Automated device provisioning and activation

• US 8,667,571 B2
• Filed: 12/04/2012
• Issued: 03/04/2014
• 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:
  US13/705,055
• Publication Number:
  US 20130096998A1
• Time in Patent Office: 455 Days
• Field of Search: 455405-409, 455/414.1, 455/422.1, 455/431, 455/432.1, 455/456.3, 709/224, 709/225, 709/227, 709/228, 713/168, 726 3- 5, 726/7, 726/26, 370/328, 370/338, 370/354, 705/14.4, 705/26.1, 705/30
• US Class Current: 726/7
• 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

A method comprising providing a plurality of links to a plurality of end-user devices communicatively coupled to a network system, a particular link of the plurality of links supporting control-plane communications between the network system and a particular end-user device of the plurality of end-user devices over one or more wireless access networks; receiving a message from a server communicatively coupled to the network system, the message comprising payload for delivery to the particular end-user device; generating an encrypted message comprising the payload and an identifier identifying a particular device agent of a plurality of device agents on the particular end-user device, the identifier configured to assist in delivering at least a portion of the payload to the particular device agent on the particular end-user device; and sending the encrypted message to the particular end-user device over the particular link.

Claims

1. A method performed by a network system, the method comprising:

providing a first service control link to a first end-user device communicatively coupled to the network system over a first set of one or more wireless networks, the first service control link secured at least in part by at least a first encryption protocol, the first service control link for supporting first control-plane communications between the network system and the first end-user device, the first end-user device comprising a first set of two or more device agents, the first set of two or more device agents including a particular device agent;

providing a second service control link to a second end-user device communicatively coupled to the network system over a second set of one or more wireless networks, the second set of one or more wireless networks being the same as or different from the first set of one or more wireless networks, the second service control link secured at least in part by at least a second encryption protocol, the second encryption protocol being the same as or different from the first encryption protocol, the second service control link for supporting second control-plane communications between the network system and the second end-user device, the second end-user device comprising a second set of two or more device agents;

receiving a server message from a particular server of a plurality of servers communicatively coupled to the network system, the server message comprising message payload, at least a portion of the message payload for delivery to the first end-user device;

generating an encrypted message comprising the at least a portion of the message payload and an identifier, the identifier identifying the particular device agent, the identifier for assisting in delivering the at least a portion of the message payload to the particular device agent; and

sending the encrypted message to the first end-user device over the first service control link.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the particular server comprises a service usage 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 method of claim 1, wherein the at least a portion of the message payload comprises information associated with a service usage or cost.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the information associated with a service usage or cost comprises a service usage value, a projected service usage value, a service plan limit, a projected service usage overage warning, a projected service cost overage warning, a service plan period time duration, a service plan time remaining before end of period, or information about a service overage.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least a portion of the message payload is based, at least in part, on a user preference.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least a portion of the message payload comprises at least an aspect of:

a service offer, an advertisement, or a transaction offer.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least a portion of the message payload comprises an instruction for a first device agent in the first set of two or more device agents, a setting, a configuration for the first device agent in the first set of two or more device agents, or a software update for the particular device agent.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least a portion of the message payload comprises information associated with software or a media file.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least a portion of the message payload comprises information associated with a service policy.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least a portion of the message payload comprises an indication of additional data or information available to the particular device agent.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least a portion of the message payload is configured to assist in causing the first end-user device to present, through a user interface of the first end-user device, information associated with the at least a portion of the message payload.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the server message is a first server message, and wherein the message payload is a first message payload, and wherein the identifier is a first identifier, and further comprising receiving a second server message from the particular server or from another server of the plurality of servers communicatively coupled to the network system, the second server message comprising second message payload, and wherein the encrypted message further comprises at least a portion of the second message payload and a second identifier, the second identifier for assisting in delivering the at least a portion of the second message payload to a second device agent of the first set of two or more device agents, the second device agent being the particular device agent or another device agent of the first set of two or more device agents.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the server message is a first server message, and wherein the particular server is a first server, and wherein the message payload is first message payload, and wherein the particular device agent is a first device agent, and wherein the encrypted message is a first encrypted message, and wherein the identifier is a first identifier, and further comprising:

receiving a second server message from a second server of the plurality of servers communicatively coupled to the network system, the second server message comprising second message payload, at least a portion of the second message payload for delivery to the first end-user device;

generating a second encrypted message comprising the at least a portion of the second message payload and a second identifier, the second identifier for assisting the first end-user device in delivering the at least a portion of the second message payload to a second device agent of the first set of two or more device agents; and

sending the second encrypted message to the first end-user device over the first service control link.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the first service control link supports asynchronous transmissions by the network system.

