Abstract: A method (300) for providing an audio message (105). The method can include detecting at least one external parameter (125, 130, 135). Detecting the external parameter can include detecting a time, a location or a station identifier. Detecting the location can include receiving a signal from a network node (110) or a beacon (115), or receiving location information from a positioning system (240). In one arrangement, detecting the external parameter can include detecting a plurality of identifiers, such as a time, a location and/or a station identifier. The external parameter can be processed to identify at least one audio attribute (265) associated with a voice persona. An audio message then can be generated based, at least in part, on the audio attribute. Identifying the audio attribute can include identifying at least a second audio attribute associated with a background sound.

Abstract: A method (300) for allocating mobile station resources. The method can include receiving a message (120) over a wireless communications network (110) from an authorized user requesting reservation of communication resources on the mobile station (105), and automatically reserving the mobile station communication resources in accordance with the request. Receiving the message over the wireless communications network can include receiving the message on a slave mobile station. The message can be received from a master mobile station (115). In one arrangement the message can include a mobile station calendar entry. The calendar entry can be received in response to initiating a call on the mobile station. The call can be, for example, a selective dynamic group (SDG) call.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method (300) of providing information about a communications device. The method includes the steps of establishing (312) a communications connection between a first mobile communications unit (128) and at least a second mobile communications unit (130), transmitting (314) from the first mobile communications unit to the second mobile communications unit a condition of at least one operational parameter of the first mobile communications unit and informing (316) a user of the second mobile communications unit of the conditions of the operational parameters of the first mobile communications unit. The operational parameters of the first mobile communications unit can include a signal strength, a battery level, a location, an audio configuration, an alert configuration, a conference indicator and a phone type indicator.

Abstract: A method (400) of conducting a financial transaction. The method can include receiving from each of a plurality of credit providers an offer (130) indicating an incentive (125) available to a user for using an established credit account to make payment for the financial transaction at a point-of-sale terminal (110), and presenting the offers to the user. The user can be prompted to select one of the established credit accounts to make payment for the financial transaction.

Abstract: The present solution includes a method for reporting a status indicator using a mobile device during a disaster. In the method, a status indicator can be entered into a mobile communication device. The status indicator can he communicated to a disaster response system. The disaster response system can also automatically determine a location of the mobile communication device. The disaster response system can make the status indicator and the location available to concerned parties. The location and status indicators can be continuously updated for a duration of a disaster allowing the concerned parties to receive current information about subscribers. In one embodiment, a set of previously established actions associated with user developed disaster response plan can be initiated by the disaster response system.

Abstract: A method (10) and system (20, 30, or 200) of guardian approval of communications where a guardian phone serves as a master phone (24) to at least one slave phone (26 or 28) can include the steps of forwarding (2) an unknown incoming call to a slave phone to the master phone, enabling (4) the master phone to approve the unknown incoming call, and routing (6) the unknown incoming call to the slave phone when the master phone approves the unknown call. The method can further route (8) an unknown outgoing call from a slave phone to the master phone, enable (9) the master phone to approve the unknown outgoing call to a third party, and route (11) the unknown outgoing call to the third party when the master phone approves the unknown outgoing call.

Abstract: The present invention automatically increases situational awareness relating to potential sexual predators, criminals, and/or stalkers located near a mobile device user. A location of the mobile device can be determined by device location electronics, such as a Global Positioning System (GPS). The location can be compared against at least one zone believed to be associated with a sexual predator, a criminal, and/or a stalker. Zones can be static or dynamic. A threat level associated with a zone can be computed from multiple factors, which are compared against one or more thresholds. When the threat level exceeds a thresholds, an associated threat avoidance action can be automatically initiated. One threat avoidance action is to present a warning upon a user's mobile device along with contextual information about a proximate danger.

Abstract: A method (300) for providing an audio message (105). The method can include detecting at least one external parameter (125, 130, 135). Detecting the external parameter can include detecting a time, a location or a station identifier. Detecting the location can include receiving a signal from a network node (110) or a beacon (115), or receiving location information from a positioning system (240). In one arrangement, detecting the external parameter can include detecting a plurality of identifiers, such as a time, a location and/or a station identifier. The external parameter can be processed to identify at least one audio attribute (265) associated with a voice persona. An audio message then can be generated based, at least in part, on the audio attribute. Identifying the audio attribute can include identifying at least a second audio attribute associated with a background sound.

Abstract: An electronic device (160) and method (400) is provided for podcast searching and selecting. The electronic device can provide a display (210) for visualizing podcast attributes and presenting one or more visual icons (350) in a three-dimensional grid (320), wherein a visual icon identifies one or more attributes of a podcast. The electronic device can include a podcast browser (220) for searching and selecting one or more visual icons presented in the display, where the podcast browser provides multi-level viewing for the one or more visual icons.

Abstract: A method (500) for controlling operation of a mobile station. The method can include, on a first mobile station (110), monitoring for other mobile stations (115, 120) within a personal area network. Responsive to identifying at least a second mobile station within the personal area network, at least one operating parameter on the first mobile station can be automatically modified. Modifying the operating parameter can include, for example, automatically communicating an identifier (130) associated with the second mobile station to a third communication device (125), for instance by sending an e-mail, sending a text message or placing a call. In another arrangement, at least one call handling function can be changed in response to matching the identifier with a second identifier contained in the list of known identifiers.

