Method of software configuration assurance in programmable terminal devices

摘要

In a communication system, a privilege to access and to operate within a communication network (102) is granted to a terminal device (104) by use of a certificate from the communication network. In addition to granting privileges, the certificate may require the terminal device to update its software and configuration by requiring the terminal device to perform any combination of the following: downloading a different version of software and/or configuration, setting an allowable range of operation, and suspending operations outside of the allowed range. The communication network keeps a current list of type-approved software versions and configurations which the terminal device may utilize, and compares the software and configuration of the terminal device against the list to determine appropriate measures.