111111
`
`1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
`US 20040123281Al
`
`(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication
`Olrik et al.
`
`(10) Pub. No.: US 2004/0123281 A1
`Jun. 24, 2004
`( 43) Pub. Date:
`
`(54) SYSTEM, DEVICE, METHOD AND
`CONTENT PACKAGE FOR UPGRADING A
`MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS TERMINAL
`
`(76)
`
`Inventors: Jakob Christian Olrik, Copenhagen 0
`(DK); Mads Dalsgaard, Snekkersten
`(DK)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`ANTONELLI, TERRY, STOUT & KRAUS,
`LLP
`1300 NORTH SEVENTEENTH STREET
`SUITE 1800
`ARLINGTON, VA 22209-9889 (US)
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`10/324,027
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Dec. 20, 2002
`
`Publication Classification
`
`Int. CI? ....................................................... G06F 9/44
`(51)
`(52) U.S. Cl. .............................................................. 717/168
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A system for upgrading a mobile communications terminal
`includes a first computer and a database coupled to the first
`computer. The database contains a plurality of mobile com(cid:173)
`munications terminal software items. The system also
`includes a second computer and a network having a first
`node and second node. The first computer is connected to the
`first node, and the second computer is connected to the
`second node. The plurality of mobile communications ter(cid:173)
`minal software items of the database is accessible to the
`second computer over the network. The second computer is
`adapted to upgrade the mobile communications terminal by
`supplying it with at least a particular software item among
`the plurality of mobile communications terminal software
`items.
`
`'\
`"""'I-• Bot.~.-b;./t.:."-'cS
`--!'-• RingTones
`..-I'-. PolyphonicTones
`.... ~. Pictures
`"'"1--• Animated Screen
`Savers
`.-1'-. Java Midlets
`
`'
`
`\
`,
`.. Boo~c;~ ... ~s/CW.s
`• RingTones
`• PolyphonicTones
`·Pictures
`·Animated Screen
`Savers
`• Java Midlets
`
`4~6c.
`\
`• ~-.-%=V CWc:s
`• RingTones
`• PolyphonicTones
`• Pictures
`• Animated Screen
`Savers
`• Java Midlets
`
`'13>Q._
`Co....,k...Jr(cid:173)
`pa.d:.Q.~~(s)
`
`CoreSW
`'-tl l.. 'i--CE Software Release Trail.
`~ 1 '1 ,1-'----- Features
`'1/fc ... ~Applications
`'+ 1 a '~-'---- Enablers
`
`L_------------------------------------~--~J
`
`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1023-0001
`
`

`

`ME Upgrade
`Center
`
`ME Retail
`Shop
`
`""C
`~ .....
`~ = .....
`>
`'t:l -....
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`(')
`
`~ .....
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`~ = ?
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`~ .....
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`N
`~,J;;..
`
`N c c
`
`,J;;..
`
`'JJ. =-~
`~ .....
`'"""'
`0 ......,
`00
`
`sz
`
`ME Upgrade Kiosk
`
`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1 023-0002
`
`

`

`'1.R>0
`ME Upgrade
`Center
`
`2.60
`
`ME Retail
`Shop
`
`202
`
`Extra
`Customer
`Sales
`Monitor 29'2...
`
`'t:l
`
`(')
`
`~ .....
`
`""C
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`~ = .....
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`.... 0 = ""C
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`~ = ?
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`0 ......,
`00
`
`006tl7&$1!1-0~0$e>~il)·Q-@~(\$0.$J-$0Gl>
`
`2-ZL
`
`ME Upgrade Kiosk
`
`2-56 -
`
`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1 023-0003
`
`

`

`:%C::
`ME Upgrade
`Center
`
`"3®
`ME Retail
`Shop
`
`0o@®4i:I-{!}~C~.QOO-a.1S1:'1""J.
`
`)1...2.
`
`Upgrade Kiosk
`
`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1 023-0004
`
`