Abstract: A communication accessory (110) that includes at least a first sensor (130) that indicates whether the communication accessory is being worn by a user. The communication accessory also can include a communications adapter (210) that communicates a signal (235) which indicates to a communication device (120) whether the communication accessory is being worn. The communication accessory further can include a controller (205) that processes at least one signal generated by the first sensor to determine whether the communication accessory is being worn by the user. The controller can enter the communication accessory into a standby state in response to the first sensor indicating that the communication accessory is not being worn. The controller can take the communication accessory out of the standby state in response to the first sensor indicating that the communication accessory is being worn.

Abstract: A method (300) for allocating mobile station resources. The method can include receiving a message (120) over a wireless communications network (110) from an authorized user requesting reservation of communication resources on the mobile station (105), and automatically reserving the mobile station communication resources in accordance with the request. Receiving the message over the wireless communications network can include receiving the message on a slave mobile station. The message can be received from a master mobile station (115). In one arrangement the message can include a mobile station calendar entry. The calendar entry can be received in response to initiating a call on the mobile station. The call can be, for example, a selective dynamic group (SDG) call.

Abstract: A system (100) and method (600) is provided for auctioning an item using a mobile device (102). A mobile device can include a camera (202) for capturing an image of an item of interest, a processor (204) for entering the image into a database (140), an image recognition unit (206) for comparing the image to other images within the database, and a display (208) for presenting a list of comparable items available for auctioning. The mobile device can include a positioning system (210) for determining a location of the mobile device and identifying an entity having an item available for purchase or sale within a predetermined distance of the mobile device.

Abstract: A wireless personal communications device (106) that has a wireless communications circuit (704) that communicates over a cellular communications system and a user input sensor (306, 404, 410, 412, 502) that detects an input from a user (104, 108). An included audio-visual effect generator (210) generates an audio-visual effect based upon input detected by the user input sensor (306, 404, 410, 412, 502). A collaborative audio-visual effect creation system (110) accepts audio visual effects from multiple sources (106), uses a multiple user wireless data communications system to wirelessly communicate data among multiple wireless personal communications devices (106), accepts rating information from the wireless personal communications devices (106) and produces an audio-visual output that is derived received audio-visual effects based upon the rating information.

Abstract: A method, server, and wireless communication system for providing user status information representing status of use of a first wireless device to at least a second wireless device, the first device and second device being members of a group, is disclosed. The method comprises receiving, at a server (108) for a wireless communication system (102), user status information from a first wireless device (104). The user status information represents a status of use of the first wireless device (104) associated with a user thereof. A current user status database (126) at the server (108) is updated according to the received status information. The server (108) transmits updated current user status information that is destined for reception by the second wireless device (106), which is further destined for presentation to a user of the second wireless device (106).

Abstract: A method, server, and wireless communication system for directly providing user status information representing status of use of a wireless device to a user of another wireless device, each wireless device being members of a group, is disclosed. The method comprises receiving, at a first wireless device (104), user status information directly transmitted from a second wireless device (106). The user status information representing a status of use of the second wireless device (106) associated with a user thereof. The method also includes updating a current user status database (252) at the first wireless device (104) according to the received status information from the second wireless device (106). The first wireless device (104) and the second wireless device (106) being members of a device use status monitoring group in the wireless communication system (102). A user of the first wireless device (104) is provided the updated current user status information through a user interface (502).

Abstract: A system (100) and method (200) of conveying context information in a personal and family security environment monitor (201) a sender's environment, encode (202) a context signal that is used to activate a sound, a haptic, or a light representative of the sender's environment, and transmit (206) the context signal. In another aspect, the method can alternatively encode (204) an icon representative of a location or an implied location or an implied heading as the context signal. The method can further include the step of initiating (208) an I'm OK sequence. In one aspect, the method can receive the context signal and generate (210) the sound, haptic, or light representative of the sender's environment at the receiving party.

Abstract: A wireless communication device (200) capable of gauging message freshness from the context of a receiver of a message response can include a transceiver (202) and a processor (206) coupled to the transceiver. The transceiver can be programmed to determine (312) if a message response is stale from the context of a receiver of the message response and send (318) a request for a second message response if the message response is determined as being stale. The communication device can be further programmed to determine if the message response is stale by determining if the message response is sent after a predetermined time after receipt of the message response or by determining if the message response is sent after an estimated time after a request for the message response.

Abstract: A communication device (100) includes a transceiver (115) for receiving a call, a received calls memory (145) for storing call sources (300) and for storing an associated call count (315) for each call source (310), a user preferences memory (140) for storing a set of call quantity categories and a corresponding set of alerts, and a processor (120). The processor (120) is programmed to: identify a call source of a received call, retrieve a call count for the call source, categorize the call count into a call quantity category, provide a command signal to an alert circuit (130) identifying a unique alert associated with the call quantity category, and optionally increment the call count. The communication device (100) further includes the alert circuit (130) for alerting using the unique alert identified by the processor (120).

Abstract: A communication system (100) provides for improved dispatch communications, by providing a method for monitoring the signal quality at each of the Mobile Stations (MS) involved in a dispatch call. Once engaged in the dispatch call, the MSs (110, 112) monitor the signal quality of their ACCH channel (204) and send a message back to the system (208) if their signal quality falls below a predetermined threshold. If the signal quality of any dispatch call participant falls below the given threshold (206), the system alerts all the dispatch call participants (210) thereby avoiding any loss of communications, and tears down the previously set up dispatch call. If the signal quality becomes acceptable again (216) for those MS who had previously experienced poor signal quality, they send a message to the system, which automatically sets up a new dispatch call and alerts all the dispatch participants that the dispatch channel can be used again (218).