Patent Document

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Technical Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The present invention relates in general to the configuration of communication devices and, in particular, to a method and system for a management system to discover at least one requirement of an unknown function in a communication device.  
           [0003]    2. Description of Related Art  
           [0004]    A management system is a combination of components working together to manage, for example, personal computers connected to local area networks (LANs). The management system includes servers that typically store a variety of information relevant to the system. However, this information is constantly changing due to improvements in devices that use the management system, or new devices or functions that were not known at the time the information was stored in the server. Therefore, each time new or improved devices are introduced, the server must be updated to accommodate these devices, and the devices must be configured to use specific features.  
           [0005]    Maintaining updated information in servers accounts for a significant portion of server downtime. This process is tedious and time consuming, and can result in hours of server downtime depending on the nature of the changes made to the information within the server. Additionally, by manually loading the updated information, configuration errors may be introduced by human error.  
           [0006]    Other updating procedure exist, although it is assumed that the system is already configured to allow full functionality of the device attempting the update. For example, a communication device may be remotely programmed from a customer activation system to effect activation. During activation, information describing the communication device&#39;s electronic serial number (ESN) is collected along with area of use information. A mobile identification number (MIN) is assigned in response to the area of use information. A remote programming session is then performed by transferring the newly assigned MIN to the communication device over a voice channel. The communication device is now activated and therefore able to transmit and receive data. SIM cards and other software located within the device may also be updated using the above-mentioned procedure. This technique, unfortunately, does not account for any functions that will not perform properly due to outdated server information.  
           [0007]    If a user of the communication device attempts to use a function unknown to the management system, the present techniques allow the user to manually alter the settings of the device in order to use that particular function. Although this is an improvement upon waiting for the management system to be updated, the subscriber may nevertheless find this process difficult and time consuming.  
           [0008]    Using the current methods, if a communication device supports a function not known to the management system, then the device user is unable to use that function until the device user manually alters the settings of the device, or until the server has been manually updated, which may be days or months later. For example, management systems used for management of personal computers connected to Local Area Networks (LANs) typically employ the Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) and can be loaded with Management Information Bases (MIBs), but such MIBs must be manually loaded into the management system.  
           [0009]    Therefore, a system and method is needed for enabling management system to learn requirements of unknown functions and how the device needs the function to be set (e.g. the order in which the settings are needed), thereby significantly reducing the downtime needed to update the management system and simplifying the configuration procedure for new devices and applications.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0010]    The present invention comprises a system, method, and communication device for configuring settings related to a function supported by the communication device. A communication device attempting to use a previously unknown function transmits a description of needed configuration information to the server. The server sends a response to the communication device providing the needed information, which allows for the communication device to configure the settings in accordance with the server response.  
           [0011]    In one embodiment, the communication device comprises an electronic storage medium for storing instructions to enable the device to execute several tasks. Optionally, the communication device is enabled to receive a request from a management server for an identification of configuration information needed to allow operation of a function. The communication device, either in response to such a request or in response to some other indication that the device needs to be configured, transmits the identification of the needed configuration information to the management server. The communication device receives a response from the management server which includes the needed configuration information required to configure the communication device to allow for use of the function.  
           [0012]    In another embodiment, settings related to a function of a communication device are configured by transmitting an identification of configuration information needed to allow operation of the function to the management server. Subsequently, a response, which includes the configuration information required to configure the communication device to allow for use of the function, is received from the management server.  
           [0013]    In a third embodiment, a management system capable of learning at least one requirement of a previously unknown function of a communication device comprises a management server which stores a list of communication devices and configuration information pertaining to the communication devices. The server receives requests for configuration data for a previously unknown function from a particular communication device, and in response, the server transmits a request to the communication device for an identification of configuration information related to the previously unknown function. The management server then receives the identification of the configuration information pertaining to the previously unknown function. The management server adapts to enable use of the previously unknown function and updates the list of communication devices and configuration information to include the previously unknown function.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0014]    For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a management system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of an updating procedure of a communication device in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 3 is a signaling diagram of the configuration procedure in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an illustrative example of how a communication device accesses a WAP server in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; and  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an illustrative example of how a communication device accesses email via a network in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0020]    In accordance with the present invention, a device management system can dynamically discover the requirements of new devices and applications using software components in the management system and in each managed device and/or application. When a user attempts to use a device or application, which can be beneficially supported by the management system, but that is previously unknown to the management system, the management system requests a list of required settings and supported parameters from the device or application. The device or application can then respond by providing a description of itself including, for example, information regarding how the device or application can be configured, which settings and parameters are required or supported, and the like.  
