Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for managing location-based requests in a wireless system are provided. In embodiments, a request includes or is associated with a source identifier. A position determining entity (PDE) is configured to receive a request at a designated port based on the associated source identifier. A counting component counts the number of requests communicated for a particular source identifier while a timer times predetermined units of time. A usage policy determines the maximum threshold of requests that may be communicated for a source identifier in a predetermined time period. The request may be granted if the number of requests communicated is below the maximum threshold. The request may be denied or granted if the number of requests communicated is above the maximum threshold.

Abstract: A data message originally addressed to a first mobile device is forwarded to a second mobile device in a wireless telecommunications network. Data messages may include text messages, picture messages, and video messages. In addition to forwarding data messages, other optional data message forwarding features are provided such as a copy feature that allows for a forwarded message to be copied back to the original addressee, and an invisible feature that prevents a data message sender from knowing that a data message has been forwarded by the data message addressee.

Abstract: A method, system, and medium are provided for validating the identity or authority of a user of a wireless device to consent to providing geographic locations of their respective wireless device to a third-party application. Upon receiving a request to validate the authority of a user to consent to providing of geographic locations, the user is automatically redirected to a validation service portal. The validation service portal verifies the identity or authority of the user to consent by requiring the user to provide identification information. The identification information is compared to identification information in one or more databases to determine if the user has the authority to consent. An indication is provided by the validation service portal to the third-party application of whether the user has the authority to consent. The third-party application then initiates location-based services based on the indication.

Abstract: The described systems and methods allow for safer operation of a wireless communication device (WCD). The methods may be carried out at the WCD or at a wireless-communications network that interfaces to the WCD. A hands-free-audio (HFA) profile associated with the WCD may be set to enabled or disabled. A speed-condition of the WCD is determined and compared to a speed-threshold. If the speed-condition is greater than the speed-threshold and the HFA profile is enabled, then the WCD is operable to engage in wireless communications (e.g., voice calls or text messaging) via an HFA device associated with the WCD. If the speed-condition is greater than the speed-threshold and the HFA profile is set to disabled, then the WCD may prevent and/or postpone wireless communications from occurring. After the speed-condition is determined to be less than the speed-threshold, previously received communications (e.g., text messages) may be presented via the WCD.

Abstract: A server may detect a threshold number of mobile stations (e.g., total mobile stations or mobile stations belonging to a predefined group) currently located at an area, such as by determining that a number of mobile stations currently located at an area is greater than a desired maximum number of mobile stations or less than a desired minimum number of mobile stations. The threshold number may be determined based on a typical number of mobile stations located at the area. In response to detecting the threshold number of mobile stations, the server may obtain data recorded by surveillance equipment located at the area (including data recorded by mobile stations temporarily acting as surveillance equipment,) which data represents activity at the area. To obtain the data, the server may instruct the surveillance equipment to begin recording data. The server may then output the received data for receipt by a user.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed to help improve accuracy of location determination for a wireless communication device. An exemplary method involves: (a) at a wireless communication device operating in a radio access network, making a determination that the wireless communication device is likely to lose global positioning system (GPS) connectivity; (b) in response to the determination, powering on a GPS receiver to receive GPS location data for the wireless communication device; and (c) powering off the GPS receiver and storing the received GPS location data.

Abstract: A method for managing and tracking a permission status for an application on a mobile device is provided. The privacy policy on a mobile device may require users to grant permission for an application to access certain capabilities (e.g., GPS, personal information manager) on the mobile device. The user may be presented an interface on the mobile device that allows the user to grant an application permission to access the capability. When the user grants an application permission to access a capability a message is sent to a remote privacy manager that tracks the permission status of applications on the mobile device. The user may view the permission status of each application through the Internet. The user may also use the privacy manager to remotely change the permissions on the mobile device.

Abstract: A method and system for routing position-determining requests to position-determining platforms. The method includes receiving into a position-determining system a position-determining request specifying a given processing-duration within a given range. The processing-duration defines a maximum amount of time that the system should spend determining position and thereby defines a corresponding granularity of position-determination by the system. All processing-durations in the given range, although different from each other, define the same corresponding granularity of position-determination by the system. The method further includes the system selecting, based on which processing-duration of the range the given processing-duration is, a position-determining platform of the plurality to process the received position-determining request. The method then includes routing the received position-determining request to the selected position-determining platform for processing.