Methods and apparatus for providing or receiving data connectivity

• US 9,288,230 B2
• Filed: 12/11/2011
• Issued: 03/15/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/2010
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Ahmavaara, Kalle, Kadakia, Jatinkumar Chandrakant, Warlick, Michael Vernon
• Primary Examiner(s): Mejia, Anthony
• Application Number:
  US13/316,539
• Publication Number:
  US 20120158829A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,556 Days
• Field of Search: 709/203, 709/200
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/101 Access control lists [ACL]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/102 Entity profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/20 for managing network security; network security policies in general filtering policies H04L63/0227
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0192 Sponsored, subsidised calls via advertising, e.g. calling cards with ads or connecting to special ads, free calling time by purchasing goods
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/084 using delegated authorisation, e.g. open authorisation [OAuth] protocol
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/16 Gateway arrangements

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for providing or receiving data connectivity with an access network may include receiving or transmitting a request from a wireless device for data connectivity to a destination. The destination may be associated with use of an application. The methods and apparatus may further include determining whether the destination is a sponsored destination. The methods and apparatus may further include providing or receiving sponsored data connectivity via the access network from the wireless device to the sponsored destination for use of the application on the wireless device if the destination is a sponsored destination.

Claims

1. A method for providing data connectivity with an access network, the method comprising:

receiving a request from a wireless device for data connectivity to a destination, wherein the destination is associated with use of a sponsored application on the wireless device, the sponsored application is associated with an identifier, and the request comprises a first identifier of the destination and a second identifier of the wireless device;

determining whether the destination is a sponsored destination for providing a sponsored data connectivity to the sponsored application, comprising forwarding the request to a network entity that is associated with the identifier of the sponsored application, and receiving a response from the network entity for indicating, based on the first identifier, whether the destination is the sponsored destination;

determining, based on the second identifier, whether the wireless device is allowed to receive the sponsored data connectivity; and

enabling the sponsored data connectivity via the access network from the wireless device to the sponsored destination for use of the sponsored application on the wireless device upon detecting that the destination is the sponsored destination and the wireless device is allowed to receive the sponsored data connectivity.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the sponsored data connectivity is at least partially paid for by a data connectivity sponsor.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the data connectivity sponsor is one of an application provider or a third party entity.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the sponsored data connectivity comprises one of free data connection or a reduced data connection charge.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising limiting the sponsored data connectivity according to a sponsored data connectivity threshold.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining whether the destination is a sponsored destination is further determined by at least one of a data connectivity sponsor and the access network prior to the request for data connectivity by the wireless device.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining whether the destination is a sponsored destination is negotiated between at least one of a data connectivity sponsor and the access network in response to the request for data.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein the sponsored data connectivity threshold comprises one of an amount of data exchanged, a number of users capable of using the sponsored data connectivity, a number of times of using the sponsored data connectivity, a time period, or any combination thereof.

9. The method of claim 5, wherein the sponsored data connectivity threshold is determined by at least one of an application provider and the access network prior to the request for data connectivity by the wireless device.

10. The method of claim 5, wherein the sponsored data connectivity threshold is negotiated in response to the request for data connectivity.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the receiving of the request and the determining are performed by an intermediary component.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the intermediary component comprises one of an application intermediary component, an access network intermediary component, an application provider intermediary component, a data connectivity sponsor component or a wireless device intermediary component.

13. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

receiving, at the intermediary component, the request for the data connectivity to the sponsored destination associated with the sponsored application on the wireless device;

determining, via the intermediary component, whether the first and second identifiers correspond to the sponsored application; and

providing the sponsored data connectivity when the first and second identifiers correspond to the sponsored application.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

monitoring, via the intermediary component, the sponsored data connectivity to ensure the sponsored data connectivity is within a sponsored data connectivity threshold; and

limiting the sponsored data connectivity if the sponsored data connectivity exceeds the sponsored data connectivity threshold.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the sponsored data connectivity threshold comprises one of an amount of data exchanged, a number of users capable of using the sponsored data connectivity, a number of times of using the sponsored data connectivity, a time period, or any combination thereof.

16. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving payment from the data connectivity sponsor for the sponsored data connectivity.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the wireless device does not have a data connectivity plan with the access network and uses the sponsored data connectivity for accessing the access network.

18. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

generating a prompt for presentation to a user to purchase a data plan for connectivity to the access network when the destination is not the sponsored destination.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein the access network provides the sponsored data connectivity.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein a separate entity in communication with the access network provides the sponsored data connectivity.

21. An apparatus to provide data connectivity with an access network, comprising at least one processor configured to:

receive a request from a wireless device for data connectivity to a destination, wherein the destination is associated with use of a sponsored application on the wireless device, the sponsored application is associated with an identifier, and the request comprises a first identifier of the destination and a second identifier of the wireless device;

determine whether the destination is a sponsored destination for providing a sponsored data connectivity to the sponsored application, comprising forwarding the request to a network entity that is associated with the identifier of the sponsored application, and receiving a response from the network entity for indicating, based on the first identifier, whether the destination is the sponsored destination;

determine, based on the second identifier, whether the wireless device is allowed to receive the sponsored data connectivity; and

enable the sponsored data connectivity via the access network from the wireless device to the sponsored destination for use of the application on the wireless device upon detecting that the destination is the sponsored destination and the wireless device is allowed to receive the sponsored data connectivity.

22. A non-transitory computer-readable medium, comprising:

at least one instruction for causing a computer to receive a request from a wireless device for data connectivity to a destination, wherein the destination is associated with use of a sponsored application on the wireless device, the sponsored application is associated with an identifier, and the request comprises a first identifier of the destination and a second identifier of the wireless device;

at least one instruction for causing the computer to determine whether the destination is a sponsored destination for providing a sponsored data connectivity to the sponsored application, comprising forwarding the request to a network entity that is associated with the identifier of the sponsored application, and receiving a response from the network entity for indicating, based on the first identifier, whether the destination is the sponsored destination;

at least one instruction for causing the computer to determine, based on the second identifier, whether the wireless device is allowed to receive the sponsored data connectivity; and

at least one instruction for causing the computer to enable the sponsored data connectivity via the access network from the wireless device to the sponsored destination for use of the application on the wireless device upon detecting that the destination is the sponsored destination and the wireless device is allowed to receive the sponsored data connectivity.

23. An apparatus, comprising:

means for receiving a request from a wireless device for data connectivity to a destination, wherein the destination is associated with use of a sponsored application on the wireless device, the sponsored application is associated with an identifier, and the request comprises a first identifier of the destination and a second identifier of the wireless device;

means for determining whether the destination is a sponsored destination for providing a sponsored data connectivity to the sponsored application, comprising means for forwarding the request to a network entity that is associated with the identifier of the sponsored application, and means for receiving a response from the network entity for indicating, based on the first identifier, whether the destination is the sponsored destination;

means for determining, based on the second identifier, whether the wireless device is allowed to receive the sponsored data connectivity; and

means for enabling the sponsored data connectivity via the access network from the wireless device to the sponsored destination for use of the application on the wireless device upon detecting that the destination is the sponsored destination and the wireless device is allowed to receive the sponsored data connectivity.

24. An apparatus for providing data connectivity with an access network, comprising:

a data connection component configured to receive a request from a wireless device for data connectivity to a destination, wherein the destination is associated with use of a sponsored application on the wireless device, the sponsored application is associated with an identifier, and the request comprises a first identifier of the destination and a second identifier of the wireless device; and

an access component configured to;

determine whether the destination is a sponsored destination for providing a sponsored data connectivity to the sponsored application, wherein a detecting component is configured to determine, based on the second identifier, whether the wireless device is allowed to receive the sponsored data connectivity, comprising forwarding the request to a network entity that is associated with the identifier of the sponsored application, and receiving a response from the network entity for indicating, based on the first identifier, whether the destination is the sponsored destination; and

enable the sponsored data connectivity via the access network from the wireless device to the sponsored destination for use of the application on the wireless device upon detecting that the destination is the sponsored destination and the wireless device is allowed to receive the sponsored data connectivity.

25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the sponsored data connectivity is at least partially paid for by a data connectivity sponsor.

26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the data connectivity sponsor is one of an application provider or a third party entity.

27. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the sponsored data connectivity comprises one of free data connection or a reduced data connection charge.

28. The apparatus of claim 24, further comprising a filtering component configured to limit the sponsored data connectivity according to a sponsored data connectivity threshold.

29. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the sponsored data connectivity threshold comprises one of an amount of data exchanged, a number of users capable of using the sponsored data connectivity, a number of times of using the sponsored data connectivity, a time period, or any combination thereof.

30. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the sponsored data connectivity threshold is determined by at least one of an application provider and the access network prior to the request for data connectivity by the wireless device.

31. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the sponsored data connectivity threshold is negotiated in response to the request for data connectivity.

32. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the detecting component is further configured to determine whether the destination is a sponsored destination prior to the request for data connectivity by the wireless device.

33. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the detecting component is further configured to determine whether the destination is a sponsored destination by negotiating between at least one of a data connectivity sponsor and the access network in response to the request for data.

34. The apparatus of claim 24, further comprising an intermediary component configured to receive the request and determine whether the destination is the sponsored destination.

35. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the intermediary component comprises one of an application intermediary component, an access network intermediary component, an application provider intermediary component, a data connectivity sponsor component or a wireless device intermediary component.

36. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the intermediary component is further configured to receive the request, determine whether the first and second identifiers correspond to the sponsored application, and provide the sponsored data connectivity if the first and second identifiers correspond to the sponsored application.

37. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein the intermediary component is further configured to monitor the sponsored data connectivity to ensure the sponsored data connectivity is within a sponsored data connectivity threshold, and limit the sponsored data connectivity if the sponsored data connectivity exceeds the sponsored data connectivity threshold.

38. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein the sponsored data connectivity threshold comprises one of an amount of data exchanged, a number of users capable of using the sponsored data connectivity, a number of times of using the sponsored data connectivity, a time period, or any combination thereof.

39. The apparatus of claim 24, further comprising a payment component configured to receive payment from the data connectivity sponsor for the sponsored data connectivity.

40. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the wireless device does not have a data connectivity plan with the access network and uses the sponsored data connectivity for accessing the access network.

41. The apparatus of claim 24, further comprising a notification component configured to generate a prompt for presentation to a user to purchase a data plan for connectivity to the access network, if the destination is not the sponsored destination.

42. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the access network provides the sponsored data connectivity.

43. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein a separate entity in communication with the access network provides the sponsored data connectivity.

44. A method for requesting data connectivity, comprising:

sending a request for data connectivity to a data connection managing component, wherein the request identifies a destination associated with use of a sponsored application, the sponsored application is associated with an identifier, and the request comprises a first identifier of the destination and a second identifier of a wireless device, wherein the data connect managing component is configured to forward the request to a network entity that is associated with the identifier of the sponsored application to determine whether the destination is a sponsored destination for providing a sponsored data connectivity to the sponsored application;

establishing a data connection for accessing the destination in response to the request upon detecting that a response received from the network entity indicating that the destination is determined, based on the first identifier, to be the sponsored destination, and that the wireless device is determined, based on the second identifier, to be allowed to receive the sponsored data connectivity, wherein the data connection comprises a sponsored data connection to the sponsored destination for use with the sponsored application; and

accessing, via the sponsored application, the sponsored destination using the sponsored data connection.

45. The method of claim 44, wherein the sponsored data connection comprises at least one of a third party paid for data connection, a free data connection, or a reduced charge data connection.

46. The method of claim 44, further comprising presenting application status information for the sponsored application corresponding to the sponsored data connection.

47. The method of claim 46, wherein the application status information comprises one of available sponsored data connection, an amount of data usage remaining for the sponsored data connection, or an available quota for the sponsored data connection.

48. The method of claim 44, further comprising:

receiving a list of one or more available applications;

presenting the list of the one or more available applications;

receiving a selection of the sponsored application from the list of one or more available applications to forward with the request; and

forwarding an identification of the selected application with the request.

49. The method of claim 48, wherein the one more available applications comprise sponsored applications.

50. The method of claim 44, further comprising receiving and presenting a quota expiration notification for the sponsored application, wherein the quota expiration notification is received when the maximum number of users or data has been used.

51. The method of claim 44, wherein the data connection is established upon detecting that the second identifier of the wireless devices corresponds to an approved wireless device identification.

