Abstract: Methods and systems are presented for implementing wireless number portability in a wireless communications network, in which an originating switching component determines whether a called number is ported or not based on profile information from a home location register without querying a number portability database.

Abstract: A method and system for implementing vehicle functions through a mobile device are provided. More particularly, a technique is implemented for initiating selected vehicle functions through a remote mobile device such as a mobile phone, rather that through a key fob. The system includes network functionality contained within the primary switching element of the network, e.g., a mobile switching center (MSC), to receive an access code (such as *89) from a user. The switching element subsequently transmits command signal(s) via a base station to a vehicle to perform vehicle functions such as locking, unlocking and starting.

Abstract: A method and apparatus which allows the mobile user to subscribe to Customized Image and Ring Tone (CIRT) service providing them access to a CIRT server to pre-define a customized image or ring tone to be played to a called party, and sends the pre-defined image or ring tone to the called party during alerting when a call is made from the mobile user is provided. The CIRT subscriber can download images or ring tones from internet web site to CIRT server, create their own via digital camera/camera phone then send them to CIRT, or choose existing ones that are available in the CIRT server. The CIRT subscriber then selects a specific image or ring tone for a specific phone number through access to the CIRT server via the Internet or a phone call. When the subscriber calls a number that is predefined with a CIRT, the call will be routed to CIRT server first and then to the called party.

Abstract: Methods and systems are presented for implementing wireless number portability in a wireless communications network, in which an originating switching component determines whether a called number is ported or not based on profile information from a home location register without querying a number portability database.

Abstract: An apparatus in one example has: an incoming call mobile switching center that receives incoming calls; a home location register that stores routing information; a serving mobile switching center that stores mobile subscriber status, location, and routing information and that supplies a temporary location directory number, the home location register operatively coupled to the incoming call mobile switching center and to the serving mobile switching center; a customized wallpaper server operatively coupled to a wallpaper database, the wallpaper database having a plurality of stored wallpapers with corresponding assigned temporary location directory numbers, the customized wallpaper server operatively coupled to the incoming call mobile switching center and to the serving mobile switching center; and a customized wallpaper processor in the serving mobile switching center, the customized wallpaper processor processing a respective wallpaper for display on a display of a mobile terminal; wherein a respective wall

Abstract: A method of processing toll payments for a motorist having a wireless communications device and a billing account, via a wireless communications network.

Abstract: Communication networks, phones, and associated methods are disclosed that provide library services to users of phones. A phone displays a library search screen to a user, and the user enters one or more library search parameters. The phone generates a request message that includes the library search parameter(s), and transmits the request message to a communication network (e.g., a wireless network or a VoIP network). A library server in the communication network receives the request message, and queries a library database based on the library search parameter(s). The library server receives library search results from the library database, and determines the type of response (e.g., text message, email message, etc) for the library search results. The library server then formats the library search results based on the determined type of response, and transmits the response to the user.

Abstract: A wireless communication network is described that includes a control system and a plurality of network nodes, such as MSCs. The network nodes communicate with mobile wireless devices, such as cell phones. The control system receives national security information for a geographic region. The control system identifies one or more network nodes serving the geographic region indicated in the national security information, and transmits the national security information to the identified network nodes. Each of the identified network nodes receives the national security information from the control system. The network nodes generate security alert messages based on the national security information, and transmit the security alert messages to one or more mobile wireless devices being served by that network node. In response to a security alert message, each mobile wireless device provides the security alert message, or a representation thereof, to a wireless subscriber using the mobile wireless device.

Abstract: A method of scheduling and establishing a conference call in a telecommunications network including a conference call server and a database for storing conference call information. The method includes scheduling a conference call with at least one private chat room for a conference call originator, establishing the conference call with at least one private chat room, and disconnecting the conference call.

Abstract: Communication systems and methods are disclosed that provide a voice mail bridging service. A communication network attempts to connect a call between a calling party and a called party. The called party has a plurality of telephone numbers corresponding with a plurality of voice mail systems. Responsive to the communication network determining that the called party has not answered the call attempt, the communication network prompts the calling party to record a voice message. The communication network receives a voice message from the calling party. The communication network identifies a plurality of telephone numbers for the called party, such as a home number, a mobile number, a business number, etc. The communication network then transmits the voice message to the voice mail systems corresponding with the identified telephone numbers for the called party. The called party can thus access any of the voice mail systems to retrieve the voice message.

