Patents Assigned to Sprint Spectrum L.P.
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Patent number: 8194562Abstract: A method and system for dynamically optimizing access channel parameters in a cellular wireless communication system. A computer system monitors the level of access channel occupancy and the level of reverse link noise in a given cell sector, and the computer system then automatically adjusts access channel parameters for the sector if the access channel occupancy and reverse link noise cooperatively meet certain threshold criteria. Ideally, the adjustments in access channel parameters will help to improve the success of access channel communications. The computer system may be integrated as part of a base station or may be provided as a separate entity.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2009Date of Patent: June 5, 2012Assignee: Sprint Spectrum L.P.Inventors: Meghna N. Gandhi, Hector M. Ribas, E. Michael Shafer
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Patent number: 8189746Abstract: Tags, such as XML tags, are inserted into email to separate email content from signature blocks, privacy notices and confidentiality notices, and to separate original email messages from replies and replies from further replies. The tags are detected by a system that renders email as speech, such as voice command platform or network-based virtual assistant or message center. For example, the system can detect the signature block or privacy notice tags and not render the signature block or privacy notice as speech. The system can render an original email message in one voice mode and the reply in a different voice mode. The tags can be inserted to identify a voice memo in which a user responds to a particular portion of an email message. Preferably, an email server that receives and stored the email message inserts the tags into the email. Alternatively, the tags could be inserted by an email client application.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2009Date of Patent: May 29, 2012Assignee: Sprint Spectrum L.P.Inventors: Balaji S. Thenthiruperai, Elizabeth Roche, Brian Landers, Jesse Kates
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Patent number: 8184811Abstract: In a digital content management system, a mobile device determines whether it is authorized to use digital content by sending, to a service provider, a hash value that has been pre-stored in the mobile device and that is associated with the digital content. The hash value is generated by combining a user identifier, among other data, into a combined hash. The other data included in the combined hash may be, for example, a service provider key unknown to the user, and a hash of the protected content. A telecommunications service provider, such as a service provider of a CDMA wireless network, determines whether the hash value is valid and, accordingly, whether the mobile device is authorized to use the digital content.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2005Date of Patent: May 22, 2012Assignee: Sprint Spectrum L.P.Inventors: Christopher Patten, Michael Williams, Roy Joseph
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Patent number: 8184598Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for implementing low-cost Internet-base-station (LCIB) radio-frequency (RF) adaptation using stationary transceivers. In an embodiment, an LCIB emits a pilot beacon having an adjustable transmission-power level. The LCIB repeatedly wirelessly sends transmissions for receipt by each transceiver in a set of one or more stationary transceivers while increasing the power level at which the transmissions are sent. The transceivers are arranged to wirelessly send acknowledgements to the LCIB upon successful receipt of the transmissions. The LCIB receives at least one acknowledgement from a subset of the transceivers, and responsively sets the pilot-beacon transmission-power level equal to an operating value, which the LCIB selects based at least in part on a minimum transmission-sending power level needed to receive an acknowledgement from each transceiver in the subset.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2008Date of Patent: May 22, 2012Assignee: Sprint Spectrum L.P.Inventors: Ryan S. Talley, Bryan T. Barbee, Timothy W. Sill
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Patent number: 8185092Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for selective scanning for WLAN coverage by a multi-mode device. In at least one embodiment, the multi-mode device determines whether it is both charging and authenticated via a wireless network that operates according to a first protocol, and if it is both, responsively storing reference data—in a profile corresponding with that wireless network—that reflects a current environment of a second wireless network that operates according to a second air-interface protocol that is different from the first. At a later point in time, the multi-mode device detects that a current environment of the second wireless network sufficiently matches the stored reference data, and responsively scanning for coverage according to the first air-interface protocol.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2011Date of Patent: May 22, 2012Assignee: Sprint Spectrum L.P.Inventor: Daniel R. Durig
