Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for connecting a caller to an alternate telephone number, such as 911, when a call to a private response center does not result in immediate assistance. In one example, when the call to the private response center does not connect, the communications device used to make the call may prompt the user to indicate that the call relates to an emergency, and the communications device may call the emergency services telephone number. Failure to connect may result when the call does not connect to a receiving party, or upon failure to timely reach a customer service representative. The communications device may prompt the user to indicate whether an alternate telephone number should be called.

Abstract: An apparatus for powering a wireless peripheral includes a controller and a power management circuit. The controller is configured to determine the strength of wireless signals received by the peripheral. The power management circuit selectively powers the peripheral with either an external power source or a combination of the external power source and an internal power source included in the wireless peripheral. If the wireless signal strength is weak, the power management circuit uses both the internal an external sources to power the peripheral. This allows the wireless peripheral to boost its transmit power, even though its power requirement may exceed that available from the external source. If the wireless signal strength is strong, the power management circuit uses only the external source to power the peripheral. When this occurs the internal power source may also be simultaneously charged by the external power source.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for connecting a caller to an alternate telephone number, such as 911, when a call to a private response center does not result in immediate assistance. In one example, when the call to the private response center does not connect, the communications device used to make the call may prompt the user to indicate that the call relates to an emergency, and the communications device may call the emergency services telephone number. Failure to connect may result when the call does not connect to a receiving party, or upon failure to timely reach a customer service representative. The communications device may prompt the user to indicate whether an alternate telephone number should be called.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for connecting a caller to an alternate telephone number, such as 911, when a call to a private response center does not result in immediate assistance. In one example, when the call to the private response center does not connect, the communications device used to make the call may prompt the user to indicate that the call relates to an emergency, and the communications device may call the emergency services telephone number. Failure to connect may result when the call does not connect to a receiving party, or upon failure to timely reach a customer service representative. In another example, the call to the private response center may connect, but the private response center may signal the communications device that the call will not be handled immediately. The communications device may then prompt the user to indicate whether an alternate telephone number should be called.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for notifying an extended group of persons that a person has requested assistance from a private response center. In one example, an electronic communication is received from the first person, requesting assistance. One or more potential assisting persons are automatically identified as being in position to render assistance to the first person. An electronic message is sent to the one or more potential assisting persons indicating that the first person has requested assistance. The potential assisting persons may be identified based at least in part on their proximity to the first person, for example based on their interaction with the same cell of a cellular communications network, or based on global positioning system data. The electronic message may contain other information, such as information about the first person. In this way, the original caller may be assisted more quickly than would otherwise occur.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for notifying an extended group of persons that a person has requested assistance from a private response center. In one example, an electronic communication is received from the first person, requesting assistance. One or more potential assisting persons are automatically identified as being in position to render assistance to the first person. An electronic message is sent to the one or more potential assisting persons indicating that the first person has requested assistance. The potential assisting persons may be identified based at least in part on their proximity to the first person, for example based on their interaction with the same cell of a cellular communications network, or based on global positioning system data. The electronic message may contain other information, such as information about the first person. In this way, the original caller may be assisted more quickly than would otherwise occur.

Abstract: Provided are systems and methods for execution by a processor of a client device and/or a provisioning system to provide adaptive billing. One method comprises receiving one or more available network access plans from a network provider when a current usage of a client device has passed a usage threshold of a current network access plan, providing the available network access plans for selection by a user, receiving a selected network access plan from the user, and transmitting the selected network access plan to the network provider to increase usage of the client device according to the selected network access plan.

Abstract: Provided are systems and methods for execution by a processor of a proxy server to provide a subsidized access to a network supported by a plurality of preferred partners. One method comprises receiving a first request from a client to access a first server on the network, forwarding the first request to a second server on the network such that the second server sends first content data over the network for rendering on a display of the client, recording the first request in a traffic log, and submitting the traffic log for reimbursement to at least one of the plurality of preferred partners affiliated with the second server to subsidize a cost of providing access to the network. By obtaining reimbursement for prioritizing and redirecting access to preferred sites, client connection costs can be fully or partially subsidized in light of additional revenue streams from increased user traffic.

Abstract: A system and method for providing to a mobile computing device the carrier identity, expected connection quality and pricing information related to each radio service available in the location where the mobile computing device is attempting to make a radio communications connection. This location-specific connection quality information for each carrier is provided by a system that gathers real connection quality information for each wireless carrier operator's signal in a given location, as reported to the system by mobile computing devices operating in that given location, thus creating a database of connection quality information that is automatically updated over time. This system also links the identity and usage pricing structure information of each radio carrier operator to each location.

Abstract: An application development system comprises a test-enable authority configured to store test-enable software for a plurality of mobile communication devices. In order to develop new applications, e.g. BREW applications, for a mobile communication device, the mobile communication device should be “test-enabled.” Mobile communication devices can be test-enabled using test-enable software that can, for example, be downloaded from the test-enable authority by a software developer. In one aspect, the test-enable software can install on the developer's computer, run a predetermined number of times and then uninstall. This allows communication device manufacturers to control the number of test-enabled communication devices in the market. In addition, this can save time, money, and effort for communication device manufacturers as well as developers.

