Abstract: A system and method of authorizing and monetizing a telephone communication such as a voice call is disclosed. The calling party may be in a controlled environment such as a prison or hospital; the called party is using a mobile telephone device. The call is facilitated by a service provider such as a connect service provider. The call is monetized by a message service charge billed to an account associated with the mobile telephone device. The call is facilitated as a voice call if there is authorization both for a charge for message service to the mobile telephone device and for the call from the calling party. The system is implemented with a system may use a message service communication protocol for the message and billing charge. computer-based system in operation with the interactive voice response system. Revenue from monetization of the call may be shared between service providers.

Abstract: A system and method of authorizing and monetizing a telephone communication such as a voice call is disclosed. The calling party may be in a controlled environment such as a prison or hospital; the called party is using a mobile telephone device. The call is facilitated by a service provider such as a connect service provider. The call is monetized by a message service charge billed to an account associated with the mobile telephone device. The call is facilitated as a voice call if there is authorization both for a charge for message service to the mobile telephone device and for the call from the calling party. The system is implemented with a system may use a message service communication protocol for the message and billing charge. computer-based system in operation with the interactive voice response system. Revenue from monetization of the call may be shared between service providers.

Abstract: The collect cellular call identifies the cellular telephone carrier and called party cell phone. After determining whether the carrier and phone accept message service charges (SMS), a voice response module seeks positive authorization from the called party with the telephone. If positive, the system facilitates a connection between the calling party and the called party and initiates a predetermined billing charge assigned to the cellular telephone number. If the carrier or the cell phone is not enabled or if no authorization is obtained from the called party, the system facilitates a denial of completion signal. A timer monitors the length of the collect cellular call. Databases are accessed to locate the carrier and called cell phone number approved list of numbers and deny service list of numbers.

Abstract: The collect cellular call identifies the cellular telephone carrier and called party cell phone. After determining whether the carrier and phone accept message service charges (SMS), a voice response module seeks positive authorization from the called party with the telephone. If positive, the system facilitates a connection between the calling party and the called party and initiates a predetermined billing charge assigned to the cellular telephone number. If the carrier or the cell phone is not enabled or if no authorization is obtained from the called party, the system facilitates a denial of completion signal. A timer monitors the length of the collect cellular call. Databases are accessed to locate the carrier and called cell phone number approved list of numbers and deny service list of numbers.

Abstract: The collect cellular call identifies the cellular telephone carrier and called party cell phone. After determining whether the carrier and phone accept message service charges (SMS), a voice response module seeks positive authorization from the called party with the telephone. If positive, the system facilitates a connection between the calling party and the called party and initiates a predetermined billing charge assigned to the cellular telephone number. If the carrier or the cell phone is not enabled or if no authorization is obtained from the called party, the system facilitates a denial of completion signal. A timer monitors the length a the collect cellular call. Databases are accessed to locate the carrier and called cell phone number approved list of numbers and deny-service list of numbers.

Abstract: A composite material comprises a particulate material generated as a waste by-product of an industrial process, and a binder for binding the particulate material into a uniform mass. The particulate material and binder are combined in preselected proportions and compressed to form a counterweight having a preselected density and a fixed configuration. A counterweight is manufactured by selecting a first proportion of a particulate material generated as a waste by-product of an industrial process, selecting a second proportion of a binder for binding the particulate material into a uniform mass, combining the first proportion of the particulate material with the second proportion of the binder into a uniform mass, forming the counterweight from the uniform mass, and incorporating the counterweight into a finished product.

Abstract: Systems and methods for facilitating money transfer payments for mobile wireless device postpaid services include receiving, from a vendor location, a money transfer payment for mobile wireless device postpaid services fulfillment request including a mobile wireless device phone number and a corresponding payment amount. A destination wireless service provider that serves the mobile wireless device is identified based on the phone number, and the payment for mobile wireless device postpaid services request or a formatted version thereof is delivered to a billing system of the destination wireless service provider. A fulfillment confirmation or denial associated with the payment for mobile wireless device postpaid services fulfillment request is thereafter received, and when a fulfillment confirmation is received, payment is provided to the destination wireless service provider.

Abstract: Systems and methods for facilitating money transfer payments for mobile wireless device prepaid services include receiving, from a vendor location, a money transfer payment for mobile wireless device prepaid services fulfillment request including a mobile wireless device phone number and a corresponding payment amount. A destination wireless service provider that serves the mobile wireless device is identified based on the phone number, and the payment for mobile wireless device prepaid services request or a formatted version thereof is delivered to the destination wireless service provider. A fulfillment confirmation or denial associated with the payment for mobile wireless device prepaid services fulfillment request is thereafter received, and when a fulfillment confirmation is received, payment is provided to the destination wireless service provider.

Abstract: A system and method for facilitating electronic communication between people who speak different languages. An SMS message including content in a first language is received at a network node. It is then determined whether the content in a first language is received at a network node. It is then determined whether the content of the SMS message is to be translated to a second language before being sent to a recipient. This determination can be based on an embedded code or on the fact that a bounded session has been previously established. The content is then translated from the first language to the second language, and the SMS message is thereafter sent to the recipient directly from the network node at which the translating step was performed.

