CN101167389A - Over-the-air subscription for mobile devices - Google Patents

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for over-the-air (OTA) subscription for mobile devices are provided. A method is provided for performing over-the-air subscriptions of mobile devices in a data network. The method comprises establishing an overhead notification mechanism, and transmitting a package database to a mobile device using the overhead notification mechanism, wherein the package database identifies one or more service packages. The method also includes receiving a request from the mobile device to subscribe to one or more selected service packages.

Description

Over-the-air booking for mobile devices

Claim of priority under 35 U.S.C. §119

This patent application claims priority to Provisional Application No. 60/660,609, filed March 10, 2005, entitled MEDIAFLO OVER THE AIR SUBSCRIPTION, which is assigned to the assignee of this application and is incorporated by reference expressly incorporated herein.

technical field

The present invention relates generally to content subscriptions in a network environment, and more particularly to methods and apparatus for providing over-the-air subscriptions.

Background technique

Data networks, such as wireless communication networks, must make a trade-off between services tailored to a single terminal and services provided to a large number of terminals. For example, the overhead required to provide services to one or a few terminals may not be significant, however, the overhead required to provide those same services to a large number of terminals may be significant and consume a large amount of network resources. Therefore, distributing content to a large number of mobile terminals (subscribers) is a complex problem. This is especially true for mobile terminals that use relatively low speed air communication links rather than the much faster hardwired connections typically used by devices with fixed locations. Therefore, it is important for network administrators and content providers to have a way to allow mobile devices to easily and efficiently subscribe to receive content and/or other network services.

In current content delivery/media distribution systems, bookings are typically processed over the Internet via one or more customer sign-up pages, or, as in traditional cable and satellite systems, via a phone call from the customer to a customer service representative. A web page model may even provide one or more pages that can be accessed from or specially formatted (ie, WML, XHTML) for presentation on a mobile device. However, this approach is essentially just a variation on the Internet sign-up page model.

Typically, web subscription services provide server-driven request/response systems. For example, the user is presented with screen after screen of various forms that must be filled out and submitted to the web server. Therefore, the system relies on a presentation layer, since the various forms are formatted and stored at the server, and the booking device only needs to render those forms for the device user to fill out. Thus, the server typically needs to provide a table already formatted for the rendering resources available on the subscribed device. In some cases, the server provides the correctly formatted form, while in other cases the server directs the device to an alternate site or server to retrieve the properly formatted form. Thus, whether the device is a desktop computer or a mobile computing device, the same server-driven request/response system is provided with tables reformatted for subscribing to the rendering capabilities of the device.

Unfortunately, current systems do not provide a quick and efficient way for a mobile device, such as a mobile terminal, to subscribe to one or more service packages. For example, a device user first needs to initiate a data session with a service provider in order to view service offerings. After selecting a subscription offer, the user needs to complete one or more forms that are downloaded from the server and rendered on the device. Typically, multiple forms need to be completed because the forms are formatted for rendering on the relatively small screens available on portable devices. Also, because the whole process is over the air, the relatively low transfer speed makes the booking process very slow. Consequently, portable device users may avoid booking altogether due to the slow and lengthy booking process currently available, or may be dissatisfied with the system's responsiveness and efficiency if they use the system at all.

Therefore, there is a need for an over-the-air reservation system that allows mobile device users to easily subscribe to one or more service packages. The system should operate to avoid problems associated with presence layer subscriptions to devices so that device users can quickly and efficiently subscribe to receive available services using slower over-the-air transmission speeds.

Contents of the invention

In one or more embodiments, an over-the-air (OTA) subscription system is provided that allows mobile devices to subscribe to services from a content distribution system using a wireless communication link. In one embodiment, the system provides an application protocol by which secure OTA subscription requests can be generated directly from the device. The system includes a device-resident client that maintains a database of available service packages so that a device user can easily browse and select from available packages. Thus, the user does not need to initiate a data session with an external server in order to browse the service offering. In one embodiment, the system implements a unique device-server subscription protocol that does not rely on the presence layer and allows authenticated devices to subscribe to selected service packages. Since the device is authenticated, all subscription requests can be signed, and thus the system provides a secure subscription environment.

In one embodiment, a method for performing over-the-air reservations in a data network is provided. The method includes establishing an overhead notification mechanism, and transmitting a package database to a device using the overhead notification mechanism, wherein the package database identifies one or more service packages. The method also includes receiving a request from the device to subscribe to a selected service, providing an apparatus for over-the-air subscription in a data network. The apparatus includes overhead notification logic operative to establish an overhead notification channel. The apparatus also includes transmission logic operative to transmit a package database to a device using the overhead notification channel, wherein the package database identifies one or more service packages. The apparatus also includes receiving logic operative to receive a request from the device to subscribe to a selected service package.

