| Consumer configurable mobile communication web filtering solution -> Monitor Keywords |
|
|
  Consumer configurable mobile communication web filtering solutionUSPTO Application #: 20080065746Title: Consumer configurable mobile communication web filtering solution Abstract: Consumer configurable mobile communications solution enabling web filtering based on policy-enforcement services allowing authorized users to define, manage and enforce restrictions for mobile web data and services of a secondary mobile device. (end of abstract)
Agent: Hogan & Hartson LLPIPGroup, Columbia Square - Washington, DC, US Inventors: Mehran Moghaddam, Jonjie Sena, Carlos Bernardino Eleazar PEREZ USPTO Applicaton #: 20080065746 - Class: 709220 (USPTO) The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20080065746. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001]This application claims benefit of U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 11/516,576 entitled "CONSUMER CONFIGURABLE MOBILE COMMUNICATION SOLUTION" and filed Sep. 7, 2006; and U.S. Provisional Application 60/842,703 entitled "CONSUMER CONFIGURABLE MOBILE COMMUNICATION SOLUTION" and filed Sep. 7, 2006, which are hereby incorporated by reference. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002]1. Field of the Invention [0003]The present invention relates to a system and method for a consumer configurable mobile communication web filtering solution, and more particularly, to a system and method for configuring and using the usage criteria of one or more mobile communication devices by a user for filtering web content. [0004]2. Discussion of the Related Art [0005]Mobile communication devices have become prevalent in business and home use. Despite the abundance of devices, however, there are few ways of individually restricting the usage of each device or a group of devices within a master account. Typically it is left up to the individual carrying the device to use it as requested by a supervisor (e.g., a manager or parent) supplying the device. [0006]Current methods of restricting mobile device usage include prepaid mobile plans or restricted handsets. A prepaid plan limits how often an individual can use a device; however, it does not restrict, for example, when or to whom a call is made, from whom a call is received, or what web or multimedia use is acceptable. The limits of a prepaid plan are also typically defined by a phone company, not the person owning or managing the phone. Furthermore, prepaid plans are typically managed as a single device, as opposed to a group plan where multiple devices would be obtained and managed under one account. Accordingly, each device is managed as a single account with its own bill and control over the device is limited to the user of the device's willingness to abide by rules set out by that user's supervisor. [0007]Restricted handsets may also be used to limit mobile use. However, few such handsets are available on the market. Handsets that are currently available are typically geared toward very young users, which has earned them the commonly used title of "kiddie phones." Restricted handsets typically only allow a user to dial, and in some configurations receive calls from, specific phone numbers entered into the devices configuration. For example, a parent would typically enter specific phone numbers into the handset's password protected "phonebook." The child would then be able to dial only those numbers available in the phonebook. Such devices may not even have a dialing pad with which to call a specific number not available in the device's phonebook. Such a device would clearly have limited appeal to an adult and much less to a child as he or she grows older and becomes increasingly subject to the peer pressure of adolescence. [0008]Additionally, there are no options to configure the device to allow calls to certain numbers on specified days or timeframes, or to limit calls to a specified talk time, for example. Furthermore, as the changes are made directly to the device, the phone must be present for any modifications to the phonebook. [0009]Restricted handsets are also typically sold as temporary or "pay as you go" devices. As such, the device is typically not associated with a contract or account, thus limiting a supervisor's ability to review the time usage of the device. Time is simply added to the device through the purchase of refill cards or other time purchase mechanisms. [0010]Furthermore, IP communication in general does not carry a mobile device's phone number. For example, mobile browsers typically do not include the number of the device in their HTTP headers. Only the mobile phone's IP address is typically present. [0011]These and other deficiencies exist with conventional mobile communication systems and methods of operation. Therefore, a solution to these and other problems is needed, providing a user configurable system and method specifically designed to configure usage restrictions of one or more mobile communication devices, as well as provide a mechanism at the carrier's network to lookup the mobile phone number based on an IP address for filtering web content. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0012]Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a consumer configurable mobile communication solution providing the ability to configure device usage restrictions for one or more mobile communications devices. [0013]The present invention provides a system and method for configuring mobile web services for one or more mobile devices, such as cell phones, pagers, and wireless e-mail devices, for example, by a primary user of a mobile communications account containing the user devices. According to the present invention, one or more individuals would be identified as the primary users of the account, such as a parent in a family plan, or a manager in an enterprise plan, for example. According to an embodiment of the present invention, a primary user may configure usage restrictions, such as the time of day a device may be used, the phone numbers a device may call, the web services that may be accessed, or geographical limitations, among others, for the one or more secondary user devices by accessing a configuration interface. In a further embodiment, groups may be configured with usage restrictions, wherein devices may be assigned to the group inheriting the group's restrictions. The configuration interface may be a graphical interface via a network connection, a menu interface providing selections available via a telephone, or any other interface allowing configuration of the secondary user devices. Furthermore, configuration is dynamic allowing a primary user to make changes to a secondary user's device at anytime of day or night without the need for a device to be present. [0014]According to a further embodiment, a consumer configurable mobile communications web filtering system is provided. The system includes a web filtering component for managing the use and access to network data by a secondary device and is operably connectable with a network providing the network data, such as the Internet or an Intranet. The web filtering component further includes a control module for receiving and storing configuration data containing configuration and policies for a secondary device and for enforcing the configuration and policies on the secondary user device. [0015]Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description that follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description hereof, as well as the appended drawings and appendices. [0016]It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0017]The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings: [0018]FIG. 1 shows a component view of a consumer configurable mobile communications system, according to an embodiment of the present invention; [0019]FIG. 2A shows a detailed view of a system providing a consumer configurable mobile communications system, according to an embodiment of the present invention; [0020]FIG. 2B shows a detailed view of a system providing a consumer configurable mobile communications system including media provisioning, according to an embodiment of the present invention; Continue reading... Full patent description for Consumer configurable mobile communication web filtering solution Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Consumer configurable mobile communication web filtering solution patent application. Patent Applications in related categories: 20080235357 - On-line configuration management system and method - A system and method for on-line configuration management of a production environment having a plurality of target nodes, each of which has a current configuration of software controlling at least some of the functions of the node. The system includes a central configuration management server, a plurality of agents associated ... 20080235358 - Proxy device, network system, and communication method - The present invention provides a proxy device, a network system, and a communication method to enable communication between an information appliance capable of communicating only within a closed network and an information appliance capable of communicating only within a closed network different from the network, via an open network, wherein ... 20080235359 - System for managing program applications storable in a mobile terminal - Management server 16 may obtain application programs from content server 20 in response to requests of mobile terminal 11. Management server 16 may transmit the obtained application programs to mobile terminal 11 with information concerning reliabilities of the application programs. After mobile terminal 11 receives the application programs from management ... ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Consumer configurable mobile communication web filtering solution or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Html delivery from edge-of-network servers in a content delivery network (cdn) Next Patent Application: Relay agent device and proxy address leasing device Industry Class: Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomputer data transferring or plural processor synchronization ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Consumer configurable mobile communication web filtering solution patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 3.11156 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Tyco , Unilever , Warner-lambert , 3m |
||
