Patents Assigned to United States Cellular Corporation
  • Patent number: 7610396
    Abstract: A system and method for measuring and recording latency in data networks. The system and method can be used to measure and record latency in a Simple IP network or a Mobile IP network. One embodiment of the present invention is a system and method for measuring latency between a first device and a second device, the first and second devices communicating in accordance with a communications specification. The system and method comprises the second device transmitting, during a communication session, a message to the first device; receiving a response message from the first device; computing an elapsed time from transmission of the message to receipt of the response message to determine the latency; and recording the latency in a latency parameter. The message and the response message are provided by the communications specification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: United States Cellular Corporation
    Inventors: Claudio Taglienti, Sebastian Thalanany, Narothum Saxena, Michael Irizarry
  • Patent number: 7558736
    Abstract: One embodiment of the invention is based on a facilitation of the natural dynamics associated with face to face conversation, where the amplitude of a speaker's voice is often used to gain floor control. This capability advantageously allows a user who is intending to speak to interrupt a user who currently has floor control. By basing talker arbitration at least partially on the amplitude of the speaker's voice, the invention removes the need for a user to push a separate button on the handset before the commencement of speech.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: United States Cellular Corporation
    Inventors: Sebastian Thalanany, Narothum Saxena, Michael Irizarry
  • Publication number: 20090171717
    Abstract: Subscriber travel behavior is defined using cellular call location data. The defined travel behavior is used to segment the customer population. In a further aspect of the disclosed principles, a method to consolidate numerous of price plans is disclosed wherein price plans are grouped using cluster analysis. In the context of this disclosure, the term “cluster analysis” encompasses a number of different algorithms and methods for grouping objects of similar kind into respective categories to thus organize observed data into meaningful structures. In this context, cluster analysis is a data analysis process for sorting different objects into groups in a way that the degree of association between two objects is maximal if they belong to the same group and minimal otherwise.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2007
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Applicant: United States Cellular Corporation
    Inventors: John Redford, Claudio Taglienti, Michael Irizarry, Narothum Saxena
  • Publication number: 20090168726
    Abstract: The enhanced configuration and handoff scheme leverages the configuration of the Femto system, the Femto access network conditions and the mobile device conditions to facilitate an attractive user-experience. In an embodiment the invention is based on the use of the access network conditions, IP (Internet Protocol) multimedia service QoS constraints, and the user profile for an enhanced configuration and handoff scheme, in a multimode Femto system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2007
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Applicant: United States Cellular Corporation
    Inventors: Sebastian Thalanany, Michael Irizarry, Narothum Saxena
  • Publication number: 20090172782
    Abstract: Aspects of the invention allow mobile network users as well as mobile network providers to define policies that are managed across several applications and services. Thus, several application servers and network elements are coordinated to implement a service policy. More specifically, aspects of the invention define service level policies for any service be within an IMS based or non-IMS based wireless network implemented by SIP or non-SIP network elements. A service policy is a set of rules that is applied when a subscriber uses a specific service (Web Browsing, Location, Presence, MMS, SMS, PoC, etc). The policy may be applicable on a per-need, per-subscriber basis. A service policy enhances or restricts use of the service functionality by the subscriber. A service level policy should also allow definition of service utilization rules that constrain how the service may be used by the subscriber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2007
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Applicant: United States Cellular Corporation
    Inventors: Claudio Taglienti, Andrew Sofronas, Jaideep Abichandani, Narothum Saxena, Michael Irizarry
  • Publication number: 20090168660
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to methods and systems for monitoring network usage according to predetermined rules and calculating user charges based on the network usage. The described technique includes receiving a data packet, extracting parameters from the data packet and determining whether the extracted parameters match at least one rule in a rules engine. Charges for the data packet are calculated based on the matched rules. The data packet is forwarded on to its destination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Applicant: United States Cellular Corporation
    Inventors: Ravideep Bhatia, Claudio Taglienti, Andy Sofronas, Narothum Saxena, Mike Irizarry
