Abstract: A method for supporting a broadcast call feature (BCF) (50) is provided for a mobile station (MS) (10) served by a wireless telecommunications network. The method includes: receiving a signal from the MS (10) requesting use of the BCF (50); prompting the MS (10) for a message; recording the message; cueing-up a plurality of telephone numbers in a cue (58); dialing a telephone number from the cue (58) to establish a connection with a called party corresponding to the dialed telephone number; and, playing back the recorded message to the called party when a connection is established therewith.

Abstract: A system and method of routing calls made to a called party Universal Access Phone Number (UAPN) in a telecommunications network is provided. The method includes determining the time the call is made, determining the day the call is made, selecting a time/day-phone number for a destination phone number based on the time the call is made and the day the call is made, and routing the call to the called party terminal using the destination phone number. The system includes means for determining the time the call is made, means for determining the day the call is made, means for selecting a time/day-phone number for a destination phone number based on the time the call is made and the day the call is made, and means for routing the call to the called party terminal using the destination phone number.

Abstract: Embodiments of the method and apparatus provide remote access and file sharing functionality between mobile terminals of mobile subscribers in a telecommunication network. One embodiment may have the steps of: defining at least one privileged mobile terminal that has remote access to a first mobile terminal; defining file sharing strategy for at least one file that is sharable with the at least one privileged mobile terminal; and storing, in a database of the network, identification of the at least one privileged mobile terminal that has remote access privileges to the first mobile terminal, and the file sharing strategy for the at least one file on the first privileged mobile terminal. The apparatus implements the method.

Abstract: A mobile communication device of an apparatus in one example sends a plurality of rate queries to a plurality of service providers. Based on one or more rate quotes received from one or more of the plurality of service providers in response to one or more of the plurality of rate queries, the mobile communication device selects one of the plurality of service providers to handle a communication session.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for providing a priority alert at a communication device for certain designated callers on a per call basis. Either a priority call is requested at call origination (302, 304, 306) or after a normal call is not answered (406). Where a priority call request is made at call origination, the caller must supply a valid identification designation that is verified before a priority alert is sent (312). A telephone switch (106, 110) that terminates services to the communication device determines whether the priority call is permitted and initiates the priority alerting at the communication device (316). Where a normal (non-priority) call is not answered (406), a terminating switch or voicemail system coupled to the terminating switch prompts the caller to make a priority request and enter a valid priority identification designation (410, 512).

Abstract: A real-time transmission of a video from a first mobile station to a second mobile station is performed through employment of a data path between the first mobile station and the second mobile station.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for surveillance of voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) communications is provided. A server (112) associated with a network provider receives information to identify communications associated with a party under surveillance (200). The server uses the information to direct communications associated with the party under surveillance to a surveillance server (130) (202). The communications are analyzed to identify any initial VoIP data (204). If initial VoIP data is detected, identifiers for subsequent related VoIP communications are determined from the initial VoIP data (206). The identifiers for subsequent VoIP communications are used to identify subsequent VoIP packets. Those subsequent VoIP packets are then stored and analyzed as needed by an agency conducting surveillance.

Abstract: Embodiments of the method and system provide for providing notice and consent for recording a portion of a conversation between at least a first party and a second party. The method may have the steps of: triggering a telecommunication network to provide notice to the parties that a conversation is going to be recorded; requesting, by the network, a consent to record the conversation; effecting, if consent is not received from each of parties, no recording of the conversation; recording, if consent is received from each of parties, the conversation until the one of the parties triggers the telecommunication network to cease recording the conversation; and storing the recorded conversation in the telecommunication network. The system implements the method.

Abstract: A method comprises the step of performing a handoff of an active communication session of a mobile communication device between a cordless phone base station and a cellular base station.

Abstract: A network component of an apparatus in one example determines one or more usage characteristics of a mobile communication device for a cellular communications network and one or more usage characteristics of the mobile communication device for a satellite communications network.

Abstract: A network component of an apparatus in one example allows a user of a mobile communication device to perform one or more management procedures on a log of one or more calls terminated to and/or originated by the mobile communication device.

Abstract: An audio quality component of an apparatus in one example, upon a determination that an audio message by a sender fails to meet one or more audio thresholds, provides an indication of the determination to the sender before finalization of the audio message for an intended recipient.

Abstract: A method comprises the step of estimating a time period that remains for a cellular mobile communication device data transmission based on one or more determinations of status for one or more network resources that handle the cellular mobile communication device data transmission.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for routing an emergency call from a VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) phone to a PSAP (Public Safety Answering Point). A VoIP service provider receives an emergency call request from a VoIP phone. The VoIP service provider identifies the location of the VoIP phone. The VoIP service provider determines a PSAP associated with the location of the VoIP phone, and routes the emergency call request to the PSAP associated with the location of the VoIP phone.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for billing customer calls according to predefined billing lists. The billing lists may be consulted during or after a call to determine if the customers initiating or receiving the call have authorized alternative billing treatment. The alternative billing treatment may comprise, for example, billing both call legs of a wireless call to a single party (e.g. the calling or called party) or charging monetary charges of a wireline call to the called party without invoking operator services.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for disconnecting a CPE from a communication network. When a CPE goes off-hook, the CPE is automatically disconnected from the communication network. An alert is provided at the CPE that indicates that the CPE has been disconnected from the communication network. When the CPE goes back on-hook, the CPE is automatically reconnected to the communication network. The alerting is then stopped at the CPE.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and system for providing network support for messaging between short message service (SMS) subscribers and instant messaging (IM) subscribers. More particularly, the present invention provides a system for SMS and IM users to exchange messages directly. According to the present invention, IM users have access to the mobile subscriber community via mobility gateways and SMS users have access to the IM community via public data networks.

Abstract: A system and method of filtering SMS messages sent from an originating terminal to a subscriber terminal over a wireless communications network is provided. The method includes providing subscriber-provided authorization criteria, determining authorization of the originating terminal for sending the SMS message to the subscriber terminal using the authorization criteria, and filtering the SMS message based on the determining step. The system includes means for providing subscriber-provided authorization criteria, means for determining authorization of the originating terminal, and means for filtering the SMS message based on the authorization of the originating terminal.

Abstract: A mobile switching center of an apparatus in one example allows a user of a mobile communication device to assign one or more members to a feature group that is employable by the mobile switching center to provide a communication feature to the user.

Abstract: A mobile switching center of an apparatus in one example performs a barge-in that allows a first user to communicate with a second user of a mobile communication device that is engaged in a preexisting active call.