Automated device behavior management based on preset preferences
First Claim
Patent Images
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 wherein 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, wherein the one or more downloaded applications internally control the actions of the wireless communication device in accordance with the preference settings and without the use of resources external to the mobile communication device other than the mobile communication device receiving one or more notifications indicating conditions in a network in which the mobile communication device operates, the one or more notifications including the sent message.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
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.
113 Citations
45 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 wherein 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, wherein the one or more downloaded applications internally control the actions of the wireless communication device in accordance with the preference settings and without the use of resources external to the mobile communication device other than the mobile communication device receiving one or more notifications indicating conditions in a network in which the mobile communication device operates, the one or more notifications including the sent message. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
-
-
5. A method for using a wireless-communication device, the method comprising:
-
placing a call;
at the wireless communication device, 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;
at the wireless communication device, preventing connection of the call when an applicable restriction or a counter limit has occurred, wherein the connection is prevented without the use of resources external to the wireless communication device other than the wireless device receiving one or more notifications indicating conditions in a network in which the mobile communication device operates;
connecting the call when there is no applicable restriction or no counter limit has occurred; and
updating at least one counter at the wireless communication device, 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. 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; and
means for providing to the wireless device the behavior preferences and a message when the condition occurs. wherein providing the message to the wireless device triggers the wireless device to transparently block communications that involve using the wireless device in a way that is not in accordance with the behavior preferences, and wherein the transparent blocking involves using one or more applications and counters at the wireless device, and excludes the use of external network components other than the means for providing to the wireless device the behavior preferences and a message when the condition occurs. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. 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 providing an indication of a new condition or event relevant to the device becoming current, wherein the condition or event is associated with previously configured user preferences; and
in response to the notification, execute one or more programs at the wireless device, access stored data at the wireless device, and maintain one or more counters on the wireless device according to the previously configured user preferences, one or more of the counters configured in accordance with an attempted action on the wireless device. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
-
-
19. A wireless mobile device, comprising:
-
an application for controlling operation of the wireless mobile device with respect to a wireless communication network, wherein the controlling is based on user-configurable preferences and wherein the controlling is performed without the use of resources external to the mobile communication device other than the wireless mobile device receiving one or more notifications indicating conditions in the wireless communication network;
one or more counters; and
a list of relationships between the events and actions to be taken by the device, wherein the list of relationships between the events and actions is based, at least in part, on the user-configured preferences, and 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. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
-
-
30. 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, wherein the implementing includes;
providing an indication of the specified preferences to at least one application at the mobile communication device, wherein the at least one application internally controls the actions of the mobile communication device in accordance with the specified preferences and without the use of resources external to the mobile communication device other than mobile communication device receiving one or more notifications indicating conditions in a network in which the mobile communication device operates. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
-
-
36. 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, wherein the means for employing includes;
means for providing an indication of the device use preferences to at least one application at the mobile communication device, wherein the at least one application internally controls the actions of the mobile communication device in accordance with the device use preferences and without the use of resources external to the mobile communication device other than the mobile communication device receiving one or more notifications indicating conditions in a network in which the mobile communication device operates. - View Dependent Claims (37, 38)
-
-
39. 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, wherein the implementing includes;
providing an indication of the device management preferences to at least one application at the mobile communication device, wherein the at least one application internally controls the actions of the mobile communication device in accordance with the device management preferences and without the use of resources external to the mobile communication device other than the mobile communication device receiving one or more notifications indicating conditions in a network in which the mobile communication device operates. - View Dependent Claims (40, 41)
-
-
42. 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, wherein the implementing includes providing an indication of the device management preferences to at least one application at the mobile communication device, wherein the at least one application internally controls the actions of the mobile communication device in accordance with the device management preferences and without the use of resources external to the mobile communication device other than the mobile communication device receiving one or more notifications indicating conditions in a network in which the mobile communication device operates. - View Dependent Claims (43)
-
-
44. 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, wherein the implementing includes providing an indication of the device control preferences to at least one application at the mobile communication device, wherein the at least one application internally controls the actions of the mobile communication device in accordance with the device control preferences and without the use of resources external to the mobile communication device other than the mobile communication device receiving one or more notifications indicating conditions in a network in which the mobile communication device operates. - View Dependent Claims (45)
-
Specification