Feature management of a communication device
First Claim
1. A system for managing a mobile device, the system comprising a memory bearing instructions that, when executed on the system, cause the system to at least:
- receive information associated with an administrator of the mobile device, the information being indicative of a plan to charge units of value allocated from the plan and associated with a first function among one or more functions of the mobile device to a first account associated with the administrator or units of value allocated from the plan and associated with a second function among the one or more functions of the mobile device to a second account associated with a user;
generate an allowance associated with the user based on the received information, the allowance comprising one or more limits within which units of value associated with the one or more functions of the mobile device are charged to the first account or the second account based on the plan and outside of which units of value associated with the one or more functions of the mobile device are charged to the first account or are blocked;
determine whether a function initiated at the mobile device qualifies as the first function or as the second function and whether units of value associated with performing either the first function or the second function is within or outside of the one or more limits;
allow execution of the initiated function on the mobile device based on whether the initiated function qualifies as the first function or the second function, whether units of value for execution of the initiated function is within or outside of the one or more limits; and
charge the associated units of value to the first account or the second account based on the determination.
2 Assignments
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
22 Claims
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1. A system for managing a mobile device, the system comprising a memory bearing instructions that, when executed on the system, cause the system to at least:
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receive information associated with an administrator of the mobile device, the information being indicative of a plan to charge units of value allocated from the plan and associated with a first function among one or more functions of the mobile device to a first account associated with the administrator or units of value allocated from the plan and associated with a second function among the one or more functions of the mobile device to a second account associated with a user; generate an allowance associated with the user based on the received information, the allowance comprising one or more limits within which units of value associated with the one or more functions of the mobile device are charged to the first account or the second account based on the plan and outside of which units of value associated with the one or more functions of the mobile device are charged to the first account or are blocked; determine whether a function initiated at the mobile device qualifies as the first function or as the second function and whether units of value associated with performing either the first function or the second function is within or outside of the one or more limits; allow execution of the initiated function on the mobile device based on whether the initiated function qualifies as the first function or the second function, whether units of value for execution of the initiated function is within or outside of the one or more limits; and charge the associated units of value to the first account or the second account based on the determination. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for managing a mobile device, the method comprising:
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receiving first information from a computing device associated with an administrator, the first information being indicative of an allowance to be associated with an account of a user of the mobile device; receiving second information from the computing device, the second information being indicative of whether units of value associated with a function of the mobile device is to be charged to the allowance or to an account of the administrator; generating a plan based on the first information and second information, the plan associating the allowance with the account of the user and comprising a rule for determining when to charge the units of value associated with the function of the mobile device to the allowance and for determining when to charge the cost units of value associated with the function to the account of the administrator; determining whether a units of value of a digital communication associated with a function of the mobile device should be charged to the allowance of the account or the administrator based on the rule; and facilitating the digital communication by charging the units of value of the digital communication to the allowance or to the account of the administrator based on the determination. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A system for managing a mobile device, the system comprising a processor and a memory communicatively coupled to the processor, the system further comprising:
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means for receiving first information from a computing device associated with an administrator, the first information being indicative of an allowance to be associated with an account of a user of the mobile device; means for receiving second information from the computing device, the second information being indicative of whether an execution of a function of the mobile device is to be charged to the allowance or to an account of the administrator; means for providing a plan based on the first information and second information, the plan associating the allowance with the account of the user and comprising a first rule for determining when to charge units of value for the execution of the function on the mobile device to the allowance and for determining when to charge units of value for the execution of the function to the account of the administrator; means for determining whether units of value for a digital communication associated with the execution of the function of the mobile device should be charged to the allowance of the account or the administrator; and means for facilitating the digital communication based on the determination by charging the units of value for the digital communication to the allowance or to the account of the administrator. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification