METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR APPLICATION NETWORK-SERVER DETERMINATION FOR REMOVABLE MODULE-BASED WIRELESS DEVICES

• US 20090082029A1
• Filed: 08/04/2008
• Published: 03/26/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/26/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Holcman, Alejandro R., Duggal, Nakul, Gurganus, Bryan
• Granted Patent: US 8,463,279 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/452.100
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1485 Tariff-related aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0806 for initial configuration or provisioning, e.g. plug-and-play
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0853 by actively collecting configuration information or by backing up configuration information
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0869 Validating the configuration within one network element
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/5054 Automatic deployment of services triggered by the service manager, e.g. service implementation by automatic configuration of network components
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/5096 wherein the managed service relates to distributed or central networked applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/14 Session management for real-time applications in data packet communications networks H04L65/1066
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/306 User profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/71 Hardware identity
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/24 Accounting or billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/24 Transfer of terminal data

Abstract

Methods, apparatus and systems are presented that enable a network operator to control the source for network services in open market devices by provisioning the network operator-issued removable modules with network service provisioning information associated with the operator and configuring the open market wireless devices such that the device looks to the removable module first for the network service provisioning information before looking to device storage for any other provisioning information related to the network service. In this regard, the user of the open market wireless device is still provided access to the network service even if the network operator does not provide the service or provide access to the service. Additionally, the described aspects methods, systems and apparatus provide the network operator with an additional level of dynamic control over the source for network services by providing for a network-side proxying feature that allows the network operator to proxy network service requests sent from the open market wireless devices to a designated third party network service provider based on criteria defined by the network operator.

Claims

1. A method of dynamic source determination of provisioning information on an open market wireless communication device, comprising:

receiving an input to launch a network service on an open market wireless communication device;

determining if first provisioning information corresponding to the network service is stored on a removable module in communication with the wireless communication device;

if the first provisioning information is stored on the removable module, then launching the network service on the wireless communications device according to the first provisioning information; and

if the first provisioning information is not stored on the removable module, then determining if second provisioning information corresponding to the network service is stored in a non-removable memory of the wireless communication device, and if the second provisioning information corresponding to the service is stored in the non-removable memory, then launching the network service on the wireless communications device according to the second provisioning information.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein determining if first provisioning information corresponding to the network service further comprises determining if first provisioning information corresponding to the network service is stored on a removable module in communication with the wireless communication device, wherein the first provisioning information is associated with a network operator associated with the removable module.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein determining if second provisioning information corresponding to the network service, further comprises determining if second provisioning information corresponding to the network service is stored in a non-removable memory of the wireless communication device, wherein the second provisioning information is associated with a third party network service provider.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the third party network service provider is further defined as an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) of the open market wireless communication device.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving the network service from the network service operator associated with the removable module based on launching the network service according to the first provisioning information.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein receiving the network service from the network service operator further comprises receiving the network service from the network service operator based on a dynamic determination by the network service operator not to proxy delivery of the network service to a third party network service provider.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein receiving the network service from the network service operator further comprises receiving the network service from the network service operator based on a dynamic determination by the network service operator not to proxy delivery of the network service to a third party network service provider, wherein the dynamic determination is based on at least one of subscriber information, or wireless device profile information or provisioning information or current network conditions, or current network resource availability, or current state of the wireless communication device.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving the network service from a third party network service provider based on launching the network service according to the first provisioning information.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein receiving the network service from the third party network service provider further comprises receiving the network service from the third party network service provider based on a dynamic determination by the network service operator to proxy delivery of the network service to the third party network service provider.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein receiving the network service from the third party network service provider further comprises receiving the network service from the third party network service provider based on a dynamic determination by the network service operator to proxy delivery of the network service to a third party network service provider, wherein the dynamic determination is based on at least one of subscriber information, or wireless device profile information or provisioning information or current network conditions, or current network resource availability, or current state of the wireless communication device.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving the network service from a third party network service provider based on launching the network service according to the second provisioning information.

12. At least one processor configured to provide source determination of provisioning information on an open market wireless communication device, comprising:

a first module for receiving an input to launch a network service on an open market wireless communication device;

a second module for determining if first provisioning information corresponding to the network service is stored on a removable module in communication with the wireless communication device or if second provisioning information corresponding to the network service is stored in a non-removable memory in the wireless communication device; and

a third module for prioritizing launching of the network service on the wireless communications device first according to the first provisioning information, and secondly according to the second provisioning information.

13. A computer program product, comprising:

a computer-readable medium comprising;

a first set of codes for causing a computer to receive an input to launch a network service on an open market wireless communication device;

a second set of codes for causing the computer to determine if first provisioning information corresponding to the network service is stored on a removable module in communication with the wireless communication device or if second provisioning information corresponding to the network service is stored in a non-removable memory in the wireless communication device; and

a third set of codes for causing the computer to prioritize launching of the network service on the wireless communications device first according to the first provisioning information, and secondly according to the second provisioning information.

14. An apparatus for source determination of provisioning information on a wireless communication device, comprising:

means for receiving an input to launch a network service on an open market wireless communication device;

means for determining if first provisioning information corresponding to the network service is stored on a removable module in communication with the wireless communication device or if second provisioning information corresponding to the network service is stored in a non-removable memory in the wireless communication device; and

means for prioritizing launching of the network service on the wireless communications device first according to the first provisioning information, and secondly according to the second provisioning information.

