Abstract: A communication system having a wireless trunk for connecting multiple phone lines over wireless communication links to a cellular network comprises a central telephone switch, such as a private branch exchange or key system, connected through one or more trunk lines to a wireless access communication unit. The wireless access communication unit preferably comprises a separate subscriber interface for each trunk line from the central telephone switch. The wireless access communication unit collects data from each of the subscriber interfaces, formats the data into a format compatible with an over-the-air protocol, and transmits the information over one or more wireless channels to a cellular base station. The wireless access communication unit thereby connects calls received from the central telephone switch's trunk lines over a wireless trunk to a network.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improved control of intelligent network-based user features is provided. In this regard, the invention relates to a system and method useful for managing a user profile of a virtual private network system, such as an eVPN system, through manipulation of a mobile device, e.g. a mobile phone. In one form, short message service (SMS) messages can be used to facilitate such control.

Abstract: A communication processing unit includes communication processing units which use different communication manners. A user interface unit receives input of information indicating a calling destination from a user. An information storage unit stores a person to contact and plural phone numbers of that person in association. When a person to contact is input to the user interface unit, a control unit acquires a phone number associated with the input person, and information indicating a communication manner to be used from the information storage unit, and controls the communication processing unit to make a call to the acquired phone number in the acquired communication manner. If the person to contact has plural phone numbers, the control unit controls the communication processing unit to make calls to these phone numbers in parallel.

Abstract: A method for a WLAN access point to allocate telephone numbers for use by mobile stations. The access point includes stored data indicating one or more allowed telephone numbers. When a mobile station associated with the access point and acquires an IP address, the mobiles station sends a telephone number allocation-request to the access point, seeking allocation of a particular telephone number for use by the mobile station. If the telephone requested number is one of those allowed, then the access point associates the telephone number with the mobile station. On the other hand, if the requested telephone number is not one of those allowed, then the access point provides the mobile station with a list of the available telephone numbers, to allow a user to select a desired telephone number, and the mobile station may then send a new telephone number allocation-request, seeking allocation of the selected telephone number.

Abstract: The present invention allows a mobile communication terminal to easily and reliably visit a roaming network that conforms to user requirements during roaming.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and method for collecting information on, and for monitoring a party in a communication network. A monitoring device is adapted to detect the occurrence of identification data generated when a party is starting or receiving a communication, and collects this information in a database. For deciding on monitoring a communication, the database is addressed for comparing the actual identification information with the data stored in the database, and the monitoring of the party is started when the data corresponds to stored identifier data such as the destination identifier of a party to be monitored, the party's identification data or the party's equipment identification data.

Abstract: In a wireless access control system, a method and system for providing indications of the state of a Wireless Access Point Module (WAPM) to an observer using at least one indicator mounted on the WAPM. The WAPM preferably provides indications of the version number of the software installed on the WAPM. Additionally, the WAPM may communicate with a WPIM. The WAPM may indicate that it is attempting to establish communication with said WPIM, is engaged in an error test with said WPIM, or has lost communication with said WPIM, for example.

Abstract: In a wireless local area network, transmissions exchanged between a station and an access point is received using a detector located adjacent to the station. The received transmissions are analyzed to determine the state of the station, where the state of the station indicates whether the station has authenticated and/or associated with the access point in the wireless local area network.

Abstract: The present invention provides technical advantages as systems, devices and methods that enable a person to remotely identify the origin of an incoming call.

Abstract: A porting control routing (PCR) node (302) is adapted to efficiently route signaling messages associated with a mobile subscriber that has been either ported in to or out of a service provider's wireless communication network. The PCR node (302) includes both range- and exception based routing rule databases (348 and 346). These databases increase flexibility in allocating mobile identification numbers among multiple mobile service nodes. Furthermore, the association of a ported status indicator and related routing information with entries in the exception based database allows the PCR node (302) to more efficiently manage a service provider's mobile service resources.

