Abstract: A power control device is provided for adjusting the input power to a device. The power control device includes an input, an output, and two or more output levels. A device such as an electrical device, appliance, or tool is attached to the output of the power control device. Further, a switch couples the input of the power control device to a power source. Thereby, the output level of the power control device can be adjusted by turning on and turning off the power source within a period of time.

Abstract: A power control device is provided for adjusting the input power to a device. The power control device includes an input, an output, and two or more output levels. A device such as an electrical device, application, or tool is attached to the output of the power control device. Further, a switch couples the input of the power control device to a power source. Thereby, the output level of the power control device can be adjusted by turning on and turning off the power source within a period of time.

Abstract: An answering enhancement system originating on a called-party's communication device and working in conjunction with other resident software and hardware that becomes operational once the called-party's communication device is connected to an incoming call through a communication link. The answering enhancement system is not a part of or a function of the communications network. Once activated by a communications transmission, the answering enhancement system may instruct the called-party's communication device to play media files to calling-party or to the called-party by acting on associations pre-selected by the called-party. The media files may be played or displayed to the calling-party in replace of a conventional audible call progress signal or ringback tone and to the called-party as a ringtone and/or visual alert. The system allows the called-party to access the call and converse with calling-party as it normally would.

Abstract: An automated ringback update system for customizing ringback signals is disclosed. Communications devices activate and interact with the automated ringback update system via the recognition of a feature associated with a printed matter to allow for modifications of the network service.

Abstract: A ringback replacement insertion system for customizing a communication network is disclosed. The system includes a first communication station associated with a first network service provider and a second communication station associated with a second network service provider. A network gateway is provided for connecting a call placed from the first communication station to the second communication station. The first network service provider receives information regarding a proximity location of the first communication station. The storage device transmits at least a portion of the at least one announcement to the first communication station that is related to information within a predefined geographical distance from the first communication station, where at least a portion of the at least one announcement is delivered as a call signal after establishing contact with a communication network.

Abstract: A smart ringback blocking and replacement system for delivering and/or selectively blocking signal content from a communications network is disclosed. Communications devices interact with the smart ringback blocking and replacement system to allow for modifications of the network service.

Abstract: A ringback replacement update system for creating or modifying ringback associations is disclosed. Communications devices activate and interact with the ringback update system to allow for modifications of the network service.

Abstract: A ringback replacement system for modifying or replacing certain communications network signals and tones in a roaming, forked-call, forwarded-call, or mobility environment is disclosed. Communications devices activate and interact with the ringback replacement system to allow for modification of the network service.

Abstract: An automated ringback update system for customizing ringback signals is disclosed. Communications devices activate and interact with the automated ringback update system via the recognition of a feature associated with a printed matter to allow for modifications of the network service.

Abstract: A method for customizing a communications network, including receiving, at a ringback update system, information regarding a machine recognizable feature associated with a printed matter located on an article, where the information is obtained with a feature recognition unit. The feature recognition unit is associated with or resides in or on a communications station associated with a called party, and further the information regarding a machine recognizable feature is transmitted from the feature recognition unit or from a communications station associated with the feature recognition unit. In addition, the method includes accessing, with the ringback update system, a storage device containing at least one announcement, downloading the announcement in response to receiving the information regarding a recognition of a machine recognizable feature and replacing a call signal with at least a portion of the at least one announcement.

Abstract: A ringback replacement insertion system for replacing certain communications network signals and tones is disclosed. Communications devices activate and interact with the ringback replacement system to allow for modification of the network service.

Abstract: A handset-originated ringback replacement system for modifying or replacing certain communications network tones is disclosed. Communications devices activate and interact with the handset-originated ringback replacement system to allow for modification of the network service.

Abstract: A ringback replacement system for modifying or replacing certain communications network signals and tones in a roaming, forked-call, forwarded-call, or mobility environment is disclosed. Communications devices activate and interact with the ringback replacement system to allow for modification of the network service.

Abstract: A ringback/ringtone synchronization system for utilizing ringtones as replacement ringback announcements is disclosed. Communications devices activate and interact with the ringback/ringtone synchronization system to allow for modifications of the network service.

Abstract: A system for customizing a communications network, the system including a first communications station associated with a calling party, a second communication station associated with a called party, a storage device containing at least one announcement, and a communications device for initiating a forked or forwarded call to locate the called party at the second communications station. The forked or forwarded call is initiated by the calling party whereby at least a portion of a call signal is replaced with at least a portion of the announcement. The announcement is associated with the calling party and is chosen by the called party and played to the calling party after initiation of the call but prior to active communication with the called party. Also, the call signal is selected from one of ringback signals, busy signals, network redirect signals, call progress signals, network announcement signals, or dial tone signals.

Abstract: A communications marketing system allows a client station accessing a computer network through a Network Service Provider (NSP) to receive advertisements whenever the connection path between the client station and the NSP is idle. The NSP monitors traffic to/from the client station to determine when the connection path is idle. An announcement server connected to the NSP transmits advertising messages and other information to the client station when the connection path is idle. The advertisements are displayed in a predetermined location of a browser client window of the client station. The advertisements can be played/displayed for a predetermined time period.

Abstract: A communications marketing system for selectively modifying an existing communications network by modifying a portion of the processing software permits transmitting a generally continuous pre-recorded announcement to a network station which has been temporarily disconnected from a called network station and placed on hold within the network. The network is adapted for allowing an identified called station connected to a first call from a first party at a first network address to receive a second call from a second party at a second network address. The network interrupts the called station and signals the called station of the second call. The called station can then choose to connect to the second call and temporarily disconnect the first party, placing the first party on hold within the network, and thereafter, the called station may switch between the first and second calls.

Abstract: A marketing system for selectively modifying an existing communications network by modifying a portion of the processing software permits replacing at least a portion of a call progress signal generated by the communications network by a generally continuous pre-recorded announcement. A first station is provided for placing a call by a calling party at a first network address. The network is adapted for connecting the call to an identified called station at a second network address, the called station having either a busy status or an idle status. The network initially determines the busy/idle status of the called station and, if the called station has an initial busy status, thereafter checks the busy/idle status of the called station at predetermined intervals. A player plays at least one generally continuous announcement to the calling party for a predetermined period of time during a time period when a call progress signal would have been provided to the calling party.

Abstract: A marketing system selectively modifies an existing telephone network by modifying a portion of the call processing software of the existing telephone network and by replacing at least a portion of an audible call progress signal generated by the telephone network by a prerecorded announcement. A calling party places a telephone call at a first telephone to a second telephone having a particular calling status. Once the call is made, a switch or an associated network signaling system determines the busy/idle status of the second telephone. In place of the usual ringback or busy signal, an announcement indicates to the calling party the status of the second telephone and a series of announcements are played for a predetermined period of time. During the announcements, the system continues to determine the status of the telephone line of the second telephone. The announcements are played until the call is completed or abandoned.