Abstract: A precautionary measure against wireless phone-triggered Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) is described that forces premature detonation of the IED at a safe location, such as a position in advance of a convoy of vehicles or troops, thereby reducing the effectiveness of the IED. Embodiments of the invention provide for transmitting low power alerting signals (e.g., paging, ringing, message waiting, text messages) from a wireless terminal residing on a mobile platform that is operable to navigate a transportation path in advance of a prospective target, to mobile stations within close proximity of the platform defining an “IED detonation zone.” In such manner, mobile stations within the IED detonation zone that are IED triggering devices (as well as mobile stations that are not IED triggering devices) will receive the alerting signals, thereby forcing premature detonation of IEDs in the detonation zone.

Abstract: A precautionary measure against wireless phone-triggered Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDS) is described that forces premature detonation of the IED at a safe location, such as an unmanned checkpoint, thereby reducing the effectiveness of the IED. Embodiments of the invention provide for transmitting directionalized, low power alerting signals (e.g., paging, ringing, message waiting, text messages) from a stationary wireless terminal advantageously positioned a safe distance from a prospective target area, to mobile stations within a portion of a wireless service area defining an “IED detonation zone.” In such manner, mobile stations within the IED detonation zone that are IED triggering devices (as well as mobile stations that are not IED triggering devices) will receive the alerting signals, thereby forcing premature detonation of IEDs in the detonation zone.

Abstract: A method of bridging mobile radio services includes: establishing communication with a first portable two-way radio via a first mobile radio service; receiving traffic from the first portable two-way radio via the first mobile radio service; converting the received traffic into a designated format; and, routing the traffic to a selected destination.

Abstract: A method of providing an individual seeking medical attention (20) access to a remotely located volunteer medical professional (40) includes: screening the individual (20) to determine a type of medical attention that is called for; searching through a plurality of volunteer medical professionals having diverse medical qualifications; selecting a volunteer from the search that is suited to provide the type of medical attention that is called for as determined from the screening, the volunteer being selected based upon their medical qualifications; and, establishing a connection over a telecommunications network (50) between the individual (20) and the selected volunteer (40) such that they are able to interactively communicate with one another over the established connection.

Abstract: A top sizer for use with a garment hanger including a hollow body having an open bottom and a top wall that has a first opening formed therein that provides communication to the hollow interior. The top sizer includes a locking feature associated therewith that is configured to permit the top sizer to be releasably engaged and secured to the hook member. The locking feature is formed above the first opening, wherein the locking feature has a slot that defines a pair of opposing resilient locking tabs.

Abstract: An electrical power generating device (10) is provided for supplying electrical power to a charger of a rechargeable electronic device. Suitably, the charger has a connector at one end adapted to interface with the rechargeable electronic device and has at another end a standard electrical plug. The electrical power generating device (10) includes: an electric generator (12) that generates electrical power when driven; and, a receptacle (30) which receives electrical power from the generator (12). The receptacle (30) is provisioned with a standard electrical outlet (34) adapted to fit the standard electrical plug of the charger such that the electrical power received by the receptacle (30) from the electric generator (12) is output through the standard electrical outlet (34).

Abstract: A top sizer clip for use with a garment hanger includes a body having a pair of side walls and end walls joined to and extending between the side walls. An outer surface of each of the side walls has a concave shape and the body includes a top wall that is joined to upper edges of the side walls and end walls, with the top wall partially enclosing the body so as to create a hollow structure that includes an interior compartment defined by the end walls, side walls, and top wall. The top wall has an opening formed therein to provide an entrance into the interior compartment and is constructed for receiving a hook member of the hanger.

Abstract: A clip (60) for holding electrical fuses (30) includes: a first end (64) adapted to releasably grip an installed electrical fuse (30) that is electrically connected to a circuit; and, a second end (62) adapted to releasably grip a spare electrical fuse (30) that is not electrically connected to a circuit.

Abstract: A method for reporting an emergency to a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) (200) is provided. The method includes: detecting for a condition indicative of an emergency; automatically initiating an interactive communication session (310) with the PSAP (200) over a network (300), the session (310) being initiated in response to detection of the condition; and, communicating at least one of a type of emergency and a location of the emergency to the PSAP (200) via the interactive session (310).