In one embodiment, a method for performing over-the-air reservations in a data network is provided. The method includes establishing an overhead notification mechanism, and transmitting a package database to a device using the overhead notification mechanism, wherein the package database identifies one or more service packages. The method also includes receiving a request from the device to subscribe to the selected service.

In one embodiment, an apparatus for over-the-air subscription in a data network is provided. The apparatus includes overhead notification logic operative to establish an overhead notification channel. The apparatus also includes transmission logic operative to transmit a package database to a device using the overhead notification channel, wherein the package database identifies one or more service packages. The apparatus also includes receiving logic operative to receive a request from the device to subscribe to a selected service package.

In one embodiment, an apparatus for over-the-air subscription in a data network is provided. The apparatus includes means for establishing an overhead notification mechanism. The apparatus also includes means for transmitting a package database to a device using the overhead notification mechanism, wherein the package database identifies one or more service packages. The apparatus also includes means for receiving, from the apparatus, a request to subscribe to a selected service package.

In one embodiment, a computer-readable medium is provided that includes instructions that, when executed by a processor, operate to provide over-the-air subscriptions in a data network. The computer-readable medium includes instructions for establishing an overhead notification channel. The computer-readable medium also includes instructions for transmitting a package database to a device using the overhead notification channel, wherein the package database identifies one or more service packages. The computer-readable medium also includes instructions for receiving, from the device, a request to subscribe to a selected service package.

In one embodiment, a method for operating a device to perform over-the-air booking in a data network is provided. The method includes establishing an overhead notification mechanism, and receiving a package database using the overhead notification mechanism, wherein the package database identifies one or more service packages. The method also includes transmitting over the air a request to subscribe to the selected service package.

In one embodiment, an apparatus for performing over-the-air reservations in a data network is provided. The apparatus includes overhead notification logic operative to establish an overhead notification channel. The apparatus also includes receiving logic operative to receive a package database from a content server using the overhead notification channel, wherein the package database identifies one or more service packages. The apparatus also includes transmission logic operative to transmit over the air a request to subscribe to the selected service package.

In one embodiment, an apparatus for performing over-the-air reservations in a data network is provided. The apparatus includes means for establishing an overhead notification mechanism and means for receiving a package database from a content server using the overhead notification mechanism, wherein the package database identifies one or more service packages. The apparatus also includes means for transmitting over the air a request to subscribe to the selected service package.

In one embodiment, a computer-readable medium is provided that includes instructions that, when executed by a processor, operate to provide over-the-air subscriptions in a data network. The computer-readable medium includes instructions for establishing an overhead notification mechanism, and instructions for receiving a package database from a content server using the overhead notification mechanism, wherein the package database identifies one or more service packages. The computer-readable medium also includes instructions for transmitting over the air a request to subscribe to the selected service package.

Other aspects, advantages and features of the present invention will become readily apparent after reading the description of the drawings, the detailed description and the claims set forth below.

Description of drawings

The above aspects and attendant advantages of the embodiments described herein will be more readily understood by reference to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a network comprising one embodiment of an OTA reservation system;

Figure 2 shows a detailed diagram of one embodiment of a content server suitable for use with one or more embodiments of the OTA reservation system;

Figure 3 shows one embodiment of a method for operating a server in one embodiment of an OTA reservation system;

Figure 4 shows a detailed diagram of one embodiment of a terminal suitable for use with one embodiment of the OTA reservation system;

Figure 5 shows one embodiment of a method for operating a terminal in one or more embodiments of an OTA reservation system;

Figure 6 shows one embodiment of a message layer header used with a reservation request in one embodiment of an OTA reservation system; and

Figure 7 shows one embodiment of a reservation record used with a reservation request in one embodiment of the OTA reservation system.

Detailed ways

The following detailed description describes one or more embodiments of an OTA reservation system. The system is particularly suitable for use in a wireless network environment, but can be used in any type of network environment, including but not limited to communication networks, public networks (such as the Internet), private networks (such as virtual private networks (VPN)), local area networks , wide area network, remote network or any other type of data network.

The following definitions are used herein to describe one or more embodiments of the OTA reservation system.

Services A Service is a sequence of media presentations and can represent the smallest element that can be booked in a booking system.

Hierarchy A hierarchy is a collection of one or more services.

A Package (or "Service Package") is a collection of one or more tiers offered on a subscription basis.

