Abstract: Email messages stored on a mail server are filtered to identify the email messages that contain unwanted content. The mail server receives incoming email messages over a network. A content filter performs an initial scan to identify the incoming email messages that contain unwanted content by determining whether signatures associated with the email messages are included on a list of signatures that identify email messages that are known to include unwanted content. The email messages that are not identified as containing unwanted content are forwarded to appropriate mail boxes on the mail server. Multiple scanning threads perform a subsequent scan of the email messages in the mail boxes to identify those email messages containing unwanted content that were not identified by the initial scan. The subsequent scan determines whether signatures associated with the email messages in the mail boxes are included in an updated list of the signatures.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for providing subscriber delivered and personalized location-based services. In one embodiment, the invention is implemented in an intelligent wireless network (100). A subscriber initiates the location-based service process by entering a service request using a wireless telephone (102). The request is transmitted to an intelligent network platform (112) via cell site equipment (108) and MSC (110). An application implementing the process that runs on the platform (112) receives subscriber profile information (114), location finding equipment inputs (116) and service information (118) related to the service request. Based on these inputs, the application selects location-based service data that is transmitted to the telephone (102) via a data server (120), the MSC (110) and the cell site equipment.

Abstract: A system and method of for exchanging information between a wireless network and an external system is disclosed. The wireless network detects trigger events related to communications with wireless subscribers. Certain event triggers cause the wireless system to create a message to send to the external system. In response the external system may send information to the wireless system. The wireless system may create messages upon detection of handoff, origination, status, registration or other activity by the wireless subscriber. The invention may also detect trigger events related one mass media broadcasts. An interface translates between the different protocols of the wireless and the external or wireline networks to allow for automatic call redirection. The application can be utilized between many networks and facilitates the utilization of the architecture of a wirelined network and the home location register of the wireless network for various applications on the wireless network.

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 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 present invention has been made in consideration of thin devices efficiently communicating ideas and transactions into data networks by using other devices with full functional user interface in the networks. According to one aspect of the present invention, the thin device exclusively controls the authentication of a rendezvous that is associated with a user account in a server. The thin device running a micro-browser provisions the rendezvous with a set of credential information in an authenticated and secure communication session so that the provisioning process is truly proprietary. To access the user account, the other devices equipped with well-known browsers must submit the correct credential information to the rendezvous for verification in the server.

Abstract: The present invention has been made in consideration of thin devices efficiently communicating ideas and transactions into data networks by using other devices with full functional user interface in the networks. According to one aspect of the present invention, the thin device exclusively controls the authentication of a rendezvous that is associated with a user account in a server. The thin device running a micro-browser provisions the rendezvous with a set of credential information in an authenticated and secure communication session so that the provisioning process is truly proprietary. To access the user account, the other devices equipped with well-known browsers must submit the correct credential information to the rendezvous for verification in the server.

Abstract: A method for accessing data contained in a data network using a mobile device or a different computing device. Common data may be accessed by both the mobile device and the computing device, with the mobile device communicating over a wireless data network and the computing device communicating over a data network such as the Internet, a private network or a network of public and private networks. A different format may be used to process and display the data on each of the two devices, with the data being converted as necessary for display on the devices. The data may be updated by the computing device and then made available to the mobile device.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for monitoring the activities and/or locations of wireless units in a wireless network independent of location-based service preferences of those wireless units. That is, a system and method is provided that allows an authorized requester override location-based service preferences (e.g., privacy settings) that may be set for a wireless unit. In this regard, an authorized entity may be able to effectively locate and/or monitor the activities of a wireless unit associated with an individual of interest. Furthermore, if proper authorization exists, such monitoring may be done surreptitiously without the wireless unit user's knowledge and/or consent. For example, in some instances, law enforcement agencies may be authorized to monitor call traffic and/or the location of persons utilizing wireless units.

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.

