System and Method for Remote Asset Management

• US 20130003561A1
• Filed: 09/11/2012
• Published: 01/03/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/21/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: M2M Solutions LLC
• Original Assignee: M2M Solutions LLC
• Inventors: Wesby, Philip Bernard
• Granted Patent: US 8,504,007 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/241
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/00 Finance; Insurance; Tax strategies; Processing of corporate or income taxes
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/06 Asset management; Financial planning or analysis
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/00 Arrangements for maintenance, administration or management of data switching networks, e.g. of packet switching networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/08 Configuration management of networks or network elements address allocation H04L61/50
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0816 the condition being an adaptation, e.g. in response to network events
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/101 Access control lists [ACL]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/04 specially adapted for terminals or networks with limited capabilities; specially adapted for terminal portability
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/10 in which an application is distributed across nodes in the network software deployment G06F8/60; multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/46
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/125 involving control of end-device applications over a network
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/08 Access security
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/12 Detection or prevention of fraud
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/126 Anti-theft arrangements, e.g. protection against subscriber identity module [SIM] cloning
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/35 Protecting application or service provisioning, e.g. securing SIM application provisioning
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/00 Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/06 Selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS]; Services to user groups; One-way selective calling services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/20 Services signaling; Auxiliary data signalling, i.e. transmitting data via a non-traffic channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/50 Service provisioning or reconfiguring
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/60 Subscription-based services using application servers or record carriers, e.g. SIM application toolkits
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/22 Processing or transfer of terminal data, e.g. status or physical capabilities
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/245 from a network towards a terminal
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/20 : Information technology specific aspects, e.g. CAD, simulation, modelling, system security

Abstract

A remote asset management system comprising a network of programmable wireless modules, each having an antenna and an identification module and configured to communicate via a radio communication protocol. The system further includes a plurality of assets each linked to one of the wireless modules and configured to be managed by the linked wireless module. A remote system server service platform is configured to receive remote asset data from the wireless modules, pass the remote asset data to and from the wireless modules, send messages to at least one of the wireless modules, monitor the wireless modules by requesting and receiving current mode information, and remotely program the wireless modules. A data processing module located within the wireless module(s) and configured to process messages received by the wireless module, authenticate said message, analyze authenticated messages, and carry out asset management instructions included in the message.

Claims

1. A system for providing a range of consumer services by autonomously monitoring and managing consumer device assets, said system comprising:

a plurality of consumer device assets wirelessly connected to one or more communications networks, each asset having operating system and application software, a nonvolatile memory module for storing files of data content for display to a consumer user of the device, and a display apparatus for displaying the stored data content;

a remote computer server platform connected to the one or more communications networks, the remote computer server platform configured to execute software applications for monitoring and managing the plurality of consumer device assets, each of the plurality of consumer device assets being registered with the remote computer server platform;

wherein communications transmitted over the one or more communications networks between the plurality of consumer device assets and the remote computer server platform comprise at least one selected from the group consisting of General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) data messages, Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE) data messages, and other packet switched data messages;

wherein the plurality of consumer device assets communicate operational status information and consumer usage information to the remote computer server platform automatically as a result of at least one selected from the group consisting of pre-programmed conditions and instructions received from the remote computer server platform;

wherein the remote computer server platform monitors the plurality of consumer device assets by receiving and processing their operational status information and their consumer usage information automatically according to preprogrammed conditions; and

wherein, based upon the results of processing at least some of the received consumer usage information, the remote computer server platform manages the plurality of consumer device assets by communicating one or more management instructions that cause the stored data content files of one or more assets to be automatically modified.

2. A system according to claim 1 wherein the one or more communications networks comprise at least one selected from the group consisting of a cellular mobile telecommunications network and the Internet.

3. A system according to claim 2 wherein the wireless connection between at least one of the plurality of consumer device assets and the one or more communications networks utilizes at least one selected from the group consisting of Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) air interface standards, Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) air interface standards, Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) air interface standards, CDMA2000 air interface standards, and Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) implementation standards.

4. A system according to claim 1 wherein communications between at least one of the plurality of consumer device assets and the remote computer server platform traverse a Virtual Private Network (VPN).

5. A system according to claim 1 wherein communications over the one or more communications networks between the plurality of consumer device assets and the remote computer server platform are encrypted according to a key pair encryption scheme.

6. A system according to claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of consumer device assets processes incoming communications to determine whether they contain a unique identifier of that particular consumer device asset.

7. A system according to claim 1 wherein the plurality of consumer device assets authenticate at least one incoming communication by verifying that it contains a required coded number.

8. A system according to claim 1 wherein the automatic modification of the stored data content files of the one or more consumer device assets includes at least one selected from the group consisting of storing one or more new data content files on said assets, updating one or more existing stored data content files on said assets, and deleting one or more existing stored data content files from said assets.

9. A system according to claim 1 wherein the remote computer server platform stores information indicative of preferences that one or more individual consumer users of the plurality of consumer device assets have for particular data content files.

10. A system according to claim 9 wherein, based upon the results of processing at least some of the consumer preference information, the remote computer server platform further manages the plurality of consumer device assets by communicating one or more additional management instructions that cause the stored data content files of one or more assets to be automatically modified.

11. A system according to claim 10 wherein the automatic modification of the stored data content files of the one or more consumer device assets caused by the one or more additional management instructions includes at least one selected from the group consisting of storing one or more new data content files on said assets, updating one or more existing stored data content files on said assets, and deleting one or more existing stored data content files from said assets.

