Mobile communication device monitoring systems and methods

• US 10,045,327 B2
• Filed: 04/25/2016
• Issued: 08/07/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 01/17/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: eAgency, Inc.
• Original Assignee: eAgency, Inc.
• Inventors: Lotter, Robert A., Allard, Timothy S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran, Mong-Thuy
• Application Number:
  US15/138,174
• Publication Number:
  US 20160242143A1
• Time in Patent Office: 834 Days
• Field of Search: 455410, 455418
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/552 involving long-term monitoring or reporting
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/554 involving event detection and direct action
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/6218 to a system of files or objects, e.g. local or distributed file system or database
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/6272 by registering files or documents with a third party
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2151 Time stamp
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3278 RFID or NFC payments by means of M-devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/40 Authorisation, e.g. identification of payer or payee, verification of customer or shop credentials; Review and approval of payers, e.g. check credit lines or negative lists
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/405 Establishing or using transaction specific rules
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/102 Entity profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/1408 by monitoring network traffic monitoring network traffic per se H04L43/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/20 for managing network security; network security policies in general filtering policies H04L63/0227
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72463 to restrict the functionality of the device
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/47 Fraud detection or prevention means
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/48 Secure or trusted billing, e.g. trusted elements or encryption
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/58 based on statistics of usage or network monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/93 using near field or similar technologies
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/60 logging of communication history, e.g. outgoing or incoming calls, missed calls, messages or URLs
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/2218 Call detail recording
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/2281 Call monitoring, e.g. for law enforcement purposes; Call tracing; Detection or prevention of malicious calls
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/08 Access security
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/12 : Detection or prevention of fraud
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/37 : Managing security policies for mobile devices or for controlling mobile applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/00 : Supervisory, monitoring or testing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/08 : Testing, supervising or monitoring using real traffic
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/50 : Service provisioning or reconfiguring
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/80 : Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 68/12 : Inter-network notification
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/005 : Discovery of network devices, e.g. terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/18 : Processing of user or subscriber data, e.g. subscribed services, user preferences or user profiles; Transfer of user or subscriber data

Abstract

Systems and methods are directed to monitoring the communications to and from a mobile communication device in accordance with one or more embodiments. For example in accordance with an embodiment, data services on a mobile communication device, such as communications, application use, functionality, operability, and/or presence, may be monitored against rules available from a central data center repository. The rules may be enforced on the mobile communication device through a token device in short range wireless communications with the mobile communication device. Thus, the token device may prevent certain data services of the mobile communication device within a local area to the token device. An alert may be provided to an administrator when unauthorized data services are detected and/or a message may be sent to a third party to prevent the unauthorized activity.

Claims

1. A mobile communication device, comprising:

a memory configured to store mobile programs and program data associated with mobile applications;

a processor, coupled to the memory and configured to execute the mobile programs stored in the memory;

a communications port configured to wirelessly communicate with a wireless communication device; and

wherein the mobile applications comprise a monitoring program configured to;

receive permission rules on connection to the wireless communication device, wherein the permission rules comprise data services uses allowed using the mobile communication device based on activities of the mobile communication device, and wherein the permission rules are set by an administrator of the wireless communication device prior to the connection to the wireless communication device;

monitor device activity of the mobile communication device, wherein the device activity comprises at least one data services use for the mobile communication device based on at least one activity performed by the mobile communication device, and wherein the at least one activity comprises identification of the at least one data services use; and

determine whether the at least one data services use is allowed based at least in part on whether the identification of the at least one data services use is found in the permission rules for the data services uses allowed based on the activities of the mobile communication device.

2. The mobile communication device of claim 1, wherein the mobile programs comprises at least one of a mobile communication program, a social networking program, a financial program, a photo application, a video application, a multimedia application, a web browser application, and a connected device control application.

3. The mobile communication device of claim 1, wherein the monitoring program is further configured to:

compile the device activity into an activity log of data usage by the mobile communication device, wherein the data usage are generated in part by the at least one data services use; and

transmit the activity log to a data center of a service provider via the communications port;

wherein the service provider comprises an alert monitor program configured to;

alert a third party of the at least one data services use based on the permission rules.

4. The mobile communication device of claim 3, wherein the activity log further comprises the at least one activity and information for a connection between the mobile communication device and the wireless communication device, and wherein the alert monitor program further alerts the third party based on the at least one activity and the information.

5. The mobile communication device of claim 1, wherein the permission rules comprise at least one of application use allowed on the mobile communication device, hardware feature use allowed on the mobile communication device, operability of the mobile communication device, and presence of the mobile communication device.

6. The mobile communication device of claim 1, wherein the at least one data services use comprise one of an application opening, an application use, a request to access or use a device hardware feature, a device identifier, and a device signal response.

