Abstract: A communication network and method are disclosed that block calls from a calling party based on the network access type of a called party. The communication network of the invention includes a permission system, an access system, and a call control system. Based on a call from a calling party to a called party, the permission system identifies permissions associated with the calling party. The access system identifies a network access type for the called party, such as wireless, circuit-based, etc. The call control element determines if the network access type for the called party is permitted by the calling party based on the permissions associated with the calling party. If the network access type for the called party is not permitted by the calling party, then the call control system releases the call.

Abstract: A communication system is disclosed that includes a communication network and a billing system. The communication network connects a call between a calling device and a destination. During the call, the destination puts the calling device on hold. The destination tracks the time the subscriber is on hold, and generates hold information for the call. The communication network receives the hold information from the destination, and transmits the hold information to the billing system. The billing system bills for the call based on the hold information and other relevant information. The billing system may bill hold time for the call differently than active time for the call.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for serving VoIP emergency calls. In one embodiment, a call control entity is placed between PSAPs of an emergency services network and the IP network transporting VoIP calls. When the call control entity receives a VoIP emergency call and its associated user ID, the call control entity assigns a TDN to the emergency call and associates the assigned TDN to the user ID. The emergency call and the TDN are then extended to a PSAP to handle the emergency call. If the emergency call is disconnected from the PSAP, the PSAP operator is able to dial the TDN to provide a call-back function. The call control entity receives the call-back attempt to the TDN from the PSAP, identifies the user ID associated with the TDN, and routes the call-back attempt to the user ID to reestablish a call between the PSAP and the user.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for wireless management of mobile entities. More particularly, the invention relates to an end user device which will allow a trusted entity, e.g., a service provider, to repair the end user device in the event that the end user device becomes inoperable. In addition, the method allows for the trusted entity to update the end user device. Notably, the trusted entity is able to accomplish these tasks from a remote location using an air interface, e.g., a wireless connection.

Abstract: Reconnection of a mobile unit to a call session controlled by a first MSC is supported responsive to a network-initiated or mobile-originated reconnect attempt even in instances where the mobile unit has roamed to a border cell controlled by a second MSC. In a network-initiated reconnect attempt, the first MSC sends a suspended call page request to a second MSC. The second MSC pages the mobile unit, sets up a bearer channel to the mobile unit, and sends to the first MSC a suspended call page response including indicia of the bearer channel set up by the second MSC. The first MSC establishes a bearer channel to the second MSC thereby reconnecting the mobile unit to the call session. In a mobile-originated reconnect attempt, the mobile unit sends a mobile-originated reconnect message to the second MSC.

Abstract: Conditional reconnection of a suspended call occurs responsive to a mobile unit (108) sending a mobile-originated reconnect (MORC) message into the network (102). Reconnection does not occur not if the mobile unit does not send a MORC message or affirmatively declines reconnection within a designated waiting period.

Abstract: A method of processing multimedia calls in a multimedia telecommunications network. The method comprises: receiving at a first network element a multimedia call from a caller using a first communication device to a prepaid wireless user using a second communication device, the prepaid wireless user having an amount of airtime remaining for the second communication device; displaying in real-time a plurality of available call features and the amount of airtime remaining on the second communication device; prompting the prepaid wireless user to select the call features from the plurality of available call features via the second communication device; receiving the user's selected call features at the first network element; routing the selected call features from the first network element to a second network element and then to the caller; setting up the call according to the selected call features; and connecting the call.

Abstract: A first communication device of an apparatus in one example shares a billing relationship with a second communication. The second communication device comprises a primary communication device, where a user associated with the second communication device comprises a primary user associated with the primary communication device. The primary user associated with the primary communication device sets one or more restrictions for the first communication device. The first communication device employs one or more of the one or more restrictions to make a determination of allowability of one or more communication sessions.

Abstract: An application server component of an apparatus in one example receives an indication of one or more communication devices that are to receive one or more invitations to join a communication session. The application server component notifies the one or more communication devices of the one or more invitations to join the communication session. Upon acceptance of one or more of the one or more invitations by one or more of the one or more communication devices, the application server component connects the one or more of the one or more communication devices to the communication session.

Abstract: A telephone subscriber is provided with call features associated with his home telephone line when the subscriber is at a remote (different) telephone line. Aspects include: registration of the subscriber at a remote telephone line with association of the subscriber's normal call feature set with the remote line; processing of incoming calls for the subscriber so that the calls reach the subscriber at the remote line with the subscriber's call feature set being available to handle processing of the incoming call; processing of outgoing calls from the subscriber at the remote line so that the calls are processed with the subscriber's call feature set.