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: A communication network is disclosed that uses voice authentication to provide call control. The communication network includes a call control function, a voice collection system, a voice authentication system, and a permission system. The voice collection system collects voice samples of a first party during the call to a second party, and transmits the collected voice samples to the voice authentication system. The voice authentication system compares the collected voice samples to stored voice samples to determine the identity of the first party. The permission system determines whether the first party is authorized for the call based on the identity of the first party. The permission system generates results based on the determination and transmits the results to the call control function. The call control function then processes the results, and interrupts the call if the first party is not authorized.

Abstract: An apparatus in one example has: at least a first network of a first predetermined type and at least a second network of a predetermined type; at least one mobile terminal movable between the first and second networks; at least one gateway operatively coupled to each of the first and second networks; and at least one message that communicates via the gateway at least feature data of the mobile terminal from one of the first and second networks to the other of the first and second networks.

Abstract: A network infrastructure device of an apparatus in one example comprises a first external interface and a second external interface. The network infrastructure device communicates with a first telecommunication network through the first external interface. The network infrastructure device communicates with a second telecommunication network through the second external interface. The network infrastructure device allows a mobile communication device that has a first registration in the first telecommunication network and a second registration in the second telecommunication network to receive, through the second telecommunication network, a call directed to the first registration. The first telecommunication network is unable to directly query the second telecommunication network for a status of the second registration.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for delivering a call request to a mobile unit. A call request is received for a dual mode mobile unit that is able to access a plurality of communication networks utilizing a plurality of communication protocols. The call request is routed to a call delivery application server, which determines which of the communication networks to deliver the call request. The call request is sent to the determined communication network.

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: Systems and methods are disclosed for prioritizing a store-and-forward message in a store-and-forward data communication system. A store-and-forward data communication system is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. The store-and-forward data communication system includes a priority system configured to generate a priority level for a store-and-forward message. The store-and-forward data communication system further includes a store-and-forward network that is configured to receive a request that requests priority processing and transmitting of the store-and-forward message, obtain the priority level from the priority system in response to the message request, and transmit the store-and-forward message according to the priority level.

Abstract: Network support for blocking certain categories of calls, such as telemarketer calls, is disclosed. One or more network-based call control elements such as may reside within a mobile switching center or central office switch, effects blocking of calls based at least in part on the calling party category. A first call control element receives indicia of a prospective call and determines the calling party category. The first call control element sends a message including indicia of the calling party category to a second call control element, which blocks the prospective call based at least in part on the calling party category. Blocking may occur at the second call control element substantially independently (i.e., without regard to called party preferences) or after querying a subscriber database to determine called party preferences.

Abstract: A method of load-based billing for customers in a communication network, wherein each customer has a calling plan. The method comprises monitoring utilization of the network in real-time via a switching center in the network; detecting at the switching center a Usage Level Event based upon the occurrence of a predetermined event trigger; informing a usage level application of the Usage Level Event; recording at the usage level application the Usage Level Event; and determining at the usage level application whether action should be taken based upon the Usage Level Event. When it is determined that action should be taken, the usage level application reports the Usage Level Event to a set of network elements via the usage level application and the switching center, where the set of network elements includes a customer billing platform and a broadcast message application.

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: An apparatus in one example comprises a portability component that automatically updates one or more provisioning components to port a directory number for a duration of time.

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: 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: An apparatus in one example comprises a gateway component that provides an identifier of a service provider to a sender of a message through employment of a user address associated with the recipient of the message.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for anonymous call redirection in a wireless network. More particularly, the invention is directed to providing an anonymous call redirection service for wireless service subscribers by implementing service logic within the wireless network to intercept incoming calls for which no calling name or number is available and redirect the calls to an intelligent peripheral device for further processing. In one embodiment, anonymous calls are directed to an intelligent peripheral such as a network-based recording device, which records the caller's name and then repeats or plays this name to the called party, before the call is connected to allow the called party to accept or reject the call.

Abstract: An apparatus in one example comprises an originating mobile switching center and a serving mobile switching center that serve to connect a call from a communication device to a mobile device that is supported by the serving mobile switching center. The mobile device is associated with an established telephone number. The serving mobile switching center is associated with an identification number. The originating mobile switching center employs the identification number to connect the call with the serving mobile switching center. The serving mobile switching center employs the established telephone number to connect the call to the mobile device.

Abstract: An apparatus in one example comprises one or more information sender components that upon engagement of a communication device with a communication session that involves a plurality of communication devices, send to one or more information receiver components identification information of two or more communication devices of the plurality of communication devices and the communication device.