7. The mobile communication device of claim 1, wherein the at least one activity comprises at least one of a location of the mobile communication device, detection of the mobile communication device, a time of presence of the mobile communication device at the location, and a use of the mobile communication device at the location.

8. The mobile communication device of claim 1, wherein the wireless communication device comprises one of an RFID token device, a Bluetooth Low Energy beacon device, and an NFC token device.

9. The mobile communication device of claim 1, wherein the monitoring program is further configured to:

deactivate the at least one data services use if the at least one data services use is not allowed based on the permission rules.

10. The mobile communication device of claim 9, wherein the monitoring program is further configured to:

alert a third party of a use or attempted use of the at least one data services use on the mobile communication device.

11. The mobile communication device of claim 10, wherein the third party is further alerted of a location of the mobile communication device, and wherein the location is determined from one of the wireless communication device and a GPS locator device of the mobile communication device.

12. The mobile communication device of claim 1, wherein the monitoring program is further configured to:

activate or install an application the mobile communication device if the at least one data services use for the mobile communication device is allowed based on the at least one activity and the permission rules.

13. The mobile communication device of claim 12, wherein the monitoring program is further configured to:

alert a third party of the application activated or installed on the mobile communication device.

14. The mobile communication device of claim 1, wherein the monitoring program is further configured to:

connect to a separate device associated with the wireless communication device if the at least one data services use is allowed based on the permission rules.

15. The mobile communication device of claim 1, wherein the permission rules are received from the wireless communication device.

16. The mobile communication device of claim 1, wherein the permission rules are received from a service provider, and wherein the mobile communication device retrieves the permissions rules an identifier ID transmitted by the wireless communication device to the mobile communication device.

17. A method of using the system of claim 1, comprising:

receiving the permission rules on connection by the mobile communication device to the wireless communication device, wherein the permission rules comprise the data services uses allowed using the mobile communication device based on the activities of the mobile communication device;

monitoring the device activity of the mobile communication device, wherein the device activity comprises the at least one data services use for the mobile communication device and the at least one activity of the mobile communication device; and

determining whether the at least one data services use is allowed based at least in part on whether the at least one data services use with the at least one activity is found in the permission rules for the data services uses allowed based on the activities of the mobile communication device.

18. A wireless device comprising:

a non-transitory memory configured to store information associated with permission rules for data services uses allowed on a mobile communication device based on activities of the mobile communication device, wherein the permission rules are set by an administrator of the wireless device prior to connection with the mobile communication device by the wireless device;

a communications port configured to wirelessly communicate with the mobile communication device; and

a hardware processor coupled to the non-transitory memory and configured to read the non-transitory memory to;

detect the mobile communication device is in a proximity to the wireless device;

wirelessly connect to the mobile communication device through the communications port; and

configure the mobile communication device using the permission rules through the communications port, wherein at least one data services use is allowed or restricted based at least in part on whether an identification of the at least one data services use from at least one activity performed by the mobile communication device is found in the permission rules for the data services uses allowed based on the activities of the mobile communication device.

19. The wireless device of claim 18, wherein the information comprises one of the permission rules and an identifier (ID) used to retrieve the permission rules from a service provider.

20. The wireless device of claim 19, wherein the communications port comprises a passive antenna responsive to wireless signals, and wherein the passive antenna detects a signal from the mobile communication device and transmit the one of the permission rules and the ID to the mobile communication device.

21. The wireless device of claim 19, wherein the communications port comprises an active antenna configured to actively detect nearby devices through a wireless signal, and wherein the active antenna detects the mobile communication device through the wireless signal and pushes one of the one of the permission rules and the ID to the mobile communication device.

22. The wireless device of claim 18, wherein the wireless device is mounted in one of a secure file area, a secure room at a location, a vehicle, and a personal location.

23. The wireless device of claim 18, wherein the permission rules restrict at least one of a hardware feature, an application, an application process, use, and presence of the mobile communication device at a location associated with the wireless device.

24. The wireless device of claim 18, wherein the wireless device wirelessly connects to the mobile communication device through one of radio frequency communications, near field communications, Bluetooth communications, Bluetooth low energy communications.

25. The wireless device of claim 18, wherein the hardware processor is further configured to:

alert a third party of the at least one data services use with at least one activity of the mobile communication device at a location associated with the wireless device.

26. The wireless device of claim 18, wherein the hardware processor is further configured to:

detect the at least one data services use with at least one activity of the mobile communication device at a location associated with the wireless device,

wherein the mobile communication device is configured using the permission rules to prevent the at least one data services use with at least one activity at the location.

