Patents Assigned to Sprint Communication Cômpany L.P.
  • Patent number: 9208339
    Abstract: Systems and methods for transmitting information between virtual environments comprising: copying a first virtual environment, wherein the first virtual environment comprises a plurality of original applications, a first clock, and a first trusted security zone to create a second virtual environment, wherein the second virtual environment comprises a copy of at least some applications of the plurality of original applications, a second clock, and a second trusted security zone. The first trusted security zone may receive a request from a copied application to engage in a transmission with an original application. The first trusted security zone may then determine if a nonce associated with the copied application is a verified nonce, wherein determining if the nonce is a verified nonce comprises comparing, by the first trusted security zone, the nonce associated with the copied application to a nonce associated with the at least one original application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Lyle W. Paczkowski, William M. Parsel, Carl J. Persson, Matthew Carl Schlesener
  • Patent number: 9208513
    Abstract: A mobile phone comprising a processor, a memory comprising a system partition and a data partition, and an application stored in the system partition of the memory. When executed by the processor, the application determines a brand identity associated with the mobile phone, accesses branding assets associated with the application based on the brand identity, and adapts the function of the application based on the accessed branding assets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Brian D. Mauer, Kenneth J. Raaf, M. Jeffrey Stone, Robert L. Waldrop
  • Patent number: 9210533
    Abstract: A wireless base station schedules allocated resource blocks from an OFDM resource block structure to a UEs and holds unallocated resource blocks from the OFDM resource block structure for machines. The base station decodes wireless OFDM signals based on the OFDM resource block structure to obtain user data from the UEs using the allocated resource blocks and to obtain machine data from the machine devices using the unallocated resource blocks. The base station processes the machine data from the unallocated resource blocks to validate authorization marks in individual resource blocks. The base station transfers portions of the machine data having the valid authorization marks for delivery. The base station inhibits the transfer of machine data not having the valid authorization marks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Manoj Monga, Saravana Velusamy, Suryanarayanan Ramamurthy
  • Patent number: 9210576
    Abstract: A cellular wireless modem. The cellular wireless modem comprises a cellular radio transceiver, a short range communication interface, a processor, wherein the processor comprises a trusted security zone, a memory, wherein the memory stores an input forwarding application, and a trusted security zone extension application stored in the memory. When executed by the processor, the extension application provisions the input forwarding application to an intelligent appliance via the short range communication interface, receives input from the input forwarding application executing on the intelligent appliance via the short range communication interface, and transmits a message based on the input via the cellular radio transceiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Warren B. Cope, Lyle W. Paczkowski
  • Patent number: 9210582
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for adding and removing unanchored small cell sites for a cluster that delivers precision time protocol frequency and phase synchronization over a network without on-path support are provided. In embodiments, the method includes continuously measuring, in an asymmetric network without on-path support, an anchor path delay. A maximum standard allowable (MSA) delay variation is determined for the cluster. A respective round trip (RT) delay is continuously measured from the host site to each unanchored small cell site in the cluster. The anchor path delay is compared to each respective RT delay to determine a respective unanchored delay variation. In embodiments, unanchored small cell sites are be added to or removed from the cluster based on a comparison of a respective unanchored delay variation to the MSA delay variation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Timothy Hugh Pearson, Steven Kenneth Guthrie
  • Patent number: 9201716
    Abstract: A method, system, and medium are provided for automatically determining a preferred queue size for an individual queue based on message traffic. The method includes referencing a plurality of queue data sets corresponding to messages associated with a queue within a collection time period. A queue data set associated with a largest number of messages in the queue is identified from within the plurality of queue data sets and, thereafter, a target-queue size is determined using queue data associated with the largest number of messages in the queue. In further aspects, the individual queue can be automatically tuned based on the target-queue size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventor: Mark D. Leonard
  • Patent number: 9203978
    Abstract: Methods and products for providing an item of content to a mobile device in a prepaid context by way of a wireless telecommunications network are provided. One embodiment of a method includes receiving an indication that the item of content is desired to be communicated to a mobile device (which is associated with a certain customer); determining that the customer obtains wireless-telecommunications services by way of either a piecemeal plan or a recurring-fees plan; when the customer is associated with the piecemeal plan, determining that a remaining amount of the prepaid balance is insufficient to pay for the desired content (and thereby triggering a first follow-up process); and when the customer is associated with the recurring plan, determining that an immediate-payment option does not exist (and thereby triggering a second follow-up process).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Michael A. Gailloux, John Michael Everson, Jeffrey Scott Dillon, Robin D. Katzer, Jason Robert-Anthony Delker
