Abstract: A system and a method for adding, authorizing, or activating pre-paid wireless service for multiple users includes receiving one of a plurality of authorization codes associated with a single transaction, single authorization card, or a single account. The system and method further verifying that the received one of the plurality of authorization codes is authentic. The system and method further adding, authorizing, and/or activating wireless service in response to receiving and verifying the one of the plurality codes. A card, print out, and webpage having a plurality of authorization codes implementing the invention is disclosed as well.

Abstract: A communication system includes a development sector for registering a plurality of wireless devices, a business sector for controlling utilization of an application program and for receiving application data, a service sector for deploying the application program and for providing the application data to the business sector in accordance with communication with at least one wireless device of the plurality; and a mobile sector comprising the plurality of wireless devices, each device for receiving the application program deployed by the service sector, executing the application program in response to the business sector, and communicating with the service sector to support provision of the application data to the business sector. The wireless device, such as a cell phone, personal digital assistant, or palm top computer may include an auxiliary device such as a bar code scanner, a magnetic stripe card reader, or a printer.

Abstract: A method and system for selecting a target cell for handover of user equipment in a Long Term Evolution (LTE) communication system are described. In accordance with the method, a serving cell: determines virtual channels supported by each of a plurality of neighboring cells; determines a set of virtual channels of interest to a UE; selects a subset of the neighboring cells, which supports at least one virtual channel in the set of virtual channels of interest to the UE; modifies handover behavior, and uses results of the modified handover behavior to select one of the neighboring cells, from the subset, as a target cell for handover of the UE.

Abstract: A device receives, from a content server device, content information associated with content accessed by a user device, and information associated with utilization of a network path provided between the user device and the content server device. The device receives information associated with data usage by the user device for accessing the content, and determines whether the data usage is sponsored by a sponsor based on the content information and the information associated with the utilization of the network path. The sponsor sponsors data usage associated with particular content when the utilization of the network path is below a threshold. The device assigns charges for the data usage to an account associated with the user device when the data usage is not sponsored by the sponsor, or to an account associated with the sponsor when the data usage is sponsored by the sponsor.

Abstract: Various methods and systems for establishing a connection between a user device and a base station (BS) in a dynamically self-optimizing communication network and methods and systems for handover of the user device from a first BS to a second BS is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method for establishing connection includes initializing user device, identifying a channel and a modulation scheme, receiving virtual machine (VM) primitives and registering by user device with the network based on the VM primitives. The method of handover includes generating by the first BS, a network implementation instruction for user device to adapt to second BS, downloading the network implementation instruction to user device to provide information regarding when to start executing the instruction, communicating by first BS to second BS an intimation regarding completion of handover of user device and informing second BS as to when to take over the user device.

Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide methods and apparatus for modifications to operation of a group of devices utilizing target wakeup times (TWTs).

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatuses in user equipments (1400) and network nodes (1410, 420) for controlling transmission power of the user equipments when the user equipments are connected to a wireless network. The disclosed methods and apparatuses deals with independently controlling transmission power of SRS signals and signals comprising traffic data from the user equipment (1400). Thereby, it is possible to use different power levels for SRS signals intended to e.g. a macro node and for traffic data intended to e.g. a pico node.

Abstract: There is provided a relay server 20 relaying communications between terminals using an application. Each terminal 10 includes a voice call means 11 which performs a voice call process, and a voice call information transmission means 12 which, when the voice call process is performed by the voice call means 11, transmits to the relay server 20 a voice call status change notice inclusive of information for identifying the terminal 10 and indicative of voice call status having been changed, the transmission being performed by communication using the application. Upon receipt of communication data through communication using the application from a communication source terminal 10, the relay server 20 identifies a communication destination terminal based on the voice call status change notice and transmits the communication data to the identified communication destination terminal.

Abstract: Various systems and methods for a collaborative phone reputation system are described herein. A system for implementing a collaborative phone reputation system includes a compute device comprising: a call handling module to detect, at the compute device, an incoming call for a user of the compute device; a scoring module to determine a local probabilistic score that the incoming call is desirable for the user; and an execution module to perform an action at the compute device based on the local probabilistic score.

