Hierarchical program packages for user terminal subscribable services

• US 8,819,711 B2
• Filed: 05/02/2005
• Issued: 08/26/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 05/04/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Walker, Gordon Kent, Collins, Bruce, Chen, An Mei
• Primary Examiner(s): Goodarzi, Nasser
• Assistant Examiner(s): HONG, MICHAEL HYUN
• Application Number:
  US11/120,584
• Publication Number:
  US 20060014535A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,403 Days
• Field of Search: 725/1, 725/87, 725/5
• US Class Current: 725/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72406 by software upgrading or downloading
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72448 with means for adapting the functionality of the device according to specific conditions
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25808 Management of client data terminal profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/303
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41407 embedded in a portable device, e.g. video client on a mobile phone, PDA, laptop constructional details of equipment or arrangements specially adapted for portable computer application G06F1/1626; arrangements specially adapted for mobile receivers in broadcast systems H04H20/57
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47815 Electronic shopping payment schemes, payment architectures or payment protocols for electronic shopping systems G06Q20/12
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6131 involving transmission via a mobile phone network wireless downlink channel access H04W74/006
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/162 Authorising the user terminal, e.g. by paying; Registering the use of a subscription channel, e.g. billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/183 Processing at user equipment or user record carrier
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/245 from a network towards a terminal

Abstract

A wireless communication method for modifying a subscription that includes, receiving subscription information, demodulating the subscription information according to a wireless scheme, displaying a set of available program packages for subscription using the demodulated subscription information and allowing a selection of one or more displayed packages, wherein the subscription is modified as a result of the selection.

Claims

1. A wireless communication method for modifying a subscription, comprising:

wirelessly receiving on a mobile device subscription information describing a plurality of program packages and relationships between the plurality of program packages, wherein the relationships include at least a first reference from a first program package including at least a first service to a second program package including at least the first service and a second service, the first reference indicating that a subscription to the first program package is required prior to the second program package being determined as available for subscription, and wherein the subscription information includes an auto-subscribe package, wherein the auto-subscribe package;

is referenced by the first program package but does not itself reference any of the plurality of program packages;

is automatically installed on the mobile device and not removable from the mobile device; and

provides no media services;

determining on the mobile device a set of program packages available for selection based on the relationships between the plurality of program packages;

displaying on the mobile device the set of program packages determined to be available for selection; and

receiving on the mobile device a selection of one or more displayed program packages from the set of program packages determined to be available for selection, wherein the subscription is modified as a result of the selection.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

modifying on the mobile device the displayed set of program packages as a result of the selection of one or more of the displayed program packages.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving on the mobile device cost of service data with the subscription information; and

displaying on the mobile device a cost of service associated with at least one of the displayed program packages.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the auto-subscribe package provides basic services to initiate additional subscriptions.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

allowing access to selected program packages on the mobile device in accordance with the modified subscription.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising communicating with the mobile device by a network scheme chosen from the group consisting of CDMA, CDMA 2000, GSM, WCDMA, GSM/GPRS/WCDMA, TDMA, TDMA/EDGE and TETRA.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the relationships further include a second reference from the second program package to a third program package including at least the first and second services and a third service, the second reference indicating that a subscription to the second program package is required prior to the third program package being determined as available for subscription.

8. The method of claim 2, wherein modifying on the mobile device the displayed set of program packages further comprises:

suppressing on the mobile device display of a package as a result of the selection of one or more of the displayed program packages.

9. The method of claim 3, further comprising:

displaying a current subscription state on the mobile device;

receiving on the mobile device the selection of a program package wherein the selection adds or cancels the program package from the current subscription state; and

displaying a new cost of service associated with the selection on the mobile device.