Abstract: A communication system for providing multi-modal call management includes a communication manager, a notification database, and a personal assistant. The communication system can receive a call, collect caller identification information, generate a call notification, and send the call notification to one or more communication devices through one or more communication protocols. The communication system can also receive a response to the call notification and initiate an action regarding the call based on the call notification response. The communications system can perform all of these activities while maintaining the call in an offering state. The call management system allows a system user to manage an outstanding call using one or more of multiple communication devices, identified by the communication manager as being associated with the system user.

Abstract: A method, communication device and system for smart route dialling to a destination identifier using a telephone are described.

Abstract: A method and system for simultaneous ringing in a wireless communication system. Upon receipt of a request to connect a call to a given wireless communication device (WCD), a switch or other entity will determine that the given WCD subscribes to a simultaneous ringing service and will identify one or more other WCDs to simultaneously ring. The switch or other entity will then determine which of those one or more WCDs, if any, are currently operating in the same wireless coverage area as the given WCD and will then simultaneously ring the given WCD and each of the other WCDs, if any, that is determined to be operating in the same wireless coverage area.

Abstract: A broadband wireless network includes intelligent base stations and mobile units. The network includes control means to manage connectivity of the mobile units to the intelligent base stations. Software is provided to control connection of the mobile unit to an intelligent base station having preferred signal characteristics. When a mobile unit connects to an intelligent base station, the software broadcasts corrected routing information to all intelligent base stations on the network allowing persistent wireless connectivity.

Abstract: A system for (and a method of) selectively establishing communication with one of plural devices associated with a single telephone number is provided. In a preferred embodiment, the system includes a wireless connect unit connected between an enterprise private branch exchange (PBX) network and a public switched telephone network. The wireless connect unit preferably serves as a gateway between the PBX and one or more remote communication devices. The remote devices can be used as standard PBX office telephones for both inbound and outbound telephone calls. Thus, features of the PBX network (e.g., voice mail, direct extension dialing, corporate calling plan, etc.) are available to the remote device even though they are not physically connected to the PBX. When the system receives an incoming call, it can route the call to an office telephone and one or more of the remote devices simultaneously or as desired by the user.

Abstract: A communication system includes a first communication network, a second communication network, a gateway entity, a subscriber entity, and at least one service provider entity. The first communication network services a mobile user equipment in accordance with a first communication protocol. The mobile user equipment is configured to generate a service request containing information regarding a desired service. The second communication network operates in accordance with a second communication protocol. The gateway entity interfaces the first and second communication networks. The subscriber entity connects to the second communication network for generating a service subscription message in accordance with the second communication protocol based on information from the service request. The at least one service provider entity provisions the requested service in response to the service subscription message generated by the subscriber entity.

Abstract: An apparatus for optimizing roaming in a network environment is provided that includes a bearer manager operable to receive a registration request from a user. An identity of a visited network and access network information is included with the request, a bearer manager consulting the policy server for a policy decision as part of an IP-address assignment or mobile IP registration process. The policy server providing the assigned IP-address, a visited network provider identity and access network information to a home policy server via policy peering. The policy server authorizing the registration and remembering the identity of the visited network provider and the access network information, whereby when the user performs registration, an application manager can request authorization from the policy sever, which checks the identity of the visited network and possible the access network and determines whether to authorize the registration.

Abstract: A system includes a wireless device (101) and at least one stimulator pad (400, 500). The stimulator pad (400, 500) has a set of electrodes (404) that are in communication with the wireless device (101). The stimulator pad (400, 500) is worn on the skin of a user. The wireless device (101) is operable to receive an incoming signal and to place an electric potential on the conductors (404) so that various areas of the user's body are stimulated and the user will receive notification of the incoming signal in a completely silent manner. The pad (400) can be either wired or wireless and can be used to deliver therapeutic body stimulation as well. In another embodiment, the wireless device (101) controls at least one stimulator pad (400, 500) independent of any incoming signal received.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of managing a call through a telecommunications network (10) between an access terminal (18) connected to the network (10) and means (22) for providing a service through the network. Said means comprise firstly a multiplicity of terminals (24, 26) connected to the network, said terminals forming servers suitable for providing the service, and secondly means (28) for selecting amongst said multiplicity of servers (24, 26) the server that is best suited for providing the service to the access terminal (18). The call is also set up using a communications protocol enabling some terminals to be mobile by allocating each mobile terminal a main address that is invariable regardless of its point of connection to the network and by forwarding all of the data sent to said main address to the corresponding terminal.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and apparatuses for mounting a wireless network component to a fluorescent light. The internal electronics of the wireless network component are contained within a housing. Attachment means are used to attach the housing to a fluorescent lamp. The attachment means may comprise a support tube removably attached to the housing. The support tube fits over the fluorescent lamp and attaches to the housing to secure the wireless network component to the fluorescent lamp. Alternatively, the housing may include power coupling pins on one side and fluorescent lamp pin connectors on the opposite side. The power coupling pins fit into one receptacle of the fluorescent light fixture and the pins of the fluorescent lamp are inserted into the fluorescent lamp pin connectors of the housing such that the wireless network component is mounted between the fluorescent lamp and the fluorescent light fixture.