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for assigning an emergency temporary directory number to a roaming mobile unit. A request is received from a mobile unit for an emergency temporary directory number. The communication system determines if the request is a valid request. If the request is a valid request, the communication system grants an emergency temporary directory number for the mobile unit. The communication system then alerts the mobile unit of the emergency temporary directory number.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for calling multimedia IP units about an impending emergency situation. A multimedia IP communication network or government authority forecasts the path of an impending emergency situation to create an impending impact area. The VoIP communication network determines the multimedia IP units that are located within the impending impact area. The multimedia IP communication network calls the multimedia IP units that are located within the impending impact area about the impending emergency situation, providing multi-media instructions to the users of the multimedia IP units.

Abstract: A precautionary measure against wireline-device triggered bombs is described that restricts call terminations within a designated security risk area without shutting down an entire telephone office switch serving the affected area. Embodiments described herein provide for restricting wireline call terminations directed to a designated security risk area that are originated from non-privileged users, i.e., the general public, yet authorizing call terminations directed to the security risk area that are originated from privileged government users (e.g., GETS/WPS users). Call originations are permitted within the security risk area from both privileged and non-privileged users.

Abstract: A precautionary measure against cell-phone triggered bombs is described that restricts call terminations within a designated security risk area without shutting down the entire network. Embodiments described herein provide for restricting call terminations directed to a designated security risk area that are originated from non-privileged users, i.e., the general public, yet authorizing call terminations directed to the security risk area that are originated from privileged government users (e.g., GETS/WPS users). Call originations are permitted within the security risk area from both privileged and non-privileged users.

Abstract: A method of supporting a mid-call hand-off feature (22) is provided in a telecommunications network (40). The method includes: connecting a first call through a first switching facility (20) of the telecommunications network (40), the first call being connected between a first party served by the first switching facility (20) and a second party; receiving a second call at the first switching facility (20) for the first party while the first party is still connected to the first call; determining where the second call originated from; and, selectively connecting the second party to the second call in response to the determined origin of the second call.

Abstract: A method of supporting a mid-call hand-off feature (22) is provided in a telecommunications network (40). The method includes: connecting a first call through a first switching facility (20) of the telecommunications network (40) such that a first party served by the first switching facility (20) and a second party are participating in the call; making a decision to-invoke the mid-call hand-off feature (22); placing a second call from the first switching facility (20) to a designated telephone number; and, connecting the second party to the second call.

Abstract: A method is provided for conducting an emergency communication session with public safety answering point (54) over a public switched telephone network (50). The method includes: storing in a device (60) used to initiate the emergency communication session, a current location of the device (60); initiating the emergency communication session responsive to a selection of a function supported by the device (60); establishing the emergency communication session between the device (60) and the public safety answering point (54) over the public switched telephone network (50); and, transmitting the stored location from the device (60) to the public safety answering point (54).

Abstract: A method and/or system (24) is provided for managing power in a telecommunications site (20) having an auxiliary power supply (22) that selectively powers the site (20) when an outage is experienced in connection with a primary power (30) supply for the site (20). The method includes: detecting a power outage to the primary power supply (30); determining a duration for the detected outage; selecting a power conservation protocol based on the determined duration of the outage; switching to the auxiliary power supply (22); and, implementing the selected power conservation protocol.

Abstract: A method is provided for routing an emergency call from Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) to a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP). The method includes: establishing a session over a packet-switched network (200) between a CPE (110) and a network node (302), such that the CPE (110) accesses a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) (400) from the network node (302) via a telecommunications switch (500) associated with a first PSAP (320) serving a geographic region (300) different than where the CPE (110) is currently located; identifying a telephone number for a second PSAP (120) serving the geographic region (100) in which the CPE (110) is located; and, substituting the identified telephone number for a dialed telephone number when the dialed telephone number is indicative of an emergency call.

Abstract: A system that implements the display of the well-recognized MLPP keypad generated by a computer-based application adaptable for any authorized user. In one embodiment in accordance with the present invention, a system is provided for emulating an MLPP telephone. The exemplary system comprises a data entry portion that accepts telephone call initiation information, including MLPP priority information, from a user, and an information display portion that displays information relating to the data entry portion. In one form of the invention, the data entry portion comprises a visual representation, on a display device, of an MLPP telephone keypad, and a data input device. The visual representation, on a display device, may be a visual representation on a video display terminal associated with a personal computer.