Abstract: A method and system for responding to voice commands in a voice-command platform. The platform receives a voice command during a voice command session with a user, and the platform responsively carries out a set of system-level logic. For example, the platform may determine that the voice command is an alias-grammar (whether personal to a user, or global for the platform) and may then convert the alias-grammar into an actual grammar. As another example, the platform may determine that the voice command is a bookmark command, such as a request to save a given voice command navigation point in a centralized list of bookmarks for the user, or to recall a navigation point from the user's centralized list, and the platform may respond to the bookmark command accordingly. And as yet another example, the platform may recognize a voice command that is not defined by a voice command application currently being processed but that is instead defined globally for the voice command platform.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing abbreviated dialing functionality to a user's subscriber terminal or telephone by automatically adding a designated string of digits to any abbreviated extension dialed by the user. The subscriber terminal may include a processor, a memory (e.g., ROM, flash memory, non-volatile memory, hard disk, etc.), a “Send” button or the like, one or more sequences of digits stored in the memory, and a translation routine executable by the processor. The translation routine is executed when the processor determines that the digits entered by the user represent an abbreviated extension, for example, when a user dials fewer than seven digits and presses the “Send” button on a subscriber terminal. When executed, the translation routine automatically prepends or adds one of the stored sequences of digits to the abbreviated extension entered by the user, and then the subscriber terminal dials the resulting composite telephone number.

Abstract: A method and system for facilitating end-to-end quality of service in a 3G packet data network. A packet-data session is set up between a mobile station and a packet-data network, via a base station and a packet data serving node (PDSN). The base station manages quality of service for the session as it passes over the air interface, and the PDSN manages quality of service for the session as it passes into the packet-data network. The PDSN translates between quality of service on the packet-data network and quality of service on the air interface, and the PDSN and base station communicate the quality of service information, so that both the base station and PDSN can work to set up consistent levels of quality of service on their respective links.

Abstract: A method and system for controlled provisioning of a desired set of service logic for a subscriber of group of subscribers. In response to a designated stimulus, such as a time-event, a location-event or a threshold-event, a network entity modifies the subscriber profile maintained by a serving system, so as to include in the profile one or more desired parameters. One such modification may be the inclusion in the profile of a trigger that directs the serving system to query a designated network entity for call handling instructions. The designated network entity may then provide a special set of services for the subscriber or group. Further, a mechanism is provided to help ensure that once such a service overlay is imposed, it remains imposed if desired.

Abstract: A method and system of identifying cells in which to apply a carrier frequency. A wireless communication system may be comprised of cells, which are divided into sectors. A list of sectors of the system that require additional capacity may be compiled and a carrier frequency may be applied to a selected group of those sectors. The sectors may be selected based on a distance between each other and/or based on a probability of handoff from one another, for instance.

Abstract: A computer program and method that allows direct access and modification of the data tables (12) in voice-over-i.p. local routing switches (10) so that administrators can more easily modify data and/or supplement data therein. The method and computer program permits an administrator to view a list of voice-over-i.p. local routing switches; select a switch from the list; view a list of data tables for the selected switch; select a data table from the list; search for and retrieve information in the data table; modify the information; and then upload the modifications to the switch by sending the modifications to an interface on the switch.

Abstract: A system and method for locating the present location of a mobile station and sending consumer information to the mobile station sorted based on distance between the establishments represented by the consumer information and the present location of the mobile station. The consumer information may be sorted so as to contain information of a certain classification or characteristic. Furthermore, the consumer information may be sorted according to user defined guidelines. The user of the mobile station may ask for a particular type of business close to the user's current location. This instant information system may match a user's location, defined preferences, and retailer's promotions to send the user instant information for goods or services.

Abstract: A private wireless network is able to provide wireless telecommunication services to subscriber mobile stations that also subscribe to a public wireless network. The private wireless network includes a private base transceiver station (BTS), a private mobile switching center (MSC), and a gateway service control point (SCP). The private BTS provides a private network wireless coverage area within which the mobile station can communicate with the base transceiver station over an air interface. The gateway SCP has a private network database containing private network data records for subscribing mobile stations. A private network data record includes a private network service profile and a private network locator address. The public wireless network has a home location register (HLR) with a public network database containing public network data records for subscribing mobile stations. A public network data record includes a public network service profile and a public network locator address.

Abstract: A system (10), computer program, and method for automatically and periodically conducting an inventory of one or more network assets (12) or resources, such as, for example, servers, workstations, or firewalls, using an agent (16) running on each asset (12) to perform the inventory and collect inventory data which may thereafter be sent in a secure manner to a designated location where it can be parsed and from which pertinent information can be saved. Thereafter, the stored information may be used, for example, to generate inventory reports for determining network vulnerabilities, checking software licenses, and tracking network assets. In a preferred embodiment, the system (10) broadly comprises one or more separate instances of an inventory agent (16); one or more collection servers (18); a directory server (20); and a reporting server (22). The present invention also makes use of digital certificates for identification, authentication, and, optionally, encryption purposes.

Abstract: A system and method for sending an e-mail message from a subscriber entity in a telecommunications network are described. One exemplary method includes receiving a call request from a first subscriber entity to establish a call between the first subscriber entity and a second subscriber entity. The call request includes a management code and a destination identifier such as a MIN or a PSTN number associated with the second subscriber entity. The method further includes converting the destination identifier to one or more e-mail addresses associated with the second subscriber entity. Further, the method includes receiving a message from the first subscriber entity and sending the message to one or more e-mail addresses associated with the second subscriber entity. In one embodiment, the method further includes converting a voice message to a text message and sending the text message to one or more e-mail addresses associated with the second subscriber entity.

