KR101511415B1 - Improved registration with a mobile telecommunications service provider - Google Patents

Abstract

A method performed by a mobile device to register with a cellular data connection service provided by a mobile communication service provider is provided. In one embodiment, the mobile device sends a probe to the main access point name (APN) over the wireless cellular network, and the probe is configured to determine if the mobile device has a valid cellular data connection subscription. From the response to the probe, the mobile device determines that it does not have a valid cellular data connection subscription with the mobile communication service provider. In response to the determination, the mobile device connects to the cellular data access service registration site to allow a user of the mobile device to register with the data connection service provided by the mobile communication service provider. The mobile device is limited to accessing the data access service registration site until the user is successfully registered with the data access service.

Description

[0001] IMPROVED REGISTRATION WITH A MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICE PROVIDER [0002]

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 431,824, filed January 11, 2011, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Applications 61 / 298,525 filed January 26, 2010 and 2010 U.S. Patent Application No. 12 / 892,472, filed September 28, 2010, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61 / 295,651, filed January 15, 2010, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety It is included here.

Embodiments of the present invention relate to the field of mobile communications, and more specifically to improving registration with mobile communication service providers.

Mobile devices (e.g., laptops, palmtops, mobile telephones, smart phones, multimedia phones, tablets, portable media players, etc.) in the form of data processing systems typically include data services For example, via a cellular network, WiMAX, etc.). Mobile device users are required to register (e.g., purchase, change, activate, etc.) with the mobile communication service provider for the cellular data access service before using the service provided by the service provider. For example, before a user can access the Internet using their mobile device's cellular data connection, the user must register with the mobile communication service provider.

It is common for users to register for services when purchasing mobile devices. Users can also register or change cellular data access services over the telephone or over the Internet. However, the current mechanisms for registering with the cellular data access service for mobile devices over the Internet may be based on different Internet connections (e. G., Via a computing device other than a mobile device, via a Wi-Fi / And so on).

A method and apparatus for mobile devices registering with mobile communication service providers is described.

In one embodiment, the mobile device registers for a data access subscription directly to the main APN without using a secondary APN (access point name) or network designed to establish a data access subscription. The ability to subscribe directly to the cellular data access service with the main APN can simplify the service provider's system, since no secondary APN or network is required in this embodiment. In one embodiment, the mobile device sends a probe to the main APN over the cellular network, and the probe is configured to determine if the mobile device has a valid cellular data connection subscription. In one embodiment, the probe may be transmitted in response to a data activation request that may be caused by an attempt by a user to access the Internet, send or receive e-mail, or otherwise use a cellular data connection. If the mobile device determines from the response to the probe that it does not have a valid cellular data connection subscription with the service provider (e.g., that it has not previously subscribed to any data service plan, The mobile device is notified of a cellular data access service via the main APN to allow the user of the mobile device to register with the cellular data access service provided by the service provider, Access the registration site. In one embodiment, a connection to the cellular data access service registration site via the main APN may occur automatically in response to determining that there is no valid cellular data connection subscription from the probe's response without user request or interaction. Until the user successfully registers with the cellular data access service, the mobile device may be restricted from accessing the cellular data access service registration site. The cellular data access service registration site may be configured to allow a user to (a) purchase a cellular data connection plan, (b) add minutes to a cellular data connection plan, or (c) And may be allowed to perform one or more of the additions. After successfully registering with the cellular data access service via the main APN, the mobile device may connect to the Internet via the main APN that identifies the public network in one embodiment.

In one embodiment, the probe may be addressed to a particular server or service on the Internet, and the response to the probe may be server redirection, interpreted by the mobile device as indicating that it does not have a valid cellular data connection subscription. In one embodiment, the mobile device may send a data activation request to the cellular network before sending the probe, and in response to the data activation request, the mobile device receives an indication of approval of the data activation request by the cellular network .

The invention may best be understood by reference to the following description and the accompanying drawings that are used to illustrate embodiments of the invention.
1 illustrates an exemplary mobile communication network according to one embodiment.
2 is a data flow diagram illustrating exemplary operations for a mobile device registering for services provided by a mobile communication service provider in accordance with one embodiment.
3 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary mobile device adapted to register for services provided by a mobile communication service provider in accordance with one embodiment.
4 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary service registration application initiated by the exemplary mobile device of FIG. 3 in accordance with one embodiment.
5 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary API architecture that may be utilized in some embodiments.
6 is a flow diagram illustrating exemplary operations for connecting a mobile device to a mobile communication network via a location based access point name in accordance with one embodiment.
Figure 7 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary computer system that may be utilized in some embodiments of the invention.
Figure 8 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary data processing system that may be utilized in some embodiments of the invention.
9 illustrates an exemplary mobile communication network according to another embodiment.
10 is a data flow diagram illustrating exemplary operations for a mobile device registering for services provided by a mobile communication service provider in accordance with another embodiment.
11 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary mobile device adapted to register for services provided by a mobile communication service provider in accordance with another embodiment.

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it should be understood that the embodiments of the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known circuits, structures, and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure the understanding of this disclosure. Those of ordinary skill in the art will be able to implement the appropriate functions without undue experimentation with the descriptions contained herein.

It is to be understood that the phrase "an embodiment "," an embodiment, "" an exemplary embodiment ", etc. in the specification may indicate that the described embodiments may include a particular feature, structure or characteristic, Or < / RTI > characteristics. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is within the skill of one skilled in the art to practice such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments, whether expressly described or not It is thought to be within the knowledge of those who have been born.

 In the following description and in the claims, the terms "connected" and "connected" may be used in conjunction with their derivatives. It should be understood that these terms are not intended to be synonymous with one another. "Connected " is used to indicate that two or more elements that may or may not be in direct physical or electrical contact with one another cooperate or interact with each other. "Connected" is used to indicate the establishment of communication between two or more elements connected to each other.

A method and apparatus for mobile devices registering with a mobile communication service provider are described. In one embodiment, the mobile device initially attempts to establish a cellular data connection (hereinafter "data connection") with the network identified by an access point name ("APN"). The initially identified APN is sometimes referred to herein as the "main APN ". The network identified by the main APN may be a public network (e.g., the Internet) or a private network (e.g., a corporate intranet, a wireless application protocol (WAP) service, a multimedia messaging service (MMS) The main APN is also associated with a set of implementation parameters (e.g., firewall rules, access control rules, cost, etc.). The cellular network performs authorization procedures to determine if the mobile device is authorized to access the network identified by the main APN. If the mobile device is authorized to use the network identified by the main APN, a data connection will be established and the services provided by that network may be used. In some embodiments, the main APN may also require a username and password before authorizing access.

