Method and apparatus for the activation of services

• US 9,288,660 B2
• Filed: 07/11/2014
• Issued: 03/15/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 11/15/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: Davies, Jonathan, Pugsley, Craig, Nieminen, Timo T., Tamminen, Aki, Ylinen, Samuli, Hokkanen, Jyrki, Puusaari, Kristian
• Primary Examiner(s): RAMPURIA, SHARAD K
• Application Number:
  US14/329,813
• Publication Number:
  US 20140323094A1
• Time in Patent Office: 613 Days
• Field of Search: 4554121-4144, 455410-411, 455/558
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0481 based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/08 for authentication of entities cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0876 based on the identity of the terminal or configuration, e.g. MAC address, hardware or software configuration or device fingerprint
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/303 Terminal profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/068 using credential vaults, e.g. password manager applications or one time password [OTP] applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/08 Access security
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/084 using delegated authorisation, e.g. open authorisation [OAuth] protocol
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/16 Communication-related supplementary services, e.g. call-transfer or call-hold
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/20 Services signaling; Auxiliary data signalling, i.e. transmitting data via a non-traffic channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/60 Subscription-based services using application servers or record carriers, e.g. SIM application toolkits
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 60/00 Affiliation to network, e.g. registration; Terminating affiliation with the network, e.g. de-registration
• 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

Abstract

An approach is provided for presenting an activation indicator to a user. A connection with a mobile device is detected. Retrieval is caused, at least in part, of a unique hardware identifier associated with the mobile device. It is determined that the mobile device is eligible for a service based on the unique hardware identifier. Presentation is caused, at least in part, of a visual indicator of the eligibility for the service based on the determination.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

detecting a connection with a mobile device at an equipment interface;

in response to detection of the connection, causing, at least in part, retrieval of a unique hardware identifier associated with the mobile device;

causing, at least in part, transmission of a request for a service status of the mobile device to a service platform, the request specifying the unique hardware identifier to the service platform;

receiving a service status of the mobile device from the service platform, the service status being based on the unique hardware identifier;

determining that the mobile device is eligible for a service based on the service status; and

initiating presentation of a visual indicator of the eligibility for the service based on the determination.

2. A method of claim 1, wherein the unique hardware identifier comprises either an international mobile equipment identity, an identifier associated with an electronic component of the mobile device, or a combination thereof.

3. A method of claim 1, further comprising:

activating the visual indicator to invoke an application for registration of the mobile device with the service.

4. A method of claim 1, wherein the eligibility is determined based on the service status.

5. A method of claim 1, wherein the service is a prepaid service that the mobile device includes a license to access.

6. A method of claim 1, wherein the presentation of the visual indicator is via a graphical user interface that includes a section for entering an identifier associated with the unique hardware identifier to authorize registration to the service.

7. A method of claim 1, wherein the presentation of the visual indicator is via a graphical user interface that includes a section for creating an account associated with the mobile device and a user information request field, the method further comprising:

determining whether user information is available in the mobile device;

retrieving the available user information from the mobile device; and

filling the request field based on the retrieved user information.

8. An apparatus comprising:

at least one processor; and

at least one memory including computer program code,

the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following,

detect a connection with a mobile device at an equipment interface;

in response to detection of the connection, cause, at least in part, retrieval of a unique hardware identifier associated with the mobile device;

cause, at least in part, transmission of a request for a service status of the mobile device to a service platform remote from where the at least one processor and the at least one memory are located, the request specifying the unique hardware identifier to the service platform;

receive a service status of the mobile device from the service platform, the service status being based on the unique hardware identifier;

determine that the mobile device is eligible for a service based on the service status; and

initiate presentation of a visual indicator of the eligibility for the service based on the determination.

9. An apparatus of claim 8, wherein the unique hardware identifier comprises either an international mobile equipment identity, an identifier associated with an electronic component of the mobile device, or a combination thereof.

10. An apparatus of claim 8, wherein the apparatus is further caused, at least in part, to:

activate the visual indicator to invoke an application for registration of the mobile device with the service.

11. An apparatus of claim 8, wherein the eligibility is determined based on the service status.

12. An apparatus of claim 8, wherein the service is a prepaid service that the mobile device includes a license to access.

13. An apparatus of claim 8, wherein the presentation of the visual indicator is via a graphical user interface that includes a section for entering an identifier associated with the unique hardware identifier to authorize registration to the service.

14. An apparatus of claim 8, wherein the presentation of the visual indicator is via a graphical user interface that includes a section for creating an account associated with the mobile device and a user information request field, and wherein the apparatus is further caused, at least in part, to:

determine whether user information is available in the mobile device;

retrieve the available user information from the mobile device; and

fill the request field based on the retrieved user information.

15. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium carrying one or more sequences of one or more instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, cause an apparatus to at least perform the following steps:

detecting a connection with a mobile device at an equipment interface;

in response to detection of the connection, causing, at least in part, retrieval of a unique hardware identifier associated with the mobile device;

causing, at least in part, transmission of a request for a service status of the mobile device to a service platform remote from where the apparatus is located, the request specifying the unique hardware identifier to the service platform;

receiving a service status of the mobile device from the service platform, the service status being based on the unique hardware identifier;

determining that the mobile device is eligible for a service based on the service status; and

initiating presentation of a visual indicator of the eligibility for the service based on the determination.

16. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the unique hardware identifier comprises either an international mobile equipment identity, an identifier associated with an electronic component of the mobile device, or a combination thereof.

17. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the apparatus is caused, at least in part, to further perform:

activating the visual indicator to invoke an application for registration of the mobile device with the service.

18. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the eligibility is determined based on the service status.

19. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the service is a prepaid service that the mobile device includes a license to access.

20. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the presentation of the visual indicator is via a graphical user interface that includes a section for entering an identifier associated with the unique hardware identifier to authorize registration to the service.