6041results about "Commmunication supplementary services" patented technology

A system and method of advanced identification information to be created and distributed to users of wireless communication devices, such as mobile phones. Subscribers can define their own personas as collections of information which define the users. Subscribers can then publish their persona(s) to their friends' and associates' mobile phones, and update the others' address books with the subscriber's contact information. Users can specify different personas to be presented to different users.

An apparatus that includes a mobile phone detection system is provided. The detection system includes a processor and a plurality of sensors that are operative to be used by the processor to determine which individuals in a group of individuals are and are not transmitting a predetermined type of RF signals. The sensors include a frequency antenna operative to receive RF signals from locations associated with positions of each respective individual. The sensors include a further sensor that is operative to detect data that is used by the processor to corroborate which individuals in the group are and are not transmitting the predetermined type of RF signal. The detection system is operative to communicate to a remote server, data corresponding to at least a portion of the determination made regarding which of the individuals in the group are and are not transmitting the predetermined type of RF signal.

A wireless communication device, a method, and a computer program product that enable multiple subscriber numbers to be concurrently assigned to and supported within a single communication device, such as a wireless / cellular phone. The communication device is designed with circuit components and logic that allows two or more subscriber numbers to be concurrently programmed into the device. Each subscriber number is individually supported, with the logic also providing some overlapping functionality. A user selectively utilizes one of the subscriber numbers to originate a new call out and / or accept an incoming call to that subscriber number and may toggle between subscriber numbers to communicate on.

The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for recording and generating additional information related to telecommunication events using a mobile communication device, such as a telephone call or a text messaging event using cellular phone or a personal digital assistant. Specifically, the preferred embodiments of the present invention records information such as GPS coordinates that indicate a position of the mobile communication device during the communication event, as well as a location of a sender or receiver of data to or from the mobile communication device, so as to facilitate a log entry of the position of the mobile communication device as well as other useful information that are associated with the communication events.

A cell phone with software to provide options to auto-respond to incoming text message or phone calls with a pre-stored text message or audio message. In some embodiments, the auto-response text message can be one selected by the user from among a plurality of pre-stored text messages. In other embodiments, the user can also choose an auto-response audio message to play to callers. In some embodiments, the cell system makes a determination of the speed at which cell phones in the system are moving for at least phones to which incoming text messages or phone calls are directed, and automatically determines whether or not to send an automated response message. In some embodiments, the cell phone makes a determination of its speed and asks the user if he or she wants to auto-respond to incoming texts or calls or both if moving at driving speed.

An improved method for delivery and play back of sound and image files is provided. This new method includes the use of sound and / or image clips, which can be snippets or full files, as alerts for a variety of electronic devices or for playing on a handheld device, and for use as a promotion to sell items associated with the files. A collection or library of uniquely selected and / or edited clips may also be provided to the consumer in a manner far more conveniently on conventional telephone equipment than previously available. Algorithms are provided for the delivery, storage and playback of the sound files, including a delivery method algorithm (500), a parametric optimization and compression algorithm (1500), and an error correction algorithm. In contrast to the conventional ring tones or musical chimes used to ring cellular phones currently on the market, the current invention provides a method for ringing cellular phones and landline telephones with real sound recordings including real music, which may be songs lifted from copyright registered CD tracks, and may comprise human voice, various instrument sounds, and other sound effects of a high quality. A software based system for encoding the hardware of existing cellular phones at the time of manufacturing with delivery, storage, and playback capabilities in accordance with the present invention is provided, such that additional hardware is not required.

In a multimedia communications system (100), a conference establishment server coordinates the scheduling of a conference call. The server receives request for conference calls (202). The request includes a list of participants and may include an indication of the resources necessary and any rules for the conference call. The request may indicate critical resources or participants that are required for the call. Based on the request, the server determines a conference time and notifies participants of the time (204, 206, 210). Prior to conference time, participants are reminded of the time and automatically connected to the call. The server may check the status of users on the telecommunications network to determine availability. If a critical participant or resource is unavailable at conference time, the conference may be cancelled with notification to the participants.

A method and system for distributing voice prompts and messaging closer to the calling or called party via the Voice Access Port (VAP) of a wireless centrex system comprises the steps of transmitting a message request to the VAP from a network server platform, retrieving a selected message and forwarding the message, for example, to the calling party, for example, when the called party is not available or during conference call set-up, call hold or call screening. In accordance with a further embodiment, the voice prompt or message may be personalized with the calling / called party's name, address or other personalized information as appropriate.

