Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling wireless network access for wireless devices are disclosed. A system can create an electronic record for a device intended for sale in a retail store. The record associated with the device can include an indication that the device has not been sold, and the device can be shipped to the retail store. When the device is purchased, the retail store can communicate to the wireless service provider that the device has been sold, and the system can update the electronic record to reflect that the device has been sold. The sold device can be allowed to access a network. An attempt to use a device marked as unsold can result in the call being routed to a fraud management center for verification of proper device purchase.

Abstract: An anonymous location wireless network service for use in a wireless network that tracks the location and identity of network users, such as networks complying with enhanced 911 standards. The service provides content providers with the location of network users without revealing their identities. The service includes a wireless network having a proxy server, a network communication link to a plurality of web sites, and a wireless communication link to a plurality of handheld devices. The proxy server blocks identity by reading the location and identity information of network devices, generating dummy identifications, relating the dummy identifications to the identity information, storing the relationships in a memory storage, and forwarding the location information and dummy identifications to the global computer network.

Abstract: As part of handling a large amount of error information generated on a mainframe system associated, for example, with a telephone billing system, a utility software program allows a user to easily process the error information. The information is generated by the mainframe in flat file format and converted into spreadsheet format. This compilation of error messages is then sent electronically as a spreadsheet to an operator responsible for processing the error messages. The utility software automatically opens the spreadsheet and saves then information locally in a relational database. The operator then opens the database and disposes of the error messages. Upon completion, the utility software appends the disposed information to an SQL database residing on a network. The utility software then establishes communication with a mainframe and transfers the error message disposition to the mainframe where this information is merged with the existing error messages and disposed of accordingly.

Abstract: Methods for provisioning and initializing visual voicemail services on a mobile device, setting or changing a voicemail greeting for visual voicemail service, changing a password for accessing visual voicemail service, setting or changing a recorded name for a visual voicemail service, managing incoming voicemail messages for a visual voicemail system, managing a telephone user interface (TUI) for a visual voicemail system, managing multiple subscriber identify modules on a mobile device configured for visual voicemail service, and secure connections to a visual voicemail system are described herein. Corresponding systems are also described.

Abstract: A system for tracking a billing cycle in a billing system includes a data tracking engine and a rule-based engine. The rule-based engine retrieves information from the billing system during the billing cycle based on a set of rules, and provides the data to the data tracking engine. The data tracking engine generates status information and reports based on the data. The status information and reports can be accessed via a web client to monitor the billing cycle. Additionally, the rule-based engine identifies events in the billing cycle and generates a notification to alert a person if the event is not successfully completed according to a billing schedule. The notification can be accessed via a web client or a wireless communications device. The rule-based engine can subsequently issue an escalated notification to alert another user if the event has not successfully completed at a later time.

Abstract: Systems and methods are presented for a user-initiated process by which a voice mail retrieval number and/or voice mail deposit number can be reset without requiring the assistance of network customer support staff. In an exemplary embodiment, a voice mail retrieval number reset request can be in the form of a MAP-USSD message which, when received by a voice mail reset system results in the storage of the voice mail retrieval number at the communication device by over-the-air programming techniques. Likewise, a voice mail deposit number reset request can be in the form of a MAP-USSD message. The voice mail deposit number can be reset at an HLR by an ATM operation or a MAP-USSD message. In a further embodiment, the VMDN can be reset by sending an FSM message to the communication device.

Abstract: Data files produced by one inventory scan are converted for use by a different inventory process so that multiple inventory scans to address multiple inventory processes are avoided. A subset of the categories of data from a first data file is extracted and included in a second data file. The second data file is provided with a different file type and format than the first data file. Additional information may be provided within the second data file such as data provided as user input and/or data that is looked-up from other sources. The second data file is uploaded to an inventory process such as by being sent to a file transfer protocol server where it is available for subsequent consideration by an inventory server.

Abstract: The present application is directed to location information systems for wireless communication devices. In one implementation, a location information system sends location information to a wireless communication device present in a predetermined area in a facility over a short-range wireless communication channel. The location information informs the wireless communication device a location of the wireless communication device in the facility. The location information system sends the location information to the wireless communication device from a location in the facility other than the location of the wireless communication device in the facility.

