System and method for wireless data terminal management using telecommunication signaling network

• US 20020069259A1
• Filed: 12/20/2001
• Published: 06/06/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/05/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alcatel-Lucent SA (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Mformation Technologies Incorporated
• Inventors: Kushwaha, Rakesh, Nath, Badri
• Granted Patent: US 7,343,408 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/217
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/046 comprising network management agents or mobile agents therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0803 Configuration setting
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0869 Validating the configuration within one network element
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/04 Real-time or near real-time messaging, e.g. instant messaging [IM]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/58 Message adaptation for wireless communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/04 specially adapted for terminals or networks with limited capabilities; specially adapted for terminal portability
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/125 involving control of end-device applications over a network
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/00 Supervisory, monitoring or testing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/245 from a network towards a terminal

Abstract

A method, system, and computer program product that provides the capability to manage, control, and reconfigure wireless devices remotely over a wireless network with acceptable reliability and security. A method for remotely managing a wireless device over a telecommunications network comprising a server and the wireless device, the method comprises the steps of establishing a communicative connection between the server and the wireless device over a signaling channel of the telecommunications network, transmitting a command from the server to the wireless device over the signaling network, and executing the command at the wireless device.

Claims

1. A method for remotely managing a wireless device over a telecommunications network comprising a server and the wireless device, the method comprising the steps of:

establishing a communicative connection between the server and the wireless device over a signaling channel of the telecommunications network;

transmitting a command from the server to the wireless device over the signaling network; and

executing the command at the wireless device after verifying the signature of the command and signature of the device is in agreement.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the signaling channel of the telecommunications network comprises a Common Channel Signaling System 7 channel.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the signaling channel of the telecommunications network comprises a Short Message Service.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the transmitting step comprises the step of:

transmitting the command to a management agent process executing on the wireless device.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the transmitting step comprises the step of:

transmitting the command to a management agent process executing on the wireless device in a Short Message Service message.

6. The method of claim 3, wherein the transmitting step comprises the step of:

transmitting the command to a management agent process executing on the wireless device.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the communicative connection is established periodically.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the communicative connection is established based on a threshold condition.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein the command comprises at least one of:

enabling/disabling access of the wireless device to the server;

enabling/disabling applications that may run on the wireless device;

erasing all or part of contents of the wireless device;

transmitting new commands and parameters to the wireless device;

querying a current state of the wireless device;

monitoring a level of a battery in the wireless device;

monitoring a location of the wireless device in the wireless network; and

reconfiguring applications that may run on the wireless device.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of:

transmitting information relating to execution of the command at the wireless device from the wireless device to the server.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the information relating to execution of the command is transmitted periodically.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the information relating to execution of the command is transmitted based on a threshold condition of the wireless device.

13. The method of claim 3, wherein the transmitting step comprises the step of:

transmitting registration information relating to the wireless device from the wireless device to the server;

verifying the registration information at the server;

establishing a DCB for the wireless device at the server;

placing a command for the wireless device in the DCB; and

delivering the command from the DCB to the wireless device.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the delivering step comprises the steps of:

establishing a connection between the wireless device and the server;

transmitting a request for contents of the DCB from the wireless device to the server; and

transmitting the contents of the DCB from the server to the wireless device.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the connection is established periodically.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the connection is established based on a threshold condition.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein the delivering step comprises the steps of:

establishing a connection between the wireless device and the server;

transmitting the contents of the DCB from the server to the wireless device without a request from the wireless device; and

accepting the contents of the DCB at the wireless device.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the connection is established periodically.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein the connection is established based on a threshold condition.

20. The method of claim 13, wherein the command comprises one of:

enabling/disabling access of the wireless device to the server;

enabling/disabling applications that may run on the wireless device;

erasing all or part of contents of the wireless device;

transmitting new commands and paramters to the wireless device;

querying a current state of the wireless device;

monitoring a level of a battery in the wireless device;

monitoring a location of the wireless device in the wireless network; and

reconfiguring applications that may run on the wireless device.

21. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of:

transmitting information relating to execution of the command at the wireless device from the wireless device to the server.

22. The method of claim 22, wherein the information relating to execution of the command is transmitted periodically.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the information relating to execution of the command is transmitted based on a threshold condition of the wireless device.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the signaling channel of the telecommunications network comprises a Common Channel Signaling System 7 channel.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the signaling channel of the telecommunications network comprises a Short Message Service.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the transmitting step comprises the step of:

transmitting the command to a management agent process executing on the wireless device.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the transmitting step comprises the step of:

transmitting the command to a management agent process executing on the wireless device in a Short Message Service message.

