Patents Assigned to Vodafone Group, PLC
-
Publication number: 20100210232Abstract: Method for controlling receiver diversity operation in a base station of a mobile telecommunications network, the base station comprising a first receiver arrangement and a second receiver arrangement, the method comprising: activating the first receiver arrangement, thereby receiving signals at a first gain level; activating the second receiver arrangement, thereby receiving signals at a second gain level, said second gain level being equal or lower than said first gain level; measuring baseband consumption at the base station at predetermined intervals; and if the baseband consumption exceeds a predetermined deactivation threshold THDE deactivating the first receiver arrangement, thereby leaving only the second receiver arrangement active The first receiver arrangement is a 2-way receiver arrangement and the second receiver arrangement is a 2-way receiver arrangement—when operating together they form a 4-way receiver arrangement.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 19, 2010Publication date: August 19, 2010Applicant: VODAFONE GROUP PLCInventors: Francisco Javier Dominguez Romero, Andrea De Pasquale
-
Publication number: 20100210242Abstract: Identification, authentication and coverage control method, based on the Bluetooth® standard and implemented on a system comprising: a central entity; a network of beacons; a set of terminals, in which each terminal is adhered to, at least, one beacon; wherein in the method a profile is defined for each terminal [1] including an authentication service [5] and a coverage control service [6], with a service identifier which is exclusive and the same for all Bluetooth® devices [4].Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2008Publication date: August 19, 2010Applicants: VODAFONE GROUP PLC, VODAFONE ESPAÑA, S.A.Inventors: Guillermo Caudevilla Laliena, Guillermo Cajigas Bringas, Hector Berna Fornies
-
Publication number: 20100195833Abstract: A mobile terminal for use with a cellular or mobile telecommunications network includes a normal execution environment (operating system) (30) and a secure execution environment (32) comprising a Mobile Trusted Module (MTM). The mobile terminal enables the software of the terminal in the secure execution environment (32) to be updated. The terminal 1 may be provided with minimal software initially in the secure execution environment (32), and is operable to subsequently update the software by over the air transmission of software. Also disclosed is a method for managing rights in respect of broadcast, multicast and/or unicast (downloaded) data, relevant in particular to managing access to a broadcast video data stream complying with a mobile digital broadcast scheme. The method defines a service protection platform implemented on mobile terminals having both normal execution environment (i.e. the operating system) and secure execution environment.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 13, 2007Publication date: August 5, 2010Applicant: VODAFONE GROUP PLCInventors: Mark Priestley, Timothy Wright, Caroline Jessica Belrose, Nicholas Bone, James Irwin
-
Publication number: 20100177652Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a system for detecting a single data flow in an aggregate packet data flow and identifying the application generating the single data flow, this single data flow being divided into messages, each message comprising a plurality of blocks, each block (g) having n bits for identifying 2n block values (i).Type: ApplicationFiled: June 3, 2008Publication date: July 15, 2010Applicants: VODAFONE GROUP PLC, VODAFONE OMNITEL N.V., POLITECNICO DI TORINOInventors: Massimo Perino, Marco Mellia, Dario Rossi, Michela Meo
-
Patent number: 7746851Abstract: A Personal Area Network Security Domain (PSD) (50) is formed between PDA (52), mobile terminal (54), PC (56) and printer (58). The PSD (50) allows the sharing of resources between the devices within the PSD. If the devices within the PSD (50) are located remotely from one another, communication between those devices will be performed via mobile or cellular telephone network (66) and the Internet (68). For each set or association of similarly located devices within the PSD (50), one of those devices will be a gateway device. The gateway device is a device that is configured to communicate with an external communications medium (mobile network (66) or the Internet (68)). Data transmissions to other devices within the PSD are channelled through the relevant gateway. In another embodiment resources are shared between the two separate PSDs (of which may or may not be remotely located with respect to one another) by means of data exchanges between the respective gateway devices of the two PSDs.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2004Date of Patent: June 29, 2010Assignee: Vodafone Group PLCInventors: Pubudu Chandrasiri, Bulent Ozgur Gurleyen, Mats Naslund, Annika Jonsson, Christian Gehrmann, Yashar Shahabi
-
