Abstract: A system for providing USSD-like features in a wireless network is provided. Furthermore, the system provides for an automated customer service response in a wireless network. The system comprises a mobile switching center configured to analyze a digit string received from a mobile device. In some embodiments, an analysis and translation module converts the digit string into a service request. The service request is sent to a trigger platform which generates and forwards an immediate connection termination response to release the connection. The trigger platform further initiates a customer service response process to obtain the information indicated by the service request. The customer service response containing the service requested information may be validated prior to a short message service center formatting and forwarding the customer service response to the requesting mobile device.

Abstract: A method and system for routing messages through a communications network based on the content of the message. The method of the present invention comprises providing a method for retrieving information through a telecommunications network comprising receiving, in a message data structure, a request message comprising a command; sending a query message to a content provider based on the command; receiving a query response message from the content provider comprising response information; and sending a request response message based on the response information.

Abstract: A method for enabling enhanced call return in a wireless network comprising receiving an incoming telephone call from a caller, wherein the incoming telephone call identifies a mobile subscriber (MS) as a callee thereof; capturing caller-specific information for the caller, wherein the caller-specific information includes at least one of the name of the caller and the telephone number of the caller; and storing the caller-specific information into an intelligent peripheral (IP) within the wireless network. The method further comprises allowing the MS to access the caller-specific information stored in the IP. The present invention thus allows the mobile subscriber (MS) to subscribe to an enhanced call return (ECR) feature as part of the mobile telephone service plan. The ECR feature allows the mobile subscriber to access caller-specific information for a predetermined number of past callers and also to return calls from those past callers.

Abstract: A method and system for providing targeted advertisement information to consumers over a wireless communications network. In one embodiment, local advertisers register to advertise on certain wireless communications devices that are in close proximity to the advertiser. As a consumer enters a cell site that is near the location of the advertiser, the wireless network delivers a message to the wireless device that is specified by the local advertiser. An acknowledgement signal is then received by the network, and the local advertiser's account is charged for transmission of the advertisement. In a further embodiment, each of the messages stored in the database is also associated with one or more demographic codes, and users of wireless communications device select from one more demographic codes to describer their advertisement preferences.

Abstract: An automatic telephone service forwarding device including a base or enclosure defining a socket for receiving a wireless telephone. Upon detecting the presence of the wireless telephone in the socket, the device automatically forwards telephone service for the wireless telephone to a previously-stored forwarding directory number, typically the directory number of a wireline unit located nearby. Alternatively, the automatic telephone service forwarding device may be incorporated directly into a wireless telephone. In this case, the wireless telephone includes a “forward” button and a scrollable list of forwarding telephone numbers. The automatic telephone service forwarding device may also be configured to automatically select certain forwarding directory numbers from the list in accordance with a predefined time-based profile.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting and storing information regarding a mobile communications device within a mobile communications network. Initially, a first data record is received at a subscriber/device database comprising subscriber/device data. Next, a second data record is received at the subscriber/device database comprising additional subscriber/device data. A first data record of a subscriber may then be compared to a second data record of the same subscriber, and if the first data record is different from the second data record a service provider may be notified.

Abstract: A method for enabling enhanced call return in a wireless network comprising receiving an incoming telephone call from a caller, wherein the incoming telephone call identifies a mobile subscriber (MS) as a callee thereof; capturing caller-specific information for the caller, wherein the caller-specific information includes at least one of the name of the caller and the telephone number of the caller; and storing the caller-specific information into an intelligent peripheral (IP) within the wireless network. The method further comprises allowing the MS to access the caller-specific information stored in the IP. The present invention thus allows the mobile subscriber (MS) to subscribe to an enhanced call return (ECR) feature as part of the mobile telephone service plan. The ECR feature allows the mobile subscriber to access caller-specific information for a predetermined number of past callers and also to return calls from those past callers.

Abstract: A method and system for routing messages through a communications network based on the content of the message. The method of the present invention comprises providing a method for retrieving information through a telecommunications network comprising receiving, in a message data structure, a request message comprising a command; sending a query message to a content provider based on the command; receiving a query response message from the content provider comprising response information; and sending a request response message based on the response information.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting and storing information regarding a mobile communications device within a mobile communications network. Initially, a first data record is received at a subscriber/device database comprising subscriber/device data. Next, a second data record is received at the subscriber/device database comprising additional subscriber/device data. A first data record of a subscriber may then be compared to a second data record of the same subscriber, and if the first data record is different from the second data record a service provider may be notified.

Abstract: A method for providing enhanced call return in a wireless network is disclosed. The method includes receiving a call placed to a mobile subscriber from a caller, determining whether the mobile subscriber is a subscriber to an enhanced call return service, loading a mobile subscriber mailbox with caller-specific information, establishing a connection between the mobile subscriber and the mobile subscriber mailbox, retrieving caller-specific information from the mobile subscriber mailbox, and placing a return call to the caller.