  • Patent number: 9204239
    Abstract: A method of making customization changes on a mobile communication device, comprises identifying, on the mobile communication device, the bandwidth of a bearer channel of the mobile communication device, and selecting at least one server from which to request a customization payload based at least in part on the bandwidth of the bearer channel of the mobile communication device, wherein different servers are configured to access different portions of the customization package. The method further comprises sending a request for the customization payload to the selected server, receiving the customization payload from the selected server, and performing customization changes on the mobile communication device in response to receiving customization information contained in the customization payload.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventor: Bret D. Sumner
  • Patent number: 9204286
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a method of branding a mobile device is disclosed. The method comprises installing a service brand package on the mobile device, where the service brand package is configured to provision the mobile device with a service brand network. The method further comprises receiving at least one signal on the mobile device, wherein the signal informs the mobile device of its geographic location. The method further comprises associating, by the mobile device, the geographic location of the mobile device with the location of a mobile service brand center, wherein the mobile service brand center is associated with the brand network. The method further comprises provisioning the mobile device with the brand network based on the association of the geographic location of the mobile device with the mobile service brand center, wherein provisioning comprises activating the service brand package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Brandon C. Annan, John E. Belser, Dale S. Schempp
  • Patent number: 9198045
    Abstract: A method of maintaining a lock state of a mobile communication device is disclosed. The method comprises a provisioning server receiving a request to unlock a mobile communication device. The method further comprises, in response to the request, the provisioning server provisioning the mobile communication device with a payload. The payload comprises unlock instructions to be executed, and a list of pre-approved telecommunications service providers. The payload further comprises instructions that lock the device if the mobile communication device attempts to activate or connect to a service provider that is not identified in the list of pre-approved service providers. The payload further comprises instructions to block attempts by applications installed on the mobile communication device to connect to a domestic network while the mobile communication device is communicatively coupled to a foreign network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Jagannath Ghoshal, Bret D. Sumner, Simon Youngs
  • Patent number: 9198182
    Abstract: A wireless access node and method for a carrier aggregation (CA) communication mode between the wireless access node and a User Equipment device (UE) are provided. The wireless access node in one example includes a communication interface configured to allocate one or more traffic channels and a signaling channel between the wireless access node and the UE and a processing system coupled to the communication interface and configured to determine a UE location of the UE in preparation for switching to a CA communication mode, determine if the UE is in-building using the UE location and setting a UE in-building state based on the UE location, and if the UE in-building state is true, then allocate a plurality of CA traffic channels to the UE from a building-penetrating frequency band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Sreekar Marupaduga, Rajveen Narendran, Andrew Mark Wurtenberger
  • Patent number: 9197485
    Abstract: Computer-readable media, systems, and methods for geographically appropriate domain name system assignment are described. In embodiments, a mobile internet protocol session is initialized with a packet data serving node, and a registration request is communicated to a home agent, the home agent acting as a router on a home network of the mobile device and enabled to tunnel one or more data packets to the mobile device when the mobile device is outside the home network. Further, in embodiments a registration reply is received from the home agent, the registration reply including a domain name system server assignment to a domain name system server acting as a translator capable of converting one or more hostnames into one or more associated IP addresses during the mobile IP session.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Jeremy R. Breau, Lyle Bertz, Pallavur Sankaranaraynan, John Belser
  • Patent number: 9198027
    Abstract: A method for open mobile alliance (OMA) device management (DM) and over-the-air customization of a generic mobile device is disclosed. The method comprises receiving an activation message from the generic mobile device to register with a service provider, wherein the generic mobile device is pre-configured to support a plurality of functions. The method also comprises associating the generic mobile device with a service provider from the service providers as indicated by the activation message. The method further comprises sending one or more OMA service objects to customize the generic mobile device according to the service provider, wherein the one or more OMA service objects enable or disable each of the pre-configured functions on the generic mobile device to support one or more service features available by the service provider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventor: Robert E. Urbanek
  • Patent number: 9191620
