Abstract: A method for automating changes to a service plan between a mobile subscriber and a wireless service provider is provided. In one embodiment, the method creates a temporary service plan for the subscriber. This method includes: a) receiving a request to create the temporary plan, b) retrieving the subscriber's existing service plan from a subscriber database, c) providing a change selection menu to the user, d) modifying the existing service plan in conjunction with one or more user selections associated with the change selection menu to create the temporary plan, and e) storing the temporary plan in the subscriber database. In another embodiment, the method modifies the subscriber's existing service plan and the modified service plan supercedes the previous service plan. In another aspect, a method for processing a call from a mobile station associated with the subscriber when the temporary service plan is in effect is provided.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present method is for a method that provides packet data throughput information on a per user basis for at least one mobile terminal of a plurality of mobile terminals operatively connected to a communication network. In this embodiment the method may have the steps of: collecting, by the telecommunication network, usage data associated with packet data calls for the respective mobile terminal and forming data throughput information from the usage data; storing, by the telecommunication network, the data throughput information in a storage; and sending, from the communication network to the respective mobile terminal, the data throughput information. The system implements the method.

Abstract: A method for collecting data to identify an RF dead zone in a cell of a wireless network using a mobile station is provided. The method includes: a) receiving position data from the mobile station at a base station when the mobile station is powered up and located within the cell, b) communicating the position data from the base station to a mobile switching center, and c) storing the position data in an RF dead zone network. In another embodiment, a method for collecting data to identify an RF dead zone in a wireless network using a mobile station is provided. The wireless network provides wireless service to a plurality of cells and includes a plurality of base stations corresponding to the cells. In still another embodiment, a method for collecting data to identify an RF dead zone in a wireless network using a plurality of mobile stations is provided.

Abstract: Embodiments of the system, and method provide for identification of a number being dialed on an incoming call to a multi-line terminal. The method may have the steps of: receiving a call at a network, the call being for a multi-line terminal having at least two different numbers; checking a mobile subscriber database for a data entry indicative of the terminal being a multi-line mobile terminal; and presenting not only caller identification information to the called terminal, but also presenting the number that was dialed by the calling party so that a called party would know which of the at least two different numbers was being called. The multi-line terminal may be a multi-line mobile terminal that has at least two distinct and independent numbers assigned thereto.

Abstract: A method and system in a telecommunications network for visually alerting a user of an incoming call are disclosed herein. A call can be transmitted to a mobile device associated with a user of the telecommunications network. An alert can also be transmitted to one or more visual alerting devices associated with the user and/or the mobile device, in response to transmitting a call to the mobile device. A visual alerting signal can then be transmitted via the visual alerting device, in response to transmitting the alert to the at least one visual alerting device associated with the user. Each visual alerting device can provide a visually alerting signal when there is an incoming message for its user. The visual alerting device can receive its signal directly from a base station within said telecommunications network.

Abstract: A method for providing selective mid-call call forwarding from a mobile station associated with a subscriber to a wireless service provider is provided. In one embodiment, the method includes: a) receiving an incoming call, b) ringing the mobile station, c) receiving a mid-call call forwarding activation from the mobile station, d) retrieving a telephone number associated with the mid-call call forwarding activation from a service plan associated with the subscriber, and e) forwarding the incoming call to a telephone device associated with the retrieved telephone number. In another embodiment, the mid-call call forwarding activation is a control signal resulting from a user pressing at least one key on the mobile station. In other aspects, a method of adding and/or modifying a selective mid-call call forwarding feature to a service plan associated with the subscriber is provided.

Abstract: A method is provided for supporting an enhanced dialing service in telecommunications equipment. The method includes: receiving a series of dialed digits from customer premises equipment (CPE) (10); determining if the dialed digits correspond to a designated identity; as each dialed digit in the series is received, advancing a call processing state of the telecommunications equipment in accordance with the dialed digit when the dialed digit does not correspond to the designated identity; and, returning the call processing state of the telecommunications equipment to a prior call processing state when the dialed digit does correspond to the designated identity.

Abstract: Embodiments of the method and system provide for providing network support for an attribute feature for customization of mobile terminals by a telecommunication network. The method in this embodiment may have the steps of: storing in the telecommunication network at least one attribute for use by at least one mobile terminal; sending at least on attribute request from the mobile terminal to the telecommunication network; recognizing, by the telecommunication network, the attribute request from the mobile terminal; downloading, by the telecommunication network, the requested attribute to the mobile terminal; and installing the attribute in the mobile terminal. The system implements the method.

Abstract: A network component of an apparatus in one example determines one or more usage characteristics of a mobile communication device for a cellular communications network and one or more usage characteristics of the mobile communication device for a satellite communications network.

