Apparatus and methods associated with open market handsets

• US 8,831,575 B2
• Filed: 08/04/2008
• Issued: 09/09/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/26/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Duggal, Nakul, Qu, Hai, Gurganus, Bryan, Holcman, Alejandro R
• Primary Examiner(s): PATEL, MAHENDRA R
• Application Number:
  US12/185,283
• Publication Number:
  US 20090081996A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,227 Days
• Field of Search: 455/414.1, 455/552.1, 455/557, 455/558, 455/406, 455/466, 709/229
• US Class Current: 455/414.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1485 Tariff-related aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0806 for initial configuration or provisioning, e.g. plug-and-play
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0873 Checking configuration conflicts between network elements
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/5054 Automatic deployment of services triggered by the service manager, e.g. service implementation by automatic configuration of network components
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/5096 wherein the managed service relates to distributed or central networked applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/14 Session management for real-time applications in data packet communications networks H04L65/1066
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/306 User profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/24 Accounting or billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/24 Transfer of terminal data

Abstract

Apparatus and methods of differentiated data session access on a wireless communication device and dynamic source determination of provisioning information on a wireless communication device are disclosed. User Identity Modules (UIMs) are provisioned such that network-service applications resident on the wireless device are associated with a corresponding application profile within the UIM. Each network-service application has a corresponding network address identifier defined within the user profile. The network address associated with the identifier is used to establish a data session for the corresponding network service application. By providing for application-specific network addresses, service providers and/or network operators can differentiate between what services a user is accessing during a data session. In addition, the UIMs may be provisioned with priority category identifiers that allow the associated network-service application to be prioritized for data session establishment.

Claims

1. A method of differentiated data session access on a wireless communication device, comprising:

receiving an input to launch a first network-service application from a plurality of applications stored on the wireless communication device;

retrieving, from a user identity module in communication with the wireless communication device, a first application profile selected from a plurality of application profiles each having respective profile data, wherein the first application profile corresponds to the first network-service application and comprises first profile data including a first application-specific network address identifier (NAI) different from other application-specific NAIs corresponding to the plurality of application profiles;

establishing a first data session for the first network-service application according to the first profile data including using the first application-specific NAI to enable tracking the first data session according to usage of the first network-service application; and

launching the first network-service application using the first data session.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein establishing the first data session for the first network-service application further comprises establishing the first data session for the first application based on the first application-specific NAI.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving an input to launch a second network-service application while the first data session is ongoing;

retrieving, from the user identity module, a second application profile selected from the plurality of application profiles, wherein the second application profile corresponds to the second network-service application and comprises second profile data;

comparing a first priority category from the first profile data and a second priority category from the second profile data; and

if the comparison results in the first priority category matching the second priority category, then launching the second application using the first data session.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving an input to launch a second network-service application while the first data session is ongoing;

retrieving, from the user identity module, a second application profile selected from the plurality of application profiles, wherein the second application profile corresponds to the second network-service application and comprises second profile data;

comparing a first priority category from the first profile data and a second priority category from the second profile data;

identifying a conflict if the comparison results in the first application category not matching the second application category; and

determining a resolution to the conflict based on a predetermined resolution routine.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein determining a resolution to the conflict further comprises:

identifying which one of the first priority category and the second application category corresponds to a preferred priority category; and

maintaining the first data session and not launching the second application, if the first priority category is identified as the preferred priority category.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein maintaining the first data session further comprises automatically maintaining the first data session and not launching the second application, if the first priority category is identified as the preferred priority category.

7. The method of claim 4, wherein determining a resolution to the conflict further comprises:

providing a conflict notification to a user of the wireless device, wherein the conflict notification provides a first user option to maintain the first data session and not launch the second network-service application and a second user option to close the first data session, establish the second data session and launch the second network-service application;

receiving a user input that corresponds to the first user option; and

maintaining the first data session and not launching the second application.

