METHODS AND DEVICES FOR TRANSMITTING AND RECEIVING DATA USED TO ACTIVATE A DEVICE TO OPERATE WITH A SERVER

• US 20110210171A1
• Filed: 02/26/2010
• Published: 09/01/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 02/26/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Blackberry Limited
• Original Assignee: Blackberry Limited
• Inventors: Kalu, Kalu Onuka, Dehart, Brandon James, Brown, Michael Stephen
• Granted Patent: US 9,105,023 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/382
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3276 using a pictured code, e.g. barcode or QR-code, being read by the M-device
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0492 by using a location-limited connection, e.g. near-field communication or limited proximity of entities
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/083 using passwords cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using a predetermined code H04L9/3226
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/18 using different networks or channels, e.g. using out of band channels cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for key distribution involving distinctive intermediate devices or communication paths H04L9/0827; cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for authentication using a plurality of channels H04L9/3215

Abstract

Embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein generally facilitate transmission and reception of activation data for use in activating a mobile device to operate with a server. In accordance with one example embodiment, an activation barcode is received from a server by reading an image comprising the activation barcode via a computing device, wherein the image is displayed on a display associated with the computing device, and wherein the activation barcode encodes activation data comprising an activation password. The activation barcode is decoded at the mobile device to obtain the activation password, and an authentication is performed using the activation password after a device activation request is transmitted to the server, wherein the mobile device is activated to operate with the server if the authentication is successful.

Claims

1. A method of activating a mobile device to operate with a server, the method performed by a processor of the mobile device, the method comprising:

receiving a barcode from the server by reading an image comprising the barcode via a computing device, wherein the image is displayed on a display associated with the computing device, and wherein the barcode encodes activation data comprising an activation password;

decoding the barcode to obtain the activation data;

transmitting a device activation request to the server; and

exchanging data with the server to perform an authentication using the activation password, in accordance with an authentication protocol;

wherein the mobile device is activated to operate with the server if the authentication is successful.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said receiving comprises capturing the image using a camera associated with the mobile device.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said decoding comprises processing the image to identify the barcode.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the barcode further encodes activation initiation data, and wherein the method further comprises:

determining that the barcode encodes activation initiation data; and

automatically initiating said transmitting upon determining that the barcode encodes the activation initiation data.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the barcode further encodes activation initiation data, and wherein the method further comprises:

determining that the barcode encodes activation initiation data;

prompting for user confirmation that the device activation request is to be transmitted;

receiving the user confirmation; and

initiating said transmitting in response to receiving the user confirmation.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the activation data further comprises a user address.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the user address comprises an e-mail address.

8. A mobile device comprising a processor, a memory, and a communication interface, wherein the processor is configured to:

receive a barcode from a server by reading an image comprising the barcode via a computing device, wherein the image is displayed on a display associated with the computing device, and wherein the barcode encodes activation data comprising an activation password;

decode the barcode to obtain the activation data;

transmit a device activation request to the server; and

exchange data with the server to perform an authentication using the activation password, in accordance with an authentication protocol;

wherein the mobile device is activated to operate with the server if the authentication is successful.

9. A computer-readable storage medium upon which a plurality of computer-readable instructions for execution by a processor of a mobile device is stored, wherein execution of the instructions causes the processor to:

receive a barcode from a server by reading an image comprising the barcode via a computing device, wherein the image is displayed on a display associated with the computing device, and wherein the barcode encodes activation data comprising an activation password;

decode the barcode to obtain the activation data;

transmit a device activation request to the server; and

exchange data with the server to perform an authentication using the activation password, in accordance with an authentication protocol;

wherein the mobile device is activated to operate with the server if the authentication is successful.

10. A method of activating a mobile device to operate with a server, the method performed by a processor of the server, the method comprising:

generating an image comprising a barcode, wherein the barcode encodes activation data comprising an activation password;

transmitting the image to a computing device for display on a display associated with the computing device;

receiving a device activation request from the mobile device;

exchanging data with the mobile device to perform an authentication using the activation password, in accordance with an authentication protocol; and

activating the mobile device to operate with the server if the authentication is successful.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising, prior to said generating, receiving an activation password request from the mobile device.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the barcode further encodes activation initiation data that identifies, to the mobile device, that the barcode encodes the activation data.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the activation data further comprises a user address.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the user address comprises an e-mail address.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein said transmitting comprises transmitting the image to the computing device via an e-mail transmission.

16. The method of claim 10, wherein said transmitting comprises transmitting the image to the computing device via a web page accessible at the computing device.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the web page is accessible at the computing device upon a successful network authentication at the computing device.

18. The method of claim 10, wherein the computing device comprises a personal computer.

19. A server comprising a processor, a memory, and a communication interface, wherein the server is configured to activate a mobile device to operate with the server, wherein the processor is configured to:

generate an image comprising a barcode, wherein the barcode encodes activation data comprising an activation password;

transmit the image to a computing device for display on a display associated with the computing device;

receive a device activation request from the mobile device;

exchange data with the mobile device to perform an authentication using the activation password, in accordance with an authentication protocol; and

activate the mobile device to operate with the server if the authentication is successful.

20. A computer-readable storage medium upon which a plurality of computer-readable instructions for execution by a processor of a server is stored, wherein execution of the instructions causes the processor to:

generate an image comprising a barcode, wherein the barcode encodes activation data comprising an activation password;

transmit the image to a computing device for display on a display associated with the computing device;

receive a device activation request from the mobile device;

exchange data with the mobile device to perform an authentication using the activation password, in accordance with an authentication protocol; and

activate the mobile device to operate with the server if the authentication is successful.