Methods, systems, and computer program products for implementing a roaming controlled wireless network and services

• US 7,801,517 B2
• Filed: 12/30/2005
• Issued: 09/21/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Silvestri, Richard J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pérez-Gutiérrez; Rafael
• Assistant Examiner(s): Miah; Liton
• Application Number:
  US11/322,746
• Publication Number:
  US 20070004403A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,726 Days
• Field of Search: 713/168, 713/169, 713/170, 713/171, 455/410, 455/411, 455/432.1, 455/432.2, 455/432.3, 380/247, 380/270, 380/272, 380/277, 380/278, 380/281, 380/283
• US Class Current: 455/423
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/18 Selecting a network or a communication service
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/183 Processing at user equipment or user record carrier
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/22 Processing or transfer of terminal data, e.g. status or physical capabilities
• 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, systems, and computer program products for implementing a roaming controlled wireless network and services is provided. The method includes assigning an identifier and key to a multi-mode network-enabled communications device, the identifier and key inaccessible to an end user of the communications device. The method further includes assigning an identifier and key to a gateway device. The method further includes configuring an auto-provisioning element on each of the devices and remotely provisioning activation of roaming controlled communications services for the end user of the communications device. The remote provisioning includes transmitting a signal to one of the devices configured with the auto-provisioning element, which causes the devices to exchange identifiers and keys via a wireless local network. In response to exchanging the identifiers and keys between the devices, the communications device is permitted to communicate over the wireline network via the gateway device.

Claims

1. A method for implementing a roaming controlled wireless network and services, comprising:

configuring a plurality of communities of wireless access networks, each community having a gateway device, wherein each gateway device within a community is assigned a first identical identifier and key pair, the first identical identifier and key pair defining the community as compared to others of the communities of wireless access networks;

wherein the configuring further comprises assigning a second identical identifier and key pair to at least one of the gateways, the second identical identifier and key pair different from the first, the second identical identifier and key pair defining a second community in the wireless access networks;

assigning multiple identifier and key pairs to a multi-mode network-enabled communications device, each of the multiple identifier and key pairs corresponding to a community;

configuring a third community of wireless access networks by assigning a third identical identifier and key pair to a gateway device that is not within the first or second community, and assigning the third identical identifier and key pair, which third identical identifier and key pair is different than the first and second identical identifiers and key pairs, to one of the gateway devices that is part of at least one of the first and second communities;

wherein the third identical identifier and key pair define the third community as overlapping the at least one of the first and second communities;

configuring an auto-provisioning element on at least one of the communication device and the gateway devices;

remotely provisioning activation of roaming controlled communications services for the end user of the communications device, without any required action by the end user, the remote provisioning including transmitting a signal to one of the communications device and the gateway device configured with the auto-provisioning element and which communications device and gateway device share an identical identifier and key pair, the signal causing the devices to exchange shared identical identifiers and key pairs via a wireless local network; and

responsive to exchanging the identifiers and keys between the devices, permitting the communications device to communicate over the wireline network via the gateway device.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

configuring services, terms, and conditions for the roaming controlled communications services;

wherein the permitting the communications device to communicate over the wireline network includes;

retrieving a record from a database that identifies the communications device;

verifying the services, terms, and conditions specified in the record; and

tracking network usage of the communications device occurring over the wireline network and implementing a billing system based upon the network usage.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the services include

providing cost savings for controlled roaming communications usage during specified time periods by transitioning to lower cost wireline networks when the wireline network is available.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the providing cost saving for controlled roaming communications usage during specified time periods is performed when the communications device initiates voice or data communications via the gateway device.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein the terms and conditions vary among at least one of:

customers;

communications devices;

time of day; and

duration of communication.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a request to activate the roaming controlled communications services via at least one of;

a toll-free activation number; and

a web page provided by the service provider that provides the roaming controlled communications services.

7. A system for implementing a roaming controlled wireless network and services, comprising:

a host system in communication with a multi-mode network-enabled communications device and a plurality of gateway devices, each of the devices including an auto-provisioning element configured therein;

an auto-provisioning application executing on the host system, performing;

configuring a plurality of communities of wireless access networks, each community having a gateway device, wherein each gateway device within a community is assigned a first identical identifier and key pair, the first identical identifier and key pair defining the community as compared to others of the communities of wireless access networks;

wherein the configuring further comprises assigning a second identical identifier and key pair to at least one of the gateways, the second identical identifier and key pair different from the first, the second identical identifier and key pair defining a second community in the wireless access networks;

