Patent Application
20090305663
1. Technical Field
The present invention relates generally to mobile phone services; and, more particularly, to the subscription of mobile services by a user.
2. Related Art
In conventional cellular telephone networks, a cellular phone is assigned a phone number (often based upon a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM)) when the phone registers with a phone service provider or phone network. The network with which the telephone/SIM card registers is called the phone's home network. The phone can be reached from the home network or any other phone network by dialing the assigned phone number. A cellular phone is typically allowed to access other cellular networks when the cellular phone moves to a location that does not have coverage from the home network. However the cellular phone is often charged a higher than normal rate for a call using differing cellular phone infrastructure in spite of being registered with the home network.
A cellular phone owner may register the phone with another network if it is unlocked and de-register from the home network. In such case the other network issues a new phone number to the cellular phone, often times requiring that a new SIM card be installed in the phone. The phone is charged normal rate for a call as the cellular phone has become a resident of the other network and can be reached by dialing the new phone number but cannot be reached using the original phone number. The cellular phone has yet another option of registering with the other network and requesting the other network to port the phone number issued by the home network. In the yet another option the cellular phone can be reached in the other network by dialing the old phone number, i.e., the number that the phone used in the home network with supporting registration operations/settings. A fixed line phone is also adapted to switch to a new phone network. It has two options: either to use s new phone number in the new phone network or to request the new phone network for phone number porting. However number porting is a task performed by service providers and it typically takes up to five working days by service providers to port a phone number from one network to another.
Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional and traditional approaches will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art through comparison of such systems with various aspects of the present invention.
The present invention is directed to apparatus and methods of operation that are further described in the following Brief Description of the Drawings, the Detailed Description of the Invention, and the claims. Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention made with reference to the accompanying drawings.
The mobile network account setup kiosk 107 includes processor circuitry 119 that runs software and scripts used to operate the various components and manage the various functions, display and input circuitry 117 that facilitates display of information to a user and various inputs provided by the user, and a communications circuitry 115 that facilitates communication with one or more external systems. It also includes an account manager module 121 that is capable of facilitating a new account setup with a new network for a user of the mobile device 131 based on existing subscriptions at other networks, for existing services. The mobile network account setup kiosk 107 also includes a primary network interface 109 and a secondary network interface 111, and the account manager module 121 employs them to interact with subscriber management systems or billing systems managed by a user's primary network (an existing network operator) and a secondary network (a new network operator) selected by the user. One of both of these interfaces 109 and 111 also communicatively couple either via wired or wireless interface to the mobile device 131. The mobile network account setup kiosk 107 includes a Near Field Communication (NFC) circuitry 123 that also makes it possible for the mobile device 131 to interact and exchange information with the mobile network account setup kiosk 107 using NFC related protocols. The primary and secondary network interfaces support one or more wired and/or wireless communication protocols, e.g., Ethernet, IEEE 802.11x, Cellular, Bluetooth, and/or other communication protocols to communicate with the mobile device 131 and network components that will be described later herein.
The account manager module 121 is used by a user/subscriber of the mobile device 131 to establish a temporary subscription. For example, it facilitates establishing the temporary subscription for the subscriber on the new network/secondary network employing the secondary network interface 111, based on a primary account information retrieved from the user's primary network (main network or default network often associated with a SIM card/Smartcard of the user used in the mobile device 131) via the primary network interface 109.
The mobile network account setup kiosk of 107 uses the display and input circuitry 117 for presenting information to the subscriber and for soliciting inputs from the subscriber. The account manager module 121 solicits at least a portion of the primary account information from the subscriber via the display and input circuitry 117. It can selectively get additional information from the primary network, as needed, via the primary network interface 109. The account manager module 121 establishes the temporary subscription for the subscriber on the secondary network based on at least a portion of the primary account information provided by the subscriber over the display and input circuitry 117. Of course, the second network interface 111 may also be employed to communicate with the mobile device 131 or other components to accomplish these results.
