Feature management of a communication device
First Claim
1. A computing device configured to communicate over a communication network managed by a service provider, the computing device comprising a memory bearing instructions that, when executed on the computing device, cause the computing device to at least:
- send, to a server at the service provider, a request to communicate with a remote computing device over the communication network;
receive, from the server, a response indicative of an enforcement by the server of a decision of the server to grant or deny the request, the decision being based on one or more policies that are stored at the server and that are configured by an administrator of the computing device; and
communicate with the remote computing device over the communication network when the response grants the request, the communication being performed without downloading the policy or the decision to the computing device, wherein the one or more policies comprises a limit on units of value that can be used to communicate with the remote computing device and one or more contacts associated with one or more computing devices, wherein the decision grants the request when communicating with the remote computing device is associated with a charge of units of value that is within the limit, wherein the decision grants the request when communicating with the remote computing device is associated with a charge of units of value that exceeds the limit and when the remote computing device is associated with a contact from the one or more contacts, and wherein the decision denies the request when communicating with the remote computing device is associated with a charge of units of value that exceeds the limit and when the remote computing device is not associated with a contact from the one or more contacts.
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
28 Claims
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1. A computing device configured to communicate over a communication network managed by a service provider, the 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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send, to a server at the service provider, a request to communicate with a remote computing device over the communication network; receive, from the server, a response indicative of an enforcement by the server of a decision of the server to grant or deny the request, the decision being based on one or more policies that are stored at the server and that are configured by an administrator of the computing device; and communicate with the remote computing device over the communication network when the response grants the request, the communication being performed without downloading the policy or the decision to the computing device, wherein the one or more policies comprises a limit on units of value that can be used to communicate with the remote computing device and one or more contacts associated with one or more computing devices, wherein the decision grants the request when communicating with the remote computing device is associated with a charge of units of value that is within the limit, wherein the decision grants the request when communicating with the remote computing device is associated with a charge of units of value that exceeds the limit and when the remote computing device is associated with a contact from the one or more contacts, and wherein the decision denies the request when communicating with the remote computing device is associated with a charge of units of value that exceeds the limit and when the remote computing device is not associated with a contact from the one or more contacts. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium comprising instructions that, when executed on a computing device configured to be operatively coupled to a communication network managed by a service provider, causes the computing device to at least:
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send, to a server, a request to communicate with a remote computing device over the communication network; receive, from the server, a response indicative of a decision to grant the request, the decision being based on a policy that is stored on the computing device and that is configured by an administrator of the computing device, the response being further indicative of an enforcement of the decision by the server; and communicate with the remote computing device over the communication network based on the response, the communication being executed without downloading the policy or the decision to the service provider, wherein the policy comprises a limit on units of value that can be used to communicate with the remote computing device and one or more contacts associated with one or more computing devices, wherein the decision grants the request when communicating with the remote computing device is associated with a charge of units of value that is within the limit, wherein the decision grants the request when communicating with the remote computing device is associated with a charge of units of value that exceeds the limit and when the remote computing device is associated with a contact from the one or more contacts, and wherein the decision denies the request when communicating with the remote computing device is associated with a charge of units of value that exceeds the limit and when the remote computing device is not associated with a contact from the one or more contacts. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method executed on a computing device configured to communicate via a communication network associated with a service provider, the method comprising:
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receiving, from a server at the service provider, a policy pertaining to a request to communicate with a remote computing device over the communication network; generating a decision to allow the request, the decision being based on the policy received from the server; causing an enforcement action consistent with the decision; and communicating with the remote computing device over the communication network based on the decision when the enforcement action allows said communicating, wherein the policy includes a limit on units of value that can be used to communicate with the remote computing device and one or more contacts associated with one or more computing devices, wherein the decision grants the request when communicating with the remote computing device is associated with a charge of units of value that is within the limit, wherein the decision grants the request when communicating with the remote computing device is associated with a charge of units of value that exceeds the limit and when the remote computing device is associated with a contact from the one or more contacts, and wherein the decision denies the request when communicating with the remote computing device is associated with a charge of units of value that exceeds the limit and when the remote computing device is not associated with a contact from the one or more contacts. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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Specification