Patent number: 7742585Abstract: A mobile communication terminal is provided whose operability is improved by enabling a user to promptly use a function that the user requires, upon suspension of execution of an application program. A mobile communication terminal (mobile phone) 20 includes an output unit 216 having a liquid crystal display (LCD) 27 that displays an image; a main control unit 215 that controls the output unit 216; and an application program executing and managing unit 214 that executes an application program registered by a user. The application program executing and managing unit 214 sends a function transition request instruction (screen transition request instruction) to make a transition to a function specified by the application program, to the main control unit 215, upon suspension of execution of the application program.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2004Date of Patent: June 22, 2010Assignee: Vodafone Group PLCInventors: Osamu Otaka, Mineko Moroto, Norioki Watanabe, Shinichiro Ide, Naomi Nishikata
-
Patent number: 7730163Abstract: A system that services international multimedia message calls includes an MMSC that determines from the destination MSISDN of the header of a multimedia message that the call is an international transmission and, at the same time, determines whether or not the forwarding destination supports number portability, by referencing the MSISDN routing table. If number portability is supported, it acquires the IMSI corresponding to the destination MSISDN by inquiring the HLR. Next, the MMSC acquires the domain name of the MMSE of the forwarding destination by referencing the IMSI routing table from the IMSI that has thus been acquired and forwards the multimedia message to this MMSE. If number portability is not supported, it forwards the multimedia message to the MMSE of the domain name acquired by referencing the MSISDN routing table.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2004Date of Patent: June 1, 2010Assignee: Vodafone Group PLCInventors: Takashi Yoshimura, Shinichi Akahoshi
-
Patent number: 7715833Abstract: A mobile telephony device, comprising: a storage device (1) (for example a SIM/USIM card) comprising means for storing at least one application (3A, 4A); at least one data array manager module (5) for managing data arrays of at least one application stored in the storage device, comprising means for receiving, by means of a remote access (OTA) message, at least one instruction for operating on at least one piece of data contained in an array of a specified application, means for accessing said array according to said instruction, and means for performing at least one operation on said at least one piece of data in said array, according to said instruction. The invention also refers to a method for managing data in arrays of applications stored in a card of a mobile telephony subscriber equipment.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2003Date of Patent: May 11, 2010Assignee: Vodafone Group PLCInventor: Carlos Portasany Sanchez
-
Mobile communication terminal, and core module and function module for mobile communication terminal
Patent number: 7693547Abstract: A mobile communication terminal 10 is assembled by a user incorporating an arbitrary desired function module 31, 32, 33 into a core module 20. When assembling the terminal, it is not possible for the core module 20 to know what type of function module is being incorporated in advance, but it is possible to ascertain the type of function module that has been incorporated by using identification information notified to the connection module control means of the core module 20 via the core module communication processing section of the function module 31, 32, 33 and the inter-module communication processing section of the core module 20. The core module 20 therefore implements a function appropriate to the users needs by appropriately controlling that function module. Therefore, it is possible to make effective use of resources, as well as reducing the burden placed on a user when upgrading or adding functions, to meet the diverse needs of the user.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2006Date of Patent: April 6, 2010Assignee: Vodafone Group PLCInventors: Yutaka Oe, Nobuyuki Enomoto, Fuji Asada, Shigetaka Kanai -
Publication number: 20100075646Abstract: The invention relates to a method for terminating a call coming from a calling party (A) and directed to a fixed network number being called, associated with a telecommunications network (1) comprising a mobile network (2). The method includes the steps of receiving the call at an access node to the telecommunications network (1), obtaining one or more mobile network numbers belonging to the mobile network (2) and associated with the fixed network number being called, and terminating the call to such mobile network numbers. Termination is based on the geographic location of the mobile terminals of the mobile network.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 23, 2007Publication date: March 25, 2010Applicants: VODAFONE OMNITEL N.V., VODAFONE GROUP PLCInventors: Massimo Giambone, Renato Malesan, Mirco Zublena
-