10. An electronic device capable of modifying a subscription over a wireless network, comprising:

a memory; and

a processor coupled to the memory, wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations comprising;

receiving subscription information describing a plurality of program packages and relationships between the plurality of program packages, wherein the relationships include at least a first reference from a first program package including at least a first service to a second program package including at least the first service and a second service, the first reference indicating that a subscription to the first program package is required prior to the second program package being determined as available for subscription, and wherein the subscription information includes an auto-subscribe package, wherein the auto-subscribe package;

is referenced by the first program package but does not itself reference any of the plurality of program packages;

is automatically installed on the electronic device and not removable from the electronic device; and

provides no media services;

determining a set of program packages available for selection based on the relationships between the plurality of program packages;

displaying the set of program packages determined to be available for selection; and

receiving a selection of one or more displayed program packages from the set of program packages determined to be available for selection, wherein the subscription is modified as a result of the selection.

11. The electronic device of claim 10, wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations further comprising modifying the displayed set of program packages as a result of the selection of one or more of the displayed program packages.

12. The electronic device of claim 10, wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations further comprising:

receiving cost of service data with the subscription information; and

displaying a cost of service associated with at least one of the displayed program packages.

13. The electronic device of claim 10, wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations further comprising displaying a cost of service associated with at least one of the displayed available program packages.

14. The electronic device of claim 10, wherein the auto-subscribe package provides basic services to initiate additional subscriptions.

15. The electronic device of claim 10, wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations further comprising allowing access to selected program packages in accordance with the modified subscription.

16. The electronic device of claim 10, wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations further comprising communicating by a network scheme chosen from the group consisting of CDMA, CDMA 2000, GSM, WCDMA, GSM/GPRS/WCDMA, TDMA, TDMA/EDGE and TETRA.

17. The electronic device of claim 10, wherein the relationships further include a second reference from the second program package to a third program package including at least the first and second services and a third service, the second reference indicating that a subscription to the second program package is required prior to the third program package being determined as available for subscription.

18. The electronic device of claim 11, wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations further comprising suppressing display of a package as a result of the selection of one or more of the displayed program packages.

19. The electronic device of claim 13, wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations further comprising:

displaying a current subscription state;

receiving the selection of a program package, wherein the selection adds or cancels the program package from the current subscription state; and

displaying a new cost of service associated with the selection.

20. An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising:

means for wirelessly receiving subscription information describing a plurality of program packages and relationships between the plurality of program packages, wherein the relationships include at least a first reference from a first program package including at least a first service to a second program package including at least the first service and a second service, the first reference indicating that a subscription to the first program package is required prior to the second program package being determined as available for subscription, and wherein the subscription information includes an auto-subscribe package, wherein the auto-subscribe package;

is referenced by the first program package but does not itself reference any of the plurality of program packages;

is automatically installed on the apparatus and not removable from the apparatus; and

provides no media services;

means for determining a set of program packages available for selection based on the relationships between the plurality of program packages;

means for displaying the set of program packages determined to be available for selection; and

means for receiving a selection of one or more displayed program packages from the set of program packages determined to be available for selection, wherein the subscription is modified as a result of the selection.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, further comprising:

means for receiving cost of service data for the set of available program packages; and

means for displaying the cost of service associated with at least one of the set of available program packages.

22. The apparatus of claim 20, further comprising:

means for suppressing display of a package as a result of the selection of one or more of the displayed program packages.

23. The apparatus of claim 20, further comprising:

means for modifying the displayed set of program packages as a result of the selection of one or more of the displayed program packages.

24. The apparatus of claim 20, further comprising:

means for receiving cost of service data with the subscription information; and

means for displaying a cost of service associated with at least one of the displayed program packages.

25. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the auto-subscribe package provides basic services to initiate additional subscriptions.

26. The apparatus of claim 20, further comprising:

means for communicating by a network scheme chosen from the group consisting of CDMA, CDMA 2000, GSM, WCDMA, GSM/GPRS/WCDMA, TDMA, TDMA/EDGE and TETRA.

27. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the relationships further include a second reference from the second program package to a third program package including at least the first and second services and a third service, the second reference indicating that a subscription to the second program package is required prior to the third program package being determined as available for subscription.

28. The apparatus of claim 21, further comprising:

means for allowing access to selected program packages in accordance with the modified subscription.

29. The apparatus of claim 28, further comprising:

means for determining a new cost of service after modifying a current subscription state;

means for displaying a new current subscription state; and

means for displaying the new cost of service.