15. The method of claim 1, further comprising sending a credential, a certificate, or a token to the first end-user device or obtaining the credential, the certificate, or the token from the first end-user device during a service authorization sequence.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the credential comprises a phone number, an identification number, a security signature, a security credential, a subscriber identity module (SIM) identifier, a mobile equipment identifier (MEID), or a device identifier.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the particular device agent comprises software.

18. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

triggering a transmission to maintain the first service control link when a time since sending the encrypted message to the first end-user device would otherwise cause the first service control link to terminate.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein the sending the encrypted message to the first end-user device over the first service control link is not based on whether the particular device agent is running on the first end-user device.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein the particular server comprises a content transaction server configured to provide an electronic commerce offering and transaction platform to the first end-user device.

21. The method of claim 1, further comprising sending a credential, a certificate, or a token to the particular device agent or obtaining the credential, the certificate, or the token from the particular device agent during a service authorization sequence.

22. The method of claim 1, wherein a transmission over the first service control link is within an ambient service, the ambient service being provided at no cost to a user or a subscriber associated with the first end-user device.

23. The method of claim 1, wherein the first service control link enables the particular server to push the at least a portion of the message payload to the particular device agent.

24. The method of claim 1, wherein providing the first service control link to the first end-user device comprises providing the first service control link to a service control device link agent on the first end-user device, the service control device link agent for delivering agent messages over an agent communication bus to at least the particular device agent.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the encrypted message is a first encrypted message, and wherein the identifier is configured to assist the service control device link agent in generating a second encrypted message for delivery to the particular device agent, the second encrypted message comprising the at least a portion of the message payload.

26. A network system, comprising:

means for providing a first service control link to a first end-user device communicatively coupled to the network system over a first set of one or more wireless networks, the first service control link secured at least in part by at least a first encryption protocol, the first service control link for supporting first control-plane communications between the network system and the first end-user device, the first end-user device comprising a first set of two or more device agents, the first set of two or more device agents including a particular device agent;

means for providing a second service control link to a second end-user device communicatively coupled to the network system over a second set of one or more wireless networks, the second set of one or more wireless networks being the same as or different from the first set of one or more wireless networks, the second service control link secured at least in part by at least a second encryption protocol, the second encryption protocol being the same as or different from the first encryption protocol, the second service control link for supporting second control-plane communications between the network system and the second end-user device, the second end-user device comprising a second set of two or more device agents;

means for receiving a server message from a particular server of a plurality of servers communicatively coupled to the network system, the server message comprising message payload, at least a portion of the message payload for delivery to the first end-user device;

means for generating an encrypted message comprising the at least a portion of the message payload and an identifier, the identifier identifying the particular device agent, the identifier for assisting in delivering the at least a portion of the message payload to the particular device agent; and

means for sending the encrypted message to the first end-user device over the first service control link.

27. The network system recited in claim 26, wherein the message payload comprises an indication of additional data or information available to the particular device agent.

28. The network system recited in claim 26, wherein the message payload is configured to assist in causing the first end-user device to present, through a user interface of the first end-user device, information associated with the at least a portion of the message payload.

29. The network system recited in claim 26, further comprising means for sending a credential, a certificate, or a token to the particular end-user device or obtaining the credential, the certificate, or the token from the particular end-user device during a service authorization sequence.

30. The network system recited in claim 26, wherein providing the first service control link to the first end-user device comprises providing the first service control link to a service control device link agent on the first end-user device, the service control device link agent for delivering agent messages over an agent communication bus to at least the particular device agent.