Automatic over-the-air updating of a preferred roaming list (PRL) in a multi-mode device, based on an account association between the device and a wireless local area network (WLAN) access point

• US 7,603,119 B1
• Filed: 03/02/2006
• Issued: 10/13/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/16/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sprint Spectrum LP (Deutsche Telekom AG)
• Original Assignee: Sprint Spectrum LP (Deutsche Telekom AG)
• Inventors: Lamb, Robert C., Durig, Dan
• Primary Examiner(s): Eng; George
• Assistant Examiner(s): Cho; Un C
• Application Number:
  US11/366,795
• Time in Patent Office: 1,321 Days
• Field of Search: 455/432.1, 455/432.3, 455/435.1, 455/435.2, 455/436, 455/439, 455/419
• US Class Current: 455/432.3
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/08 Access restriction or access information delivery, e.g. discovery data delivery signalling during connection H04W76/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/16 Discovering, processing access restriction or access information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals

Abstract

Methods and systems are provided for automatic over-the-air updating of a preferred roaming list (PRL) in a multi-mode device, based on an account association between the device and a wireless local area network (WLAN) access point. For each of a plurality of subscriber accounts, a set of subscriber account data is maintained in data storage, indicating an association between the subscriber account and one or more telecommunication devices. A determination is made that a given subscriber account is associated with both (i) a multi-mode device and (ii) a WLAN access point. In response to the determination, a PRL for the multi-mode device is automatically updated to include access data for the WLAN access point.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

for each of a plurality of subscriber accounts, maintaining in data storage a set of subscriber account data that indicates an association between the subscriber account and one or more telecommunication devices;

making a determination that a given subscriber account is associated with both (i) a multi-mode device and (ii) a wireless local area network (WLAN) access point; and

in response to the determination, automatically updating a preferred roaming list (PRL) for the multi-mode device to include access data for the WLAN access point, wherein the method further comprises;

storing a first indication in the given subscriber account, the first indication indicating an association between the given subscriber account and the multi-mode device;

storing a second indication in the given subscriber account, the second indication indicating an association between the given subscriber account and the WLAN access point, wherein storing the second indication in the given subscriber account occurs as a result of an automatic configuration sequence for the access point;

receiving account-identification data and the access data from a configuration server, the configuration server having received at least the access data from the WLAN access point; and

using the account-identification data to access the given subscriber account,

wherein storing the second indication in the given subscriber account comprises storing the access data in the given subscriber account.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein automatically updating the PRL for the multi-mode device comprises over-the-air service provisioning (OTASP).

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the access data comprises at least one identifier selected from the group of identifiers consisting of a service set identifier (SSID) and a Media Access Control (MAC) address.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

detecting when the multi-mode device is provisioned,

wherein the first indication is stored in the given subscriber account in response to detecting when the multi-mode device is provisioned.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

distributing the WLAN access point to a subscriber associated with the given subscriber account,

wherein the second indication is stored in the given subscriber account in response to the WLAN access point being distributed to the subscriber.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein storing the second indication in the given subscriber account occurs after storing the first indication in the given subscriber account.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

pushing the access data to an Internet Protocol (IP) Over the Air (IOTA) server,

wherein automatically updating the PRL for the multi-mode device comprises invoking an IOTA session between the IOTA server and the multi-mode device.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein storing the first indication in the given subscriber account occurs after storing the second indication in the given subscriber account.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein automatically updating the PRL for the multi-mode device comprises invoking an Internet Protocol (IP) Over the Air (IOTA) session between the IOTA server and the multi-mode device.

10. A method of automatic over-the-air updating of a preferred roaming list (PRL) for a multi-mode device, based on an account association between the multi-mode device and a wireless local area network (WLAN) access point, the method comprising:

maintaining in data storage an account for a particular subscriber;

storing a first indication in the account, the first indication indicating that the account is associated with the multi-mode device;

storing a second indication in the account, the second indication indicating that the account is associated with the WLAN access point; and

making a determination that the account contains both the first indication and the second indication, and in response to the determination, automatically updating the PRL for the multi-mode device to include access data for the WLAN access point, the method further comprising;

receiving account-identification data and the access data from a configuration server, the configuration server having received at least the access data from the WLAN access point; and

using the account-identification data to access the account,

wherein storing the second indication in the account comprises storing the access data in the account.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein making the determination that the account contains both the first indication and the second indication comprises:

responsive to storing the first indication in the account, checking whether the account contains the second indication; and

responsive to storing the second indication in the account, checking whether the account contains the first indication.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein updating the PRL comprises invoking an Internet Protocol (IP) Over the Air (IOTA) session between an IOTA server and the multi-mode device.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the access data comprises at least one identifier selected from the group of identifiers consisting of a service set identifier (SSID) and a Media Access Control (MAC) address.

14. A system comprising:

a communication interface;

a processor; and

data storage comprising program instructions executable by the processor to;

for each of a plurality of subscriber accounts, maintain in the data storage a set of subscriber account data that indicates an association between the subscriber account and one or more telecommunication devices;

store a first indication in a given subscriber account, the first indication indicating an association between the given subscriber account and a multi-mode device;

store a second indication in the given subscriber account, the second indication indicating an association between the given subscriber account and a wireless local area network (WLAN) access point;

make a determination that the given subscriber account is associated with both (i) the multi-mode device and (ii) the WLAN access point; and

in response to the determination, automatically update a preferred roaming list (PRL) for the multi-mode device to include access data for the WLAN access point, wherein the data storage further comprises program instructions executable by the processor to;

receive account-identification data and the access data from a configuration server, the configuration server having received at least the access data from the WLAN access point; and

use the account-identification data to access the given subscriber account,

wherein storing the second indication in the given subscriber account comprises storing the access data in the given subscriber account.