Patents Examined by Steve D Agosta
  • Patent number: 8462747
    Abstract: A design and proof of concept of a new type of WLAN, complete with simulation and results from the simulation has been described. Each AP Node is implemented as a self-contained embedded OS unit, with all algorithms resident in its Operating system. The normal day-to-day functioning of the AP node is based entirely on resident control algorithms. Upgrades are possible through a simple secure communications interface supported by the OS kernel for each AP node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Mesh Dynamics, Inc.
    Inventors: Francis daCosta, Sriram Dayanandan
  • Patent number: 8457686
    Abstract: A method and system of communication between a vehicle telematics unit and a call center via a personal mobile device identifier. The method involves detecting the presence of a personal mobile device at a vehicle, receiving a mobile device identifier from the mobile device, assigning the mobile device identifier to a telematics unit in the vehicle, establishing a data session between the telematics unit and a call center, and sending the mobile device identifier to the call center via the data session.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: General Motors LLC
    Inventor: Matthew G. Przybylski
  • Patent number: 8442492
    Abstract: A method of operating a cellular telephone comprises presenting a user with an option of a first rule or a second rule, and accepting a selection of the first rule or the second rule. The first rule relates to a voice message, and the second rule relates to a text message. The method determines that reception is not sufficient to establish communication, and stores an address of an intended recipient. The method also stores the voice message if the first rule was selected or the text message if the second rule was selected. When reception is sufficient to establish communication, the stored message is sent to the address.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Anthony P. Petronelli, Canhui Ou
  • Patent number: 8437771
    Abstract: A user of a wireless device logs onto the computer system via the wireless device, a land based telephone, a computer, or other communication means via the Internet, land based telephone lines, or other communication devices. The user identifies himself or herself by the logging on process and then communicates with the computer system by inputting certain information into computer screens. Parents will have certain controls available to them to either preselect what their children will have access to at a subsequent log on or will be able to prevent their children from having access to certain material. After the user logs on to the system, the user will be able to determine what communications he or she will receive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Inventor: Thomas E. Coverstone
  • Patent number: 8423008
    Abstract: A network access node eNB sends to a user equipment UE a pattern of subframe measurement restrictions and an indication of how to utilize the pattern for measuring subframes. The indication may select from among: the UE's own-cell measurements; the UE's neighbor-cell measurements; both same and neighbor-cell measurements, and no measurement restrictions. The eNB may generate the pattern from an almost-blank subframe ABS pattern for the UE's own-cell and of its neighbor-cell. The pattern and indication may be sent in separate RRC messages, or if sent in one message there is a second indication sent in a second RRC message instructing the UE to terminate utilizing the pattern and indication for restricting its subframe measurements. Embodiments are particularly useful for inter-cell interference mitigation eICIC for the LTE-Advanced system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Nokia Siemens Networks Oy
    Inventors: Klaus Ingemann Pedersen, Frank Frederiksen, Woonhee Hwang
  • Patent number: 8423002
    Abstract: A mobile device may determine an address of a location server to use for location-based services to the mobile device. In one implementation, a mobile device may retrieve a service list that indicates services available to the mobile device and determine whether location-based services are enabled for the mobile device. The mobile device may additionally retrieve, from a file stored as part of a file structure associated with a smart card of the mobile device, a network address of a location server corresponding to the location-based services. The mobile device may connect to the location server to obtain location-based services from the location server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventor: Bjorn Hjelm
  • Patent number: 8423016
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a scheme is disclosed for providing operator-differentiated messaging to a user equipment (UE) device that is operable in wide area cellular network (WACN) bands as well as in wireless access network bands (e.g., GAN bands and/or UMA bands). A network node (e.g., a GAN controller (GANC) or UMA network controller (UNC)) is equipped with logic for resolving service requirements as well as network information gathered by the UE device. Based thereon, a response message is transmitted to the UE device, the response message including supplementary fields for carrying operator-differentiated information in free-form text.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Adrian Buckley, George Baldwin Bumiller, Paul Carpenter
  • Patent number: 8406729
    Abstract: A report message may be transmitted with collaborated information related to the occurrence of an emergency event. A plurality of devices, such as mobile communications devices, that are out of range of a communications network can communicate via direct communication, such as device-to-device communication, to corroborate characteristics that are indicative of an occurrence of an emergency event. Information related to the occurrence may be collaborated amongst the plurality of devices. A transmitting device, which may be one of the plurality of devices that corroborates characteristics or collaborates information, may generate and transmit the report message comprising the collaborated information. A receiving device may provide the message over a communications network, or the report message may continue to be handed off between devices capable of direct communication, the message eventually reaching a device that is within range of the communications network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Ross Jacobs, Geoffrey Zampiello
