Patent Publication Number: US-2013237206-A1

Title: System and method for self-serve provisioning of services on a mobile communication device

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to a system and method for self-serve provisioning of services on a mobile communication device. 
     BACKGROUND 
     From time-to-time, suppliers of communication services may introduce or promote new or existing services that may be offered to subscribers of various carriers. Such services may include, for example, electronic mail (email), voice communications, instant text messaging, Internet browsing, multimedia downloading, accessing applets or games, and various other services that may become available with the introduction of a new communication device. Similarly, carriers may want to promote, over time, various other services (e.g. enhance voice plan, new data plan) to their subscribers. Today, if a user wants to change her mobile device&#39;s plan and/or subscribe to additional services, she has to contact her carrier&#39;s customer care representative, and potentially have to go through multiple stopping points. Then, once validated by a customer care representative, the provisioning of the selected service(s) may be effected. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the figures which illustrate exemplary embodiments: 
         FIG. 1  is an illustration of a mobile communication device in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic block diagram of a communication subsystem component the device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic block diagram of a system in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  is schematic block diagrams of a provisioning management system in accordance with an embodiment; and 
         FIG. 5  is an illustrative flowchart of a method in accordance with an embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As noted above, the present invention relates to a system and method for self-serve provisioning of services on a mobile communication device. As noted above, today, if a user wants to change her mobile device&#39;s plan and/or subscribe to additional se she has to contact her customer care representative and go through multiple potential stopping points. Then, once validated by the customer care representative, the provisioning of the service(s)chosen may be effected by the customer care representative or intermediary into a provisioning system that may trigger potential modifications within the network infrastructure and within the mobile device. This process may be cumbersome or inconvenient for the user or customer care representative. As will be described below, a self-serve provisioning system and method is described which would potentially reduce this hurdle chain of actions, promote revenue growth for carriers and service providers, and improve the user experience for users of wireless mobile communication devices. 
     Shown in  FIG. 1  is a schematic block diagram of an illustrative mobile handheld device  100 . The handheld device  100  may comprise a number of components, including a main processor  102  which controls the overall operation of device  100 . Various communication functions, including data and voice communications. Internet browsing, instant text messaging, etc. may be performed through a communication subsystem  104  via wireless network  200 . 
     The main processor  102  may also interact with additional subsystems such as a random access memory (RAM)  106 , a flash memory  108 , a display  110 , an auxiliary input/output (I/O) subsystem  112 , a data port  114 , a keyboard  116 , a speaker  118 , a microphone  120 , short-range communication  122  and other device subsystems  124 . The device  100  may be a battery-powered device and may include a battery interface  132  for receiving one or more rechargeable batteries  130  and for powering the various subsystems described above. 
     Operating system software used by the main processor  102  is typically stored in a persistent store such as flash memory  108 . Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the operating system, specific device applications, or parts thereof, may be temporarily loaded into a volatile store such as the RAM  106 . 
     Handheld device  100  may also include a read-only memory (ROM)  107  that may store a non-alterable electronic serial number or ESN which may be burned into ROM  107  at the time of manufacture of device  100 . In addition, handheld device  100  may have a unique product identification number (PIN) stored in the ROM  107 , or in another memory store in device  100 . 
     The main processor  102 , in addition to its operating system functions, enables execution of software applications  134  on the device  100 . The software applications  134  may control various device features and services, and may be installed on the device  100  during its manufacture, or may be subsequently loaded onto the device  100  as a software update through one of the wireless network  200 , the auxiliary I/O subsystem  112 , the data port  114 , the short-range communications subsystem  122 , or another subsystem  124 . 
     The software applications  134  may include, for example, various communication service modules  136  (e.g. email, instant text messaging, Internet browsing, music downloading, etc.), and a password approval module  138 . The software applications  134  may also include a device service provisioning module  137  for managing the service applications provisioned for device  100  on a carrier network. 
     The handheld device  100  may further include a device state module  140 , an address book  142 , a personal information manager (PIM)  144 , and various other modules  146 . 
