Abstract: A method and system for delivering emergency directions is provided. The disclosure includes the government delivering a warning message for potential evacuees on a gas station pump or automated teller machine point of service display screen. The method includes receiving an emergency alert from a government entity, constructing a warning message, including an evacuation route based at least in part on real time traffic data and the location of the display screen and displaying the warning message on the point of service display screen. In one embodiment of the disclosure, the warning message is authenticated. In another embodiment of the disclosure, the warning message is continuously updated to provide an effective escape route for evacuees.

Abstract: A method and system for delivering emergency directions is provided. The disclosure includes the government delivering a warning message for potential evacuees on a gas station pump or automated teller machine point of service display screen. The method includes receiving an emergency alert from a government entity, constructing a warning message, including an evacuation route based at least in part on real time traffic data and the location of the display screen and displaying the warning message on the point of service display screen. In one embodiment of the disclosure, the warning message is authenticated. In another embodiment of the disclosure, the warning message is continuously updated to provide an effective escape route for evacuees.

Abstract: A method for recommending service stations for vehicles based on a users route or location is disclosed. The method comprises mapping a user's current location, collecting fuel prices from stations that are within a predetermined distance from the user's location and displaying the location of at least one service station, based at least in part on fuel prices. The method also could include mapping the user's route and collecting fuel prices from a second set of stations that are within the user's route and displaying the location of the stations based on the fuel prices. This method may be linked to a vehicle navigation system which in turn may track the amount of fuel left in the vehicle and recommend service stations when the amount of fuel remaining in the vehicle reaches a minimum threshold. The method could also be implemented through a wireless communications network where a short messaging system can determine the parameters for recommending a service station.

Abstract: A method to reroute a call with a first and second termination point based upon Quality of Service (QoS) is disclosed. The method comprises establishing a quality of service threshold, connecting a first communication path between the two termination points through the network elements, testing said quality of service along said first communication path and generating a quantitative value based at least in part on said quality of service. The method continues with establishing a second communication path between the network elements if the quantitative value is not up to the level of said quantitative quality of service threshold; and rerouting said data transmission through the newly established second communication path between the network elements while maintaining said termination points.

Abstract: This disclosure is a method and system for the linking of digital images to RFID devices. The method includes providing at least one radio frequency identification device, each radio frequency identification device having a electronic product code; linking one or more of the electronic product codes to a digital image file; and storing the linked digital image file into a memory. The disclosure allows users to easily access only images that are linked to their RFID device. Thereby, this disclosure allows a photographer easy access to potential customers while protecting user's privacy.

Abstract: A switching system that provides conference call functionality can mute music played into the conference call by the muting of a conference call participant. The muting of conference call music can be accomplished by controlling the switch's connection to a music on hold source or by controlling the music on hold device.

Abstract: An exemplary method facilities obtaining travel information. A request for travel information is received from a user by a point-of-sale gas pump at a service station or a wireless router operated in the vicinity of the pas pump. At least a location of a specified destination is received at a server at the service station, where the location of the specified destination is input by the user. Travel information based on the location of the specified destination is determined and conveyed to the user.

Abstract: A method and system for the remote generation of a conference call are provided. The method includes receiving an initiating transmission from a user establishing communication paths based on said initiating transmission and connecting the call paths to form a conference call. The initiating transmission can include, among other things, an e-mail or SMS message. The system will parse the message and generate the conference without the user being required to remember the company's access codes, the participant's contact information, etc.

Abstract: This disclosure is a method and system for the remote configuration of call forwarding. The method includes receiving an initiating transmission from a user, accessing an account that is associated with said user, and altering the call forwarding settings of said account. The initiating transmission may include, among other things, an e-mail or an SMS message, etc. The disclosure allows users to alter their call forwarding features from a remote location without having to assess the service provider's website.

