Feature management of a communication device
First Claim
1. A computing device comprising a memory bearing instructions that, when executed on the computing device, cause the computing device to at least:
- access a restriction by the computing device, the restriction being derived from a plan that is managed at a server and that is associated with units of value, the restriction being associated with a number of the units of value that can be used to execute a function on the computing device;
determine whether executing the function on the computing device to interact with a remote computing device violates the restriction;
send a request to the server in response to determining that executing the function on the computing device violates the restriction, the request indicative of an identification of the remote computing device;
receive from the server a decision to allow execution of the function on the computing device, the decision being based on the identification of the remote computing device;
execute the function based on the decision; and
send information to the server usable to deduct units of value from remaining units of value in the plan based on the execution of the function.
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
33 Claims
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1. A computing device comprising a memory bearing instructions that, when executed on the computing device, cause the computing device to at least:
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access a restriction by the computing device, the restriction being derived from a plan that is managed at a server and that is associated with units of value, the restriction being associated with a number of the units of value that can be used to execute a function on the computing device; determine whether executing the function on the computing device to interact with a remote computing device violates the restriction; send a request to the server in response to determining that executing the function on the computing device violates the restriction, the request indicative of an identification of the remote computing device; receive from the server a decision to allow execution of the function on the computing device, the decision being based on the identification of the remote computing device; execute the function based on the decision; and send information to the server usable to deduct units of value from remaining units of value in the plan based on the execution of the function. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium comprising instructions that, when executed on a computing device, cause the computing device to at least:
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associate the computing device with an account managed at a server, the account being associated with units of value and with a plurality of computing devices, the account allocating a set of the units of value to a function of the computing device, the allocation being based on input associated with an administrator; access, by the computing device, a list of allowed contacts and blocked contacts, the allowed contacts being associated with remote computing devices that the computing device is allowed to interact with independently of the allocation, the blocked contacts being associated with remote computing devices that the computing device is disallowed to interact with, the list being managed by the administrator; initiate an execution of the function on the computing device to interact with a remote computing device; determine whether the remote computing device is associated with an allowed contact or a blocked contact; allow or disallow the execution of the function on the computing device based on the determination; and when the determination indicates that the remote computing device is unassociated with the list, receive from the server a decision to allow or disallow the function based on the allocated set of units of value. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for managing a computing device, the method comprising:
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accessing a restriction by the computing device, the restriction being derived from a plan that is managed at a server and that is associated with units of value, the restriction comprising a limit on a number of the units of value that can be used to execute a function of the computing device; receiving a decision from the server allowing execution of the function, the decision being based on a first rule and a second rule, the first rule specifying whether the function is allowed to be executed agnostically of the units of value, the second rule specifying whether the function is allowed to be executed based on the plan and specifying whether units of value associated with executing the function are decremented from the number of the units of value associated with the restriction or from units of value associated with the plan and unassociated with the restriction; executing the function based on the decision; and decrementing units of value from the number of the units of value associated with the restriction or from units of value associated with the plan and unassociated with the restriction when the decision applies the second rule, the units of value being decremented based on the second rule. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium comprising instructions that, when executed on a computing device, cause the computing device to at least:
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associate the computing device with a restriction managed at a server, the restriction being associated with a number of units of value, the units of value being associated with a plan shared between a plurality of devices, the number of units of value being set by an administrator of the plan; access, by the computing device, a first rule and a second rule, the first rule defining whether a function is allowed to be executed on the computing device agnostically of the units of value, the second rule determining whether the function is allowed to be executed on the computing device based on the units of value and defining whether units of value associated with executing the function are decremented from the units of value associated with the restriction or from units of value associated with the plan and unassociated with the restriction; execute the function on the computing device based on whether the first rule or the second rule applies; and send information to the server usable to decrement the units of value associated with the restriction or from units of value associated with the plan and unassociated with the restriction when the second rule applies. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A method for managing a computing device, the method comprising:
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accessing a restriction by the computing device, the restriction being derived from a plan that is managed at a server and that is associated with units of value, the restriction being associated with a number of the units of value that can be used to execute a function on the computing device; determining whether executing the function on the computing device to interact with a remote computing device violates the restriction; sending a request to the server in response to determining that executing the function on the computing device violates the restriction, the request including an indication of an identity of the remote computing device; receiving from the server a decision to execute the function on the computing device, the decision being based on the indication; executing the function on the computing device based on the decision; and sending information to the server usable to deduct units of value from units of value remaining in the plan based on the execution of the function. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33)
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Specification