However, if the mobile device is not authorized, the cellular network is not authorized to access the network identified by the main APN (e.g., the mobile device is currently subscribed to the services provided by the main APN , The mobile device does not currently have credits to access services provided by the main APN, and so on). In response to receiving such an error message, the mobile device, in one embodiment associated with FIGS. 1-3, establishes a data connection with another network identified by another APN so that the mobile device allows the user Allowing access to registration sites that allow registration of services provided by the identified network. These other APNs are sometimes referred to herein as "registered APNs. &Quot; In some embodiments, the network identified by the registration APN is limited to the registration site. The mobile device may access the registration site (e.g., via a mobile communication service registration application (e.g., via a web browser or other Internet-enabled interface) to allow the user to access services provided by the network identified by the main APN (E.g., selecting and / or purchasing a data rate plan, adding / purchasing a credit for a prepaid data rate plan, etc.).

Sometimes after the user registers with the data access service, the mobile device disassociates the data connection to the registered APN and establishes a data connection with the network identified by the main APN (the mobile device would now be authorized to use the services). The mobile device may then utilize the services provided by the network identified by the main APN.

Figures 9-11 illustrate alternative embodiments where no separate registration APN is used and instead the registration process uses the system in the main APN, which alternative embodiments are described below in conjunction with Figures 9, 10, and 11 .

1 illustrates an exemplary mobile communication network 100 in accordance with one embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the mobile communication network 100 includes a mobile device 110 coupled to a cellular network 120, which may include a wireless network. The cellular network 120 may include a Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) network, a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) network, an Integrated Digital Enhanced Network (iDEN), a Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) ) Network, General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), and the like. The cellular network 120 includes a plurality of network elements. For example, the cellular network 120 includes base stations, base station controllers, core nodes (e.g., one or more GPRS support nodes in GPRS), and the like. One or more mobile communication service providers may own, operate, or lease certain portions of the cellular network 120.

The registered APN network 130 and the main APN network 140 are connected to the cellular network 120. The main APN network 140 identified via the main APN may be a public network (e.g., the Internet) or a private network (e.g., a corporate intranet, a wireless application protocol (WAP) service, a multimedia messaging service . In one embodiment, access to the main APN network 140 is specific to a particular mobile communication service provider. That is, although the main APN network 140 may be a public network (e.g., the Internet), access to the network 140 may be restricted and controlled by a particular mobile communication service provider. The registered APN network 130 identified through the registration APN includes a set of constrained services including the data access service registration site 150. [ The data access service registration site 150 may be used by users to register for services provided by the main APN network 140 or other network (e.g., selecting and / or purchasing a data rate plan, Adding / purchasing credit for the plan, etc.). In one embodiment, a set of constrained services is provided by a mobile communication service provider that controls access to the main APN network 140, while in other embodiments a set of constrained services is provided by a plurality of mobile communication service providers / RTI >

2 is a data flow diagram illustrating exemplary operations for a mobile device registering for data connection services provided by a mobile communication service provider in accordance with one embodiment. Fig. 2 will be described with reference to the exemplary embodiments of Figs. 1 and 3. Fig.

3 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary mobile device adapted to register for data connection services provided by a mobile communication service provider in accordance with one embodiment. 3, the mobile device 110 includes a data connection control module 310, one or more carrier bundles 320, one or more service registration applications 330, and optionally an account status notification application 340 .

At operation 250, the mobile device 110 attempts to establish a data connection via the main APN. For example, the mobile device 110 sends a data activation request to the cellular network 120 for the main APN. The data activation request may also include a set of one or more other parameters (e.g. Packet Data Protocol (PDP) type, PDP address type, QoS profile request, international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI) of the subscriber identity module . The data activation request is sent to the mobile device 110 after the mobile device has been within cellular service range, as a result of the mobile device 110 being turned on, after the data connection is requested by the user (e.g., opening a data connection application such as a browser) . Referring to FIG. 3, the data connection control module 310 controls transmission of a data connection activation request. For example, the data connection control module 310 accesses the appropriate one of the carrier bundle (s) 320 to determine the value of the main APN and other parameters. Each of the carrier bundle (s) 320 includes one or more settings that are specific to the carrier (e.g., APN settings, MMS settings, and other settings related to the cellular telephone service). In one embodiment, the main APN is the default APN included in the default carrier bundle.

In some embodiments, users may purchase a prepaid SIM card pre-installed with the amount of credit (e.g., minutes, bandwidth amount, etc.) for the data service of the mobile communication service provider. Prepaid SIM cards must be activated before they can be used. SIM cards that are not yet activated for a given APN are sometimes known as warm SIM cards. Conversely, SIM cards activated for that APN are sometimes known as hot SIM cards.

The cellular network 120 receives the data activation request and at operation 252 determines that the mobile device 110 is not currently authorized for data access via the main APN. That is, the data connection establishment through the main APN failed. In some embodiments, the cellular network 120 includes a home location register (HLR) database containing records for each mobile device authorized to use the main APN. For example, the IMSI of the mobile device 110 is checked for HLR records for the main APN. If the IMSI of the mobile device 110 is not included in the HLR record, or if the corresponding HLR record indicates that the mobile device 110 is not currently enforced (e.g., no minutes remain in the plan of the mobile device) The mobile device 110 is not authorized to use the main APN.

[0034] [0036] After occasionally determining that the mobile device 110 is not currently authorized for the main APN, at operation 254, the cellular network 120 sends a message indicating that to the mobile device 110. [ In some embodiments, this message includes an error code indicating that the mobile device 110 does not have a valid data connection subscription to the main APN. Referring to FIG. 3, the data connection control module 310 receives an unauthorized message from the cellular network 120.

At operation 256, after receiving the unauthorized message, the mobile device 110 sends a data activation request to the cellular network 120, including a registered APN that identifies the registered APN network 130. [ As with the data activation request of operation 250, the data activation request of operation 256 may also include one or more other parameters (e.g., Packet Data Protocol (PDP) type, PDP address type, QoS profile request, subscriber identity), etc.). Referring to FIG. 3, after receiving the unauthorized message, the data connection control module 310 accesses the carrier bundle (s) 320 to determine the parameters and identity of the registered APN. In one embodiment, the registered APN is located in the same carrier bundle as the main APN. For example, if mobile communication service provider A is associated with the main APN, the carrier bundle for service provider A is accessed to determine the registered APN associated with service provider A. In other embodiments, the registration APN is generic and can be applied to a plurality of mobile communication service providers.

The cellular network 120 receives the data activation request and determines at operation 258 that the mobile device 110 is authorized to use the registration APN. While in some embodiments all mobile devices are authorized to use the registration APN, in other embodiments only some mobile devices are authorized to use the registration APN (as identified by their IMSI). For example, a portion of each IMSI is typically assigned to a mobile communication service provider (e.g., within the Mobile Network Code (MNC) portion of the IMSI). When a registered APN is operated or controlled by a particular mobile communication service provider, the service provider may restrict access to the registered APN to mobile devices having IMSIs that include the MNC of that service provider.

After determining that the mobile device 110 has been authorized for the enrollment APN, the cellular network 120 sends a data activation acknowledgment message to the mobile device 110 at operation 260. Referring to FIG. 3, the data connection control module 310 receives a data activation acknowledgment message.