In one embodiment, the mobile network account setup kiosk 107 uses the near field communications circuitry 123 to interact with the mobile device 131. It facilitates interactions with the mobile device 131 to establish the temporary subscription for the subscriber, via the mobile device 131. Thus, the subscriber is provided screens and forms to enable the subscriber to select a secondary network and establish a new subscription, for one or more new services on the secondary network. Information needed to bill the subscriber is obtained by determining the primary/existing network operator and setting up billing services. In a related embodiment, the communication circuitry 115 also supports communication with the mobile device 131 used by the subscriber and the account manager module 121 facilitates interactions with the mobile device 131 to establish the temporary subscription for the subscriber via the mobile device 131.
In a different embodiment, the mobile network account setup kiosk 107 requests the subscriber of the mobile device 131 to provide details of the existing service on the existing/primary network. The user can provide such information employing appropriate screens and forms provided by the display and input circuitry 117. Specifically, the account manager module 121 solicits the primary account information from the subscriber which the subscriber enters using screens provided on a display.
In one embodiment, the mobile network account setup kiosk 107 uses the communication circuitry 115 for not only interacting with the subscriber's mobile device 131 but also with the primary network interface 109 and the secondary network interface 111. The solicitation of the primary account information from the subscriber occurs via the mobile device 131 operated by the subscriber that is communicatively coupled to the communication circuitry 115.
In one embodiment, the account manager module 121 of the mobile network account setup kiosk 107 is external to the mobile network account setup kiosk 107 and is associated with the secondary network. The user employs the mobile network account setup kiosk 107 to setup an account, (temporary or permanent account) with the secondary network. For example, if the secondary network is a local network accessible at an airport of a new city where the subscriber of the mobile device 131 has arrived (using a airplane), the mobile network account setup kiosk 107 makes it possible for the user (landing at the airport) with the mobile device 131 to setup an account on the secondary network and to receive information useful in accessing the secondary network for one or more services. In addition, the billing for services used is setup such that a primary network (such as at a home city or home country of the subscriber) does the billing for the services consumed by the subscriber on the secondary network.
For example, if the secondary network 241 is a network, e.g., cellular network, Wireless Wide Area Network (WWAN), or other network providing service at or near an airport of a new city where the user with the mobile device has arrived (via an airplane, for example), the user can setup a new subscription on the secondary network 241. The mobile network account setup kiosk 207 makes it possible for the user (landing at the airport) with the mobile device to setup an account on the secondary network 241 to receive information useful in accessing the secondary network 241 for one or more services. In addition, the billing necessary for services consumed on the secondary network 241 is setup such that a primary network 251 (such as at a home city or home country of the subscriber) does the billing for the services consumed by the subscriber on the secondary network 241. A billing system 225 and primary network service management system 227 of the primary network 251, which interacts with the mobile network account setup kiosk 207, facilitates billing for services accessed by the subscriber on the secondary network 241.
The secondary network management system 221 that manages interactions with the account manager 209 to enable establishment of a new subscription for a user based on an existing subscription for the same user on a different network, such as the primary network 251, includes a usage tracking system 223 that is uses to determine billing records for services consumed. The usage tracking system 223 communicates with the billing management system 225 of the primary network 251 to ensure that the subscriber is properly billed for services consumed on the secondary network with the billing management system 225 of the being responsible for billing (cross billing for services consumed on other networks) and subsequent funds distribution.
Once a new subscription for a subscriber of the primary network 251 is setup for access to the secondary network 241, all subsequent billing is handled by the billing system 225 of the primary network 251 for services consumed by the subscriber on the secondary network 241. In one embodiment, the account manager 209 is independent of the primary 251 and secondary network 241 and can help a subscriber get a new account on either one or them, or on both of them, based on an existing subscription on a different network.
