| Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
|---|
| 455408000 | At remote station | 88 |
| 20080200145 | Systems and methods for session records correlation - A billing mediation system for use within a communications network that correlates session records pertaining to usage of network resources is disclosed. The billing mediation system includes a record receiver, a record correlator, a look ahead cache, a set of buffers, and a session records database. The set of buffers includes a single segment insert buffer, a multi segment insert buffer, a multi segment update buffer and a billing finalization update buffer. A method for correlating session records is also provided. The method includes receiving a session record, placing the session record into a segment buffer based on the type of record, and updating a look ahead cache including providing a timestamp for the last update for a session. The transfer of correlated session records to a billing system is based on whether records for a session have been received based on session tracking within the look ahead cache. | 08-21-2008 |
| 20080233918 | CONTENT OWNER VERIFICATION AND DIGITAL RIGHTS MANAGEMENT FOR AUTOMATED DISTRIBUTION AND BILLING PLATFORMS - Software application providers can connect to a common platform in order to offer access to and use of their applications and/or content to a global community of mobile device users through a variety of different media. The users are automatically charged via the user's billing account with the wireless network carrier to which the user subscribes. The platform can also use billing mechanisms to bill the user other than the user's wireless network carrier, such as credit cards, bank accounts, prepaid cards, web-based payment services, etc. The application provider need not have contractual agreements with any of the wireless network carriers, as billing is automatically performed by the platform through the wireless network carriers his or her behalf. In an additional aspect, an application provider must undergo authentication before uploading any media, content or application to the platform. For example, the application provider may be required to provide his mobile device number. A confirmation message is then sent to the provided mobile device number to verify or authenticate the mobile device. Also during the authentication process, a unique application provider identification code is generated for the application provider, and is stored in a database of registered application providers, along with related information. Any media, content or application subsequently uploaded by the authenticated application provider is associated with the unique application provider identification code. | 09-25-2008 |
| 20080248779 | MEDIA CONTENT AND MOBILE DEVICES - Methodologies and related devices and systems are provided that facilitate provision, usage, publication, and/or rating of media content by providers and/or users media content. According to one aspect, content preloaded on a mobile device can be activated based on user fulfillment of an access requirement. According to another aspect, a user of a mobile device can publish user associated information to locate substantially matching users. According to a further aspect, users of mobile devices can share and rate content to create a community of aggregated content. Various modifications are provided that facilitate monetizing or incentivizing the described methodologies and related devices and systems. | 10-09-2008 |
| 20080287099 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MANAGING CHARGES AND AIRTIME VALUES FOR CELLULAR PHONES AND ACCOUNTS - A system and method for managing calling values of calls to be charged to a call receiving party by associating a first code, such as a telephone number, inputted by a caller placing a call with the call receiving party at a call receiver platform and determining the amount that is to be charged to the call receiving party for the call by using rules associated with a second code supplied from the caller side when the call is placed. The call receiver has an account within a subscription system with a balance that is decremented by the charge for the call as determined by the rules associated with the second code. In a related aspect, a different subscriber can accept the charges for calls placed to certain call-receiving parties | 11-20-2008 |
| 20090042539 | REVERSE CHARGING SERVICE - The present invention provides systems and methods for facilitating mobile communication between a calling party and a called party. Aspects of the present invention include establishing, via a service node, mobile communications upon receiving a response, from the called party, to a mobile communication request made by the calling party to the service node, and further include facilitating, via the service node, charging the called party for the established mobile communications. | 02-12-2009 |
| 20090061818 | METHODS AND PLATFORMS FOR REFRESHING A PRE-PAID ACCOUNT UPON DETECTING THE OCCURRENCE OF A REFRESH TRIGGERING EVENT - Methods and pre-paid platforms are provided to detect the occurrence of a refresh triggering event as specified by a refresh trigger rule and to then refresh the pre-paid account in accordance with a refresh completion rule. The refresh triggering event may be one or more of a variety of event types, such as depletion of a remaining usage to a pre-defined level or a target date and/or time for a refresh. The refresh completion rule may be one or more of a variety of actions to take, such as increasing the remaining usage by a default amount to complete the refresh or requesting authorization for a refresh by generating a message to an entity in control of the pre-paid account. The pre-paid platform may charge a monetary account for the amount of the refresh that is applied. | 03-05-2009 |
| 20090068983 | Advertising-based Wireless Solutions - The innovative part of “Advertising-based Wireless Solutions” is in the convenience of saving the consumer money. A large number of consumers enjoy saving money on the monthly bills and most times, love being rewarded for participating in customer initiatives such as this subscription service. Through this service, the customer would save a significant percentage of money off of their monthly service bill because they chose to allow their wireless device to be used as a portal for consumer communication and advertisement. | 03-12-2009 |
| 20090068984 | METHOD, APPARATUS, AND SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING MOBILE DEVICE USE - Method, apparatus and system for controlling usage of mobile devices. Supervisor users, such as parents and managers, are enabled to define usage-level based rule sets that are employed to limit mobile device use by targeted users, such as children and employees. The rule sets may be employed to control access to outbound and incoming calls, as well as text messages, data transfers, and paid content. Warning trip points may also be set to provide warnings to users when corresponding usage levels have been reached during a given billing cycle. Various mechanism are disclosed for enabling specification of rule set parameters, including via a mobile device, a computer application, and a Web portal. Runtime operations may be performed via the mobile device, via service provider infrastructure, or via a combination of the two to control mobile device use in view of applicable rule sets and current service plan operating modes. | 03-12-2009 |
| 20090075627 | HANDLING INSUFFICIENT ACCOUNT BALANCE OF SUBSCRIBERS - 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. | 03-19-2009 |
| 20090081991 | Prepaid short messaging - A prepaid messaging solution which uses open networking standards (e.g., TCP/IP) and which supports pre-payment of enhanced Internet messaging services. The disclosed prepaid architectures and methods accurately determine if a subscriber has sufficient account balance to deliver a complete short message, prior to delivery of the message. The short message may be prevented from being delivered (either at the source end or at the destination end) if insufficient funds are in the subscriber's account. A prepaid tariff engine is preferably extensible over a TCP/IP network, and supports remote interaction with the SMSC and web chat servers for the purpose of applying a real-time billing charge for each message. A service provider may create subscriber classes of service that define and uniquely identify subscriber rate and/or tariffing plans used to apply real-time billing charges for sending or receiving of messages. The prepaid short message tariff engine determines the appropriate message billing based upon, e.g., flat rate per message, message count (e.g., 10 messages @ $ 5.00), character count (e.g., $0.01/char.), Time of Day, Day of Week (i.e., peak & non-peak hours), type of message, and/or mobile location (i.e., network point code). The prepaid short messaging service preferably supports Internet web page access to subscriber's relating to their short messaging account balances and status maintained in the prepaid short messaging database of the prepaid messaging server. | 03-26-2009 |
