Abstract: A method is described for identifying and prioritizing, for remediating, impactful problems in a mobile wireless communications network. The method includes rendering a human observable representation of problem impact at particular geographic units within a grid corresponding to a geographic area of interest. The method includes tabling mobile wireless communication network data in a database, generating a problem impact grid for a geographic area of interest sub-divided into sub-areas of specified dimensions and rendering a listing representing a prioritized set of mobile wireless communication network issues arranged in accordance with magnitude of values assigned to sub-areas of the problem impact grid.

Abstract: The enhanced configuration and handoff scheme leverages the configuration of the Femto system, the Femto access network conditions and the mobile device conditions to facilitate an attractive user-experience. In an embodiment, the invention is based on the use of the access network conditions, IP (Internet Protocol) multimedia service QoS constraints, and the user profile for an enhanced configuration and handoff scheme, in a multimode Femto system.

Abstract: A system is described for managing in-vehicle small cell gateway (IV-SCG) connections with a mobile wireless device. A home IV-SCG maintains a list identifying a set of neighboring SCG nodes, each one of the set of neighboring SCG nodes being a potential candidate for establishing a connection with the home IV-SCG forming a link along a data communications path between the home IV-SCG and the broadband network data resource. The home IV-SCG detects a triggering condition causing the home IV-SCG to seek out an alternative data communications path for the current data communications path. Thereafter, the home IV-SCG selects a partner neighboring SCG, from the neighboring SCG list, through which the alternative communications path passes, based upon a handover criterion based upon at least a capacity of individual ones of the set of neighboring SCG nodes to support current data communication requirements of a registered mobile wireless device.

Abstract: A system is described for managing in-vehicle small cell gateway (IV-SCG) connections with a mobile wireless device. A home IV-SCG maintains a list identifying a set of neighboring SCG nodes, each one of the set of neighboring SCG nodes being a potential candidate for establishing a connection with the home IV-SCG forming a link along a data communications path between the home IV-SCG and the broadband network data resource. The home IV-SCG detects a triggering condition causing the home IV-SCG to seek out an alternative data communications path for the current data communications path. Thereafter, the home IV-SCG selects a partner neighboring SCG, from the neighboring SCG list, through which the alternative communications path passes, based upon a handover criterion based upon at least a capacity of individual ones of the set of neighboring SCG nodes to support current data communication requirements of a registered mobile wireless device.

Abstract: A home wireless network is provided that communicates an improved Preferred Roaming List (PRL) that includes service type and service priority indicators for a plurality of wireless service combinations and corresponding roaming networks. Preferably, the service type indicator is a numerical indicator that encodes a combination of multiple wireless services offered by each roaming partner network. In case when more than one roaming network provides the requested wireless service, the service priority indicator provides a priority of selection of roaming networks for a given requested service in accordance with a plurality of parameters.

Abstract: A system includes redundantly configured resources designated as active geo-redundant nodes (AGNs) and standby geo-redundant nodes (SGNs), a set of covered agents (CAs) that rely upon the redundantly configured resources, and a geographic redundancy coverage issuer (GRCI) configured to manage the geo-redundant nodes. The GRCI maintains a CA list identifying a set of subscribers to redundancy management services supported by the GRCI, an AGN list identifying a set of active geo-redundant nodes, and an SGN list identifying a set of standby geo-redundant nodes. The GRCI provides the AGN list and the SGN list to subscriber CAs. In response to receiving a message identifying a failed AGN, the GRCI updates the AGN list to reflect a failed status for the failed AGN and issues an update message to CAs reflecting the failed status for the failed AGN and a transition of an activated SGN to the AGN list.

Abstract: A system includes redundantly configured resources designated as active geo-redundant nodes (AGNs) and standby geo-redundant nodes (SGNs), a set of covered agents (CAs) that rely upon the redundantly configured resources, and a geographic redundancy coverage issuer (GRCI) configured to manage the geo-redundant nodes. The GRCI maintains a CA list identifying a set of subscribers to redundancy management services supported by the GRCI, an AGN list identifying a set of active geo-redundant nodes, and an SGN list identifying a set of standby geo-redundant nodes. The GRCI provides the AGN list and the SGN list to subscriber CAs. In response to receiving a message identifying a failed AGN, the GRCI updates the AGN list to reflect a failed status for the failed AGN and issues an update message to CAs reflecting the failed status for the failed AGN and a transition of an activated SGN to the AGN list.

Abstract: A system and method are described that enable policy-implementing modules in a mobile wireless network to identify the location of a user and render policy-based (e.g., quality of service, accounting, throttling, etc.) decisions based upon a variety of additional information such as: home network availability in a market, user class, time of day, network congestion, application type, etc. The system renders policy decisions, based upon geo-spatial location information, by receiving a mobile wireless data message including a geospatial identifier. Thereafter, a policy engine renders a data service policy decision by applying a policy to the geospatial identifier. The potential classifications identified by the data service policy decision include an in-market roaming mode wherein a data usage is treated as non-roaming, even though associated with a roaming data session, based upon an in-market location specified by the geospatial location information.

Abstract: The present invention provides an “update forwarder” function to facilitate downloading applications to mobile devices. The update forwarder receives updates on its “network side” from one or more device management servers, stores the updates, and then delivers them from its “device side” to one or more mobile devices. By using wired or short-haul wireless links on both its network and device sides, the update forwarder can reduce demand for the precious bandwidth of a widespread wireless network. The update forwarder can receive downloads during off-peak times for the device management servers and at times when the mobile device is turned off or otherwise unavailable. Downloads can be scheduled to be delivered only when the mobile device is not otherwise in use. The update forwarder can be implemented with little cost as one function running on a device, such as a home PC or local server, that already serves other functions.

