Femtocell service registration, activation, and provisioning

US8655361B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignees

• AT&T Mobility II LLC · US
• AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P. · US

Inventors

• Robert Wayne Lott · Cumming, US
• Ravindra Babu Gurajala · Bothell, US
• Kurt Huber · Coral Springs, US
• Judson John Flynn · Decatur, US
• William Gordon Mansfield · Sugar Hill, US
• Jefferey Thomas Seymour · Douglasville, US
• Rahul Neelakantan · Johns Creek, US
• Thomas Joseph Pitassi · Harrisburg, US
• John P. Davis, III · Marietta, US
• Alfreda Downie · Atlanta, US
• Stephen Leon Favor · Bothell, US
• Brian Keith Rainer · Lawrenceville, US
• Dipak Kumar Sahoo · Bothell, US
• Victoria Collier · Somerville, US
• William Adams · Everett, US
• Glen Zdroik · Long Valley, US
• Gerald V. Porter · Chesterfield, US
• Daniela Pechova Diefenbach · Atlanta, US
• Robert Bryon Chambers · Cumming, US
• David Glass · Redmond, US
• Ewa Monika Reppling Sack · Seattle, US
• Liane F. Rulifson · Seattle, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 26, 2013
• Grant date: Feb 18, 2014
• Expiry date: Jun 26, 2033

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H04W84/045
• WIPO field: Digital communication
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

A femto cell service framework is employed for registration, activation, and provisioning of femtocell service. An account management service enables femtocell account creation, and registration thereof. Registration includes validation of wireless coverage for a location of operation of a femto AP, and validation of availability enhanced 911 (E911) service. As part of registration provisioning, record(s) are updated to indicate registration status. Connection of femto AP to a network interface triggers activation process; the femto AP delivers an activation request. A femto network validates registration of the connected femto AP and conducts a location tolerance check of a received actual location of the femto AP and a registered location. Upon tolerance validation, a cell identifier and radio frequency channel(s) are assigned to femto AP. When femto AP radiates wireless signal, network activation status indicators are provisioned. Handling of errors that arise during registration or activation is provided.