Abstract: A method and system for reporting mobile subscriber location is disclosed. Upon receipt of a request to report the location of a given mobile subscriber, a server may identify the subscriber's “buddies” and then determine, for each buddy, whether the buddy is located in the same zone as the given subscriber. The zone may be, for example, a subnet of a network. Additionally, the server may determine whether a rule is set to block reporting of the given subscriber's location to the buddy. Provided that the buddy is located in the same zone as the given subscriber and provided that reporting is allowed, the server may then send a location-reporting message to the buddy, indicating the given subscriber's location, preferably in terms of proximity to the buddy. The server may further receive a reply from the buddy and then send a location-reporting reply message to the given subscriber, indicating the location of the buddy.

Abstract: A method and system for coupon distribution and use. A merchant provisions a coupon with a coupon server, and the coupon server delivers the coupon to a consumer's device via SMS, WAP push, e-mail, instant messaging, or in another manner. The consumer then presents the device to a merchant at a point of purchase, to convey the coupon from the consumer's device to the merchant for validation and redemption with respect to a sales transaction between the consumer and the merchant. The coupon can be conveyed from the consumer's device to the merchant in various ways, such as via radio frequency transmission or reading of the coupon from a display of the device.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for facilitating location-based services. In an exemplary arrangement, when a mobile station is engaged in a data session with a server, the mobile station may be made to initiate a voice call to a designated number. As a result, a switch or other such entity may send a signaling message (such as an Origination Request message) to a central controller, thereby providing the central controller with an indication of the mobile station's current location. The central controller may then make that location information available to the server. In turn, the server may use the location to perform a location based service, such as providing location-based information to the mobile station.

Abstract: A method and system for managing communications based on originating location. A network entity maintains or has access to a log of the originating locations of calls placed to a given destination. In turn, when another call is placed to the given destination, the network entity refers to the log to determine whether more than a threshold number of calls have been placed to that destination in the past predetermined time period. If so, then the network entity causes the call to be routed to an alternate destination for alternate handling. The invention is particularly useful to help reduce the possibility of overloading emergency call centers when many mobile callers call from a common location to report an emergency.

Abstract: A system and method for locating the present location of a mobile station and sending consumer information to the mobile station sorted based on distance between the establishments represented by the consumer information and the present location of the mobile station. The consumer information may be sorted so as to contain information of a certain classification or characteristic. Furthermore, the consumer information may be sorted according to user defined guidelines. The user of the mobile station may ask for a particular type of business close to the user's current location. This instant information system may match a user's location, defined preferences, and retailer's promotions to send the user instant information for goods or services.

Abstract: A route planning system for use in mobile telecommunications is disclosed. A user of a mobile station such as a wireless telephone, PDA, pager or computer, initiates a route planning service request and provides a destination telephone number. A switching center responsively initiates an asynchronous position request of a mobile positioning system, which identifies and stores the mobile station position. The switching center connects the mobile station to a route planning application server. The route planning application server obtains the mobile station position by querying the mobile positioning system. The route planning application server further obtains the destination telephone number and queries a location system to determine the destination position corresponding to the destination telephone number. The route planning application server in turn generates a route plan for travel from the mobile station position to the destination position and conveys the route plan to the user by any suitable means.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for facilitating location-based services. In the arrangement described, when a mobile station is engaged in a data session with a server, the mobile station may be made to initiate a voice call to a designated number. As a result, a switch or other such entity may send a signaling message (such as an Origination Request message) to a central controller, thereby providing the central controller with an indication of the mobile station's current location. The central controller may then make that location information available to the server. In turn, the server may use the location to perform a location based service, such as providing location-based information to the mobile station.