After receiving the data activation acknowledgment message from time to time, the mobile device 110 contacts the registered APN network 130 in operation 262. As described above, the registered APN network 130 is limited to a set of constrained services. For example, in one embodiment, the registration APN network 130 may provide the mobile device 110 with data that a user of the mobile device 110 may register with the data access service (e.g., in the main APN network 140) Access to the access service registration site 150 is restricted. In some embodiments, accessing the registered APN network 130 includes establishing a Packet Data Protocol (PDP) context for the registered APN.

In some embodiments, the mobile device 110 initiates a data access service registration application to connect to the registration APN network 130. [ For example, referring to FIG. 3, the data connection control module 310 triggers the start of one of the data connection service registration application (s) 330. The data access service registration application (s) 330 accesses the network provided by the registration APN (e.g., data access service registration site 150) and allows users to register with the data access service. The data access service registration application (s) 330 may include a web browser, and / or other applications capable of accessing the network provided by the registration APN. In some embodiments, the service registration application (s) 330 are different for different mobile communication service providers. For example, one or more of the service registration application (s) 330 may be designed and / or customized by a particular mobile communication service provider and may operate differently than others among the service registration application (s) 330 can do. For example, as described in more detail with reference to FIG. 4, some of the data access service registration application (s) 330 may be programmed to display a cancel button at certain times of the data connection registration process , The other data connection service registration application (s) 330 does not display the cancel button.

An exemplary service registration application is shown in FIG. 4, the service registration application 430 includes data access service registration options 450 and, optionally, a cancel button 460 and a completion button 470. [ The cancel button 460 and the finish button 470 will be described in more detail later herein.

The data connection service registration options 450 include one or more data connection service options that the user can select. By way of example, these options may include registering for a new data plan (e.g., purchasing a fraction, purchasing a certain amount of bandwidth, etc.) and / or credit (e.g., minutes, Etc.). Typically, data access service registration options 450 are specific to a particular mobile communication service provider and include only registration options for that service provider. However, in some embodiments the registration APN is common to a plurality of communication service providers. In such embodiments, data access service registration site 150 may provide data access service registration options 450 for a plurality of mobile communication service providers. Thus, in these embodiments, a user of the mobile device 110 may compare / collate data connection plans from a plurality of mobile communication service providers. When the user selects or registers for services from a mobile communication service provider other than that associated with the main APN, the mobile device 110 may be required to download or receive the carrier bundle for the selected mobile communication service provider.

Although not shown in FIG. 4, it should be appreciated that the service registration application 430 may display additional items. For example, the service registration application 430 may display advertisements, news updates, weather updates, stock updates, and the like. It should also be appreciated that while the user is registering for data access services, it may navigate through several screens. For example, the data access service registration site 150 may include several web pages (e.g., a registration page, a page about the details of each plan, a profile page, a confirmation page, etc.).

In some embodiments, in addition to displaying the data access service registration options 450, the approximate current location of the mobile device 110 (e.g., week, city, neighborhood, location (e.g., , An airport, a coffee shop, a school, etc.), etc.). For example, the approximate location may be determined using GPS functionality built into the mobile device 110 and / or through triangulation using a cellular tower or a Wi-Fi hotspot. The mobile device 110 may send its approximate location to the registered APN network 140 after being connected to the network 140. [

For example, if it is determined that the mobile device 110 is currently located near a resort or hotel, in addition to the data access service registration options 450, , Information on the surrounding area, current weather, etc.) can be displayed. Although resort specific information is displayed, it should be appreciated that in some embodiments the user is allowed to continue registering for the service for the main APN. Thus, the user can access pages or information specific to the location of the mobile device 110 while the user waits for the registration process to complete.

Referring back to Figure 2, at operation 264, a user of the mobile device 110 selects a service for the main APN via the data access service registration site 150, and the selected service is registered at the service registration site 150 . The mobile communication service provider then completes registration with the mobile device 110 for the selected services. For example, at operation 266, the registered APN network 130 sends a service registration update to the cellular network 120 that includes information indicating that the mobile device 110 has registered with the service via the main APN. A short time after receiving this message, a record for the mobile device 110 is created and / or updated for the main APN network 140 at operation 268. [ For example, an HLR record for the IMSI of the SIM card of the mobile device 110 is generated and stored in the HLR database. After the IMSI of the SIM is located in the HLR record, the SIM card is known as a hot SIM card, and the mobile device 110 must be able to use the main APN network 140.

At operation 270, the mobile device 110 receives a data access service registration success message from the cellular network 120 indicating that registration was successful. Referring to FIG. 3, the data connection control module 310 receives a data connection service registration success message. In one embodiment, this message is an SMS message interpreted by the data connection control module 310. Upon receiving such a message, the data connection control module 310 may cause the appropriate message to be displayed on the service registration application 330 or other window and / or the application 330 to close.

Although FIG. 2 illustrates an operation 270 that occurs after a record for a mobile device is created, in other embodiments, the cellular network 120 transmits a message after a predefined amount of time has elapsed (e.g., For example, if the registration is not successful). For example, after a short time after establishing a data connection via the registration APN, the cellular network 120 may initiate a timer based on the amount of time expected for successful registration. If the HLR record for the mobile device 110 is not created or updated before the timer expires, the cellular network 120 will send a message that the registration was not successful. Referring to FIG. 3, service registration failure messages are also received and interpreted by data access control module 310 (which may also be SMS messages). Upon receiving the service registration failure message, the data connection control module 310 may cause the appropriate message to be displayed in the service registration application 330 or another window.

Referring back to FIG. 2, after a short time after receiving the service registration success message, at operation 272, the mobile device 110 disconnects from the registered APN. In one embodiment, this involves disassembling the PDP context for the registered APN. While this may be initiated by the mobile device 110 in one embodiment, it may be initiated by the cellular network 120 in other embodiments. In either case, a data deactivation request message and a data deactivation acknowledgment message are exchanged between the mobile device 110 and the cellular network 120. Referring to FIG. 3, the data connection control module 310 controls transmission and processing of data deactivation requests and acknowledgment messages.

After disconnecting from the registered APN, the mobile device 110 contacts the main APN network identified by the main APN. For example, at operation 274, the mobile device 110 sends a data activation request to the cellular network 120. The data activation request at operation 274 is similar to the data activation request described with reference to operation 250. [ The cellular network 120 receives the data activation request and at operation 252 the mobile device 110 is authorized to use the current main APN (e.g., the SIM card of the mobile device 110 is currently in a hot state . After a short time after determining that the mobile device 110 is authorized for the main APN, the cellular network 120 sends a data activation acknowledgment message to the mobile device 110 at operation 278. After a short time after receiving the data activation acknowledgment message, at operation 280, the mobile device 110 contacts the main APN network 140. After accessing the main APN network 140, the mobile device 110 may utilize the services provided by the main APN network 140 (e.g., general Internet access, etc.). Thus, unlike the previous mechanisms, a user of the mobile device 110 may utilize an unsubscribed cellular data connection to register for cellular data access services (e.g., the Internet).

