Abstract: A method and system for provisioning authorization for use of a service in a communications network. In response to a dialed feature code by a subscriber, a network entity may modify the subscriber's profile maintained by a serving system to authorize use of a service by the subscriber as indicated by the feature code. Alternatively, the subscriber's profile may be modified to prohibit use of the service as instructed by the dialed feature code. Therefore, the subscriber may effectively subscribe to or unsubscribe from a service in this manner by dialing a feature code.

Abstract: A wireless signal repeater that cuts off output transmission when the repeater is receiving less than a threshold level of input signal strength (e.g., too low or nonexistent). When operated in the reverse link of a cellular wireless system, the repeater advantageously reduces transmission of noise toward a cellular base station when the repeater is receiving no (or insufficient) signal from the a mobile station. Similarly, when operated in the forward link direction of a cellular wireless system, the repeater advantageously reduces transmission of noise toward a mobile station when the repeater is receiving no (or insufficient) signal from a base station.

Abstract: A method for providing a call log entry for a transferred call is described. A subscriber using a subscriber terminal calls a first telephone number associated with a first party. The first party transfers the subscriber to a second party associated with a second telephone number. The first party sends the subscriber terminal a data message indicating that a call was transferred to the second telephone number. The data message contains the second telephone number and a time stamp indicating a time that the call was connected. As a result, the call log contains a call log entry for the call connected between the subscriber and the second party.

Abstract: A method and system for managing communications based on originating location. A network entity maintains or has access to a log of the originating locations of calls placed to a given destination. In turn, when another call is placed to the given destination, the network entity refers to the log to determine whether more than a threshold number of calls have been placed to that destination in the past predetermined time period. If so, then the network entity causes the call to be routed to an alternate destination for alternate handling. The invention is particularly useful to help reduce the possibility of overloading emergency call centers when many mobile callers call from a common location to report an emergency.

Abstract: A method and system for location-based group conference initiation is provided. A server will receive a request from a user to initiate a media conference, and the server will then initiate a conference with members of a group who are located in a designated location. The request may indicate a group of users who are candidates to be invited to the conference, and the location at issue. Given the request, the server will determine which of the candidate users are currently located within the zone at issue. And the server will then invite each of those candidate users to participate in the conference.

Abstract: A system, computer program, and method of providing an automatic cooperative response ability to all members of a domain in light of a detected threat or other suspicious activity, such as, for example, a virus or denial of service attack, directed, at least initially, at less than all members of the domain. The system broadly comprises the domain; a log server; a detection server; and a profile server. The domain comprises a logical grouping of members having similar risk profiles. The detection server monitors and parses log and audit records generated by the members and copied to the log server. When the detection server identifies threatening or other suspicious activity it sets an alert status in a security profile stored on the profile server. The members periodically query the profile server for updates to the alert status and are thereby apprised of the alert.

Abstract: A method and system for reducing latency in establishment of a real-time communication session, such as an instant chat session for instance. The method and system provides for detecting the occurrence of a triggering event that indicates a user is likely to soon request initiation of a real-time media session, before the user actually makes the request. In response to detection of the triggering event, the method and system then provides for reserving a data connection through which the session can be set up and carried and maintaining that data connection for a certain period of time. Thereafter, if and when the user actually requests initiation of a session, a data connection will already exist, or procedures will have already begun to establish the data connection.

Abstract: A method and system for brokering frequencies for use in peer-to-peer communication sessions. A frequency broker receives session-participation messages from multiple parties wishing to communicate wirelessly with each other. The broker selects a frequency for the parties to use and then instructs the parties to communicate with each other on the selected frequency. And the parties then engage in peer-to-peer communication with each other over the selected frequency.

Abstract: A wireless signal repeater for portable wireless communication devices includes an adapter for connecting a portable wireless communication device. When a portable wireless communication device is connected to the adapter, the portable device's own omni-directional antenna is disabled, and the portable device instead uses the repeater's directional antenna. Specifically, the adapter carries forward link signals received by the repeater's directional antenna to the portable wireless communication device and carries reverse link signals from the portable wireless communication device for transmission by the repeater's directional antenna.

Abstract: A method of handing off an ongoing wireless telecommunication session with a mobile station when the mobile station is engaging in the ongoing communication session via a first access system, and then registers in a second access system, is provided. When communicating with the first access system the mobile station communicates with a first access node according to a first protocol. When communicating with the second access system the mobile station communicates with a second access node according to a second protocol, which is a different protocol than the first protocol. After registration of the mobile station in the second access system, the ongoing communication session is carried between the mobile station and the second access node according to the second protocol over the first protocol. More specifically, the ongoing communication session is carried between the mobile station and the second access node using the first protocol encapsulated in the headers of the second protocol.

Abstract: A method and system for the testing of multiple elements in a communications network. The method may include using a test host that has both control and data input/output capabilities. The test host may send a signal over the network via one communication device, such as a mobile station, that is connected to and controlled by the test host. A resulting signal may then be received at the communication device or at a second communication device, which may be another mobile station, that is connected to and controlled by the test host. A comparison of the signal sent into the network with the signal received from the network may be used to verify proper operation of any elements in the network.

