Managing Multiple Mobile Devices on Different Operator Networks

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to mobile communication systems, and, in particular, to managing mobile devices that are deployed on different operator networks.

BACKGROUND

An enterprise typically utilizes numerous computing devices. For example, in some enterprises, employees have and/or are assigned computing devices that the employees use to perform their duties within the enterprise. The computing devices typically include mobile communication devices, or simply “mobile devices,” that are deployed on operator networks. The mobile devices may include various types of devices, such as cellular phones, smartphones, tablet computers, laptop computers, and other portable devices. Due to the variety of operator networks that are available, mobile devices affiliated with an enterprise are usually deployed on a range of different operator networks—including cellular networks, permissioned Wi-Fi networks, and/or various LANs and WANs. As a result, in order to manage each of the mobile devices, an enterprise system may interface with a corresponding operator network via a dedicated user interface, or a so-called “dashboard,” which may be unique to the mobile device and the particular operator network.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

So that the present disclosure can be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, a more detailed description may be had by reference to aspects of some illustrative implementations, some of which are shown in the accompanying drawings.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> is a schematic diagram of a device management environment that includes a device management system in communication with multiple operator networks in accordance with some implementations.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> is a block diagram of the device management system in accordance with some implementations.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> is a data flow diagram illustrating example operation of a device management system in accordance with some implementations.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> is a flowchart representation of a method of managing mobile devices deployed on different operator networks in accordance with some implementations.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> is a flowchart representation of other methods of managing mobile devices deployed on different operator networks in accordance with some implementations.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> is a block diagram of a server system enabled with various modules provided to manage mobile devices deployed on different operator networks in accordance with some implementations.

In accordance with common practice, the various features illustrated in the drawings may not be drawn to scale. Accordingly, the dimensions of the various features may be arbitrarily expanded or reduced for clarity. In addition, some of the drawings may not depict all of the components of a given system, method, or device. Finally, like reference numerals may be used to denote like features throughout the specification and figures.

DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

Numerous details are described herein to provide a thorough understanding of the illustrative implementations shown in the accompanying drawings. However, the drawings merely show some example aspects of the present disclosure and are therefore not to be considered limiting. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate from the present disclosure that other effective aspects and/or variants do not include all of the specific details of the example implementations described herein. While pertinent features are shown and described, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate from the present disclosure that various other features, including well-known systems, methods, components, devices, and circuits, have not been shown or described in exhaustive detail for the sake of brevity and so as not to obscure more pertinent aspects of the described example implementations.

Overview

In various implementations disclosed herein, a device management system includes a non-transitory memory and one or more processors that enable the system to perform a method of managing multiple mobile devices associated with different operator networks. The method includes receiving, at an interface module, a request including an indicator identifying first and second mobile devices and first and second ones of a plurality of operator networks associated with the first and second mobile devices. The request initiates a change in a configuration state of the first and second mobile devices on the first and second ones of the plurality of operator networks. The method further includes selecting, using a delegator module, first and second ones of a plurality of adapter modules based on the request. Each of the plurality of adapter modules is configured to communicate with a particular one of the plurality of operator networks. The method still further includes bridging, using each of the selected first and second ones of the plurality of adapter modules, communication between the interface module and a particular one of the first and second ones of the plurality of operator networks. The method also includes aggregating, using an aggregator module, first and second responses received from the first and second ones of the plurality of operator networks in response to bridging the communication between the interface module and the first and second ones of the plurality of operator networks.

Example Embodiments

The present disclosure generally relates to the field of mobile communications, and, more particularly, to managing mobile communications devices (hereinafter, “mobile devices”) that are associated with communications networks provided by various operators (hereinafter, “operator networks”). According to various implementations, a device management system is configured to manage mobile devices that are associated with a single enterprise, such as a corporation, but are deployed on multiple different operator networks. In some implementations, the device management system includes a non-transitory memory and one or more processors that enable the system to perform a method. In some implementations, the method includes receiving, at an interface module of the device management system, a device management request (hereinafter, “request) that includes an indicator. In some implementations, the device management system receives the request from an enterprise user of the system via a graphical user interface (GUI), such as a so-called “dashboard,” implemented as part of the interface module. In some implementations, the indicator includes information that explicitly or implicitly identifies multiple ones of the mobile devices associated with the enterprise and multiple ones of the different operator networks on which the devices are deployed. In some implementations, the request initiates a change in a configuration state of each mobile device identified by the request on the corresponding operator network. For example, in some implementations, the request initiates a change to one or more parameters of the mobile device that pertain to the operator network. In other words, in some implementations, the request is configured to manage the mobile device on the operator network.

In some implementations, the method performed by the device management system further includes selecting multiple ones of different adapter modules that are included in the system based on the request. In some implementations, each of the different adapter modules is configured to communicate with a particular one of the different operator networks associated with the mobile devices of the enterprise. In some implementations, each of the selected adapter modules is configured to communicate with a particular one of the operator networks on which a particular one of the mobile devices indicated by the request is deployed. In some implementations, the device management system selects the adapter modules based on any of a variety of textual, numeric, symbolic, and other types of matches identified by the system between the operator networks identified by the request and the operator networks associated with the selected adapter modules.

In some implementations, the method performed by the device management system still further includes bridging communication between the interface module and the operator networks associated with the mobile devices indicated by the request using the selected adapter modules. In other words, in some implementations, upon selecting the adapter modules, the device management system uses each module as an interface between the interface module and the corresponding operator network on which a particular one of the mobile devices indicated by the request is deployed. In some implementations, bridging the communication in this manner includes transmitting the request, such as a request to change a configuration state of the mobile device on the operator network, from the interface module to the network using the selected adapter module. In some implementations, bridging the communication further includes receiving a device management response (hereinafter, “response”), such as a confirmation of the changed configuration state of the mobile device, from the operator network in response to transmitting the request, and transmitting the response to the interface module.

In some implementations, the method performed by the device management system also includes aggregating multiple responses received from the operator networks associated with the mobile devices indicated by the request in response to bridging the communication between the interface module and the operator networks. In some implementations, aggregating the responses in this manner includes selecting one or more results from each response. For example, in some implementations, aggregating the responses includes selecting one or more results that have been received as part of one or more of the responses within a predetermined time period following transmitting the request from the interface module to the operator networks. In additional implementations, the method performed by the device management system includes receiving, at the interface module from the enterprise user, a result request and selecting one or more additional results from each response. In still other implementations, the method performed by the device management system includes receiving, at the interface module from the enterprise user, a search query and performing a search for one or more of the mobile devices associated with the enterprise on one or more of the different operator networks.

In this manner, the techniques of the present disclosure may, in some examples, enable enterprises to efficiently manage multiple mobile devices that are deployed on different operator networks. Additionally, the techniques may, in some instances, improve user experience. For example, the techniques may enable an enterprise user to manage multiple mobile devices by communicating with multiple operator networks associated with the devices using a unified interface (e.g., a GUI), or dashboard. In particular, the techniques may enable the user to submit a request associated with the mobile devices to the operator networks, view results that are responsive to the request, request to view additional results, and perform searches of the networks for specific mobile devices, using the unified interface, or dashboard. As a result, the user may manage the mobile devices using less time compared to other techniques, such as when using a dedicated interface or dashboard associated with each device, thereby improving the user's efficiency. Furthermore, by enabling the user to manage the mobile devices using the unified interface rather than the dedicated interface associated with each device, the techniques may also improve the user's experience.