Abstract: A method and system provides automatic/timed silencing of a mobile phone by a telecommunications network. The method has the steps of: forming a schedule of silence at a mobile phone; sending the schedule of silence to a mobile switching center; storing the schedule of silence in a subscriber database in the mobile switching center; blocking at least incoming calls at the mobile switching center according to the stored schedule of silence, and sending a first message to the mobile phone that instructs the mobile phone to enter a silence mode; transmitting, according to the stored schedule of silence, a second message from the mobile switching center to the mobile phone that instructs the mobile phone to exit the silence mode, and ceasing to block at least the incoming calls to the mobile phone. The system implements the method.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus for interconnecting disparate communications systems. A call request that originates from a communications network is directed to a network interface. The network interface consequently redirects the call request to a communications entity, such as a radio or a cellular radio system that serves the user associated with the call request. The network interface may support address translation functionality for identifying the communications entity, control conversion functionality for generating control and signaling with the communications entity, transmission content conversion functionality for converting the transmission content during the call, and security functionality for encrypting and decrypting the transmission content.

Abstract: A telephone subscriber is provided with call features associated with his home telephone line when the subscriber is at a remote (different) telephone line. Aspects include: registration of the subscriber at a remote telephone line with association of the subscriber's normal call feature set with the remote line; processing of incoming calls for the subscriber so that the calls reach the subscriber at the remote line with the subscriber's call feature set being available to handle processing of the incoming call; processing of outgoing calls from the subscriber at the remote line so that the calls are processed with the subscriber's call feature set.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a cellular telephone includes a memory and a transmitter. The memory is adapted to store a telephone number associated with an incoming telephone call, and the transmitter is adapted to transmit the telephone number to another telephone. The cellular telephone may also include a receiver and a calling unit. The receiver is adapted to receive a different telephone number from the another telephone, and the calling unit is adapted to place an outgoing telephone call to the different telephone number. In an alternative embodiment, a method of placing a telephone call from a telephone includes the steps of receiving, over a wireless link, call related information from another telephone, and placing an outgoing call based on the call related information. The other telephone may be a cellular telephone, and the call related information may include a telephone number associated with a telephone call previously received by the other telephone.

Abstract: A base station device 31 provided in a general cell 41 is accommodated in a base station controller 21, and a base station device 32 provided in a general cell 42 is accommodated in a base station controller 22. A base station device 33 provided in a boundary cell 43 that is adjacent to both the general cells 41 and 42 is accommodated in both the base station controllers 21 and 22. Frequencies RF#1 and RF#2 are allocated to each of the general cells 41 and 42 and boundary cell 43. Communications conducted by the base station device 33 using the frequency RF#1 is controlled by the base station controller 21, and communications conducted by the base station device 33 using the frequency RF#2 is controlled by the base station controller 22.

Abstract: A mobile phone has a controller which on detection of an incoming call, selects one of plural local wireless communication devices, registered in a memory which ranks high in the priority order, and which then controls a local wireless communication unit to transmit a connection request to the selected local wireless communication device while starting a timer. When the local wireless communication unit receives a connection response from the selected local wireless communication device, the controller performs connection processing to establish the local wireless connection to transmit an incoming call notification signal. On receipt of an incoming call response signal from the local wireless communication device, the controller controls a RF unit to establish a line connection to enable a talk state or a state of data communication. On detection of disconnect of the line connection, the controller disconnects connection of the local wireless communication.

