Feature management of a communication device

摘要

A system and method for the real-time management of a device, and more particularly to the establishment and enforcement of policies or rules associated with the feature or functions that may be performed with the device, such as making and receiving calls, exchanging data, playing games and music, sending and receiving email, accessing web sites, and paying for goods and services. If a child or employee is using the device, there may be a need to regulate how that device can be used and to determine who will pay for what goods or services. In addition to providing all of the features associated with a device, service providers need to be able to establish and enforce rules (policies) regulating how and when that device can be used and who will pay for a good or service requested by the user of the device.

主权项

1. A system for managing a mobile device, the system comprising a memory bearing instructions that, when executed on the system, cause the system to at least:
receive information associated with an administrator of the mobile device, the information being indicative of a plan to charge units of value allocated from the plan and associated with a first function among one or more functions of the mobile device to a first account associated with the administrator or units of value allocated from the plan and associated with a second function among the one or more functions of the mobile device to a second account associated with a user; generate an allowance associated with the user based on the received information, the allowance comprising one or more limits within which units of value associated with the one or more functions of the mobile device are charged to the first account or the second account based on the plan and outside of which units of value associated with the one or more functions of the mobile device are charged to the first account or are blocked; determine whether a function initiated at the mobile device qualifies as the first function or as the second function and whether units of value associated with performing either the first function or the second function is within or outside of the one or more limits; allow execution of the initiated function on the mobile device based on whether the initiated function qualifies as the first function or the second function, whether units of value for execution of the initiated function is within or outside of the one or more limits; and charge the associated units of value to the first account or the second account based on the determination.