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 controlling a first computing device, the system comprising a memory bearing instructions that, when executed on the system, cause the system to at least:
allocate units of value to an allowance associated with a use of a function of the first computing device, the allowance being associated with a plan managed by an administrator and shared with a second computing device, the allocation of the units of value being based on input associated with the administrator; determine a list of one or more computing devices that the first computing device is allowed to exchange data with independently of the allowance; determine a rule that determines whether to deduct units of value associated with the use of the function from the units of value allocated to the allowance or from units of value associated with the plan and unallocated to the allowance, the determination being based on whether the use of the function is associated with exchanging data with one or more computing devices from the determined list; and deduct units of value from the units of value allocated to the allowance or from units of value associated with the plan and unallocated to the allowance based on the rule when the function is executed, wherein units of value are deducted from the units of value associated with the plan and unallocated to the allowance when the function is executed to exchange data with one or more computing devices from the determined list, and wherein units of value are deducted from the units of value allocated to the allowance when the function is executed to exchange data with one or more computing devices that are not on the determined list.