Abstract: A method of automatically suggesting service changes for a wireless communications network subscriber is provided. The method includes compiling a record of services used by the subscriber during a time period, determining one or more subscriber usage metrics, comparing the subscriber usage metrics to one or more thresholds, detecting a trigger condition including one or more of the usage metrics exceeding one or more of the thresholds, generating a service change suggestion, and informing the subscriber automatically of the suggested service change using the wireless communications network.

Abstract: Actual caller identification is provided. Biometric information is collected from a calling party. For example, retinal scan or facial recognition information is collected from a calling party. An element of a communications network receives the biometric information and uses the biometric information to determine the identity of the calling party. For instance, the biometric information is used to generate an index or key into an identity database. The index or key is used to retrieve identity information associated with a record including matching biometric information. The identity information is transmitted, for example, to user equipment of a called party.

Abstract: A method of providing an appointment reminder includes: creating an appointment reminder message; sending the appoint reminder message from a first device of a first party to a second device of a second party; receiving the appointment reminder message at the second device at a first point in time; storing the appointment reminder message in the second device; and, activating the appointment reminder message stored in the second device at a second point in time after the first point in time.

Abstract: A method for dynamically reconfiguring wireless network capacity purchased by a service provider from a network equipment/software provider. The method includes: a) determining if a current demand for network capacity exceeds a first value, b) if the current demand exceeds the first value, reconfiguring network capacity for the wireless network to a higher purchased network capacity, c) determining if the current demand is less than a second value, and d) if the current demand is less than the second value, reconfiguring network capacity for the wireless network to a lower purchased network capacity. In another embodiment, usage data associated with a selected network capacity is accumulated and provided to the network equipment/software provider's billing system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided to assist in providing security for vehicles with keyless ignition systems. The present invention involves receiving, via wireless communications, a signal to start an ignition of the vehicle. Upon receipt of the signal, a built-in cellular phone in the vehicle transmits a message to a server to provide a security key to the vehicle and the security key and a message to all mobile phones registered to a driver of the vehicle. The message indicates that an attempt has been made to start the vehicle. Upon receipt of the security key, the driver of the vehicle may input the security key into a key pad of the vehicle. If the security key received by the vehicle from the server matches the security key inputted by the driver of the vehicle, then the keyless ignition system may start the vehicle.

Abstract: A system for delivering to a wireless subscriber terminal multimedia content related to a spectator event comprises an event application server, a wireless network coupled to the event application server and a wireless subscriber terminal that interacts with the network. The event application server acquires, converts, and manages content related to a spectator event. The event application server (or its adjunct) also manages preferences and priorities established by subscribers for event-related content. When such content is available, the event application server reconciles available content with subscriber preferences and priorities to determine an optimal set of content to be delivered to the subscriber terminal, and requests that the wireless network establish a connection to the subscriber terminal for such content. Multiple streams of content, of various types of media, may be delivered simultaneously to the subscriber terminal.

Abstract: A system and method of providing Calling-Party-Designated Ring Announcements (CPDRA) is provided. The Calling Party designates a Ring Announcement (RA) of his/her choice and subsequently makes a call to the Called Party. A CPDRA Indicator is sent from the Originating End to the Terminating End of the telecommunications network indicating that the call a CPDRA call. The RA is played by a suitable Called Party terminal to alert the Called Party of an incoming call.

Abstract: A wireless telephony network provides satellite TV derivative program information and content, in addition to conventional wireless telephony services, to eligible mobile stations of the wireless telephony network. The wireless telephony network receives satellite TV programming from a satellite TV service network, establishes one or more bearer channels (e.g., conventional voice channels or higher-bandwidth data links) and sends the programming to the one or more mobile stations via the one or more bearer channels. The wireless telephony network monitors and obtains billing information associated with integrated service delivery and coordinates the billing information with a satellite TV service provider. A controlling provider may be selected to control billing for the integrated services such that the customer receives a single statement.

Abstract: A wireless telephony network provides satellite radio program information and content, in addition to conventional wireless telephony services, to eligible mobile stations of the wireless telephony network. The wireless telephony network receives satellite radio programming from a satellite radio service network, establishes one or more bearer channels (e.g., conventional voice channels or higher-bandwidth data links) and sends the programming to the one or more mobile stations via the one or more bearer channels. The wireless telephony network monitors and obtains billing information associated with integrated service delivery and coordinates the billing information with a satellite radio service provider. A controlling provider may be selected to control billing for the integrated services such that the customer receives a single statement.