In one or more embodiments, the OTA reservation system provides a device-resident client that provides a program guide (PG) to the device user with a visual list of available service packages that are native to the device. cached on the device. When a device user selects a package to subscribe to, the client generates a subscription request using the Device-Server Subscription Protocol (DSSP). The subscription protocol supports subscription to one or more service packages per request, and the requests are digitally signed to ensure that they originate from an authenticated device. The subscription request is transmitted to a content server, which handles requests to subscribe devices to service packages. Thus, a device user can efficiently subscribe to one or more service packages over the air in a manner that saves network resources and reduces required overhead.

Figure 1 shows a network 100 that includes one embodiment of an OTA reservation system. Network 100 includes content distribution server 102 , data network 104 , and a collection of devices including mobile phone 106 , personal digital assistant (PDA) 108 , notebook computer 110 , and desktop computer 112 . The data network 104 may be any type and/or combination of wired and/or wireless networks that allow data to be transferred between the server 102 and the device. Server 102 communicates with network 104 via communication link 128, which may include any type of wired or wireless communication channel. Data network 104 provides a wireless communication link 114 that allows data to be transferred wirelessly between network 104 and devices 106 , 108 , 110 , and 112 . Wireless communication link 114 includes any type of wireless communication technology. For the remainder of this description, various embodiments of the OTA reservation system will be described with reference to the mobile phone 106 . However, the embodiments are equally applicable to devices 108 , 110 and 112 .

In one embodiment, an overhead notification mechanism is used to establish communication between server 102 and device 106 . For example, device 102 communicates with overhead notification logic 124 at server 102 to establish overhead channel (ONC) 122 . ONC 122 may be a virtual channel that is part of an existing communication channel between server 102 and device 106. However, in one or more embodiments, ONC 122 can be implemented as any type of communication channel between server 102 and device 106.

In one embodiment, the system includes a client program 120 that resides on the device 106 . For example, a client program may be downloaded from server 102 to device 106 via ONC 122. In another embodiment, the client program 120 is loaded into the device during device manufacture. In yet another embodiment, the client program 120 is downloaded into the device 106 from a third party system or network entity.

The client program 120, once installed in the device 106, operates to activate the device 106 so that the device 106 can obtain OTA subscriptions. In one embodiment, client program 120 securely exchanges identification and other information (as indicated by path 118 ) with activation logic 116 in order to activate device 106 for operation with the OTA reservation system. After activating the device 106, the server 102 downloads the package database 126 to the device 106 via the ONC 122.

Package database 126 describes service packages available for subscription by device 106 . During operation of the device 106, the client 120 allows the device user to immediately view available service packages for subscription. Because the database is maintained on the device 106, the device 106 need not initiate a data session with an external server in order for the device user to browse the service offerings. Client program 120 operates to provide a program guide displayed on device 106 . The device user can then select one or more service packages for which subscriptions can be obtained.

To subscribe to a service package selected by a device user, the client 120 utilizes a device-server protocol to generate a subscription request, which is transmitted to the server 102 . For example, client 120 sends a subscription request to server 102 , as shown at 130 . The subscription request requests that the server 102 subscribe the device 106 to the selected service package. After processing the request, server 102 provides subscription content to device 106 as indicated by path 132 . In other embodiments, the subscription content is delivered to the device from a third party content provider.

In one or more embodiments, the OTA reservation system operates to maintain recent updates to the package database 126 at the device 106 . For example, client 120 transmits information related to current modifications of package database 126 to server 102 . If an updated version of package database 126 is available at server 102, server 102 transmits the updated package database to device 106 via ONC 122. Since the transfer on the ONC 122 is performed in the background and is transparent to the device user, the client operates to maintain an up-to-date backup of the package database 126 at the device without any user intervention.

In one or more embodiments, package database 126 may have any suitable format and/or data type. For example, each package identified in database 126 may include a package identifier, a package description, a list of services, pricing information, scheduling, and any other relevant information. Client 120 operates to present any or all of the information available in package database 126 to a user of device 106 via a program guide. Thus, a device user is able to see a variety of information by which to select one or more service packages to subscribe to. In one or more embodiments, any secure authentication mechanism is used to protect the activation of the device 106 and the information transmitted by the ONC 122.

In one embodiment, the system also operates to allow the device 106 to unsubscribe or terminate any currently existing subscriptions. For example, the client 120 displays service packages currently subscribed by the device. The device user selects one or more packages to cancel or terminate the subscription. Client 120 assembles a termination request, which is similar to a subscription request. The termination request server unsubscribes the device from the identified service package. Client 120 transmits a termination request to server 102 using a device-server protocol. Server 102 then processes the request to terminate the identified subscription.

