System and methods for providing a multi-device, multi-service platform via a client agent

Abstract

The solution of the present application provides many types and forms of resources, such as products or services, to an environment of heterogeneous devices. An agent and centralized service may communicate to deliver an optimum package of resources to a device. Each device may include an agent that collects information important to determining the appropriate resources for the device and understanding the environment the devices are contributing to. The information may be stored and analyzed in a cross device knowledge base, and the knowledge base may be consulted to determine resources appropriate for devices. The agent and centralized service may engage in pro-active alerting and provisioning of services, based on any collected information, to minimize the burden of resource procurement on the customer. After delivery of resources, the agent and centralized service may also perform updating, repairing, and healing functions for the resources. Resources may be aggregated into a cohesive platform to be combined and delivered in an optimum manner, and resources may also be maintained and monitored to ensure their quality via escalation or remedial action. Devices may be connected to the resources through intelligent routing.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This applications claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 228,229, filed on Jul. 24, 2009 and entitled “Systems and Methods For Providing a Multi-Device, Multi-Service Platform Via A Client Agent”, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND[0002]Modern day consumers often own multiple electronic devices, such as desktops, laptops, smartphones, personal digital assistants, cable set-top boxes, speakers, televisions, or GPS systems. Given the complex and disparate nature of these devices, obtaining full technical support across devices may be cumbersome. Support services are typically dispersed among different providers. Consumers may need to establish separate accounts with various providers or travel to different locations to obtain services for their devices.[0003]Because the service providers reach the consumers through individual avenues and do not communicate with one another, they collectively ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0005]The solution of the present application provides many types and forms of resources, such as products or services, to an environment of heterogeneous devices. An agent and centralized service may communicate to deliver an optimum package of resources to a device. Each device may include an agent that collects information important to determining the appropriate resources for the device and understanding the environment the devices are contributing to. The information may be stored and analyzed in a cross device knowledge base, and the knowledge base may be consulted to determine resources appropriate for devices. The agent and centralized service may engage in pro-active alerting and provisioning of services, based on any collected information, to minimize the burden of resource procurement on the customer. After delivery of resources, the agent and centralized service may also perform updating, repairing, and healing functions for the resources. Resources may be aggregated into a cohesive platform to be combined and delivered in an optimum manner, and resources may also be maintained and monitored to ensure their quality via escalation or remedial action. Devices may be connected to the resources through intelligent routing.

Problems solved by technology

Given the complex and disparate nature of these devices, obtaining full technical support across devices may be cumbersome.

Because the service providers reach the consumers through individual avenues and do not communicate with one another, they collectively provide fragmented and inefficient services.

Each service provider performs its own examination upon devices, potentially resulting in repetitive discovery and diagnoses across providers.

Further, solutions that each service provider learns in the course of their support remain with the individual providers, thereby limiting the providers' amount of knowledge and rate of learning.

Additionally, customers often have limited understanding of services for their devices.

Customers typically seek services when a device malfunctions, they become dissatisfied with the device's level of performance, or they become aware of services through third-party avenues (e.g., advertisements, word of mouth).

As continued support for devices is largely customer-driven, devices may not be optimally maintained.

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