Abstract: Location information may be provided for a mobile station based on the serving area that is currently serving the mobile station. The location information may include a representative location (e.g., a centroid location of the serving area) and an uncertainty (e.g., a distance between the representative location and a boundary of the serving area). The representative location and uncertainty for a serving area may depend on the status of at least one neighboring area. For example, the effective size of a serving area may become larger when a neighboring area is heavily loaded or out of service. In an embodiment, a location server receives a request to locate a mobile station, selects a representative location and uncertainty for the serving area that is serving the mobile station based on the status of at least one neighboring area, and reports the representative location and uncertainty in response to the request.

Abstract: A method of extending an ID to a computer system comprises detecting, by a mobile communication device operating an ID, a computer system, wherein the IDs comprise an auto-installation routine and at least one of an application, a media file, and a widget; establishing a communication link between the mobile communication device and the computer system; and loading and activating the ID on the computer system.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and software for a map display configuration system are provided herein. In one example, a method of operating a map display configuration system is provided. The method includes receiving a search request transferred by a wireless communication device, where the search request indicates at least one search term and a wireless access node identifier for a wireless access node presently serving the wireless communication device. The method also includes processing at least the search request to identify a map display configuration based on the search term and the wireless access node identifier, and transferring the map display configuration for delivery to the wireless communication device, where the wireless communication device generates a geographic map display based on the map display configuration.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and systems to help provide a location of a mobile station in cases in which the location of the serving base station may not be known or may not be available from a base station almanac. According to the disclosed methods and systems, if the serving base station is not listed in the almanac, a positioning system will direct the mobile station to obtain identification information from a second base station (e.g., the “second best” available base station) by acquiring or partially acquiring a connection to the second base station. The positioning system may then query the almanac for location information of the second base station, based on the identification information obtained from that base station.

Abstract: A method, system, and medium are provided for determining the identity of a user associated with a wireless device located near a geographic location at a specific time. In response to the occurrence of an event at a geographic location, a request can be issued by a wireless provider to users of wireless devices to provide the geographic locations of their respective devices and their identities to one or more entities. Upon receiving an affirmative response to the request, the wireless provider communicates information to the entities allowing the entities to contact the users to solicit information regarding the occurrence of the event. A wireless provider may send a request for authorization to users of wireless devices to provide geographic locations when the wireless device enters a predefined geographic area.

Abstract: The described systems and methods allow for safer operation of a wireless communication device (WCD). The methods may be carried out at the WCD or at a wireless-communications network that interfaces to the WCD. A hands-free-audio (HFA) profile associated with the WCD may be set to enabled or disabled. A speed-condition of the WCD is determined and compared to a speed-threshold. If the speed-condition is greater than the speed-threshold and the HFA profile is enabled, then the WCD is operable to engage in wireless communications (e.g., voice calls or text messaging) via an HFA device associated with the WCD. If the speed-condition is greater than the speed-threshold and the HFA profile is set to disabled, then the WCD may prevent and/or postpone wireless communications from occurring. After the speed-condition is determined to be less than the speed-threshold, previously received communications (e.g., text messages) may be presented via the WCD.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method and system to help reduce latency in responding to a location based service request from a mobile station. According to the method, the mobile station will include base station delay measurements with the location based service request. That way, when a network entity (such as the location based service provider, or a proxy between the mobile station and the location based service provider) receives the mobile station's request for a location-based service, the entity may readily convey the provided base station delay measurements to the positioning system to enable the positioning system to triangulate the mobile station's location without the need to request the base station delay measurements from the mobile station.

Abstract: In a communication system, a wireless communication device receives and processes a text message including a location request code and a communication code. In response to the location request code, the wireless communication device transfers a location query indicating the communication code. An authorization computer system receives the location query and processes the communication code to determine if the location request should be authorized. If the location request should be authorized, the authorization computer system transfers a location authorization. The wireless communication device processes the location authorization, and in response, transfers geographic location information using the communication code to control delivery of the geographic location information to a location receiving system.

Abstract: A set of location fixes is obtained for a plurality of mobile stations, wherein each mobile station is served by a serving area of a wireless network at a respective date and time of day. The set of location fixes is used to determine different geographic parameters that apply to the serving area for different time periods (e.g., different days of the week and/or times of day). A location server may receive a request to locate a mobile station that is being served by the serving area at a current date/time. The location server may select a representative location and at least one uncertainty parameter based on the geographic parameters that apply to the serving area for the time period corresponding to the current date/time, and report the representative location and at least one uncertainty parameter in response to the request.

Abstract: A method, system, and medium are provided for determining the geographic location associated with events depicted in media. The geographic locations can be provided by creators of the media, or by users who view the media. The geographic locations can then be stored in a database on a server. A determination can be made as to whether the geographic locations are within a predefined distance of the geographic location of a wireless device. A set of events located within the predefined distance can be presented to a user of the wireless device.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for managing location-based requests in a wireless system are provided. In embodiments, a request includes or is associated with a source identifier. A position determining entity (PDE) is configured to receive a request at a designated port based on the associated source identifier. A counting component counts the number of requests communicated for a particular source identifier while a timer times predetermined units of time. A usage policy determines the maximum threshold of requests that may be communicated for a source identifier in a predetermined time period. The request may be granted if the number of requests communicated is below the maximum threshold. The request may be denied or granted if the number of requests communicated is above the maximum threshold.

