Abstract: A communication network and method are disclosed that block calls from a calling party based on the network access type of a called party. The communication network of the invention includes a permission system, an access system, and a call control system. Based on a call from a calling party to a called party, the permission system identifies permissions associated with the calling party. The access system identifies a network access type for the called party, such as wireless, circuit-based, etc. The call control element determines if the network access type for the called party is permitted by the calling party based on the permissions associated with the calling party. If the network access type for the called party is not permitted by the calling party, then the call control system releases the call.

Abstract: A communication system is disclosed that includes a communication network and a billing system. The communication network connects a call between a calling device and a destination. During the call, the destination puts the calling device on hold. The destination tracks the time the subscriber is on hold, and generates hold information for the call. The communication network receives the hold information from the destination, and transmits the hold information to the billing system. The billing system bills for the call based on the hold information and other relevant information. The billing system may bill hold time for the call differently than active time for the call.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for serving VoIP emergency calls. In one embodiment, a call control entity is placed between PSAPs of an emergency services network and the IP network transporting VoIP calls. When the call control entity receives a VoIP emergency call and its associated user ID, the call control entity assigns a TDN to the emergency call and associates the assigned TDN to the user ID. The emergency call and the TDN are then extended to a PSAP to handle the emergency call. If the emergency call is disconnected from the PSAP, the PSAP operator is able to dial the TDN to provide a call-back function. The call control entity receives the call-back attempt to the TDN from the PSAP, identifies the user ID associated with the TDN, and routes the call-back attempt to the user ID to reestablish a call between the PSAP and the user.

Abstract: An automatic storage option for directory assistance callers is disclosed, whereby an operator services system offers to store directory numbers (“target numbers”) identified coincident to directory assistance calls. Responsive to a command issued from a calling terminal invoking the automatic storage option, the target numbers are stored in an internal memory of the calling terminal or in a subscriber database remote from the calling terminal. Thereafter, sometime after the directory assistance call is completed, the calling terminal may consult its internal memory or access the centralized database to retrieve and call the target number.

Abstract: A system and method of routing calls made to a called party Subscriber Universal Destination Identifier (SUDI) in a wireless communications network is provided. The method includes determining the call type, selecting a call-type-specific destination identifier for the call from a plurality of called party destination identifiers based on the call type, and routing the call to the called party using the selected call-type-specific destination identifier. The step of determining the call type can include determining the call protocol, determining the media type, and determining the call type from the call protocol and the media type. The system includes means for determining the call type, means for selecting a call-type-specific destination identifier for the call from a plurality of called party destination identifiers based on the call type, and means for routing the call to the called party using the selected call-type-specific destination identifier.

Abstract: A method of locating a mobile communications terminal is provided. The method includes determining that a predetermined amount of the main battery power is depleted, and switching the terminal to a reserve mode preventing the terminal from receiving a paging message without entry of a PIN. The mobile communications terminal includes a controller for switching the terminal to the reserve mode after a predetermined amount of the main battery power is depleted and alerting means for indicating receipt of an incoming call after receiving a paging message in the reserve mode. The terminal can be located by making a call to the terminal, entering the PIN and then listening for the alert.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for wireless management of mobile entities. More particularly, the invention relates to an end user device which will allow a trusted entity, e.g., a service provider, to repair the end user device in the event that the end user device becomes inoperable. In addition, the method allows for the trusted entity to update the end user device. Notably, the trusted entity is able to accomplish these tasks from a remote location using an air interface, e.g., a wireless connection.

Abstract: A method for preventing unauthorized use of a lost or stolen mobile communications terminal is provided. The method includes placing the mobile communications terminal in a Protected Mode without deactivating the mobile communications terminal's terminal identifier, preventing outgoing calls from being made from the mobile communications terminal while it is in the Protected Mode, and redirecting incoming calls destined for the mobile communications terminal while it is in the Protected Mode. A system for protecting the lost or stolen mobile communications terminal from unauthorized use includes a mobile communications terminal having a terminal identifier and a Protected Mode for preventing unauthorized use without deactivation of the terminal identifier.

Abstract: A telecommunication system includes: a first mobile switching center associated with a directory number, a local number portability data storage device in communication with the first mobile switching center, and a second mobile switching center in operative communication with the first mobile switching center and associated with wireless service to a mobile station. A subscriber associated with the mobile station has ported the directory number from the first mobile switching center to wireless service via another mobile switching center. In several embodiments, a method of relating the directory number to the mobile station for an incoming call is provided. The directory number is associated with a first mobile switching center and wireless service to the mobile station is associated with a second mobile switching center. Ultimately, in each embodiment of the method, the incoming call is forwarded from the first mobile switching center to another mobile switching center.

