Hybrid network based metering server and tracking client for wireless services

• US 9,204,281 B2
• Filed: 08/12/2014
• Issued: 12/01/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 11/06/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TracFone Wireless, Inc. (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Original Assignee: TracFone Wireless, Inc. (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Inventors: Ramprasad, Satish, Rivera, Sergio
• Primary Examiner(s): DOAN, PHUOC HUU
• Application Number:
  US14/457,583
• Publication Number:
  US 20150031328A1
• Time in Patent Office: 476 Days
• Field of Search: 455/405, 370/331, 705/34, 340/572.1
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/141 Indication of costs
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1414 in real-time
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1435 volume-based
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1439 time-based
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1467 involving prepayment
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/28 with meter at substation or with calculation of charges at terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/30 the meter or calculation of charges not being controlled from an exchange
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/55 for hybrid networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/58 based on statistics of usage or network monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/61 based on the service used
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/32 Involving wireless systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/12 Detection or prevention of fraud
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/24 Accounting or billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/02 Access restriction performed under specific conditions

Abstract

A process of tracking usage of a wireless device in a third party wireless network with a metering system includes implementing the metering system in a network separate from the third party wireless network and activating the wireless device in response to identification of the wireless device and confirmation of use of a tracking system to the metering system. The process further includes obtaining, by the metering system, an amount of wireless services used by the wireless device. The obtaining includes at least one of obtaining an amount of wireless services used from the third party wireless network and obtaining an amount of wireless services used from the tracking system.

Claims

1. A process of tracking usage of a wireless device in a third party wireless network with a metering system comprising:

implementing the metering system in a network separate from the third party wireless network;

activating the wireless device in response to identification of the wireless device and confirmation of use of a tracking system to the metering system;

obtaining, by the metering system, an amount of wireless services used by the wireless device; and

displaying on the wireless device at least one of an amount of wireless services remaining and amount of wireless services used,

wherein the obtaining comprises at least one of obtaining an amount of wireless services used from the third party wireless network and obtaining an amount of wireless services used from the tracking system.

2. The process of tracking usage of a wireless device according to claim 1 wherein the obtaining comprises receiving usage statistics from the tracking system implemented in the wireless device.

3. The process of tracking usage of a wireless device according to claim 1 wherein the obtaining comprises subscribing to usage statistics from the third party wireless network.

4. The process of tracking usage of a wireless device according to claim 1 further comprises detecting the wireless device.

5. The process of tracking usage of a wireless device according to claim 1 wherein the wireless services comprise at least one of voice calls, data usage, and text message usage.

6. The process of tracking usage of a wireless device according to claim 1 wherein the wireless device comprises an open mobile operating system.

7. The process of tracking usage of a wireless device according to claim 1 further comprising deactivating wireless service for the wireless device when there has been fraudulent activity.

8. A wireless network provider system configured to track usage of wireless services in a third party wireless network comprising:

a metering system arranged in a network separate from the third party wireless network;

the metering system configured to activate a wireless device in response to identification of the wireless device and confirmation of use of a tracking system to the metering system;

the metering system further configured to obtain an amount of wireless services used by the wireless device; and

the metering system further allowing network access if a tracking system is installed in the wireless device and limiting the network access if the tracking system is not installed in the wireless device,

wherein the obtaining comprises at least one of obtaining an amount of wireless services used from the third party wireless network and obtaining an amount of wireless services used from the tracking system.

9. The wireless network provider system according to claim 8 wherein the metering system is further configured to receive usage statistics from the tracking system implemented in the wireless device.

10. The wireless network provider system according to claim 8 wherein the metering system is further configured to subscribe to usage statistics from the third party wireless network.

11. The wireless network provider system according to claim 8 wherein the metering system is further configured to detect the wireless device.

12. The wireless network provider system according to claim 8 wherein the wireless services comprise at least one of voice calls, data usage, and text message usage.

13. The wireless network provider system according to claim 8 wherein the wireless device comprises an open mobile operating system.

14. The wireless network provider system according to claim 8 further comprising deactivating wireless service for the wireless device when at least when there has been fraudulent activity.

15. A process of tracking usage of a wireless device in a third party wireless network with a tracking system comprising:

identifying the wireless device to a metering system, the metering system implemented in a network separate from the third party wireless network;

tracking usage of wireless services by the wireless device with the tracking system;

allowing network access if a tracking system is installed in the wireless device and limiting the network access if the tracking system is not installed in the wireless device; and

reporting the usage of wireless services by the wireless device obtained by the tracking system to the metering system.

16. The process of tracking usage of a wireless device in a third party wireless network according to claim 15 wherein the tracking system executes at least in part on the wireless device.

17. The process of tracking usage of a wireless device in a third party wireless network according to claim 15 further comprising activating the wireless device in response to identification of the wireless device and a use of the tracking system.

18. The process of tracking usage of a wireless device in a third party wireless network according to claim 15 further comprising allowing for over the air provisioning of the tracking system in the wireless device.

19. The process of tracking usage of a wireless device in a third party wireless network according to claim 15 further comprising displaying on the wireless device at least one of an amount of wireless services remaining and amount of wireless services used.

20. The process of tracking usage of a wireless device in a third party wireless network according to claim 15 further comprising allowing network access if a tracking client is installed in the wireless device and limiting the network access if the tracking client is not installed in the wireless device.

21. The process of tracking usage of a wireless device in a third party wireless network according to claim 15 wherein the wireless device comprises an open mobile operating system.

22. A system to track usage of a wireless device in a third party wireless network comprising:

a tracking system to identify the wireless device to a metering system, the metering system implemented in a network separate from the third party wireless network;

the tracking system further tracking usage of wireless services by the wireless device; and

the tracking system reporting the usage of wireless services by the wireless device to the metering system,

wherein the tracking system executes at least in part on the wireless device.

23. The system to track usage of a wireless device in a third party wireless network according to claim 22 wherein the tracking system activates the wireless device in response to identification the wireless device and a use of the tracking system.

24. The system to track usage of a wireless device in a third party wireless network according to claim 22 wherein the tracking system allows for over the air provisioning in the wireless device.

25. The system to track usage of a wireless device in a third party wireless network according to claim 22 wherein the tracking system displays on the wireless device at least one of an amount of wireless services remaining and amount of wireless services used.

26. The system to track usage of a wireless device in a third party wireless network according to claim 22 further comprising allowing network access if the tracking system is installed in the wireless device and limiting the network access if the tracking system is not installed in the wireless device.

27. The system to track usage of a wireless device in a third party wireless network according to claim 22 wherein the wireless device comprises an open mobile operating system.