Abstract: A wireless device, system, and method that determines data rate capability for communicating packet data is described. The wireless device comprises a RF component, a controller, and a means for enabling communications. The RF component is configured to communicate a plurality of packet data at a first data rate capability and a second data rate capability, in which the second data rate is faster than the first data rate. The controller is communicatively coupled to RF component, and the controller is configured to monitor a physical layer data field value, a forward traffic channel data field value, and a reverse traffic channel data field value. The physical layer data field value is associated with the physical transmission of packets from the RF component. The forward traffic channel data field value is associated with forward channel communications, and the reverse traffic channel data field value that is associated with reverse channel communications.

Abstract: A modem card includes a connector configured to be detachably connected to a computer. The card also includes electronics configured to be powered by a power supply located in the computer and to transmit wireless signals to a communications network at a transmit power. The electronics are configured to vary the transmit power such that the transmit power does not exceed a maximum transmit power. Increases in the transmit power cause a drop in the voltage of the power. The electronics are also configured to determine an adjusted maximum transmit power. The adjusted maximum transmit power is a transmit power at which the signals can be transmitted to the communications system without the voltage dropping below a shut-down voltage. The electronics are also configured to reduce the value of the maximum transmit power to a value that that is less than or equal to the value for the adjusted maximum transmit power.

Abstract: An apparatus for powering a wireless peripheral includes a controller and a power management circuit. The controller is configured to determine the strength of wireless signals received by the peripheral. The power management circuit selectively powers the peripheral with either an external power source or a combination of the external power source and an internal power source included in the wireless peripheral. If the wireless signal strength is weak, the power management circuit uses both the internal an external sources to power the peripheral. This allows the wireless peripheral to boost its transmit power, even though its power requirement may exceed that available from the external source. If the wireless signal strength is strong, the power management circuit uses only the external source to power the peripheral. When this occurs the internal power source may also be simultaneously charged by the external power source.

Abstract: A wireless wide area network (WWAN) mobile gateway is configured to execute a selected communication protocol from a plurality of communication protocols to communicate with a connected WWAN modem card connected through a WWAN device interface. The connected WWAN modem card is one of a plurality of WWAN modem cards where each of the WWAN modem cards is configured to communicate using one of the plurality of communication protocols and includes a WWAN transceiver for exchanging WWAN signals with a WWAN communication system.

Abstract: A visible diagnostic component for an electronic device having a form factor is described. The electronic component comprises a hardware interface component and a processor. The hardware interface component is configured to physically interface with a computer hardware interface associated with a computing device having an operating system. The processor is configured to perform a first operation that tests the communications with a device driver that is related to the electronic device. The first operation generates a first signal that indicates the result of the first operation. The second operation performed by the processor tests the communications between the wireless device and the operating system of the computing device. The second operation is configured to generate a second signal that indicates the result of the second operation.

Abstract: Systems and methods for an emergency ringing facility able to remotely override a silent mode of a wireless communication device are disclosed. The systems comprise profile-management applications residing on wireless devices and allowing one user of a wireless device to override a silent mode of a remote wireless device. The profile management application executed on the wireless device queries whether the silent mode of the remote wireless device can be overridden, and if so, communicates with a profile-management application executed on the remote device and overrides the silent mode of that device. In an alternative embodiment, a silent mode of a wireless device can be overridden by a profile management server. A profile-management application is executed on a profile-management server communicating with a profile-management application executed on a wireless device and requests the overriding of the silent mode of a remote wireless device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for an emergency ringing facility able to remotely override a silent mode of a wireless communication device are disclosed. The systems comprise profile-management applications residing on wireless devices and allowing one user of a wireless device to override a silent mode of a remote wireless device. The profile management application executed on the wireless device queries whether the silent mode of the remote wireless device can be overridden, and if so, communicates with a profile-management application executed on the remote device and overrides the silent mode of that device. In an alternative embodiment, a silent mode of a wireless device can be overridden by a profile management server. A profile-management application is executed on a profile-management server communicating with a profile-management application executed on a wireless device and requests the overriding of the silent mode of a remote wireless device.

Abstract: A wireless device, system, and method that determines data rate capability for communicating packet data is described. The wireless device comprises a RF component, a controller, and a means for enabling communications. The RF component is configured to communicate a plurality of packet data at a first data rate capability and a second data rate capability, in which the second data rate is faster than the first data rate. The controller is communicatively coupled to RF component, and the controller is configured to monitor a physical layer data field value, a forward traffic channel data field value, and a reverse traffic channel data field value. The physical layer data field value is associated with the physical transmission of packets from the RF component. The forward traffic channel data field value is associated with forward channel communications, and the reverse traffic channel data field value that is associated with reverse channel communications.

Abstract: A modem card is configured to provide communication between a computer and a communications system. The modem card includes a case holding electronics. A corner extends along a top side of the case. An antenna body is connected to the case such that the antenna body bends around the corner of the case. An antenna is positioned in the antenna body such that the antenna bends around the corner of the case. The antenna is in electrical communication with the electronics in the case.