Abstract: A method is provided for coupon validation. A coupon is downloaded to a mobile device. The mobile device is used to determine a radio frequency fingerprint comprising cell tower data and cell sector data. The coupon is associated with the radio frequency fingerprint. Whether the radio frequency fingerprint matches a radio frequency fingerprint specified for redemption is determined. Redemption of the coupon is enabled in response to a determination that the radio frequency fingerprint matches the radio frequency fingerprint specified for redemption.

Abstract: A method, system, and medium are provided for validating the identity or authority of a user of a wireless device to consent to providing geographic locations of their respective wireless device to a third-party application. Upon receiving a request to validate the authority of a user to consent to providing of geographic locations, the user is automatically redirected to a validation service portal. The validation service portal verifies the identity or authority of the user to consent by requiring the user to provide identification information. The identification information is compared to identification information in one or more databases to determine if the user has the authority to consent. An indication is provided by the validation service portal to the third-party application of whether the user has the authority to consent. The third-party application then initiates location-based services based on the indication.

Abstract: The described systems and methods allow for safer operation of a wireless communication device (WCD). The methods may be carried out at the WCD or at a wireless-communications network that interfaces to the WCD. A hands-free-audio (HFA) profile associated with the WCD may be set to enabled or disabled. A speed-condition of the WCD is determined and compared to a speed-threshold. If the speed-condition is greater than the speed-threshold and the HFA profile is enabled, then the WCD is operable to engage in wireless communications (e.g., voice calls or text messaging) via an HFA device associated with the WCD. If the speed-condition is greater than the speed-threshold and the HFA profile is set to disabled, then the WCD may prevent and/or postpone wireless communications from occurring. After the speed-condition is determined to be less than the speed-threshold, previously received communications (e.g., text messages) may be presented via the WCD.

Abstract: A portable electronic device is provided comprising a processor, a memory, a loading application stored in the memory that accesses loading criteria for a first, second, and third ID wherein the criteria comprise measures of relative importance applied to variables associated with each of the IDs and wherein the IDs comprise at least one of an application, a media file, and a widget. The system determines a current value of at least one variable wherein variables comprise at least one of day of the week, time of day, and geographic location of the device and additionally comprise a first, a second, and a third event status associated with the first, second, and third ID, respectively. The system applies the criteria to the current values of the variables to determine a composite loading factor for each of the IDs and loads one of the IDs based on the factor.

Abstract: A server may detect a threshold number of mobile stations (e.g., total mobile stations or mobile stations belonging to a predefined group) currently located at an area, such as by determining that a number of mobile stations currently located at an area is greater than a desired maximum number of mobile stations or less than a desired minimum number of mobile stations. The threshold number may be determined based on a typical number of mobile stations located at the area. In response to detecting the threshold number of mobile stations, the server may obtain data recorded by surveillance equipment located at the area (including data recorded by mobile stations temporarily acting as surveillance equipment,) which data represents activity at the area. To obtain the data, the server may instruct the surveillance equipment to begin recording data. The server may then output the received data for receipt by a user.

Abstract: A method of activating an application test mode on a mobile device is provided. The method includes receiving a message addressed to the mobile device. Upon receiving the message, and prior to sending the message to the mobile device, a determination is made as to whether the message contains a test-mode instruction for the mobile device to activate a test mode. When the message contains the test-mode instruction, then prior to sending the message to the mobile device, the message is modified to include destination information of a network component to which a confirmation message indicating the test mode is activated on the mobile device should be sent. The message is sent to the mobile device.

Abstract: A method, system, and medium are provided for determining whether to allow a position-determining system to provide location information that describes a location of a mobile device. A series of steps are carried out in which information is exchanged between networked components. In an embodiment, a request for location information (e.g., map coordinates) is received together with contextual information (e.g., identification of a mobile device and identification of a requesting party). A set of rules, such as approved contextual information, is referenced to determine if the contextual information is permissible. Upon determining that the contextual information is permissible, the position-determining system is allowed to provide location information.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for delivering calling party notifications. An artificial intelligence software application located on an Intelligence Rules Server is operable to infer why a first call to a mobile station is not connected and predict when a second call to a mobile station is likely to be connected. The application communicates the inference and the prediction to a voice messaging system. The voice messaging system delivers a message to a calling party based on the inference and/or the prediction.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed to help improve accuracy of location determination for a wireless communication device. An exemplary method involves: (a) at a wireless communication device operating in a radio access network, making a determination that the wireless communication device is likely to lose global positioning system (GPS) connectivity; (b) in response to the determination, powering on a GPS receiver to receive GPS location data for the wireless communication device; and (c) powering off the GPS receiver and storing the received GPS location data.