Abstract: A processor executes instructions to provide over the air prepaid calling services at a local wireless system. The processor receives an access request from a wireless device; determines the local wireless system is not a home wireless system of the wireless device; determines at the local wireless system alone that the wireless device does not have a valid profile in the wireless system; allocates an identity for local service in the local wireless system to create a temporary profile associated with the wireless device; sets an expiration timer for expiration of the temporary profile; sends an update to a visitor location register (VLR) of the local wireless system to add the wireless device to the VLR, based on the temporary profile; and sends information on the temporary profile in a message to a user of the wireless device announcing the allocated identity.

Abstract: A processor executes instructions to provide over the air prepaid calling services at a local wireless system. The processor receives an access request from a wireless device; determines the local wireless system is not a home wireless system of the wireless device; determines at the local wireless system alone that the wireless device does not have a valid profile in the wireless system; allocates an identity for local service in the local wireless system to create a temporary profile associated with the wireless device; sets an expiration timer for expiration of the temporary profile; sends an update to a visitor location register (VLR) of the local wireless system to add the wireless device to the VLR, based on the temporary profile; and sends information on the temporary profile in a message to a user of the wireless device announcing the allocated identity.

Abstract: An over the air (OTA) Prepaid system, and a corresponding method, allows wireless connectivity when a wireless network would typically reject a user, such as when the user's profile cannot be validated. In wireless networks, unrecognized users are denied service due to the inability of the network to collect funds from the user for the services to be provided. When such a rejection scenario occurs, the OTA Prepaid system automatically (no user interaction required) initiates the process of local account allocation.

Abstract: A method, implemented on a programmed processor, for controlling wireless communications to and from a wireless network includes provoking an access request from a wireless device to register the device with an intelligent network access controller; locking the wireless device to the controller; determining a category of the wireless device; if the determined category is a first category, preventing access to wireless communications using the wireless network; and if the determined category is a second category, directing the wireless device to re-attempt access with the wireless network.

Abstract: An intelligent network access controller for use with a wireless network that provides communications services to subscribers having wireless communications devices includes a multi-protocol interface for receiving and sending digital messaging by the wireless communications devices; an identification module that determines an identity of a wireless communications device; an access module that receives the identity and determines an access level for the wireless communications device; and a locking module that locks selected wireless communications devices to the controller based on the determined access level.

Abstract: A method, implemented on a programmed processor, for controlling wireless communications to and from a wireless network includes provoking an access request from a wireless device to register the device with an intelligent network access controller; locking the wireless device to the controller; determining a category of the wireless device; if the determined category is a first category, preventing access to wireless communications using the wireless network; and if the determined category is a second category, directing the wireless device to re-attempt access with the wireless network.

Abstract: An intelligent network access controller for use with a wireless network that provides communications services to subscribers having wireless communications devices includes a multi-protocol interface for receiving and sending digital messaging by the wireless communications devices; an identification module that determines an identity of a wireless communications device; an access module that receives the identity and determines an access level for the wireless communications device; and a locking module that locks selected wireless communications devices to the controller based on the determined access level.

Abstract: A wireless communications system, and a corresponding method, for use with an aircraft, includes airborne base station equipment mounted on the aircraft, the base station equipment capable of communication with wireless devices used by subscribers on the aircraft and with one or more wireless communications networks, and switching/transaction processing equipment capable of communication with the base station equipment. The system further includes aircraft location equipment capable of communication with the base station equipment, where the aircraft's geographic location, including latitude, longitude, and altitude, is determined; and a push-pull wireless information system that receives the aircraft's geographic location information.

Abstract: An intelligent network access controller for use with a wireless network that provides communications services to subscribers having wireless communications devices includes a multi-protocol interface for receiving and sending digital messaging by the wireless communications devices; an identification module that determines an identity of a wireless communications device; an access module that receives the identity and determines an access level for the wireless communications device; and a locking module that locks selected wireless communications devices to the controller based on the determined access level.

Abstract: An intelligent network access controller for use with a wireless network that provides communications services to subscribers having wireless communications devices includes a multi-protocol interface for receiving and sending digital messaging by the wireless communications devices; an identification module that determines an identity of a wireless communications device; an access module that receives the identity and determines an access level for the wireless communications device; and a locking module that locks selected wireless communications devices to the controller based on the determined access level.

Abstract: A scalable, multi-protocol mobile switching center in a wireless communications network provides communications control for digital and analog wireless communications devices including devices that operate according to GSM and IS-41 standards. The hardware and software architecture of the switching center is designed so that processing that is unique to a particular protocol is performed at the lowest possible level, and remaining processing can use generic procedures. The switching center incorporates a home location register and visitor location register that are used in conjunction with software applications to determine the protocol of mobile communications devices using the wireless communications network. The mobile switching center can be used to provide a large scale distributed wireless network or a small scale wireless network. The switching center can also be used as an adjunct to a private branch exchange to provide in-building wireless services and call control.

Abstract: A wireless communications system, and a corresponding method, for use with an aircraft, includes airborne base station equipment mounted on the aircraft, the base station equipment capable of communication with wireless devices used by subscribers on the aircraft and with one or more wireless communications networks, and switching/transaction processing equipment capable of communication with the base station equipment. The system further includes aircraft location equipment capable of communication with the base station equipment, where the aircraft's geographic location, including latitude, longitude, and altitude, is determined; and a push-pull wireless information system that receives the aircraft's geographic location information.

Abstract: A wireless communications system, and a corresponding method, for use with an aircraft, includes airborne pico cell base stations mounted on the aircraft, the base stations capable of communication with wireless devices used by subscribers on the aircraft via using switching/transaction processing equipment located optionally on the aircraft or in the ground network with one or more ground-based networks. The system includes aircraft location equipment, in communication with the base stations, that determine the aircraft's location, including latitude, longitude, altitude, and other relevant data. Finally, the system includes a wireless communications enable/disable module that receives the aircraft's location and enables and disables wireless communications through the base stations based on the aircraft's location.

Abstract: A scalable, multi-protocol mobile switching center in a wireless communications network provides communications control for digital and analog wireless communications devices including devices that operate according to GSM and IS-41 standards. The hardware and software architecture of the switching center is designed so that processing that is unique to a particular protocol is performed at the lowest possible level, and remaining processing can use generic procedures. The switching center incorporates a home location register and visitor location register that are used in conjunction with software applications to determine the protocol of mobile communications devices using the wireless communications network. The mobile switching center can be used to provide a large scale distributed wireless network or a small scale wireless network. The switching center can also be used as an adjunct to a private branch exchange to provide in-building wireless services and call control.