| Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
|---|
| 455407000 | At subscriber unit | 69 |
| 20080200144 | System and Method for Providing Alerts Over a Network - The present disclosure provides system and methods for providing real time alerts over a network. In one respect, transactional data including a card identifier is received by a transaction processor. At least one alert corresponding to the received transactional data may be determined and may be forwarded to a mobile unit associated with the card identifier. Alternatively or in addition, messages received by a card user may be received. At least one alert responsive to the received message may be determined and may be forwarded to a card user via a mobile unit. | 08-21-2008 |
| 20080242263 | INFORMATION PROCESSING SYSTEM CAPABLE OF CALCULATING COMMUNICATION FEES CORRESPONDING TO COMMUNICATION UTILIZATION FORMS - An information processing system of the present invention comprises a storage apparatus for storing subscription information including information on a first subscription course which is one type of service for calculating a communication fee in the particular utilization form corresponding to an identifier of the information terminal and a date and time of starting the first subscription course and calculation equations for the first subscription course and a second subscription course which is different from the first subscription course, respectively, and an information processing apparatus connected to the storage apparatus through a network. Upon receipt of information on the second subscription course selected instead of the first subscription course and a date and time of starting the second subscription course from the information terminal through the network, the information processing apparatus stores received information in the storage device, records a communication amount by a communication in the particular utilization form performed by the information terminal and a communication date and time which indicates a date and time at which the communication has been performed in the storage device, determines whether or not the communication date and time is before the date and time of starting the second subscription course, calculates the communication fee by using the communication amount and a calculation equation for the first subscription course when the communication date and time is before the date and time of starting the second subscription course, or calculates the communication fee by using the communication amount and a calculation equation for the second subscription course when the communication date and time is at or after the date and time of starting the second subscription course. | 10-02-2008 |
| 20080254766 | Method and system for using an integrated subscriber identity module in a network interface unit - Subscriber-associated authentication, authorization and policy control information is stored on a SIM (preprogrammed or user programmed) to facilitate an NIU at a location granting or denying access to a plurality of services when the programmed SIM or virtual SIM resides in the NIU. A provider stores a message in the SIM based on a payment, which determines the level and period of services to be provided. The SIM can be removed and transported among a plurality of NIUs so that paid-for services follow the SIM. | 10-16-2008 |
| 20080280590 | SELECTIVE CALLING PARTY PAYS VIA A SECURE SERVICE FEATURE - Selective calling party pays via a secure service feature may be provided. A determination is conducted to decide if a called party's wireless communications service has entered a suspension state. Next, if the wireless communication service is in a suspension state, a determination is conducted to decide if a secure service feature has been purchased for the particular wireless communications service under suspension. Next, if the wireless communications service includes the secure service feature, a determination is conducted to decide if a caller calling the called party is permitted to communicate with the called party when the called party's communications service is under suspension. If a caller is determined to be an authorized caller, a communications path is provided for the caller and the called party. Billing associated with the communications is charged to the caller instead of the called party. | 11-13-2008 |
| 20080287098 | Mobile Content Access and Transmission Method Using Hyperlink Message, and Mobile Terminal, Mobile Communication Provider Server and Content Provider Server For the Same - Disclosed herein are a mobile contents access, transmission and reception method using a hyperlink message, the method allowing predetermined contents to be displayed or to be activated when a hyperlink of the hyperlink message is selected, the hyperlink message includes hyperlink information designating a connection point at which the contents will be executed on the terminal, and free communication identification information indicating that a communication fee normally charged to the terminal is not charged, the terminal adds an indication of free communication to the hyperlink message and displays them on a display means, the contents are activated in the terminal through the connection between the terminal and the connection point and when the connection is terminated, the mobile communication provider server calculates the communication fee to be charged for the connection through, and stores it as billing information for the contents provider rather than billing information for the terminal. | 11-20-2008 |
| 20090005003 | Methods and Systems for Providing In-Game Hot Spots - Systems and methods for providing hot spots for mobile video games on mobile communication devices that receive hot spot information for mobile video games that operate on the devices. The hot spots may be hidden aspects of the game and promotional in nature, allowing game companies to generate extra revenue through selling non-permanent advertisement space to third parties. The game may contain instructions that cause the mobile communication device to contact an interface and/or server to receive hot spot information. After the hot spot information is received by the mobile communication device, the content may be displayed in-game. In addition, the server may track what hot spot information has already been received by the mobile communication device. | 01-01-2009 |
| 20090068982 | MOBILE WALLET AND DIGITAL PAYMENT - The claimed subject matter provides a system and/or a method that facilitates securing a wireless digital transaction. A terminal component can receive a portion of data related to a payment for at least one of a good or a service. A mobile device can include at least one mobile payment card (m-card), wherein the m-card is created by establishing a link to an account associated with a form of currency. The mobile device can employ public-key cryptography (PKC) to securely and wirelessly transmit a payment to the terminal component utilizing the m-card and linked account. | 03-12-2009 |