A mobile device, as used herein, may include any portable computing device capable of communicating with an operator network and, in particular, with an operator or entity associated with the network, over a corresponding network infrastructure (e.g., a network of cellular towers and associated devices). The mobile device may include any of a smartphone, a tablet, and a laptop computing device, as well as any other portable computing device having another form factor, such as a smart watch, smart glasses, or another device type. Additionally, the mobile device of the present disclosure may use a variety of different operating systems or platforms, such as ANDROID® by Google Inc., IOS® by Apple Inc., or WINDOWS PHONE® by Microsoft Corporation, as some examples.

An operator network, as used herein, may include any type of network, such as a mobile network. In some implementations, the operator network includes a cellular network provided by any of a variety of network operators or entities, such as AT&amp;T, Verizon, Sprint, Voda, and Orange, as some examples. In some implementations, the operator network includes a Long-Term Evolution (LTE) network, including LTE network elements such as any of eNodeB, Home Subscriber Server (HSS), Packet Data Network Gateway (P-GW), serving gateway (S-GW), and Mobility Management Entity (MME), as some examples. In some implementations, the operator network includes any of a permissioned Wi-Fi network and any of a variety of local area networks (LANs) and wide area networks (WANs), each of which is provided by any number of network operators or entities. Accordingly, the operator network of the present disclosure may be implemented using a variety of network technologies. Furthermore, the operator network may be associated with a particular network operator or entity. As described herein, the operator network may have deployed thereon one or more mobile devices that are each configured to communicate with the associated network operator or entity over a corresponding network medium. As also described herein, the operator network may provide an interface or dashboard configured to enable users to manage the mobile devices deployed on the network, such as change a configuration state of each such device on the network.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> depicts a device management environment <b>100</b> including a device management system <b>102</b> that is in communication with an enterprise user <b>110</b> and multiple operator networks <b>116</b>-<b>1</b> . . . <b>116</b>-N. While certain specific features are illustrated, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate from the present disclosure that various other features have not been illustrated for the sake of brevity and so as not to obscure more pertinent aspects of the example implementations disclosed herein. In the example environment <b>100</b>, the enterprise user <b>110</b> is an administrator user associated with an enterprise. The device management system <b>102</b>, in turn, is a system of one or more computing devices used by the enterprise user <b>110</b> to manage multiple mobile devices <b>122</b>-<b>1</b> . . . <b>122</b>-M that are also associated with the enterprise. In this example, each of the mobile devices <b>122</b>-<b>1</b> . . . <b>122</b>-M is deployed on a particular one of the operator networks <b>116</b>-<b>1</b> . . . <b>116</b>-N.

In the example of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, each of the operator networks <b>116</b>-<b>1</b> . . . <b>116</b>-N includes a network operator (e.g., one of network operators <b>118</b>-<b>1</b> . . . <b>118</b>-N) and a network infrastructure, such as a network of cellular towers and associated devices (e.g., one of network infrastructures <b>120</b>-<b>1</b> . . . <b>120</b>-N). In some implementations, the network operator serves as a gateway for the network infrastructure. In some implementations, the network operator channels traffic between the network infrastructure and a computing device that is located outside of the corresponding operator network. To that end, in some implementations, the network operator includes a gateway node. In some implementations, each network infrastructure includes various network elements, such as a set of interconnected physical network nodes (e.g., servers, routers, modems, etc.) that enable communication between the corresponding ones of the mobile devices <b>122</b>-<b>1</b> . . . <b>122</b>-M. In some implementations, the network elements are configured to control the flow of data packets between the mobile devices. In some implementations, the network elements include various components of cellular networks.

In the example of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, each network operator provides one or more network interfaces that enable users to manage the corresponding ones of the mobile devices <b>122</b>-<b>1</b> . . . <b>122</b>-M that are deployed or are operating on the associated operator network. In some implementations, the network interfaces enable the users to view a list of mobile devices that are deployed on the operator network, change a subscription plan, such as a rate plan, for one or more of the devices, add and/or remove features (e.g., roaming, hotspot, etc.) for one or more of the devices, add a new mobile device to the network, and so forth. In this manner, the network interfaces enable the users to change configuration states of the mobile devices <b>122</b>-<b>1</b> . . . <b>122</b>-M with respect to, or on, the operator networks <b>116</b>-<b>1</b> . . . <b>116</b>-N. In some implementations, the users communicate with the network interfaces provided by each network operator using a dedicated interface or dashboard. As a result, in some implementations, users wishing to communicate with multiple ones of the network operators interact with multiple different interfaces or dashboards. Advantageously, the device management system <b>102</b> of the present disclosure enables the users to interact with multiple ones of the network operators using a single unified interface or dashboard.

As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, the enterprise user <b>110</b> manages the mobile devices <b>122</b>-<b>1</b> . . . <b>122</b>-M by communicating directly with the device management system <b>102</b>. In some implementations, the enterprise user <b>110</b> communicates with the device management system <b>102</b> using a client device (not shown). In the example of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, the enterprise user <b>110</b> provides a request <b>112</b>-A to an interface module <b>104</b> of the device management system <b>102</b>. In this example, the request <b>112</b>-A includes an indicator (e.g., packetized binary data) that identifies first and second ones of the mobile devices <b>122</b>-<b>1</b> . . . <b>122</b>-M and first and second ones of the operator networks <b>116</b>-<b>1</b> . . . <b>116</b>-N that are associated with the first and second devices. Also in this example, the request <b>112</b>-A initiates a change in a configuration state of the first and second mobile devices on the first and second operator networks. In some implementations, each of the first and second operator networks is associated with a particular one of the first and second mobile devices. In these implementations, the request <b>112</b>-A initiates a change in a configuration state of each of the first and second mobile devices on the corresponding one of the first and second operator networks. In other words, the request <b>112</b>-A is configured to cause each of the first and second operator networks to, upon receiving the request <b>112</b>-A, change a configuration state of a particular one of the first and second mobile devices with respect to the network. In some implementations, the enterprise user <b>110</b> provides the request <b>112</b>-A by inputting one or more parameters associated with the first and second mobile devices and, e.g., the first and second operator networks, into a GUI provided by the interface module <b>104</b>.

As further shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, a delegator module <b>106</b>A of the device management system <b>102</b> selects first and second ones of multiple adapter modules <b>108</b>-<b>1</b> . . . <b>108</b>-N included in the system <b>102</b> based on the request <b>112</b>-A. In the example of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, each of the adapter modules <b>108</b>-<b>1</b> . . . <b>108</b>-N is configured to communicate with a particular one of the operator networks <b>116</b>-<b>1</b> . . . <b>116</b>-N. In some implementations, each of the first and second adapter modules selected by the delegator module <b>106</b>B is configured to communicate with a particular one of the first and second operator networks identified by the request <b>112</b>-A. In some implementations, to select each of one or more of the first and second adapter modules, the delegator module <b>106</b>A determines a correspondence, such as a textual, numeric, symbolic, and/or another match, between the request <b>112</b>-A and the selected adapter module. For example, in some implementations, the delegator module <b>106</b>A determines an identity relationship between one of the first and second operator networks identified by the request <b>112</b>-A and an operator network associated with the selected adapter module. In some implementations, to determine the identity relationship, the delegator module <b>106</b>A makes a call (e.g., an API call, a subroutine call, etc.) to the selected adapter module.

