Method and apparatus for the activation of services

An approach is provided for presenting an activation indicator to a user. A connection with a mobile device is detected. Retrieval is caused, at least in part, of a unique hardware identifier associated with the mobile device. It is determined that the mobile device is eligible for a service based on the unique hardware identifier. Presentation is caused, at least in part, of a visual indicator of the eligibility for the service based on the determination.

BACKGROUND

Service providers (e.g., wireless, cellular, etc.) and device manufacturers are continually challenged to deliver value and convenience to consumers by, for example, providing compelling network services. However, in many cases, these services have traditionally required users to proactively take steps for initiating processes to activate or register with the services before using or receiving access to the respective service. That is, the user must first recognize a need to initiate activation of the service and then take the time to perform the activation or registration steps associated with the service. Many users may not know of the activation processes or if the users know of the activation process, may not complete the activation process because the activation scheme is complex or confusing.

SOME EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

Therefore, there is a need for an approach for presenting an activation indicator to a user based on user eligibility for a service.

According to one embodiment, a method comprises detecting a connection with a mobile device. The method also comprises causing, at least in part, retrieval of a unique hardware identifier associated with the mobile device. The method further comprises determining that the mobile device is eligible for a service based on the unique hardware identifier. The method additionally comprises initiating presentation of a visual indicator of the eligibility for the service based on the determination.

According to another embodiment, an apparatus comprising at least one processor, and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause, at least in part, the apparatus to detect a connection with a mobile device. The apparatus is also caused to cause, at least in part, retrieval of a unique hardware identifier associated with the mobile device. The apparatus is further caused to determine that the mobile device is eligible for a service based on the unique hardware identifier. The apparatus is additionally caused to initiate presentation of a visual indicator of the eligibility for the service based on the determination.

According to another embodiment, a computer-readable storage medium carrying one or more sequences of one or more instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, cause, at least in part, an apparatus to detect a connection with a mobile device. The apparatus is also caused to cause, at least in part, retrieval of a unique hardware identifier associated with the mobile device. The apparatus is further caused to determine that the mobile device is eligible for a service based on the unique hardware identifier. The apparatus is additionally caused to initiate presentation of a visual indicator of the eligibility for the service based on the determination.

According to another embodiment, an apparatus comprises means for detecting a connection with a mobile device. The apparatus also comprises means for causing, at least in part, retrieval of a unique hardware identifier associated with the mobile device. The apparatus further comprises means for determining that the mobile device is eligible for a service based on the unique hardware identifier. The apparatus additionally comprises means for initiating presentation of a visual indicator of the eligibility for the service based on the determination.

DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS

Examples of a method, apparatus, and computer program for presenting activation information based on a determination of eligibility for a service are disclosed. In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments of the invention. It is apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details or with an equivalent arrangement. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 1is a diagram of a system capable of causing presentation of an indicator, such as a command prompt and/or a dialogue screen, that a device is eligible for a service, according to one embodiment. Network services, such as media services (e.g., music services, video services, photo services, etc.), navigation services, gaming services and the like are increasingly being offered to users who can engage in these services using their user equipment (e.g., mobile handsets, computers, etc.). Although various embodiments are described with respect to media services, it is contemplated that the approach described herein may be used with any other services available over a communication network. Licenses or authorization to use these services may be purchased or packaged with respective user equipment. However, some of these services still require activation and/or registration before a user is able utilize the respective service. This activation process may be unknown or inconvenient to the user to initiate and thus the user may lack incentive to activate the service. It is noted that service providers may have invested heavily in the development of such services; the return on this investment can be undermined if users are reluctant to even try the service because of an inconspicuous activation procedure.

To address this problem, a system100ofFIG. 1introduces the capability to present an indicator that a device is eligible for a service after activation. According to some embodiments, users are provided an indicator and a prompt to activate or register for a service based on whether a user equipment (UE)101connected to a computing device103is eligible for the service. The computing device103, via a services (e.g., media) application105may detect that the UE101is connected and retrieve a unique identifier, such as a unique hardware identifier107associated with a hardware component109of the UE101, or and/or user information stored in the UE101. The computing device103may then formulate a request for more information about the UE101based on the unique identifier, such as the unique hardware identifier107, to a services platform111(e.g., a media services platform, a music services platform, a gaming platform, navigation services platform, etc.). The request may be sent via a communication network113. Then, the services platform111may query an equipment database115to determine status information about the UE101based on the unique identifier. The status information may include whether the UE101is compatible with the service, whether the UE101or the user has been activated to work with the service, etc. When the services platform111retrieves the status information, the services platform111may transmit the status information to the computing device103, which may utilize the services application105to process the status information. Moreover, the services application105may then present an indicator to the user to activate the service for the UE101based on the status information. Once activation is complete, the user may utilize the service on via the services application105on the computing device103or other applications117associated with the service on the UE101.

