System and method for network assisted control and monetization of tethering to mobile wireless devices

摘要

A way for managing use of a mobile wireless device in a tethering configuration is described. The disclosed mobile wireless system is configured to receive a message packet issued from a device tethered to the mobile wireless device. The system determines whether the mobile wireless device is permitted to pass messages on behalf of tethered devices by referencing a profile with which the mobile device is associated. The mobile wireless system discards the received message packet in response to determining from the profile that the mobile wireless device is not permitted to pass messages on behalf of tethered devices. Moreover, a number of ways for monetizing the supported tethering mode are described such that a service provider is adequately compensated for the increased demand on the mobile wireless network resources arising from support for the tethering mode of operation for a mobile wireless device.

主权项

1. A method for managing, by a mobile wireless data network access gateway on a packet-by-packet basis on an existing session, use of a mobile wireless device in a tethering configuration comprising:
receiving, by the mobile wireless data network access gateway, a message packet issued from a device tethered to the mobile wireless device for forwarding on the existing session; inspecting, by the mobile wireless data network access gateway, information within the message packet from the group consisting of:
application layer information, anddata layer information; and conditionally discarding, by the mobile wireless data network access gateway, the message packet from the mobile wireless device based upon:
determining, based on the inspecting, the message packet originated from a device tethered to the mobile wireless device, anddetermining the mobile wireless device is not permitted to pass message packets, on the existing session, on behalf of the device tethered to the mobile wireless device by referencing a profile with which the mobile device is associated.