401 results about "Enhanced service" patented technology

This invention provides a system, method, and software program for providing software intelligence to Radio Frequency Identity (RFID) tags. Utilizing the unique characteristics of the Service Grid, mobile software agents can relocate in close proximity to RFID tagged items. Once associated with the tag, these RFID agents migrate near where items are identified to provide local control, environmentally responsive policy, and ongoing permanent data capture & history. These RFID agents respond to events as circumstances require. They transport data and policy between supply-chain partners when the partners participate in a secure extranet. Enhanced service grids composed of distributed agents, comprising numerous services, facilitates supply-chain security and integration as virtual software service agents, including virtual RFID tags, are directed from one computer to another computer in response to changing conditions.

The present invention provides systems and methods for automation and enhancement of customer service in vehicle distress situations. A typical process according to the present invention involves the detection of a vehicle distress event. Once a distress event is detected, a response plan is generated based upon at least the detected event. The response plan is then acted upon in an automated fashion to provide an enhanced service experience for the customer.

A system for monitoring email and website behavior of an email recipient is provided. According to one exemplary embodiment, the system includes a mail enhancement server and a logging server. The mail enhancement server is configured to intercept all outgoing emails from a mail server. The mail enhancement server then modifies each outgoing email to include a tracking code. The tracking code is embedded in an image call which in turn is also inserted into the outgoing email. If the outgoing email contains hyperlinks, each hyperlink is also modified to include the tracking code. The tracking code is uniquely associated with the outgoing email. The image call (and the tracking code) is used to detect when the recipient of the outgoing email has opened that email. The tracking code, when embedded in a hyperlink, is also used to monitor whether the recipient has opened the email and / or clicked through on one or more of the hyperlinks in the email. The logging server associates a cookie with the recipient of the outgoing email. When the logging server receives an image call, the corresponding image and the cookie are concurrently delivered to the recipient. The cookie is used to monitor the behavior of the recipient at a website, regardless of how the recipient arrives at that website, be it through a click-through from the email or otherwise. The logging server is configured to capture and store relevant information relating to the outgoing email thereby allowing the sender of the outgoing email and the recipient to be linked and the behavior of the recipient to be monitored via the tracking code, the image call and the cookie.

A system and method for an improved two-way packet-centric like radio communication network that transmits signals and data over Internet Protocol. The improved like radio communications network provides advanced features and enhanced services to its users, such as the capability of roaming across a plurality of similar like radio communications networks. A plurality of client devices including an enhanced client application for the operation of two-way like radio networks that accesses, contacts, and communicates with one or more client devices of the same network or one or more client devices of different like radio networks. The radio network includes an optional server application to establish packet-based radio communications between at least two client devices within a single radio network or across a plurality of radio networks.

The system and method for streaming media to a viewer and managing the media comprises and an enhanced service routing processor (ESRP), a real time switch management system (RTSMS), a name routing processor (NRP), and a managed media switch (MMS). The RTSMS has a reservation system. The ESRP receives media from an owner, manages the media according to media rules and order rules defined by the owner, and distributes the media to one or more switches, such as the MMS, according to the media rules and the order rules. The RTSMS is configured to receive the media rules and to receive a viewer's media request via the reservation server. The reservation system of the RTSMS processes the media request according to the media rules and builds a reservation for the requested media. The RTSMS generates the reservation to the viewer and to the NRP. The NRP receives the reservation data from the viewer and from the RTSMS. The NRP processes the reservation data and locates an MMS that can stream the media to the viewer. The NRP transmits the IP address of the MMS to the viewer and transmits the reservation data to the MMS. The viewer initiates a session or connection with the MMS using the reservation number. If the reservation data from the viewer matches the reservation data from the NRP, the MMS streams the media to the viewer.