Abstract: A method and system for facilitating collection of past due balances. A control entity such as a call server or collections server receives a signaling message such as a SIP INVITE that seeks to set up a call between a calling party and called party. The control entity determines that the calling party has a past due balance, i.e., that the calling party owes the carrier money. In response, the control entity changes the signaling message to designate a collections system as the called party, and the signaling message is then used to set up a call between the calling party and the collections system.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for passenger reporting of emergencies aboard an aircraft. An exemplary aircraft security system may have a panic device accessible to and activated by a passenger who may be seated. The panic device may be within a passenger compartment of an aircraft, and a wireless interface associated with the aircraft may respond to activation of the panic device by transmitting an emergency signal outside of the aircraft. The emergency signal may be indicative of panic data and/or aircraft data determined within the aircraft. The panic data may indicate the presence of an emergency within the aircraft, and the aircraft data may include the status of aircraft systems, telemetry data, and media transmission of the passenger compartment. The panic data and/or aircraft data may be extracted from the emergency signal and sent to authorities.

Abstract: A method and system for reporting outside temperature. A temperature source continually provides a measure of outside temperature to a base station in a wireless communications system. The base station responsively inserts an indication of outside temperature into control channel messages and broadcasts the control channel messages for receipt by mobile stations being served by the base station. A mobile station receives the control channel messages, extracts the temperature indication from the messages, and continually displays an indication of outside temperature for viewing by a user. Conveniently, the temperature source can be a simple temperature gauge mounted to a base station tower or other entity in or near the cell site being served by the base station, so that mobile stations in the cell site can be made to display the local temperature.

Abstract: A method and system for providing services in communications networks. A gateway layer determines information about a communication session and responsively sends a signaling message to a session manager, providing the information. The session manager may then send a signaling message to a service agent, also providing the information. The service agent may in turn apply a set of service logic based at least in part on the information, so as to derive a service treatment, and the service agent may send a signaling message so as to cause an enforcement engine (such as the gateway or session manager) to carry out the service treatment. Advantageously, this arrangement may facilitate imposition of services across various types of communication sessions (such as voice sessions and/or data sessions) and access networks (such as circuit-switched and/or packet-switched), at session initiation and during the course of an ongoing session. A variety of useful services may thereby be provided.

Abstract: A wireless telecommunications network uses a wireless location technology to determine the locations of mobile stations. As part of a location accuracy analysis process, the wireless location technology is used to obtain a measured latitude and longitude for a mobile station located at a test site having a known latitude and longitude. A data analysis system calculates the radial location error, expressed as a distance, between the measured and known latitude and longitude values. The process is repeated a number of times sufficient to calculate the mean radial location error to within a predetermined uncertainty at a predetermined confidence level.

Abstract: A system and method for advertising supported communications in a telecommunications network are described. One exemplary method includes receiving a call request to connect a call from an originating subscriber terminal to a destination subscriber terminal. The call request includes a destination identifier such as a MIN or a PSTN telephone number associated with the destination terminal. The method further includes providing at least one advertisement to a subscriber associated with the originating terminal, determining a free calling balance for the subscriber based on the advertisements being provided to the subscriber and the destination identifier, connecting the call from the originating terminal to the destination terminal, and monitoring as well as decrementing the free calling balance as the call progresses.

Abstract: A route planning system for use in mobile telecommunications is disclosed. A user of a mobile station such as a wireless telephone, PDA, pager or computer, initiates a route planning service request and provides a destination telephone number. A switching center responsively initiates an asynchronous position request of a mobile positioning system, which identifies and stores the mobile station position. The switching center connects the mobile station to a route planning application server. The route planning application server obtains the mobile station position by querying the mobile positioning system. The route planning application server further obtains the destination telephone number and queries a location system to determine the destination position corresponding to the destination telephone number. The route planning application server in turn generates a route plan for travel from the mobile station position to the destination position and conveys the route plan to the user by any suitable means.

Abstract: A mobile station communicating with a first radio network, such as a WLAN, may detect that it is communicating with an access point located at a perimeter of a coverage area of the first radio network rather than communicating with an access point located within an interior of the coverage area. The mobile station might further detect one or both of first and second directional signals transmitted from the access point. In response, the mobile station might perform one or more predetermined actions, such as checking the availability of a radio network other than the WLAN, performing a handoff, sounding an alarm or some other action.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring wireless network conditions. Two mobile stations are coupled with a computer. The first mobile station interacts with the network and thereby establishes diagnostic data concerning network conditions. The first mobile station then reports that diagnostic data to the computer. As the computer receives the diagnostic data from the first mobile station, the computer obtains location data indicative of the current location of the first mobile station. The computer then provides the diagnostic data and corresponding location data to the second mobile station, which in turn transmits the data to a remote entity via the wireless communications network. As the remote entity receives the data, the remote entity may generate output reports and alerts as desired.

Abstract: A location-code system provides user-specific location codes corresponding to locations. A user can provision the codes. When the user accesses a location-based service, the user can then provide the service with a location code. The service, perhaps with the assistance of a location-code provider, can then translate the user-specific location code into location coordinates that can be used to facilitate a location-based service. Further, the location-code system can provide global, or generic, location-codes for particular locations, which any user can use as a basis to indicate a location.