`

`So~a.~ up,~d\:5 ~t
`4\6<!.
`'-f~~
`"
`,
`• Bo-ot-~v Gw.c~
`.. ~-'..-t'S/1.:;.~~
`• RingTones
`• RingTones
`• PolyphonicTones
`• PolyphonicTones
`• Pictures
`• Pictures
`• Animated Screen
`·Animated Screen
`Savers
`Savers
`• Java Midlets
`• Java Midlets
`
`• Boo~ ..... bl./~"'lcs
`• RingTones
`• PolyphonicTones
`• Pictures
`• Animated Screen
`Savers
`• Java Midlets
`
`L.tzo
`
`Lf~'l..
`
`Y"l..'f
`
`.
`
`u....\~
`
`----==-----==----_______: _ ___~[~----==-------~/ } cd~~ c
`~anguage Pack
`s~~"'-5S
`
`,I
`
`CoreSW
`'-tJ 1.. ~~-cE Software Release Trail.
`4.f 1 '1 , ... _,.Features
`'1 '"' ,. ...1. Applications
`'+ 1 a ,r--- Enablers
`
`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1 023-0005
`
`

`

`- T\...~-.t_.:
`
`532.. _-r 1"-
`
`Miditones:
`
`'f' l..l.
`Pictures:
`
`ME Content Packages (examples):
`5~0b
`5~0
`/:
`J:o,
`\
`/
`
`"Fashion"
`
`"Work"
`
`·Top 3 on Young Hit list
`• 2 Sounds
`
`• 3 Classic tunes
`• 2 Sounds
`
`• Fashion Pictures
`• Animated
`•Wallpapers
`
`• Classic Pictures
`• Animated
`• Wallpapers
`
`1 .. ._)
`WAP Bookmarks:
`
`·Fashion Homepage
`·City Life
`•
`
`• News
`·Stocks
`
`.
`
`I'
`\
`
`"Christmas"
`
`• 3 Classic Christmas
`songs
`• 2 Sounds
`
`• Christmas Pictures
`• Animated
`• Wallpapers
`
`• Gift ideas/shops
`
`,,. lJ
`Java Midlet:
`
`• Action Game
`
`·MasterMind Game
`
`• Christmas Game
`
`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1 023-0006
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Jun. 24, 2004 Sheet 6 of 8
`
`US 2004/0123281 A1
`
`1000~
`
`Fig 6
`
`Fig 7
`
`Fig 8
`
`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1 023-0007
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Jun. 24, 2004 Sheet 7 of 8
`
`US 2004/0123281 A1
`
`Fig 9
`
`400~
`
`Fig 10
`
`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1 023-0008
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Jun. 24, 2004 Sheet 8 of 8
`
`US 2004/0123281 A1
`
`~~§IU~~ro
`
`1 67l '2.
`
`Fig 11
`
`Fig 12
`
`0
`
`Fig 13
`
`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1 023-0009
`
`

