Abstract: The present invention describes a method and apparatus for providing an intelligent speed dialing service for a phone user according to a pre-selected dialing algorithm. More specifically, this invention provides an intelligent speed dialing feature to call a list of available phone numbers of the person to be contacted. With this invention, a caller can dial pre-programmed speed dialing digits on the phone station to call the person to be contacted, according to a pre-program algorithm, to automatically dial one or multiple phone numbers of the person to be contacted. The present invention greatly improves the convenience of using the speed dialing feature of a phone station, especially when the advanced call forwarding feature such as “follow me” is not available to or not enabled by the person to be contacted.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method and apparatus for providing an advanced call forwarding feature for telephone service subscribers. More specifically, the present invention provides a method and apparatus to forward a phone call to multiple phone numbers in a progressive manner. With this invention, when a phone number is called, the call is forwarded to a list of phone numbers in the following manner: a) call to the first phone number in the forwarding list, b) wait for a pre-provisioned period, if not answered, c) call to the second phone number from the list while the first phone is still ringing, if not answered by either phones, e) call yet another phone number from the forwarding list in the same manner until the end of the list while keeping all phones ringing simultaneously f) stop ringing of all other phone stations when one of the phone stations in the call list is picked up.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method and apparatus for providing an intelligent speed dialing service for a phone user according to a pre-selected dialing algorithm. More specifically, this invention provides an intelligent speed dialing feature to call a list of available phone numbers of the person to be contacted. With this invention, a caller can dial pre-programmed speed dialing digits on the phone station to call the person to be contacted, according to a pre-program algorithm, to automatically dial one or multiple phone numbers of the person to be contacted. The present invention greatly improves the convenience of using the speed dialing feature of a phone station, especially when the advanced call forwarding feature such as “follow me” is not available to or not enabled by the person to be contacted.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method and apparatus for protecting the privacy and verifying the identities of both calling and called parties in online social networks, with an extension to the public switched telephone networks. More specifically, this invention relates to the distribution of unique user identities in social networks to be used in public telephone networks providing privacy protection of both calling and called parties, while the calling party's identify can be verified. The user identity of the calling party, which is different from the real phone number of the calling party, can be used as part of the call filtering feature of the called party. None of the real phone numbers are revealed to the other party of a phone call using the public switched telephone networks.

Abstract: The invention includes a method, system, and computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for rating a transaction. The inventive method includes processing a transaction, where the transaction is processed when a service is provided from a service provider to a service consumer, accessing via a computer network multiple pricing plans related to the transaction, and rating the transaction in accordance with the multiple pricing plans. The method further may include receiving output states from at least one pricing plan. The rating may be accomplished within one pricing plan, or within a group of pricing plans.