Abstract: A Regional/Access Network (RAN) receives an application flow control request from a Network Service Provider (NSP) and/or an Application Service Provider (ASP). The application flow control request includes a request to determine bandwidth and/or QoS associated with a subscriber ID. The bandwidth and/or QoS associated with the subscriber ID is determined, and is sent from the RAN to the NSP and/or the ASP.

Abstract: Data architectures provide for managing Quality of Service (QoS) and/or bandwidth allocation in a Regional/Access Network (RAN) that provides end-to-end transport between a Network Service Provider (NSP) and/or an Application Service Provider (ASP), and a Customer Premises Network (CPN) that includes a Routing Gateway (RG). The data architecture includes a NSP access session record maintained at the RAN that defines QoS and/or bandwidth allocation for an access session, such as a Point-to-Point (PPP) access session, associated with the RG and the NSP. A corresponding NSP access session record is maintained at the NSP associated with the access session. The NSP access session record at the RAN and the corresponding NSP access session record at the NSP both define a QoS and/or bandwidth allocation specified by the NSP associated with the session or both define a QoS and/or bandwidth allocation specified by the RAN.

Abstract: A method of operating a data network may include establishing a data path through the data network between a routing gateway for a subscriber of the data network and a service provider providing a data service. Moreover, the data service may be provided for use at the routing gateway over the data path during a data session. A request may be received from the service provider wherein the request defines a data flow characteristic for the data path between the routing gateway and the service provider providing the data service during the data session. The data flow characteristic may then be transmitted to a node along the data path between the routing gateway and the service provider for enforcement of the data flow characteristic for the data path at the node. More particularly, the data session may be a point-to-point protocol data session. Related methods, data networks, data service providers, routing gateways, and computer program products are also discussed.

Abstract: Methods of providing messages for a user can include accepting entry of a message for the user, and accepting entry of a location criteria associated with the message. Physical location information for a wireless communications device associated with the user can be obtained, and the message for the user can be transmitted when the physical location information for the wireless communications device matches the location criteria associated with the message. Related systems are also discussed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for notifying a user that a specified person is within a specified distance of a specified meeting location are disclosed. A method according to the invention includes receiving a location signal that represents a current location of a specified party, storing identity data that represents an identity of the specified party and location data that represents a specified location, and determining from the location signal and the location data whether the specified party has arrived at the specified location. Such a method can also include transmitting a notification message if the specified party has arrived at the specified location.

Abstract: Systems, methods and computer program products match a passenger with a driver for a trip to a destination. Candidate driver(s) for the trip are automatically identified based on a current location for the candidate driver(s) responsive to a request from the passenger. The passenger is provided an identification of the identified candidate driver.

Abstract: A traffic alert system. The system includes a database having stored thereon a profile relating to a user of a mobile device. The system also includes a server, wherein the server is configured to receive traffic information relating to a route and location information relating to the mobile device, and wherein the server is configured to send a traffic alert to the mobile device when the traffic information and the location information indicate that the mobile device is traveling toward traffic congestion.

Abstract: A method of alerting a person to a situation is disclosed. An alert signal is received from a mobile communication device in signal communication with a wireless communication system and an alert system. In response to the alert signal, a database of an alert service is accessed for information relating to the subscriber of the mobile communication device and for information relating to a contact list associated with the subscriber. Information is obtained from the wireless communication system relating to the location of the subscriber, and a communication is made to a member of the subscriber's contact list providing information relating to the subscriber and the situation.

Abstract: A data network may be operated between a routing gateway for a subscriber and a data service provider providing a data service. More particularly, the data network may receive from the data service provider an identification of the routing gateway, an identification of the data service provider, and data flow characteristics of the data service for a session of the routing gateway using the data service provided by the data service provider. Responsive to receiving the identification of the routing gateway, the identification of the data service provider, and the data flow characteristics for the data service, the data flow characteristics of the data service for the routing gateway may be saved at the data network and forwarded to the routing gateway. Related data networks, data service providers, routing gateways, and computer program products are also discussed.

Abstract: An service session request is received at the Regional/Access Network (RAN) from the Network Service Provider (NSP) and/or the Application Service Provider (ASP) including a request to establish or terminate a communication session. The NSP and/or ASP is associated with a service provider record. The NSP and/or the ASP is authenticated based on information contained in the service provider record and an authentication result or a termination result is provided. The authentication result or termination result is transmitted from the RAN to the NSP and/or ASP.

