Graphical user interface and method for mobile device activation

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10205833-B2
Application number	US-201514618960-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 10, 2015
Priority date	Jan 7, 2007
Publication date	Feb 12, 2019
Grant date	Feb 12, 2019

Abstract

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

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method for activating a wireless account for an electronic device having wireless communication capabilities, the method comprising:
at a host computing device that is communicatively coupled to the electronic device:
displaying a plurality of interface pages that permit entry of information for activating the wireless account;
providing the information to a service provider of the wireless account;
receiving, from the service provider, an indication that the wireless account is activated;
writing enablement verification information to the electronic device, wherein the enablement verification information is configured to inform the electronic device that the electronic device is enabled; and
instructing the electronic device to reset a transceiver portion of hardware within the electronic device, wherein resetting the transceiver portion of hardware causes the electronic device to perform a location update, and the location update includes a request to register with the service provider.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one interface page of the plurality of interface pages permits a selection of a service plan provided by the service provider.

3. The method of in claim 2 , wherein selecting the service plan involves selecting to use an existing phone number or a new phone number for the wireless account.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one interface page of the plurality of interface pages permits a creation of a new media account or an entry of login information for an existing media account managed by an entity associated with the electronic device.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein at least one interface page of the plurality of interface pages permits an acceptance of legal agreements associated with one or more of the entity and the service provider.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one interface page of the plurality of interface pages permits an entry of contact information.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one interface page of the plurality of interface pages permits an entry of billing information.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one interface page of the plurality of interface pages displays a summary of the information for review prior to submitting the information.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one interface page of the plurality of interface pages permits an establishment of one or more preferences to be applied to an operation of the electronic device.

10. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
displaying a final interface page that displays a phone number associated with the electronic device being activated.

11. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium configured to store instructions that, when executed by a processor included in a host computing device, cause the host computing device to activate a wireless account for an electronic device, by carrying out steps that include:
displaying a plurality of interface pages that permit entry of information for activating the wireless account;
providing the information to a service provider of the wireless account;
receiving, from the service provider, an indication that the wireless account is activated;
writing, to the electronic device, enablement verification information, wherein the enablement verification information informs the electronic device that it is enabled; and
instructing the electronic device to reset a transceiver portion of hardware within the electronic device, wherein resetting the transceiver portion of hardware causes the electronic device to perform a location update, and the location update includes a request to register with the service provider.

12. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 11 , wherein at least one interface page of the plurality of interface pages permits a selection of a service plan provided by the service provider.

13. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 11 , wherein at least one interface page of the plurality of interface pages permits a creation of a new media account or an entry of login information for an existing media account managed by an entity associated with the electronic device.

14. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 11 , wherein at least one interface page of the plurality of interface pages permits an entry of contact information and billing information.

15. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 11 , wherein at least one interface page of the plurality of interface pages permits an establishment of one or more preferences to be applied to an operation of the electronic device.

16. A host computing device configured to activate a wireless account for an electronic device, the host computing device comprising:
a communications interface that permits the host computing device to communicate with the electronic device;
a display device; and
a processor configured to cause the host computing device to carry out steps that include:
displaying, on the display device, a plurality of interface pages that permit entry of information for activating the wireless account;
providing the information to a service provider of the wireless account;
receiving, from the service provider, an indication that the wireless account is activated;
writing enablement verification information to the electronic device, wherein the enablement verification information is configured to inform the electronic device that it is enabled; and
instructing the electronic device to reset a transceiver portion of hardware within the electronic device, wherein resetting the transceiver portion of hardware causes the electronic device to perform a location update, and the location update includes a request to register with the service provider.

17. The host computing device of claim 16 , wherein at least one interface page of the plurality of interface pages permits a selection of a service plan provided by the service provider.

18. The host computing device of claim 16 , wherein at least one interface page of the plurality of interface pages permits a creation of a new media account or an entry of login information for an existing media account managed by an entity associated with the electronic device.

19. The host computing device of claim 16 , wherein at least one interface page of the plurality of interface pages permits entry of contact information and billing information.

20. The host computing device of claim 16 , wherein at least one interface page of the plurality of interface pages permits an establishment of one or more preferences to be applied to an operation of the electronic device.

Assignees

• Apple Inc

Inventors

• Gautier Patrice
• Shimizu Debbie
• Anderson Alexandrea
• Cue Eddy
• Gromek Monika
• Kondrk Robert H

Classifications

• H04M15/705

  Account settings, e.g. limits or numbers or payment · CPC title

• H04W8/265 Primary

  for initial activation of new user · CPC title

• H04W4/00

  Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor · CPC title

• H04W8/18

  Processing of user or subscriber data, e.g. subscribed services, user preferences or user profiles; Transfer of user or subscriber data · CPC title

• H04W4/50

  Service provisioning or reconfiguring · CPC title