Abstract: A method and system for conveying a digital image to an assistance center, such as an emergency-assistance center (e.g., 911 center). A camera phone captures an image and sends the image to a network server, and the network server stores the image in correlation with an identifier, such as an identifier of the camera phone or an identifier of an assistance call placed by the camera phone. The assistance center then queries the network server to obtain a photo correlated with the identifier. And the network server responsively provides the photo to the assistance center.

Abstract: An IP PBX system that serves enterprise telephones via a landline IP network connection is be expanded to serve cellular wireless communication devices (WCD) via a cellular wireless carrier's radio access network (RAN). Calls to and from the cellular WCD are connected through the cellular carrier's RAN and the IP PBX system, so that the IP PBX system can control and manage the calls just as the IP PBX would control and manage calls involving other extensions on the IP PBX. A cellular WCD thereby becomes an IP PBX client station, i.e., an extension on the IP PBX system. As such, the cellular WCD can seamlessly benefit from many of the same IP PBX features that other more conventional IP PBX client stations (e.g., desk phones) enjoy.

Abstract: A method and system for selectively applying a cellular-PBX integration service. When a radio access network (RAN) receives a call request for a served wireless communication device (WCD), call setup signaling passes to a call session control function (CSCF), and a determination is made as to whether the WCD is currently checked-into or checked-out of the cellular-PBX integration service. If the WCD is checked-in, the call is set up to an IPPBX server for handling. If the WCD is checked-out, the call is set up back to the RAN for handling. Similarly, the CSCF may receive call setup signaling in response to a call dialed to an IPPBX extension associated with the WCD, and the check-in/check-out status of the WCD may be used as a basis to decide whether to send the call to the RAN for handling or whether to return the call to the IPPBX server for handling.

Abstract: A method and system for selectively applying a cellular-PBX integration service. When a radio access network (RAN) receives a call request seeking to set up a call for a cellular wireless communication device (WCD) that is operating in the coverage area of the RAN, a determination is made as to whether the WCD is currently checked-into a cellular-PBX integration service. A service control point (SCP), for instance, may make the determination. If the determination is that the WCD is currently checked-in, then the call is set up to an IP PBX server that services the WCD, and the IP PBX server may then handle the call as it would handle a call placed to any IP PBX extension. Further, differential billing can be applied, charging an enterprise billing-account for the call if the WCD is checked-in, and charging a WCD billing-account for the call if the WCD is not checked-in.

Abstract: A method and system for using location of a cellular wireless communication device (WCD) as a basis to restrict application of a cellular-PBX integration service. In one embodiment, a radio access network (RAN) serving the WCD receives a call request for the WCD, and, based on the WCD's location, a determination is made as to whether the call should be set up to an IP PBX server that serves the WCD, to allow the IP PBX server to handle the call. In another embodiment, an IP PBX server serving a WCD receives a call request and responsively signals to a call session control function (CSCF), and the CSCF or a policy server decides based on the WCD's location whether the call should be set up to the RAN that serves the WCD, to allow the RAN to handle the call.

Abstract: A method for using an account balance to limit application of cellular-PBX integration service. A cellular wireless communication device (WCD) will be allotted a quantity of cellular-PBX integration service, such as a number of minutes of use per month for instance. The quantity will be decremented a the WCD uses the service, and the WCD may be precluded from benefiting from the cellular-PBX integration service upon exhaustion of the balance. In one embodiment, for instance, when a radio access network (RAN) that serves the WCD receives a call request for the WCD, the account balance can be used as a basis to decide whether to pass the call to an IP PBX server that serves the WCD or whether to have the RAN handle the call.

Abstract: A method for dynamically selecting a voice mail system to receive a call on behalf of a cellular wireless subscriber. A radio access network (RAN) receives a voice mail call request, and a policy server determines which of a plurality of voice mail systems should receive the call from the media gateway system. The policy server can make this determination based on user profile logic and/or by voice interaction with the caller. In one embodiment, the determination may be whether to set up the call to a voice mail system provided by the subscriber's wireless carrier or rather whether to set up the call to a voice mail system provided by an enterprise that serves the subscriber.

Abstract: A method and system for providing advanced notice of cost to access web content. During transmission of web content over a communication path between a content server and a client station, an intermediation system adds into the web content, in conjunction with a hyperlink to web content, an indication of cost to access the referenced web content. The indication of cost will then be presented to a user when the web content is presented to the user, thereby giving the user an advanced notice of the cost to access the referenced content.

Abstract: A method of notifying a user of two or more networks (10, 12) that the user has received a message in a messaging system (28, 58) or that a message has been deleted. The method notifies all phones (30, 54) operated by the user on all of the networks. The method also forwards calls directed to a user to a single messaging system that may reside on any network, regardless which of the user's phones a caller dials. The invention permits a user to be notified of the receipt or deletion of a message at all of the user's phones and provides messaging services on all of a user's phones with a single messaging system.