Abstract: A zone-based behavior service is supported by a small area wireless transmitter to communicate behaviors, encoded as attribute-value pairs, to wireless devices within the service area of the small area transmitter. In response to entering the service area and discovering the zone-based behavior service, operation of a wireless communications device is automatically customized to conform to the specified behaviors according to corresponding user preferences. For example, audible ring tones are automatically disabled when proscribed by the zone-based behavior service and such proscription is accepted by the user in previously defined attribute options, but automatic re-routing of incoming calls suggested by the behavior service may be rejected by the user or require manual acceptance from the user. Upon leaving the service area of the small area transmitter, the wireless communications device automatically restores prior operational parameters.

Abstract: A method and system for altering the functionality of a device based on location. When the device is in a designated location, the device may receive a control signal specific to the location. The control signal may cause the device to change its control logic (such as application layer logic) so as to change the responses that the device has to various primitives or to change the primitives that the device employs in carrying out various functions. When the device leaves the designated area, the device may then revert to a normal state of operation.

Abstract: A system and method for managing multiple mobile stations provisioned for use by a single user with a common mobile identification number (MIN). In an advanced intelligent network, a call control system may receive requests to set one of the multiple mobile stations to an active state. The call control system may also receive requests to set one or more of the multiple mobile stations to an inactive state. The call control system stores the active or inactive indication in a subscriber profile database. When a request is made to register one of the multiple mobile stations for service, the call control system determines if the mobile station is active or inactive. If the mobile station is inactive, it is not permitted to register. If the mobile station is active, it is permitted to register.

Abstract: A method and system which allow a user to define and edit workflow applications for a mobile device, screens associated with the applications, and workflow process is described. The states or schemas for these applications may be stored as records in databases.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and system for connecting subscribers participating in several telecommunication networks under one telephone number. The invention is characterized in that the subscriber data are stored in at least one telecommunication network and made available to the other telecommunication networks on request. To this end the invention provides for at least one of the telecommunication networks to have a data bank shared by all participating telecommunication networks.

Abstract: A communication system is provided of selecting the most approximate line from two or more connectable lines and connecting with a provider through the selected line in the mobile communication environment. The mobile device and the public phone of each phone company provide a standard wireless data communication facility, respectively. The public line pre-stores information about dial-up numbers of access points and a transmission speed of an internet provider. When the user starts the communication, the mobile device operates to obtain the most approximate access point information from each of the public phones and then dial up the most approximate access point through the public phone/line well-specified to the user.

Abstract: A wireless communications system is presented where a mobile station is able to automatically determine its proximity to a second mobile station or landline telephone. Once the proximity determination command has been given, no further actions are required by the users of either telephone. A GPS receiver connected to the first mobile station is able to provide that mobile with its position and direction. The first mobile station makes a request to the other telephone for its position, through SMS messaging for example. A GPS receiver connected to the second mobile station is able to provide the second mobile station with data to enable the position request. Trust determinations can be enabled so that position data is sent to a restricted list of requesting telephone numbers. Likewise, the second mobile station can request position data from the first mobile station. When position information is requested from a landline telephone, the request can be fulfilled by the landline telephone service provider.

Abstract: A SIM card for a phone has a first memory partition on which a phone user identity and phone network access data are stored. A service usage monitoring application is stored in a memory. The service usage monitoring application (a) logs information about a service used via the phone, (b) creates a service usage record for the service activity based on the information, (c) stores the service usage record in a buffer, (d) creates a reporting message containing at least one service usage data record, (e) sends the reporting message to a remote server at a preset interval based on a triggered event, and (f) purges the at least one service usage record from the buffer upon successful transmission of the reporting message.

Abstract: An access point for a wireless local area data communications network is designed to derive power from a lighting fixture. In one arrangement, the access point includes a housing configured to be received in one or more sockets of a lighting fixture and to replace a lamp which would be inserted therein. In another arrangement, the housing includes a socket for receiving a lamp whereby both the access point and a lighting fixture can be serviced by the socket of the lighting fixture.