| 20090186600 | Operations Method for Providing Wireless Communication Services - The present invention is directed to an improved operations method for a wireless communication system. The improved business method, operations method, network and system of the present invention includes the steps of delivering cellular services to the mass market, reducing peak capacity, increasing overall capacity utilization, improving capital utilization, providing an “all-you-can-eat” pricing model, and designing capacity based upon where the users live, work, and play. | 07-23-2009 |
| 20090270070 | MANAGEMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS PURCHASING AND USE - A method and program product for tracking and presenting communication services consumed by an organization from a plurality of communications service providers are provided. The method comprises storing information relating to communications services expenses of the organization from two or more service providers in an invoices data store, storing information relating to services approved for use by the organization in an inventory data store, storing information relating to communications equipment in use by the organization in an inventory data store, and providing an interface for the tracking and presentation of the consumption of both wireless and wired communications services, including invoices, services, and inventory associated with the wired and wireless communications services. | 10-29-2009 |
| 20090291667 | CHARGING SYSTEM FOR A COMMUNICATION SYSTEM - A communication system comprises network elements ( | 11-26-2009 |
| 20090298466 | CHARGING METHOD, DEVICE AND SYSTEM - A charging method, device, and system are disclosed. The charging method includes: receiving a message carrying a charging group ID, and sending a charging request message carrying the charging group ID to a charging node corresponding to the charging group ID for charging according to a corresponding relationship of the charging group ID and the charging node. According to embodiments of the present invention, correct charging for services and merging of fees are realized and meanwhile requirements for real-time charging and separation of public accounts and private accounts are met. | 12-03-2009 |
| 20100041369 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF USING DIAMETER BASED SIGNALING TO SUPPORT BILLING MODELS FOR VISUALLY RENDERED SERVICES - A system and method of using Diameter based signaling is provided to track usage to support multiple billing models for visually rendered revenue generating services in an IP Multimedia subsystem based network. The system includes a computer system includes first program instructions to provide usage information to an accounting platform for processing charging information for visually rendered services in an IP Multimedia subsystem based network. The computer system also comprises a computer readable media which stores the first program instructions and a central processing unit to execute the first program instructions. | 02-18-2010 |
| 20100099378 | METHODS, SYSTEMS, AND COMPUTER-READABLE-MEDIUMS FOR MANAGING ROLLOVER USAGE UNITS OF COMMUNICATION SERVICES - A rollover management system (RMS) receives and stores rollover data that includes subscriber identification and a balance of the rollover usage units that may be “rolled-over” to offset overage units used by a subscriber in excess of package plan usage units in a subsequent billing cycle. In response to receiving requests, the RMS presents rollover data elements to the requesting entities. The balance of the rollover usage units may be rolled over and measured in at least one of a plurality of billable units and may be shared by the subscriber's multiple communication services. The rollover usage units expire after a predetermined number of billing cycles where the predetermined number may vary between package plans. The RMS receives post-billing data elements to update the rollover data elements. The RMS is further operative to account for and present for review unbilled communication service usage to subscribers. | 04-22-2010 |
| 20100173605 | VIRTUAL SUBSCRIBER SERVICE - A Virtual Subscriber Service (VSS) is a system and method for operators to provide multiple mutually exclusive telephone numbers, each with its own unique plan features, to a subscriber who is associated with a single terminating device. VSS makes it possible for a subscriber to manage communications directed toward any telephone number associated with his telephone as if any one of the telephone numbers were the only number associated with the telephone. Further, in addition to the primary number, a VSS subscriber can originate communications or return missed communications from the virtual telephone numbers associated with his terminating device. More specifically, some embodiments of a VSS involve the use of a pre-paid account associated with a telecommunications service that has a primary destination code as well as a virtual destination code directed toward a common terminating device such as a mobile telephone. Advantageously, embodiments of a VSS provide a telecommunications operator with a system and method that enables a subscriber to have an additional private telephone number, mutually exclusive from a primary telephone number, without purchasing another telephone or purchasing a multi-SIM card. | 07-08-2010 |
| 20100190471 | Systems and Methods to Control Online Transactions - Systems and methods are provided to control online transactions via mobile communications. In one aspect, a system includes a data storage facility to store data associating a first telephone number with a second telephone number; 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 is to receive a payment request including the first telephone number, identify the second telephone number based on the data, and communicate with a mobile phone at the second telephone number for approval of the payment request. | 07-29-2010 |
| 20100197267 | DEVICE GROUP PARTITIONS AND SETTLEMENT PLATFORM - Device group partitions and a settlement platform are provided. In some embodiments, device group partitions (e.g., partitions of devices based on associated device groups) are provided. In some embodiments, a settlement platform service is provided. In some embodiments, a settlement platform service is provided for partitioned devices. In some embodiments, collecting device generated service usage information for one or more devices in wireless communication on a wireless network; and aggregating the device generated service usage information for a settlement platform for the one or more devices in wireless communication on the wireless network is provided. In some embodiments, a settlement platform implements a service billing allocation and/or a service/transactional revenue share among one or more partners. In some embodiments, service usage information includes micro-CDRs, which are used for CDR mediation or reconciliation that provides for service usage accounting on any device activity that is desired. In some embodiments, each device activity that is desired to be associated with a billing event is assigned a micro-CDR transaction code, and a service processor of the device is programmed to account for that activity associated with that transaction code. In some embodiments, a service processor executing on a wireless communications device periodically reports (e.g., during each heartbeat or based on any other periodic, push, and/or pull communication technique(s)) micro-CDR usage measures to, for example, a service controller or some other network element for CDR mediation or reconciliation. | 08-05-2010 |
| 20100197268 | ENHANCED ROAMING SERVICES AND CONVERGED CARRIER NETWORKS WITH DEVICE ASSISTED SERVICES AND A PROXY - Enhanced roaming services and converged networks with device assisted services and a proxy is provided. In some embodiments, enhanced roaming services and converged networks with device assisted services and a proxy includes collecting device generated service usage information for one or more devices in wireless communication on the wireless network; and providing the device generated service usage information in a syntax and a communication protocol that can be used by other network devices to augment or replace network generated service usage information for the one or more devices in wireless communication on the wireless network. | 08-05-2010 |
