Automatic subscription system for applications and services provided to wireless devices
First Claim
1. A method for creating a given subscription for applications or services provided to wireless devices from computer devices on a wireless network, comprising:
- transmitting, by a service computer device, a catalog to a wireless device, wherein the catalog identifies at least one of a product or a service available from the service computer device, wherein each of the at least one of the product or service corresponds to an agreed-to price plan determined between a respective provider of the at least one of the product or service and a respective cellular wireless network carrier;
receiving a request for a selected product or service from the wireless device, wherein the request comprises user information corresponding to the wireless device and identification of the selected product or service from the catalog;
determining if the user information corresponds to an existing subscription account allowing access to the selected product or service;
determining if the wireless device corresponds to an authorized subscriber account of the respective cellular wireless network carrier, if the user information does not correspond to the existing subscription account;
establishing a new subscription account corresponding to the wireless device for a subscription to the selected product or service based on the user information if the user information does not correspond to the existing subscription account irrespective of whether the wireless device is determined to correspond to the authorized subscriber account of the respective cellular wireless network carrier when the request for the selected product or service is received from the wireless device, wherein the subscription requires a payment based on the respective agreed-to price plan corresponding to the selected product or service;
transmitting a subscription event to the respective cellular wireless network carrier based on the subscription if the wireless device is determined to correspond to the authorized subscriber account of the respective cellular wireless network carrier, wherein the subscription event comprises at least a portion of the user information and further indicates the subscription established for the wireless device; and
transmitting the selected product or service to the wireless device.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system, method, and computer program that automatically creates a subscription for applications and services provided to wireless devices from other computer devices on a wireless network, where the subscription requires periodic payment by the wireless device subscriber for continued access to the application or service. The system monitors wireless device end-user interaction with other computer devices, such as application download servers, across the wireless network and when the end-user obtains an application or service from the computer device, the system automatically records the subscription and can either bill the wireless device subscriber for the subscription(s) or transmit the bill to the carrier or other entity to bill the subscriber.
184 Citations
77 Claims
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1. A method for creating a given subscription for applications or services provided to wireless devices from computer devices on a wireless network, comprising:
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transmitting, by a service computer device, a catalog to a wireless device, wherein the catalog identifies at least one of a product or a service available from the service computer device, wherein each of the at least one of the product or service corresponds to an agreed-to price plan determined between a respective provider of the at least one of the product or service and a respective cellular wireless network carrier; receiving a request for a selected product or service from the wireless device, wherein the request comprises user information corresponding to the wireless device and identification of the selected product or service from the catalog; determining if the user information corresponds to an existing subscription account allowing access to the selected product or service; determining if the wireless device corresponds to an authorized subscriber account of the respective cellular wireless network carrier, if the user information does not correspond to the existing subscription account; establishing a new subscription account corresponding to the wireless device for a subscription to the selected product or service based on the user information if the user information does not correspond to the existing subscription account irrespective of whether the wireless device is determined to correspond to the authorized subscriber account of the respective cellular wireless network carrier when the request for the selected product or service is received from the wireless device, wherein the subscription requires a payment based on the respective agreed-to price plan corresponding to the selected product or service; transmitting a subscription event to the respective cellular wireless network carrier based on the subscription if the wireless device is determined to correspond to the authorized subscriber account of the respective cellular wireless network carrier, wherein the subscription event comprises at least a portion of the user information and further indicates the subscription established for the wireless device; and transmitting the selected product or service to the wireless device. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 35, 37, 38, 39, 40, 57, 58, 69)
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2. A non-transitory computer-readable medium containing instructions stored thereon that when executed by a service computer device on a wireless network directs the service computer device to perform the actions of:
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transmitting a catalog to a wireless device, wherein the catalog identifies at least one of a product or a service available from the service computer device, wherein each of the at least one of the product or service corresponds to an agreed-to price plan determined between a respective provider of the at least one of the product or service and a respective cellular wireless network carrier; receiving a request for a selected product or service from the wireless device, wherein the request comprises user information corresponding to the wireless device and identification of the selected product or service from the catalog; determining if the user information corresponds to an existing subscription account allowing access to the selected product or service; determining if the wireless device corresponds to an authorized subscriber account of the respective cellular wireless network carrier, if the user information does not correspond to the existing subscription account; establishing a new subscription account corresponding to the wireless device for a subscription to the selected product or service based on the user information if the user information does not correspond to the existing subscription account irrespective of whether the wireless device is determined to correspond to the authorized subscriber account of the respective cellular wireless network carrier when the request for the selected product or service is received from the wireless device, wherein the subscription requires a payment based on the respective agreed-to price plan corresponding to the selected product or service; transmitting a subscription event to the respective cellular wireless network carrier based on the subscription if the wireless device is determined to correspond to the authorized subscriber account of the respective cellular wireless network carrier, wherein the subscription event comprises at least a portion of the user information and further indicates the subscription established for the wireless device; and transmitting the selected product or service to the wireless device. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 36, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 59, 60)
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3. A service computer device for creating a given subscription for applications or services provided to wireless devices from computer devices on a wireless network, comprising:
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means for transmitting a catalog to a wireless device, wherein the catalog identifies at least one of a product or a service available from the service computer device, wherein each of the at least one of the product or service corresponds to an agreed-to price plan determined between a respective provider of the at least one of the product or service and a respective cellular wireless network carrier; means for receiving a request for a selected product or service from the wireless device, wherein the request comprises user information corresponding to the wireless device and identification of the selected product or service from the catalog; means for determining if the user information corresponds to an existing subscription account allowing access to the selected product or service; means for determining if the wireless device corresponds to an authorized subscriber account of the respective cellular wireless network carrier, if the user information does not correspond to the existing subscription account; means for establishing a new subscription account corresponding to the wireless device for a subscription to the selected product or service based on the user information if the user information does not correspond to the existing subscription account irrespective of whether the wireless device is determined to correspond to the authorized subscriber account of the respective cellular wireless network carrier when the request for the selected product or service is received from the wireless device, wherein the subscription requires a payment based on the respective agreed-to price plan corresponding to the selected product or service; wherein the means for transmitting is further configured for transmitting a subscription event to the respective cellular wireless network carrier based on the subscription if the wireless device is determined to correspond to the authorized subscriber account of the respective cellular wireless network carrier, wherein the subscription event comprises at least a portion of the user information and further indicates the subscription established for the wireless device; and wherein the means for transmitting is further configured for transmitting the selected product or service to the wireless device. - View Dependent Claims (33, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 61, 62)
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4. A service computer device for creating a given subscription for applications or services provided to wireless devices on a wireless network, comprising:
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a catalog library comprising a catalog available for transmission to a wireless device, wherein the catalog identifies at least one of a product or a service available from the service computer device, wherein each of the at least one of the product or service corresponds to an agreed-to price plan determined between a respective provider of the at least one of the product or service and a respective cellular wireless network carrier; a controller operable to receive a request for a selected product or service from the wireless device, wherein the request comprises user information corresponding to the wireless device and identification of the selected product or service from the catalog; wherein the controller is further operable to determine if the user information corresponds to an existing subscription account allowing access to the selected product or service; wherein the controller is further operable to determine if the wireless device corresponds to an authorized subscriber account of the respective cellular wireless network carrier if the user information does not correspond to the existing subscription account; wherein the controller is further operable to establish a new subscription account corresponding to the wireless device for a subscription to the selected product or service based on the user information if the user information does not correspond to the existing subscription account irrespective of whether the wireless device is determined to correspond to the authorized subscriber account of the respective cellular wireless network carrier when the request for the selected product or service is received from the wireless device, wherein the subscription requires a payment based on the respective agreed-to price plan corresponding to the selected product or service; wherein the controller is further operable to transmit a subscription event to the respective cellular wireless network carrier based on the subscription if the wireless device is determined to correspond to the authorized subscriber account of the respective cellular wireless network carrier, wherein the subscription event comprises at least a portion of the user information and further indicates the subscription established for the wireless device; and wherein the controller is further operable to transmit the selected product or service to the wireless device. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 34, 51, 52, 53, 54, 63, 64)