Abstract: The collect cellular call identifies the cellular telephone carrier and called party cell phone. After determining whether the carrier and phone accept message service charges (SMS), a voice response module seeks positive authorization from the called party with the telephone. If positive, the system facilitates a connection between the calling party and the called party and initiates a predetermined billing charge assigned to the cellular telephone number. If the carrier or the cell phone is not enabled or if no authorization is obtained from the called party, the system facilitates a denial of completion signal. A timer monitors the length a the collect cellular call. Databases are accessed to locate the carrier and called cell phone number approved list of numbers and deny-service list of numbers.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a universal voting card (UVC) is disclosed. Generic votes stored in association with a UVC may be used at any time in any combination against voting campaigns that span, e.g., wireless carrier networks, television networks and television shows. A generic vote is issued by a UVC holder through the dispatch of an SMS message to a destination address (USC, toll-free TN, etc.). Each time that a generic vote is issued by a UVC holder the ‘number of votes remaining’ on the UVC is decremented; when the ‘number of votes remaining’ on the UVC reaches zero then the UVC is no longer usable.

Abstract: A composite material comprises a particulate material generated as a waste by-product of an industrial process, and a binder for binding the particulate material into a uniform mass. The particulate material and binder are combined in preselected proportions and compressed to form a counterweight having a preselected density and a fixed configuration. A counterweight is manufactured by selecting a first proportion of a particulate material generated as a waste by-product of an industrial process, selecting a second proportion of a binder for binding the particulate material into a uniform mass, combining the first proportion of the particulate material with the second proportion of the binder into a uniform mass, forming the counterweight from the uniform mass, and incorporating the counterweight into a finished product.

Abstract: A system and method for facilitating electronic communication between people who speak different languages. An SMS message including content in a first language is received at a network node. It is then determined whether the content of the SMS message is to be translated to a second language before being sent to a recipient. This determination can be based on an embedded code or an the fact that a bounded session has been previously established. The content is then translated from the first language to the second language, and the SMS message is thereafter sent to the recipient directly from the network node at which the translating step was performed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for exchanging a short message service (SMS) message between networks operating in accordance with different standards. An intermediary system operates between a first network operating in accordance with a first standard and a second network operating in accordance with a second standard. A routing information request for an SMS message is received, at the intermediary, from the first network and the intermediary sends, in response to the routing information request, an acknowledgement message to the first network. The SMS message is thereafter received at the intermediary and an acknowledgement of receipt of the SMS message is generated in the intermediary and then sent to the first network. The SMS message is then sent from the intermediary to the second network. In a preferred embodiment, the intermediary is an entity distinct from the first and second networks, but operates as a virtual MSC from the perspective of the first and second networks.

Abstract: Systems and methods for exchanging a short message service (SMS) message between networks operating in accordance with different standards. An intermediary system operates between a first network operating in accordance with a first standard and a second network operating in accordance with a second standard. A routing information request for an SMS message is received, at the intermediary, from the first network and the intermediary sends, in response to the routing information request, an acknowledgement message to the first network. The SMS message is thereafter received at the intermediary and an acknowledgement of receipt of the SMS message is generated in the intermediary and then sent to the first network. The SMS message is then sent from the intermediary to the second network. In a preferred embodiment, the intermediary is an entity distinct from the first and second networks, but operates as a virtual MSC from the perspective of the first and second networks.

Abstract: A method for accelerated cheese ripening using a primary starter culture and an attenuated bacterial starter culture, the attenuated bacterial starter culture is treated with surface active agents.

Abstract: A lockable valve cover has a housing with an open end and a pair of opposing slots on opposite sides of the housing extending from the open end for engaging over spaced locations on a pipe on opposite sides of a valve over which the housing is placed, the pipe extending in a first direction through the slots. A pair of openings on opposite sides of the housing are aligned in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction with a first opening being larger than a second opening, and a locking plate having a reduced width tongue engages across the housing through the openings, with the tongue projecting through the second opening. A padlock engages a hole in the tongue to lock the housing in place.

Abstract: A system and method for facilitating electronic communication between people who speak different languages. An SMS message including content in a first language is received at a network node. It is then determined whether the content of the SMS message is to be translated to a second language before being sent to a recipient. This determination can be based on an embedded code or an the fact that a bounded session has been previously established. The content is then translated from the first language to the second language, and the SMS message is thereafter sent to the recipient directly from the network node at which the translating step was performed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for exchanging a short message service (SMS) message between networks operating in accordance with different standards. An intermediary system operates between a first network operating in accordance with a first standard and a second network operating in accordance with a second standard. A routing information request for an SMS message is received, at the intermediary, from the first network and the intermediary sends, in response to the routing information request, an acknowledgement message to the first network. The SMS message is thereafter received at the intermediary and an acknowledgement of receipt of the SMS message is generated in the intermediary and then sent to the first network. The SMS message is then sent from the intermediary to the second network. In a preferred embodiment, the intermediary is an entity distinct from the first and second networks, but operates as a virtual MSC from the perspective of the first and second networks.

Abstract: A lockable valve cover has a housing with an open end and a pair of opposing slots on opposite sides of the housing extending from the open end for engaging over spaced locations on a pipe on opposite sides of a valve over which the housing is placed, the pipe extending in a first direction through the slots. A pair of openings on opposite sides of the housing are aligned in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction with a first opening being larger than a second opening, and a locking plate having a reduced width tongue engages across the housing through the openings, with the tongue projecting through the second opening. A padlock engages a hole in the tongue to lock the housing in place.