76. The apparatus of claim 24, further comprising:

means for displaying a current subscription state;

means for allowing the selection of a program package wherein the selection adds or cancels the program package from the current subscription state; and

means for displaying a new cost of service associated with the selection.

30. A non-transitory processor-readable storage medium having stored thereon processor-executable software instructions configured to cause a processor operating on a mobile device to perform operations for modifying a subscription, the operations comprising:

wirelessly receiving subscription information describing a plurality of program packages and relationships between the program packages, wherein the relationships include at least a first reference from a first program package including at least a first service to a second program package including at least the first service and a second service, the first reference indicating that a subscription to the first program package is required prior to the second program package being determined as available for subscription, and wherein the subscription information includes an auto-subscribe package, wherein the auto-subscribe package;

is referenced by the first program package but does not itself reference any of the plurality of program packages;

is automatically installed on the mobile device and not removable from the mobile device; and

provides no media services;

determining a set of program packages available for selection based on the relationships between the plurality of program packages;

displaying the set of program packages determined to be available for selection along with costs associated the set of program packages; and

receiving a selection of one or more displayed program packages from the set of program packages determined to be available for selection, wherein the subscription is modified as a result of the selection.

31. The non-transitory processor-readable storage medium of claim 30, wherein the stored processor-executable software instructions are configured to cause a processor to perform operations further comprising:

displaying a new cost of service based on the modified subscription; and

suppressing display of a package as a result of the selection of one or more packages.

32. The non-transitory processor-readable storage medium of claim 30, wherein the stored processor-executable software instructions are configured to cause the processor to perform operations further comprising:

modifying the displayed set of program packages as a result of the selection of one or more of the displayed program packages.

33. The non-transitory processor-readable storage medium of claim 30, wherein the stored processor-executable software instructions are configured to cause the processor to perform operations further comprising:

receiving cost of service data with the subscription information; and

displaying a cost of service associated with at least one of the displayed program packages.

34. The non-transitory processor-readable storage medium of claim 30, wherein the auto-subscribe package provides basic services to initiate additional subscriptions.

35. The non-transitory processor-readable storage medium of claim 30, wherein the stored processor-executable software instructions are configured to cause the processor to perform operations further comprising:

allowing access to selected program packages in accordance with the modified subscription.

36. The non-transitory processor-readable storage medium of claim 30, wherein the stored processor-executable software instructions are configured to cause the processor to perform operations further comprising:

communicating by a network scheme chosen from the group consisting of CDMA, CDMA 2000, GSM, WCDMA, GSM/GPRS/WCDMA, TDMA, TDMA/EDGE and TETRA.

37. The non-transitory processor-readable storage medium of claim 30, wherein the relationships further include a second reference from the second program package to a third program package including at least the first and second services and a third service, the second reference indicating that a subscription to the second program package is required prior to the third program package being determined as available for subscription.

77. The non-transitory processor-readable storage medium of claim 32, wherein the stored processor-executable software instructions are configured to cause the processor to perform operations further comprising:

suppressing display of a package as a result of the selection of one or more of the displayed program packages.

78. The non-transitory processor-readable storage medium of claim 33, wherein the stored processor-executable software instructions are configured to cause the processor to perform operations further comprising:

displaying a current subscription state;

receiving the selection of a program package, wherein the selection adds or cancels the selected program package from the current subscription state; and

displaying a new cost of service associated with the selection.

38. A wireless communication method for modifying a subscription with a media core network, comprising:

compiling on the media core network subscription information including relationship information indicating relationships between a plurality of program packages, wherein the relationships include at least a first reference from a first program package including at least a first service to a second program package including at least the first service and second service, the first reference indicating that a subscription to the first program package is required prior to the second program package being determined as available for subscription, and wherein the subscription information includes an auto-subscribe package, wherein the auto-subscribe package;

is referenced by the first program package but does not itself reference any of the plurality of program packages;

is automatically installed on a mobile device and not removable from the mobile device; and

provides no media services;

wirelessly transmitting the subscription information from the media core network to the mobile device, wherein the subscription information is used at the mobile device to modify a subscription state; and

receiving from the mobile device, modified subscription state information at the media core network.