According to certain embodiments, services application105may be active on the computing device103when the UE101is connected. The services application105may be an application specific to a single service and/or service provider or encompass many services (e.g., music services, e-mail services, shopping services, etc.). By way of example, the one or more of the services may be activated based on an association with the UE101(e.g., the UE101is packaged with access to the service). The UE101may be connected to the computing device103via one of more of many different interfaces such as a wired interfaces (e.g., universal serial bus (USB), serial port, parallel port, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)1394interface), and wireless interfaces (e.g., via a wireless local area network connection (WLAN), BLUETOOTH, etc.). The services application105may monitor the computing device103to determine when a connection is established.

Then, a device and/or a user association between the UE101and the services application105may occur, where the services application105may retrieve one or more identifiers (e.g., the unique hardware identifier107and/or user information) from the UE101. In certain embodiments, the services application105retrieves the one or more identifiers, such as the hardware identifier(s)107, by requesting that an application117or operating system of the UE101retrieve the one or more identifiers. The UE101may include one or more hardware identifiers107for uniquely identifying the UE101, and/or user information for uniquely identifying the user of the UE101. The one or more identifiers, such as the hardware identifiers107, may be identification data that can be stored in memory of the UE101or can be a serial number or other unique identifier that can be obtained from a hardware component109of the UE101. Such a hardware identifier107can include user accessible identifiers such as an International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI), an electronic serial number, Mobile Equipment Identity (MEID), user inaccessible identifiers such as a serial number of a component (e.g., a processor, transceiver, etc.) associated with the UE101or another identifier known to the manufacturer of the UE101, or other identifiers unique to a particular UE101. Moreover, in certain embodiments, the one or more identifiers may be a removable hardware identifier located on a removable memory device such as a subscriber identity module (SIM) or on a removable component attached to the UE101(e.g., a BLUETOOTH headset or a hands free communication device) that the UE101may extract the one or more identifiers from.

The services application105can retrieve and transmit one or more identifiers107to the services platform111via the communication network113as part of the activation notification procedure. The services application105may be configured to access to the services platform111using an identifier of the services platform111(e.g., website address, telephone number, etc.) to request a service status of the UE101. The services platform111may query the equipment database115and/or user database to determine if the service status of the UE101and/or the user.

The equipment database115and the user database may be used by the services platform111to assist with managing user accounts and services. Moreover, the services platform111can utilize the equipment database115and the user database to store relevant information about the UE101and/or the user. In certain embodiments, the equipment database115may include or be replaced with a license provisioning gateway that stores the relevant UE information. In one embodiment, the relevant UE information can include hardware identifiers107that can be associated with other information about a corresponding UE101. By way of example, the UE information may be stored as a table with fields for one or more hardware identifiers as well as the information associated with the hardware identifiers. The other information corresponding to the hardware identifiers107and/or user can include licensing information that provides the type of service access and time period of access the UE101is entitled to (e.g., because the service was packaged with the cost of the UE101). Also, some of the licensing information may be based on other characteristics of the UE101such as the country location of the UE101. This may be important because many countries have different copyright, trademark, and other licensing laws and the UE101used in one country may have different rights than a UE101used in another country. Further, the service provider and user may have access to different content in different countries based on contracts made by the service provider with other entities. Additionally, the equipment database115may store a “blacklist” status of UEs101. A UE101may be marked as blacklisted if the UE101is not permitted access to the service for one or more reasons, e.g., country restrictions. Additionally, the UE101information may include information as to whether the UE101is compatible with the service, whether an account has been activated and/or is associated with the UE101, whether the UE101has a license to utilize the service, a combination thereof, etc. Once the service status is determined by the services platform111, the services platform111may cause, at least in part, transmission of the information to the computing device103.

Once the service status is received from the services platform111, the services application105may determine if the UE101and/or the user is eligible for the service. If the UE101and/or user is eligible for the service, the user is prompted to activate the service using an activation or registration wizard as further detailed inFIGS. 6A-6E. In certain scenarios, during the activation or registration process, the computing device103may query the UE101for any available user information, e.g. the services application105related information, account information, user identifier and password information, personal identification number (PIN) number, service identification number, user contact information, email address, phone number, social network service information, etc. that may be stored in a memory of the UE101. If available, the UE application117or the operating system of the UE101may retrieve this information to transmit it to the computing device103. This user information may be utilized to assist the user in completing the registration by filling out empty user information fields during registration. In certain scenarios, the user information and/or the services application105information may be associated with a service of the services platform111or another services platform. Upon successful activation, the user may utilize the computing device103and/or the UE101to access the service. In certain embodiments, the service is a media service and use of the service includes downloading licensed music or video to the UE101or computing device103.

