Network based service profile management with user preference, adaptive policy, network neutrality, and user privacy

• US 20100188990A1
• Filed: 03/02/2009
• Published: 07/29/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/28/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Headwater Research LLC (Greg Raleigh)
• Original Assignee: Greg Raleigh
• Inventors: Raleigh, Gregory G.
• Granted Patent: US 8,355,337 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/252
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 15/177 Initialisation or configuration control processor initialisation G06F9/4405
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06315 Needs-based resource requirements planning or analysis
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06375 Prediction of business process outcome or impact based on a proposed change
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/102 Bill distribution or payments
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/20 Point-of-sale [POS] network systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/32 using wireless 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 30/0207 Discounts or incentives, e.g. coupons or rebates
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0241 Advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0283 Price estimation or determination
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0284 Time or distance, e.g. usage of parking meters or taximeters
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/04 Billing or invoicing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/00 Finance; Insurance; Tax strategies; Processing of corporate or income taxes
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/12 Accounting
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/14 Charging , metering or billing arrangements for data wireline or wireless communications
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1407 Policy-and-charging control [PCC] architecture
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0806 for initial configuration or provisioning, e.g. plug-and-play
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0876 Aspects of the degree of configuration automation
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0893 Assignment of logical groups to network elements
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0894 : Policy-based network configuration management
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/5003 : Managing SLA; Interaction between SLA and QoS
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/5025 : by proactively reacting to service quality change, e.g. by reconfiguration after service quality degradation or upgrade
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/5054 : Automatic deployment of services triggered by the service manager, e.g. service implementation by automatic configuration of network components
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/20 : Traffic policing
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/2408 : for supporting different services, e.g. a differentiated services [DiffServ] type of service
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/046 : Interoperability with other network applications or services
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0236 : Filtering by address, protocol, port number or service, e.g. IP-address or URL
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/04 : for providing a confidential data exchange among entities communicating through data packet networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0428 : wherein the data content is protected, e.g. by encrypting or encapsulating the payload
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/08 : for authentication of entities cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0853 : using an additional device, e.g. smartcard, SIM or a different communication terminal cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication involving additional secure or trusted devices H04L9/3234
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0892 : by using authentication-authorization-accounting [AAA] servers or protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/10 : for controlling access to devices or network resources
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/20 : for managing network security; network security policies in general filtering policies H04L63/0227
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/145 : avoiding end of session, e.g. keep-alive, heartbeats, resumption message or wake-up for inactive or interrupted session
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/306 : User profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/34 : involving the movement of software or configuration parameters network booting or remote initial program loading [RIPL] G06F9/4416
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/51 : Discovery or management thereof, e.g. service location protocol [SLP] or web services
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/55 : Push-based network services
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/564 : Enhancement of application control based on intercepted application data
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/63 : Routing a service request depending on the request content or context
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/32 : including means for verifying the identity or authority of a user of the system or for message authentication, e.g. authorization, entity authentication, data integrity or data verification, non-repudiation, key authentication or verification of credentials
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/3247 : involving digital signatures
• 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 15/49 : Connection to several service providers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/58 : based on statistics of usage or network monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/61 : based on the service used
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/66 : Policy and charging system
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/80 : Rating or billing plans; Tariff determination aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/8055 : Selecting cheaper transport technology for a given service
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/88 : Provision for limiting connection, or expenditure
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0188 : Network monitoring; statistics on usage on called/calling number
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/00 : Security arrangements; Authentication; Protecting privacy or anonymity
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/02 : Protecting privacy or anonymity, e.g. protecting personally identifiable information [PII]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/037 : of the control plane, e.g. signalling traffic
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 : Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/08 : Access security
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/37 : Managing security policies for mobile devices or for controlling mobile applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/08 : Testing, supervising or monitoring using real traffic
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/02 : Traffic management, e.g. flow control or congestion control
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/0215 : based on user or device properties, e.g. MTC-capable devices services for machine-to-machine communication [M2M] or machine type communication [MTC] H04W4/70; wireless resource selection or allocation plan definition based on terminal or device properties H04W72/51
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/0268 : using specific QoS parameters for wireless networks, e.g. QoS class identifier [QCI] or guaranteed bit rate [GBR] negotiating SLA or negotiating QoS H04W28/24
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/12 : using signalling between network elements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 : Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/12 : Messaging; Mailboxes; Announcements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/18 : Information format or content conversion, e.g. adaptation by the network of the transmitted or received information for the purpose of wireless delivery to users or terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/20 : Services signaling; Auxiliary data signalling, i.e. transmitting data via a non-traffic channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/24 : Accounting or billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/50 : Service provisioning or reconfiguring
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/14 : using user query or user detection
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/16 : Discovering, processing access restriction or access information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/0453 : Resources in frequency domain, e.g. a carrier in FDMA
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/02 : Processing of mobility data, e.g. registration information at HLR [Home Location Register] or VLR [Visitor Location Register]; Transfer of mobility data, e.g. between HLR, VLR or external networks
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/20 : Transfer of user or subscriber data
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/04 : Large scale networks; Deep hierarchical networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/042 : Public Land Mobile systems, e.g. cellular systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 : WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 : adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/08 : Access point devices
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/80 : Management or planning

