Abstract: A broadcast message indicating the utilization level associated with Stand-alone Dedicated Control Channels (SDCCH) within a mobile telecommunications network serving a particular geographic area is transmitted over a broadcast channel. A plurality of mobile stations located within that particular geographic area monitoring the broadcast channel then receives the transmitted message. Thereafter, a mobile service request with a lower priority level than the indicated status level is queued by the associated mobile station and delayed until the channel utilization level rescinds to a network acceptable level.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods and systems relating to providing vehicular traffic information through a wireless telecommunications network. An exemplary system includes a geographic location system (GLS), a database containing vehicular roadway information, and a vehicular traffic determination node. The GLS is operative to determine the approximate physical location of at least one Mobile Station (MS) in communication with the wireless telecommunications network. The vehicular traffic determination node is operative to i) receive and correlate the approximate physical location of the MS to the vehicular roadway information to generate vehicular traffic information, and ii) communicate the vehicular traffic information to the wireless telecommunications network; the wireless telecommunications network can selectively-transmit or broadcast the vehicular traffic information.

Abstract: A telecommunications system and method is disclosed for utilizing an Internet telephony system to perform a handover of a call between different types of systems. When a serving mobile switching center (MSC) determines that there is not another MSC belonging to the same type of wireless system to which a handover can be performed, the serving MSC sends a message to an Internet Gatekeeper via an Internet Gateway for the serving MSC, inquiring whether there are any other types of wireless systems nearby. The Internet Gatekeeper maintains a database of all existing wireless systems within the area served by the Internet Gatekeeper. The Internet Gatekeeper chooses a target MSC of another wireless system (if possible), and transmits the identity of this target MSC back to the currently serving MSC. Thereafter, the currently serving MSC performs the handover to the target MSC by routing signaling messages through the Internet Gateway and the Internet Gatekeeper to the target MSC.

Abstract: A telecommunications system and method is disclosed for providing a battery status indicator associated with a calling mobile station (MS) during an emergency call setup. The battery status indicator is transmitted to the emergency center as a new parameter or as a modified existing parameter, such as cell ID. The emergency center can provide special handling for such calls, such as displaying the low battery indicator to the emergency operator. In addition, the cellular network serving the MS can handover the call to a cell with lower power demands in order to prolong the battery life.

Abstract: A telecommunications system and method is disclosed for preventing sub-optimal routing of new incoming calls to a mobile station (MS) that has been re-registered at a remote optimal Mobile Switching Center/Visitor Location Register (MSC/VLR) for an optimized call. When the MS is re-registered at the remote optimal MSC/VLR, the Home Location Register (HLR) associated with the MS stores an optimization indication indicating that the MS has been re-registered to the optimal MSC/VLR. Thereafter, when an incoming call to the MS is received during the time that the MS is re-registered, the HLR can handle the call based upon the optimization indication. For example, the HLR can forward the incoming call to a local voice mail box associated with the MS.

Abstract: A telecommunications system and method is disclosed for preventing sub-optimal routing of new incoming calls to a mobile station (MS) that has been re-registered at a remote optimal Mobile Switching Center/Visitor Location Register (MSC/VLR) for an optimized call. When the MS is re-registered at the remote optimal MSC/VLR, the Home Location Register (HLR) associated with the MS stores an optimization indication indicating that the MS has been re-registered to the optimal MSC/VLR. Thereafter, when an incoming call to the MS is received during the time that the MS is re-registered, the HLR can handle the call based upon the optimization indication. For example, the HLR can forward the incoming call to a local voice mail box associated with the MS.

Abstract: A telecommunications system and method is disclosed for extending the life of the battery within a Mobile Station (MS), while still allowing the mobile subscriber to use the MS. A new battery gapping feature can be implemented within both the MS 20 and the cellular network. On the MS side, the feature will allow the subscriber to select the desired battery gapping mode, which is a combination of the stand-by mode with the MS power on and the stand-by mode with the MS power off. When in this battery gapping mode, the MS will alternate between power off and power on states depending upon the subscriber defined stand-by times for each of these states. On the network side, the MS will inform the network when the MS powers off, as well as indicate when the MS will be powered on again. Therefore, the network can inform calling parties of the next time that the MS will be reachable.

Abstract: Improved methods and arrangements are provided for use in mobile communications networks that require re-registration of mobile stations to optimal gateways to support improved call optimization. For example, mobile stations may be required to re-register with gateways that provide more efficient use of terrestrial trunk circuits. When a mobile station is requested to re-register with a more optimal gateway, there is an associated burden on the mobile communications network and supporting signaling system networks. Because of this, there is an inherent potential for intentional or unintentional abuse by one or more subscribers who repeatedly, continually, or simultaneously initiate signaling and/or processing required to optimize the call and re-register the mobile station(s).

Abstract: A telecommunications system and method is disclosed for allowing a mobile station involved in a single-hop satellite call to complete a conference emergency call. One of the mobile stations involved in the single-hop satellite call activates an emergency call feature, which triggers one or both of the mobile stations to perform a call release and call re-establishment procedure. When one or both of the mobile stations performs call re-establishment, the call is marked as an Emergency Call to prevent the mobile stations from being reconnected in a single-hop call. After re-establishment, the mobile station that activated the emergency call feature transmits an Emergency Setup message to the MSC/VLR, which initiates a call connection to the Emergency Call Center (ECC). Once the MSC/VLR completes the call to the ECC, the MSC/VLR bridges all parties together in a conference call.