Abstract: A method for a wireless network to provide a voice-to-text memo service to a wireless subscriber associated with a mobile device is provided. The method includes: a) routing an active call path associated with the mobile device to a voice-to-text conversion system, b) capturing audio from the active call path for a period of time, and c) converting the captured audio to a text memo to create a voice-to-text memo. In another embodiment, a method for providing a voice-to-text memo service in a wireless network is provided. Additionally, a wireless network is provided. The wireless network includes: means for determining that a subscriber is properly enrolled in a calling plan, a voice-to-text conversion system, means for routing an active call path to the voice-to-text conversion system, a text messaging system, and means for communicating the text memo from the voice-to-text conversion system to the text messaging system.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for determining mobile service coverage for a mobile unit for a remote destination. A communication system receives a request for mobile service coverage for a remote destination from a mobile unit. The communication system determines if mobile service coverage is available for the mobile unit at the remote destination.

Abstract: A method of displaying a user's personal schedule on a television set is provided. The method comprises receiving the user's personal schedule via a scheduling program residing on a personal computer, wherein the personal computer is networked with the television set; determining whether a scheduled event for the user is coming up; retrieving the scheduled event information and sending it over to the television set via a network interface between the computer and the television set; and displaying the scheduled event information on the television set without interrupting the current television program.

Abstract: Network initiated auto redialing is based on an auto redial duration selected or entered by a calling party. An auto redial interval or retry rate may also be selected or entered by the calling party. If the calling party is unavailable when a connection is established with a called party, a message is played or sent to the called party explaining that the call is an auto redial call. The message may explain that the calling party is now unavailable. Additionally, the message may include identifying information regarding the calling party. For example, the message may include a directory number of the calling party.

Abstract: An apparatus in one example has: an intercom system; a wireless push-to-talk system; and an integrated intercom/push-to-talk system operatively coupled to the intercom system and the wireless push-to-talk system, the integrated intercom/push-to-talk system functioning as a wireless terminal that communicates with the wireless push-to-talk system, and functioning as an intercom unit in the intercom system. Embodiments support an integration of, for example, a home intercom system with, for example, a commercially available wireless push-to-talk service.

Abstract: A mobile communications network is provisioned to provide surveillance services. A subscriber database is adapted to include surveillance service information. For example, the subscriber database is adapted to include an IP address of a surveillance sensor such as a camera or microphone associated with a subscriber and located at a place to be monitored. A mobile switching center is adapted to determine a surveillance session start time, receive the surveillance sensor IP address from the subscriber database and connect to the surveillance sensor associated with the IP address. The MSC is also adapted to receive surveillance information from the surveillance sensor and transmit the surveillance information to a mobile communications device of the subscriber. The mobile communications device presents the surveillance information to the user. For example, images are displayed and/or audio signals are produced. The subscriber database can be provisioned by the subscriber through a web portal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing location based vendor information to a wireless mobile terminal is provided. The method includes receiving subscriber provisioned response criteria from a subscriber, receiving a request for location based vendor information from a subscriber mobile terminal, determining the location of the subscriber mobile terminal, retrieving location based vendor information for the mobile terminal's location, and sending the location based vendor information in a response satisfying the subscriber provisioned response criteria to the subscriber mobile terminal.

Abstract: An audio quality component of an apparatus in one example, upon a determination that an audio message by a sender fails to meet one or more audio thresholds, provides an indication of the determination to the sender before finalization of the audio message for an intended recipient.

Abstract: A mobile switching component of an apparatus in one example requests a mobile station to change to a common mode of communication upon entry of the mobile station into a zone, wherein every mobile station supported by the mobile switching component in the zone employs the common mode of communication.

Abstract: A method and system provides automatic/timed silencing of a mobile phone by a telecommunications network. The method has the steps of: forming a schedule of silence at a mobile phone; sending the schedule of silence to a mobile switching center; storing the schedule of silence in a subscriber database in the mobile switching center; blocking at least incoming calls at the mobile switching center according to the stored schedule of silence, and sending a first message to the mobile phone that instructs the mobile phone to enter a silence mode; transmitting, according to the stored schedule of silence, a second message from the mobile switching center to the mobile phone that instructs the mobile phone to exit the silence mode, and ceasing to block at least the incoming calls to the mobile phone. The system implements the method.

Abstract: The method and apparatus is for providing a mobile station in a telecommunication network with capability of activating a high speed packet data session without subscribing to a high speed packet data service and selecting a higher data rate than the rate it is currently subscribing to.