Abstract: A method of supporting a secure caller ID service (22) is provided in connection with a telecommunications network (30). The method includes: processing a call from a calling party to a called party, the called party employing an end user terminal (10) served by a facility (20) of the telecommunications network (30) to receive the call; maintaining a voice sample database (28) containing a plurality of voice samples; sampling the calling party's voice; comparing the sampled voice of the calling party to a voice sample selected from the voice sample database (28); and, communicating to the called party a result based upon an outcome of the comparison.

Abstract: A method of supporting a call rejection feature is provided in a telecommunications network (30). The method includes: receiving at a facility (20) of the telecommunications network (30), a call from a calling party, the call being for a called party served by the facility (20); determining for the received call if caller ID information for the calling party is available to be provided to the called party; if the calling party's caller ID information is available to be provided to the called party, then connecting the call to the called party, otherwise if the calling party's caller ID information is not available to be provided to the called party, then providing the calling party with an option to connect the call to the called party; and, connecting the call to the called party if the calling party exercises the option, otherwise not connecting the call to the called party if the calling party does not exercise the option.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing network support for management of household consumables are provided. A modified network system utilizes a scanner-enabled wireless mobile device and a product database (e.g. a national product database) to provide consumers with a convenient manner in which to manage an inventory of household consumable items. In one form, such items can be added and deleted from the inventory by scanning UPC labels for the item. In addition, in one form, a shopping list is generated by comparison of a current inventory list with a desired inventory list.

Abstract: A method of providing a certified digital copy of a certified document for display on a requesting party mobile terminal display screen is provided. The method includes retrieving the certified digital copy from a repository, sending the certified digital copy to the requesting party mobile terminal as unsaveable displayable information for immediate display on the requesting party terminal display screen, wherein the unsaveable displayable information cannot be stored at the terminal, sending an electronic certification associated with the certified digital copy certifying the authenticity of the digital copy.

Abstract: An apparatus in one example has: a network service provider; a mobile terminal operatively coupled to the network service provider; a credit card company system operatively coupled to the network service provider; and the network service provider structured such that, when the credit card company system notifies the network service provider of charges to credit cards associated with the mobile terminal, the network service provider notifies the mobile terminal of such charges.

Abstract: A method for notifying a religious contact designated by a subscriber that the subscriber has been admitted to a hospital is provided. The method includes determining that a person is an admitted patient admitted to a hospital, determining that the admitted patient subscribes to a hospital admission notification service, retrieving a stored identification of a religious contact designated by the patient, retrieving a contact number for the designated religious contact, and sending an automated notification message to the contact number via a telecommunications network notifying the designated religious contact of the admitted patient's hospital admission.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for provisioning network support to allow an authorized mobile subscriber to update message content of a remote signage system having variable content capabilities such as an electronic road sign or the like. The authorized subscriber does so by transmitting a text message, which is processed by the network and provided to the sign as content for display.

Abstract: A method of delivering travel information to a first wireless telecommunications network mobile terminal is provided. The method includes obtaining geolocation information for first and second mobile terminals over the wireless telecommunications network, a network element obtaining travel information using the geolocation information for the first and second mobile terminals, delivering the travel information to the first mobile terminal via the wireless telecommunications network. The travel information can include the location of the second mobile terminal and travel directions from the first mobile terminal to the second mobile terminal.

Abstract: An exemplary wireless mobile device includes an RF transmitter and receiver where the receiver monitors signal strength of an RF signal from a base station. A control logic module compares the signal strength to a comparison level. The control logic module creates and stores a record in a memory module. The record includes a first signal strength level and parameters related to conditions existing at the time the comparing was done. The control logic module creates and stores the record if the level of said signal strength is less than the comparison level.

Abstract: An exemplary method in a wireless telecommunication system determines that a radio frequency (RF) communications link is not available to a wireless mobile. Information about a party originating a call to the wireless mobile is received and stored in a record associated with the wireless mobile. An alert flag associated with the wireless mobile is set. Upon determining that an RF link has become available to the wireless mobile and upon detecting the presence of the set alert flag, a communication action is automatically taken by which the party is made aware that an RF link is available to the wireless mobile, such as by sending a message to the party based on information stored about the party in the record.