Abstract: A system for managing a cellular wireless communication network in near real time is disclosed. The system comprises a data store storing performance metrics in near real time and segmented according to base transceiver stations and record time. The system also comprises a computer and an application that receives a selection of a geographic area and a time period and identifies a predetermined quantity of base transceiver stations nearest the geographic area. The application also retrieves metrics associated with each of the identified base transceiver during the time period from the data store and retrieves the metrics most recently recorded for each identified base transceiver station. The application analyzes the metrics associated with each base transceiver station and compares the metrics associated with each base transceiver station with the most recently recorded metrics in order to identify that a value of a metric of a base transceiver station is outside a range.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer readable medium comprising instructions for handling insufficient account balance of subscribers in a mobile communications network is disclosed. A request for communication is received from a mobile station. A determination is made as to whether a subscriber of the mobile station has an insufficient account balance. If the subscriber has an insufficient account balance, the request is withheld and the mobile station is notified by a short message.

Abstract: Concepts and technologies are described herein for managing network load using device application programs. An illustrative method includes receiving, at a mobile device, a list of preferred combinations of location area codes (“LACs”), cell identifiers (“CIDs”), and times that data access by the mobile device is to be incentivized, determining a current LAC associated with a location area within which the mobile device is currently located, determining a current CID associated with a base transceiver station to which the mobile device is currently connected, determining a current time, and determining if the current LAC, the current cell ID, and the current time are included as a preferred combination in the list. The method also includes providing an indication that data access by the mobile device is incentivized if the current LAC, the current cell ID, and the current time are included in the list as a preferred combination.

Abstract: Equipments and methods are disclosed for facilitating service provisioning in a system that comprises a payment processor, a number of service providers and a mediator that mediates information exchange between the payment processor and service providers, and a mobile terminal operated by payment card holder. In some implementations, service provisioning can be facilitated in cases wherein the payment processor must reside in a strictly regulated Payment Card Industry (PCI) compliant environment and the service providers operate servers that are not PCI-compliant.

Abstract: Methods for estimating Subscriber quality of experience (QOE) for mobile users accessing networks for different services from observed data in control and user planes in mobile wireless networks and then summarizing inferences per user, per service, per sector, group of sectors and other aggregate points, and exporting this information for reducing user churn, network planning and network tuning, application adaptation to improve QOE are disclosed. Methods for improving subscriber QOE metrics for certain applications, services and web-sites for improved monetization methods are also presented. The methods facilitate quantifying network goodness from the user application point of view, and exporting triggers to other network elements, such as SON Server, OSS and PCRF, when QOE anomalies are detected. Additionally, this exported information could also trigger content adaptation, delivery optimizations and other actions.

Abstract: A device receives an emergency call via a session initiation protocol (SIP) invite that includes a cell identification (ID) and a service or device type associated with a user equipment (UE). The device determines, based on the service or device type, whether the UE is a fixed device or a wireless device, and uses a static approach to route the emergency call to a public safety answering point (PSAP) when the UE is a fixed device. The device uses a cell database to route the emergency call to the PSAP, based on the cell ID, when the UE is a wireless device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a better user experience and provider profitability. An exemplary system includes a telecommunications device subject to a cellular service plan from a cellular carrier. The telecommunications device includes an application program that gathers device usage data and determines whether the current cellular service plan is the best service plan based on gathered usage data. If a current cellular service plan is not the best service plan, based on the gathered usage data, then cellular service plans from the current cellular service provider or other service providers are measured against the gathered device-usage data to determine the best available service plan.

Abstract: An un-provisioned user device may send, via a cellular network, a request associated with receiving a service provided by a service provider. The user device may receive, via the cellular network, a response indicating that the user device has limited access to the cellular network. The user device may identify, based on a user account with which the user device is to be associated, a particular existing mobile directory number (MDN), associated with the user account, that is to be moved to the user device. The user device may send, via the cellular network, a movement request to move the particular existing MDN to the user device. The movement request may be sent to cause the particular existing MDN to be associated with the user device such that the user device is provisioned to receive the service using the particular existing MDN.

