Abstract: A system for use with a vehicle to control transmission of communications to a traveling mobile communication device in the vehicle includes: (a) a vehicle activity monitoring unit coupled with a self diagnostic device installed on the vehicle; and (b) a server unit coupled for controlling communications with served mobile units coupled with a mobile network that includes a plurality of elements configured for effecting selected types of communications with the served mobile units. The vehicle activity monitoring unit is communicatingly coupled with the server via the mobile network. The server unit cooperates with the activity monitoring unit to identify which served mobile communication unit is a traveling mobile communication device. The server unit cooperates with particular elements of the mobile network to control particular types of communications with the traveling mobile communication device when the vehicle activity monitoring unit indicates the vehicle is engaged in a predetermined activity.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer readable medium comprising instructions for providing temporary callback number for emergency calls is disclosed. A determination is made as to whether a restriction is imposed on a mobile user for incoming calls. A temporary callback number for the mobile user is generated if the restriction is imposed. A request for a callback to the mobile user comprising the temporary callback number is detected. The callback is routed to the mobile user using the temporary callback number.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer readable medium comprising instructions for handling insufficient account balance of subscribers in a mobile communications network is disclosed. A request for communication is received from a mobile station. A determination is made as to whether a subscriber of the mobile station has an insufficient account balance. If the subscriber has an insufficient account balance, the request is withheld and the mobile station is notified by a short message.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for estimating mobile station location include receiving reported signal strengths or other attachment indicator values from a mobile station. The reported signal strengths are compared with characteristic received signal strength values in a coverage area of a mobile network. A mobile switching center determines if a local function is requested and initiates a location estimation process by a mobile location module (MLM). The MLM receives the reported signal strength contours associated with the attachment points. Based on a comparison of the reported attachment indicator values with characteristic values, the MLM provides a mobile location estimate.

Abstract: A system for dynamically coupling a special number call from a calling unit with at least one function-focused answering unit includes: (a) at least one communication network configured and situated for communicative coupling with the calling unit; (b) at least one switching facility coupled with at least one network of the plurality of networks; (c) a special number call receiving facility coupled with the at least one switching facility; and (d) the at least one switching facility being coupled with the at least one function-focused answering unit. After receiving the special number call, the special number call receiving facility directs dynamically coupling the special number call to one or more included function-focused answering unit of the at least one function-focused answering unit via the at least one switching facility. Determination which function-focused answering unit is an included function-focused answering unit is made at the special number call receiving facility.

Abstract: A method for determining termination of an emergency service call; the emergency service call being connected with an emergency service answering entity in an emergency service network employing a locating unit for ascertaining a geographic origin for the emergency service call; the method including: (a) presenting a query signal from the emergency service answering entity during the emergency service call soliciting a responsive signal from the locating unit relating to the geographic origin; (b) if the query signal relating to the geographic origin is received by the locating unit, considering that the emergency service call is not terminated; and (c) if no query signal relating to the geographic origin is received by the locating unit, considering that the emergency service call is terminated.

Abstract: A method for treating a special number service request message sent to a special number service answering position using a multi-media messaging service (MMS) format includes: (a) at a locus en route the answering position, dividing a text portion of the request message from a media portion of the request message; (b) in no particular order: (1) creating an identifier linking the text portion with the media portion; and (2) formatting the text portion in a text message format; (c) in no particular order: (1) forwarding the media portion toward the answering position; and (2) forwarding the text message format with the identifier in a text message toward the answering position; and (d) employing the identifier to effect correlating the text message with the media portion to present the request message to the answering position.

Abstract: A system for providing location information to a mobile calling unit operating within or among a plurality of communication networks includes at least one communication access unit for each respective network of the plurality of communication networks. The calling unit effects communications with a respective communication network of the plurality of communicate networks via a respective communication access unit of the at least one communication access unit. The respective communication network and the respective communication access unit cooperate to automatically effect providing at least one almanac entry to the calling unit substantially on occurrence of a predetermined event. The at least one almanac entry relates to geographic location of the calling unit while the calling unit effects the communications.

Abstract: A system for determining location for an access locale for wireless calls using a wireless communicator; the system including: (a) a sensor coupled with the wireless communicator for sensing strength of wireless access signals detected by the wireless communicator; (b) a locator coupled with at least one of the sensor and the wireless communicator for indicating location of the wireless communicator while detecting the wireless access signal; (c) a data store coupled with at least one of the sensor, the wireless communicator and the locator for storing at least signal strength information from the sensor and location information from the locator for wireless access signals detected by the wireless communicator; and (d) a mapper coupled with at least one of the data store and the wireless communicator. The mapper cooperating with the data store and the wireless communicator to indicate direction toward a wireless access signal.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for estimating mobile station location include receiving reported signal strengths or other attachment indicator values from a mobile station. The reported signal strengths are compared with characteristic received signal strength values in a coverage area of a mobile network. A mobile switching center determines if a local function is requested and initiates a location estimation process by a mobile location module (MLM). The MLM receives the reported signal strength contours associated with the attachment points. Based on a comparison of the reported attachment indicator values with characteristic values, the MLM provides a mobile location estimate.

