Abstract: A wireless end-user device has wireless wide-area network (WWAN) and wireless local-area network (WLAN) modems. A memory stores a network service activity control policy set that includes multiple differential traffic control policy elements applicable respectively to different end-user applications. One or more processors are configured to implement an application program interface (API) to control application access to Internet data services communicated through the modems. The API selectively blocks or allows Internet access activities by each of the end-user applications based on their respective traffic control policy elements and based on the modem to be used for the Internet access activities.

Abstract: A wireless end-user device has wireless wide-area network (WWAN) and wireless local-area network (WLAN) modems. One or more processors classify when an application is interacting in the device foreground with a user. For a time period when data for Internet service activities is communicated through the WWAN modem, the processors use a differential traffic control policy to selectively block and allow network access for an application based on whether the application is classified as interacting in the device foreground with a user. The processors provide a network access condition to the application through an application program interface (API), and thus can indicate that Internet data service is unavailable to that particular application based on the classification. A different policy may apply to WLAN modem usage and/or to different WWAN networks.

Abstract: A wireless end-user device has wireless wide-area network (WWAN) and wireless local-area network (WLAN) modems. One or more processors determine when an application is running in a background state or as a foreground application. The processors control application access for Internet service activities through an application program interface (API). At a time when Internet service activities are communicated through the WWAN modem, the processors use a differential traffic control policy to selectively block and allow network access for an application based on the determination as to whether the application is running in a background state or as a foreground application. A different policy may apply to WLAN modem usage.

Abstract: Device Assisted Services (DAS) for protecting network capacity is provided. In some embodiments, DAS for protecting network capacity includes monitoring a network service usage activity of the communications device in network communication; classifying the network service usage activity for differential network access control for protecting network capacity; and associating the network service usage activity with a network service usage control policy based on a classification of the network service usage activity to facilitate differential network access control for protecting network capacity.

Abstract: A wireless end-user device has a wireless wide-area network (WWAN) modem. One or more processors classify whether an application is interacting with a user in a user interface foreground of the device. At a time when Internet service activities are communicated through the WWAN modem, the processors use a differential traffic control policy list to determine whether or not to apply a differential traffic control policy to an application requesting Internet service access. When the policy is applicable, and the application is not classified as interacting with a user in the device user interface foreground, the Internet service access request is blocked. Even when an application access is allowed, a separate control provided a wireless data usage limit for that application.

Abstract: A wireless end-user device has a wireless wide-area network (WWAN) modem. A network element securely provisions the device with a differential traffic control policy list that distinguishes how network traffic for at least one network type should be treated on a per-application basis. A user is also allowed, through an interface, to configure one or more aspects of how a differential traffic control policy is applied to applications. One or more device agents classify whether an application is interacting with a user in a user interface foreground of the device and whether data communication for Internet service activities is provided through the WWAN modem. Based on the network- and user-configured policy information and the classifications, a network stack agent determines whether to allow or disallow a given Internet access request. Some requests that may otherwise be disallowed are allowed when the WWAN modem is already active to serve another request.

Abstract: A wireless end-user device has wireless wide-area network (WWAN) and wireless local-area network (WLAN) modems. A WWAN-specific differential traffic control policy includes aspects that are user-configurable for specific applications, including a background/foreground operation-based policy. One or more processors implement an application program interface that allows an application to access one or more aspects of the policy that are applicable to that application, including one or more user-configurable aspects of the policy.

Abstract: A wireless end-user device has wireless wide-area network (WWAN) and wireless local-area network (WLAN) modems. One or more processors associate each of a plurality of Internet access requests with a corresponding destination address. The processors apply a differential traffic control policy to at least some of the Internet access requests, based on the corresponding destination address and whether or not that destination address is covered by a differential traffic control policy list. For one of the modems, the list treatment of a destination address determines whether an Internet access request is allowed or disallowed. For the other modem, the list treatment does not cause that same destination address to cause an Internet access request to be disallowed.

Abstract: A wireless end-user device has a configurable wireless wide-area network (WWAN) modem capable of connection to both a home WWAN and a roaming WWAN. At a time when Internet service activities are communicated through the roaming WWAN, one or more processors apply a differential traffic control policy list so as to disallow background Internet data service. When the policy is applicable, an application program interface (API) indicates that an Internet data service is unavailable to an application operating in a background mode, even though that service is available to a different application.

Abstract: A wireless end-user device has wireless wide-area network (WWAN) and wireless local-area network (WLAN) modems. One or more processors classify whether an application is interacting with a user in a user interface foreground of the device. At a time when Internet service activities are communicated through a first wireless network type, the processors use a differential traffic control policy list to determine whether or not to apply a differential traffic control policy to an application requesting Internet service access. When the policy is applicable, and the application is not classified as interacting with a user in the device user interface foreground, the Internet service access request is blocked. A network element supplies or contributes to the contents of the traffic control policy list via secure updates transmitted to the processor(s).