As still further shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, each of the first and second selected adapter modules bridges communication between the interface module <b>104</b> and the corresponding one of the first and second operator networks identified by the request <b>112</b>-A. As described herein, in some implementations, to bridge the communication between the interface module <b>104</b> and each of one or more of the first and second operator networks, the selected adapter module transmits the request <b>112</b>-A (e.g., as a translated version of the request <b>112</b>-B) to the network. In some implementations, the selected adapter module further receives a response (e.g., one of responses <b>114</b>-A, <b>114</b>-B) from the operator network in response to transmitting the request <b>112</b>-A (and, e.g., generates a translated version of the response, such as one of translated responses <b>114</b>-C, <b>114</b>-D).

In various implementations, the selected adapter module communicates with the operator network via any type of network, such as a LAN, a WAN, and/or the Internet (e.g., a public network, such as portions of the Internet, and/or a private network). In some implementations, the response indicates a status of the request <b>112</b>-A (e.g., request received, request being processed, request granted, or request denied). In some implementations, the response indicates whether an action requested by the request <b>112</b>-A has been completed (e.g., a new device was added, a requested rate plan was activated on a mobile device, or an operator network access has been disabled for a mobile device). In some implementations, the response includes information requested by the request <b>112</b>-A (e.g., a list of mobile devices that are associated with the enterprise and are currently operating on a particular operator network or have a particular feature, such as a roaming package).

As also shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, and as described in greater detail herein, an aggregator module <b>106</b>B of the device management system <b>102</b> aggregates first and second responses <b>114</b>-A, <b>114</b>-B (e.g., translated versions of the responses <b>114</b>-C, <b>114</b>-D) received from the first and second operator networks in response to bridging the communication between the interface module <b>104</b> and the networks.

In some implementations, the device management system <b>102</b> further determines, using the delegator module <b>106</b>A, an active subscription account, such as a paid access account, corresponding to at least one of the first and second operator networks. In these implementations, the device management system <b>102</b> further selects, using the delegator module <b>106</b>A, at least one of the first and second adapter modules in the manner described above based on this determination. Accordingly, in some implementations, the device management system <b>102</b> enables the enterprise user <b>110</b> to manage one or more of the mobile devices <b>122</b>-<b>1</b> . . . <b>122</b>-M that are deployed on those of the operator networks <b>116</b>-<b>1</b> . . . <b>116</b>-N for which the user <b>110</b> and/or an enterprise with which the user <b>110</b> is associated has an active subscription account, such as a paid access account.

In some implementations, the device management system <b>102</b> further displays, using the interface module <b>104</b> (e.g., a GUI module), a GUI to the enterprise user <b>110</b>. In some implementations, the device management system <b>102</b> receives the request <b>112</b>-A at the interface module <b>104</b> from the enterprise user <b>110</b> via the GUI. For example, in some implementations, the enterprise user <b>110</b> specifies the request <b>112</b>-A by inputting one or more textual, numeric, and/or symbolic parameters associated with the first and second mobile devices and, e.g., the first and second operator networks, identified by the request <b>112</b>-A into the GUI. In some implementations, the interface module <b>104</b> (e.g., the GUI module) also displays a visual representation of the aggregated first and second responses <b>114</b>-A, <b>114</b>-B (e.g., translated versions of the responses <b>114</b>-C, <b>114</b>-D) received from the first and second operator networks to the enterprise user <b>110</b> via the same GUI.

In some implementations, to bridge the communication between the interface module <b>104</b> and the first and second operator networks, the device management system <b>102</b> transmits, using each of one or more of the selected first and second adapter modules, at least a portion of the request <b>112</b>-A to a particular one of the first and second operator networks (e.g., after translating the request <b>112</b>-A). In some implementations, to transmit at least the portion of the request <b>112</b>-A to the operator network, the device management system <b>102</b> transmits one of the following: (1) a single query; (2) first and second queries that are different; and (3) a pipeline of queries, including a plurality of different queries. In some implementations, to bridge the communication between the interface module <b>104</b> and the first and second operator networks, the device management system <b>102</b> further receives, using the selected adapter module, a particular one of the first and second responses <b>114</b>-A, <b>114</b>-B from the operator network in response to transmitting at least the portion of the request <b>112</b>-A to the network. In some implementations, the device management system <b>102</b> subsequently transmits, using the selected adapter module, at least a portion of the response to the aggregator module <b>106</b>B (e.g., after translating the response). In some implementations, to receive the response from the operator network, the device management system <b>102</b> initially receives a ticket number. In some implementations, the device management system <b>102</b> receives the ticket number from the operator network via the selected adapter module. The device management system <b>102</b> then polls, using the selected adapter module, the operator network based on the ticket number. The device management system <b>102</b> further, in response to polling, receives, using the selected adapter module, the response from the operator network. In some implementations, to receive the response from the operator network, the device management system <b>102</b> receives, using the selected adapter module, a push message encapsulating the response from the network.

In some implementations, to bridge the communication between the interface module <b>104</b> and the first and second operator networks, the device management system <b>102</b> further initiates, using at least one of the selected first and second adapter modules, a timer defining a predetermined time interval. In these implementations, to receive at least one of the first and second responses <b>114</b>-A, <b>114</b>-B from the first and second operator networks, the device management system <b>102</b> receives, using the selected adapter module, a particular one of the first and second responses <b>114</b>-A, <b>114</b>-B based on the timer, such as upon expiration of the predetermined time interval defined by the timer.

In some implementations, each of the first and second responses <b>114</b>-A, <b>114</b>-B includes one or more results. For example, in some implementations, each of one or more of the results may correspond to data describing one or more particular parameters of the first and/or second mobile devices. In these implementations, to aggregate the first and second responses <b>114</b>-A, <b>114</b>-B, the device management system <b>102</b> selects, using the aggregator module <b>106</b>B, at least one (e.g., a threshold number) of the one or more results from each of the first and second responses <b>114</b>-A, <b>114</b>-B. In some implementations, to aggregate the first and second responses <b>114</b>-A, <b>114</b>-B, the device management system <b>102</b> selects, using the aggregator module <b>106</b>B, a first subset of the one or more results from at least one of the first and second responses <b>114</b>-A, <b>114</b>-B. In these implementations, the device management system <b>102</b> further receives, at the interface module <b>104</b>, a result request <b>112</b>-B and selects, using the aggregator module <b>106</b>B, a second, different subset of the one or more results from the at least one of the first and second responses <b>114</b>-A, <b>114</b>-B in response to receiving the result request <b>112</b>-B. In some implementations, the result request <b>112</b>-B includes one or more pointers (e.g., indices) identifying one or more of the first and second subsets of the one or more results from the at least one of the first and second responses <b>114</b>-A, <b>114</b>-B. Accordingly, in some implementations, the device management system <b>102</b> enables the enterprise user <b>110</b> to initially access one or more of the results associated with the first and second responses <b>114</b>-A, <b>114</b>-B and later access one or more additional ones of the results.

In some implementations, the device management system <b>102</b> further receives, at the interface module <b>104</b>, a search query <b>112</b>-C identifying one or more of the mobile devices <b>122</b>-<b>1</b> . . . <b>122</b>-M and one or more of the operator networks <b>116</b>-<b>1</b> . . . <b>116</b>-N that are associated with the mobile devices. In these implementations, the device management system <b>102</b> further selects, using the delegator module <b>106</b>A, one or more of the plurality of adapter modules <b>108</b>-<b>1</b> . . . <b>108</b>-N based on the search query <b>112</b>-C. In these implementations, the device management system <b>102</b> still further performs, using the selected adapter modules, a search of the operator networks identified by the search query <b>112</b>-C based on the query <b>112</b>-C. In these implementations, the device management system <b>102</b> also receives, using the selected adapter modules, one or more search results from the operator networks identified by the search query <b>112</b>-C in response to performing the search. Accordingly, in some implementations, the device management system <b>102</b> enables the enterprise user <b>110</b> to perform searches of the operator networks <b>116</b>-<b>1</b> . . . <b>116</b>-N for one or more of the mobile devices <b>122</b>-<b>1</b> . . . <b>122</b>-M that are deployed on the networks <b>116</b>-<b>1</b> . . . <b>116</b>-N.

