Patents by Inventor Robert E. Urbanek

Robert E. Urbanek 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).

  • Patent number: 9084284
    Abstract: A method, system and medium are provided for receiving an incoming call on a target wireless-telecommunications device. A secure communication path is established between a primary device and a nonprimary device, and a proximity-based relationship is created between the primary device and the nonprimary device. The primary device has associated with it a set of user credentials and a set of hardware credentials. When the nonprimary device comes within a threshold proximity of the primary device, the primary device automatically communicates the set of user credentials and the set of hardware credentials to the nonprimary device thereby activating it so that it can receive an incoming call. The primary device is deactivated so that a wireless-telecommunications-network subscriber can only receive an incoming call on one device at a time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Trevor Daniel Shipley, Louis Eric Wingo, Cesar Perez, Robert E. Urbanek
  • Publication number: 20150111564
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure are directed to methods and systems for provisioning and/or customizing a mobile device. After a mobile device is purchased by a user, custom settings and information (or customization content) may be delivered to or accessed on the mobile device. In some embodiments, the customization content may be pre-loaded onto the device and access via a uniform resource identifier (or URI) string. In other embodiments, the customization content may be accessed from a remotely hosted location via a uniform resource locator (or URL) string. Additionally, customization content may be accessed via a combination of the above methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2013
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Applicant: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventor: Robert E. Urbanek
  • Publication number: 20150111565
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure are directed to methods and systems for provisioning and/or customizing a mobile device. A method may comprise receiving a provisioning payload to the mobile device, wherein the payload comprises one or more file locator. The file locator(s) may comprise a uniform resource identifier (URI) string and/or a uniform resource locator (URL) string. The method may further comprise accessing pre-loaded customization content based on a URI string, wherein the URI string directs to one or more pre-loaded customization content items on the mobile device. Alternatively, the method may comprise accessing a remotely hosted location based on at least one of the URL strings, and downloading customization content to the mobile device from the remotely hosted location. Additionally, a combination or URI strings and URL strings may be used to access the customization content. Further, the method may comprise completing a customization process for the mobile device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2013
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Applicant: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventor: Robert E. Urbanek
  • Patent number: 8989731
    Abstract: A method of responding to a network connection failure in a mobile communication device. The method comprises receiving an error message indicating a data connection failure, activating an application configured to attempt to access the network using a first identifier on the mobile communication device in response to receiving the error message, sending an SMS message from the mobile communication device over an SMS control channel in an attempt to access the network, receiving information indicating a failure to access the network through the SMS control channel, determining that the failure to access the network is based on the first identifier, performing a limited reset of the mobile communication device to replace the first identifier with a factory default identifier, confirming through use of the factory default identifier that the first identifier is inactive, and establishing the factory default identifier such that the mobile communication device is configured for activation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Hassan Abou-El-Ella, John D. Sumler, Robert E. Urbanek
  • Patent number: 8909291
    Abstract: A method for managing device profiles is provided. The method comprises adding at least one alternative primary profile to a memory module at an alternative address different from a main address of a main primary profile. The method further comprises modifying a pointer that points to an address in the memory module from which a profile is retrieved such that the pointer points to the alternative address. The main primary profile comprises a main device identifier and a main authentication key, and the alternative primary profile comprises an alternative device identifier and an alternative authentication key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Robert L. Spanel, Robert E. Urbanek
  • Patent number: 8868064
    Abstract: A method of troubleshooting a mobile communication system comprising collecting, by a mobile communication device, data of pre-selected metrics of the mobile communication device in a queue of the mobile communication device; processing, by the mobile communication device, the data in the queue; storing, by the mobile communication device, the processed data in a memory of the mobile communication device; discarding, by the mobile communication device, a portion of previously-stored data in the memory, when the memory is full; sending, by the mobile communication device, the data from the memory to a server computer; analyzing, by the server computer, the data of the mobile communication device; and troubleshooting the mobile communication system, based on the analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventor: Robert E. Urbanek
  • Publication number: 20140080467
    Abstract: A method for open mobile alliance (OMA) device management (DM) and over-the-air customization of a generic mobile device is disclosed. The method comprises receiving an activation message from the generic mobile device to register with a service provider, wherein the generic mobile device is pre-configured to support a plurality of functions. The method also comprises associating the generic mobile device with a service provider from the service providers as indicated by the activation message. The method further comprises sending one or more OMA service objects to customize the generic mobile device according to the service provider, wherein the one or more OMA service objects enable or disable each of the pre-configured functions on the generic mobile device to support one or more service features available by the service provider.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2012
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: SPRINT COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY L.P.