29. The method of claim 26, wherein the transmitting step comprises the step of:

transmitting the command to a management agent process executing on the wireless device.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the communicative connection is established periodically.

31. The method of claim 29, wherein the communicative connection is established based on a threshold condition.

32. The method of claim 29, wherein the command comprises at least one of:

enabling/disabling access of the wireless device to the server;

enabling/disabling applications that may run on the wireless device;

erasing all or part of contents of the wireless device;

transmitting new commands and parameters to the wireless device;

querying a current state of the wireless device;

monitoring a level of a battery in the wireless device;

monitoring a location of the wireless device in the wireless network; and

reconfiguring applications that may run on the wireless device.

33. The method of claim 32, further comprising the step of:

transmitting information relating to execution of the command at the wireless device from the wireless device to the server.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein the information relating to execution of the command is transmitted periodically.

35. The method of claim 28, wherein the transmitting step comprises the steps of:

receiving registration information from the wireless device;

verifying the received registration information;

placing a command for the wireless device in a DCB; and

delivering the command to the wireless device.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein the delivering step comprises the steps of:

establishing a connection with the wireless device;

receiving a request for contents of the DCB from the wireless device; and

transmitting the contents of the DCB to the wireless device.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein the connection is established periodically.

38. The method of claim 36, wherein the connection is established based on a threshold condition.

39. The method of claim 35, wherein the delivering step comprises the steps of:

establishing a connection with the wireless device; and

transmitting the contents of the DCB to the wireless device without a request from the wireless device.

40. The method of claim 39, wherein the connection is established periodically.

41. The method of claim 39, wherein the connection is established based on a threshold condition.

42. The method of claim 35, wherein the command comprises one of:

enabling/disabling access of the wireless device to the server;

enabling/disabling applications that may run on the wireless device;

erasing all or part of contents of the wireless device;

transmitting new commands and parameters to the wireless device;

querying a current state of the wireless device;

monitoring a level of a battery in the wireless device; and

monitoring a location of the wireless device in the wireless network.

43. The method of claim 35, further comprising the step of:

receiving information relating to execution of the command at the wireless device from the wireless device.

24. A method for remotely managing a wireless device over a telecommunications network comprising the steps of:

establishing a communicative connection with the wireless device over a signaling channel of the telecommunications network; and

transmitting a command to the wireless device over the signaling network.; and

executing the command at the wireless device.

44. A system for remotely managing a wireless device over a wireless network, the system comprising:

a processor operable to execute computer program instructions; and

a memory operable to store computer program instructions executable by the processor, for performing the steps of;

establishing a communicative connection between the server and the wireless device over a signaling channel of the telecommunications network;

transmitting a command from the server to the wireless device over the signaling network; and

executing the command at the wireless device.

45. The system of claim 44, wherein the signaling channel of the telecommunications network comprises a Common Channel Signaling System 7 channel.

46. The system of claim 45, wherein the signaling channel of the telecommunications network comprises a Short Message Service.

47. The system of claim 46, wherein the transmitting step comprises the step of:

transmitting the command to a management agent process executing on the wireless device.

48. The system of claim 47, wherein the transmitting step comprises the step of:

transmitting the command to a management agent process executing on the wireless device in a Short Message Service message.

49. The system of claim 46, wherein the transmitting step comprises the step of:

transmitting the command to a management agent process executing on the wireless device.

50. The system of claim 49, wherein the communicative connection is established periodically.

51. The system of claim 49, wherein the communicative connection is established based on a threshold condition.

52. The system of claim 49, wherein the command comprises at least one of:

enabling/disabling access of the wireless device to the server;

enabling/disabling applications that may run on the wireless device;

erasing all or part of contents of the wireless device;

transmitting new commands and parameters to the wireless device;

querying a current state of the wireless device;

monitoring a level of a battery in the wireless device;

monitoring a location of the wireless device in the wireless network; and

reconfiguring applications that may run on the wireless device.

53. The system of claim 52, further comprising the step of:

transmitting information relating to execution of the command at the wireless device from the wireless device to the server.

54. The system of claim 53, wherein the information relating to execution of the command is transmitted periodically.

55. The system of claim 53, wherein the information relating to execution of the command is transmitted based on a threshold condition of the wireless device.

56. The system of claim 46, wherein the transmitting step comprises the step of:

receiving registration information from the wireless device;

verifying the received registration information;

placing a command for the wireless device in a DCB; and

delivering the command to the wireless device.

