Patents Assigned to Sprint Spectrum L.P.
  • Method and system for customizing a wireless device's user-interface based on which vendor distributed the wireless device
    Patent number: 7769371
    Abstract: A method and system for customizing a wireless device's user-interface is provided. A wireless carrier will use an identifier of the wireless device (such as an electronic serial number) as a basis to correlate the device with a vendor of the device and in turn to select a customization package that defines a user-interface corresponding with the vendor. For instance, the user interface can have color schemes, graphics, sounds and other attributes that are similar to the color schemes, graphics, sounds and other attributes that the vendor uses to promote the vendor's services or products. The wireless carrier will then send the customization package (or a pointer to the customization package) to the device, over the air for instance. And the device will responsively adopt the selected user interface as a base user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Sprint Spectrum L.P.
    Inventors: Robert C. Lamb, Pierre Barbeau
  • Method and system using overlapping frequency bands in a hybrid frequency reuse plan
    Patent number: 7769073
    Abstract: The wireless coverage of a wireless telecommunications network is divided into a plurality of cells, and each cell is further divided into an alpha sector, a beta sector, and a gamma sector. The alpha sectors are provided with a first frequency assignment that includes a first frequency band and a second frequency band. The beta sectors are provided with a second frequency assignment that includes the first frequency band and a third frequency band. The gamma sectors are provided with a third frequency assignment that includes the first frequency band and a fourth frequency band. The second and third frequency bands partially overlap in frequency. The third and fourth frequency bands also partially overlap in frequency. By using overlapping frequency bands, the benefits of hybrid frequency reuse may be achieved in a more spectrally efficient manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Sprint Spectrum L.P.
    Inventor: Mark Yarkosky
  • Client-based resource manager with network-based rights acquisition
    Patent number: 7770174
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing data resources on a computing device. One or more data resources are pre-loaded on the device but are not accessible to application programs on the device. A resource manager sits on the device as an intermediary or gatekeeper to manage the data resources. The resource manager maintains a set of access-rights data that indicates for each of the data resources whether a right exists to access the data resource. In response to a request to access or add a given one of the pre-loaded but not yet accessible data resources, the resource manager invokes a network-based rights-acquisition session through which the device acquires a right to access the data resource. The access-rights data is then updated to reflect that an access-right exists, and access is thereafter allowed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Sprint Spectrum L.P.
    Inventors: Geoff S. Martin, Jonathan R. Kindred, Brian R. Landers, Kevin E. Hunter
  • Method and system for routing a call based on calling device type
    Patent number: 7764955
    Abstract: A method and system for routing a call based on calling device type is disclosed. In a communication network, an originating switch may receive a call request from a calling device seeking to connect with a dialed number. The originating switch may responsively send into a signaling system a call-setup message that conveys information including a calling device type indicator, such as a serial number of the calling device. A controller may then use the calling device type as a basis to select a destination to which the call should be routed in order to facilitate connecting with the dialed number. The invention can be usefully employed to facilitate routing of customer service calls concerning a calling device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Sprint Spectrum L.P.
    Inventors: Manish Mangal, Doug Williams, Fred Rogers, Larry Young
  • Method and system for repeater shutdown based on received power
    Patent number: 7764924
    Abstract: Controlling a cellular radio frequency repeater amplifier and their gain factors. In preferred embodiments, the method is used in personal home repeaters that may be used by wireless services users. The repeaters are preferably configured to automatically control their setting without requiring supervision or control by the wireless service provider. The wireless provider also need not have knowledge of where the repeater devices are placed within the network. The preferred system and methods reduce potential problems that may arise when repeaters with fixed gain are placed within close proximity of a cell site. The preferred methods shut down the forward and reverse amplifiers based on the received signal level from the base station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Sprint Spectrum L.P.
    Inventors: Paul S. Smithey, Gene S. Mitchell, Timothy W. Sill
  • Method and system for adjusting processing duration for mobile position determination
    Patent number: 7761101
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system for adjusting processing time for responding to a request for location of a mobile station. A mobile location server or other position-determining system sends a location query to the mobile station and determines if the mobile station possesses a fresh set of assistance data usable by the mobile station to acquire satellite-based positioning data. If the determination is that the mobile possesses fresh assistance data, then the system waits a first time period for the mobile station to respond to the query, otherwise the system waits a second time period greater than the first time period for the mobile station to respond. If the mobile station responds in time, the system returns in response to the request a specific indication of the mobile station's location; otherwise, the system returns a general location, such as a cell sector location for instance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Sprint Spectrum L.P.
