Abstract: The present invention provides a method for storing data relating to network conditions in a mobile unit. A mobile station receives a signal from a base station. The mobile station stores data associated with the signal in memory within the mobile unit. When the mobile unit determines that the signal has been dropped, the mobile unit freezes the memory until it can transmit the data to a network outage data center. This helps the system diagnose and correct transient service outages.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for storing data relating to network conditions in a mobile unit. A mobile station receives a signal from a base station. The mobile station stores data associated with the signal in memory within the mobile unit. When the mobile unit determines that the signal has been dropped, the mobile unit freezes the memory until it can transmit the data to a network outage data center. This helps the system diagnose and correct transient service outages.

Abstract: An application server component of an apparatus in one example receives an indication of one or more communication devices that are to receive one or more invitations to join a communication session. The application server component notifies the one or more communication devices of the one or more invitations to join the communication session. Upon acceptance of one or more of the one or more invitations by one or more of the one or more communication devices, the application server component connects the one or more of the one or more communication devices to the communication session.

Abstract: Information that is based on a database portion of a first user equipment component is translated from a first database format to a second database format for a download of the information from a network storage component to a second user equipment component. The first database format is understood by the first user equipment component. The second database format is understood by the second user equipment component. The first database format is not understood by the second user equipment component.

Abstract: An application server component of an apparatus in one example receives one or more notifications of one or more open communication sessions from one or more first communication devices. The application server component sends one or more of the one or more notifications of one or more of the one or more open communication sessions to one or more second communication devices. Upon a request by a communication device of the one or more second communication devices to join an open communication session of the one or more of the one or more open communication sessions, the application server component initiates a connection of the communication device to the open communication session.

Abstract: An end user terminal (EUT), e.g., such as mobile terminal (MT) (20), is provided for connecting with an incoming call received over a communications network (A). Suitably, the EUT includes an alerting function and/or equipment that provides perceivable alerting in response to an incoming call attempting to connect with the EUT over the communications network (A). An alert sensor (AS) (22) detects an alerting status of the EUT, which is then communicated over the communications network (A), e.g., back to the calling EUT 50.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for establishing a cellular mobile call. If no radio traffic (voice or data) channels are available for a calling Mobile Station (MS), then a test is made to determine the expected wait time before a channel becomes available. If the expected wait time is less than a first threshold, then the call request is queued. If a channel does not become available before a second time threshold, then the caller is notified that the call has been queued and is expected to be established in a short time. A control message is sent to the MS to trigger an indication of the queued status to the user. The indication may be one or more tones, a data display, or the playing of a pre-recorded announcement. If the expected wait time is more than the first threshold, the caller is given the opportunity to be called back when a radio channel becomes available. Advantageously, the number of failed calls because of unavailable traffic channels is reduced, and the caller's annoyance level is reduced.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for reducing occurrences of nuisance calls. A called party identifies a call as an undesired (or “nuisance”) call after answering, screening or reviewing recorded messages of calls. In one embodiment, the called party receives or screens a call and informs a terminating office that it desires to block future calls from the calling party. The terminating office determines the directory number of the calling party and causes the directory number to be added to a blocking database. In another embodiment, a called party reviews one or more prior messages recorded by a messaging system (e.g., answering machine or voicemail system) and flags a message (e.g., message #2) as originating from an undesired caller. The messaging system determines the directory number of the undesired caller and instructs a service provider to add the directory number to a blocking database.

Abstract: An application server component of an apparatus in one example receives one or more notifications of one or more open communication sessions from one or more first communication devices. The application server component sends one or more of the one or more notifications of one or more of the one or more open communication sessions to one or more second communication devices. Upon a request by a communication device of the one or more second communication devices to join an open communication session of the one or more of the one or more open communication sessions, the application server component initiates a connection of the communication device to the open communication session.

Abstract: An end user terminal (EUT), e.g., such as mobile terminal (MT) (20), is provided for connecting with an incoming call received over a communications network (A). Suitably, the EUT includes an alerting function and/or equipment that provides perceivable alerting in response to an incoming call attempting to connect with the EUT over the communications network (A). An alert sensor (AS) (22) detects an alerting status of the EUT, which is then communicated over the communications network (A), e.g., back to the calling EUT 50.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for reducing occurrences of nuisance calls. A called party identifies a call as an undesired (or “nuisance”) call after answering, screening or reviewing recorded messages of calls. In one embodiment, the called party receives or screens a call and informs a terminating office that it desires to block future calls from the calling party. The terminating office determines the directory number of the calling party and causes the directory number to be added to a blocking database. In another embodiment, a called party reviews one or more prior messages recorded by a messaging system (e.g., answering machine or voicemail system) and flags a message (e.g., message #2) as originating from an undesired caller. The messaging system determines the directory number of the undesired caller and instructs a service provider to add the directory number to a blocking database.