  • Publication number: 20090124262
    Abstract: A method of constructing a neighbor list for a plurality of sectors in a cellular communication environment sorts reference neighbor pairs in the network by number of occurrences based on data derived from one or more PSMM transmissions, analyzes pairs in the sorted list and determines for each pair whether a percentage of occurrence exceeds a first threshold and whether a measure of direct transition statistics exceeds a second threshold. If the percentage of occurrence exceeds a first threshold and the measure of direct transition statistics exceeds a second threshold, then if the reference's neighbor list and reciprocal neighbor list have fewer than a predetermined number of neighbors, the process adds neighbors to the reference's NL and reciprocal NL in order of occurrence percentage to create a final neighbor list.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2007
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Applicant: United States Cellular Corporation
    Inventors: Mario Vela, Narothum Saxena, Michael Irizarry
  • Patent number: 7519050
    Abstract: The present invention reduces latencies in a wireless network while decreasing bandwidth usage in the wireless network for mobile stations. The wireless network monitors the current access network identifier for a mobile station. Upon detecting a change in current access network identifier due to movement of the mobile station, the wireless network generates and transmits one or more messages containing the changed current access network identifier. The messages are subsequently processed and a portion of the wireless system registrar database corresponding to the mobile station is updated to reflect the change in current access network identifier. Based upon the change in the location of the mobile station, the wireless network invokes or ends corresponding location-based options.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: United States Cellular Corporation
    Inventors: Sebastian Thalanany, Michael Irizarry, Narothum Saxena
  • Publication number: 20080289030
    Abstract: A system and method for performing multifactor mobile authentication are described whereby a mobile communications device includes a contactless reader for receiving and validating a unique identifier stored in an external authenticating module prior to granting access to locally stored electronic authenticating material required to access an external resource. In one embodiment, the mobile communications device is a mobile telephone having an RFID reader for receiving the unique identifier from an RFID tag incorporated into the external authenticating module. Preferably, the external authenticating module is associated with a user, such as by being part of the user's jewelry or clothing. The mobile authentication device includes an RFID authenticator module that detects external resource access requests and checks whether the requested resource is on a list of resources that require additional user authentication prior to granting access to locally stored authenticating material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2007
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Applicant: UNITED STATES CELLULAR CORPORATION
    Inventor: John Poplett
  • Publication number: 20080160983
    Abstract: The present invention provides an “update forwarder” function to facilitate downloading applications to mobile devices. The update forwarder receives updates on its “network side” from one or more device management servers, stores the updates, and then delivers them from its “device side” to one or more mobile devices. By using wired or short-haul wireless links on both its network and device sides, the update forwarder can reduce demand for the precious bandwidth of a widespread wireless network. The update forwarder can receive downloads during off-peak times for the device management servers and at times when the mobile device is turned off or otherwise unavailable. Downloads can be scheduled to be delivered only when the mobile device is not otherwise in use. The update forwarder can be implemented with little cost as one function running on a device, such as a home PC or local server, that already serves other functions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Applicant: United States Cellular Corporation
    Inventors: John Harlan Poplett, Michael Irizarry, Narothum Saxena
  • Publication number: 20080160958
    Abstract: A system and method are described whereby a mobile device controls access to mobile applications based on access conditions associated with a current access network. To prevent mobile applications from running when the access conditions are not suitable, the mobile device includes a policy database used to store a list of access conditions that are inappropriate for launching the installed applications. The access conditions are based on the type of the current access network used by the mobile device for launching or maintaining the requested application session. The access conditions indicate whether the mobile device is currently accessing its home network or roaming on another provider's network. Similarly, the access conditions indicate the type of network access interface used by the current network to provide the data connection necessary to run the requested application. The policy database correlates predetermined actions with the access conditions associated with a given application session.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Applicant: United States Cellular Corporation
