Abstract: Location-blocking and identity-blocking services that can be commercially offered by a service provider, e.g., a cellular service provider or a web advertiser. In the identity-blocking service, the service provider may disclose the current physical location of a mobile subscriber (i.e., a cellular phone operator) to a third party (e.g., a web advertiser) subscribing to the identity-blocking service. However, the service provider may not send any identity information for the mobile subscriber to the third party. On the other hand, in the location-blocking service, the service provider may disclose the mobile subscriber's identity information to the third party, but not the current physical location of the mobile subscriber. Blocking of the mobile subscriber's identity or location information may be desirable for privacy reasons, to comply with a government regulation, or to implement a telecommunication service option selected by the mobile subscriber.

Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for conducting survey using wireless devices. The system architecture of the present invention comprises a location server and a location system. The location server can receive a survey request from a subscriber, delineate a survey area for the survey, broadcast a query containing the survey to a plurality of wireless devices, process responses received from the wireless devices, and deliver a result of the survey to the subscriber. The location system can generate location information for each of the wireless devices that received the query. The location system may be a network-based unit or a portable unit provisioned at each of the wireless devices. In one of the embodiments, the location system is a GPS receiver that generates the longitude and the latitude of the wireless devices at which it is provisioned.

Abstract: A wireless communication system is described for allocating limited network access according to priorities designated for requested transactions of wireless communications. The wireless network has a number of access links for transmitting transactions for wireless communications. A plurality of wireless communications devices requests transmission of transactions on the wireless network. A designated priority level is associated with each transaction. In response to the transaction requests, an access control manager in the wireless network schedules transmission of transactions when all of the plurality of access links are occupied, by authorizing a transmission of a transaction of higher priority than another transaction that is being transmitted, and discontinuing the transmission of the transaction of lower priority.

Abstract: A portable telecommunication test set with a web browser incorporated therein is provided. A standard Hyper Text Mark-up Language or Wireless Application Protocol browser may be incorporated within the portable test set, allowing a network technician to access the Internet as well as other remotely-located sources of information to retrieve data and other useful technical information while in the field for communication network or telephone line maintenance, troubleshooting or repair. The test set may contain memory to locally store certain technical information that may be retrieved and “read” by the built-in browser module when prompted by the network technician. The web browser may display the content of the requested information on a display provided on the test set. Line-specific (as well as manufacturer-specific) test information need not be in a manufacturer-dictated proprietary format. Testing-related data may thus be supplied by a vendor other than the manufacturer of the test set.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for establishing data communication between a wireless network and a wireless terminal by means of a packet data protocol connection, using internet protocol. When a determination is made that the wireless terminal is active but does not have an internet protocol address, a page is initiated from the wireless network to the wireless terminal over a control channel requesting that the wireless terminal obtain a temporary internet protocol address. A temporary internet protocol address is then assigned to the terminal in response to a request from the terminal initiated in response to the page so that data communication can be established with the terminal based on the temporary address.

Abstract: Propagation of a wireless signal is facilitated and brokered through a wireless network, and the signal is delivered by an appropriate method to an intended receiving wireless terminal. A single network element acts as a signal entry point and executes parallel processes to determine the location of an intended receiving wireless terminal and the registration thereof within the wireless network, the signal type, and the capabilities of the terminal. The network element then analyzes this information to determine the best method of signal propagation through the wireless network so as to ensure signal delivery to the wireless terminal or alternate delivery according to subscriber-set preferences.

Abstract: Propagation of a wireless signal is facilitated and brokered through a wireless network, and the signal is delivered by an appropriate method to an intended receiving wireless terminal. A single network element acts as a signal entry point and executes parallel processes to determine the location of an intended receiving wireless terminal and the registration thereof within the wireless network, the signal type, and the capabilities of the terminal. The network element then analyzes this information to determine the best method of signal propagation through the wireless network so as to ensure signal delivery to the wireless terminal or alternate delivery according to subscriber-set preferences.

Abstract: A location query service is disclosed. The service provides requestors with a location of a device. The service receives a location query from a requestor, retrieves location information associated with the network user, and returns the location information to the requestor. Before returning the location information to the requestor, the service is configured, in some embodiments, to authenticate that the requestor is authorized by the network user to receive the network user's location information. Methods for providing a location query service also are disclosed.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method provides, to a first user, location-based information concerning a second user, and a system and computer-readable storage medium include computer-readable instructions for performing the same. The method includes determining that the second user is within a certain geographic area and communicating to the first user, by way of a wireless communication device of the first user, an identity of the second user.

Abstract: A wireless communication system is described for allocating limited network access according to priorities designated for requested transactions of wireless communications. The wireless network has a number of access links for transmitting transactions for wireless communications. A plurality of wireless communications devices requests transmission of transactions on the wireless network. A designated priority level is associated with each transaction. In response to the transaction requests, an access control manager in the wireless network schedules transmission of transactions when all of the plurality of access links are occupied, by authorizing a transmission of a transaction of higher priority than another transaction that is being transmitted, and discontinuing the transmission of the transaction of lower priority.

