Device assisted ambient services

• US 8,903,452 B2
• Filed: 10/02/2012
• Issued: 12/02/2014
• 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:
  US13/633,817
• Publication Number:
  US 20130040703A1
• Time in Patent Office: 791 Days
• Field of Search: 455/403, 455405-409, 455/414.1, 455/456.3, 455/557, 709/203, 709/217, 709/223, 709/224, 370/465, 370/466, 370/485
• US Class Current: 455/557
• 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

Various embodiments are disclosed for a services policy communication system and method. In some embodiments, a communications device implements a service profile for assisting control of the communications device use of a service on a network, in which the service profile includes service policy settings, and the service profile is associated with an ambient service plan that provides for initial access to the service with limited service capabilities prior to activation of a new service plan; and monitors use of the service based on the service profile.

Claims

1. An end-user device comprising:

a modem for enabling the end-user device to access one or more network communication end points over a wireless network;

memory configured to store at least a portion of a service policy associated with one or more service activities, the one or more service activities being fewer than all service activities available to the end-user device, the service policy for providing, to a sponsor entity, an accounting of at least a portion of a wireless network usage cost or usage measure associated with the one or more service activities over the wireless network, the sponsor entity being an entity other than a user of the end-user device, other than an account-holder associated with the end-user device, and other than an operator of the wireless network; and

one or more processors configured to;

monitor end-user device data traffic,

identify, in the monitored end-user device data traffic, an intended, attempted, or successful data communication over the wireless network associated with the one or more service activities, and

in response to identifying the intended, attempted, or successful data communication over the wireless network associated with the one or more service activities, apply the at least a portion of the service policy.

2. The end-user device recited in claim 1, wherein the one or more service activities include a data communication associated with a particular application of one or more applications on the end-user device.

3. The end-user device recited in claim 1, wherein the one or more service activities include a data communication associated with a particular network communication end point of the one or more network communication end points.

4. The end-user device recited in claim 1, wherein the one or more service activities comprise a particular content type.

5. The end-user device recited in claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the one or more service activities is within an ambient service.

6. The end-user device recited in claim 1, wherein the at least a portion of the wireless network usage cost or usage measure associated with the one or more service activities over the wireless network comprises a service usage amount, a service usage time, a service usage event, a revenue share, a transaction fee or amount, a fixed fee for service, a service bundle fee or amount, or a combination of these.

7. The end-user device recited in claim 1, wherein the at least a portion of the wireless network usage cost or usage measure associated with the one or more service activities over the wireless network provides for a user incentive, a free trial of a service, a discounted service to the user as a reward for user behavior, or a combination of these.

8. The end-user device recited in claim 1, wherein the sponsor entity is an enterprise, a website provider, an advertiser, an operator of a content download service, an operator of an online shopping site, a transactional service provider, or a roaming service provider.

9. The end-user device recited in claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to modify the at least a portion of the service policy based on:

an expiration of time, a service usage pattern, a transaction pattern, a service sign-up pattern, a time of day, a network capacity, a network connection type, a service provider, the user of the end-user device, a user group, a user input, an update to the service profile, a trial offer, a point of sale, a master agent identifier, a location of the end-user device, or a combination of these.

10. The end-user device recited in claim 1, wherein the service policy is dependent on a type of the wireless network.

11. The end-user device recited in claim 1, wherein the service policy is dependent on whether the wireless network is a roaming network.

12. The end-user device recited in claim 1, wherein the service policy is dependent on a time period.

13. The end-user device recited in claim 1, wherein identifying, in the monitored end-user device data traffic, the intended, attempted, or successful data communication associated with the one or more service activities comprises assigning a literal or virtual flow tag to a traffic flow within the end-user device data traffic, the literal or virtual flow tag configured to assist in preserving an association of the traffic flow with the one or more service activities when the traffic flow is processed by one or more end-user device functions that operate on the traffic flow.

14. The end-user device recited in claim 1, wherein identifying, in the monitored end-user device data traffic, the intended, attempted, or successful data communication associated with the one or more service activities comprises detecting an application-layer traffic activity associated with the one or more service activities.

