Abstract: A method of forming a product for separating gases includes forming a three-dimensional ceramic support, heating the three-dimensional ceramic support at a temperature for an effective duration of time to result in the conductive ceramic material having a plurality of intra-material pores, and incorporating a sorbent additive into the intra-material pores of the conductive ceramic material. Moreover, the three-dimensional ceramic support includes an electrically conductive ceramic material configured for joule heating.

Abstract: A user may utilize a communication device, e.g., a wireless phone, mobile device or personal digital assistant (PDA), to contact an information/call center where an operator provides personalized information and communications services to the user in accordance with the invention. Such services may include, e.g., private directory and calendar data synchronization, identity pre-validation, etc. To personalize the services, at least one profile record associated with the user which may specify, among others, the devices used by the user to communicate with the information/call center, and preferred information/call center to which an information assistance call is routed. Accordingly, services and service features provided to the user may be tailored for use with the specified devices. Security measures may also be instituted in the profile record to restrict use of certain services and service features.

Abstract: A user may utilize a communication device, e.g., a wireless phone, mobile device or personal digital assistant (PDA), to contact an information/call center where an operator provides personalized information and communications services to the user in accordance with the invention. Such services include, e.g., providing individual listing information items on a restrictive basis, caller identification service, etc. To personalize the services, at least one profile record associated with the user is used which specifies the subscribed services and the preferred ways of receiving information. For example, the profile may specify use of a special skilled operator, personal interests, methods of delivery of targeted information to the user, etc.

Abstract: A user may utilize a communication device, e.g., a wireless phone, mobile device or personal digital assistant (PDA), to contact an information/call center where an operator provides personalized information and communications services to the user in accordance with the invention. Such services include, e.g., providing individual listing information items on a restrictive basis, caller identification service, etc. To personalize the services, at least one profile record associated with the user is used which specifies the subscribed services and the preferred ways of receiving information. For example, the profile may specify use of a special skilled operator, personal interests, methods of delivery of targeted information to the user, etc.

Abstract: A method is provided for operating a communications system that provides a service, where a plurality of parties may be associated with members of an account with the system to receive the service. The method includes receiving a call from one of a plurality of members of an account, the call including a request for a service, where a common bill is provided for services rendered to the members of the account. An identifier to be used to identify the one party from among the plurality of members is received from the one party among the plurality of members. The common bill is provided for services rendered to the plurality of members of the account to a communications device via a network. In the common bill an indicator is provided of the one party requesting the service in association with a respective entry for the requested service.

Abstract: A communications system provides a bill for services provided to a user of the system, to a display device via a network. The display device may be a personal computer and the network may be the Internet, for example. A plurality of users may be parties to an account with the system and an indicator of the one of the plurality of users requesting a service may be associated with an entry in the bill for the requested service. A bill for communications services requested by a first party with respect to a second party may include an indicator, such as a name and/or location information, of the second party. The user may also have an option of receiving a bill without indicators. Information about a second party associated with a requested service may be transferred to a contacts folder maintained by the communications system. Methods and systems are disclosed.

Abstract: In communications systems where multiple users may be associated with the same account, the voiceprint of a user is used to identify a profile of the user, facilitating identification of the user's preferences without requesting additional information from the user. The system may also monitor messages played to individual users, to control the playing of the messages to users. Calls made by users associated with the same account may be allocated to the caller initiating the call in bills, based on voiceprints. Voiceprints may be collected for use in deriving voiceprint samples during registration of a user with the system and during conversations between the user and the system. A voiceprint comparison threshold may be set based on the type of phone calling the system, to compensate for noise. Changes in phone numbers and/or addresses of users are monitored and the threshold is adjusted if changes are found.

Abstract: A user may utilize a communication device, e.g., a wireless phone, mobile device or personal digital assistant (PDA), to contact an information/call center where an operator provides personalized information and communications services to the user in accordance with the invention. Such services include, e.g., providing individual listing information items on a restrictive basis, caller identification service, etc. To personalize the services, at least one profile record associated with the user is used which specifies the subscribed services and the preferred ways of receiving information. For example, the profile may specify use of a special skilled operator, personal interests, methods of delivery of targeted information to the user, etc.