    Inventor: Robert E. Urbanek
  • Patent number: 8571536
    Abstract: A method of providing wireless communication service to a mobile phone is provided. The method comprises identifying common mobile phone applications and selectively supported mobile phone applications, installing the common mobile phone applications and the selectively supported mobile phone applications in read only memory of the mobile phone, each of the selectively supported applications associated with a selection switch initially disabled. The method further comprises, when activating the mobile phone, enabling at least one of the selection switches and writing at least one reference to branded content to a random access memory of the mobile phone based on a service plan associated with the mobile phone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventor: Robert E. Urbanek
  • Patent number: 8447299
    Abstract: A multi-mode wireless device is provided to communicate with a plurality of networks, at least some of the networks having different modes of communication. The multi-mode wireless device has a network selection component to monitor at least some of networks and switch the multi-mode wireless device to communicate with different networks based on a network selection criterion. The user interface allows a user of the multi-mode wireless device to edit the network selection criterion based on a user preference related to the network used by the multi-mode wireless device. A method for communicating on one or more networks using a multi-mode wireless device is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Hieu Nguyen, Robert E. Urbanek
  • Patent number: 8423012
    Abstract: A portable electronic device is provided. The device comprises a radio transceiver, a processor, a memory, and an application stored in the memory. When executed by the processor, the application sends a chat message via the radio transceiver identifying a problem of the device. The application further receives a request for one of a version identity of a preferred roaming list (PRL) stored on the device, an identity of a firmware version installed on the device, an identity of the device model, and a mobile equipment identity (MEID) of the device. The application further transmits one of the version identity of the preferred roaming list (PRL) stored on the device, the identity of the firmware version installed on the device, the identity of the device model, and the mobile equipment identity (MEID) of the device via the radio transceiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Hassan Abou-El-Ella, Robert E. Urbanek
  • Patent number: 8423408
    Abstract: A method of dynamic content distribution and placement of advertising between a mobile device and an advertisement fulfillment system comprising providing a rotation of advertisements stored in the mobile device. Each advertisement comprises substantive content and a value in an impression field. The method further comprises selecting an advertisement from the rotation of advertisements based at least in part on which advertisement in the rotation was last displayed, and displaying the selected advertisement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: James D. Barnes, Sanjay K. Sharma, Peter H. Distler, Robert E. Urbanek
  • Patent number: 8401538
    Abstract: A method of providing wireless communication service to a mobile phone is provided. The method comprises identifying common mobile phone applications and selectively supported mobile phone applications, installing the common mobile phone applications and the selectively supported mobile phone applications in read only memory of the mobile phone, each of the selectively supported applications associated with a selection switch initially disabled. The method further comprises, when activating the mobile phone, enabling at least one of the selection switches and writing at least one reference to branded content to a random access memory of the mobile phone based on a service plan associated with the mobile phone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventor: Robert E. Urbanek
  • Publication number: 20120289216
    Abstract: A method of providing wireless communication service to a mobile phone is provided. The method comprises identifying common mobile phone applications and selectively supported mobile phone applications, installing the common mobile phone applications and the selectively supported mobile phone applications in read only memory of the mobile phone, each of the selectively supported applications associated with a selection switch initially disabled. The method further comprises, when activating the mobile phone, enabling at least one of the selection switches and writing at least one reference to branded content to a random access memory of the mobile phone based on a service plan associated with the mobile phone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2012
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: SPRINT COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY L.P.