15. The end-user device recited in claim 1, wherein identifying, in the monitored end-user device data traffic, the intended, attempted, or successful data communication associated with the one or more service activities comprises detecting a literal tag, a virtual tag, a header, a token, or a cookie within the end-user device data traffic.

16. The end-user device recited in claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to:

assist in establishing a secure control link between the end-user device and a network element, the secure control link secured by an encryption protocol and configured to support control-plane communications between the end-user device and the network element, and

receive the at least a portion of the service policy from the network element over the secure control link.

17. The end-user device recited in claim 1, wherein applying the at least a portion of the service policy comprises determining a service usage measure associated with the one or more service activities.

18. The end-user device recited in claim 17, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to:

assist in establishing a secure control link between the end-user device and a network element, the secure control link secured by an encryption protocol and configured to support control-plane communications between the end-user device and the network element, and

assist in sending the service usage measure to the network element over the secure control link.

19. The end-user device recited in claim 1, wherein the sponsor entity is a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO), an original equipment manufacturer (OEM), a machine to machine service provider, or a virtual service provider (VSP).

20. The end-user device recited in claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to at least assist in controlling access to the wireless network associated with the one or more service activities.

21. The end-user device recited in claim 20, wherein controlling access to the wireless network associated with the one or more service activities comprises blocking, allowing, throttling, traffic shaping, quarantining, or delaying the intended, attempted, or successful data communication over the wireless network associated with the one or more service activities.

22. The end-user device recited in claim 20, wherein controlling access to the wireless network associated with the one or more service activities comprises arranging a setting of software component on the end-user device.

23. The end-user device recited in claim 20, wherein controlling access to the wireless network associated with the one or more service activities comprises directing a traffic flow associated with the one or more service activities to a particular network route, a particular network tunnel, or a particular network communication end point of the one or more network communication end points.

24. The end-user device recited in claim 1, wherein the sponsor entity is responsible for providing consideration for the at least a portion of the wireless-network usage cost or usage measure associated with the one or more service activities over the wireless network.

25. An end-user device comprising:

means for monitoring end-user device data traffic;

means for identifying, in the monitored end-user device data traffic, an intended, attempted, or successful data communication over a wireless network associated with one or more service activities, the one or more service activities being fewer than all service activities available to the end-user device, the wireless network communicatively coupling the end-user device to a network system; and

means for applying at least a portion of a service policy associated with the one or more service activities in response to identifying the intended, attempted, or successful data communication over the wireless network associated with the one or more service activities, the service policy for providing, to a sponsor entity, an accounting of at least a portion of a wireless network usage cost or usage measure associated with the one or more service activities, the sponsor entity being an entity other than a user of the end-user device and other than an operator of the wireless network.

26. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing machine-executable instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of an end-user device, cause the one or more processors to:

monitor end-user device data traffic of the end-user device;

identify, in the monitored end-user device data traffic, an intended, attempted, or successful data communication over a wireless network associated with one or more service activities, the one or more service activities being fewer than all service activities available to the end-user device, the wireless network communicatively coupling the end-user device to a network system; and

in response to identifying the intended, attempted, or successful data communication over the wireless network associated with the one or more service activities, apply at least a portion of a service policy associated with the one or more service activities, the service policy for providing, to a sponsor entity, an accounting of at least a portion of a wireless-network usage cost or usage measure associated with the one or more service activities, the sponsor entity being an entity other than a user of the end-user device and other than an operator of the wireless network.

27. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium recited in claim 26, wherein the service policy is dependent on a type of the wireless network.

28. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium recited in claim 26, wherein, when executed by the one or more processors, the machine-executable instructions further cause the one or more processors to at least assist in controlling access to the wireless network associated with the one or more service activities.

29. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium recited in claim 28, wherein controlling access to the wireless network associated with the one or more service activities comprises blocking, allowing, throttling, traffic shaping, quarantining, or delaying the intended, attempted, or successful data communication over the wireless network associated with the one or more service activities.

30. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium recited in claim 26, wherein the at least a portion of the wireless-network usage cost or usage measure associated with the one or more service activities over the wireless network comprises a service usage amount, a service usage time, a service usage event, a revenue share, a transaction fee or amount, a fixed fee for service, a service bundle fee or amount, or a combination of these.