Openwave Systems Inc.

Michael Thomas Wilhoite

Peter Gerald McNiff

Peter Hartmaier

A telecommunications service node is connected to a data network using a packet data protocol and a telephone network using a circuit switched protocol. The service node is also connected to a wireless roaming network using the IS-41 signaling protocol. The service node stores status information, including location and registration information, for mobile computing devices connected to the data packet network. The location information includes a temporary data network address for visiting mobile computing devices. The service node manages voice calls to and from the mobile computing devices. If a call is received to a mobile computing device which is not registered, the service node will attempt to connect the call to a wireless telephone associated with the mobile computing device, or a predefined destination established as a preference by the user. In the case of a voice call between a telephone connected to the telephone network and a mobile computing device connected to the data network, the service node acts as a gateway and translates between the data packet protocol and the circuit switched protocol. A personal information manager executing in a mobile computing device may be used for managing call processing functions of the mobile computing device.

Data network computing device call processing

A system and method for registering and deregistering a mobile computing device with a service node, comprising sending a registration request message upon connection to a network, receiving a temporary IP address for the network, sending a registration notification message to the service node, wherein said registration request message includes the temporary IP address, receiving an acknowledgement message from the service node indicating that the mobile computing device is registered with the service node, monitoring an activity level of the mobile computing device to determine when the mobile computing device has been idle for a predetermined period of time, and sending a deregistration message to the service node to deregister with the service node when said mobile computing device has been idle for said predetermined period of time.

System and method for mobile computing device registration with a service node

A pre-paid subscriber account system for use with wireless telephone systems is disclosed. The system, which monitors a subscriber's call, deducts the cost of the call from the subscriber's pre-paid account in real-time, warns the subscriber during a call when the account is nearing depletion, and terminates the call when the account is depleted. The system can also prevent the initiation of a new call when the account is depleted. Various options can also apply different charging rates, can charge only when specified criteria are met, or can charge only for calls to/from specified areas or telephone numbers. The system and method uses signaling techniques that will allow the metering or billing of the call, along with any authorization or restrictions, to be done remotely from the actual switching of the call. Call events or chargeable events are transmitted to the pre-paid control system while the communications path of the call is held at the switching system awaiting control information. The identity of the pre-paid service subscriber is established using existing devices that currently are used to authenticate the user. The wireless phone user does not have to enter any additional codes or identification to obtain -access to the pre-paid service.

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Redmond, WA, United States of America

Michael Thomas Wilhoite