Abstract: A method and system for conveying location-granularity preferences with location-based service requests. A client station will detect a request to initiate a voice call, and before actually initiating the call the client station will send a message into a network indicating how to carry out a location-based service. In this manner, each time the client station accesses a location-based service, the client station will automatically send the instruction message to the service provider directing the provider how to carry out the service. Upon receiving the instructions, the location-based service provider may proceed to determine the location of the client station. The location-based service provider may then adjust the location of the client station according to the instructions. The service provider could then return the location of the client station, adjusted according to the instructions, directly to a location-based application, to provide the requested location-based service to the client station.

Abstract: A system and method where a Personal Address Book is created. The Personal Address Book has user information. A user sends a voice message requesting a connection. The system and method retrieves connection information from the Personal Address Book, said makes the connection based upon the information in the Personal Address Book. Entries in the Personal Address Book are marked as invited callers. The system and method virally extends the subscribing community by inviting these callers to become part of the subscribing community. The system and method also allows other services to be synchronized with the Personal Address Book.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for using differentiated telephone numbers to determine whether to perform a vocoder bypass. In an exemplary embodiment, a mobile station may call a terminating node. An intermediate entity may search an identifier of the terminating node for a predetermined aspect. If the predetermined aspect is found, the terminating node may be a mobile station, and the intermediate entity may perform a vocoder bypass. If the predetermined aspect is not found, the terminating node may be a non-mobile station, and the intermediate entity may perform vocoding.

Abstract: A CDMA PCS telecommunications cell (40) of increased capacity includes a plurality of sectors (42, 44, 46) controlled by a base station (14) using a defined set of CDMA codes for each sector. Capacity is increased by configuring the base station to operate at two different, non-interfering frequencies within each sector of the cell. One frequency may be used either for normal traffic or for handing off calls to or from adjacent cells. One frequency is preferably used to operate a pilot beacon for transferring calls between adjacent cells in a soft manner.

Abstract: A business logic server for forming priority data structures includes a memory and a processing module. The processing module communicatively coupled to the memory. The processing module receives at least one transmission rule and a data download and stores the at least one transmission rule and the data download in the memory. The processing module is programmed to format the at least one transmission rule into at least one priority data structure and stores the priority data structure in the memory. The processing module is programmed to create an input file in the memory and format the data download into the input file. The processing module transmits the input file and the at least one priority data structure from the memory to a network logic server.

Abstract: A propagation relay, attached to an enclosure, receives a wireless signal. The signal is sent from a base station over a downlink frequency. The propagation relay converts the downlink signal and transmits it wirelessly, using a different frequency, to mobile station interface ports located within the enclosure. The mobile station interface ports convert the signal back into one at the downlink frequency and send it, via a wireless link, to mobile stations inside the enclosure. Communication from the mobile stations to the base station occurs in the same manner.

Abstract: A mechanism is disclosed for controlling capacity in a communication system, based on zones in which subscribers are located. When a subscriber seeks to establish a communication session among multiple subscribers, a determination is made as to whether more than a threshold number of the subscribers are located in a common zone. If so, the excess subscribers in that zone are excluded from participating in the session.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for using differentiated telephone numbers to determine whether to perform a vocoder bypass. In an exemplary embodiment, a mobile station may call a terminating node. An intermediate entity may search an identifier of the terminating node for a predetermined aspect. If the predetermined aspect is found, the terminating node may be a mobile station, and the intermediate entity may perform a vocoder bypass. If the predetermined aspect is not found, the terminating node may be a non-mobile station, and the intermediate entity may perform vocoding.

Abstract: A mobile station provides arbitration and hand-off between two or more differently formatted computer and/or telecommunication networks. To facilitate the mobile station arbitration and hand-off, the mobile station operates at a given location in which it can communicate according to a first protocol via a first-access system and at which it can communicate according to a second protocol via a second-access system. At the given location, the mobile station arbitrates between communicating real-time media according to the first protocol via the first-access system and communicating real-time media according to the second protocol over the first protocol via the second-access system. To carry out the arbitration, mobile station may be provisioned with one or more arbitration policies. Based on these arbitration policies, the mobile station commits resources to carry on a communication session via a selected access system.

Abstract: A method and system for collecting test data at a customer premises site. A computer receives a customer-specific input record that defines test measurements to be taken at the customer premises site. The computer then directs a test meter to take the designated measurements and receives the measured values form the test meter. In turn, the computer provides a customer-specific output report, which indicates the measured values taken at the customer premises site. The method and system facilitates better control over the taking and reporting of signal quality measurements.

Abstract: A method and system for selectively reducing call-setup latency. The method and system provides for selectively increasing the paging frequency used for paging certain mobile stations, so as to decrease the time that it takes to establish radio-link connectivity with those mobile stations. The method and system is particularly useful when establishing real-time communication sessions, such as instant chat sessions, but may be useful in other scenarios as well.

Abstract: A method and system for establishing subscriber terminal communications. An actuator, which may be as simple as a single pushbutton switch for instance, may be engaged by a human so as to send an actuation signal to a controller that preferably resides external to the subscriber terminal. The controller receives the actuation signal and further receives an indication of the status of the subscriber terminal (such as whether the terminal is currently engaged in a call, is idle, or is ringing). Based on the actuation signal and the status of the subscriber terminal, the controller determines an action to be taken by the subscriber terminal. The controller then sends a directive to the subscriber terminal, which causes the subscriber terminal to take the action. In one arrangement, for instance, the action may be the subscriber terminal dialing digits that are sufficient to cause a dial-up-connection to a voice-activated-dialing platform.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for using electronic serial numbers (ESNS) to determine whether to perform vocoder bypass. In an exemplary embodiment, a terminal device may share a common mobile identification number (MIN) with other terminal devices. The terminal device may answer a page and provide its ESN to an intermediate entity. The intermediate entity may query a database to determine whether the answering terminal device is a mobile station. The intermediate entity may perform vocoding if the answering terminal device is a non-mobile station, or vocoder bypass if the answering terminal device is a mobile station.

Abstract: A computer program that automatically creates call routing data files for setting up call routing in a new telecommunications switch (10) or for adding a new MSA to an existing switch. The computer program broadly comprises a code segment for receiving NPAs and NXXs for an area such as an MSA; a code segment for receiving information differentiating local calls from long distance calls for at least some of the NPAs and the NXXs in the area; and a code segment for analyzing the NPAs, the NXXs, and the information differentiating local calls from long distance calls and for automatically creating at least some of the call routing for calls originating in the area.

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 are disclosed for facilitating location-based services. In the arrangement described, when a mobile station is engaged in a data session with a server, the mobile station may be made to initiate a voice call to a designated number. As a result, a switch or other such entity may send a signaling message (such as an Origination Request message) to a central controller, thereby providing the central controller with an indication of the mobile station's current location. The central controller may then make that location information available to the server. In turn, the server may use the location to perform a location based service, such as providing location-based information to the mobile station.

Abstract: A method and system for distributing data from one or more main data sources to one or more consumer nodes. An abstract data matrix layer is provided between a producer layer and a consumer layer. A producer node multicasts data updates to selected data matrix nodes in the data matrix layer, and a consumer node registers with the data matrix layer to receive designated data updates. One or more data matrix nodes then serve the requested data updates on the requesting consumer node.

Abstract: A method and system is disclosed for reactively managing dropped calls in a wireless communication system. A mobile station determines that it has experienced a dropped call. In response, the mobile station allows a user to continue communicating, such as by recording the user's speech, for instance. The mobile station may then play out the recorded speech to the user or to another call participant, such as upon reestablishment of the call.

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.