     To identify a user, the communications device  100  may use a SIM/RUIM/USIM card  126  (i.e. Subscriber identity Module or a Removable User Identity Module or a Universal Subscriber Identity Module, etc.), which is inserted into a SIM/RUIM/USIM interface  128 , to communicate with a network. The SIM/RUIM/USIM card  126  is one type of a conventional “smart card” that can be used to identify a user of the communications device  100  and to personalize the communications device  100 , among other things. By inserting the SIM/RUIM/USIM card  126  into the SIM/RUIM/USIM interface  128 , a user can access subscribed services. Such subscribed services may include, for example, web browsing and messaging such as email, voice mail, SMS, and Multimedia Messaging Services (MMS). 
     Referring now o FIG,  2 , a block diagram of the communication subsystem component  104  of  FIG. 1  is shown. The communication subsystem  104  may comprise a receiver  210  and a transmitter  212 , as well as associated components such as one or more embedded or internal antenna elements  214 ,  216 , Local Oscillators (LOs)  218 , and a processing module such as a Digital Signal Processor (DSP)  220 . 
     Signals received by the antenna  214  through the wireless network  200  are input to the receiver  210 , which can perform such common receiver functions as signal amplification, frequency down conversion, filtering, channel selection, and analog-to-digital (A/D) conversion. AID conversion of a received signal allows more complex communication functions such as demodulation and decoding to be performed in the DSP  220 . In a similar manner, signals to be transmitted are processed, including modulation and encoding, by the DSP  220 . These DSP-processed signals are input to the transmitter  212  for digital-to-analog (D/A) conversion, frequency up conversion, filtering, amplification and transmission over the wireless network  200  via the antenna  216 . 
     Now referring to  FIG. 3 , shown is an illustrative schematic block diagram  300  with including a mobile network carrier A  310 , mobile network carrier B  320 , and a service provider  330 . With the various components and subsystems described above, device  100  may be configured to access various services available through wireless carrier networks  200 A and  200 B of mobile network carrier A  310  and mobile network carrier B  320 , respectively. As shown, each of the wireless carrier networks  200 A,  200 B may have subsystems  314 ,  324  for provisioning various wireless services for devices  100  on their respective wireless carrier networks. A service provider  330  may also offer various external communication services via network connections to the service provider  330 &#39;s own network infrastructure  332 . The external communication services offered by the service provider may include, for example, wireless email, instant text messaging, downloading of multimedia content, and various other services made available to subscribers on wireless carrier networks  200 A,  200 B. 
     The service provider  330 &#39;s network infrastructure  332  may connect to a provisioning system  334  maintained by the service provider  330  and which may be appropriately configured to interact with subsystems  314 ,  324  provided on each of the wireless carrier networks  200 A,  200 B. In an embodiment, via provisioning system  334 , service provider  330  may maintain a database  336  of services that have been provisioned for each of the mobile communication devices  100  on the wireless carrier networks  200 A,  200 B of mobile network carrier A  310 , and mobile network carrier B  320 . In the database  336  of provisioning system  334 , each of the devices  100  may be uniquely identified, for example, by the unique ESN burned into the ROM  107  of each device  100 . Alternatively, each device  100  may be uniquely identified by the unique PIN identifier stored in ROM  107 , or in another memory store in device  100 . Records in database  336  may contain the unique ESN or PIN retrieved from ROM  107  or another memory store on each device  100 . Each device  100  may thus be uniquely recognized by the supplier&#39;s provisioning system  334 . Records in database  336  may also store information for the owning mobile carrier (e.g. mobile network carrier A  310 , or mobile network carrier B  320 ), and this information may be linked to the unique ESN or PIN of device  100 . 
     In an embodiment, each of the mobile communication devices  100  may be associated with a unique billing identification (BID) based on the ESN, PIN, a phone number, or SIM card. This information may be stored for example in the subsystems  314 ,  324  of mobile network carrier A  310 , or mobile network carrier B  320 , and in the database  336  of provisioning system  334  as may be appropriate. The subsystems  314 ,  324  and database  336  of provisioning system  334  may also store for each device  100  information on various services that have been provisioned for that device (e.g. email, voice, Internet access, music downloading, etc.). Use of the various services which are subscribed to may be monitored by a subscriber&#39;s unique BID, and billed directly or indirectly to the subscriber by one of the carriers  310 ,  320  or the service provider  330 . 