`

`US 2004/0123281 A1
`
`Jun.24,2004
`
`1
`
`SYSTEM, DEVICE, METHOD AND CONTENT
`PACKAGE FOR UPGRADING A MOBILE
`COMMUNICATIONS TERMINAL
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0001] The present invention relates to a system, a device,
`a method and a content package for upgrading a mobile
`communications terminal with at least a particular software
`item selected among a plurality of mobile communications
`terminal software items.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0002] A mobile terminal in the form of a mobile (cellular)
`telephone for a telecommunications system like GSM,
`UMTS, D-AMPS or CDMA2000 is a familiar example of a
`mobile communications terminal according to the above.
`
`[0003] U.S. Pat. No. 5,418,837 discloses a method and
`apparatus for upgrading the software of a mobile cellular
`telephone by temporarily connecting a software upgrading
`module (SUM) card to a card reader of the telephone. In a
`GSM telephone, the SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) card
`reader may be used. A CPU of the telephone is adapted to
`check, upon insertion of a card into the card reader, whether
`the card is an ordinary SIM card or a SUM card. In the latter
`case, upgrading software is read from a memory of the SUM
`card and is stored in a main memory of the telephone.
`
`[0004] A drawback with the above is the manual interven(cid:173)
`tion required for inserting the SUM card into the SIM card
`reader. This may require turning off the telephone, removing
`either a case lid or a battery, then carefully removing the
`SIM card from the card reader, inserting the SUM card in the
`card reader, mounting either the case lid or the battery, and
`finally turning the telephone back on. Moreover, since the
`SUM card must be filled with a specific content-a particu(cid:173)
`lar piece of upgrading software-this solution does not
`allow the user to have any influence on the selection of the
`upgrading software. In other words, personalization of the
`telephone by upgrading the software is not available accord(cid:173)
`ing to this solution. In addition, since an individual SUM
`card itself carries the required upgrading software, the SUM
`card must be brought to the place where the telephone is.
`
`[0005] WOOl/93546 relates to a mobile terminal and,
`more particularly, to the issue of personalizing the terminal
`by allowing update of the ringtone or the idle-mode display
`background image from a computer. An external device,
`such as a camera or an instrumental keyboard, is connected
`to the computer so as to allow generation of the data that the
`terminal is to be updated with. The computer converts the
`generated data into a suitable format and transmits the
`converted data to the terminal through a datacall session
`over the mobile communications network (e.g. GSM), or
`through an SMS message or a WAP session. This solution
`allows remote upgrade of a mobile terminal without requir(cid:173)
`ing the use of a local data carrier in direct physical contact
`with the terminal. It is however a non-flexible solution in
`that the data available for upgrading the terminal is limited
`to whatever data is currently input through the external
`device. It also requires active use of the external device, i.e.
`someone must operate the external device in order for the
`upgrade to take place. The terminal user cannot by himself
`request terminal upgrade with certain desired data, such as
`
`a specific image or ringtone, without having someone actu(cid:173)
`ally generating this data by means of the external device.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`In view of the above, an objective of the invention
`[0006]
`is to solve or at least reduce the problems discussed above.
`In more particular, a purpose of the invention is to provide
`an efficient, flexible and user friendly manner of upgrading
`a mobile communications terminal.
`
`[0007] Generally, the above objectives are achieved by a
`system, a device, a method and a content package according
`to the attached independent patent claims.
`
`[0008] A first aspect of the invention is a system for
`upgrading a mobile communications terminal, the system
`comprising:
`
`[0009] a first computer;
`
`[0010] a database coupled to said first computer, said
`database containing a plurality of mobile communi(cid:173)
`cations terminal software items;
`
`[0011] a second computer;
`
`[0012] a network having a first node and second
`node, said first computer being connected to said first
`node and said second computer being connected to
`said second node, wherein said plurality of mobile
`communications terminal software items of said
`database is accessible to said second computer over
`said network;
`
`[0013] wherein said second computer is adapted to
`upgrade said mobile communications terminal by
`supplying it with at least a particular software item
`among said plurality of mobile communications ter(cid:173)
`minal software items.
`
`In one embodiment, the second computer is
`[0014]
`adapted to select said particular software item in response to
`a serial identity, article identity, model identity, type identity,
`version identity or release identity-or any combination
`thereof---{)f said mobile communications terminal. The sec(cid:173)
`ond computer may have a user interface and be adapted to
`allow a user to select said particular software item by a
`selecting action through said user interface.
`
`In one embodiment, the system comprises a second
`[0015]
`database coupled to said second computer, said second
`database being adapted to be repeatedly supplied with at
`least some of said plurality of mobile communications
`terminal software items and thus contain a replicated version
`of at least a portion of said database coupled to said first
`computer, wherein said second computer is adapted to
`upgrade said mobile communications terminal by supplying
`said particular software item from said second database.
`
`[0016] The particular software item may include at least
`one of the following types: a still image such as an icon, a
`wallpaper, a picture or a logotype; a digital sound such as a
`ringtone or a piece of music; a video/audio sequence;
`program code for a processor of the mobile communications
`terminal, such as an electronic game, an application, an
`applet or a midlet; an electronic link such as a WAP
`bookmark; settings data for said mobile communications
`
`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1023-0010
`
`