For example, in some implementations, the search query <b>112</b>-C identifies multiple ones of the mobile devices <b>122</b>-<b>1</b> . . . <b>122</b>-M that are each associated with an International Mobile Station Equipment Identity (IMEI), or another identifier, having a value within a particular range. In these implementations, the device management system <b>102</b> identifies one or more sources, or one or more of the operator networks <b>116</b>-<b>1</b> . . . <b>116</b>-N, which may have associated therewith the mobile devices identified by the search query <b>112</b>-C. In these implementations, the device management system <b>102</b> further determines whether an enterprise associated with the system <b>102</b> has an active subscription account corresponding to each of the identified sources or operator networks. In these implementations, the device management system <b>102</b> then identifies those of the adapter modules <b>108</b>-<b>1</b> . . . <b>108</b>-N that are associated with the identified sources or operator networks for which the enterprise has an active subscription account. The device management system <b>102</b> subsequently delegates the search query <b>112</b>-C to the identified adapter modules, and, in some implementations, starts a timer defining a predetermined time interval. In these implementations, upon the timer expiring, or upon the device management system <b>102</b> receiving responses from all the sources or operator networks, the device management system <b>102</b> aggregates the responses and presents the aggregated response to the enterprise user <b>110</b>, e.g., via a GUI.

In some implementations, the device management system <b>102</b> aggregates, using the delegator module <b>106</b>A and/or the aggregator module <b>106</b>B, various types of usage information and/or network information associated with one or more of the operator networks <b>116</b>-<b>1</b> . . . <b>116</b>-N. For example, in some implementations, the device management system <b>102</b> periodically receives usage information and/or network information from one or more of the adapter modules <b>108</b>-<b>1</b> . . . <b>108</b>-N that are associated with one or more of the operator networks <b>116</b>-<b>1</b> . . . <b>116</b>-N. In some implementations, the device management system <b>102</b> receives the usage information and/or the network information from the adapter modules <b>108</b>-<b>1</b> . . . <b>108</b>-N at predetermined time intervals, such as every 7 days, every 24 hours, every hour, or several times per hour, as merely some examples. In some implementations, the device management system <b>102</b> further aggregates the received usage information and/or network information. In some implementations, the device management system <b>102</b> then transmits, using the interface module <b>104</b>, the aggregated usage information and/or the aggregated network information to the enterprise user <b>110</b> and/or a client device associated with the user <b>110</b> or another user. Additionally or alternatively, in some implementations, the device management system <b>102</b> displays, using the interface module <b>104</b>, the aggregated usage information and/or the aggregated network information to the enterprise user <b>110</b> via a GUI.

In some implementations, at least one of the selected first and second adapter modules is associated with a first application programming interface (API) configured to receive requests conforming to an adapter API format (e.g., from the interface module <b>104</b>). In some implementations, at least one of the first and second operator networks is associated with a second API configured to receive requests conforming to a network API format (e.g., from the corresponding adapter module or another device). In other words, in some implementations, at least one of the selected first and second adapter modules and at least one of the first and second operator networks communicate differently, e.g., using different communication formats and/or different communication protocols. In some implementations, the request <b>112</b>-A conforms to both the adapter API format and the network API format.

In some implementations, the request <b>112</b>-A conforms to the adapter API format, but does not conform to the network API format. As a result, in some implementations, at least one of the first and second operator networks is unable to interpret the request <b>112</b>-A received from the interface module <b>104</b>. In some implementations, to bridge the communication between the interface module <b>104</b> and at least one of the first and second operator networks, the device management system <b>102</b> translates, using at least one of the selected first and second adapter modules, at least a portion of the request <b>112</b>-A from the adapter API format to the network API format, such that the corresponding operator network is able to correctly interpret the request <b>112</b>-A.

In some implementations, the second API is further configured to transmit responses conforming to the network API format (e.g., to the corresponding adapter module or another device) and the first API is further configured to transmit responses conforming to the adapter API format (e.g., to the interface module <b>104</b>). As a result, in some implementations, the interface module <b>104</b> is unable to interpret at least one of the first and second responses <b>114</b>-A, <b>114</b>-B received from at least one of the first and second operator networks. In some implementations, to bridge the communication between the interface module <b>104</b> and at least one of the first and second operator networks, the device management system <b>102</b> translates, using at least one of the selected first and second adapter modules, at least a portion of each of one or more of the first and second responses <b>114</b>-A, <b>114</b>-B from the network API format to the adapter API format, such that the interface module <b>104</b> is able to correctly interpret the response.

In some implementations, at least one of the selected first and second adapter modules includes one of a representational state transfer (REST)-based adapter module, a simple object access protocol (SOAP)-based adapter module, and a file-based adapter module. In some implementations, one of the adapter API format and the network API format includes one of a REST API format, a SOAP API format, and a file-based API format and another one of the adapter API format and the network API format includes another one of the REST API format, the SOAP API format, and the file-based API format.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> is a block diagram of an example implementation of the device management system <b>102</b> described with reference to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>. The device management system <b>102</b> of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> includes the interface module <b>104</b>, the delegator module <b>106</b>A, the aggregator module <b>106</b>B, and the adapter modules <b>108</b>-<b>1</b> . . . <b>108</b>-N. Briefly, the interface module <b>104</b> enables communication between the device management system <b>102</b> and the enterprise user <b>110</b>. In some implementations, the interface module <b>104</b> enables communication between the device management system <b>102</b> and a client device (not shown) associated with the enterprise user <b>110</b> or another user. The delegator module <b>106</b>A, the aggregator module <b>106</b>B, and the adapter modules <b>108</b>-<b>1</b> . . . <b>108</b>-N, in turn, enable communication between the device management system <b>102</b> and the operator networks <b>116</b>-<b>1</b> . . . <b>116</b>-N. As a result, the device management system <b>102</b> bridges communication between the interface module <b>104</b> and, therefore, the enterprise user <b>110</b> and/or the client device, and the operator networks <b>116</b>-<b>1</b> . . . <b>116</b>-N. As described herein, bridging of the communication in this manner may, in some examples, allow the enterprise user <b>110</b> and/or the client device to manage the mobile devices <b>122</b>-<b>1</b> . . . <b>122</b>-M on the operator networks <b>116</b>-<b>1</b> . . . <b>116</b>-N.

In the example of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>, the interface module <b>104</b> initially receives the request <b>112</b>-A from the enterprise user <b>110</b>. In some implementations, the interface module <b>104</b> displays a GUI to the enterprise user <b>110</b> using a GUI module <b>200</b>A included in the interface module <b>104</b>. In some implementations, the interface module <b>104</b> receives the request <b>112</b>-A from the enterprise user <b>110</b> via the GUI. In some implementations, the enterprise user <b>110</b> specifies the request <b>112</b>-A by inputting one or more parameters associated with two or more of the mobile devices <b>122</b>-<b>1</b> . . . <b>122</b>-M and the corresponding two or more of the operator networks <b>116</b>-<b>1</b> . . . <b>116</b>-N on which the devices are deployed into the GUI. In some implementations, the interface module <b>104</b> receives the request <b>112</b>-A from the enterprise user <b>110</b> via a client device associated with the user <b>110</b> using a machine interface module <b>200</b>B included in the interface module <b>104</b>. In some implementations, the enterprise user <b>110</b> specifies the request <b>112</b>-A using a GUI displayed at the client device in a similar manner as previously described.

