Subscriber management and accounting using event detection in a wireless device

• US 20050107066A1
• Filed: 08/12/2004
• Published: 05/19/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/15/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Xius Holding Corp. (Megasoft Limited)
• Original Assignee: Boston Communications Group Incorporated
• Inventors: Erskine, Thomas, Rudisill, Luther, Sonberg, Kenneth
• Granted Patent: US 7,418,252 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/405
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1457 using an account
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/08 Access security
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/24 Accounting or billing

Abstract

A system and method performs real-time subscriber management and accounting for a wireless device by detecting predetermined events within the wireless device and communicating information pertaining to such events from the wireless device to a real-time subscriber management platform in association with each communication session. The information received by the real-time subscriber management platform is used to control the behavior of the wireless device and/or to update accounting information pertaining to the subscriber.

Claims

1. A wireless device comprising:

handset logic for communicating over a wireless network; and

a removable module communicably coupled to said handset logic, said removable module comprising;

a memory containing an application program; and

a processor operative to execute said application program to;

detect an occurrence of at least one predetermined event pertaining to a communication involving said wireless device and directed to, or initiated by, a user of said wireless device;

store information associated with said at least one predetermined event;

generate a data message that includes said information for transmission to an external server in response to said communication; and

initiate transmission of said data message from said handset logic over said wireless network.

2. The wireless device of claim 1, wherein said communication is a call having a call start and a call end.

3. The wireless device of claim 2, wherein said call is successfully completed.

4. The wireless device of claim 2, wherein said at least one predetermined event comprises said call end, and said application is operative to generate said data message in response to the detection of said call end.

5. The wireless device of claim 4, wherein said information includes at least one value indicative of a duration associated with said call.

6. The wireless device of claim 5, wherein said wireless device includes a timer, said at least one predetermined event includes first and second events corresponding to said call start and said call end respectively, and said application is further operative to obtain first and second timer values from said timer in response to the occurrence of said first and second events, wherein said information includes said first and second timer values and a difference between said first and second timer values is indicative of said duration associated with said call.

7. The wireless device of claim 6, wherein said first event comprises one of a call control event and a call connect event.

8. The wireless device of claim 7, wherein said call control event comprises one of a an initiation of a call for a mobile originated call and a page of said wireless device for a mobile terminated call.

9. The wireless device of claim 2, wherein said wireless device includes a timer, said at least one predetermined event includes first and second events corresponding to said call start and said call end respectively, and said application is further operative to obtain first and second timer values from said timer in response to the occurrence of said first and second events, wherein said information comprises a value indicative of a duration associated with said call derived from said first and second timer values.

10. The wireless device of claim 9, wherein said first event comprises one of a call control event and a connect event.

11. The wireless device of claim 10, wherein said call control event comprises one of an initiation of a call for a mobile originated call and a page of said wireless device for a mobile terminated call.

12. The wireless device of claim 2, wherein said information associated with said at least one predetermined event includes a value indicative of a duration associated with said call.

13. The wireless device of claim 1, wherein said communication comprises retrieving data from a server in response to a request by said user, said at least one predetermined event comprises said request by said user, and said information is indicative of at least one of an occurrence of said request and an amount of data retrieved from said server.

14. The wireless device of claim 1, wherein said removable module comprises a subscriber identity module (SIM).

15. The wireless device of claim 1, wherein said removable module comprises a universal subscriber identity module (USIM).

16. The wireless device of claim 1, wherein said removable module comprises a removable universal identification module (R-UIM).

116. The wireless device of claim 6, wherein said first and second timer values are real times at which said first and second events occur, respectively.

17. A method of operating a wireless device that includes a removable module communicably coupled to handset logic comprising:

detecting an occurrence of at least one predetermined event pertaining to a communication involving said wireless device and directed to, or initiated by, a user of said wireless device utilizing a processor in said removable module executing an application stored within a first memory portion of said removable module;

responsive to the detecting of the occurrence of said at least one predetermined event, storing in a second memory portion of said removable module information associated with said at least one predetermined event;

generating a data message that includes said information for transmission to an external server; and

initiating via said processor the transmission of said data message from said wireless device as a wireless RF message.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein said communication has a call start and a call end and said detecting the occurrence of at least one predetermined event comprises detecting said call end.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein said communication has a call start and a call end, said call is successfully completed and said detecting the occurrence of at least one predetermined event comprises detecting said call end upon the successful completion of said call.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein said storing information comprises storing at least one value indicative of a duration associated with said call.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein said predetermined event comprises first and second events corresponding to said call start and said call end, respectively, said method further comprising obtaining first and second timer values in response to the occurrence of said first and second events, wherein said information includes said obtained first and second timer values.

