Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080200165 | Mobile communication device employment of cellular service and personal radio service - A mobile communication device of an apparatus in one example is configured for communication through employment of a cellular service and a personal radio service. | 08-21-2008 |
20080268830 | Proximity detection of coverage area boundary and display of mobile station location relative thereto - A method is provided for producing a user perceivable warning output by a mobile station ( | 10-30-2008 |
20090005116 | Content synchronization between electronic devices - A method is provided for transferring content between a first mobile device ( | 01-01-2009 |
20090012898 | Location based credit card fraud prevention - A method is provided for blocking an unauthorized use of a payment instrument for a transaction. The method includes: establishing a transaction location ( | 01-08-2009 |
20090131025 | Targeted mobile content insertion and/or replacement - A method is provided for altering content of a webpage served from a content provider's server ( | 05-21-2009 |
20090202059 | Memo Service for Telecommunications Network - A method is provided in a telecommunications network ( | 08-13-2009 |
20100176985 | Systems and methods of global positioning systems using wireless networks - Example embodiments use wireless network signals containing geographic data in order to determine a location of a device receiving and/or processing the wireless network signals. For example, the wireless signals may be transmitted as part of a Wide-Area network or Wireless Local Access Network (WLAN) from a wireless access node, commonly present in private and commercial dwellings. Example embodiments and methods may utilize the geographic data in the wireless signals to quickly determine a location in areas and at times when conventional GPS signals are not available. Similarly, example methods and systems may use geographic data from wireless signals to supplement available conventional GPS data in order to more quickly and/or more accurately determine geographic information. | 07-15-2010 |
20100304710 | FAULT-RESILIENT METHOD OF GENERATING COMPLETE CORRELATED IMS CHARGING DATA RECORDS - An IMS charging collection function node for processing incoming accounting requests (ACRs) is provided. The node includes an ACR database that stores ACR messages, an Incomplete database that stores any ACR [Interim] or [Stop] received by the charging collection function node when a corresponding ACR [Start] is not stored in the ACR database, or also ACR[Start] when the remaining accounting requests, consisting of ACR [Interim] or [Stop] are not available with the charging collection function, a disk that stores ACRs; a first transformation engine that aggregates CDRs, a CDR aggregation database that stores aggregated CDRs, a second transformation engine that correlates CDRs, a CDR correlation database that stores correlated CDRs, and a third evaluation engine that cyclically evaluates the Incomplete database, wherein the IMS charging collection function node is communicatively and collaboratively coupled with other IMS charging collection function nodes across the IMS network to eliminate or reduce production of incomplete CDRs. | 12-02-2010 |
20110039581 | Method and apparatus for restricting the use of a mobile telecommunications device by a vehicle's driver - A method and apparatus which determines that a vehicle operator is in physical possession of a given mobile telecommunications device and that the vehicle is moving at a speed greater than a given threshold speed (which may be zero), and thereby restricts the use of the mobile communications device. Illustratively, the device may be restricted from placing and receiving calls, and sending and receiving text messages. It may be determined that the vehicle operator is in physical possession of the device based on near field communication (NFC) technology whereby a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) transceiver is attached to or embedded in the steering wheel or driver's seat of the vehicle. The vehicle's speed may be determined using a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver or an Assisted GPS (A-GPS) technique, or from speed data determined by the vehicle itself and communicated to the mobile communications device thereby. | 02-17-2011 |
20110057789 | NETWORK-BASED IDENTIFICATION OF UNINSURED VEHICLES - Systems and methods are disclosed that detect uninsured vehicles. An insurance monitoring system described herein receives a message over a mobile network from a mobile device embedded in a vehicle, where the message from the mobile device includes a vehicle identification for the vehicle. The insurance monitoring system queries an insurance database based on the vehicle identification to determine whether the vehicle is uninsured. If the vehicle is uninsured, then the insurance monitoring system sends a notification message to a law enforcement entity. | 03-10-2011 |
