Abstract: An apparatus in one example has: a home network and at least one partner network; a mobile terminal associated with the home network; a high threshold for use when the mobile terminal roams from the home network to the partner network; and a minimum threshold for use when the mobile terminal roams from the partner network to the home network.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for alerting a communication unit of an emergency call request from an emergency calling unit. A Mobile Switching Center (MSC) receives an emergency call request from an emergency calling unit. The MSC determines if a communication unit should be alerted of the emergency call request. If so, the MSC alerts the communication unit of the emergency call request. The alert can include information about the emergency call request, such as the directory number of the emergency calling unit, the time that the emergency call was placed, or the location of the emergency calling unit.

Abstract: Embodiments of the method and system provide for providing a call waiting method for use in a telecommunications network in which a first caller is engaged in a current call with a second caller, and for processing an incoming call from a third caller to the first caller.

Abstract: Embodiments of the method and system provide for automatic balancing of audio signal strength levels on voice paths between first and second parties in a telecommunication system. The method in an embodiment may have the steps of: checking for a subscription to audio signal strength level balancing by at least one of the first and second parties; and balancing, if at least one of the first and second parties has the subscription, audio signal strength levels on voice paths between the first and second parties. The system implements the method.

Abstract: Embodiments of the method and system provide for notifying a post office box renter when mail is available for pickup. The method in an embodiment may have the steps of: detecting at least one mail item in a post office box; sending a signal indicative of the mail item being in the post office box to a P.O. Box Mail Notification Server; sending a message from the P.O. Box Mail Notification Server to a mobile switching center; and sending a notification indicating the presence of mail in the post office box from the mobile switching center to a mobile terminal associated with the post office box. The system implements the method.

Abstract: A method is provided for fax call blocking. The method includes: receiving a first call intended for an end instrument (10) employed by a user; obtaining a telephone number from which the first call originated; comparing the obtained telephone number against a first database (42) to determine if the obtained telephone number matches a blocked telephone number contained in the first database (42); blocking the first call such that the end instrument (10) is not alerted if a match is found between the obtained telephone number and a blocked telephone number, otherwise providing a connection to the end instrument (10) for the first call; monitoring the connection to detect for fax tone; and, entering the obtained telephone number in the database (42) as a blocked telephone number if fax tone is detected.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for notifying a primary wireless unit in a group calling plan that a wireless unit in the group calling plan has call activity. An MSC determines if there is call activity on a wireless phone. The MSC determines if the wireless phone is a member of a call monitoring group. If so, the MSC records call information related to the call activity and sends the call information to the primary wireless unit.

Abstract: Embodiments of the system and method may be for monitoring a movable object. One embodiment of the method may have the steps of: attaching a monitor unit to a movable object; forming an invisible boundary that is detectable by the monitor unit; linking the invisible boundary and monitoring unit to at least one mobile terminal; selectively turning on and off power to the invisible boundary from the mobile terminal; detecting when the monitor unit crosses the invisible boundary and sending a signal to the mobile terminal indicative therefore; and detecting a low battery condition of the monitor unit and sending a signal to the mobile terminal indicative therefore.

Abstract: Embodiments of the apparatus, system, and method provide for the detection and location of people trapped in emergency situations. One embodiment of the apparatus may have: at least one detector having a predetermined location, the at least one detector structured to detect a respective predetermined event; a video camera operatively connected to the at least one detector; and a wireless communication device operatively connected to the at least one detector and to the video camera; wherein, upon detection of the predetermined event the detector activated the video camera and the wireless communication device to thereby transmit at least the occurrence of the predetermined event and video from the video camera.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for notifying a wireless unit that a wireline unit is in an off-hook state. A central office switch determines that a wireline phone is in an off-hook state. The central office switch determines if the receiver off-hook monitoring feature is active for the wireline phone. If so, the communication system sends a message to a wireless unit associated with the wireline phone to alert a user of the wireless unit that the wireline unit is off-hook. When the wireline unit goes back on-hook, the communication system sends an on-hook message to the wireless unit to indicate that the wireline phone has returned to the on-hook state.