Abstract: A method of synchronizing multimedia telecommunications network-based voicemail and multimedia mail messages with a wireless communications device and an external message recording device. The method includes connecting the wireless communications device to the external device, establishing a call between the wireless communications device and a voicemail/multimedia mail server in the network, exchanging information between the wireless communications device and the voicemail/multimedia mail messages about the subscriber's messages, which messages may be stored on the external device and the voicemail/multimedia mail server, determining the status of the subscriber's messages. If there is at least one new message for the subscriber on the server, then any new messages are downloaded to the external device and the server is updated. If there are no new messages for the subscriber on the server, then a message is played for the subscriber indicating that there are no new messages.

Abstract: An apparatus in one example comprises a portability component that automatically updates one or more provisioning components to port a directory number for a duration of time.

Abstract: Reconnection of a mobile unit to a call session controlled by a first MSC is supported responsive to a network-initiated or mobile-originated reconnect attempt even in instances where the mobile unit has roamed to a border cell controlled by a second MSC. In a network-initiated reconnect attempt, the first MSC sends a suspended call page request to a second MSC. The second MSC pages the mobile unit, sets up a bearer channel to the mobile unit, and sends to the first MSC a suspended call page response including indicia of the bearer channel set up by the second MSC. The first MSC establishes a bearer channel to the second MSC thereby reconnecting the mobile unit to the call session. In a mobile-originated reconnect attempt, the mobile unit sends a mobile-originated reconnect message to the second MSC.

Abstract: Conditional reconnection of a suspended call occurs responsive to a mobile unit (108) sending a mobile-originated reconnect (MORC) message into the network (102). Reconnection does not occur not if the mobile unit does not send a MORC message or affirmatively declines reconnection within a designated waiting period.

Abstract: A mobile device for receiving and rendering an incoming fax message and for sending an outgoing fax message is provided as well as associated fax receiving and sending methods. The receiving method includes: a) receiving the incoming fax message from a calling party via a wireless network, b) activating a user cue, c) displaying information about the incoming fax message on a graphical user interface, and d) communicating the incoming fax message to an external rendering device via an output port. The sending method includes: a) storing one or more data files in a first storage device associated with the mobile device, b) generating an outgoing fax message including at least one data file from the one or more data files in the first storage device and initiating an outgoing call via the wireless network to a recipient, and c) sending the outgoing fax message to the recipient.

Abstract: A method of relating a dialed number to a new mobile station in a wireless network is provided. The dialed number is associated with a first mobile switching center, the new mobile station is associated with a second mobile switching center, and wireless service to the first and second mobile switching centers is provided by a common wireless service provider. The method includes: receiving a return result from a first home location register without location information, querying a second home location register, receiving a return result from the second home location register including location information, and communicating temporary routing and location information to a switch associated with the calling party. In another embodiment, the method also includes: pausing an inter-service number portability query process within the first mobile switching center. In another embodiment, a wireless network for relating the dialed number to the new mobile station is provided.

Abstract: A telecommunication network and method of billing a first subscriber associated with a first party to a call for variable call charges normally billed to a second subscriber associated with a second party is provided. The method includes: providing a charge-all mode, connecting the call between the first and second parties, determining whether charge-all mode has been arranged for the first subscriber, determining whether charge-all mode has been arranged for the second subscriber, and, if charge-all mode has been arranged for at least one, but not both, of the first and second subscribers, billing the subscriber associated with the at least one subscriber for variable charges associated with the call. The telecommunication network includes a first network serving the first party and adapted to provide charge-all mode to the first subscriber and a second network serving the second party and adapted to provide charge-all mode to the second subscriber.

Abstract: One or more control components of an apparatus that connect with one or more mobile phones one or more toll-free calls placed by one or more users of one or more communication devices to one or more toll-free numbers associated with the one or more mobile phones.

Abstract: A method of sending personalized outgoing voicemail/multimedia mail messages based on the caller ID in a multimedia telecommunications network, the method including storing the subscriber's personalized outgoing voicemail and multimedia mail messages at a first network element, receiving a call having a unique caller ID for the subscriber at a second network element, determining at the second network element whether the subscriber has activated the service and whether the subscriber is unavailable to take the call, forwarding the call to the first network element where the service has been activated by the subscriber and the subscriber is unavailable to take the call, analyzing at the first network element the caller ID of the call to determine which of the stored outgoing messages is an appropriate outgoing message for the caller, and playing the appropriate outgoing message to the caller.

Abstract: A method of forwarding calls for a subscriber having a primary communication device and a number of alternate communication devices in a multimedia telecommunication network by storing a call forwarding profile for the subscriber's primary communication device at a network server, where the call forwarding profile specifies at least one of the alternate communication devices to which specific types of calls are to be forwarded based on the incoming media desired for that call, receiving a call for the subscriber's primary communication device from a caller, determining the type of the call that has been received, matching the type of call received to the call forwarding profile, and routing the call to the proper alternate communication device according to the call forwarding profile.

Abstract: A first communication device of an apparatus in one example shares a billing relationship with a second communication. The second communication device comprises a primary communication device, where a user associated with the second communication device comprises a primary user associated with the primary communication device. The primary user associated with the primary communication device sets one or more restrictions for the first communication device. The first communication device employs one or more of the one or more restrictions to make a determination of allowability of one or more communication sessions.