57. The system of claim 56, wherein the delivering step comprises the steps of:

establishing a connection with the wireless device;

receiving a request for contents of the DCB from the wireless device; and

transmitting the contents of the DCB to the wireless device.

58. The system of claim 57, wherein the connection is established periodically.

59. The system of claim 57, wherein the connection is established based on a threshold condition.

60. The system of claim 56, wherein the delivering step comprises the steps of:

establishing a connection with the wireless device; and

transmitting the contents of the DCB to the wireless device without a request from the wireless device.

61. The system of claim 60, wherein the connection is established periodically.

62. The system of claim 60, wherein the connection is established based on a threshold condition.

63. The system of claim 56, wherein the command comprises at least one of:

enabling/disabling access of the wireless device to the server;

enabling/disabling applications that may run on the wireless device;

erasing all or part of contents of the wireless device;

transmitting new commands and parameters to the wireless device;

querying a current state of the wireless device;

monitoring a level of a battery in the wireless device;

monitoring a location of the wireless device in the wireless network; and

reconfiguring applications that may run on the wireless device.

64. The system of claim 56, further comprising the step of:

receiving information relating to execution of the command at the wireless device from the wireless device.

65. A computer program product for remotely managing a wireless device over a wireless network, comprising:

a computer readable medium;

computer program instructions, recorded on the computer readable medium, executable by a processor, for performing the steps of

establishing a communicative connection between the server and the wireless device over a signaling channel of the telecommunications network;

transmitting a command from the server to the wireless device over the signaling network; and

executing the command at the wireless device.

66. The computer program product of claim 65, wherein the signaling channel of the telecommunications network comprises a Common Channel Signaling System 7 channel.

67. The computer program product of claim 66, wherein the signaling channel of the telecommunications network comprises a Short Message Service.

68. The computer program product of claim 67, wherein the transmitting step comprises the step of:

transmitting the command to a management agent process executing on the wireless device.

69. The computer program product of claim 68, wherein the transmitting step comprises the step of:

transmitting the command to a management agent process executing on the wireless device in a Short Message Service message.

70. The computer program product of claim 67, wherein the transmitting step comprises the step of:

transmitting the command to a management agent process executing on the wireless device.

71. The computer program product of claim 70, wherein the communicative connection is established periodically.

72. The computer program product of claim 70, wherein the communicative connection is established based on a threshold condition.

73. The computer program product of claim 70, wherein the command comprises at least one of:

enabling/disabling access of the wireless device to the server;

enabling/disabling applications that may run on the wireless device;

erasing all or part of contents of the wireless device;

transmitting new commands and parameters to the wireless device;

querying a current state of the wireless device;

monitoring a level of a battery in the wireless device;

monitoring a location of the wireless device in the wireless network; and

reconfiguring applications that may run on the wireless device.

74. The computer program product of claim 73, further comprising the step of:

transmitting information relating to execution of the command at the wireless device from the wireless device to the server.

75. The computer program product of claim 74, wherein the information relating to execution of the command is transmitted periodically.

76. The computer program product of claim 74, wherein the information relating to execution of the command is transmitted based on a threshold condition of the wireless device.

77. The computer program product of claim 67, wherein the transmitting step comprises the step of:

receiving registration information from the wireless device;

verifying the received registration information;

placing a command for the wireless device in a DCB; and

delivering the command to the wireless device.

78. The computer program product of claim 77, wherein the delivering step comprises the steps of:

establishing a connection with the wireless device;

receiving a request for contents of the DCB from the wireless device; and

transmitting the contents of the DCB to the wireless device.

79. The computer program product of claim 78, wherein the connection is established periodically.

80. The computer program product of claim 78, wherein the connection is established based on a threshold condition.

81. The computer program product of claim 77, wherein the delivering step comprises the steps of:

establishing a connection with the wireless device; and

transmitting the contents of the DCB to the wireless device without a request from the wireless device.

82. The computer program product of claim 81, wherein the connection is established periodically.

83. The computer program product of claim 81, wherein the connection is established based on a threshold condition.

84. The computer program product of claim 77, wherein the command comprises one of:

enabling/disabling access of the wireless device to the server;

enabling/disabling applications that may run on the wireless device;

erasing all or part of contents of the wireless device;

transmitting new commands and parameters to the wireless device;

querying a current state of the wireless device;

monitoring a level of a battery in the wireless device;

monitoring a location of the wireless device in the wireless network; and

reconfiguring applications that may run on the wireless device.

85. The computer program product of claim 77, further comprising the step of:

receiving information relating to execution of the command at the wireless device from the wireless device.