System and method for providing a network service in a distributed fashion to a mobile device

• US 9,860,389 B2
• Filed: 09/26/2016
• Issued: 01/02/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 01/11/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Seven Networks LLC (SoftBank Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Seven Networks LLC (SoftBank Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Fiatal, Trevor
• Primary Examiner(s): WYCHE, MYRON
• Application Number:
  US15/275,986
• Publication Number:
  US 20170013136A1
• Time in Patent Office: 463 Days
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/43 Billing software details
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/51 for resellers, retailers or service providers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/61 based on the service used
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/8214 Data or packet based
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/8221 Message based
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4872 Non-interactive information services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/71 Hardware identity
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/72 Subscriber identity
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/16 Communication-related supplementary services, e.g. call-transfer or call-hold
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/20 Services signaling; Auxiliary data signalling, i.e. transmitting data via a non-traffic channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/24 Accounting or billing

Abstract

A mobile virtual network operator is provided. The operator includes a server that is communicatively coupled to a mobile device. The mobile device includes application software provided by the virtual network operator for allowing phone call and data connectivity.

Claims

1. A server of a mobile virtual network, the server having a processor and configured to:

receive a unique authentication token from a mobile device, and

provide phone call and data services to the mobile device, wherein the phone call and data services are associated with the unique authentication token and branded by a provider of the mobile virtual network that is other than a provider of a mobile network;

wherein the mobile device includes application software for allowing the phone call and data services, wherein the application software is branded by the provider of the mobile virtual network,

wherein an identifier associated with the mobile device is maintained by the provider of the mobile virtual network and the provider of the mobile network, wherein the phone call and data services are associated with the identifier, wherein the identifier is distinct from the unique authentication token;

wherein the server is configured to;

provide the phone call services to the mobile device through each of a Wi-Fi network and the mobile network; and

provide the data services to the mobile device through each of the Wi-Fi network and the mobile network.

2. The server of claim 1, wherein data services include SMS text message and instant messaging services.

3. The server of claim 1, wherein the server is configured to provide the phone call and data services to a second device.

4. The server of claim 3, wherein the second device includes application software branded by a provider of the mobile virtual network, wherein the application software enforces virtual network operator policies.

5. The server of claim 1, wherein the application software of the mobile device enforces virtual network policies.

6. The server of claim 3, wherein a journal of communications to the mobile device is at the second device.

7. The server of claim 1, wherein to provide cellular and data services includes:

monitor usage of the phone call and data services provided to the mobile device over the mobile network; and

submit information representative of an invoice for the phone call and data services to the mobile device through the application software.

8. The server of claim 1, wherein the server associates an email address and a phone number with a user of the mobile device, wherein the server allows contact with the mobile device using the email address and the phone number.

9. The server of claim 2, wherein the mobile device is configured for responding to one of an SMS message or instant message received over a first medium through a second medium, wherein the SMS or instant message and the response are displayed in a single list of communications, wherein the first medium is the mobile network and the second medium is the Wi-Fi network.

10. The server of claim 1, wherein the server is configured to provide location based content created by the server to the mobile device.

11. The server of claim 1, wherein the server is configured to provide content from a digital content provider that is distinct from the server to the mobile device based on user preferences without the user requesting the content at the time that it is provided.

12. The server of claim 1, wherein the server is configured to provide content from a digital content provider that is distinct from the server to the mobile device based on historical usage of a user without the user requesting the content at the time that it is provided.

13. The server of claim 1, wherein the server is configured to provide a same content to the mobile device and a computing device that is associated with a user of the mobile device in response to a request from the mobile device, wherein the same content is provided through the application software, wherein the computing device includes an application branded by the provider of the mobile virtual network and provided by the server.

14. The server of claim 1, wherein content is transmitted to a computing device, wherein the computing device reformats the content and the content is then transmitted to the mobile device, wherein the computing device is controlled by the server.

15. The server of claim 14, wherein the reformatting is based on user preferences.

16. The server of claim 1, wherein the phone call and data services are provided on behalf of multiple network providers for the mobile device.

17. A method for a mobile virtual network, comprising:

at a server having a processor and being configured for;

receiving a unique authentication token from a mobile device, and

providing phone call and data services to the mobile device,

wherein the phone call and data services are associated with the unique authentication token and branded by a provider of the mobile virtual network that is other than a provider of a mobile network;

wherein the mobile device includes application software for allowing the phone call and data services, wherein the application software is branded by the provider of the mobile virtual network,

wherein an identifier associated with the mobile device is maintained by the provider of the mobile virtual network and the provider of the mobile network, wherein the phone call and data services are associated with the identifier, wherein the identifier is distinct from the unique authentication token;

providing the phone call services to the mobile device through each of a Wi-Fi network and the mobile network; and

providing the data services to the mobile device through each of the Wi-Fi network and the mobile network.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein data services include SMS text message and instant messaging services.

19. The method of claim 17, further configured for providing the phone call and data services to a second device.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the second device includes application software branded by a provider of the mobile virtual network, wherein the application software enforces virtual network operator policies.

21. The method of claim 17, wherein the application software of the mobile device enforces virtual network policies.

22. The method of claim 19, wherein a journal of communications to the mobile device is at the second device.

23. The method of claim 17, wherein providing cellular and data services includes:

monitoring usage of the phone call and data services provided to the mobile device over the mobile network; and

submitting information representative of an invoice for the phone call and data services to the mobile device through the application software.

24. The method of claim 17, further configured for associating an email address and a phone number with a user of the mobile device, wherein contact is allowed with the mobile device using the email address and the phone number.

25. The method of claim 18, wherein the mobile device is configured for responding to one of an SMS message or instant message received over a first medium through a second medium, wherein the SMS or instant message and the response are displayed in a single list of communications, wherein the first medium is the mobile network and the second medium is the Wi-Fi network.

26. The method of claim 17, further configured for providing location based content created by the server to the mobile device.

27. The method of claim 17, further configured for providing content from a digital content provider that is distinct from the server to the mobile device based on user preferences without the user requesting the content at the time that it is provided.

28. The method of claim 17, further configured for providing content from a digital content provider that is distinct from the server to the mobile device based on historical usage of a user without the user requesting the content at the time that it is provided.

29. The method of claim 17, further configured for providing a same content to the mobile device and a computing device that is associated with a user of the mobile device in response to a request from the mobile device, wherein the same content is provided through the application software, wherein the computing device includes an application branded by the provider of the mobile virtual network and provided by the server.

30. The method of claim 17, wherein content is transmitted to a computing device, wherein the computing device reformats the content and the content is then transmitted to the mobile device, wherein the computing device is controlled by the server.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein the reformatting is based on user preferences.

32. The method of claim 17, wherein the phone call and data services are provided on behalf of multiple network providers for the mobile device.