| 20090081990 | Real-Time Balance On a Mobile Phone - A system, method and prepaid payment mobile phone configured to display a current prepaid balance. The prepaid payment mobile phone receives a debit balance request from input on the mobile phone. After retrieving an encoded current balance, the mobile phone displays the amount. The current balance may be calculated by the phone after a transaction, or the phone may receive a debit balance via a short message service notification. | 03-26-2009 |
| 20090098854 | Method of providing billing and payment service using settlement service function of mobile electronic wallet and system therefor - Provided is a method of providing a billing and payment service using a settlement service function of a mobile electronic wallet, and a system therefor, which enables companies to charge customers for rates through their mobile devices, respectively, and enables the customers to directly pay for the rates using a settlement service function of a mobile electronic wallet without exposing banking information to a rate receipt institution on a regularly monthly basis. A rate guidance message is sent to a customer using a short message service (SMS) that is a wireless communication network service of a mobile device. If the customer confirms the guidance message, the mobile device automatically gains access to the rate demand company by call back URL or TCP/IP communication. Then, after undergoing a simple authentication procedure for confirming whether or not the access person is a true person, a rate bill including payment particulars is displayed on a screen of the mobile device. If the customer confirms the rate bill and intends to pay for the rate bill, the customer directly settles the payment using a settlement service function (e.g. credit card or account transfer of an electronic wallet of the mobile device. Thus, without exposing customer's settlement information such as account number and card number, the rate can be paid according to the customer's payment intent, to thereby reduce pressure by banking information exposure, and reduce congestion due to visit of banks using an electronic wallet settlement service function of the mobile device. A payment priority ranking order can be determined within a customer's allowable capital extent, and payment tools such as transfer account and credit card are diversified, to thereby prevent a payment delay due to lack of deposit money and enhance a rate receipt efficiency of the rate demand company. | 04-16-2009 |
| 20090137226 | SYSTEM AND DEVICE FOR IMPLEMENTING ADVICE OF CHARGES FOR SUPPLEMENTARY SERVICE - The present invention provides a method and system for implementing an AoC supplementary service so as to conveniently provide the user with more enriched AoC information. The method comprises: an application server receiving a service request initiated by a user terminal; the AS establishing a charging session with a charging system after receiving the request; the charging system transmitting the AoC information to the application server through a channel for the charging session and the application server transmitting the AoC information to the user terminal. The system of the present invention comprises: a user terminal, an application server, and a charging system; the user terminal is adapted to transmit a service request to the application server; the application server is adapted to establish a charging session with the charging system after receiving the request; the charging system transmits the AoC information to the application server through a channel for the charging session. The present invention can simplify the transmission of the AoC information and enrich the content contained in the AoC information. | 05-28-2009 |
| 20090270069 | CHARGING IN AD-HOC COMMUNICATION NETWORKS - Charging is enabled in ad hoc networks, without access to external infrastructure networks. For example, when a communication is initiated by a mobile communication device within an ad hoc network, a small initiation fee is stored securely on the device, typically on a smart card. Transfer of the charging information may then occur more or less automatically and/or when the device reaches a coverage area of the operator network. The invention is also advantageous for charging in cellular and/or wireless networks, as charging can be performed with low administration costs. | 10-29-2009 |
| 20090286508 | PROVIDING A REAL-TIME COST OF A SESSION TO A USER - Systems and methods are disclosed for providing a real-time cost for a session over a communication network to a user of a communication device. To provide the real-time cost, rate information for a session is determined, and the elapsed duration for the session is monitored. Based on the rate information and the elapsed duration, an estimated cost for the session may be determined. The estimated cost may then be displayed or otherwise provided to the user of the communication device so that the user is informed of the cost of the session as the session progresses. The rate information and an estimated account balance may also be provided to the user. | 11-19-2009 |
| 20090318113 | METHOD AND SYSTEM TO IMPLEMENT TELEPHONY BILLING TO INCENTIVISE SHARED PHONE USAGE - Disclosed is a method and system to implementing telephony user account billing which incentivises shared phone usage. The owner of a phone, or other device capable of making telephony calls, would receive a credit to their phone account balance, from the telephone service provider, when they share their phone with another user and allow that user to make a phone call or other transaction by logging into their account using the shared phone, making the phone call or other mobile transaction and then returning the phone. Once the phone call or other transaction is complete the caller's own virtual account balance would be decremented as normal, but in addition a credit would be applied to the phone owner's account. The credit would be given to the phone owner from the telephone service provider and would either be a fixed amount, or an agreed percentage revenue share of the cost of the call or transaction. | 12-24-2009 |
| 20090325541 | MOBILE PHONE AND METHOD FOR MANAGING COMMUNICATION FEES THEREOF - A system and method for managing communication fees of a mobile phone are provided. The system is implemented by the mobile phone, and is used to manage communication fees when a user of the mobile phone uses a mobile communication service. The mobile phone includes at least one processor operable to execute a communication fees management system, and further includes a storage device and a display screen. The system can detect a current call when a user of the mobile phone makes a call, calculate a communication time and a communication fee of the current call, and display the communication time and the communication fee on the display screen at the termination of the current call. | 12-31-2009 |
| 20100041368 | METHODS, SYSTEMS AND COMPUTER READABLE MEDIA FOR ELECTRONICALLY DELIVERING A PREPAID CARD TO A MOBILE DEVICE - Methods, systems, and computer readable media for electronically delivering a prepaid card to a mobile device are disclosed. According to one aspect, the method includes receiving, at a merchant server, purchase information related to the purchase of an electronic prepaid card. The method further includes receiving, from the merchant server, electronic prepaid card information derived from the purchase information. The method further includes establishing a communications link with a mobile device associated with address data included in the electronic prepaid card information. The method also includes provisioning the electronic prepaid card information on the mobile device via over the air (OTA) communications. | 02-18-2010 |