Abstract: A method for providing expedited (or “fast forwarded”) no-answer treatment for certain calls. A calling party (108 or 110) requests expedited no-answer treatment prior to or during a ring sequence of a called party phone (108 or 110). Depending on the request and availability, a terminating office (116 or 124) routes the call per the expedited no-answer treatment. The no-answer treatment may comprise, for example, interrupting the ring sequence and routing the call to a voice mailbox (126) or to a forwarding number of the called party.

Abstract: Information that is based on a database portion of a first user equipment component is translated from a first database format to a second database format for a download of the information from a network storage component to a second user equipment component. The first database format is understood by the first user equipment component. The second database format is understood by the second user equipment component. The first database format is not understood by the second user equipment component.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method to allow mobile stations in a wireless communications system to act as extension units to each other. A first mobile station receives a call request. The first mobile station determines if extension functionality is enabled. If wireless extension functionality is enabled, the first mobile station determines which other mobile stations are in the extension member list. The first mobile station alerts other mobile stations in the extension list. The other mobile stations return instructions as to the disposition of the call. Those accepting the call are bridged onto the call and notified when the call ends. Inclusion of determination of the geographical location of other mobile stations allows call alerting to be restricted to mobile stations within a predetermined geographic location.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of providing extension service to mobile stations in a wireless communications system. A network call control function receives an incoming call request. Via a query/response sequence with a network user profile data base, the network call control function determines if wireless extension service is enabled and which mobile stations are on the wireless extension list. The network call control function utilizes a network conference bridge to initiate a multiparty call to the mobile stations on the extension list. Inclusion of determination of the geographical location of other mobiles allows call alerting to be restricted to mobiles within a predetermined geographic location.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for establishing a cellular mobile call. If no radio traffic (voice or data) channels are available for a calling or called mobile station (MS), then a test is made to determine the expected wait time before a channel becomes available. If the expected wait time is less than a first threshold, then the call or the call request is queued. If a channel for an incoming call to an MS does not become available before a second time threshold, then the caller is notified by an announcement that the call has been queued and is expected to be established in a short time. If the caller of an incoming call to the MS does not disconnect, then the MSC waits for an available channel and establishes a connection to the MS over that available channel. For an outgoing call from an MS, a control message is sent to the MS to trigger an indication of the queued status to the user. The indication may be one or more tones, a data display, or the playing of a pre-recorded announcement.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for establishing a cellular mobile call. If no radio traffic (voice or data) channels are available for a calling Mobile Station (MS), then a test is made to determine the expected wait time before a channel becomes available. If the expected wait time is less than a first threshold, then the call request is queued. If a channel does not become available before a second time threshold, then the caller is notified that the call has been queued and is expected to be established in a short time. A control message is sent to the MS to trigger an indication of the queued status to the user. The indication may be one or more tones, a data display, or the playing of a pre-recorded announcement. If the expected wait time is more than the first threshold, the caller is given the opportunity to be called back when a radio channel becomes available. Advantageously, the number of failed calls because of unavailable traffic channels is reduced, and the caller's annoyance level is reduced.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for permitting a wireless telecommunications caller to use an alternate service provider if the primary service provider has no available bearer channels. If the primary service provider has no available bearer channels for a call, that service provider sends a message to the caller's mobile station to switch its control channel to one of the control channels of an alternate service provider. The caller then attempts to complete the call over the facilities of the alternate service provider. Advantageously, spare facilities of the alternate service provider can be employed to good use; advantageously, the caller's service is improved because the call is not finally blocked when no bearer channels are available for the call.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for establishing a wireless telephone connection when a call cannot be made immediately. The caller and the wireless system negotiate for a later time when another attempt will be made to establish the call. Shortly before that time arrives, the wireless system reserves a radio channel and retains that channel for the deferred call. Then, the system calls the customer back, or waits for the customer to attempt the call. A reserved channel is then used for the call if the system has been successful in reserving such a channel. Advantageously, there is a high probability that the deferred call will have a radio channel available.

Abstract: A telecommunication system obtains personal information from a caller to provide the identity of the caller to a called telephone. In one embodiment, fingerprint information of the caller is obtained from a fingerprint scanner at the calling telephone of the caller which is then correlated with names in a finger print information database to the identify the caller. In another embodiment, voiceprint information of the caller is obtained to identify the caller through use of a voiceprint information database that correlates the voiceprint information with voiceprint data in the voiceprint information database. In both embodiments, if a called telephone local switch determines that the called telephone is authorized to receive the identity of the caller, the called telephone local switch transmits the identity of the caller to the called telephone.