Figure 2 shows a detailed diagram of one embodiment of a content server 200 suitable for use with one or more embodiments of an OTA reservation system. For example, server 200 may be used as server 102 in FIG. 1 . Server 200 includes processing logic 202 , device resources 204 , package database 206 , overhead notification logic 208 , and transceiver logic 210 , all of which are coupled to internal data bus 212 . Server 200 also includes activation logic 214 , which is also coupled to data bus 212 .

In one or more embodiments, processing logic 202 includes a CPU, a processor, a gate array, hardware logic, memory elements, a virtual machine, software, and/or any combination of hardware and software. Accordingly, processing logic 202 typically includes logic to execute machine-readable instructions and control one or more other functional elements of server 200 via internal data bus 212 .

Device resources and interfaces 204 include hardware and/or software that allow server 200 to communicate with internal and external systems.

For example, internal systems may include mass storage systems, memory, display drivers, modems, or other internal device resources. External systems may include user interface devices, printers, disk drives, or other local devices or systems.

Package database 206 includes any type of memory device suitable for storing information about available service packages. For example, package database 206 may include information such as package identifiers, service or tier identifiers, scheduling information, pricing, and/or any other type of information related to available service packages.

Transceiver logic 210 includes hardware and/or software that operates to allow server 200 to transmit and receive data and/or other information with remote devices or systems via communication channel 216 . For example, in one embodiment, communication channel 216 includes any suitable type of communication link that allows server 200 to communicate with a data network.

Overhead notification logic 208 includes hardware and/or software that operates to allow server 200 to establish and communicate through ONC 218. ONC 218 allows server 200 to communicate with devices in the background. For example, in one embodiment, ONC 218 includes a wireless link to the device, which allows data to be transmitted to the device. In one embodiment, overhead notification logic 208 is used to transfer information from package database 206 to the device in a transparent manner. In one embodiment, overhead notification logic 208 is part of transceiver logic 210 and ONC 218 is part of communication channel 216.

Processing logic 202 includes a client program 220, which is downloadable to the device. For example, client 220 may download to a device using ONC 218. Client 220 includes programs, executable files, data files, or any other type of file suitable for execution on a device to provide one or more embodiments of the OTA reservation system.

Activation logic 214 includes CPUs, processors, gate arrays, hardware logic, memory units, virtual machines, software, and/or any combination of hardware and software. Activation logic 214 operates to activate the device to operate with the OTA reservation system. The activation process only needs to happen once for each device that wishes to use the OTA reservation system. In one embodiment, client program 220 runs on the device and communicates with activation logic 214 to activate the device. Once the device is activated, the client program 220 running on the device operates to receive and display information about available service packages to the device user. Thus, the activation logic 214 operates in real-time to allow the server 200 to know the identity of the device, how to bill the device, authenticate the device, and download the service package package database to the device for client 220 rendering.

In one embodiment, the OTA reservation system includes program instructions stored on a computer-readable medium that, when executed by a processor (eg, processing logic 202 ), provide the functionality of server 200 described herein. For example, instructions may be loaded to server 200 from a computer-readable medium, such as a floppy disk, CDROM, memory card, FLASH memory device, RAM, ROM, or a computer interfaced with server 200 via device resource 204. Any other type of memory device or computer readable medium. In another embodiment, instructions may be downloaded into the server 200 via the transceiver logic 210 from an external device or network resource interfacing with the server 200 . The instructions, when executed by processing logic 202, provide one or more embodiments of the OTA reservation system described herein.

Figure 3 shows one embodiment of a method 300 for operating a server in one embodiment of an OTA reservation system. For clarity, method 300 will be described with reference to server 200 shown in FIG. 2 . In one or more embodiments, processing logic 202 executes program instructions and controls operation of server 200 to perform the functions described below.

At block 302, an ONC is established between the server 200 and the device. For example, overhead notification logic 208 establishes ONC 218 with the device to allow client 220 to be downloaded and installed on the device. In another embodiment, the client 220 is downloaded to the device from a third party.

At block 304, the device is activated so that it can subscribe to one or more service packages using one or more embodiments of the OTA subscription system. For example, a client program installed on a device contacts the server 200 to provide the required activation information. In one embodiment, the client program communicates with processing logic 202 via transceiver logic 210 to provide secure authentication information for activation purposes. For example, the information may include device identity, user identity, billing information, and any other type of related information.

At block 306, the ONC is used to download the package database and cache it locally on the device. For example, processing logic 202 controls overhead notification logic 208 to download package database 206 to the device using ONC 218. Thus, the most recent version of the package database is transparently downloaded and stored on the device.