| 20100069036 | INTEGRATED WIRELESS AND WIRELINE BILLING AND SERVICES MANAGEMENT - Methods and systems are provided for integrating billing and services management systems across disparate telecommunications systems including wireless systems and local and long distance wireline systems. Wireless and wireline services may be charged to and billed under one periodic billing. A rollover management system is employed for managing units of call usage that may be “rolled over” from a present usage period to a subsequent usage period. An integrated services settlement system is provided which is operable for apportioning revenue associated with utilization of the wireless carrier's services to the wireless carrier and for apportioning revenue associated with the wireline carrier's services to the wireline carrier. An integrated telecommunications services ordering system is provided that is operable to synchronize subscriber orders between the subscriber's wireless and wireline carriers. | 03-18-2010 |
| 20100093309 | Mobile Device Notification With Options - Notifying users of mobile communication devices, which may include providing options for response to notifications. A component of a communication service provider system receives an indication of a notification for a user of a mobile communication device. The notification may be received from a source internal or external to the communication service provider system. A component of the mobile communication service provider formats the notification so that it is compatible with the mobile communication device of the user and sends the notification to the mobile communication device of the user. The notification may include one or more options to respond to the notification using the mobile communication device. The notification may, for example, pertain to minutes-of-use in a mobile communication service plan, or to other information, including notifications from outside service providers such as airlines, banks, restaurants, hotels, libraries, credit card companies, etc. | 04-15-2010 |
| 20100144312 | LIMITING DATA TRANSMISSION TO AND/OR FROM A COMMUNICATION DEVICE AS A DATA TRANSMISSION CAP IS APPROACHED AND GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE FOR CONFIGURING SAME - A data transmission cap represents a maximum amount of data that can be transmitted to and/or from a communication device during a subscriber billing cycle without incurring a penalty under a subscriber rate plan. To limit data transmission to and/or from the communication device as the data transmission cap is approached, a graphical user interface (GUI) is displayed. The GUI includes one or more GUI controls for selecting a data transmission limiting tactic from a plurality of distinct data transmission limiting tactics and for specifying a data transmission threshold at which the selected tactic is to take effect, the threshold being below the operative cap. Upon user interaction with the GUI control(s), user input indicating the selected data transmission tactic and specified data transmission threshold is received. The communication device or another electronic device in communication therewith is configured to effect the selected data transmission limiting tactic when the specified data transmission threshold is reached. | 06-10-2010 |
| 20100267362 | Systems and Methods to Process Transaction Requests - Systems and methods are provided to facilitate on-site processing of transaction requests. In one aspect, a system includes a data storage facility to store an account identifier of a user and a phone number of the user and an interchange coupled with the data storage facility. The interchange includes a common format processor and a plurality of converters to interface with a plurality of different controllers of mobile communications. The converters are configured to communicate with the controllers in different formats and to communicate with the common format processor in a common format to transmit a message to a telephone at the telephone number of the user to prompt the user to confirm a request and to receive a confirmation of the request via the telephone. The request is received via a user interface embedded in a web page of a first website without reloading or refreshing the web page. | 10-21-2010 |
| 20110086611 | MOBILE DEVICE LEASING WITH CUSTOMIZED OPERATIONAL FEATURES - System(s), device(s), and method(s) are provided to supply a device that accesses and utilizes resources in a wireless network under a lease agreement. A system generates service unit bank(s) that enable service utilization and provides a customized operational profile that enables custom configuration of service in the device. The device can receive lessee-specific operational profile(s) and lease agreement term(s), and can regulate a lease agreement. If the lease agreement expires, the device can lock at least a portion of the functionality of the device and provide an environment to renew the lease agreement. If the device is not returned, the system pursues various asset protection mechanism(s), such as assessment of recovery fees and tracking location of the device. Returned device is commissioned for a new lease. Synchronization of lessee-specific operational profiles amongst device and the system, or network external thereto, can be accomplished through a femtocell network or a macrocell network. | 04-14-2011 |
| 20110151832 | MOBILE PHONE AND SIM CARD OPERATION METHOD THEREOF - A mobile phone includes a subscriber identity module (SIM) card control system to optimize usage of SIM cards thereof. A control method optimizes usage of the SIM cards by using the mobile phone. The control method sets a fee rate for each SIM card under each use status. Furthermore, the control method determines a minimum fee rate for the SIM cards under a current use status, if a fee charge event occurs. In addition, the control method utilizes a SIM card corresponding to the minimum fee rate to process the fee charge event. | 06-23-2011 |
| 20110171931 | Method and Apparatus for Supplying Billing Information a Communication Device - According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method, in a billing system, of supplying information to a communication device, comprising, in response to receiving a request, over a first network, to authorize a communication with the communication device: obtaining information relevant to the communication; and providing the obtained information to the communication device via a second network. | 07-14-2011 |