Abstract: A radio access network comprises a serving radio network controller (S-RNC). The S-RNC receives successfully received medium access control (MAC) packet data units (PDUs), discards duplicates of MAC PDUs, reorders the non-discarded MAC PDUs based on serial numbers of the MAC PDUs and delivers the MAC PDUs to a radio link control protocol layer. A controlling radio network controller (C-RNC) provides information to Node-Bs under its control for use in scheduling uplink transmissions. A plurality of Node-Bs schedule uplink transmissions in response to the information provided by its C-RNC, transmit scheduling information to user equipments of its cells, receive MAC PDUs from user equipments of its cells using hybrid automatic repeat request and forward the successfully received MAC PDUs to an associated S-RNC.

Abstract: Methods for provisioning wireline or wireless services and goods to at least one prepaid or postpaid customer in a communications network are provided. In one such method, a request is received for at least one service or good from a prepaid customer and it is determined based upon the request if sufficient funds are available to pay for the requested service and, if not, a warning message is sent to the customer. If funds are available a payment for the requested service or good is deducted from the customer's account, the account balance is updated, and an authorization is sent to the service node that facilitates the requested service or good. Upon receipt of the authorization, the service node is permitted to access the requested service or good in accordance with a parameter. Other similar methods are provided for postpaid customers.

Abstract: A hand-held communication device including a display. A plurality of communication incidents of the communication device is logged. A recent-communication-incident log is determined, which includes information regarding the most recent communication incidents. A most-frequent-communication-incident log is determined, which includes information regarding the sender or receiver of the most-frequent communication incidents. A combined-communication log is generated, which includes a portion of items relating to the recent-communication-incident log and a portion of items relating to the most-frequent-communication-incident log. A first or second number of items of the combined-communication log corresponds to the first N items of the recent-communication-incident log, and a second or first number of items of the combined-communication log corresponds to the first M items of the most-frequent-communication-incident log.

Abstract: Communication time reminders based on text messages are described. A system identifies a future communication time from a text-based message transmitted by a mobile device. The system determines whether a current time is within a threshold time of the future communication time. The system provides a reminder of the text-based message to the mobile device and/or a recipient of the text-based message if the current time is within the threshold time of the future communication time.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus (134) for managing assignment of subscription modules (307) for a group (141) of communication devices (140a-140n). The apparatus includes a receiving unit (203) configured to receive a request for assigning a subscription module to a target communication device (140j) so that the target communication device can attach to a network managed by a network (110) operator; and a control unit (205) configured to identify a group which includes the target communication device, determine whether the number of subscription modules which are assigned to the communication devices in the identified group reaches the upper bound, and when the number of the subscription modules does not reach the upper bound, assign a subscription module to the target communication device.

Abstract: A method is implemented in a first node for charging of a mobile device in communication with the first node in a communications network. The method includes determining a number of data packets lost between the first node and the mobile device within a predetermined period. The method includes determining a packet loss rate using the number of data packets determined to be lost. The method includes determining whether a first predetermined condition is met based on an evaluation of the determined packet loss rate. The method also includes transmitting, by the first node after determination that the first predetermined condition is met, a notification to a second node causing the second node to stop charging the mobile device for packets sent to the mobile device.

Abstract: A Learning Guard System protects the attention of students in a classroom by requiring the student to download an ‘app’ from the Learning Guard website. During installation the ‘app’ requires the student to provide their name and a list of emergency contacts which are stored in the memory of the smart phone and by the Learning Guard cloud database. When a student enters a classroom doorway cube transmitter mounted thereon interacts with the ‘app in the smart phone to thereby acquire the smart phone ID and turn off the smart phone functionality, including voice, text communication, Internet access, playing music and videos. This prevent communication of the student with others, excepting emergency contacts both public and private. The cube transmitter communicates the smart phone ID to a base station linked to the Learning Guard cloud database, which creates a database of students in the classroom.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for delivering a message to and receiving an acknowledgement from a mobile device, and more specifically, the system and method allows network operators, or any central administration group(s) to issue messages and warnings to a mobile device, which requires an acknowledgement in order for the mobile device to continue functioning without restriction.

