Device assisted services install

• US 8,402,111 B2
• Filed: 01/27/2010
• Issued: 03/19/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 01/28/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Headwater Research LLC (Greg Raleigh)
• Original Assignee: Headwater Partners I LLC (Greg Raleigh)
• Inventors: Raleigh, Gregory G.
• Primary Examiner(s): RUDY, ANDREW J
• Application Number:
  US12/694,455
• Publication Number:
  US 20100198939A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,147 Days
• Field of Search: 705/28, 705/30, 705/34, 705/26.1, 709/203, 709/217, 709/223, 709/224, 455/461, 455/414.1, 455/434, 455/456.3, 455/466, 379/201.01, 370/252, 370/352, 235/376, 235/383
• US Class Current: 709/217
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0806 for initial configuration or provisioning, e.g. plug-and-play
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/082 the condition being updates or upgrades of network functionality
• 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: H04M 15/61 based on the service used
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/8094 Trial service, i.e. free of charge service for trial purposes
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/18 Negotiating wireless communication parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/24 Accounting or billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/183 Processing at user equipment or user record carrier
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/22 Processing or transfer of terminal data, e.g. status or physical capabilities

Abstract

Device assisted services (DAS) install techniques are provided in accordance with some embodiments. In some embodiments, DAS install techniques for providing service processors for mobile devices are provided. In some embodiments, DAS install techniques for downloading/installing new and/or updated service processors for mobile devices are provided. In some embodiments, DAS install techniques for providing verified service processors for mobile devices are provided. In some embodiments, DAS install techniques for providing secured service processors for mobile devices are provided. In some embodiments, DAS install techniques include determining if a communications device in communication with a wireless network includes a service processor for assisting control of the communications device use of a service on the wireless network, in which the service processor includes a service profile that includes a plurality of service policy settings, and in which the service profile is associated with a service plan that provides for access to the service; and verifying the service processor. In some embodiments, DAS install techniques include providing a generic first version service processor for downloading and installing a second version service processor.

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

a processor of a network device configured to;

determine whether a communications device in communication with the system over a wireless network includes a first version service processor for assisting control of a use by the communications device of a service on the wireless network, wherein the first version service processor includes a service profile that includes at least one service policy setting, and wherein the service profile provides for access to the service; and

when the communications device includes the first version service processor,

determine a device group associated with the communications device, and

download a second version service processor to the communications device based on the device group; and

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 first version service processor is uniquely associated with the communications device.

3. The system recited in claim 1, wherein the communications device is activated prior to a point of sale of the communications device, and the service profile is associated with the communications device during activation.

4. The system recited in claim 1, wherein the service profile is associated with the communications device during a manufacture of the communications device, during a distribution of the communications device, or at a point of sale of the communications device.

5. The system recited in claim 1, wherein the service profile is associated with an ambient service plan that provides a low cost or free trial service plan that is bundled or provided as an option for purchase at a point of sale of the communications device.

6. The system recited in claim 1, wherein the communications device includes a plurality of service processors for supporting a plurality of operating systems or a plurality of service plans.

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

8. The system recited in claim 1, wherein the communications device is a mobile communications device, and the 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 personal digital assistant (PDA), an eBook reader, a music device, an entertainment device, a gaming device, a computer, a laptop, a netbook, a tablet, and a home networking system.

9. The system recited in claim 1, wherein the communications device includes a modem, and at least one of the first version service processor and the second version service processor is located in the modem.

10. The system recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one service policy setting includes one or more of the following:

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

11. The system recited in claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to verify an implementation of the service profile based on one or more of the following:

device generated service usage information and network generated service usage information.

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

when the communications device does not include the first version service processor, download the first version service processor or the second version service processor to the communications device.

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

when the communications device does not include the first version service processor, download the first version service processor or the second version service processor to the communications device using a bootstrapper.

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

when the communications device includes the first version service processor, update the first version service processor.

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

when the communications device includes the first version service processor, download a replacement service processor to the communications device.

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

allow the communications device access to the service in a probation mode that allows for access to the service with increased service monitoring or limited service capabilities that are limited based on one or more of the following;

a period of time, a network address, a service type, a content type, an application type, a bandwidth, and a data usage.

17. The system recited in claim 1,

wherein the second version service processor is uniquely associated with the communications device.

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

when the communications device includes the first version service processor, download an updated service processor to the communications device.

19. The system recited in claim 1,

wherein the second version service processor is uniquely associated with the communications device based on one or more device credentials of the communications device.

20. The system recited in claim 1,

wherein the second version service processor is uniquely associated with the communications device based on one or more device credentials of the communications device and based on user information associated with a temporary user account.

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

when the communications device includes the first version service processor, download a service processor update to the communications device, wherein the service processor update includes one or more updates to the first version service processor.

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

when the communications device includes the first version service processor, download a service processor update to the communications device, wherein the service processor update includes one or more settings changes to the first version service processor.

23. The system recited in claim 1, wherein the second version service processor is uniquely associated with the communications device, a communications device user, a device group, or a service plan.

24. The system recited in claim 1,

wherein the second version service processor is uniquely associated with the communications device, and wherein the second version service processor includes one or more restricted Internet protocol (IP) addresses providing for access to a service controller reserved for verified and non-probation mode service processors.

25. The system recited in claim 1, wherein the first version service processor allows for limited access to the wireless network for purposes of service control and for permitting selection of a service plan, and wherein the

second version service processor is based on a service plan selection for the communications device.

26. The system recited in claim 1,

wherein the second version service processor facilitates a dual boot configuration that provides support for at least two operating systems executed on the communications device.

27. The system recited in claim 1, wherein the service profile includes an option to purchase a service plan for the communications device, wherein the service plan includes additional service capabilities, and

wherein the second version service processor is associated with the service plan.

28. The system recited in claim 1, wherein the processor of the network device is configured to download the second version service processor to the communications device based on one or more of the following:

a service plan selection, an indication of tampering with the service processor, an update availability, and a periodic service processor verification request.

29. A method performed by a network system, comprising:

determining whether a communications device in communication with the network system over a wireless network includes a first version service processor for assisting control of a use by the communications device of a service on the wireless network, wherein the first version service processor includes a service profile that includes at least one service policy setting, and wherein the service profile provides for access to the service; and

when the communications device includes the first version service processor,

determining a device group associated with the communications device, and

downloading a second version service processor to the communications device based on the device group.

30. A computer program product, the computer program product being embodied in a non-transitory computer readable storage medium and comprising computer instructions for causing a network system to perform the steps of:

determining whether a communications device in communication with the network system over a wireless network includes a first version service processor for assisting control of a use by the communications device of a service on the wireless network, wherein the first version service processor includes a service profile that includes at least one service policy setting, and wherein the service profile provides for access to the service; and

when the communications device includes the first version service processor,

determining a device group associated with the communications device, and

downloading a second version service processor to the communications device based on the device group.