12. A system according to claim 1 wherein the remote computer server platform communicates a Short Message Service (SMS) message to at least one of the plurality of consumer device assets that causes one or more components of said asset to power up from a powered down state for facilitating the exchange of further communications between said asset and the remote computer server platform.

13. A system according to claim 1 wherein the remote computer server platform further manages the plurality of consumer device assets by communicating one or more additional management instructions to at least one asset, the one or more additional management instructions causing at least one selected from the group consisting of automatic deletion of one or more existing stored data content files from the at least one asset, and automatic updating of one or more software programs stored on the at least one asset.

14. A system according to claim 1 wherein the remote computer server platform stores information comprising operational details for each of the plurality of consumer device assets.

15. A system according to claim 1 wherein the operational status information communicated by the plurality of consumer device assets to the remote computer server platform comprises data indicative of battery charge levels.

16. A system according to claim 1 wherein at least one of the plurality of consumer device assets comprises a user identity card for accessing a cellular mobile telecommunications network.

17. A system according to claim 16 wherein the user identity card is a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card.

18. A system according to claim 1 wherein the one or more communications networks comprise a cellular mobile telecommunications network and the Internet.

19. A system according to claim 18 wherein the wireless connection between at least one of the plurality of consumer device assets and the cellular mobile telecommunications network utilizes Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) air interface standards, and wherein the wireless connection between at least another of the plurality of consumer device assets and the Internet utilizes Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) implementation standards.

20. A system for providing a range of consumer services by autonomously monitoring and managing consumer device assets, said system comprising:

a first plurality of consumer device assets wirelessly connected to a cellular mobile telecommunications network, each asset having operating system and application software, a nonvolatile memory module for storing files of data content for display to a consumer user of the device, and a display apparatus for displaying the stored data content;

a second plurality of consumer device assets wirelessly connected to the Internet, each asset having operating system and application software, a nonvolatile memory module for storing files of data content for display to a consumer user of the device, and a display apparatus for displaying the stored data content;

a remote computer server platform connected to the cellular mobile telecommunications network and to the Internet, the remote computer server platform configured to execute software applications for monitoring and managing the first and second pluralities of consumer device assets, each of the pluralities of consumer device assets being registered with the remote computer server platform;

wherein communications transmitted over the cellular mobile telecommunications network and the Internet between the first and second pluralities of consumer device assets and the remote computer server platform comprise at least one selected from the group consisting of General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) data messages, Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE) data messages, and other packet switched data messages;

wherein the first and second pluralities of consumer device assets communicate operational status information and consumer usage information to the remote computer server platform automatically as a result of at least one selected from the group consisting of pre-programmed conditions and instructions received from the remote computer server platform;

wherein the remote computer server platform monitors the first and second pluralities of consumer device assets by receiving and processing their operational status information and their consumer usage information automatically according to preprogrammed conditions;

wherein, based upon the results of processing at least some of the received consumer usage information, the remote computer server platform manages the first and second pluralities of consumer device assets by communicating one or more management instructions that cause the stored data content files of one or more assets to be automatically modified; and

wherein the remote computer server platform communicates a Short Message Service (SMS) message to at least one of the first plurality of consumer device assets that causes one or more components of said asset to power up from a powered down state for facilitating the exchange of further communications between said asset and the remote computer server platform.

21. A system according to claim 20 wherein the wireless connections between the first plurality of consumer device assets and the cellular mobile telecommunications network utilize Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) air interface standards, and wherein the wireless connections between the second plurality of consumer device assets and the Internet utilize Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) implementation standards.

22. A system according to claim 20 wherein communications over the cellular mobile telecommunications network and the Internet between the first and second pluralities of consumer device assets and the remote computer server platform are encrypted according to a key pair encryption scheme.

23. A system according to claim 20 wherein each of the first and second pluralities of consumer device assets processes incoming communications to determine whether they contain a unique identifier of that particular consumer device asset.

24. A system according to claim 20 wherein the first and second pluralities of consumer device assets authenticate at least one incoming communication by verifying that it contains a required coded number.

25. A system according to claim 20 wherein the automatic modification of the stored data content files of the one or more consumer device assets includes at least one selected from the group consisting of storing one or more new data content files on said assets, updating one or more existing stored data content files on said assets, and deleting one or more existing stored data content files from said assets.

26. A system according to claim 20 wherein the remote computer server platform stores information indicative of preferences that one or more individual consumer users of the first and second pluralities of consumer device assets have for particular data content files.

27. A system according to claim 26 wherein, based upon the results of processing at least some of the consumer preference information, the remote computer server platform further manages the first and second pluralities of consumer device assets by communicating one or more additional management instructions that cause the stored data content files of one or more assets to be automatically modified.

28. A system according to claim 27 wherein the automatic modification of the stored data content files of the one or more consumer device assets includes at least one selected from the group consisting of storing one or more new data content files on said assets, updating one or more existing stored data content files on said assets, and deleting one or more existing stored data content files from said assets.

29. A system according to claim 20 wherein the remote computer server platform stores information comprising operational details for each of the first and second pluralities of consumer device assets.

30. A system according to claim 20 wherein the remote computer server platform further manages the first and second pluralities of consumer device assets by communicating one or more additional management instructions to at least one asset, the one or more additional management instructions causing at least one selected from the group consisting of automatic deletion of one or more existing stored data content files from the at least one asset, and automatic updating of one or more software programs stored on the at least one asset.