Automated Device Behavior Management Based 0n Preset Preferences

• US 20040132438A1
• Filed: 12/19/2002
• Published: 07/08/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Wireless Services Incorporated (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: White, Christopher
• Granted Patent: US 6,941,134 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/418
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72448 with means for adapting the functionality of the device according to specific conditions
• 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 15/06 Recording class or number of calling , i.e. A-party or called party , i.e. B-party
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/28 with meter at substation or with calculation of charges at terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/705 Account settings, e.g. limits or numbers or payment
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/745 Customizing according to wishes of subscriber, e.g. friends or family
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/83 Notification aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/88 Provision for limiting connection, or expenditure
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0108 Customization according to wishes of subscriber, e.g. customer preferences, friends and family, selecting services or billing options, Personal Communication Systems [PCS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0116 Provision for limiting expenditure, e.g. limit on call expenses or account
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/2026 Wireless network, e.g. GSM, PCS, TACS
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/7009 Account settings, e.g. users, terminals, limits, numbers or payment
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/81 Notifying aspects, e.g. notifications or displays to the user
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42161 via computer interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42178 by downloading data to substation equipment
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/24 Accounting or billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/205 Transfer to or from user equipment or user record carrier

Abstract

Abstract of the Disclosure

A system and method for automated management of the behavior of a wireless communication device is disclosed herein. Behavior preference settings are configured and provided to a wireless network and the wireless communication device. The wireless network provides current conditions or events to the wireless communication device. The wireless communication device enforces the preference settings based on current conditions and counters for incoming and outgoing communications to a third party.

Claims

1. A method for automatically managing actions of a wireless communication device based on preference settings controlled by an authorized party, the method comprising:

receiving the preference settings associated with a condition, wherein the condition relates to a current service provider imposed cost of using the wireless communication device, and the preference settings include a phone number list and restrictions associated with each of the phone numbers included in the phone number list;

updating preference configuration data in the wireless communication device to reflect the preference settings;

sending a message to the wireless communication device when the condition becomes current; and

controlling the actions of the wireless communication device in accordance with the occurrence of the condition, the phone number list, and restrictions associated with each of the phone numbers included in the phone number list, including automatically executing one or more downloaded applications and updating one or more counters.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the condition includes at least one of a peak rate being current, an off-peak rate being current, a minute bucket being empty, the wireless communication device currently roaming for service, the wireless communication device currently on the network, and a start of a new billing period.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the preference settings relating to restrictions associated with each of the phone numbers included in the phone number list includes at least one of a rule for whether outgoing calls are allowed, a rule for whether incoming calls are allowed, a minute allotment for outgoing calls, a minute allotment for incoming calls, a rule for whether outgoing text messages are allowed, a rule for whether incoming text messages are allowed, a maximum number of outgoing text messages allowed, a maximum number of incoming text messages allowed, and a rule for whether a total minute bucket can be exceeded.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the preference settings includes receiving the preference settings from the authorized party located remote from the wireless communication device and the authorized party may not be a user of the wireless communication device.

5. A method for using a wireless communication device, the method comprising:

placing a call;

comparing a phone number associated with the call with a phone number list;

accessing restrictions associated with the phone number when the phone number is included in the phone number list;

preventing connection of the call when an applicable restriction or a counter limit has occurred;

connecting the call when there is no applicable restriction or no counter limit has occurred; and

updating at least one counter, wherein the phone list and the restrictions are provided by an authorized party remote from the wireless communication device and the authorized party may not be a user of the wireless communication device.

6. A method for automatically managing wireless device actions, the method comprising:

associating at least one user preference with at least one wireless device, wherein the user preference is not based on a list of origination or termination address, or is not based solely on the list of origination or termination addresses;

determining an occurrence of one or more conditions that relate to the user preference; and

at the wireless device, automatically prohibiting communications actions based on the occurrence of the condition.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein determining an occurrence includes sending an encoded short message service (SMS) message to the wireless device.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein associating at least one user preference includes an authorized person selecting the user preference using a graphical user interface remote from the wireless device and the provider network.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein the condition includes at least one of:

a peak rate being current;

an off-peak rate being current;

a minute bucket being empty;

the wireless device currently roaming for service;

the wireless device currently on the network; and

a start of a new billing cycle.