Abstract: A wireless end-user device has a wireless wide-area network (WWAN) modem and supports multiple wireless network types. A network service activity control policy set has a policy element that associates one or more Internet activity access controls with at least one end-user application. One or more processors determine whether to apply the Internet activity access controls to an Internet access request by or on behalf of the end-user application, based at least on which of the wireless network types is configured to support Internet service activity. The determination may further be based on whether or not the application is interacting with a user. When the controls are to be applied, network activity for the Internet access request is delayed until it can be associated with network activity for one or more other requests not associated with the application.

Abstract: A wireless end-user device has wireless wide-area network (WWAN) and wireless local-area network (WLAN) modems. One or more processors associate each of a plurality of Internet access requests with a corresponding application executing on the device. The processors apply a differential traffic control policy to at least some of the Internet access requests, based on the corresponding executing application and whether or not that application is covered by a differential traffic control policy list. For one of the modems, the list treatment of an associated application determines whether an Internet access request is allowed or disallowed. For the other modem, the list treatment does not cause that same application to have its Internet access requests disallowed.

Abstract: A wireless end-user device has wireless wide-area network (WWAN) and wireless local-area network (WLAN) modems. One or more processors classify whether an application is interacting with a user in a user interface foreground of the device. At a time when Internet service activities are communicated through a first wireless network type, the processors use a differential traffic control policy list to determine whether or not to apply a differential traffic control policy to Internet service activities for an application. When the policy is applicable, the policy may direct that Internet service activities by the application are blocked. A user of the device is allowed to augment the policy that will be applied for applications specified as controlled by the list, but not for other applications and/or services.

Abstract: A wireless end-user device has wireless wide-area network (WWAN) and wireless local-area network (WLAN) modems. A memory stores a network service activity control policy set that includes multiple differential traffic control policy elements applicable respectively to different end-user applications. One or more processors are configured to implement an application program interface (API) to control application access to Internet data services communicated through the modems. The API selectively blocks or allows Internet access activities by each of the end-user applications based on their respective traffic control policy elements and based on the modem to be used for the Internet access activities.

Abstract: Device Assisted Services (DAS) for protecting network capacity is provided. In some embodiments, DAS for protecting network capacity includes monitoring a network service usage activity of the communications device in network communication; classifying the network service usage activity for differential network access control for protecting network capacity; and associating the network service usage activity with a network service usage control policy based on a classification of the network service usage activity to facilitate differential network access control for protecting network capacity.

Abstract: A wireless end-user device has a configurable wireless wide-area network (WWAN) modem capable of connection to both a home WWAN and a roaming WWAN. One or more processors classify whether an application is interacting with a user in a user interface foreground of the device. At a time when Internet service activities are communicated through the roaming WWAN, the processors use a differential traffic control policy list to determine whether or not to apply a differential traffic control policy to an application requesting Internet service access. When the policy is applicable, and the application is not classified as interacting with a user in the device user interface foreground, the Internet service access request is blocked.

Abstract: A method performed by a network system communicatively coupled to a device over a wireless access network, the method comprising transmitting a traffic flow to, or receiving the traffic flow from, a software application on the device, the traffic flow comprising one or more related data transfers over the wireless access network, the traffic flow being routed between the software application and the network system through an assisting element comprising a control application or a proxy agent on the device, wherein the traffic flow has a characteristic associating the traffic flow with the first software application, the characteristic preserving the association between the traffic flow and the software application when the traffic flow is routed by the one or more assisting elements; identifying the characteristic; and implementing at least a portion of a control, accounting, or notification service policy based on the identified characteristic.

Abstract: A wireless end-user device has wireless wide-area network (WWAN) and wireless local-area network (WLAN) modems. One or more processors classify when an application is interacting in the device foreground with a user. For a time period when data for Internet service activities is communicated through the WWAN modem, the processors use a differential traffic control policy to selectively block and allow network access for an application based on whether the application is classified as interacting in the device foreground with a user. The processors provide a network access condition to the application through an application program interface (API), and thus can indicate that Internet data service is unavailable to that particular application based on the classification. A different policy may apply to WLAN modem usage and/or to different WWAN networks.

Abstract: A wireless end-user device has wireless wide-area network (WWAN) and wireless local-area network (WLAN) modems. One or more processors determine when an application is running in a background state or as a foreground application. The processors control application access for Internet service activities through an application program interface (API). At a time when Internet service activities are communicated through the WWAN modem, the processors use a differential traffic control policy to selectively block and allow network access for an application based on the determination as to whether the application is running in a background state or as a foreground application. A different policy may apply to WLAN modem usage.

Abstract: A wireless end-user device contains a wireless modem, a network stack configurable to receive and transmit network data via the wireless modem, a media service manager, and a service classification agent. The media service manager manages network data transfers for media objects as requested by multiple applications. Even though the media service manager manages the network data transfers, the service classification agent provides a capability to associate network data usage for the network data transfers with the applications that requested the service from the media service manager.