Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for providing a location proxy. The disclosed systems and methods include associating a user device with a confining area. Furthermore, the disclosed systems and methods include reporting the location of a proxy device corresponding to the confining area as the location of the user device. Moreover, the disclosed systems and methods include disassociating the user device from the confining area. Furthermore, the disclosed systems may determine if a first condition associated with a user device is present wherein the first condition comprises the user device being unable to determine a location of the user device or the user device being unable to communicate over a communication system associated with the user device. In addition, the disclosed systems may use a proxy device to determine the location of the user device, report the location of the user device, or to allow the user device to communicate.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for testing communication capabilities of networks and devices are provided. According to one aspect, an interface device for providing communications between a first and a second device comprises an input, logic, and an output. The input of the interface device receives data in a first format from the first device. The logic identifies the second device for receiving the data and identifies a second format compatible with the second device. The data is then translated to the second format. The logic may also determine a status of the interface device by testing components of the interface device to determine if the components are accessible and functioning. The output of the interface device then transmits the translated data to the second device.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, and computer-readable medium for interfacing devices with communications networks are provided. According to one aspect, an interface device for providing communications between a first communications network and a device associated with a second communications network comprises one or more inputs, one or more outputs, and logic. The one or more inputs of the interface device receive data in a first format from the first communications network. The logic translates the data to a second format compatible with the second communications device. The translated data is then transmitted to the device associated with the second communications network via the one or more outputs. The first and second formats may comprise rich media content.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for prioritizing communications between devices are provided. According to one aspect, an interface device for providing communications between at least one source device and at least one destination device comprises an input, logic, and an output. The input of the interface device receives data in a first format from the source device. The logic identifies the destination device for receiving the data. The logic then identifies a second format compatible with the destination device and translates the data from the first format to the second format. Transmission of the translated data is then prioritized by the logic based on characteristics of the translated data, which may include the format of the translated data or a service plan associated with the destination device or source device. The translated data is then transmitted to the identified destination device via the output.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing a user interface for facilitating communications between devices are provided. According to one aspect, an interface device provides communications between a first device and a second device. The interface device has an input for receiving data in a first format from the first device. Logic within the interface device is configured to receive a request to interact with the interface device and to provide a user interface in response to receiving the request. The logic identifies a second device for receiving the data from the first device. The logic identifies a second format that is compatible with the second device and translates the data to the second format. The interface device further has an output for transmitting the translated data to the second device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for establishing emergency and alarm communications between devices via an interface device are provided. According to one aspect, an interface device comprises an input, an output, and logic. The input receives data in a first format from the first device. The logic detects whether the data is intended to request assistance from emergency services and if so, determining proper routing, retrieving location information and transmit the data and location information to the proper destination. If not intended to request assistance, a second device for receiving the data is identified as well as a second format, the data is translated to the second format and transmitted to the second device. A battery may selectively provide power to essential components of the interface device upon detection of a power failure. Notifications are made upon detection of a power failure, malfunction, or emergency request.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing communications and connection-oriented services to devices are provided. According to one aspect, an interface device for providing communications between a first device and a second comprises an input, logic, and an output. The input of the interface device receives data in a first format from the first device. The logic performs a connection-oriented service on the data. The connection oriented service may include overriding caller identification information associated with the data, sending the data to a voicemail system, and storing a detail record associated with the data. The logic also identifies the second device for receiving the data. The logic then identifies a second format compatible with the second device and translates the data to the second format compatible with the second device. The translated data is then transmitted to the second device via the one or more outputs.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, and computer-readable medium for securely providing communications between devices and networks are provided. According to one aspect of the invention, an interface device for providing communications between a first communications network and a device associated with a second communications network comprises an input, an output, logic, and a security program to restrict access to the input or the output of the interface device, connected devices or associated communication networks. The one or more inputs of the interface device receive data in a first format from the first communications network. The logic translates the data to a second format compatible with the second communications device. The translated data is then transmitted to the device associated with the second communications network via the one or more outputs. The security program determines whether a device or user is authorized to receive data prior to granting access to the data.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for restricting access to data are provided. According to one aspect, an interface device for providing communications between a communications network and a device comprises an input, logic, and an output. The input receives data in a first format from the communications network. The logic receives a request from the device to access the data and determines whether the interface device is authorized to access the data. If the interface device is authorized to access the data, then the logic receives the data from the communications network. The logic then identifies a second format compatible with the device, translates the data to the second format, and transmits the translated data to the device.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products are disclosed for providing a discount to a wireless device. One method obtains a location of the wireless device and retrieves the discount from memory. The discount is based on the location, and the discount increases as a distance from a reference location increases. The reference location may represent any location, such as a physical location of a merchant. As the distance between the wireless device and the merchant's physical location increases, the merchant provides a greater discount to entice the wireless customer to travel to the merchant.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, and computer-readable medium for securely providing communications between devices and networks are provided. According to one aspect of the invention, an interface device for providing communications between a first communications network and a device associated with a second communications network comprises an input, an output, logic, and a security program to restrict access to the input or the output of the interface device, connected devices or associated communication networks. The one or more inputs of the interface device receive data in a first format from the first communications network. The logic translates the data to a second format compatible with the second communications device. The translated data is then transmitted to the device associated with the second communications network via the one or more outputs. The security program determines whether a device or user is authorized to receive data prior to granting access to the data.

