Abstract: To manage playout of digital media by a media player, a wireless communication device (WCD) will include partitioned data storage including discrete partitions having distributor-modules corresponding with various media distributors, and including a digital rights management (DRM) controller. When the media player seeks to play media, it will request a DRM key from the WCD. The DRM controller may then identify the appropriate distributor-module and request the key from the distributor-module. If the distributor-module possesses the key, it will return it for transmission to the media player. Otherwise, the distributor-module may engage in secure communication with a provisioning system to obtain the DRM key and may then return the key. Upon receipt of the key, the media player may then play the media.

Abstract: A method and system for providing connections from a wireless access point. The wireless access point has multiple VPN tunnels. The access point detects a wireless-network identifier (such as a service set identifier (SSID)) provided by a terminal via an air interface, and the access point uses the wireless-network identifier as a basis to select one of the VPN tunnels. The access point then sends communication from the terminal via the selected VPN tunnel.

Abstract: A method is provided. The method comprises a proxy application logging into a first internet service on behalf of a handset, the proxy application executing on a computer system in a communications service provider network. The method also comprises the proxy application logging into a second internet service on behalf of the handset and mediating communication between the first internet service and the handset and between the second internet service and the handset. The method also comprises collecting information about locations of the handset, communications of the handset, and transactions conducted using the handset. The method also comprises the proxy application providing the information to define a presence of a user of the handset to one of the first internet service and the second internet service.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for secure automated conferencing between authorized conference participants. A conference server may schedule a conference between a plurality of authorized conference participants and assign each authorized conference participant a respective unique participant-ID. The conference server may send each participant a conference message containing an actionable link that the party may invoke to join the conference. The link may designate the party's unique participant-ID and the conference bridge number. When the link is invoked, the device of the conference participant may initiate communication with the conference server and provide the unique participant-ID to the conference server. When a given party initiates communication with the conference server, the conference server may verify that the given party is an authorized conference participant.

Abstract: A method and system for providing connections from a wireless access point. The wireless access point has multiple sets of predefined VPN security settings. The access point detects a wireless-network identifier (such as a service set identifier (SSID)) provided by a terminal via an air interface, and the access point uses the wireless-network identifier as a basis to select one of the sets of predefined VPN security settings and to responsively establish a VPN tunnel extending between the access point and a remote VPN terminator.

Abstract: A media player is provided. The media player comprises a communications interface, a memory store containing a plurality of personalized advertisements, and a media playback component. The targeted advertisements are refreshed by receiving updates from the communications interface during some of the intervals when the media player is connected to a network. The targeted advertisements are indexed by a plurality of characteristics, the first characteristic being a creation date of the targeted advertisements. The media playback component is configured to play a media content, wherein the media content is stored separately from the targeted advertisements, and to play one of the targeted advertisements in the memory store selected based on the characteristics of the one of the targeted advertisements.

Abstract: A method of monitoring a portable electronic device electronically is provided. The method comprises receiving a first radio signal, the first radio signal emitted by the electronically monitored portable electronic device and determining a first received signal strength of the first radio signal. The method also comprises receiving a second radio signal, the second radio signal emitted by the electronically monitored portable electronic device, the second radio signal received after the first radio signal. The method also comprises determining a second received signal strength of the second radio signal, comparing the second received signal strength to the first received signal strength, and alerting when a result of the comparing exceeds a threshold.

Abstract: A multi-mode mobile station includes a first interface for wireless communication with a wireless local area network (WLAN) and a second interface for wireless communication with a wireless wide area network (WWAN). A call control system routes all calls to and from the multi-mode mobile station through a media gateway that serves as an anchor point for handoffs between the WLAN and WWAN. For example, while involved in a call that has a WLAN call leg from the media gateway, the multi-mode mobile transmits a handoff request. The call control system then establishes a WWAN call leg from the media gateway, and the multi-mode mobile station stores in a buffer any media received via the WWAN call leg. The call control system subsequently transmits a handoff instruction to the multi-mode mobile station. In response, the multi-mode mobile station plays out the stored media and drops the WLAN call leg.

Abstract: Method and improvements for joining wireless mesh networks are provided. In one embodiment, a controller in each network receives a message from a node in its respective network, the message indicating that the respective nodes each received a signal from a node in the other network. Each controller, in response to receiving the respective messages, validates the other network, and responsively (a) directs its respective node to enter a bridging mode and (b) provides its respective node with bridging data that includes a security key for communications between the two nodes. The two nodes then associate with each other using the security key, allowing communications to pass between the two wireless mesh networks.

Abstract: A method for distributing a digital motion picture to multiple theaters in a region via terrestrial wireless communication. The motion picture is divided into chunks, and the chunks are transmitted to particular initial seed theaters in the region. To facilitate the initial seeding, downlink bandwidth on various wireless links is dynamically increased. Once the initial seeding is complete, the downlink bandwidth is decreased and is preferably equalized substantially with uplink bandwidth. The theaters in the region are then directed to begin peer-to-peer sharing of the chunks with each other, possibly through use of BitTorrent or other cooperative downloading process from the initial seed theaters. Ultimately, all of the theaters in the region thereby obtain all of the chunks of the motion picture and can conveniently present the motion picture to audiences.

