Multicarrier Over-The-Air Cellular Network Activation Server

• US 20150215786A1
• Filed: 04/03/2015
• Published: 07/30/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 01/28/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Headwater Research LLC (Greg Raleigh)
• Original Assignee: Headwater Partners I LLC (Greg Raleigh)
• Inventors: Raleigh, Gregory G.
• Granted Patent: US 9,204,374 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 15/177 Initialisation or configuration control processor initialisation G06F9/4405
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06315 Needs-based resource requirements planning or analysis
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06375 Prediction of business process outcome or impact based on a proposed change
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/102 Bill distribution or payments
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/20 Point-of-sale [POS] network systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/32 using wireless devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/40 Authorisation, e.g. identification of payer or payee, verification of customer or shop credentials; Review and approval of payers, e.g. check credit lines or negative lists
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0207 Discounts or incentives, e.g. coupons or rebates
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0241 Advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0283 Price estimation or determination
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0284 Time or distance, e.g. usage of parking meters or taximeters
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/04 Billing or invoicing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/00 Finance; Insurance; Tax strategies; Processing of corporate or income taxes
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/12 Accounting
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/14 Charging , metering or billing arrangements for data wireline or wireless communications
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1407 Policy-and-charging control [PCC] architecture
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0806 for initial configuration or provisioning, e.g. plug-and-play
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0876 Aspects of the degree of configuration automation
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0893 Assignment of logical groups to network elements
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0894 : Policy-based network configuration management
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/5003 : Managing SLA; Interaction between SLA and QoS
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/5025 : by proactively reacting to service quality change, e.g. by reconfiguration after service quality degradation or upgrade
• 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 47/20 : Traffic policing
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/2408 : for supporting different services, e.g. a differentiated services [DiffServ] type of service
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/046 : Interoperability with other network applications or services
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0236 : Filtering by address, protocol, port number or service, e.g. IP-address or URL
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/04 : for providing a confidential data exchange among entities communicating through data packet networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0428 : wherein the data content is protected, e.g. by encrypting or encapsulating the payload
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/08 : for authentication of entities cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0853 : using an additional device, e.g. smartcard, SIM or a different communication terminal cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication involving additional secure or trusted devices H04L9/3234
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0892 : by using authentication-authorization-accounting [AAA] servers or protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/10 : for controlling access to devices or network resources
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/20 : for managing network security; network security policies in general filtering policies H04L63/0227
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/145 : avoiding end of session, e.g. keep-alive, heartbeats, resumption message or wake-up for inactive or interrupted session
• 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: H04L 67/51 : Discovery or management thereof, e.g. service location protocol [SLP] or web services
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/55 : Push-based network services
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/564 : Enhancement of application control based on intercepted application data
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/63 : Routing a service request depending on the request content or context
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/32 : including means for verifying the identity or authority of a user of the system or for message authentication, e.g. authorization, entity authentication, data integrity or data verification, non-repudiation, key authentication or verification of credentials
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/3247 : involving digital signatures
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/00 : Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/49 : Connection to several service providers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/58 : based on statistics of usage or network monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/61 : based on the service used
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/66 : Policy and charging system
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/80 : Rating or billing plans; Tariff determination aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/8055 : Selecting cheaper transport technology for a given service
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/88 : Provision for limiting connection, or expenditure
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0188 : Network monitoring; statistics on usage on called/calling number
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/00 : Security arrangements; Authentication; Protecting privacy or anonymity
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/02 : Protecting privacy or anonymity, e.g. protecting personally identifiable information [PII]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/037 : of the control plane, e.g. signalling traffic
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 : Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/08 : Access security
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/37 : Managing security policies for mobile devices or for controlling mobile applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/08 : Testing, supervising or monitoring using real traffic
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/02 : Traffic management, e.g. flow control or congestion control
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/0215 : based on user or device properties, e.g. MTC-capable devices services for machine-to-machine communication [M2M] or machine type communication [MTC] H04W4/70; wireless resource selection or allocation plan definition based on terminal or device properties H04W72/51
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/0268 : using specific QoS parameters for wireless networks, e.g. QoS class identifier [QCI] or guaranteed bit rate [GBR] negotiating SLA or negotiating QoS H04W28/24
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/12 : using signalling between network elements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 : Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/12 : Messaging; Mailboxes; Announcements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/18 : Information format or content conversion, e.g. adaptation by the network of the transmitted or received information for the purpose of wireless delivery to users or terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/20 : Services signaling; Auxiliary data signalling, i.e. transmitting data via a non-traffic channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/24 : Accounting or billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/50 : Service provisioning or reconfiguring
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/14 : using user query or user detection
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/16 : Discovering, processing access restriction or access information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/0453 : Resources in frequency domain, e.g. a carrier in FDMA
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/02 : Processing of mobility data, e.g. registration information at HLR [Home Location Register] or VLR [Visitor Location Register]; Transfer of mobility data, e.g. between HLR, VLR or external networks
• 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 8/20 : Transfer of user or subscriber data
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/04 : Large scale networks; Deep hierarchical networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/042 : Public Land Mobile systems, e.g. cellular systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 : WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 : adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/08 : Access point devices
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/80 : Management or planning

Abstract

A mobile activation server has a secure network port to receive requests from mobile end-user devices operating on a cellular access network with a set of pre-activation credentials. The server contains a database with a stored set of pre-activation credentials for multiple such devices. An authorization engine compares one or more of the stored pre-activation credentials to those of a requesting device to determine whether the device is authorized to receive offers from the server. An offer engine supplies to authorized devices via the cellular access network a set of multiple cellular network service options, including for each of multiple cellular network service carriers at least one option for activating service on that carrier. In response to the device indicating a request for activation for one of the options, an activation engine initiates activation of the device, including securely exchanging permanent credential information between the activation server and the selected service carrier, and supplying corresponding permanent credentials to the mobile device.

Claims

1. (canceled)

2. A mobile device activation server comprising:

a secure network port to receive an Internet data request from a first mobile end-user device operating on a cellular access network with a set of pre-activation credentials;

a database containing a stored set of pre-activation credentials for multiple mobile end-user devices;

an authorization engine to compare one or more of the pre-activation credentials from the mobile end-user device with stored credentials from the database to determine whether the device is authorized to receive offers from the activation server;

an offer engine to, when the device is authorized, supply to the device via the cellular access network a set of multiple cellular network service options, including for each of multiple cellular network service carriers at least one option for activating service on that service carrier; and

an activation engine to, in response to an indication, received from the device via the cellular access network, of a request for activation of a first one of the cellular network service options and a selected one of the network service carriers, initiate activation of the mobile end-user device according to the indication, by

a secure exchange of corresponding permanent credential information between the activation server and the selected service carrier, and

a supply of permanent credentials corresponding to service on a cellular access network for the selected service carrier to the mobile end-user device.

3. The mobile device activation server of claim 2, the secure network port further to obtain the set of pre-activation credentials from the first mobile end-user device.

4. The mobile device activation server of claim 2, wherein the pre-activation credentials from the mobile end-user device are unassociated with a user, and the permanent credentials are associated with a user.

5. The mobile device activation server of claim 2, wherein the offer engine is further to select a specific membership of the multiple cellular network carriers that is geographically specific to the location of the mobile end-user device at the time of the request.

6. The mobile device activation server of claim 2, wherein at the time of the Internet data request the first mobile end-user device comprises a first service processor, the activation engine further to initiate activation of the mobile end-user device according to the indication by downloading software for a second service processor corresponding to the selected service carrier.

7. The mobile device activation server of claim 2, the activation engine further to associate the device with a service profile corresponding to the first one of the cellular network service options.

8. The mobile device activation server of claim 7, the activation engine further to download at least some aspects of the service profile to the mobile end-user device.

9. The mobile device activation server of claim 2, the activation engine further to direct the mobile end-user device to a separate activation sequencing apparatus corresponding to the selected service carrier.

10. The mobile device activation server of claim 2, the activation engine to supply permanent credentials to the mobile end-user device comprising a supply of permanent credentials to a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) of the mobile end-user device.

11. The mobile device activation server of claim 2, wherein the permanent credentials include at least some of the pre-activation credentials.

12. The mobile device activation server of claim 2, wherein the cellular network service options include multiple service plan options for at least one of the multiple cellular network service carriers.

13. The mobile device activation server of claim 2, wherein at least one of the multiple cellular network service carriers is a Mobile Virtual Network Operator.

14. A method of operating a mobile device activation server, the method comprising:

receiving a secure Internet data request from a mobile end-user device operating on a cellular access network with a set of pre-activation credentials;

comparing one or more of the pre-activation credentials with stored credentials from a database;

based on the comparison, determining whether the device is authorized to receive offers from the activation server;

when the device is authorized, supplying to the device via the cellular access network a set of multiple cellular network service options, including for each of multiple cellular network service carriers at least one option for activating service on that service carrier; and

in response to an indication, received from the device via the cellular access network, of a request for activation of a first one of the cellular network service options and a selected one of the networks service carriers, initiating activation of the mobile end-user device according to the indication, by

securely exchanging corresponding permanent credential information between the activation server and the selected service carrier, and

supplying permanent credentials corresponding to service on a cellular access network for the selected service carrier to the mobile end-user device.

15. The method of operation of claim 14, wherein the permanent credentials are associated with a data service policy that allows Internet data access not allowed by the pre-activation service policy, the method further comprising supplying to the device at least some aspects of the data service policy as a result of the activation request.

16. The method of operation of claim 14, further comprising selecting a specific membership of the multiple cellular network carriers that is geographically specific to the location of the end-user mobile device at the time of the request.

17. The method of operation of claim 14, wherein the pre-activation credentials are unassociated with a user, and the permanent credentials are associated with a user.

18. The method of operation of claim 14, wherein at the time of receiving the Internet data request the first mobile end-user device comprises a first service processor, the activation engine further initiating activation of the mobile end-user device according to the indication by downloading software to the device for a second service processor corresponding to the selected service carrier.

19. The method of operation of claim 14, further comprising associating the device with a service profile corresponding to the first one of the cellular network service options.

20. The method of operation of claim 14, further comprising downloading at least some aspects of the service profile to the mobile end-user device.

21. The method of operation of claim 14, further comprising directing the mobile end-user device to a separate activation sequencing apparatus corresponding to the selected service carrier.

22. The method of operation of claim 14, wherein supplying permanent credentials to the mobile end-user device comprises supplying permanent credentials to a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) of the mobile end-user device.

23. The method of operation of claim 14, wherein the permanent credentials include at least some of the pre-activation credentials.

24. The method of operation of claim 14, wherein the cellular network service options include multiple service plan options for at least one of the multiple cellular network service carriers.

25. The method of operation of claim 14, wherein at least one of the multiple cellular network service carriers is a Mobile Virtual Network Operator.