Abstract: A communication system (100) provides for improved dispatch communications, by providing a method for monitoring the signal quality at each of the Mobile Stations (MS) involved in a dispatch call. Once engaged in the dispatch call, the MSs (110, 112) monitor the signal quality of their ACCH channel (204) and send a message back to the system (208) if their signal quality falls below a predetermined threshold. If the signal quality of any dispatch call participant falls below the given threshold (206), the system alerts all the dispatch call participants (210) thereby avoiding any loss of communications, and tears down the previously set up dispatch call. If the signal quality becomes acceptable again (216) for those MS who had previously experienced poor signal quality, they send a message to the system, which automatically sets up a new dispatch call and alerts all the dispatch participants that the dispatch channel can be used again (218).

Abstract: The invention concerns a method (300) of providing information about a communications device. The method includes the steps of establishing (312) a communications connection between a first mobile communications unit (128) and at least a second mobile communications unit (130), transmitting (314) from the first mobile communications unit to the second mobile communications unit a condition of at least one operational parameter of the first mobile communications unit and informing (316) a user of the second mobile communications unit of the conditions of the operational parameters of the first mobile communications unit. The operational parameters of the first mobile communications unit can include a signal strength, a battery level, a location, an audio configuration, an alert configuration, a conference indicator and a phone type indicator.

Abstract: A system (200) for location based Internet access includes at least one device (500) having a current location (560). The device (500) includes a browser application (560) adapted to access one or more Internet websites associated with one or more location specific navigational paths. The browser application (560) uses one or more current navigational paths (565) which are associated with the current location (560). The device (500) is adapted to change the utilized one or more current navigational paths (565) when the current location (560) changes.

Abstract: A system and method for enabling special features of an electronic game played on a mobile device 202. The mobile device 202 receives GPS information to determine its location and transmits the location information to a server 116. The server 116 uses the location information to alter the electronic game on the mobile device 202.

Abstract: A communication device (100) includes a transceiver (115) for receiving a call, a received calls memory (145) for storing call sources (300) and for storing an associated call count (315) for each call source (310), and a processor (120). The processor (120) is programmed to: identify a call source of a received call, generate a command signal to an alert circuit (130) identify a unique alert associated with the call count, and increment the call count. The communication device (100) further includes the alert circuit (130) for alerting using the unique alert identified by the processor (120).

Abstract: A method for providing a cut-in alert includes the steps of storing the dispatch ID of the other party involved in a dispatch call (308). If the dispatch channel has been inactive for a predetermined period of time (314) and a new dispatch call is established (324) because of the inactivity, the radio then compares the dispatch ID previously stored with the dispatch ID of the telephone involved in the new dispatch call, if the ID's are different, a cut-in alert is provided to the user (330). The cut-in alert helps the telephone user avoid mistakenly thinking he is still communicating with the previous person he was involved in the dispatch call with. A communication device (520) is also described that provides the cut-in alert feature.

Abstract: A communication system (100) provides for improved dispatch communications, by providing a method for monitoring the signal quality at each of the Mobile Stations (MS) involved in a dispatch call. Once engaged in the dispatch call, the MSs (110, 112) monitor the signal quality of their ACCH channel (204) and send a message back to the system (208) if their signal quality falls below a predetermined threshold. If the signal quality of any dispatch call participant falls below the given threshold (206), the system alerts all the dispatch call participants (210) thereby avoiding any loss of communications, and tears down the previously set up dispatch call. If the signal quality becomes acceptable again (216) for those MS who had previously experienced poor signal quality, they send a message to the system, which automatically sets up a new dispatch call and alerts all the dispatch participants that the dispatch channel can be used again (218).