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 storing thereon instructions that, when executed on the computing device, cause the computing device to at least:
- send to a first server a request to use a function of the computing device to communicate with a remote computing device over the communication network, the function being associated with an allowance comprising units of value allocated to the allowance, the allowance being associated with a plan for using the computing device by a user;
receive from the first server a response indicating that the request has been granted, the response being based on a policy stored at the first server, the policy comprising a restriction on the use of the function;
communicate with the remote computing device over the communication network based on the response, the communication being allowed without downloading the policy to the computing device; and
transmit information to a second server, the information usable to allow the second server to charge units of value in response to the communication with the remote computing device, the units of value being charged to the allowance or to units of value that are associated with the plan and that are unallocated to the allowance based on a rule stored at the second server.
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.
119 Citations
20 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 storing thereon instructions that, when executed on the computing device, cause the computing device to at least:
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send to a first server a request to use a function of the computing device to communicate with a remote computing device over the communication network, the function being associated with an allowance comprising units of value allocated to the allowance, the allowance being associated with a plan for using the computing device by a user; receive from the first server a response indicating that the request has been granted, the response being based on a policy stored at the first server, the policy comprising a restriction on the use of the function; communicate with the remote computing device over the communication network based on the response, the communication being allowed without downloading the policy to the computing device; and transmit information to a second server, the information usable to allow the second server to charge units of value in response to the communication with the remote computing device, the units of value being charged to the allowance or to units of value that are associated with the plan and that are unallocated to the allowance based on a rule stored at the second server. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium comprising computer readable instructions that, when executed on a first computing device associated with a plan, cause the first computing device to at least:
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send to a server a request to communicate with a second computing device, the communication being associated with an allowance comprising units of value that are allocated to the allowance based on the plan, the allocation of the units of value being managed by a first administrator; receive from the server a response indicative that the request is allowed, the response being based on a policy stored at the server, the policy comprising information usable to control the communication with the second computing device, the policy being managed by a second administrator; communicate with the second computing device based on the response, the communication being allowed without downloading the policy to the first computing device; and transmit information to the server, the information usable to allow the server to charge an amount of units of value based on the communication with the second computing device, the amount of the units of value being deducted from the allowance or from units of value that are unallocated to the allowance based on a rule stored at the server, the rule being managed by the first administrator. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method executed on a first computing device associated with a plan, the method comprising:
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sending to a first server a request to communicate with a second computing device, the communication being associated with an allowance comprising units of value that are allocated to the allowance based on the plan; receiving, from the first server, a response indicating that the request is allowed, the response being based on a policy stored at the first server, the policy usable for controlling the communication with the second computing device; communicating with the second computing device based on the response, the communication being allowed without downloading the policy to the first computing device; and transmitting information to a second server to allow the second server to charge for the communication, the charging comprising decrementing units of value in response to the communication with the second computing device, the units of value being decremented from the allowance or from units of value that are unallocated to the allowance based on a rule stored at the second server. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification