Abstract: A communications system includes call devices that are capable of communicating over a packet-based data network. The packet-based data network may be according to an Internet Protocol (IP), for example. The call devices are capable of performing call communications, such as according to a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) or an H.323 Recommendation. Each of the call devices includes a user interface that is customizable to one or multiple configurations depending on which user is using the call device. User identification information is communicated from the call device to a proxy or server that has access to a database. The identification information is used to locate configuration information associated with the user. The corresponding user configuration information is then retrieved from the database and communicated back to the call device to configure the call device user interface.

Abstract: A communication system includes a packet-based data network that is coupled to various network elements. The network elements include user systems and a service provider system. Each of the user systems may send requests to the service provider system to receive selected categories of information. In response, the service provider system (or alternatively another information provider) transmits the requested information to each subscribing user system, which then presents the information as a ticker. Messaging used for communicating the ticker information may be based on the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP), including Subscribe and Notify messages or Info messages.

Abstract: A communications system includes a packet-based data network to which are coupled various network elements. At least some of the network elements are capable of participating in real-time interactive communications sessions over the data network. Protocols that provide for such communications sessions include Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) and the H.323 Recommendation. The data network includes subscriber systems that are capable of receiving advertising information in one or more messages communicated from a service provider system over the data network. The service provider system identifies the types of advertising information that may be of interest to one or more users at the subscriber systems. The service provider system is able to receive the advertising information from a data warehouse source, which may collect transaction information, such as retail transaction information, from retail sources.