Abstract: A communication system includes a development sector for registering a plurality of wireless devices, a business sector for controlling utilization of an application program and for receiving application data, a service sector for deploying the application program and for providing the application data to the business sector in accordance with communication with at least one wireless device of the plurality; and a mobile sector comprising the plurality of wireless devices, each device for receiving the application program deployed by the service sector, executing the application program in response to the business sector, and communicating with the service sector to support provision of the application data to the business sector. The wireless device, such as a cell phone, personal digital assistant, or palm top computer may include an auxiliary device such as a bar code scanner, a magnetic stripe card reader, or a printer.

Abstract: A system that includes at least one radio service transceiver positioned within a vehicle, wherein the vehicle includes an on-board diagnostic system, a removable unique identification module that is configured to be connected to the vehicle's on-board diagnostic system to deliver media content, including satellite radio services, and specifically radio content, making radio content more accessible by providing a customizable subscription plan to users, a pay per use payment structure, and removable unique identification module that is configured to be connected to a vehicle's on-board diagnostic port.

Abstract: The throttling of mobile device data rates is provided at events, e.g., sporting events, and other venues with large, dense crowds. The system can monitor the loading of the mobile radio antennas at the venue, and when the loading reaches a threshold loading point, the system can selectively throttle the data rates of mobile devices at the venue. In some embodiments, the system can throttle the data rates of certain applications on the mobile devices, or can select mobile devices that are placing a large strain on the network infrastructure to throttle. In other embodiments, the system can set maximum upload and download speeds for all the mobile devices at the venue.

Abstract: The invention is directed to optimization of a seamless transition of a mobile device from a 3G eHRPD network to a 4G network in a failure scenario. The mobile device is authenticated and attached to the 3G eHRPD network. Upon the mobile device initiating a first handoff attempt to access and access the 4G network, the subscriber profile database is accessed to determine whether a packet gateway identifier is stored on the database. If the identifier is not stored on the database, the first handoff attempt of the mobile device to access the 4G network is denied. Upon being denied, the packet gateway is triggered to communicate the packet gateway identifier in an authorization request so that the identifier can be stored in the subscriber profile database. A subsequent attempt of the mobile device to handoff to the 4G network is allowed, as the packet gateway identifier is now stored on the database.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for communicating using SMS messages between devices in different home networks, and, in one embodiment, to a method and system for assigning a local SMS number to a recipient device in a different home network such that a user is charged reduced communications costs.

Abstract: A portable electronic device may be rebranded, this rebranding may cause a plurality of data files in a user memory partition on the portable electronic device to be deleted when the device is returned to factory settings or otherwise wiped during the rebranding. Rebranding may be desirable in order for the user to receive better and/or more cost-effective services from a telecommunications service provider. Therefore, a user may want to rebrand their device without losing the data in the user memory partition. The user may specify or configure the device to copy or move the plurality of data to a carrier memory partition or a system memory partition on the device, or to a remote server, or to a removable memory such as an SD card.

Abstract: Various exemplary embodiments relate to a method and related network node and machine-readable storage medium including one or more of the following: receiving, at the PCRN, a request message from an Evolved Packet Core node; determining whether the request message includes a request for a modification to an IP-CAN session; and if the request message includes a request for a modification to the IP-CAN session: determining a current bearer control mode for the IP-CAN session, determining a previous bearer control mode for the IP-CAN session, comparing the current bearer control mode to the previous bearer control mode, and if the current bearer control mode is different from the previous bearer control mode, modifying the IP-CAN session according to the current bearer control mode.

Abstract: Methods and systems for modifying a location history of a computing device are described. An example method may include receiving sensor data collected by one or more sensors of a computing device, and receiving a history of geographic locations of the computing device determined based on the sensor data collected by the computing device and additional data from one or more sources. The method may also include receiving updated additional data from the one or more sources, and reprocessing at least a portion of the sensor data with the updated additional data to determine one or more updates to the history of geographic locations of the computing device. The method may further include modifying the history of geographic locations of the computing device based on the one or more updates to provide an updated history of geographic locations of the computing device.

