Abstract: A method (10) and system (50 or 200) of using a credit card media type (54) integrated with a wireless communication device (52) can include determining (12) that the wireless communication device is inoperable for use in a commercial transaction and enabling (14) the use and authorization of the credit card media type with a predetermined restriction profile that is more restrictive than when the credit card media type is used with the wireless communication device when operable. The method can lower (16) the payment authorization amount or limit a type of item that is purchased to a predefined type based on a remote network being unable to communicate with the wireless communication device. The method can also remove (18) the credit card media type from the communication device and enable the use and authorization of the credit card media type with the predetermined restriction profile.

Abstract: A communications terminal (200) including a user interface communicably coupled to a controller is configured to form a group of contacts. In one embodiment, the terminal displays only contacts having at least two attributes in common. In another embodiment, the terminal displays a group of contacts having a social relationship with at least two degrees of social separation relative to a user associated with the group. In another embodiment, a group of contacts is formed upon initiation of an application at the terminal, wherein all contacts in the group are associated with terminals running the same application and are also engaged in a common activity.

Abstract: A method (10) of payment of communication services includes determining (14) if a request (12) for services is an essential service or non-essential service, determining (19) if a device and/or user is authorized for non-essential service, and determining (20) if there are sufficient pre-pay funds for the non-essential service. The method can further include rejecting (26) the request for non-essential service if the device and/or user is unauthorized or if insufficient pre-pay funds exist. The method grants (16) the request if the request is for essential service (such as voice services). The essential service or subscription or post-pay service can be added (18) to a recurring bill. If the device and/or user is authorized and sufficient prepay funds exist, then the method grants (22) the request for the non-essential service. In response or in conjunction with granting, the method can deduct (24) funds from prepay funds upon granting the request.

Abstract: A system and method for providing notification of a user's presence in a wireless keep-quiet geographic zone includes a fixed infrastructure device capable of conducting short-range wireless communication, and a server communicatively coupled to the fixed infrastructure device, accessible to a calling party, and including a phone book, wherein the fixed infrastructure device is operable to detect a presence of a wireless device within a wireless geographic keep-quiet zone, query the device for alternate contact information, aid update the phone book, accessible to a calling party, with an indication of the wireless device's presence in the wireless geographic zone and/or the alternate contact information.

Abstract: A method (400, 500) and a system (100) of conducting transactions for acquisition of virtual items. The method can include receiving from a user (108) a request to acquire the virtual item. Responsive to an identity indicator (112) that is exclusively unique to an identity confirmation device (110) being communicated from the identity confirmation device, a determination can be made whether the identity indicator corresponds to the user. Responsive to determining that the identity indicator corresponds to the user, the virtual item can be provided to the user. The method also can include receiving from a user a request to acquire the virtual item, receiving from an identity confirmation device an identity indicator exclusively unique to the identity confirmation device, and communicating the request and the identity indicator from the client device to a server (104).

Abstract: The invention concerns a method (200) and system (100) for providing a passenger profile. The method can include the steps of receiving (212) one or more passengers having mobile units (112) in a vehicle (110) in which at least some of the mobile units have been programmed with passenger profiles and receiving (214) the passenger profiles from the mobile units. The method can also include the step of informing (216) at least the driver of the vehicle of the passenger profiles once the passenger profiles are received. As an example, setting one or more parameters of the vehicle can be based on the received passenger profiles. In addition, setting the parameters of the vehicle based on the received passenger profiles may restrict the operation of the vehicle in a predefined manner.

Abstract: A method (400) and a system (100) for selecting an alert mode for a first communication device (105). The method can include receiving at least one alert setting indicator (125, 130, 135, 145) from at least a second communication device (110, 115, 120, 140), processing the at least one alert setting indicator to identify an alert mode for the first communication device that corresponds to the at least one alert setting indicator, and automatically activating the identified alert mode on the first communication device.

Abstract: A wireless communications device (200) that has a battery power source (330) and that has a power source monitor (332) that produces a low energy notification upon determination of a low energy condition within the battery. The wireless communications device further has a notification list specifying at least one other communications device to receive the low energy notification message. The wireless communications device (200) also has a notification transmitter (316, 314, 304) for transmitting the low energy notification message to communications devices held by other users (504, 506, 508, 512) that are in the list. The low energy notification message has at least one destination address to which the low energy notification message is to be sent. The wireless communications device (200) further serves as a proxy or surrogate relay for other wireless communications devices (200) to provide a robust communications system.

Abstract: A method (300) that can include receiving a call identifier (130) for an incoming call and associating the incoming call with at least one category (140, 145, 150) selected from a group consisting of at least three categories. An indicator (160) that correlates to the category with which the incoming call is associated can be presented to a user (120). Presenting the indicator can include presenting a particular color to the user and/or presenting a vibration, sound or image to the user. The method further can include automatically responding to the incoming call with a particular greeting only if the call identifier is blank or indicates an unknown caller (125). In another arrangement, the method can include automatically responding to the incoming call with a particular greeting only if the caller is unknown and the call identifier indicates that the caller is a particular gender or is exhibiting a particular emotion.

Abstract: A method of receiving at least one special privilege based upon an attendee's (101) attendance and participation in an event (100) at the geographic location and time of the event (100). The at least one special privlege is received by the attendee (101) from the event sponsor (102) as an incentive to attend and participate in the event (100). A digital media such as a digital rights management (DRM) object (123) is associated with the at least one special privilege which is delivered to a DRM device (120) when the attendee (101) is at the location and time of the event (100). The at least one special privilege associated with the DRM object (123) can be retrieved directly from the DRM device (120). Alternately, the DRM object (123) can be used to retrieve the at least one special privilege from another source.