| 20100317318 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING PRE-PAID PAYMENT CAPABILITY ON MOBILE TELEPHONE - A method includes receiving an over-the-air message from a mobile telephone. The message requests top-up of a prepaid payment capability in the mobile telephone. The method further includes authorizing the requested top-up. In addition, the method includes transmitting an over-the-air response to the mobile telephone. The response indicates to the mobile telephone that the top-up is authorized. | 12-16-2010 |
| 20110003579 | ONLINE CHARGING FOR SUPPLEMENTARY SERVICES IN IMS NETWORKS - IMS networks and methods are disclosed for providing online charging for supplementary services for a session. The IMS network includes an application server operable to provide at least one supplementary service for a session. When the supplementary service is to be provided, the session is routed to the application server. The application server then provides the supplementary service and also provides charging for the service. To provide charging, the application server generates one or more charging request messages for the supplementary service, and transmits the charging request message for the supplementary service to an online charging system (OCS) of the IMS network. The OCS processes the charging request message accordingly to provide charging for the supplementary service in addition to the session. | 01-06-2011 |
| 20110111730 | Method of Setting Up a Communication Channel - Disclosed is a method of setting up a communication channel, between a wireless device ( | 05-12-2011 |
| 20110143710 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS TO FACILITATE ELECTRONIC PAYMENTS - Systems and methods are provided to facilitate online transactions via mobile communications. In one aspect, a system includes an interchange and a data storage facility to associate an account identifier with a telephone number. 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 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 to instruct a first controller of the controllers, via a first converter of the converters, to transmit a message to a telephone at the telephone number to confirm a transaction to fund the account identified by the account identifier, to transmit, via the first converter, one or more premium messages to the telephone to collect funds, and to add the funds to the account. | 06-16-2011 |
| 20110201304 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TRACKING BILLING EVENTS IN A MOBILE WIRELESS NETWORK FOR A NETWORK OPERATOR - A system and method for tracking billing events in a mobile wireless network for a network operator is disclosed. The method can include, in one embodiment, capturing, by a server, event data associated with a mobile device. The event data specifies communication events at the mobile device and are captured are specific to a network operator which provides services to the mobile device. The method can further include, generating billing data for the mobile device using the event data and associated parameters, and providing, by the server, the billing data to the network operator providing services to the mobile device. | 08-18-2011 |
| 20110223883 | BASE STATION APPARATUS, MOBILE COMMUNICATION SYSTEM AND COMMUNICATION CONTROL METHOD - To provide a base station apparatus, mobile communication system and communication control method for enabling appropriate time charging based on actual communication conditions to be performed, the base station apparatus is provided with a connection section that establishes connection with a user equipment ( | 09-15-2011 |
| 20110275346 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR RULE TRIGGERED MOBILE ADVERTISING - An advertising subsidized communication service is provided that can be utilized by eligible subscribers in instances designated by mobile operators or advertisers. An eligible subscriber that meets certain criteria, such as having a low pre-paid balance, can opt-in to an advertising subsidized service initiated through an SCP proxy for the advertising service platform. The subscriber receives advertising through selected channels, such as voice injection, text messaging or other media, which advertising subsidizes subscriber communication service. The subsidized service may be limited in some regard to number of calls, call duration or incoming calls, as examples. The subscriber may be automatically opted-out of the subsidized service upon payment being applied to a pre-paid for post-paid service account. The opt-in process for subsidized service occurs in real-time and may be prompted through a number of channels, such as voice or text messages. | 11-10-2011 |
| 20120028603 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CAPTURING REAL TIME TELECOMMUNICATIONS USAGE DATA FROM MOBILE DEVICES AND COMPARING THAT DATA TO LIFE CYCLE TELECOMMUNICATIONS EXPENSE MANAGEMENT (TEM) DATA - In one embodiment, a signal having a real-time usage value associated with operation of a mobile device is received from the mobile device. Information on a service agreement for the mobile device is received. A command is sent to the mobile device when the operation of the mobile device crossed a threshold condition of the service agreement. The command is configured to cause the mobile device to implement an operational change at the mobile device in response to the command. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120040639 | BLUETOOTH-ENABLED FEMTO ACCESS CONTROL - A low-cost system and methodology that facilitates improved femto access control by employing Bluetooth® technology is provided. Bluetooth-based femto access control utilizes a Bluetooth modem in a femto access point (FAP) that broadcasts a unique Bluetooth identity (ID). Nearby UEs can detect the femtocell and employ the Bluetooth ID for idle mode reselection and active mode handover behavior. Specifically, on detecting a femtocell, a UE can perform Bluetooth pairing with the FAP prior to performing attachment signaling. Moreover, only if Bluetooth signaling is successful, the UE proceeds to attach to the FAP. Thus, the system and method disclosed herein can control the UEs that attach to the femtocell, thereby reducing the signaling load and improving battery life of the UEs. | 02-16-2012 |
| 20120064859 | REVERSE CHARGING SERVICE - The present invention provides systems and methods for facilitating mobile communication between a calling party and a called party. Aspects of the present invention include establishing, via a service node, mobile communications upon receiving a response, from the called party, to a mobile communication request made by the calling party to the service node, and further include facilitating, via the service node, charging the called party for the established mobile communications. | 03-15-2012 |
| 20120064860 | Multiple Access Internet Portal Revenue Sharing - Multiple access internet portal billing systems are provided. A representative system, among others, includes a communication facility, a wireless internet server, and a transaction billing system. The communication facility includes a billing platform, and is operable to connect to a plurality of wireless device platforms through a mobile network, and to connect to the wireless internet server. The wireless internet server provides internet access to the wireless devices and communicates at least one billing information record including a usage time to a transaction billing system. The transaction billing system receives the billing information record from the wireless internet server, formats the billing information record, and communicates the formatted record to the communication facility billing platform. Methods and other systems for multiple access internet portals are also provided. | 03-15-2012 |
| 20120184244 | ONLINE CHARGING IN IMS NETWORKS FOR SESSIONS HANDED OVER BETWEEN DIFFERENT OPERATOR NETWORKS - IMS networks and methods are disclosed for providing online charging for a session of an IMS device that is seamlessly handed over between a first IMS network and a second IMS network that are different operator networks. A roaming charging identifier (RCID) is assigned to the session that is global to a dialog of the session over the first IMS network and to a dialog of the session over the second IMS network. A network element is able to correlate online charging information for the different dialogs of the session based on the RCID, and send an online charging request for a quota of service units to an online charging system that includes the correlated online charging system. The online charging system can thus rate the session and grant the quota based on the correlated online charging information. | 07-19-2012 |