Abstract: A method and system for configuring one or more prospective-participant nodes as participant nodes so as to enable the prospective-participant nodes to engage in a peer-to-peer communication is provided. In one exemplary embodiment, the method and system may be embodied as a common application that includes logic, in hardware or software form, for carrying out one or more of the functions for configuring one or more prospective-participant nodes as a participant node in a peer-to-peer network. In carrying out these functions, one of the participant nodes discovers its network-connection settings, and based on these settings, generates participant-node-configuration data that includes one or more network connection settings that define how to address the prospective-participant node as a participant node.

Abstract: A multi-mode mobile station is able to wirelessly communicate with a wireless wide area network (WWAN) and with a wireless local area network (WLAN). The WLAN includes a “virtual” visitor location register (VVLR) for storing information about multi-mode mobile stations being served by the WLAN. The VVLR communicates with a home location register (HLR) in the WWAN in order to facilitate roaming between the WWAN and WLAN by the multi-mode mobile station.

Abstract: A method is provided for mobile device enabled radar tags. A signal is transmitted to a radar tag. The radar tag detects the signal. The radar tag provides information. The information is received from the radar tag. A location of the radar tag is determined based on the information. The radar tag is identified based on the information. The identification of the radar tag, the location of the radar tag, and a time associated with determining the location of the radar tag are recorded as data in a database. The radar tag is evaluated based on accessing a plurality of recordings of the data in the database.

Abstract: A mobile station is coupled to a docking station that has a landline connection to a packet-switched network. In response, the mobile station's mobile directory number (MDN) is registered, via the packet-switched network, as being accessible via the docking station. As a result, when a call is placed to the MDN, the call is routed to the docking station via the packet-switched network. Communication devices coupled to the docking station may then be used to answer the call and/or participate in the call.

Abstract: A method of monitoring a portable electronic device electronically is provided. The method comprises receiving a first radio signal, the first radio signal emitted by the electronically monitored portable electronic device and determining a first received signal strength of the first radio signal. The method also comprises receiving a second radio signal, the second radio signal emitted by the electronically monitored portable electronic device, the second radio signal received after the first radio signal. The method also comprises determining a second received signal strength of the second radio signal, comparing the second received signal strength to the first received signal strength, and alerting when a result of the comparing exceeds a threshold.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for digital rights management for mobile devices. An account is maintained for a subscriber. The account is associated with a mobile video player (MVP) and a digital video recorder (DVR). The MVP is served by a wireless carrier, and the DVR is connected to a packet-data network. A first content request is received from the MVP. The first content request identifies requested content and includes an identifier of the MVP that was added to the first content request by the wireless carrier to verify that the MVP sent the first content request. The identifier of the MVP is used to identify the account. A second content request, which identifies the requested content, is sent to the DVR. The requested content is received from the DVR, and then sent to the MVP via the wireless carrier, for receipt and playing by the MVP for the subscriber.

Abstract: A computer system receives communications from wireless communications devices reporting on problems with communications with content servers on a network such as application servers or web site servers. The central computer system generates reports summarizing the reported problems. Such summary reports can be used internally by a wireless service provider or made available to the proprietor of the content server. The wireless communications devices include an interactive application that facilitates generation of a report and transmission of the report to the computer system. In one embodiment, the computer system is managed by a provider of wireless communications services.

Abstract: A multi-mode mobile station is able to wirelessly communicate with a wireless wide area network (WWAN) and with a wireless local area network (WLAN). The WLAN includes a “virtual” visitor location register (VVLR) for storing information about multi-mode mobile stations being served by the WLAN. The VVLR communicates with a home location register (HLR) in the WWAN in order to facilitate roaming between the WWAN and WLAN by the multi-mode mobile station.

Abstract: A method for distributing a digital motion picture to multiple theaters in a region via terrestrial wireless communication. The motion picture is divided into chunks, and the chunks are transmitted to particular initial seed theaters in the region. To facilitate the initial seeding, downlink bandwidth on various wireless links is dynamically increased. Once the initial seeding is complete, the downlink bandwidth is decreased and is preferably equalized substantially with uplink bandwidth. The theaters in the region are then directed to begin peer-to-peer sharing of the chunks with each other, possibly through use of BitTorrent or other cooperative downloading process from the initial seed theaters. Ultimately, all of the theaters in the region thereby obtain all of the chunks of the motion picture and can conveniently present the motion picture to audiences.

Abstract: A method and system for providing connections from a wireless access point. The wireless access point has multiple connections to remote endpoints. The access point detects a wireless-network identifier (such as a service set identifier (SSID)) provided by a terminal via an air interface, and the access point uses the wireless-network identifier as a basis to select one of the connections over which to send traffic from the terminal.