| 20120142312 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS TO PROCESS TRANSACTION REQUESTS - Systems and methods are provided to facilitate on-site processing of transaction requests. In one aspect, a system includes a data storage facility to store an account identifier of a user and a phone number of the user and an interchange coupled with the data storage facility. The interchange includes a common format processor and a plurality of converters to interface with a plurality of different controllers of mobile communications. The converters are configured to communicate with the controllers in different formats and to communicate with the common format processor in a common format to transmit a message to a telephone at the telephone number of the user to prompt the user to confirm a request and to receive a confirmation of the request via the telephone. The request is received via a user interface embedded in a web page of a first website without reloading or refreshing the web page. | 06-07-2012 |
| 20120157042 | Systems and Methods to Accelerate Transactions Based on Predictions - Systems and methods to accelerate transactions made via mobile communications. In one aspect, a system includes: a data storage facility to store information associated with past payment transactions and an interchange coupled with the data storage facility. The interchange includes a common format processor and a plurality of converters to interface with a plurality of controllers. The converters are configured to communicate with the controllers in different formats, and to communicate with the common format processor in a common format. The common format processor includes a risk engine and a transaction engine. The risk engine estimates a risk in a billing process; and the transaction engine determines whether or not to notify a merchant of the predicted result of billing based on the suggestion from the risk engine and/or other information, such as the status of the wireless telecommunications network. | 06-21-2012 |
| 20120157043 | PERSONAL CONTENT SERVER APPARATUS AND METHODS - Personal content server apparatus and associated methods that allow a user (e.g., cable or satellite network subscriber) to access content, such as a video program, from a location outside the subscriber's network. In one embodiment, a personal content server streams the content to the subscriber over a network connection from the local e.g., (subscription) network to a remote network upon authorization by a content manager process. Various access, business or operational rules are applied depending on the content and delivery mode; e.g., to live video broadcast, video-on-demand (VOD), or archived content from the subscriber's digital video recorder (DVR) or networked PVR. Secondary content (e.g., promotions, advertisements, etc.) can also be selectively replaced if desired in order to make the remotely delivered content more appropriate to the remote user's context. | 06-21-2012 |
| 20120184243 | Real-Time Balance on a Mobile Phone - A system, method and prepaid payment mobile phone configured to display a current prepaid balance. The prepaid payment mobile phone receives a debit balance request from input on the mobile phone. After retrieving an encoded current balance, the mobile phone displays the amount. The current balance may be calculated by the phone after a transaction, or the phone may receive a debit balance via a short message service notification. | 07-19-2012 |
| 20120190330 | SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING APPLICATION AND MANAGEMENT SERVICE AND MODIFYING USER INTERFACE AND METHOD THEREOF - Disclosed is a system for downloading an application from a server and providing the same to a client by using a short message or a subscriber interface module (SIM) card. The system modifies a function key for each application according to a client's selection, and randomly modifies a user interface used for selecting an application. The system extends a usage range of the SIM card. The system periodically checks and analyzes the client' use log for a predetermined time, presents at least one application to the client according to the analysis result on the use log, provides a single application selected by the client to the client, and updates at least one application stored in the client mobile terminal according to the analysis result on the use log. Therefore, the system increases service satisfaction for the client. | 07-26-2012 |
| 20120231762 | SYSTEM FOR SCHOOLS MANAGING SMS CREDITS USING MOBILE REVERSE CHARGE TECHNOLOGY - A method of billing or charging a receiver for a mobile communication being message, that allows the receiver to receive messages as part of a service, the receiver being billed directly by the telecommunications carrier who then in turn aggregates a revenue share based on messages sent to receivers, who then in turn pay a percentage of the revenue share to the premium SMS aggregator. The receiver can be of a selected status, which is set to a pre-selected schedule and can receive messages without charge or with a charge. This enables the payment system to be simple and efficient. | 09-13-2012 |
| 20120276870 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS TO FACILITATE REPEATED PURCHASES - Systems and methods are provided to facilitate repeated purchase and payment transactions. In one aspect, a system includes an interchange and a data storage facility configured to store payment transaction records associated with phone numbers. The interchange includes a common format processor and a plurality of converters to interface with a plurality of different controllers of mobile communications. The converters are configured to communicate with the controllers in different formats and to communicate with the common format processor in a common format. The common format processor is configured to identify a prior payment transaction associated with a phone number in response to a message from a mobile phone having the phone number, communicate with a merchant to repeat a purchase according to the prior payment transaction, and transmit via one of the converters premium messages to the mobile phone to collect funds for a payment to repeat the purchase. | 11-01-2012 |
| 20120315871 | MOBILE CALL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM - The invention provides a method and a system for analyzing mobile telephony connectivity transaction information by the use of a code appended to a transaction. | 12-13-2012 |
| 20130005300 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR RECHARGING SIM CARD - A method for recharging a first SIM card through a mobile phone using a second SIM card is described. The method includes: receiving identifying information; generating a first short message containing the identifying information; receiving recharging information containing a phone number associated with the second SIM card and charge amount; generating a second short message containing the recharging information; and sending the first short message and the second short message to a mobile service provider, such that the mobile service device can accordingly recharge the first SIM card. | 01-03-2013 |
