Abstract: A system, controller and method are described that can effectively alert a mobile subscriber about an emergency situation including, for example, a weather alert, a hostage situation or a hazardous material leak. In particular, the system includes an emergency warning system capable of generating information identifying a geographic area in which there is an emergency situation. The system also includes a controller capable of receiving the information identifying the troubled geographic area and is further capable of requesting and receiving from a wireless communications network a list of the mobile subscribers currently located within the troubled geographic area. Thereafter, the controller is capable of initiating an emergency notification message that is sent to at least one of the mobile subscribers. The emergency notification message can be in the form of a page, a voice message or a short text message.

Abstract: An electronic device is described which can be used by a user to unlock a locked password protected electronic device (e.g., PDA, wireless phone, laptop computer, personal computer . . . ). To unlock the locked password protected electronic device, the user activates the electronic device to wirelessly transmit a password (e.g., electronic key) towards the locked password protected electronic device. The locked password protected electronic device uses the received password to unlock itself so that the user does not have to remember the password and also does not have to physically input the password into the locked password protected electronic device in order to unlock and use the password protected electronic device. The electronic device can also be used by the user to lock an unlocked password protected electronic device. Moreover, the electronic device can be incorporated within an article that the user generally has in his/her possession including a ring or a watch.

Abstract: A telecommunications system, service control point and method are described that can pre-screen a telephone call to help prevent telephone toll fraud. More specifically, the telecommunications system includes a service control point capable of receiving information about a telephone call originated by a calling party, and further capable of determining whether the telephone call has a fraudulent attribute. If the telephone call has a fraudulent attribute, then the calling party is informed that there is a possibility of telephone toll fraud occurring if the telephone call is connected to a called party. And, if the telephone call does not have a fraudulent attribute, then the telephone call is automatically connected to the called party.

Abstract: To alleviate the frustration of telephone tag, if the called party is unavailable (32), the calling party is offered the chance to participate in a game (36). The user can accept or reject the offer (38). If the offer is accepted, a game is played (40), if the offer is rejected, the calling party is connected to the called party's voice mail (42). The game could involve purchase of a lottery, participation in a guessing game, or participation in a knowledge-based game. After the game is played, the calling party is connected to the called party's voice mail (42).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing subscriber alerts that warn the subscriber to severe weather and traffic conditions is provided wherein the subscriber may receive the alerts on a cellular phone, on a public switched telephone network phone (PSTN), on a pager, or by e-mail. Additionally, the subscriber may receive wakeup and reminder calls according to his or her subscriber profile If a defined weather condition is occurring or is about to occur in a defined zone, for example, or if a specified traffic condition is occurring on the defined traffic artery the subscriber receives alerts as specified in a subscriber profile stored within a server coupled to an intelligent network (IN) type of PSTN. A server, e.g., an SCP or IP, generates signaling to prompt an autodialer to dial a call to the subscriber and an IVR to play the select message.

Abstract: Callers to a number subscribing to a screening application are prompted that a fee will be charged for the connection to be completed. The prompting can occur at the initiation of the call, prior to any connection to the called party, or after the called party has had a chance to screen the call. The calling party can choose whether to complete the connection or to terminate the call. If the connection is completed, the fee is charged; otherwise, the call is terminated. Accordingly, most unwanted calls are avoided and users are compensated for receiving unwanted calls that are completed.