A method of managing voice messages using a mobile telephone, comprising the steps of: (a) a graphical user interface (GUI) being opened on the mobile telephone, the GUI individually listing remotely stored voice messages in a menu list, the voice messages being meant for a user of the mobile telephone; (b) enabling the user to select a voice message from the list to initiate playback on the mobile telephone. The present invention hence supplants the current approach of retrieving voice messages (based on listening to various options spoken by a synthetic voice, such as “press (1) to reply”, “press (2) to delete”, “press (3) to repeat”) with a GUI based system; this system individually lists voice messages in a menu list, making it very simple for an end-user to select a message to initiate playback of the voice message.

In one embodiment, an indication of information desired by a user is received, and a list of candidates for the desired information is provided for presentation on a mobile device of the user.

In the present invention, advertisements are transmitted electronically at designated locations, as a substitute for stationary billboards. A network navigation center outputs guide access information GAI to a personal computer of an ad sponsor over the Internet and receives registration of advertisement information ADI for the designated location(s) from the personal computer of the ad sponsor according to the guide access information GAI. In addition, the network navigation center receives current position information API from mobile communication device(s) carried by automobile, via a mobile telephone base station and a public telephone network. Likewise, the network navigation center transmits the advertisement information ADI, based on current position information API, to the mobile communication instrument via the public telephone network and mobile telephone base station.

A method for implementing self-chosen caller identification and instantaneous transmission of caller identification information before communications have been established is described. Aspects of the invention improve upon modem methods and bridge the gap between current technology that allows users to self-identify in communicating with other users and technology that transmits this information before a telephone call is answered. Furthermore, aspects of the invention allow a user to select his or her own identifying information (e.g., picture, ring tone, video) and send it to contacts in his or her contact database. A background transmission process transmits the identifying information upon selection, creating a fast and seamless method of self-identification for caller ID technology. The identifying information may be stored in an association database using factors such as events and identification type. An option may also exist that allows users to override any caller identification information transmitted to them.

A communication system providing telephony communication across combined circuit switched and packet switched networks, such as a telephone network and the Internet, which are connectable to terminals, such as telephones and computers, for selective communication therebetween. The communication system includes an authorization and account control object in the packet switched network, multiple gateways between the circuit switched and packet switched networks providing controlled connectivity between those networks, and an information retrieval object in the packet switched network, wherein the authorization and account control object maintains a substantially real time record of user accounts and usage, and the information and retrieval object provides substantially real time retrieval of selected information from the authorization and account control object. The retrieval object provides on demand to terminals which provide authentication for access to an identified account information regarding that account. The information regarding the account is substantially real time information including information with respect to communications in progress, which are chargeable to the account which has been authenticated. The authorization and account control object is preferably a unitary logical object having distributed instances thereof handling multitudinous accounts of widely separated terminals. The retrieval object provides isolation of the authorization and account control object permitting simultaneous multitasking by the authorization and account control object and the retrieval object respectively.

The text messaging system consists of mobile terminal (5) connected to mobile communication network (4), information terminal (3) connected to computer network (2), and server (1) connected to the mobile communication network and the computer network. The information terminal (3) has status detection means (22), (23), and (24), and detects an operational status including at least the connection status of the computer network and notifies the server (1) of it. The server (1) has status administration means (8) and (9) and decision means (10). The status administration means (8) and (9) retain the operational status of the information terminal (3) notified from status detection means (24) for each user. The decision means (10) determines a send mode according to the operational status of the information terminal such as whether to send a text message to an information terminal or to send a text message with a network application.

A communication remote control system allows a user to remotely configure call management functions across various phone networks using a client device. The communication remote control system centrally handles call management for the user's telephones. The communication remote control system may provide a centralized address book, call log, and voicemail. The user can specify various parameters including modes, filters, schedules, and the like, which are stored in the communication remote control system. The communication remote control system routes incoming calls made to the phone networks to the user's delivery device, which may be part of the client device. Incoming calls are routed to a specified telephone number, sent to voicemail, or otherwise disposed of or users can change modes manually or can specify automatic mode selection based on time of date, day of week, location, and / or other factors.

A system and method are provided for pre-processing encrypted and / or signed messages at a host system before the message is transmitted to a wireless mobile communication device. The message is received at the host system from a message sender. There is a determination as to whether any of the message receivers has a corresponding wireless mobile communication device. For each message receiver that has a corresponding wireless mobile communication device, the message is processed so as to modify the message with respect to one or more encryption and / or authentication aspects. The processed message is transmitted to a wireless mobile communication device that corresponds to the first message receiver. The system and method may include post-processing messages sent from a wireless mobile communications device to a host system. Authentication and / or encryption message processing is performed upon the message. The processed message may then be sent through the host system to one or more receivers.

Cameras can be used to detect if a visitor enters a field of view. Cameras can be mounted in many different areas, including outside buildings, inside buildings, and near other items such as pools. Cameras can send alerts to remote computing devices regarding visitors. Thus, a user of a camera can see and even speak with visitors who are located far away from the user.

