Automatic over-the-air updating of a preferred roaming list (PRL) in a multi-mode device, based on an account association between the device and a wireless local area network (WLAN) access point

• US 7,894,812 B1
• Filed: 07/13/2009
• Issued: 02/22/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/16/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sprint Spectrum LP (Deutsche Telekom AG)
• Original Assignee: Sprint Spectrum LP (Deutsche Telekom AG)
• Inventors: Durig, Daniel, Lamb, Robert C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cho; Un C
• Application Number:
  US12/501,747
• Time in Patent Office: 589 Days
• Field of Search: 455/432.1, 455/432.3, 455/435.1, 455/435.2, 455/436, 455/439, 455/419
• US Class Current: 455/432.3
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/08 Access restriction or access information delivery, e.g. discovery data delivery signalling during connection H04W76/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/16 Discovering, processing access restriction or access information
• 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 and systems are provided for automatic over-the-air updating of a preferred roaming list (PRL) in a multi-mode device, based on an account association between the device and a wireless local area network (WLAN) access point. For each of a plurality of subscriber accounts, a set of subscriber account data is maintained in data storage, indicating an association between the subscriber account and one or more telecommunication devices. A determination is made that a given subscriber account is associated with both (i) a multi-mode device and (ii) a WLAN access point. In response to the determination, a PRL for the multi-mode device is automatically updated to include access data for the WLAN access point.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

for each of a plurality of subscriber accounts, at least one network device maintaining in data storage a set of subscriber account data that indicates an association between the subscriber account and one or more telecommunication devices;

the at least one network device querying the subscriber account data for data identifying telecommunication devices associated with the subscriber account;

based at least in part on the querying, the at least one network device making a determination that a given subscriber account is associated with both (i) a multi-mode device and (ii) a wireless local area network (WLAN) access point; and

in response to making the determination, the at least one network device automatically updating a preferred roaming list (PRL) for the multi-mode device to include access data for the WLAN access point, wherein the at least one network device comprises neither the multi-mode device nor the WLAN access point.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein automatically updating the PRL for the multi-mode device comprises over-the-air service provisioning (OTASP).

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the access data comprises at least one identifier selected from the group of identifiers consisting of a service set identifier (SSID) and a Media Access Control (MAC) address.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising the at least one network device storing a first indication in the given subscriber account, the first indication indicating an association between the given subscriber account and the multi-mode device.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

the at least one network device detecting the multi-mode device being provisioned,

wherein the first indication is stored in the given subscriber account in response to the at least one network device detecting the multi-mode device being provisioned.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the first indication is stored in the given subscriber account via an over-the-air service provisioning (OTASP) process.

7. The method of claim 4, further comprising the at least one network device storing a second indication in the given subscriber account, the second indication indicating an association between the given subscriber account and the WLAN access point.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

distributing the WLAN access point to a subscriber associated with the given subscriber account,

wherein the second indication is stored in the given subscriber account in response to the WLAN access point being distributed to the subscriber.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein storing the second indication in the given subscriber account occurs as a result of an automatic configuration sequence for the access point.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein storing the second indication in the given subscriber account occurs after storing the first indication in the given subscriber account.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

the at least one network device pushing the access data to an Internet Protocol (IP) Over the Air (IOTA) server,

wherein automatically updating the PRL for the multi-mode device comprises invoking an IOTA session between the IOTA server and the multi-mode device.

12. The method of claim 7, wherein storing the first indication in the given subscriber account occurs after storing the second indication in the given subscriber account.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein automatically updating the PRL for the multi-mode device comprises invoking an Internet Protocol (IP) Over the Air (IOTA) session between the IOTA server and the multi-mode device.

14. A method of automatic over-the-air updating of a preferred roaming list (PRL) for a multi-mode device, based on an account association between the multi-mode device and a wireless local area network (WLAN) access point, the method comprising:

at least one network device maintaining in data storage an account for a particular subscriber;

the at least one network device storing a first indication in the account, the first indication indicating that the account is associated with the multi-mode device;

the at least one network device storing a second indication in the account, the second indication indicating that the account is associated with the WLAN access point;

the at least one network device querying the account for data identifying at least one telecommunication device associated with the subscriber account; and

based at least in part on the querying, the at least one network device making a determination that the account contains both the first indication and the second indication, and in response to making the determination, automatically updating the PRL for the multi-mode device to include access data for the WLAN access point, wherein the at least one network device comprises neither the multi-mode device nor the WLAN access point.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein making the determination that the account contains both the first indication and the second indication comprises:

responsive to storing the first indication in the account, checking whether the account contains the second indication; and

responsive to storing the second indication in the account, checking whether the account contains the first indication.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein updating the PRL comprises invoking an Internet Protocol (IP) Over the Air (IOTA) session between an IOTA server and the multi-mode device.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the access data comprises at least one identifier selected from the group of identifiers consisting of a service set identifier (SSID) and a Media Access Control (MAC) address.

18. A system comprising at least one network device, the at least one network device comprising:

a communication interface;

a processor; and

data storage comprising program instructions executable by the processor to;

for each of a plurality of subscriber accounts, maintain in the data storage a set of subscriber account data that indicates an association between the subscriber account and one or more telecommunication devices;

store a first indication in a given subscriber account, the first indication indicating an association between the given subscriber account and a multi-mode device;

store a second indication in the given subscriber account, the second indication indicating an association between the given subscriber account and a wireless local area network (WLAN) access point;

query the subscriber account data for data identifying telecommunication devices associated with the subscriber account;

based at least in part on the query, make a determination that the given subscriber account is associated with both (i) the multi-mode device and (ii) the WLAN access point; and

in response to the determination, automatically update a preferred roaming list (PRL) for the multi-mode device to include access data for the WLAN access point, wherein the at least one network device comprises neither the multi-mode device nor the WLAN access point.