CONNECTION MANAGER WITH PROMPTER FOR SERVICE SUBSCRIPTION

• US 20080081597A1
• Filed: 09/29/2006
• Published: 04/03/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: GlobalFoundries, Inc.
• Original Assignee: GlobalFoundries, Inc.
• Inventors: Cole, Terry L.
• Application Number:
  US11/537,486
• Publication Number:
  US 20080081597A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/414.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/16 Discovering, processing access restriction or access information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/18 Processing of user or subscriber data, e.g. subscribed services, user preferences or user profiles; Transfer of user or subscriber data
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals

Abstract

A method for establishing connectivity for a mobile device including a plurality of communication interfaces is provided. Connectivity patterns associated with the mobile device are monitored. It is identified that a current communication configuration of the mobile device is insufficient for providing connectivity to the mobile device based on the connectivity patterns. A user of the mobile device is prompted with an offer for an additional service subscription responsive to identifying the insufficiency of the current communication configuration based on a location of the mobile device. The mobile device is configured to use the additional service responsive to approval from the user.

Claims

1. A method for establishing connectivity for a mobile device including a plurality of communication interfaces, comprising:

monitoring connectivity patterns associated with the mobile device;

identifying that a current communication configuration of the mobile device is insufficient for providing connectivity to the mobile device based on the connectivity patterns;

prompting a user of the mobile device with an offer for an additional service subscription responsive to identifying the insufficiency of the current communication configuration based on a location of the mobile device; and

configuring the mobile device to use the additional service responsive to approval from the user.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing the user with service terms associated with the additional service.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the service terms include a limited usage period, and the method further comprises informing the user prior to expiration of the limited usage period.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising prompting the user with an unlimited usage contract offer prior to expiry of the limited usage period.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the limited usage period is associated with one of a limited number of sessions, a limited time period, and a limited data transfer amount.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein monitoring the connectivity patterns comprises identifying the use of repeated individual sessions associated with a particular service provider and prompting the user further comprises prompting the user with an offer for a fixed time period contract with the particular service provider.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of communication interfaces comprises at least one of a wireless wide area network interface, a wireless local area network interface, a local area network interface, a personal area network interface, and a voice band modem interface.

8. A mobile device, comprising:

a plurality of communication interfaces; and

a processor coupled to the communication interfaces and operable to implement a connection manager, the connection manager being operable to monitor connectivity patterns associated with the mobile device, identify that a current communication configuration of the mobile device is insufficient for providing connectivity to the mobile device based on the connectivity patterns, prompt a user of the mobile device with an offer for an additional service subscription responsive to identifying the insufficiency of the current communication configuration based on a location of the mobile device, and configure the mobile device to use the additional service responsive to approval from the user.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the connection manager is further operable to provide the user with service terms associated with the additional service.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the service terms include a limited usage period, and the connection manager is further operable to inform the user prior to expiration of the limited usage period.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein the connection manager is further operable to prompt the user with an unlimited usage contract offer prior to expiry of the limited usage period.

12. The device of claim 10, wherein the limited usage period is associated with one of a limited number of sessions, a limited time period, and a limited data transfer amount.

13. The device of claim 8, wherein the connection manager is further operable to monitor the connectivity patterns by identifying the use of repeated individual sessions associated with a particular service provider and prompt the user further with an offer for a fixed time period contract with the particular service provider.

14. The device of claim 8, wherein the plurality of communication interfaces comprises at least one of a wireless wide area network interface, a wireless local area network interface, a local area network interface, a personal area network interface, and a voice band modem interface.

15. A mobile device, comprising:

a plurality of communication interfaces;

means for monitoring connectivity patterns associated with the mobile device;

means for identifying that a current communication configuration of the mobile device is insufficient for providing connectivity to the mobile device based on the connectivity patterns;

means for prompting a user of the mobile device with an offer for an additional service subscription responsive to identifying the insufficiency of the current communication configuration based on a location of the mobile device; and

means for configuring the mobile device to use the additional service responsive to approval from the user.