At block 308, a test is performed to determine if the device user wants to subscribe to one or more packages available in the package database. For example, a client on a device operates to render a program guide of available packages to a user of the device. The device user selects one or more packages, and the client assembles a subscription request, which is transmitted to the server using the device-server protocol. The subscription request contains information about the requesting device and the number and type of packages the user wishes to subscribe. Thus, if a subscription request is received at the server, the method proceeds to block 312 . If no reservation request has been received, the method continues to block 310 .

At block 310, a test is performed to determine if an update package database is available for transfer to one or more devices. For example, as more service packages become available, the package database 206 is updated with new information to allow devices to subscribe to newly available packages. For example, processing logic 202 operates to update package database 206 with new service package information. If a new package database is available, the method proceeds to block 306 where the new package database is transparently downloaded to the device via the ONC 218. If no new package database is available, the method proceeds to block 308 where a test is performed to determine whether a new subscription request has been received.

At block 312, the server has received a new subscription request, which is processed to allow the device to subscribe to one or more service packages. For example, subscription requests are transmitted using a device-server subscription protocol. The subscription request is received and processed by processing logic 202 such that a device transmitting the subscription request can subscribe to one or more service packages identified in the request.

At block 314, the requested service that has been subscribed to is provided to the device. For example, the server operates to transmit the service to the device via the wireless network connection via the transceiver logic 210 . In another embodiment, the server operates to authorize the content provider or other third party service provider to provide the subscribed service to the device.

It should be noted that method 300 illustrates only one embodiment and that changes, additions, or reconfigurations may be made to the described functionality without departing from the scope of the described embodiments. For example, in one embodiment, server 200 is operable to terminate or unsubscribe existing subscriptions. In this embodiment, at block 308 the server 200 receives a termination request from the device. A Terminate Request is a request from a device to unsubscribe or terminate an existing subscription. At block 312, the server then operates to terminate the subscription, after which the method ends.

Figure 4 shows a detailed diagram of one embodiment of a terminal 400 suitable for use with one embodiment of the OTA reservation system. Terminal 400 includes processing logic 402 , device resources and interfaces 404 , and transceiver logic 408 , all of which are coupled to data bus 410 . Terminal 400 also includes client 406 and package database 412 , which are also coupled to data bus 410 .

In one or more embodiments, processing logic 402 includes a CPU, a processor, a gate array, hardware logic, a memory unit, a virtual machine, software, and/or any combination of hardware and software. Accordingly, processing logic 402 generally includes logic to execute machine-readable instructions and control one or more other functional elements of terminal 400 via internal data bus 410 .

Device resources and interfaces 404 include hardware and/or software that allow terminal 400 to communicate with internal and external systems. For example, internal systems may include mass storage systems, memory, display drivers, modems, or other internal device resources. External systems may include user interface devices, printers, disk drives, or other local devices or systems.

Transceiver logic 408 includes hardware and/or software that operates to allow terminal 400 to transmit and receive data and/or other information with external devices or systems via communication channel 414 . For example, communication channel 414 may comprise a network communication link, a wireless communication link, or any other type of communication link.

During operation, device 400 is activated to operate using one or more embodiments of the OTA reservation system. In one embodiment, the device establishes an ONC with the content distribution server. The client 406 is downloaded from the server using the ONC 416 and installed on the device. In another embodiment, the client 406 is installed on the device during manufacture or downloaded from a third party. Client 406 executes on the device to communicate with the content distribution server in order to complete the one-time activation process. During the activation process, the server downloads the package database 412 to the device using the ONC 416.

Once the activation process is complete, client 406 operates to provide a user interface (UI) that allows a device user to view available service packages identified in package database 412 . The client 406 also allows the device user to select one or more packages to subscribe to. After the device user selects one or more packages to subscribe, the selected packages are identified in a subscription request generated by the client 406 . The client 406 then transmits the subscription request to the content distribution server. In one or more embodiments, client 406 includes machine-readable instructions that are executed by processing logic 402 to perform the functions described herein.

Package database 412 includes any type of storage suitable for storing information about service packages available for subscription. For example, package database 412 may include package identifiers, scheduling information, pricing, and/or any other information about available service packages reproducible on the device.

In one embodiment, the device performs one or more of the following functions in one or more embodiments of the OTA reservation system. It should be noted that the following functions may be changed, reconfigured, modified, added or otherwise adjusted within the scope of the described embodiments.

1. Establish an overhead notification mechanism between the device and the content server.

2. The client program is downloaded to the device, or currently exists on the device.

3. The client activates the device with the OTA reservation system.

4. The device receives the package database from the content server, which is transparently transmitted to the device using an overhead notification mechanism.

5. The client renders to the device user a program guide showing available service packages that the user can subscribe to.