assigning multiple identifier and key pairs to the multi-mode network-enabled communications device, each of the multiple identifier and key pairs corresponding to a community;

configuring a third community of wireless access networks by assigning third identical identifier and key pair to a gateway device that is not within the first or second community, and assigning the third identical identifier and key pair, which third identical identifier and key pair is different than the first and second identical identifiers and key pairs, to one of the gateway devices that is part of at least one of the first and second communities;

wherein the third identical identifier and key pair define the third community as overlapping the at least one of the first and second communities;

remotely provisioning activation of roaming controlled communications services for the end user of the communications device, without any required action by the end user, the remote provisioning including transmitting a signal to the communications device and the gateway device configured with the auto-provisioning element and which communications device and gateway device share an identical identifier and key pair, the signal causing the devices to exchange shared identical identifiers and key pairs via a wireless local network; and

responsive to exchanging the identifiers and keys between the devices, permitting the communications device to communicate over the wireline network via the gateway device.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the auto-provisioning application further performs:

configuring services, terms, and conditions for the roaming controlled communications services;

wherein the permitting the communications device to communicate over the wireline network includes;

retrieving a record from a database that identifies the communications device;

verifying the services, terms, and conditions specified in the record; and

tracking network usage of the communications device occurring over the wireline network and implementing a billing system based upon the network usage.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the services include

providing cost savings for controlled roaming communications usage during specified time periods by transitioning to lower cost wireline networks when the wireline network is available.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the providing cost saving for controlled roaming communications usage during specified time periods is performed when the communications device initiates voice or data communications via the gateway device.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein the terms and conditions vary among at least one of:

customers;

communications devices;

time of day; and

duration of communication.

12. The system of claim 7, wherein the auto-provisioning application further performs:

receiving a request to activate the roaming controlled communications services via a toll-free activation number.

13. The system of claim 7, wherein the auto-provisioning application further performs:

receiving a request to activate the roaming controlled communications services via a web page provided by the service provider that provides the roaming controlled communications services.

14. A computer program product comprising a computer readable medium storing instructions for implementing a roaming controlled wireless network and services, comprising:

configuring a plurality of communities of wireless access networks, each community having a gateway device, wherein each gateway device within a community is assigned a first identical identifier and key pair, the first identical identifier and key pair defining the community as compared to others of the communities of wireless access networks;

wherein the configuring further comprises assigning a second identical identifier and key pair to at least one of the gateways, the second identical identifier and key pair different from the first, the second identical identifier and key pair defining a second community in the wireless access networks;

assigning multiple identifier and key pairs to a multi-mode network-enabled communications device, each of the multiple identifier and key pairs corresponding to a community;

configuring a third community of wireless access networks by assigning a third identical identifier and key pair to a gateway device that is not within the first or second community, and assigning the third identical identifier and key pair, which third identical identifier and key pair is different than the first and second identical identifiers and key pairs, to one of the gateway devices that is part of at least one of the first and second communities;

wherein the third identical identifier and key pair define the third community as overlapping the at least one of the first and second communities;

configuring an auto-provisioning element on at least one of the communications device and the gateway devices;

remotely provisioning activation of roaming controlled communications services for the end user of the communications device, without any required action by the end user, the remote provisioning including transmitting a signal to one of the communications device and the gateway device configured with the auto-provisioning element and which communications device and gateway device share an identical identifier and key pair, the signal causing the devices to exchange shared identical identifiers and key pairs via a wireless local network; and

responsive to exchanging the identifiers and keys between the devices, permitting the communications device to communicate over the wireline network via the gateway device.

15. The computer program product of claim 14, further comprising instructions for implementing:

configuring services, terms, and conditions for the roaming controlled communications services;

wherein the permitting the communications device to communicate over the wireline network includes;

retrieving a record from a database that identifies the communications device;

verifying the services, terms, and conditions specified in the record; and

tracking network usage of the communications device occurring over the wireline network and implementing a billing system based upon the network usage.

16. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein the services include:

providing cost savings for controlled roaming communications usage during specified time periods by transitioning to lower cost wireline networks when the wireline network is available.

17. The computer program product of claim 16, wherein the providing cost saving for controlled roaming communications usage during specified time periods is performed when the communications device initiates voice or data communications via the gateway device.

18. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein the terms and conditions vary among at least one of:

customers;

communications devices;

time of day; and

duration of communication.

19. The computer program product of claim 14, further comprising instructions for implementing:

receiving a request to activate the roaming controlled communications services via at least one of a toll-free activation number and a web page provided by the service provider that provides the roaming controlled communications services.