Abstract: A wireless telecommunication system is used to provide alert notifications such as weather alerts to affected mobile units in a geographic area. In one embodiment, responsive to receiving an alert notification, an MSC identifies one or more affected mobile units located within the coverage area and sends a message including indicia of the alert notification to the affected mobile units. In another embodiment, a subscriber service center (SSC) receives an alert notification and consults a database to identify one or more mobile units eligible to receive the alert notification. The SSC queries a mobile position center to identify one or more affected mobile units located within the coverage area and sends a message including indicia of the alert notification to the affected mobile units.

Abstract: Structures and methods are disclosed for corrupting image files of a mobile image device (e.g., picture phone) in some manner if the image files are initially captured within a designated “no image zone.” The mobile image device queries a wireless telecommunication network upon capturing an image. The network instructs the mobile image device to corrupt the image if it determined to have been captured within a no-image zone. The mobile image device may save the image if it was not captured within a designated “no image” zone.

Abstract: A wireless telecommunication network recognizes and blocks image transmissions from designated “no image zones.” In such manner, the wireless telecommunication network can block the transmission of video and/or photo images from mobile image device(s) (e.g., picture phones) attempting to send images from sensitive locations.

Abstract: A method of generating a certified email return receipt is provided. The method includes receiving an email requiring a certified email return receipt in a locked condition, prompting a person attempting to open the email to enter certified email return receipt information, collecting the certified email return receipt information entered by the person attempting to open the email, unlocking the email thereby enabling the email to be opened after the collecting step, opening the email after the collecting step for the person who entered the certified email return receipt information, and generating a certified email return receipt certifying that the email was received by the person who entered the certified email return receipt information.

Abstract: A system and method of routing calls in a telecommunications network is provided. The method includes receiving an incoming call for the called party, determining the called terminal location, selecting a long distance carrier preferred by the called party for incoming calls made to the called terminal location, and routing the call to the called party using the selected long distance carrier. The system includes means for receiving an incoming call for the called party, means for determining the called terminal location, means for selecting a long distance carrier preferred by the called party for incoming calls made to the called terminal location, and means for routing the call to the called party using the selected long distance carrier.

Abstract: A method of providing an automated directory look-up service in a wireless telecommunications network includes: receiving a request from a mobile station (MS) (10) to use the automated directory look-up service; prompting a user to enter a query into the MS (10), the query including at least a partial portion of an entry for the party to be looked up; receiving the query from the MS (10) over the wireless network; searching a database (32) containing a list of parties along with their corresponding telephone numbers; finding those parties in the database (32) that match the query; and, returning to the MS (10) entries from the list that match the query.

Abstract: A method of providing directory assistance to a caller having a mobile station in a wireless network is provided. The method includes receiving a request for directory assistance information from the caller, obtaining directory assistance information from a database, giving a set of delivery options for the directory assistance information to the caller, and determining whether the caller has chosen one or more delivery options from the set of options. Where the caller has chosen at least one delivery option, the directory assistance information is sent to the caller via the delivery option or options chosen by the caller. Where the caller has not chosen at least one delivery option, the directory assistance information is sent to the caller via a default delivery option.

Abstract: A method and system for implementing vehicle functions through a mobile device are provided. More particularly, a technique is implemented for initiating selected vehicle functions through a remote mobile device such as a mobile phone, rather that through a key fob. The system includes network functionality contained within the primary switching element of the network, e.g., a mobile switching center (MSC), to receive an access code (such as *89) from a user. The switching element subsequently transmits command signal(s) via a base station to a vehicle to perform vehicle functions such as locking, unlocking and starting.

Abstract: A method of message delivery using a wireless communications network includes sending a voicemail retrieval notification message to a calling party indicating that a called party has retrieved the calling-party-to-called-party voicemail message. A system for wireless communications network message delivery includes means for sending a voicemail retrieval notification message to the calling party indicating that the called party has retrieved the calling-party-to-called-party voicemail message.

Abstract: A method of message delivery using a wireless communications network includes sending a voicemail retrieval notification acknowledgement message to a calling party indicating that a called party has retrieved the calling-party-to-called-party voicemail message. A system for voicemail retrieval notification includes means for sending a voicemail retrieval notification acknowledgement message to the calling party indicating that the called party has retrieved the calling-party-to-called-party voicemail message.