39. The method of claim 38, further comprising:

determining on the media core network the subscription information, at least in part based on information received from the mobile device.

40. The method of claim 38, wherein the relationship information comprises a hierarchical tree structure.

41. The method of claim 38, wherein the auto-subscribe package provides basic services to initiate additional subscriptions.

42. The method of claim 38, wherein the subscription information identifies one or more program packages that cannot be canceled at the mobile device.

43. The method of claim 38, wherein wirelessly transmitting comprises wirelessly transmitting via a wireless network that is chosen from the group consisting of CDMA, CDMA 2000, GSM, WCDMA, GSM/GPRS/WCDMA, TDMA, TDMA/EDGE and TETRA networks.

44. The method of claim 38, wherein the relationships further include a second reference from the second program package to a third program package including at least the first and second services and a third service, the second reference indicating that a subscription to the second program package is required prior to the third program package being determined as available for subscription.

45. The method of claim 40, wherein the subscription information further comprises program package subscription limitations based at least in part on geographic information.

46. The method of claim 39, further comprising:

receiving on the media core network a change to the subscription state from the mobile device; and

revising the subscription information on the media core network.

47. An electronic device for supporting subscription modification, comprising:

a memory; and

a processor coupled to the memory, wherein the processor is configured with process-executable instructions to perform operations comprising;

compiling subscription information including relationship information indicating relationships between a plurality of program packages, wherein the relationships include at least a first reference from a first program package including at least a first service to a second program package including at least the first service and a second service, the first reference indicating that a subscription to the first program package is required prior to the second program package being determined as available for subscription, and wherein the subscription information includes an auto-subscribe package,

wherein the auto-subscribe package;

is referenced by the first program package but does not itself reference any of the plurality of program packages;

is automatically installed on a mobile device and not removable from the mobile device; and

provides no media services;

wirelessly transmitting the subscription information to the mobile device, wherein the subscription information is used at the mobile device to modify a subscription state; and

receiving from the mobile device modified subscription state information.

48. The electronic device of claim 47, wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations further comprising determining the subscription information, in part based on information received from the mobile device.

49. The electronic device of claim 47, wherein the relationship information is in a form of hierarchical subscription trees of program packages.

50. The electronic device of claim 47, wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations such that the subscription information further comprises other information limiting subscription availability to program packages based in part on geographic information.

51. The electronic device of claim 47, wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations further comprising:

receiving a change to the subscription state from the mobile device; and

revising the subscription information.

52. The electronic device of claim 47, wherein the auto-subscribe package provides basic services to initiate additional subscriptions.

53. The electronic device of claim 47, wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations such that:

the subscription information identifies one or more program packages that cannot be canceled at the mobile device; and

the subscription information identifies which package or set of packages will be suppressed from being displayed when a selection of one or more program packages is made.

54. The electronic device of claim 47, wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations further comprising communicating by a wireless scheme chosen from the group consisting of CDMA, CDMA 2000, GSM, WCDMA, GSM/GPRS/WCDMA, TDMA, TDMA/EDGE and TETRA.

55. The electronic device of claim 47, wherein the relationships further include a second reference from the second program package to a third program package including at least the first and second services and a third service, the second reference indicating that a subscription to the second program package is required prior to the third program package being determined as available for subscription.

56. A wireless communication apparatus, comprising:

means for compiling subscription information including relationship information indicating relationships between a plurality of program packages, wherein the relationships include at least a first reference from a first program package including at least a first service to a second program package including at least the first service and a second service, the first reference indicating that a subscription to the first program package is required prior to the second program package being determined as available for subscription, and wherein the subscription information includes an auto-subscribe package, wherein the auto-subscribe package;

is referenced by the first program package but does not itself reference any of the plurality of program packages;

is automatically installed on a mobile device and not removable from the mobile device; and

provides no media services;

means for wirelessly transmitting the subscription information to the mobile device, wherein the subscription information is used at the mobile device to modify a subscription state; and

means for receiving from the mobile device, modified subscription state information.

57. The apparatus of claim 56, wherein the relationship information includes hierarchical subscription information in a form of hierarchical subscription trees of program packages.

