Siemens Information & Communication Networks, Inc.

Ebay, Incorporated

Polycom, Inc.

Kevin M Raper

David C Iglehart

Leland A Lester

Elie Antoun Jreij

Michael Horowitz

Rick Flott

James S Umstetter

Athar Shah

O J Vander Meiden

A method for authenticating a user by a service provider includes providing at least one network, providing at least one processor, and using the at least one network and processor to receive user identification data from the user, generate and display to the user a Captcha-like challenge based on at least one previous transaction involving and known by the user and the service provider, receive a response to the challenge from the user, and determine whether the user is authentic based on the response.

Authenticating online users with distorted challenges based on transaction histories

A method for encoding digital video with low delay for transport on a multi-channel QoS packet-switched network using multiple reference pictures with specially designated 'key frames' to minimize the undesired effects of packet loss on video quality.

Low-delay video encoding method for concealing the effects of packet loss in multi-channel packet switched networks

A messaging system allows a message recipient to assign different message lengths to different messages. In one embodiment, the recipient sets the length of time per message. In another embodiment, the recipient programs the messaging system with codes that, when matched, enable longer messages. The recipient assigns the codes to &ldquo;preferred&rdquo; senders. The senders transmit the code, either explicitly, for example by a sequence of keystrokes, or automatically, for example by transmitting caller identification.

Apparatus and method that allow telephone callers to leave longer messages

A telephone for use in ISDN telephone systems that implement advanced features such as call forwarding and a method for operating an ISDN telephone system to provide such advanced features are provided for. In an ISDN telephone system implementing the invention, the telephone communicates commands to the switching system by sending codes to the switching system. These codes normally denote keys on the telephone that have been depressed by a user of the telephone. A user of the advanced telephone features having a conventional telephone signals the switching system to activate the advanced telephone feature by depressing a specific key on the conventional telephone. In a system according to the present invention, a code having a value greater than any key code in any telephone in the telephone system is defined and an advanced telephone feature is assigned to that code thereby causing the switching system to implement that advanced feature when the switching system receives that code from a telephone over the network. A telephone according to the present invention includes a menu system that allows the user to select the advanced features implemented by the telephone system. The controller also includes a communication program that causes the switching system to download a list of advanced features implemented by the switching system, and the controller creates a menu item corresponding to each advanced feature identified in the list. In one embodiment of the present invention, the controller implements programs that simplify the use of the advanced features.

Apparatus and method to provide a functional and more user-friendly

Growing community of inventors

Austin, TX, United States of America

Kevin M Raper