22. The method of claim 18, wherein said predetermined event comprises first and second events corresponding to said call start and said call end, respectively, said method further comprises deriving a value indicative of a duration associated with said call, wherein said information includes said derived value.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein said detecting the occurrence of at least one predetermined event comprises detecting at least one of a call control event and a call connect event.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein said detecting the occurrence of at least one predetermined event comprises detecting at least one of an initiation of a call for a mobile originated call and a page of said wireless device for a mobile terminated call.

25. The method of claim 18, wherein said generating a data message comprises generating a data message that includes at least one value indicative of a duration associated with said call.

26. The wireless device of claim 17, wherein said removable module comprises a subscriber identity module (SIM).

27. The wireless device of claim 17, wherein said removable module comprises a universal subscriber identity module (USIM).

28. The wireless device of claim 17, wherein said removable module comprises a removable universal identification module (R-UIM).

29. A removable module for communicably coupling to a wireless communication device, comprising:

a memory containing an application program; and

a processor operative to execute said application program to;

detect an occurrence of at least one predetermined event pertaining to a communication involving said wireless communication device and directed to, or initiated by, a user of said wireless communication device;

store information associated with said at least one predetermined event;

generate a data message that includes said information for transmission to an external server in response to said communication; and

initiate transmission of said data message from said wireless communication device over a wireless network.

30. The removable module of claim 29, wherein said communication is a call having a call start and a call end.

31. The removable module of claim 30, wherein said call is successfully completed.

32. The removable module of claim 30, wherein said at least one predetermined event comprises said call end, and said application is operative to generate said data message in response to the detection of said call end.

33. The removable module of claim 32, wherein said information includes at least one value indicative of a duration associated with said call.

34. The removable module of claim 30, wherein said at least one predetermined event includes first and second events corresponding to said call start and said call end respectively, and said application is further operative to obtain first and second timer values in response to the occurrence of said first and second events, wherein said information includes said first and second timer values, and a difference between said first and second timer values is indicative of a duration associated with said call.

35. The removable module of claim 34, wherein said first event comprises one of a call control event and a connect event.

36. The removable module of claim 35, wherein said call control event comprises one of an initiation of a call for a mobile originated call and a page of said wireless device for a mobile terminated call.

37. The removable module of claim 30, wherein said at least one predetermined event includes first and second events corresponding to said call start and said call end respectively, and said application is further operative to obtain first and second timer values in response to the occurrence of said first and second events, wherein said information comprises a value indicative of a duration associated with said call derived from said first and second timer values.

38. The removable module of claim 37, wherein said first event comprises one of a call control event and a connect event.

39. The removable module of claim 38, wherein said call control event comprises one of an initiation of a call for a mobile originated call and a page of said wireless device for a mobile terminated call.

40. The removable module of claim 30, wherein said information associated with said at least one predetermined event includes a value indicative of a duration associated with said call.

41. The removable module of claim 29, wherein said communication comprises retrieving data from a server in response to a request by said user, said at least one predetermined event comprises said request by said user, and said information is indicative of at least one of an occurrence of said request and an amount of data retrieved from said server.

42. The removable module of claim 29, wherein said memory and said processor are parts of a subscriber identity module (SIM).

43. The removable module of claim 29, wherein said memory and said processor are parts of a universal subscriber identity module (USIM).

44. The removable module of claim 29, wherein said memory and said processor are parts of a removable universal identification module (R-UIM).

45. A wireless device comprising:

a first memory portion containing an application program; and

a processor operative to execute said application program to;

detect an occurrence of at least one predetermined event pertaining to a communication involving said wireless device and directed to, or initiated by, a user of said wireless device;

store information associated with said at least one predetermined event within a second memory portion within said wireless device;

generate a data message that includes said information for transmission to an external server; and

initiate transmission of said data message as a wireless RF message in response to the occurrence of said at least one predetermined event.

46. The wireless device of claim 45, wherein said communication is a call having a call start and a call end.

47. The wireless device of claim 46, wherein said call is successfully completed.

48. The wireless device of claim 46, wherein said at least one predetermined event comprises said call end, and said application is operative to generate said data message in response to a detection of said call end.