     Now referring to  FIG. 4 , shown in a schematic block diagram of various roles that may be played within an illustrative provisioning management system  400  in accordance with an embodiment. As shown, the various roles played may include a management authority  402 , and one or more external service providers  404 ,  406 . The provisioning management system may include one or more mobile network carriers  310 ,  320  providing mobile network communication services to various devices  100 . As shown, devices  100  may be connected to one or the other mobile network carrier  310  or  320 , which may in turn be connected to one or more external service providers  404 ,  406 , and one or more management authorities  402 . In an embodiment, the service provider and management authority  404 ,  402  may be one and the same, and may be the service provider  330  from  FIG. 3  for example. It is also possible that the external service provider  406  may be a third party service provider that must look to another entity as the management authority  402 . It is also possible that the mobile network carriers  310 ,  312  themselves are service providers, management authorities, or both. Thus, it will be appreciated that the roles of service providers, and management authorities, may be potentially played by any of the entities within the provisioning management system  400  linking all of these entities. 
     In an embodiment, new services available from service providers  404 ,  406  may be offered and promoted by using a notification mechanism on the devices  100 . Notifications required by the service providers  404 ,  406 , are pushed either directly to the device  100  or using an intermediary. The notification mechanism may be, for example, an e-mail module, text messaging module, or a dedicated module for notification of available services, such as device service provisioning module  137  mentioned earlier. 
     In an embodiment, notification of the new service may be pushed by service providers  404 ,  406 , or by the carriers  310 ,  320  as a promotional push to their end users on devices  100 . The service providers  404 ,  406  or carriers  310 ,  320  may be provided by the provisioning management system  400  with a set of filters and search criteria to obtain a specific target audience who may welcome receiving the notification/promotional offer. For example, the set of filters or search criteria could include a check of whether or not the user already subscribes to a mobile device plan including the feature, and also checking whether a particular device  100  is configured to support the feature with its firmware and hardware capabilities. This may be done by searching one of the provisioning databases, for example. The set of filters and search criteria may also check other user information, if available, such that the particular feature or service may be pushed to a specific target marketing group. As will be appreciated, for any given service, the provisioning management system  400  will be under the corresponding management authority control. 
     Alternatively, for those users who would prefer not to receive unsolicited advertising or promotion or new services, device service provisioning module  137  may be configured to periodically check for any new features that may be available for the device  100  by activating a polling feature in the device service provisioning module  137 . Again, the same filters could be used to selectively allow offers or promotions to be pulled by device service provisioning module  137 . In this case, rather than receiving unsolicited offers and promotions pushed to the device, the end user may be given the option of checking for availability. In either case, if a user accepts an offer, modifications may be applied to the various applications and services that are impacted by the user choice. 
     In an embodiment, in order to avoid the need for complex provisioning policies and carrier staff training, devices  100  may be provisioned by the user upon initial device setup when they first try to access the network of a mobile network carrier, Suppose that a mobile communication device  100  is turned on for the first time with new SIM card, or a new SIM card is inserted. Based on the SIM card, the device  100  tries to access mobile network carrier A  310 , and mobile network carrier A  310  determines that no data plan is set up. In an embodiment, the device service provisioning module  137  may provide an initial device setup icon which the end user can select from a display on device  100 , and be presented with a list of available data plans and associated services available on mobile network carrier A  310 . The user may select one data plan that will trigger the provisioning of the corresponding service(s) on the device  100 , and modify the necessary infrastructure and IT system settings to allow the user to enjoy her new service(s). 
     For example, the first infrastructure service that m y be set up in this manner is a billing service, which may set up a unique billing identification (BID) based on an inserted SIM, ESN or PIN of the device  100 , or some other unique identification information provided by the user (e.g. valid credit card on file used to purchase the device  100 ). 
     With the self-serve provisioning and set up of billing identification for the device  100 , the user may select from one of a number of available services. For example, the user may select a basic service to perform basic functions on the mobile communication device, such as enabling telephony functions and basic email only. Alternatively, the end user may select an upgrade of his existing data plan to also perform text messaging, or select another level to also access Internet browsing. 
