The present disclosure relates to a method of charging packets in a mobile network using a combined packet gateway (PGW) and serving gateway (SGW) which includes receiving a data packet; determining at least one of a rating group and a service rule associated with the data packet; and determining a state of a user device associated with the data packet. When the determined state of the user device comprises a connected state, the method includes charging the data packet, including updating an amount of credit in an account associated with the user device based on the at least one of the rating group and the service rule, and sending the data packet to an enodeB. When the determined state of the user device comprises an idle state, the method includes preventing delivery of the data packet to the enodeB such that the data packet is not charged.

A method and system of detecting a delinquent mobile user device. An international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI) of a subscriber identity module (SIM) card of the user device is determined by the user device. The IMSI is sent to a Remote Recovery Server (RRS). A message is received from the RRS as to whether the IMSI is authorized for the user device. Upon determining that the IMSI is not authorized for the user device, a notification is displayed on a display of the user device.

A device and a method for implementing a data service in order to avoid generating an unnecessary data usage fee for user equipment (UE) and further avoid data usage waste after a data service switch of the UE is turned off. The method includes determining, by a first network-side device, a status of a data service switch of UE, and sending, by the first network-side device, a first notification message to a second network-side device when the data service switch of the UE is turned off, where the UE is already registered with a network, the first notification message includes first instruction information and an identity of the UE, and the first instruction information instructs the second network-side device to skip charging for data packets of the UE flowing through the second network-side device.

A method is disclosed for blocking a cloned mobile device by a processor of a network. The processor receives a first registration from a first mobile device at a first location. The first registration includes a device identifier and a phone number. The processor then confirms that a second registration from a second mobile device at a second location includes the device identifier and the phone number and calculates a first fraud score for the first mobile device and a second fraud score for the second mobile device. The processor then determines that the second mobile device is the cloned mobile device, when the second fraud score exceeds the first score, and blocks the cloned mobile device from registering on the network.

In certain cellular communication systems, a roaming communication device may attempt to establish a connection with a visited wireless communication network. Before allowing the connection, the visited network may check to see whether the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) of the device has been listed in an Equipment Identity Register (EIR) as being blocked, and may refuse the connection if the IMEI is listed as being blocked. In addition, when the home network of the device receives a request to authorize usage of the device, the home network may also check its own EIR to determine whether the IMEI has been blocked. If the IMEI has been blocked in the EIR of the home network, the home network indicates to the visited network that the connection should be refused.

A method and system of restoring a functionality of a mobile user device. A lock screen is displayed on the display of the user device. An international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI) of a subscriber identity module (SIM) card presently installed in the user device is determined. The IMSI is sent to a Remote Recovery Server (RRS). A message is received from the RRS indicating whether the IMSI is authorized for the user device and whether an account of the user device is replenished at least in part. Upon determining that the IMSI is authorized for the user device and the account of the user device is replenished at least in part, at least one function that was previously restricted is restored.

The present invention provides apparatuses, methods, and computer program products regarding overload control handling in case of an overload state of a charging entity. The method comprises controlling a charging control session with a charging entity, receiving an overload report from the charging entity, and preventing to send any charging related request messages to the charging entity until a predetermined period has elapsed.

A device determines a connection status of a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) communication interface and a wireless Local Area Network (LAN) communication interface, and stores the connection status in a queue. The device waits, subsequent to storing the connection status, for expiration of a time delay; and retrieves, subsequent to the expiration of the time delay, the connection status or another connection status from the queue. The device sends, based on the retrieved connection status or the other connection status, a service validation request to a server associated with the PLMN, and receives from the server, in response to the service validation request, a validation response that authorizes service delivery to the device via a PLMN.

Herein disclosed are systems, methods, and apparatus for controlling data usage statistics in network-connected devices. The stats collection can be suppressed during minimum window periods, thereby reducing CPU and resources usage needed to processes the stats collection. Further, the minimum window can be a function of a link speed of the communication channel as well as a data usage proximity to a data usage warning limit. Further, stats collection can be triggered by expiration of a timer or data usage that meets a buffer threshold, where both the timer and threshold are selected based on the communication channel link speed, and buffer threshold is further a function of the data usage proximity to the warning limit.

In certain cellular communication systems, a roaming communication device may attempt to establish a connection with a visited wireless communication network. Before allowing the connection, the visited network may check to see whether the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) of the device has been listed in an Equipment Identity Register (EIR) as being blocked, and may refuse the connection if the IMEI is listed as being blocked. In addition, when the home network of the device receives a request to authorize usage of the device, the home network may also check its own EIR to determine whether the IMEI has been blocked. If the IMEI has been blocked in the EIR of the home network, the home network indicates to the visited network that the connection should be refused.