Patents Examined by Nalini Yerneni
  • Patent number: 8380219
    Abstract: A method, system, and medium are provided for determining whether to allow a position-determining system to provide location information that describes a location of a mobile device. A series of steps are carried out in which information is exchanged between networked components. In an embodiment, a request for location information (e.g., map coordinates) is received together with contextual information (e.g., identification of a mobile device and identification of a requesting party). A set of rules, such as approved contextual information, is referenced to determine if the contextual information is permissible. Upon determining that the contextual information is permissible, the position-determining system is allowed to provide location information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Ryan Alan Wick, Raymond Emilio Reeves, John Marvin Jones, III, Michael P. McMullen
  • Patent number: 8359003
    Abstract: An alternative billing system for communication service, comprising a gateway comprising a processor and a memory, and an application stored in the memory that, when executed by the processor, receives a text message from an originating electronic device, determines that an account balance associated with the originating electronic device lacks sufficient funds to pay for origination of the text message, sends a message to a terminating electronic device identified by the text message to inquire if the terminating electronic device wants to be billed for the origination of the text message, when a message accepting billing for the origination of the text message is received from the terminating electronic device, sends the text message to the terminating electronic device, and when a message rejecting billing for the origination of the text message is received from the terminating electronic device, does not send the text message to the terminating electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Michael A. Gailloux, Kenneth W. Samson
  • Patent number: 8351895
    Abstract: A wireless security device and method includes implementing, by a wireless security device, one or more Bluetooth™ wireless protocol profiles for connecting to one or more Bluetooth™ enabled devices. A Bluetooth™ enabled telephony device may be paired with the wireless security device using one or more Bluetooth™ wireless protocol profiles. The wireless security device may send a command to the telephony device over the wirelessly paired Bluetooth™ connection The command may cause the telephony device to place a telephone call to an emergency telephone number. Once the telephone call is placed, a prerecorded emergency message may be sent from the wireless security device to the telephony device, causing the telephony device to play the prerecorded emergency message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Zomm, LLC
    Inventors: Henry A. Penix, Laurie L. Penix, Zachry A. Penix, Peter E. H. Hauser
  • Patent number: 8311516
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system and a method for maintaining broadcasting chip information regardless of device replacement in a USIM unlock environment where broadcast information can be automatically modified in response to device replacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: SK Planet Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Jong Ho Kim, Kwang Young Kim, Chang Il Kim, Byung Seok Hwang, Min Seok Kim
  • Patent number: 8306518
    Abstract: A system is provided comprising a computer with processor, memory, and an application establishing a communication link with a mobile device provisioned with a first service on a wireless network. At least a portion of the link is provided by a wireless link over infrastructure of the network. The system also instructs the device to deactivate a key guard of the device, maps a first service indicator for a first network to a second indicator for a second network, instructs a provisioning system to remove the first service indicator from a service configuration of the device, and instructs the provisioning system to add the second service indicator to the service configuration of the device. The system also instructs a voice mail server to migrate a first voice mail data structure for the device based on the first service to a second structure for the device based on a second service, deprovisions the first service, and provisions the second service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Michael A. Gailloux, Kenneth W. Samson
  • Patent number: 8290497
    Abstract: A mobile station apparatus, which is used in a mobile communication system including plural base stations, includes a receiver that receives a first signal from any one of the base stations of a first cell group covering a relatively large area and of a second cell group covering a relatively small area; a determining unit that determines an intermittent receiving cycle based on the received first signal; and a setting unit that, based on the determined intermittent receiving cycle, selects a cell group from among the first cell group and the second cell group, and sets the receiver to perform intermittent reception of a second signal transmitted from a base station belonging to the selected cell group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Yoshiharu Tajima, Kazuhisa Obuchi, Yoshiaki Ohta, Yoshihiro Kawasaki, Yoshinori Tanaka, Katsumasa Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 8280461
    Abstract: An electronic device may include a stylus and a housing. An opening may be formed in the housing for inserting and storing the stylus. A function button may be mounted in the housing. The stylus may be adapted to operate the function button when in a stored position inserted within the opening in response to a user applying a predetermined pressure to the stylus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Mobile Communications AB
    Inventor: Rodney Owen Williams
  • Patent number: 8249630
    Abstract: Computer media, systems, and computer-implemented methods for enhancing SMS messaging sessions with user data are provided. A data sharing agreement between a service provider and a receiving entity, such as broadcaster or a consumer goods manufacturer, is established. A user with a wireless device sends an SMS message to the receiving entity. Data associated with the user is retrieved by the service provider in accordance with the data sharing agreement and is transmitted to the receiving entity along with the SMS message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Raymond Emilio Reeves, Ambreen Haleem, Ryan Alan Wick
  • Patent number: 8145258
    Abstract: A radio communication apparatus includes housings that are connected via a hinge unit in an openable/closeable manner, and circuit boards in the housings. The circuit boards are connected via circuit connecting lines functioning as an inductor. One end of the hinge unit is connected to an end portion of the housing and the other end thereof is connected to a portion located farther inside than an end portion of the housing. When the housings are unfolded, a region extending from the portion to the end portion of the housing overlaps a region near the end portion of the housing in a projection domain. A high dielectric member is provided in this overlapped region, and a capacitor is constituted by the high dielectric member and ground areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jin Sato, Kengo Onaka
  • Patent number: 8107980
    Abstract: A mobile terminal according to the present invention includes an input unit for receiving data required to transmit a short message service (SMS) message and a controller for coding user data recorded in the SMS message in conformity with a text coding standard adopted by a second country according to the data when the SMS message is not transmitted to a network of a first country to which the mobile terminal is currently connected and is delivered to a network of the second country.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Sung Hak Jeong