy while sharing and/or publicizing a number for public purposes. The present invention relates to a Dynamic Telephone Number Service (DTNS.) wherein users are provided with a logical temporary telephone number that is mapped dynamically to a physically addressable number. The use of the DTNS allows a dynamic number user to publish the logical number, thus avoiding the need to publish private information and phone numbers for public purposes. Further, the logical number is not permanently assigned, but rather is temporary and provided to the dynamic number user for a relatively short period of time.

Abstract: Method and apparatus to generate a dynamic contact list of contact and presence information about contact events in a communication system when a calling entity unsuccessfully attempts to communicate with a called entity. When such a contact event occurs, a routing processor or call agent generates contact information about the contact event, including the calling party, called party, time of the contact event, and purpose of the contact event. A presence management processor also generates the presence information about the calling party's subsequent availability for return communication, including if a calling party is available for return communication, when the calling party is available for return communication, how long the calling party is available for return communication, and how the calling party is available for return communication.

Abstract: An Object-Based Contact List (OBCL) allows users to interact with multiple Notification Service Providers (NSP) on a network simultaneously. The NSPs provide smart events wherein notification of the user may be governed by response logic as defined in an NSP-based program.

Abstract: An instant messaging communication system wherein users can obtain instant messaging at different terminal devices, in accordance with information they priorly store in a user defined terminal selection store in a unified instant messaging processor. The unified instant messaging processor also stores user preference data. Data from users arrives at the unified instant messaging processor directly over the internet, while an instant messaging client communicates with the unified instant messaging processor through a presence and messaging processor. The data may include either message data or presence data, and a processor in the unified instant message processor determines the handling of the data, with reference to information prior stored by a user, and enables appropriate formatting and routing of the information.

Abstract: A compensator for thermal or other uncontrollable effects in a liquid-crystal etalon filter. The narrow pass band of the filter is controlled by adjusting the amplitude of an AC drive signal applied to the electrodes on either side of the liquid crystal in the filter. An optical detector detects the intensity of light from a narrow-bandwidth input beam passed by the detector. Electrical circuitry determines the bipolar amplitude of the component of the light intensity that is at twice the frequency of the AC drive signal (the doubled-frequency amplitude) and adjusts the amplitude of the AC drive signal in response to the doubled-frequency amplitude so as to reduce the doubled-frequency amplitude toward zero.

Abstract: A compensator for thermal or other uncontrollable effects in a liquid-crystal etalon filter. The narrow pass band of the filter is controlled by adjusting the amplitude of an AC drive signal applied to the electrodes on either side of the liquid crystal in the filter. An optical detector detects the intensity of light from a narrow-bandwidth input beam passed by the detector. Electrical circuitry determines the bipolar amplitude of the component of the light intensity that is at twice the frequency of the AC drive signal (the doubled-frequency amplitude) and adjusts the amplitude of the AC drive signal in response to the doubled-frequency amplitude so as to reduce the doubled-frequency amplitude toward zero.