Downloadable configuring application for a wireless device

• US 20040205164A1
• Filed: 12/18/2003
• Published: 10/14/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Lezny, Jan K., Sprigg, Stephen A., Jacobs, Paul E., Kenagy, Jason B.
• Granted Patent: US 8,737,981 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/219
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0813 characterised by the conditions triggering a change of settings
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/04 specially adapted for terminals or networks with limited capabilities; specially adapted for terminal portability
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/30 Profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/306 User profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/34 involving the movement of software or configuration parameters network booting or remote initial program loading [RIPL] G06F9/4416
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72406 by software upgrading or downloading
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/02 Arrangements for optimising operational condition
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/16 Communication-related supplementary services, e.g. call-transfer or call-hold
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/20 Services signaling; Auxiliary data signalling, i.e. transmitting data via a non-traffic channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/50 Service provisioning or reconfiguring
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/22 Processing or transfer of terminal data, e.g. status or physical capabilities
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/245 from a network towards a terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices

Abstract

Systems, methods, and programs for activating a feature on a wireless device includes requesting the feature at the wireless device. A feature includes additional functions and services that add capability to or accessed by the wireless device, such as, but not limited to, voice mail, voice recognition, access to GPS, MPEG functions, and access to a data channel or increased data rates. The wireless device downloads a component from a download server that contains the logic to configure the wireless device as well as a carrier server to activate the feature. An expiration parameter or other licensing term may be associated with the requested feature. Upon expiration, the wireless device and/or carrier server is reconfigured to deactivate the feature.

Claims

1. A system to activate features for a wireless device, comprising:

a wireless device configured to receive a request to activate a feature associated with the wireless device, to configure the wireless device to access the feature, and to send a message to a server at activate the feature; and

the server configured to receive a message to activate a feature associated with the wireless device and to modify the information files associated with the wireless device associated with activating the feature.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the wireless device contains a component having the logic to configure the wireless device, wherein said component was downloaded to the wireless device using a wireless network.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the request to activate the feature at the wireless device is received from an process running on the wireless device.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the request to activate the feature at the wireless device is received from a user.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the request to activate the feature at the wireless device is received from the server.

6. A method of activating a feature for a wireless device, comprising:

receiving a request to activate the feature associated with the wireless device;

activating the feature;

updating profile information associated with the wireless device on a server using a wireless network.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising configuring the server to activate the feature for the wireless device.

8. A method of activating a feature for a wireless device, comprising:

receiving a request to activate the feature;

requesting a component from a download server;

receiving the component at the wireless device; and

executing the component on the wireless device, wherein the component comprising configuring the wireless device so that the feature is activated, sending a message to a profile server to configure the feature on the profile server.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising deactivating the feature associated with the wireless device.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising removing the component from the wireless device.

11. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

associating an expiration parameter with the feature; and

deactivating the feature when the expiration parameter indicates the feature'"'"'s use has expired for the wireless device.

12. A method of activating a feature at a server for a wireless device, comprising:

receiving a message at a server indicating a wireless device is requesting activation of a feature;

updating the profile associated with the wireless device to indicate the feature is activated for the wireless device;

configuring the server so that the feature is accessible to the wireless device; and

sending a message to the wireless device indicating the feature is activated.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein configuring the server so that the feature is accessible to the wireless device includes configuring a second server associated with activating the feature.

14. A device for activating a feature, comprising:

means for receiving a request to activate the feature;

means for requesting a component from a download server;

means for receiving the component at the wireless device; and

means for executing the component on the wireless device, wherein the component comprising configuring the wireless device so that the feature is activated, sending a message to a profile server to configure the feature on the profile server.

15. A computer readable medium containing computer implemented instructions for activating a feature on a wireless device, such that when executed performs the method comprising:

receiving a request to activate the feature;

requesting a component from a download server;

receiving the component at the wireless device; and

executing the component on the wireless device, wherein the component comprising configuring the wireless device so that the feature is activated, sending a message to a profile server to configure the feature on the profile server.

16. A wireless device, comprising:

a processor configured to receive a request to activate the feature;

a component received from a download server, wherein the component contains configuring information to activate a feature for the wireless device, contains feature specific information, and contains configuring information to transmit to a profile server associated with the feature being activated on the wireless device.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the processor is also configured to deactivating the feature associated with the wireless device.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the processor is also configured to remove the component from the wireless device.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the feature specific information includes an expiration parameter for the feature and wherein the processor is further configured to deactivating the feature when the expiration parameter indicates the feature use has expired for the wireless device.