| 20130045711 | Prepaid Short Message Services Revenue Capture - A prepaid messaging solution that utilizes a pre-delivery debit query to tariff a short message, coupled with an additional debit query performed once necessary billing information has been acquired. A short message is tariffed prior to message delivery via a pre-delivery debit query to a prepaid server. During message delivery, the prepaid server is queried a second time, following the HLR query performed by the Short Message Service Center (SMSC). This subsequent debit query bills a subscriber for any additional service fees discovered throughout message delivery, e.g., international/roaming fees, etc. If either the pre-delivery debit query or the subsequent debit query indicates that a subscriber has insufficient account balance to deliver a short message, the message is prevented from being delivered. If a message is dropped due to lack of account balance, any funds debited throughout the attempted message delivery may be credited back to the subscriber's prepaid account. | 02-21-2013 |
| 20130052988 | Separable Billing for Personal Data Services - A billing system and method for providing both business and personal data access to a user of a wireless communications device is provided. A user enters an access request, and it is determined if the access request is a personal type access request or a business type access request. Personal type access requests are processed in order to provide billing for the personal requests to the user of the wireless communications device, and business type access requests are processed to provide billing to the business. Such systems and methods provide enhanced convenience to mobile workers while avoiding additional costs associated with such services being incurred by the business. | 02-28-2013 |
| 20130130646 | MOBILE COMMUNICATION TERMINAL AND METHOD FOR MANAGING SIM CARDS - A mobile communication terminal includes a first SIM card, a second SIM card, a surfing detecting module, a bandwidth detecting module, and a control module. The first SIM card uses a first payment mode to pay for surfing the Internet according to bandwidth used. The second SIM card uses a second payment mode to pay for surfing the Internet according to time used. The surfing detecting module detects whether the mobile communication terminal is connected to the Internet. The bandwidth detecting module detects the bandwidth used. The control module enables one of the first and the second SIM cards according to the bandwidth used. | 05-23-2013 |
| 20130189949 | VEHICULAR INFORMATION RECEIVER AND VEHICULAR INFORMATION RECEPTION SYSTEM - A vehicular information receiver is coupled to a portable device that receives information by paying a communication fee based on a unit packet fee. The receiver sets reception factors that affect the amount of data received by the portable device. An expected fee calculation unit calculates an expected communication fee based on the unit packet fee and an expected amount of data, which is based on the reception factors. A display unit displays the reception factors and the expected communication fee, which can be viewed by a user. Accordingly, the user is able to view the reception factors that determine the amount of data to be received and the expected communication fee associated with the data to be received, before such data is received from the portable device, thereby avoiding unexpected increases in communication fees. | 07-25-2013 |
| 20130196626 | DYNAMICALLY ADJUSTING A DATA USAGE PLAN BASED ON DATA USAGE STATISTICS - Embodiments automatically adjust one or more terms of a data usage plan of a user to reduce network transfer costs for the user. Data usage statistics representing network data consumption by at least one computing device of the user are received or collected. The data usage plan is compared with the data usage statistics (e.g., to estimate any excess network transfer costs), and the data usage plan is adjusted accordingly and based on other data usage plans or adjustments that are available. | 08-01-2013 |
| 20130273882 | PAYMENT AUTHENTICATION SYSTEMS - An authentication server and a method of enabling a user of a communications capable device to make a payment via a mobile operator billing system are described. The authentication server determines a user identifier string for sending to a communications capable device according to a probability of successful entry by a user. The user identifier string is linked to the content item data and the string sent to the communications capable device. The user responds, via a mobile network, by sending a short message service (SMS) based user response. The response is compared to previously transmitted user identifier messages, and billable user identity data appended to the SMS by the mobile network can be used to associate the transaction in process with billable identity data derived from the carrier data to enable a user's mobile phone account to be billed for the purchase. | 10-17-2013 |
| 20130331060 | MOBILE PHONE APPLICATION, SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR SENDING POSTCARDS AND OBTAINING MAILING ADDRESSES - Systems for sending postcards and other mail items from a mobile device such as a mobile phone, software applications for preparing and sending such items, and methods, for example, computer and network implemented methods of simplifying the sending of postcards. Using an application running on a mobile device or mobile phone, a user can prepare and send postcards or send other mail items through the mail to selected recipients. Mailing addresses are automatically obtained from an address book, for example, on the mobile device, and if a recipient's address is missing, an electronic message such as an e-mail or a text message can automatically be sent to the recipient requesting the mailing address. Once the address is received, the postcard is printed and mailed. Postcards can include an image or picture selected or taken by the user and a personal message from the user to the recipient. The user can be charged a reasonable fee per postcard sent and the mailing address can automatically be stored in the address book for later use. | 12-12-2013 |
| 20140094140 | Cognitive Radio System And Cognitive Radio Carrier Device - A method for receiving data on a mobile device includes accessing information identifying a number of collaborator devices and receiving respective portions of the data from each of the number of collaborator devices. The respective portions depend on at least one of (a) throughputs between the mobile device and the number of collaborator devices and (b) potential debits charged by the number of collaborator devices. The receiving occurs via mobile-to-mobile connections between the mobile device and the number of collaborator devices. The received respective portions of data are stored at the mobile device. Content is generated on a display of the mobile device based on the stored respective portions of the data. | 04-03-2014 |
| 20140120869 | OVER-THE-AIR PRE-PAID WIRELESS SYSTEM AND METHOD - A processor executes instructions to provide over the air prepaid calling services at a local wireless system. The processor receives an access request from a wireless device; determines the local wireless system is not a home wireless system of the wireless device; determines at the local wireless system alone that the wireless device does not have a valid profile in the wireless system; allocates an identity for local service in the local wireless system to create a temporary profile associated with the wireless device; sets an expiration timer for expiration of the temporary profile; sends an update to a visitor location register (VLR) of the local wireless system to add the wireless device to the VLR, based on the temporary profile; and sends information on the temporary profile in a message to a user of the wireless device announcing the allocated identity. | 05-01-2014 |
