Abstract: In accordance with the invention, embodiments of a DNS server, a DNS proxy process, and an intermediate server (IMS) are described. The DNS server, DNS proxy process, and intermediate server (IMS) described herein utilize a destination IP address for a destination device in on-the-fly reverse mapping operations in order to accurately provide a hostname originally requested by the client device.

Abstract: A method and system for dynamic traffic steering is described. In one embodiment, a method for dynamic traffic steering involves receiving a request for content at a steering component, comparing information in the request with steering criteria in the steering component, steering the request based on the comparing, and continuously updating the steering criteria based on requests that are subsequently received at the steering component. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, embodiments of an ad placement device are described. The ad placement engine calculates a probability parameter that is indicative of a user's likelihood of making a purchase in response to a mobile advertisement. The probability parameter is calculated based on a variety of parameters.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, embodiments of a DNS server, a DNS proxy process, and an intermediate server (IMS) are described. The DNS server, DNS proxy process, and intermediate server (IMS) described herein utilize a source IP address for a client device, in combination with a destination IP address for a host server, in reverse mapping operations in order to accurately provide a hostname originally requested by the client device.

Abstract: One embodiment of the disclosures made herein is a method for facilitating mediated communication. In such an embodiment of the disclosures made herein, a voice-based communication request transmitted from a first communication device is received by a mediation system. The voice based communication request is requesting voice-based communication between the first communication device and a second communication device. In response to receiving the request for voice-based communication, a capability of the first communication device for communicating via a prescribed text messaging protocol is determined. Facilitating presentation of a text messaging follow-through action at the second communication device is performed in response to determining that the first communication device is capable of communicating via the prescribed text messaging protocol.

Abstract: Web browser implementable instructions are generated from interactive voice instructions that are not natively interpreted by web browsers. Generating web browser implementable instructions in this manner allows for faster and cheaper deployment of voice, video, and/or data services by allowing legacy services based on interactive voice instructions to function seamlessly within an all data network.

Abstract: A technique for storing binary large objects (BLObs) in a distributed key-value storage system is disclosed. In an embodiment, the storage of BLObs involves dividing the BLObs into smaller “BLOb chunks” and storing the BLOb chunks in storage nodes of the distributed key-value storage system. A BLOb is first associated with a key, referred to as a “BLOb key,” and each subsequent BLOb chunk is associated with a different unique key, referred to as a “BLOb chunk key.” A list of the BLOb chunks keys is maintained and all of the BLOb chunks of the BLOb can be retrieved from the distributed key-value storage system using the BLOb chunks key list.

Abstract: A system and method for allowing data traffic search involves capturing data traffic to and from a user device on at least one communication path between the user device and end devices and indexing data of the captured data traffic based on parameters, wherein the data of the captured data includes data of different types of data traffic with respect to at least one of protocol and application. As a result, the system and method allows a user to search the indexed data for the different types of data traffic to and from the user device.

Abstract: Embodiments of a method and system for enforcing a traffic policy at a Policy Enforcement Point (PEP) that controls the flow of traffic in a wireless communications network are described. In one embodiment, a method involves learning the topology of the wireless communications network, defining a virtual PEP (VPEP) within the topology of the wireless communications network, the VPEP comprising a location component that is remote from the PEP, associating a traffic policy with the VPEP, associating a traffic flow with the VPEP if the traffic flow has a characteristic that corresponds to the location component of the VPEP, and enforcing, at the PEP, the traffic policy that is associated with the VPEP against the traffic flow.

Abstract: This invention concerns a process and a system for providing location information for a wireless unit in a wireless network to a location-based service provider, using a data network. In particular, the location information is provided to the location-based service provider without necessarily providing the identity of wireless unit, e.g., a subscriber's wireless identification number, to the service provider. In this regard, a subscriber's identification number may be hidden from the positioning service provider via a process in which an alias is used instead of the subscriber's normal identity. The subscriber's number may further be concealed from the service provider via a process wherein encrypted information is used instead of the subscriber's normal identity.

Abstract: A system and method for providing shortened network resource identifier service to computing devices uses a link translating technique to replace at least some of the links in network resources requested by the computing devices using shortened network resource identifiers so that network activities of the computing devices can be monitored or controlled.

