Configuring an Electronic Device Based on a Transaction

• US 20130031350A1
• Filed: 07/25/2011
• Published: 01/31/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 07/25/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Universal Electronics, Inc.
• Original Assignee: The Nielsen Company LLC (MOOD Media Corporation)
• Inventors: Thielen, Kurt Roman, Taylor, Robert Edward, Sansonetti, Patrick James, Melville, Ryan Michael, Alviani, James Joseph
• Granted Patent: US 9,240,984 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 713/100
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/4411 Configuring for operating with peripheral devices; Loading of device drivers
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0621 Item configuration or customization
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/08 for authentication of entities cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication H04L9/32

Abstract

A first network signal is received indicating a device identifier in response to a transaction involving an electronic device uniquely associated with the device identifier. An entity identifier specific to an entity associated with the transaction is determined. In response to an initialization event of the electronic device, a second network signal from the electronic device is received that identifies the electronic device. In response to the second network signal, a configuration is communicated to the electronic device that is specific to the entity associated with the transaction.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

receiving, in response to a transaction involving an electronic device uniquely associated with a device identifier, a first network signal indicating the device identifier;

determining an entity identifier specific to an entity associated with the transaction;

receiving, in response to an initialization event of the electronic device, a second network signal from the electronic device that identifies the electronic device; and

in response to the second network signal, communicating a configuration to the electronic device that is specific to the entity associated with the transaction.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the device identifier comprises at least one of a serial number and a media access control address.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the entity comprises a retailer.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising linking the electronic device to the entity in a database in response to the first network signal.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the first network signal comprises additional data related to the transaction, the method further comprising using the additional data to modify the configuration of the electronic device specific to the transaction.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the additional data comprises data describing an additional transaction related to the electronic device.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the first network signal comprises the entity identifier.

5. The method of claim 5, further comprising retrieving the configuration via the database in response to receiving the second network signal identifying the electronic device.

9. A method, comprising:

determining, in response to a transaction involving an electronic device, a device identifier uniquely associated with the electronic device; and

communicating at least the device identifier to a provisioning service in response to the transaction, wherein the provisioning service determines an entity identifier of an entity associated with the transaction and configures the electronic device specific to the entity in response to a signal sent to the configuration service from the electronic device.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the device identifier comprises at least one of a serial number and a media access control address.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the entity comprises a retailer.

12. The method of claim 9, further comprising communicating additional data to the provisioning service related to the transaction, wherein the additional data is used to modify the configuration of the electronic device specific to the entity in response to the signal sent to the provisioning service.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the additional data comprises data describing an additional transaction related to the electronic device.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the additional transaction comprises a purchase of one or more of:

a service contract related to the electronic device;

content usable by the electronic device;

a network service usable by the electronic device; and

a second device usable with the electronic device.

15. The method of claim 9, further comprising communicating the entity identifier to the provisioning service in response to the transaction.

16. An apparatus comprising:

a data storage medium configured during manufacture to store at least a device identifier that distinguishes the apparatus from other apparatuses of the same type;

a processor configured to cause the apparatus to;

determine an initialization event;

in response to the initialization event, send a network signal to a provisioning service, wherein the network signal communicates at least the identifier;

receive a device configuration in response to the network signal, wherein the device configuration is specific to an entity in a supply chain through which the device traveled, and wherein the device identifier is linked to the entity via the provisioning service in response to a transaction occurring in the supply chain; and

apply the configuration to the apparatus.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the initialization event comprises at least one of a first power-on of the apparatus and a first connection to a network by the apparatus.

18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the device configuration customizes at least one of a user interface and an operational function of the apparatus as specified by the entity.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the configuration customizes the user interface to display any combination of contact information and graphical information associated with the entity.

20. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the device identifier comprises a serial number.