Flexible systems and methods are disclosed that may be used for provisioning, configuring, and controlling a host embodied in a cable set top box or other digital device attached to a digital communication network, such as cable distribution network. An enhanced services system maintains various host files for various types of hosts that a cable subscriber may purchase and connect to the cable network. The Enhanced Services Server interacts with the host using the host files. The host files may be downloaded from the host manufacturer into a database that distributes the modules as required to the various enhanced services systems. The host may be purchased by the cable subscriber and provisioning may be initiated by the retailer at the time of purchase using a provisioning network interacting with the appropriate cable system serving the subscriber. This abstract is not intended to limit or construe the scope of the claims.

A multiservice network for delivering enhanced communication services to customer devices attached to either the PSTN, such as telephones and fax machines, or devices attached to the Internet or private data networks, such as PCs or other IP devices, is presented. Enhanced services include IP-based faxing, IP-based telephony, IP-based conferencing, Internet call waiting, messaging services, such as unified messaging, and other advanced services such as find-me-follow-me, and desktop telephony. The multiservice network may be managed by a configuration manager for Internet telephony (COMIT).

Systems and methods for providing broadband content to high-speed access subscribers with layer 4-7 switching are disclosed. The system generally comprises an enhanced services complex (ESC) having at least one content server having Internet content stored or cached therein and a broadband access gateway (BAG) in communication with the ESC and to at least one Internet service provider (ISP), where the BAG is configured to transmit and receive data traffic to and from a client premise equipment (CPE) at a client premise, respectively. The BAG is configured to selectively route data traffic received from the CPE to an ESC content server or the ISP based on multiple instances of the content destination address. The method generally comprises routing client data packets from a CPE to a BAG in communication with at least one ISP and an ESC having at least one content server, selectively routing each client data packet from the BAG to the ESC or the Internet, and routing content data packets from the Internet content or the content server to the CPE.

A system for monitoring email and website behavior of an email recipient is provided. According to one exemplary embodiment, the system includes a mail enhancement server and a logging server. The mail enhancement server is configured to intercept all outgoing emails from a mail server. The mail enhancement server then modifies each outgoing email to include a tracking code. The tracking code is embedded in an image call which in turn is also inserted into the outgoing email. If the outgoing email contains hyperlinks, each hyperlink is also modified to include the tracking code. The tracking code is uniquely associated with the outgoing email. The image call (and the tracking code) is used to detect when the recipient of the outgoing email has opened that email. The tracking code, when embedded in a hyperlink, is also used to monitor whether the recipient has opened the email and / or clicked through on one or more of the hyperlinks in the email. The logging server associates a cookie with the recipient of the outgoing email. When the logging server receives an image call, the corresponding image and the cookie are concurrently delivered to the recipient. The cookie is used to monitor the behavior of the recipient at a website, regardless of how the recipient arrives at that website, be it through a click-through from the email or otherwise. The logging server is configured to capture and store relevant information relating to the outgoing email thereby allowing the sender of the outgoing email and the recipient to be linked and the behavior of the recipient to be monitored via the tracking code, the image call and the cookie.

A wireless telephone comprising a basic telephone module adapted to perform time critical functions, and an enhanced services module adapted to perform non time critical functions is disclosed. The basic telephone module includes processing resources needed to provide communication, while the enhanced services module performs enhanced functions which can be performed on a non time critical basis so that processing resources belonging to the basic telephone module do not need to be diverted to these functions but instead can be dedicated to performing time critical functions. The basic telephone module can be removed from the enhanced services module and connected to a different enhanced services module, similarly, the enhanced services module can be removed from the basic telephone module and connected to a different basic telephone module. This feature allows a user to retain his or her basic telephone module or enhanced services module when acquiring a new or upgraded enhanced services module or basic telephone module.

An enhanced services platform said platform includes an interface for receiving a communication from a user requesting a desired data. A response module parses the communication and retries the desired data. The platform arranges the desired data into a response message that is sent to the user. A user identifier database module stores information about the users in a user profile that including at least a preferences field and a preference value field identifying relative values of user preferences stored in the preference field, wherein when a preference having a higher ranking in the preference value field is non available, a second preference having a lower ranking in the preference value field is utilized.