In the example of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>, the delegator module <b>106</b>A further selects two or more of the adapter modules <b>108</b>-<b>1</b> . . . <b>108</b>-N based on the request <b>112</b>-A received by the interface module <b>104</b>. In some implementations, the delegator module <b>106</b>A selects the adapter modules configured to communicate with the operator networks identified by the request <b>112</b>-A. In some implementations, the delegator module <b>106</b>A selects the adapter modules that are associated with active subscription accounts. In some implementations, to select the adapter modules, the delegator module <b>106</b>A processes the request <b>112</b>-A using a request processing module <b>202</b>A included in the delegator module <b>106</b>A. In some implementations, the request processing module <b>202</b>A initially determines whether the request <b>112</b>-A explicitly or implicitly indicates particular ones of the operator networks <b>116</b>-<b>1</b> . . . <b>116</b>-N. In the event the request <b>112</b>-A indicates any such operator networks, the delegator module <b>106</b>A further determines whether the networks are also associated with particular ones of the adapter modules <b>108</b>-<b>1</b> . . . <b>108</b>-N. In the event the operator networks are associated with such adapter modules, the delegator module <b>106</b>A selects the adapter modules. In some implementations, the request processing module <b>202</b>A directly determines a correspondence between the operator networks indicated by the request <b>112</b>-A and the operator networks associated with the selected adapter modules. In some implementations, the request processing module <b>202</b>A makes a call to one or more of the selected adapter modules based on the request <b>112</b>-A. In some implementations, the call includes the request <b>112</b>-A. In the example of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>, the delegator module <b>106</b>A selects the adapter modules <b>108</b>-<b>1</b> and <b>108</b>-N. In other examples, the delegator module <b>106</b>A may select one or more other ones (e.g., more than two) of the adapter modules <b>108</b>-<b>1</b> . . . <b>108</b>-N.

In the example of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>, the selected ones of the adapter modules <b>108</b>-<b>1</b> . . . <b>108</b>-N subsequently bridge communication between the interface module <b>104</b> and those of the operator networks <b>116</b>-<b>1</b> . . . <b>116</b>-N identified by the request <b>112</b>-A. As described herein, in some implementations, to bridge the communication, each selected adapter module performs one or more of (1) transmitting the request <b>112</b>-A to the network; and (2) receiving a response (e.g., one of the response <b>114</b>-A, <b>114</b>-B) from the network in response to transmitting the request <b>112</b>-A, and transmitting the response to the aggregator module <b>106</b>B.

As further described herein, in some implementations, each of one or more of the selected adapter modules further translates the request <b>112</b>-A from an adapter API format associated with the adapter module to a network API format associated with the corresponding operator network, thereby generating a translated version of the request (e.g., one of the translated requests <b>112</b>-D, <b>112</b>-E). As also described herein, in some implementations, each of one or more of the selected adapter module also translates the response received from the corresponding operator network from the network API format to the adapter API format, thereby generating a translated version of the response (e.g., one of the translated responses <b>114</b>-C, <b>114</b>-D). To that end, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>, in some implementations, each of one or more of the adapter modules <b>108</b>-<b>1</b> . . . <b>108</b>-N includes a request API format conversion module <b>204</b>, a response API format conversion module <b>206</b>, and an API format rule data store <b>208</b>. In some implementations, the API format rule data store includes adapter API format rules <b>210</b> and network API format rules <b>212</b>.

In some implementations, the request API format conversion module <b>204</b> enables the corresponding adapter module to translate the request <b>112</b>-A from the adapter API format to the network API format using the adapter API format rules <b>210</b> and the network API format rules <b>212</b>. In some implementations, the adapter API format rules <b>210</b> and the network API format rules <b>212</b> each specify one or more specific data fields (e.g., a header field, etc.) for the request <b>112</b>-A and the translated version of the request (e.g., the translated requests <b>112</b>-D, <b>112</b>-E) to conform to their respective adapter and network API formats. Similarly, in some implementations, the response API format conversion module <b>206</b> enables the adapter module to translate a response (e.g., the responses <b>114</b>-A, <b>114</b>-B) from the network API format to the adapter API format using the adapter API format rules <b>210</b> and the network API format rules <b>212</b>. In some implementations, the adapter API format rules <b>210</b> and the network API format rules <b>212</b> each further specify one or more specific data fields (e.g., a header field, etc.) for the response and the translated version of the response (e.g., the translated responses <b>114</b>-C, <b>114</b>-D) to conform to their respective network and adapter API formats, in a similar manner as previously described.

In some implementations, the request API format conversion module <b>204</b> synthesizes a data container (e.g., a JavaScript Object Notation (JSON) object) that represents the translated version of the request. In some implementations, the request API format conversion module <b>204</b> writes information from the original request <b>112</b>-A into the data container according to the network API format rules <b>212</b>. In some implementations, the request API format conversion module <b>204</b> includes in the data container one or more specific data fields that the corresponding operator network expects in the translated version of the request in accordance with the network API format rules <b>212</b>.

Similarly, in some implementations, the response API format conversion module <b>206</b> synthesizes a data container (e.g., a JSON object) that represents the translated version of a response. In some implementations, the response API format conversion module <b>206</b> writes information from an original response into the data container according to the adapter API format rules <b>210</b>. In some implementations, the response API format conversion module <b>206</b> includes in the data container one or more specific data fields that the interface module <b>104</b> expects in the translated response according to the adapter API format rules <b>210</b>.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> is a data flow diagram illustrating example operation of the device management system <b>102</b> described with reference to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1 and 2</figref>. In the example of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>, the device management system <b>102</b> includes a resource controller <b>302</b>, an activity handler <b>304</b>, a source manager <b>306</b>, a result cache <b>308</b>, a callback handler <b>310</b>, and a source adapter <b>312</b>. In some implementations, the interface module <b>104</b> corresponds to and/or includes the resource controller <b>302</b>. In some implementations, the delegator module <b>106</b>A corresponds to and/or includes the activity handler <b>304</b> and the source manager <b>306</b>. In some implementations, the aggregator module <b>106</b>B corresponds to and/or includes the activity handler <b>304</b>, the callback handler <b>310</b> and/or the result cache <b>308</b>. In some implementations, the source adapter <b>312</b> corresponds to and/or includes one of the adapter modules <b>108</b>-<b>1</b> . . . <b>108</b>-N. In some implementations, the result cache <b>310</b> corresponds to and/or includes a memory device, or simply “memory,” configured to store responses received from the operator networks <b>116</b>-<b>1</b> . . . <b>116</b>-N via the corresponding adapter modules <b>108</b>-<b>1</b> . . . <b>108</b>-N in the manner described herein.