Abstract: In general terms, one embodiment of the method is for automatically notifying a subscriber that the subscriber has talked on a mobile terminal for a subscriber-defined amount of time. The method may have the steps of: defining an interval for at least one category of usage of a mobile terminal that is operatively connected to a telecommunication network; storing, at the telecommunication network, the defined interval for the at least one category of usage of the mobile terminal; monitoring, by the telecommunication network, a time that a call has been active on the mobile terminal; comparing the time that the call has been active to the stored at least one interval; and sending a predetermined notification signal from the telecommunication system to the mobile terminal when the time that the call has been active exceeds the stored interval. The system implements the method.

Abstract: A method for displaying a roaming charge rate on a mobile station in a wireless network is provided. The mobile station is associated with a subscriber to wireless services from a wireless service provider associated with the wireless network. In one embodiment, the wireless network includes a mobile switching center, a subscriber database, a base station, and mobile station. In one embodiment, the method includes: a) while the mobile station is located in a current geographic area, determining the mobile station is roaming, b) determining a roaming charge will be incurred by the subscriber when using the mobile station in the current geographic area, c) communicating a roaming charge rate associated with the roaming charge that would be incurred to the mobile station, and d) displaying the roaming charge rate on a display associated with the mobile station while the mobile station is located in the current geographic area.

Abstract: In general terms one embodiment of the present system and method is for a network to send a notification to subscribers regarding a new feature introduction. The method may have the steps of: generating a notification message regarding a new feature; sending the notification message to at least one mobile subscriber; sending a response to the network that indicates that the at least one mobile subscriber desires to try the new feature; storing the new feature with an expiration time in a subscriber database; detecting, by the network, an end of the expiration time for the at least one mobile subscriber; and sending, by the network, a feature expiration notification message to the at least one mobile subscriber regarding subscribing to the new feature. The system implements the method.

Abstract: Geographic coordinates of user equipment of a calling party are determined either by communicating with a GPS receiver associated with the user equipment of the calling party or by cellular triangulation. The geographic coordinates may be converted into an associated common location description. For example the common location description is a city name, an address, or a distance and direction from a landmark. The common location description, or an abbreviation thereof, is transmitted to user equipment of a called party. Using this service, parents may verify the location of their children. Security agencies or delivery services may verify and/or log the location of their personnel.

Abstract: Geographic coordinates of user equipment of a paged party are determined either by communicating with a GPS receiver associated with the user equipment of the paged party or by cellular triangulation. The geographic coordinates may be converted into an associated common location description. For example the common location description is a city name, an address, or a distance and direction from a landmark. The geographic coordinates, common location description, or an abbreviation thereof, is transmitted to user equipment of a paging party. Using this service, parents may verify the location of their children. Security agencies or delivery services may verify and/or log the location of their personnel.

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: Geographic coordinates of user equipment of a calling party are determined either by communicating with a GPS receiver associated with the user equipment of the calling party or by cellular triangulation. The geographic coordinates may be converted into an associated common location description. For example the common location description is a city name, an address, or a distance and direction from a landmark. The common location description, or an abbreviation thereof, is transmitted to user equipment of a called party. Using this service, parents may verify the location of their children. Security agencies or delivery services may verify and/or log the location of their personnel.

Abstract: Geographic coordinates of user equipment of a paged party are determined either by communicating with a GPS receiver associated with the user equipment of the paged party or by cellular triangulation. The geographic coordinates may be converted into an associated common location description. For example the common location description is a city name, an address, or a distance and direction from a landmark. The geographic coordinates, common location description, or an abbreviation thereof, is transmitted to user equipment of a paging party. Using this service, parents may verify the location of their children. Security agencies or delivery services may verify and/or log the location of their personnel.

Abstract: A registered powered down condition is established in a mobile unit. A call directed to the mobile unit is determined to be associated with an authorized calling number. The mobile unit is powered up in response to the call if the call is associated with the authorized calling number. A switch maintains the mobile unit in the registered powered down condition and determines if the call directed to the mobile unit is associated with a profile associated with the mobile unit. The switch powers up the mobile unit if the call is associated with the profile.

Abstract: A method and system provides notification to a battery powered communication device, from a telecommunications network, of a low battery condition of the battery powered communication device. In one embodiment, the method may have the steps of: monitoring a device battery level condition of a battery powered communication device; determining, by a telecommunication network, when the device battery level condition of the battery powered communication device transgresses at least one predetermined battery level condition; and effecting, by the telecommunication network via a network initiated call to the battery powered communication device, at least one predetermined action at the battery powered communication device in response to the transgression of the at least one predetermined battery level condition by the current device battery level condition of the battery powered communication device. The system implements the method.

Abstract: A method and system provides for automatically notifying at least one of unanswered callers and a personal chat group that a mobile phone is ready to accept calls. In one embodiment the method may have the steps of: creating, for a first mobile phone, at least one of a first SMS message to be sent for unanswered calls, the unanswered calls occurring when the first mobile phone is powered down, and a second SMS message to be sent to a personal chat group, and an SMS message to be sent to a personal chat group; and automatically sending, when the first mobile phone is powered up, the created SMS messages to at least one of further second mobile phones associated with the unanswered calls and further third mobile phones associated with the personal chat group. The system implements the method.