In an alternative embodiment, instead of the cellular network 120 sending a registration success or failure message as described in operation 270, the mobile device 110 may select a service as described in operation 264 And then disconnects from the registered APN as described in operation 272 and then sends a data activation request for the main APN to the cellular network 120 in a manner similar to that described in operation 250. [ Lt; / RTI > It should be appreciated that the data activation request will not be granted until the cellular network 120 is updated to reflect the choice of service.

 4, the cancel button 460 and / or the finish button 470 are selectively displayed on the data connection service registration application 430. [ When the cancel button 460 is selected by the user, the data connection service registration application 430 ends and the corresponding data connection service registration procedure is finished. Therefore, when the cancel button 460 is selected, the data access service registration procedure is finished. In one embodiment, the cancel button 460 is not part of the service registration application 430 alone. That is, the functionality of the cancel button 460 may be integrated through the use of one or more APIs, rather than the inherent characteristics of the registration application 430 interface.

The cancel button 460 may not be displayed during all stages of the service registration process. In one embodiment, the mobile communication service provider associated with the data access service registration application 430 may determine whether the cancel button 460 appears on the service registration application 430 and / or at any stage of the service registration process, 460) will appear.

The Done button 470 allows the user to indicate to the data access service registration application 430 that he has completed the use of the application 430. [ For example, the user may select the Finish button 470 when completing registration for the data connection service. As with cancel button 460, completion button 470 may not be included during all stages of the service registration process. In one embodiment, the mobile communication service provider associated with the service registration application 430 determines whether the completion button 470 appears on the service registration application 430 and / or the completion button 470 at any stage of the service registration process, Is defined.

In some embodiments, the cancel button 460 and the finish button 470 may be implemented through the use of one or more application programming interfaces (APIs). API is a software component (hereinafter referred to as an "API implementation software component ") that allows other software components (hereinafter referred to as" API calling software components ") to access and use one or more functions, methods, procedures, data structures, "). For example, the API allows a developer of an API call software component (which may be a third party developer) to leverage certain features provided by an API implementation software component. There may be one API calling software component, and more than one such software component may exist. An API may be a source code interface that a computer system or program library provides to support requests for services from a software application. An API can be specified in terms of a programming language that can be interpreted or compiled when an application is built, rather than an explicit low-level description of how data is to be designed in memory.

The API defines the language and parameters that the API calling software components use to access and use the specified features of the API implementation software component. For example, an API call software component accesses specified features of an API implementation software component through one or more API calls (sometimes referred to as function or method calls) exposed by the API. An API implementation software component may return a value via the API in response to an API call from an API calling software component. Although the API defines the syntax and results of an API call (for example, how an API call is invoked and what an API call does), the API typically specifies that the API call is a function that is specified by the API call And how to complete it. Various feature calls or messages are delivered via one or more application programming interfaces between the calling software (API calling software component) and the API implementing software component. Delivering function calls or messages may include issuing, initiating, loading, calling, receiving, returning, or responding to function calls or messages. Thus, the API calling software component can deliver the call and the API implementation software component can deliver the call.

By way of example, an API implementation software component and an API call software component may be an operating system, library, device driver, API, application program, or other software module Module). ≪ / RTI > The API call software component may be a local software component (i.e., on the same data processing system as the API implementation software component), or may be a remote software component that communicates with the API implementation software component via the API over the network Software components and other data processing systems). API-implemented software components may also function as API calling software components (i.e., they may make API calls to APIs exposed by other API-implemented software components), and that API calling software components may be exposed to other API calling software components It is to be understood that the present invention can also function as an API implementation software component by implementing the API.

As described above, the cancel button 460 and / or the completion button 470 may be implemented using one or more APIs. For example, in one embodiment, a mobile communication data access service registration API that allows developers (e.g., mobile communication service providers) to show or hide the cancel button 460 on the data access service registration application 430 Is defined.

5 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary API architecture that may be utilized in some embodiments. API architecture 500 includes a user interface framework 520 implementing mobile communication service registration API 510 (e.g., controlling windowing, buttons, menus, and other user interface functions Framework). The mobile communication service registration API 510 includes a cancel button display function 530, a cancel button hide function 540, and a completion button function 550. The mobile communication service registration API 510 includes a calling convention for the service registration application 430 to call the functions 530, 540 and 550 and a calling convention for those functions 530, 540 and 550 to send their result And specifies how to return to the service registration application 430. [ In an embodiment, functions 530, 540, and 550 are available only to service registration applications during service registration (thus, they are not available to other types of applications).

Accordingly, the service registration application 430 makes API calls through the mobile communication service registration API 510 to access and use the functions 530, 540, and 550. For example, with respect to the cancel button showing function 530, when the service registration application 430 shows the cancel button 460 and wants to provide its underlying functionality to the user (e.g., (E.g., when it is appropriate for the user 430 to cancel the registration process and provide an option to close the service registration application 430). The API 510 performs a cancel button showing function 530 to leverage one or more functions or methods provided by the user interface framework 520 and the result is that the cancel button 460 is used by the service registration application 430 (565). In one embodiment, the cancel button show call 560 includes one or more parameters that enable the developer to indicate the location and / or size of the cancel button 460, while in other embodiments, 460 may be located at the default location of the service registration application 430 and may have a default size. Although not shown in FIG. 5, the underlying functionality of the cancel button 460 (e.g., closing the service registration application 430 at select time) is also provided by the user interface framework 520, But may also be used by the service registration application 430 as well.

With respect to the cancel button hide function 540, the service registration application 430 hides the cancel button 460, thereby preventing the service registration procedure from being canceled by the user and closing the service registration application 430 by the user When it is desired to do so, the cancel button hide call 570 can be performed. The API 510 performs a cancel button hide function 540 that leverages one or more functions or methods provided by the user interface framework 520 and the result is that the cancel button 460 is hidden Removed from service registration application 430).

With respect to the Done button function 550, the service registration application 550 may perform a Complete button call 580 in response to the user selecting the Done button 470. The API 510 performs a completion button function 550 to leverage one or more functions or methods provided by the user interface framework 520 to close the service registration application window 430. [

Account status notification

In some embodiments, the mobile communication service provider may request the user to remind or notify the current amount of service remaining in their account (e.g., the amount of remaining minutes, the amount of bandwidth left, etc.) And sends an update message to the mobile device. The account may be a prepaid account or an account that may have a service limit before the user pays for the extra. In some embodiments, messages are sent periodically (e. G. Once a week), while in other embodiments, messages are sent when the amount remaining in the prepaid account is below a predetermined threshold. In some embodiments, the messages are Short Message Service (SMS) messages in a format that the mobile device can interpret and display to the user.