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Patent number: 8185145Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and systems for dynamically adjusting power allocated for overhead communications in a sector of a radio access network (RAN). An exemplary method involves (a) detecting a switch to RC4 for resource allocation in a given sector; (b) in response to detecting the switch to RC4: (i) determining the location of each access terminal located in the sector; and (ii) based at least in part on the locations of the access terminals, determining mobility of access terminals in the sector; (c) making a determination as to whether or not the mobility is below a threshold level; and (d) if the determined mobility is below the threshold level, then: (i) based at least in part on the determined locations of the access terminals, determining an amount by which to reduce the power allocated for overhead communications in the sector; and (ii) reducing the power by the determined amount.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2009Date of Patent: May 22, 2012Assignee: Sprint Spectrum L.P.Inventors: Shilpa Kowdley Srinivas, Hemanth Balaji Pawar, Anoop K. Goyal, John W. Prock, Bhagwan Khanka
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Patent number: 8180381Abstract: A method and system for reducing an amount of traffic on a paging channel of a wireless communications system by holding a pending page message until a subsequent re-registration request and response cycle scheduled to occur within a threshold amount of time. A radio access network (RAN) may be configured to determine whether an amount of time to a next scheduled re-registration request and response cycle is less than a threshold amount. If the amount of time is less than the threshold amount, the RAN may delay transmission of the pending page message until the next re-registration request and response cycle. By sending the pending page message in a response to a scheduled re-registration request, or by sending the pending page as the response to a received re-registration request, the amount of traffic on the paging channel of the wireless communications system may be reduced.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2009Date of Patent: May 15, 2012Assignee: Sprint Spectrum L.P.Inventors: Manoj Shetty, Sachin Vargantwar, Bhagwan Khanka, Deveshkumar Rai
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Patent number: 8180037Abstract: A system allows automated registration for reminders to be sent to a mobile device, such as a mobile telephone. A telephone number to use to register for an automated reminder is displayed in conjunction with an advertisement for an upcoming event. A user who views the advertisement and wishes to be reminded of the program may dial the number to register for a reminder. The telephone call is received by a reminder system, which identifies the caller and determines the relevant event. The system schedules a reminder corresponding to the event, and it sends the reminder to the caller at the scheduled time. The reminder may be sent to the caller's SMS address.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2005Date of Patent: May 15, 2012Assignee: Sprint Spectrum L.P.Inventors: Jason R. Delker, John Everson
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Patent number: 8179884Abstract: An access point for a wireless wide area network might receive a request from a wireless device to establish a session on the wireless wide area network. In response, the access point might establish a circuit switched uplink channel and a packet switched downlink channel for communications with the wireless device during the session. The access point might communicate with other wireless devices in this manner as well. Additionally, the access point might employ power control methods for the circuit switched uplink channels, and it might employ rate control methods for the packet switched downlink channels.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2009Date of Patent: May 15, 2012Assignee: Sprint Spectrum L.P.Inventors: Manish Mangal, Mark Yarkosky
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Patent number: 8180333Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus, system, and method for differentially routing communication-usage records based on an identity of the base station that served the underlying communication. For example, if the base station is a home carrier base station, then the communication-usage records may be routed to a particular usage-tracking system, whereas, if the base station is an affiliate carrier base station, then the communication-usage records may be routed to a different usage-tracking system. Further, depending on the base station identity, the routing of the communication-usage records may be delayed or may be more immediate.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2009Date of Patent: May 15, 2012Assignee: Sprint Spectrum L.P.Inventors: Anthony C. Wells, Roger Bartlett, Terry D. Nebergall