20110059754 | MONITORING SPEED OF A VEHICLE USING A MOBILE NETWORK - Systems and methods are disclosed that monitor the speed that a mobile device is traveling, such as when the user of the mobile device is driving or riding in a vehicle. A speed monitoring system described herein receives a request from a third party to monitor a speed of a mobile device. The system periodically queries a mobile network for a location of the mobile device over a time period, and receives responses from the mobile network indicating locations of the mobile device. The system then determines a speed of the mobile device based on the locations indicated during the time period, and may determine the speed limit the roadway the mobile device is traveling on. The system then sends a notification message to the third party that includes an indication of the speed of the mobile device and possibly the speed limit. | 03-10-2011 |
20110077058 | OFFLINE CHARGING IN IMS NETWORKS FOR SESSIONS HANDED OVER BETWEEN DIFFERENT OPERATOR NETWORKS - IMS networks and methods are disclosed for providing offline charging for a session of an IMS device that is seamlessly handed over between a home IMS network and a visited IMS network that are different operator networks. A roaming charging identifier (RCID) is assigned to the session in the home IMS network that is global to a dialog of the session over the home IMS network and to a dialog of the session over the visited IMS network. Network elements in the home IMS network insert the RCID in offline charging requests that are sent to an offline charging system. The offline charging system generates CDRs for the session that also include the RCID. The offline charging system can then aggregate and correlate the CDRs for the session based on the RCID. | 03-31-2011 |
20110149992 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR IMPOSING PREFERENCES ON BROADCAST/MULTICAST SERVICE - An apparatus for imposing preferences on broadcast/multicast service for an end-user is described herein. The apparatus includes a first tuner that receives a first set of data transmitted from a currently selected broadcast/multicast station, wherein the first set of data includes time, station identification, and program information; a second tuner that receives a second set of data from a plurality of broadcast/multicast stations, wherein the second set of data includes individually, for each broadcast/multicast station that is available, time, station identification, and program information; a decoder that decodes the first and second sets of data received by the first and second tuners and sends this decoded data to a decision engine for further processing; and a persona database that stores a plurality of user preference profiles. Further, the decision engine is periodically operative to evaluate the currently selected station, and choose a different station if applicable, based on a preference profile selected by the end-user. | 06-23-2011 |
20110207431 | Accounting Request Processing In A Communication Network - A system and method for accounting request processing in a communication network. When an accounting request is received in a correlating network element from a service-monitoring element, it is stored unless and until the associated service has been completed. When a final accounting request associated with the service has been received, a processing track is determined; one of two or more preferably each associated with a different processing rate. Once a processing track has been assigned, each ACR is placed in a queue for processing; there are multiple queues, each associated with one or more processing tracks. In a preferred embodiment, the backlog of a queue, or of multiple queues, is considered when queuing an ACR. The backlog may be monitored and ACRs may be reassigned to a different queue, or the processing rate of a queue may be adjusted, so that ACRs may be processed at a higher (or lower) rate. | 08-25-2011 |
20120011536 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING ACCESS TO A SUBSCRIPTION BROADCAST CHANNEL ON DEMAND VIA A COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK - A request to provide access to a specified subscription broadcast channel during a specified period is received from a subscriber device. A first instruction to allow the subscriber device to access the specified subscription broadcast channel is transmitted to a second device, prior to the specified period. A second instruction to restrict access by the subscriber device to the specified subscription broadcast channel is transmitted to the second device, substantially at the end of the specified period. | 01-12-2012 |
20120023412 | System and Method for Providing Multimedia Content During an Event - A change in a status of a guest at an event is identified, and a current preference list is updated based on one or more preferences associated with the guest. Multimedia content is provided based on the updated current preference list. A set of preferences associated with the guest may be obtained by accessing a social networking web page associated with the guest. | 01-26-2012 |
