Device assisted ambient services

• US 8,331,901 B2
• Filed: 03/02/2009
• Issued: 12/11/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 01/28/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Headwater Research LLC (Greg Raleigh)
• Original Assignee: Headwater Partners I LLC (Greg Raleigh)
• Inventors: Raleigh, Gregory G.
• Primary Examiner(s): RUDY, ANDREW J
• Application Number:
  US12/380,755
• Publication Number:
  US 20100191604A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,380 Days
• Field of Search: 705 8- 10, 705/7.11, 705/14.4, 705/14.64, 705/26.1, 705/30, 705/34, 709/201, 709/203, 709/217, 709/219, 709/223, 709/224, 455/406, 455/456.1, 455/405, 455/414.1, 455/424, 370/230, 370/252, 370/254, 370/351
• US Class Current: 455/405
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 15/177 Initialisation or configuration control processor initialisation G06F9/4405
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06315 Needs-based resource requirements planning or analysis
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06375 Prediction of business process outcome or impact based on a proposed change
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/102 Bill distribution or payments
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/20 Point-of-sale [POS] network systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/32 using wireless devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/40 Authorisation, e.g. identification of payer or payee, verification of customer or shop credentials; Review and approval of payers, e.g. check credit lines or negative lists
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0207 Discounts or incentives, e.g. coupons or rebates
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0241 Advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0283 Price estimation or determination
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0284 Time or distance, e.g. usage of parking meters or taximeters
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/04 Billing or invoicing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/00 Finance; Insurance; Tax strategies; Processing of corporate or income taxes
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/12 Accounting
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/14 Charging , metering or billing arrangements for data wireline or wireless communications
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1407 Policy-and-charging control [PCC] architecture
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0806 for initial configuration or provisioning, e.g. plug-and-play
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0876 Aspects of the degree of configuration automation
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0893 Assignment of logical groups to network elements
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0894 : Policy-based network configuration management
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/5003 : Managing SLA; Interaction between SLA and QoS
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/5025 : by proactively reacting to service quality change, e.g. by reconfiguration after service quality degradation or upgrade
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/5054 : Automatic deployment of services triggered by the service manager, e.g. service implementation by automatic configuration of network components
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/20 : Traffic policing
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/2408 : for supporting different services, e.g. a differentiated services [DiffServ] type of service
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/046 : Interoperability with other network applications or services
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0236 : Filtering by address, protocol, port number or service, e.g. IP-address or URL
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/04 : for providing a confidential data exchange among entities communicating through data packet networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0428 : wherein the data content is protected, e.g. by encrypting or encapsulating the payload
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/08 : for authentication of entities cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0853 : using an additional device, e.g. smartcard, SIM or a different communication terminal cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication involving additional secure or trusted devices H04L9/3234
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0892 : by using authentication-authorization-accounting [AAA] servers or protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/10 : for controlling access to devices or network resources
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/20 : for managing network security; network security policies in general filtering policies H04L63/0227
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/145 : avoiding end of session, e.g. keep-alive, heartbeats, resumption message or wake-up for inactive or interrupted session
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/306 : User profiles
• 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: H04L 67/51 : Discovery or management thereof, e.g. service location protocol [SLP] or web services
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/55 : Push-based network services
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/564 : Enhancement of application control based on intercepted application data
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/63 : Routing a service request depending on the request content or context
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/32 : including means for verifying the identity or authority of a user of the system or for message authentication, e.g. authorization, entity authentication, data integrity or data verification, non-repudiation, key authentication or verification of credentials
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/3247 : involving digital signatures
• 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 15/49 : Connection to several service providers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/58 : based on statistics of usage or network monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/61 : based on the service used
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/66 : Policy and charging system
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/80 : Rating or billing plans; Tariff determination aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/8055 : Selecting cheaper transport technology for a given service
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/88 : Provision for limiting connection, or expenditure
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0188 : Network monitoring; statistics on usage on called/calling number
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/00 : Security arrangements; Authentication; Protecting privacy or anonymity
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/02 : Protecting privacy or anonymity, e.g. protecting personally identifiable information [PII]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/037 : of the control plane, e.g. signalling traffic
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 : Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/08 : Access security
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/37 : Managing security policies for mobile devices or for controlling mobile applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/08 : Testing, supervising or monitoring using real traffic
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/02 : Traffic management, e.g. flow control or congestion control
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/0215 : based on user or device properties, e.g. MTC-capable devices services for machine-to-machine communication [M2M] or machine type communication [MTC] H04W4/70; wireless resource selection or allocation plan definition based on terminal or device properties H04W72/51
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/0268 : using specific QoS parameters for wireless networks, e.g. QoS class identifier [QCI] or guaranteed bit rate [GBR] negotiating SLA or negotiating QoS H04W28/24
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/12 : using signalling between network elements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 : Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/12 : Messaging; Mailboxes; Announcements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/18 : Information format or content conversion, e.g. adaptation by the network of the transmitted or received information for the purpose of wireless delivery to users or terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/20 : Services signaling; Auxiliary data signalling, i.e. transmitting data via a non-traffic channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/24 : Accounting or billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/50 : Service provisioning or reconfiguring
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/14 : using user query or user detection
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/16 : Discovering, processing access restriction or access information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/0453 : Resources in frequency domain, e.g. a carrier in FDMA
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/02 : Processing of mobility data, e.g. registration information at HLR [Home Location Register] or VLR [Visitor Location Register]; Transfer of mobility data, e.g. between HLR, VLR or external networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/18 : Processing of user or subscriber data, e.g. subscribed services, user preferences or user profiles; Transfer of user or subscriber data
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/20 : Transfer of user or subscriber data
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/04 : Large scale networks; Deep hierarchical networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/042 : Public Land Mobile systems, e.g. cellular systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 : WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 : adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/08 : Access point devices
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/80 : Management or planning