Abstract: An apparatus is described for managing mobile network services. The apparatus includes a service authorization and utilization control function (SAUCF) element configured to authorize a mobile network service request by acting as a service manager configured to centrally coordinate service authorizations for multiple network services associated with an individual subscriber account by evaluating a service policy defining user access spanning the multiple network services. The service policy includes (a) communication authorization controls affecting permission for a user associated with the subscriber account to access a mobile network service in accordance with one or more criteria applicable to a bundled service category; and (b) charging controls for determining whether a subscriber account includes sufficient credits to use the mobile network service. A real time utilization interface is configured to transmit messages between the SAUCF element and a subscriber service utilization account.

Abstract: The described system and method enable user health monitoring and alerting by providing an arm-mounted sensor wirelessly linked to a wrist-mounted transponder, although the wrist-mounted transponder may be omitted in favor of a user-carried cellular device. In either embodiment of the invention, a remote server is included to receive user health data and alerts, and to log received data and, when necessary, to alert health service providers. Health service providers may include physicians and emergency services providers.

Abstract: The described embodiments of the present invention include a method for controlling authorization of a multimedia service requested by a user device. In one embodiment, the method includes examining an identity of an access network associated with the user device and an identity of the service requested to determine whether the service is supported; authorizing resources in the access network required by the service if the service is supported; rejecting the service if the service is not supported and if a policy associated with the access network requires unsupported services to be rejected; and authorizing a default level of resources in the access network if the service is not supported and if the policy associated with the access network does not require unsupported services to be rejected.

Abstract: Subscriber travel behavior is defined using cellular call location data. The defined travel behavior is used to segment the customer population. In a further aspect of the disclosed principles, a method to consolidate numerous of price plans is disclosed wherein price plans are grouped using cluster analysis. In the context of this disclosure, the term “cluster analysis” encompasses a number of different algorithms and methods for grouping objects of similar kind into respective categories to thus organize observed data into meaningful structures. In this context, cluster analysis is a data analysis process for sorting different objects into groups in a way that the degree of association between two objects is maximal if they belong to the same group and minimal otherwise.

Abstract: A system and method are described whereby a mobile device controls access to mobile applications based on access conditions associated with a current access network. To prevent mobile applications from running when the access conditions are not suitable, the mobile device includes a policy database used to store a list of access conditions that are inappropriate for launching the installed applications. The access conditions are based on the type of the current access network used by the mobile device for launching or maintaining the requested application session. The access conditions indicate whether the mobile device is currently accessing its home network or roaming on another provider's network. Similarly, the access conditions indicate the type of network access interface used by the current network to provide the data connection necessary to run the requested application. The policy database correlates predetermined actions with the access conditions associated with a given application session.

Abstract: The described embodiments of the present invention outline two solutions to the problems described above regarding simple IP data access for pre-paid subscribers. The first solutions includes a method for providing pre-paid simple IP data service to a subscriber in a network, including: sending an access request from a point of attachment in an access network capable of providing an IP network access to a home network remote authentication server which deploys a Pre-Paid Client (PPC) and receiving in the point of attachment an access request response from the home network remote authentication server. The second solution includes a method for providing pre-paid simple IP data service to a subscriber in a network, including: sending an access request from a Mobile Station (MS) which deploys a Pre-Paid Client (PPC) to a home network remote authentication server and receiving in the MS an access request response from the home network remote authentication server.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus for controlling cellular access to data services from a mobile device such as a cellular telephone or PDA. The wireless network monitors IP traffic to and from the mobile device. Attempts to access an data service are checked to determine whether the requested access is authorized. Access to the data service is granted subject to the authorization. Access to the mobile device from external sources is also restricted.

Abstract: A femto cell is provided that automatically routes new communication sessions among the connected mobile and landline handsets based upon local detection of mobile registration with the femto cell, which helps to reduce the backhaul bandwidth requirements and offload backend network processing load. When the mobile handset successfully registers with the femto cell, a User Detection Module at the femto cell routes new calls destined for the mobile telephone number to one or more traditional landline handsets. The femto cell also provides a ring tone to the connected landline handsets for making the outgoing calls. Since the mobile handset remains available for conducting additional communication sessions, the user is able to talk on the landline handset while conducting a simultaneous data session using the mobile phone.

Abstract: A system and method are described for providing proximity-based Internet server access in mobile network environments such as cellular environments to reduce latency and enhance customer satisfaction. In an embodiment of the invention, a Mobile Positioning Center (MPC) caches location information regarding the mobile device. When the mobile device later attempts to resolve the domain name of a distributed service, the domain name service (DNS) server, via a policy manager, queries the MPC for the location of the user. The policy manager of the DNS server may then choose a server based on a number of criteria, including, for example, the geographical proximity of the user to the server.

Abstract: A system and method are described whereby an enhanced handoff scheme provides for monitoring of mobile device conditions and network conditions associated with a current access network attachment, as well as with a plurality of access networks on a preferred access network list, to proactively initiate a handoff operation, thereby preserving the QoS constraints necessary for seamless delivery of IP multimedia services. In an embodiment, each of the plurality of access networks is connected to an IMS core network, whereby a policy function receives quality of service constraints associated with the launched application from the mobile device and orders a list of preferred access networks accordingly. Preferably, the policy function selects an appropriate access gateway associated with a target access network based at least in part on the mobile device conditions reported by the mobile device and the access network conditions monitored by the policy function.

Abstract: The described system and method enable user health monitoring and alerting by providing an arm-mounted sensor wirelessly linked to a wrist-mounted transponder, although the wrist-mounted transponder may be omitted in favor of a user-carried cellular device. In either embodiment of the invention, a remote server is included to receive user health data and alerts, and to log received data and, when necessary, to alert health service providers. Health service providers may include physicians and emergency services providers.