Method and apparatus for localized adaptation of client devices based on correlation or learning at remote server

Abstract

Techniques are disclosed for localized adaptation of client devices based on correlation or learning at a remote server. For example, a method for modifying a behavior of a client device in a data collection system, wherein the client device collects data and transmits data to a server, includes the following steps. The client device transmits data to the server. The server uses at least a portion of the data received from the client device to generate information that represents a modification to a behavior of the client device. The server device transmits the generated information to the client device. The client device subsequently alters the behavior of the client device based on the information received from the server.

1 . A method for modifying a behavior of a client device in a data collection system wherein the client device collects data and transmits data to a server, the method comprising the steps of:
 the client device transmitting data to the server;   the server using at least a portion of the data received from the client device to generate information that represents a modification to a behavior of the client device;   the server device transmitting the generated information to the client device; and   the client device subsequently altering the behavior of the client device based on the information received from the server.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the data transmitted to the server comprises one or more data samples. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the data transmitted to the server comprises modified statistics of the one or more data samples. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the data transmitted to the server comprises compressed versions of the one or more data samples. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of the server determining at least one pattern from at least a portion of the data received from the client device. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the generated information that represents a modification to a behavior of the client device comprises a command to modify, activate or deactivate a rule stored a-priori at the client device. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the generated information that represents a modification to a behavior of the client device comprises context data that affects a rule stored a-priori at the client device. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the generated information that represents a modification to a behavior of the client device comprises a generated rule. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the generated rule comprises a predicate which expresses at least one temporal pattern associated with the data collected by the client device. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the generated rule comprises a predicate which expresses characteristics of data expected to be collected by the client device. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the generated rule comprises an action which expresses a modification to an interface of the client device. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the generated rule comprises an action which expresses a generation of specific content on the client device. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the generated rule comprises an action which expresses a modification to a behavior or content of a specific application resident on the client device. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the generated rule comprises an action which expresses a transmission, suppression of transmission, or compression of one or more collected data samples. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the generated rule comprises an action which expresses a data transformation. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the data transformation comprises at least one of an averaging operation, an outlier elimination operation, a compression operation, a filtering operation, a discrete coefficient representation. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the step of the server generating a rule further comprises eliminating from a predicate of the rule any attribute that cannot be locally determined by the client device. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the step of the server generating a rule further comprises specifying at least one of removal of an existing rule, refinement of an existing rule, and specification of a new rule. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the server also uses context data to generate information that represents a modification to a behavior of the client device. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the context data comprises data representative of context pertaining to an attribute of a user associated with the client device. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the context data comprises data representative of external context of one or more other individuals or entities. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the client monitoring device resources and adjusting behavior based thereon. 
     
     
         23 . A method, for use in a client device, for modifying a behavior of the client device in a data collection system wherein the client device collects data and transmits data to a server, the method comprising the steps of:
 transmitting data to the server such that the server is able to use at least a portion of the data received from the client device to generate information that represents a modification to a behavior of the client device; and   subsequently altering the behavior of the client device based on the information received from the server.   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the generated information that represents a modification to a behavior of the client device comprises a command to modify, activate or deactivate a rule stored a-priori at the client device. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the generated information that represents a modification to a behavior of the client device comprises context data that affects a rule stored a-priori at the client device. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the generated information that represents a modification to a behavior of the client device comprises a generated rule. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 23 , further comprising the client monitoring device resources and adjusting behavior based thereon. 
     
     
         28 . A method, for use in a server, for modifying a behavior of a client device in a data collection system wherein the client device collects data and transmits data to the server, the method comprising the steps of:
 receiving data from the client device;   using at least a portion of the data received from the client device to generate information that represents a modification to a behavior of the client device; and   transmitting the information to the client device such that the client device is able to subsequently alter the behavior of the client device based on the information received from the server.   
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the generated information that represents a modification to a behavior of the client device comprises a command to modify, activate or deactivate a rule stored a-priori at the client device. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the generated information that represents a modification to a behavior of the client device comprises context data that affects a rule stored a-priori at the client device. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the generated information that represents a modification to a behavior of the client device comprises a generated rule. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the client monitors device resources and adjusts behavior based thereon. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the server also uses context data to generate information that represents a modification to a behavior of the client device. 
     
     
         34 . Apparatus for use in a data collection system, comprising:
 a client device configured to: (i) transmit data to a server such that the server is able to use at least a portion of the data received from the client device to generate information that represents a modification to a behavior of the client device; and (ii) subsequently alter the behavior of the client device based on the information received from the server.   
     
     
         35 . Apparatus for use in a data collection system, comprising:
 a server configured to: (i) receive data from a client device; (ii) use at least a portion of the data received from the client device to generate information that represents a modification to a behavior of the client device; and (iii) transmit the information to the client device such that the client device is able to subsequently alter the behavior of the client device based on the information received from the server.