  • Patent number: 8406763
    Abstract: A floating call anchor is used to improve the efficiency of utilization of wireless and backhaul resources in cellular communication systems. For conditions under which soft handoff can be effectively used to conserve wireless resources, data transmitted from a first mobile unit (MU) via a wireless signal are received by one or more base transceiver stations (BTSs) and sent to a base station controller (BSC) or other device remote from the BTSs. The data are then sent from the remote device to the BTS(s) transmitting data to a second MU. If the two MUs engaged in communication are within the same cell or adjacent cells, and the savings of backhaul resources outweighs the additional wireless resource costs associated with performing the call anchor function at a BTS, then a single BTS is used to communicate with both MUs. This single BTS performs the call anchor function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Malcolm M. Smith
  • Patent number: 8401576
    Abstract: This invention concerns a messaging service in a wireless communications network. In a first aspect, the invention is a method for providing a messaging service on a wireless device in a wireless communications network; the method comprising the steps of: Retrieving the destination address of an outgoing message on the device. Verifying whether the destination address is capable of receiving the message via a packet-switched bearer. If verification is affirmative, then automatically sending the message to the destination address via a packet-switched bearer, but otherwise, automatically sending the message to the destination address via an SMS bearer. In another aspect, the invention is a mobile device programmed to perform the method. In a further aspect, the invention is a software program to implement the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Messmo Technologies Pty. Limited
    Inventor: Graham Merrett
  • Patent number: 8396488
    Abstract: A wireless communication device transmits location information associated with a mobile worker, and provides an option to the mobile worker to disable such location transmissions. The use of the location transmission function is enhanced by interlocking the location tracking function with one or more other functions of the wireless communication device. When the tracking function is disabled, one or more other functions that the mobile worker finds valuable are also disabled, thus reducing the likelihood that the mobile worker will disable location tracking. Rules may be implemented to disable the other functions only in the event that disabling the tracking function violates a violated. Location monitoring for such workers is thereby enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Qualcomm Incorporated
    Inventor: Thomas F. Doyle
  • Patent number: 8385915
    Abstract: A disclosed method for providing service provider information to a user communication device includes determining a telecommunications service provider associated with a targeted node such as a called party telephone number. An indicator of the telecommunications service provider is provided to and displayed by the user communication device. Communication services available to the communication device are then determined based at least in part on the identity of the telecommunications service provider. Indications of the available communication services may be presented to the communication device by audible or visual signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventor: Anthony Paul Petronelli
  • Patent number: 8385917
    Abstract: Systems and techniques for motion adaptive wireless user equipment (UE) in a wireless network are disclosed. These techniques can leverage kinetic information to select a preferred radio (or radio technology) or adapt a reselection scanning interval. This can serve to improve the performance of a UE by reducing the amount of power expended in maintaining an adequate level of connectedness to the wireless network components in the face of UE movement. In a further aspect, kinetic power generators can be employed as a source of UE transit data. Kinetic fingerprints can be compared to UE transit data, e.g., that acquired from a kinetic generator of the UE, to facilitate selection of preferred radios and reselection intervals. In this aspect, radio selection schema and reselection scanning schema can effectively be selected with little to no drain on a UE power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC
    Inventor: Arthur Brisebois
  • Patent number: 8380220
    Abstract: The location of a wireless mobile device may be estimated using, at least in part, one or more pre-existing Network Measurement Reports (“NMRs”) which include calibration data for a number of locations within a geographic region. The calibration data for these locations is gathered and analyzed so that particular grid points within the geographic region can be determined and associated with a particular set or sets of calibration data from, for example, one or more NMRs. Regions may be defined as a function of any number of parameters and respective predetermined ranges thereof in the NMRs. An intersection of these defined regions may be determined and the location of a mobile device may be estimated as a function of the intersection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Andrew LLC
    Inventors: Martin Alles, John Carlson, George Maher, Selcuk Mazlum
  • Patent number: 8374602
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for providing roaming services to an HPMN's prepaid subscriber. The method includes facilitating the prepaid subscriber's registration at a VPMN by an SG, despite absence of the prepaid subscriber's roaming profile at an HPMN HLR. The HPMN and the VPMN are part of one or more partner networks and are unable to support IN protocol/agreement. The SG is deployed at either the HPMN, or an HPMN's MVNO, or a hub operator. The method further includes enabling mobile communication of the prepaid subscriber in the VPMN by the SG that converts protocol of all signaling messages, corresponding to the prepaid subscriber, into a format compatible with the HPMN. The method further includes billing the prepaid subscriber based on pre-defined criteria by using the SG that interfaces with an HPMN PPS via either: an HPMN SCP, or an HPMN service node, or an HPMN SMSC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Roamware, Inc.