20120030077 | DISTRIBUTIVE CORRELATION OF CHARGING RECORDS ACROSS NETWORK DOMAINS - Charging systems and associated methods are disclosed that provide correlation across network domains. The charging system includes a plurality of charging functions connected to one or both of an IMS domain and a packet bearer domain, such as a GPRS domain. A first one of the charging functions identifies the charging records for a particular session in the IMS domain based on a charging identifier. The first charging function then selects one of the charging functions on a per-session basis as a correlation charging function for the session, and forwards the identified charging records for the session in the IMS domain to the correlation charging function. A second one of the charging functions selects one of the charging functions on a per-session basis as the correlation charging function for the session, and also forwards charging records for the session in the packet bearer domain to the correlation charging function. | 02-02-2012 |
20120059749 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FACILITATING INTERIM BILLING FOR IMS SESSION USING TIME-BASED INTERIM ACCOUNTING MESSAGE TO DETERMINE INTERIM PROCESSING TRIGGER - A method and charging system for facilitating interim billing for an IMS session is provided. The method may include receiving time-based interim accounting messages at CDFs from NEs (i.e., CTFs) of an IMS network serving an IMS session, opening or updating interim CDRs for each NE serving the IMS session based on the time-based interim accounting messages, extracting accounting record numbers from the time-based interim accounting messages, the accounting record numbers uniquely identifying the time-based interim accounting message in relation to other interim accounting messages from the corresponding NE for the IMS session, and determining if a partial record closing trigger has been reached for the IMS session, wherein the interim processing trigger is a function of the accounting record number extracted from the time-based interim accounting message for the corresponding NE, an AII value, and a partial record closing threshold. | 03-08-2012 |
20120123914 | METHOD FOR CHOOSING AN ALTERNATE OFFLINE CHARGING SYSTEM DURING AN OVERLOAD AND APPARATUS ASSOCIATED THEREWITH - A method for using a charging system to account for service provided by a network element in a service provider network is provided. The method may include storing load information records for multiple charging control function (CCF) servers at the CCF servers, receiving status messages from the multiple CCF servers at the CCF servers in conjunction with operation of the CCF servers in a charging system, and updating load status and timestamp fields in the load information records for the status messages received cyclically. The load information records being accessible to the select CCF server for selecting at least one alternate CCF server after the select CCF server determines it is too busy to process some accounting request (ACR) from some network element. The select CCF server may include a peer characteristics storage module, a charging system communication module, and a status message parsing module. | 05-17-2012 |
20120129490 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING CHARGING STATUS INFORMATION TO SUBSCRIBER OF COMMUNICATION SERVICE - A method for providing charging status information to a subscriber of a communication service includes: receiving an accounting request (ACR) from a network element (NE) at a charging collection function (CCF) subsystem, the ACR associated with communication service provided to a subscriber in conjunction with a communication session, the subscriber subject to a rate plan that applies different billing rates for different usage levels, the ACR including a volume parameter indicating usage since a previous ACR; converting the ACR to a credit control request (CCR), the CCR including a usage parameter indicating usage since a previous CCR; sending the CCR to a quota monitoring function (QMF) subsystem; adding the volume parameter to a previously consumed amount in relation to a billing cycle to form a total consumed amount; and comparing the total consumed amount to a threshold value associated with a quota value for a first usage level. | 05-24-2012 |
20120179797 | METHOD AND APPARATUS PROVIDING HIERARCHICAL MULTI-PATH FAULT-TOLERANT PROPAGATIVE PROVISIONING - A method for provisioning networked servers includes virtually linking networked servers in hierarchical layers to form a virtual tree structure. The virtual tree structure including a plurality of nodes corresponding to the networked servers. The plurality of nodes including a root node in a top layer and at least two nodes in a second layer. The root node linked directly or indirectly to at least two terminal nodes in one or more lower layers of the virtual tree structure in a node-to-node manner based at least on layer-to-layer linking between nodes from the top layer to the one or more lower layers. The method also including receiving a provisioning change at the root node of the virtual tree structure and propagating the provisioning change from the root node to the other nodes in a node-to-node manner based at least in part on the virtual tree structure. | 07-12-2012 |