A system for facilitating wireless communication. The system includes a client device configured to operate in a plurality of networks. The system also includes a server coupled to the plurality of networks and managed by an enterprise. The server is configured to store connectivity information of the client device, to route incoming media data addressed to the client device using the connectivity information of the client device, and to route outgoing media data originated from the client device through the server. The connectivity information pertains to connectivity of the client device with at least one network of the plurality of networks.

A method for implementing communication between at least two client devices is provided. The first client device of the at least two client devices is disposed externally with respect to a firewall of an internal network. The method includes performing NAT (Network Address Translation) traversal between the first client device and a media server that is disposed internally with respect to the firewall of the internal network. The NAT traversal is configured to ascertain a NAT scheme employed for exchanging packets with the first client device. The method also includes establishing a communication path at least between the media server and the first client device, wherein logic for implementing the NAT traversal and logic for implementing the establishing the communication path are both implemented in the media server. The method further includes employing the media server to facilitate the communication.

A method is for selecting at least one additional service in a mobile telephone or mobile equipment having a keyboard for dialing a number to set up a telephone communication. The at least one additional service may be provided by an Integrated Circuit (IC) Card in the mobile equipment. The method may include comparing a dialed number with at least one service number stored in the IC Card and associated to the at least one additional service, terminating the set up of the telephone communication, and triggering the associated additional service corresponding to the dialed number.

System and method for putting control of incoming telephone calls in the hands of subscribers with the aid of computer software and the Internet. In effect, a very efficient multiplexer is provided that does not require a change in the behavior of the called party or the calling party. This system permits the called party to hear a spoken message by the calling party in real time, and the content of the spoken message permits the called party to decide how to handle the call. The system adaptively learns and captures the rules of the called party for handling calls, and learns which callers the called party always wishes to talk to. The system uses special control software on the called party's computer which is connected to the Internet. The system employs a central server in which all of the required intelligence is resident. Audio signals are exchanged via non-data channels provided by the telephone companies and by the Internet. Either a very simple Internet busy pick-up is provided, or a very complex messaging system is provided, as desired. A feature is the monitoring and screening of incoming calls before deciding how to handle them. Another feature is the capturing and storage of the decision making profile.

Systems and methods provide a single E.164 number for voice and data call redirection and telephony services such as caller identification, regardless of in which type of network a dual mode mobile device operates. When the dual mode device registers and is active in a GSM network, temporary routing and status updates are triggered and resultant information is maintained in both networks. A mobile terminated call is routed through an enterprise WLAN with call control within the enterprise being handled by SIP or H.323 signaling, and the call is redirected to the mobile device in the GSM network, where call control is assumed by the SS7 network. Services are provided using the protocols native to the active network, and the single E.164 is used consistently along with or lieu of the temporary routing information for subscriber identity specific functions, such as caller identification and voice mail.

The present invention enables secure, valid card payments in credit transactions to be performed, preventing fraudulent card use even in cases of loss or theft of a card or of information theft. During a transaction authorization process using a transaction terminal disposed in a credit transaction member store and connected with a host computer, user validation or credit administration is carried out by using a portable communication terminal to input to the host computer identity information which has been previously registered in the portable communication terminal and / or location information for the portable communication terminal.

Communications methods for allowing groups of individuals, such as family members, to contact one another when no one is available to answer calls to a primary, e.g., family, telephone number are described. Calls which go unanswered are connected to a telephony device capable of storing messages and initiating conference calls. If the calling party is determined to be a family member the telephony device accesses a table of contact information corresponding to the unanswered telephone number and offers the caller the opportunity to hear messages from other family members and / or initiate a conference call to one or more family members who have supplied a contact telephone number. Family members can access and update the table of messages and contact number information by telephone or the Internet. Table information can be accessed and updated remotely thereby providing a method of communicating with family members even when no one is at home.

A system and method for remote care and monitoring of the user of a mobile device, such as a smartphone, and for simplifying use of the mobile device by the user. The system and method comprises software, operable on the mobile device and / or a remote device (such as another smartphone, a computer (including, for example, a web-based application system) or other device), for facilitating the use of a mobile smartphone device while also enabling authorized users (e.g. care providers) to remotely interact with the mobile user, provide them medical care information, daily care instruction, immediate connectivity, mobile phone control and tracking functions, general assistance as well as remotely updating and maintaining the mobile user's mobile device.

Sounds, alarms or other indications of conditions of potential interest that are produced by appliances and other household devices are detected by one or more sensors to trigger a notification signal that is sent to a remotely located user. The signals produced by the sensors are advantageously compared with a database of signals representing conditions of potential interest produced by known appliances and devices, producing the appropriate notification signal when a match is found. Notifications may be relayed to one or more selected users only when predetermined conditions are satisfied.