Publication number: 20100049846Abstract: Peer-to-peer networks employing simple peers and super peers strike a balance between centralized (client-server based) and entirely flat peer-to-peer approaches. They introduce hierarchy into peer-to-peer networks in the form of super peer nodes, peers which have extra capabilities and duties in the network. There are problems in the identification and election of peers to take the role of super peer: in particular, the need for regular update messages to communicate peer availability across the network significantly impacts discovery times (when a simple peer attempts to advertise a service or requests a service from another peer). A presence server is implemented in the network in order to monitor the availability of each peer. A device called the “super peer elector” subscribes to receive updated availability information from the presence server and assigns super peer status to the most appropriate, and available, simple peer.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2007Publication date: February 25, 2010Applicant: VODAFONE GROUP PLCInventors: Marco Ballette, Max Gasparroni, Patrick Brick
-
Publication number: 20100027470Abstract: In a communications network an arrangement for transmitting data between a network element of a first type (e.g. BSS) and a network element of a second type (e.g. MSC) is disclosed. A relationship initialisation message is transmitted from the first network element to the second network element, the message including an information element (e.g. BSC-SCL IE) defining one or more communication modes (e.g. CODECs) with which the first network element is configured to communicate.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2009Publication date: February 4, 2010Applicant: VODAFONE GROUP PLCInventor: Leo B. PATANAPONGPIBUL
-
Publication number: 20090221307Abstract: The communications system is disclosed that includes a plurality of devices associated in a group. A server (50) administers communications between members of the group. Preferably, member devices of the group are provided with a client application (52) for communicating with the server (50). In the embodiment the client application is installed on a mobile or cellular telecommunications device, such as a GPRS or 3G mobile handset. The client facilitates communications of the user of the handset with the server, and provides an interface between the underlying device functionality (such as a built-in camera, the device's file system etc.) to allow content to be easily accessed and shared amongst members of the group. Communications between the client application and the server may be performed by XML over HTTP using a GPRS or 3G bearer.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 5, 2006Publication date: September 3, 2009Applicant: VODAFONE GROUP PLCInventors: Stephen Wolak, Peter Thompson
-
Publication number: 20090220091Abstract: The current IMS security architecture only protects data transmitted in the IMS control plane. Embodiments are described which provide end-to-end encryption of data transmitted in the IMS media plane but which also allow lawful interception and interpretation of such end-to-end communications under the control of the relevant IMS core (3A, 3B).Type: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2006Publication date: September 3, 2009Applicant: VODAFONE GROUP PLCInventor: Peter Thomas Howard
-
Patent number: 7583285Abstract: A mobile communication terminal is provided that is capable of shooting a code image, restoring data from the code image, and using the shot code image and the restored data, in response to a request from an application program. A mobile communication terminal (mobile phone) includes an image shooting unit for shooting an image; a data memory unit for memorizing data of a code image shot by the image shooting unit; a main control unit for controlling the image shooting unit and the data memory unit; and an application program executing and managing unit for executing an application program registered by a user. The main control unit controls the image shooting unit and the data memory unit based on a control request instruction sent from the application program executing and managing unit that is executing the application program.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2004Date of Patent: September 1, 2009Assignee: Vodafone Group PLCInventors: Osamu Otaka, Mineko Moroto, Norioki Watanabe, Shinichiro Ide, Satoshi Ogawa
-
Publication number: 20090217036Abstract: In a digital rights management (DRM) scheme a mobile terminal (1) registered with mobile telecommunications network (3) obtains encrypted content data (26) from content provider (21) and a rights object (28) containing a license to use that data from rights issuer (23). The mobile terminal (1) is associated with mobile terminal (11), PC (25) and PDA (27) in a domain. Various arrangements are disclosed for enabling a second device to consume the content data (26) received by the device (1). The content data (26) is consumed on the second device in a controlled manner. The second device may or may not be a member of the domain (24). The first device may enable the second device to temporarily join the domain (24), if the second device is not a member of the domain (24), in order to allow the second device to consume the content. In another embodiment the first and second devices may already be a member of the same domain (24).Type: ApplicationFiled: May 4, 2006Publication date: August 27, 2009Applicant: VODAFONE GROUP PLCInventors: James Irwin, Timothy James Wright