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Patent number: 8180407Abstract: A method and system for conserving battery power in a portable communication device. When a user puts the device into a media player mode such as by invoking a media player application on the device, the device will automatically reduce the extent to which it engages in background wireless transmissions, such as radio link control messaging, presence update messaging, and so forth, to help conserve battery power. In turn, when the device exits the media player mode, the device may then automatically revert to its normal extent of background wireless transmission.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2007Date of Patent: May 15, 2012Assignee: Sprint Spectrum L.P.Inventors: Jonathan R. Kindred, Geoffrey S. Martin
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Patent number: 8180388Abstract: Methods and systems for reducing the latency of instant communication session establishment are presented. According to various preferred embodiments, a RAN, may receive a setup request message via a packet-switched network. The RAN may determine, from a quality of service (QOS) indication contained in the setup request message, that the setup request message is requesting establishment of a instant communication session. The RAN may further determine an intended destination wireless communication device (WCD) for the setup request message. Based on the QOS indication and/or a profile indicating the destination WCD's capabilities, the RAN may pre-allocate resources for the instant communication session in parallel to paging the destination WCD. In this way, the latencies associated with these procedures are overlapped, thus reducing the overall latency of instant communication session establishment.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2008Date of Patent: May 15, 2012Assignee: Sprint Spectrum L.P.Inventors: Mohammad Ghaus, Pinal Tailor, Hetal Mistry, Ashish Bhan, Jason P. Sigg, Anthony K. Leung, Jasinder P. Singh, Maulik K. Shah
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Patent number: 8179842Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for encapsulating upper layers of CDMA signaling messages between a multi-mode device and a signaling gateway. In an exemplary embodiment, a multi-mode device has a CDMA mode and a Wi-Fi mode. In Wi-Fi mode, the device generates an upper-layer portion of a CDMA signaling message. The device then encapsulates the first upper-layer portion in at least one packet-switched-protocol, such as SIP. The device then transmits the encapsulated upper-layer portion of the CDMA signaling message via a Wi-Fi network and a packet-switched network to a signaling gateway, which then translates the upper-layer portion into an SS7 message, and transmits the SS7 message over an SS7 network.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2011Date of Patent: May 15, 2012Assignee: Sprint Spectrum L.P.Inventors: Dan Durig, Arun Santharam, Robert C. Lamb
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Patent number: 8180393Abstract: A method and system for using location of a cellular wireless communication device (WCD) as a basis to restrict application of a cellular-PBX integration service. In one embodiment, a radio access network (RAN) serving the WCD receives a call request for the WCD, and, based on the WCD's location, a determination is made as to whether the call should be set up to an IP PBX server that serves the WCD, to allow the IP PBX server to handle the call. In another embodiment, an IP PBX server serving a WCD receives a call request and responsively signals to a call session control function (CSCF), and the CSCF or a policy server decides based on the WCD's location whether the call should be set up to the RAN that serves the WCD, to allow the RAN to handle the call.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2005Date of Patent: May 15, 2012Assignee: Sprint Spectrum L.P.Inventors: Jeffrey F. Phillips, Lyle W. Paczkowski, Mark R. Bales, Farni B. Weaver
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Patent number: 8175550Abstract: Elimination of intermodulation interference in a wireless communication system by removing a portion of the spectrum of transmitted signals. According to a received indication of an occurrence of intermodulation interference experienced by a narrowband receiver, mappings are performed between the predetermined narrowband channel frequency on which the narrowband receiver operates and the occupied channel frequencies of at least one broadband transmit signal. Narrowband candidate frequency ranges that linearly combine into frequencies that overlap the predetermined narrowband channel frequency are determined based on the mappings. The narrowband candidate frequency ranges that potentially contribute to the intermodulation interference are then selectively filtered by at least one notch filter until the intermodulation interference is substantially eliminated.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2011Date of Patent: May 8, 2012Assignee: Sprint Spectrum L.P.Inventors: Samuel M. Woleben, Mark L. Yarkosky, Robert C. Pippert
