Abstract: An integrated services platform for a telephone communication system includes a plurality of application processing ports for providing different types of information services through the telephone communication system. A master control unit and a high speed digital switch control processing of incoming phone calls to recognize the type of service being requested by a subscriber and non-subscriber, and route the call to the appropriate application processing port which is capable of providing the requested service. Application processing ports can be provided to implement a number of information services including videotex, voice, speech synthesis, E-mail, facsimile store and forward, speech recognition, telex, residential call answering, business voice messaging, home shopping, classified advertising, trucking dispatch, doctor's register and automated attendant. In this manner, a centrally located services platform can be provided to provide a number of different types of service to the user.

Abstract: An artificial frond for use with artificial plants has an elongate rod for providing structural integrity. A plurality of elongate leaves, each having a first end in engagement with the rod, extend outwardly from the rod. The first end of each of the leaves includes an aperture extending therethrough. The rod extends through the aperture of each of the leaves for attaching the leaves to the rod. A stem portion surrounds the rod and is in engagement with the first end of the leaves for firmly securing the leaves to the rod such that the stem portion and the leaves are formed generally in the shape of a frond.