| 20120196566 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING QOS-BASED SERVICE IN WIRELESS COMMUNICATION SYSTEM - A method and an apparatus for providing a Quality of Service (QoS)-based service in a wireless communication system are provided. The method includes providing a Mobile Station (MS) with at least one QoS plan indicating a price policy for a QoS acceleration service having a higher QoS than a default QoS designated for a user of the MS in response to a request from the MS, providing the MS with an authorized token and a QoS quota based on a selected QoS plan in response to a purchase request of the MS, providing the MS with service contents selected by the user through a radio bearer for the QoS acceleration service, notifying the MS, if a usage of the QoS acceleration service reaches a threshold, of an impending expiration of the QoS acceleration service, and notifying the MS of the expiration of the QoS acceleration service. | 08-02-2012 |
| 20120202458 | MOBILE RADIO ACCESS NETWORK, MOBILITY CONTROL UNIT, METHOD FOR CHARGING IN A MOBILE RADIO ACCESS NETWORK, AND PROGRAM - A mobile radio access network includes a plurality of radio cells, the plurality of radio cells comprising at least a first cell type of radio cells and a second cell type of radio cells, the first cell type of radio cells including at least one of a Closed Subscriber Group (CSG) cell and a hybrid cell, and the second cell type of radio cells including open cells; and a charging unit, configured to receive cell information corresponding to at least one subscriber out of a plurality of subscribers, wherein the cell information is dependent on whether the subscriber has entered, left, or accessed a radio cell of the first tell type. | 08-09-2012 |
| 20120208497 | MOBILE ROUTER NETWORK OPERATIONS CENTER WITH BILLING RECONCILIATION - A network operations center is operable with a plurality of wireless mobile routers, each comprising a wide area network wireless interface to access a cellular network provided by a predetermined cellular service provider. Each mobile router is operable to upload and download data via the cellular network, each mobile router is operable to monitor the uploaded and downloaded data to generate usage data. The network operations center comprises: first apparatus operable to manage communications with the plurality of mobile routers, operable to receive the usage data, and operable to access billing data from the predetermined cellular service provider for each of the mobile routers; and second apparatus operable to compare the usage data for each mobile router to corresponding billing data to determine if there is a billing discrepancy. | 08-16-2012 |
| 20120208498 | MOBILE ROUTER NETWORK METHOD WITH BILLING RECONCILIATION - A method of operating a mobile router network, comprises: providing a plurality of wireless mobile routers, each having access a cellular network provided by a predetermined cellular carrier, operating each mobile router to upload and download data via the cellular network, operating each mobile router to monitor the uploaded data and downloaded data to generate usage statistical; providing a server coupleable to the plurality of wireless mobile routers via the cellular network; operating the server to access billing data from the predetermined carrier for each mobile router; automatically operating each mobile router to upload its corresponding usage statistical data to the server; and operating the server to compare the usage statistical data for each wireless mobile router to corresponding billing data to determine if there is a billing discrepancy. | 08-16-2012 |
| 20120208499 | MOBILE ROUTER NETWORK SERVER METHOD WITH BILLING RECONCILIATION - A method of operating a network server, for a network comprising a plurality of wireless mobile routers is provided. Each mobile router comprises a wide area network wireless interface to access a cellular network provided by a predetermined cellular service provider and is operable to upload and download data via the cellular network. Each mobile router is operable to monitor the uploaded and downloaded data to generate usage. The method comprises: selectively coupling the server to the plurality of mobile routers via the cellular network; receiving from each of the mobile routers the corresponding usage data; operating the server to access billing data from the service provider for each mobile router; and comparing the usage data for each mobile router to corresponding billing data for each mobile router to determine if there is a billing discrepancy. | 08-16-2012 |
| 20120225638 | BROADBAND GATEWAY FEMTOCELL SERVICE ENABLING A SINGLE DEVICE TO BE USED IN A CELLPHONE MODE AND IN A CORDLESS PHONE MODE - A mobile device includes a cellular transceiver for accessing a cellular network and a femtocell module for accessing a broadband network through a femtocell. The mobile device determines whether the mobile device is within range of the femtocell. The mobile device accessing the femtocell to provide telephone service using the mobile device when the mobile device is within range of the femtocell. | 09-06-2012 |
| 20120289190 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR LOCATION-DEPENDENT BILLING FOR SERVICES - A method and system for location-dependent billing for services that are available to mobile terminals. A mobile terminal may access a fixably installed external location tag, and may obtain from the external location tag a billing rate code, which may then be forwarded from the mobile terminal to a central unit of a mobile communication network, in which the mobile terminal is logged. The central unit may determine a geographic location identification of the external location tag—e.g., by evaluation of the billing rate code—and may select a billing rate for billing for service(s) available to the user, based on the billing rate code at the external location tag. The mobile terminal may access the external location tag via a local communication connection, which may be set up between the mobile terminal and external location tag, such as using a corresponding wireless interface therebetween. | 11-15-2012 |
| 20120315872 | METHODS, SYSTEMS, AND COMPUTER-READABLE-MEDIUMS FOR MANAGING ROLLOVER USAGE UNITS OF COMMUNICATION SERVICES - A rollover management system (RMS) receives and stores rollover data that includes subscriber identification and a balance of the rollover usage units that may be “rolled-over” to offset overage units used by a subscriber in excess of package plan usage units in a subsequent billing cycle. In response to receiving requests, the RMS presents rollover data elements to the requesting entities. The balance of the rollover usage units may be rolled over and measured in at least one of a plurality of billable units and may be shared by the subscriber's multiple communication services. The rollover usage units expire after a predetermined number of billing cycles where the predetermined number may vary between package plans. The RMS receives post-billing data elements to update the rollover data elements. The RMS is further operative to account for and present for review unbilled communication service usage to subscribers. | 12-13-2012 |
| 20120322406 | PCRF-OCS INTERACTION IN WIRELESS-WIRELINE CONVERGENCE - Various embodiments relate to a system and related method for charging an actual subscriber using a single subscriber profile. A Policy and Charging Rules Node (PCRN) may receive a message including a service request and may refer to a subscriber profile to add at least one subscriber identifier (ID) to the message. An Online Charging System (OCS) may thereafter receive a translated message originating from the PCRN and use the at least one subscriber ID included in the translated message to find charging information for the actual subscriber. The OCS may include the charging information in a charged message. A device providing service may then use the charged information to charge the actual subscriber for the requested service. | 12-20-2012 |
| 20130005301 | AUTHENTICATION FOR SERVICE SERVER IN WIRELESS INTERNET AND SETTLEMENT USING THE SAME - The present invention is directed to a method of payment using a wireless Internet comprising the step of storing individual identification information provided from a user in an authentication server; authenticating the service server when request of the stored individual identification information is received from the service server, and transmitting the stored individual identification information to the service server when the authentication has succeeded; transmitting a message of requesting a service access to a mobile terminal of the user from the service server; and transmitting the individual identification information sent from the authentication server to the mobile terminal by means of a transmitting query of the individual identification information from the mobile terminal. | 01-03-2013 |
