IP Library Granted Patent US 8,521,544
Granted Patent B2
US 8,521,544 · App. 11/350,580 · Granted Aug 27, 2013

Method to negotiate for wireless services

Inventor: Juan C. Cordoba (Austin, TX)
Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, LP
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,521,544
App. No.
11/350,580
Granted
Aug 27, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

A system ( 100 ) and method ( 300 ) are disclosed to negotiate for wireless services. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a method that operates in a communication device ( 116 ) for commercially negotiating ( 304 - 326 ) with a service provider for wireless services offered by way of a wireless access point (WAP) ( 114 ) managed by the service provider. Alternatively, the system may include a method that operates in a wireless services management system (WSMS) ( 102 ) for commercially negotiating with the communication device operated by the end user for wireless services offered by way of a WAP managed by the WSMS. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Claims (13)

1. A computer-readable storage medium embedded with computer instructions for causing a computing device to perform operations comprising:

enabling communications with a wireless access point conforming to one among IEEE's 802.11 protocols;

receiving from a wireless service provider by way of the wireless access point an offer for wireless services, the offer being contingent on a purchase of goods or services associated with a plurality of different merchants, each of the merchants having a commercial relationship with the wireless service provider;

receiving the proof of purchase code audibly; and

transmitting to the wireless service provider a response to the offer including a proof of purchase code of one or more goods or services fulfilled by the end user that is associated with one of the merchants, the transmission of the response enabling use of the wireless services.

2. The storage medium of claim 1 , wherein the offer comprises at least one among a discounted base price for wireless services, free wireless services for a predetermined period, a rebate for wireless services, or a coupon for wireless services, each contingent on the end user purchasing one or more goods or services listed in the offer.

3. A computer-readable storage medium embedded with computer instructions for causing a computing device to perform operations comprising:

enabling communications with a wireless access point conforming to one among IEEE's 802.11 protocols;

receiving from a wireless service provider by way of the wireless access point an offer for wireless services, the offer being contingent on a purchase of goods or services associated with a plurality of different merchants, each of the merchants having a commercial relationship with the wireless service provider;

receiving the proof of purchase code audibly;

transmitting to the wireless service provider a response to the offer including a proof of purchase code of one or more goods or services fulfilled by the end user that is associated with one of the merchants, the transmission of the response enabling use of the wireless services;

receiving from the wireless service provider an indication that wireless services have been enabled; and

presenting the indication to the end user.

Assignments (3)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Dec 8, 2017
From: AT&T KNOWLEDGE VENTURES, L.P.
To: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
Reel/Frame 044827/0904 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Dec 8, 2017
From: SBC KNOWLEDGE VENTURES, L.P.
To: AT&T KNOWLEDGE VENTURES, L.P.
Reel/Frame 045384/0300 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 9, 2006
From: CORDOBA, JUAN C.
To: SBC KNOWLEDGE VENTURES, L.P.
Reel/Frame 017560/0797 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20070185804A1 · Aug 9, 2007