Abstract: An automatic telephone service forwarding device including a base or enclosure defining a socket for receiving a wireless telephone. Upon detecting the presence of the wireless telephone in the socket, the device automatically forwards telephone service for the wireless telephone to a previously-stored forwarding directory number, typically the directory number of a wireline unit located nearby. Alternatively, the automatic telephone service forwarding device may be incorporated directly into a wireless telephone. In this case, the wireless telephone includes a “forward” button and a scrollable list of forwarding telephone numbers. The automatic telephone service forwarding device may also be configured to automatically select certain forwarding directory numbers from the list in accordance with a predefined time-based profile.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sending messages to a wireless device is disclosed. The invention includes a system and a method that waits for a wireless device to register before sending information to the device. In another aspect, the invention includes provisions that track which wireless devices have successfully received the message and which wireless devices have successfully acknowledged receipt of the message.

Abstract: An automatic telephone service forwarding device including a base or enclosure defining a socket for receiving a wireless telephone. Upon detecting the presence of the wireless telephone in the socket, the device automatically forwards telephone service for the wireless telephone to a previously-stored forwarding directory number, typically the directory number of a wireline unit located nearby. Alternatively, the automatic telephone service forwarding device may be incorporated directly into a wireless telephone. In this case, the wireless telephone includes a “forward” button and a scrollable list of forwarding telephone numbers. The automatic telephone service forwarding device may also be configured to automatically select certain forwarding directory numbers from the list in accordance with a predefined time-based profile.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sending messages to a wireless device is disclosed. The invention includes a system and a method that waits for a wireless device to register before sending information to the device. In another aspect, the invention includes provisions that track which wireless devices have successfully received the message and which wireless devices have successfully acknowledged receipt of the message.

Abstract: A wireless telephone backup device for landline telephone equipment that may be located on the customer side of the landline service connection, typically in a restricted access location, such as an attic, basement, or utility closet. An interconnection circuit in the backup device detects service interruptions in the subscriber's landline connection and, in response, powers on a wireless communication device to provide backup telephone service to the customer premises equipment. The interconnection circuit also provides the other features standard landline telephone service, including dial tone, ring voltage, and normal dialing for outgoing calls. The backup device also forwards incoming landline calls to the wireless unit in the backup device, and may send a message notifying a maintenance center of the service interruption. Further, the backup device may initiate an indicator in an alarm system at the site of the customer premises equipment to notify the subscriber of the service interruption.

Abstract: An automatic telephone service forwarding device including a base or enclosure defining a socket for receiving a wireless telephone. Upon detecting the presence of the wireless telephone in the socket, the device automatically forwards telephone service for the wireless telephone to a previously-stored forwarding directory number, typically the directory number of a wireline unit located nearby. Alternatively, the automatic telephone service forwarding device may be incorporated directly into a wireless telephone. In this case, the wireless telephone includes a “forward” button and a scrollable list of forwarding telephone numbers. The automatic telephone service forwarding device may also be configured to automatically select certain forwarding directory numbers from the list in accordance with a predefined time-based profile.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and a method for connecting an out-of-market customer to a desired telephone number. The method comprises receiving a customer validation request from a foreign market provider and, in return, providing a random or designated toll-free telephone number to the foreign market provider. Upon receiving a call request from the foreign market provider, the call request is directed to the desired telephone number. The customer validation request may include the desired telephone number and/or a mobile identification number. The call request is based on the provided toll-free telephone number, which is owned by a home market provider.

Abstract: A mobile station attempts to access wireless data services such as WAP applications via a data call, by first transmitting a session request to a wireless network, where the session request identifies an initial data bearer that should be used to establish the session. Upon receiving notification that the network is unable to establish the data session using the initial data bearer, the mobile station accesses a bearer table stored in its memory, selects an alternate data bearer which may be the next best data bearer, and automatically reattempts the data call without user intervention. The process repeats until the session is successfully established using one of the data bearers in the bearer table, or until the occurrence of a terminating event, such as cancellation of the data call by the user of the mobile station, or expiration of a predetermined time limit.

Abstract: A method and system for providing targeted advertisement information to consumers over a wireless communications network. In one embodiment, local advertisers register to advertise on certain wireless communications devices that are in close proximity to the advertiser. As a consumer enters a cell site that is near the location of the advertiser, the wireless network delivers a message to the wireless device that is specified by the local advertiser. An acknowledgement signal is then received by the network, and the local advertiser's account is charged for transmission of the advertisement. In a further embodiment, each of the messages stored in the database is also associated with one or more demographic codes, and users of wireless communications device select from one more demographic codes to describer their advertisement preferences.

Abstract: A wireless telephone backup device for landline telephone equipment that may be located on the customer side of the landline service connection, typically in a restricted access location, such as an attic, basement, or utility closet. An interconnection circuit in the backup device detects service interruptions in the subscriber's landline connection and, in response, powers on a wireless communication device to provide backup telephone service to the customer premises equipment. The interconnection circuit also provides the other features standard landline telephone service, including dial tone, ring voltage, and normal dialing for outgoing calls. The backup device also forwards incoming landline calls to the wireless unit in the backup device, and may send a message notifying a maintenance center of the service interruption. Further, the backup device may initiate an indicator in an alarm system at the site of the customer premises equipment to notify the subscriber of the service interruption.