A third-party profile service based on a proxy server model is described, where a user's profile service resides at a URL, in contrast to a profile service that requires federation identity. A profile service is provided that augments location-based services offered by service providers targeting mobile users via, for example, wireless and Wifi Networks. Additional personalization is driven by identity / profile services. Participants in the scenario are not required to share an identity or profile (i.e., static federation is not required). The user establishes a single profile with a trusted provider, hands-off solicitations to a profile agent that operates on behalf of the user to apply policies and preferences. The agent also provides privacy and anonymity (opaqueness).

Internet-based software and associated database provide group analysis overlay to monitor client-server web traffic and provide direct marketing to client group. Client car, patient, office or school sensor and interface provides overlay attribute for database comparison to classify usage pattern, location, timing, or family for targeted messaging for enhanced service from server source. Database group registry tracks client classification and provides adaptive context mapping according to set attribute relative to targeted on-line transaction.

A system for monitoring email and website behavior of an email recipient is provided. According to one exemplary embodiment, the system includes a mail enhancement server and a logging server. The mail enhancement server is configured to intercept all outgoing emails from a mail server. The mail enhancement server then modifies each outgoing email to include a tracking code. The tracking code is embedded in an image call which in turn is also inserted into the outgoing email. If the outgoing email contains hyperlinks, each hyperlink is also modified to include the tracking code. The tracking code is uniquely associated with the outgoing email. The image call (and the tracking code) is used to detect when the recipient of the outgoing email has opened that email. The tracking code, when embedded in a hyperlink, is also used to monitor whether the recipient has opened the email and / or clicked through on one or more of the hyperlinks in the email. The logging server associates a cookie with the recipient of the outgoing email. When the logging server receives an image call, the corresponding image and the cookie are concurrently delivered to the recipient. The cookie is used to monitor the behavior of the recipient at a website, regardless of how the recipient arrives at that website, be it through a click-through from the email or otherwise. The logging server is configured to capture and store relevant information relating to the outgoing email thereby allowing the sender of the outgoing email and the recipient to be linked and the behavior of the recipient to be monitored via the tracking code, the image call and the cookie.

A real-time interface between the public switched telephone network (PSTN) and an Internet Protocol (IP) network provides voice to data and data to voice conversion between the PSTN and the IP network in a seamless process. The interface, a central communication network, performs Class 5 switching between the PSTN and the IP network, besides providing enhanced services. Receiving a call, the central communication network simultaneously routes the call to a plurality of pre-programmed numbers on the PSTN and on the IP network. The central communication network provides call screening, takes voice messages and converts them to e-mail messages, takes e-mail or facsimile messages and converts them to voice messages. Communication between a PSTN phone on a local PSTN, a computer hooked up to the IP network, a phone hooked up to the IP network by a gateway, a private branch exchange (PBX) on a local PSTN, a wireless communication system with pagers and / or cell phones hooked up to a local PSTN, and facsimile machines on a local PSTN, for example, is provided by the central communication network. Through the central communication network, a computer hooked up to the IP network can exchange voice messages and facsimile messages with a PSTN connected device and conduct conference calling with a plurality of PSTN devices.

The present invention provides for an enhanced directory assistance system (2) for providing directions information to a plurality of callers (4). The system is comprised of a telephone switch (12) for receiving calls from a plurality of callers (4) desiring to receive directions, an automatic location system configured to provide the location from the callers (4) during a call session to the telephone switch (12); and an enhanced services direction module (21) configured to receive destination and starting location information provided by the caller (4) and further configured to provide directions to the caller (4) based on the provided information.

