Abstract: Various embodiments are described for facilitating hotlining in communication systems. A device (101) is informed by a device manager (131) that it is being hotlined and is provided certain hotlining state information. This information may enable devices with different types of user interfaces (browsers, automated clients, handsets, etc.) to trigger an appropriate application and begin communicating with an appropriate network location (in a secure and controlled fashion) to resolve the hotlining issue. The hotlining state information may also enable the device to access network services, while hotlined, such as emergency services. Assuming that a resolution to the hotlining is attained, the device may then be notified that hotlining has terminated. The device may then resume its access to regular network services, perhaps as gracefully as re-entering one or more data sessions interrupted by the hotlining.

Abstract: To generate a correct name via a speech recognizer, a name database is used to store proper names. A user first spells a name to the speech recognizer that recognizes the spelled name. If two or more homophonic names exist in the name database corresponding to the spelled name, the user then pronounces the name, based on which the intended name is selected. As an alternative, a user can first pronounces a name to the speech recognizer that recognizes the pronounced name. If two or more homophonic names exist in the name database corresponding to the pronounced name, the user then spells the name, based on which the intended name is selected.