Abstract: Emergency alert messages are received from an emergency service or governmental agencies and modified according to user, user group, or device characteristics or preferences. Emergency alert messages are appended with source identifiers that can be used by users to respond to such alert messages. The emergency alert messages and the response messages can include multimedia content. Emergency alert messages received on a user device can be transmitted to other devices using various means, including short distance wireless communications protocols.

Abstract: An integrated system for messaging content delivery for use in a wireless network that incorporates a messaging application broker that interfaces with messaging applications; management applications, a plurality of user devices, and external networks. The interfaces use the appropriate protocols to interact with the messaging applications, management applications, user devices and external networks.

Abstract: A method for delivery of a voice mail message to a recipient. The method includes determining content of the voice mail message, identifying a recipient of the voice mail message based on the determining step, converting the voice mail message to a format for delivery based on the identifying step, and delivering the converted voice mail message to the recipient. The method further includes identifying a voice mail box of the recipient and caching voice mail box information at a voice mail server.

Abstract: Communication with a member of a class is established based on the location of a mobile device initiating the communication and the physical address of the member. A class can include members that share common attributes, characteristics, and/or traits. Example classes can include business types (e.g., restaurants), brand names (BEST BUY®, COMPUSA®), services, etc. To establish the communication, the mobile device provides a message to set up a call. Upon receipt of the call setup message, a particular member of the class is selected from members of the class based on the location of the mobile device sending the call setup message and the physical addresses of members of the class. Upon determination of the particular member, communication is established between the mobile device and the particular member.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for creating and implementing a privacy zone around a mobile object are described herein. A privacy zone is a geographic location proximate to a mobile object in which mobile device functionality is reduced when a mobile device is inside the boundaries of the privacy zone. A locator subsystem tracks the location of the mobile object to update the location of the privacy zone. Further, the locator subsystem monitors for mobile devices that may interface with the privacy zone. Once a mobile device is found to be within a privacy zone, the pre-determined mobile device features will preferably be disabled.

Abstract: A visual voicemail system can convert visual voicemail message content to an alternate format based on the location of the recipient device, whether and how the recipient device is in motion, a priority of the message content, user preferences, or other criteria. Alternately, a recipient wireless device may also convert content to an alternate format based on the similar criteria. Content may be presented automatically to a user on recipient device based on such criteria. Content may be converted from audio to text, text to audio, or from any format to any other format. Location, motion data, user preferences, etc. may be obtained from a location based service system, a recipient wireless device, or any other source.

Abstract: Integrated multimedia voicemail systems and methods allow the creation of voicemail with associated multimedia content. A user can compose a voicemail and select or create multimedia content to be associated with the voicemail. A user can associate files, webpage addresses, applications, and user-created content with a voicemail. A user may operate an interface on a user device to select content and instruct a voicemail system to associate such content with a voicemail. The voicemail with integrated multimedia content may be an originating voicemail or a voicemail in response to another voicemail.

Abstract: A method for delivery of a voice mail message to a recipient. The method includes determining content of the voice mail message, identifying a recipient of the voice mail message based on the determining step, converting the voice mail message to a format for delivery based on the identifying step, and delivering the converted voice mail message to the recipient. The method further includes identifying a voice mail box of the recipient and caching voice mail box information at a voice mail server.

Abstract: A method for delivery of a voice mail message to a recipient. The method includes identifying the recipient of the voice mail message, receiving a notification indicative of one of the subscriber's availability, the subscriber's presence and the subscriber's location, recording the voice mail message, selectively converting the voice mail message to a text message based on the notification, and delivering either the text message or the voice mail message to a device of the recipient based on the notification. The method may further include receiving an alternative destination device for delivery of the text message or the voice message and delivering the text message or the voice message to the alternative destination device using internet protocol.

Abstract: A hot spot may provide access to a network using a variety of criteria. Priority may be determined for devices requesting access to the network. A ranking for devices requesting access to the network based on usage amount and currency of usage may be used. An auction may be held to determine the devices that are provided access to the network. A mobile device may serve as a gateway to a network for devices tethered to the mobile device. The network may configure a connection with the mobile device using parameters determined with the knowledge that the connection will be used for a tethered device.