-
Patent number: 7574238Abstract: The application (33) requests a basic processing part (31) to execute character input processing, depending on the character input request from the user during display of a graphics window managed by an application (33). The execution environment part (32), which received the character input processing request, notifies the basic processing part (31) of the character input processing request, and turns in a display blocked state. After that, characters are input under the control of the basic processing part (31). When character input is terminated, the basic processing part (31) closes the display of the character input screen to notify the execution environment part (32) of the termination of the character input and the character input result. The execution environment part (32), which received the notice, releases the display blocked state and notifies the application (33) of the termination of the character input and the character input result data.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2004Date of Patent: August 11, 2009Assignee: Vodafone Group PLCInventors: Osamu Otaka, Mineko Moroto, Norioki Watanabe, Shin-ichirou Ide, Naomi Nishikata
-
Publication number: 20090125987Abstract: A method for distributing rights objects between a first device 1 and a second device 50 is disclosed, the rights objects being used to authorise use of a content file. The method includes, at the first device, selecting and requesting content from a distribution server 3; receiving a download descriptor file 9 for the requested content, the download descriptor file identifying at least one available format of the content and identifying from where the content may be retrieved, wherein different formats of the content are suitable for devices having different rendering profiles and different formats of the content are contained within different content files; receiving at least one rights object 13 associated with the content files, the at least one rights object providing authorisation rights for the content files; and embedding the at least one rights object within the download descriptor file. The download descriptor file is then distributed to the second device.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 14, 2008Publication date: May 14, 2009Applicant: VODAFONE GROUP PLCInventor: James IRWIN
-
Publication number: 20090111458Abstract: A telecommunications system is disclosed, including a first radio access technology (legacy: GSM; UMTS/UTRAN) having a first radio access network (node B 15, RNC 17), and a second radio access technology (EUTRA) having a second radio access network (AP 20), wherein said first radio access network (node B 15, RNC 17) is divided into a plurality of first areas and said second radio access network (AP 20) is divided into a plurality of second areas, and wherein a home subscriber server entity (HSS 10) is provided that is common to both the first and second radio access technologies (legacy: GSM; UMTS) and which controls in which of the first and second areas a mobile terminal (UE 1) is registered, characterized in that a common control plane gateway entity (CP-GW 24) is provided through which communications from the first and second radio access networks, which relate to the first and second area which the mobile terminal (UE 1) occupies, are routed.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 5, 2006Publication date: April 30, 2009Applicant: VODAFONE GROUP PLCInventors: David Fox, Christopher Pudney
-
Publication number: 20090067628Abstract: Various advantageous arrangements for use with the proposed SAE/LTE or 4G mobile telecommunications system are disclosed. An arrangement for allowing a mobile terminal/UE (1) to transmit data packets to duplicate access points (5) is disclosed. An IP combiner (20) receives the duplicate data packets from the respective access points (5), together with quality indicators, and determines which data packet should be passed onwardly to the network. An arrangement is also disclosed which allows a particular MME (7) (corresponding to the 3G SGSN) to be selected for a particular access point (5). A particular MME may be selected depending on various criteria, such as to distribute the load evenly between the MMEs (7) of the network or to take a particular MME (7) out of service temporarily in a managed manner. Further, an arrangement is disclosed which enables the more rapid establishment of the user plane bearer between the mobile terminal/UE (1) and the network.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2006Publication date: March 12, 2009Applicant: VODAFONE GROUP PLCInventors: Christopher Pudney, David Fox, Peter Howard