    Inventor: John Jiang
  • Patent number: 8369841
    Abstract: Invented is a facility service to be used as a component service for building compound wireless mobile communication services (CWSs). The name ascribed to this facility service is Invoke. The purpose of Invoke is to detect the events signifying that the CWS operation is to commence and then initiate (or invoke) the CWS execution. The events represent variables within a Boolean expression parameter of an Invoke service. The Boolean expression allows Invoke to be very versatile with respect to the possible combination of events for CWS invocation. Versatility is enhanced by the wide variety of events that are recognized; e.g., entering a geographical location, recognizing an audio signal, reaching a time of day, observing a specific caller ID. The Invoke facility service contains other parameters useful at CWS invocation; e.g., CWS password protection, CWS initialization of constants and variables, linkage to other CWSs to acquire data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Inventor: Thaddeus John Kobylarz
  • Patent number: 8369870
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for estimating mobile station location include receiving reported signal strengths or other attachment indicator values from a mobile station. The reported signal strengths are compared with characteristic received signal strength values in a coverage area of a mobile network. A mobile switching center determines if a local function is requested and initiates a location estimation process by a mobile location module (MLM). The MLM receives the reported signal strength contours associated with the attachment points. Based on a comparison of the reported attachment indicator values with characteristic values, the MLM provides a mobile location estimate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC
    Inventors: Alan Denis MacDonald, Marc W. Sather, John Lawrence Snapp
  • Patent number: 8369867
    Abstract: Geographic location data is sent from a first device to a second device with a modified message to signal the presence of geographic location data associated with the message. The message can include (or attach) the geographic location data or file, or the message can include a link to a network-based resource which the second device can use to obtain the geographic location data. In some implementations, when a user of the first device views a location on a map display of the first device, a graphical user interface is presented to allow the user to select an option to share the geographic location with the second device. The second device receives geographic location data or a link from the first device which can trigger a map display on the second device showing the location of the first device and, optionally, the location of the second device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Marcel Mwa Van Os, Scott Herz, Mike Matas
  • Patent number: 8364196
    Abstract: The invention relates to methods pertaining to cell reselection in a cellular telecommunication system. According to the invention, a connection setup rejection message is used to direct a mobile communication means to attempt a new connection with certain parameter values such as a certain carrier frequency. A plurality of parameter values may as well be indicated in the message, which allows the network to direct the mobile communication means to make a connection setup request to a specific cell, for example. The connection setup rejection message can be for example the CONNECTION SETUP REJECT message of the RRC protocol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Sisvel International S.A.
    Inventors: Pekka Marjelund, Juha Turunen, Kaisu M. Iisakkila, Oscar Salonaho
  • Patent number: 8364168
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for computing the geographical location of a mobile terminal (MT) in a cellular telecommunications network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignees: Vodafone Group PLC, Vodafone Omnitel N.V.
    Inventor: Massimo Nardini