| 20140128027 | WIRELESS DATA CARD - According to one embodiment, the method determines a total amount of data exchanged between the wireless data card and a service provider for a time period. The determined total amount of data exchanged is further displayed on the display of the wireless data card. In one embodiment, the size of at least one data packet sent by the wireless data card and the size of at least one data packet received by the wireless data card within the time period is ascertained to determine the total amount of data exchanged. | 05-08-2014 |
| 20140134976 | PROVIDING ACCESS TO COMMUNICATION PLANS VIA MULTIPLE ACCESS METHODS - One computer-implemented method includes identifying a plurality of communication plans, identifying a first communication associated with a first access method and associated with a first attribute, determining a first communication plan associated with the first communication from the plurality of communication plans, the determination based at least in part on the first attribute associated with the first communication, identifying a second communication different than the first communication and associated with the first access method, the second communication associated with a second attribute different than the first attribute, and determining a second communication plan associated with the second communication from the plurality of communication plans, the determination based at least in part on the second attribute associated with the second communication, wherein the first and second communication plans are associated with a prepaid pay-as-you-go or subscription monetary values. | 05-15-2014 |
| 20140235202 | MOBILE BILLING OPERATOR SERVER PROGRAMMED FOR USER ACQUISITION WITHIN A REPEAT PAYMENT COMPUTER SYSTEM - A repeat payment computer system includes a merchant server and mobile billing operator server that are programmed for user acquisition through carrier billing and subsequent conversion to credit card billing. An advantage of the process is that the user does not have to enter credit card information for the default billing cycles to occur. The user only enters a phone number and password. Fewer barriers are provided for the user to become a regular repeat customer of the merchant server. The fees associated with mobile billing according to the default billing cycles have to be paid by the merchant server and may be too high in the long run. The merchant server can avoid the high fees associated with carrier billing by switching the user to billing according to the credit card information provided. The user is typically switched after the user has already become a regular customer. | 08-21-2014 |
| 20140242944 | USER-INITIATED QUALITY OF SERVICE MODIFICATION IN A MOBILE DEVICE - A system and method that facilitates mobile device selection among available qualities of service is described herein. A telecommunications network sends a notification to a mobile device when a change in quality of service is available to the mobile device. The mobile device then enables selection of an upgrade or downgrade to the current quality of service. In response to a selection, the mobile device transmits to the telecommunications network the change in quality of service. The telecommunications network then adjusts the quality of service in accordance with the request. | 08-28-2014 |
| 20140248852 | MOBILE DEVICE AND SERVICE MANAGEMENT - A wireless end-user device, comprising one or more modems enabling the wireless end-user device to communicate with a network system over a wireless access network, a touch-screen user interface, and one or more processors configured to execute one or more instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to detect a user input through the touch-screen user interface, the user input comprising a request to remove the wireless end-user device from an existing device group account, the existing device group account being associated with one or more devices including the wireless end-user device, and send a message to the network system over the wireless access network, the message conveying the request to remove the wireless end-user device from the existing device group account. | 09-04-2014 |
| 20140273947 | PROTOCOLS FOR FACILITATING BROADER ACCESS IN WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS - Structures and protocols are presented for signaling a status or decision concerning a wireless service or device within a region to a communication device (smartphone or wearable device, e.g.) or other wireless communication participant (motor vehicle having a wireless communication capability, e.g.). | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140335822 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS TO ESTABLISH COMMUNICATION CONNECTIONS VIA MOBILE APPLICATION - Methods and apparatuses to receive a request from a mobile application identifying a callee and a communication reference, assign a call-in reference to the request, temporarily associate the communication reference and the call-in reference for a period of time, receive a call from a mobile device having the communication reference, authenticate the received call based on the association of the communication reference and the call-in reference, and connect the call to a callee after the call is authenticated. The assigned call-in reference may be randomly selected from a plurality of call-in references of a connection server, in response to the request that is generated when a call button in the mobile application is activated for a connection to the callee. | 11-13-2014 |
| 20140349607 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR SELECTIVE CHARGING BY RECIPIENTS OF IN-BOUND COMMUNICATIONS IN COMMUNICATION NETWORKS - A method, in the field of communications services, for linking several electronic and information components (including communication network elements, servers, databases and software) to implement a service for, dynamically and selectively, imposing supplementary call charges on behalf of subscribers to the network; whether for self-employed, competent experts, other categories of content provider, or any individuals or organizations receiving communications. Such supplementary tariffs are levied on those calling telephone numbers dynamically and selectively dedicated for this purpose, providing called parties with a way to collect fees for the information they provide to calling parties. The method enables the operating party (a Value added service provider) in partnership with the mobile operator to collect these revenues on behalf of and to share this revenue with, the called subscriber. | 11-27-2014 |