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5. A wireless device, comprising:
a computer platform operable to; receive a catalog identifying at least one of a product or a service available from a service computer device, wherein each of the at least one of the product or service corresponds to an agreed-to price plan determined between a respective provider of the at least one of the product or service and a respective cellular wireless network carrier; transmit a request for a selected product or service, wherein the request comprises user information corresponding to the wireless device and identification of the selected product or service from the catalog; and receive the selected product or service if the service computer device establishes a new subscription account corresponding to the wireless device for a subscription to the selected product or service based on the user information if the user information does not correspond to an existing subscription account and if, upon determining that the user information does not correspond to the existing subscription account irrespective of whether the wireless device corresponds to an authorized subscriber account of the respective cellular wireless network carrier when the request for the selected product or service is transmitted from the wireless device, wherein the subscription requires a payment based on the respective agreed-to price plan corresponding to the selected product or service. - View Dependent Claims (31, 55, 65, 66)
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6. A method of obtaining a given subscription for a wireless device, comprising:
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receiving, at the wireless device, a catalog identifying at least one of a product or a service available from a service computer device, wherein each of the at least one of the product or service corresponds to an agreed-to price plan determined between a respective provider of the at least one of the product or service and a respective cellular wireless network carrier; transmitting a request for a selected product or service, wherein the request comprises user information corresponding to the wireless device and identification of the selected product or service from the catalog; and receiving the selected product or service if the service computer device establishes a new subscription account corresponding to the wireless device for a subscription to the selected product or service based on the user information if the user information does not correspond to an existing subscription account and if, upon determining that the user information does not correspond to the existing subscription account irrespective of whether the wireless device corresponds to an authorized subscriber account of the respective cellular wireless network carrier when the request for the selected product or service is transmitted from the wireless device, wherein the subscription requires a payment based on the respective agreed-to price plan corresponding to the selected product or service. - View Dependent Claims (32, 56, 67, 68)
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7. A wireless device, comprising:
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means for receiving a catalog identifying at least one of a product or a service available from a service computer device, wherein each of the at least one of the product or service corresponds to an agreed-to price plan determined between a respective provider of the at least one of the product or service and a respective cellular wireless network carrier; means for transmitting a request for a selected product or service, wherein the request comprises user information corresponding to the wireless device and identification of the selected product or service from the catalog; and means for receiving the selected product or service if the service computer device establishes a new subscription account corresponding to the wireless device for a subscription to the selected product or service based on the user information if the user information does not correspond to an existing subscription account and if, upon determining that the user information does not correspond to the existing subscription account irrespective of whether the wireless device corresponds to an authorized subscriber account of the respective cellular wireless network carrier when the request for the selected product or service is transmitted from the wireless device, wherein the subscription requires a payment based on the respective agreed-to price plan corresponding to the selected product or service.
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8. A non-transitory computer-readable medium containing instructions stored thereon that when executed by a wireless device directs the wireless device to perform the actions of:
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receiving a catalog identifying at least one of a product or a service available from a service computer device, wherein each of the at least one of the product or service corresponds to an agreed-to price plan determined between a respective provider of the at least one of the product or service and a respective cellular wireless network carrier; transmitting a request for a selected product or service, wherein the request comprises user information corresponding to the wireless device and identification of the selected product or service from the catalog; and receiving the selected product or service if the service computer device establishes a new subscription account corresponding to the wireless device for a subscription to the selected product or service based on the user information if the user information does not correspond to an existing subscription account and if, upon determining that the user information does not correspond to the existing subscription account irrespective of whether the wireless device corresponds to an authorized subscriber account of the respective cellular wireless network carrier when the request for the selected product or service is transmitted from the wireless device, wherein the subscription requires a payment based on the respective agreed-to price plan corresponding to the selected product or service.