         [0021]    Alternatively, the device or application can respond by providing an address, such as a URL, or other similar information identifying where a description of the device or application can be found. The management system can then retrieve the necessary information from the identified location. The management system could then use the received information to dynamically build a user interface for an operator that would manage the device or application through the management system.  
         [0022]    Referring now to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a block diagram of a management system  100  that can be implemented in accordance with the present invention. Although the present invention is described as communicating with the management system  100  via a wireless communication link  103  between a communication device  102  and a base station  105 , a variety of other manners of communication are possible, such as SMS, Bluetooth, or an infrared link. Using such a link, the communication device  102  could contact the management system  100  via another computer included in the same LAN as the management system, through an Internet connection between the communication device  102  and the management system  100 , or through a direct connection (e.g., by a cable in a small system). In one embodiment of the invention, the communication device  102  can be a mobile phone, such as a “smart” phone, having a WAP browser and e-mail capability, although the device could also be some other type of portable communication device, such as a palm top computer, an organizer, or a communicator. Such devices can communicate with the management system  100  via a GSM modem in a PCMCI or PC card.  
         [0023]    The communication device  102  includes an electronic storage medium  101  for storing instructions and a control unit  107 , such as a microprocessor, for executing the instructions. The control unit  107  regulates a transceiver  110  which transmits an indication of the needed configuration information to the management server  106 . The transceiver  110  also receives a response from the management server  106  including the needed configuration information and forwards the received response to the control unit  107 . In this manner, the electronic storage medium  101  and the control unit  107  collectively allow the communication device  102  to operate in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0024]    The communication device  102  contacts the management system  100  via, for example, a Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) network  104 . It will be understood, however, that the present invention is not limited to GSM but can be integrated with any wireless communication standard capable of data communication (e.g. WCDMA, CDMA, PCS, and the like). Accordingly, while information is described in some cases as being stored on a SIM card, such information would typically be stored in the device itself in non-GSM embodiments. The management system  100  can include a plurality of interconnected servers, but this example is limited to one server  106  for easier understanding of the present invention. The server  106 , which might be run, for example, by a mobile network operator, stores information about a user that is associated with the communication device  102  such as the name, phone number, and billing information of the subscriber. This information is maintained in a subscription list  108  of different subscribers and their corresponding information.  
         [0025]    The server  106  also stores information related to some types of communication devices  102  and how the devices  102  are configured in a device list  109 . However, the device list  109  might not include any information regarding certain new devices  102 , or certain functions of the device  102  that are currently unknown to the server  106 , such as a Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) browser or email capabilities. At this point, a user of the communication device  102  must manually configure the device  102  to allow use of the unknown function. Otherwise, the unknown function cannot be used because the server  106  is not aware of any of the requirements for the unknown functions in the device list  109  and thus cannot support the unknown function or otherwise assist in configuring the device or application.  
         [0026]    To remedy this matter, as shown in FIG. 2, it is determined either by the communication device  102 , or the user of the device  102 , that configuration is needed in order to use a previously unsupported or otherwise unknown function such as a WAP or e-mail functionality for the first time, in step  200 . Normally, the user would not be able to use such a functionality without first performing complicated configuration procedures. One possible alternative, however, is to use the management services provided by the operator. The device  102  may, when activated or powered up, determine that a particular function must be configured before a user can activate the function. The transmitter  110  of the device  102  can send an indication or identification of the necessary configuration information immediately, without prompting from the management system  100 . Alternatively, the device  102  can prompt the user that configuration is needed before the function can be utilized. In this case, the device might have a menu selection in which the user responds to a configuration request with an affirmative answer. Another option would be to start the configuration process when the user attempts to use a particular function for the first time.  
         [0027]    The communication device  102  then connects to the management system  100  to register the device and/or application. This connection can be accomplished via SMS or by using an address, URL, or dialable number stored on a SIM card obtained upon subscribing to a particular service or included in a prepaid service card sold by the network operator. Using the connection, the communication device  102  accesses the electronic storage medium  101  to provide information to the management server  106  identifying the type and manufacturer of the device  102  (e.g. R 380  and Ericsson) and/or identifying the desired service or application. In response, the server  106  determines that either the communication device  102  is not included in the device list  109 , or the device  102  is in the device list  109  and has not been previously configured to use the requested application in step  202 .  
         [0028]    If the server  106  determines that the device  102  is in the device list  109 , then in step  204 , then the management server  106  sends the needed information back to the device  102  in accordance with the description stored in the device list  109 . The following steps are then bypassed, and the device initializes settings according to the received information in step  218 . However, if the device  102  is not in the device list  109 , in step  206 , the server  106  sends a request to the communication device  102  for the type of device and the configuration or settings information related to the device  102  or application.  