As shown inFIG. 1, the user equipment (UE)101has connectivity to the computing device103and the services platform111via the communication network113. By way of example, the communication network113of system100includes one or more networks such as a data network (not shown), a wireless network (not shown), a telephony network (not shown), internet protocol (IP) datacast network (not shown), or any combination thereof. It is contemplated that the data network may be any local area network (LAN), metropolitan area network (MAN), wide area network (WAN), a public data network (e.g., the Internet), or any other suitable packet-switched network, such as a commercially owned, proprietary packet-switched network, e.g., a proprietary cable or fiber-optic network. In addition, the wireless network may be, for example, a cellular network and may employ various technologies including enhanced data rates for global evolution (EDGE), general packet radio service (GPRS), global system for mobile communications (GSM), Internet protocol multimedia subsystem (IMS), universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS), etc., as well as any other suitable wireless medium, e.g., worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX), Long Term Evolution (LTE) networks, code division multiple access (CDMA), wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA), wireless fidelity (WiFi), satellite, mobile ad-hoc network (MANET), and the like. In addition, the wireless network may be a short range wireless network, e.g. wireless LAN network, Bluetooth Network®, Ultra-Wide Band (UWB) network, and the like.

The UE101is any type of mobile terminal, fixed terminal, or portable terminal including a mobile handset, station, unit, device, multimedia computer, multimedia tablet, Internet node, communicator, communication device, desktop computer, laptop computer, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), audio/video player, digital camera/camcorder, game device, positioning device, television broadcast receiver, radio broadcast receiver, or any combination thereof. It is also contemplated that the UE101can support any type of interface to the user (such as “wearable” circuitry, etc.).

In one embodiment, the UE application117, the services application105, and services platform111may interact according to a client-server model. According to the client-server model, a client process sends a message including a request to a server process, and the server process responds by providing a service (e.g., streaming music). The server process may also return a message with a response to the client process. Often the client process and server process execute on different computer devices, called hosts, and communicate via a network using one or more protocols for network communications. The term “server” is conventionally used to refer to the process that provides the service, or the host computer on which the process operates. Similarly, the term “client” is conventionally used to refer to the process that makes the request, or the host computer on which the process operates. As used herein, the terms “client” and “server” refer to the processes, rather than the host computers, unless otherwise clear from the context. In addition, the process performed by a server can be broken up to run as multiple processes on multiple hosts (sometimes called tiers) for reasons that include reliability, scalability, and redundancy, among others.

FIG. 2is a diagram of the components of a computing device utilized to present an indicator that a user equipment is eligible for a service, according to one embodiment. By way of example, the computing device103includes one or more components for providing an activation notification to a user based on a hardware identifier107of a connected UE101. It is contemplated that the functions of these components may be combined in one or more components or performed by other components of equivalent functionality. In this embodiment, the computing device103includes at least one control logic201, an equipment interface203to communicate with devices, at least one communication interface205to communicate with a services platform111, at least one memory207with computer program instructions, and a user interface209. Moreover, in certain embodiments, the computing device103may be a UE101.

According to certain embodiments, services application105may execute on the control logic201with the computer program instructions. The services application105may utilize the control logic201to monitor the equipment interface203to detect if a UE101is connected. As noted above, the equipment interface203may include wired interfaces (e.g., USB, serial port, parallel port, the IEEE 1394 interface, etc.), wireless interfaces (e.g., via WLAN, BLUETOOTH, etc.), or the like. When the UE101is connected, the equipment interface203may send a signal (e.g., an interrupt) to the control logic201notifying the control logic201and the services application105of the UE101connection. Alternatively or additionally, the control logic201may monitor the equipment interface203periodically to determine whether a UE101is connected. Moreover, the services application105may request and receive one or more hardware identifiers from the UE101to identify the UE101via the equipment interface203. A UE application117or an operating system of the UE101may determine the hardware identifier107and transmit the identifier to the computing device103.

Once the services application105receives the hardware identifier107, the services application105may utilize the communication interface205to retrieve information about the UE101from a services platform111using the hardware identifier107. The services application105may generate a query specifying the hardware identifier107and a request for a service status of the UE101associated with the hardware identifier107. The query is then transmitted to the services platform111via the communication interface205. Next, the services application105may receive a response to the query specifying the service status of the UE101. In certain embodiments, the service status may include that the UE101is not compatible with the service, the UE101is compatible with the service and the UE101includes a prepaid license, the UE101is compatible with the service and the UE101does not include a prepaid license, the UE101has not previously been registered, the UE101has previously been registered, a combination thereof, etc.

By way of example, if the UE101is compatible with the service and has not yet been registered, the services application105may present an activation indicator to the user on a user interface209. The user interface209can include various methods of communication. For example, the user interface209can have outputs including a visual component (e.g., a screen), an audio component (e.g., a verbal instructions), a physical component (e.g., vibrations), and other methods of communication. User inputs can include a touch-screen interface, microphone, camera, a scroll-and-click interface, a button interface, keyboard, etc. Further, the activation indicator may include a button or other visual feature (e.g., an icon) that may be activated by the user to open an activation or registration wizard. In other embodiments, the user need not activate the icon and the wizard is automatically invoked. Then, the user may fill out convenient forms associated with the wizard to activate/register for the service. Additionally or alternatively, as previously mentioned, the information may be prefilled by the activation wizard by utilizing user information retrieved from the UE101. This information may then be transmitted to the services platform111for activation of the service. Access to the service is then provided to the user.

