Abstract: In a telecommunication system configured to provide a connection between a caller and a callee via a telephone network, wherein the telephone network is configured to connect the caller and the callee, a method for allowing the callee to prevent the caller from establishing the connection with the callee. The method includes receiving an instruction from the callee to prevent the caller from establishing the connection with the callee and identifying a first telephone number associated with the caller. The method also includes preventing one or more phone calls from the first telephone number from being forwarded to a second telephone number associated with the callee.

Abstract: A computer system, method, and computer-readable medium for conducting an online survey including one or more questions are provided. A survey database contains the survey questions and data identifying the type of input field that should be provided for responding to each question. When a request is received for a network resource referencing the online survey, the contents of the survey database are utilized to generate the online survey. The survey questions are maintained in the survey database separately from the application code for displaying the survey questions. Only the questions in the survey database need to be modified to provide a new survey. The application code for generating the survey is generic to all surveys and does not need to be modified.

Abstract: An interface is provided between a running computer application and a system monitor. The system monitor handles notification messages generated by the computer application. The interface includes an import module to scan a source file, extract notification messages from the source file and store the notification messages in a scan file. The interface includes a manager module to display each notification message in the scan file in a table in a graphical user interface to allow modifications to the data in the table. The data is exported to an export stage. The export module performs any translation required to create a file of the notification messages in a format that is acceptable to the system monitor.

Abstract: A system and method is described for augmenting cellular telephone signals for a cellular telephone. In an exemplary embodiment, a cellular battery is equipped with a sound generating device that stores one or more audio signals that are activated upon receipt of a telephone call. Optionally, the battery may store a library of audio signals that may be programmable and edited. The system and method of the present invention enables a user to choose audio alert sounds beyond the scope of those provided by the manufacturer of a cellular telephone. A removable memory device containing at least one accessible sound file is attachable to the battery or telephone body, and provides increased selection of audio signal choices.

Abstract: Clients using standard software protocols may access a manipulation application server for manipulation service on data via a number of methods including Internet applications, a Java RMI server, a CORBA gateway server and graphical screen interphase applications. The manipulation server provides manipulation service on the data based on dynamically maintained, centrally stored manipulation functions.

Abstract: A computer system, method, and computer-readable medium for conducting an online survey including one or more questions are provided. A survey database contains the survey questions and data identifying the type of input field that should be provided for responding to each question. When a request is received for a network resource referencing the online survey, the contents of the survey database are utilized to generate the online survey. The survey questions are maintained in the survey database separately from the application code for displaying the survey questions. Only the questions in the survey database need to be modified to provide a new survey. The application code for generating the survey is generic to all surveys and does not need to be modified.

Abstract: An object shell console attaches to an executing computer application. The object shell console extracts information from the executing application without interrupting or terminating the executing application. The information is displayed to a user on a graphical user interface. The user can choose to have more detailed information about the executing application displayed by request, if such information exists.

Abstract: A project management process for implementing change requests to a computer application proceeds in stages. In an assessment stage, a project manager determines whether the change request falls within the scope of the computer application. If the project manager deems the change request acceptable, the change request is forwarded to a development lead, a quality assurance (QA) lead, and a documentation lead for approval. The development lead determines whether the change request is technically feasible and if there are any technical issues. The QA lead determines what testing requirements must be met to implement the change request. The documentation lead determines what documentation requirements must be met to implement the change request. If the change request is approved by the development lead, the QA lead and the documentation lead, the change request is implemented. If the change request is not approved, it is rejected or placed on hold.

Abstract: Performance of quality assurance for a computer application development proceeds in a series of phases. Each of the phases in the QA life cycle corresponds to one or more phases in a computer application development life cycle. For example, in one embodiment, the quality assurance life cycle includes four phases—a test strategy phase, a test planning phase, a test execution phase and a rollout phase. Each phase of the QA life cycle has entrance and exit criteria. The phase can be entered when the entrance criteria have been met. When the exit criteria are met, the phase causes a gate to be closed to allow the software development life cycle to proceed to the next phase. In one embodiment, the software life cycle includes six phases—a requirements phase, a design phase, a code/unit test phase, a system test phase, a pre-production test phase and a production test phase.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and computer program products provide for creating a gateway between a wired telephone and a wireless telephone network. The gateway device is connected to a wired home telephone network having one or more wired telephones, a wired telephone network, such as the PSTN, and a wireless telephone network. The apparatus may operate in a first mode that allows the wired telephone network to be utilized as a primary telephone network for the wired home telephone network and the wireless telephone network to be utilized as a backup in case of failure of the wired telephone network. Alternatively, the apparatus may operate in a second mode that allows the wireless telephone network to be utilized as a primary telephone network for the wired home telephone network and the wired telephone network to be utilized as a backup in case of failure of the wireless telephone network.