8. The method of claim 4, wherein determining a resolution to the conflict further comprises:

identifying which one of the first priority category and the second application category corresponds to a preferred priority category; and

closing the first data session, establishing a second data session according to the second profile data and launching the second network-service application using the second data session, if the second priority category is identified as the preferred priority category.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein retrieving the second application profile further comprises retrieving the second application profile that corresponds to the second application and comprises second profile data including a second network address identifier different from the first network address identifier.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein establishing the second data session further comprises establishing the second data session based on the second network address identifier.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein closing the first data session further comprises automatically closing the first data session, automatically establishing a second data session according to the second profile data and automatically launching the second data session using the second data session, if the second priority category is identified as the higher priority category.

12. The method of claim 4, wherein determining a resolution to the conflict further comprises:

providing a conflict notification to a user of the wireless device, wherein the conflict notification provides a first user option to maintain the first data session and not launch the second network-service application and a second user option to close the first data session, establish the second data session and launch the second network-service application;

receiving a user input that corresponds to the second user option; and

closing the first data session, establishing a second data session according to the second profile data and launching the second network-service application using the second data session.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein establishing the first data session or establishing the second data session respectively further comprise generating first billing data corresponding to the first profile data or generating second billing data corresponding to the second profile data, wherein the first billing data differs from the second billing data.

14. At least one processor configured to provide differentiated data session access on a wireless communication device, comprising:

a first module, comprising hardware, for receiving an input to launch a first network-service application from a plurality of applications stored on the wireless communication device;

a second module for retrieving, from a user identity module in communication with the wireless communication device, a first application profile selected from a plurality of application profiles each having respective profile data, wherein the first application profile corresponds to the first network-service application and comprises first profile data including a first application-specific network address identifier (NAI) different from other application-specific NAIs corresponding to the plurality of application profiles;

a third module for establishing a first data session for the first network-service application according to the first profile data including using the first application-specific NAI to enable tracking the first data session according to usage of the first network-service application; and

a fourth module for launching the first network-service application using the first data session.

15. A computer program product, comprising:

a non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising;

a first set of codes for causing a computer to receive an input to launch a first network-service application from a plurality of applications stored on a wireless communication device;

a second set of codes for causing the computer to retrieve, from a user identity module in communication with the wireless communication device, a first application profile selected from a plurality of application profiles each having respective profile data, wherein the first application profile corresponds to the first network-service application and comprises first profile data including a first application-specific network address identifier (NAI) different from other application-specific NAIs corresponding to the plurality of application profiles;

a third set of codes for causing the computer to establish a first data session for the first network-service application according to the first profile data including using the first application-specific NAI to enable tracking the first data session according to usage of the first network-service application; and

a fourth set of codes for causing the computer to launch the first network-service application using the first data session.

16. An apparatus for providing differentiated data session access on a wireless communication device, comprising:

means for receiving an input to launch a first network-service application from a plurality of applications stored on the wireless communication device;

means for retrieving, from a user identity module in communication with the wireless communication device, a first application profile selected from a plurality of application profiles each having respective profile data, wherein the first application profile corresponds to the first network-service application and comprises first profile data including a first application-specific network address identifier (NAI) different from other application-specific NAIs corresponding to the plurality of application profiles;

means for establishing a first data session for the first network-service application according to the first profile data including using the first application-specific NAI to enable tracking the first data session according to usage of the first network-service application; and

means for launching the first network-service application using the first data session.

17. A wireless communication device, comprising:

a computer platform having a processor and a memory;

a plurality of network-service applications in communication with the processor and stored in the memory;

a user identity module in communication with the processor comprising a plurality of application profiles, wherein each application profile corresponds to one of the plurality of network service applications and includes profile data including an application-specific network address identifier (NAI) different from other application-specific NAIs corresponding to the plurality of application profiles; and

a communications interface in communication with the processor and operable to establish a data session with a wireless communications network for one of the plurality of network service applications based on the profile data including using the application-specific NAI to enable tracking the data session according to usage of the one of the plurality of network service applications, and an input to launch the network service application.

18. The wireless communication device of claim 17, wherein the communications interface is further operable to establish the data session with the wireless communications network for one of the plurality of a network service applications based on the application-specific NAI.