| 20130137396 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING ALTERNATIVE TELEPHONY SERVICE, AND METHOD OF COMPUTING INVERSE CALL CHARGE USING THE SAME - Disclosed is a method and an apparatus for providing an alternative telephony service which automatically switches an originating call between a basic telephony network and an alternative telephony network, and a method of inducing a caller or a receiver to subscribe to a service having a cheaper call rate by notifying the caller or the receiver of an inverse call charge which can be reduced according to whether telephony communication is performed using a basic telephony or an alternative telephony. Accordingly, it is possible to automatically connect the telephony communication using the basic telephony or the alternative telephony according to a telephony communication condition of the receiver, and thus reduce inconvenience due to a direct control of the receiver and first select a telephony communication scheme having a cheap call rate. Further, it is possible to more actively save a telephony communication call charge by naturally recommending the subscription and the use of the alternative telephony service through the notification of the inverse call charge to a non-subscriber or a non-user of the alternative telephony service. | 05-30-2013 |
| 20130231083 | REAL TIME CHARGING OF SHORT MESSAGES ORIGINATED BY ROAMING PREPAID SUBSCRIBERS - A Home Location Register (HLR) and an Interworking Gateway (IWG) of an operator are configured to redirect Mobile Originated Short Messages (MO SM) sent by roaming cellular communication devices of both prepaid and postpaid subscribers hosted by a foreign network to a real time charging gateway (RTCG). The RTCG retrieves from the operator's database the type of subscription of the sending device. If the device is of a postpaid subscription, the RTCG operates as a relay between an SMSC and the foreign network. If the device is of a prepaid subscription, the RTCG communicates with a PrePaid System (PPS) and forwards the MO SM to the SMSC only in case there are sufficient funds in the respective prepaid account. | 09-05-2013 |
| 20130231084 | AUTOMATED DEVICE PROVISIONING AND ACTIVATION - A method and network system for obtaining, from a management entity, a bill-by-account service policy applicable to a device group managed at least in part by the management entity, the device group including a plurality of devices including a particular device identified by a particular credential, the bill-by-account service policy comprising classification and accounting policies; identifying wireless access network data traffic associated with the particular device; based on the classification policy, identifying a particular service activity within the wireless access network data traffic, the particular service activity being a bill-by-account service activity; obtaining a record comprising the particular credential and a usage measure indicating a wireless access network usage associated with the particular service activity; and, based on the accounting policy, allocating the usage measure to an account associated with an entity that is financially responsible for usage of the wireless access network associated with the device group. | 09-05-2013 |
| 20130252580 | COMMUNICATION SYSTEM, SERVICE CONTROL DEVICE, AND COMMUNICATION METHOD - A communication system includes a GGSN calculating a communication volume of a mobile terminal, and a service control device storing a charge remaining amount corresponding to a communication volume available to the mobile terminal. The service control device includes an inquiry acceptance unit accepting an inquiry for the charge remaining amount of the mobile terminal, a communication state determination unit determining whether the mobile terminal is in communication, an updated remaining amount reception unit acquiring the charge remaining amount updated in accordance with the communication volume calculated by the GGSN when the communication state determination unit determines that the mobile terminal is in communication, and a remaining amount notification unit notifying of the charge remaining amount of the mobile terminal in response to the inquiry that the inquiry acceptance unit has accepted. | 09-26-2013 |
| 20130252581 | Multiple Access Internet Portal Revenue Sharing - A server provides Internet access to wireless devices. Billing information for each wireless device is shared with a content provider. The server formats usage information into a transaction record for the content provider. A customer of a network carrier is charged differently based upon a type of content accessed through the server. | 09-26-2013 |
| 20130267198 | Hybrid Liability Model - A system and method for setting a billing allocation between a user and a company allowing the costs for personal and work use of a mobile device during a period to be allocated as desired. The system and method further provides for allocation of costs associated with obtaining a new mobile device. The billing allocation model provides maximum flexibility to allow a user to obtain the mobile device desired, while still allowing the user to take advantage of a company's preferred corporate rates and discounts and allowing a company to maintain control of mobile device costs relating to purchase and use of the mobile device. | 10-10-2013 |
| 20130273883 | POINT CODE TO BILLING ID - A method includes maintaining a repository of location identifiers and billing identifiers, wherein each of a plurality of network devices is associated with a location identifier in the repository, and each location identifier is further associated with at least one billing identifier. The method further includes receiving a communications message; determining a location identifier associated with the communications message; selectively retrieving a billing identifier from the repository based at least in part on the location identifier; and determining a billing rate based at least in part on the billing identifier. | 10-17-2013 |
| 20130316675 | FACILITATION OF MOBILE OPERATOR BILLING BASED ON WIRELESS NETWORK TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT AND TRACKING OF DESTINATION ADDRESS IN CONJUNCTION WITH BILLING POLICIES - Systems and methods for wireless network traffic routing through traffic optimization and tracking of destination and/or origination addresses in conjunction with billing policies to facilitate service provider billing is disclosed. Since the distributed proxy system, which includes, for example, a proxy server and/or a local proxy on the mobile device, can intercept traffic to and/or from the mobile device, the intercepted traffic may or may not access the wireless network and/or reach the addressed destination. Thus, for outgoing and incoming requests directed from or directed to the mobile device, the distributed proxy system tracks and stores a destination address (e.g., a destination IP address). The proxy server can extract and store the origination address for each incoming communication for various mobile devices and apply applicable billing policies such that a service provider can bill or otherwise manage incoming communications to the mobile devices. | 11-28-2013 |
| 20140066008 | ENTERPRISE WIRELESS DEVICE USAGE REPORTING - The management of communications devices on an application service system is disclosed. The communications devices are associated with a user and a subscription account of a wireless service provider as identified by a wireless number. Charge data is received on the application service system from a billing system of the wireless provider. The charge data is for one of the communications devices. The charge data is then saved in a wireless device inventory database that includes one or more device records, each of which is associated with a particular one of the communications devices. The device records are also be defined by a wireless number and a charge record that includes one or more charge identifiers and corresponding charge amounts therefor. The charge data is stored in the device record. A report may be generated from the wireless device inventory database. | 03-06-2014 |
| 20140106706 | Process to Reload Mobile Prepaid Airtime Using a Self-Service Terminal Across Multiple Telcos and Multiple Currencies - A system and method for purchasing and reloading airtime for a local and foreign prepaid mobile phone account are disclosed. The system comprises a plurality of payment receiving means which are connected to a wireless protocol cloud ( | 04-17-2014 |
