Patents by Inventor Nicholas Alfano

Nicholas Alfano has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20100093375
    Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for applying feature controls to features on a wireless device while the mobile is in a geographic area is provided. The wireless device receives instructions from a wireless network indicating which feature controls to apply. The wireless device determines that its position is within the geographic area and applies the feature controls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
    Inventors: Adrian Buckley, Khaledul Islam, Nicholas Alfano, Luis Estable, Trevor Plestid
  • Patent number: 7653398
    Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for applying feature controls to features on a wireless device while the mobile is in a geographic area is provided. The wireless device receives instructions from a wireless network indicating which feature controls to apply. The wireless device determines that its position is within the geographic area and applies the feature controls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Research in Motion Limited
    Inventors: Adrian Buckley, Khaled Islam, Nicholas Alfano, Luis Estable, Trevor Plestid
  • Publication number: 20090207817
    Abstract: Communication devices capable of at least two communication modes (e.g. WLAN, WMAN and WWAN and/or wired modes) can be configured to optimize communications using a policy-based mechanism to configure connections and routes. A rules engine evaluates its policies on a state change (e.g. network availability, time of day, etc.) to configure a routing table and, together with communication APIs, provides an appropriate connection to an application for its respective communications. Policies may be responsive to various factors such as Radio Access Technology (high/low bandwidth), cost, presence, time of day, location, application type and quality of service (QoS) requirements among others to optimize communications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Inventors: Michael Montemurro, Nicholas Alfano, John-Luc Bakker, Richard George, Brian Alexander Oliver
  • Publication number: 20090193512
    Abstract: A method and system for addressing a unique device from an address book, the method having the steps of: receiving a message having a root token and a secondary token; checking whether the root token exists within the address book, if no, creating a record in the address book with the root and secondary token; and if yes, checking whether the secondary token exists within the address book, if yes, providing a representation of the unique device; and if no, storing the secondary token against the root token in the address book.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Inventors: Adrian Buckley, Andrew Michael Allen, Young Ae Kim, Jan Hendrik Lucas Bakker, Nicholas Alfano, Barry Linkert, Gaelle Christine Martin-Cocher, Suresh Chitturi, Brian Edward Anthony McColgan
  • Publication number: 20090149176
    Abstract: A method of scanning frequencies for registration onto a wireless service provider by a wireless device is provided. The inventive method comprises predefining a priority sequence of frequencies in association with each of a plurality of locations. Itinerary information is received and a current expected location of the device in real-time based is determined based on the itinerary information. The device then scans frequencies according to any priority sequence predefined for the current expected location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2009
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Inventors: Thanh Vuong, Nicholas Alfano
  • Patent number: 7509125
    Abstract: A method of scanning frequencies for registration onto a wireless service provider by a wireless device is provided. The inventive method comprises predefining a priority sequence of frequencies in association with each of a plurality of locations. Itinerary information is received and a current expected location of the device in real-time based is determined based on the itinerary information. The device then scans frequencies according to any priority sequence predefined for the current expected location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Thanh Vuong, Nicholas Alfano
  • Publication number: 20080273677
    Abstract: A method of communicating information describing a voice call from a caller to a recipient comprises steps of obtaining call subject information describing the call and communicating the call subject information to the recipient to inform the recipient about the call. The call subject information can be presented as a subject line displayed to a recipient in which the caller provides information about the nature of the call and/or its urgency, which thus enables the recipient to better judge whether it should be answered immediately. The call subject information can be input as text by the caller or it can be extracted automatically from a calendar application or a messaging application.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2007
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Inventors: Nicholas Alfano, David Castell, David Heit, Douglas Gisby, Jan John-Luc Bakker, Richard George, Ian McDonald
  • Publication number: 20080274715
    Abstract: A method and apparatus to enhance decision making capabilities of a user of a mobile device, the method having the steps of: receiving, at the mobile device, information related to the cost of mobile services; and communicating an indication of the cost of mobile services to the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2007
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Inventors: David Lloyd Heit, Atul Asthana, Douglas Michael Gisby, Ian James McDonald, Brian Oliver, John-Luc Bakker, Nicholas Alfano
  • Publication number: 20080274694
    Abstract: A system and method for multi-channel blocking, the method having the steps of: creating a block filter to block a plurality of communication channels to a mobile device; communicating the block filter to a blocking element; and executing the blocking filter at the blocking element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2007
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Inventors: William David Castell, Nicholas Alfano, Ian James McDonald, Atul Asthana, David Lloyd Heit, Douglas Michael Gisby, Richard John George, Jan John-Luc Bakker
  • Publication number: 20080019304
    Abstract: Apparatus, and an associated method, by which to facilitate operation of a roaming mobile node to perform a packet communication service. When the mobile node roams beyond its home network, detection is made of the available networks in whose coverage area that the mobile node roams together with the communication capabilities of the available networks. A preferred listing stored at a storage element of the mobile node is accessed to determine if any of the available and compatible networks are listed on the preferred listing. If so, selection is made of one of the available and preferred networks. Otherwise, a network not contained in the preferred listing is selected through which to communicate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2007
    Publication date: January 24, 2008
    Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
    Inventors: ADRIAN BUCKLEY, NICHOLAS ALFANO, MIHAL LAZARIDIS
  • Publication number: 20070298817