19. The wireless communication device of claim 17, wherein the user identity module further comprises the plurality of application profiles, wherein each application profile corresponds to one of the plurality of network service applications and includes profile data comprising an priority category identifier that corresponds to a data session priority for the corresponding network-service application.

20. The wireless communication device of claim 17, wherein the user identity module further comprises a data session manager in communication with the processor and communications interface, wherein the data session manager is operable to resolve a data session conflict if a second network-service application is attempted to be launched while a pre-existing first network-service application has an established first data session.

21. The wireless communication device of claim 19, wherein the user identity module further comprises a data session manager in communication with the processor and communications interface, wherein the data session manager is operable to resolve a data session conflict, if a second network-service application is attempted to be launched while a pre-existing first network-service application has an established first data session, based on a comparison of the priority category identifier in the corresponding application profiles.

22. The wireless communication device of claim 20, wherein the data session manger is further operable to communicate a command to the communications interface to close the first data session and establish a second data session if the second network-service application has a more preferred priority than the first network-service application.

23. The wireless communication device of claim 20, wherein the data session manager further comprises a conflict notification generator operable to generate a conflict notification and communicate the notification to a user of the device, wherein the conflict notification provides the user with an option to continue the first data session or close the first data session and establish a second data session.

24. The wireless communication device of claim 18, further comprising a billing data generator in communication with the processor and the data session manager, wherein the billing data generator is operable to generate billing data on a per data session basis and communicate the billing data to a network entity.

25. A method for provisioning a wireless device at a network device, comprising:

providing for a plurality of application profiles that each correspond to one of a plurality of network-service applications and include an application-specific network address identifier (NAI) that is different from other application-specific NAIs corresponding to the plurality of application profiles, wherein the application-specific NAI is operable for establishing a data session for the corresponding network-service application including using the application-specific NAI to enable tracking the data session according to usage of the corresponding network-service application; and

providing a wireless communication device with a user identity module that includes one or more of the application profiles.

26. The method of claim 25, further comprising, in response to providing the wireless communication devices with a user identity module, receiving data session tracking information based on wireless device usage of a network address associated with the network address identifier.

27. The method of claim 25, further comprising categorizing the one or more application profiles according to application priority and providing for a priority category identifier in each of the plurality of application profiles.

28. The method of claim 27, further comprising providing a conflict resolution routine that is operable to resolve a data session conflict for network-service applications based on the priority category identifiers in the application profiles and providing for the conflict resolution routine in the user identity module.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein providing the conflict resolution routine further comprises providing a conflict resolution routine that automatically maintains or establishes a data session associated with the network-service application determined to have a priority category identifier associated with a more preferred application priority.

30. The method of claim 28, wherein providing the conflict resolution routine further comprises providing a conflict resolution routine that communicates a conflict notification to a user of the wireless communication device based on identification of a data session conflict, wherein the data session conflict notification provides for a first user option to maintain an existing data session and a second user option to close the existing data session and establish a subsequent data session.

31. The method of claim 26, further comprising determining billing information for data session usage based on the received data session tracking information.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein determining billing information further comprises determining billing information for data session usage based on the received data session tracking information and one or more billing rates associated with the network addresses.

33. At least one processor configured to provision a wireless device at a network device, comprising:

a first module for providing for a plurality of application profiles that each correspond to one of a plurality of network-service applications and include an application-specific network address identifier (NAI) that is different from other application-specific NAIs corresponding to the plurality of application profiles, wherein the application-specific NAI is operable for establishing a data session for the corresponding network-service application including using the application-specific NAI to enable tracking the data session according to usage of the corresponding network-service application; and

a second module for providing a wireless communication device with a user identity module that includes one or more of the application profiles.

34. A computer program product, comprising:

a non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising;

a first set of codes for causing a computer to provide for a plurality of application profiles that each correspond to one of a plurality of network-service applications and include an application-specific network address identifier (NAI) that is different from other application-specific NAIs corresponding to the plurality of application profiles, wherein the application-specific NAI is operable for establishing a data session for the corresponding network-service application including using the application-specific NAI to enable tracking the data session according to usage of the corresponding network-service application; and

a second set of codes for causing the computer to provide a wireless communication device with a user identity module that includes one or more of the application profiles.

