US6647260B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and system facilitating web based provisioning of two-way mobile communications devices
Assignee: PHONECOM A DELAWARE Corp
•
Filing: 1999-04-09
•
Granted: 2003-11-11
•
Expires: 2019-04-09
Abstract
Abstract A system and method for provisioning a two-way mobile communications device having a display screen and user interface that is initiated from the device to be provisioned. The device to be provisioned establishes a secure communications session with a provisioning server device. The subject communications path may utilize an intermediate server device. The user of the device is then presented with a plurality of input and choice screens, which may be used in conjunction with the user interface to provide user information, select device features and services. The user information and selected feature and service requests are then forwarded to the provisioning server device. The provisioning server device processes the received information and generates provisioning packages, registration requests, and notifications for the subject mobile device and for any associated server device providing services. The provisioning packages may comprise software modules, parameters and any required security information.
Inventors
- 👤 Steve Dusse
- 👤 Peter F. King
- 👤 Bruce V. Schwartz
- 👤 Bruce K. Martin, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 15:06
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04W; H04W8/00; H04W8/22; H04W8/24; H04W8/245; H04L; H04L67/00; H04L67/34; H04L67/01; H04L67/04; H04L67/50; H04L67/51; H04W12/00; H04W12/06; H04W12/30; H04W12/35; H04W12/60; H04W12/69; H04W4/00; H04W4/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 47
Claim 1
Independent Claim
147 words
A method for provisioning a two-way mobile communications device having a display and a user interface, the method being performed by the two-way mobile communications device and comprising: receiving user information required to establish a user account; displaying a list of selectable identifiers on the display, each selectable identifier corresponding to a selectable service or feature for which the two-way mobile communications device can be provisioned; receiving a user's selection of a selectable identifier from the list; generating a provisioning request comprising the user information and the user's selection; establishing a communications link with a provisioning server; providing authentication information to enable a remote server to authenticate the two-way mobile communications device; sending the provisioning request to the provisioning server over the communications link; receiving a reply to the provisioning request; and provisioning the two-way mobile communications device with a feature or service based on the reply.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
147 words
A method for provisioning a two-way mobile communications device having a display and a user interface, the method being performed by the two-way mobile communications device and comprising: receiving user information required to establish a user account; displaying a list of selectable identifiers on the display, each selectable identifier corresponding to a selectable service or feature for which the two-way mobile communications device can be provisioned; receiving a user's selection of a selectable identifier from the list; generating a provisioning request comprising the user information and the user's selection; establishing a communications link with a provisioning server; providing authentication information to enable a remote server to authenticate the two-way mobile communications device; sending the provisioning request to the provisioning server over the communications link; receiving a reply to the provisioning request; and provisioning the two-way mobile communications device with a feature or service based on the reply.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein receiving the reply comprises receiving software to enable the services; and provisioning the two-way mobile communications device comprises installing the software in the two-way mobile communications device.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein receiving the reply comprises receiving activation information to render operational previously installed non-operational software in the two-way mobile communications device.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 3 , wherein provisioning the two-way mobile communications device comprises activating the non-operational software with the activation information.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein establishing the communications link with the provisioning server is accomplished via a wide area communications network.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 5 , wherein the wide area communications network comprises the Internet.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 6 , wherein establishing the communications link is accomplished via a proxy server.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 7 , wherein the proxy server acts as a gateway to bridge communications between an airnet with which the two-way mobile communications device communicates and the wide area communications network with which the provisioning server communicates.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 8 , wherein the remote server, the proxy server, and the provisioning server are included in a single server device.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 9 , wherein the selectable identifiers further correspond to selectable service packages, each package comprising predetermined feature and services configurations for the two-way mobile communications device.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 10 , wherein each selectable identifier comprises an identifier of a corresponding provisioning server.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 11 , wherein the identifier is a uniform resource locator.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein receiving the reply comprises receiving terms and conditions on which a service provider is prepared to provide services.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 13 , further comprising receiving the user's approval of the terms and conditions; and forwarding the user's approval to the provisioning server.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein receiving the reply comprises receiving a notification indicating which services and features have been provisioned.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein receiving the reply comprises receiving a notification relating to a state of processing of the provisioning request.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein establishing the communications link comprises establishing a secure communications link.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein receiving the reply is accomplished on a narrow band channel.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 18 , wherein the narrow band channel is an SMS channel.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
121 words
A provisioning server comprising a processor and a memory coupled thereto, the memory storing instructions which when executed by the processor cause the processor to perform a method comprising: receiving an authentication request from a proxy server; sending authentication information to the proxy server in response to the authentication request; receiving a provisioning request from a two-way mobile communications device as a forwarded message from the proxy server, the provisioning request comprising user information required to establish a user account, device information identifying the two-way mobile communications device, and a user selection indicating a user's selection of services to be provisioned; verifying the user information and device information; and provisioning the two-way mobile communications device with the user's selection of services.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
121 words
A provisioning server comprising a processor and a memory coupled thereto, the memory storing instructions which when executed by the processor cause the processor to perform a method comprising: receiving an authentication request from a proxy server; sending authentication information to the proxy server in response to the authentication request; receiving a provisioning request from a two-way mobile communications device as a forwarded message from the proxy server, the provisioning request comprising user information required to establish a user account, device information identifying the two-way mobile communications device, and a user selection indicating a user's selection of services to be provisioned; verifying the user information and device information; and provisioning the two-way mobile communications device with the user's selection of services.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
49 words
The provisioning server of claim 20 , wherein provisioning the two-way mobile communications device comprises generating notifications relating to terms and conditions associated with a service in the user selection; forwarding the generated notifications to the two-way mobile communications device; and receiving user acceptance of the terms and conditions.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
