Abstract: A telecommunication system and method for communicating between at least two end users over a telecommunication network, where the communication is defined by a set of parameters. At least two entities, such as one or both of the end users and/or the service providers negotiate an agreed set of values for said parameters that define the desired communication. The entities also negotiate a warranty agreement with the network service provider defining at least one of the agreed parameters to be warranted including a compensation method to be applied should said at least one monitored parameter fail to meet the corresponding one of said agreed values. The agreed warranted parameters are monitored once the communication is established and, in the event of a failure of the monitored parameters to meet agreed values, at least one of the entities is compensated in accordance with the agreed compensation method.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel telecommunication architecture. The architecture includes a subscriber agent for each subscriber within a telecommunication network. The subscriber agent includes the subscriber's telephone number and calling features. The network also includes terminal agents which are directly associated with one or more terminals such as telephones. The subscriber agent can be associated with one or more terminal agents within the network, so that the subscriber's telephone number and set of calling features can be carried to any terminal within the network. A wide variety of calling features and terminals are supported by the architecture.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to telecommunications, and more specifically to a method and system of providing telecommunication services that is flexible and efficient. Existing Public Switched Telephone Network systems suffer from a number of problems including system complexity, access being proprietary and services being implemented on fixed hardware. As a result, new services are complex and costly to develop, so telcos only provide services that appeal very broadly. The invention provides an open and flexible system by describing communications in terms of graph packets which contain pointers to blocks of software code, rather than containing large blocks of executable code. In the preferred embodiment, these graphs identify software filters which are dedicated to particular tasks, and are based on a standard API. This allows third parties to create new filters and make them available, allowing new services to be provided quickly and easily.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to telecommunications, and more specifically, to an improved operating system and apparatus for telecommunications networks. Currently, the majority of telecommunication services are provided over the Public Switched Telephone Network and Internet. Existing telephony systems suffer from a number of problems including system complexity, limited access and implementation of services on fixed hardware, which results in long time to bring new products to market. Internet applications cannot guarantee quality of service in the transmission. These systems are therefore inflexible and inefficient which limits their ability to carry new services. The invention provides a distributed and real-time operating system for use over varied telecommunications networks. As well, methods of implementing synchronized execution, fault tolerance and loading management over this network, are also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel system, method and apparatus for managing voicemails over a wireless local loop. The system provides for the placement of a voicemail client local to the subscriber and a voicemail server at the base station. The voicemail server and voicemail client cooperate with the base station to determine appropriate times to transfer voicemails over the WLL and thereby free-up bandwidth on the WLL for higher priority traffic, such as voice calls. Another embodiment of the invention provides a method for receiving voicemails utilizing the system. Yet another embodiment provides a method for delivery of voicemails from a caller to destination subscriber. Various prioritization criteria can be used to provided desired utilization of bandwidth.

Abstract: Current telecommunication Service Providers allow Users to choose from a small selection of telecommunication services with predetermined performance parameters and prices. The invention provides a system in which Service Providers and Users negotiate the parameters and prices of telecommunication services in real time, allowing the Service Providers and Users to establish communications that better optimise their available resources and current needs. This is done by having software agents that represent each concerned party, negotiate the terms of the communication in real time. Further, the invention allows third parties to create new agent or negotiating discipline software available over the Internet, which will allow the technology to mature quickly, and to respond to new services and/or requirements.

Abstract: Methods of holding auctions over the Internet and telephone systems are known in the art but generally share the following problems: it is difficult for the auctioneer to identify bidders; telephone conferences are very noisy when they have a large number of participants; there is no method of ejecting a bidder who chooses to interfere with the auction; and it is difficult to enforce payment because it is difficult to verify the identity and creditworthiness of bidders. The invention provides for an auction system where bidders are identified using authentication or similar techniques, and their bids are filtered to reduce noise and eliminate unwanted bids or comments before being broadcast to the balance of the bidders. Other optional features are also described such as the recording and timestamping of bids.