| 20140171021 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR OPTIMIZING DELIVERY OF NETWORK USAGE AND BILLING DATA - An approach for optimizing the rate of delivery of data records required by a billing system associated with a service provider is described. A mediation platform collects session records for specifying data about sessions conducted by network subscribers via the network and transport records for specifying data about the transport of data via the network during a correlation cycle. The mediation platform also generates, based on a minimal threshold of correlation, a charging data record based on a mapping of data associated with a session record and multiple transport records. The mediation platform also transmits the charging data record to a billing system of the provider prior to the collecting of all of the session records and transport records. | 06-19-2014 |
| 20140171022 | MOBILE SERVICE PRIMARY SUBSCRIBER WITH SECONDARY SUBSCRIBERS - Various embodiments illustrated and described herein include at least one of systems, software, and methods to perform one or more tasks such as quoting wireless service plans, receiving wireless service orders, generating wireless service contracts, and effectuating these contracts in a wireless service network. In particular, such embodiments provide mechanisms through which a primary subscriber is allowed to choose wireless services for a primary subscriber and one or more secondary subscribers with differing and customizable service levels while having a single rate-plan, which may be pre-paid, post-paid, or a combination thereof. These embodiments are facilitated by an application that allows for defining and capturing of one rate plan that covers wireless services for a plurality of subscribers each having different pre-paid or post-paid accounts with an ability for each subscriber to have differing services and service levels. | 06-19-2014 |
| 20140179268 | Systems and Methods for Providing Renewable Wireline and Wireless Services and Goods - 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 form the customer's account, the account balance is updated, and an authorization is sent to the service node for 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. | 06-26-2014 |
| 20140194093 | INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS, COMMUNICATION SYSTEM, AND INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD - There is provided an information processing apparatus, an information processing method and a program for causing a computer to execute the method, the information processing apparatus including an acquisition unit configured to acquire communication quality at a time of communication between a base station and a wireless communication apparatus that connects to a predetermined network via the base station and performs the communication, and a charging processing unit configured to perform charging processing related to the communication based on the acquired communication quality. | 07-10-2014 |
| 20140206311 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING PRE-PAID PAYMENT CAPABILITY ON MOBILE TELEPHONE - A method includes a processor of a mobile telephone receiving a top-up request for an offline balance in an offline payment application of the mobile telephone, and opening an over-the-air (OTA) connection to a top-up authorization server computer. The user is prompted to enter a monetary amount for the offline balance and to enter a form of authentication. The method also includes receiving a monetary amount input and a user authentication input, authenticating the user, calculating a cryptogram and transmitting an OTA top-up request message to the top-up authorization server computer. In addition, the method includes receiving an OTA response indicating authorization of the top-up request and including a script. The processor then executes the script to increase the offline balance stored in the mobile telephone by the monetary amount. | 07-24-2014 |
| 20140273948 | Proxy-Based Usage Tracking for a Wireless Device - A method for tracking usage of a wireless device includes monitoring a communications trigger to initiate communication with a wireless device over a wireless network, determining an identifier of the communication, comparing the identifier of the communication with a database including two or more communication identifiers and two or more proxy identifiers, each communication identifier being associated with a corresponding proxy identifier, identifying, in response to a comparison of the identifier of the communication with the database, a proxy corresponding with the identifier of the communication, monitoring data from the wireless device to a destination through the identified proxy, and receiving usage of the wireless device from the identified proxy to track the usage of the wireless device. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140302814 | CENTRALIZED CALLER PROFILE AND PAYMENT SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR PROCESSING TELEPHONE PAYMENTS - A centralized caller profile and billing system provides methods for routing and prioritizing calls and for providing billing information and payment. The systems and methods provide enhanced customer service by allowing multiple parties to update and share the same set of profile information from a centralized database. Faster and easier access to profile information is provided, allowing more efficient call routing and the ability to prioritize callers in a caller queue. When a caller connects with a called party, a centralized database of caller information is automatically applied to the caller, thereby eliminating the need for verbal billing requests. Billing information is sent from the centralized caller database to a payment gateway upon verification of a caller's PIN. The billing information is sent conveniently and securely. Security is improved because the billing information can be communicated directly to the payment gateway, third party, or other agent. | 10-09-2014 |
| 20140342698 | FEMTOCELL LOCAL BREAKOUT MANAGEMENT SERVICES - Management services are provided during local breakout at a femto access point (FAP). In an aspect, the FAP facilitates policy management and employs a policy component to perform an analysis and enforce a set of policies for dynamically selecting an optimal route for traffic received at the FAP based on a decision-making process. Typically, the set of policies can specify different routes based on various factors, such as, but not limited to, type of traffic, current and/or future network resource availability, current time, day and/or date, location of the FAP, location of a UE sending/receiving the traffic, a lowest cost route, and/or route based on cost-benefit, etc. Further, a monitoring component is employed to observe the route employed by that traffic, which can be utilized by various services, such as, billing, Quality of Service, security management, address management, failure management and/or provisioning. | 11-20-2014 |
| 20140364084 | TERMINAL AND MOBILE COMMUNICATION SYSTEM - A terminal configured to perform communication using a base station, includes a communication device that acquires billing information stored on an external storage device via a radio communication link with the external storage device, and a controller that performs a transmission operation to transmit the billing information acquired from the external storage device to a billing device, the billing device being connected to the base station via a network, storing original billing information for use in billing related to the communication that the terminal performs using the base station and temporarily switching from the original billing information to the received billing information when the billing information is received from the external storage device. | 12-11-2014 |
| 20150011183 | INFORMATION PROCESSING DEVICE, USAGE CHARGE CALCULATION METHOD AND PROGRAM - Provided is an information processing device including a calculation unit which calculates a usage charge to be imposed by a first provider on a second provider which provides a radio communications service using a physical network possessed by the first provider. The calculation unit calculates the usage charge based on a value of a parameter depending on efficiency of use of radio resources in the radio communications service. | 01-08-2015 |
| 20150011184 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TRACKING BILLING EVENTS IN A MOBILE WIRELESS NETWORK FOR A NETWORK OPERATOR - A system and method for tracking billing events in a mobile wireless network for a network operator is disclosed. The method can include, in one embodiment, capturing, by a server, event data associated with a mobile device. The event data specifies communication events at the mobile device and are captured are specific to a network operator which provides services to the mobile device. The method can further include, generating billing data for the mobile device using the event data and associated parameters, and providing, by the server, the billing data to the network operator providing services to the mobile device. | 01-08-2015 |
