Abstract: A method and apparatus for distributing authorization to provision devices on a wireless network are described. A primary trusted provisioning domain (TPD) operating within a trusted environment established by the wireless carrier's firewall can provision the mobile devices. The primary TPD may distribute the authorization to provision one or more of the mobile devices to one or more secondary TPDs operating outside the trusted environment. Digital signatures may be used to authenticate provisioning requests from TPDs.

Abstract: An intermediary node on a data communications network implements a flow control algorithm to control network congestion. The intermediary node receives messages destined for servers or other upstream nodes from clients or other downstream nodes and determines whether to forward the messages based on the flow control algorithm, which may be adaptive. The algorithm may consider explicit back-off messages received from upstream nodes, failure of upstream nodes to respond to messages forwarded by the intermediary node, and/or other criteria. When a back-off condition applies, the intermediary node refrains from forwarding messages it receives and sends back-off messages to nodes initiating the messages. Back-off messages may include a back-of time period and/or other back-off criteria.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of using a communications device to access an on-line service provided by a network server. In one embodiment of the invention, a mobile telephone is used to establish a connection with a proxy server. The mobile telephone is then used to establish a second connection with a network server on which hypermedia information is stored. The second connection is a secure end-to-end connection which may be achieved by either tunneling through the proxy server or by bypassing it entirely. The second connection is used to send a secure request for hypermedia information to the network server. If it is determined that, in order to service the request, additional information is required, then the mobile telephone is notified and a service capable of providing the additional information is accessed remotely in the proxy server by sending a communication to the proxy server via the first connection.

Abstract: A mobile services platform (MSP) enables mobile clients on a wireless network to access network servers on a wireline computer network. The MSP comprises applications for execution during transactions between mobile clients and network servers in response to requests from mobile clients, and services for automatic invocation during communications between mobile clients and network servers. The MSP also includes a network services management subsystem that includes a proxy to proxy requests and responses between network servers and mobile clients. The MSP also includes a subscriber and service management subsystem to manage mobile subscriber data and subscriptions and to manage the applications and services to which subscribers have access. The MSP further includes a developer services management subsystem to enable and control access by external entities to subscriber-related information in the mobile services platform, and an administration subsystem to enable administrative operations to be performed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for distributing authorization to provision devices on a wireless network are described. A primary trusted provisioning domain (TPD) operating within a trusted environment established by the wireless carrier's firewall can provision the mobile devices. The primary TPD may distribute the authorization to provision one or more of the mobile devices to one or more secondary TPDs operating outside the trusted environment. Digital signatures may be used to authenticate provisioning requests from TPDs.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of using a communications device to access an on-line service provided by a network server. In one embodiment of the invention, a mobile telephone is used to establish a connection with a proxy server. The mobile telephone is then used to establish a second connection with a network server on which hypermedia information is stored. The second connection is a secure end-to-end connection which may be achieved by either tunneling through the proxy server or by bypassing it entirely. The second connection is used to send a secure request for hypermedia information to the network server. If it is determined that, in order to service the request, additional information is required, then the mobile telephone is notified and a service capable of providing the additional information is accessed remotely in the proxy server by sending a communication to the proxy server via the first connection.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for provisioning a mobile station over a wireless network are described. The mobile station contains a browser to allow navigation of hypermedia content. The browser sends a request for provisioning content to a remote provisioning server via the wireless network. The request includes a network resource locator. In response, the provisioning server sends a markup language document via a wireless network to the mobile station, containing a reference to provisioning content. The browser retrieves the provisioning content based on the reference and stores the provisioning content in the mobile station. The provisioning content is used in the mobile station to enhance a capability of the mobile station.

Abstract: An intermediary node on a data communications network implements a flow control algorithm to control network congestion. The intermediary node receives messages destined for servers or other upstream nodes from clients or other downstream nodes and determines whether to forward the messages based on the flow control algorithm, which may be adaptive. The algorithm may consider explicit back-off messages received from upstream nodes, failure of upstream nodes to respond to messages forwarded by the intermediary node, and/or other criteria. When a back-off condition applies, the intermediary node refrains from forwarding messages it receives and sends back-off messages to nodes initiating the messages. Back-off messages may include a back-of time period and/or other back-off criteria.

Abstract: The serial data port of a terminal device is normally connected to a peripheral device for data transfer. A telephone connection with a public switched telephone network (PSTN) is monitored to detect, however, if there is an incoming priority data message. If so, the terminal device is notified of the priority message and is allowed to terminate its current data transfer with the peripheral device. The terminal device is then connected to the PSTN to receive the priority message. At the conclusion of the priority message, the terminal device is reconnected to the peripheral device to complete the interrupted data transfer. In this way, the serial port of the terminal device can be used for data transfer with different peripherals, without jeopardizing or delaying reception of a priority data message.