In the example of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>, the resource controller <b>302</b> initially receives the request <b>112</b>-A from the enterprise user <b>110</b> of the device management system <b>102</b>. In some implementations, the resource controller <b>302</b> receives the request <b>112</b>-A via a client device of the enterprise user <b>110</b>. In some implementations, the request <b>112</b>-A specifies one or more parameters and identifies a customer, such as an enterprise, associated with the enterprise user <b>110</b>. The resource controller <b>302</b> transmits the request <b>112</b>-A to the activity handler <b>304</b> (<b>314</b>A). The activity handler <b>304</b> queries the source manager <b>306</b> for one or more sources, or one or more of the operator networks <b>116</b>-<b>1</b> . . . <b>116</b>-N, which are able to service the request <b>112</b>-A (<b>314</b>B). In other words, the activity handler <b>304</b> queries the source manager <b>306</b> for one or more of the adapter modules <b>108</b>-A . . . <b>108</b>-N to which the activity handler <b>304</b> is able to delegate the request <b>112</b>-A. The source manager <b>306</b> identifies and selects one or more of the adapter modules <b>108</b>-A . . . <b>108</b>-N to which the activity handler <b>304</b> is able to delegate the request <b>112</b>-A based on the request <b>112</b>-A. In some implementations, the source manager <b>306</b> selects one or more of the adapter modules <b>108</b>-A . . . <b>108</b>-N based on the customer (e.g., the enterprise) specified by the request <b>112</b>-A. Additionally or alternatively, in some implementations, the source manager <b>306</b> selects one or more of the adapter modules <b>108</b>-A . . . <b>108</b>-N based on the parameters specified by the request <b>112</b>-A.

In the example of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>, the activity handler <b>304</b> further receives an indication of the selected one or more of the adapter modules <b>108</b>-A . . . <b>108</b>-N to which the activity handler <b>304</b> is able to delegate the request <b>112</b>-A (<b>314</b>C). The activity handler <b>304</b> subsequently delegates the request <b>112</b>-A to the selected one or more of the adapter modules <b>108</b>-A . . . <b>108</b>-N (<b>314</b>D). In some implementations, each instance of such delegation includes the parameters specified by the request <b>112</b>-A, a result ID associated with the corresponding one of the operator networks <b>116</b>-<b>1</b> . . . <b>116</b>-N, and a timeout parameter specifying a predetermined period of time (e.g., a timer). In response to delegating the request <b>112</b>-A to the selected one or more of the adapter modules <b>108</b>-A . . . <b>108</b>-N, the callback handler <b>310</b> receives one or more responses (e.g., the responses <b>114</b>-A, <b>114</b>-B) from the selected one or more of the adapter modules <b>108</b>-A . . . <b>108</b>-N (<b>314</b>E). In some implementations, each response includes a result ID and one or more results. The callback handler <b>310</b> then stores, or buffers, the responses in the result cache <b>308</b> for one or more subsequent retrievals, as described in greater detail below (<b>314</b>F).

In various implementations, the activity handler <b>304</b> handles (e.g., processes) the responses until the expiration of the predetermined period of time. In the example of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>, until the expiration of the predetermined period of time specified by the timeout parameter, the activity handler <b>304</b> retrieves the responses (e.g., one or more of the results from each of one or more of the responses) from the result cache <b>308</b> (<b>314</b>G-<b>314</b>J). For example, in some implementations, the activity handler <b>304</b> fetches each of one or more of the responses (e.g., the corresponding results) based on the result ID associated with the response by interacting with the corresponding one of the operator networks <b>116</b>-<b>1</b> . . . <b>116</b>-N (<b>314</b>K). In some implementations, each of one or more of the responses (e.g., the corresponding results) is associated with a particular status, such as that of “success” or “error,” indicating successful retrieval of the response or failure to retrieve the response, respectively. In some implementations, the activity handler <b>304</b> further aggregates the responses (e.g., the corresponding results) by merging the responses (e.g., the corresponding results) and transmits the aggregated responses to the resource controller <b>302</b> (<b>314</b>L). In some implementations, the resource controller <b>302</b> then transmits the aggregated responses (e.g., aggregated results) to the enterprise user <b>110</b> or a client device of the user <b>110</b>, or displays the aggregated responses to the user <b>110</b> via a GUI.

In some implementations, a cache management module (not shown) manages the result cache <b>308</b>. For example, in some implementations, the cache management module deletes responses or elements thereof (e.g., the corresponding results) from the result cache <b>308</b> after the activity handler <b>304</b> has retrieved the responses or elements from the result cache <b>308</b> in the manner described herein. In some implementations, the cache management functionality described above is performed by the activity handler <b>304</b>.

In some implementations, the resource controller <b>302</b> receives an additional request, namely a result request <b>112</b>-B, to view one or more additional ones of the responses (e.g., one or more additional ones of the corresponding results). For example, in some implementations, the resource controller <b>302</b> receives the result request <b>112</b>-B to view the additional responses or results included therein after transmitting or displaying the aggregated responses to the enterprise user <b>110</b> in the manner previously described. In some implementations, the result request <b>112</b>-B includes one or more pointers (e.g., indices). For example, in some implementations, each of one or more of the pointers corresponds to a particular one of the sources, or operator networks, and indicates one of the results received from the network that have already been transmitted or displayed to the enterprise user <b>110</b>. In some implementations, each of one or more of the pointers includes at least a pair of numbers or other indicators that indicate a position attribute and a scroll attribute associated with the corresponding result. In some implementations, for each of one or more of the sources, or operator networks, the activity handler <b>304</b> further identifies, using the result request <b>112</b>-B, a next batch of one or more other results received from the network to be transmitted or displayed to the enterprise user <b>110</b>. For example, in some implementations, the activity handler <b>304</b> identifies at least one additional result that has not been transmitted or displayed to the enterprise user <b>110</b> based on the pointers included in the result request <b>112</b>-B. For instance, in some implementations, for a particular source, or operator network, the activity handler <b>304</b> selects a threshold number of results that immediately follow an already transmitted or displayed result that is associated with a pointer included in the result request <b>112</b>-B. The activity handler <b>304</b> then aggregates the next batch of the results for the source, or operator network, with other results and transmits the aggregated next batch to the resource controller <b>302</b> in a similar manner as previously described.

In some implementations, the device management system <b>102</b> maintains a record of various states of the sources, or operator networks, and the responses or the results included therein received from the networks, in a memory device included in the system <b>102</b>. In other words, in some implementations, the device management system <b>102</b> retains information indicating which portions of the responses received from the sources, or operator networks, have been processed (e.g., transmitted or displayed to the enterprise use <b>110</b>), and which portions of the responses have not been processed. For example, in some implementations, the device management system <b>102</b> stores an indication of a visual cursor associated with displayed one or more results received from one or more of the sources, or operator networks. In other words, in some implementations, the device management system <b>102</b> stores an indication of which of the one or more results received from the one or more of the sources, or operator networks, are currently displayed to the enterprise user <b>110</b>.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> is a flowchart representation of a method <b>400</b> of managing multiple mobile devices that are deployed on multiple different operator networks, in accordance with some implementations. The method <b>400</b> may be implemented as a set of one or more computer readable instructions that are stored in one or more memory components and executed by one or more central processing units (CPUs) included in the device management system <b>102</b>. Briefly, the example method <b>400</b> includes receiving a request <b>112</b>-A at the interface module <b>104</b> and selecting two of the adapter modules <b>108</b>-<b>1</b> . . . <b>108</b>-N using the delegator module <b>106</b>A based on the request <b>112</b>-A. The example method <b>400</b> further includes bridging communication between the interface module <b>104</b> and two of the operator networks <b>116</b>-<b>1</b> . . . <b>116</b>-N that are associated with the selected adapter modules using the adapter modules. The example method <b>400</b> also includes aggregating two responses received from the two operator networks in response to bridging the communication between the interface module <b>104</b> and the operator networks using the aggregator module <b>106</b>B.

