Abstract: A coalescence voice mail service provider enables a user to access all of the user's voice mail systems implemented within the various telecommunications systems the user has accounts with. Using any one of the telecommunications devices of the user, the user accesses voice mail from any one or more of the user's cell phone, home phone, work phone, PDA, home computer and work computer. A voice mail broker communicates with each of these different voice mail systems to collect voice mail messages and send messaging for manipulating such voice mail messages to and from each of the telecommunications systems. Such a system provides the user with a single interface for accessing the user's diverse voice mail systems.

Abstract: A communication system and method include a first user agent initiating a telephone call to a second user agent. An intermediary agent establishes a first connection to the first user agent and a second connection to the second user agent. If the intermediary determines that the second user agent has placed the first user agent on hold, the intermediary terminates the first connection while maintaining the second connection on behalf of the first user agent. When the second user agent becomes available, it informs the intermediary. The intermediary then determines the availability of the first user agent. If the first user agent is available, it is connected to the second user agent. The agents preferably communicate over an IP network using session initiation protocol (SIP) compliant messages. The agents and the intermediary are configured to differentiate between a SIP message having a voice capable session description and a SIP message having an on-hold session description.

Abstract: A method and system for securing card payment transactions using a mobile communication device provides improved security in card payment transactions such as credit and debit card transactions. Upon receipt of a transaction at the card issuer or other service provider, a message is sent to a mobile communication device that has been uniquely associated with the card. The message may be an interactive message requiring response by the card owner for authorization, or may communicate a one-time-use personal identification number (PIN) with required PIN return via the point-of-sales system or the mobile communications device. In each transaction, the card issuer or service provider confirms that the communication was received and the transaction authorized by the card owner, further ensuring the authorized use of the card. The PIN and/or interactive message response period may be voided after a short time, further improving security of the transaction.

Abstract: A system and method for call forwarding based on localized wireless identification are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a landline telephone is equipped with a localized landline telephone identifier device which broadcasts an identification signal within a localized limited range. A wireless telephone is equipped with a detection unit that detects the presence of the identification signal when the wireless telephone is within the localized limited range of the landline telephone. The detection of this identification signal initiates a determination as to whether call forwarding should be initiated between the two telephones. This call forwarding may be initiated automatically or in response to a user command. The user may select to either have the call forwarding performed on a one-time basis or to automatically perform call forwarding whenever the wireless telephone is within range of the landline telephone. A plurality of wireless telephones may all forward calls to the same landline telephone.

Abstract: An improved method, apparatus, and computer instructions for managing a set of servers. Responsive to an indication that an alteration of applications on the set of servers providing a service is to occur, a first group of servers and a second group of servers are created from the set of servers. The first group is designated for handling ongoing sessions with unaltered applications. The applications in the second group are altered. A server from the first group is transitioned to the second group as ongoing sessions handled in the first group decrease in number to form a transitioned server, wherein the alteration of the applications are performed without interrupting the service.

Abstract: An instant messaging client presents messages and removes the messages from display after a predetermined amount of time. In one preferred embodiment, the predetermined amount of time is agreed upon by all participants during a policy negotiation. Each message may be associated with a display time and when the current time differs from the display time by a predetermined amount, the message is removed from the display. Messages may also be presented in a non-editable display area to prevent manual logging of the messaging content.

Abstract: An instant messaging client disables logging of the session through screen capture. The mechanism detects when the instant messaging client application loses focus or when key sequences that might cause the application to lose focus, or may be associated with screen capture, are encountered. When the text messaging application releases focus or a predetermined key sequence is encountered, the mechanism removes the contents of the instant messaging conversation.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided for efficiently distributing and remotely managing meeting presentations. Participants download presentation documents to local storage ahead of time. The presentation then runs in an environment that allows the meeting host to send events to the participants to remotely manage the meeting. In one preferred embodiment, the participants are allowed to control the meeting events locally and a status is transmitted back to the host. The host may then view the status of each of the participants to help control progress through the meeting.

Abstract: A system, system, and program for automatically inferring and updating an availability status of a user are provided. At least one current activity of a user is detected, where the current activity includes at least one system level event within a computer environment accessible to the user. A current availability status for a particular communication request is inferred from the current activity of the user in view of multiple availability rules, where the multiple availability rules map current activity to multiple possible availability statuses. In addition, inference of the current availability status is determined based on the identity of the requester of communication with the user, where the multiple availability rules map the requester identity in combination with the current activity to multiple availability rules.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and media are disclosed for a computer-implemented method for improved messaging between devices, which are local or remote to each other. One example embodiment includes a first device, having a first set of messaging preferences, receiving a second set of messaging preferences from a second device, such as a computer having instant messaging capabilities, in communication with the first device. Further, the example embodiment includes comparing the sets of messaging preferences to yield results showing if any conflicting messaging preferences exist between the devices. If conflicting messaging preferences exist, then the devices may negotiate in order to remove such conflicting messaging preferences. Further still, the example embodiment includes determining whether to commence the messaging based on the existence of any conflicting messaging preferences and by enforcing the possibly re-configured messaging preferences during a messaging session.

Abstract: Smart furniture is provided that automatically adjusts to a person's preferences based on an identification of the person. A person may be equipped with an identification device, such as a radio frequency identification device. The smart furniture may include a reader for the identification device to identify a person using the piece of furniture. The smart furniture may also include storage in which settings profiles of users are stored. The smart furniture may then receive a profile that matches the person using the furniture and set adjustable features according to the profile. Settings profiles may be uploaded to or downloaded from a remote storage using a wireless communications interface, such as a wireless network interface.