Abstract: An MME may request QoS and/or APN parameters from an HSS that may determine whether the MME is approaching or exceeds a threshold number of requested or supportable bearers. The HSS may adjust the QoS/APN parameters based on the threshold determination. The number of bearer requests or established bearers and the total number of supportable bearers may be calculated by the HSS or provided by the MME. The HSS may also take into account the status of other MMEs in the network in adjusting QoS/APN parameters. Upon detecting heavy signaling traffic from a UE, an HSS may take steps, or instruct a policy manager, to reduce or prevent traffic from the UE.

Abstract: A mobile device may be configured with multiple access point names (APNs) including a roaming APN and a non-roaming APN. After a mobile device determines whether it is roaming, it may transmit a service request with the corresponding APN. The network may then select a profile based on the APN that may include quality of service parameters and other parameters for servicing the mobile device. The profile may be obtained from a local home location register or a remote home location register.

Abstract: A method of managing visual voice mail in a multi-screen environment. The method includes receiving voice mail messages in a server, creating a state machine for each message, pushing a visual voice mail notification to at least three devices, receiving an action command from one of the three devices and updating the state machine responsive to the receiving step.

Abstract: A method of selecting a distribution list for a voice mail message. The steps include identifying a group of recipients with whom to share the voice mail message, creating a user profile which includes voice mail preferences of a subscriber and the group of recipients, the preferences including an indication as whether to share the voice mail message with the group of recipients and distributing the voice mail message based on the preferences.

Abstract: A method for customization of voice mail messaging. The method includes recording a plurality of voice mail messages, defining selection criteria for each of the plurality of voice mail messages, establishing a first call for which one of the plurality of voice mail messages will be selected, identifying parameters of the first call, matching the parameters with the selection criteria, selecting the one of the plurality of messages based on the matching step, and playing the selected message on the first call.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for creating and implementing a privacy zone around a mobile object are described herein. A privacy zone is a geographic location proximate to a mobile object in which mobile device functionality is reduced when a mobile device is inside the boundaries of the privacy zone. A locator subsystem tracks the location of the mobile object to update the location of the privacy zone. Further, the locator subsystem monitors for mobile devices that may interface with the privacy zone. Once a mobile device is found to be within a privacy zone, the pre-determined mobile device features will preferably be disabled.

Abstract: In-person shopping at brick-and-mortar locations can be facilitated using visual voicemail systems. A user device can be detected upon entry or proximity to a retail location and a greeting visual voicemail message can be transmitted to the user device. User data may be integrated into the greeting message. The greeting message can also include options for a user to activate that allow the integration of the virtual and physical shopping experience. Options can include requests for sales associate help, product information or location, associated service plans or accessories, etc. Multiple remote resources can be coordinated to service a user's requests via a visual voicemail system while the user is shopping in the retail location.

Abstract: Data communications sessions for visual voicemail data communications are terminated under the control of a wireless device's visual voicemail client. In one embodiment, a visual voicemail client can be configured to transmit a request or command to terminate a data communications session immediately upon sending an acknowledgement of receiving voicemail data from a voicemail server. In another embodiment, a visual voicemail client can be configured to transmit a request or command to terminate a data communications session following the expiration of a timer set by the visual voicemail client. Alternatively, a visual voicemail client can be configured to wait for a termination request for command from a voicemail server.

Abstract: Messages in a message system are converted from one format to another format in accordance with preferred message formats and/or conditions. Message formats can include text messages, multimedia messages, visual voicemail messages, and/or other audio/visual messages. Based on conditions such as recipient device location or velocity and a preferred message format a message can be converted into an appropriate transmission format and transmitted and/or communicated to the recipient in its appropriate format (e.g., text, multimedia, audio, etc. . . . ).

Abstract: A service request is received and associated with a subscriber id. Profile information is accessed for the source of the service request. A copy of the profile information is stored in a network element employed by the source of the service request to access the network.