`

`US 2004/0123281 Al
`
`Jun.24,2004
`
`2
`
`terminal, such as settings for a user interface thereof; or
`language data for a user interface of said mobile communi(cid:173)
`cations terminal.
`
`In one embodiment, the second computer is
`[0017]
`adapted to upgrade said mobile communications terminal
`with a particular set of software items selected among said
`plurality of mobile communications terminal software items.
`The particular set of software items may include at least two
`software items of different ones of the types listed above.
`These at least two software items may have a certain
`selectable theme in common, which may relate to a social,
`cultural, geographical, political, historical, financial, techni(cid:173)
`cal or educational aspect of life or mankind.
`
`[0018] The mobile communications terminal may be
`adapted for use in any one of the following mobile telecom(cid:173)
`munications
`systems: GSM, UMTS, D-AMPS or
`CDMA2000.
`
`[0019] A second aspect of the invention is a method of
`upgrading a mobile communications terminal. The method
`comprises the steps of:
`
`[0020] accepting a selection, over a network, of at
`least a particular software item among a plurality of
`mobile communications terminal software items;
`
`[0021] delivering said particular software item over
`said network; and
`
`[0022] upgrading the mobile communications termi(cid:173)
`nal with said particular software item.
`
`[0023] The method may further comprise the steps of
`
`[0024] determining a serial identity, article identity,
`model identity, type identity, version identity or
`release identity of said mobile communications ter(cid:173)
`minal; and
`
`[0025] using the determined identity when selecting
`said particular software item.
`
`[0026] The method may also comprise the steps of
`
`receiving said selection of at least a particular
`[0027]
`software item from a user through a user interface;
`and
`
`[0028]
`
`forwarding said selection over said network.
`
`[0029] A third aspect of the invention is a device for
`upgrading a mobile communications terminal. The device
`comprises:
`
`[0030] a retractable tray sized and designed to receive
`said mobile communications terminal when said tray
`is in an extended position;
`
`[0031] a mechanism coupled to said tray for displac(cid:173)
`ing said tray between said extended position and a
`retracted position;
`
`[0032] an interface designed to interconnect with the
`mobile communications terminal when said tray is in
`its retracted position; and
`
`[0033] means for supplying upgrading data over said
`inter-face to said mobile communications terminal.
`
`[0034] The device may have a housing sized and designed
`to fit in a standard peripheral bay of a computer, such as a
`bay for a CD player, DVD player, diskette station or hard
`disk.
`
`[0035] Said means for supplying upgrading data may be
`adapted to receive said upgrading data from a computer and
`forward it to said mobile communications terminal. It may
`comprise an interface for a computer bus such as ISA, EISA,
`VESA, IDE, PCI, PC Card, USB or Firewire.
`
`[0036] A fourth aspect of the invention is a content pack(cid:173)
`age for upgrading a mobile communications terminal. Said
`content package comprises a set of mobile communications
`terminal software items having a certain selectable theme in
`common.
`
`[0037] Other objectives, features and advantages of the
`present invention will appear from the following detailed
`disclosure, from the attached dependent claims as well as
`from the drawings.
`
`[0038] Generally, all terms used in the claims are to be
`interpreted according to their ordinary meaning in the tech(cid:173)
`nical field, unless explicitly defined otherwise herein. All
`references to "a/an/the [element, device, component, means,
`step, etc]" are to be interpreted openly as referring to at least
`one instance of said element, device, component, means,
`step, etc., unless explicitly stated otherwise. The steps of any
`method disclosed herein do not have to be performed in the
`exact order disclosed, unless explicitly stated.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`[0039] The present invention will now be described in
`more detail, reference being made to the enclosed drawings.
`
`[0040] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a system for
`upgrading a mobile communications terminal by way of a
`remote central database and an upgrading station in a retail
`shop.
`
`[0041] FIGS. 2 and 3 are schematic illustrations of two
`alternative systems for upgrading a mobile communications
`terminal by way of a remote central database and an upgrad(cid:173)
`ing station, a local database and a local www server in a
`retail shop.
`[0042] FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of a software
`upgrading set with which a mobile communications terminal
`may be upgraded, the software upgrading set including core
`software, a language/settings pack and at least one content
`package.
`[0043] FIG. 5 gives a couple of examples of different
`content packages that may be included in a software upgrad(cid:173)
`ing set of FIG. 4.
`
`[0044] FIGS. 6-9 are perspective views of a device for
`upgrading a mobile communications terminal, the device
`being sized and designed to fit in a standard peripheral bay
`of a computer and having a retractable tray for accommo(cid:173)
`dating the terminal.
`[0045] FIG. 6 shows the retractable tray in an extended
`position, with no mobile communications terminal mounted
`in the tray.
`
`[0046] FIG. 7 shows the retractable tray in its extended
`position and with a mobile communications terminal
`mounted in the tray.
`
`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1023-0011
`
`

