Abstract: A voice command platform provides an application developer with the ability to select a particular acoustic model from a plurality of available acoustic models. In a representative embodiment, the application executing on the voice command platform is written in Voice XML, a tag-based language. The programmable selection of the speech recognition engine and the acoustic model is provided by means of a VXML root document having VXML code. The of the <metadata> element of the VXML specification is extended to encompass selection of a particular acoustic model. The root document includes the <metadata> element with the name of the acoustic model to use. Other methods for selection of acoustic model are also disclosed, including HTTP headers, interactive selection, and the use of area codes or local exchanges where the user using the voice application is calling from.

Abstract: A method and system for location based subject matter teleconferencing is disclosed. A user makes a request to join a teleconference based on the user's location and subject matter. A conference-call-setup-system (“CCSS”) receives the request. The CCSS determines the location of the user and identifies the teleconference that matches the request. Additionally, the CCSS may use the time of the request when identifying the teleconference that matches the request. The CCSS then arranges for a conference bridge to join the user to the teleconference. As a result, the user can communicate with other users in the same general location who want to discuss the same subject matter.

Abstract: A mobile node registers with a wireless telecommunications network to obtain a mobile node registration having a registration time period. Before the registration time period expires, the mobile node's registration is renewed, if a renewal criterion is met. The renewal criterion distinguishes between user data traffic and automatic data traffic.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for overcoming pilot pollution in a wireless communications network. The apparatus boosts a preferred pilot signal within a geographical area that is suffering from pilot pollution. The boosted pilot signal is stronger than the pollution in this area, and causes mobile stations to lock onto the boosted pilot signal rather than the pollution. A directional receiving antenna on the apparatus receives the preferred pilot signal from a selected base station. After amplifying the preferred pilot signal, the apparatus transmits the boosted pilot signal from an antenna within the geographical area. In this manner, mobile stations lock communicate with the selected base station when within the geographical area rather than the base station responsible for the pilot pollution. This may result in fewer dropped calls from the network and fewer inappropriate hand-offs.

Abstract: A handheld game device includes a processing element that executes a game application, such as for example a car-racing application or other interactive game which is viewed on a screen display provided in the game device. The game device also contains a camera, preferably taking the form of an electronic video camera, capturing image frames at a suitable frame rate, such as 10 or 20 frames per second or more. The game device uses movement information obtained from a sequence of images obtained from the camera as a basis to navigate the user through a game that the user is playing on the device. For example, if the user tilts the device to the left, the tilting action results in image movement. The image movement is interpreted as user input of movement commands for the video game application, just as joystick movement is interpreted as movement commands for the video game application.

Abstract: A method and system for wireless admission control. The system monitors the air interface load in various wireless coverage areas, such as sectors for instance. When the load exceeds a designated level, the system begins making call admission decisions based on whether the calls involve mobile wireless devices (such as handheld cell phones) or fixed wireless devices (such as wall-mounted cell phones or wireless local loop hubs). Further, the system may additionally base its admission decisions on the type of bearer traffic carried by the calls, such as whether the calls carry voice, fax or data traffic.

Abstract: A mobile information device may execute a Java MIDlet or a non-MIDlet application. The mobile information device may further include an application management system that allows one or more object-oriented object classes to allow input and output data to be communicated between Java MIDlets in different MIDlet Suites and between non-MIDlet applications.

Abstract: A method and system provides for restricting access to particular network content. In one embodiment, a gateway can receive, from a client device, a content request that includes a rating-allowance for the requested content. The gateway can also receive, from a content provider, a content-rating for the requested content. The gateway can then compare the content-rating to the rating-allowance and, in response, either allow or block the delivery of that content to the client device.

Abstract: A gaming server periodically receives location information from a plurality of distributed gaming devices. Such devices can take the form of cellular telephones or other wireless communications devices equipped with a GPS transceiver. When the gaming server determines that a gaming device is within a predetermined range of another gaming device, it sends an authorization message such as an “in-range” message to one or both of the devices within range of each other. The users of the device(s) receiving the in-range message are then authorized to “shoot” the other user, e.g., by taking a picture of them, pointing a laser at them or other gaming action that may be specified by the rules of the game. The gaming action could also be initiating a game.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling when a radio link layer connection to a wireless terminal is released. A packet data serving node (PDSN) may determine what type of communication is being exchanged with a wireless terminal. For example, the PDSN may determine that the type of communication with the wireless terminal is a push-to-talk session, a file transfer protocol session, a web browsing session, or an instant messaging session. Based on the type of communication, the PDSN may signal a base station. In response to the signal, the base station may control when a radio link layer connection to the wireless terminal is released. The base station may set an active-to-dormant timer with a period of time indicative of when the radio link layer connection to the wireless terminal is released.