Abstract: A system and method of routing calls made to a called party Universal Access Phone Number (UAPN) in a telecommunications network is provided. The method includes determining the time the call is made, determining the day the call is made, selecting a time/day-phone number for a destination phone number based on the time the call is made and the day the call is made, and routing the call to the called party terminal using the destination phone number. The system includes means for determining the time the call is made, means for determining the day the call is made, means for selecting a time/day-phone number for a destination phone number based on the time the call is made and the day the call is made, and means for routing the call to the called party terminal using the destination phone number.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for providing a priority alert at a communication device for certain designated callers on a per call basis. Either a priority call is requested at call origination (302, 304, 306) or after a normal call is not answered (406). Where a priority call request is made at call origination, the caller must supply a valid identification designation that is verified before a priority alert is sent (312). A telephone switch (106, 110) that terminates services to the communication device determines whether the priority call is permitted and initiates the priority alerting at the communication device (316). Where a normal (non-priority) call is not answered (406), a terminating switch or voicemail system coupled to the terminating switch prompts the caller to make a priority request and enter a valid priority identification designation (410, 512).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for surveillance of voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) communications is provided. A server (112) associated with a network provider receives information to identify communications associated with a party under surveillance (200). The server uses the information to direct communications associated with the party under surveillance to a surveillance server (130) (202). The communications are analyzed to identify any initial VoIP data (204). If initial VoIP data is detected, identifiers for subsequent related VoIP communications are determined from the initial VoIP data (206). The identifiers for subsequent VoIP communications are used to identify subsequent VoIP packets. Those subsequent VoIP packets are then stored and analyzed as needed by an agency conducting surveillance.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for routing an emergency call from a VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) phone to a PSAP (Public Safety Answering Point). A VoIP service provider receives an emergency call request from a VoIP phone. The VoIP service provider identifies the location of the VoIP phone. The VoIP service provider determines a PSAP associated with the location of the VoIP phone, and routes the emergency call request to the PSAP associated with the location of the VoIP phone.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for disconnecting a CPE from a communication network. When a CPE goes off-hook, the CPE is automatically disconnected from the communication network. An alert is provided at the CPE that indicates that the CPE has been disconnected from the communication network. When the CPE goes back on-hook, the CPE is automatically reconnected to the communication network. The alerting is then stopped at the CPE.

Abstract: A system and method of filtering SMS messages sent from an originating terminal to a subscriber terminal over a wireless communications network is provided. The method includes providing subscriber-provided authorization criteria, determining authorization of the originating terminal for sending the SMS message to the subscriber terminal using the authorization criteria, and filtering the SMS message based on the determining step. The system includes means for providing subscriber-provided authorization criteria, means for determining authorization of the originating terminal, and means for filtering the SMS message based on the authorization of the originating terminal.

Abstract: A mobile switching center of an apparatus in one example allows a user of a mobile communication device to assign one or more members to a feature group that is employable by the mobile switching center to provide a communication feature to the user.

Abstract: A mobile switching center of an apparatus in one example performs a barge-in that allows a first user to communicate with a second user of a mobile communication device that is engaged in a preexisting active call.

Abstract: Embodiments of the method and system provide for providing a call waiting method for use in a telecommunications network in which a first caller is engaged in a current call with a second caller, and for processing an incoming call from a third caller to the first caller.

Abstract: Embodiments of the method and system provide a system that provides for interfacing a data capable mobile phone to peripheral devices. The system may have: an internal bus in the mobile phone; a peripheral hub operatively connected to the internal bus; a plurality of peripheral devices operatively connected to the peripheral hub; and the peripheral hub respectively functionally coupling the peripheral devices to the mobile phone. The method is implemented by the system.