Abstract

Various embodiments are disclosed for a services policy communication system and method. In some embodiments, a network device implements a service profile for assisting control of a communications device use of a service on a network, in which the service profile includes service policy settings for the communications device; monitors use of the service by the communications device based on the service profile; and modifies a service policy setting to achieve a service usage goal.

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

a processor of a network device configured to;

implement a first service profile for assisting control of a first communications device use of a first service on a first network, wherein the first service profile includes a plurality of service policy settings for the first communications device;

monitor use of the first service by the first communications device based on the first service profile; and

modify a first service policy setting to achieve a first service usage goal; and

a memory of the network device coupled to the processor and configured to provide the processor with instructions.

2. The system recited in claim 1, wherein the network device includes one or more of the following:

a billing system;

a AAA system;

a gateway;

a router;

a switch;

a network server;

a device that generates, aggregates, manages or stores CDRs;

a base station controller; and

a base station.

3. The system recited in claim 1, wherein the network device assists in the control of a plurality of communications devices, and wherein the network device associates a service profile with each communications device based on each service plan associated with each communications device.

4. The system recited in claim 1, wherein the first network is a mobile virtual network operator network.

5. The system recited in claim 1, wherein the first communications device is a mobile communications device, and the first service includes one or more Internet based services.

6. The system recited in claim 1, wherein the communications device is a mobile communications device, and the first service includes one or more Internet based services, and wherein the mobile communications device includes one or more of the following:

a mobile phone, a PDA, an eBook reader, a music device, an entertainment/gaming device, a computer, laptop, a netbook, and a home networking system.

7. The system recited in claim 1, wherein the first service profile for assisting control of the use of the first service by the first communications device for the first service on the first network based on a first service plan associated with the first service profile, and the first service usage goal provides for maintaining one or more parameters of the use of the first service within compliance of the service plan.

8. The system recited in claim 1, wherein the first service usage goal is based on one or more of the following:

a user preference, a user privacy setting, the first network, a service provider for the first service on the first network, and a service plan, wherein the service plan is associated with the first service profile.

9. The system recited in claim 1, wherein the plurality of service policy settings include one or more of the following:

access control settings, traffic control settings, billing system settings, user notification with acknowledgement settings, user notification with synchronized service usage information, user privacy settings, user preference settings, authentication settings, admission control settings, application access settings, content access settings, transaction settings, and network or device management communication settings.

10. The system recited in claim 1, wherein the processor of the communications device is further configured to:

compare the monitored use of the first service to device based service usage information to assist the monitoring of the use of the first service based on the first service profile.

11. The system recited in claim 1, wherein the processor of the network device is further configured to:

receive a first user acknowledgement to modify the first service policy setting to achieve the first service usage goal.

12. The system recited in claim 1, wherein the processor of the network device is further configured to:

receive a first user acknowledgement to modify the first service policy setting to achieve the first service usage goal; and

receive a second user acknowledgement to modify a second service policy setting to achieve the first service usage goal.

13. The system recited in claim 1, wherein the processor of the network device is further configured to:

receive a first user acknowledgement to modify the first service policy setting to achieve the first service usage goal; and

receive a second user acknowledgement to modify a second service policy setting to achieve a second service usage goal.

14. The system recited in claim 1, wherein the processor of the network device is further configured to:

implement a user preference for automated management and adaptation of the first service profile.

15. The system recited in claim 1, wherein the processor of the network device is further configured to:

detect when the communications device is connected to a second network, wherein a second service profile is associated with the use of the first service on the second network;

implement the second service profile for assisting control of the communications device use of the first service on the second network, wherein the second service profile includes a plurality of service policy settings;

monitor use of the first service by the communications device based on the second service profile; and

modify a second service policy setting to achieve a second service usage goal.

16. The system recited in claim 1, wherein the processor of the network device is further configured to:

implement a second service profile for assisting control of the communications device use of the first service based on a selected available network, wherein the second service profile includes a plurality of service policy settings.

17. The system recited in claim 1, wherein the processor of the network device is further configured to:

determine a service profile adaptation to achieve the first service usage goal, wherein the service profile adaptation includes modifying one or more of the service policy settings, and wherein the use of the first service is managed in a network neutral manner base.