As shown in block <b>402</b>, the device management system <b>102</b> initially receives, at the interface module <b>104</b>, a request <b>112</b>-A that includes an indicator (e.g., packetized binary data). In this example, the indicator identifies first and second ones of the mobile devices <b>122</b>-<b>1</b> . . . <b>122</b>-M and first and second ones of the operator networks <b>116</b>-<b>1</b> . . . <b>116</b>-N that are associated with the first and second devices. Also in this example, the request <b>112</b>-A initiates a change in a configuration state of the first and second mobile devices on the first and second operator networks. In other words, the request <b>112</b>-A is configured to manage the first and second mobile devices on the first and second operator networks. In some implementations, the first and second operator networks are each associated with a particular one of the first and second mobile devices. In these implementations, the request <b>112</b>-A initiates a change in a configuration state of each of the first and second mobile devices on the corresponding one of the first and second operator networks. For example, in some implementations, the request <b>112</b>-A initiates a change to one or more parameters of each of the first and second mobile devices that pertain to the corresponding one of the first and second operator networks. As shown in block <b>410</b>, in some implementations, the device management system <b>102</b> further displays, using the interface module <b>104</b>, a GUI to a user and receives the request <b>112</b>-A from the user via the GUI.

As shown in block <b>404</b>, the device management system <b>102</b> further selects, e.g., using the delegator module <b>106</b>A, first and second ones of the adapter modules <b>108</b>-<b>1</b> . . . <b>108</b>-N based on the request <b>112</b>-A. In this example, each of the adapter modules <b>108</b>-<b>1</b> . . . <b>108</b>-N is configured to communicate with a particular one of the operator networks <b>116</b>-<b>1</b> . . . <b>116</b>-N. In some implementations, the selected first and second adapter modules are each configured to communicate with a particular one of the first and second operator networks identified by the request <b>112</b>-A. In this manner, the device management system <b>102</b> selects adapter modules that are configured to communicatively interface with operator networks on which mobile devices identified by the request <b>112</b>-A are deployed. As shown in block <b>412</b>, in some implementations, the device management system <b>102</b> selects each of one or more of the first and second adapter modules based on a textual, numeric, symbolic, and/or another type of match between an operator network identified by the request <b>112</b>-A and an operator network associated with the selected adapter module. As shown in block <b>414</b>, in some implementations, the device management system <b>102</b> selects each of one or more of the first and second adapter modules based on an active subscription account associated with an operator network corresponding to the selected adapter module. In other words, in some implementations, the device management system <b>102</b> selects a particular one of the first and second adapter modules upon determining the existence of an active subscription account that is associated with an operator network corresponding to the selected adapter module.

As shown in block <b>406</b>, the device management system <b>102</b> subsequently bridges, using each of the selected first and second adapter modules, communication between the interface module <b>104</b> and a particular one of the first and second operator networks identified by the request <b>112</b>-A. In this manner, the device management system <b>102</b> uses adapter modules selected based on the request <b>112</b>-A to serve as communication interfaces between the interface module <b>104</b> and operator networks on which mobile devices identified by the request <b>112</b>-A are deployed. In some implementations, as shown in block <b>416</b>, to bridge the communication between the interface module <b>104</b> and each of one or more of the first and second operator networks, the device management system <b>102</b> transmits at least a portion of the request <b>112</b>-A to the network using the corresponding selected adapter module. In some implementations, as shown in block <b>418</b>, the device management system <b>102</b> further receives, using the corresponding selected adapter module, a response (e.g., one of the responses <b>114</b>-A, <b>114</b>-B) from the operator network in response to transmitting at least the portion of the request <b>112</b>-A. In these implementations, the device management system <b>102</b> then transmits at least a portion of the response to the interface module <b>104</b> using the corresponding selected adapter module. As described in greater detail below, in some implementations, the device management system <b>102</b> transmits at least the portion of the response to the interface module <b>104</b> after aggregating the response with one or more other responses by the aggregator module <b>106</b>B. As described herein, in some implementations, the device management system <b>102</b> also translates an API format associated with one or more of the request <b>112</b>-A and the response using the corresponding selected adapter module.

As shown in block <b>408</b>, the device management system <b>102</b> then aggregates, using the aggregator module <b>106</b>B, first and second responses <b>114</b>-A, <b>114</b>-B received from the first and second operator networks identified by the request <b>112</b>-A in response to bridging the communication between the interface module <b>104</b> and the networks. In some implementations, as shown in block <b>420</b>, to aggregate the first and second responses <b>114</b>-A, <b>114</b>-B, the device management system <b>102</b> selects, using the aggregator module <b>106</b>B, one or more results from each response. For example, in some implementations, the device management system <b>102</b> selects a subset, such as a threshold number, of the results included in each of one or more of the first and second responses <b>114</b>-A, <b>114</b>-B.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> is a flowchart representation of methods <b>500</b>A and <b>500</b>B of managing multiple mobile devices that are deployed on multiple different operator networks, in accordance with some implementations. In some implementations, the methods <b>500</b>A and <b>500</b>B illustrate particular aspects of the method <b>400</b> described with reference to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>. The methods <b>500</b>A and <b>500</b>B may each be implemented as a set of one or more computer readable instructions that are stored in one or more memory components and executed by one or more CPUs included in the device management system <b>102</b>. Briefly, the example method <b>500</b>A includes receiving the result request <b>112</b>-B at the interface module <b>104</b> and selecting one or more additional results from the first and second responses <b>114</b>-A, <b>114</b>-B received from the first and second operator networks identified by the request <b>112</b>-A in response to bridging the communication between the interface module <b>104</b> and the networks. The example method <b>500</b>B, in turn, includes receiving the search query <b>112</b>-C at the interface module <b>104</b> and performing a search for one or more of the mobile devices <b>122</b>-<b>1</b> . . . <b>122</b>-M that are associated with one or more of the operator networks <b>116</b>-<b>1</b> . . . <b>116</b>-N.

In the example method <b>500</b>A, each of one or more of the first and second responses <b>114</b>-A, <b>114</b>-B includes one or more results. In this example, as shown in block <b>502</b>A, to aggregate the first and second responses <b>114</b>-A, <b>114</b>-B in the manner described with reference to the method <b>400</b>, the device management system <b>102</b> selects, using the aggregator module <b>106</b>B, a first subset of one or more results from at least one of the first and second responses <b>114</b>-A, <b>114</b>-B. As shown in block <b>504</b>A, the device management system <b>102</b> further receives, at the interface module <b>104</b>, the result request <b>112</b>-B. As shown in block <b>510</b>A, in some implementations, the device management system <b>102</b> displays, using the interface module <b>104</b>, a GUI to a user and receives the result request <b>112</b>-B from the user via the GUI, in a similar manner as previously described with reference to the request <b>112</b>-A. As shown in block <b>506</b>A, in response to receiving the result request <b>112</b>-B, the device management system <b>102</b> selects, using the aggregator module <b>106</b>B, a second, different subset of the one or more results from the at least one of the first and second responses <b>114</b>-A, <b>114</b>B. In some implementations, the method <b>500</b>A includes operations indicated by blocks <b>404</b>, <b>406</b> and/or <b>408</b>. In some implementations, the result request <b>112</b>-B includes one or more pointers (e.g., indices) identifying one or more of the first and second subsets of the one or more results from the at least one of the first and second responses <b>114</b>-A, <b>114</b>-B. As shown in block <b>508</b>A, the device management system <b>102</b> optionally aggregates, using the aggregator module <b>106</b>B, the second subset of the one or more results with one or more other results previously and/or subsequently selected from the first and/or second responses <b>114</b>-A, <b>114</b>-B.