Abstract: A user may utilize a communication device, e.g., a wireless phone, mobile device or personal digital assistant (PDA), to contact an information/call center where an operator provides personalized information and communications services to the user in accordance with the invention. Such services include, e.g., providing individual listing information items on a restrictive basis, caller identification service, etc. To personalize the services, at least one profile record associated with the user is used which specifies the subscribed services and the preferred ways of receiving information. For example, the profile may specify use of a special skilled operator, personal interests, methods of delivery of targeted information to the user, etc.

Abstract: In communications systems where multiple users may be associated with the same account, the voiceprint of a user is used to identify a profile of the user, facilitating identification of the user's preferences without requesting additional information from the user. The system may also monitor messages played to individual users, to control the playing of the messages to users. Calls made by users associated with the same account may be allocated to the caller initiating the call in bills, based on voiceprints. Voiceprints may be collected for use in deriving voiceprint samples during registration of a user with the system and during conversations between the user and the system. A voiceprint comparison threshold may be set based on the type of phone calling the system, to compensate for noise. Changes in phone numbers and/or addresses of users are monitored and the threshold is adjusted if changes are found.

Abstract: A communications system provides a bill for services provided to a user of the system, to a display device via a network. The display device may be a personal computer and the network may be the Internet, for example. A plurality of users may be parties to an account with the system and an indicator of the one of the plurality of users requesting a service may be associated with an entry in the bill for the requested service. A bill for communications services requested by a first party with respect to a second party may include an indicator, such as a name and/or location information, of the second party. The user may also have an option of receiving a bill without indicators. Information about a second party associated with a requested service may be transferred to a contacts folder maintained by the communications system. Methods and systems are disclosed.

Abstract: A communications system and method for handling a call to the system based on whether the caller is a subscriber. In one example, in an information assistance service communications system, if the user is a subscriber, the call may be directed to a first operator device for directory assistance, while if the caller is a non-subscriber, the call may be directed to a special operator device discuss billing and subscription options, for example. In another communications system and method, calls to the system by subscribers are handled based on the status of parameters of the calling subscriber's account, such as usage limits and expiration date of the caller's subscription, for example. In another communications system and method, expiration dates are monitored and notices about the expiration dates are sent to subscribers by a method chosen by the subscriber. Features of these systems and methods may be used together or separately.

Abstract: A user may utilize a communication device, e.g., a wireless phone, mobile device or personal digital assistant (PDA), to contact an information/call center where an operator provides personalized information and communications services to the user in accordance with the invention. Such services may include, e.g., private directory and calendar data synchronization, identity pre-validation, etc. To personalize the services, at least one profile record associated with the user which may specify, among others, the devices used by the user to communicate with the information/call center, and preferred information/call center to which an information assistance call is routed. Accordingly, services and service features provided to the user may be tailored for use with the specified devices. Security measures may also be instituted in the profile record to restrict use of certain services and service features.

Abstract: When a user calls an information assistance service to request a desired listing, an operator answering the call may search multiple data sources for the desired listing. Such data sources may include, e.g., a contacts folder associated with the user which is maintained by the information assistance service for the user, a public national directory database and an enterprise directory database. When a listing satisfying the request is returned from the search, the source of the listing is identified. For example, if it is determined that the returned listing comes from a source other than the contacts folder, the listing may be incorporated into the contacts folder in accordance with the invention. The manner in which the listing is incorporated into the contacts folder may depend on a user preference.

Abstract: A user of an enhanced telecommunications service in accordance with the invention may invoke information assistance while the user is connected to a destination party. The information assistance may include, for example, a concierge-type service feature whereby the user may make restaurant reservations, purchase goods and services, etc. with an operator's assistance. In accordance with an aspect of the invention, a first information assistance center which receives a concierge request from a user also provides information concerning fulfillment of the request to the user, even though the request may be fulfilled by an agent in a second information assistance center, located in a different region than the first information assistance center. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the operators who handle a user's calls may be rated by the user in terms of their performance.

Abstract: A user may utilize a communication device, e.g., a wireless phone, mobile device or personal digital assistant (PDA), to contact an information/call center where an operator provides personalized information and communications services to the user in accordance with the invention. Such services include, e.g., providing individual listing information items on a restrictive basis, caller identification service, etc. To personalize the services, at least one profile record associated with the user is used which specifies the subscribed services and the preferred ways of receiving information. For example, the profile may specify use of a special skilled operator, personal interests, methods of delivery of targeted information to the user, etc.