Referring to FIG. 3, the data connection control module 310 may receive these account status update messages and trigger the initiation of the account status notification application 340. The account status notification application 340 displays information corresponding to the account status update message. In some embodiments, the account status notification application 340 also includes options to add minutes or bandwidth to the account.

Location-based APN  service

Some embodiments may implement location based APNs when establishing a data connection. A location based APN is typically a custom APN that is defined as a specific set of services for that location (e.g., a state, a city, a neighborhood, a place (e.g., a hotel, a resort, an airport, a coffee shop, For example, a location-based service that allows mobile devices to access a resort with resources designated by the resort (e.g., information related to services provided by the resort, information about the surrounding area, information about the current weather, etc.) An APN can be defined. In some embodiments, location based APNs may also provide an option for a user to register for a common Internet connection. For example, all mobile devices may allow free access to a first set of services (typically airport, news, etc., specific to that), and registered mobile devices may access a second set of services An APN for the airport, which allows access to the Internet (e.g., a general Internet connection). In this example, the first set of services may also provide the user with the option to register for the second set of services.

In some embodiments, the mobile device 110 includes a database of location based APNs. The database of location based APNs may be updated periodically when the mobile device 110 is connected to the data network. In other embodiments, the cellular network 120 maintains a database of location based APNs. After receiving a message from the cellular network 120 that the mobile device 110 is not authorized for service using the main APN, the approximate location of the mobile device 110 is determined. For example, the approximate location may be determined using GPS functionality built into the mobile device 110 and / or through triangulation using cellular towers or Wi-Fi hot spots. If the mobile device 110 is at one of the APNs, the user may be notified and may choose to connect to the network identified by such APNs.

6 is a flow diagram illustrating exemplary operations for connecting a mobile device to a mobile communication network via a location based APN in accordance with one embodiment. In one embodiment, operations 600 are performed after mobile device 110 has determined that it has not been authorized for the main APN as described in operations 250-254 of FIG. In another embodiment, operations 600 are performed after the mobile device 110 is connected to a registered APN network as described in operation 262 of FIG. In other embodiments, operations 600 are performed periodically, regardless of whether the mobile device has a current data connection.

Operations 600 begin at block 610, where the approximate current location of the mobile device is determined. The approximate location may be determined through use of GPS functionality built into the mobile device 110 and / or through triangulation using cellular towers and / or WiFi hotspots. While in some embodiments the mobile device 110 determines its approximate location and transmits it to the cellular network 120, in other embodiments the mobile device 110 determines its approximate location The cellular network 120 does not transmit it to the cellular network 120 and in yet another embodiment the cellular network 120 determines the approximate location of the mobile device 110. [ The flow proceeds from block 610 to block 620. [

At block 620, it is determined whether the mobile device 110 is within the area defined for the location-based APN. If the mobile device 110 is in the area defined for the location-based APN, then the flow goes to block 640, else the flow goes to block 630 where an alternative action is taken (e.g., . In embodiments where the mobile device 110 maintains a database of location-based APNs, the mobile device 110 may access the database to determine if it is currently located within the area defined for that APN. In embodiments in which the cellular network 120 maintains a database of location-based APNs, the cellular network 120 has access to the database with a determined approximate location of the mobile device 110 so that the mobile device can access the location- Can be determined to be within the defined area. It is to be appreciated that mobile device 110 may be within the area for a plurality of location based APNs at a given time.

At block 640, the user of the mobile device is notified of the availability of location based APN (s). For example, a window listing currently available location based APN (s) may be displayed on the mobile device. The details of the location based APN (s) (e.g., services provided by location based APN (s), etc.) may also be displayed. Other notification mechanisms (e.g., text messages, emails, graphic alerts, etc.) may be used. The user is also provided with the option of selecting one of such location based APN (s). In embodiments in which the cellular network 120 maintains a database of location-based APN (s), the cellular network 120 may transmit the details of the APNs in the area. The flow proceeds from block 640 to block 650. [

At block 650, the user has selected to connect to one of the available location based APN (s). The flow proceeds from block 650 to block 660 where the mobile device 110 creates a data activation request similar to the data activation request described in operation 250 of Figure 2 and sends it to the cellular network 120 do. The cellular network 120 then determines whether the mobile device 110 has been authorized for the selected location based APN (e.g., in a manner similar to that described in operation 252 of FIG. 2). The cellular network 120 may also validate the location of the mobile device 110 (e.g., based on triangulation of cell towers, etc.) before granting authorization to the selected location based APN.

The flow proceeds from block 660 to block 670 where the mobile device determines if activation was successful. For example, referring to FIG. 2, the mobile device 110 may receive a data activation acknowledgment message as similarly described in operation 278 of FIG. If the activation was successful, the flow proceeds to block 680 where the mobile device 110 connects to the selected location based APN network (e.g., in a manner similar to that described with reference to operation 262 of FIG. 2) ), Otherwise the flow moves to block 630 where an alternative action is taken (e.g., the process terminates). Once the mobile device 110 is connected, it can use the services provided by the selected location based APN network.

Figures 9, 10 and 11 illustrate how a mobile device, such as a smartphone or tablet computer or other data processing system, may register for a data access subscription to a main APN without using a secondary APN or network designed to establish a data connection subscription. This is an example. The ability to subscribe directly to the cellular data access service with the main APN can simplify the service provider's system and require fewer components, since no secondary APN or network is required in this embodiment. In one embodiment according to Figs. 9, 10 and 11, the mobile device transmits the probe partially to the main APN over the cellular network, and the probe is configured to determine whether the mobile device has a valid cellular data connection subscription. In one embodiment, the probe may be transmitted in response to a data activation request that may be caused by an attempt by a user to access the Internet, send or receive e-mail, or otherwise use a cellular data connection. If the mobile device determines from the response to the probe that it does not have a valid cellular data connection subscription with the service provider, the mobile device allows the user of the mobile device to register with the cellular data connection service provided by the service provider And accesses the cellular data access service registration site via the main APN. In one embodiment, the connection to the cellular data access service registration site via the main APN may occur automatically in response to determining that there is no valid cellular data connection subscription from the probe's response without user request or interaction. Until the user successfully registers with the cellular data access service, the mobile device may be restricted from accessing the cellular data access service registration site. The cellular data access service registration site may be configured to allow a user to (a) purchase an initial cellular data connection plan (e.g., when the device is first used), (b) extend an existing cellular data connection plan, (D) adding bandwidth (eg, 20 MB per month) to a pre-built cellular data connection plan, and so on. To be performed. After successfully registering with the cellular data access service via the main APN, the mobile device can access the Internet via a main APN that can identify the public network.

