Synchronizing information through profile management between a host system and a mobile device

• US 8,214,471 B2
• Filed: 06/13/2008
• Issued: 07/03/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/13/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Omnissa, LLC
• Original Assignee: W2BI, Inc. (Advantest Corporation)
• Inventors: Doshi, Dinesh, Johansen, Tor Andre
• Primary Examiner(s): Jaroenchonwanit, Bunjob
• Application Number:
  US12/138,903
• Publication Number:
  US 20080313313A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,481 Days
• Field of Search: 709/221, 707/120
• US Class Current: 709/221
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/04 specially adapted for terminals or networks with limited capabilities; specially adapted for terminal portability
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/06 specially adapted for file transfer, e.g. file transfer protocol [FTP]
• 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: H04W 4/14 Short messaging services, e.g. short message services [SMS] or unstructured supplementary service data [USSD]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 80/12 Application layer protocols, e.g. WAP [Wireless Application Protocol]

Abstract

A system for enabling control and managing the assets by synchronizing information between a host system server and a mobile client device is disclosed. Control of the mobile client devices from remote locations enables an administrator to provide specific profiles for the mobile devices. These profiles are consistent and ensure that the user can perform all of the required tasks. The system also includes a multi-level security mechanism. The security provision maintains control of the hardware (mobile device) and the information stored thereon. The administrator also controls the distribution of applications and services to the mobile device, including restoring information which may have become lost.

Claims

1. A method of synchronizing information between a host system server and a mobile client device within an enterprise or customer network comprising the steps of:

establishing a SMS OR WAP protocol communication link between a first client device and a host system server,

forwarding an identification means from said first client device to said host system server and verifying said identification means, said host system server waiting for a request from said first client device, said first client device contains personal settings;

forwarding said personal settings from said first client device to said host system server;

initiating a communication session by said first client device;

downloading of commands in the form of SMS or WAP PUSH containing an EXE file with Arguments for file download of an XML file of a managed profile received from said host system server;

parsing the commands and executing said commands accordingly to configure said first client device for Exchange, Browser Favorites, Data Settings, or VPN settings;

providing a single-point access of an asset management for restoring said personal settings on said first client device or on a second client device;

sending instructions to said second client device in the form of text data within a SMS message to configure said second client device for Exchange, Browser Favorites, Data Settings, or VPN settings;

wherein said first and second client device are configured to contain customized software applications that synchronizes with said host system server and updates said identification means; and

wherein said first client device personal setting is restored on said first client device or said second client device by receiving said stored personal settings, said personal settings defined passwords, software applications, emails, SMS messages, contact lists, and calendars, as well as display brightness settings, sound volumes, associated ring tones, sync options, date and time, keyboard settings, international settings, language selection, mail settings, caller id settings, call waiting settings, call forward settings, voice mail passwords, SMS settings, custom desktop settings, browser favorites, data settings, and custom configurations.

2. The method of synchronizing information between a host system and a mobile client device according to claim 1 wherein said commands are used to configure and manage custom desktop settings, browser favorites, data settings, and custom configurations.

3. The method of synchronizing information between a host system and a mobile client device according to claim 1 further comprising the steps of:

notifying to the client device to download a profile file from said host system server in an xml format;

parsing said downloaded profile file;

applying appropriate settings on the client device based on said downloaded profile file.

4. The method of synchronizing information between a host system and a mobile client device according to claim 3 further comprising the steps of:

storing personal profile settings of each user in an enterprise network in said host system server providing a single point of Profile Management.

5. The method of synchronizing information between a host system server and a mobile client device according to claim 1 wherein including the step of sending instructions to the client device in the form of a file download of an XML file to configure the client device.

6. The method of synchronizing information between a host system and a mobile client device according to claim 1 wherein said step of downloading is to a group of client devices through bootstrapping, said downloading selected from the file of:

Data Settings, VPN Settings, Exchange Settings, POP/IMAP3 Settings, Browser Favorites or Host Settings.

7. The method of synchronizing information between a host system and a mobile client device according to claim 1 wherein said step of downloading is a static application pushed to said client device.

8. The method of synchronizing information between a host system and a mobile client device according to claim 1 wherein said step of downloading is a non-static application pushed to said client device, said non-static application installed by an end-user and said client device executing the non-static application.

9. The method of synchronizing information between a host system server and a mobile client device according to claim 1 including a ping status check wherein SMS/WAP-push message is sent to a client device requesting the client device to send a SMS relayed back to said host system server to notify that available operation.

10. The method of synchronizing information between a host system server and a mobile client device according to claim 1 including an information status check, said information status check includes a ping;

wherein said client device reports available device information;

wherein said available device information consisting of Operating System and Version;

Device Model, make, ID and language;

Hardware ID;

Device Hardware specifications; and

storage information;

Call History;

Software Applications installed on said client device; and

Battery Status;

wherein a terminal is turned on and connected to an operator network.

11. The method of synchronizing information between a host system server and a mobile client device according to claim 1 including an information and file structure status check wherein a SMS OR WAP-push message is sent to the client device requesting the client device to collect information and communicating with the host system server by HTTP to post information collected.

12. The method of synchronizing information between a host system server and a mobile client device according to claim 1 including the step of policy enforcement by allowing said host system server to push a company certificate to an authorized client device.