Abstract: An apparatus in one example has: at least one microcell in a wireless telecommunications network, the at least one microcell defining a security zone; and a storage in the network, the storage having a secure zone occupant list of any mobile terminals presently within the security zone.

Abstract: In communication system (200), a packet data terminal (102) (e.g., personal computer (PC), personal digital assistant (PDA), telephone, mobile radiotelephone, network access device, Internet peripheral, and the like) initiates, coordinates, and controls the provision of on-demand conference call and call waiting services as a function of user inputs without the need for coordination of network resources that dominate conference call service as currently known and practiced. The packet data terminal permits users to establish call conference services for originating and terminating calls, alike. In addition, multi-party call waiting (two or more parties on-hold) services are established.

Abstract: An apparatus in one example has: at least one high security area in the wireless telecommunications network; a storage in the wireless telecommunications network, the storage having at least one phone number corresponding to the at least one mobile terminal; detection module in the wireless telecommunications network that outputs a signal when at least one mobile terminal, corresponding to the stored phone number, enters the at least one high security area, the detection module operatively coupled to the storage; and notification module in the wireless telecommunications network that outputs a notification message when the at least one of the mobile terminal enters the at least one high security area, the notification module operatively coupled to the detection module.

Abstract: An apparatus in one example has: a telecommunications network having at least an image recognition and comparison module and an scanned image database; a mobile terminal having image scan functionality and image capture functionality, the mobile terminal operative coupled to the telecommunications network; and a database system operatively coupled to the telecommunications network, the database system having at least an image database.

Abstract: An apparatus in one example has: a mobile terminal, the mobile terminal having a GPS (Global Positioning System) unit and a dialing disable unit; a GPS module in a wireless telecommunications network having an input to receive GPS location data from the mobile terminal; a blocking module operatively coupled to the GPS module; and the blocking module having an output that provides a dialing disable/enable signal to the dialing disable unit in the mobile terminal as a function of the received GPS data.

Abstract: A method is provided for supporting a call record suppression feature in a telecommunications network (30). The method includes: handling a call for an end user terminal (10) served by a facility (20) of the telecommunications network (30); determining if the call record suppression feature is active for the end user terminal (10); processing a call record for the handled call if it is determined that the call record suppression feature is not active for the end user terminal (10); and, suppressing the processing of the call record if it is determined that the call record suppression feature is active for the end user terminal (10).

Abstract: An apparatus in one example has: a telecommunications network having at least a receipt database; a mobile terminal having predetermined wireless communication functionality, the mobile terminal operative coupled to the telecommunications network; and a point of sale terminal wirelessly connectable to the mobile terminal.

Abstract: A system and method of vehicle delay notification. The method includes determining a vehicle delay, determining that the vehicle delay meets or exceeds a delay threshold, determining one or more affected mobile telecommunications subscribers, and sending a message to one or more mobile telecommunications phones notifying the one or more affected mobile telecommunications subscribers that the is vehicle delayed. The system determines the vehicle delay and sends a message to one or more mobile telecommunications phones notifying one or more affected subscribers that the vehicle is delayed.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting wireless telecommunications mobile handset software corruption is provided. The method includes retrieving stored configuration data and stored checksum for a mobile handset stored on a wireless telecommunications network element, determining an actual checksum from the mobile handset, comparing the actual mobile handset checksum with the stored checksum retrieved from the network element, and detecting a mobile handset software corruption. Uncorrupted software can then be downloaded to the mobile handset thereby repairing the software corruption.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for ending a call after a predetermined duration. A subscriber sets a call duration. When the call duration has been exceeded, the subscriber is alerted and the call is ended. The subscriber can, upon entering a feature code or a personal identification number (PIN), override the ending of the call.