9 shows an exemplary mobile communication network 100 that is similar to that shown in FIG. 1 but does not have separate registration APNs that are not needed in the embodiments of FIGS. 9, 10, and 11. In this embodiment, the main APN allows access to a cellular data access service registration site that can be connected to the Internet. For example, the cellular data access service registration site 150 may be accessed via the main APN network 140 (instead of being accessed and accessed through a separate registration APN) in the case of the embodiment shown in Figures 9, 10 and 11 And may be part of that network. When accessed through the main APN network 140, the cellular data access service registration site can be implemented as a captive network for a mobile device in one embodiment, and can be used only as a cellular data access service Lt; RTI ID = 0.0 > related to subscriptions to < / RTI >

FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary mobile device adapted to register with a cellular data connection service provided by one or more mobile communication service providers in accordance with the embodiments of FIGS. 9, 10, and 11. FIG. The mobile device shown in FIG. 11 is similar to the mobile device shown in FIG. 3 except that the service registration application (s) 330 is configured to perform service registration operations as shown in FIG. 10 using the main APN 140 It is similar to a mobile device.

Figure 10 provides an illustration of an embodiment in which a mobile device registers with a cellular data access service using a main APN as the same APN used after registration and the main APN can identify a public network such as the Internet. 10 may begin in operation 1050 where the mobile device sends a data activation request 1050 to the cellular network 120; In one embodiment, a mobile device, such as mobile device 110, may include a warm SIM that allows access to the cellular network, and in one embodiment a service provider operating or controlling the cellular network may be a mobile device Out-of-data "when a previously-established plan, such as a prepaid plan, does not have a cellular data access service plan (e.g., when such a plan has never been built for a mobile device) (And the exchange of signals between the cellular network and the mobile device, for example, when a set of defined and paid minutes is already in use, or when a data usage limit is exceeded) Can be accepted. The cellular network 120 responds to the data activation request 250 with a message 1060 indicating that the data activation request has been accepted by the cellular network 120, ) Can be successfully performed. In response to receiving the message 1060, the mobile device sends a probe 1061, which is a message configured to determine if the mobile device has a valid (e.g., current and fully pre-paid) cellular data connection subscription do. In one embodiment, the probe may be a known address or other identifier (e.g., apple.com/test) for a particular server on the Internet that is known to be present and known to respond to the probe, E.g., a billing server of a service provider), the mobile device may conclude that it does not have a valid cellular data connection subscription. In this embodiment using a particular known server, if the server responds (i. E. There is no redirection to another server), the mobile device may conclude that it has a valid cellular data connection subscription, If the mobile device receives a response to a probe indicating that a redirection has occurred to another server (e.g., a billing server of a service provider operating the cellular network 120), the mobile device determines that the mobile device has valid cellular data It can be concluded that it does not have a connection subscription. Certain known servers may be servers that are operated or controlled by the developer or manufacturer of the mobile device (or the developer or manufacturer of components of the mobile device, such as software or hardware components), and proper operation of such a server may be adequately guaranteed , Which allows the mobile device to rely on a response from the server (or redirection to another server) as a true indication of whether it has a valid cellular data access subscription. In one embodiment, the user is unaware of the use of the probe, e.g., if the probe is successful (i.e., a particular known server is reached and no redirect occurs), the mobile device performs these operations in the background, The example confirms the probe's success without displaying to the user any indication of the probe's result or response to the probe. This is particularly useful when the mobile device repeatedly checks the status of the subscription (e.g., every time a data activation request is made, or every third data activation request). If a redirection occurs in response to a probe, the user can be guided to visit the cellular data access service registration site (as described below) (or, without requiring the user to take action to visit the site, / RTI > In another embodiment, the probe may attempt to access the Internet (e.g., a web site available to the general public) and wait for a timeout from an Internet access failure, in which case the mobile device may request a valid cellular data connection You can conclude that you do not have a subscription. Other mechanisms for the probe may also be used. Probe 1061 is transmitted, at least in part, over cellular network 120 and attempts to determine if access to the main APN is possible. A response to the probe is received at operation 1062, and in the case shown in FIG. 10, the probe has determined that there is no valid cellular data connection subscription. This means, for example, that a plan has never been previously established for a mobile device, or that a previously established subscription plan, such as a prepaid plan, is in an "out of data" Or when the data usage limit has been exceeded, etc.), which may be due to a variety of different possibilities.

Operation 1064 may follow message 1062 where the user may enter a cellular data access service registration (e. G., ≪ RTI ID = 0.0 > A service for a data plan can be selected through a service registration site such as the site 150. [ In one embodiment, when a mobile device is first used to access the cellular network 120 or is initially used to access the main APN 140, a wireless data connection subscription for that device has never been established Because there is no at all, the user may have to set up the initial wireless data connection subscription to the device. In another embodiment, a user may set up a pre-established subscription plan by paying an additional amount, purchasing additional minutes, or purchasing additional bandwidth, for example, when the subscription plan is in the "Out of Data" You may have to renew. User interactions at operation 1064 may be similar or identical to user interactions associated with operation 264 of FIG. Similarly, the service registration update 1066 sent by the main APN 140 may be similar to the operation 266 of FIG. 2, and the generation of the record at the operation 868 of FIG. ), ≪ / RTI > Registration update 1066 updates information in cellular network 120 for a mobile device that can be authenticated against cellular network 120, as is known in the art in one embodiment. After a record is created for the mobile device, an optional (not shown) confirmation about the creation of the record may be sent to the mobile device.

In some embodiments, the connection to the main APN 140 may be terminated or disconnected at operation 1072. Some service providers or wireless cellular carriers may require such disconnection, while others may not. Some service providers may also require optional subscriber updates to be sent from the mobile device at operation 1073 to a system (e.g., a server) on the cellular network. Such a system may be the same system that also stores the records generated in operation 868. [ An optional confirmation of an optional subscriber update may be received at operation 1073A, which confirmation is received by the mobile device from the cellular network 120. [

If the mobile device is disconnected from the main APN at operation 1072, the mobile device will send another data activation request at operation 1074. [ This data activation request is triggered by an attempt by a user or mobile device to access the Internet, such as a web site, to send an e-mail, or to perform other operations requiring services provided via the main APN 140, . That is, the data activation request may be caused and responded to by a user action or system action requesting access to the main APN 140. [ This may also occur after the system is turned off and rebooted and after a user attempts to access the Internet or otherwise request access to services provided via APN 140. [ Cellular network 120 indicates in response to the data activation request at operation 1074 that the request has been approved at operation 1078. [ An optional success message may be transmitted from the cellular network 120 to the mobile device 110 at operation 1070 and in effect this optional success message may be sent to the mobile device to determine if it has a valid cellular data connection subscription It can indicate that the probe message should now be used. In response to either an optional success message or an acknowledgment of a data activation request (shown at operation 1076), the mobile device may send a probe for data availability, or determine whether it has a valid cellular data connection subscription It can be judged differently. The billing server or other system provided by the service carrier or service provider operating the cellular network and / or the main APN 140 may check the billing record and other information regarding the status of the mobile device and notify the mobile device of valid cellular data Or the probe may function as described in connection with operation 1062, wherein the redirection response at operation 1062 is that the device is in the "out of data" state Lt; RTI ID = 0.0 > cellular data connection subscription. ≪ / RTI > In the example shown in FIG. 10, the main APN responds at operations 1080 with such server actions, indicating that the mobile device has a valid cellular data connection subscription. In response to this indication, the mobile device allows the user to transfer data over the cellular network to the Internet and from the Internet, and then through the main APN 140. [ On the other hand, if the response to the probe indicates that the mobile device does not have a valid cellular data subscription, operations 1064, 1066, and 868 may be repeated to establish a valid cellular data connection subscription.

