SYSTEM FOR LICENSING MOBILE APPLICATIONS, FEATURES, AND DEVICES

• US 20130179987A1
• Filed: 03/05/2013
• Published: 07/11/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kyocera Corporation
• Original Assignee: Kyocera Corporation
• Inventors: Wiltgen, Charles, Le Vasseur, Lisa, Matsuo, Kotaro
• Granted Patent: US 10,693,876 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 726/26
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/10 for controlling access to devices or network resources

Abstract

A system for licensing an application or feature for use on a wireless mobile device is disclosed. The wireless mobile device is provided to a user with a licensable application or feature, but the application or feature has not been fully authorized for use. When the wireless device receives a request to use the application or feature, the wireless device operates the requested application or feature, and generates an irrevocable license request. The license request is transmitted to a license server at a time convenient for the wireless device. The license server generates a license certificate to the application or feature, and transmits the license certificate to the wireless mobile device. The wireless device receives the license certificate, which is stored in local memory. Accordingly, the application or feature is now fully licensed for future operation on the wireless mobile device. The license server operates accounting processes to generate license reports and license accounting information.

Claims

1. A method for licensing an application on a wireless mobile device, the method comprising:

receiving a request to use the application;

determining that the application has not been licensed;

determining whether an air interface is available;

when no air interface is available, retrieving a temporary use indicator from the wireless mobile device; and

activating the application only if the temporary use indicator permits activation.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the application is an MP3 decoder.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the request is a key-input request from a user of the mobile phone to play an MP3 encoded song.

4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

when the air interface is available;

generating a license request for a license of the application;

activating the application;

transmitting the license request; and

receiving a license certificate for the application.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein transmitting the license request further comprises formatting an SMS message and sending the SMS message.

6. The method according to claim 4, further comprising storing the license certificate in the wireless mobile device.

7. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

when the air interface is active, activating the application on the wireless communication device after receiving the request and before the license certificate has been received.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the transmitting comprises transmitting the license request to a license server and wherein the license certificate is transmitted by the license server in response to a determination at the license server that the wireless mobile device is authorized to receive the license.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the license is associated with a license fee due for activation of the application.

10-18. -18. (canceled)

19. A method for licensing an application on a wireless mobile device, the method comprising:

determining, by the wireless mobile device, that the application has not obtained a license certificate to operate on the wireless mobile device;

receiving a first request to use the application on the wireless mobile device;

determining, by the wireless mobile device, whether an air interface is active; and

in response to determining that the no air interface is active, retrieving a temporary use indicator and activating the application only if the temporary use indicator permits the activation.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

in response to determining that the air interface is active;

activating the application on the wireless mobile device after receiving the first request to use the application and before the license certificate for the application has been received;

generating a license request for the application on the wireless mobile device;

formatting the license request as an SMS message;

transmitting the license request to an application license server; and

receiving, at the wireless mobile device, the application license for the application, wherein the application license is associated with a license fee due for activation of the application after the first request for the application.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein generating the license request further comprises retrieving a device identifier (ID) stored in the wireless mobile device.

22. The method according to claim 19, further comprising storing the license certificate in the wireless mobile device.

23. A licensing process operating on a licensing system, the system comprising a licensing server and a wireless mobile device, the process comprising:

determining, by the wireless mobile device, whether a license certificate associated with a licensable version of an application has been received;

providing a licensable version of the application on a wireless mobile device, wherein the license certificate for the application has not been received;

receiving a first request to use the application on the wireless mobile device, wherein the application has not been licensed for use on the wireless mobile device;

determining, by the wireless mobile device, whether an air interface is active, wherein if no air interface is active, the wireless mobile device updates a locally stored temporary use indicator on the wireless mobile device to indicate the application has been activated;

wherein if an air interface is active, the method further comprises;

generating a license request for the application on the wireless mobile device;

formatting the license request as an SMS message;

activating the application on the wireless mobile device after receiving the first request to use the application and before the license certificate for the application has been received;

maintaining, on the licensing server, a list of mobile devices that are preconfigured to operate a licensable module for the application that is operable on the list of mobile devices;

receiving notification from the wireless mobile device that one of the listed mobile devices is operating the licensable module when the application is activated on the listed mobile device;

transmitting, responsive to the notification, the license certificate from the licensing server to the wireless mobile device operating the licensable module, wherein the license certificate is associated with a license fee due for activation of the application;

generating an activation report at the licensing server indicating that the license certificate has been transmitted; and

confirming with the licensing server that the reported license has been properly granted.

24. The licensing process according to claim 23, wherein the confirming comprises making a payment to a license owner for the license.

25. The licensing process according to claim 23, wherein the receiving comprises receiving a unique device identifier (ID) and using the unique device ID to generate the license.