Abstract: A wireless communication system and method poll subscribers based on a movement history for the subscribers. Movement information for subscribers is stored and analyzed to determine the likely current location(s) for a subscriber. Polling is performed based on a result of analyzing the movement information. For example, polling the subscriber can be performed using transmitters in a serial manner, such that a first transmitter, or group of transmitters, that corresponds to the most likely current location of the subscriber is used to poll the subscriber. If polling using the first transmitter is not successful, a second transmitter, or group of transmitters, corresponding to a second most likely location of the subscriber is used to poll the subscriber, and so on.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selectively eliminating nuisance signals during communications connections as during conference calling in which the signals are eliminated when a call path is placed on hold by monitoring signals in a reverse traffic channel from a holding party. If the reverse traffic channel contains a predetermined signal, a music on hold circuit is disabled. When the call is first placed on hold, a check for the predetermined signal is made. If the predetermined signal is not detected during a defined period of time, the music on hold circuit is engaged; otherwise the circuit remains disabled. The predetermined signal may be noise signals, speech signals or a sequence of touch tones or speech representing a command to disable the music on hold circuit. Optionally, a disabled music on hold circuit may be enabled by placing a second command signal, such as speech or touch tones, into the reverse traffic channel.

Abstract: The present invention provides a blocked call routing apparatus and method that allows a caller to access a blocked number, such as a 1-8YY paging service, from a restricted device. The blocked call routing apparatus includes a controller, a database interface and a network interface. The blocked call routing apparatus receives call signals through the network interface and retrieves information from a database, through the database interface, corresponding to the source type and call destination address. Based on the information obtained from the database, the blocked call routing apparatus determines whether the call is blocked or unblocked. If the call is blocked, the blocked call routing apparatus queries the called party to determine if they wish to accept the additional charges necessary to complete the call. If they do, the block is overridden and the call is completed.

Abstract: A service optimizer establishes an initial subscriber profile relating to a subscriber upon subscribing to a service. The service optimizer uses service data within the subscriber profile to administer a service for the subscriber. The initial subscriber profile contains personal and service information particular to the subscriber. The service optimizer analyzes the personal and service information in the subscriber profile to alter the service data used by the service optimizer to more efficiently administer the service. Additionally, the service optimizer analyzes information indicating how the subscriber uses the service to alter the service data used by the service optimizer to more efficiently administer the service.

Abstract: A paging service database is updated by a subscriber by using a terminal. The terminal may update a corresponding database in a pager served by the paging service by linking to the pager through an infrared or wired serial link. The pager may also be coupled to the paging service through a modem and receive database updates or may receive database updates directly from the paging service over the airwaves. The subscriber may enter a new menu using the pager and update the paging service database by sending an update command. The new menu may be permanent or temporary. A temporary new menu may be erased either by an erase command sent from the pager to the paging service or a time limit specified by the subscriber.

Abstract: In a personal communication service (PCS) environment, a plurality of messages are stored which are used to provide caller directive announcements. The caller directive announcements are associated with tag messages previously stored by a subscriber, and are sufficiently detailed to tell a caller, for example, that a subscriber is in a hotel and, thus, should be asked for by name.

Abstract: A method for use in a communications system permitting a first party connected to a central platform to receive an out-of-band signal in response to predetermined trigger conditions. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, leaving a voice mail message results in an automatic page to the first party notifying him, or her, of the voice mail message from a second party. Similarly, the first party is notified of alert or alarm conditions and preprogrammed schedule changes through use of the out-of-band signal. Certain predetermined characters may be used to distinguish between the various types of out-of-band messages sent to the first party.

Abstract: A method for use in a telephone system, permitting a caller connected to a central platform to further attempt to reach a subscriber after the central platform initially attempted to establish a connection with the subscriber by dialing the subscriber's number and the subscriber's telephone was detected as being in either a Busy/No answer (BNA) condition or a Ring/No answer (RNA) condition at the subscriber's telephone station. Upon detection of either a BNA or RNA condition, a determination is then made as to whether an option associated with the detected condition is available for the subscriber. If an option is available and is selected by the caller, the subscriber is paged and the initial attempt to establish a connection with the subscriber from the platform is terminated. The caller is then informed of the progress of the further attempt to reach the subscriber by prerecorded messages associated with the detected condition.

Abstract: A communication method wherein rate of information transfer with a given signal transmitted or received at a transceiver node is dynamically varied as a function of the relative quality of the transmission environment. The method employs a responsive buffering process at each communication node that permits this rate to be varied somewhat independently of the rate at which information is transferred to or from the transceiver node. In a particular application, the invention permits information to be exchanged between a wireless signal having a variable error correction bandwidth and a fixed bandwidth data stream.

Abstract: A method of administering a sequence of locations to which calls placed to a subscriber's personal telephone number may be routed for personal communication service by a) storing pre-defined mnemonic audible tags for association with telephone numbers prior to any interactions with the subscriber, b) offering the subscriber a choice of the pre-defined mnemonic audible tags by speaking them to him, c) receiving an indication of the mnemonic audible tag selected by the subscriber, d) receiving signals indicating a telephone number supplied by the subscriber and e) storing the received telephone number information in association with the selected mnemonic audible tag. The mnemonic audible tags are then used in place of their respective associated telephone numbers in administering the sequence of locations. A mnemonic audible tag is a meaningful word indicative of the actual location, person, or service, e.g.