Abstract: A trailer spring brake valve is provided for a vehicle air braking system. The trailer spring brake valve comprises a number of components arranged to cooperate together to provide type of brake priority based upon trailer weight.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for a call delivery system capable of reaching displaced wireless users after a natural disaster. A calling party may call a publicized general reach number, e.g., 800 number, to contact a wireless user. The home mobile switching center (MSC) of the wireless user may be damaged, inoperable or overloaded, thus prohibiting incoming calls for the wireless user. Upon being connected to the general reach number, the calling party may be prompted to provide a destination number for the wireless user. Upon receiving the destination number, a home location register may be queried to retrieve a temporary local directory number (TLDN) for the wireless user while bypassing the home MSC of the wireless user. Upon receiving the TLDN, an incoming call from the calling party may be delivered to a last MSC visited by the wireless user.

Abstract: An end user terminal (EUT), e.g., such as mobile terminal (MT) (20), is provided for connecting with an incoming call received over a communications network (A). Suitably, the EUT includes an alerting function and/or equipment that provides perceivable alerting in response to an incoming call attempting to connect with the EUT over the communications network (A). An alert sensor (AS) (22) detects an alerting status of the EUT, which is then communicated over the communications network (A), e.g., back to the calling EUT 50.

Abstract: Apparatus and method provide location information for a calling party to a called party and/or provide a location for called party to a calling party. The information may be provided to a customer on a subscription basis or a customer may query for location information for the party at the other end of a call on an ad hoc basis (413). The customer may select the granularity (303) of the location information as well as the format (309) in which the information is sent. A party may optionally disable (403) the location ID feature so that the other person is not able to receive the party's location.

Abstract: A controller component of one embodiment of a system assigns a first number to a mobile station that upon location of the mobile station at a first location allows connection to the mobile station of a call that employs the first number. A controller component of the system assigns a second number to the mobile station that upon location of the mobile station at a second location allows connection to the mobile station of a call that employs the second number. The second number differs from the first number. The second location differs from the first location. In another embodiment, a controller component of a system assigns to a mobile station a number that upon location of the mobile station at any one or more of a temporary user zone and a base user zone allows connection to the mobile station of a call that employs the number. A controller component of the system selects the number to comprise fewer than seven digits.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for reducing occurrences of nuisance calls. A called party identifies a call as an undesired (or “nuisance”) call after answering, screening or reviewing recorded messages of calls. In one embodiment, the called party receives or screens a call and informs a terminating office that it desires to block future calls from the calling party. The terminating office determines the directory number of the calling party and causes the directory number to be added to a blocking database. In another embodiment, a called party reviews one or more prior messages recorded by a messaging system (e.g., answering machine or voicemail system) and flags a message (e.g., message #2) as originating from an undesired caller. The messaging system determines the directory number of the undesired caller and instructs a service provider to add the directory number to a blocking database.

Abstract: An end user terminal (EUT), e.g., such as mobile terminal (MT) (20), is provided for connecting with an incoming call received over a communications network (A). Suitably, the EUT includes an alerting function and/or equipment that provides perceivable alerting in response to an incoming call attempting to connect with the EUT over the communications network (A). An alert sensor (AS) (22) detects an alerting status of the EUT, which is then communicated over the communications network (A), e.g., back to the calling EUT 50.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for reducing occurrences of nuisance calls. A called party identifies a call as an undesired (or “nuisance”) call after answering, screening or reviewing recorded messages of calls. In one embodiment, the called party receives or screens a call and informs a terminating office that it desires to block future calls from the calling party. The terminating office determines the directory number of the calling party and causes the directory number to be added to a blocking database. In another embodiment, a called party reviews one or more prior messages recorded by a messaging system (e.g., answering machine or voicemail system) and flags a message (e.g., message #2) as originating from an undesired caller. The messaging system determines the directory number of the undesired caller and instructs a service provider to add the directory number to a blocking database.

Abstract: A method for providing expedited (or “fast forwarded”) no-answer treatment for certain calls. A calling party (108 or 110) requests expedited no-answer treatment prior to or during a ring sequence of a called party phone (108 or 110). Depending on the request and availability, a terminating office (116 or 124) routes the call per the expedited no-answer treatment. The no-answer treatment may comprise, for example, interrupting the ring sequence and routing the call to a voice mailbox (126) or to a forwarding number of the called party.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for controlling a conference bridge. In response to receipt of a first signal, such as Dual-Tone Multi-Frequency Signal (DTMF), muting a port of a speaker who has captured the bridge. In response to a subsequent signal or a time-out, the speaker's port is unmuted. Advantageously, this arrangement allows conferees other than the speaker to help control the allocation of the conference bridge among the conferees.

Abstract: Apparatus and method provide location information for a calling party to a called party and/or provide a location for called party to a calling party. The information may be provided to a customer on a subscription basis or a customer may query for location information for the party at the other end of a call on an ad hoc basis (413). The customer may select the granularity (303) of the location information as well as the format (309) in which the information is sent. A party may optionally disable (403) the location ID feature so that the other person is not able to receive the party's location.