FIG. 3is a diagram of the components of a services platform, according to one embodiment. By way of example, the services platform111includes one or more components for providing a service status to a computing device103using a hardware identifier107associated with a UE101. It is contemplated that the functions of these components may be combined in one or more components or performed by other components of equivalent functionality. In this embodiment, the services platform111includes at least one communication module301for communicating with devices, a licensing provisioning module303for associating UEs101to a service status, at least one runtime module305, and at least one memory307.

The services platform111may provide services to UEs101and computing devices103. As noted above, services may include media services (e.g., music services, video services, photo services, etc.), navigation services, gaming services, shopping services, and the like. These services and functions of the services platform111may be executed by the runtime module305with computer program instructions stored in the memory307. In some examples, the services platform111can send/receive messages to/from the UE101and computing device103via the communication module301to provide the services. The communication module301can be used to communicate with the UE101, the computing device103, an equipment database115, and other devices available through a communication network113. Certain communications can be via methods such as an internet protocol, messaging, or any other communication method (e.g., via the communication network113). By way of example, the services platform111may communicate with a license provisioning gateway or the equipment database115to retrieve information associated with a UE101based on a hardware identifier107. Such communications may include, among other data, transfer of information relating to account information, UE101information, activation information, or the like.

The services platform111may also include a license provisioning module303to determine, retrieve, or update a service status associated with data associated with the equipment database115and/or the user database. As previously described, the service status may include the UE101is not compatible with the service, the UE101is compatible with the service and the UE101includes a prepaid license, the UE101is incompatible with the service or is blacklisted from the service and the UE101does not include a prepaid license, the UE101has not previously been registered, the UE101has previously been registered, a combination thereof, etc. Similarly, the service status may include that the user related status information (e.g., user account information associated with the UE101). By way of example, the services platform111may receive a request for a UE and/or user service status from a computing device103. The license provisioning module303can retrieve information associated with the hardware identifier107, user information and/or services application105related information from the equipment database115and/or user database to determine the service status. The equipment database115and/or user database can be updated by the services platform111as well as other platforms such as other services platforms111or a platform associated with a manufacturer of the UE101. Once the service status is determined, the status may be transmitted to the computing device103as a response to the request from the computing device103.

The license provisioning module303may also retrieve additional information about the UE101such as licensing information from the equipment database115and the blacklist status. The equipment database115can include the “blacklist” status of the UE101. As previously noted, the blacklist status may be a designation as to whether the UE101has been listed as not permitted to activate the service for one or more reasons. Exemplary reasons for a UE101to be blacklisted include that the UE101was reported stolen, complaints about the UE101or a user of the UE101, and/or violations of the terms of use of one or more services. Licensing information can include types of services associated with the UE101as well as the type of licenses available (e.g., buy as you go, monthly rental, unlimited use for a period of time, unlimited downloading of content for a period of time and unlimited use of the content on the UE101, etc.) to the UE101and/or license expiration information. The license provisioning module303can also determine a country associated with the UE101by receiving an identifier (e.g., via a phone number, network identifier, etc.) associated with the UE101. The country that the UE101is associated with could affect the licensing information (e.g., some license types are unavailable in certain countries). Further, the license provisioning module303may detect whether a portion of a license associated with the UE101has been used (e.g., if an account was activated and then deactivated because the UE101was activated by one user and then sold to a new user).

The communication module301may also receive requests to register or activate one or more services. The license provisioning module303may be utilized to register the UE101and/or the user. The license provisioning module303may utilize the communication module301to update the equipment database115, user database, and/or another database with account registration information and to associate accounts with hardware identifiers107in the equipment database115. Further the database may be utilized to authenticate users for providing the service at a later time. During the registration process, the services platform111may request that the user provide authentication based on more than a hardware identifier107. In certain scenarios, the authentication may be a personal identification number (PIN) that may be linked to the hardware identifier107in the equipment database115. In other scenarios, the authentication may be another hardware identifier107also associated with the UE101in the equipment database115that may be used as a pair with the hardware identifier107for authentication. Additionally or alternatively, the authentication can be based on the user information and/or the services application105related information.

FIG. 4is a flowchart of a process for presenting an activation menu based on whether a user equipment is eligible for a service, according to one embodiment. In one embodiment, the control logic201performs the process400and is implemented in, for instance, a chip set including a processor and a memory as shownFIG. 8. A services application105may execute on the control logic201of a computing device103. The services application105may provide access to services (e.g., music services) of a services platform111.