49. The wireless device of claim 47, wherein said information includes at least one value indicative of a duration associated with said call.

50. The wireless device of claim 46, wherein said wireless device includes a timer, said at least one predetermined event includes first and second events corresponding to said call start and said call end, respectively;

and said application is further operative to obtain first and second timer values from said timer in response to an occurrence of said first and second events, wherein said information includes said first and second timer values and a difference between said first and second timer values is indicative of a duration associated with said call.

51. The wireless device of claim 50, wherein said first event comprises one of a call control event and a connect event.

52. The wireless device of claim 51, wherein said call control event comprises one of an initiation of a call for a mobile originated call and a page of said wireless device for a mobile terminated call.

53. The wireless device of claim 46, wherein said wireless device includes a timer, said at least one predetermined event includes first and second events corresponding to said call start and said call end respectively, and said application is further operative to obtain first and second timer values from said timer in response to the occurrence of said first and second events, wherein said information comprises a value indicative of a duration associated with said call derived from said first and second timer values.

54. The wireless device of claim 53, wherein said first event comprises one of a call control event and a connect event.

55. The wireless device of claim 54, wherein said call control event comprises one of an initiation of a call for a mobile originated call and a page of said wireless device for a mobile terminated call.

56. The wireless device of claim 46, wherein said information associated with said at least one predetermined event includes a value indicative of a duration associated with said call.

57. The wireless device of claim 45, wherein said communication comprises retrieving data from a server in response to a request by said user, said at least one predetermined event comprises request by said user, and said information is indicative of at least one of an occurrence of said request and an amount of data retrieved from said server.

58. A method for communicating information between a wireless device and an external server comprising:

detecting the occurrence of at least one predetermined event pertaining to a communication involving said wireless device and directed to, or initiated by, a user of said wireless device utilizing a processor executing an application within said wireless device;

in response to the detecting of said at least one predetermined event, storing information associated with said at least one predetermined event within a memory within said wireless device; and

generating a data message that includes said information within said wireless device for transmission to said external server; and

transmitting said data message from said wireless device in response to the occurrence of said at least one predetermined event.

59. The method of claim 58, wherein said communication has a call start and a call end and said detecting the occurrence of at least one predetermined event comprises detecting said call end.

60. The method of claim 58, wherein said communication has a call start and a call end, said call is successfully completed and said detecting the occurrence of at least one predetermined event comprises detecting said call end.

61. The method of claim 59, wherein said storing information comprises storing at least one value indicative of a duration associated with said call.

62. The method of claim 59, wherein said predetermined event comprises first and second events corresponding to said call start and said call end, respectively;

and further comprising obtaining first and second timer values in response to an occurrence of said first and second events, wherein said information includes said obtained first and second timer values.

63. The method of claim 59, wherein said predetermined event comprises first and second events corresponding to said call start and said call end, respectively;

and further comprises deriving a value indicative of a duration associated with said call, wherein said information includes said derived value.

64. The method of claim 63, wherein said detecting the occurrence of at least one predetermined event comprises detecting a call control event or a connect event.

65. The method of claim 64, wherein said detecting the occurrence of at least one predetermined event comprises detecting an initiation of a call for a mobile originated call or a page of said wireless device for a mobile terminated call.

66. The method of claim 59, wherein said generating a data message comprises generating a data message that includes at least one value indicative of a duration associated with said call.

67. The method of claim 58, wherein the detecting of said occurrence of at least one predetermined event, the storing of said information and said data message generating are performed by an application program resident in a removable module within said wireless device.

68. The method of claim 67, wherein said removable module comprises a subscriber identity module (SIM).

69. The method of claim 67, wherein said removable module comprises a universal subscriber identity module (USIM).

70. The method of claim 67, wherein said removable module comprises a removable universal identification module (R-UIM).

71. A method of operating a wireless device for use with a call accounting system, comprising:

detecting within the wireless device a first event associated with a start of a communication involving the wireless device and directed to, or initiated by, a user of said wireless device and a second event associated with an end of said communication;

obtaining information at said wireless device indicative of a duration associated with said communication in response to the detection of said first and second events;

in response to the detection of said second event, sending a data bearer message from the wireless device to said call accounting system, said message including at least said information indicative of the duration associated with said communication.

72. The method of claim 71, wherein said information obtaining step comprises:

obtaining a first counter value from a counter in said wireless device in response to the detection of said first event; and

obtaining a second counter value from said counter in response to the detection of said second event;

wherein a difference between said first and second counter values is indicative of the duration associated with said communication and wherein said sending step comprises sending said first and second counter values to an external data processing platform in response to the detection of said second event.