Abstract: An object shell console allows maintenance personnel to upgrade or otherwise modify an executing computer application without suspending or terminating the application's execution. The object shell console attaches to the application while it is executing and extracts program data. The program data is displayed to a maintenance person. Based on the program data, the maintenance person upgrades or otherwise modifies the application. Upgrades include corrections to reflect system upgrades and changing the behavior of the application. The application is modified without time-consuming and expensive program builds.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for creating a gateway between a wired telephone and a wireless telephone network. The gateway device is connected to a wired home telephone network having one or more wired telephones, a wired telephone network, such as the PSTN, and a wireless telephone network. The apparatus may operate in a first mode that allows the wired telephone network to be utilized as a primary telephone network for the wired home telephone network and the wireless telephone network to be utilized as a backup in case of failure of the wired telephone network. Alternatively, the apparatus may operate in a second mode that allows the wireless telephone network to be utilized as a primary telephone network for the wired home telephone network and the wired telephone network to be utilized as a backup in case of failure of the wireless telephone network. The selection of the operating mode for the apparatus may be based upon user selection, a user-specified time schedule, dialed digits, or other factors.

Abstract: Web based clients using embodiments of the disclosed invention may efficiently access stored manipulation functions in order to perform manipulation functions on data via Internet applications. The disclosed system allows web based applications to receive manipulation services on data using dynamically maintained, centrally stored, manipulation functions.

Abstract: An object shell console allows maintenance personnel to upgrade or otherwise modify an executing computer application without suspending or terminating the application's execution. The object shell console attaches to the application while it is executing and extracts program data. The program data is displayed to a maintenance person. Based on the program data, the maintenance person upgrades or otherwise modifies the application. Upgrades include corrections to reflect system upgrades and changing the behavior of the application. The application is modified without time-consuming and expensive program builds.

Abstract: A device, system and method is described for augmenting cellular telephone signals for a cellular telephone. In an exemplary embodiment, an audio signal device cellular is provided with a sound generating device that stores one or more audio signals that are activated upon receipt of a telephone call. Optionally, the audio signal device may store a library of audio signals that may be programmable and edited. The device, system and method of the present invention enables a user to choose audio alert sounds beyond the scope of those provided by the manufacturer of a cellular telephone. A removable memory device containing at least one accessible sound file is attachable to the audio signal device, and provides increased selection of audio signal choices.

Abstract: Web based clients using embodiments of the disclosed invention may efficiently access stored manipulation functions in order to perform manipulation functions on data via Internet applications. The disclosed system allows web based applications to receive manipulation services on data using dynamically maintained, centrally stored, manipulation functions.

Abstract: A status reporting system (SRS) automatically reports updated status of a project to an interested party based on status information stored in a status system. The SRS is communicatively coupled to the status system and includes a monitoring device that contacts the status system to determine whether such status system has new status information stored therein and obtains such new status information from the status system. An internal mail device receives the obtained status information, ascertains from the received status information the interested party, locates an electronic mail address for the interested party, formats the received status information into a piece of electronic mail which includes the received status information and the located electronic mail address, and forwards the piece of electronic mail to the interested party by way of an electronic mail service.

Abstract: A status reporting system (SRS) automatically reports updated status of a project to an interested party based on status information stored in a status system. The SRS is communicatively coupled to the status system and includes a monitoring device that contacts the status system to determine whether such status system has new status information stored therein and obtains such new status information from the status system. An internal mail device receives the obtained status information, ascertains from the received status information the interested party, locates an electronic mail address for the interested party, formats the received status information into a piece of electronic mail which includes the received status information and the located electronic mail address, and forwards the piece of electronic mail to the interested party by way of an electronic mail service.

Abstract: A system and method for a monitor process is disclosed. The monitor process manages, directs, and retains a record of the output from software applications and the tasks associated with such output. The monitor process does so by determining which notification messages output by the software applications do not match notification messages stored within a system monitor's message database. The monitor process then analyzes the non-matching notification messages using a rule set to determine an appropriate severity and contact list for each message. The monitor process then relays the non-matching notification messages to members of the contact list along with the message's appropriate severity. The monitor process may also be used to assist and encourage members of the contact list to update the system monitor's message database with the non-matching notification messages.

Abstract: A method and system for determining the vacancy of a parking space is described that allows a customer to remotely receive information about parking space availability before arriving at a parking lot or structure. This system allows the customer to determine whether there are parking spaces available to park a vehicle and where such parking space(s) are located before the customer arrives at the parking lot or structure.