Subscriber management and accounting using event detection in a wireless device

• US 7,418,252 B2
• Filed: 08/12/2004
• Issued: 08/26/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/15/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Xius Holding Corp. (Megasoft Limited)
• Original Assignee: Boston Communications Group Incorporated
• Inventors: Erskine, Thomas, Rudisill, Luther, Sonberg, Kenneth
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen; Duc
• Assistant Examiner(s): LEE, JUSTIN YE
• Application Number:
  US10/917,259
• Publication Number:
  US 20050107066A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,475 Days
• Field of Search: 455405-408, 455/418, 455/419, 455/437, 455/438, 379111-134
• 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 operative in conjunction with an external server, 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,

wherein, responsive to the execution of said application program, said processor included in said removable module is operative;

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; and

responsive to the detection of the occurrence of said at least one predetermined event;

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

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

to initiate transmission of said data message from said handset logic to said external server over said wireless network; and

to receive, via said handset logic, at least one second data message from said external server, said at least one second data message including at least one of a plurality of different directives to configure the operation of said wireless device, said at least one second data message being transmitted to said wireless device by said external server in response to the transmission of said first data message,

wherein said at least one of said plurality of different directives included in said at least one second data message is generated by said external server based upon the information included in said first data message, each of said plurality of different directives being operative to direct said application program to perform at least one specified action corresponding to the respective directive, and

wherein said plurality of different directives includes a first directive operative to direct said application program to perform a software reconfiguration of said removable module, and a second directive operative to direct said application program to re-route a current service to a specified address.

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, responsive to the execution of said application program, said processor included in said removable module is operative to generate said first 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, responsive to the execution of said application program, said processor included in said removable module 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 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 claim 6, wherein said first and second timer values are real times at which said first and second events occur, respectively.

10. 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, responsive to the execution of said application program, said processor included in said removable module 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.

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

12. The wireless device of claim 11, 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.

13. 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.

14. 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 one or more of an occurrence of said request and an amount of data retrieved from said server.

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

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

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

18. A method of operating a wireless device that includes a removable module communicably coupled to handset logic, said wireless device being operative in conjunction with an external server said method comprising the steps of:

in a detecting step, 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, said detecting step being performed utilizing a processor in said removable module executing an application program stored within a first memory portion of said removable module; and

responsive to the detecting of the occurrence of said at least one predetermined event;

storing in a second memory portion of said removable module, utilizing said processor executing said application program, information associated with said at least one predetermined event;

generating, utilizing said processor executing said application program, a first data message that includes said information for transmission to said external server;

initiating, utilizing said processor executing, said application program, transmission of said first data message to said external server as a wireless RF message;

receiving, via said handset logic, at least one second data message from said external server, said at least one second data message including at least one of a plurality of different directives to configure the operation of said wireless device, said at least one second data message being transmitted to said wireless device by said external server in response to the transmission of said first data message,

wherein said at least one of said plurality of different directives included in said at least one second data message is generated by said external server based upon the information included in said first data message; and

in a directing step, directing, by said at least one of said plurality of different directives, said application program to perform at least one specified action corresponding to the respective directive; and

wherein said directing step includes directing, by said at least one of said plurality of different directives to configure the operation of said wireless device, said application program to perform at least one specified action corresponding to the respective directive, said plurality of different directives including a first directive operative to direct said application program to perform a software reconfiguration of said removable module, and a second directive operative to direct said application program to re-route a current service to a specified address.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein said communication has a call start and a call end, and said detecting step comprises detecting said call end.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein said storing information comprises storing at least one value indicative of a duration associated with said call.

21. The method of claim 19, 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 19, 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 step comprises detecting one or more of a call control event and a call connect event.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein said detecting step comprises detecting one or more 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 19, wherein said generating step comprises generating a data message that includes at least one value indicative of a duration associated with said call.

26. The method of claim 18, wherein said communication has a call start and a call end, said call is successfully completed, and said detecting step comprises detecting said call end upon the successful completion of said call.

27. The method of claim 18, wherein said removable module comprises a subscriber identity module (SIM).

28. The method of claim 18, wherein said removable module comprises a universal subscriber identity module (USIM).

29. The method of claim 18, wherein said removable module comprises a removable universal identification module (R-UIM).

30. A removable module for communicably coupling to a wireless communication device, said wireless communication device being operative in conjunction with an external server, comprising:

a memory containing an application program; and

a processor operative to execute said application program,

wherein, responsive to the execution of said application program, said processor included in said removable module is operative;

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; and

responsive to the detection of the occurrence of said at least one predetermined event;

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

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

to initiate transmission of said first data message from said wireless communication device to said external server over a wireless network; and

to receive at least one second data message from said external server, said at least one second data message including one or more of a plurality of different directives to configure the operation of said wireless device, said at least one second data message being transmitted to said wireless device by said external server in response to the transmission of said first data message,

wherein said one or more of said plurality of different directives included in said at least one second data message is generated by said external server based upon the information included in said first data message, each of said plurality of different directives being operative to direct said application program to perform at least one specified action corresponding to the respective directive, and

wherein said plurality of different directives includes one or more of a first directive operative to direct said application program to perform a software reconfiguration of said removable module, and a second directive operative to direct said application program to re-route a current service to a specified address.