`

`US 2004/0123281 Al
`
`Jun.24,2004
`
`3
`
`[0047] FIG. 8 shows the retractable tray in its retracted
`position.
`
`[0048] FIG. 9 is a view which corresponds to FIG. 6 but
`with the device housing removed so as to reveal the com(cid:173)
`ponents inside the device.
`
`[0049] FIG. 10 is an exploded view of the device shown
`in FIG. 9.
`
`[0050] FIG. 11 is a side view of the device shown in FIG.
`6.
`
`[0051] FIG. 12 is a side view of the device shown in FIG.
`8.
`
`[0052] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a standard-size
`computer having three peripheral bays, wherein one instance
`of the device for upgrading a mobile communications ter(cid:173)
`minal according to FIGS. 6-12 is mounted in each of the
`three peripheral bays.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF 1HE
`INVENTION
`
`[0053] FIG. 1 illustrates a first embodiment of a system
`for upgrading a mobile communications terminal according
`to the invention. A mobile equipment (ME) retail shop 100
`has a shop representative 110 such as a shop owner, manager
`or assistant, a counter 112 and a counter computer 114
`including a counter computer monitor 116, all in a well
`known manner. The counter computer 114 is connected, as
`seen at 118, to a shop LAN (local area net-work) 120. The
`shop LAN is connected at 122 to the Internet 140 through an
`appropriate Internet access 130 such as ISDN, ASDL or any
`commercially available broad-band connection.
`
`[0054] A mobile equipment upgrade kiosk 150 has an
`upgrade computer 152 which is connected to the shop LAN
`120 and thus the Internet 140. Both the counter computer
`114 and the upgrade computer 152 may be realized by
`commercially available personal computers (PCs).
`
`[0055] A mobile equipment upgrade center 160 has a
`central upgrade server 162 and a central upgrade database
`164 which, too, are connected to the Internet 140 and are
`thus accessible from the counter computer 114 and the
`upgrade computer 152 in the mobile equipment retail shop
`100. The central upgrade database 164 stores a plurality of
`software items with which various models of mobile com(cid:173)
`munications terminals may be upgraded.
`
`[0056] A customer 102 may use the system described
`above for upgrading a mobile communications terminal! in
`the following manner. The customer 102 enters the retail
`shop 100 and hands the mobile communications terminal!
`over to the shop representative 110, who mounts the terminal
`1 in or on the upgrade kiosk 150 so as to connect the terminal
`1 to the upgrade computer 152. The connection between
`terminal! and upgrade computer .152 may be established in
`different ways. For instance, a dedicated accessory or repro(cid:173)
`gramming interface on the terminal! may be connected to
`a corresponding interface of the upgrade computer 152, or to
`an intermediate interface of the upgrade kiosk 150, which
`then will act so as to establish operative connection between
`terminal! and upgrade computer 152. The dedicated acces(cid:173)
`sory or reprogramming interface on the terminal! may be an
`electrical contact, or a wireless interface such as infrared
`(e.g. IrDA) or short-range radio (e.g. Bluetooth). Detailed
`
`examples of the interconnection between terminal and
`upgrading computer will be given in the remaining drawings
`and later in the description of this invention.
`
`[0057] The customer 102 and the shop representative 110
`may discuss the particulars about the upgrade of the terminal
`1. As previously mentioned, the upgrade may consist in
`adding or substituting certain software items of the terminal,
`including but not limited to: a still image such as an icon, a
`wallpaper, a picture or a logotype; a digital sound such as a
`ringtone or a piece of music; a video/audio sequence;
`program code for the terminal!, such as an electronic game,
`an application, an applet or a midlet; an electronic link such
`as a WAP bookmark; and settings data and/or language data
`for the user interface of the terminal!. A visual summary of
`available software items may be presented as graphics
`and/or text on the counter computer monitor 116 for the
`convenience of the customer 102 and the shop representative
`110.
`
`[0058] Once the customer 102 and the shop representative
`110 have agreed upon the particulars about the terminal
`upgrade, the shop representative 110 may specify the
`required details in terms of selected software items, payment
`or billing details, etc, through the counter computer 114 and
`then initiate the actual upgrade procedure by passing the
`required details on to the upgrade computer 152 over the
`shop LAN 120. In response, the upgrade computer 152 may
`connect to the mobile equipment upgrade center 160 and
`download the selected software items from the central
`upgrade database 164 as well as report the specified payment
`or billing details, etc, to the central upgrade server 162 for
`further financial processing therein.
`
`[0059] As the selected software items have been down(cid:173)
`loaded, wholly or partially, to the upgrade computer 152,
`this computer will establish contact with the terminal 1 via
`aforesaid
`interconnection. A predetermined
`software
`upgrading routine will be executed in the terminal 1 and
`control the actual upgrading of the terminal, which may
`involve modifying the contents of a persistent memory in the
`terminal 1 with the selected software items. The persistent
`memory may for instance be a flash memory or an
`(E)EPROM memory.
`
`[0060] The mobile communications terminal 1 may be a
`mobile(cellular) telephone for any commercially available
`mobile telecommunications system, such as GSM, UMTS,
`D-AMPS or CDMA2000. The mobile communications ter(cid:173)
`minal! may alternatively be another kind of mobile equip(cid:173)
`ment, such as a portable digital assistant (PDA) or a com(cid:173)
`municator.
`
`[0061] FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate a second embodiment and
`a third embodiment, respectively, of a system for upgrading
`a mobile communications terminal according to the inven(cid:173)
`tion. Like reference numerals in FIGS. 2 and 3 represent
`like reference numerals in FIGS. 1, such that for instance
`reference numeral 260/360 in FIGS. 2 and 3, respectively,
`corresponds to 160 in FIG.l. Unless explicitly specified, the
`elements represented by such like reference numerals do not
`differ substantially from each other, and a lengthy repetition
`of the description thereof is avoided.
`
`In the system of FIG. 2 the mobile equipment retail
`[0062]
`shop 200 has an upgrade computer 270 which provides
`extended functionality, compared to the upgrade computer
`
`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1023-0012
`
`