A system for supporting Internet protocol (IP) multimedia subsystem (IMS) applications, Web based applications, and converged IMS / Web based applications that use a service delivery network includes an application services middle layer between the applications and the service delivery network that includes a plurality of common components that are usable by the different applications to provide services over the service delivery network.

The present invention provides an architecture that advantageously leverages multiple content distribution networks to provide enhanced services. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a share of content requests are served by each of a plurality of content distribution networks. The fraction of content requests served by a particular content distribution network can be determined dynamically, depending on the offered load or other traffic characteristics.

An apparatus and method is disclosed for providing transparent enhanced telecommunications services to subscribers by implementing an enhanced services platform on a local network exchange within the public telephone network. More specifically, the apparatus and method of the present invention is capable of providing a plurality of enhanced telecommunications services to a subscriber by using a voice-activated interface to enable the subscriber to access at least one of the plurality of enhanced telecommunications services. In addition, the apparatus and method of the present invention may use a web-activated interface to enable the subscriber to access at least one of the plurality of enhanced telecommunications services.

A system and method for processing telephone calls and providing enhanced services is presented. The call processing system includes a network control processor for controlling the processing and routing of the calls and for providing enhanced features, and a matrix switch for routing calls from an originating location to a terminating location. Operator consoles can be included to provide operator assistance to the caller. The network control processor comprises a central message processor that receives call data, determines the type of call, determines the processing required, and determines whether operator assistance is required. A call route distributor allocates an operator console to the call if required. A billing server is used to track billing information for the call while it is in progress. A database server is provided for database look-ups and storage. The call processing system also includes a validation system, a billing system, a distribution system, and a fraud detection and prevention system. The validation system is used to validate call information to determine whether the call can be placed. The billing system determines rates for calls and calculates the cost of completed calls. The distribution system distributes changes that are made to a master database to the appropriate slave database. The fraud detection and prevention system monitors originating and in-process calls to detect and possibly prevent possible fraudulent uses of phone services and systems. A client interface is provided to facilitate communications among applications and DEF records are used to define specific call processing actions.

A system and method are provided for delivery of broadcast data over an augmented tree network that includes a content server, a tree server, an augmentation server and at least one node. The content server streams a fraction of the broadcast data to the tree server, and streams a complement to the fraction of the broadcast data to the augmentation server. A node connects to the tree server, thereby receiving the fraction of the broadcast data, the fraction having a positive value less than one. The node connects to the augmentation server, thereby receiving the complement to the fraction of the broadcast data from the augmentation server. The node assembles the fraction of the broadcast data with the complement to the fraction of the broadcast data to reassemble the broadcast data, whereby broadcast data is delivered to the node.

A service mediation framework may allow each component within a computer network to perform common service processing tasks driven by standardized service policies stored within a centralized repository. In particular, an enhanced service domain name system (DNS) server, an enhanced service router, and / or an enhanced service gateway within the network may each access relevant service policies stored within an enhanced service repository to implement tasks such as security, content-based routing, logging, message format translation, and protocol bridging for each service request processed by the network. In addition, each network component may communicate through standardized formats, such as Extensible Markup Language (XML), to realize the end-to-end network solution.

An embodiment relates to a method for operating a video display device including a display unit, the method including obtaining uncompressed AV content, playing the uncompressed AV content through the display unit, extracting, based on a part of the uncompressed AV content, at least one of video characteristic information and audio characteristic information of the part, obtaining content information of the uncompressed AV content through a response to a query comprising at least one of the video characteristic information and the audio characteristic information, obtaining an enhanced service based on the content information, and playing the enhanced service through the display unit.

A discovery framework model includes policy information in the device / service discovery protocols. Service discovery protocols are enhanced by embedding policy information in the over all discovery framework. A method of performing policy-controlled device / service discovery includes modeling a device / service discovery protocol with a state machine either at a gateway or at discovery agents. Policies are used to control and propagate device / service discovery information. These policies are sets of rules that define conditions and attributes under which a certain action is permitted or denied.