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

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

33. The removable module of claim 31, wherein said at least one predetermined event comprises said call end, and wherein, responsive to the execution of said application program, said processor included in said removable module is operative to generate said first data message in response to the detection of said call end.

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

35. The removable module of claim 31, wherein said at least one predetermined event includes first and second events corresponding to said call start and said call end respectively, and wherein, responsive to the execution of said application program, said processor included in said removable module 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.

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

37. The removable module of claim 36, 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.

38. The removable module of claim 31, wherein said at least one predetermined event includes first and second events corresponding to said call start and said call end respectively, and wherein, responsive to the execution of said application program, said processor included in said removable module 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.

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

40. The removable module of claim 39, 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.

41. The removable module of claim 31, wherein said information associated with said at least one predetermined event includes a value indicative of a duration associated with said call.

42. The removable module of claim 30, 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 one or more of an occurrence of said request and an amount of data retrieved from said server.

43. The removable module of claim 30, wherein said memory and said processor are parts of a subscriber identity module (SIM).

44. The removable module of claim 30, wherein said memory and said processor are parts of a universal subscriber identity module (USIM).

45. The removable module of claim 30, wherein said memory and said processor are parts of a removable universal identification module (R-UIM).

46. A wireless device operative in conjunction with an external server, comprising:

a first memory portion, a second memory portion, and a processor, said first memory portion containing an application program, said processor being operative to execute said application program,

wherein, responsive to the execution of said application program, said processor included in said wireless device is operative;

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; and

responsive to the detection of the occurrence of said at least one predetermined event;

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

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

to initiate transmission of said first data message to said external server as a wireless RF message; and

to receive at least one second data message from said external server, said at least one second data message including one or more of a plurality of different directives to configure the operation of said wireless device, said at least one second data message being transmitted to said wireless device by said external server in response to the transmission of said first data message,

wherein said one or more of said plurality of different directives included in said at least one second data message is generated by said external server based upon the information included in said first data message, each of said plurality of different directives being operative to direct said application program to perform at least one specified action corresponding to the respective directive, and

wherein said plurality of different directives includes one or more of a first directive operative to direct said application program to perform a software reconfiguration of said wireless device, and a second directive operative to direct said application program to re-route a current service to a specified address.

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

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

49. The wireless device of claim 48, wherein said information includes at least one value indicative of a duration associated with said call.

50. The wireless device of claim 47, wherein said at least one predetermined event comprises said call end, and wherein, responsive to the execution of said application program, said processor included in said wireless device is operative to generate said first data message in response to a detection of said call end.

51. The wireless device of claim 47, 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 wherein, responsive to the execution of said application program, said processor included in said wireless device 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.

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

53. The wireless device of claim 52, 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.

54. The wireless device of claim 47, 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 wherein, responsive to the execution of said application program, said processor included in said wireless device 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.

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

56. The wireless device of claim 55, 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.

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

58. The wireless device of claim 46, 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 one or more of an occurrence of said request and an amount of data retrieved from said server.

59. A method for communicating information between a wireless device and an external server, said wireless device including a processor and a memory, said method comprising the steps of:

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 said processor executing an application program contained within said memory included in said wireless device; and

in response to the detecting of the occurrence of said at least one predetermined event;

storing, utilizing said processor executing said application program, information associated with said at least one predetermined event within said memory included in said wireless device;

generating, utilizing said processor executing said application program, a first data message that includes said information for transmission to said external server;

initiating, utilizing said processor executing said application program, transmission of said first data message to said external server;

receiving, at said wireless device, at least one second data message from said external server, said at least one second data message including one or more of a plurality of different directives to configure the operation of said wireless device, said at least one second data message being transmitted to said wireless device by said external server in response to the transmission of said first data message,

wherein said one or more of said plurality of different directives included in said at least one second data message is generated by said external server based upon the information included in said first data message; and

directing, by said one or more of said plurality of different directives, said application program to perform at least one specified action corresponding to the respective directive,

wherein said plurality of different directives includes one or more of a first directive operative to direct said application program to perform a software reconfiguration of said wireless, and a second directive operative to direct said application program to re-route a current service to a specified address.

60. The method of claim 59, 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.

61. The method of claim 60, wherein said storing information comprises storing at least one value indicative of a duration associated with said call.

62. The method of claim 60, 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 60, 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 60, wherein said generating a first 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 59, 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.

68. The method of claim 59, wherein the detecting of said occurrence of at least one predetermined event, the storing of said information and said first data message generating are performed by an application program resident in a removable module within said wireless device.