`

`US 2004/0123281 Al
`
`Jun.24,2004
`
`4
`
`152 of FIG. 1, by incorporating an upgrading device
`(referred to as upgrade jig 280 in FIG. 2), in which the
`terminal 1 may be conveniently mounted for upgrade. The
`upgrading device 280 will be described in more detail with
`reference to FIGS. 6-13.
`
`In addition to the above, the upgrade computer 270
`[0063]
`has a local upgrade database 272 which contains a replicated
`version of at least a portion of the central upgrade database
`264. The upgrade computer 270 includes a local www server
`271, thereby allowing the customer 202 to use a customer
`sales monitor 290 for convenient selection of the one(s) of
`the available software items with which the terminal! is to
`be upgraded. The provision of a local www server 271
`allows the upgrade kiosk 250 to provide an extra customer
`sales monitor 292 at an upgrade kiosk 250. A small upgrade
`computer 252 thereof corresponds essentially to the upgrade
`computer 152 of FIG. 1.
`[0064] The system of FIG. 2 has several advantages. By
`the provision of a local upgrade database 272, less capacity
`is required for the Internet connection 222, since it will only
`need to be used during replication of the data from the
`central upgrade database 264. This may, for instance, occur
`one or a few times daily, and thus no permanent Internet
`connection is required.
`
`[0065] The customer 202 may be given one view, through
`any of the customer sales monitors 290 or 292, of what
`software items can be downloaded as well as their prices,
`and the shop representative 210 may be given another view,
`through the counter computer monitor 216, of what software
`items the customer has chosen, the price thereof, payment or
`billing data as well as control information required to start
`the upgrading of the terminal 1. In this scenario, the cus(cid:173)
`tomer 202 may first consult a customer view for a presen(cid:173)
`tation of the available software, then make a selection of the
`desired software items and, optionally, also of the means and
`terms of payment, and finally hand the terminal! over to the
`shop representative 210. The means and terms of payment
`may concern electronic payment and thus relate to credit
`card information, mobile subscription information, account
`information or even digital/virtual money such as cyber
`dollars. Alternatively, the means and terms of payment may
`concern traditional payment by cash or check.
`
`[0066] The shop representative 210 may then check what
`selections the customer has made and, optionally, whether
`sufficient details about the means and terms of payment have
`been provided or alternatively whether a sufficient cash or
`check amount has been provided, as the case may be. If
`everything is in order, the shop representative 210 may insert
`the customer's terminal! into the upgrading device 280 of
`the upgrade computer 270, as indicated in FIG. 2, to start
`upgrading the terminal. As an alternative, the customer 202
`himself may insert the terminal! into the upgrading device
`280 or a corresponding terminal-receiving part of the
`upgrade kiosk 250, wherein the shop representative's
`actions may be limited to verifying the selection/payment
`data specified by the customer and commanding initiation of
`the upgrading procedure.
`
`[0067] The third embodiment of FIG. 3 is a self-service
`version of the second embodiment of FIG. 2. In FIG. 3,
`there is no shop representative and no counter involved.
`Instead, a customer 302 may use any of a number of
`stand-alone upgrade kiosks 350, 350' on a self-service basis.
`
`Each stand-alone upgrade kiosk has an upgrading device
