Abstract: A communications portal for interfacing with a carrier network, a contact center, and a user is disclosed. Telecommunications links are connected to the communications portal to receive inbound calls and place outbound calls. A gateway signaling proxy containing an application server and a reverse automation subsystem is connected to the telecommunications links to recognize and store user selections, detect answer supervision, and execute scripts as configured in the user interface.

Abstract: The system employs the use of biometric authentication, a fraud control gateway and widget, and a point of sale sensor to restrict the use of credit cards or other financial tokens to authenticated actual owners of the card or token. The card or token holder will have biometric information entered into a database during an initiation or enrollment process, and subsequent uses of the card may be authenticated by comparing the biometric information of the attempted user to biometric information stored in the system. The biometric component is used for voice authentication. As part of a multi-factor security schema, the biometric authentication is combined with a series of point of sale and fraud control methods to ensure a comprehensive security umbrella for financial transactions. Both financial institution limits to transactions and consumer-preferred limits to transactions are employed.

Abstract: A communications portal for interfacing with a carrier network, a contact center, and a user is disclosed. Telecommunications links are connected to the communications portal to receive inbound calls and place outbound calls. A gateway signaling proxy containing an application server and a reverse automation subsystem is connected to the telecommunications links to recognize and store user selections, detect answer supervision, and execute scripts as configured in the user interface.

Abstract: The system employs the use of biometric authentication, a fraud control gateway and widget, and a point of sale sensor to restrict the use of credit cards or other financial tokens to authenticated actual owners of the card or token. The card or token holder will have biometric information entered into a database during an initiation or enrollment process, and subsequent uses of the card may be authenticated by comparing the biometric information of the attempted user to biometric information stored in the system. The biometric component is used for voice authentication. As part of a multi-factor security schema, the biometric authentication is combined with a series of point of sale and fraud control methods to ensure a comprehensive security umbrella for financial transactions. Both financial institution limits to transactions and consumer-preferred limits to transactions are employed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for compression rate selection. One embodiment of the present invention automatically selects a compression rate for a media signal. The embodiment determines an optimal compression rate for a media signal, compresses the signal at that rate, and stores the signal for later playback. An optimal compression rate is one which stores the media signal in the least amount of storage space without unacceptably degrading the media signal. One embodiment uses information about the media signal to determine a compression rate. In one embodiment, the information is automatically generated. One embodiment automatically generates the information using meta-information (e.g., channel, genre, etc.). Another embodiment automatically generates information using natural language parsing of a media signal description. In another embodiment, the information is generated through manual entry.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for interfacing a voice command to control a consumer media data storage and playback device, and is described in conjunction with one or more specific embodiments. The present invention accepts voice commands either over a microphone that is built in to the device, connected to it by a cable, or built into a wireless remote control, or over a phone line connected to the device. These voice commands can take the form of a complex natural language sentence, a single word, or a short phrase. The device parses all complex natural language sentences before executing them. If the device feels that it needs more information to comply with the voice command, it requests additional information by way of sound effects, computer generated speech, or displaying a graphical menu on a screen, if one is available. Alternately, if the device cannot recognize a voice command, it gives the user a list of appropriate commands.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for compression rate selection. One embodiment of the present invention automatically selects a compression rate for a media signal. The embodiment determines an optimal compression rate for a media signal, compresses the signal at that rate, and stores the signal for later playback. An optimal compression rate is one which stores the media signal in the least amount of storage space without unacceptably degrading the media signal. One embodiment uses information about the media signal to determine a compression rate. In one embodiment, the information is automatically generated. One embodiment automatically generates the information using meta-information (e.g., channel, genre, etc.). Another embodiment automatically generates information using natural language parsing of a media signal description. In another embodiment, the information is generated through manual entry.