58. The apparatus oclaim 56, wherein the subscription information identifies which packagf e or set of packages will be suppressed from being displayed when a selection of one or more program packages is made.

59. The apparatus of claim 56, further comprising:

means for determining the subscription information, at least in part based on information received from the mobile device.

60. The apparatus of claim 56, further comprising:

means for receiving a change to the subscription state from the mobile device; and

means for revising the subscription information.

61. The apparatus of claim 56, wherein the auto-subscribe package provides basic services to initiate additional subscriptions.

62. The apparatus of claim 56, wherein the subscription information identifies one or more program packages that cannot be canceled at the mobile device.

63. The apparatus of claim 56, further comprising:

means for communicating by a wireless scheme chosen from the group consisting of CDMA, CDMA 2000, GSM, WCDMA, GSM/GPRS/WCDMA, TDMA, TDMA/EDGE and TETRA.

64. The apparatus of claim 56, wherein the relationships further include a second reference from the second program package to a third program package including at least the first and second services and a third service, the second reference indicating that a subscription to the second program package is required prior to the third program package being determined as available for subscription.

65. The apparatus of claim 57, wherein the subscription information further comprises information limiting subscription availability for program packages based in part on geographic information.

66. A non-transitory processor-readable storage medium having stored thereon processor-executable software instructions configured to cause a processor to perform operations for modifying a subscription, the operations comprising:

compiling subscription information including relationship information indicating relationships between a plurality of program packages, wherein the relationships including at least a first reference from a first program package include at least a first service to a second program package including at least the first service and a second service, the first reference indicating that a subscription to the first program package is required prior to the second program package being determined as available for subscription, and wherein the subscription information includes an auto-subscribe package, wherein the auto-subscribe package;

is referenced by the first program package but does not itself reference any of the plurality of program packages;

is automatically installed on a mobile device and not removable from the mobile device; and

provides no media services;

wirelessly transmitting the subscription information to the mobile device, wherein the subscription information is used at the mobile device to modify a subscription state; and

receiving from the mobile device, modified subscription state information.

67. The non-transitory processor-readable storage medium of claim 66, wherein the stored processor-executable software instructions are configured to cause a processor to perform operations such that the subscription information identifies which package or set of packages will be suppressed from being displayed when a selection of one or more program packages is made.

68. The non-transitory processor-readable storage medium of claim 66, wherein the stored processor-executable software instructions are configured to cause the processor to perform operations further comprising:

determining the subscription information, in part based on information received from the mobile device.

69. The non-transitory processor-readable storage medium of claim 66, wherein the stored processor-executable software instructions are configured to cause the processor to perform operations such that the relationship information is in a form of hierarchical subscription trees of program packages.

70. The non-transitory processor-readable storage medium of claim 66, wherein the stored processor-executable software instructions are configured to cause the processor to perform operations such that the subscription information further comprises other information limiting subscription availability to program packages based in part on geographic information.

71. The non-transitory processor-readable storage medium of claim 66, wherein the stored processor-executable software instructions are configured to cause the processor to perform operations further comprising:

receiving a change to the subscription state from the mobile device; and

revising the subscription information.

72. The non-transitory processor-readable storage medium of claim 66, wherein the auto-subscribe package provides basic services to initiate additional subscriptions.

73. The non-transitory processor-readable storage medium of claim 66, wherein the stored processor-executable software instructions are configured to cause the processor to perform operations such that the subscription information identifies one or more program packages that cannot be canceled at the mobile device.

74. The non-transitory processor-readable storage medium of claim 66, wherein stored processor-executable software instructions are configured to cause the processor to perform operations further comprising:

communicating by a wireless scheme chosen from a group consisting of CDMA, CDMA 2000, GSM, WCDMA, GSM/GPRS/WCDMA, TDMA, TDMA/EDGE and TETRA.

75. The non-transitory processor-readable storage medium of claim 66, wherein the relationships further include a second reference from the second program package to a third program package including at least the first and second services and a third service, the second reference indicating that a subscription to the second program package is required prior to the third program package being determined as available for subscription.