`380, 380' and a customer sales monitor 392, 392'. An
`upgrade computer 370 with a local upgrade database 372
`and a local www server 371 may be placed together with one
`of the upgrade kiosks, as shown in FIG. 3, or may be
`separately connected to the shop LAN 320. Through any of
`the stand-alone upgrade kiosks 350, 350' the customer 302
`may perform the relevant ones of the steps described in
`conjunction with FIG. 2 so as to upgrade his terminal 1.
`More specifically, one possible sequence of steps is mount(cid:173)
`ing of the terminal 1 in the upgrading device 380/380',
`selecting on the customer sales monitor 392/392' the desired
`software items, specifying the means and terms of payment,
`awaiting verification of the specified means and terms of
`payment (which may be done either locally by e.g. the local
`www server 371/database 372 or remotely by the mobile
`equipment upgrade center 360), confirming the order of the
`selected software items and the requested price thereof,
`waiting for the upgrade procedure to be performed and,
`finally, retrieving the upgraded terminal! from the upgrad(cid:173)
`ing device 380/380'.
`
`[0068] Generally, the mobile equipment retail shop in the
`embodiments of FIGS. 1-3 may include an arbitrary number
`of the different pieces of equipment, i.e. one or more than
`one upgrade computer, upgrade kiosk, counter computer,
`local database, computer sales monitor, upgrade device Qig),
`etc. Correspondingly, the mobile equipment upgrade center
`may have a distributed and/or hierarchical architecture,
`possible involving more than one upgrade server, upgrade
`database, etc, for instance reflecting a geographical structure
`of different areas/countries/regions. A large number of
`mobile equipment retail shops may be connected to one
`mobile equipment upgrade center.
`
`[0069] The central upgrade database may contain upgrad(cid:173)
`ing software for various terminal models, types, versions,
`releases, etc. Not all of this software needs to be replicated
`to the local upgrade database of a particular mobile equip(cid:173)
`ment retail shop, but only those software items that are
`designed for the relevant models, types, versions or releases
`that are sold in the area, country or region in which the
`particular retail shop is located. To this end, the upgrading
`device/upgrade computer/upgrade kiosk may determine a
`serial identity, article identity, model identity, type identity,
`version identity or release identity-or any combination
`thereof-for the terminal upon connection with the same.
`Determination of such an identity will facilitate selection of
`the appropriate software items to be offered for upgrade and
`will also make it easier to avoid that the terminal is upgraded
`with an incorrect or incompatible software item which is not
`designed for the current model, type, version or release of
`the terminal or the application and operating software
`therein.
`
`[0070] FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of a software
`upgrading set 400 with which a mobile communications
`terminal may be upgraded in any of the manners described
`above. The software upgrading set may include various
`software items, generally related to three different levels
`410, 420, 430 of the software hierarchy of a mobile com(cid:173)
`munications terminal. Core software 410 represent a basic
`level and may include aCE software release trail412 which
`in itself may include various operating system software
`items. The core software 410 may also include vanous
`features 414, applications 416 and enablers 418.
`
`Verizon Wireless
`Exhibit 1023-0013
`
`