In step401, the control logic201detects a connection of a UE101(e.g., a mobile device) to the computing device103. As previously noted, the connection may be wireless or wired. Further, at the time of connection, the control logic201may initiate execution of the services application105. Additionally or alternatively, the services application105may be executing when the UE101connection is detected. Then, the services application105may cause, at least in part, retrieval of a unique hardware identifier107(e.g., the IMEI, MEID, etc.) associated with the UE101(step403). The unique hardware identifier107may be retrieved by querying the connected UE101. The query may be at an application level, a request to the operating system of the UE101, or at a hardware level request for the unique hardware identifier107. In certain scenarios, a key or authentication may be required to retrieve the unique hardware identifier107from the UE101. This key may be known to the manufacturer of the UE101and may be provided to the service provider.

Once the unique hardware identifier107is retrieved, the control logic201may request and receive a service status of the UE101based on the unique hardware identifier107from the services platform111(step405). As previously detailed, the service status may include a variety of information regarding the access rights the UE101has to the service and whether the access rights have previously been activated or utilized. The control logic201may generate a request specifying the unique hardware identifier107and a request for the service status. The request may then be caused, at least in part, to be transmitted to the services platform111. In certain embodiments, the request is only generated if it is predetermined that the UE101is compatible with the service. Under certain scenarios, the services application105may include a lookup table that matches ranges of UE101unique hardware identifiers107to a compatibility with the service. This information may be updated using the services platform111. The control logic201may then receive the service status of the UE101from the services platform111.

Then, at step407, the control logic201can determine that the UE101is eligible for the service based on the unique hardware identifier107. In certain embodiments, the eligibility is determined by the service status. In certain embodiments, the UE101may be determined to be eligible based on combinations of the service status. For example, the UE101may be eligible for activation if the UE101is compatible with the service and has not yet been registered. Further, the eligibility may require that the UE101is not blacklisted.

Once it is determined that the UE101is eligible for the service, the control logic201causes, at least in part, presentation of a visual indicator of the eligibility for the service based on the determination (step409). In certain embodiments, the visual indicator is an activation menu or icon. Moreover, in some embodiments, the visual indicator is only presented if the service status indicates that the UE101is compatible with the service and that the service UE101has not yet been activated for the UE101. Additionally, the visual indicator may utilize other properties that may be associated with the service status (e.g., an amount of prepaid service time) to encourage the user to activate the account because the user has already paid for the service.

The visual indicator may be activated to invoke an application (e.g., a wizard) for registering the UE101with the service (step411). Alternatively or additionally, the visual indicator may be the wizard and be automatically activated if it is determined that the UE101is eligible. The user may complete the registration process using the wizard application (step413) as detailed in the user interfaces ofFIGS. 6B-6D. Once the registration is complete, the user may utilize the services (e.g., either on the UE101or on the computing device103).

In certain embodiments, the UE101may perform the process400without connection to another device (e.g., the computing device103). In this manner, the services application may execute as a UE application117. When the UE application117executes, it may perform the process400by first determining or detecting that the UE101is a mobile device as described with respect to step401. Then, the UE application117may continue the process400(e.g., steps403to413) to present an activation menu or registration wizard for the service on the UE101. In certain embodiments, the user information and/or the services application105related information may be utilized in a similar manner in the process400as the unique hardware identifier107, in addition to the hardware identifier or by itself, to determine whether the UE101and/the user is eligible for a service.

FIG. 5is a flowchart of a process for determining a service status of a user equipment, according to one embodiment. In one embodiment, the runtime module305of a services platform111performs the process500and is implemented in, for instance, a chip set including a processor and a memory as shownFIG. 8. In step501, the runtime module305receives a request specifying a unique hardware identifier associated with a UE101for a service status of the UE101. This request may be received from a computing device103connected to the UE101. In certain embodiments, the runtime module305may authenticate with the computing device103to ensure that the computing device103is executing an application that is licensed to utilize the services platform111.

Then, the runtime module305determines the service status of the UE101using an equipment database115. As noted previously, the equipment database115may include information (e.g., licenses associated with the UE101, activation status, account information, etc.) about the UE101based on the hardware identifier107. In certain embodiments, the service status is the retrieved information from the equipment database115. In other scenarios, the service status may be determined by processing raw data into other values in a format that may be readily usable by a services application105on the computing device103. In one example, the runtime module305may receive raw values that the UE101is associated with a music service, is prepaid for 6 months, and has not yet been activated. This information may be converted to a service status indicating that the UE101is eligible for the service. Then, the runtime module305causes, at least in part, transmission of the service status to the computing device103. In certain embodiments, the user information and/or the services application105related information may be utilized in a similar manner as in the process500as the unique hardware identifier107, in addition to the hardware identifier or by itself, for determining the service status of the user equipment and/the user.