27. The wireless device of claim 18, wherein the hardware processor is further configured to:

detect the at least one data services use with at least one activity of the mobile communication device at a location associated with the wireless device,

wherein the mobile communication device is configured using the permission rules to activate or download an application for the at least one data services use with at least one activity at the location.

28. A method of using the system of claim 18, comprising:

detecting the mobile communication device is in the proximity to the wireless device;

wirelessly connecting to the mobile communication device through the communications port; and

configure the mobile communication device using the permission rules through the communications port, wherein the at least one data services use is allowed or restricted based at least in part on whether the at least one data services use with the at least one activity of the mobile communication device is found in the permission rules for the data services uses allowed based on the activities of the mobile communication device.

29. A method, comprising:

receiving an identifier (ID) for a wireless device, wherein a mobile communication device connects to the wireless device based on device activity of the mobile communication device, wherein the device activity comprises at least one data services use for the mobile communication device based on at least one activity performed by the mobile communication device, and wherein the at least one activity comprises identification of the at least one data services use;

retrieving the device activity from the mobile communication device;

accessing permission rules for at least one of the mobile communication device and the wireless device, wherein the permission rules comprise data services uses allowed using the mobile communication device based on activities of the mobile communication device; and

wherein the permission rules are set by an administrator of the wireless device prior to connecting with the mobile communication device by the wireless device; and

determining whether the at least one data services use is allowed based at least in part on whether the identification of the at least one data services use is found in the permission rules for the data services uses allowed based on the activities of the mobile communication device.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the wireless device comprises one of an RFID token device, a Bluetooth Low Energy beacon device, and an NFC token device.

31. The method of claim 29, further comprising:

configuring the mobile communication device to prevent the at least one data services use if the at least one data services use is not allowed based on the permission rules.

32. The method of claim 29, further comprising:

configuring the mobile communication device to activate or install an application associated with the at least one data services use if the at least one data services use is allowed based on the permission rules.

33. The method of claim 29, further comprising:

alert a third party of the at least one data services use with at least one activity of the mobile communication device at a location associated with the wireless device.

34. A system for implementing the method of claim 29, comprising:

a service provider for a mobile communication device;

a network data monitor associated with the service provider and configured to;

receive the ID for the wireless device, wherein the mobile communication device connects to the wireless device based on the device activity of the mobile communication device, wherein the device activity comprises the at least one data services use for the mobile communication device and the at least one activity of the mobile communication device;

retrieve the device activity from the mobile communication device;

access the permission rules for the at least one of the mobile communication device and the wireless device, wherein the permission rules comprise the data services uses allowed using the mobile communication device based on the activities of the mobile communication device; and

determine whether the at least one data services use is allowed based at least in part on whether the at least one data services use with the at least one activity is found in the permission rules for the data services uses allowed based on the activities of the mobile communication device.

35. A method comprising:

receiving input from an administrator for a wireless device, wherein the input comprises rules data for use of a mobile communication device in a proximity to the wireless device, and wherein the input is received by the wireless device from the administrator of the wireless device prior to the wireless device connecting with the mobile communication device;

establishing permission rules for the wireless device based on the input, wherein the permission rules comprise data services uses allowed using the mobile communication device based on activities of the mobile communication device;

connecting to the wireless device; and

configuring the wireless device with the permission rules, wherein the wireless device configures the mobile communication device to allow or restrict at least one data services use of the mobile communication device based at least in part on whether an identification of the at least one data services use from at least one activity performed by the mobile communication device is found in the permission rules for the data services uses allowed based on the activities of the mobile communication device.

36. The method of claim 35, further comprising:

receiving an alert from the wireless device, wherein the alert comprises a detection of a presence or use of the mobile communication device by the wireless device.

37. The method of claim 35, further comprising:

receiving updates to the permission rules; and

updating the permission rules on the wireless device with the updates.

38. An administrator device for implementing the method of claim 35, comprising:

a memory configured to store applications and the permission rules;

a processor, coupled to the memory and configured to execute the applications stored in the memory;

a communications port configured to wirelessly communicate with a wireless communication device; and

wherein the applications comprise a device data monitor program configured to;

receive the input from the administrator for the wireless device, wherein the input comprises the rules data for use of the mobile communication device in the proximity to the wireless device;

determine the permission rules for the wireless device using the input, wherein the permission rules comprise the data services uses allowed using the mobile communication device based on the activities of the mobile communication device;

connect to the wireless device; and

configure the wireless device with the permission rules, wherein the wireless device configures the mobile communication device to allow or restrict the at least one data services use of the mobile communication device based at least in part on whether the at least one data services use with the at least one activity of the mobile communication device is found in the permission rules for the data services uses allowed based on the activities of the mobile communication device.