6. After the user selects one or more packages, the client assembles a subscription request, which is transmitted to the content server using the device-server protocol.

7. After the subscription request has been processed by the content server, the device receives the service to which the user has subscribed.

In one embodiment, the OTA reservation system includes program instructions stored on a computer-readable medium that, when executed by processing logic 402 , provide the functionality of terminal 400 described herein. For example, instructions may be loaded into terminal 400 from a computer-readable medium, such as a floppy disk, CDROM, memory card, FLASH memory device, RAM, ROM, or interfaced to terminal 400 via device resource 404 any other type of memory device or computer-readable medium. In another embodiment, instructions may be downloaded into terminal 400 via transceiver logic 408 from a network resource interfaced with terminal 400 . The instructions, when executed by processing logic 402, provide one or more embodiments of the usage tracking system described herein.

Figure 5 shows one embodiment of a method 500 for operating a terminal in one or more embodiments of an OTA reservation system. For clarity, the method 500 will be described with reference to the apparatus 400 shown in FIG. 4 . In one or more embodiments, processing logic 402 executes program instructions to control device 400 to perform the functions described below.

At block 502, the device user powers on the device. In one embodiment, after being powered on, the device operates to establish communication with a data network via a wireless communication link. For example, processing logic 402 controls transceiver logic 408 to establish a wireless communication link with a data network.

At block 504, a test is performed to determine if the device has been activated with the OTA subscription system. If the device has been activated with the OTA reservation system, the device activates the client program and the method proceeds to block 510 . If the device has not been activated, the method proceeds to block 506 .

At block 506, an ONC is established between the device and the content server. For example, in one embodiment, processing logic 402 communicates with a content server to establish an ONC that is used to download and install a client program. Next, the client program is executed on the device.

At block 508, the client operates to activate the device with the OTA reservation system. For example, the client program uses the transceiver logic 408 to identify the device to the content server and provide any other activation information that may be required for activation. The method then proceeds to block 510 .

At block 510, the client operates to receive a recent package database from the content distribution server. For example, the client logic 406 operates to receive the most recent package database from the content distribution server via the ONC 416 using transparent communication. The package database is stored at device 400 as package database 412 .

At block 512, the client installed on the device operates to display the program guide to the device user. The program guide provides the device user with information about the service packages available for subscription. Such information includes, for example, scheduling, pricing, availability, and any other relevant information. In one embodiment, client 406 operates to display information from package database 412 in a program guide.

At block 514, a test is performed to determine if the user wishes to subscribe to one or more available service packages. For example, a user may select one or more service packages from the displayed program guide and request a subscription to those packages. If the user selects any package to subscribe, the method proceeds to block 516 . If the user has not selected any packages to subscribe, the method proceeds to block 510 where the device may receive an updated backup of the package database (if one is available).

At block 516, the client program operates to assemble a subscription request to allow the device user to subscribe to the selected program package. For example, a subscription request is assembled according to a device-service agreement that allows one or more packages to be identified for subscription. For example, in one embodiment, client logic 406 operates to assemble a subscription request.

At block 518, the completed subscription request is transmitted to the content distribution server. For example, the subscription request may be transmitted to the content distribution server 102 shown in FIG. 1 . The subscription request identifies one or more service packages that the device user wishes to subscribe to. In one embodiment, the transceiver logic 408 transmits the subscription request to the content server over the air using the communication link 414 .

At block 520, after the subscription request has been processed by the content server, the subscribed service is delivered to the device. For example, in one embodiment, the subscribed service is communicated from the content distribution server to the device via the communication link 414 . In another embodiment, the subscribed service is delivered to the given device from a third party content provider or other content server.

Accordingly, method 500 operates to allow a device to subscribe to one or more service packages over the air. In another embodiment, method 500 may be slightly modified to allow a device to unsubscribe or terminate any existing subscription. For example, a subscription request may include information identifying the subscription to be terminated. It should be noted that method 500 illustrates only one embodiment and that changes, additions or reconfigurations may be made to functional elements without departing from the scope of the described embodiments.

Figure 6 shows one embodiment of a message layer header 600 used with a reservation request as part of the device-server protocol in one embodiment of an OTA reservation system. Header 600 includes information in various data fields 602 having a specified data size 604 . For example, data field 602 includes Device_ID, Subscriber_ID, and a signature, all of which can be used to identify the specific device that generated the request. Header 600 may contain almost any type of data necessary to fulfill the reservation request.