Abstract: A wireless telecommunications carrier operates a commerce platform in a trusted domain, which may store sensitive information associated with a consumer. During a credit card based transaction, a merchant's POS terminal sends transaction information to an acquirer. The acquirer recognizes the transaction type and responds by routing the transaction information to the commerce platform. The commerce platform validates the transaction by verifying the identity of the user. When the transaction is validated, the commerce platform notifies the acquirer, which initiates a clearing process. When the transaction clears, the acquirer notifies the commerce platform and signals the merchant's POS terminal to output a paper receipt. The commerce platform stores a digital receipt of the transaction and signals the wireless device to output a confirmation message to the consumer. The consumer's credit card number and other sensitive information may be restricted to the trusted domain, which excludes the merchant.

Abstract: An interface for accessing data from one or more information systems using a wireless telephone or other user device. The interface is presented to a user as an abstraction of a unified mailbox and permits access by the user to messaging and other services from the wireless device. The interface is coupled to one or more converting modules to convert user inputs from the format in which they are received into a format that may be input to the desired information system.

Abstract: In a mobile device operating on a wireless network, one of multiple selectable proxies and its corresponding protocol stack are selected, to proxy a request and response, based on the application making the request. Connection information for each available proxy is stored in a configuration store. The application requests a Net Proxy object for the particular proxy and protocol stack to be used. The Net Proxy object contains a subset of the stored connection information specific to the particular proxy. An HttpAction object is then created for the request, and the Net Proxy object is linked to the HttpAction object. The HttpAction object is provided to a request manager, which dispatches the request to an appropriate protocol stack, based on the content of the net Proxy object linked to the HttpAction object, which causing the request to be sent to the selected proxy.

Abstract: Multiple location finding equipment (LFE) inputs are used to enhance location information made available to wireless location-based applications. A wireless network utilizes a mobile switching center to route communications between wireless stations, a network platform, and a variety of LFE systems. A Location Finding System (LFS), resident on the network platform, receives location information from the LFEs and provides location information to wireless location based applications. In this regard, the LFS can receive input information at varying time intervals of varying accuracies and in various formats, and can provide standardized outputs to the applications, for example, depending on the needs of the applications. Multiple inputs may also be co-processed for enhanced accuracy. A specification can be used to ensure that location information at least meets certain minimum criteria, such as geographical accuracy, allowable age, acceptable response time, and confidence.

Abstract: A method for communicating communication network availability information regarding an individual to at least one subscriber of the individual's availability information. According to one embodiment, the method includes detecting whether the individual is present on at least one communication network and determining availability of the individual for each access level of a profile of the individual. The method further includes publishing via a network the availability of the individual to the subscriber based on an access level of the subscriber and the presence information. In addition, the method includes filtering the availability of the individual when it is detected that the individual is no longer present on the communication network.

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: A network server system includes a download manager that manages the publication, purchase and delivery of digital products from multiple suppliers to wireless services subscribers in multiple domains. Product 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 domain can access the server remotely to purchase rights to download and use the products on associated wireless communication devices. Multiple different implementations of any product can be maintained, where each implementation corresponds to a different set of device capabilities. Each product can also be associated with multiple different provisioning models, each corresponding to a different set of device capabilities.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods, including computer program products, for providing a network-accessible queue. The queue is stored on a network-accessible file system having a locking mechanism providing strictly-enforced, network-wide file locking. The data structures of the queue are stored in the file system. The file system is preferably implemented on a network accessible RAID array storage device providing a native CIFS file system for storing queue entries received over a network from sender clients and for delivery of such queue entries to receiver clients. Synchronization is implemented using file locks enforced by the file system, so there is no need for a master synchronization process. Notification of the availability of queue entries to receiver clients is also done by a decentralized process.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for monitoring the activities and/or locations of wireless units in a wireless network independent of location-based service preferences of those wireless units. That is, a system and method is provided that allows an authorized requester override location-based service preferences (e.g., privacy settings) that may be set for a wireless unit. In this regard, an authorized entity may be able to effectively locate and/or monitor the activities of a wireless unit associated with an individual of interest. Furthermore, if proper authorization exists, such monitoring may be done surreptitiously without the wireless unit user's knowledge and/or consent. For example, in some instances, law enforcement agencies may be authorized to monitor call traffic and/or the location of persons utilizing wireless units.