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9. A method of operating a service computer device that is configured to provide products and/or services to computer devices over a communications network, comprising:
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transmitting a catalog to a given computer device over the communications network, wherein the catalog identifies at least one of a product or a service available from the service computer device, wherein each of the at least one of the product or service corresponds to an agreed-to price plan determined between a respective provider of the at least one of the product or service and a respective service provider; receiving a request for a selected product or service from the given computer device, wherein the request comprises user information corresponding to the given computer device and identification of the selected product or service from the catalog; determining whether the user information indicates that the given computer device or a user of the given computer device has a current subscription for access to the selected product or service; coordinating, with the respective service provider associated with the selected product or service, to arrange for subscription registration and billing of the selected product or service by the respective service provider in response to the request if the given computer device or the user of the given computer device is determined not to have the current subscription; and dispatching the selected product or service to the given computer device in response to the request (i) while bypassing the coordinating if the given computer device or the user of the given computer device is determined to have the current subscription, or (ii) in conjunction with the coordinating if the given computer device or the user of the given computer device is determined to not have the current subscription. - View Dependent Claims (70, 71)
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10. A method of operating a server device that is configured to provide products and/or services to client devices, comprising:
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transmitting a catalog, wherein the catalog identifies at least one of a product or a service available from the server device, wherein each of the at least one of the product or service corresponds to an agreed-to price plan between a respective provider of the at least one of the product or service and a respective service provider; receiving a request for a selected product or service, wherein the request comprises user information corresponding to a given client device and identification of the selected product or service from the catalog; determining whether the user information indicates that the given client device or a user of the given client device has a current subscription for access to the selected product or service; arranging for subscription registration and billing of the selected product or service by the respective service provider in response to the request if the given client device or the user of the given client device is determined not to have the current subscription; and dispatching the selected product or service to the given client device in response to the request (i) while bypassing the coordinating if the given client device or the user of the given client device is determined to have the current subscription, or (ii) in conjunction with the coordinating if the given client device or the user of the given client device is determined to not have the current subscription.
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72. A service computer device that is configured to provide products and/or services to computer devices over a communications network, comprising:
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means for transmitting a catalog to a given computer device over the communications network, wherein the catalog identifies at least one of a product or a service available from the service computer device, wherein each of the at least one of the product or service corresponds to an agreed-to price plan determined between a respective provider of the at least one of the product or service and a respective service provider; means for receiving a request for a selected product or service from the given computer device, wherein the request comprises user information corresponding to the given computer device and identification of the selected product or service from the catalog; means for determining whether the user information indicates that the given computer device or a user of the given computer device has a current subscription for access to the selected product or service; means for coordinating, with the respective service provider associated with the selected product or service, to arrange for subscription registration and billing of the selected product or service by the respective service provider in response to the request if the given computer device or the user of the given computer device is determined not to have the current subscription; and means for dispatching the selected product or service to the given computer device in response to the request (i) while bypassing the coordinating if the given computer device or the user of the given computer device is determined to have the current subscription, or (ii) in conjunction with the coordinating if the given computer device or the user of the given computer device is determined to not have the current subscription.
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73. A server device that is configured to provide products and/or services to client devices, comprising:
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means for transmitting a catalog, wherein the catalog identifies at least one of a product or a service available from the server device, wherein each of the at least one of the product or service corresponds to an agreed-to price plan between a respective provider of the at least one of the product or service and a respective service provider; means for receiving a request for a selected product or service, wherein the request comprises user information corresponding to a given client device and identification of the selected product or service from the catalog; means for determining whether the user information indicates that the given client device or a user of the given client device has a current subscription for access to the selected product or service; means for arranging for subscription registration and billing of the selected product or service by the respective service provider in response to the request if the given client device or the user of the given client device is determined not to have the current subscription; and means for dispatching the selected product or service to the given client device in response to the request (i) while bypassing the coordinating if the given client device or the user of the given client device is determined to have the current subscription, or (ii) in conjunction with the coordinating if the given client device or the user of the given client device is determined to not have the current subscription.