73. The method of claim 72, further comprising:

receiving said data bearer message at said external data processing platform; and

utilizing said first and second counter values at said external data processing platform to perform said call accounting for said communication.

74. The method of claim 71 wherein said information obtaining step comprises:

obtaining a first counter value from a counter in said wireless device in response to the detection of said first event;

obtaining a second counter value from said counter in response to the detection of said second event; and

generating a difference value indicative of the duration associated with said communication from said first and second counter values; and

wherein said sending step comprises sending said difference value to an external data processing platform in response to the detection of said second event.

75. The method of claim 71, further comprising:

storing a first counter value obtained from a counter in said wireless device in response to the detection of said first event;

storing a second counter value obtained from said counter in response to the detection of said second event;

wherein a difference between said first and second counter values is indicative of the duration associated with said communication and said information comprises at least said first and second counter values.

76. The method of claim 71, wherein said first event comprises one of an initiation of a mobile originated call and a page of said wireless device for a mobile terminated call;

and said second event comprises an end of said call for either a mobile terminated call or a mobile originated call.

77. The method of claim 71, wherein said first event comprises connection of said communication for either a mobile originated call or a mobile terminated call;

and said second event comprises an end of said call for either a mobile terminated call or a mobile originated call.

78. A subscriber management and accounting system, comprising:

a wireless communication network;

a management platform including a text messaging gateway; and

a wireless device communicating over the wireless communication network with the management platform, the wireless device including a removable module comprising;

a memory containing an application program; and

a processor operative to execute said application program to;

detect an occurrence of at least one predetermined event pertaining to a communication involving said wireless device and directed to, or initiated by, a user of said wireless device;

store information associated with said at least one predetermined event; and

in response to said communication, send a data message that includes said information over said wireless communication network to said management platform via said text messaging gateway.

79. The subscriber management and accounting system of claim 78, wherein said management platform is configured to allow or deny said communication based on a balance in an account associated with said user.

80. The subscriber management and accounting system of claim 78, wherein said removable module comprises a subscriber identity module (SIM).

81. The subscriber management and accounting system of claim 78, wherein said removable module comprises a universal subscriber identity module (USIM).

82. The subscriber management and accounting system of claim 78, wherein said removable module comprises a removable universal identification module (R-UIM).

83. The subscriber management and accounting system of claim 78, wherein said data message is formatted as a text message.

84. The subscriber management and accounting system of claim 83, wherein said data message is formatted as an SMS message.

85. The subscriber management and accounting system of claim 78, wherein said wireless device is configurable to:

in a first trust mode, allow communications directed to, or initiated by, a user of said wireless device without first receiving a registration response from said management platform, and

in a second trust mode, disallow said communications without first receiving a registration response from said management platform.

86. The subscriber management and accounting system of claim 85, wherein said trust mode is configurable via a command message from said management platform.

87. The subscriber management and accounting system of claim 78, wherein a registration mode of said wireless device controls whether said wireless device registers or does not register with said management platform upon detecting a change in location of said wireless device.

88. The subscriber management and accounting system of claim 87, wherein said registration mode is configurable via a command message from said management platform.

89. The subscriber management and accounting system of claim 78, wherein a pre-authorization mode of said wireless device controls whether said wireless device requires or does not require authorization from said management platform before allowing communications directed to, or initiated by, a user of said wireless device.

90. The subscriber management and accounting system of claim 89, wherein said pre-authorization mode is configurable via a command message from said management platform.

91. The subscriber management and accounting system of claim 78, wherein a pre-authorization mode of said wireless device controls whether said wireless device allows or does not allow communications directed to, or initiated by, the user of said wireless device to begin without first receiving authorization from said management platform.

92. The subscriber management and accounting system of claim 78, wherein, in one of a plurality of pre-authorization modes of said wireless device, said wireless device allows a communication directed to, or initiated by, the user of said wireless device to begin without first receiving authorization from said management platform, and said wireless device is configured to end said communication, if so instructed by said management platform.

93. The subscriber management and accounting system of claim 91, wherein said pre-authorization mode is configurable via a command message from said management platform.

94. The subscriber management and accounting system of claim 78, wherein a mode of said wireless device is configurable to allow communications directed to, or initiated by, the user of said wireless device to begin without first sending the data message to said management platform.