         [0029]    In a first exemplary embodiment in step  208 , the requested information is stored in the communication device  102  itself, or alternatively on a SIM card, and the electronic storage medium  101  within the communication device  102  responds by sending a description of the needed information to the server  106  or the management system  100 . In an alternative embodiment, it is not necessary for the server  106  to send a request. Instead, the communication device  102  can send the identification or indication of the needed information without being prompted by the management server  106  (e.g., by sending the identification or indication along with the original identification of the desired service or application). The needed information could be the settings for the device  102  to function properly. The description identifies the device  102  or application, as well as provides information concerning how the device  102  or unknown function can be configured.  
         [0030]    More particularly, the description identifies a function supported by the communication device  102  and how the parameters used by the function need to be configured. The function can be something not previously supported or known by the management system  100  or server  106 , but by informing the management system  100 , the management server  106  can be later updated with the information needed to support the function by, for example, providing GPRS settings. The information could also include information that the management system  100  might use to construct a user interface for operators to manage the communication device  102  or unknown function through the management system  100 . The server  106  then determines whether or not to build a user interface in step  210 . If a user interface is not built, then, in step  212 , the server  106  calculates or determines the information needed by the device  102  or application. Alternatively, if an interface is built, then the operator of the management system  100  enters the necessary configuration information or other information via the user interface in step  214 . In step  216 , the needed information is then sent back to the device  102  from the server  106 . In step  218 , the device  102  configures itself in accordance with the server  106  response. After this initial configuration, the subscriber can thereafter use the function without changing any additional settings.  
         [0031]    In a second embodiment of the present invention, as an alternative to storing the configuration information in the communication device  102 , a uniform resource locator (URL) could be stored instead. The URL specifies the location of the needed information, typically a web page on the Internet. The electronic storage medium  101  included in the communication device  102 , upon receiving the request for information, or in response to a user deciding to configure the device  102 , transmits the URL to the management system  100 . In response, the management system accesses the URL and retrieves the needed information. This embodiment, however, generally can be implemented only where there is access to the Internet.  
         [0032]    One possible way to format the messages sent to, generated by, and/or sent by the management system  100  is to use Extensible Markup Language (XML). The management system  100  uses a Document Type Definition (DTD) to specify how the device  102  descriptions are formatted as XML documents. For instance, the descriptions that are stored in the device  102 , in the application, or on a server at a corresponding URL and that are provided to the management system  100  or server  106  in response to the request at step  204  are encoded using XML. Similarly, the management server  106  can generate configuration messages as XML documents using the specified DTD, for transmission to the communication device  102 .  
         [0033]    An illustrative example of a description of a Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) function that is sent from the communication device  102  to the server  106  is as follows:  
                                                 &lt;WAP&gt;                &lt;GW&gt;   TP&lt;/GW&gt;           &lt;NAP&gt;   QPN&lt;/NAP&gt;           &lt;XYZ&gt;   Address format&lt;/XYZ&gt;           &lt;/WAP&gt;                      
 
         [0034]    where GW stands for gateway, NAP stands for Network Access Point, IP stands for an IP address, QPN stands for a phone number, and XYZ identifies or stands for the previously unsupported or otherwise unknown function. Preferably, the IP address is an actual IP address, such as “198.17.1.2”, and the phone number includes an international prefix. The unknown function could be, for example, a general packet radio service (GPRS) address to be set for the device  102  in a case where the device  102  supports GPRS but needs to be configured with a GPRS address.  
         [0035]    The description provides a list of the information needed by the device or application and the format in which it is needed, such as the order in which the device needs the information. This formatting information is generally needed because the management server  106  might normally store and use the information in a different way. For example, the server  106  may store the gateway (GW) in the form of a URL, and the NAP could be stored as an IP address. The information could be stored in a different order, and the server  106  might also include additional information (e.g., information about bookmarks).  
         [0036]    The server  106  receives the list of needed information and, for purposes of providing configuration information to the electronic storage medium  101  of the communication device  102 , adapts itself to the format required by the communication device  102 . In some cases, the management server  106  might not have the information identified in the description. For instance, because the function XYZ is previously unknown, the management server  106  likely does not know what is meant by “XYZ” or does not possess the necessary information. In such a situation, the management server  106  can contact an Internet server of the device manufacturer to find out what is meant by “XYZ”. Service personnel can later update the management server  106  with this type of information after the device manufacturer has informed the operator.  