| 20150017945 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR ELECTRONIC DEVICE STATUS EXCHANGE - Methods, devices and servers for exchanging information about the status of mobile communications are described. In one aspect, a method is implemented on a device status exchange server, which includes: storing a plurality of profiles associated with a plurality of mobile communication devices that are serviced by a wireless service provider having a wireless service provider server which tracks information about the mobile communication devices, the plurality of profiles storing at least some of the information tracked by the wireless service provider server; receiving, from third party servers, subscription requests for notification of an update in information associated with one of the mobile communication devices; | 01-15-2015 |
| 20150087262 | Policy and Charging Control Method, V-PCRF and V-OCS - A subscription information processing method, a policy and charging control method, an online charging method, a visited network, a V-PCRF and a V-OCS, wherein, the subscription information processing method comprises: a visited network receiving visited network subscription information and account information of a roaming user, the visited network subscription information and the account information and home network subscription information and account information of the roaming user using the same user identification information; the visited network storing the visited network subscription information and the account information of the roaming user. | 03-26-2015 |
| 20150296362 | SECURE SHARING OF DEVICE VOICE AND DATA SERVICES WITH FEE BASED POLICIES - Methods and systems may provide for conducting an authentication of an external card associated with a borrower of a device, and tracking a usage of the device by the borrower if the authentication of the external card is successful. In addition, the usage may be reported to a billing service. The usage may be billed according to a fee based policy so that payment for the usage may be obtained from the borrower of the device rather than the owner of the device. | 10-15-2015 |
| 20150319316 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ENABLING SHARED MOBILE DATA USAGE - Disclosed is a system and method for enabling personalized shared mobile phone usage when accessing data services within a wireless telecommunications network, including an illustrative example application of the invention as it relates to mobile subscribers who cannot afford a mobile phone handset in emerging markets. For instance, a prepaid wireless subscriber can have a personal phone number associated with their own billing account, which can be used to access data services on a wireless network without needing to purchase any hardware, such as a mobile handset or SIM card. Thus, the subscriber may access his account and use data services through a borrowed handset. | 11-05-2015 |
| 20150326736 | System and Method for Providing Detection of Signaling-Only Engagements in a Telecommunication Network - A network server may be configured to prevent user equipment (UE) from communicating payload information across a telecommunication network without paying for the access or use of the network. This may be accomplished by the network server receiving signaling information relating to the UE from a first network component, receiving data plane information relating to the UE from a second network component, determining whether the UE is a signaling-only device based on the received information, and performing a responsive operation when it is determined that the user equipment device is a signaling-only device. The responsive operation may include applying a policy rule to the signaling communications of the UE when it is determined that the UE is a signaling-only device. The policy rule may be charging rule that causes a charging system to bill a subscriber account or a network access rule that blocks the signaling communications of the UE. | 11-12-2015 |
| 20150350455 | PROXIMITY SERVICE - A method comprising monitoring if a charging event related to a proximity service performed by an apparatus performing the method occurs, collecting the occurred at least one charging event, and forwarding the collected at least one charging event to a charging data function. | 12-03-2015 |
| 20150350457 | DYNAMIC TIME BASED PRODUCTS - The system and method alters the data delivery service plan of a subscriber in response to a network degradation event that negatively affects the subscriber's plan during transportation (e.g. in flight). In response to the subscriber's request, the system and method grants the subscriber access to the in-flight network and/or data during the flight. Additionally, the system and method monitors and detects network degradation events during the flight. If an event occurs that negatively affects the subscribers plan during the flight, the system and method determines a time extension for the subscriber to access the network and/or data based on the duration of the network degradation event. The system and method also modifies the subscriber's plan based on the determined time extension and notifies the subscriber about the network degradation event and plan modification. The plan modification may credit the subscriber additional time, data, and/or services. | 12-03-2015 |
| 20150350458 | CREATING RATING REQUESTS FOR GROUPS OF CONSUMPTION ITEMS - Computer-implemented methods, computer-readable media, and computer systems for processing transactions are described. A provider contract associated with a particular account is identified. In response to determining that the identified provider contract is associated with a periodic activity, a rating request is created that is associated with the particular account. The created rating request associated with the particular account is added to a queue of consumption items for processing, so that the created rating request, when processed, triggers an action corresponding to the determined periodic activity at an external system. | 12-03-2015 |
| 20150365537 | CHARGING IN A SOFTWARE DEFINED NETWORK - A controller includes control plane charging system to configure data plane charging system in a plurality of switches to gather charging information for user flows and provide the charging information to the controller. The data plane charging system in a selected switch of the plurality of switches can be configured to gather charging information for a user flow and autonomously provide the charging information to the controller. | 12-17-2015 |
| 20150381823 | Charging Method, Access Network Device, and Gateway Device - Embodiments of the present invention relate to a charging method and device. The method includes: obtaining, by a radio access device located in an access network, first information, where the first information includes or is used to indicate a type of service data borne on a radio interface of the radio access device and a type of the radio interface; and sending, by the radio access device, the first information to a charging network element located in a core network, so that the charging network element performs charging by using the first information. The method provided in the embodiments of the present invention can implement service data charging without requiring a wireless local area network access gateway, thereby simplifying a communication process between network elements and reducing management costs of a network. | 12-31-2015 |
| 20160006883 | CHARGING ARCHITECTURE FOR A CONVERGED GATEWAY - Systems, methods, and instrumentalities are provided to implement charging, e.g., provide charging information associated with content provided to an end user (e.g., a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU)). A. gateway device may detect a request to a content provider. The gateway device may send the request to the content provider. The gateway device may send the request to the content provider via a non-cellular interface bypassing a core network. The gateway device may send an authorization message to the network. The gateway device may transmit the authorization message. The gateway device may receive an acknowledgement of the first authorization message from the PCRF entity, for example. The gateway device may receive traffic associated with the request from the content provider, e.g., via the non-cellular interface. The gateway device may send a charging message to a charging entity. The gateway device may send the traffic toward the WTRU. | 01-07-2016 |
