Systems, devices, and techniques for multiple device and multiple line enabled computing devices and computing appliances are described herein. A device number can be assigned to a computing device and can be unique to the computing device. A plurality of alias numbers can be provided to the computing device and enabled for use by the computing device. Alias numbers can be enabled on multiple computing appliances, such that a user can transfer voice or video calls between devices using the alias numbers. Further, monitoring components in a home environment, for example, can be associated with one or more alias number so that security alerts can be provided to the various computing devices and computing appliances associated with the alias numbers.

A system for exchanging GPS or other position data between wireless devices for purposes of group activities, child location monitoring, work group coordination, dispatching of employees etc. Cell phones and other wireless devices with GPS receivers have loaded therein a Buddy Watch application and a TalkControl application. The Buddy Watch application communicates with the GPS receiver and other wireless devices operated by buddies registered in the users phone as part of buddy groups or individually. GPS position data and historical GPS position data can be exchanged between cell phones of buddies and instant buddies such as tow truck drivers via a buddy watch server. Emergency monitoring services can be set up with notifications to programmable individuals in case an individual does not respond. Positions and tracks can be displayed. TalkControl simplifies and automates the process of joining talk groups for walkie talkie services such as that provided by Nextel.

In some implementations, a computing device may determine a location of the computing device. The computing device may have an associated first phone number. The computing device may determine that the location of the computing device is outside a geographic area in which a carrier associated with the first phone number provides service. The computing device may send a registration request to a local network indicating that the computing device is operating in an over the top mode. The computing device may originate an outgoing call from the computing device. The outgoing call appears to a called party to originate from a second phone number that is different from the first phone number.

There are provided systems and methods of using the systems to make telecommunications. The systems and methods include application software on a user phone, and a telecommunications apparatus, or computer communication network, configured to make communications for the user. The system permits the user to carry out steps including opening the software app on a mobile phone, as a source telephone; making a communication with a target telephone of another through the app; and receiving a response to the communication, where the response includes a GPS location of the target telephone. The GPS location is displayed on the telephone user interface of the source telephone. In the systems, the numeric telephone identification of the source telephone device, and/or the numeric telephone identification of the target telephone device may be masked.

A relay server 31 includes: a detection unit 31A that detects a failure of a subscriber server 21; and a relay unit 31B that relays call connection requests 51, 52, and 53 to another network in which corresponding subscribers may possibly be accommodated according to connection attempt network information indicating networks to attempt a call connection, when a failure of the subscriber server 21 is detected by the detection unit 31A.

Concepts and technologies provided herein can provide high-definition voice for fixed mobile convergence on mobile and wireline networks. A processor executing instructions can detect a call request associated with a called telephone number to setup a call session, where the call request is initiated from a calling device associated with an originating network. The processor can determine a call path for the call session from the originating network to a receiving network. The processor can create a fixed mobile convergence request to alert an electronic number mapping system of the call path for the call session from the originating network to the receiving network. The electronic number mapping system can provide a network presence map identifying a plurality of call receiving devices associated with the called telephone number that are available to participate in the call session via the receiving network.

A system for exchanging GPS or other position data between wireless devices for purposes of group activities, child location monitoring, work group coordination, dispatching of employees etc. Cell phones and other wireless devices with GPS receivers have loaded therein a Buddy Watch application and a TalkControl application. The Buddy Watch application communicates with the GPS receiver and other wireless devices operated by buddies registered in the users phone as part of buddy groups or individually. GPS position data and historical GPS position data can be exchanged between cell phones of buddies and instant buddies such as tow truck drivers via a buddy watch server. Emergency monitoring services can be set up with notifications to programmable individuals in case an individual does not respond. Positions and tracks can be displayed. TalkControl simplifies and automates the process of joining talk groups for walkie talkie services such as that provided by Nextel.

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.

A system, method and computer program product for managing cross-platform communications between families and friends with incarcerated loved ones securely, conveniently and affordably, and with full audit trail for accountability. The system includes a plurality of computers or portable devices used by each party including family and friends, their incarcerated inmate, a correctional facility, facility staff and/or inmates, and a facilitating Application Service provider (ASP) providing Software as a Service (SaaS). The ASP provides a dashboard to each party including a family/friends dashboard, an administrative dashboard that facilitates initial ASP processing, a scanning dashboard that facilitates remote screening, a correctional staff dashboard that facilitates pre-screening and delivery, and an inmate dashboard that facilitates receipt and reply. The various participant dashboards update a transaction record and provide a collaboration platform by which the ASP can automate key facets of the process, the correctional facility staff and/or inmates can fulfill their duties, and families, friends and incarcerated loved ones can communicate more quickly, efficiently and inexpensively.

A system for exchanging GPS or other position data between wireless devices for purposes of group activities, child location monitoring, work group coordination, dispatching of employees etc. Cell phones and other wireless devices with GPS receivers have loaded therein a Buddy Watch application and a TalkControl application. The Buddy Watch application communicates with the GPS receiver and other wireless devices operated by buddies registered in the users phone as part of buddy groups or individually. GPS position data and historical GPS position data can be exchanged between cell phones of buddies and instant buddies such as tow truck drivers via a buddy watch server. Emergency monitoring services can be set up with notifications to programmable individuals in case an individual does not respond. Positions and tracks can be displayed. TalkControl simplifies and automates the process of joining talk groups for walkie talkie services such as that provided by Nextel.