Abstract: A system for providing coordinate-based location information may include first, second and third wireless location transmitters. The wireless location transmitters may be located at fixed positions within an enclosure, such as a building. The wireless locations transmitters may each be programmed with a respective coordinate-based location, which the wireless location transmitters can in turn wirelessly transmit to a wireless device. The wireless device can then use the three respective coordinated-based locations of the wireless location transmitters to determine a coordinate-based location for the wireless device.

Abstract: A wireless device may receive a first identifier from an access point for first wireless network that uses a first air interface protocol and a second identifier from an access point for a second wireless network that uses a second air interface protocol. The first and second identifiers may both be transmitted, for example, via the first air interface protocol. After receiving the identifiers, the wireless device may perform one or more predetermined actions. For example, the wireless device may, based on the identifiers, determine that it should communicate with the second wireless network and responsively check an availability of the second wireless network.

Abstract: A mobile station is identified by a plurality of directory numbers. One or more of the directory numbers are associated with distinct identifier codes that identify a directory number or “personality” in transmissions over the air interface, e.g., for call origination from the mobile station and/or call termination to the mobile station. When the mobile station receives an identifier code when it receives a call, the mobile station provides a distinct user-discernible indication that is specific for that identifier code. From this distinct user-discernible indication, the use may determine which directory number is being called. When originating a call, the mobile station may transmit an identifier code to indicate which directory number to use as the calling party number.

Abstract: A telephony relay enables a portable communication device that is communicatively coupled to a packet-switched network to originate calls over a circuit-switched telephone network. The telephony relay has a first interface communicatively coupled to the packet-switched network, e.g., via a modem, and a second interface communicatively coupled to the circuit-switched telephone network, e.g., via an analog telephone line. To originate a call to a called number, the portable communication device transmits the called number to the telephony relay, via the packet-switched network. The telephony relay then uses an analog signaling format, e.g., DTMF tones, to transmit the called number to the circuit-switched telephone network. When the call is answered, the telephony relay conveys media between the portable communication device and the circuit-switched telephone network, converting between the analog format used by the circuit-switched network and the packet format used by the packet-switched network.

Abstract: A telephony interface system has a controller and multiple communication interfaces to provide voice-over-packet (VoP) telephone service with PSTN telephone service as backup. The telephony interface system has a communication interface for at least one telephony device, a communication interface for the PSTN, and a communication interface for a packet-switched network. To originate a call, the telephony interface system connects the telephony device to the PSTN if the dialed digits for the call correspond to a predetermined telephone number or numbers, such as 911. Otherwise, the telephone interface system connects the telephony device to the packet-switched network.

Abstract: A user selects a ringtone or other alert pattern that can be played to provide notification of an incoming call and provisions the user-selected alert pattern into a mobile station. The mobile station is communicatively coupled to a docking station. When the mobile station receives an incoming call, the docking station plays the user-selected alert pattern through one or more audio systems associated with the docking station.

Abstract: A multi-mode mobile station includes a first interface for wireless communication with a wireless local area network (WLAN) and a second interface for wireless communication with a wireless wide area network (WWAN). The multi-mode mobile station is associated with a particular conference bridge, through which all calls to and from the multi-mode mobile station are routed. For example, when a call involving the multi-mode mobile is established via the WLAN, the call includes a WLAN call leg that extends from the conference bridge to the multi-mode mobile station via the WLAN. To effect a handoff during the call, a WWAN call leg is established between the multi-mode mobile station and the conference bridge via the WWAN. The conference bridge bridges the WLAN and WWAN call legs. To complete the handoff, the multi-mode mobile station drops the WLAN call leg and continues the call using the WWAN call leg.

Abstract: Each wireless access point in a wireless local area network (WLAN) is allocated a set of one or more identifiers. A correlation database stores information that relates the geographic location of each wireless access point and the identifiers allocated to it. When a mobile node associated with a wireless access point in the WLAN originates a 9-1-1 or other emergency call, one of the wireless access point's identifiers is included in the call origination request. By querying the correlation database, the wireless access point's geographic location may be determined from the identifier. When a public safety answering point (PSAP) answers the mobile node's call, the PSAP may obtain the geographic location of the wireless access point with which the mobile node is associated. This location information could be pushed to the PSAP, or the PSAP could obtain the location information by querying the correlation database.