| 20140357223 | METHOD OF PROVIDING MOBILE BILL AND SERVER FOR PERFORMING THE SAME - A mobile bill providing server receives bill details for a particular user from a mobile bill issuing server and provides a mobile bill to a mobile terminal available for installation of a bill viewer, the mobile bill being dependent upon the bill viewer. A mobile bill providing method includes searching for the mobile terminal associated with the particular user and determining whether the bill viewer has been installed in the mobile terminal. If the bill viewer has not been installed in the mobile terminal, the method includes transmitting an electronic bill independent of the bill viewer and guidance information for installation of the bill viewer to the mobile terminal, waiting for a period of time until the bill viewer is installed in the mobile terminal, and when the bill viewer is installed, transmitting the mobile bill to the mobile terminal. | 12-04-2014 |
| 20140357224 | Application Layer Integration Into a Multi-Rat Access and Handover Environment - A wireless communication device communicating with a serving base station in a wireless communication environment may have one or more applications running. When seeking to handover from the serving base station to a target base station, the wireless communication device adjusts the configurations of the applications based on the new communication link properties. Likewise, when an application is loaded that prefers communication link properties that exceeds a current communication link's capabilities, the wireless communication device may seek out and hand over to other communication links. By cooperatively coordinating the functionality of installed applications with communication link properties, the wireless communication device can maintain high levels of device and application functionality. | 12-04-2014 |
| 20140357225 | Prepaid Short Message Services Revenue Capture - A prepaid messaging solution that utilizes a pre-delivery debit query to tariff a short message, coupled with an additional debit query performed once necessary billing information has been acquired. A short message is tariffed prior to message delivery via a pre-delivery debit query to a prepaid server. During message delivery, the prepaid server is queried a second time, following the HLR query performed by the Short Message Service Center (SMSC). This subsequent debit query bills a subscriber for any additional service fees discovered throughout message delivery, e.g., international/roaming fees, etc. If either the pre-delivery debit query or the subsequent debit query indicates that a subscriber has insufficient account balance to deliver a short message, the message is prevented from being delivered. If a message is dropped due to lack of account balance, any funds debited throughout the attempted message delivery may be credited back to the subscriber's prepaid account. | 12-04-2014 |
| 20150024709 | METHOD AND SERVER FOR SHARING DATA TRAFFIC - A method for permitting a first communication device to share data traffic with a second communication device is provided, where at least the user of the second device subscribes to a data traffic plan. The server of telecommunications network determines whether the authorization code and an identity information of the first communication device sent by the first communication device matches the authorization code and a related identity information stored in the server; if so, the data quantity sent to or from the first communication device is counted for billing to the second communication device. | 01-22-2015 |
| 20150072645 | METHOD FOR MANAGING PREPAID WIRELESS ACCOUNTS - Methods and software application for automatic loading of a refill pin in a prepaid wireless customer's account generally comprising engaging an external server to send request with phone number, PIN and wireless carrier information; navigating and logging on to wireless carrier's website; determining a first automated PIN number loading script based on the customer's wireless carrier; running first automated PIN number loading script to obtain PIN response from wireless carrier's website; extracting validation response for PIN number loading from wireless carrier's website; and returning a PIN number loading validation response to said external server. An alternative method comprises generally engaging an external server to send request with phone number, PIN and wireless carrier information; accessing the interactive voice response (“IVR”) of wireless carrier system to input phone number and PIN number; using voice recognition to extract a PIN number loading validation response from said IVR; and returning said response to said external server. | 03-12-2015 |
| 20150133081 | TECHNIQUES FOR DETERMINING TRAFFIC VOLUMES SERVED OVER MULTIPLE CELLS OF A WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORK - Techniques are described for traffic volume determination and reporting by an access node and/or a node of a core network in a wireless communications system. One or more wireless connections may be established with a user equipment (UE) to serve one or more streams of traffic using a first cell and a second cell, which may have different cell characteristics. A first traffic volume for the UE may be determined based on traffic volume served over the first cell, and a second traffic volume for the UE may be determined based on traffic volume served over the second cell. A charging data record may be generated based on the first traffic volume and the second traffic volume. Traffic volume served over the first cell then may be charged at a different rate that traffic served over the second cell. | 05-14-2015 |
| 20150140963 | METHOD, APPARATUS, AND SYSTEM FOR PROCESSING CHARGING INFORMATION - Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, an apparatus and a system for processing charging information, wherein the method includes: a mobility management device acquires a PLMN identifier corresponding to a network name displayed by a user equipment; transmits the PLMN identifier corresponding to the network name displayed by the user equipment to a call detail record information generating device, so that user call detail record information generated by the call detail record information generating device includes the PLMN identifier corresponding to the network name displayed by the user equipment; therefore, a charging device can charge the user according to the network name displayed by the UE included in the user call detail record information generated by the call detail record information generating device, thereby ensuring accuracy of the charging the user, and enhancing user experience. | 05-21-2015 |
| 20150341182 | Credit Control in a Telecommunications Network - A system and method is provided for facilitating establishment of a data connection between a first mobile device in a first public land mobile network (PLMN) of a plurality of public land mobile networks (PLMNs) and a destination in a packet data network via centralized infrastructure. In one form, the method includes receiving, at the gateway module, a connection establishment request for establishing a connection between the first mobile device and the destination; enabling a connection to be established between the first mobile device and the destination; monitoring the established connection, and based on the monitoring, maintaining one or more usage states; and generating, by the credit control module, one or more charging data records associated with the first mobile device based on the monitored usage states and the first PLMN, in which the first device is located. | 11-26-2015 |
