Configuring an Electronic Device Based on a Transaction

• US 20160117747A1
• Filed: 01/07/2016
• Published: 04/28/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 07/25/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Universal Electronics, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Lattice Semiconductor Corporation
• Inventors: Thielen, Kurt Roman, Taylor, Robert Edward, Sansonetti, Patrick James, Melville, Ryan Michael, Alviani, James Joseph
• Granted Patent: US 10,229,444 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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. 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.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, 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.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the device configuration customizes at least one of a user interface and an operational function of the apparatus as specified by the entity.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the configuration customizes the user interface to display any combination of contact information and graphical information associated with the entity.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the device identifier comprises a serial number.