Abstract: A method for obtaining web content at an Internet-connected device from an Internet accessible content source, wherein the device connects to the Internet via an access network, is described. The method involves obtaining, at the device, a link to a content element that is stored at the content source, wherein the link includes a pointer to a link-translating proxy server (LTPS) that is located outside of the access network and additional information that corresponds to a Universal Resource Locator (URL) for the content element. The method also involves initiating, from the device, a request for the content element that is associated with the link, the request being directed to the content source through the LTPS, and receiving, at the device, a response that includes the requested content element, the response passing through the LTPS.

Abstract: A system and method for predicting future locations of mobile communication devices utilizes connection-related data from a mobile access network supporting the mobile communication devices to determine latest locations of the mobile communication devices, which are used to predict the future locations of the mobile communication devices. In addition to the determined locations of the mobile communication devices, carrier-provided location predictive indicators and/or non-carrier location predictive indicators may be used to improve the accuracy of the predicted future locations.

Abstract: A method and system for delivering embedded objects in a webpage to a user agent using a network device is described. In one embodiment, a method for delivering embedded objects in a webpage to a user agent using a network device is described. The method for delivering embedded objects in a webpage to a user agent using a network device involves intercepting a webpage at a network device, where the webpage is transmitted from a web server and is destined to a user agent, scanning the webpage at the network device to discover links that are embedded in the webpage, obtaining an object that is identified by one of the links at the network device, and transmitting the object from the network device to the user agent as soon as the object is obtained at the network device. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A system and method for sending location-based messages to mobile communication devices utilizes communications between base stations and mobile switching devices of a mobile access network to calculate the latest locations of the mobile communication devices supported by the mobile access network. The calculated locations of the mobile communication devices are maintained as location data in at least one location database, as well as information about the mobile communication devices. The location data and the information about the mobile communication devices are used to send the location-based messages to the mobile communication devices located within a specified geographical area.

Abstract: A system and method for replenishing prepaid account balances is disclosed. Consumers are issued a prepaid account card similar to a credit card. Funds are added to prepaid accounts at retail locations by providing cash or equivalent to a clerk along with the prepaid account card. The clerk swipes the prepaid account card in an authorization terminal and rings up the transaction in a manner similar to a normal credit card transaction. The transaction is transmitted to a bank which processes the transaction and notifies a replenishment system that the customer has added value to the prepaid account. The replenishment system provides the customer with a confirmation number associated with the transaction. The replenishment system notifies a prepaid engine for the prepaid account. The prepaid engine updates the user's prepaid account balance, thereby making funds available for future purchases by the user.

Abstract: Data access is controlled using metadata in the data being stored. As consistent with various example embodiments, data is stored on behalf of one or more of a multitude of disparate users and/or applications using the data, based upon metadata in the data itself and storage rules for the metadata. In one implementation, a rules-based storage and access system retrieves storage rules based upon metadata in received data, and executes the storage rules to select a file system in which to store the received data, from a plurality of file systems having different data retrieval characteristics such as speed, security and quality.

Abstract: A system and method for providing prepaid billing for users of an instant messaging system. A method includes determining whether a prepaid account balance associated with an IM client request satisfies a pre-determined criteria, establishing a regular IM session if the prepaid account satisfies the criteria, and establishing a limited IM session if the prepaid account does not satisfy the criteria. The system includes a prepaid account screener operable to determine whether a prepaid account balance satisfies the criteria, establish a regular IM session if the prepaid account satisfies the criteria, and establish a limited IM session if the prepaid account does not satisfy the criteria.

Abstract: An MMS publishing system comprises a management tool, an authoring tool, a storage facility, a message router, and a rendering server. The management tool authenticates a first user by using a telephone number of the first user as a user ID. The authoring tool allows the first user to associate rich media content with his telephone number. The content is then stored in the storage facility in association with his telephone number. Subsequently, the message router intercepts an MMS message sent from a mobile device over a wireless network when the MMS message includes a predetermined indicator and indicates the telephone number of the first user as a destination. The rendering server then accesses the stored content associated with the telephone number and sends the content to the mobile device, for output to a user of the mobile device.

Abstract: A network server system includes a download manager that manages the publication, purchase and delivery of digital content from multiple content suppliers to wireless services subscribers in multiple domains. Each domain is defined as a different grouping of subscribers, such as a wireless carrier or subsidiary thereof, a business enterprise, or other defined group of subscribers. The download manager maintains data defining the multiple domains and associations between the domains and wireless services subscribers. Digital content suppliers can publish and manage their products on the server system via a computer network and make their products available to the subscribers for purchase or licensing. The subscribers in each of the domains can access the server remotely to purchase rights to download and use the digital content on associated wireless communication devices.