52. An apparatus to request data connectivity, comprising at least one processor configured to:

send a request for data connectivity to a data connection managing component, wherein the request identifies a destination associated with use of a sponsored application, the sponsored application is associated with an identifier, and the request comprises a first identifier of the destination and a second identifier of a wireless device, wherein the data connect managing component is configured to forward the request to a network entity that is associated with the identifier of the sponsored application to determine whether the destination is a sponsored destination for providing a sponsored data connectivity to the sponsored application;

establish a data connection for accessing the destination in response to the request upon detecting that a response received from the network entity indicating that the destination is determined, based on the first identifier, to be the sponsored destination, and that the wireless device is determined, based on the second identifier, to be allowed to receive the sponsored data connectivity, wherein the data connection comprises a sponsored data connection to the sponsored destination for use with the sponsored application; and

enable the sponsored application to access the sponsored destination using the sponsored data connection.

53. A non-transitory computer-readable medium, comprising:

at least one instruction for causing a computer to send a request for data connectivity to a data connection managing component, wherein the request identifies a destination associated with use of a sponsored application, the sponsored application is associated with an identifier, and the request comprises a first identifier of the destination and a second identifier of a wireless device, wherein the data connect managing component is configured to forward the request to a network entity that is associated with the identifier of the sponsored application to determine whether the destination is a sponsored destination for providing a sponsored data connectivity to the sponsored application;

at least one instruction for causing the computer to establish a data connection for accessing the destination in response to the request upon detecting that a response received from the network entity indicating that the destination is determined, based on the first identifier, to be the sponsored destination, and that the wireless device is determined, based on the second identifier, to be allowed to receive the sponsored data connectivity, wherein the data connection comprises a sponsored data connection to the sponsored destination for use with the sponsored application; and

at least one instruction for causing the computer to enable the sponsored application to access the sponsored destination using the sponsored data connection.

54. An apparatus, comprising:

means for sending a request for data connectivity to a data connection managing component, wherein the request identifies a destination associated with use of a sponsored application, the sponsored application is associated with an identifier, and the request comprises a first identifier of the destination and a second identifier of a wireless device, wherein the data connect managing component is configured to forward the request to a network entity that is associated with the identifier of the sponsored application to determine whether the destination is a sponsored destination for providing a sponsored data connectivity to the sponsored application;

means for establishing a data connection for accessing the destination in response to the request upon detecting that a response received from the network entity indicating that the destination is determined, based on the first identifier, to be the sponsored destination, and that the wireless device is determined, based on the second identifier, to be allowed to receive the sponsored data connectivity, wherein the data connection comprises a sponsored data connection to the sponsored destination for use with the sponsored application; and

means for enabling the sponsored application to access the sponsored destination using the sponsored data connection.

55. An apparatus for requesting data connectivity, comprising:

a requestor component configured to send a request for data connectivity to a data connection managing component, wherein the request identifies a destination associated with use of a sponsored application, the sponsored application is associated with an identifier, and the request comprises a first identifier of the destination and a second identifier of a wireless device, wherein the data connect managing component is configured to forward the request to a network entity that is associated with the identifier of the sponsored application to determine whether the destination is a sponsored destination for providing a sponsored data connectivity to the sponsored application;

an access component configured to;

establish a data connection for accessing the destination in response to the request upon detecting that a response received from the network entity indicating that the destination is determined, based on the first identifier, to be the sponsored destination, and that the wireless device is determined, based on the second identifier, to be allowed to receive the sponsored data connectivity, the data connection comprises a sponsored data connection to the sponsored destination for use with the sponsored application; and

enable the sponsored application to access the sponsored destination using the sponsored data connection.

56. The apparatus of claim 55, wherein the sponsored data connection comprises at least one of a third party paid for data connection, a free data connection, or a reduced charge data connection.

57. The apparatus of claim 55, further comprising presenting application status information for the sponsored application corresponding to the sponsored data connection.

58. The apparatus of claim 57, wherein the application status information comprises one of available sponsored data connection, an amount of data usage remaining for the sponsored data connection, or an available quota for the sponsored data connection.

59. The apparatus of claim 55, wherein the requestor component is further configured to receive a list of one or more available applications and a selection of the sponsored application from the list of one or more available applications, and forward an identification of the selected application with the request;

and

the presenting component is further configured to present the list of the one or more available applications.

60. The apparatus of claim 59, wherein the one more available applications comprise sponsored applications.

61. The apparatus of claim 55, wherein the presenting component is further configured to receive and present a quota expiration notification for the sponsored application, wherein the quota expiration notification is received when the maximum number of users or data has been used.

62. The apparatus of claim 55, wherein the data connection is established upon detecting that the second identifier of the wireless devices corresponds to an approved wireless device identification.