| 20160014279 | System and Method for Enabling Interactions between a Policy Decision Point and a Charging System | 01-14-2016 |
| 20160044483 | CONTEXT ORIENTED BILLING - The present invention is directed toward networks and more particularly to a method and system for providing information related to context-oriented billing in such networks. In one more embodiments, a computer implemented method provides for billing invoices in response to one or more of a customer's network elements which have been correlated with detailed network data, classified into one or more billing event categories, and rated in accordance with a predetermined hierarchy. | 02-11-2016 |
| 20160050075 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR REPORTING MOBILE TRANSCEIVER DEVICE COMMUNICATIONS IN AN LTE NETWORK - The present disclosure is related to a large-scale broadband LTE wireless network capable of providing a very high wireless data capacity, wherein one aspect of the system utilizes a base station optimization server, wherein the base station optimization server comprises a publish-subscribe broker communications facility to which a mobile transceiver device is connected via a corresponding redirected bearer. A usage data reporting facility of the base station optimization server and the publish-subscribe broker communications facility are adapted to collect and report billing usage data for the mobile transceiver device for all data sent by the mobile transceiver device on paths that do not include a packet gateway (PGW) element, where the billing usage data is collected in the LTE network via paths that include the redirected bearer at the cellular LTE base transceiver station. | 02-18-2016 |
| 20160057288 | METHOD FOR FINANCING PURCHASES FOR OTHERS USING A SENDER'S CHARGE ACCOUNT - A method allows a sender to buy goods or services for a third party immediately on an established account of the sender even before the sender pays for the expense occurred. The system works particularly well for purchases of mobile telephone airtime for others. In addition, the method works equally well for purchases of small amounts. The method utilizes SIMS protocol to send purchase orders in the form of text messages. The method takes advantage of existing technologies and contractual relationships that SIMS aggregators have with carriers. The method allows brokers to buy large quantities of goods and services such as mobile telephone airtime at discounted wholesale prices and then resell them in smaller quantities at higher retail prices. | 02-25-2016 |
| 20160066171 | Method and Arrangement for Gathering Data from a Communication Network - An arrangement for gathering data from a communication network ( | 03-03-2016 |
| 20160094351 | SERVICE LAYER CONTROL AWARE CONTROL SIGNALLING IN A COMMUNICATION NETWORK - A method and apparatus for handling control signalling between a service layer control node and a Radio Access Network, the signalling being associated with a data flow of a User Equipment, the User Equipment being associated with a Radio Access Network node. The Radio Access Network node receives a data flow comprising a plurality of data packets sent using a bearer towards the User Equipment. It determines whether a data packet in the data flow includes an identifier indicating that the data packet relates to control signalling. A data packet that is found to relate to control signalling is removed from the data flow, to produce a modified data flow, which is sent towards the User Equipment. This allows the Radio Access Network node to become aware of control related signalling such that it can be processed. | 03-31-2016 |
| 20160094723 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ENABLING SHARED MOBILE DATA USAGE - Disclosed is a system and method for enabling personalized shared mobile phone usage when accessing data services within a wireless telecommunications network, including an illustrative example application of the invention as it relates to mobile subscribers who cannot afford a mobile phone handset in emerging markets. For instance, a prepaid wireless subscriber can have a personal phone number associated with their own billing account, which can be used to access data services on a wireless network without needing to purchase any hardware, such as a mobile handset or SIM card. Thus, the subscriber may access his account and use data services through a borrowed handset. | 03-31-2016 |
| 20160119485 | RADIO COMMUNICATION CONTROL DEVICE AND RADIO COMMUNICATION SYSTEM - A radio communication control device accepts a call-up from a radio communication terminal and includes a unit configured to detect the degree of jamming in a cell, a unit configured to confirm the intention of a user of a terminal concerned as to whether the call-up is continued regardless of addition of an extra to the user's telephone call charge when the call-up has been made from a radio communication terminal in the cell concerned in a specific jammed state, a unit configured to block the call-up concerned in accordance with the confirmed intention of the user of the terminal concerned and a unit configured to change charge setting so as to add an extra to the user's telephone call charge when the call-up has not been blocked in the specific jammed state. | 04-28-2016 |
| 20160127934 | DYNAMIC TIME BASED PRODUCT - The system and method alters the data delivery service plan of a subscriber in response to a network degradation event that negatively affects the subscriber's plan during transportation (e.g. in flight). In response to the subscriber's request, the system and method grants the subscriber access to the in-flight network and/or data during the flight. Additionally, the system and method monitors and detects network degradation events during the flight. If an event occurs that negatively affects the subscribers plan during the flight, the system and method determines a time extension for the subscriber to access the network and/or data based on the duration of the network degradation event. The system and method also modifies the subscriber's plan based on the determined time extension and notifies the subscriber about the network degradation event and plan modification. The plan modification may credit the subscriber additional time, data, and/or services. | 05-05-2016 |
| 20160164692 | System and Method for Performing Multi-Enforcement Point Charging - Systems and methods for accomplishing charging operations in a communications network in which a plurality of charging and enforcement (CaE) components operate as enforcement points for a single data communication may include receiving in a server computing device usage records from a first CaE component and a second CaE component, generating correlated usage records by using a common Service Data Flow (SDF) to correlate the one or more usage records received from the first CaE component with the one or more records received from the second CaR component, and using the correlated usage records to determine a charge value that identifies correct charges to be applied. | 06-09-2016 |
| 20160164752 | NODE AND METHOD FOR SERVICE USAGE REPORTING AND QUOTA ESTABLISHMENT - Example embodiments presented herein are directed towards a Packet Domain Network Gateway (PGW) ( | 06-09-2016 |
| 20160165065 | SYSTEM, SMART DEVICE AND METHOD FOR APPORTIONING SMART DEVICE OPERATIONS AND COSTS - A system, smart device and method for apportioning costs of smart device operations between purposes. Operation information concerning operations performed by the smart device is recorded. The operations are apportioned between purposes based on categorization information and the operation information. The cost of the apportioned operations performed by the device is determined for the purposes based on the operation information and tariff information. | 06-09-2016 |
| 20160182737 | Notification Apparatus, Notification System, Notification Method, and Program | 06-23-2016 |
| 20160192184 | Wireless Service Provider System and Method for Activating And Selling A Wireless Service On A Wireless Device - A wireless service provider system and associated methods of using the system for the sale and/or activation of wireless services is disclosed. The system includes a communication interface for a wireless device having a unique identifier. A backend system computer of the wireless service provider system can receive a unique identifier corresponding to the wireless device; authorize the activation of the wireless service corresponding to the unique identifier of the wireless device; and record, in a database, the authorized unique identifier to improve a user's experience and ease of activation/provisioning of services for the wireless device. | 06-30-2016 |