Abstract: Method and improvements for joining wireless mesh networks are provided. In one embodiment, a controller in each network receives a message from a node in its respective network, the message indicating that the respective nodes each received a signal from a node in the other network. Each controller, in response to receiving the respective messages, validates the other network, and responsively (a) directs its respective node to enter a bridging mode and (b) provides its respective node with bridging data that includes a security key for communications between the two nodes. The two nodes then associate with each other using the security key, allowing communications to pass between the two wireless mesh networks.

Abstract: A method and system for distributing voice communication services via wireless local area networks. An entity sells, loans, gives or otherwise distributes wireless access points, each of which is pre-configured with virtual private network (VPN) security settings to establish a VPN tunnel over a packet network with a VPN terminator on a remote telephony services network. A recipient may thus install the wireless access point on a local area network (LAN), to allow users of voice-capable wireless devices to engage in voice calls via the wireless access point, VPN tunnel and telephony services network. The distributor of the access point, or another entity, may then charge users for placing and receiving voice calls through this system.

Abstract: A mobile station is identified by a plurality of directory numbers. One or more of the directory numbers are associated with distinct identifier codes that identify a directory number or “personality” in transmissions over the air interface, e.g., for call origination from the mobile station and/or call termination to the mobile station. When the mobile station receives an identifier code when it receives a call, the mobile station provides a distinct user-discernible indication that is specific for that identifier code. From this distinct user-discernible indication, the use may determine which directory number is being called. When originating a call, the mobile station may transmit an identifier code to indicate which directory number to use as the calling party number.

Abstract: A method and system for providing remote voice communication service via a wireless local area network (WLAN). A WLAN access point is arranged with predefined security settings to establish a VPN tunnel over a packet network with a VPN terminator on a remote network. The access point then wirelessly receives voice traffic from a wireless terminal operating in the WLAN and sends the voice traffic over the VPN tunnel to the remote network, for transmission to a call control device, which provides connectivity with a voice transport network. And the access point similarly receives voice traffic via the VPN tunnel from the remote network and sends the voice traffic wirelessly to the wireless terminal. Advantageously, multiple wireless terminals operating on the WLAN can engage in voice calls concurrently via the access point.

Abstract: A mobile station has multiple communication modules for multiple wireless communication modes. In a first wireless communication mode, the mobile station communicates with a wireless wide area network and is identified by a first, mobile directory number. In a second wireless communication mode, the mobile station communicates with a wireless local area network and is still identified by the first, mobile directory number. In a third wireless communication mode, the mobile station communicates with the wireless local area network but is identified by a second, local directory number.

Abstract: A mobile station may determine its present location. The mobile station may then access a database, which correlates the mobile station's present location with a coverage area of a radio network. If the database indicates that the mobile station is within the coverage area of the radio network, the mobile station may then attempt to access the radio network and determine the radio network's availability.

Abstract: A mobile station communicating with a first radio network may detect that it has changed location and thereafter stopped moving. In response to determining that it has changed location and thereafter stopped moving, the mobile station may perform one or more predetermined actions. For example, the mobile station may be communicating with a first radio network, such as a WWAN. In response to this determination, the mobile station may check the availability of a second radio network, such as a WLAN. If the second radio network is available, the mobile station may begin accessing the second radio network for voice, data or other services.

Abstract: A mobile station has multiple communication modules for multiple wireless communication modes. In a first wireless communication mode, the mobile station communicates with a wireless wide area network and is identified by a first, mobile directory number. In a second wireless communication mode, the mobile station communicates with a wireless local area network and is still identified by the first, mobile directory number. In a third wireless communication mode, the mobile station communicates with the wireless local area network but is identified by a second, local directory number.