The programmed card 315 is typically one of a subscriber information module (SIM) card, a SmartCard and a memory card. It can store network access information, security credentials and service related information for one or more networks. The mobile device also includes processing circuitry 331, storage manager 333, subscriber information 321, tracking, & statistics gathering module 311, primary network access information 317, and secondary network access information 319. In one embodiment, the primary network access information 317, the secondary network access information 319 and the subscriber information 321 is stored and made available in the programmed card 315. In a related embodiment, some of this information is also available in the storage manager 333 and in the primary network 351.
In one embodiment, the mobile device 307 instructs the network activation client 313 to handle incoming messages and notifications from mobile network account setup kiosk 343 in order to let the user select services provided by one or more secondary networks 341. For example, the network activation client 313 receives notification from the mobile network account setup kiosk 343 when in proximity, soliciting the user for activation of access to the secondary network. The mobile device 307 prompts the user/subscriber to select the secondary network 341 from a list of available networks, and interacts with the mobile network account setup kiosk 343 to setup an account and activate access to the secondary network 341.
The network activation client 313 stores the secondary network access information 319 is stored in the programmed card 315 (or in a storage manager 333) that makes it possible for the mobile device 307 to subsequently operate on the secondary network 341. In one embodiment, the mobile network account setup kiosk 343 is a physical kiosk where a user of the mobile device 307 acquires a subscription (such as from a sales person) and stores that information into the mobile device 307. Using the stored information, the user is then able to access services provided (one or more services, such as voice, data services, email services, etc.) from the secondary network 341.
The mobile device 407 can be used by a subscriber to interact with the mobile network account setup kiosk 421 in order to setup the new subscription or user account for a secondary network based on subscription information for a primary network. In this scenario, the subscriber employs screen of information or forms provided by the mobile network account setup kiosk 421 to provide sufficient information. The mobile network account setup kiosk 421 then interacts with a primary network subscription manager 409 to verify information provided by the user if necessary, and to optionally setup a billing process wherein the primary network, using its billing system and existing subscription of the user, is configured to bill the user for the new subscription(s) being created for the same user on the secondary network. In a related scenario, the user employs the display and input circuitry 425 provided by the mobile network account setup kiosk 421 to interact with the mobile network account setup kiosk 421 and setup a new subscription or user account for the secondary network based on subscription information retrieved from the primary network subscription manager 409.
Once a new subscription or user account for the secondary network is created for a user of the mobile device 407, if it is for a temporary access, then the mobile network account setup kiosk 421 sends a notification to the user regarding usage of the service and upcoming termination due to expiry duration, billing issues, etc. If the subscription is for permanent access, then the mobile network account setup kiosk 421 sends a periodic notification to the user regarding usage of the service, charges incurred, billing amounts due, etc.
Then, at a next block 513, the subscriber is prompted to select a secondary network and the subscriber's selection is processed and stored. For example, the subscriber is provided a list of available secondary networks to browse through and select from. Then, at a next block 515, the mobile device is setup with all information necessary to access the secondary network. For example, based on the subscriber's selection of the secondary network, the mobile network account setup kiosk communicates the subscriber's selection, primary network details (if necessary) and selected services to the secondary network. It then receives subscriber's access information (account details, security parameters, access point details if any, billing details, etc. from the secondary network (such as from a subscription manager system). In addition, the mobile device is setup for access to the secondary network. Then, at a next block 517, the mobile network account setup kiosk sets up optional billing with the primary network (such as with a billing system associated with the primary network) for the one or more services accessed/to be consumed over the secondary network. From block 517 operations terminate.
Then, at a next block 613, the mobile device prompts the user to optionally setup billing via the primary network. The user can setup a separate billing process with the secondary network or reuse the billing services provided by the primary network. The user's selection of billing options is communicated to the mobile network account setup kiosk and also stored in the mobile device (or SIM/SmartCard). At a next block 615, the mobile device stores the secondary network access information in a SIM card/Smartcard or in storage (such as non-volatile storage) for subsequent use. From block 617 operation ends.