35. An apparatus for providing differentiated data session access on a wireless communication device, comprising:

means for providing for a plurality of application profiles that each correspond to one of a plurality of network-service applications and include an application-specific network address identifier (NAI) that is different from other application-specific NAIs corresponding to the plurality of application profiles, wherein the application-specific NAI is operable for establishing a data session for the corresponding network-service application including using the application-specific NAI to enable tracking the data session according to usage of the corresponding network-service application; and

means for providing a wireless communication device with a user identity module that includes one or more of the application profiles.

36. A network system including one or more devices, comprising

a computer platform having a processor and a memory;

and

a provisioning module in communication with the processor and stored in the memory, wherein the provisioning module is operable to provide user identity modules (UIMs) with one or more application profiles that each correspond to one of a plurality of network-service applications and include an application-specific network address identifier (NAI) that is different from other application-specific NAIs corresponding to the plurality of application profiles, wherein the application-specific NAI is operable for establishing a data session for the corresponding network-service application including using the application-specific NAI to enable tracking the data session according to usage of the corresponding network-service application.

37. The network system of claim 36, further comprising a data session tracking module operable to receive data session tracking information from wireless communication devices having the UIMs, wherein the data session tracking information is based on wireless device usage of a network address associated with the network address identifier.

38. The network system of claim 36, wherein the provisioning module is further operable to categorize the one or more application profiles according to data session priority and provide for a priority category identifier in each of the application profiles.

39. The network system of claim 38, wherein the provisioning module is further operable to provide a conflict resolution routine that is operable to resolve an application conflict for network-service applications based on the priority category identifiers in the application profiles and provide for the conflict resolution routine in the user identity module.

40. The network system of claim 39, wherein the provisioning module is further operable to provide a conflict resolution routine that automatically maintains or establishes a data session associated with the network-service application determined to have a priority category identifier associated with a more preferred application priority.

41. The network system of claim 39, wherein the provisioning module is further operable to provide a conflict resolution routine that communicates a data session conflict notification to a user of the wireless communication device based on identification of a data session conflict, wherein the data session conflict notification provides for a first user option to maintain an existing data session and a second user option to close the existing data session and establish a subsequent data session.

42. The network system of claim 37, further comprising a billing module operable to determine billing charges for the data session usage in the wireless devices having UIMs based on the received data session tracking information.

43. The network system of claim 42, wherein the billing module is further operable to determine billing charges for the data session usage in the wireless devices having UIMs based on the received data session tracking information and one or more billing rates associated with the network addresses.

44. A method of differentiated data session access on a wireless communication device, comprising:

receiving an input to launch a first network-service application;

retrieving, from a user identity module in communication with the wireless communication device, a first application profile selected from a plurality of application profiles each having respective profile data, wherein the first application profile corresponds to the first network-service application and comprises first profile data;

establishing a first data session for the first network-service application according to the first profile data;

launching the first network-service application using the first data session;

receiving an input to launch a second network-service application while the first data session is ongoing;

retrieving, from the user identity module, a second application profile selected from the plurality of application profiles, wherein the second application profile corresponds to the second network-service application and comprises second profile data;

comparing a first priority category from the first profile data and a second priority category from the second profile data; and

if the comparison results in the first priority category matching the second priority category, then launching the second application using the first data session.

45. A method of differentiated data session access on a wireless communication device, comprising:

receiving an input to launch a first network-service application;

retrieving, from a user identity module in communication with the wireless communication device, a first application profile selected from a plurality of application profiles each having respective profile data, wherein the first application profile corresponds to the first network-service application and comprises first profile data;

establishing a first data session for the first network-service application according to the first profile data;

launching the first network-service application using the first data session;

receiving an input to launch a second network-service application while the first data session is ongoing;

retrieving, from the user identity module, a second application profile selected from the plurality of application profiles, wherein the second application profile corresponds to the second network-service application and comprises second profile data;

comparing a first priority category from the first profile data and a second priority category from the second profile data;

identifying a conflict if the comparison results in the first application category not matching the second application category; and

determining a resolution to the conflict based on a predetermined resolution routine.