Abstract: A system and method for protecting private information by using a near field communication (NFC) tag is provided. A method of making a call by using a telephone number received from a near field communication (NFC) tag in a device includes: receiving from the NFC tag a telephone number and call limit information related to the telephone number according to an approach to the NFC tag; determining whether a call to a target device having the received telephone number is limited based on the call limit information; and limiting a call to the target device based on the determination.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the teachings herein, a method and apparatus provide for dynamic, service-triggered provisioning of products, for use in authorizing product-related services to subscribers in a communication network. This approach obviates the need to pre-provision products to cover the possible usage of such services by eligible subscribers, which in turn means that the subscriber database memory requirements are reduced to the extent that the database does not need to hold potentially large numbers of pre-provisioned products. In an example embodiment, the number of products needed to cover an initial usage quota is speculatively generated responsive to a charging trigger and service to the involved subscriber is authorized using those speculatively generated products. Unused products are deleted and new products are generated as needed, to cover continued or subsequent usage of the service by the subscriber.

Abstract: A method enables a portable communication device to redirect a call initiated from the portable communication device and to execute a visual interactive voice response application for interfacing with a user. The method includes screening calls initiated from the portable communication device by a communication application resident on the portable communication device, and redirecting a call initiated from the portable communication device when the screening determines that the call matches predetermined criteria. The method also includes authenticating an account corresponding to the portable communication device that initiated the call by communicating with a service provider communication network, and executing a visual interactive voice response application that visually interacts with the user of the portable communication device upon authentication of the account by the service provider communication network.

Abstract: A wireless communication network exchanges wireless data with wireless communication devices and transfers device data indicating device locations and device status to a network server. A sensor system detects a trigger condition and responsively determines proximate wireless communication devices. The sensor system transfers indications of the trigger condition and the currently proximate wireless communication devices to the network server. The network server processes the device data, trigger condition, and proximate wireless communication devices to generate notice data indicating the trigger condition and to select at least one of the wireless communication devices for receipt of the notice data. The network server transfers the notice data to the selected wireless communication devices over the wireless communication network.

Abstract: An illustrative behavior analysis system and a corresponding method are designed to analyze telecommunications-event records and other relevant records associated with wireless terminals to infer whether a wireless user's pattern of behavior is substantially similar or even identical to the pattern of behavior of another user, possibly a known actor. A pattern of behavior typically comprises call-related and location attributes over a period of time. Accordingly, the illustrative embodiment infers an identity or a substantial similarity as between two seemingly distinct users of wireless terminals, based on: (i) how precisely a candidate's pattern of behavior matches a pre-defined pattern of behavior, and/or (ii) how precisely a candidate's pattern of behavior matches another candidate's pattern of behavior.

Abstract: Management of multiple subscriber identity modules by server is disclosed. Instructions, when executed by one or more processors, cause a server, for a plurality of users of mobile terminals, to: cause an analysis on use of each subscriber identity module belonging to a set; cause a prediction of a future use of the each subscriber identity module belonging to the set on the basis of the analysis; cause a selection of at least one optimal subscriber identity module for use by the mobile terminal on the basis of the prediction such that the use of the subscriber identity modules is optimized for the plurality of the users of the mobile terminals; and cause a transmission of the selection of at least one optimal subscriber identity module for use by the mobile terminal.

Abstract: An example method to monitor online activity involves comparing first uniform resource locators collected from a first client device of a known panelist with second uniform resource locators collected from second client devices associated with different users; and determining which of the second uniform resource locators correspond to online activity of the known panelist based on ones of the first uniform resource locators matching at least portions of ones of the second uniform resource locators.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for facilitating communication handing of a terminating communication, terminating or originating, at a mobile station. User preferences are entered and stored at a database. When a terminating communication is subsequently initiated, the stored preferences are accessed, and instructions are provided to the mobile station to cause communication termination in conformity with the stored preferences.