10. The method of claim 6, wherein the occurrence of the condition is indicated by a counter in the wireless device reaching a predetermined value.

11. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

configuring macro level preferences associated with the amount of total usage of the wireless device;

configuring the list of approved origination and termination addresses, the origination and termination addresses including outgoing and incoming phone numbers, email addresses, and HTTP addresses; and

configuring micro level preferences associated with each of the addresses in the list of approved origination and termination addresses.

12. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

updating a preferences database included in the provider network with the user preference;

sending a message to the wireless device when the user preference is available; and

downloading the user preference to the wireless device.

13. The method of claim 6, wherein the user preference includes at least one selected from the group of:

a number of minutes allotted to outgoing calls;

a number of minutes allotted to incoming calls;

a number of outgoing messages allowed;

a number of incoming messages allowed; and

a rule relating to whether a bucket of minutes can be exceeded.

14. The method of claim 6, further comprising receiving the user preference at a website associated with a wireless service provider.

15. The method of claim 6, wherein automatically prohibiting communications include:

initiating a communication over a provider network; and

preventing connection of the communication when an amount of total usage of the wireless device has been reached.

16. The method of claim 6, wherein automatically prohibiting communications include:

initiating a communication over a provider network;

comparing an address associated with the communication with the list of approved origination and termination addresses; and

preventing the communication when the address is not included in the list.

17. The method of claim 6, wherein automatically prohibiting communications include:

initiating a communication over a provider network;

comparing an address associated with the communication with the list of approved origination and termination addresses;

accessing restrictions associated with the address when the address is included in the list; and

preventing the communication when at least one of the accessed restrictions is applicable.

18. The method of claim 6, wherein automatically prohibiting communications include:

initiating a communication over a provider network;

comparing an address associated with the communication with the list of approved origination and termination addresses;

accessing restrictions associated with the address when the address is included in the list;

permitting connection of the communication when none of the accessed restrictions is applicable; and

updating one or more counters at the wireless device.

19. The method of claim 6, further comprising automatically routing blocked calls to a voice mail service or automatically forwarding calls to be blocked for connection permission by an authorizing person.

20. The method of claim 6, wherein a person setting the preferences is not a user of the wireless device.

21. An apparatus for providing automated management of the behavior of a wireless device, the apparatus comprising:

means for setting behavior preferences;

means for detecting the occurrence of one or more conditions that relate to a current cost of using the wireless device to communicate over a provider network;

means for providing to the wireless device the behavior preferences and a message when the condition occurs; and

means for transparently blocking communications over the provider network that involve using the wireless device on a cost basis, in accordance with the behavior preferences and the message, using one or more applications and counters at the wireless device.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the means for setting includes a computing device coupled to the Internet, the means for setting configured to display one or more webpages of a website provided by the provider network and to accept inputs from an authorized person.

23. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the means for detecting includes an event manager and a database comprising account information included in the provider network.

24. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the communications comprise voice and data communications

25. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the origination and termination addresses comprise telephone numbers, email addresses, paging numbers, HTTP addresses, and intranet addresses.

26. A computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon, the instructions executable by a processor to cause the processor to:

receive a wireless device event notification; and

in response to the notification,

execute one or more programs,

access stored data, and

maintain one or more counters on the wireless device according to previously configured user preferences, one or more of the counters configured in accordance with an attempted action on the wireless device.

27. The computer-readable medium of claim 26, wherein responding to the notification comprises:

accessing a condition catalog that includes events recognized by the wireless device; and

accessing a conditions registry that relates the events to actions to be taken by the wireless device, wherein the condition catalog and the condition registry are populated according to the previously configured user preferences.

