Abstract: Methods for operating a call center. In one example implementation, a call center maintains personal profiles of a number of clients of a service provided by the call center. At least some of the personal profiles include contact information for one or more entities designated by the respective clients for receiving information about the respective clients. A text-based electronic emergency notification message is received via an electronic network from a communication device associated with a particular one of the clients. The personal profile of the particular client includes contact information for one or more entities designated by the particular client for receiving information about the particular client from the call center. A notification that the communication device associated with the particular client received the text-based electronic emergency notification message is forwarded to one or more of the entities designated in the personal profile of the particular client.

Abstract: A network monitoring and control application suitable for use by teachers and other users is implemented using wireless access points and does not require specific software to be installed on client network devices. The application uses student and class information to organize network client information. Upon receiving a monitoring request, one or more classes assigned to the teacher are identified by accessing class data. Class data is accessed to identify students assigned to the class and the client network devices used by these students. One wireless access point providing wireless network connections to at least a portion of the students' devices is selected to collect network activity information from the students' devices and presents this information to the teacher. The teacher may also use the selected wireless access point to disable students' network access or to redirect students' devices to a network resource.

Abstract: A user interface for a portable electronic device. In an example implementation, a first screen presents selections for launching applications executable by the portable device, the selections being presented in a plurality of horizontal screen regions, and a second screen presents selections related to stored contacts, these selections also being presented in a plurality of horizontal screen regions. Each of the first and second screens is accessible from the other by actuating a respective tab. A selection on the first screen may include an icon representing an application, and a textual description of the application, and the textual description may be prominent in relation to the icon. Actuating a selection on the second screen may access an individual contact screen that presents a chronological history of communications with the corresponding contact.

Abstract: Methods for operating a call center. In one example implementation, a call center maintains personal profiles of a number of clients of a service provided by the call center. At least some of the personal profiles include contact information for one or more entities designated by the respective clients for receiving information about the respective clients. A text-based electronic emergency notification message is received via an electronic network from a communication device associated with a particular one of the clients. The personal profile of the particular client includes contact information for one or more entities designated by the particular client for receiving information about the particular client from the call center. A notification that the communication device associated with the particular client received the text-based electronic emergency notification message is forwarded to one or more of the entities designated in the personal profile of the particular client.

Abstract: Systems and methods for handling emergency notification messages. In an example scenario, a call center identifies a text-based message sent from a mobile communication device, detects that the text-based message is an emergency notification message, determines the geographical location of the mobile communication device, and sends at least some of the information contained in the text-based message to one or more other communication devices in proximity to the geographical location of the mobile communication device.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for connecting a caller to an alternate telephone number, such as 9-1-1, when a call to a private response center does not result in immediate assistance, or when it is recognized by the private response center that emergency services are needed at the caller's location. In one example, when the call to the private response center does not connect, the private response center may explicitly reject the call, causing the calling device to take action to call an emergency services telephone number, if needed. In another example, the call to the private response center may reach a customer service representative who recognizes that emergency services are needed. A signal is then sent to the calling device causing the device to call 9-1-1 directly.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for connecting a caller to an alternate telephone number, such as 911, when a call to a private response center does not result in immediate assistance. In one example, when the call to the private response center does not connect, the communications device used to make the call may prompt the user to indicate that the call relates to an emergency, and the communications device may call the emergency services telephone number. Failure to connect may result when the call does not connect to a receiving party, or upon failure to timely reach a customer service representative. In another example, the call to the private response center may connect, but the private response center may signal the communications device that the call will not be handled immediately. The communications device may then prompt the user to indicate whether an alternate telephone number should be called.

Abstract: A network monitoring and control application suitable for use by teachers and other users is implemented using wireless access points and does not require specific software to be installed on client network devices. The application uses student and class information to organize network client information. Upon receiving a monitoring request, one or more classes assigned to the teacher are identified by accessing class data. Class data is accessed to identify students assigned to the class and the client network devices used by these students. One wireless access point providing wireless network connections to at least a portion of the students' devices is selected to collect network activity information from the students' devices and presents this information to the teacher. The teacher may also use the selected wireless access point to disable students' network access or to redirect students' devices to a network resource.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing alternate communication paths for telephone calls. Calls directed to a telephone are relayed to a second electronic communication device, which may be a second telephone, based on the physical relationship of the telephone and the second device. According to one aspect, the physical relationship is automatically detected and compared with one or more conditions. When one of the conditions is met, an incoming call directed to the telephone is relayed to the second electronic communication device. Detection of the physical relationship may include detecting whether the telephone and the second device are in close proximity, whether one or both of the telephone and the second device is moving, or other aspects of the relationship.

