Abstract: A system is provided including a non-transitory computer readable storage medium that causes a mobile device to store client states indicating statuses of mobile device functional components. Each client state corresponds to a functional component. A client digest of the client state is stored. A server digest corresponding to a server state and the client digest is received from a server. The server state indicates a status of a mobile device functional component. The server digest is compared with the client digest. A state request is transmitted to the server responsive to a determination of a difference between the server digest and client digest. The server state is received from the server. The functional component is enabled or disabled as indicated by the server state. The server state and digest are stored as the client state and digest respectively. Methods for control of mobile device functional components are also provided.

Abstract: A method for classifying use of a mobile device is provided. The method includes defining a list of telephone numbers, area codes, states, countries or geographic designations and detecting a plurality of communications to the mobile device or from the mobile device. The method further includes determining which of the plurality communications correspond to the list, classifying the plurality of communications into a classification based on whether they correspond to the list, and reporting the classifying of the plurality of communications.

Abstract: A device locating method includes broadcasting by a first mobile device a signal comprising an identifier associated with the first mobile device. A second mobile device receives and measures the signal broadcast by the first mobile device to produce one or more signal measurements. The second mobile device transmits the identifier associated with the first mobile device and the one or more signal measurements to a computing system. The computing system receives the identifier associated with the first mobile device and the one or more signal measurements from the second mobile device. The computing system estimates a location of the first mobile device based on the one or more signal measurements, and the location is transmitted to a user associated with the first mobile device. A traffic flow determination method, product ordering method and associated systems are also provided.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for managing application program access to a protected resource residing on a mobile device is provided. The method includes receiving from an application program a request for a permission to access the protected resource, and receiving from a source external to the mobile device an authentication of the application program. An authorization to provide the permission to access the protected resource is received and permission to access the protected resource is provided to the application program in response to receiving the authorization. Data produced by the protected resource is cryptographically signed, and a notification is generated in response to at least one of the application program requesting the permission to access the protected resource and the application program accessing the protected resource. A system for managing application program access to a protected resource residing on a mobile device is further provided.

Abstract: A family-plan management system integrating family plan widgets on mobile devices that interact with an API maintained and used by a central server is described. The family-plan management system enables high-visibility, low-effort communications between family-plan members as well as easy access to family-plan services offered by the central server. The API automatically identifies family plan members by accessing a database and then implements high-value web and mobile add-on services for the family plan members. The family-plan management system enables control and use of the family plan by the family plan member and enables the carrier to upgrade family plan services without direct action on the part of family plan members.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for disseminating user mobile device location information is provided. The method includes enabling a first request for location information of a mobile device based on at least one of a particular schedule and a particular criterion. Mobile device location information is received responsive to the first request. The mobile device location information received responsive to the first request is stored. A second request for the mobile device location information is received from a requester. Responsive to the second request, the requester is provided the location information received responsive to the first request, and at least one user-visible consequence is initiated responsive to the second request, wherein the at least one user-visible consequence is not initiated responsive to the first request.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling device use is provided. A computing system stores a first state corresponding to a status of one or more functional components of a user device. A user device stores a second state corresponding to the first state and corresponding to the status of the one or more functional components of the user device. An instruction to modify the status of the one or more functional components of the user device is received, and the computing system modifies the first state and the status of the one or more functional components at a network level responsive to the instruction. The user device modifies the second state and the status of the one or more functional components at a device level responsive to the instruction.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of aggregating and disseminating location information is provided. The method includes establishing a user account for a user and associating a user identifier with the user account. A request for the user identifier is received from a remote application server. An identifier request authorization is received from the user or the remote application server. The user identifier is provided to the remote application server in response to receiving the identifier request authorization. Mobile device location information of a user mobile device associated with the user identifier is received from the user mobile device or a remote telecommunication carrier server. A request for the mobile device location information is received from the remote application server. A location request authorization is received from the user, and the user mobile device location is provided to the remote application server in response to receiving the location request authorization.

Abstract: A method includes communicating, by an application executed by a processor of a first mobile communication device, with a server system. A first phone number corresponding to the first mobile communication device is determined or verified based on the communicating with the server system, the first phone number corresponding to a particular shared operating plan enabled by a particular mobile operator. A request is transmitted to a computing system corresponding to the particular mobile operator for a second phone number corresponding to a second mobile communication device and corresponding to the particular shared operating plan of the first mobile communication device. The second phone number is received from the computing system. The processor of the first mobile communication device determines user identifying information corresponding to the second phone number based on data accessible via the first mobile communication device, and the user identifying information is provided to a user.