18. The system recited in claim 1, wherein the processor of the network device is further configured to:

determine a service profile adaptation to achieve the first service usage goal, wherein the service profile adaptation includes modifying one or more of the service policy settings, and wherein the use of the first service is managed to be network address neutral, application neutral, or content type neutral.

19. The system recited in claim 1, wherein the processor of the network device is further configured to:

determine a service profile adaptation to achieve the first service usage goal, wherein the service profile adaptation includes modifying one or more of the service policy settings, and wherein the use of the first service is managed in compliance with one or more user privacy settings.

20. The system recited in claim 1, wherein the processor of the network device is further configured to:

analyze a service usage history for the communications device; and

determine a service profile adaptation to achieve the first service usage goal, wherein the service profile adaptation includes modifying one or more of the service policy settings.

21. The system recited in claim 1, wherein the processor of the network device is further configured to:

determine a service usage ranking based on a service usage history; and

determine a service profile adaptation based on the service usage ranking to achieve the first service usage goal, wherein the service profile adaptation includes modifying one or more of the service policy settings.

22. The system recited in claim 1, wherein the processor of the network device is further configured to:

detect when the first communications device is connected to a roaming network;

send a notification to the first communications device, the notification including a projected cost for service usage on the roaming network; and

send an option to the first communications device to select a second service profile for use while connected to the roaming network.

23. The system recited in claim 1, wherein the processor of the network device is further configured to:

detect when the first communications device is connected to a roaming network;

send a notification to the first communications device, the notification including a projected cost for service usage on the roaming network; and

send an option to the first communications device to select a second service plan for use while connected to the roaming network.

24. The system recited in claim 1, wherein the processor of the network device is further configured to:

verify use of the first service by the first communications device based on the first service profile.

25. The system recited in claim 1, wherein the processor of the network device is further configured to:

verify use of the first service by the first communications device based on a first service plan.

26. The system recited in claim 1, wherein the processor of the network device is further configured to:

perform traffic shaping of the first communications device use of the first service based on the first service profile.

27. The system recited in claim 1, wherein the processor of the network device is further configured to:

perform traffic shaping of the first communications device use of the first service based on the first service profile, wherein the network device communicates with a deep packet inspection router to monitor service usage by the first communications device based on deep packet inspection.

28. The system recited in claim 1, wherein the processor of the network device is further configured to:

perform traffic shaping of the first communications device use of the first service based on the first service profile, wherein the network device communicates with a deep packet inspection service monitor to monitor service usage by the first communications device based on deep packet inspection.

29. The system recited in claim 1, wherein the processor of the network device is further configured to:

perform traffic shaping of the first communications device use of the first service based on the first service profile, wherein the network device communicates with a deep packet control policy implementation to monitor service usage by the first communications device based on deep packet inspection.

30. The system recited in claim 1, wherein the processor of the network device is further configured to:

perform traffic shaping of the first communications device use of the first service based on the first service profile, wherein the network device communicates with a network gateway to monitor service usage by the first communications device based on deep packet inspection.

31. The system recited in claim 1, wherein the processor of the network device is further configured to:

perform traffic shaping of the first communications device use of the first service based on the first service profile; and

perform deep packet inspection to monitor service usage by the first communications device.

32. The system recited in claim 1, wherein the processor of the network device is further configured to:

determine one or more privacy settings for the first communications device based on one or more of the following;

a service plan for the first communications device, user input via the first communications device transmitted by the first communications device, and user input via a website for the first service.

33. The system recited in claim 1, wherein the processor of the network device is further configured to:

determine one or more privacy settings for the first communications device based on one or more of the following;

a service plan for the first communications device, user input via the first communications device transmitted by the first communications device, and user input via a website for the first service, and wherein user private and CRM related data associated with the first communications device based on the privacy settings are securely stored.

34. The system recited in claim 1, wherein the processor of the network device is further configured to:

receive an indication of one or more traffic shaping settings for the first communications device, wherein the indication is provided by one or more of the following;

a service plan for the first communications device, user input via the first communications device transmitted by the first communications device, and user input via a website for the first service.

35. The system recited in claim 1, wherein the processor of the network device is further configured to:

receive an indication of one or more parental control service policy settings for the first communications device, wherein the indication is provided via a parental control website for the first service.

36. A method, comprising:

implementing a first service profile for assisting control of a first communications device use of a first service on a first network, wherein the first service profile includes a plurality of service policy settings for the first communications device;

monitoring use of the first service by the first communications device using a processor of the communications device based on the first service profile; and

modifying a first service policy setting to achieve a first service usage goal.

37. A computer program product, the computer program product being embodied in a computer readable storage medium and comprising computer instructions for:

implementing a first service profile for assisting control of a first communications device use of a first service on a first network, wherein the first service profile includes a plurality of service policy settings for the first communications device;

monitoring use of the first service by the first communications device based on the first service profile; and

modifying a first service policy setting to achieve a first service usage goal.