Abstract: Subscriber authorization information from a wireless communication device is identified. The subscriber authorization information indicates that an identity of a subscriber associated with the wireless communication device is authorized to be shared without sharing information that identifies a location of the wireless communication device. Subsequent to the subscriber authorization information being identified, the identity of the subscriber associated with the wireless communication device is received or retrieved without information that identifies the location of the wireless communication device.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for using location information associated with wireless devices. The system includes a wireless device, a location system, and a feature server. The wireless device includes any wireless apparatus having wireless communications capabilities. The location system can generate location information pinpointing the location of the wireless device. The feature server can use the location information to determine whether to execute an action in accordance with subscriber rules. A large number of applications may be implemented to execute the action via a number of communication channels, including without limitation, a wireless communications network, a computer network, and a public switched telephone system, for example.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for establishing data communication between a wireless network and a wireless terminal by means of a packet data protocol connection, using internet protocol. When a determination is made that the wireless terminal is active but does not have an internet protocol address, a page is initiated from the wireless network to the wireless terminal over a control channel requesting that the wireless terminal obtain a temporary internet protocol address. A temporary internet protocol address is then assigned to the terminal in response to a request from the terminal initiated in response to the page so that data communication can be established with the terminal based on the temporary address.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling, by an outside entity, one or more devices associated with a location. A representative embodiment of the system architecture comprises an internal computer system through which a device may be remotely controlled by the outside entity during a communication session between the outside entity and the internal computer system through an external computer network. The external computer network can be the Internet. When the outside entity is requested to control the device, the outside entity's identity information is authenticated before the communication session is established.

Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for conducting survey using wireless devices. The system architecture of the present invention comprises a location server and a location system. The location server can receive a survey request from a subscriber, delineate a survey area for the survey, broadcast a query containing the survey to a plurality of wireless devices, process responses received from the wireless devices, and deliver a result of the survey to the subscriber. The location system can generate location information for each of the wireless devices that received the query. The location system may be a network-based unit or a portable unit provisioned at each of the wireless devices. In one of the embodiments, the location system is a GPS receiver that generates the longitude and the latitude of the wireless devices at which it is provisioned.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided for remotely controlling one or more monitoring devices in a user's household in the event of emergency so as to more productively monitor the emergency situation on a real-time basis. The monitoring devices may include a number of multimedia instruments such as a telephone with an answering machine, a computer with a built-in digital camera, a video recording device, a cellular phone with an integrated digital camera, etc. An emergency service provider may remotely activate the monitoring devices in the user's vicinity upon receiving an emergency help request from the user, and receive the information sent by the monitoring devices to enable the service personnel to plan appropriate response to the emergency at hand. Such an arrangement allows for better monitoring of the user's vicinity in an emergency situation without the need for prolonged user participation in narrating or describing the emergency situation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus provide for removal of a display screen from a wireless device, or, in a different embodiment, provide for a display screen as a separate and additional device that functions in real time in the same way as if the screen were incorporated in the wireless device. This functionality is enabled by a short range wireless connection, such as Bluetooth, between transceivers located in the wireless device and the display screen device. The display screen device allows a user to monitor the associated wireless device without needing to operate the full device. The display screen device may also have control capability for controlling the wireless device. Thus, a user can monitor and control a mobile device from a smaller remote display device while being presented with the information that would be displayed on the display screen of the wireless device.

Abstract: Subscriber authorization information from a wireless communication device is identified. The subscriber authorization information indicates that an identity of a subscriber associated with the wireless communication device is authorized to be shared without sharing information that identifies a location of the wireless communication device. Subsequent to the subscriber authorization information being identified, the identity of the subscriber associated with the wireless communication device is received or retrieved without information that identifies the location of the wireless communication device.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for using location information associated with wireless devices. The system includes a wireless device, a location system, and a feature server. The wireless device includes any wireless apparatus having wireless communications capabilities. The location system can generate location information pinpointing the location of the wireless device. The feature server can use the location information to determine whether to execute an action in accordance with subscriber rules. A large number of applications may be implemented to execute the action via a number of communication channels, including without limitation, a wireless communications network, a computer network, and a public switched telephone system, for example.

Abstract: Call handoff from an 802.1x network to a cellular network, and vice versa. A wireless device that has both cellular and 802.1x capability detects the strength of a cellular signal and of an 802.1x signal. If a call is taking place over the 802.1x network and the strength of the 802.1x signal drops below a particular level and the strength of the cellular signal is above a certain level, the call is handed off from the 802.1x network to the cellular network. If a call is taking place over the cellular network and the cellular signal strength drops below a certain level while the 802.1x signal strength is above a certain level, the call is handed off from the cellular network to the 802.1x network. In addition, the user of the wireless device can manually initiate the handoff by actuating a handoff selector of the wireless device.