     In an embodiment, in response to an offer or promotion notification, the end user may launch an application on her device  100  (e.g. browser) to access a service she is not currently subscribed to (e.g. web-browsing). Upon access, the device  100  may display a message inviting her to trial and/or to subscribe to the service or to another action (cancel for instance). Alternatively, when the user clicks on the offer or promotion notification, the service provider is notified of the action, and in response the end user will receive a message explaining how she can enjoy the service (legal explanation, pricing, etc.). 
     If the user accepts, the device  100  will request the provisioning of the service to the service provider  404 ,  406 , its intermediary or the management authority  402 . The device  100  will be provisioned, the infrastructure and IT system updated accordingly. Alternatively, the end user will select an upgrade of his existing application (Voice over Internet Protocol functions of an Instant Messaging (IM) service), or new services running from the same application (other IM services from the same service provider). 
     In another embodiment, if the service provider wants to promote a new service, the service provider may push (to selected devices with or without using an intermediary) a notification (new icon, blinking existing icon and/or message for instance), and the service parameters/settings/necessary components may be provisioned and the IT system and infrastructure updated accordingly. Then when the user accepts the promotion, the device  100  is already set and ready to provide the service. 
     In an embodiment, the system may be structured differently depending on the roles that the service provider or carrier may play. For example, if the service provider/management authority and the mobile network carrier are different, the service may be provisioned separately by the service provider. In this case, the service provider may notify the mobile network carrier, and the mobile network carrier may make the necessary network, infrastructure, and billing modification. An appropriate billing system may be set up to suitably reward both the mobile network carrier and the service provider, based for example on a license fee sharing arrangement or provisioning service fee arrangement. 
     In another embodiment, if the management authority and the service provider are different, before any action taken, the service provider must notify the management authority, as the management authority is in charge of the IT policy management, and may or may not modify it to authorize the service provider to provision the device. 
     In another embodiment, the service provider may be allowed to access criteria and rules to select the appropriate target audience for a service. For example, the management authority may apply different rules according to various criteria to provision devices. 
     In another embodiment, the provisioning management system may provide to a service provider means (i.e. search capabilities) to select the targeted audience based on the management rules and criteria (e.g.: user having data plan A, device type B, having accepted trial X etc.). The provisioning management system may also provide means to select the type of notification (e.g.: new message, new icon, visual indication on existing icon, advertisement of the offer on the ribbon or task bar, etc.), and means to define when the notification is to be delivered. The provisioning management system may also provide means to provide the notification package to the user for review and acceptance or refusal. 
     Now referring to  FIG. 5 , shown is an illustrative method for managing services for carrier subscribers in accordance with an embodiment. As shown, method  500  begins at block  502 , where method  500  identifies a device service to offer and promote. 
     Method  500  then proceeds to black  504 , where method  500  identifies which devices the notification of offer of service/promotion should be sent to. As described earlier, this may be done by using selective filters or search criteria to identify a target market for the offer/promotion. 
     Method  500  then proceeds to block  506 , where method  500  pushes the notification of an offer of service/promotion to selected devices. At decision block  508 , method  500  waits to receive user acceptance of the service offer/promotion. This may be an acceptance to start normal service with a fee, or it may be a trial offer for the user to try the service for a limited time. If the user does not accept the service, method  500  simply ends. However, if the user accepts the service, whether normal service or a trial service, method  500  proceeds to block  510 . 
     At block  510 , method  500  initiates a provisioning request from the device to provision the accepted service by notifying a service provider and management authority of the user acceptance and provisioning request. As described above, if the service provider and management authority are different entities, the service provider will require authorization from the management authority before provisioning can proceed. 
     Method  500  then proceeds to block  512 , where method  500  can then bill appropriately for services and for a provisioning fee if applicable. 
     Thus, in accordance with an aspect, there is provided a method of provisioning a mobile communication device on a network, comprising: identifying one or more devices on the network to which a notification of an offer of service should be sent; pushing the notification of an offer of service to the identified devices over the network; if the offer of service is accepted at the device, then initiating a provisioning request from the device to one or more of a carrier, service provider or management authority; and upon authorization of the provisioning request by the management authority, provisioning the service from the service provider. 
     In an embodiment, the method further comprises providing as a notification mechanism an indication or message to one or more of an e-mail module, text messaging module, or a dedicated device service provisioning module for pushing the notification of an offer of service to the identified devices over the network. 