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74. A service computer device that is configured to provide products and/or services to computer devices over a communications network, comprising:
a controller operable to; transmit a catalog to a given computer device over the communications network, wherein the catalog identifies at least one of a product or a service available from the service computer device, wherein each of the at least one of the product or service corresponds to an agreed-to price plan determined between a respective provider of the at least one of the product or service and a respective service provider; receive a request for a selected product or service from the given computer device, wherein the request comprises user information corresponding to the given computer device and identification of the selected product or service from the catalog; determine whether the user information indicates that the given computer device or a user of the given computer device has a current subscription for access to the selected product or service; coordinate, with the respective service provider associated with the selected product or service, to arrange for subscription registration and billing of the selected product or service by the respective service provider in response to the request if the given computer device or the user of the given computer device is determined not to have the current subscription; and dispatch the selected product or service to the given computer device in response to the request (i) while bypassing the coordinating if the given computer device or the user of the given computer device is determined to have the current subscription, or (ii) in conjunction with the coordinating if the given computer device or the user of the given computer device is determined to not have the current subscription.
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75. A server device that is configured to provide products and/or services to client devices, comprising:
a controller operable to; transmit a catalog, wherein the catalog identifies at least one of a product or a service available from the server device, wherein each of the at least one of the product or service corresponds to an agreed-to price plan between a respective provider of the at least one of the product or service and a respective service provider; receive a request for a selected product or service, wherein the request comprises user information corresponding to a given client device and identification of the selected product or service from the catalog; determine whether the user information indicates that the given client device or a user of the given client device has a current subscription for access to the selected product or service; arrange for subscription registration and billing of the selected product or service by the respective service provider in response to the request if the given client device or the user of the given client device is determined not to have the current subscription; and dispatch the selected product or service to the given client device in response to the request (i) while bypassing the coordinating if the given client device or the user of the given client device is determined to have the current subscription, or (ii) in conjunction with the coordinating if the given client device or the user of the given client device is determined to not have the current subscription.
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76. A non-transitory computer-readable medium containing instructions stored thereon that when executed by a service computer device that is configured to provide products and/or services to computer devices over a communications network, directs the service computer device to perform the actions of:
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transmitting a catalog to a given computer device over the communications network, wherein the catalog identifies at least one of a product or a service available from the service computer device, wherein each of the at least one of the product or service corresponds to an agreed-to price plan determined between a respective provider of the at least one of the product or service and a respective service provider; receiving a request for a selected product or service from the given computer device, wherein the request comprises user information corresponding to the given computer device and identification of the selected product or service from the catalog; determining whether the user information indicates that the given computer device or a user of the given computer device has a current subscription for access to the selected product or service; coordinating, with the respective service provider associated with the selected product or service, to arrange for subscription registration and billing of the selected product or service by the respective service provider in response to the request if the given computer device or the user of the given computer device is determined not to have the current subscription; and dispatching the selected product or service to the given computer device in response to the request (i) while bypassing the coordinating if the given computer device or the user of the given computer device is determined to have the current subscription, or (ii) in conjunction with the coordinating if the given computer device or the user of the given computer device is determined to not have the current subscription.
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77. A non-transitory computer-readable medium containing instructions stored thereon that when executed by a server device that is configured to provide products and/or services to client devices, directs the server device to perform the actions of:
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transmitting a catalog, wherein the catalog identifies at least one of a product or a service available from the server device, wherein each of the at least one of the product or service corresponds to an agreed-to price plan between a respective provider of the at least one of the product or service and a respective service provider; receiving a request for a selected product or service, wherein the request comprises user information corresponding to a given client device and identification of the selected product or service from the catalog; determining whether the user information indicates that the given client device or a user of the given client device has a current subscription for access to the selected product or service; arranging for subscription registration and billing of the selected product or service by the respective service provider in response to the request if the given client device or the user of the given client device is determined not to have the current subscription; and dispatching the selected product or service to the given client device in response to the request (i) while bypassing the coordinating if the given client device or the user of the given client device is determined to have the current subscription, or (ii) in conjunction with the coordinating if the given client device or the user of the given client device is determined to not have the current subscription.
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Specification