FIGS. 6A-6Eare diagrams of user interfaces, e.g. dialogue screens, utilized in the processes ofFIG. 4, according to various embodiments.FIG. 6Ashows a user interface600of a computing device103that may be connected to a UE601via a connection interface603. The user interface600may execute a services application (e.g., a music application). As shown, the music application may be executing when the UE601is attached. The music application has a panel associated with devices associated with the computing device103including an icon or visual identifier or indicator associated with each device (e.g., a computing device identifier605, a media device identifier607, and a UE identifier609. The UE identifier609includes various options for being utilized. In one example, the processes ofFIG. 4are utilized and it is determined that the UE101is eligible for a service. The UE identifier609, as shown, displays an option to activate the service. In certain embodiments, the UE identifier609only shows the activation option if the UE601has access to the service and is not yet activated. Additionally, the UE identifier609may also indicate that the service has been prepaid and/or a value associated with the amount that has been prepaid to encourage the user to activate the service. In certain embodiments, access to the service is prepaid as a package when the user buys the UE601.

If the user decides to activate access to the service, the user may be presented with a registration wizard that may be displayed via a graphical user interface. A first step in the registration process is shown in the user interface620ofFIG. 6B. The step includes providing instructions on what is needed for activation621,623. Moreover, the step includes an option for the user to select a registration option of creating a new account625or associating the UE601to an already existing account627. In certain embodiments, the computing device103may automatically detect that the UE601is associated with an existing user account with the services platform111by querying the UE601. By way of example, the existing user account may be associated with a suite or set or related services that share login credentials. In another embodiment, the user account may be unrelated to the service being activated. An existing user may tie the UE601to the account by logging in and/or authenticating, while other users may activate the service for the UE601by entering registration information. If detected, the username of the existing user may be prefilled by the computing device103. In certain scenarios, an existing user may additionally be allowed to create a new account for the UE601. The existing user information associated with the current login account may be automatically filled in the registration screens to assist the user. In certain scenarios, the account is specific to the music service. In other scenarios, the account may be global to many services of associated services platforms. For example, the account may be tied to an e-mail account, a music service, social services, etc.

Then, a second step is presented in the user interface640ofFIG. 6C. The step includes entering a security identifier, e.g. a security PIN641or other security identifier that may be associated with the UE601to register the UE601. In certain scenarios, the registration process need not use a PIN. In other scenarios, the security identifier may be automatically identified as a hardware identifier associated with the UE601, and/or as an identifier, such as the user information and/or the services application105related information, that the user has stored the UE601. Moreover, the user may be asked to verify some information, such as the country of residence643(e.g., for licensing purposes and copyright laws associated with the country), and agree to terms and conditions of the service645.

FIG. 6Dpresents a user interface660displaying a third step of the registration process. This step includes a request for authentication details661for future access. Moreover, the step includes a request for contact details663(e.g., an e-mail address, mobile phone number, naming the UE601, etc.). Further, the user interface660allows the user to register for additional services (e.g., an e-mail news letter) associated with the service. Moreover, a promotional screen (not shown) with associated services may additionally be prompted to the user. As described above, in certain scenarios, one or more of the sign in details and/or contact details may be prefilled based on account information stored on the UE101.

Once registration is completed, the user may begin using the music service (e.g., as shown in user interface680ofFIG. 6E). As such, the user may be able to immediately begin downloading music to the computing device103or the UE601. In certain embodiments, the activation allows the user to access the music based on a license. For example, the license may only allow the UE601to access the content. Alternatively or additionally, a license may allow the UE601and the computing device103to access the content. Moreover, in certain embodiments, the license may be tied to the computing device103.

The above approach, according to certain embodiments, allows for the notification and activation of a service for a user of a UE101in a convenient format. Additionally, user may be informed that the user has already purchased access to the service and only activation is needed to utilize the service. Moreover, this may be used to encourage users into completing the activation procedures. Additionally, in certain embodiments, the computing device103only displays an activation menu or activation wizard based on the eligibility of the UE101. In this manner, the approach saves user time and processor time by filtering unneeded activation from being displayed to a user. Additionally, in certain embodiments, the UE101and the computing device103can be a same device.

The processes described herein for presenting an activation indicator to a user based on a hardware identifier may be advantageously implemented via software, hardware (e.g., general processor, Digital Signal Processing (DSP) chip, an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), etc.), firmware or a combination thereof. Such exemplary hardware for performing the described functions is detailed below.

A bus710includes one or more parallel conductors of information so that information is transferred quickly among devices coupled to the bus710. One or more processors702for processing information are coupled with the bus710.

Computer system700also includes a memory704coupled to bus710. The memory704, such as a random access memory (RAM) or other dynamic storage device, stores information including processor instructions for presenting an activation indicator to a user based on a hardware identifier. Dynamic memory allows information stored therein to be changed by the computer system700. RAM allows a unit of information stored at a location called a memory address to be stored and retrieved independently of information at neighboring addresses. The memory704is also used by the processor702to store temporary values during execution of processor instructions. The computer system700also includes a read only memory (ROM)706or other static storage device coupled to the bus710for storing static information, including instructions, that is not changed by the computer system700. Some memory is composed of volatile storage that loses the information stored thereon when power is lost. Also coupled to bus710is a non-volatile (persistent) storage device708, such as a magnetic disk, optical disk or flash card, for storing information, including instructions, that persists even when the computer system700is turned off or otherwise loses power.

