Abstract: The present invention provides a method that includes generating, in response to a non-access stratum (NAS) message transmitted between a mobility management entity and a visiting location register, a response message including information indicating a message type, an identifier of a mobile unit associated with the NAS message, and a cause associated with generating the response message. The method also includes transmitting the response message.

Abstract: A method of processing short message service (SMS) calls for a subscriber's communication device in a communication network is provided. The method comprises: receiving an SMS request involving the communication device at a short message service center; accessing a family access control database storing family access control information received for the communication device; and determining whether the short message service request should be allowed or denied based on the information found in the database.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method that includes generating, in response to a non-access stratum (NAS) message transmitted between a mobility management entity and a visiting location register, a response message including information indicating a message type, an identifier of a mobile unit associated with the NAS message, and a cause associated with generating the response message. The method also includes transmitting the response message.

Abstract: Methods and systems are presented for implementing wireless number portability in a wireless communications network, in which an originating switching component determines whether a called number is ported or not based on profile information from a home location register without querying a number portability database.

Abstract: A method of processing short message service (SMS) calls for a subscriber's communication device in a communication network is provided. The method comprises: receiving an SMS request involving the communication device at a short message service center; accessing a family access control database storing family access control information received for the communication device; and determining whether the short message service request should be allowed or denied based on the information found in the database.

Abstract: An apparatus in one example has: an incoming call mobile switching center that receives incoming calls; a home location register that stores routing information; a serving mobile switching center that stores mobile subscriber status, location, and routing information and that supplies a temporary location directory number, the home location register operatively coupled to the incoming call mobile switching center and to the serving mobile switching center; a customized wallpaper server operatively coupled to a wallpaper database, the wallpaper database having a plurality of stored wallpapers with corresponding assigned temporary location directory numbers, the customized wallpaper server operatively coupled to the incoming call mobile switching center and to the serving mobile switching center; and a customized wallpaper processor in the serving mobile switching center, the customized wallpaper processor processing a respective wallpaper for display on a display of a mobile terminal; wherein a respective wall

Abstract: Communication networks, phones, and associated methods are disclosed that provide library services to users of phones. A phone displays a library search screen to a user, and the user enters one or more library search parameters. The phone generates a request message that includes the library search parameter(s), and transmits the request message to a communication network (e.g., a wireless network or a VoIP network). A library server in the communication network receives the request message, and queries a library database based on the library search parameter(s). The library server receives library search results from the library database, and determines the type of response (e.g., text message, email message, etc) for the library search results. The library server then formats the library search results based on the determined type of response, and transmits the response to the user.

Abstract: A packet gateway (114) implements a flexible alerting feature. The packet gateway receives an incoming call for a number (202), determines a first home location register associated with the incoming call and requests location information for the incoming call from the first home location register (204). If the called number associated with the incoming call is a pilot directory number that relates to a flexible alerting feature, the packet gateway receives a termination list and an indication that the call is a flexible alerting call (206). If the termination list includes a directory number that is associated with a network that is served by the packet gateway, then the packet gateway determines a second home location register associated with that directory number (208, 210).

Abstract: A wireless communication network is described that includes a control system and a plurality of network nodes, such as MSCs. The network nodes communicate with mobile wireless devices, such as cell phones. The control system receives national security information for a geographic region. The control system identifies one or more network nodes serving the geographic region indicated in the national security information, and transmits the national security information to the identified network nodes. Each of the identified network nodes receives the national security information from the control system. The network nodes generate security alert messages based on the national security information, and transmit the security alert messages to one or more mobile wireless devices being served by that network node. In response to a security alert message, each mobile wireless device provides the security alert message, or a representation thereof, to a wireless subscriber using the mobile wireless device.

Abstract: A method of scheduling and establishing a conference call in a telecommunications network including a conference call server and a database for storing conference call information. The method includes scheduling a conference call with at least one private chat room for a conference call originator, establishing the conference call with at least one private chat room, and disconnecting the conference call.

Abstract: Communication systems and methods are disclosed that provide a voice mail bridging service. A communication network attempts to connect a call between a calling party and a called party. The called party has a plurality of telephone numbers corresponding with a plurality of voice mail systems. Responsive to the communication network determining that the called party has not answered the call attempt, the communication network prompts the calling party to record a voice message. The communication network receives a voice message from the calling party. The communication network identifies a plurality of telephone numbers for the called party, such as a home number, a mobile number, a business number, etc. The communication network then transmits the voice message to the voice mail systems corresponding with the identified telephone numbers for the called party. The called party can thus access any of the voice mail systems to retrieve the voice message.

