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 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: 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 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: Identity-blocking services are provided. The current physical location of a mobile device may be disclosed to a third party without sending any identity information of the mobile subscriber to the third party. Blocking of the mobile subscriber's identity 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: A system, computer-readable medium system, and method which provide a telephone number mapping specification in a local number portability environment where an originating device of a first service provider dials a dialed call for forwarding to a terminating device of a second service provider. There is provided a combined local number portability and telephone number mapping database having a central location which is in communication with both an originating office and a terminating office. Both the originating office and the terminating office can look up and use local number portability and telephone number mapping information from the combined database.

Abstract: Identity-blocking services are provided. The current physical location of a mobile device may be disclosed to a third party without sending any identity information of the mobile subscriber to the third party. Blocking of the mobile subscriber's identity 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: 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: 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.

Abstract: A method for pricing wireless communications services on a wireless network is described. A selection of a plurality of priorities available for transmitting a wireless communication transaction on a wireless network is provided, wherein the priority to be selected corresponds to the speed and allowable delay by which the transaction is to be transmitted. Transactions of lower priority are temporarily discontinued in favor of higher priority transactions when network capacity reaches a predetermined level. An amount is charged for the wireless communication transaction at a price corresponding to the priority and duration to be selected.

Abstract: An anonymous location wireless network service for use in a wireless network. The service provides content providers with the location of network users without revealing their identities. The service includes a wireless network having a proxy server, a network communication link to a plurality of web sites, and a wireless communication link to a plurality of handheld devices. The proxy server blocks identity by reading the location and identity information of network devices, generating dummy identifications, relating the dummy identifications to the identity information, storing the relationships in a memory storage, and forwarding the location information and dummy identifications to the global computer network. Upon receiving messages from the global computer network, the proxy server reads the dummy identifications, looks up the related identification information in the memory storage, and forwards the data to the appropriate network devices.

Abstract: Location-blocking and identity-blocking services that can be commercially offered by a service promoter, e.g., a cellular service provider or a web advertiser. In the identity-blocking service, the service promoter 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 promoter 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 promoter 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: An anonymous location wireless network service for use in a wireless network. The service provides content providers with the location of network users without revealing their identities. The service includes a wireless network having a proxy server, a network communication link to a plurality of web sites, and a wireless communication link to a plurality of handheld devices. The proxy server blocks identity by reading the location and identity information of network devices, generating dummy identifications, relating the dummy identifications to the identity information, storing the relationships in a memory storage, and forwarding the location information and dummy identifications to the global computer network. Upon receiving messages from the global computer network, the proxy server reads the dummy identifications, looks up the related identification information in the memory storage, and forwards the data to the appropriate network devices.

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: 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: 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: Identity-blocking services are provided. The current physical location of a mobile device may be disclosed to a third party without sending any identity information of the mobile subscriber to the third party. Blocking of the mobile subscriber's identity 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: 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 method and system facilitate and broker propagation of a wireless signal through a wireless network and delivery of the signal 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: Redundant mechanism in a push-to-talk (PTT) realtime architecture. Redundancy is provided in core delivery systems, which are employed for the emulation of “walkie-talkie” service with circuit switched duplex calls in the carrier network. The disclosed architecture provides for geographic and/or realtime mated redundancy. In one implementation, realtime redundancy is offered in an active-active scenario, although other scenarios are possible. Similarly, redundancy is provided in a roaming gateway implementation of the PTT network.