Information, including instructions for presenting an activation indicator to a user based on a hardware identifier, is provided to the bus710for use by the processor from an external input device712, such as a keyboard containing alphanumeric keys operated by a human user, or a sensor. A sensor detects conditions in its vicinity and transforms those detections into physical expression compatible with the measurable phenomenon used to represent information in computer system700. Other external devices coupled to bus710, used primarily for interacting with humans, include a display device714, such as a cathode ray tube (CRT) or a liquid crystal display (LCD), or plasma screen or printer for presenting text or images, and a pointing device716, such as a mouse or a trackball or cursor direction keys, or motion sensor, for controlling a position of a small cursor image presented on the display714and issuing commands associated with graphical elements presented on the display714. In some embodiments, for example, in embodiments in which the computer system700performs all functions automatically without human input, one or more of external input device712, display device714and pointing device716is omitted.

Computer system700also includes one or more instances of a communications interface770coupled to bus710. Communication interface770provides a one-way or two-way communication coupling to a variety of external devices that operate with their own processors, such as printers, scanners and external disks. In general the coupling is with a network link778that is connected to a local network780to which a variety of external devices with their own processors are connected. For example, communication interface770may be a parallel port or a serial port or a universal serial bus (USB) port on a personal computer. In some embodiments, communications interface770is an integrated services digital network (ISDN) card or a digital subscriber line (DSL) card or a telephone modem that provides an information communication connection to a corresponding type of telephone line. In some embodiments, a communication interface770is a cable modem that converts signals on bus710into signals for a communication connection over a coaxial cable or into optical signals for a communication connection over a fiber optic cable. As another example, communications interface770may be a local area network (LAN) card to provide a data communication connection to a compatible LAN, such as Ethernet. Wireless links may also be implemented. For wireless links, the communications interface770sends or receives or both sends and receives electrical, acoustic or electromagnetic signals, including infrared and optical signals, that carry information streams, such as digital data. For example, in wireless handheld devices, such as mobile telephones like cell phones, the communications interface770includes a radio band electromagnetic transmitter and receiver called a radio transceiver. In certain embodiments, the communications interface770enables connection to the communication network105for the UE101.

Network link778typically provides information communication using transmission media through one or more networks to other devices that use or process the information. For example, network link778may provide a connection through local network780to a host computer782or to equipment784operated by an Internet Service Provider (ISP). ISP equipment784in turn provides data communication services through the public, world-wide packet-switching communication network of networks now commonly referred to as the Internet790.

A computer called a server host792connected to the Internet hosts a process that provides a service in response to information received over the Internet. For example, server host792hosts a process that provides information representing video data for presentation at display714. It is contemplated that the components of system700can be deployed in various configurations within other computer systems, e.g., host782and server792.

At least some embodiments of the invention are related to the use of computer system700for implementing some or all of the techniques described herein. According to one embodiment of the invention, those techniques are performed by computer system700in response to processor702executing one or more sequences of one or more processor instructions contained in memory704. Such instructions, also called computer instructions, software and program code, may be read into memory704from another computer-readable medium such as storage device708or network link778. Execution of the sequences of instructions contained in memory704causes processor702to perform one or more of the method steps described herein. In alternative embodiments, hardware, such as ASIC720, may be used in place of or in combination with software to implement the invention. Thus, embodiments of the invention are not limited to any specific combination of hardware and software, unless otherwise explicitly stated herein.

The signals transmitted over network link778and other networks through communications interface770, carry information to and from computer system700. Computer system700can send and receive information, including program code, through the networks780,790among others, through network link778and communications interface770. In an example using the Internet790, a server host792transmits program code for a particular application, requested by a message sent from computer700, through Internet790, ISP equipment784, local network780and communications interface770. The received code may be executed by processor702as it is received, or may be stored in memory704or in storage device708or other non-volatile storage for later execution, or both. In this manner, computer system700may obtain application program code in the form of signals on a carrier wave.

Various forms of computer readable media may be involved in carrying one or more sequence of instructions or data or both to processor702for execution. For example, instructions and data may initially be carried on a magnetic disk of a remote computer such as host782. The remote computer loads the instructions and data into its dynamic memory and sends the instructions and data over a telephone line using a modem. A modem local to the computer system700receives the instructions and data on a telephone line and uses an infra-red transmitter to convert the instructions and data to a signal on an infra-red carrier wave serving as the network link778. An infrared detector serving as communications interface770receives the instructions and data carried in the infrared signal and places information representing the instructions and data onto bus710. Bus710carries the information to memory704from which processor702retrieves and executes the instructions using some of the data sent with the instructions. The instructions and data received in memory704may optionally be stored on storage device708, either before or after execution by the processor702.