20120221445 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETECTING DUPLICATE ACCOUNTING RECORDS IN DISTRIBUTED NETWORK - A method for processing accounting requests (ACRs) to account for service provided by a network element (NE) of a service provider network may include receiving an ACR from a NE at a charging collection function (CCF) server, the CCF server in a charging system comprising a plurality of CCF servers, the ACR representative of a corresponding portion of service provided by the NE in conjunction with a communication session served by the service provider network, determining the ACR is a potential duplicate ACR for the portion of service; and storing ACRs received by the CCF server from the NE for the communication session in a retransmission buffer for subsequent detection and reconciliation of duplicate ACRs from the NE for the communication session by the charging system. The CCF server may include a network communication module, a retransmission status module, and a storage device that includes the retransmission buffer. | 08-30-2012 |
20130091041 | METHOD FOR USING INTELLIGENT ROUTER IN CHARGING SYSTEM AND APPARATUS ASSOCIATED THEREWITH - A method for using a charging system to account for service provided by a network element (NE) of a service provider network includes receiving an accounting request (ACR) from the NE at a router in the charging system, the ACR associated with service provided by the NE in the service provider network in conjunction with a communication session; modifying the ACR to form a modified ACR; sending the modified ACR to a charging collection function (CCF) server; receiving an accounting answer from the CCF server indicating the CCF server was not able to process the modified ACR; and resending the modified ACR to the CCF server or changing the modified ACR to form a revised ACR and sending the revised ACR to an alternate CCF server. A router associated with the method includes a service network communication module, a message processing module, and a charging system communication module. | 04-11-2013 |
20130143520 | ENHANCING CONNECTIVITY AT SOCIAL AND TELECOMMUNICATION NETWORKS - A system for enhancing connectivity at a social network. The system is able to identify a user of a telecommunication network, to access charging records for the user pertaining to sessions over the telecommunication network, and to analyze the charging records for the user to determine a pattern of communication relating the user to another individual. The system is further able to determine that the user is a member of a social network, and to provide information regarding the determined pattern of communication to the social network. | 06-06-2013 |
20130188554 | OFFLINE CHARGING PER SERVICE DATA FLOW - Systems and methods for selecting offline charging functions per service data flow during a data session over a packet data network. One embodiment comprises a Policy and Charging | 07-25-2013 |
20130258849 | CLOSED-LOOP QOS CONTROL USING CHARGING GROUPS - A method and apparatus for providing Quality of Service (QoS) gating and control as a function of quota consumption by a group of users is disclosed. A feedback mechanism for QoS gating and control with an Offline Charging System (OFCS) is also provided. In a packet telecommunication network, the Policy Charging and Control architecture is modified to include an Aggregation Interface Function that dynamically collects usage quantum for users in real time. The Aggregation Interface Function proactively seeks user group information and aggregates usage quantum over an entire group to prevent surprise overage charges at billing. | 10-03-2013 |
20130260725 | System And Method For Elective Call Termination To A Mobile Unit In A Moving Vehicle - A method for performing elective call termination to a mobile unit is provided. A call request is received a mobile unit. If the mobile unit is in a vehicle and traveling at a speed greater than a speed threshold and is driving the car, selective call termination is provided. The call request is screened by playing an announcement to the caller that the intended call recipient is a mobile phone that is currently being used by the driver of a cat travelling at a speed greater than a speed threshold. The caller can then decide if the call is important enough to distract the driver, which could be the case, for example, in an emergency situation. | 10-03-2013 |
20130262308 | SPENDING LIMITS FOR OFFLINE CHARGING - Systems and methods that provide spending limits for offline charging. In one embodiment, an offline charging system monitors usage of an end user over a packet core network, and identifies a spending limit that the end user is allowed to consume during a time period, such as a billing cycle. The offline charging system determines that the usage of the end user is approaching the spending limit during a session, identifies options for the end user to continue with the session as the usage of the end user approaches the spending limit, and initiates a notification to the end user indicating the options. The offline charging system receives a response from the end user selecting one of the options, and conveys the selected option to a network element in the packet core network that modifies policies for the session. | 10-03-2013 |