15. An open market wireless communication device, comprising:

a computer platform including a processor and memory in communication with the processor;

a removable module in communication with the processor and operable to store data;

one or more network service clients executable by the processor and stored in the non-removable memory;

a user interface in communication with the processor and operable to receive an input to launch one of the network service clients on the open market wireless communication device; and

provisioning source determination logic executable by the processor and in communication with the removable module and the non-removable user identity module, wherein responsive to the input the provisioning source determination logic is operable to determine if first provisioning information corresponding to the network service is stored on the removable module or if second provisioning information corresponding to the network service is stored in the non-removable memory and further operable to prioritize launching of the network service on the wireless communications device first according to the first provisioning information, and secondly according to the second provisioning information.

16. The open market wireless communication device of claim 15, wherein the first provisioning information is associated with a network operator associated with the removable module.

17. The open market wireless communication device of claim 15, wherein the second provisioning information is associated with a third party network service provider.

18. The open market wireless communication device of claim 15, wherein the third party network service provider is further defined as an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) of the open market wireless communication device.

19. The open market wireless communication device of claim 15, further comprising a communications module in communication with the processor and operable to receive the network service from the network service operator associated with the removable module based on launching the network service according to the first provisioning information.

20. The open market wireless communication device of claim 19, wherein the communications module is further operable to receive the network service from the network service operator based on a dynamic determination by the network service operator not to proxy the delivery of the network service to a third party network service operator.

21. The open market wireless communication device of claim 19, wherein the communications module is further operable to receive the network service from a third party network service party based on launching the network service according to the first provisioning information.

22. The open market wireless communication device of claim 21, wherein the communications module is further operable to receive the network service from the third party network service party based on a dynamic determination by the network service operator to proxy the delivery of the network service to a third party network service operator.

23. The open market wireless communication device of claim 19, wherein the communications module is further operable to receive the network service from a third party network service party based on launching the network service according to the second provisioning information.

24. A method for determining and implementing service proxy requirements on a per network service request basis, comprising:

receiving, at a network service provider server, a network service launch request from an open market wireless device that includes a removable module that is provisioned by a network operator with provisioning information for the requested network service;

determining if service proxying is necessary for the network service launch request; and

if service proxying is necessary for the network service request, proxying the network service launch request to a predetermined third party network service provider; and

if service proxying is not necessary for the network service request, delivering the requested network service from the network service provider.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the network service provider server that receives the network service launch request is further defined as a server associated with the network operator.

26. The method of claim 24, wherein determining if service proxying is necessary further comprises determining if service proxying is necessary for the network service access request according to a dynamic determination based on at least one of subscriber information, or the open market wireless communication device profile information, or provisioning information for the network service, or current network conditions, or current network resource availability, or current state of the open market wireless device.

27. The method of claim 24, wherein determining if service proxying is necessary further comprises determining if service proxying is necessary for the network service launch request based on a business arrangement with one or more third party network service providers.

28. The method of claim 24, wherein receiving a network service launch request from an open market wireless device further comprises receiving a network service launch request from an open market wireless device in response to a determination by the wireless device that the removable module includes provisioning information for the network service provider.

29. At least one processor configured to provide determination of service proxy requirements on a per network service request basis, comprising:

a first module for receiving a network service launch request from an open market wireless device that includes a removable module that is provisioned by a network operator with network service provisioning information;

a second module for determining if service proxying is necessary for the network service launch request;

a third module for proxying the network service launch request to a predetermined third party network service provider if the determination is made that service proxying is necessary; and

a fourth module for delivering the requested network service from the network service provider if the determination is made that service proxying is not necessary.

30. A computer program product, comprising:

a computer-readable medium comprising;

a first set of codes for causing a computer to receive a network service launch request from an open market wireless device that includes a removable module that is provisioned by a network operator with network service provisioning information;

a second set of codes for causing the computer to determine if service proxying is necessary for the network service launch request;

a third set of codes for causing the computer to proxy the network service launch request to a predetermined third party network service provider if the determination is made that service proxying is necessary; and

a fourth set of codes for causing the computer to deliver the requested network service from the network service provider if the determination is made that service proxying is not necessary.

31. An apparatus for dynamic source determination of provisioning information on a wireless communication device, comprising:

means for receiving a network service launch request from an open market wireless device that includes a removable module that is provisioned by a network operator with network service provisioning information;

means for determining if service proxying is necessary for the network service launch request;

means for proxying the network service launch request to a predetermined third party network service provider if the determination is made that service proxying is necessary; and

means for delivering the requested network service from the network service provider if the determination is made that service proxying is not necessary

32. A network server, comprising:

a computer platform including a processor and a memory in communication with the processor and operable to store data;

a communications module in communication with the processor and operable to receive a network service launch request from an open market wireless device that includes a removable module that is provisioned by a network operator with network service provisioning information; and

network service proxying logic executable by the processor and operable to determine if service proxying is necessary for the network service launch request based on a predetermined proxying routine and, if service proxying is necessary, proxying the network service launch request to a predetermined third party network service provider.

33. The network server of claim 32, wherein the network server is further defined as a server associated with the network service operator.

34. The network server of claim 32, wherein the predetermined proxying routine is further operable to dynamically determine if service proxying is necessary based on at least one of subscriber information, or the open market wireless communication device profile information, or provisioning information for the network service, or current network conditions, or current available network resources, or a state of the open market wireless device.

35. The network server of claim 32, wherein the predetermined proxying routine is further defined as being implemented based on a business arrangement with one or more third party network service providers.

36. The network server of claim 32, wherein the communications module is further operable to receive the network service launch request from the open market wireless device in response to a determination by the wireless device that the removable module includes provisioning information for the network service provider.

37. The network server of claim 32, wherein the communications module is operable to deliver the network service to the open market wireless device if the predetermined proxying routine determines that proxying is not necessary.