50 words
The provisioning server of claim 20 , wherein provisioning the two-way mobile communications device comprises establishing a communications link with a service server providing a service which has been requested in the provisioning request; and sending a request to the service server requesting registration of the user for the service.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
16 words
The provisioning server of claim 22 , wherein the communications link is a secure communication link.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
31 words
The provisioning server of claim 20 , wherein provisioning the two-way mobile communications device comprises sending activation information required to activate previously stored non-operational applications in the two-way mobile communications device.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
29 words
The provisioning server of claim 20 , wherein provisioning the two-way mobile communications device comprises sending software modules to the two-way mobile communications device to enable the requested services.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
112 words
A method for processing a provisioning request from a two-way mobile communications device, the method comprising: receiving at a provisioning server, an authentication request from a proxy server; sending authentication information to the proxy server in response to the authentication request; receiving the provisioning request from the two-way mobile communications device as a forwarded message from the proxy server, the provisioning request comprising user information required to establish a user account, device information identifying the two-way mobile communications device, and a user selection indicating a user's selection of services to be provisioned; verifying the user information and device information; and provisioning the two-way mobile communications device with the user's selection of services.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
112 words
A method for processing a provisioning request from a two-way mobile communications device, the method comprising: receiving at a provisioning server, an authentication request from a proxy server; sending authentication information to the proxy server in response to the authentication request; receiving the provisioning request from the two-way mobile communications device as a forwarded message from the proxy server, the provisioning request comprising user information required to establish a user account, device information identifying the two-way mobile communications device, and a user selection indicating a user's selection of services to be provisioned; verifying the user information and device information; and provisioning the two-way mobile communications device with the user's selection of services.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 26 , wherein provisioning the two-way mobile communications device comprises generating notifications relating to terms and conditions associated with a service in the user selection; forwarding the generated notification to the two-way mobile communications device; and receiving user acceptance of the terms and conditions.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 26 , wherein provisioning the two-way mobile communications device comprises establishing a secure communications link with a service server providing a service which has been requested in the provisioning request; and sending a request to the service server requesting registration of the user for the service.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 26 , wherein provisioning the two-way mobile communications device comprises sending activation information required to activate previously stored non-operational applications in the two-way mobile communications device.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 26 , wherein provisioning the two-way mobile communications device comprises sending software modules to the two-way mobile communications device to enable the requested services.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 26 , wherein the provisioning server is connected to a landnet and the proxy server bridges communications between the landnet and an airnet to which the two-way mobile communications device is connected.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 26 , wherein the user selection further comprises the user's selection of features of the two-way mobile communications device the user wishes activated.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
77 words
A method for provisioning a two-way mobile communications device, the method comprising: receiving a provisioning request from the two-way mobile communications device; mutually authenticating the two-way mobile communications device and a provisioning server; and forwarding the provisioning request to the provisioning server only if the mutual authentication was successful; wherein the receiving, the mutual authenticating, and the forwarding is performed by a proxy server which bridges communications between a first communications network and a second communications network.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
77 words
A method for provisioning a two-way mobile communications device, the method comprising: receiving a provisioning request from the two-way mobile communications device; mutually authenticating the two-way mobile communications device and a provisioning server; and forwarding the provisioning request to the provisioning server only if the mutual authentication was successful; wherein the receiving, the mutual authenticating, and the forwarding is performed by a proxy server which bridges communications between a first communications network and a second communications network.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 33 , wherein the first communications network is an airnet; and the second communications network is a wide area communications network.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 34 , wherein receiving the provisioning request is via the airnet and forwarding the provisioning request is via the wide area communications network.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 35 , wherein the proxy server exchanges information between the two-way mobile communication device and the provisioning server via mutually exclusive secure communications sessions with the two-way mobile communications device and the provisioning server, respectively.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 36 , wherein the proxy server and the provisioning server are included in a single server device.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
66 words
A proxy server comprising a processor and a memory coupled thereto, the memory storing instructions which when executed by the processor cause the processor to perform a method comprising: receiving a provisioning request from a two-way mobile communications device; mutually authenticating the two-way mobile communications device and a provisioning server; and forwarding the provisioning request to the provisioning server only if the mutual authentication was successful.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
66 words
A proxy server comprising a processor and a memory coupled thereto, the memory storing instructions which when executed by the processor cause the processor to perform a method comprising: receiving a provisioning request from a two-way mobile communications device; mutually authenticating the two-way mobile communications device and a provisioning server; and forwarding the provisioning request to the provisioning server only if the mutual authentication was successful.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
23 words
The proxy server of claim 38 , wherein the proxy server bridges communications between a first communications network and a second communications network.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
26 words
The proxy server of claim 39 , wherein the first communications network is an airnet; and the second communications network is a wide area communications network.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
28 words
The proxy server of claim 40 , wherein receiving the provisioning request is via the airnet; and forwarding the provisioning request is via the wide area communications network.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
39 words
The proxy server of claim 41 , which operates to exchange information between the two-way mobile communications device and the provisioning server via mutually exclusive secure communications sessions with the two-way mobile communications device and the provisioning server, respectively.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2006-11-10 | 2007-05-12 | 2007-11-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-11-10 | 2011-05-12 | 2011-11-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-11-10 | 2015-05-12 | 2015-11-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |