Automated device behavior management based on network charging and rating conditions

• US 20040203584A1
• Filed: 12/19/2002
• Published: 10/14/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Cingular Wireless II LLC (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: White, Christopher
• Granted Patent: US 6,999,748 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/406
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/00 Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/43 Billing software details
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/72 by the user
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/721 using the Internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/725 by the operator
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/745 Customizing according to wishes of subscriber, e.g. friends or family
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0108 Customization according to wishes of subscriber, e.g. customer preferences, friends and family, selecting services or billing options, Personal Communication Systems [PCS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0168 On line or real-time flexible customization or negotiation according to wishes of subscriber
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/2026 Wireless network, e.g. GSM, PCS, TACS
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/32 Involving wireless systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/7036 Administer via user
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/7045 Using Internet or WAP
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/7063 Administer via operator
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/24 Accounting or billing

Abstract

Disclosed embodiments include a method for automatically managing wireless device actions based on network provider-controlled financial conditions, such as the current rate (e.g., cents/minute) for a voice or data communication. In one embodiment, the user configures preferences indicating how the device should behave based on certain financial conditions. The device and the provider communicate transparently to the user to monitor current financial conditions and take actions automatically based on the user preferences. The provider communicates current financial conditions, and the device takes actions according to the user preferences, including executing downloaded applications on the device.

Claims

1. A method for automatically managing wireless device actions based on network provider-controlled financial conditions, the method comprising:

receiving user preferences regarding device actions to be associated with a financial condition, wherein the financial condition relates to a current provider-imposed cost of using a wireless device, and wherein receiving user preferences includes receiving user specification of actions to be taken by the device when certain financial conditions are current;

updating configuration data in the device to reflect the user preferences, including storing the specified actions and associating the specified actions with the financial conditions;

sending a message to the device when one or more of the financial conditions becomes current; and

the device automatically performing actions in response to the occurrence of the financial condition, including automatically executing one or more downloaded applications.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein automatically performing actions further comprises the device looking up the financial condition and looking up at least one application to be executed in response to the financial condition.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the message sent to the device is an encoded short message service (“

SMS”

) message that includes the financial condition.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the message sent to the device is an encoded short message service (“

SMS”

) message, and wherein the device responds to the message by opening a data connection to retrieve the financial condition.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the certain financial conditions include:

a peak rate being current;

an off-peak rate being current;

a minute bucket being empty;

the wireless device means currently roaming for service;

the wireless device means currently on network; and

a start of a new billing period.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the user preferences apply to one or more devices associated with a responsible billing party, such that each associated device automatically performs the same actions in response to an occurrence of a same financial condition, including automatically executing one or more downloaded applications.

7. A method for automatically managing wireless device actions based on financial conditions agreed with a wireless network service provider, the method comprising:

a wireless device receiving user preferences regarding actions to be taken by a device on an occurrence of a financial condition, wherein the financial condition relates to a current cost of using the device to communicate via a provider network;

the device updating configuration data in the device to reflect the user preferences;

the service provider sending a message to the device when the financial condition occurs; and

the device automatically performing actions in response to the occurrence of the financial condition, including automatically executing one or more downloaded applications, transparently to the user.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein updating the configuration data further comprises:

receiving a message from the provider indicating a change in user preference information;

initiating a data session with the provider;

retrieving preference information and updating data in the wireless device, wherein the data in the wireless device includes financial conditions recognized by the device and applications to be executed in response to the financial conditions, wherein the applications include one or more downloaded application.

9. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

individually configuring the one or more downloaded applications, each of which has one or more supplier-dictated configuration procedures, including,

configuration through a device user interface;

configuration through a personal computer via the Internet; and

remote configuration by a supplier of the downloaded application through a data connection.

10. The method of claim 7, comprising:

notifying the device a financial condition is current; and

the device responding by,

recognizing the financial condition; and

determining which of the one or more software applications is to be executed when the financial condition is current.

