Abstract: A node in the telecommunication network supports location and direction services that are especially suited for wireless subscribers. Location coordinates such as determined by the global positioning satellite system are entered by a subscriber from the location to be marked. The node stores the coordinates and compares the marked location to the current coordinates of a subscriber making a request for directions to find the first location, e.g. the subscriber's parked car. The node provides the requesting subscriber with directions for proceeding from the current location to the first location. Subscribers other than the subscriber entering the location coordinates may also access the stored location information and obtain directions to the marked location to facilitate a meeting of subscribers at a location previously marked by a subscriber.

Abstract: A cell phone system that controls the functionality of cell phones based upon their geographical locations. Functionality information stored in data bases located at and unique to each location. A local or low power transmitter at each location transmits functionality information from the data bases to cell phones currently at the locations. Alternatively, a single data base common to the entire network is used to store functionality information for a plurality of locations. The geographical location of active cell phones is monitored and when a cell phone enters a restricted location, cell phone location information is transmitted to the network data base to read it out and transmit the applicable functionality information to cell phones. The functionality information may represent voluntary restrictions displayed on the cell phones or they may be mandatory restrictions that inhibit cell phone functions defined by the restrictions.

Abstract: A node in the telecommunication network supports location and direction services that are especially suited for wireless subscribers. Location coordinates such as determined by the global positioning satellite system are entered by a subscriber from the location to be marked. The node stores the coordinates and compares the marked location to the current coordinates of a subscriber making a request for directions to find the first location, e.g. the subscriber's parked car. The node provides the requesting subscriber with directions for proceeding from the current location to the first location. Subscribers other than the subscriber entering the location coordinates may also access the stored location information and obtain directions to the marked location to facilitate a meeting of subscribers at a location previously marked by a subscriber.

Abstract: For use with analog telecommunications equipment that responds to in-band stimuli, a system for, and method of suppressing an in-band stimulus and a telecommunications infrastructure employing the system or the method. In one embodiment, the system includes: (1) a stimulus detector, associated with the analog telecommunications equipment, that detects a presence of the in-band stimulus and (2) a stimulus suppressor, coupled to the stimulus detector, that alters the in-band stimulus to cause the analog telecommunications equipment to disregard the in-band stimulus.

Abstract: A communications system (10) is provided which comprises a plurality of network hubs (12), (14), and (16). Network hubs (12), (14), and (16) are interconnected through a communications network (18). The system (10) interconnects messaging systems (24), (26), (28), (30), (32), (34), (36), (40), (42) and (44) having disparate capabilities and using disparate communications protocols. The network hubs use numbers of connection processors (52) and (54) to interact with the messaging systems. A hub database (68) and message store (58) are used to store control information and messaging information within the network hubs. A network processor (60) is used to interact with other hubs within the communications system (10). A message router (72), connection manager (74), data replicator (76), and an administrative event manager (78) are used to control the operations of-the hub in processing a message.

Abstract: For use with a network having a limited address format, a system for, and method of, allowing the network to transmit a message to a non-compliant reply-to address without the network and a telecommunications infrastructure employing the same. In one embodiment, the system includes: (1) a compliant address generator that generates a spurious surrogate address employable within the network in lieu of the non-compliant reply-to address, the spurious surrogate address complying with the address format of the network and (2) a database manager, coupled to the compliant address generator, that stores a record containing the non-compliant reply-to address and the spurious surrogate address in an associated database to allow the non-compliant reply-to address to be substituted for the spurious surrogate address to permit the message to be transmitted to without the network.

Abstract: A communications system (10) is provided which comprises a plurality of network hubs (12), (14), and (16). Network hubs (12), (14), and (16) are interconnected through a communications network (18). The system (10) interconnects messaging systems (24), (26), (28), (30), (32), (34), (36), (40), (42) and (44) having disparate capabilities and using disparate communications protocols. The network hubs use numbers of connection processors (52) and (54) to interact with the messaging systems. A hub database (68) and message store (58) are used to store control information and messaging information within the network hubs. A network processor (60) is used to interact with other hubs within the communications system (10). A message router (72), connection manager (74), data replicator (76), and an administrative event manager (78) are used to control the operations of the hub in processing a message.

