An embodiment logical function architecture for next-generation 5G wireless networks may include a control plane comprising a software defined topology (SDT) logical entity configured to establish a virtual data-plane logical topology for a service, a software defined resource allocation (SDRA) logical entity configured to map the virtual data-plane topology to a physical data-plane for transporting service-related traffic over the wireless network, and a software defined per-service customized data plane process (SDP) logical entity configured to select transport protocol(s) for transporting the service-related traffic over a physical data-plane of the wireless network. An embodiment virtual service specific serving gateway (v-s-SGW) for next-generation 5G networks may be assigned specifically to a service being provided by a group of wirelessly enabled devices, and may be responsible for aggregating service-related traffic communicated by the group of wirelessly enabled devices.

A method for off-loading tasks between a set of wireless earpieces in an embodiment of the present invention may have one or more of the following steps: (a) monitoring battery levels of the set of wireless earpieces, (b) determining the first wireless earpiece battery level and the second wireless battery level, (c) communicating the battery levels of each wireless earpiece to the other wireless earpiece of the set of wireless earpieces, (d) assigning a first task involving one or more of the following: computing tasks, background tasks, audio processing tasks, and sensor data analysis tasks from one of the set of wireless earpieces to the other wireless earpiece if the battery level of the one of the set of wireless earpieces falls below a critical threshold, (e) communicating data for use in performing a second task to the other wireless earpiece if the second task is communicated to the first wireless earpiece.

An intelligent gateway device provided at a premise (home or business) for providing and managing application services associated with use and support of a plurality of digital endpoint devices associated with the premises. The device includes a communications and processing infrastructure integrated with a peer and presence messaging based communications protocol for enabling communications between the device and an external support network and between the device and connected digital endpoint devices. A services framework at the gateway device implements the communications and processing infrastructure for enabling service management, service configuration, and authentication of user of services at the intelligent gateway. The framework provides a storage and execution environment for supporting and executing received service logic modules relating to use, management, and support of the digital endpoint devices. Thus, the gateway device provides a network-based services point of presence for a plurality of digital endpoint devices at the premises.

Techniques for distributed charging in digital telecommunications networks are disclosed. In one particular embodiment, the techniques may be realized as a method that includes provisioning a data path that carries a plurality of network flows, receiving a shared usage quota associated with the plurality of network flows, and allocating the shared usage quota among the plurality of network flows. For each network flow among the plurality of network flows, the method includes providing the data path with data indicative of an amount of the shared usage quota allocated to the network flow, configuring the data path to collect metering data associated with the network flow, and configuring the data path to enforce the shared usage quota based on the metering data associated with the network flow and the amount of the shared usage quota allocated to the network flow.

A method for off-loading tasks between a set of wireless earpieces in an embodiment of the present invention may have one or more of the following steps: (a) monitoring battery levels of the set of wireless earpieces, (b) determining the first wireless earpiece battery level and the second wireless battery level, (c) communicating the battery levels of each wireless earpiece to the other wireless earpiece of the set of wireless earpieces, (d) assigning a first task involving one or more of the following: computing tasks, background tasks, audio processing tasks, and sensor data analysis tasks from one of the set of wireless earpieces to the other wireless earpiece if the battery level of the one of the set of wireless earpieces falls below a critical threshold, (e) communicating data for use in performing a second task to the other wireless earpiece if the second task is communicated to the first wireless earpiece.

Techniques for distributed charging in digital telecommunications networks are disclosed. In one particular embodiment, the techniques may be realized as a method that includes provisioning a data path that carries a plurality of network flows, receiving a shared usage quota associated with the plurality of network flows, and allocating the shared usage quota among the plurality of network flows. For each network flow among the plurality of network flows, the method includes providing the data path with data indicative of an amount of the shared usage quota allocated to the network flow, configuring the data path to collect metering data associated with the network flow, and configuring the data path to enforce the shared usage quota based on the metering data associated with the network flow and the amount of the shared usage quota allocated to the network flow.

A system for generating and applying a secure token in a resource distribution network is provided. For example, a headend system generates a global token based on a time duration specified for multiple meters that are in communication with the headend system through at least a mesh network in a normal condition. The global token is associated with the time duration and is applicable to the multiple meters. The headend system causes the global token to be broadcast via a broadcast network. After receiving the global token, the meter verifies the global token and determines the time duration associated with the global token. The meter further connects premises associated with the meter to a resource distribution network for at least the time duration associated with the global token.

Unsolicited electronic communications such as robocalls and person-initiated solicitation calls are reduced by imposing tolls for completion of the connections to the called parties, and refunding the tolls to the entities indicated by the electronic communications as the calling parties. In this way, a dishonest originator of a spoofed call bears the cost of the toll, and the toll is not refunded to the dishonest originator. On the other hand, the toll collected from an honest originator of a non-spoofed call is refunded to the honest originator, making the toll transparent to the honest originator and avoiding annoyance of the honest caller caused by the toll. Unsolicited calls may be subjected to filtering, particularly filtering based on the indications of the origins of the calls.

A first charging data record (CDR) generating node can receive charging server information and available CDR storage information from a second CDR generating node. The first CDR generating node can detect that the charging server is unavailable to receive CDRs from the first CDR generating node. The first CDR generating node can also determine that a CDR storage area corresponding to the first CDR generating node should not be used to store additional CDRs. The first CDR generating node can also select the second CDR generating node for storing the additional CDRs that are generated by the first CDR generating node. The second CDR generating node can be selected based at least in part on the charging server information and the available CDR storage information. The first CDR generating node can cause at least one CDR to be sent to the second CDR generating node.

A system is disclosed for providing configurable flow management, comprising: a first base station coupled to a user device and with an established control connection with the user device; and a coordinating node coupled to the first base station and coupled to a core network, thereby providing a gateway for the first base station and the user device to the core network, the core network further comprising a policy and charging rules function (PCRF) node with a database of policy rules, wherein the coordinating node is configured to retrieve policy rules from the PCRF node, to enable enforcement of retrieved policy rules on flows from the user device passing through the coordinating node, and to transmit policy rules to the first base station for enforcement at the first base station.