11. The method of claim 7, wherein the device responding comprises:

notifying the device a financial condition is current; and

the device responding by,

accessing a condition catalog that includes conditions recognized by the device; and

accessing a condition registry that related conditions to actions to be taken by the device, wherein the condition catalog and the condition registry are populated according to the user preferences.

12. The method of claim 7, further comprising the user remotely accessing a network provider application to configure the user preferences.

13. The method of claim 7, wherein sending a message comprises encoding a short message service (“

SMS”

) message.

14. The method of claim 7, wherein the financial condition comprises:

a peak rate being current;

an off-peak rate being current;

a minute bucket being empty;

the wireless device means currently roaming for service;

the wireless device means currently on network; and

a start of a new billing period.

15. A wireless communication system, comprising:

wireless communication provider equipment, comprising a storage device that stores provider software applications and data, including an event manager application and a short message service controller (SMSC) application;

a wireless communication device coupled to the provider equipment, comprising,

more than one software application, including native applications and downloaded applications, wherein the downloaded applications are individually configured by a wireless device user;

a condition catalog that stores a list of user-specified conditions related to a user'"'"'s cost for communicating using the wireless device;

a condition registry that stores relationships between conditions and actions, wherein the wireless device receives notification that a condition is current from the provider equipment and automatically performs one or more actions using one or more software applications based on predefined user preferences.

16. The wireless communication system of claim 15 wherein:

the event manager is configured to recognize that a condition has become current and send a message to the SMSC; and

the SMSC is configured to generate an encoded SMS message to the wireless device that indicates the condition is current.

17. The wireless communication system of claim 15 wherein the wireless device is configured to:

receive an encoded SMS message from the SMSC indicating the condition is current;

determine from the condition registry which applications should be executed in response to the condition; and

execute the indicated applications.

18. The wireless communication system of claim 15, wherein the wireless device is configured to communicate with a provider software application for allowing the user to define the user preferences, wherein communication includes communication via the Internet.

19. The wireless communication system of claim 15, wherein the native applications include a call controller application.

20. The wireless communication system of claim 15, wherein the native applications include a call controller application and the downloaded applications include an email application, an address book application, a custom ring application, a game application, and a media application.

21. The wireless communication system of claim 15, wherein the provider is a wireless cellular phone service provider and the wireless device is a cellular phone, wherein the conditions comprise:

a peak rate being current;

an off-peak rate being current;

a minute bucket being empty;

the wireless device means currently roaming for service;

the wireless device means currently on network; and

a start of a new billing period.

22. A wireless mobile device, comprising:

more than one application including native applications and downloaded applications;

a list of conditions recognized by the device, wherein the conditions relate to wireless network provider charges for using the device on a wireless network;

a list of relationships between the conditions and actions to be taken by the device, wherein the device is configured to receive a condition notification and take actions according to the list of relationships, wherein the actions comprise executing at least one of the downloaded applications.

23. The wireless mobile device of claim 22, wherein the list of conditions and the list of relationships are stored in a Java application management service (JAMS).

24. The wireless mobile device of claim 22, wherein the device is configured to communicate with the wireless network provider to allow a device user to configure preferences regarding the actions taken by the device in response to conditions.

25. The wireless mobile device of claim 22, wherein the device is configured to:

communicate with the wireless network provider to allow a device user to configure preferences regarding the actions taken by the device in response to conditions;

receive a signal from the provider indicating that preferences have been changed;

in response to the signal, initiate communication with the provider; and

retrieve new configuration information from the provider, including changes to the list of relationships and changes to the list of conditions.

26. The wireless mobile device of claim 22, wherein the device is configured to:

receive an encoded message from the wireless network provide indicating that a condition has occurred;

open a communication channel to the provider to retrieve the condition; and

process the condition using the list of conditions and the list of relationships.