| 20150341504 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MONITORING SERVICE USAGE OF A MOBILE TERMINAL - Method and device of monitoring service usage are disclosed. The method includes: acquiring respective service plan information of a first service plan and a second service plan for a service offered by one or more service providers, the respective service plan information for each of the first and second service plans including a respective set of service variables; acquiring respective values for the respective sets of service variables for the first and second service plans based on actual service usage associated with a user; in accordance with the acquired respective values, generating a first service score for the first service plan and a second service score for the second service plan; and in accordance with the first and second service scores, selecting a respective service plan for at least one of usage recommendation or fee calculation for subsequent use in a current service cycle. | 11-26-2015 |
| 20150350456 | METHOD FOR ACTIVATING A SIM CARD AND OBTAINING BALANCE IN REAL-TIME - A method for activating a SIM card and obtaining balance in real-time, comprising the following steps: the user obtains a SIM card and inserts the SIM card in a mobile communication device; after starting the device, it interface automatically displays the prompting message for registration and activation, and the user completes the registration and activates the SIM card. In the meantime, a preset application program is installed on the SIM card mobile communication device, and the user forms operating record by starting the preset application program. After receiving the operating record, a remote server matches the balance to be obtained and sends the instruction to the telecommunication provider. The docking server firstly verifies the identity validity of service provider, then adjusts the balance of SIM card in real-time and feeds back the balance to the remote server and the remote server feeds back the balance to the user. | 12-03-2015 |
| 20150365538 | COST-COGNITIVE BASE STATION APPARATUS, COST-COGNITIVE USER TERMINAL, AND COST-COGNITIVE NETWORK METHOD - A cost-cognitive base station apparatus, a cost-cognitive user terminal, and a cost-cognitive network method, in which by recognizing costs based on network congestion, a user may select and receive appropriate network services, thereby reducing telecommunication expenses and inducing the user to a less congested network, which leads to improved network management efficiency. | 12-17-2015 |
| 20160014280 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR RETAIL SIM MARKETPLACE | 01-14-2016 |
| 20160088456 | Hybrid Network Based Metering Server and Tracking Client for Wireless Services - A process of tracking usage of a wireless device in a wireless network with a metering system includes implementing the metering system in a network separate from the wireless network and activating the wireless device in response to identification of the wireless device and confirmation of use of a tracking system to the metering system. The process further includes obtaining, by the metering system, an amount of wireless services used by the wireless device. The obtaining includes at least one of obtaining an amount of wireless services used from the wireless network and obtaining an amount of wireless services used from the tracking system. | 03-24-2016 |
| 20160088466 | Method, Apparatus, and Mobile Device for Measuring Internet Traffic of Mobile Device - An apparatus for measuring and displaying Internet traffic of a mobile device, which includes a traffic measurement module and a traffic display module. The apparatus also includes a SIM card account creation module configured to create a SIM card account for each of a plurality of SIM cards. The traffic measurement module measures the Internet traffic of each of the SIM card accounts. The traffic display module displays the Internet traffic of each of the SIM card accounts. The Internet traffic of each SIM card on the mobile device may be measured and displayed. | 03-24-2016 |
| 20160094719 | APPARATUSES AND METHODS FOR DETERMINING USAGE OF A WIRELESS COMMUNICATION SERVICE - An apparatus includes means for accessing a communication service via a wireless network and for sending a first message and a second message via the wireless network. The apparatus also includes means for displaying a user interface and means for receiving a first selection and a second selection responsive to the user interface. The first and second selections respectively indicate work and personal billing accounts. The first message is associated with first usage profile-related information indicating work usage of the communication service that is to be billed to the work billing account. The second message is associated with second usage profile-related information indicating personal usage of the communication service that is to be billed to the personal billing account. | 03-31-2016 |
| 20160094725 | ENFORCEMENT OF COMPLIANCE RULES - Disclosed are various embodiments for enforcing restrictions or compliance rules specified by a dialer application or messaging application executed by a client device such as a smartphone. Such a device can be managed by an enterprise and assigned to a particular user. Restrictions can be based on a location of the client device, a network to which the client device is communicating, or other environmental variables. | 03-31-2016 |
| 20160094972 | CHARGING AND BILLING FOR CONTENT, SERVICES, AND ACCESS - Among other things, at a server, information is received from applications, services, or content being used on user devices about usage of communication services attributable to each of the applications, services, or content. The information about the amounts of attributable communication services is used in allocating charges for the services to one or more paying parties in accordance with one or more applicable business rules. | 03-31-2016 |
| 20160100063 | NON-LINEAR DATA CHARGING - An Online Charging System (“OCS”) for charging a data session of a subscriber, in response to a request to initiate the data session provides a first granted service units of data for the data session. During the data session, the OCS receives a change in charging conditions for the subscriber and, in response to the change, sends a re-authorization message to the subscriber. In response to the re-authorization message, the OCS receives from the subscriber a first update message that includes a used service units for the data session since the previous update message. In response to the update message, and based on the change in charging conditions and the used service units, the OCS then provides a second granted service units of data for the data session. | 04-07-2016 |
| 20160183075 | PREPAID SHORT MESSAGE SERVICES REVENUE CAPTURE | 06-23-2016 |
| 20160202847 | Metering and Metering Display on Computer for Wireless Access Point | 07-14-2016 |
| 20160205235 | Method and System for Remote Management of Access to Devices | 07-14-2016 |