    Inventor: Jing Qu
  • Interference Cancellation System and Method for Wireless Antenna Configuration
    Publication number: 20100178875
    Abstract: Presently disclosed is a method for reducing interference in a wireless distributed antenna systems. In an embodiment, interference is reduced by selectively placing a first wireless remote unit in a reduced signal interference mode. A controller sends a signal, such as a reverse link power-down signal, to the first remote unit after detecting less than a threshold incoming signal strength at the first remote unit. In an alternative embodiment, the controller requests that a given remote unit switch to the reduced signal interference mode when the controller is receiving signals from a mobile station through at least two different remote units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Applicant: SPRINT SPECTRUM L.P.
    Inventors: Dae-Sik Oh, Mark Yarkosky, Kristin A. Hayne, Thomas M. Steele
  • Method and system for delivering a voice message from a telephone to a group of recipients
    Patent number: 7756255
    Abstract: There is disclosed a method and system that allows a telephone user to send voice messages to multiple recipients. According to an embodiment, DTMF signals along with a voice message may be sent over a voice call to a network service platform. The voice message may then be delivered to contacts identified in the DTMF signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Sprint Spectrum L.P.
    Inventors: Arun Santharam, Thomas M. Sladek, Charles E. Woodson
  • Dynamic variation of content-download depending on foreground or background nature of download
    Patent number: 7756946
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for dynamically varying a content download depending on whether the download is a foreground-download or a background-download. When a server receives a content-request from a device, the server determines whether the content-request is foreground-generated or background-generated and accordingly selects a set of content to transmit in response to the device. If the content-request is background-generated, for instance, the server may select a smaller quantity of content, since the device user might not be actively involved with the download. On the other hand, if the content-request is foreground-generated, the server may select a larger quantity of content, since the user is involved at the time. Alternatively, the device itself may select a location from which to request content, based on whether the download is a foreground-download or a background-download.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Sprint Spectrum L.P.
    Inventors: Pujan K. Roka, Kevin E. Hunter
  • Method and system for timed interaction with an interactive voice response system
    Patent number: 7756263
    Abstract: Provided are methods and systems associated with interactive voice response (“IVR”) systems that control the amount of time a user interacts with the system. According to the invention, an IVR system utilizes a timer or series of timers to determine how long a user has been interacting with the IVR system. When threshold events occur, the IVR system will analyze the status of the call and may switch the user to a predefined destination, such as to an operator queue, directly to a live operator, or to another designated navigation point in the IVR navigation structure. In this manner increasing the efficiency of manner in which the IVR system interacts with a caller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Sprint Spectrum L.P.
    Inventor: Balaji S. Thenthiruperai
  • Method and system for identifying calls
    Patent number: 7751384
    Abstract: A call is established between a circuit-switched network element and a packet-switched network element. A first call record is generated to record the circuit switched network element's involvement in the call, and a second call record is generated to record the packet-switched network element's involvement in the call. The first and second call records include the same internetwork call identifier to identify the call. The first and second call records are stored, e.g., in a centralized call record repository. Call records for a given call can be retrieved based on the internetwork call identifier for the given call.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Sprint Spectrum L.P.
    Inventor: Thomas L. Paterik
  • Method and system for increasing data transmission rates
    Patent number: 7751778
    Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for improving data transmission rates in a wireless communication system. An example method may be implemented in a wireless communication system including a plurality of base stations defining a plurality of wireless coverage areas in which a mobile station can engage in radio frequency (RF) communication with the base stations where the method includes determining a location of the mobile station. Based on the determined location of the mobile station, the method further includes determining whether activating an inactive signal repeater would increase a rate at which data is able to be communicated from the base stations to the mobile station. In the event that that it is determined that activating the signal repeater would increase the rate at which data is able to be communicated, the method still further includes activating the signal repeater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Sprint Spectrum L.P.
    Inventor: John C. W. Ngan
  • Dynamic selection by a mobile station of its home agent using its preferred roaming list (PRL)
    Patent number: 7747251
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for dynamic selection by a mobile station of its home agent using its preferred roaming list (PRL). A mobile station maintains a PRL comprising an association between (i) a first set of data identifying a first wireless wide area network (WWAN) and (ii) a first identifier of a first home agent. The mobile station detects a broadcast of the first set of data by the first WWAN. Responsive to detecting the broadcast of the first set of data by the first WWAN, the mobile station connects to the first WWAN. Responsive to connecting to the first WWAN, the mobile station uses the first identifier to register with the first home agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Sprint Spectrum L.P.
    Inventors: Robert C. Pippert, Joseph E. Bennett, Ryan S. Talley, Joseph I. Schield, Andrew M. Wurtenberger
  • Method and system for demarcating a portion of a media file as a ringtone
    Patent number: 7747290
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for storing a media file in a device (e.g., a cellular phone, PDA, or alarm clock) and demarcating a portion of the stored media file as a ringtone, without storing the demarcated portion as a separate media file in the device. Thereafter, in response to detection of an alert at the device, the demarcated portion of the media file may be played out as an alert. The stored media file may be an audio file such that the ringtone is an audio ringtone, a video file such that the ringtone is a video ringtone, or an audio-video file such that the ringtone is an audio-video ringtone. Demarcating the portion of media file may include defining a ringtone start point and a ringtone end point. The ringtone start point and end point may be associated with distinct time stamps or data pointers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Sprint Spectrum L.P.
