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: Methods are disclosed for billing customer calls according to predefined billing lists. The billing lists may be consulted during or after a call to determine if the customers initiating or receiving the call have authorized alternative billing treatment. The alternative billing treatment may comprise, for example, billing both call legs of a wireless call to a single party (e.g. the calling or called party) or charging monetary charges of a wireline call to the called party without invoking operator services.

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.

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: This invention relates to a method and system for providing network support for messaging between short message service (SMS) subscribers and instant messaging (IM) subscribers. More particularly, the present invention provides a system for SMS and IM users to exchange messages directly. According to the present invention, IM users have access to the mobile subscriber community via mobility gateways and SMS users have access to the IM community via public data networks.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for blocking fax transmissions to non-fax devices. When a fax call request is received from an originating fax device, it is determined whether the called party device is eligible to receive the fax transmission. If the called party device is not eligible to receive the fax transmission, the fax call request is blocked thereby causing the called party device not to receive the fax transmission and an error message may be sent to the originating fax device. If the called party device is eligible to receive the fax transmission, the fax call request is completed thereby enabling the called party device to receive the fax transmission.

Abstract: A wireless network provides service to each line of a multi-line mobile device and includes: a mobile switching center for processing incoming and outgoing calls associated with the multi-line mobile device and a subscriber database including an independent calling plan for each line of the multi-line mobile device. Each line is associated with a unique directory number and each independent calling plan corresponds to unique directory numbers. At least two of the independent calling plans include at least one of a text messaging flag and a wireless Web flag. At least one of the text messaging flag and the wireless Web flag are activated for at least two of the independent calling plans. Various methods are also provided for a wireless network to provide wireless service to each line of multiple lines associated with a multi-line mobile device.

Abstract: Embodiments of the method and system provide for providing network support for an attribute feature for customization of mobile terminals by a telecommunication network. The method in this embodiment may have the steps of: storing in the telecommunication network at least one attribute for use by at least one mobile terminal; sending at least one attribute request from the mobile terminal to the telecommunication network; recognizing, by the telecommunication network, the attribute request from the mobile terminal; downloading, by the telecommunication network, the requested attribute to the mobile terminal; and installing the attribute in the mobile terminal. The system implements the method.

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: A method for a wireless network to provide a voice-to-text memo service to a wireless subscriber associated with a mobile device is provided. The method includes: a) routing an active call path associated with the mobile device to a voice-to-text conversion system, b) capturing audio from the active call path for a period of time, and c) converting the captured audio to a text memo to create a voice-to-text memo. In another embodiment, a method for providing a voice-to-text memo service in a wireless network is provided. Additionally, a wireless network is provided. The wireless network includes: means for determining that a subscriber is properly enrolled in a calling plan, a voice-to-text conversion system, means for routing an active call path to the voice-to-text conversion system, a text messaging system, and means for communicating the text memo from the voice-to-text conversion system to the text messaging system.

Abstract: A method for a wireless network to forward an incoming call to a subscriber's primary mobile directory number on to a mobile fax directory number assigned to the subscriber includes: a) associating the mobile fax directory number with the primary mobile directory number, b) determining that the incoming call is a fax call, and c) forwarding the incoming call to the mobile fax directory number. In another embodiment, a method for a wireless network to forward an incoming call to a subscriber's mobile fax directory number is provided. In still another embodiment a wireless network for forwarding an incoming call to a mobile fax directory number assigned to a subscriber includes: means for associating the mobile fax directory number with the primary mobile directory number, means for determining that the incoming call is a fax call, and means for forwarding the incoming call to the mobile fax directory number.

Abstract: Airtime consumed by a subscriber in excess of calling plan limits is billed at a discounted rate from a reference rate associated with the calling plan. Increasing discounts may be applied as airtime consumption increases. Discounts may be customized on a per subscriber bases. For example, the number of years a subscriber has been a customer and/or the cost of the calling play may be included in a discount calculation. A billing processor includes a graduated biller.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present method is for a method that provides packet data throughput information on a per user basis for at least one mobile terminal of a plurality of mobile terminals operatively connected to a communication network. In this embodiment the method may have the steps of: collecting, by the telecommunication network, usage data associated with packet data calls for the respective mobile terminal and forming data throughput information from the usage data; storing, by the telecommunication network, the data throughput information in a storage; and sending, from the communication network to the respective mobile terminal, the data throughput information. The system implements the method.

Abstract: A communications network answers a call directed to user equipment that is already engaged in a call. A call holding indication is transmitted to the user equipment of the subscriber. The subscriber may indicate a call treatment preference. A default or customized message may be transmitted to the second caller. Caller identification information and/or a subscriber response may be used to select the message. If the second caller elects to be placed on hold, the second call is placed on hold. The call holding indication may be transmitted before or after the call is placed on hold. The subscriber may use information included in the call holding indication in determining the call treatment preference. For example, a parent may select a custom message, based on caller identification information received in the call holding indication, asking a child of the parent to wait while the first call is completed.

Abstract: Embodiments of the method and system provide network support for automatic anti-virus protection by a telecommunication network for mobile terminals. The method may have the steps of: storing in the telecommunication network at least one anti-virus protection level for at least one mobile terminal; initiating, by the telecommunication network, a call setup for a call associated with the mobile terminal, the call having a data stream; using, by the communication network, the at least one anti-virus protection level to recognize a virus in the data stream intended for the mobile handset; and filtering, by the network, the recognized virus from the data stream before the data stream arrives at the mobile terminal. The system implements the method.

Abstract: In general terms, one embodiment of the method is for selecting, by a mobile terminal, a roaming service provider in a telecommunications network, when the mobile terminal is roaming. The method has the steps of: communicating between a mobile terminal and current roaming service providers for a current location of the mobile terminal; providing to the mobile terminal, at least upon detecting a registration message from the mobile terminal, respective roaming service provider information associated with the current roaming service providers; selecting, based on the roaming service provider information, a respective one of the current roaming service providers; and connecting subsequent call(s) associated with the mobile terminal using the selected respective roaming service provider. The system implements the method.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present method is for allowing a mobile subscriber to negotiate via a mobile terminal a trade of minutes by category according to a predetermined exchange rate as set forth by a service provider.

Abstract: In general terms, one embodiment of the method is for automatically notifying a subscriber that the subscriber has talked on a mobile terminal for a subscriber-defined amount of time. The method may have the steps of: defining an interval for at least one category of usage of a mobile terminal that is operatively connected to a telecommunication network; storing, at the telecommunication network, the defined interval for the at least one category of usage of the mobile terminal; monitoring, by the telecommunication network, a time that a call has been active on the mobile terminal; comparing the time that the call has been active to the stored at least one interval; and sending a predetermined notification signal from the telecommunication system to the mobile terminal when the time that the call has been active exceeds the stored interval. The system implements the method.

Abstract: A control component of an apparatus in one example comprises an interface usable by an administrator to designate one or more tones and/or one or more announcements that are playable in a communication session as interruptible.