System and method to track wireless device and communications usage

• US 20050213511A1
• Filed: 03/24/2005
• Published: 09/29/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/29/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Merlin Mobile Media
• Original Assignee: Merlin Mobile Media
• Inventors: Stowell, Matthew J., Reece, Richard William Jr.
• Application Number:
  US10/907,229
• Publication Number:
  US 20050213511A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/252
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/00 Supervisory, monitoring or testing arrangements

Abstract

A system and method for gathering and reporting user and device activity data from wireless communication devices through a log file. The log file stores entries related to user events including the use of communications and applications, as well as access to local and remote media resource files. The log file entries may include parameters critical to mobile device operation such as location, signal quality, and battery power. The data gathering system comprises a plurality of wireless communications devices, each of which sends the log files through an available wireless communications system to a central facility for processing and aggregation into a database. Stored data is analyzed to generate, display, and marketing information that may include historical trends and projections of future consumer preferences and activities.

Claims

1. A monitoring system for a mobile wireless communications device, comprising:

a plurality of local device monitoring systems installed in user mobile communications devices, each local monitoring system including a log of events stored in an associated user device;

wherein said log of events identifies operating and communication system processes executed as a result of user activity; and

wherein said log includes the time of the event and the location of the device, as indicated by positioning information obtained from a wireless network or positioning system;

wherein said local device monitoring systems send said logs periodically via a wireless communications medium to;

a central processing station which receives and stores said log of events from said plurality of mobile device monitors; and

a database management system for accessing, processing and generating reports based on said logs.

2. The monitoring system of claim, wherein said logs of user activity include wireless voice, messaging and data communications conducted via local, cellular, or satellite wireless communications systems and networks.

3. The monitoring system of claim, wherein said logging operation includes recording wireless signal quality and battery information parameters at the time of the user activity.

4. The monitoring system of claim, wherein said each device monitor on said associated user device identifies and logs the type and name of media files accessed by the communications and operating systems as a result of user activity.

5. The monitoring system of claim 4, wherein said accessed media files are delivered to the device through a wireless communications system from a remote server.

6. The monitoring system of claim, wherein said each device monitor on said associated user device identifies and includes in the logs media content input by the user.

7. The monitoring system of claim 6, wherein said media content input by the user includes character strings representing an online resource address.

8. The monitoring system of claim, wherein said each device monitor compresses said log and stores said compressed log in said associated user mobile phone.

9. The monitoring system of claim, wherein said each device monitor encrypts said log and wherein said central processing station receives said encrypted log from said plurality of mobile phone monitors.

10. The monitoring system of claim, wherein said each device monitor is installed by users to said associated device through a wireless communication medium.

11. A monitoring method for a mobile wireless communications device comprising the steps of:

logging events via a plurality of local device use monitors installed in mobile communications devices, wherein said log of events identifies and records operating system processes indicating user activity, including motion;

recording the time of the event;

recording the location of the device, as determined by positioning information received by the device from a wireless communications network or a dedicated global positioning system;

storing said log of predetermined events by each use monitor in an associated user mobile device;

sending said logs from each said associated user mobile device via a wireless communications medium to a central processing facility;

receiving and storing said log of predetermined events by a central processing station from said plurality of device monitors; and

accessing, processing and generating reports based on the stored predetermined events by a database management system.

18. The monitoring method of claim 11, wherein the step of logging includes the step of compressing said log and storing said compressed log in said associated user mobile phone.

19. The monitoring method of claim 11, wherein the step of logging includes the step of encrypting said log.

20. The monitoring method of claim 11, further including the step of installing said device monitor on said associated device by downloading said device monitor via a wireless communication medium.

12. The monitoring method of claim, wherein the step of logging logs communications activities conducted through a wireless communications network by said each associated user device.

13. The monitoring method of claim, wherein the step of logging further logs device status parameters at the time of the event, including signal quality and battery power levels.

14. The monitoring method of claim, wherein the step of logging further logs the name and type of the media files accessed by the communications and operating systems as a result of user activity.

15. The monitoring method of claim, wherein the step of logging further logs the network address of media files delivered to the device from a remote server via a wireless communications system.

16. The monitoring method of claim, wherein the step of logging further identifies and logs media content input by the user.

17. The monitoring method of claim 16, wherein said media content includes character strings representing an online resource address.