Abstract: A method and system for the automated mapping of a mobile station and/or handset are provided. The technique includes capturing the identification information of a mobile station, linking a unique tag to the identification information, releasing the identification information of the mobile station, while maintaining the unique tag, tracking the movement of the mobile station through the use of the unique tag and releasing the unique tag after a predetermined amount of time. This method and system could be used for mapping and data mining of traffic flow patterns. As such, this method and system will be useful in determining the amount of use a road may receive automatically, without having traffic counters. It can also be used in determining automatically when new roads have become opened. Furthermore, this data could be used for foot traffic flow through a building.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided that receives locations of mobile phones in an area under a pending or current disaster/evacuation notice, and automatically generates calls to the mobile phones. Upon contacting the mobile phone user, automated voice inquires verify the location of the mobile phone user and determine the condition of the mobile phone user. Afterwards, responses to the automated voice inquires are stored and forwarded to emergency assistance agencies outside of the affected area. The locations of the mobile phones and a corresponding identity of the mobile phone users may be electronically displayed on a map utilized by emergency personnel in a rescue operation.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for managing and controlling connections to conference bridges for proposed conference call participants to access a scheduled conference call. A first call is made to a conference bridge. Next, an attempt is made to contact the proposed conference call participant for the conference call via a telephone call, an SMS message, or both. If contacted, the proposed conference call participant has options such as a) connecting to the conference call, b) not connecting to the conference call, or c) recording the conference call. If the proposed conference call participant cannot be contacted or is unavailable, then the conference call can be recorded for listening at a later time.

Abstract: A method to reroute a call with a first termination point and a second termination point based upon Quality of Service (QoS) is disclosed. The method comprises establishing a quantitative QoS threshold, establishing a first communication path through a network for a data transmission such as a call, testing the QoS of the first communication path during the call or call set up and generating a quantitative value based upon said QoS. The method further includes establishing a second communication path for the call if the quantitative value is not to the level of the quantitative QoS threshold. Finally, the method includes rerouting the call from said first communication path to the second communication path while maintaining the first termination point.

Abstract: An apparatus in one example has: a VOIP telecommunications network; a VOIP telecommunication device operatively coupled to the VOIP telecommunications network; and the VOIP telecommunication device having a detector that recognizes a predetermined pattern in a data stream from the VoIP telecommunication device, and a call processor that initiates a predetermined call in a cellular telecommunication network in response to recognition of the predetermined pattern.

Abstract: A method for end-to-end network testing in a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) network. The method includes generating a signature signal at one compatible device, transmitting the signature signal to another compatible device, receiving that signature signal and comparing it to a recognized signal. The method also includes storing the received signal for a technician to evaluate at a later time and computing a quantitative value for the Quality of Service (QoS). The compatible device can be a switch, a gateway, an end device, etc. As described, this technique requires no dedicated test equipment and should provide an advantage to the user and manufacturers of VoIP equipment.

Abstract: Systems and methods are presented for providing updated VoIP terminal location information to emergency call service providers, in which RFID tags are positioned at various locations within an enterprise and coded with unique tag data. A database is provided with a mapping of RFID tag data and tag locations in the enterprise, and the VoIP phone terminals are equipped or otherwise connected with RFID tag readers. The VoIP phones read the tag data upon initiation of a 911 or other an emergency call and report the tag data to a network server that determines the VoIP phone location according to the tag data and provides the phone location to the emergency call service provider.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for secure traffic light interruption. A purpose of this invention is to allow for the use of a secure system to allow the interruption of the traffic light signals by emergency (and other authorized) vehicles. An objective of this invention is to allow for the use of a more secure system than the currently installed strobe only traffic light interruption (changing) systems. This invention integrates additional wireless technologies to assure that only authorized users trigger the traffic light changes that typically make it safer for emergency vehicles when they approach a traffic light.

Abstract: A method in one example comprises the steps of receiving, from a requesting user of a cellular device, a request for real-time location information for at least a second user; retrieving location data for the requesting user and the at least a second user; transmitting the location data for the requesting user and the at least a second user to the requesting user's cellular device; displaying the location data on the requesting user's cellular device using unique icons to identify the relative positions of the requesting user and the at least a second user; and periodically updating the location data and transmitting the updated location data to the requesting user's cellular device to maintain a real-time display of relative position information on the requesting user's cellular device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for transmitting a wireless receipt to a personal digital device. A cash resister determines that a customer with a personal digital device wants a wireless receipt transmitted to the personal digital device. The cash register determines the wireless protocol that the personal digital device utilizes. The cash register then transmits the wireless receipt to the personal digital device utilizing the wireless protocol.

Abstract: A method in one example comprises the steps of establishing a location database for a first network that associates Internet Protocol address information for VOIP telephony devices with physical locations for the VOIP telephony devices; upon detecting registration of a VOIP telephony device through a network port of the first network, determining physical location of the VOIP telephony device by identifying physical location of the network port through which the VOIP telephony device is connected, and updating the location database; and, upon detecting IP telephony activity originating from a remote VOIP telephony device connected to the first network through a VPN gateway, determining physical location of the remote VOIP telephony device connected through the VPN gateway by identifying physical locations of network resources of a second network to which the remote VOIP telephony device is connected, and updating the location database; such that updated location information is provided to a 911 server in the