28. The computer-readable medium of claim 26, wherein receiving a wireless device notification comprises receiving a message at the wireless device when the event occurs.

29. The computer-readable medium of claim 26, further comprising receiving data relating to the user preferences from an authorized person remotely accessing a network provider application to configure the preferences.

30. The computer-readable medium of claim 26, wherein responding to the notification comprises:

accessing a phone list , the phone list providing approved phone numbers;

accessing rules relating to a phone number when the phone number is of a call attempting to dial out or pick up by the wireless device and is an approved phone number; and

connecting or blocking the call on the wireless device depending on the accessed rules.

31. The computer-readable medium of claim 26, further comprising downloading the user preferences to the wireless device, the user preferences including overall preferences, an approved phone list, and rules relating to each of the numbers in the approved phone list.

32. The computer-readable medium of claim 26, wherein the computer-readable medium is microcode.

33. The computer-readable medium of claim 26, wherein the computer-readable medium is a memory of a telecommunication server.

34. A wireless mobile device, comprising:

an application;

one or more counters; and

a list of relationships between the events and actions to be taken by the device, wherein the device is configured to receive or request notifications of occurrence of the events and execute the application according to the list of relationships and the one or more counters.

35. The device of claim 34, further comprising a list of events recognized by the device, wherein the list of relationships and events are stored in a Java application management service (JAMS).

36. The device of claim 34, further comprising a list of approved origination or termination addresses.

37. The device of claim 36, wherein the origination or termination addresses include at least one selected from the group of subscriber identifiers, communication network addresses, and mobile device identifiers.

38. The device of claim 37, wherein the mobile device identifiers include at least one selected from the group of Electronic Serial Number (ESN), Mobile Station Identifier (MSID), and International Mobile Equipment Identifier (IMEI).

39. The device of claim 37, wherein the communication network addresses comprise at least one selected from the group of a mobile station ISDN (MSISDN) number and an Internet Protocol (IP) address.

40. The mobile device of claim 37, wherein the subscriber identifiers includes at least one selected from the group of telephone numbers, International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI), Mobile Identity Number (MIN), and Internet access subscriber account identifier.

41. The device of claim 34, further comprising a list of approved origination or termination addresses and rules relating to each of the approved origination or termination addresses.

42. The device of claim 34, wherein the list of relationships and the one or more counters are configured by the device from preferences downloaded from the provider network.

43. The device of claim 34, wherein at least one of the counters and the list of relationships is configured at the device based on a preference set remotely from the device.

44. The device of claim 34, further comprising an input interface, wherein the input interface does not include a keypad.

45. A method for controlling and managing the use of a mobile communication device to prevent undesirable use of the mobile communication device, wherein the mobile communication device is configured for establishing voice and data connections, the method comprising:

providing a web page for allowing an authorized user to manage a child'"'"'s or employee'"'"'s use of the mobile communication device by specifying preferences input, wherein the web page includes;

a first user input feature that allows the authorized user to specify at least one voice connection usage allotment for the mobile communication device;

a second user input feature that allows the authorized user to specify at least one data connection usage allotment for the mobile communication device;

a third user input feature that allows the authorized user to identify at least one list of approved or blocked phone numbers for the mobile communication device; and

a fourth user input feature that allows the authorized user to specify time-based conditions for use of the mobile communication device;

receiving the preferences input from the authorized user via the web page; and

implementing the received preferences with respect to the mobile communication device.

46. The method of claim 45 wherein the web page further includes a fifth input feature that allows the authorized user to specify whether the mobile communication device will be allowed to exceed usage allotments specified in a bucket subscription.

47. The method of claim 45 wherein the web page further includes a fifth input feature that allows the authorized user to specify whether usage of the mobile communication device will be allowed when the mobile device is roaming.

48. The method of claim 45 wherein the web page further includes a fifth input feature that allows the authorized user to specify geographic boundaries for use of the mobile communication device.

