Abstract: An apparatus in one example comprises an Internet Protocol telephone set accommodating at least first and second Internet Protocol addresses, wherein at least first and second sets of configuration parameters associated with the first and second Internet Protocol addresses are stored in the telephone set, and one of the first and second sets of configuration parameters is applied to a selected telephone line.

Abstract: A self-service kiosk in one example provides a user with selectable digital content. A computer controls the operation of the kiosk. A user transaction interface module, connected to the computer, communicates information to and from the about the digital content desired by the user and payment for providing file download services. A user download interface module selectively makes accessible a physical connection port by which the download file is transmitted to a removable storage media supplied by the user that is coupled to the port.

Abstract: A ring tone is played to a called party for a call that meets one or more criteria. The ring tone is remotely selected by a calling party or a third party.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for configuring and controlling access of a computing device based upon the location of the computing device. The communication system determines the location of a computing device. If the location of the computing device is within a valid location area, the computing device is granted a dynamic IP address. The communication system retrieves previous login information for the computing device. The communication system determines if the computing device is configured for access to a network. If previous login information for the computing device is found, the communication system uses the retrieved login information to login the computing device to the network. The previous login information is then stored.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for changing the status of a mobile apparatus based upon the velocity of the mobile apparatus. The communication system determines the velocity of a mobile apparatus by calculating the difference between a first position of a mobile apparatus at a first time and a second position of the mobile apparatus at a second time. If the velocity of the mobile apparatus exceeds a predetermined threshold, the communication system changes the status of the mobile apparatus to a sleep state and ends a call that the mobile apparatus is involved in.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for disabling a computing device based on the location of the computing device. The computing device, such as a computer or the like, determines if there is a location restriction for the computing device. This can be accomplished by checking the BIOS of the computing device, and is preferably accomplished during the powering up of the computing device. If so, the computing device determines its location. This can be accomplished utilizing a Global Positioning System (GPS). The computing device is disabled if there is a location restriction for the computing device for the current location of the computing device.

Abstract: A point of sale terminal that can be used to sell commodities such as gasoline, is also used to wirelessly distribute content files, such as MP3 and video files. The content files are addressed to a particular wireless playback receiving device. Wireless distribution of content files at other merchant's sites whereat point of sale terminals can be used enables the contents of playback devices to be updated without having to couple the device to a computer. Receipt of payment or account information prior to file transmission helps protect against theft.

Abstract: One or more X10 gateway components of an apparatus in one example communicate one or more messages between one or more mobile communication devices and one or more module components.

Abstract: One or more video server components of an apparatus that play one or more videos at one or more mobile phones while one or more phone calls associated with the one or more mobile phones are on hold.

Abstract: An application server component of an apparatus that serves to maintain one or more communication session restrictions set by one or more administrators for one or more mobile communication devices. The application server component employs one or more of the one or more communication session restrictions to advise one or more network components for control of one or more connections of one or more communication sessions for one or more of the one or more mobile communication devices.

Abstract: A short message service request to receive one or more notifications of any one or more weather alerts that occur during a time period in one example is received from a mobile station. A notification of a weather alert, of the one or more notifications of the any one or more weather alerts, is sent to the mobile station upon an occurrence of the weather alert during the time period.

Abstract: A remote control device is located in an environment proximate to conditions to be monitored and actions to be implemented. The remote control device is able to receive and transmit wireless text based communications. A user employing a wireless communication device that supports text based messaging can transmit a control message containing a predetermined command to the remote control device. After preferably authenticating the user, the remote control device initiates a predetermined action based on receipt of a corresponding command.