Device Policy Management via Wallet-Based Spending Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication devices lack effective administrative control over usage and payment for services, leading to potential abuse and overspending, particularly in cases involving minors or employees, as current solutions like prepaid services and alerts do not guarantee service availability or enforce usage limits effectively.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for managing devices through the establishment and enforcement of policies, using wallets with advanced features to control service usage, payment allocation, and content filtering, allowing administrators to set rules for service access, spending limits, and payment allocation across multiple wallets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If prepaid phone services are used to limit spending, then users can only use what has been paid for in advance, but users may run out of funds and lose access to essential services like emergency calls
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a service provider system as an intermediary between the user and the service network. This intermediary manages the prepaid account automatically, monitoring balances and ensuring sufficient funds are maintained without requiring direct user intervention. The service provider acts as a mediator that handles account refilling and balance management, thus maintaining service availability while reducing user management burden.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback mechanisms where the service provider monitors account balances in real-time and automatically triggers refilling actions when balances fall below thresholds. This feedback loop ensures service availability is maintained by proactively managing funds before depletion occurs, eliminating the need for users to manually track or refill accounts.
2Reliability
If parents take children's phones away to restrict access, then spending is controlled, but parents cannot contact children when needed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control mechanisms where service access and spending limits can be adjusted in real-time based on conditions and user behavior. Parents can modify permissions, spending limits, and service access remotely without physically taking the device away. The system dynamically adapts control parameters to balance communication availability with usage management.
3Adaptability or versatility
If employers provide communication devices to employees, then employees can perform work functions, but employees may access inappropriate services or applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments device functionality and service access into controlled categories. Different applications, services, and features are divided into approved and restricted groups. The system allows employees access to work-related functions while segmenting and blocking inappropriate content or services, thus maintaining device versatility for legitimate purposes while eliminating harmful access.
4Reliability
If postpaid services are offered allowing unlimited spending, then service availability is maintained, but users may run up huge bills
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by requiring users to pre-pay or establish spending limits before service usage begins. The service provider proactively manages account balances and can automatically refill or block service access before excessive spending occurs. This preliminary control mechanism ensures service availability is maintained while preventing financial loss by establishing boundaries in advance.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for the management of a device, including the establishment and enforcement of policies/rules associated with feature or functions that may be performed with the device. Modern devices are capable of many things, including making and receiving calls, exchanging data, playing games and music, sending and receiving email, accessing web sites, and paying for goods and services. Depending on who is using the device, such as a child, student, or an employee, there may be a need or desire 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.