Automated device provisioning and activation

• US 8,406,733 B2
• Filed: 05/01/2012
• Issued: 03/26/2013
• 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:
  US13/461,141
• Publication Number:
  US 20120214441A1
• Time in Patent Office: 329 Days
• Field of Search: 370/352, 370/389, 370/252, 455/411, 455/414.1, 455/432.1, 455/455, 455/507, 455/561, 455406-408, 455/456.1, 705/16, 705/34, 705/30, 713/170
• US Class Current: 455/407
• 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

Devices and methods for receiving control-plane communications from a network element over a secure service control link are disclosed. The network element includes a service control server link element that is communicatively coupled to a plurality of servers. The device includes a plurality of device agents communicatively coupled to a service control device link agent through an agent communication bus. The service control device link agent receives an encrypted agent message from the service control server link element over the secure service control link, uses an encryption key to obtain a decrypted agent message comprising a particular agent identifier and message content for delivery to the particular device agent, and, based on the particular agent identifier, delivers the message content to the particular device agent over the agent communication bus.

Claims

1. An end-user device comprising:

a modem for enabling communication with a network system over a service control link provided by the network system over a wireless access network, the service control link secured by an encryption protocol and configured to support control-plane communications between the network system and a service control device link agent on the end-user device;

a plurality of device agents communicatively coupled to the service control device link agent through an agent communication bus, each of the plurality of device agents identifiable by an associated device agent identifier; and

memory configured to store an encryption key, the encryption key shared between the service control device link agent and a service control server link element of the network system;

wherein the service control device link agent is configured to;

receive, over the service control link, an encrypted agent message from the service control server link element,

using the encryption key, obtain a decrypted agent message, the decrypted agent message comprising a particular agent identifier and message content for delivery to a particular device agent of the plurality of device agents, the particular agent identifier identifying the particular device agent, the message content from a particular server of a plurality of servers communicatively coupled to the service control server link element, and

based on the particular agent identifier, deliver the message content to the particular device agent over the agent communication bus.

2. The end-user device recited in claim 1, wherein the particular server comprises a service usage history server, a policy management server, an access control integrity server, a network traffic analysis server, a beta test server, a service download control server, a billing event server, an activation server, a transaction server, an authentication server, or a content management server.

3. The end-user device recited in claim 1, wherein the message content comprises information associated with a service usage.

4. The end-user device recited in claim 3, wherein the information associated with the service usage comprises information about one or more of a service usage value, a projected service usage value, a service usage plan limit, a projected service usage overage, a projected service cost overage, a service plan period time duration, a service plan time remaining before end of period, and a service overage.

5. The end-user device recited in claim 1, wherein the message content is based, at least in part, on a user preference.

6. The end-user device recited in claim 1, wherein the message content comprises information associated with a roaming service usage or a roaming service cost.

7. The end-user device recited in claim 1, wherein the message content comprises a service offer, an advertisement, or a transaction offer.

8. The end-user device recited in claim 1, wherein the message content comprises information from a third party configured to provide control of a service or a billing for a service.

9. The end-user device recited in claim 1, wherein the message content comprises an agent instruction, a setting value, an agent configuration, or a software update.

10. The end-user device recited in claim 1, wherein the message content comprises software or a media file.

11. The end-user device recited in claim 1, wherein the message content comprises information associated with a service policy.

12. The end-user device recited in claim 1, wherein the message content comprises service usage accounting information.

13. The end-user device recited in claim 1, wherein the service control device link agent is further configured to send a device message to the service control server link element over the service control link.

14. The end-user device recited in claim 13, wherein the device message comprises a service usage report or an integrity report.

15. The end-user device recited in claim 13, wherein the device message comprises a user response.

16. The end-user device recited in claim 15, wherein the user response comprises an acknowledgment of a roaming cost or a roaming usage.

17. The end-user device recited in claim 15, wherein the user response comprises an acknowledgment of a service usage, a service cost, or a service overage.

18. The end-user device recited in claim 15, wherein the user response comprises an indication that a user intends to purchase a service plan.

19. The end-user device recited in claim 1, further comprising a user interface, and wherein the particular device agent is configured to assist in presenting a notification through the user interface, the notification based on the message content.

20. The end-user device recited in claim 19, wherein the particular device agent is further configured to:

assist in obtaining a user response to the notification, and

send a first message to the service control device link, the first message comprising the user response,

and the service control device link agent is further configured to;

using the encryption key, generate an encrypted device message comprising the user response, and

send the encrypted device message to a service control server link element over the service control link.

21. The end-user device recited in claim 1, wherein the service control link supports asynchronous transmissions by the service control server link element.

22. The end-user device recited in claim 1, wherein the service control link supports periodic transmissions by the service control server link element.

23. The end-user device recited in claim 1, wherein the service control device link agent is further configured to send a device credential to the network system or receive the device credential from the network system during a service authorization sequence.

24. The end-user device recited in claim 23, wherein the device credential comprises one or more of a phone number, an identification number, a security signature, a security credential, a subscriber identity module (SIM) identifier, a mobile equipment identifier (MEID), and a device identifier.

25. The end-user device recited in claim 1, wherein a transmission over the service control link is within an ambient service.

26. The end-user device recited in claim 1, wherein the particular device agent comprises software.

27. The end-user device recited in claim 1, wherein the encryption key is a first encryption key, and the service control device link agent is further configured to encrypt the message content using a second encryption key before delivering the message content to the particular agent, the second encryption key shared by the service control device link agent and the particular agent.

28. The end-user device recited in claim 1, wherein the service control device link agent is further configured to trigger a device transmission to maintain the service control link when a time between transmissions would otherwise cause the service control link to terminate.

29. The end-user device recited in claim 1, wherein the service control link is configured to support control-plane communications using an Internet protocol.

30. A method performed by an end-user device, the method comprising:

receiving, over a service control link, an encrypted agent message from a network element, the service control link secured by an encryption protocol, the service control link supporting control-plane communications between a service control device link agent on the end-user device and the network element;

using an encryption key shared between the service control device link agent and the network element, obtaining a decrypted agent message, the decrypted agent message comprising a particular agent identifier and message content for delivery to a particular device agent of a plurality of device agents on the end-user device, each of the plurality of device agents identifiable by an associated device agent identifier and communicatively coupled to the service control device link agent through an agent communication bus, the particular agent identifier identifying the particular device agent, the message content from a particular server of a plurality of servers communicatively coupled to the network element; and

delivering the message content to the particular device agent over the agent communication bus based on the particular agent identifier.