    Inventor: Robert E. Urbanek
  • Patent number: 8260281
    Abstract: A method of providing wireless communication service to a mobile phone is provided. The method comprises identifying common mobile phone applications and selectively supported mobile phone applications, installing the common mobile phone applications and the selectively supported mobile phone applications in read only memory of the mobile phone, each of the selectively supported applications associated with a selection switch initially disabled. The method further comprises, when activating the mobile phone, enabling at least one of the selection switches and writing at least one reference to branded content to a random access memory of the mobile phone based on a service plan associated with the mobile phone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventor: Robert E. Urbanek
  • Patent number: 8249582
    Abstract: A processor-implemented method is provided comprising a portable electronic device receiving a first message that a key sequence was entered into the device wherein the key sequence is associated with sending of an outgoing transmission that was not connected. The method also comprises the device performing a first test comprising confirming at least one of the mobile directory number (MDN) and the network access identifier (NAI) of the device. The method also comprises the device performing a second test comprising requesting a first server to transmit a short message service (SMS) message to the device. The method also comprises performing a third test comprising transmitting a hypertext transport protocol (HTTP) message to a second server. Based on the results of at least one of the tests, the device at least one of displays a first visual message and plays a second audible message advising at least one corrective action step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Hassan Abou-El-Ella, Sei Y. Ng, Robert E. Urbanek
  • Publication number: 20120142327
    Abstract: A method of providing wireless communication service to a mobile phone is provided. The method comprises identifying common mobile phone applications and selectively supported mobile phone applications, installing the common mobile phone applications and the selectively supported mobile phone applications in read only memory of the mobile phone, each of the selectively supported applications associated with a selection switch initially disabled. The method further comprises, when activating the mobile phone, enabling at least one of the selection switches and writing at least one reference to branded content to a random access memory of the mobile phone based on a service plan associated with the mobile phone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: SPRINT COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY L. P.
    Inventor: Robert E. Urbanek
  • Patent number: 7974616
    Abstract: The issues introduced above are addressed by, in accordance with at least some embodiments of the invention, a communication device that includes various hardware and software components. The communication device also comprises instrumentation logic that detects the occurrences of various user usage events and logs such events. The usage events impart information about how a user is actually using the communication device. The logged usage event information can be transmitted to a server (e.g., a data center) for subsequent storage and/or analysis. User behavior profiles can thus be analyzed to determine, for example, services that users seem to prefer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventor: Robert E. Urbanek
  • Patent number: 7818410
    Abstract: A method of managing migration in enterprise-computing systems is provided. The method includes inventorying information about each of a plurality of legacy servers and each of a plurality of applications, wherein the inventory information identifies the one or more applications installed on each of the legacy servers. The method includes defining a maximum number K of applications to migrate during a wave from the legacy servers to a plurality of preferred servers. The method also includes selecting a number Q of applications to migrate during the wave from the legacy servers to the preferred servers, where Q is less than or equal to K. The method further includes installing the Q applications on the preferred servers, and retiring the legacy servers whose applications have been migrated to the preferred server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: James D. Barnes, Robert E. Urbanek
  • Patent number: 7801518
    Abstract: The issues introduced above are addressed by, in accordance with at least some embodiments of the invention, a communication device that includes various hardware and software components. The communication device also comprises instrumentation logic that detects the occurrences of various user usage events and logs such events. The usage events impart information about how a user is actually using the communication device. The logged usage event information can be transmitted to a server (e.g., a data center) for subsequent storage and/or analysis. User behavior profiles can thus be analyzed to determine, for example, services that users seem to prefer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventor: Robert E. Urbanek
  • Patent number: 7761098
    Abstract: A multi-mode wireless device is provided to communicate with a plurality of networks, at least some of the networks having different modes of communication. The multi-mode wireless device has a network selection component to monitor at least some of networks and switch the multi-mode wireless device to communicate with different networks based on a network selection criterion. The user interface allows a user of the multi-mode wireless device to edit the network selection criterion based on a user preference related to the network used by the multi-mode wireless device. A method for communicating on one or more networks using a multi-mode wireless device is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Hieu Nguyen, Robert E. Urbanek