Abstract: In the method disclosed, a mobile terminal subscriber can seize control of and direct surveillance equipment to focus in on an identified area. The mobile terminal subscriber initiates the surveillance process by selecting a “surveillance” option from a menu, or by entering a code. The area placed under surveillance is the location of the subscriber's mobile terminal or a remote area identified by the subscriber. Where the area under surveillance is the location of the mobile terminal, the area can be identified by using location technology such as global satellite positioning signals or signals generated by the wireless network to obtain the coordinates of the mobile terminal. Knowing the coordinates of the area that is designated to be under surveillance and the location of the surveillance equipment (e.g., latitude, longitude and altitude), the selection and orientation of the selected surveillance equipment, i. e.

Abstract: A screening and monitoring capability for switch based voice messaging systems that allows a called party to hear the caller and the caller's voice as the caller leaves a message and break in to start a normal telephone discussion if the caller or the caller's subject warrants such action. The method and apparatus of this invention provide for an advanced intelligent network service feature that controls the bridging of the connections to the voice mail and the called party's telephone station. The service feature turns the voice mail off and tears down the connection if the monitoring called party speaks.

Abstract: The called party can temporarily defer answering a call simply by pressing a button on the station set. When the button is pressed, the called party's station set sends a data message to the system's voice response unit directing the voice response to play a "please wait" message to the calling party rather than sending the calling party to the called party's voice mail. The voice response unit plays the "please wait" message to the calling party and sends a call park message to the switching system hosting the station set. The call park message to the switching system directs the switching system to park the call at a specific location as is known in the art and a corresponding call park message to the station set transmits the location of the parked call to the station set. When the called party desires to answer the call, a message is sent from the station set to the switching system requesting that the call parked at the identified location be connected to the station set.