Abstract

Various embodiments are disclosed for a services policy communication system and method. In some embodiments, a communications device implements a service profile for assisting control of the communications device use of a service on a network, in which the service profile includes service policy settings, and the service profile is associated with an ambient service plan that provides for initial access to the service with limited service capabilities prior to activation of a new service plan; and monitors use of the service based on the service profile.

Claims

1. An end-user device, comprising:

a modem for enabling the end-user device to access available network data services over an access network;

one or more available applications for accessing the available network data services;

memory configured to store one or more end-user-device sponsored-service policy instructions associated with a class of one or more sponsored services, the class of one or more sponsored services including at least one of

a set of available network data services less than all available network data services;

or

a set of available applications less than all available applications,

wherein the end-user-device sponsored-service policy instructions enable a sponsor entity to subsidize an access network usage cost or usage measure associated with a use by the end-user device of a member of the class of one or more sponsored services; and

one or more device agents configured to;

identify a current use or requested use by the end-user device of the member of the class of one or more sponsored services; and

in response to the end-user device'"'"'s current use or requested us of the member of the class of one or more sponsored services, execute the one or more end-user-device sponsored-service policy instructions, thereby enabling the sponsor entity to subsidize the access network usage cost or usage measure.

2. The end-user device recited in claim 1, wherein at least one of the device agents is further configured to:

modify the end-user-device sponsored-service policy instructions upon selection of a new service plan.

3. The end-user device recited in claim 1, wherein at least one of the device agents is further configured to:

provide a notification to the end-user device, the notification including an option to upgrade to a new service plan.

4. The end-user device recited in claim 1, wherein the available applications comprise software, firmware, an operating system component, or an operating system function.

5. The end-user device recited in claim 1, wherein the available network data services comprise one or more service elements including one or more of a quality-of-service element, a voice-over-Internet-protocol service element, a video streaming service element, and a background class service element.

6. The end-user device recited in claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more end-user-device sponsored-service policy instructions includes an aspect that is at least in part dependent on a predetermined condition.

7. The end-user device recited in claim 6, wherein the predetermined condition is based on a service plan, a time period, a usage value, a type of the access network, or a service provider identity.

8. The end-user device recited in claim 6, wherein the predetermined condition is based on a roaming state of the end-user device.

9. The end-user device recited in claim 6, wherein the predetermined condition is based on a congestion state or a quality-of-service state of the access network.

10. The end-user device recited in claim 6, wherein the predetermined condition is based on an end-user device type, an end-user device credential, an end-user device group, a user identity, a user credential, or a user group.

11. The end-user device recited in claim 6, wherein the predetermined condition is based on a user preference associated with the member of the class of one or more sponsored services.

12. The end-user device recited in claim 1, further comprising a user interface, wherein the one or more end-user-device sponsored-service policy instructions are configured to assist in presentation of information about the member of the class of one or more sponsored services through the user interface.

13. The end-user device recited in claim 12, wherein the information about the member of the class of one or more sponsored services comprises an offer or an advertisement.

14. The end-user device recited in claim 12, wherein the information about the member of the class of one or more sponsored services comprises information associated with a roaming condition.

15. The end-user device recited in claim 12, wherein the information about the member of the class of one or more sponsored services comprises information about the end-user device'"'"'s current use or requested use of the member of the class of one or more sponsored services.