Abstract: A method (400, 500) of identifying a route traveled. The method can include, while traveling away from an initial location (115), detecting a unique identifier for each of a plurality of wireless communication devices (125) along the route. The method also can include presenting an indicator (210) that indicates a relative distance from at least one of the wireless communication devices while traveling toward the initial location. Detecting the unique identifier for each of the plurality of wireless communication devices can include detecting a media access control (MAC) identifier or an Internet protocol (IP) address for at least one of the communication devices.

Abstract: A method for push-to-talk (PPT) break-in in a push-over-cellular (PoC) system is provided. The method can include assessing (202) user context levels for users of mobile devices, prioritizing (204) a break-in precedence for the users based on the user context level, and granting (206) a break-in request (420) to users engaged in conversation in order of priority. The user context levels can identify a hierarchical relationship of the users to set a precedence for break-in. The user context levels can be based on a user role (371), a calendar (388), an organizational chart (307), a family relationship (379), or a social network (308).

Abstract: A system (100) and method (200) for providing location-specific image information is provided. The method can include capturing (202) an image of an object from a mobile device (110), determining (204) a location of the mobile device, recognizing (206) the object from a database of images from the location, and retrieving (208) location-specific information associated with the object. A camera zoom (402), camera focus (412), and compass heading (422) can also be included for reducing a search scope. The method can include recognizing (306) a building in the image, identifying (320) a business associated with the building, retrieving an advertisement associated with the business, and overlaying the advertisement at a location of the building in the image. A list of contacts can also be retrieved (326) from an address of the recognized building and displayed on the mobile device.

Abstract: A method for coordinating the sharing of contacts between a directory terminal (104) and a portable communication device (102) is implemented in one embodiment when the directory terminal receives from the portable device a request to conduct a directory sharing session and a communication device identifier. The directory terminal retrieves screen interface information associated with the identifier and renders a user interface on a display screen (101) of the directory terminal based on the retrieved information. The directory terminal receives a first set of contact records from the portable communication device, wherein each contact record includes a contact name and at least one contact entry. The directory terminal searches a second set of contact records to find contact records containing contact names included in contact records of the first set. Contact entries for common contact records are conveyed to the portable communication device for automatic association with the first set.

Abstract: A method for tracking objects in a way that, conserves power resources. The method can establish a designed range defining a safe area based upon the broadcast signal of an anchor beacon. When the tracking device is within the designed range, the tracking device can be placed in a mode of low power consumption. Should the tracking device move outside of the designated range, then the tracking device can be placed in mode for active tracking. The level of power consumption can he achieved by only enabling a WAN transceiver in the active tracking mode.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method of tracking objects. In the method, an anchor beacon can emit a broadcast over a range that is detectable by an object tracking device. The object tracking device can automatically detect a presence or absence of the broadcast. When the broadcast is present; the object tracking device can take no action. When the broadcast is absent, the object tracking device can determine a current location for the object tracking device and can convey an OTA communication to a tracking server. The OTA communication can indicate the absence of the broadcast and can also including the current location. The tracking server can selectively send a notification to a previously designated communication device to notify a user that the object tracking device is outside the range.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method (200) and apparatus (700 and 800) for identifying individuals in a crowd. The method comprises the steps of selecting an identification signal (204), sending the identification signal (206) to the electronic device (802) of an individual/individuals to be identified by using an electronic device (702), available with the user; and selectively activating (208) the electronic device (802). The user can identify the individual based on the activated electronic device.

Abstract: A method for locating a wireless communications device WCD (102). The method includes the step of receiving at the WCD (102) a wireless transmission comprising a first auto-location trigger signal. The WCD (102), responsive to the first auto-location trigger signal, operates in an auto-location mode. The auto-location mode includes the automatic collection and communication of predetermined first data, such as audio, video, and GPS location data. After the automatic collection and communication step of the first data is complete, the WCD (102) enters into a standby mode. The standby mode continues until a state detection device (206) of the WCD (102) detects a change in the state of the WCD (102). These changes in state are exclusive of the wireless transmission comprising the first auto-location trigger signal. The change(s) in state produce a second auto-location trigger signal, which causes the automatic collection and communication of a second data that is the same or similar to the first data.

Abstract: A method of prepaying for usage time for a communication device can include increasing an available balance of a prepaid account linked to a communication device of a first user by a designated amount responsive to a request from a second user (910) and allocating a portion of the available balance of the prepaid account that is attributable to the designated amount for communicating with a designated user (915). The method further can include paying charges resulting from communications between the communication device of the first user and the designated user from the allocated portion of the available balance of the prepaid account (925).

Abstract: A method (10) and system (50 or 200) of using a credit card media type (54) integrated with a wireless communication device (52) can include determining (12) that the wireless communication device is inoperable for use in a commercial transaction and enabling (14) the use and authorization of the credit card media type with a predetermined restriction profile that is more restrictive than when the credit card media type is used with the wireless communication device when operable. The method can lower (16) the payment authorization amount or limit a type of item that is purchased to a predefined type based on a remote network being unable to communicate with the wireless communication device. The method can also remove (18) the credit card media type from the communication device and enable the use and authorization of the credit card media type with the predetermined restriction profile.