As shown in block <b>502</b>B of the example method <b>500</b>B, the device management system <b>102</b> receives, at the interface module <b>104</b>, the search query <b>112</b>-C identifying one or more of the mobile devices <b>122</b>-<b>1</b> . . . <b>122</b>-M and one or more of the operator networks <b>116</b>-<b>1</b> . . . <b>116</b>-N that are associated with the devices. As shown in block <b>504</b>B, the device management system <b>102</b> further selects, using the delegator module <b>106</b>A, one or more of the plurality of adapter modules <b>108</b>-<b>1</b> . . . <b>108</b>-N based on the search query <b>112</b>-C, in a similar manner as previously described with reference to the request <b>112</b>-A. For example, as shown in blocks <b>510</b>B and <b>512</b>B, the device management system <b>102</b> may select a particular one of the adapter modules based on a textual, numeric, symbolic, and/or another type of match between an operator network identified by the search query <b>112</b>-C and an operator network associated with the selected adapter module and/or based on an active subscription account associated with the network. As shown in block <b>506</b>B, the device management system <b>102</b> then performs a search of the operator networks identified by the search query <b>112</b>-C based on the query <b>112</b>-C using the selected adapter modules. As shown in block <b>508</b>B, in response to performing the search, the device management system <b>102</b> receives one or more search results from the operator networks using the selected adapter modules. In some implementations, the search query <b>112</b>-C does not identify a particular operator network <b>116</b>. In such implementations, the delegator module <b>106</b>A selects adapter modules <b>108</b> associated with operator networks <b>118</b> on which the enterprise user <b>110</b> has one or more mobile devices <b>122</b>.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> is a block diagram of a server system <b>600</b> enabled with one or more components of the device management system <b>102</b> depicted in and described with reference to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1 and 2</figref>, in accordance with some implementations. While certain specific features are illustrated, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate from the present disclosure that various other features have not been illustrated for the sake of brevity, and so as not to obscure more pertinent aspects of the implementations disclosed herein. To that end, as a non-limiting example, in some implementations the server system <b>600</b> includes one or more CPUs <b>602</b>, one or more memory components <b>604</b>, one or more network interface components <b>608</b>, one or more interface components <b>610</b>, and one or more communication buses <b>606</b> interconnecting these and various other components.

In some implementations, the one or more communication buses <b>606</b> include circuitry that interconnects and controls communication between various components of the server system <b>600</b>. In some implementations, the memory component(s) <b>604</b> include high-speed random access memory, such as DRAM, SRAM, DDR RAM, or other random access solid state memory devices. In some implementations, the memory component(s) <b>604</b> include non-volatile memory, such as one or more magnetic disk storage devices, optical disk storage devices, flash memory devices, or other non-volatile solid state storage devices. In some implementations, the memory component(s) <b>604</b> also optionally include one or more storage devices that are located remotely from the CPU(s) <b>602</b>. In some implementations, the memory component(s) <b>604</b> include non-transitory computer readable storage media.

In some implementations, the memory component(s) <b>604</b> store some or all of the following programs, modules, and data structures, including an optional operating system <b>612</b>, the interface module <b>104</b>, the delegator module <b>106</b>A, the aggregator module <b>106</b>B, and the adapter modules <b>108</b>-<b>1</b> . . . <b>108</b>-N. In some implementations, the operating system <b>612</b> includes procedures for handling various basic system services and for performing hardware-dependent tasks associated with the server system <b>600</b>. In some implementations, the interface module <b>104</b> further includes one or more of the GUI module <b>200</b>A and the machine interface module <b>200</b>B. In some implementations, the delegator module <b>106</b>A further includes the request processing module <b>202</b>A. In some implementations, the aggregator module <b>106</b>B further includes the response processing module <b>202</b>B. In some implementations, one or more of the adapter modules <b>108</b>-<b>1</b> . . . <b>108</b>-N each further includes the request API format conversion module <b>204</b>, the response API format conversion module <b>206</b>, and the API format data store <b>208</b>.

In some implementations, the interface module <b>104</b> receives, such as interprets and/or processes, one or more of the request <b>112</b>-A, the result request <b>112</b>-B, and the search query <b>112</b>-C from the enterprise user <b>110</b>, as described herein. In some implementations, the interface module <b>104</b> receives one or more of the request <b>112</b>-A, the result request <b>112</b>-B, and the search query <b>112</b>-C from a client device associated with the enterprise user <b>110</b> or another user. To that end, in some implementations, the interface module <b>104</b> includes various instructions and/or logic <b>614</b>A and heuristics and metadata <b>616</b>A. In some implementations, the delegator module <b>106</b>A selects two or more of the adapter modules <b>108</b>-<b>1</b> . . . <b>108</b>-N based on the request <b>112</b>-A, or based on the search query <b>112</b>-C, as further described herein. To that end, in some implementations, the delegator module <b>106</b>A includes instructions and/or logic <b>614</b>B and heuristics and metadata <b>616</b>B. In some implementations, the aggregator module <b>106</b>B aggregates two or more responses (e.g., the responses <b>114</b>-A, <b>114</b>-B) received from those of the operator networks <b>116</b>-<b>1</b> . . . <b>116</b>-N that are associated with the selected adapter modules, as still further described herein. To that end, in some implementations, the aggregator module <b>106</b>B includes instructions and/or logic <b>614</b>C and heuristics and metadata <b>616</b>C. In some implementations, the selected adapter modules bridge communication between the interface module <b>104</b> and those of the operator networks <b>116</b>-<b>1</b> . . . <b>116</b>-N that are associated with the selected adapter modules, as also described herein. To that end, in some implementations, the selected adapter modules each include instructions and/or logic <b>614</b>D and heuristics and metadata <b>616</b>D.

While various aspects of implementations within the scope of the appended claims are described above, it should be apparent that the various features of implementations described above may be embodied in a wide variety of forms and that any specific structure and/or function described above is merely illustrative. Based on the present disclosure, one skilled in the art should appreciate that an aspect described herein may be implemented independently of any other aspects and that two or more aspects may be combined in various ways. For example, an apparatus may be implemented and/or a method may be practiced using any number of aspects set forth herein. In addition, such an apparatus may be implemented and/or such a method may be practiced using other structure and/or functionality in addition to, or other than, one or more of the aspects set forth herein.

It will also be understood that, although the terms “first,” “second,” etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first contact could be termed a second contact, and, similarly, a second contact could be termed a first contact, without changing the meaning of the description, so long as all occurrences of the “first contact” are renamed consistently and all occurrences of the “second contact” also are renamed consistently. Stated another way, the first contact and the second contact are both contacts, but they are not the same contact.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the claims. As used in the description of the embodiments and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will also be understood that the term “and/or,” as used herein, refers to and encompasses any and all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

As used herein, the term “if” may be construed to mean “when” or “upon” or “in response to determining” or “in accordance with a determination” or “in response to detecting,” that a stated condition precedent is true, depending on the context. Similarly, the phrase “if it is determined [that a stated condition precedent is true]” or “if [a stated condition precedent is true]” or “when [a stated condition precedent is true]” may be construed to mean “upon determining” or “in response to determining” or “in accordance with a determination” or “upon detecting” or “in response to detecting” that the stated condition precedent is true, depending on the context.