In one embodiment, the chip set800includes a communication mechanism such as a bus801for passing information among the components of the chip set800. A processor803has connectivity to the bus801to execute instructions and process information stored in, for example, a memory805. The processor803may include one or more processing cores with each core configured to perform independently. A multi-core processor enables multiprocessing within a single physical package. Examples of a multi-core processor include two, four, eight, or greater numbers of processing cores. Alternatively or in addition, the processor803may include one or more microprocessors configured in tandem via the bus801to enable independent execution of instructions, pipelining, and multithreading. The processor803may also be accompanied with one or more specialized components to perform certain processing functions and tasks such as one or more digital signal processors (DSP)807, or one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC)809. A DSP807typically is configured to process real-world signals (e.g., sound) in real time independently of the processor803. Similarly, an ASIC809can be configured to performed specialized functions not easily performed by a general purposed processor. Other specialized components to aid in performing the inventive functions described herein include one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGA) (not shown), one or more controllers (not shown), or one or more other special-purpose computer chips.

The processor803and accompanying components have connectivity to the memory805via the bus801. The memory805includes both dynamic memory (e.g., RAM, magnetic disk, writable optical disk, etc.) and static memory (e.g., ROM, CD-ROM, etc.) for storing executable instructions that when executed perform the inventive steps described herein to present an activation indicator to a user based on a hardware identifier. The memory805also stores the data associated with or generated by the execution of the inventive steps.

Pertinent internal components of the telephone include a Main Control Unit (MCU)903, a Digital Signal Processor (DSP)905, and a receiver/transmitter unit including a microphone gain control unit and a speaker gain control unit. A main display unit907provides a display to the user in support of various applications and mobile terminal functions that perform or support the steps of initiating transmission of a hardware identifier. The display9includes display circuitry configured to display at least a portion of a user interface of the mobile terminal (e.g., mobile telephone). Additionally, the display907and display circuitry are configured to facilitate user control of at least some functions of the mobile terminal. An audio function circuitry909includes a microphone911and microphone amplifier that amplifies the speech signal output from the microphone911. The amplified speech signal output from the microphone911is fed to a coder/decoder (CODEC)913.

A radio section915amplifies power and converts frequency in order to communicate with a base station, which is included in a mobile communication system, via antenna917. The power amplifier (PA)919and the transmitter/modulation circuitry are operationally responsive to the MCU903, with an output from the PA919coupled to the duplexer921or circulator or antenna switch, as known in the art. The PA919also couples to a battery interface and power control unit920.

The encoded signals are then routed to an equalizer925for compensation of any frequency-dependent impairments that occur during transmission though the air such as phase and amplitude distortion. After equalizing the bit stream, the modulator927combines the signal with a RF signal generated in the RF interface929. The modulator927generates a sine wave by way of frequency or phase modulation. In order to prepare the signal for transmission, an up-converter931combines the sine wave output from the modulator927with another sine wave generated by a synthesizer933to achieve the desired frequency of transmission. The signal is then sent through a PA919to increase the signal to an appropriate power level. In practical systems, the PA919acts as a variable gain amplifier whose gain is controlled by the DSP905from information received from a network base station. The signal is then filtered within the duplexer921and optionally sent to an antenna coupler935to match impedances to provide maximum power transfer. Finally, the signal is transmitted via antenna917to a local base station. An automatic gain control (AGC) can be supplied to control the gain of the final stages of the receiver. The signals may be forwarded from there to a remote telephone which may be another cellular telephone, other mobile phone or a land-line connected to a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), or other telephony networks.

Voice signals transmitted to the mobile terminal901are received via antenna917and immediately amplified by a low noise amplifier (LNA)937. A down-converter939lowers the carrier frequency while the demodulator941strips away the RF leaving only a digital bit stream. The signal then goes through the equalizer925and is processed by the DSP905. A Digital to Analog Converter (DAC)943converts the signal and the resulting output is transmitted to the user through the speaker945, all under control of a Main Control Unit (MCU)903—which can be implemented as a Central Processing Unit (CPU) (not shown).

The MCU903receives various signals including input signals from the keyboard947. The keyboard947and/or the MCU903in combination with other user input components (e.g., the microphone911) comprise a user interface circuitry for managing user input. The MCU903runs a user interface software to facilitate user control of at least some functions of the mobile terminal901to initiate transmission of a hardware identifier. The MCU903also delivers a display command and a switch command to the display907and to the speech output switching controller, respectively. Further, the MCU903exchanges information with the DSP905and can access an optionally incorporated SIM card949and a memory951. In addition, the MCU903executes various control functions required of the terminal. The DSP905may, depending upon the implementation, perform any of a variety of conventional digital processing functions on the voice signals. Additionally, DSP905determines the background noise level of the local environment from the signals detected by microphone911and sets the gain of microphone911to a level selected to compensate for the natural tendency of the user of the mobile terminal901.

An optionally incorporated SIM card949carries, for instance, important information, such as the cellular phone number, the carrier supplying service, subscription details, and security information. The SIM card949serves primarily to identify the mobile terminal901on a radio network. The card949also contains a memory for storing a personal telephone number registry, text messages, and user specific mobile terminal settings.