Abstract: A communications system (10) is provided which comprises a plurality of network hubs (12), (14), and (16). Network hubs (12), (14), and (16) are interconnected through a communications network (18). The system (10) interconnects messaging systems (24), (26), (28), (30), (32), (34), (36), (40), (42) and (44) having disparate capabilities and using disparate communications protocols. The network hubs use numbers of connection processors (52) and (54) to interact with the messaging systems. A hub database (68) and message store (58) are used to store control information and messaging information within the network hubs. A network processor (60) is used to interact with other hubs within the communications system (10). A message router (72), connection manager (74), data replicator (76), and an administrative event manager (78) are used to control the operations of the hub in processing a message.

Abstract: A communications system (10) is provided which comprises a plurality of network hubs (12), (14), and (16). Network hubs (12), (14), and (16) are interconnected through a communications network (18). The system (10) interconnects messaging systems (24), (26), (28), (30), (32), (34), (36), (40), (42) and (44) having disparate capabilities and using disparate communications protocols. The network hubs use numbers of connection processors (52) and (54) to interact with the messaging systems. A hub database (68) and message store (58) are used to store control information and messaging information within the network hubs. A network processor (60) is used to interact with other hubs within the communications system (10). A message router (72), connection manager (74), data replicator (76), and an administrative event manager (78) are used to control the operations of the hub in processing a message.

Abstract: Communications system (10) that includes a network hub system (12), (14) and (16) connectable to external voice messaging systems (24), (26), (28), (30), (32), (34), (36), (40), (42) and (44). The network hub system (12), (14) and (16) includes a database storage (68) operable to store a telephone-based address and a globally unique address for the users of the communications system (10). The database storage (68) is also operable to store an address type for the external voice messaging systems (24), (26), (28), (30), (32), (34), (36), (40), (42) and (44).

Abstract: A network hub system (200) is connected to a communications cloud (18) as well as messaging systems (202), (204), (206) and (208). A public access port (212) interacts with a public virtual messaging system (202a). A private access port (214) interacts with a private virtual messaging system (202b). Address translation tables are used to provide for identification of members of messaging communities which allow for the implementation of virtual private networks connected to hub system (200) and other hubs.

Abstract: A network hub system (200) is connected to a communications cloud (18) as well as messaging systems (202), (204), (206) and (208). A public access port (212) interacts with a public virtual messaging system (202a). A private access port (214) interacts with a private virtual messaging system (202b). Address translation tables are used to provide for identification of members of messaging communities which allow for the implementation of virtual private networks connected to hub system (200) and other hubs.

Abstract: Communications system (200) comprising a receiving messaging system (202 or 215) connectable to a sending messaging system (210). The receiving messaging system (202 or 215) is operable to receive a message addressed to a recipient and a time stamp of a sending system directory entry associated with the recipient from the sending messaging system (210). The sending system directory entry is used by the sending messaging system (210) for a recipient confirmation. Recipient confirmation may be spoken name confirmation. The receiving messaging system (202 or 215) includes a time stamp of a receiving system directory entry associated with the recipient. The receiving messaging system (202 or 215) validates the recipient confirmation by comparing the time stamp of the receiving system directory entry to the time stamp of the sending system directory entry. Messages with an invalid recipient confirmation may be returned to the sending messaging system (210).

Abstract: A communications system (10) is provided which comprises a plurality of network hubs (12), (14), and (16). Network hubs (12), (14), and (16) are interconnected through a communications network (18). The system (10) interconnects messaging systems (24), (26), (28), (30), (32), (34), (36), (40), (42) and (44) having disparate capabilities and using disparate communications protocols. The network hubs use numbers of connection processors (52) and (54) to interact with the messaging systems. A hub database (68) and message store (58) are used to store control information and messaging information within the network hubs. A network processor (60) is used to interact with other hubs within the communications system (10). A message router (72), connection manager (74), data replicator (76), and an administrative event manager (78) are used to control the operations of the hub in processing a message.

Abstract: A network hub system (200) is connected to a communications cloud (18) as well as messaging systems (202), (204), (206) and (208). A public access port (212) interacts with a public virtual messaging system (202a). A private access port (214) interacts with a private virtual messaging system (202b). Address translation tables are used to provide for identification of members of messaging communities which allow for the implementation of virtual private networks connected to hub system (200) and other hubs.