The terms “circuit” and “circuitry” as used herein may refer to an independent circuit or to a portion of a multifunctional circuit that performs multiple underlying functions. For example, depending on the embodiment, processing circuitry may be implemented as a single chip processor or as a plurality of processing chips. Likewise, a first circuit and a second circuit may be combined in one embodiment into a single circuit or, in another embodiment, operate independently perhaps in separate chips. The term “chip,” as used herein, refers to an integrated circuit. Circuits and circuitry may comprise general or specific purpose hardware, or may comprise such hardware and associated software such as firmware or object code.
The present invention has also been described above with the aid of method steps illustrating the performance of specified functions and relationships thereof. The boundaries and sequence of these functional building blocks and method steps have been arbitrarily defined herein for convenience of description. Alternate boundaries and sequences can be defined so long as the specified functions and relationships are appropriately performed. Any such alternate boundaries or sequences are thus within the scope and spirit of the claimed invention.
The present invention has been described above with the aid of functional building blocks illustrating the performance of certain significant functions. The boundaries of these functional building blocks have been arbitrarily defined for convenience of description. Alternate boundaries could be defined as long as the certain significant functions are appropriately performed. Similarly, flow diagram blocks may also have been arbitrarily defined herein to illustrate certain significant functionality. To the extent used, the flow diagram block boundaries and sequence could have been defined otherwise and still perform the certain significant functionality. Such alternate definitions of both functional building blocks and flow diagram blocks and sequences are thus within the scope and spirit of the claimed invention. One of average skill in the art will also recognize that the functional building blocks, and other illustrative blocks, modules and components herein, can be implemented as illustrated or by discrete components, application specific integrated circuits, processors executing appropriate software and the like or any combination thereof.
As may be used herein, the terms “substantially” and “approximately” provides an industry-accepted tolerance for its corresponding term and/or relativity between items. Such an industry-accepted tolerance ranges from less than one percent to fifty percent and corresponds to, but is not limited to, component values, integrated circuit process variations, temperature variations, rise and fall times, and/or thermal noise. Such relativity between items ranges from a difference of a few percent to magnitude differences. As may also be used herein, the term(s) “coupled to” and/or “coupling” and/or includes direct coupling between items and/or indirect coupling between items via an intervening item (e.g., an item includes, but is not limited to, a component, an element, a circuit, and/or a module) where, for indirect coupling, the intervening item does not modify the information of a signal but may adjust its current level, voltage level, and/or power level. As may further be used herein, inferred coupling (i.e., where one element is coupled to another element by inference) includes direct and indirect coupling between two items in the same manner as “coupled to.” As may even further be used herein, the term “operable to” indicates that an item includes one or more of power connections, input(s), output(s), etc., to perform one or more its corresponding functions and may further include inferred coupling to one or more other items. As may still further be used herein, the term “associated with,” includes direct and/or indirect coupling of separate items and/or one item being embedded within another item. As may be used herein, the term “compares favorably,” indicates that a comparison between two or more items, signals, etc., provides a desired relationship. For example, when the desired relationship is that signal 1 has a greater magnitude than signal 2, a favorable comparison may be achieved when the magnitude of signal 1 is greater than that of signal 2 or when the magnitude of signal 2 is less than that of signal 1.
The present invention has also been described above with the aid of method steps illustrating the performance of specified functions and relationships thereof. The boundaries and sequence of these functional building blocks and method steps have been arbitrarily defined herein for convenience of description. Alternate boundaries and sequences can be defined so long as the specified functions and relationships are appropriately performed. Any such alternate boundaries or sequences are thus within the scope and spirit of the claimed invention.
Moreover, although described in detail for purposes of clarity and understanding by way of the aforementioned embodiments, the present invention is not limited to such embodiments. It will be obvious to one of average skill in the art that various changes and modifications may be practiced within the spirit and scope of the invention, as limited only by the scope of the appended claims.
The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/058,678, filed Aug. 4, 2008, and having a common title with the present application, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61058678 | Jun 2008 | US |