    Inventors: Jaideep Abichandani, Narayanan Haran, John Poplett, Narothum Saxena, Michael Irizarry
  • Publication number: 20080160972
    Abstract: A system and method are described for providing proximity-based Internet server access in mobile network environments such as cellular environments to reduce latency and enhance customer satisfaction. In an embodiment of the invention, a Mobile Positioning Center (MPC) caches location information regarding the mobile device. When the mobile device later attempts to resolve the domain name of a distributed service, the domain name service (DNS) server, via a policy manager, queries the MPC for the location of the user. The policy manager of the DNS server may then choose a server based on a number of criteria, including, for example, the geographical proximity of the user to the server.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Applicant: UNITED STATES CELLULAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Narayanan Haran, Narothum Saxena, Michael Irizarry
  • Publication number: 20080161012
    Abstract: A system and method are described for providing and using an inter-working location gateway (IWLG) that allows a trusted/non-trusted user plane mobile node to successfully utilize user location services while data roaming. In an embodiment, once the mobile node establishes a data connection while roaming, the mobile node uses IP connectivity to exchange messages, e.g., IS-801 messages, with an IWLG located in the home network. Via the messaging, the mobile node provides certain parameters which the IWLG uses to determine which network the mobile node is roaming. The IWLG interfaces with the appropriate network elements in the visited network to determine the location of the mobile node.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Applicant: UNITED STATES CELLULAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Narayanan Haran, Narothum Saxena, Michael Irizarry
  • Publication number: 20080159232
    Abstract: A system and method are described whereby an enhanced handoff scheme provides for monitoring of mobile device conditions and network conditions associated with a current access network attachment, as well as with a plurality of access networks on a preferred access network list, to proactively initiate a handoff operation, thereby preserving the QoS constraints necessary for seamless delivery of IP multimedia services. In an embodiment, each of the plurality of access networks is connected to an IMS core network, whereby a policy function receives quality of service constraints associated with the launched application from the mobile device and orders a list of preferred access networks accordingly. Preferably, the policy function selects an appropriate access gateway associated with a target access network based at least in part on the mobile device conditions reported by the mobile device and the access network conditions monitored by the policy function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Applicant: United States Cellular Corporation
    Inventors: Sebastian Thalanany, Michael Irizarry, Narothum Saxena
  • Publication number: 20080162704
    Abstract: The present invention provides the benefits of negotiated network resources to session-unaware applications. When a session-unaware application runs on a mobile device, the device, knowing that the application is session-unaware, negotiates appropriate network-policy parameters for the application. The application remains unaware, but it receives the benefits of the network-policy parameter negotiation. The network-policy parameter negotiation is carried on between the mobile device and a “network policy mediator” in the network. Together, they reserve the appropriate network resources and secure the appropriate guarantees. In some embodiments, a software “shim” runs in the network-protocol stack on the mobile device. By intercepting network-access attempts sent by the session-unaware application, the shim knows to begin the network-policy parameter negotiation. In some embodiments, the mobile device downloads information about session-unaware applications from the network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Applicant: United States Cellular Corporation
    Inventors: John Harlan Poplett, Claudio Giovanni Taglienti, Michael Irizarry, Narothum Saxena
  • Publication number: 20080137823
    Abstract: A system and method are described whereby an IP telemetry gateway is hosted by an MVNO in order to relay the telemetry information between remote devices located in an IP network and telemetry servers operated by legacy telemetry customers. In an embodiment, the IP network is a CDMA2000 1× wireless network. Once the IP network identifies a device as part of the telemetry network, it assigns such device a static private IP address. A VPN connection is used to extend the private network of remote devices to the IP telemetry gateway. The IP telemetry gateway maps each remote device's legacy address to its corresponding IP address in order to communicate with the legacy servers and the wireless network via circuit switched and packet data connections respectively. Preferably, the remote devices maintain an always on data connection to allow the telemetry servers to address the remote devices at any time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicant: United States Cellular Corporation
    Inventors: Jaideep Abichandani, Michael Irizarry, Narothum Saxena