Abstract: A computer implemented method is provided including establishing a value corresponding to a particular user of a device, receiving an indication of a triggering condition of the particular user of the device, the triggering condition being enabled by the device or measurable by the device, and determining the triggering condition has been met by the user via the device. The method further includes modifying the value responsive to determining the triggering condition has been met, determining when the value crosses a particular threshold, and disabling an application or a functional component of the device responsive to the value crossing the particular threshold. A system for implementing the method is also provided.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of enabling device use is provided. The method includes receiving from a first user an indication of at least one geographic area. Location information of a second user corresponding to a mobile device is received. The location information of the second user and the at least one geographic area are compared, and at least one of an application on the mobile device and a functional component of the mobile device are enabled based on the comparison of the location information of the second user and the at least one geographic area. A computing system for enabling device use is also provided.

Abstract: A method for implementation by a network-connectable computing system is provided. The method includes receiving an indication of a service corresponding to a mobile device, the indication based on a user action, and transmitting at least one message to the mobile device responsive to the indication of the service. The at least one message includes an instruction for a particular application corresponding to the service to provide a status of the particular application and an instruction for a user of the mobile device to initiate contact with a network resource to access data corresponding to the particular application. Further provided is a system for managing client application enablement and operation.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for disseminating user mobile device location information is provided. The method includes enabling a first request for location information of a mobile device based on at least one of a particular schedule and a particular criterion. Mobile device location information is received responsive to the first request. The mobile device location information received responsive to the first request is stored. A second request for the mobile device location information is received from a requester. Responsive to the second request, the requester is provided the location information received responsive to the first request, and at least one user-visible consequence is initiated responsive to the second request, wherein the at least one user-visible consequence is not initiated responsive to the first request.

Abstract: A family-plan management system integrating family plan widgets on mobile devices that interact with an API maintained and used by a central server is described. The family-plan management system enables high-visibility, low-effort communications between family-plan members as well as easy access to family-plan services offered by the central server. The API automatically identifies family plan members by accessing a database and then implements high-value web and mobile add-on services for the family plan members. The family-plan management system enables control and use of the family plan by the family plan member and enables the carrier to upgrade family plan services without direct action on the part of family plan members.

Abstract: A computer-implemented mobile device locating method is provided. The method includes determining a current cell sector of a mobile device and comparing the current cell sector with a cell sector list of previously determined cell sectors. A current location of the mobile device is determined if the current cell sector is not listed in the cell sector list. The current location is compared with a last determined location. The current cell sector is added to the cell sector list if the current location is substantially the same as the last determined location. The cell sector list is cleared if the current location is not substantially the same as the last determined location.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for preventing communication using a mobile communication device is provided. The method includes enabling a motion detection process and detecting with the motion detection process at a first instance the mobile device is in motion. The motion detection process is disabled in response to detecting the mobile device is in motion. An attempted communication is detected via the mobile device, and the motion detection process is re-enabled in response to detecting the attempted communication. The method further includes detecting with the motion detection process at a second instance if the mobile device is in motion. If the mobile device is detected at the second instance in motion, the attempted communication is disabled. If the mobile device is detected at the second instance not in motion, the attempted communication is enabled.

Abstract: A computer-implemented mobile device locating method is provided. The method includes determining a current cell sector of a mobile device and comparing the current cell sector with a cell sector list of previously determined cell sectors. A current location of the mobile device is determined if the current cell sector is not listed in the cell sector list. The current location is compared with a last determined location. The current cell sector is added to the cell sector list if the current location is substantially the same as the last determined location. The cell sector list is cleared if the current location is not substantially the same as the last determined location.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for aggregating and disseminating tag data is provided. The method includes receiving a tag generated at a particular time from a particular mobile device. Data indicative of a particular location of the particular mobile device is received corresponding to the particular time. The tag is associated with the location indicative data of the particular mobile device. Data indicative of a location of one or more other mobile devices is received, and data indicative of the tag is transmitted to the one or more other mobile devices in response to the location indicative data of the one or more other mobile devices corresponding to the location indicative data of the particular mobile device.

Abstract: A computer implemented user contribution method is provided. The method includes receiving identifying information from a plurality of users and receiving from the plurality of users indications of one or more geographic areas. A quality value of the one or more geographic areas is determined based on the indications of the one or more geographic areas from the plurality of users, and the quality value is transmitted to one or more of the plurality of users. The present invention further provides a user contribution based mapping system.

Abstract: A computer-implemented mobile device calling method is provided. The method includes detecting initiation of a communication between a first mobile device and a second mobile device and determining a current location of the first mobile device in response to initiation of the communication between the first mobile device and the second mobile device. The method further includes transmitting the current location of the first mobile device to the second mobile device in response to initiation of the communication between the first mobile device and the second mobile device. A system for managing distribution of location information between mobile devices is further provided.