Abstract: A network monitoring and control application suitable for use by teachers and other users is implemented using wireless access points and does not require specific software to be installed on client network devices. The application uses student and class information to organize network client information. Upon receiving a monitoring request, one or more classes assigned to the teacher are identified by accessing class data. Class data is accessed to identify students assigned to the class and the client network devices used by these students. One wireless access point providing wireless network connections to at least a portion of the students' devices is selected to collect network activity information from the students' devices and presents this information to the teacher. The teacher may also use the selected wireless access point to disable students' network access or to redirect students' devices to a network resource.

Abstract: Systems and methods for handling emergency notification messages. In an example scenario, a call center identifies a text-based message sent from a mobile communication device, detects that the text-based message is an emergency notification message, determines the geographical location of the mobile communication device, and sends at least some of the information contained in the text-based message to one or more other communication devices in proximity to the geographical location of the mobile communication device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for handling emergency notification messages such as Commercial Mobile Alert System (CMAS) alerts. In an example scenario, a call center maintains personal profiles of a number of clients, including contact information for persons or other entities designated by the clients to receive information about the clients. The call center receives from a device associated with a particular client of the call center that the client's device has received a text-based emergency notification message. The call center notifies one or more of the designated entities. The notification may include the content of the emergency notification message, and may include an audio version of the notification message. An indication or the notification message may also be placed in a database accessible to one or more of the designated persons or entities.

Abstract: A user interface for a portable electronic device. In an example implementation, a first screen presents selections for launching applications executable by the portable device, the selections being presented in a plurality of horizontal screen regions, and a second screen presents selections related to stored contacts, these selections also being presented in a plurality of horizontal screen regions. Each of the first and second screens is accessible from the other by actuating a respective tab. A selection on the first screen may include an icon representing an application, and a textual description of the application, and the textual description may be prominent in relation to the icon. Actuating a selection on the second screen may access an individual contact screen that presents a chronological history of communications with the corresponding contact.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for connecting a caller to an alternate telephone number, such as 9-1-1, when a call to a private response center does not result in immediate assistance, or when it is recognized by the private response center that emergency services are needed at the caller's location. In one example, when the call to the private response center does not connect, the private response center may explicitly reject the call, causing the calling device to take action to call an emergency services telephone number, if needed. In another example, the call to the private response center may reach a customer service representative who recognizes that emergency services are needed. A signal is then sent to the calling device causing the device to call 9-1-1 directly.

Abstract: Systems and methods for handling emergency notification messages such as Commercial Mobile Alert System (CMAS) alerts. In an example scenario, a call center maintains personal profiles of a number of clients, including contact information for persons or other entities designated by the clients to receive information about the clients. The call center receives from a device associated with a particular client of the call center that the client's device has received a text-based emergency notification message. The call center notifies one or more of the designated entities. The notification may include the content of the emergency notification message, and may include an audio version of the notification message. An indication or the notification message may also be placed in a database accessible to one or more of the designated persons or entities.

Abstract: Systems and methods for handling emergency notification messages such as Commercial Mobile Alert System (CMAS) alerts. In one example, a mobile communications device receives a text-based emergency alert message, converts at least some of the message content into an audio format, and then audibly plays the message. Such a system may enable additional persons to receive emergency notifications who otherwise may not receive them, for example, persons with visual impairments, or persons using communications devices that are unable to display text. In another example arrangement, a response center receives a text-based message, recognizes that a particular remote communications device is not capable of displaying the text-based message, derives from the content of the text-based electronic notification message data or signals that render at least some of the content of the text-based electronic notification message into an audio format, and transmits the data or signals to the communications device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing alternate communication paths for telephone calls. Calls directed to a telephone are relayed to a second electronic communication device, which may be a second telephone, based on the physical relationship of the telephone and the second device. According to one aspect, the physical relationship is automatically detected and compared with one or more conditions. When one of the conditions is met, an incoming call directed to the telephone is relayed to the second electronic communication device. Detection of the physical relationship may include detecting whether the telephone and the second device are in close proximity, whether one or both of the telephone and the second device is moving, or other aspects of the relationship.

Abstract: Methods and systems for engaging isolated individuals. In an example implementation, a variety of historical information about a client is received, indicating that certain prior events have occurred in the life of the client. The historical information is stored in electronic storage, and one or more patterns are detected, using a specially programmed computer system, that relate the prior events occurring to the client to presumed indicators of the client's mood. A description of the one or more detected patterns is recorded in the electronic storage. In some implementations, it may be automatically recognized, based on the one or more detected patterns that one or more additional events presumed to indicate the possible onset of a negative mood on the part of the client have occurred, and one or more measures presumed to mitigate the negative mood on the part of the client may be applied.