Using the probe in the manner described in connection with Figures 9, 10 and 11, the mobile device is able to determine the status of its cellular data access subscription without user interaction, and the mobile device can, for example, In response to a request by a user for accessing the Internet, accessing a web site, sending web e-mail, sending an e-mail, or performing other actions using services or servers obtained via the main APN 140 Can do so. Also, in response to determining that the mobile device does not have a valid cellular data connection subscription from the response of the probe, the use of the method as in FIG. 10 may automatically connect to the cellular data connection service registration site, such as site 150, . That is, such a method does not require the prior art to manually check the status of the cellular data connection subscription required when a user attempts to interact with the Internet, and does not require a timeout signal, or any additional Wait for 2 minutes to get another message indicating that the connection failed without explanation. In one embodiment, instead of automatically calling a connection to a cellular data connection service registration site, such as site 150, the mobile device may determine that the mobile device no longer has a valid cellular data connection subscription (e.g., The amount of prepaid minutes has been exceeded, and the plan is out of data state, so there is no valid cellular data connection subscription at this point). In this case, the user may decide to contact the cellular data access service registration site at that point in time in response to the message, or at a later time at the user ' s discretion.

Figure 7 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary computer system that may be utilized in some embodiments of the invention. For example, an exemplary architecture of the computer system 700 may be included within the mobile device 110. Although FIG. 7 illustrates various components of a computer system, it is not intended to represent any particular architecture or method of interconnecting components, since such details are not closely related to the present invention. It will be appreciated that other computer systems having fewer or more components may be used with the present invention.

7, a computer system 700 in the form of a data processing system includes a processing system 720, a power supply 725, a memory 730 and a non-volatile memory 740 (e.g., a hard drive , Flash memory, phase change memory (PCM), etc.). The bus (s) 750 may be connected to one another via various bridges, controllers, and / or adapters as are well known in the art. Processing system 720 may retrieve instruction (s) from memory 730 and / or nonvolatile memory 740 and execute the instructions to perform operations as described above. The bus 750 interconnects the components together and also provides such components to an optional dock 760, display controller & display device 770, input / output devices 780 (e.g., a NIC (Network Interface Card) (E. G., Bluetooth, WiFi, infrared, cellular telephone, GPS, etc.) 730 (e. G., A mouse cursor, touch screen, touch pad, etc.) do.

Figure 8 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary data processing system that may be utilized in some embodiments of the invention. For example, the data processing system 800 may be a mobile device 110. Data processing system 800 includes a processing system 820 that may include one or more microprocessors and / or systems on an integrated circuit. The processing system 820 includes a memory 810, a power supply 825 (including one or more batteries), an audio input / output 840, a display controller and display device 860, an optional input / output 850, (S) 870 and the wireless transceiver (s) 830. In some embodiments of the invention, additional components not shown in FIG. 8 may be part of data processing system 800, and in some embodiments of the present invention fewer components are used than shown in FIG. 8 It can be said that In addition, one or more buses, not shown in FIG. 8, may be used to interconnect the various components as is well known in the art.

The memory 810 may store data and / or programs for execution by the data processing system 800. The audio input / output 840 may include a microphone and / or a speaker to play music and / or provide a telephone function, for example, through a speaker and microphone. The display controller and display device 860 may include a graphical user interface (GUI). A wireless (e.g., RF) transceiver 830 (e.g., a WiFi transceiver, an infrared transceiver, a Bluetooth transceiver, a wireless cellular telephone transceiver, a GPS transceiver, etc.) may be used to communicate with other data processing systems. One or more input devices 1170 allow the user to provide inputs to the system. Such input devices may be a keypad, a keyboard, a touch panel, a multi-touch panel, and the like. Another optional input / output 1150 may be a connector for the dock.

The techniques shown in the Figures may be implemented using code and data stored and executed on one or more electronic devices (e.g., a data processing system, etc.). Such electronic devices include, but are not limited to, machine-readable media (e.g., magnetic disks, optical disks, random access memory, read-only memory, flash memory, etc.), such as machine readable tangible non- (E. G., Electrical, optical, acoustic or other types of propagated signals such as carrier waves, infrared signals, digital signals, and the like) to store and communicate code and data (Internally and / or with other electronic devices via the network). In addition, such electronic devices typically include one or more storage devices, a collection of one or more processors coupled to one or more other components, such as user input and output devices (e.g., keyboard, touch screen and / or display) and network connections. The connection of processors and a collection of other components is typically via one or more buses and bridges (also referred to as bus controllers). The storage and the signals carrying network traffic each represent one or more machine-readable storage media and machine-readable communications media. Thus, a storage device of a given electronic device typically stores code and / or data for execution in a set of one or more processors of the electronic device.

From this description it will be apparent that aspects of the present invention may be implemented, at least in part, in software. That is, techniques may be performed in a computer system or other data processing system in response to a processor, such as a microprocessor, executing a sequence of instructions contained in memory, such as ROM, RAM, mass storage or remote storage have. In various embodiments, a hardware network may be utilized in combination with software instructions to implement the present invention. Thus, techniques are not limited to any particular combination of hardware circuitry and software, or any particular source for instructions executed by a data processing system. In addition, throughout this specification, various functions and operations are described as being performed or caused by software codes in order to simplify the explanation. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that such expressions mean that the functions result from the execution of the code by the processor.

Alternative Examples

Although embodiments of the present invention have been described with respect to cellular networks, other types of networks (e.g., a cellular Wi-MAX network) may also be utilized. Therefore, embodiments of the present invention are not limited to cellular data connections and cellular networks.

Although embodiments of the invention have been described with respect to registering with a data connection service, other types of services may be registered using the registration site. For example, a registration site may allow a user to register a text message service, a voice service (e.g., selecting different voice plans and / or service options), or registering with another service (and / ).

In some embodiments, in response to a user attempting to use a service (e.g., a text message service, a voice service, etc.) that is not currently subscribed or has an appropriate number of credits for completion, To allow the user to register for a service (e.g., a text message plan and / or a voice plan) and / or to add credits (e.g., number of text messages, minutes of speech, bandwidth, etc.) It is aimed at registration site. Such a registration site may be the same as or different from the data connection registration site. The connection to the registration site can be performed differently depending on the connection state of the mobile device. For example, if the mobile device currently has a network connection (e.g., Wi-Fi connection, wired connection, mobile communication data connection, etc.) that can access the registration site, . However, if the mobile device does not currently have such a network connection (and no network connection is available), to direct the user to the registration site (similar to that described above with reference to registration for the data service described above ) Data access via the registered APN or via the main APN can be established. The mobile device may be restricted to accessing the registration site via the registration APN or via the main APN.

