Abstract: A system for delivering video products to a subscriber unit includes: (a) at least one subscriber unit equipped for processing video signals; (b) a telecommunication network coupled with the at least one subscriber unit; and (c) at least one video provider station coupled with the telecommunication network. Each respective video provider station is responsive to a predetermined call code for providing a predetermined video product to a particular subscriber unit via the telecommunication network.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for storing data relating to network conditions in a mobile unit. A mobile station receives a signal from a base station. The mobile station stores data associated with the signal in memory within the mobile unit. When the mobile unit determines that the signal has been dropped, the mobile unit freezes the memory until it can transmit the data to a network outage data center. This helps the system diagnose and correct transient service outages.

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: The present invention provides a method for storing data relating to network conditions in a mobile unit. A mobile station receives a signal from a base station. The mobile station stores data associated with the signal in memory within the mobile unit. When the mobile unit determines that the signal has been dropped, the mobile unit freezes the memory until it can transmit the data to a network outage data center. This helps the system diagnose and correct transient service outages.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for establishing a multi-user call in a communication system. The communication system receives a call request to establish a group call with a shared group of users. The communication system determines which of the plurality of individual users should be excluded from the call and connects each of the group of included users to establish a multi-user call. The communication system preferably indicates that a unit was not currently available, for example by playing a prerecorded message, playing a tone and also preferably indicates why a unit was not available.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing real time updates of a database describing the features of individual terminals of a shared plan telecommunications group for communication sessions from and to that individual terminal. The characteristics (numbering plan, incoming and outgoing screening, alternate routing, types of service provided) of each of the individual stations of the shared communication plan are stored in a database accessed through a server. The database can be updated in real time by a designated one of the stations in the shared group. The designated station can also handle appeals for an exception to the restrictions stored in the database. The designated station can receive immediate or periodic information on activity of individual stations, or can receive such information on request.

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: An application server component of an apparatus in one example communicates to one or more mobile stations, of a plurality of mobile stations, one or more updates of one or more statuses of respective one or more mobile stations of the plurality of mobile stations. The plurality of mobile stations comprise a first mobile station and a second mobile station, wherein the one or more updates of the one or more statuses of the respective one or more mobile stations comprise an update of a status of the first mobile station. The application server component communicates the update of the status of the first mobile station to the second mobile station to indicate to the second mobile station whether the first mobile station is available for participation in a call with the second mobile station.

Abstract: Participants on a conference call are managed by terminating incoming calls at a conference bridge and storing a record for each call entering the conference call, each record including identification of the caller and a corresponding port number of the conference bridge assigned to the call. A list of all callers currently connected to the conference call is maintained. Upon receiving a request from an administrative host of the conference call, the list of current conference call participants is communicated to the host. Upon receipt of a disconnect request from the host identifying a first record associated with a first conference call participant to be disconnected, the first record a corresponding first port number is located, and the call associated with the first port number is disconnected.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for indicating a predetermined item in a communication system. A mobile unit indicates a predetermined item to an online screening processor. The online screening processor initiates a session with an online commerce site to determine if the predetermined items are available. The mobile unit receives and displays this indication of the availability of the predetermined item from the online screening processor. The mobile unit then accepts input from the user of the mobile unit and sends the input to the online screening processor. A multimedia session is then established between the mobile unit and the online commerce site. The multimedia session connects the mobile unit and online commerce site to facilitate an exchange of information between the two with the intent that the mobile user may purchase or receive additional information about the item from the online commerce site.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and apparatus for allowing an end user terminal in a multimedia network to provide various options for handling a session request including accepting the request, redirecting the session, releasing the session based on user input or predefined attributes stored in the originating device and/or the terminating device.

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: A method and apparatus for providing real time updates of a database describing the features of individual terminals of a shared plan telecommunications group for communication sessions from and to that individual terminal. The characteristics (numbering plan, incoming and outgoing screening, alternate routing, types of service provided) of each of the individual stations of the shared communication plan are stored in a database accessed through a server. The database can be updated in real time by a designated one of the stations in the shared group. The designated station can also handle appeals for an exception to the restrictions stored in the database. The designated station can receive immediate or periodic information on activity of individual stations, or can receive such information on request.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus to allow network-initiated information delivery based on the delivery priority of the information and the available over-the-air resources. Originators of the information to be delivered specify the delivery priority of the information. The network monitors the utilization of the over-the-air interface and delivers the information when the utilization is appropriate given the assigned delivery priority of the information.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus to broadcast traffic information in a multi-media wireless communication system. The present invention provides alerts to users within a predetermined distance from the event and who are moving toward the event. The alerts of the present invention comprise audio, real-time video, maps, and the capability to be transferred to an operator for more detailed instructions.

Abstract: An application server component of an apparatus in one example communicates to one or more mobile stations, of a plurality of mobile stations, one or more updates of one or more statuses of respective one or more mobile stations of the plurality of mobile stations. The plurality of mobile stations comprise a first mobile station and a second mobile station, wherein the one or more updates of the one or more statuses of the respective one or more mobile stations comprise an update of a status of the first mobile station. The application server component communicates the update of the status of the first mobile station to the second mobile station to indicate to the second mobile station whether the first mobile station is available for participation in a call with the second mobile station.

Abstract: Conference call security is enhanced by a process for validating participants seeking to join the conference call by terminating an incoming call at a conference bridge and requiring a valid conference code input by the caller. A type of security to be utilized for the particular conference call is determined. A first validation method determines if the caller is authorized to access the conference call, and if the caller is validated, granting the caller access to participate in the conference call. If the first validation method does not validate the caller, a second validation method that is different from the first validation method is used to determine if the caller is authorized to access the conference call. If the second validation method validates the caller, the caller is granted access to participate in the conference call. If the second validation method does not validate the caller, the caller is denied access to participate in the conference call.

Abstract: Participants on a conference call are managed by terminating incoming calls at a conference bridge and storing a record for each call entering the conference call, each record including identification of the caller and a corresponding port number of the conference bridge assigned to the call. A list of all callers currently connected to the conference call is maintained. Upon receiving a request from an administrative host of the conference call, the list of current conference call participants is communicated to the host. Upon receipt of a disconnect request from the host identifying a first record associated with a first conference call participant to be disconnected, the first record a corresponding first port number is located, and the call associated with the first port number is disconnected.

Abstract: An improved wireless network provides intersystem handoffs between existing circuit wireless systems and packet systems. A packet wireless system is enhanced to provide translation between circuit and packet call models. A Media Gateway translates bearer traffic between formats used in each system. The Media Gateway, a Media Gateway Control Function, and an associated Call State Control Function, cooperate to emulate the behavior of a circuit wireless system, so that when interoperating with conventional circuit systems, the packet system appears to be another circuit wireless system. Where necessary, the Media Gateway, Media Gateway Control Function, and Call State Control Function further cooperate to emulate the functions of an anchor MSC of a circuit wireless system.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for redirecting a calling phone from a finder service to a destination phone. A communication system receives a request to generate a set of destination names at the finder service from the calling phone. If the calling phone is capable of processing IP data, the communication system sends a text-based menu interface including the set of destination names to the calling phone. The calling phone may send a menu response indicating one of the set of destination names to the communication system. The communication system receives the menu response from the calling phone and redirects the calling phone to the destination name.