Abstract: Interface devices for facilitating communications between devices and communications networks are provided. According to one aspect, a destination interface device for providing communications between a first device and a second device comprises one or more inputs, one or more outputs, and logic. The one or more inputs of the destination interface device receive data in a first format from a source interface device. The logic translates the data to a second format compatible with the second device. The translated data is then transmitted to the second device via the one or more outputs. The destination interface device may subscribe to the source interface device for access to enhanced features as well as for access to data associated with communications networks and devices.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, and computer-readable medium for interfacing devices with communications networks are provided. According to one aspect, an interface device for providing communications between a first communications network and a device associated with a second communications network comprises one or more inputs, one or more outputs, and logic. The one or more inputs of the interface device receive data in a first format from the first communications network. The logic translates the data to a second format compatible with the second communications device. The translated data is then transmitted to the device associated with the second communications network via the one or more outputs. The first and second formats may comprise rich media content.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for testing communication capabilities of networks and devices are provided. According to one aspect, an interface device for providing communications between a first and a second device comprises an input, logic, and an output. The input of the interface device receives data in a first format from the first device. The logic identifies the second device for receiving the data and identifies a second format compatible with the second device. The data is then translated to the second format. The logic may also determine a status of the interface device by testing components of the interface device to determine if the components are accessible and functioning. The output of the interface device then transmits the translated data to the second device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for restricting access to data are provided. According to one aspect, an interface device for providing communications between a communications network and a device comprises an input, logic, and an output. The input receives data in a first format from the communications network. The logic receives a request from the device to access the data and determines whether the interface device is authorized to access the data. If the interface device is authorized to access the data, then the logic receives the data from the communications network. The logic then identifies a second format compatible with the device, translates the data to the second format, and transmits the translated data to the device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing a user interface for facilitating communications between devices are provided. According to one aspect, an interface device provides communications between a first device and a second device. The interface device has an input for receiving data in a first format from the first device. Logic within the interface device is configured to receive a request to interact with the interface device and to provide a user interface in response to receiving the request. The logic identifies a second device for receiving the data from the first device. The logic identifies a second format that is compatible with the second device and translates the data to the second format. The interface device further has an output for transmitting the translated data to the second device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for establishing emergency and alarm communications between devices via an interface device are provided. According to one aspect, an interface device comprises an input, an output, and logic. The input receives data in a first format from the first device. The logic detects whether the data is intended to request assistance from emergency services and if so, determining proper routing, retrieving location information and transmit the data and location information to the proper destination. If not intended to request assistance, a second device for receiving the data is identified as well as a second format, the data is translated to the second format and transmitted to the second device. A battery may selectively provide power to essential components of the interface device upon detection of a power failure. Notifications are made upon detection of a power failure, malfunction, or emergency request.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, and computer-readable medium for communicating between and controlling network devices are provided. According to one aspect, an interface device for providing communications between a first device and a second device comprises first, second, and third interfaces and logic. The first interface is for receiving a request for rich media from the first device and for transmitting the rich media to the first device. The second interface is for receiving rich media from the second device. The third interface is for transmitting device control instructions to the second device for controlling the second device. The logic receives the media request, provides device control instructions to the second device, receives the requested media, translates the media to a format compatible with the first device, and transmits the translated rich media to the first device.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, and computer-readable medium for interfacing communication devices are provided. According to one aspect, an interface device for providing communications between a first device and a second device comprises one or more inputs, one or more outputs, and logic. The one or more inputs of the interface device receive data in a first format from the first device. The logic translates the data to a second format compatible with the second device. The translated data is then transmitted to the second device via the one or more outputs. The translation may be based on a user profile or device characteristics and may include translating between signaling protocols, transmission media, and filtering or enhancing the content of the data.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing communications and connection-oriented services to devices are provided. According to one aspect, an interface device for providing communications between a first device and a second comprises an input, logic, and an output. The input of the interface device receives data in a first format from the first device. The logic performs a connection-oriented service on the data. The connection oriented service may include overriding caller identification information associated with the data, sending the data to a voicemail system, and storing a detail record associated with the data. The logic also identifies the second device for receiving the data. The logic then identifies a second format compatible with the second device and translates the data to the second format compatible with the second device. The translated data is then transmitted to the second device via the one or more outputs.