49. The method of claim 45 wherein the received preferences input is implemented with respect to the mobile communication device in substantially real-time.

50. The method of claim 45, further comprising:

sending an indication of the received preferences input to the mobile communication device so that the mobile communication device can behave according to the received preferences input; and

sending a notification to the mobile communication device, wherein the notification alerts the device of the occurrence of a condition associated with the preferences input.

51. A system for allowing authorized users to control usage of mobile communication devices to prevent undesirable use of the mobile communication devices, wherein the mobile communication devices subscribe to services provided by a wireless service provider via one or more networks, the system comprising:

means for receiving and at least partially implementing device use preferences, wherein the device use preferences are received from authorized users who are independent from the wireless service provider, and wherein the device use preferences specify conditions or limitations of use for the mobile communication devices;

means for storing received device use preferences from authorized users, so that they can be transferred to the mobile communication devices; and

means for employing, in substantially real-time, the received device use preferences with respect to the mobile communication devices, so that the mobile communication devices are thereby managed under the device use preferences by the authorized users who are independent from the wireless service provider.

52. The system of claim 51 wherein the means for receiving and at least partially implementing the device use preferences operates independently of billing means associated with the wireless service provider

53. The system of claim 51 further comprising means for receiving and at least partially implementing updates to the device use preferences.

54. In a wireless service provider system, a method for allowing an authorized user to manage and control usage of a mobile communication device, wherein the mobile communication device subscribes to a service provided by a wireless service provider, the method comprising:

receiving and at least partially implementing mobile communication device management preferences,

wherein the device management preferences are received from an authorized user who is unaffiliated with the wireless service provider,

wherein the device management preferences specify conditions and limitations of use for the mobile communication device, and

wherein the device management preferences are intended to prevent undesirable use of the mobile communication device by a child or employee affiliated with the authorized user, and

wherein the device management preferences may include two or more different conditions for use of the mobile communication device, wherein at least one of the two or more different conditions is based on one of the following;

at least one voice connection usage allotment,

at least one list of approved or blocked phone numbers, or

at least one time-based condition, for use of the mobile communication device; and

implementing the received preferences with respect to the mobile communication device.

55. The method of claim 54 wherein the at least one voice connection usage allotment specifies a number of minutes allotted to outgoing calls.

56. The method of claim 54 wherein the at least one voice connection usage allotment specifies a number of minutes allotted to incoming calls.

57. In a wireless service provider system, a method for allowing an authorized user to manage and control usage of a mobile communication device, wherein the mobile communication device subscribes to a service provided by the wireless service provider, the method comprising:

receiving, at a location external to the mobile communication device, and at least partially implementing device management preferences,

wherein the device management preferences are received from an authorized user, and

wherein the device management preferences specify conditions and limitations of use for the mobile communication device, and

implementing the received preferences with respect to the mobile communication device.

58. The method of claim 57 wherein the conditions and limitations of use for the mobile communication device include a condition that the mobile communication device cannot be used if usage allotments from a bucket plan service provided by the wireless service provider are exceeded and wherein the method further comprises sending a notification to the mobile communication device when the usage allotments from the bucket plan are exceeded.

59. In a wireless service provider system, a method for allowing an authorized user to manage and control usage of a mobile communication device, wherein the mobile communication device subscribes to a service provided by the wireless service provider, the method comprising:

receiving and at least partially implementing device control preferences,

wherein the device control preferences are received from an authorized user via a web page form for submitting authorized user preferences,

wherein the device control preferences specify conditions and limitations of use for the mobile communication device, and

wherein the conditions and limitations of use for the mobile communication device include a list of blocked phone numbers or a list of allowed phone numbers; and

implementing the received preferences with respect to the mobile communication device.

60. The method of claim 59 wherein the conditions and limitations of use for the mobile communication device include a list of approved phone numbers and an indication of an approving authority to which unapproved phone calls intended for the mobile communication device are to be routed for approval before they can be received by the mobile communication device.