Abstract: Methods for managing and routine multiple telephone calls through a wireless network provide efficient and cost-effective ways in which a subscriber to the network can take advantage of the multiple services being offered. When the subscriber has only one line in the network, or when the subscriber often uses more than one line, multiple telephone calls may attempt transmission to the subscriber and so the subscriber may miss the call. The inventive methods determine what type of incoming call is attempting to contact the subscriber and routes the call to another location, such as the subscriber's voice mail, if the subscriber is otherwise occupying his or her line or lines in the network. The methods are particular useful for storing and forwarding facsimile messages to subscriber.

Abstract: Providing contact data in a wireless telecommunication system comprises receiving a contact data record from a first mobile device and storing the contact data record in a contact database remote from the mobile device. A selection can be received remotely for the contact data record from a second mobile device. The contact data record can be transmitted to the second mobile device for storage in its memory.

Abstract: Multi-touch interfaces allow user interaction with multiple points of contact to control external devices such as game consoles, authenticate users, partition the interface for multiple users, and so forth. The multi-touch interface may provide graphical representations that are manipulated by users through multiple points of contact to participate in games running on an external game console. Additionally, user authentication may occur through multiple points of contact with the multi-touch interface where each user has a unique contact pattern that includes points of contact, location of points of contact, rhythm of points of contact, and so forth. The graphical representations may be customized based on the authentication of a user, and the multi-touch surface may be partitioned based on the number of users present.

Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for conducting survey using wireless devices. The system architecture of the present invention comprises a location server and a location system. The location server can receive a survey request from a subscriber, delineate a survey area for the survey, broadcast a query containing the survey to a plurality of wireless devices, process responses received from the wireless devices, and deliver a result of the survey to the subscriber. The location system can generate location information for each of the wireless devices that received the query. The location system may be a network-based unit or a portable unit provisioned at each of the wireless devices. In one of the embodiments, the location system is a GPS receiver that generates the longitude and the latitude of the wireless devices at which it is provisioned.

Abstract: A management system using Global Positioning System receivers for tracking remote units from a central office and quickly and conveniently determining if those remote units have varied from a set of predetermined parameters of operation. The system also includes provisions that allows information to be sent from the remote units to the central office and vice versa. The system also has safety features that promote the rapid dispatch of law enforcement personnel when requests for emergency assistance have been made from the remote units.

Abstract: A hearing aid device is configured to operate as an ear bud device for a wireless phone. The hearing aid device functions in a manner similar to a conventional hearing aid device in a first operational state. The operational state of the hearing aid device is changed to a second operational state, in some embodiments, by a verified input from a wireless phone. Upon the change in operational state, the microphone input from the aided ear bud is output to the wireless phone while the incoming transmission from the wireless phone is combined with the microphone input and output to the user. The hearing aid device can be modified to receive analog or digital inputs from other outside sources. Exemplary methods for operating a hearing aid device is disclosed. An exemplary mobile communications device for interfacing with the hearing aid device also is disclosed.

Abstract: A system for managing and controlling data. The system includes provisions for easily and rapidly updating and managing a computer system, particularly a complex computer system in which several computers communicate with one another. The system also includes a central database which plays a key role in the management and control of the computer system. Most of the management functions are retained in the central database and remote offices, which generally do not retain data management information, communicate with the central office to retrieve data management information. The system also includes a novel approach to manipulating data.

Abstract: An electronic bulletin board for use in a shared always-on environment wherein a user may manipulate messages from a remote location. The electronic bulletin board may be implemented via database and programming logic on an application server accessible from any network node, including wireless devices. The always-on environment may be set up on a computer or broadband internet appliance or other communications device. Remote users may perform operations such as updating an existing message, posting a new message, download messages, and the like. The bulletin board also supports shared messages designed for special purposes, for example, an electronic grocery list that is accessible from remote locations.

Abstract: A system for notifying an Internet-accessible device of a communication placed from a first telecommunications device to a second telecommunications device by a calling party is disclosed. The system includes a switch and a node in communication with the switch. The switch is for detecting the communication. The node is configured for communication with the Internet-accessible device and includes a first module and a second module. The first module is for determining information about the calling party. The second module is for determining information about the Internet-accessible device.