95. The subscriber management and accounting system of claim 94, wherein said mode is configurable via a command message from said management platform.

96. The subscriber management and accounting system of claim 78, wherein said wireless device is configured to:

in a first allotted timer expiration mode, end a communication directed to, or initiated by, the user of said wireless device after expiration of an allotted time;

in a second allotted timer expiration mode, seek re-authorization from said management platform to continue said communication; and

in a third allotted time expiration mode, allow said communication to continue without seeking said re-authorization from said management platform.

97. A wireless communication device, comprising:

a memory containing an application program;

a processor operative to execute said application program to;

in a first trust mode, allow communications that are billable to a predetermined account associated with a user of said wireless device to begin without first receiving a registration response from an external management platform; and

in a second trust mode, disallow said communications from beginning without first receiving said registration response from said external management platform.

98. The subscriber management and accounting system of claim 97, wherein said trust mode is configurable via a command message from said management platform.

99. A wireless communication device, comprising:

a memory containing an application program;

a processor operative to execute said application program to;

in a first pre-authorization mode, allow communications that are billable to a predetermined account associated with a user of said wireless device to begin without first receiving authorization from an external management platform; and

in a second pre-authorization mode, prevent said communications from beginning without first receiving authorization from said external management platform for each of said communications.

100. The wireless communication device of claim 99, wherein said pre-authorization mode is configurable via a command message from said management platform.

101. The wireless communication device of claim 99, wherein said processor is further operative to execute said application program to, in a third pre-authorization mode, prevent said communications until said third pre-authorization mode is reconfigured via a command message from said management platform.

102. The wireless communication device of claim 99, wherein said processor is further operative to execute said application program to, in a fourth pre-authorization mode:

allow said communications to begin without first receiving authorization from said external management platform; and

seek authorization from said external management platform for each of said communications and either allow said communication to continue or end said communication, based on a response received from said external management platform.

103. The wireless communication device of claim 99, wherein a registration mode of said wireless device controls whether said wireless device registers or does not register with said management platform upon detecting a change in location of said wireless device.

104. The wireless communication device of claim 103, wherein said registration mode is configurable via a command message from said management platform.

105. The wireless communication device of claim 99, wherein a mode of said wireless device is configurable to allow communications directed to, or initiated by, the user of said wireless device to begin without first sending the data message to said management platform.

106. The wireless communication device of claim 105, wherein said mode is configurable via a command message from said management platform.

107. The wireless communication device of claim 99, wherein said application program operates:

in a first allotted timer expiration mode to end a communication directed to, or initiated by, a user of said wireless device after expiration of an allotted time;

in a second allotted timer expiration mode to seek re-authorization from said management platform to continue said communication; and

in a third allotted timer expiration mode to allow said communication to continue without seeking said re-authorization from said management platform.

108. A wireless communication device, comprising:

a memory containing an application program; and

a processor operative to execute said application program to;

in a first service-end mode, send a data message to an external management platform after completion of a communication that is billable to a predetermined account associated with a user of said wireless device, said data message including information indicative of at least a duration of said communication; and

in a second service-end mode, not sending said data message after completion of said communication.

109. The wireless communication device of claim 108, wherein said service-end mode is configurable via a command message from said external management platform.

110. A method of operating a wireless communication call accounting system, comprising:

at a wireless device, detecting at least one predetermined event associated with a communication directed to, or initiated by, a user of said wireless device;

sending a wireless data message to an external server in response to the detection of the at least one predetermined event; and

performing real-time call accounting at said external server in response to receipt of the data message.

111. The method of claim 110, wherein the step of sending a data message comprises sending a data message that includes information indicative of a duration of said communication.

112. The method of claim 110, wherein the step of performing real-time call accounting comprises allowing or disallowing said communication based on said accounting.

113. A wireless communication call accounting system, comprising:

an external server; and

a wireless device communicably coupled to the external server via a wireless network, said wireless device containing an application program operative to;

detect at least one predetermined event associated with a communication directed to, or initiated by, a user of said wireless device; and

send a data message via said wireless network to said external server in response to the detection of said at least one predetermined event;

wherein said external server is operative to perform real-time call accounting in response to receipt of said data message.

114. The wireless communication call accounting system of claim 113, wherein said data message includes information indicative of a duration of said communication.

115. The wireless communication call accounting system of claim 113, wherein said external server is further operative to allow or disallow said communication based on said accounting.