Device assisted services install

• US 10,070,305 B2
• Filed: 07/14/2016
• Issued: 09/04/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 01/28/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Headwater Research LLC (Greg Raleigh)
• Original Assignee: Headwater Research LLC (Greg Raleigh)
• Inventors: Raleigh, Gregory G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Rudy, Andrew Joseph
• Application Number:
  US15/210,619
• Publication Number:
  US 20160323734A1
• Time in Patent Office: 782 Days
• Field of Search: 370252, 370312, 370331, 370351, 705 3, 705 30, 705 44, 709229, 709238-242, 726 12, 726 15, 4554141, 4555501, 455558
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0806 for initial configuration or provisioning, e.g. plug-and-play
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/082 the condition being updates or upgrades of network functionality
• 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: H04M 15/61 based on the service used
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/8094 Trial service, i.e. free of charge service for trial purposes
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/18 Negotiating wireless communication parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/24 Accounting or billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/183 Processing at user equipment or user record carrier
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/22 Processing or transfer of terminal data, e.g. status or physical capabilities

Abstract

Device assisted services (DAS) install techniques are provided in accordance with some embodiments. In some embodiments, DAS install techniques for providing service processors for mobile devices are provided. In some embodiments, DAS install techniques for downloading/installing new and/or updated service processors for mobile devices are provided. In some embodiments, DAS install techniques for providing verified service processors for mobile devices are provided. In some embodiments, DAS install techniques for providing secured service processors for mobile devices are provided. In some embodiments, DAS install techniques include determining if a communications device in communication with a wireless network includes a service processor for assisting control of the communications device use of a service on the wireless network, in which the service processor includes a service profile that includes a plurality of service policy settings, and in which the service profile is associated with a service plan that provides for access to the service; and verifying the service processor. In some embodiments, DAS install techniques include providing a generic first version service processor for downloading and installing a second version service processor.

Claims

1. A method of automatically configuring wireless data service, executed by a processor on a wireless end-user device, comprising:

establishing communication, via a wireless wide area network (WWAN) modem and a WWAN, with a wireless service control network element,

executing a first version service processor, not specific to a particular wireless service provider, to facilitate downloading, over the WWAN to the device, storable computer instructions for a second version service processor from the wireless service control network element, the second version service processor specific to the particular wireless service provider,

installing the downloaded second version service processor on the wireless end-user device,

operating the device with the second version service processor in a probationary mode that restricts WWAN data access, and

upon validation of proper operation of the device with the second version service processor in the probationary mode, operating the device with the second version service processor in a normal mode that allows WWAN data access according to a user service plan associated with the particular wireless service provider.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the wireless service control network element is associated with the particular wireless service provider.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first version service processor includes a policy setting associated with the use of the WWAN modem, the policy setting to assist in limiting or directing WWAN data access by the device to access to a service control element, a service processor download element, and/or a service policies and accounting function.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein establishing communication with the wireless service control network element comprises the first version service processor supplying a device credential to the wireless service control network element.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising the first version service processor communicating a user selection of a service plan to the wireless service control network element.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the second version service processor differs based on the user selection of a service plan.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the first version service processor is a version that is pre-installed during manufacture or distribution of the wireless end-user device.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising the second version service processor generating service usage information and supplying the generated service usage information to a network element performing the validation of the proper operation of the device.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein operating the device in the probationary mode comprises allowing WWAN data access with service monitoring greater than a service monitoring that occurs during the normal mode.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein operating the device in the probationary mode comprises limiting WWAN data access in a way not so limited in the normal mode, based on one or more of the following limits:

a period of time for data access, a network address limitation, a service type limitation, a content type limitation, a device application type limitation, a bandwidth limitation, and a data usage limitation.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the second version service processor is uniquely associated with the wireless end-user device based on one or more device credentials of the wireless end-user device.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the second version service processor is uniquely associated with the wireless end-user device based on one or more device credentials of the wireless end-user device and based on user information associated with a temporary user account.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the second version service processor is uniquely associated with the wireless end-user device, a device user, a device group, or a service plan.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein operating the device with the second version service processor in the normal mode comprises using one or more restricted Internet protocol (IP) addresses providing for network access to a service controller reserved for non-probationary mode service processors.

15. The method of claim 1, further comprising the first version service processor limiting data access to the WWAN for purposes of wireless service control and selection of a user service plan, and wherein the second version service processor is based on a service plan selection for the communications device.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein executing the first version service processor to facilitate downloading is based on a command received from a network element that detects a need for the device to install a second version service processor.

17. The method of claim 1, further comprising cooperating with the network wireless service control element to determine a device group to which the wireless end-user device is assigned, the second version service processor based on the device group.