Abstract: Networks and methods are disclosed for providing an indication of the capability of a communication network for serving special number calls. Before a user places a special number call, the communication network determines the capability of the communication network for serving a special number call, and provides the indication of the network capability to the user. The user is thus kept aware of the quality of the special number service available to them through the communication network.

Abstract: A system for controlling at least one feature of at least one mobile communication unit includes: At least one sensor unit coupled with the at least one mobile communication unit. The at least one sensor unit senses at least one parameter associated with the at least one mobile communication unit. Each respective sensor unit of the at least one sensor unit presents a respective indicator relating to a respective sensed parameter of the at least one parameter. The system also includes at least one feature management system coupled with the at least one sensor unit. The at least one feature management system receives a representation of each respective indicator. The at least one feature management system employs the representation in cooperation with the at least one mobile communication unit to effect the controlling.

Abstract: A system for handling special number calls placed from a calling instrument using a text messaging format includes: a plurality of message handling units configured in at least one communication network accessible by the calling instrument. At least one selected message handling unit of the plurality of message handling units operates to recognize an extant call placed from the calling instrument using a special number and expressed in the text messaging call format. The plurality of message handling units cooperates to effect querying the calling instrument to ascertain a substantially pinpoint geographic location of the calling instrument substantially contemporaneously with the extant call. The plurality of message handling units cooperates to use the geographic location for routing the extant call to at least one selected special number answering station coupled with the at least one communication network and situated generally proximate with the geographic location.

Abstract: A system for availing a mobile call of an address set including address information relating to a caller locus includes: (a) an evaluating unit for receiving the call from a caller at the caller locus; an indication of the caller locus including a first measure of certainty being conveyed with the call; and (b) at least one data base coupled with the evaluating unit; the at least one data base containing address location information relating with at least one address associated with the caller; the address location information including a respective second measure of certainty associated with each address; the evaluating unit cooperating with the at least one data base to identify whether a respective address is a selected address satisfying a predetermined relationship between the first and second measures of certainty; each selected address being included in the address set and conveyed to a call receiver.

Abstract: An apparatus for availing a mobile call of caller name information includes: a query unit receiving the mobile call from a caller; an information gleaning unit coupled with the query unit; and at least one data base coupled with the gleaning unit. The query unit inquires whether caller name information is included with the call or a previous attempt has been made to obtain the name information. When the query unit determines that no name information is included with the call and no previous attempt was made, the gleaning unit cooperates with the at least one data base to obtain name information for inclusion with the call. When the query unit determines that name information is included with the call or a previous attempt was made to obtain the name information, the query unit effects onward routing of the call.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for estimating mobile station location include receiving reported signal strengths or other attachment indicator values from a mobile station. The reported signal strengths are compared with characteristic received signal strength values in a coverage area of a mobile network. A mobile switching center determines if a local function is requested and initiates a location estimation process by a mobile location module (MLM). The MLM receives the reported signal strength contours associated with the attachment points. Based on a comparison of the reported attachment indicator values with characteristic values, the MLM provides a mobile location estimate.

Abstract: A system for reducing location-related messages in a mobile a network includes: (a) a mobile communicator; (b) a location server coupled with the mobile communicator and the mobile a network; and (c) a location determiner coupled with the mobile communicator or the location server. The location determiner occasionally collects location information relating to an extant location of the mobile communicator. The mobile communicator or the location determiner effects location-related messages to convey location information to the location server. The mobile communicator or the location server employs the location-related messages to compile a locations schedule for the mobile communicator in a time-location almanac coupled with the mobile communicator. The mobile communicator occasionally compares the extant location with the locations schedule.

Abstract: A method for routing a special number call to an appropriate answering position using a common telecommunication network includes: (a) placing an extant special number call to a switching center; (b) ascertaining the appropriate answering position for receiving the extant call; (c) providing to a gateway switch call-information for routing the extant call to the appropriate answering position; (d) in no particular order: (1) associating the call-information with a temporary number; and (2) providing the temporary number to the switching center; (e) employing the temporary number as a called party number for routing the extant call through the network to the gateway switch; and (f) operating the gateway switch to employ the call-information associated with the temporary number for routing the extant call to the appropriate answering position.

Abstract: A system for handling a mobile emergency service call originating from an incognito mobile station operating in a mobile telecommunication network includes a mobile positioning center coupled with the mobile telecommunication network; an incognito call handling center coupled with the mobile telecommunication network; and an incognito phone data base coupled with the mobile positioning center. The mobile positioning center queries the incognito phone data base to ascertain handling instructions for the mobile emergency service call when the mobile telecommunication network fails to provide a call back number for the incognito mobile station to the mobile positioning center. The incognito phone data base, the mobile positioning center, the mobile telecommunication network and the incognito call handling center cooperate to effect routing of the mobile emergency service call substantially according to the handling instructions.

Abstract: A method for determining termination of an emergency service call; the emergency service call being connected with an emergency service answering entity in an emergency service network employing a locating unit for ascertaining a geographic origin for the emergency service call; the method including: (a) presenting a query signal from the emergency service answering entity during the emergency service call soliciting a responsive signal from the locating unit relating to the geographic origin; (b) if the query signal relating to the geographic origin is received by the locating unit, considering that the emergency service call is not terminated; and (c) if no query signal relating to the geographic origin is received by the locating unit, considering that the emergency service call is terminated.