Abstract: A telecommunications system and method for transmitting digital images produced by a digital camera attached to or integrated with a mobile station (MS) from the MS to a receiving terminal through the Internet. A calling mobile subscriber can select the digital image to transmit and dial the number associated with the receiving terminal on the MS. The digital image is then sent in parallel through the Internet while a telecommunications connection, such as a call setup request, is being sent through the cellular or fixed network. At the end office serving the receiving terminal, the call setup request is associated with the digital image and a call connection is established between the calling MS and the receiving terminal. When the call connection is established, the end office serving the receiving terminal sends the digital image to the receiving terminal.

Abstract: A telecommunications system and method is disclosed for optimizing the Call Forwarding on Busy (CFB) feature for optimized mobile stations (MSs) within a satellite network. The CFB feature for optimized calls can be stored within the Home Location Register (HLR) associated with the MS. Therefore, when the MS becomes engaged in an optimized call, the HLR sets a busy indication associated with the optimized MS. Thereafter, when another incoming call arrives, the HLR can check the busy indication, and if it is set, the HLR determines that the MS is busy, and invokes the CFB feature.

Abstract: An apparatus (100) is disclosed for automatically controlling the volume level of an audio signal transmitted to or received by a mobile station and/or terminal within a telecommunications network, the apparatus including a noise measuring device (102), a volume controller (104) communicably coupled to the noise measuring device, and a memory module (108) communicably coupled to the noise measuring device. In a wireless telecommunications network, the memory module may comprise a subscriber identity module (SIM) and contain preferred volume levels for given levels of noise for that particular subscriber.

Abstract: A telecommunications system and method is disclosed for providing accurate country information to Mobile Stations (MSs) within a satellite network. At the time of location update, the MS sends Global Positioning System (GPS) coordinates identifying the location of the MS to a serving Mobile Switching Center (MSC) via a satellite. The MSC determines the identity of the current country that the MS is located in, and calculates the distance to the nearest country border. The current country identity and distance information are transmitted back to the MS via the satellite. Thereafter, the MS continues to calculate GPS coordinate information, and if the distance between the current location of the MS and the location of the MS at the time of the previous location update becomes equal to or greater than received distance information, a query is done to the MSC to determine the current country where the MS is located. If the country has changed, then the new country is displayed on the MS.

Abstract: A telecommunications system and method is disclosed for an enhanced cellular network architecture to distributively store subscriber data and provide application platforms for custom applications. In addition to or in place of the current subscriber data, a new element can be stored in the HLR. This new element references one of a plurality of databases distributed throughout a data network, such as the Internet Protocol (IP) network. These databases may contain additional subscriber data or custom applications for mobile subscribers. The elements inform the serving MSC/VLR which database to access in order to obtain the additional subscriber data. In addition, the MSC/VLR may also be connected to a dedicated local database through an intranet. This local database preferably stores a local copy of the subscriber data or custom applications retrieved from the distributed data network.

Abstract: A telecommunications system and method is disclosed for optimizing satellite resources to prevent overconsumption of the satellite resources of a first network operator by subscribers associated with a second network operator. During call optimization, an indication is included in a Location Update request sent by a Mobile Station (MS) to an optimal Mobile Switching Center/Visitor Location Register (MSC/VLR) that suggests to the optimal MSC/VLR that the reason for the Location Update is the equivalent of “satellite radio access registration.” The optimal MSC/VLR examines this indication, and based on the amount of available satellite radio resources, either accepts the Location Update request or returns a rejection message indicating that radio access registrations are either permanently or temporarily not allowed.

Abstract: A telecommunications system and method is disclosed for restricting optimization of calls between mobile terminals within a satellite network to allow implementation of supplementary services. Either the network operator or the mobile subscriber can decide whether supplementary services or optimization of calls between mobile subscribers in a satellite network has priority. For instance, prior to placing a call, the mobile subscriber can enter a service code on the mobile terminal indicating that the call should or should not be optimized, depending upon the default parameters of the service provider. Alternatively, the network operator can determine whether a conflict exists between optimization and supplementary services, and if one exists, forego optimization in favor of the supplementary services.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus allowing a called party to play a message to the calling party, instructing the calling party that the called party is present and will become available in a given amount of time. A group switch is implemented which can selectively connect an incoming line to either an outgoing line for communication with the called party or an announcement machine which plays a message instructing the called party not to disconnect. The called party can then answer the call at their leisure.

Abstract: A telecommunications system and method is disclosed for defining location-based group services, which can be implemented within a Group Call Services (GCS) node associated with a cellular network. When a group call is initiated, the GCS can send a positioning request to a Mobile Location Center (MLC) to locate the group members within a specified area. The particular location can be defined by the group number or the location can be prompted by the GCS. For each group member, the position of a mobile terminal associated with that group member is determined and the call is set up only to those members which the meet the specified area criteria. If none can be located within the specified area, the area can be expanded at the callers request.

Abstract: A location of a first emergency call connection requested from a mobile station within a mobile telecommunications network is determined. Thereafter, if a second emergency call connection is requested from another mobile station within approximately the same geographic area or location, an announcement message informing the caller of the already reported incident is provided. The caller then has the option of terminating the call or connecting to a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) operator. An application module associated with the serving mobile telecommunications network may further transmit unstructured data, such as Short Message Service (SMS) or Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) messages, to all other mobile stations currently traveling within the reported location or area. Such reporting enables other mobile subscribers to be informed of the reported incident and not to request emergency call connections in an attempt to report the same incident.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for activating and deactivating features in a mobile telecommunications system based upon the position of a mobile station. An accurate position of the mobile station is periodically determined and compared with stored coordinates for a specific location. Depending upon the outcome of this comparison, selected features are automatically activated or deactivated.