20140033207 | System and Method for Managing P-States and C-States of a System - A current value of a load indicator of a system is determined, by an application entity, based on one or more of a central processor unit utilization measure of the system, a memory utilization measure of the system, a system-internal resources utilization measure, an input/output utilization measure of the system, and a secondary storage utilization measure of the system, wherein the system is associated with a plurality of P-states and a plurality of C-states. An operating mode of the system is determined, by the application entity, based on the current value of the load indicator, wherein the operating mode comprises a P-state selected from the plurality of P-states and a C-state selected from the plurality of C-states. The system is operated in accordance with the operating mode. A predictive load map associating respective time periods and respective operating modes may be generated and adaptively adjusted. | 01-30-2014 |
20140086052 | CONGESTION CONTROL FOR RADIO ACCESS NETWORKS (RAN) - Systems and methods are disclosed for controlling congestion in a Radio Access Network (RAN). One embodiment comprises a charging system of a network. The charging system receives a traffic report for a RAN indicating a congestion condition in an area of the RAN. The charging system then identifies a subscriber in the area of the RAN, identifies a service plan for the subscriber, and generates modified rules that deviate from predefined rules in the service plan of the subscriber in response to the congestion condition. The charging system then provides the modified rules to a network entity, such as a Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF), that performs policy and charging control for a service requested by the subscriber. | 03-27-2014 |
20140169537 | NOTIFICATION TO A COMUNICATION DEVICE THAT A VOICE MAIL RECORDING IS IN PROGRESS - Systems and methods are disclosed for providing a notification to a communication device indicating that a voice mail recording from a calling party is in progress. One embodiment comprises a voice mail entity of a communication network. The voice mail entity initiates a recording of a voice mail message from a calling party for a communication device, and provides an alert to the communication device indicating that the recording of the voice mail message is in progress. In another embodiment, the voice mail entity receives a request from the communication device to communicate with the calling party, determines if the recording is in progress, and forwards a call from voice mail entity to the communication device based on a determination that the recording is in progress. | 06-19-2014 |
20140273932 | SESSION ANCHOR TIMESTAMP FOR INTERIM ACCOUNTING REQUESTS - Systems and methods that handle failover between peer charging functions for offline charging. In one embodiment, a Charging Trigger Function (CTF) of a network element detects an interim chargeable event during a session, and generates an interim accounting request for the session responsive to the interim chargeable event. The CTF inserts a session anchor timestamp in the interim accounting request indicating the start time for the session, and transmits the interim accounting request to a charging function. The charging function then monitors a time limit trigger for closing a Charging Data Record (CDR) for the session based on the session anchor timestamp. | 09-18-2014 |
20140273933 | CONTROL OF TIME LIMIT TRIGGERS FOR OFFLINE CHARGING - Systems and methods for controlling time limit triggers for offline charging. In one embodiment, a network element that serves an active session for User Equipment (UE) includes a Charging Trigger Function (CTF) that detect expiry of a time limit for triggering an interim accounting request to an offline charging system during the active session. The CTF then identifies a data usage by the UE during the time limit, and determines if the data usage by the UE during the time limit exceeds a threshold. If the data usage exceeds the threshold, then the CTF sends the interim accounting request to the offline charging system responsive to expiry of the time limit. If the data usage does not exceed the threshold, then the CTF stops the interim accounting request from being sent to the offline charging system responsive to expiry of the time limit. | 09-18-2014 |
20140289803 | CDR FILTERING FOR VIRTUAL OPERATORS - Systems and methods that filter Charging Data Records (CDRs) before sending the CDRs to a virtual operator, such as a Network Unaffiliated Virtual Operator (NUVO). In one embodiment, a communication network provides services to subscribers of a virtual operator. The communication network includes a reporting entity comprising a CDR database configured to store CDRs for subscribers of the virtual operator. The reporting entity also includes a filtering node configured to filter the CDRs to remove fields that are not authorized to be shared with the virtual operator, and to report the filtered CDRs to the virtual operator. | 09-25-2014 |