16. The end-user device recited in claim 12, wherein the one or more end-user-device sponsored-service policy instructions are further configured to assist in solicitation of a user input associated with the member of the class of one or more sponsored services, and the end-user device is further configured to send the user input to a network system coupled to the access network.

17. The end-user device recited in claim 1, wherein the one or more end-user-device sponsored-service policy instructions are configured to assist in facilitation of apportioning to the sponsor entity an access network usage measure or cost measure associated with the end-user-device'"'"'s use of the member of the class of one or more sponsored services.

18. The end-user device recited in claim 1, wherein the one or more end-user-device sponsored-service policy instructions are configured to assist in facilitation of sending to a network system information about the end-user-device'"'"'s current use or requested use of the member of the class of one or more sponsored services.

19. The end-user device recited in claim 18, wherein the information about the end-user-device'"'"'s current use or requested use of the member of the class of one or more sponsored services comprises information to assist in the facilitation of identifying a network end-point, a network resource, or a service classification associated with the member of the class of one or more sponsored services.

20. The end-user device recited in claim 18, wherein the information about the end-user-device'"'"'s current use or requested use of the member of the class of one or more sponsored services comprises information to assist in the facilitation of identifying a device application classification associated with the member of the class of one or more sponsored services.

21. The end-user device recited in claim 1, wherein the one or more end-user-device sponsored-service policy instructions are configured to assist in the facilitation of controlling a network access associated with the member of the class of one or more sponsored services when the end-user device uses or requests to use the member of the class of one or more sponsored services.

22. The end-user device recited in claim 21, wherein controlling the network access associated with the member of the class of one or more sponsored services comprises arranging an application setting using an application interface agent.

23. The end-user device recited in claim 21, wherein controlling the network access associated with the member of the class of one or more sponsored services comprises blocking, allowing, throttling, traffic shaping, or delaying the use of the member of the class of one or more sponsored services.

24. The end-user device recited in claim 1, wherein the one or more end-user-device sponsored-service policy instructions are configured to assist in the facilitation of identifying an access network traffic flow associated with the member of the class of one or more sponsored services.

25. The end-user device recited in claim 1, wherein the one or more end-user-device sponsored-service policy instructions are configured to assist in the facilitation of directing an access network traffic flow associated with the member of the class of one or more sponsored services to a specified end-point.

26. The end-user device recited in claim 25, wherein the specified destination comprises a data path, a gateway, a router, a switch, or a server.

27. The end-user device recited in claim 1, further comprising a verification agent configured to verify that at least one of the one or more device agents is properly configured, or to use a signature, a certificate, a hash, or a version configuration to verify that a first application in the set of available applications is properly configured.

28. The end-user device recited in claim 1, wherein the available network data services comprise at least one from a set of a network-based website, a web page, a wireless application protocol (WAP) site, a WAP page, a portal program, a network service source, a server program, a server service, an application store, a marketplace, a transaction processor, or a content source.

29. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing program code for causing a computer to perform the steps of:

accessing one or more end-user-device sponsored-service policy instructions on an end-user device, the end-user-device sponsored-service policy instructions associated with a class of one or more sponsored services, the class of one or more sponsored services including at least one of

a set of available network data services less than all available network data services, or

a set of available applications for accessing the available network data services less than all available applications,

wherein the end-user device sponsored-service policy instructions enable a sponsor entity to subsidize an access network usage cost or usage measure associated with a use by the end-user device of a member of the class of one or more sponsored services; and

identifying, by the end-user device, a current use or requested use by the end-user device of the member of the class of one or more sponsored services; and

in response to the end-user-device'"'"'s current use or requested use of the member of the class of one or more sponsored services, executing the one or more end-user-device sponsored-service policy instructions, thereby enabling the sponsor entity to subsidize the access network usage cost or usage measure.

30. A method, comprising:

accessing one or more end-user-device sponsored-service policy instructions on an end-user device, the end-user-device sponsored-service policy instructions associated with a class of one or more sponsored services, the class of one or more sponsored services including at least one of

a set of available network data services less than all available network data services, or

a set of available applications for accessing the available network data services less than all available applications,

wherein the end-user device sponsored-service policy instructions enable a sponsor entity to subsidize an access network usage cost or usage measure associated with a use by the end-user device of a member of the class of one or more sponsored services; and

identifying, by the end-user device, a current use or requested use by the end-user device of the member of the class of one or more sponsored services; and

in response to the end-user-device'"'"'s current use or requested use of the member of the class of one or more sponsored services, executing the one or more end-user-device sponsored-service policy instructions, thereby enabling the sponsor entity to subsidize the access network usage cost or usage measure.