    Abstract: Apparatus, and an associated method, for communicating short message service content to a short message service center. The address of an IP-SM-GW (Internet Protocol-Short Message-Gateway) defined in the 3GPP TS 23.204 is provided to user equipment and used to address an SIP request that contains encapsulated SMS content. The address is stored at the mobile station at a storage element, such as at a SIM card, UICC, or management object. A SIP request generator accesses the storage element and uses the address as the address of the SIP request. The SIP request also includes SMS content, in encapsulation, therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2006
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
    Inventors: Nicholas Alfano, Andrew Allen
  • Publication number: 20070207815
    Abstract: A cross-technology coverage mapping system and method for modulating scanning behavior of a wireless user equipment (UE) device in a radio network environment. In one exemplary embodiment, the wireless UE device is operable to determine its geographic area location. A logic module of the wireless UE device is adapted for interrogating a database to determine which radio access technologies (RATs) have coverage in the geographic area location. Responsive to the interrogation, scanning by the wireless UE device is restricted to only those RATs that have coverage in the particular geographic area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2006
    Publication date: September 6, 2007
    Inventors: Nicholas Alfano, Vytautas Kezys, Yiu Lam, Richard George, Brian Oliver, Mark Pletsch, Balaji Gopalan, Paul Carpenter
  • Publication number: 20070178888
    Abstract: Several related methods and apparatus for re-establishing communication for a wireless communication device after a communication loss between the wireless device and a wireless communication network are disclosed. In one illustrative example, the wireless network broadcasts identifiers of wireless devices associated with communication losses in the wireless network over a control channel. After regaining signal coverage, a wireless device monitors the control channel to decode and compare each broadcasted identifier with an identifier of the wireless device. Based on a match between a broadcasted identifier and the identifier of the wireless device, the wireless device transmits a control message which informs the wireless network of the presence of the wireless device. Otherwise, the wireless device normally refrains from transmitting the control message to the wireless network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2007
    Publication date: August 2, 2007
    Applicant: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Nicholas Alfano, Noushad Naqvi, Sarmad Musa, Bryan Taylor, Craig Dunk, Atul Asthana, Adrian Buckley
  • Publication number: 20070087764
    Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for applying feature controls to features on a wireless device while the mobile is in a geographic area is provided. The wireless device receives instructions from a wireless network indicating which feature controls to apply. The wireless device determines that its position is within the geographic area and applies the feature controls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2005
    Publication date: April 19, 2007
    Inventors: Adrian Buckley, Khaledul Islam, Nicholas Alfano, Luis Estable, Trevor Plestid
  • Publication number: 20060246899
    Abstract: A scheme is provided for acquiring network advertisement information in a network environment having one or more radio access networks (RANs), one or more core networks (CNs) and one or more service networks (SNS). A combination of codes is provided to a wireless user equipment (UE) device for facilitating discovery of applicable RAN-CN-SN combinations and subsequent network selection by the UE device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2005
    Publication date: November 2, 2006
    Inventors: Adrian Buckley, Paul Carpenter, Nicholas Alfano, Andrew Allen
  • Publication number: 20060245392
    Abstract: A network selection scheme operable in a network environment having one or more radio access networks (RANs), one or more core networks (CNs), and one or more service networks (SNs). Upon obtaining identity information of a particular network combination, a wireless user equipment (UE) device is operable to register with a roaming broker (RB), whereby additional information may be provided to the device for facilitating appropriate network selection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2005
    Publication date: November 2, 2006
    Inventors: Adrian Buckley, Paul Carpenter, Nicholas Alfano, Andrew Allen
  • Publication number: 20060211421
    Abstract: A method of scanning frequencies for registration onto a wireless service provider by a wireless device is provided. The inventive method comprises predefining a priority sequence of frequencies in association with each of a plurality of locations. Itinerary information is received and a current expected location of the device in real-time based is determined based on the itinerary information. The device then scans frequencies according to any priority sequence predefined for the current expected location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2005
    Publication date: September 21, 2006
    Inventors: Thanh Vuong, Nicholas Alfano
  • Publication number: 20060172735
    Abstract: Apparatus, and an associated method, for facilitating selection of a radio access network with which a roaming mobile node attempts to effectuate communications pursuant to a selected communication service. Listings are maintained at the mobile node, each containing entries of networks and their communication service capabilities. Different listings identify networks of differing preference levels. Detection is made of available networks, and a selector selects with which network to attempt to communicate based upon network availability, network capability, and preference.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2005
    Publication date: August 3, 2006
    Inventors: Adrian Buckley, Nicholas Alfano
  • Publication number: 20060160537
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a scheme is provided for network selection by a user equipment (UE) device that is operable to discover multiple PLMNs in a location area. Each discovered PLMN is identified and an indicium associated with the PLMN is presented to the user so that the user can select a particular PLMN.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2005
    Publication date: July 20, 2006
    Inventors: Adrian Buckley, Nicholas Alfano, Paul Carpenter
  • Publication number: 20060160532
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a scheme is disclosed for providing regulatory compliance in network selection by a user equipment (UE) device that is operable to discover an equivalent home network in a foreign country. Upon receiving a network identity code from a network node, a determination is made if the network identified by the network identity code is an equivalent home network with respect to a subscriber identity associated with the UE device. If so, network scanning is performed by the UE device in accordance with scanning procedures specified for a home country associated with the subscriber identity provided that the geographic code portion of the network country code identifies a geographic area in the home country of the subscriber identity. Otherwise, network scanning is performed by the UE device in accordance with scanning procedures specified for a foreign geographic region identified in the network identity code.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2005
    Publication date: July 20, 2006
    Inventors: Adrian Buckley, Nicholas Alfano, Paul Carpenter