27. The wireless mobile device of claim 25, wherein the signal is an encoded short message service (“

SMS”

) message, and wherein the new configuration information is retrieved via a general packet radio service (“

GPRS”

) connection.

28. The wireless mobile device of claim 25, wherein the encoded message is an encoded short message service (“

SMS”

) message, and wherein opening a communication channel includes establishing a connection chosen from a group comprising a hypertext transfer protocol (“

HTTP”

) connection and a wireless application protocol (“

WAP”

) connection.

29. The wireless mobile device of claim 22, wherein the user preference include:

a preference that email messages be sent only during off-peak rate time, else that email messaged be queued in the wireless device;

a preference that high priority emails be sent and received regardless of current conditions; and

a preference that calls can be connected to certain phone numbers for a maximum amount of time per charging period.

30. A wireless communication system, comprising:

a wireless communication network means administered by a carrier;

a wireless device means that communicates with the carrier through a wireless network, wherein,

the wireless device means comprises more than one software application, including native applications and downloaded applications;

the wireless communication network means notifies the wireless device means of conditions, wherein conditions relate to provider charges for using the network; and

the wireless device means responds by executing one or more of the software applications according to previously configured user preferences.

31. The wireless communication system of claim 30, wherein the wireless device means further comprises:

a condition catalog means that includes conditions recognized by the wireless device means; and

a condition registry means that related conditions to actions to be taken by the wireless device means, wherein the condition catalog means and the condition registry means are populated according to the user preferences.

32. The wireless communication system of claim 30, further comprising carrier-side equipment means including a carrier application remotely accessed by the user to configure the user preferences.

33. The wireless communication system of claim 30, further comprising carrier-side equipment means including an event manager means configured to send a message to the wireless device means when a predefined condition occurs.

34. The wireless communication system of claim 30, further comprising carrier-side equipment means, including:

an event manager means configured to recognize a condition and generate a message; and

a message controller means configured to receive the message and generate an encoded message to the wireless device means indicating the occurrence of the predefined condition.

35. The wireless communication system of claim 30, further comprising carrier-side equipment means, including:

a carrier application remotely accessed by the user to configure the user preferences; and

a storage means that stores the user preferences.

36. The wireless communication system of claim 30, wherein the condition comprises:

an on-peak rate being current;

an off-peak rate being current;

the wireless device means currently to roaming for service;

the wireless device means currently on network; and

a pre-allotted amount of minimum rate airtime being exhausted.

37. A device-readable medium having instructions stored thereon, that when executed by a processor cause the processor to perform the method comprising:

notify a wireless device of a condition that relates to variable charges payable by a user of the device to a wireless network provider; and

in response to the notification, execute one or more software applications on the wireless device according to previously configured user preferences, wherein the one or more software applications includes one or more downloaded applications individually configured by a user.

38. The device-readable medium of claim 37, wherein the responding to the notification comprises:

accessing a condition catalog that includes conditions recognized by the wireless device; and

accessing a conditions registry that relates a conditions to actions to be taken by the wireless device, wherein the a condition catalog and the a condition registry are populated according to the user preferences.

39. The device-readable medium of claim 37, further comprising receiving data inputs from the user remotely accessing a network provider application to configure the user preferences.

40. The device-readable medium of claim 37, wherein notifying comprises sending a message to the wireless device when the a condition occurs.

41. The device-readable medium of claim 37, wherein notifying comprises:

a network provider event manager recognizing a condition and generating a message to a message controller; and

the message controller generating an encoded message to the wireless device indicating the occurrence of the condition.

42. The device-readable medium of claim 37, further comprising:

receiving data input from the user remotely accessing a network provider application to configure the user preferences; and

storing the user preferences in a user preferences database.

43. The device-readable medium of claim 37, wherein the condition comprises:

an on-peak rate being current;

an off-peak rate being current;

the wireless device means currently roaming for service;

the wireless device means currently on network; and

a pre-allotted amount of minimum rate airtime being exhausted.