Graphical user interface and method for mobile device activation

• US 8,966,383 B2
• Filed: 06/22/2007
• Issued: 02/24/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 01/07/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Gautier, Patrice, Shimizu, Debbie, Anderson, Alexandrea, Cue, Eddy, Gromek, Monika, Kondrk, Robert H.
• Primary Examiner(s): TILLERY, RASHAWN N
• Application Number:
  US11/821,597
• Publication Number:
  US 20080167027A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,804 Days
• Field of Search: 705/1.1, 715/234, 715/700, 715/762, 715/764, 715/810, 455/403
• US Class Current: 715/764
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/705 Account settings, e.g. limits or numbers or payment
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/715 Activating new subscriber or card
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/00 Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/24 Accounting or billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/50 Service provisioning or reconfiguring
• 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 8/265 for initial activation of new user

Abstract

Methods, systems and graphical user interfaces that facilitate activation of mobile devices, such as communication devices or multi-function devices, via computers are disclosed. According to one embodiment, activation of a mobile device with respect to a wireless service provider can be performed by users through use of computers (e.g., personal computers) that communicate with a remotely located activation server. According to another embodiment, graphical user interfaces can be presented to users so as to enable end users to easily activate mobile devices.

Claims

1. A method for enabling an end user to activate a wireless account for an electronic device having wireless communication capabilities, wherein the wireless account is associated with a wireless service provider that provides wireless network service, and the method comprises:

displaying, to the end user, a plurality of pages on a display device associated with a host computer, wherein the host computer is coupled to the electronic device, and the plurality of pages includes;

an end user status page to facilitate selection of a type of activation,

a service plan selection page to facilitate selection of a service plan for the wireless network service,

a media account page for a media account associated with an online media store so that the end user can create a new media account or login to an existing media account,

an end user information entry page to facilitate entry of end user information for both the media account and the wireless account,

a billing information page to facilitate entry of billing information for both the media account and the wireless account,

at least one terms and conditions page regarding legal agreements with the online media store and with the wireless service provider, and

an activation page to inform the end user of activation information; and

upon a determination of a successful activation of the electronic device with the wireless network service;

transmitting enablement information to the electronic device, wherein the enablement information is configured to remove from the electronic device restrictions of wireless communication functionalities, and

causing the electronic device to reset a portion of hardware within the electronic device to cause the electronic device to issue a request to register with the wireless network service.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the plurality of pages further comprises a final review and submit page to initiate activation of the wireless account for the electronic device with respect to the wireless service provider.

3. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein the final review and submit page can further initiate creation of the new media account for the end user not having the existing media account.

4. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the plurality of plurality of pages further comprises a device preference page to assist the end user with setting one or more preferences or options to be applied to operation of the electronic device.

5. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the end user status page enables the end user to select from a plurality of types of activation.

6. The method as recited in claim 5, wherein the types of activation include an individual plan and a family plan.

7. The method as recited in claim 5, wherein the types of activation include a new individual plan, an existing individual plan, a new family plan, and an existing family plan.

8. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the electronic device is a multi-function device, and wherein the multi-function device supports at least wireless voice communication and media playback function.

9. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the plurality of pages further comprises a media account review page for identifying the new media account or the existing media account for the end user.

10. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the type of activation is an individual plan activation or a family plan activation.

11. The method as recited in claim 5, wherein one of the types of activation involves usage of an existing phone number or usage of a new phone number.

12. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the service plan selection page includes information about a plurality of service plans and their costs and enables the end user to select from the plurality of service plans.

13. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the billing information provided via the billing information page includes information pertaining to name and billing address for the end user and credit card number.

14. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the activation page informs the end user of a phone number associated with the electronic device being activated.

15. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the plurality of pages further comprises a device preference page to assist the end user with setting one or more preferences or options to be applied to an operation of the electronic device.

16. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the plurality of pages further comprises a transfer number page for identifying a phone number and an existing wireless account, and the phone number to be transferred is to be used with the wireless account being activated and associated with the electronic device.

17. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the electronic device is electrically coupled to the host computer.

18. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein determining that the electronic device has successfully activated with the wireless network service comprises receiving an indication from an activation server that facilitates activation of the electronic device with the wireless network service.

19. The method as recited in claim 8, wherein the media playback function is provided by a media management application that operates on the electronic device.

20. A computer-implemented method for activating an electronic device with a wireless network service, wherein the electronic device is associated with a customer of a wireless service provider that provides the wireless network service, and the method comprises:

informing an activation server of the electronic device;

displaying a customer status page to facilitate selection of a type of activation;

specifying to the activation server a type of activation desired by the customer;

displaying a service plan selection page to facilitate selection of a service plan for the wireless network service;

informing the activation server of a selected service plan;

displaying a customer account page to facilitate login to or creation of a user media account with an online media store;

providing account information for the user media account for the customer;

displaying a customer information entry page;

providing customer information to the activation server;

displaying a billing information page to facilitate entry of billing information for one or both the user media account and a wireless account;

informing the activation server of the billing information;

displaying a terms and conditions page regarding legal agreements with the online media store and with the wireless service provider;

informing the activation server of acceptance of the legal agreements;

displaying an information review page;

informing the activation server of approval of the information provided on the information review page;

displaying an activation completion page;

displaying a device preference page to assist the customer with setting one or more preferences or options to be applied to an operation of the electronic device; and

upon a determination of a successful activation of the electronic device with the wireless network service;

transmitting enablement information to the electronic device, wherein the enablement information is configured to remove from the electronic device restrictions of wireless communication functionalities, and

causing the electronic device to reset a portion of hardware within the electronic device to cause the electronic device to issue a request to register with the wireless network service.

21. The computer-implemented method as recited in claim 20, wherein the pages are displayed on a display device included in a host computer that is configured to communicate with the electronic device.

22. A computer-implemented method for activating both an electronic device for wireless network service and at least one account associated with at least one online store, the computer-implemented method comprising:

displaying a service plan selection page to facilitate selection of a service plan for a wireless network service;

displaying a media account page for a media account associated with an online store so that an end user can create a new media account or login to an existing media account;

displaying an end user information entry page to facilitate entry of end user information for both the media account and a wireless account associated with the wireless network service; and

upon a determination of a successful activation of the electronic device with the wireless network service;

transmitting enablement information to the electronic device, wherein the enablement information is configured to remove from the electronic device restrictions of wireless communication functionalities, and

causing the electronic device to reset a portion of hardware within the electronic device to cause the electronic device to issue a request to register with the wireless network service.

23. The computer-implemented method as recited in claim 22, further comprising:

displaying a billing information page to facilitate entry of billing information for both the media account and the wireless account;

displaying at least one terms and conditions page regarding legal agreements with the online store and with a wireless service provider providing the wireless network service; and

using end user information provided via the user information entry page to activate both the media account and the wireless account.

24. A computer system configured to enable activation of an electronic device for wireless network service and at least one account associated with at least one online store, the computer system comprising:

at least one processor; and

a storage device, wherein the storage device is configured to store a plurality of instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the computer system to;

display a service plan selection page to facilitate selection of a service plan for an available wireless network service;

display a media account page for a media account associated with an online store so that an end user can create a new media account or login to an existing media account;

display an end user information entry page to facilitate entry of end user information for both the media account and a wireless account; and

upon a determination of a successful activation of the electronic device with the wireless network service;

transmit enablement information to the electronic device, wherein the enablement information is configured to remove from the electronic device restrictions of wireless communication functionalities, and

cause the electronic device to reset a portion of hardware within the electronic device to cause the electronic device to issue a request to register with the wireless network service.