It should be understood that the flow diagrams in the figures illustrate specific sequences of operations performed by some embodiments of the present invention, but that such sequences are exemplary (e.g., Be able to combine certain operations, overlap certain operations, etc.).

Although the present invention has been described in connection with several embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention is not limited to the described embodiments, but can be practiced with modification and alteration within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. . Accordingly, the description is to be regarded as illustrative rather than limiting.

Claims (22)

A method performed by a mobile device to register with a cellular data access service provided by a mobile communication service provider,
Connecting to a cellular network identified by a main access point name (APN), the step of connecting to the cellular network comprises transmitting a data activation request and receiving an acknowledgment of approval of the data activation request -;
Wherein the probe is configured to determine if the mobile device has a valid cellular data connection subscription with the mobile communication service provider, and wherein the valid cellular data connection subscription < RTI ID = 0.0 > Elicit a re-direct response when it is determined not to have a?
Checking a response derived by the probe;
Accessing a cellular data access service registration site at a second address via the main APN instead of accessing the first address; and if the response is a redirect response, Allowing a user of the device to register with a cellular data connection service provided by the mobile communication service provider, wherein the mobile device is configured to register the Cellular Data Access Service < RTI ID = 0.0 > Limited to accessing the site -; And
If the response is from the known server, determining that the mobile device has a valid cellular data connection subscription
Lt; / RTI >
The cellular data access service registration site may be configured to allow the user to purchase a cellular data connection plan, extend an existing cellular data connection plan, add minutes to a cellular data connection plan, Adding bandwidth, and after successfully registering with the cellular data access service via the main APN, the mobile device connects to the Internet via the main APN. The method according to claim 1,
Receiving a selection from the user for a cellular data connection service provided by the mobile communication service provider;
Delivering the selection to the cellular data access service registration site; And
Establishing a cellular data connection with the mobile communication service provider
Further comprising:
Wherein the cellular data connection registration site is accessed via the main APN identifying the public network. delete delete delete A machine-readable medium having stored thereon instructions,
Cause the processor to perform operations for registering with a cellular data connection service provided by a mobile communication service provider when the instructions are executed by a processor of the mobile device,
The operations include,
Connecting to a cellular network identified by a main access point name (APN), and connecting to the cellular network comprises transmitting a data activation request and receiving an acknowledgment of the acknowledgment of the data activation request -;
Wherein the probe is configured to determine whether the mobile device has a valid cellular data connection subscription with the mobile communication service provider, wherein the probe is configured to send a valid cellular data connection subscription Elicit a re-direct response if it is determined not to have it;
Checking a response derived by said probe;
Accessing a cellular data access service registration site at a second address via the main APN instead of accessing the first address; and if the response is a redirect response, Allowing a user of the device to register with a cellular data connection service provided by the mobile communication service provider, the mobile device further comprising: a cellular data connection service registration server - limited to accessing; And
If the response is from the known server, determining that the mobile device has a valid cellular data connection subscription
/ RTI >
The cellular data access service registration site may be configured to allow the user to purchase a cellular data connection plan, extend an existing cellular data connection plan, add minutes to a cellular data connection plan, Adding bandwidth, and after successfully registering with the cellular data access service via the main APN, the mobile device connects to the Internet via the main APN. 7. The method of claim 6,
Receive a selection from the user for a cellular data connection service provided by the mobile communication service provider;
Delivering the selection to the cellular data access service registration site;
Establishing a cellular data connection with the mobile communication service provider
Further comprising:
Wherein the cellular data connection registration site is accessed via the main APN identifying the public network. delete delete delete delete 1. A data processing system comprising:
A wireless transceiver configured to transmit and receive signals via a mobile communication service provider;
An input device;
Memory; And
The memory, the input device and the processing system coupled to the wireless transceiver
/ RTI >
The processing system comprising:
Connecting said data processing system to a cellular network identified by a main access point name (APN), - connecting said data processing system sending a data activation request, confirming acknowledgment of said data activation request Including receiving;
The wireless transceiver causing a probe to be transmitted to a known server over the cellular network, the probe being configured to determine if the data processing system has a valid cellular data connection subscription and to determine that the data processing system does not have a valid cellular data connection subscription Derive a re-direct response, the redirection response specifying a first address;
Checking a response derived by said probe;
If the response is a redirect response - connected to the first address according to the redirection response - transferring from the second address to the cellular data access service registration site via the main APN instead of accessing the first address, To allow a user of the data processing system to register with a cellular data connection service provided by the mobile communication service provider;
If the response is from the known server, determining that the data processing system has a valid cellular data connection subscription;
The cellular data access service registration site may be configured to allow the user to purchase a cellular data connection plan, extend an existing cellular data connection plan, add minutes to a cellular data connection plan, Add bandwidth, and after successfully registering with the cellular data access service via the main APN, the data processing system is configured to connect to the Internet via the main APN. 13. The method of claim 12,
Wherein the data processing system is restricted to accessing the cellular data access service registration site until the data processing system is successfully registered with the cellular data access service. delete delete delete 13. The method of claim 12,
And wherein if the probe indicates that the data processing system has a valid cellular data connection subscription, the processing system processes the response to the probe without requiring user interaction. 1. A data processing system comprising:
A wireless transceiver configured to transmit and receive signals via a mobile communication service provider;
An input device;
Memory; And
The memory, the input device and the processing system coupled to the wireless transceiver
/ RTI >
Wherein the processing system connects the data processing system to a cellular network identified by a main access point name (APN) and causes the wireless transceiver to transmit a probe to the server via the cellular network, Wherein the processing system is configured to determine that the processing system does not have a valid cellular data connection subscription with the mobile communication service provider,
Wherein the probe is configured to determine if the data processing system has a valid cellular data connection subscription and derive a re-direct response if it is determined not to have a valid cellular data connection subscription,
Wherein the processing system is further configured to connect the data processing system to the cellular data access service registration site via the main APN when the probe has derived a re-direct response, To register with a cellular data connection service provided by a service provider,
The data processing system is limited to accessing the cellular data access service registration site until the data processing system is successfully registered with the cellular data access service,
The cellular data access service registration site is configured to allow the user to purchase a cellular data connection plan, extend an existing cellular data connection plan, add minutes to a cellular data connection plan, and add bandwidth to the cellular data connection plan After successfully registering with the cellular data access service via the main APN, the data processing system accesses the Internet via the main APN,
Wherein the processing system is configured to cause the wireless transceiver to send a data activation request and receive an acknowledgment of approval of the data activation request before transmitting the probe,
Wherein the processing system is configured to process the response to the probe without requiring user interaction if the probe indicates that the data processing system has a valid cellular data connection subscription,
Wherein the redirection response specifies an address different than the address of a particular server and the redirection response directs the data processing system to a server controlled by the mobile communication service provider. delete delete delete delete

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