    Abstract: A communication device that promotes an augmented reality voice call is disclosed. The communication device comprises a processor, a memory, and an application stored in the memory that, when executed by the processor, identifies a calling party or called party of a voice call of the communication device, downloads an avatar, wherein the avatar is a graphical representation associated with the calling party or called party; the application creates an image combining the avatar and a graphical representation of a living environment selected by the user of the communication device, and presents the image on a display of the communication device during the voice call.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Robin D. Katzer, Hemant Tiwari
  • Patent number: 9191804
    Abstract: Methods are disclosed for managing subscribe messages that are sent to various applications on behalf of a mobile device. The subscription manager determines which applications the mobile device can access and receives a notification that the mobile device has become registered with the network. It then communicates a subscribe message to one or more of the applications to which the mobile device has access so that the mobile device can communicate with the applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Lyle W. Paczkowski, Farni B. Weaver, Nicolas A. Nehme Antoun
  • Patent number: 9191388
    Abstract: A method of communicating with a computing device having a trusted security zone comprises mapping a unique identifier for a computing device with a trust zone access control (TZAC) address, composing a message comprising the trust zone access control address, and routing the message to the computing device based on the unique identifier. The computing device comprises a normal security zone and a trusted security zone that is separate from the normal security zone, and the trust zone access control address is a unique identifier associated with a hardware component of the trusted security zone within the computing device. The message is internally routed to the trusted security zone within the computing device using on the trust zone access control address.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Lyle W. Paczkowski, William M. Parsel, Matthew C. Schlesener
  • Patent number: 9191265
    Abstract: A communication system controls a Long Term Evolution (LTE) media session with an Internet Multimedia Subsystem (IMS). An LTE Packet Gateway (P-GW) establishes an IMS bearer between User Equipment (UE) and an IMS server. The IMS server receives a media session request over the IMS bearer and processes the media session request to establish the media session including transferring a media session instruction for delivery to an LTE Policy, Charging, and Rules Function (PCRF) system. The IMS server detects a PCRF bypass condition for the media session, and in response, transfers a UE session instruction for delivery to the UE to use the IMS bearer for the media session. The UE and IMS server exchange media data for the media session over the IMS bearer through the LTE P-GW.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventor: Ryan J. McGinn
  • Patent number: 9191817
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and software for operating communication systems and wireless communication devices are provided herein. In one example, a method of operating a wireless communication is provided. In processing circuitry of the wireless communication device, the method includes receiving a user request in an application for a voice call over a wireless communication network. In security circuitry of the wireless communication device, the method includes processing the request and a security key associated with the wireless communication network to authorize an identification number for the voice call over the wireless communication network, and indicating the identification number to the application. In a communication transceiver of the wireless communication device, the method includes, responsive to the application initiating the voice call using the identification number, exchanging communications of the voice call over the wireless communication network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Lyle Walter Paczkowski, Stephanie Marie Lashley, Wade C. Burris
  • Patent number: 9191865
    Abstract: A Long Term Evolution (LTE) communication network transfers data communications for User Equipment (UE). An LTE gateway system exchanges hardware trust data with a server system to maintain hardware trust for the LTE gateway system. An LTE access node processes a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message that contains a trusted bearer requirement for the UE to generate an S1 Application Protocol (S1-AP) initial UE message that contains the trusted bearer requirement for the UE. An LTE management node processes the S1-AP initial UE message to generate a General Packet Radio Service Transfer Protocol (GTP) create session message that contains the trusted bearer requirement for the UE. The LTE gateway system exchanges user data for the UE between the LTE access node and a communication node responsive to the GTP create session message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Lyle Walter Paczkowski, Arun Rajagopal, Ronald R. Marquardt
  • Patent number: 9191522
    Abstract: A mobile communication device that monitors and reports consumption of multi-tiered communication services is disclosed. The mobile communication device comprises a radio frequency transceiver, a processor, a memory, and an application stored in the memory. The application, when executed by the processor in a trusted security zone, wherein the trusted security zone provides hardware assisted trust; monitors a tier of communication service consumption, wherein a tier of communication service is associated to at least one of the amount of data, the data throughput, the latency, or the jitter; creates logs of communication service consumption differentiated by tier, and transmits a message containing the logs of the communication service consumption to a billing data store in a network of a service provider associated with the mobile communication device, whereby a bill is created by a billing server accessing the billing data store.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Michael D. Krieger, Lyle W. Paczkowski, Matthew C. Schlesener