Abstract: A teleconferencing system has a teleconference bridge provided by software executing on one or more computerized servers in a network, the bridge having an access telephone number or address, and a plurality of signal processing banks coupled to the teleconference bridge. The bridge answers incoming calls with an automated message asking for a conference code, assigns a specific bank of processors having a specific maximum call capacity for a teleconference associated with a first incoming call asserting a specific conference code, connects a second incoming call asserting the same conference code in live conference with the first incoming call asserting the same code, connects further incoming calls asserting the same conference code in conference with the first two, tracks the number of calls in a conference as further calls are connected, and connects further banks of processors one-at-a-time as maximum call capacity in already-connected banks is reached.

Abstract: A user-operated system for causing a land-line telephone to dial a destination includes a mobile telephony device having a speaker and an internal dual tone multiple frequency (DTMF) dialer, and a dialer extension integrated with a microphone on the land line telephone for capturing a DTMF telephone number sequence. A telephone number is selected on the mobile telephony device, which generates an audible DTMF for the telephone number over the speaker, and the DTMF is captured by the microphone, and the land-line telephone dials the destination.

Abstract: A communication device has an input keypad having physical input keys arranged in a matrix of rows and columns, a mode input mechanism to select a specific mode, and software or firmware responsive to mode selected through the mode input mechanism, comprising a specific mapping of input keys and process of input to output characters, depending on mode selected. In any specific mode, inputs by the physical input keys are mapped to output characters according to the specific mapping and process associated with the selected mode.

Abstract: A teleconferencing system is provided comprising a telephony interface for answering telephony events routed thereto from a router or switch, and one or more signal processing mechanisms coupled to the telephony interface and locatable by the system. The system includes a characteristic of allowing a user to initiate a teleconference to occur on the system, the pending teleconference unbeknown to the system until a first telephony event representing a teleconference participant for the pending teleconference is received at the telephony interface.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting liquid-filled containers having removable closures contacting an interface at one end, in a manner to attenuate escape of gas from the containers between the closures and the interface has a supporting framework and at least one insert within the framework, the insert engaging the framework and presenting a surface having a plurality of indentions in the shape of the liquid-filled containers, each indention conforming to shape of one of the containers in a manner that a container placed in the indention is supported with an axis of symmetry of the container at an acute angle with horizontal and with closure end down, such that liquid in the container surrounds the closure and interface, so gas will not escape between the closure and the interface.

Abstract: A touch screen overlay includes a flexible, substantially planar portion having length and width dimensions corresponding to a touch screen of an electronics appliance, one or more features for aligning the substantially planar portion with the touch screen, and a pattern of raised features and/or openings, providing facility for a person to interact with individual features or openings by touch rather than be sight.

Abstract: A urinary device for use by a person has an elongate tube having an outside wall, an inside wall and a length, a cup for collecting urine, the cup of greater diameter than the tube, formed at a free end of the tube, substantially concentric with the tube, for placing over the person's urethra, and a shield formed about the outside wall of the tube, near the cup, substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the tube, the shield having a concave surface facing the cup shaped to conform to a user's pubic area.

Abstract: A tracking device has an on-board power source, a central processing unit, a cellular telephony transmitter and receiver, a speaker and a microphone, a bus system interconnecting electronic elements, and software or firmware executing at least periodically from a machine-readable physical medium providing a range of functions for the device. The device maintains a sleep mode until activated by an internal timing function, once activated turns on the receiver and listens for radio signals, finding particular signals, consults memory associations with one or more of those signals, and determines to activate transmission only under certain preprogrammed conditions depended on signals found and identified.

Abstract: A system for providing highly-customized telecom devices has a variety of standardized component parts, a library of device-specific software providing a variety of functions, including soft keys and icons related to soft keys, and an interactive interface provided by software executing from a machine-readable medium coupled to an Internet-connected server. The interactive interface provides functions for a person to indicate to the system a combination of needs and personal characteristics, the system illustrates to the person special features associated with the combination of needs indicated, and the person is enabled to select to configure a telecom device with individual ones of the special features.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting liquid-filled containers having removable closures contacting an interface at one end, in a manner to attenuate escape of gas from the containers between the closures and the interface has a supporting framework and at least one insert within the framework, the insert engaging the framework and presenting a surface having a plurality of indentions in the shape of the liquid-filled containers, each indention conforming to shape of one of the containers in a manner that a container placed in the indention is supported with an axis of symmetry of the container at an acute angle with horizontal and with closure end down, such that liquid in the container surrounds the closure and interface, so gas will not escape between the closure and the interface.

Abstract: A system for initiating a telephony session includes a first dialing unit with access to a list of telephone numbers, and a second dialing unit having connectivity to the first dialing unit. A user operating the first dialing unit highlights a telephone number from the list of telephone numbers and sends the dialing instructions associated with the selected number to the second dialing unit wherein the second dialing unit dials the number initiating the telephony session based at least in part on the instructions received.

Abstract: A crate for supporting liquid-filled containers each with a sealed opening, has a bottom and connected sidewalls, and at least one insert engaging two or more of the sidewalls, the insert enabled, by virtue of through-openings of a common diameter, to support a plurality of liquid-filled containers in a horizontal array, as a layer of containers in the crate, in a manner that the liquid-filled containers are positioned with the caps below liquid level in the containers, and such that the liquid-filled containers are prevented from contact with one another.

Abstract: A urinary device for use by a person has an elongate tube having an outside wall, an inside wall and a length, a cup for collecting urine, the cup of greater diameter than the tube, formed at a free end of the tube, substantially concentric with the tube, for placing over the person's urethra, and a shield formed about the outside wall of the tube, near the cup, substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the tube, the shield having a concave surface facing the cup shaped to conform to a user's pubic area.

Abstract: A teleconferencing system is provided comprising a telephony interface for answering telephony events routed thereto from a router or switch, and one or more signal processing mechanisms coupled to the telephony interface and locatable by the system. The system includes a characteristic of allowing a user to initiate a teleconference to occur on the system, the pending teleconference unbeknown to the system until a first telephony event representing a teleconference participant for the pending teleconference is received at the telephony interface.