A mobile communication device is equipped with a dynamic local directory into which contact information from a local telephone directory may be downloaded on a temporary basis. The local telephone directory resides on a local communication network and may be accessed by the mobile communication device. The downloaded data is purged automatically after preset limits are reached. The dynamic local telephone directory on the mobile communication device is continuously changing depending on the location.

A system for publishing digital content is described which, in one embodiment, includes a beacon device associated with a first user configured to transmit identification information and information indicating its current position. A browsing device includes a display configured and adapted to display to a second user a representation of a local geographical area, and to selectively display to the second user content information associated with the first user, based at least in part on whether the location of the beacon device is within the local geographical area.

Certain aspects of the disclosure are directed to control of data communications services. According to a specific example, an apparatus is provided including one or more computer processor circuits configured and arranged to interface with remotely-situated client entities using a first programming language used by a data communications server, and to provide a database of communications services to the client entities. The apparatus further includes communications control circuitry configured and arranged to control communications routing for each respective client entity, by identifying, client-specific sets of control data derived from programming instructions received over a network and corresponding to a second programming language that is compatible with the first programming language, and providing the communications services to end-users of the client entity based on the client-specific sets of control data including particular routing functions for emergency notifications.

A system for identifying local emergency response resources and sending emergency response to the location of a third party communication device by identifying the location of a third party communication device based on the device's geospatial placement, street address associated with the communication device, user designated address, or IP address, and from the location, using a National Emergency Telephone Number System (NETNS) to identify an emergency dispatch office location nearest to and that serves the area where the third party communication device is located, communicating the location of the third party communication device to the local dispatch office, and communicating with that emergency dispatch office the nature of the emergency so that the user of the third party communication device can get assistance.

A cloud-based real-time crime center with dispatch directed digital media payloads configured to support both emergency dispatchers and emergency responders responding to an incident requiring assistance. The new dispatch system is “cloud-based” in that it provides a central hub or repository for gathering live video streams and data streams that are processed to fuse them together to provide a map-based interface for the dispatcher to access via a desktop or other computing station at a central agency location and for the responders in the field to access via vehicle-mounted or portable client devices. The dispatch system processes the video and data streams to generate a dispatch directed payload that includes data and video relevant to the identified incident and that can be readily communicated (due to its reduced or controlled size) to field responders to make their response more effective and to increase both the safety of the responders and those involved in the incident.

A method for communicating location information to a device includes receiving, at a computer system that implements a social networking service, location information that represents a geographic location of a device associated with a first user; associating, by the computer system, the received location information with a profile associated with the first user; and sending, from the computer system to a device associated with a second user, a message that is generated based at least in part on the location information.

Systems and methods are disclosed for client-based control of revising caller identifications (IDs) for communications between a private network and a public network. An apparatus including a communications provider server and processing circuit that communicates client-specific sets of data over an interface protocol. The telecommunications-providing server revises a caller ID for a data communication (aka call) based on the client-specific sets of data, an identifier that corresponds to a requesting endpoint, and a geographic region determined from the call request. Further, the telecommunications-providing server connects the VoIP call by accessing and passing a provisioned number. The provisioned number includes the revised caller ID which is a local number identified by the determined geographic region that the endpoint is located.

An incoming communication processing system and method is disclosed for providing communication and data services to residents of a controlled facility. Specifically, the incoming communication processing system allows outside parties to initiate communications to residents of a controlled facility. The incoming communication processing system may work in conjunction with or separately from an outgoing communication processing system. Many restrictions and safeguards may be implemented within the incoming communication system in order to prevent improper use.

A method and system are disclosed for determining the geographic location of a user communicating on a communications network such as the Internet. In one embodiment, a provider of a product or service: (a) receives the user's phone number (or other identification for contacting the user's station), and (b) supplies the user's station with a distinctive identifier. The provider then supplies a location determining service with the user's phone number (or other identification). A phone call is made to the phone number by the location determining service for retrieving the distinctive identifier from the network station having the phone number. If the distinctive identifier is retrieved and the location determining service determines that the user's station is within an appropriate geographical area (or not within an inappropriate area), then the provider can provide the requested product or service to the user.

Enhancements of and to cell phone operations are based in whole or in part on determining the location of the cell phone. Systems and methods select and determine locations or areas of importance or relevance, and based on that information and other programmed factors affect or alter the operations of the cell phone. While the systems and methods are illustrated by use of cell phone embodiments and applications, they are equally applicable to virtually any portable or mobile communication device, including for example, wireless laptop computers and PDAs.