摘要 |
A network adapter extracts presence, location and availability information relating to a communication device deployed in a communication network. The network adapter is configured to interface between the network and an application for providing information specified by the application. Preferably, the network adapter interfaces with the network at a single location to extract the desired information. In such an embodiment, the network adapter may reside in a link between network elements, such as a home location register ("HLR") and a short message service center ("SMS-C"). The network adapter may include a database of subscriber information codes used by the network to identify communication devices in use within the network. The network adapter also includes a processor programmed to query a network element, for example an HLR, to determine whether a communication device is present on the network and may also be programmed to monitor network communications for an indication of the presence of a device.
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