Abstract: Provided are methods and systems associated with interactive voice response (“IVR”) systems that control the amount of time a user interacts with the system. According to the invention, an IVR system utilizes a timer or series of timers to determine how long a user has been interacting with the IVR system. When threshold events occur, the IVR system will analyze the status of the call and may switch the user to a predefined destination, such as to an operator queue, directly to a live operator, or to another designated navigation point in the IVR navigation structure. In this manner increasing the efficiency of manner in which the IVR system interacts with a caller.

Abstract: A portable interference-generating device for inducing desired frame error characteristics, such as desired frame error patterns and rates, at a mobile unit receiving a carrier signal having at least one data channel having a plurality of data frames. The induced frame errors may be used to test a digital radio receiver's behavior in the presence of frame errors that may occur as a result of various impairments in a CDMA wireless communication channel. The portable interference-generating device includes a noise source that provides a noise signal and a pulse generator that is used to gate the noise signal according to a desired frame error characteristic at the mobile unit. The gated noise signal is provided to the mobile unit via a coupling element, which preferably couples the gated noise signal directly to an antenna radiation element on the mobile unit.

Abstract: A system and methods for providing location based services to a mobile station in a cellular wireless system. The system includes components that interact with position determining equipment to locate the mobile station within a region that is defined by a service provider. Once the system determines what service is being requested by the mobile station, the system associates the position of the mobile station with a provider-defined region that encompasses the location of the mobile station. A feature of the invention is the manner in which the system associates the provider-defined regions by first determining how the service provider's regions are categorized. The system contacts the service provider for the region over the Internet, and requests information that is appropriate to the position of the mobile station. With this method and system, a mobile station may request information on services that are available in his vicinity.

Abstract: Each wireless access point in a wireless local area network (WLAN) is allocated a set of one or more identifiers. A correlation database stores information that relates the geographic location of each wireless access point and the identifiers allocated to it. When a mobile node associated with a wireless access point in the WLAN originates a 9-1-1 or other emergency call, one of the wireless access point's identifiers is included in the call origination request. By querying the correlation database, the wireless access point's geographic location may be determined from the identifier. When a public safety answering point (PSAP) answers the mobile node's call, the PSAP may obtain the geographic location of the wireless access point with which the mobile node is associated. This location information could be pushed to the PSAP, or the PSAP could obtain the location information by querying the correlation database.

Abstract: A wireline telephony instrument for wirelessly receiving and displaying data messages allows a wireline telephone to wirelessly receive data messages. The data messages may include text, images, and other types of multimedia data. Wireless receive-only capabilities may be integrated into the wireline telephony instrument by adding an integrated circuit, such as a CDMA chipset or a GSM chipset, to the wireline telephony instrument. Further, by integrating a display into the wireline telephony instrument, the wireline telephony instrument may display the data messages. Logic is also integrated into the wireline telephone for routing the data messages received by the wireline telephone to the display.

Abstract: A method and system for mitigating the impact of latency in the initiation of a packet-based real-time media session. When an initiating station is setting up a requested session, the initiating station will generate and play out a repetitive tone pattern (e.g., ring tone) for the initiating user to hear. The tone pattern is predefined in the initiating station, rather than being received from the network during session setup. The repetitive tone pattern preferably relaxes the initiating user and reduces or prevents “dead air” during session initiation.

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: A system, method and apparatus for delivering a photo captured during a predefined time-interval prior to a voice call. A camera phone or other telephone device will detect that an image is captured during the predefined time-interval prior to the device engaging in a voice call with a given party. In response, the device will automatically send the image to the given party.

Abstract: A method and system for billing an account of a wireless terminal to reflect multicast transmission of data to the wireless terminal. A first record is sent to a billing system indicating that, at a given time, data was transmitted to a multicast group. A second record is sent to the billing system indicating that, at the given time, a given wireless terminal was a member of the multicast group. The billing system correlates the first and second records to determine that the data was transmitted to a given wireless terminal. The billing system may then generate a charge for transmission of the data to the given wireless terminal.

Abstract: Before a WiMAX-equipped device is distributed to an end-user, the manufacturer or distributor of the WiMAX-equipped device will record in the device a set of data that describes characteristics (e.g., type, features, capabilities, and limitations) of the device. When the end-user powers on the device or otherwise brings the device within the coverage of a service provider's WiMAX base station, the device will then acquire radio connectivity, typically with the service provider authenticating the device's WiMAX chipset. Thereafter, the device will engage in a first-time activation/service-provisioning session with a system operated by the service provider, and during that session, the device will provide the system with its device-characteristics data and the service provider will use that device-characteristics data as a basis to customize provisioning of service for the device based on the device's features and capabilities.