Abstract: A wireless network is disclosed that provides repeat dialing to called parties that are powered off. The wireless network includes an originating MSC system, a Home Location Register (HLR) system for a called party, and a serving MSC system that serves the called party. Responsive to identifying that the called party is powered off, the calling party transmits a repeat dialing instruction to the originating MSC system. The originating MSC system then transmits a repeat dialing indicator to the HLR system for the called party. The HLR system for the called party identifies when the called party powers on. When the called party does power on, the HLR system transmits an instruction to the serving MSC system to attempt to set up a call between the called party and the calling party.

Abstract: A wireless telecommunication system is used to provide alert notifications such as weather alerts to affected mobile units in a geographic area. In one embodiment, responsive to receiving an alert notification, an MSC identifies one or more affected mobile units located within the coverage area and sends a message including indicia of the alert notification to the affected mobile units. In another embodiment, a subscriber service center (SSC) receives an alert notification and consults a database to identify one or more mobile units eligible to receive the alert notification. The SSC queries a mobile position center to identify one or more affected mobile units located within the coverage area and sends a message including indicia of the alert notification to the affected mobile units.

Abstract: A wireless network is disclosed that provides repeat dialing to busy called parties. The wireless network includes an originating MSC system that serves a calling party, and a terminating MSC system that serves a called party. The calling party initiates a call to the called party through the originating MSC system, and the terminating MSC system determines that the called party is busy on another call. The originating MSC system then receives a repeat dialing instruction from the calling party and transmits a repeat dialing indicator to the terminating MSC system. The terminating MSC system identifies when the called party becomes available in substantially real time. When available, the terminating MSC system attempts to set up a call between the called party and the calling party.

Abstract: Wireless networks and methods are disclosed that provide for anonymous call blocking in wireless networks. A wireless network of the invention includes an MSC system and an HLR system. When a calling party initiates a call to a called party, the MSC system receives the call and generates a call setup message for the call. The call is anonymous, so the call setup message does not include caller ID information for the calling party. The MSC system receiving the call transmits the call setup message to the HLR system. The HLR system determines if the call setup message includes caller ID information, and determines if the called party subscribes to anonymous call blocking. Responsive to determining that there is no caller ID information in the call setup message and that the called party subscribes to anonymous call blocking, the HLR system instructs the MSC system to block the call.

Abstract: Structures and methods are disclosed for corrupting image files of a mobile image device (e.g., picture phone) in some manner if the image files are initially captured within a designated “no image zone.” The mobile image device queries a wireless telecommunication network upon capturing an image. The network instructs the mobile image device to corrupt the image if it determined to have been captured within a no-image zone. The mobile image device may save the image if it was not captured within a designated “no image” zone.

Abstract: A wireless telecommunication network recognizes and blocks image transmissions from designated “no image zones.” In such manner, the wireless telecommunication network can block the transmission of video and/or photo images from mobile image device(s) (e.g., picture phones) attempting to send images from sensitive locations.

Abstract: A method of generating a certified email return receipt is provided. The method includes receiving an email requiring a certified email return receipt in a locked condition, prompting a person attempting to open the email to enter certified email return receipt information, collecting the certified email return receipt information entered by the person attempting to open the email, unlocking the email thereby enabling the email to be opened after the collecting step, opening the email after the collecting step for the person who entered the certified email return receipt information, and generating a certified email return receipt certifying that the email was received by the person who entered the certified email return receipt information.

Abstract: A system and method of routing calls in a telecommunications network is provided. The method includes receiving an incoming call for the called party, determining the called terminal location, selecting a long distance carrier preferred by the called party for incoming calls made to the called terminal location, and routing the call to the called party using the selected long distance carrier. The system includes means for receiving an incoming call for the called party, means for determining the called terminal location, means for selecting a long distance carrier preferred by the called party for incoming calls made to the called terminal location, and means for routing the call to the called party using the selected long distance carrier.

Abstract: A system and method of routing calls in a telecommunications network is provided. The method includes receiving an incoming call for the called party, determining the called party location, selecting a long distance carrier preferred by the called party for incoming calls made to the called party location, and routing the call to the called party using the selected long distance carrier. The system includes means for receiving an incoming call for the called party, means for determining the called party location, means for selecting a long distance carrier preferred by the called party for incoming calls made to the called party location, and means for routing the call to the called party using the selected long distance carrier.