Figure 7 shows one embodiment of a subscription record 700 used in one embodiment of an OTA reservation system with a reservation request as part of the device-server protocol. The subscription record 700 identifies a package number 702 that includes a package_ID/package_version pair 704 that the device user wishes to subscribe to. For example, each package_ID is associated with a service package provided by a particular service provider. package_version refers to the version of the package cached on the device, which can be used to determine price, description, rating, etc. Accordingly, header 600 and subscription record 700 may be used in one or more embodiments of an OTA subscription system to provide a subscription protocol that allows a device to request subscription to one or more service packages.

Thus, while one or more embodiments of an OTA reservation system have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated that various changes may be made to the described embodiments without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics of the embodiments. Accordingly, the disclosure and description herein are intended to be illustrative, but not limiting, of the scope of the invention, which is set forth in the appended claims.

Claims (60)

1. method that is used for providing aerial reservation at data network, described method comprises:

Set up overhead notification mechanism;

Use described overhead notification mechanism to device transmission procedure bag database, wherein said package database is discerned one or more packages of service program; And

Receive the request of subscribing selected package of service program from described device.

2. method according to claim 1, it further comprises the described device of activation.

3. method according to claim 1, it further comprises:

Determine on described device, not install package database through upgrading; And

Use described overhead notification mechanism to the described package database of described device transmission through upgrading.

4. method according to claim 1, it comprises that further transmission is used to be installed in the client on the described device.

5. method according to claim 1, wherein said reception comprise that operative installations-server protocol receives the request of the described selected package of service program of described reservation.

6. method according to claim 1, it further comprises to described device provides the service that is associated with described selected package of service program.

7. method according to claim 1, wherein said reception comprise the request of quitting the subscription of selected package of service program from described device reception.

8. equipment that is used for providing aerial reservation at data network, described equipment comprises:

Overhead notification logic, it is operated to set up overhead notification channel;

Transmission logic, its operation is to use described overhead notification channel to device transmission procedure bag database, and wherein said package database is discerned one or more packages of service program; And

Receive logic, its operation is to receive the request of subscribing selected package of service program from described device.

9. equipment according to claim 8, it further comprises processing logic, described processing logic operation is to activate described device.

10. equipment according to claim 8, wherein said transmission logic operation is to use described overhead notification channel to the package database of described device transmission through upgrading.

11. equipment according to claim 8, the operation of wherein said processing logic is used to be installed in client on the described device with transmission.

12. equipment according to claim 8, wherein said receive logic further comprise the logic that receives the request of the described selected package of service program of described reservation in order to operative installations-server protocol.

13. equipment according to claim 8, wherein said transmission logic further comprise in order to the logic of the service that is associated with described selected package of service program to be provided to described device.

14. equipment according to claim 8, wherein said receive logic further comprise in order to receive the described logic of quitting the subscription of the request of described selected package of service program.

15. an equipment that is used for providing at data network aerial reservation, described equipment comprises:

Be used to set up the device of overhead notification mechanism;

Be used to use the device of described overhead notification mechanism to device transmission procedure bag database, wherein said package database is discerned one or more packages of service program; And

Be used for receiving the device of the request of subscribing selected package of service program from described device.

16. equipment according to claim 15, it further comprises the device that is used to activate described device.

17. equipment according to claim 15, it further comprises:

Be used for determining on described device, not install the device of package database through upgrading; And

Be used to use the device of described overhead notification mechanism to the described package database of described device transmission through upgrading.

18. equipment according to claim 15, it further comprises and is used to transmit the device that is used to be installed in the client on the described device.

19. comprising, equipment according to claim 15, the wherein said device that is used to receive is used for the device that operative installations-server protocol receives the request of the described selected package of service program of described reservation.

20. equipment according to claim 15, it further comprises the device that is used for providing to described device the service that is associated with described selected package of service program.

21. equipment according to claim 15, the wherein said device that is used to receive comprises the device that is used to receive the request of quitting the subscription of described selected package of service program.

22. a computer-readable media, it comprises when being carried out by processor the device of operation with the method implementing to be used for to subscribe at data network in the air, and described method comprises:

Set up overhead notification mechanism;

Use described overhead notification mechanism to device transmission procedure bag database, wherein said package database is discerned one or more packages of service program; And

Receive the request of subscribing selected package of service program from described device.

23. further comprising, computer-readable media according to claim 22, described method activate described device.

24. computer-readable media according to claim 22, described method further comprises:

Determine on described device, not install package database through upgrading; And

Use described overhead notification mechanism to the described package database of described device transmission through upgrading.

25. computer-readable media according to claim 22, described method comprise that further transmission is used to be installed in the client on the described device.

26. computer-readable media according to claim 22, wherein said reception comprise that operative installations-server protocol receives the request of the described selected package of service program of described reservation.

27. further comprising to described device, computer-readable media according to claim 22, described method provide the service that is associated with described selected package of service program.