    Inventors: Michael T. Lundy, Harry H. Lai, Jason Whitney
  • Conditioning removal of an overlay carrier frequency from a cellular wireless coverage system
    Patent number: 7742453
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method to condition removal of a carrier frequency from a wireless coverage area. The method involves evaluating handoff statistics for the coverage area, and applying results of past carrier frequency removal (preferably from a morphologically similar cluster) to predict a net change in hard handoffs that will result if the carrier frequency is removed. The method then involves using the predicted net change in hard handoffs as a basis to determine whether to remove the carrier frequency. The predicted net change in hard handoffs may be converted to a corresponding predicted net change in call drops, and the carrier frequency may then be removed only if the predicted net change in call drops does not exceed a threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Sprint Spectrum L.P.
    Inventors: Anoop K. Goyal, Manish Padte, Hemanth B. Pawar, Shilpa Kowdley Srinivas, E. Michael Shafer, II
  • Method and system for frequency usage
    Patent number: 7738874
    Abstract: A wireless telecommunications network that uses a first frequency spectrum for wireless communications in a plurality of generally contiguous wireless coverage areas also has available a second frequency spectrum for wireless communications in a high-traffic wireless coverage area. Mobile stations in the high-traffic wireless coverage area are classified as either static or dynamic based on determinations of their speeds. The wireless telecommunications network uses the first frequency spectrum for wireless communications with dynamic mobile stations in the high-traffic wireless coverage area and uses the second frequency spectrum for wireless communications with static mobile station in the high-traffic wireless coverage area. The wireless telecommunications network may instruct the mobile stations in the high-traffic coverage area to use the appropriate frequency spectrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Sprint Spectrum L.P.
    Inventors: Timothy W. Sill, Frederick L. Fortuna, Mark Yarkosky, Dae-Sik Oh
  • Method and system for data rate based vertical handoff
    Patent number: 7738427
    Abstract: A method and system for using data rate as a basis to allow or deny handoff from a communication system operating under a first air interface protocol (first protocol system) to a communication system operating under a second air interface protocol (second protocol system). A base station detects that a hybrid terminal has received a threshold low forward link data rate under the first protocol for a threshold time period, and the base station responsively evaluates the second protocol system to determine if the second protocol system has sufficient resources to provide at least as good a data rate as the threshold data rate. If the base station thereby determines that the second protocol system is a good alternative, then the base station will allow a handoff to occur when the terminal seeks to handoff to the second protocol. Otherwise, the base station will not allow the handoff to occur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Sprint Spectrum L.P.
    Inventors: Meng Y. Yew, Hector M. Ribas, Jason P. Sigg, Abhijit V. Apte, Nandish M. Chalishazar
  • Method and system for reporting usage of a repeater in wireless communications
    Patent number: 7734249
    Abstract: A method and system for detecting, at a repeater, that a communication passing between a wireless communication device and radio access network infrastructure via the wireless repeater has a predefined characteristic and responsively outputting a reporting signal is disclosed. The reporting signal may be sent to a database which is accessible to a positioning system. The reporting signal may contain information regarding attributes of the repeater. Using the attributes of the repeater, the positioning system may be able to perform more accurate triangulation when locating the wireless communication device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Sprint Spectrum L.P.
    Inventors: Gene S. Mitchell, Jr., Paul S. Smithey, Tim W. Sill
  • Method and system for multi-modal interaction
    Patent number: 7729480
    Abstract: A method and system manages content delivery to a multi-modal client device. The system may include a session manager logically connected between a server and the client device. The session manager can maintain a record of the state of a user's session, and if the user or the client device switches from an initial presentation mode to a second presentation mode, the session manager can use the record to effect a seamless transfer from the initial presentation mode to the subsequent presentation mode. The session manager may also transcode content delivered to the client device so that the content is compatible with the presentation mode selected by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Sprint Spectrum L.P.
    Inventors: Kevin Packingham, Jason Guesman
  • Method and system for reporting changes in PIM data
    Patent number: 7730156
    Abstract: A method and system for reporting changes in personal information management (PIM) data. A user operating a client station subscribes to a presence server to be notified when a change in another user's PIM data occurs. The presence server responsively subscribes to a PIM host. When the designated change occurs, the PIM host notifies the presence server. The presence server then correlates the notification with the user's subscription and responsively notifies the user of the change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Sprint Spectrum L.P.
    Inventors: Piyush Jethwa, Farni B. Weaver, Arun Santharam