`

`US 2004/0123281 Al
`
`Jun.24,2004
`
`5
`
`[0071] Control data 420 represents a higher level and may
`include a language pack 422 and settings 424. The language
`pack may relate to various texts in the user interface of the
`terminal, such as menu item names, help texts, etc. Settings
`424 may define a certain setup of the terminal, for instance
`email access settings, WAP access settings, mobile commu(cid:173)
`nications network settings, user interface settings, etc.
`
`[0072] At least one content package 430a-c may be pro(cid:173)
`vided at a still higher level of the software upgrading set 400.
`As seen in FIG. 4, each content package may include
`electronic links 431 such as WAP or http bookmarks; digital
`sounds such as ringtones 432, polyphonic ringtones 433 or
`pieces of music; still images such as icons, wallpapers,
`pictures 434 or logotypes; animated video/audio sequences
`such as screen savers 435; and program code for a processor
`of the mobile communications terminal, such as an elec(cid:173)
`tronic game, an application, an applet or a Java midlet 436.
`Program code may also be included in the core software 410,
`as has been explained above. Not all three levels need to be
`represented in a particular software upgrading set. On the
`contrary, as little as a single software item may constitute the
`software upgrading set.
`
`[0073] FIG. 5 gives some more detailed examples of how
`the content packages 430a-c/530a-c may be designed.
`Advantageously, the contents of each content package may
`have a certain theme 531 in common. Thus, various software
`items may be offered to the customer as specific theme kits,
`wherein each theme kit will contain software items that all
`have share an identifiable theme. FIG. 5 gives three
`examples of such themes: "Fashion" (530a), "Work" (530b)
`and "Christmas" (530c). Other examples may be a certain
`pop star, rock group, movie or sport