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Patent number: 8169951Abstract: A method and system for establishing wireless IP connectivity, in which a wireless communication device (WCD) obtains a routable IP address during its registration with a radio access network, rather than first registering with the RAN and then subsequently requesting and acquiring packet-data connectivity. Preferably, when the WCD sends a radio access registration request that triggers a registration notification to a home location register (HLR), the HLR or an associated entity will assign an IP address for use by the WCD and will deliver the assigned IP address in a registration notification response message to the RAN. The RAN will then deliver the assigned IP address to the WCD over the air in a radio access registration response message. The WCD may then use the assigned IP address to engage in packet data communications, such as to set up a VoIP session with another IP node, for instance.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2009Date of Patent: May 1, 2012Assignee: Sprint Spectrum L.P.Inventor: Manish Mangal
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Method and system for integrated management of base transceiver station (BTS) with wireless backhaul
Patent number: 8170544Abstract: A base transceiver station (BTS) includes a radio access network (RAN) interface for communicating with mobile stations and a backhaul interface for communicating with a backhaul network. A RAN element management system generates RAN status information based on event notifications from the RAN interface. A backhaul element management system generates backhaul status information based on event notifications from the backhaul interface. A correlation engine generates correlated status information for the BTS based on the RAN status information and the backhaul status information. The correlated status information indicates performance of the RAN interface in combination with the backhaul interface. The correlated status information is monitored at a network management system (NMS). The NMS may be used to take corrective actions to address problems identified in the correlated status information.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2007Date of Patent: May 1, 2012Assignee: Sprint Spectrum L.P.Inventors: Durga Prasad Satapathy, Bruce E Hoffman, Mohammad Wasif Hussain, Harold W Johnson, Youngil Ha -
Patent number: 8169952Abstract: A method and system for selectively applying a cellular-PBX integration service. When a radio access network (RAN) receives a call request seeking to set up a call for a cellular wireless communication device (WCD) that is operating in the coverage area of the RAN, a determination is made as to whether the WCD is currently checked-into a cellular-PBX integration service. A service control point (SCP), for instance, may make the determination. If the determination is that the WCD is currently checked-in, then the call is set up to an IP PBX server that services the WCD, and the IP PBX server may then handle the call as it would handle a call placed to any IP PBX extension. Further, differential billing can be applied, charging an enterprise billing-account for the call if the WCD is checked-in, and charging a WCD billing-account for the call if the WCD is not checked-in.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2011Date of Patent: May 1, 2012Assignee: Sprint Spectrum L.P.Inventors: Charles E. Woodson, Jeffrey F. Phillips, Lyle W. Paczkowski, Mark R. Bales, Farni B. Weaver
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Patent number: 8169962Abstract: A radio access network (RAN) receives a request to route a call from a caller to a mobile station, assigns a wireless traffic channel to the mobile station for the call, and detects a no-answer condition for the call (because a user of the mobile station does not answer the call within a predetermined time period or has chosen to ignore the call). In response to the no-answer condition, the RAN redirects the call to a voice mail system and keeps the wireless traffic channel assigned to the mobile station while the caller interacts with the voice mail system. The RAN determines that the caller has left a voice mail message on the voice mail system and transmits an indication of the voice mail message to the mobile station over the wireless traffic channel.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2009Date of Patent: May 1, 2012Assignee: Sprint Spectrum L.P.Inventors: Sachin R. Vargantwar, Deveshkumar Rai, Bhagwan Khanka, Jasinder P. Singh
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Patent number: 8165599Abstract: A location of a mobile station is estimated based on wireless communications between the mobile station and a wireless telecommunications network. Call measurement data is obtained for a call involving the mobile station and a plurality of base station antennas. The call measurement data includes round-trip delay (RTD) measurements and received signal strength (RSS) measurements. The most significant one or more base station antennas involved in the call are identified. An expected signal strength is calculated for each significant base station antenna, according to a wireless propagation model that accounts for terrain around the base station antennas. For each significant base station antenna, the corresponding expected signal strength, RTD measurement, and RSS measurement are used to calculate an adjusted RTD value. The one or more adjusted RTD values calculated for the one or more significant base station antennas are used to estimate the mobile station's location.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2008Date of Patent: April 24, 2012Assignee: Sprint Spectrum L.P.Inventors: Srirama Krishna Dronamraju, Abhishek Lall, Vishu Srinivasamurthy