Abstract: An automated toll-free telecommunications information service may be provided responsive to a user sending an E-Mail request via the Internet or by a caller dialing a toll-free telephone number and announcing a voice request. A service node interprets the request and collects matches to the request from a database. A match to a request may comprise the identity of an entity corresponding to the match, a toll-free number for the match and a brief information sketch describing the entity. The matches are announced and played for the caller. The caller may barge in with a predetermined voice announcement such as “please dial” when they wish to select an item of the list. In response, the service node initiates the launch of a call to the selected entity.

Abstract: An automated emergency notification system is disclosed. When practicing one embodiment of the present invention, a calling party places a phone call to an emergency service provider by dialing into a service provider network. The service provider network determines the identity of the calling party by accessing a subscriber database. The network determines a set of parties to be called by utilizing the identity of the calling party to access the set of parties to be called from an outcall database. The calling party pre-defines the set of parties to be called (i.e., before an emergency occurs) in the event of an emergency and stores this information in the outcall database. The service provider network then establishes the phone call between the calling party and the emergency service provider and also automatically places phone calls to each individual included in the set of parties to be called that was defined by the calling party.

Abstract: A collaborative application system initiates a communication session over a network. The collaborative application system receives an identity of a called party and an identity of a collaborative application from a calling party. The calling party participates in the communication session at a first endpoint and the called party participates in the communication session at a second endpoint. Further, the collaborative application system determines a first endpoint type and a second endpoint type and selects a first version of the collaborative application based on the first endpoint type and a second version of the collaborative application based on the second endpoint type. The collaborative application system then retrieves and makes available the first version of the application to the calling party and second version of the application to the called party.

Abstract: A communication system that provides information to customers holding in a queue. Upon arrival to the queue, the queue identifies the customer and further identifies information that is related to the customer's motivation for entering the queue from the customer's identity. The queue selects individual messages from the relevant information for presentation to the customer. Certain messages may be prioritized over others based on the queue experience with other customers or based on external events that raise the likelihood that the message is relevant. The communication system may operate in a telecommunication network or a computer network.

Abstract: A communication circulation system in a network that includes a communication circulation device coupled to a plurality of terminals. The communication circulation device receives a content message from one of the terminals and circulates the content message in a content space established by the communication circulation device. The content message has a tag that corresponds to an area of interest. When another content message is encountered that has a tag that matches the tag of the content message, subscribers of both content messages are informed so that communication between the subscribers may be established.

Abstract: A method and system for consolidating multiple mailboxes into a single universal mailbox. The system comprises an agent, a user database, an application database and a mail repository. The agent searches a user database to determine the list of messaging systems the user subscribes to. The agent then recalls from the application database the procedures for accessing the messaging systems and logs onto each messaging system in turn to retrieve any new messages. The agent notifies the user of new messages according to a predefined notification method.

Abstract: A cellular phone network provides location-based information to a user of a cellular phone. The cellular phone network includes a plurality of antennas coupled to at least one server. The server is coupled to a database. Stored on the database is a plurality of location-based information that is indexed to the plurality of antennas. The cellular phone transmits communication signals to one of the antennas. A phone call is established between the server and the user, and the server receives an identification of the antenna that the user transmits to. The server then queries the database and retrieves information local to the user. This information is then presented to the user in the form of menus.

Abstract: Time-dependent, geographically localized information is provided to a mobile communication system. A geographic location identifier associated with a location of the mobile communication system is received. An address of a resource server is associated with the geographic location identifier; the resource server stores time-dependent, geographically localized information. The address of the resource server is sent to the mobile communication system.

Abstract: A communication network includes a database for storing information specific to called parties, an announcement system for announcing the information to calling parties prior to the call completion and a switch for completing the call connections between calling parties and called parties. The calling parties hear the announcements that identify the called parties and are able to avoid misdialing.