Feature management of a communication device
First Claim
1. A system for managing a computing device associated with a plan, the system comprising a memory storing thereon computer executable instructions that, when executed by the system, cause the system to at least:
- based on the plan, allocate units of value to an allowance associated with the computing device;
generate a decision as to whether a request from the computing device to use a function is granted or denied based on a policy that controls whether the use of the function on the computing device is granted or denied;
determine whether to decrement units of value from the units of value allocated to the allowance or from units of value associated with the plan and unallocated to the allowance when the request is granted;
allow the device to use the function when the request is granted; and
decrement units of value from the units of value allocated to the allowance or from units of value associated with the plan and unallocated to the allowance based on the determination.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for the real-time management of a device, and more particularly to the establishment and enforcement of policies or rules associated with the feature or functions that may be performed with the device, such as making and receiving calls, exchanging data, playing games and music, sending and receiving email, accessing web sites, and paying for goods and services. If a child or employee is using the device, there may be a need to regulate how that device can be used and to determine who will pay for what goods or services. In addition to providing all of the features associated with a device, service providers need to be able to establish and enforce rules (policies) regulating how and when that device can be used and who will pay for a good or service requested by the user of the device.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. A system for managing a computing device associated with a plan, the system comprising a memory storing thereon computer executable instructions that, when executed by the system, cause the system to at least:
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based on the plan, allocate units of value to an allowance associated with the computing device; generate a decision as to whether a request from the computing device to use a function is granted or denied based on a policy that controls whether the use of the function on the computing device is granted or denied; determine whether to decrement units of value from the units of value allocated to the allowance or from units of value associated with the plan and unallocated to the allowance when the request is granted; allow the device to use the function when the request is granted; and decrement units of value from the units of value allocated to the allowance or from units of value associated with the plan and unallocated to the allowance based on the determination. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium comprising instructions for managing a computing device based on a plan associated with a network serviced by a service provider, the medium bearing computer readable instructions that, when executed on a system, cause the system to at least:
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based on the plan, assign a first set of credits to an account associated with the computing device, the first set of credits being defined based on input associated with an administrator; store a rule that determines whether credits associated with a use of a function of the computing device will be deducted from the account or from credits associated with the plan and unallocated to the account, the rule being defined based on input associated with the administrator; store a policy that controls the use of the function, the policy being defined based on input associated with the administrator; in response to receiving a request to use the function, allow or disallow the computing device to use the function based on the policy; and in response to allowing the computing device to use the function, determine whether credits associated with using the function are deducted from the account or from credits associated with the plan and that are unallocated to the account based on the rule. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A method for managing a computing device based on a plan associated with a network serviced by a service provider, the method comprising:
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assigning, based on the plan, units of value to an allowance associated with the computing device, the assignment being defined by an administrator; determining that a first rule is inapplicable to a request for a use of a function of the computing device, the first rule specifying whether the use of the function is allowed independently of the plan and being defined by the service provider; allowing or disallowing the use of the function based on the determining and based on a policy, the policy restricting the use of the function and being defined by the administrator; and in response to allowing the use of the function, determining based on a second rule whether units of value associated with using the function are deducted from the allowance or from units of value that are associated with the plan and that are unassigned to the allowance, the second rule being defined by the administrator. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26)
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27. A system for managing a first computing device associated with a plan, the system comprising:
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means for assigning a first set of credits associated with the plan to a first account associated with the first computing device; means for storing a rule that determines whether credits associated with a use of a function will be deducted from the first account or from credits associated with the plan and unallocated to the first account; means for storing a policy that controls whether the use of the function is allowed or disallowed; means for, in response to receiving a request for the use of the function, allowing or disallowing the use of the function based on the policy; and means for, in response to allowing the use of the function, determining whether the credits associated with the use of the function are deducted from the first account or from the credits associated with the plan and unallocated to the first account based on the rule. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30)
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Specification