28. computer-readable media according to claim 22, wherein said reception comprise the request of quitting the subscription of described selected package of service program that receives.

29. one kind is used for operating means to carry out aerial method of subscribing at data network, described method comprises:

Set up overhead notification mechanism;

Use described overhead notification mechanism to receive package database, wherein said package database is discerned one or more packages of service program; And

Transmit the request of subscribing selected package of service program in aerial mode.

30. according to the method for claim 29, it comprises that further the described device of activation is to ask aerial reservation.

31. according to the method for claim 29, it comprises that further the described overhead notification mechanism of use receives the package database through upgrading.

32. according to the method for claim 29, it further comprises the client that reception is used to install.

33. according to the method for claim 32, it comprises that further the described client of operation is to reproduce the information from described package database.

34. according to the method for claim 29, wherein said transmission comprises that operative installations-server protocol transmits the request of the described selected package of service program of described reservation.

35. according to the method for claim 29, it further comprises the service that is associated with described selected package of service program that receives.

36. according to the method for claim 29, wherein said transmission comprises the request that described selected package of service program is quit the subscription of in transmission.

37. one kind is used for carrying out the aerial equipment of subscribing at data network, described equipment comprises:

Overhead notification logic, it is operated to set up overhead notification channel;

Receive logic, it is operated to use described overhead notification channel to receive package database from content server, and wherein said package database is discerned one or more packages of service program; And

Transmission logic, its operation is to transmit the request of subscribing selected package of service program with aerial mode.

38. according to the described equipment of claim 37, it further comprises processing logic, described processing logic operation is to carry out activation with described content server.

39. according to the described equipment of claim 37, it further comprises in order to use described overhead notification channel to receive the logic of the package database through upgrading.

40. according to the described equipment of claim 37, it further comprises processing logic, the client that described processing logic operation is used to install with reception.

41. according to the described equipment of claim 37, wherein said client operation is to reproduce the information from described package database.

42. according to the described equipment of claim 37, wherein said transmission logic operation is transmitted the request of the described selected package of service program of described reservation to use device-server protocol.

43. according to the described equipment of claim 37, wherein said receive logic operation is to receive the service that is associated with described selected package of service program.

44. according to the described equipment of claim 37, the request that wherein said transmission logic operation is quit the subscription of described selected package of service program with transmission.

45. one kind is used for carrying out the aerial equipment of subscribing at data network, described equipment comprises:

Be used to set up the device of overhead notification mechanism;

Be used to use the device of described overhead notification mechanism from content server reception package database, wherein said package database is discerned one or more packages of service program; And

Be used for transmitting the device of subscribing selected package of service program in aerial mode.

46. according to the described equipment of claim 45, it further comprises the device that is used for described content server activation.

47. according to the described equipment of claim 45, it further comprises the device that is used to use the package database of described overhead notification mechanism reception through upgrading.

48. according to the described equipment of claim 45, it further comprises the device that is used to receive the client that is used to install.

49. according to the described equipment of claim 48, it further comprises and is used to operate described client to reproduce the device from the information of described package database.

50. according to the described equipment of claim 45, the wherein said device that is used to transmit comprises and is used for the device that operative installations-server protocol transmits the request of the described selected package of service program of described reservation.

51. according to the described equipment of claim 45, it further comprises the device that is used to receive the service that is associated with described selected package of service program.

52. according to the described equipment of claim 45, the wherein said device that is used to transmit comprises the device that is used to transmit the request of quitting the subscription of described selected package of service program.

53. a computer-readable media, it comprises that operation is used for carrying out at data network with execution when being carried out by processor

The device of aerial method of subscribing, described method comprises:

Set up overhead notification mechanism;

Use described overhead notification mechanism to receive package database from content server, wherein said package database is discerned one or more packages of service program; And

Transmit the request of subscribing selected package of service program in aerial mode.

54. according to the described computer-readable media of claim 53, described method further comprises with described content server activation.

55. according to the described computer-readable media of claim 53, described method further comprises uses the package database of described overhead notification mechanism reception through upgrading.

56. according to the described computer-readable media of claim 53, described method further comprises the client that reception is used to install.

57. according to the described computer-readable media of claim 53, described method comprises that further the described client of operation is to reproduce the information from described package database.

58. according to the described computer-readable media of claim 53, wherein said transmission comprises that operative installations-server protocol transmits the request of the described selected package of service program of described reservation.

59. according to the described computer-readable media of claim 53, described method further comprises the service that is associated with described selected package of service program that receives.

60. according to the described computer-readable media of claim 53, wherein said transmission comprises the request that described selected package of service program is quit the subscription of in transmission.

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