     In another embodiment, the method further comprises allowing a service provider to access criteria and rules for selecting identified devices corresponding to a target audience for a service. 
     In another embodiment, the method further comprises displaying on the device the notification of an offer of service as one or more of a new message, a new icon, a visual indication on an existing icon, or an advertisement on a ribbon or task bar. 
     In another embodiment, the method further comprises: preparing one or more of service parameters, settings or necessary components for provisioning the offer of service; and upon acceptance of the offer of service at the device, executing the one or more of service parameters, settings or necessary components and provisioning the network infrastructure and device to provide the service. 
     In another embodiment, the carrier, service provider and management authority comprise one or more entities, and the method further comprises; notifying the management authority of the provisioning request; and awaiting authorization of the provisioning request by the management authority. 
     In another embodiment, the method further comprises rewarding via a billing system one or more of the carrier, service provider or management authority. 
     In another aspect, there is provided a provisioning management system for provisioning a mobile communication device on a network, the provisioning management system being adapted to: identify one or more devices on the network to which a notification of an offer of service should be sent; push the notification of an offer of service to the identified devices over the network; if the offer of service is accepted at the device, then initiate a provisioning request from the device to one or more of a carrier, service provider or management authority; and upon authorization of the provisioning request by the management authority, provision the service from the service provider. 
     In an embodiment, the system is further adapted to provide as a notification mechanism an indication or message to one or more of an e-mail module, text messaging module, or a dedicated device service provisioning module for pushing the notification of an offer of service to the identified devices over the network. 
     In another embodiment, the system is further adapted to allow a service provider to access criteria and rules for selecting identified devices corresponding to a target audience for a service. 
     In another embodiment, the system is further adapted to display on the device the notification of an offer of service as one or more of a new message, a new icon, a visual indication on an existing icon, or an advertisement on a ribbon or task bar. 
     In another embodiment, the system is further adapted to: prepare one or more of service parameters, settings or necessary components for provisioning the offer of service; and upon acceptance of the offer of service at the device, execute the one or more of service parameters, settings or necessary components and provisioning the network infrastructure and device to provide the service. 
     In another embodiment, the carrier, service provider and management authority comprise one or more entities, and the system is further adapted to: notify the management authority of the provisioning request; and await authorization of the provisioning request by the management authority. 
     In another embodiment, the system is further comprises a billing system to reward one or more of the carrier, service provider or management authority. 
     In another aspect, there is provided a data processor readable medium storing data processor code that when loaded into one or more components of a system adapts the system to provision a mobile communication device on a network, the data processor medium comprising: code for identifying one or more devices on the network to which a notification of an offer of service should be sent; code for pushing the notification of an offer of service to the identified devices over the network; code for initiating, if the offer of service is accepted at the device, a provisioning request from the device to one or more of a carrier, service provider or management authority; and code for provisioning the service from the service provider upon authorization of the provisioning request by the management authority. 
     In an embodiment, the data processor readable medium further comprises code for providing as a notification mechanism an indication or message to one or more of an e-mail module, text messaging module, or a dedicated device service provisioning module for pushing the notification of an offer of service to the identified devices over the network. 
     In another embodiment, the data processor readable medium further comprises code for allowing a service provider to access criteria and rules for selecting identified devices corresponding to a target audience for a service. 
     In another embodiment, the data processor readable medium further comprises code for displaying on the device the notification of an offer of service as one or more of a new message, a new icon, a visual indication on an existing icon, or an advertisement on a ribbon or task bar. 
     In another embodiment, the data processor readable medium further comprises: code for preparing one or more of service parameters, settings or necessary components for provisioning the offer of service; and code for executing, upon acceptance of the offer of service at the device, the one or more of service parameters, settings or necessary components and provisioning the network infrastructure and device to provide the service. 
     In another embodiment, the carrier, service provider and management authority comprise one or more entities, and the data processor readable medium further comprises: code for notifying the management authority of the provisioning request; and code for awaiting authorization of the provisioning request by the management authority. 
     While illustrative embodiments have been described above, it will be appreciated that various changes and modifications may be made. More generally, the scope of the invention is defined by the following claims.