         [0037]    The management server  106  further finds out or calculates the information identified in the description of the unknown function. For example, in accordance with the above example, the management server  106  determines the IP address associated with the URL of the gateway and the phone number of the network access point. This information is then sent to the communication device  102  in the form of a second list in the way and order specified in the first list. Thus, the response of the server  106  could be as follows:  
                                                               &lt;WAP&gt;                &lt;GW&gt;   198.17.1.2&lt;/GW&gt;                &lt;NAP&gt;   +46 8 01 32 37&lt;/NAP&gt;           &lt;XYZ&gt;   GPRS-Address&lt;/XYZ&gt;           &lt;/WAP&gt;                      
 
         [0038]    The communication device  102  configures its WAP browser in accordance with the received information, and the user can thereafter use the WAP browser without having to manually enter the settings.  
         [0039]    In some implementations, the communication device  102  might contact the same operator for configuring the previously unknown function as is used for accessing the mobile network. Alternatively, the function might be supported by a different operator than the operator of the mobile network, in which case the information relating to how to contact the management server  106  would not be included in the SIM card but would need to be obtained in a different way.  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 3 represents a signaling diagram in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. First, at step  300 , the communication device  102  attempts to use a function by sending a message to the management server  106 . The server  106 , upon receiving a signal to use the function, at step  302  checks the device list  109  for information related to the function. At step  304 , the device list  109  is scanned, and it is determined that no information exists that is related to the function. The server  106 , at step  306 , sends a request to the communication device  102  requesting a description of the information needed by the device  102  to configure itself. At step  308 , the electronic storage medium  101  enables the communication device  102  to send a list of the parameters needed to use the function. In response, after identifying or calculating the values of the parameters, the server  106  sends the parameter values back to the communication device  102  at step  310 . The communication device  102  can then configure the settings according to the parameters received at step  310 . Once the settings are configured, the communication device  102  may use the function that was previously unknown at the server  106  and for which the device  102  was previously not configured.  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 4 illustrates an example of how the communication device  102  uses the information received from the server  106  to access a function. The communication device  102  first contacts the NAP  410  using the phone number +46 8 01 32 37. The gateway  412  is then contacted with the IP address 198.17.1.2, which allows access to a server  414 , such as a WAP server, that supports the function. Once access is gained, the function of the device  102  is enabled. In addition to providing WAP settings, the same procedure could be used to provide e-mail settings for the communication device  102 . In this case, the list of necessary configuration settings would include protocol information (e.g., IMAP, POPs, or a new protocol called “kalle”), incoming mail server and outgoing mail server settings, and NAP information. Furthermore, the e-mail and WAP setting information could be included in the same or separate lists.  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an illustrative example of how a communication device accesses email via a network. The communication device  102  communicates with the NAP  410  using the phone number +46 8 01 32 37. The NAP  410  then permits access to the LAN  500 , which is connected to an incoming mail server  502  and an outgoing mail server  504 . The incoming and outgoing mail servers  502 ,  504  are also connected to the Internet  506 , which thereafter allows the communication device  102  to retrieve and send email. The incoming mail server  502  receives and stores incoming mail for the communication device  102 . When the device  102  connects to the incoming mail server  502 , the stored mail is transferred to the device  102 . The outgoing mail server  504  accepts outgoing mail from the communication device  102  and forwards the mail to the Internet  506  or to internal recipients as specified by the addresses in the mail messages.  
         [0043]    The management system  100  can be associated with either a network operator or a provider of the application in question. In either case, once the e-mail and WAP server settings in the communication device  102  have been made, the information for any new functions can be sent using e-mail or WAP as well as via SMS, a cable, or an infrared, Bluetooth, or other local wireless link.  
         [0044]    Moreover, the invention can be used in connection with third party applications, such as bank transactions, a game, or some other program loaded into a mobile phone from a third party (i.e., a party other than the operator or the manufacturer of the phone). The application could be loaded into the phone, for instance, from the Internet via the phone&#39;s WAP browser. To use the application, however, there might be a need for certain settings to be provided by a management system  100 , in which case the phone would contact the appropriate management system with a list of the necessary settings and the required format as described above. For example, the necessary settings might be indicated by “S1= . . . ” and S2= . . . ”. A server  106  in the management system  100  could then respond by providing the requested information (e.g., S1=abc; S2=qxz), which the phone could then use to be able to use the particular application. The necessary settings and their types (i.e., S1 and S2) for use of a third party application could be described and documented in a description of the application obtained by the management server  106  from a response formulated by the electronic storage medium  101  of the communication device  102  or from a web page for the application provider, in which case the communication device  102  would simply provide a link to the web page.  
         [0045]    Although a preferred embodiment of the method and system of the present invention has been illustrated in the accompanying Drawings and described in the foregoing Detailed Description, it is understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiment disclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications, and substitutions without departing from the spirit of the invention as set forth and defined by the following claims.

Technology Category: h