Abstract: A network device may predict the use of a mobile device and configure a network based on the prediction. The network device may provide instructions to display coverage indicators for the mobile device based on the predictions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing security in a group communication network provides for receiving an encryption key, encrypting media for transmission to a controller using the received encryption key, the encrypted media being directed to another communication device, and communicating the encrypted media to the controller. In one embodiment, the communicating includes wireless communication. The method and apparatus further provides for receiving encrypted media from a controller and blocking the encrypted media if the communication device is not enabled to receive encrypted-media transmission, or if the media is not encrypted based on an encryption key previously specified by the communication device. In another aspect, the communication device is a push-to-talk (PTT) device.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for selection of wireless devices and service plans. A geographic location and a plurality of wireless preferences are associated with a user. Wireless service plans, offered by at least one wireless carrier that services the geographic location, that meet the wireless preferences associated with the user are determined. A user interface is generated that presents the wireless service plans in a ranked order that is determined utilizing at least the wireless preferences.

Abstract: A system and method capable of scaling or gradually scaling bandwidth of a network flow over a period of time based on network usage are disclosed. In one embodiment, a process or network system obtains a network usage subscription after detecting a network flow. After retrieving a usage subscription and record in accordance with the network flow, the amount of data transferred since the beginning of a predefined time period is identified. Upon identifying the available data transfer quota, the process is able to gradually scale the bandwidth of the flow based on the available data transfer quota.

Abstract: A Mobile Direct Self Service (MDSS) mobile device incorporating a mobile contacts outdialer and method thereof. The MDSS mobile device may include a connection application operable to connect to at least one contact device. The connection application may include a launch interface that displays a representation of the at least one contact device, a selection interface that allows a user of the MDSS mobile device to select one or more of the at least one contact device, and a contact protocol operable to communicate with the selected at least one contact device. The multimedia application may be operable to present a multimedia presentation to the selected at least one contact device, wherein the multimedia application is further operable to solicit and collect one or more responses from the at least one contact device to the multimedia presentation.

Abstract: A self-organizing wireless network (SON) includes a plurality of base stations. Each base station includes a SON component for coordinating radio resource allocation with other base stations and a radio resource management component for accepting an allocation from the SON component and managing usage of that allocation for end user equipment associated with its base station. The base stations provide access to a plurality of end user equipment. The SON may include a server for communicating with the SON component for coordinating of radio resource allocation. The self-organizing wireless network may include a central control for communicating with the SON component for coordinating of radio resource allocation. Coordinating of radio resources relates to physical channels, transmit power, spatial resource allocation, admission control, load balancing, coordinating network elements in groups and includes adapting to addition of and reduction of network elements in a group in real time.

Abstract: A method that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, the steps of transmitting media content to a group of set top boxes for presentation with an overlay superimposed onto the media content, where the overlay can include a timeline corresponding to the presentation of the media content and receiving a first comment from a first set top box of the group of set top boxes, where the first comment is presentable with the overlay and the media content by the group of set top boxes. Additional steps can include receiving a tag generated at a first set top box during presentation of the media content, presenting the tag while the media content is presented, correlating the tag to a portion of the media content timeline and analyzing metadata associated with the portion of the media content timeline that is tagged to determine a first marketing parameter. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A method to reduce signalling loads in wireless communication networks in a wireless communication network comprising an IMS (IP Multimedia Subsystem) application server allocated on a server by implementing a new voice call terminating procedure. The method comprises determining whether a Mobile Station Roaming Number (MSRN) is related to a foreign network and, based on this determination, performing a number of operations.

Abstract: A communication device and method for facilitating call back from a communication device with multiple subscriber identities comprising at least a first subscriber identity and a second subscriber identity. The method comprises receiving a telephone call on a first subscription associated with the first subscriber identity from another communication device. The method also comprises determining an order of prioritization among the subscriber identities according to at least one parameter for establishing the telephone call with the other communication device on the subscription associated with the respective subscriber identities. In further addition, the method comprises facilitating call back to the other communication device using the second subscriber identity when it is determined that the second subscriber identity is more prioritized than the first subscriber identity.