Abstract: A system for (and a method of) selectively establishing communication with one of plural devices associated with a single telephone number is provided. In a preferred embodiment, the system includes a wireless connect unit connected between an enterprise private branch exchange (PBX) network and a public switched telephone network. The wireless connect unit preferably serves as a gateway between the PBX and one or more remote communication devices. The remote devices can be used as standard PBX office telephones for both inbound and outbound telephone calls. Thus, features of the PBX network (e.g., voice mail, direct extension dialing, corporate calling plan, etc.) are available to the remote device even though they are not physically connected to the PBX. When the system receives an incoming call, it can route the call to an office telephone and one or more of the remote devices simultaneously or as desired by the user.

Abstract: Content is distributed from a source to a sink only if the sink is within a predetemined distance from a source. In one embodiment, a control signal is sent over a limited range channel to the sink and the content is then sent only if the control signal is received properly by the sink. In another embodiment, the content is encrypted and the encryption key is sent over the limited range channel. The content is also sent to the sink, but the sink cannot decode the content unless it has a proper copy of the decoding key. The control signal can be sent over a wireless channel, an IR channel, or an AC line. The content is sent over the Internet, either using a standard wired channel or over a wireless channel.

Abstract: A method for serving multiple mobile stations under a common mobile identification number (MIN). A service provider assigns the common MIN to multiple mobile stations and maintains a subscriber profile that associates the MIN with the electronic serial numbers (ESNs) of the mobile stations. However, the service provider allows the MIN to be associated with at most one mobile station that is arranged to respond to a MIN-based termination message. As a result, when the service provider seeks to terminate a call through signaling keyed to the MIN, only one of the mobile stations will respond (e.g., begin to ring). At the same time, all of the mobile stations having the common MIN can originate calls through signaling keyed to their MIN and ESN (since the MIN/ESN pair should uniquely identify the originating station).

Abstract: The present invention describes a network-based mobile workgroup system allowing a selected set of users from two or more mobile virtual private networks to form an extranet workgroup in a secure manner. The invention is based on the limited private address scenario, which entitles mobile nodes having private, possibly overlapping, addresses as defined in RFC 1918, while home and foreign agents have public IP addresses. Each home agent is dedicated to one mobile virtual private network (M-VPN), while a foreign agent may be shared by multiple M-VPNs. The system also entails a mobile service manager that has a public IP address and a set of mobile nodes that all have a UFQDN (user fully qualified domain name) within the overall mobile workgroup system. The main benefits, compared to existing solution for extranet workgroup creation, are that extranets can be created despite overlapping address realms. Even fine-granular workgroups within the extranet can be created with any set of users from any set of M-VPNs.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a position isolation system comprising at least one portable cellular transmitter adapted for wireless data communication via an associated cellular communication system. Data exchange between the at least one cellular transmitter and an associated tracking station is initiated via the associated cellular communication system. The data exchange obtains additional position data representing an associated, cellular relay system through which the cellular data exchange is made, enabling isolation of the location of the portable cellular transmitter in a limited geographic region. The position isolation system also includes a secondary transmission system, associated with the portable transmitter, that is adapted for outputting information representing secondary location data. The secondary location data has a positioning resolution within that of the limited geographic region.

Abstract: A cellular telephone can be integrated in a base unit, and thereby used in addition to, or in place of a land line. Viewed from another perspective, a cellular phone or other communication device can be integrated with a communication network by at least temporarily coupling it to another cellular phone or communication device that was previously integrated with the communication network. Such a unit may integrate itself when coupled to a previously integrated phone by obtaining a MIN and ESN from the previously integrated phone. Such a unit may also provide access to non-integration information contained in the previously integrated phone, such as data related to contacts, tasks, and appointments.

Abstract: Methods, systems, apparatuses, and computer program products provide call data associated with calls to and from a mobile communications apparatus. The call data supports a web-accessible call log feature that presents a summary of calling activity to a subscriber of communication services. The method involves completing a call to or from the mobile communications apparatus, storing call data associated with the completed call in a memory of the mobile communications apparatus, and substantially in real time, sending the call data to a management server associated with the web-accessible call log feature.

