Abstract: The present invention provides a generic extension module, such as a billing extension module, that can be used to extend a carrier's application's support for real-time billing events. Billing events are triggered around billable operations in the carrier's application, such as the operation to accept a message that was submitted to a server or the operation to deliver a message. The start of an event is triggered before the operation is performed and the end of the event is triggered after the operation is performed. An application can trigger the same event for different operations. Each billing event has associated with it a billing record that has data about the operation and that can be used to charge for the operation that triggered the event. Events can also be linked together if charges are based on the execution of related operations.

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: Improved approaches for adapting settings of wireless communication devices based on estimated proximity to respective users. In accordance with one aspect, one or more settings of a wireless communication device can be automatically altered in accordance with motion (if any) of the wireless communication device. Consequently, settings of the wireless communication device can be dynamically adapted based on the proximity (e.g., motion) of the wireless communication device to its user.

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: Improved techniques for reducing delays faced by users of mobile devices due to unavailability of wireless networks are disclosed. The techniques facilitate the reduction of delays faced by users of mobile devices during unavailability of wireless networks. A first technique allows mobile devices to communicate with remote servers using asynchronous communications, namely asynchronous requests. Such asynchronous communications allow the processing at a mobile device to continue while the asynchronous request is processed in the background. A second technique pertains to the use of content channels with mobile devices. The content channels are stored and retained in cache memory so that their resources are guaranteed to be locally available, regardless of availability of wireless networks. A third technique pertains to improved list processing within mobile devices such that lists can be manipulated without server interaction. These various techniques can be used separately or in combination.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for the acquisition of automobile traffic information through wireless data networks. In one embodiment, the method determines traffic conditions on roadways using a plurality of mobile communication devices. Traffic data is obtained from the mobile communication devices. The traffic data is provided to the server. The traffic data is analyzed to determine the traffic conditions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sharing data structures among multiple processes by using STL (Standard Template Library) objects in a shared memory segment.

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: In a technique for enhancing discoverability and increasing usage of a web browser in a mobile device on a wireless network, a server system coupled to the wireless network receives a signal representing initiation of a voice call from the mobile device. In response, the server system performs a lookup to determine whether a website is associated with the telephone number being called. If a website is associated with the telephone number being called and the mobile device has the capability to access and display the website, the server system sends an Alert to the mobile device, causing the mobile device to notify its user about the website. The user may then input a selection to either access the website instead of completing the call or to proceed with the voice call.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a business model and method for generating and distributing Telecom and Internet revenue between a wireless network operator and an Internet Partner company. The inventive business model provides an Internet web-site for the carrier's subscribers, with the web-site being developed by the Internet Partner. The web-site features applications and services tailored to the subscribers in their role as users of a mobile wireless communications device. The invention provides incentives to increase network usage and conduct transactions that generate value for both the wireless network operator and the Internet Partner.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for seamless message retrieval during a data session at a mobile station is presented herein. While viewing information related to messages stored for the subscriber, the subscriber can select a particular message for listening to or responding to by voice. Responsive thereto, a record indicating the selected action and any selected message is stored in a state server, the data session is automatically terminated, and a phone call is placed to a telephony server. Upon completion of the phone call, the telephony server determines the action and selected message by querying the state server. The state server returns an operation code and an identifier identifying any selected voice message. The telephony server then performs the indicated operation. Wherein the operation is to play the selected message, the telephony server plays the selected message. Wherein the operation is to respond to an email by voice, the telephony server records a voice message from the subscriber.

Abstract: A system and method of determining a dynamic cursor advance time delay for a multi-tap key is disclosed. First, an elapsed time between a selection of a first key and a selection of a second key is measured. The measured elapsed time is then compared to a current cursor advance time delay. The current cursor advance time delay is then adjusted. In one embodiment, measuring the elapsed time between the selection of the first key and the selection of the second key includes averaging the elapsed time with previously recorded elapsed times.

Abstract: A system configured to manage and process service requests within a data network. The system comprises a link server device that is configured to receive a service request from an interactive communication device, wherein the link server device attaches link server information to the service request indicating the operational capabilities of the link server device. A server device configured to receive the service request from the link server device and supply a service request response based upon information in the service request and the link server information. Wherein the link server executes a service command upon receipt of the service request response and supplies a status response to the interactive communication device.

Abstract: A secure push server is disclosed. The push server is used for sending notifications to different wireless clients on different wireless networks. The push server allows information service providers to send notifications to the wireless clients. The information service providers initiate a request to the push server that includes updated information. The request also includes a certificate from the information service provider. The push server authenticates the request from the information service provider by verifying the certificate. The push server also determines if the certificate was issued from an acceptable certificate authority by examining an acceptable certificate authority list. Finally, the push server checks the content of the notification to be sure it does not interfere with other information service providers. After performing the security checks, the push server processes the notification request.

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: 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: 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: Improved techniques for reducing delays faced by users of mobile devices due to unavailability of wireless networks are disclosed. The techniques facilitate the reduction of delays faced by users of mobile devices during unavailability of wireless networks. A first technique allows mobile devices to communicate with remote servers using asynchronous communications, namely asynchronous requests. Such asynchronous communications allow the processing at a mobile device to continue while the asynchronous request is processed in the background. A second technique pertains to the use of content channels with mobile devices. The content channels are stored and retained in cache memory so that their resources are guaranteed to be locally available, regardless of availability of wireless networks. A third technique pertains to improved list processing within mobile devices such that lists can be manipulated without server interaction. These various techniques can be used separately or in combination.

Abstract: A secure push server is disclosed. The push server is used for sending notifications to different wireless clients on different wireless networks. The push server allows information service providers to send notifications to the wireless clients. The information service providers initiate a request to the push server that includes updated information. The request also includes a certificate from the information service provider. The push server authenticates the request from the information service provider by verifying the certificate. The push server also determines if the certificate was issued from an acceptable certificate authority by examining an acceptable certificate authority list. Finally, the push server checks the content of the notification to be sure it does not interfere with other information service providers. After performing the security checks, the push server processes the notification request.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dynamically adjusting timing parameters in a wireless data network is disclosed. A server system receives a set of timing statistics that may include a set of timing statistics measured by a wireless client and a set of timing statistics measured by a server device that services the wireless client. The timing statistics reflect the performance of the wireless network. Using the timing statistics and other timing related information such as the type of the wireless networks, the sever device determines a new set of timing parameters to be used by itself and the wireless client device or other client devices. Besides other functional values having impact on the performance of the wireless data network, the timing parameters include an ordered set of numbers that represents a back-off curve for message retransmission. The server device then transmits the new timing parameters respectively to one or more wireless client devices.