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

70. The method of claim 68, wherein said removable module comprises a universal subscriber identity module (USIM).

71. The method of claim 68, wherein said removable module comprises a removable universal identification module (R-UIM).

72. A method of operating a wireless device for use with a call accounting system, said wireless device including a processor and a memory, said method comprising the steps of:

detecting, utilizing said processor executing an application program contained in the memory of said 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; and

in response to the detecting of said first and second events;

obtaining, utilizing said processor executing said application program, information indicative of a duration associated with said communication;

initiating, utilizing said processor executing said application program, transmission of a first data bearer message from the wireless device to said call accounting system, said first message including at least said information indicative of the duration associated with said communication;

receiving, at said wireless device, at least one second data message from said call accounting system, said at least one second data message including one or more of a plurality of different directives to configure the operation of said wireless device, said at least one second data message being transmitted to said wireless device by said call accounting system in response to the transmission of said first data bearer message,

wherein said at least one instruction included in said at least one second data message is generated by said call accounting system based upon the information included in said first data bearer message; and

directing, by said one or more said plurality of different directives, said application program to perform at least one specified action corresponding to the respective directive,

wherein said plurality of different directives includes one or more of a first directive operative to direct said application program to perform a software reconfiguration of said wireless device, and a second directive operative to direct said application program to re-route a current service to a specified address.

73. The method of claim 72, 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.

74. The method of claim 72, further comprising:

receiving said first 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.

75. The method of claim 72 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.

76. The method of claim 72, 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 sad information comprises at least said first and second counter values.

77. The method of claim 72, 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.

78. The method of claim 72, 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.

79. A subscriber management and accounting system, comprising;

a wireless communication network;

a management platform including a text messaging gateway; and

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

a memory containing an application program; and

a processor operative to execute said application program,

wherein, responsive to the of said application program, said processor included in said removable module is operative;

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

in response the detection of the occurrence of said at least one predetermined event;

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

to initiate transmission of a first data message that includes said information over said wireless communication network to said management platform via said text messaging gateway;

to receive, via said text messaging gateway, at least one second data message from said management platform, said at least one second data message including one or more of a plurality of different directives to configure the operation of said wireless device, said at one, second data message being transmitted, to said device by said management platform in response to the transmission of said first data message;

wherein said one or more of said plurality of different directives included in said at least one second data message is generated by said management platform based upon the information included in said first data message, each of said plurality of different directives being operative to direct said application program to perform at least one specified action corresponding to the respective directive, and

wherein said plurality of different directives includes one or more of a first directive operative to direct said application program to perform a software reconfiguration of said removable module, and a second directive operative to direct said application program to re-route a current service to a specified address.

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

81. The subscriber management and accounting system of claim 79, wherein said removable module comprises a subscriber identity module (SIM).

82. The subscriber management and accounting system of claim 79, wherein said removable module comprises a universal subscriber identity module (USIM).

83. The subscriber management and accounting system of claim 79, wherein said removable module comprises a removable universal identification module (R-UIM).

84. The subscriber management and accounting system of claim 79, wherein said first data message is formatted as a text message.

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

86. The subscriber management and accounting system of claim 79, 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.

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

88. The subscriber management and accounting system of claim 79, 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.

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

90. The subscriber management and accounting system of claim 79, 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.

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

92. The subscriber management and accounting system of claim 79, 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.

93. The subscriber management and accounting system of claim 92, wherein said pre-authorization mode is configurable via a command message from said management platform.

94. The subscriber management and accounting system of claim 79, 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.

95. The subscriber management and accounting system of claim 79, 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 first data message to said management platform.

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

97. The subscriber management and accounting system of claim 79, 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 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 timer expiration mode, allow said communication to continue without seeking said re-authorization from said management platform.

98. A wireless device operative in conjunction with an external server, comprising:

a first memory portion, a second memory portion, and a processor, said first memory portion containing an application program, said processor being operative to execute said application program,

wherein, responsive to the execution of said application program, said processor included in said wireless device is operative;

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; and

responsive to the detection of the occurrence of said at least one predetermined event;

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

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

to initiate transmission of said first data message to said external server as a wireless RF message; and

to receive at least one second data message from said external server, said at least one second data message including at least one directive to configure the operation of said wireless device, said at least one second data message being transmitted to said wireless device by said external server in response to the transmission of said first data message,

wherein said at least one directive include in said at least one second data message is generated by said external server based upon the information included in said first data message, each of said at least one directive being operative to direct said application program to perform at least one specified action corresponding to the respective directive, and

wherein said at least one directive includes a first directive operative to direct said application program to perform a software reconfiguration of said wireless device.

99. A wireless device operative in conjunction with an external server, comprising:

a first memory portion, a second memory portion, and a processor, said first memory portion containing an application program, said processor being operative to execute said application program,

wherein, responsive to the execution of said application program, said processor included in said wireless device is operative;

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; and

responsive to the detection of the occurrence of said at least one predetermined event;

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

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

to initiate transmission of said first data message to said external server as a wireless RF message; and

to receive at least one second data message from said external server, said at least one second data message including at least one directive to configure the operation of said wireless device, said at least one second data message being transmitted to said wireless device by said external server in response to the transmitted of said first data message,

wherein said at least one directive included in said at least one second data message is generated by said external server based upon the information included in said first data message, each of said at least one directive being operative to direct said application program to perform at least one specified action corresponding to the respective directive, and

wherein said at least one directive includes a first directive operative to direct said application program to re-route a current server to a specified address.