Abstract: Quality of Service (QoS) in a communication network is managed. A service provider requests a level of QoS for communication in the communication network using a QoS request. The requested level of QoS may be allocated to the service provider based on the QoS request. The service provider may make the QoS request on its own initiative and/or in response to a request from an application that is hosted by the service provider. A QoS level may then be allocated to the service provider and/or to particular applications that are hosted by the service provider.

Abstract: Systems and methods for notifying a user that a specified person is within a specified distance of a specified meeting location are disclosed. A method according to the invention includes receiving a location signal that represents a current location of a specified party, storing identity data that represents an identity of the specified party and location data that represents a specified location, and determining from the location signal and the location data whether the specified party has arrived at the specified location. Such a method can also include transmitting a notification message if the specified party has arrived at the specified location.

Abstract: Systems and methods for originating and sending a voice mail message to an instant messaging platform. One particular system includes a voice mail service adapted to receive a voice mail message and information associated with a recipient subscriber, request an instant messaging address associated with the recipient subscriber's information, and encode the voice mail message for transmission to an instant messaging platform. The system also includes an associated database adapted to provide the voice mail service with an instant messaging address associated with the recipient subscriber's information. Further, the system includes an instant messaging platform adapted to receive the encoded voice mail message from the voice mail service.

Abstract: A system and method that notifies a voice mailbox subscriber of the receipt of a message at a voicemail server using instant messaging. A preferred embodiment of the invention includes an enhanced notification server that receives a notification of the message from the voicemail server, queries the availability of an instant messaging client via an instant messaging presence server, and forwards the notification to the instant messaging client via the instant messaging presence server if the instant messaging client is available. In preferred embodiments, provisions are made to forward the message to the subscriber via instant messaging.

Abstract: A telecommunications messaging system, including a server, and a first VMS platform in communication with the server, wherein the first VMS platform includes a service region comparison module. According to one embodiment, the first VMS platform is for transmitting a message from the first VMS platform to a second VMS platform in communication with the first VMS platform, and the service region comparison module is for determining whether the first and second VMS platforms service a common service region.

Abstract: A system and method that notifies a voice mailbox subscriber of the receipt of a message at a voicemail server using instant messaging. A preferred embodiment of the invention includes an enhanced notification server that receives a notification of the message from the voicemail server, queries the availability of an instant messaging client via an instant messaging presence server, and forwards the notification to the instant messaging client via the instant messaging presence server if the instant messaging client is available. In preferred embodiments, provisions are made to forward the message to the subscriber via instant messaging.

Abstract: Methods and systems for enabling a subscriber to reply to a voice mail message that has been made available for the subscriber at a voice mail system (VMS). In response to an indication, the VMS transmits a release message with respect to the subscriber's communication to the VMS, which communication then is terminated to an intelligent network element (INE). The INE originates a call to the party to whom the subscriber desires to reply. The subscriber's communication and the INE's call are bridged to form the reply call from the subscriber to the party. The VMS is not included in the call path. After the reply call is concluded, the bridge is dismantled, the IP is released, and the subscriber's communication is returned to interaction with the VMS without the subscriber having to make a separate call into the VMS.

Abstract: A system and method for transforming voice mail messages into a package capable of being parsed and read by different proprietary voice mail systems. More particularly, the present invention relates to a system and method that allows for intersystem messaging through the use of the ENUM standard wherein the ENUM standard is used to locate the specific address information for a destination platform and/or subscriber.

Abstract: Methods and systems for enabling a subscriber to reply to a voice mail message that has been made available for the subscriber at a voice mail system (VMS). In response to an indication, the VMS transmits a release message with respect to the subscriber's communication to the VMS, which communication then is terminated to an intelligent network element (INE). The INE originates a call to the party to whom the subscriber desires to reply. The subscriber's communication and the INE's call are bridged to form the reply call from the subscriber to the party. The VMS is not included in the call path. After the reply call is concluded, the bridge is dismantled, the IP is released, and the subscriber's communication is returned to interaction with the VMS without the subscriber having to make a separate call into the VMS.

Abstract: Methods and systems to provide a particular subscriber of a messaging system with access to a selected messaging platform (SMP) by making a call to a pilot number from a line number other than a line number of the subscriber. The call is routed to the SSP serving the line number from which the call originated. Based on the use of the pilot number, the SSP receives instructions from an intelligent network element (INE) to route the call to a messaging platform serving the line number from which the call originated. If the messaging platform receives a backout indicator in the call, then the messaging platform provides a backout notice to the SSP. The SSP engages in an exchange with the INE so as to result in the SSP obtaining a selected number from the particular subscriber and providing the selected number to the INE. The selected number is used by the INE to obtain an address for the SMP. The INE then instructs the SSP to route the call to the address for the SMP.