Abstract: A system and method for mobile number portability service in an asynchronous mobile communication network is provided. The system stores changes in mobile service providers and an address of a Network Provider Database (NPDB) in the service network which is presently providing the mobile subscriber with mobile service. By performing a mobile number portability inquiry only for a mobile subscriber who has changed his mobile service provider can be processed by the NPDB in the service network presently providing the mobile subscriber with mobile service, thus reducing the number of NPDBs required and improving system performance.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for performing registration on behalf of a session associated with a mobile node are disclosed. The mobile node composes a registration request including a NAI identifying a userID and a sub-NAI that uniquely identifies a session associated with the NAI. The mobile node then sends the registration request. When the Home Agent authenticates the mobile node, the Home Agent returns an IP address associated with the session. The NAI and sub-NAI may then be mapped to this IP address in a mobility binding table associated with the Home Agent as well as a visitor table associated with the Foreign Agent to which the mobile node has roamed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing advanced telephony services to telephone numbers served by telecommunications networks lacking the infrastructure to provide these advanced services directly are described. In an embodiment of the present invention, a service-providing network, which has the capability of providing advanced telephony services to a service subscriber for calls that traverse it, provides advanced telephony services to calls directed to a telephony device on a native transport network. The native transport network is a network that naturally carries a subscriber's calls but does not have the capabilities required to provide advanced services. In one embodiment, the system uses a virtual number to map a service in the service-provider network with a device in the native transport network.

Abstract: Methods and systems for distributing and accessing large amounts of signaling message processing data in a signaling message processing node are disclosed. More particularly, a large amount of signaling message processing data, such as number portability translation data, may be segmented and distributed across multiple processing modules. For example, subscriber portability data contained in a large national local number portability (LNP) database is divided or segmented according to NPA-NXX ranges or geographic regions, and LNP data associated with each region or segment is stored on a different database service module (DSM) within the message processing system. A signaling message requiring number portability processing is received by a communication module. The communication module directs the message a DSM that contains the LNP data segment necessary to process the message.

Abstract: The present invention includes a system and method for communicating across an electronic communication network. The present invention permits a user of the electronic communication network to communicate with one or more other users of the electronic communication network. The software employed in such a system and method permits a user to select one or more individuals to whom communication is desired and/or one or more terminals to which communication is desired, enter a message, and send the message. The recipient or recipients of the message are defined on the network and are selectable at the sender's terminal through a graphical user interface (GUI).

Abstract: An interface (52) is provided between a satellite telephone system (4) and a cellular telephone system (5) for allowing calls to a user's cellular telephone to be diverted to a satellite telephone (25) when the user is unable to use his cellular telephone, for example when on board an aeroplane (2) fitted with a satellite telephone system (20). The user inserts a card (which may be the SIM of his mobile phone, or a card compatible with existing satellite telephone equipment) into a suitable reader in the satellite telephone (20), which causes the satellite ground station's card verification system (42) to connect to a host cellular network (50). The host cellular network has an interface unit (52) which emulates the operation of a normal base station, so that the host cellular system (50) acts as if the mobile user's terminal is roaming on the host network, but is currently “busy”.

Abstract: A radio communications device is disclosed which can maintain, even if different voicemails are received at a plurality of communications lines, any of prompts advising receipt of the voicemails until after retrieval of the voicemail is ended. The radio communications device is capable of supporting at least two communication lines and includes an indication section for indicating that messages have been received for multiple communications lines and maintaining the indication regarding any of the messages until the message is retrieved.

Abstract: When a subscriber record is moved from a first HLR to a second HLR that utilizes a different protocol, the wireless communication system sends two queries for location information for the mobile station, one to the first HLR and one to the second HLR, simultaneously. Two responses are received, one from each of the HLRs. The valid response is recorded in a separate table for future use. The invalid response is discarded. The next time a call comes in for the mobile station, the table is traversed to determine if the HLR has been updated for the mobile station. If so, the location request is sent only to the system in the table. If the table does not include information for the called mobile station, simultaneous queries are sent to the first and second HLRs.