Early activation of mobile device to enable use at service terminal

1. A communication system comprising:

a mobile device;

a service terminal;

a first transmitter function in or at the service terminal, the first transmitter function being configured for sending a first short-range wireless communication signal to cause a first reaction when received by the mobile device being located within a first distance or distance range from the service terminal; and

a second transmitter function in or at the service terminal, the second transmitter function being configured for sending a second short-range wireless communication signal to cause a second reaction when received by the mobile device being located within a second distance or distance range from the service terminal, the second distance or distance range being closer to the service terminal than the first distance or distance range,

wherein the mobile device is configured for:

while approaching the service terminal:

receiving the first short-range wireless communication signal when being located within the first distance or distance range from the service terminal;

reacting to the receiving of the first short-range wireless communication signal by performing a first activity;

while approaching closer to the service terminal and conditionally upon having performed the first activity:

receiving the second short-range wireless communication signal; and

reacting to the receiving of the second short-range wireless communication signal by performing a second activity when being located within the second distance or distance range from the service terminal,

wherein the first activity involves preparations for the second activity,

wherein the second activity involves participation in a service associated with the service terminal, and

wherein the service involves digital payment for a purchase made by a user of the mobile device at the service terminal.

2. The communication system as defined in claim 1 , wherein the first activity comprises switching from a first mode in which the mobile device performs monitoring of short-range wireless communication signals to a second mode in which the mobile device performs ranging of short-range wireless communication signals.

3. The communication system as defined in claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first short-range wireless communication signal and second short-range wireless communication signal is a Bluetooth Low Energy signal.

4. The communication system as defined in claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first short-range wireless communication signal and second short-range wireless communication signal is a beacon advertisement signal.

5. The communication system as defined in claim 2 , wherein, in the second mode of performing ranging, the mobile device is configured to determine from the received second short-range wireless communication signal that the mobile device is located within the second distance or distance range from the service terminal and accordingly react by performing the second activity.

6. The communication system as defined in claim 1 , wherein the second activity comprises making a digital handshake with the service terminal as part of the service associated with the service terminal.

7. The communication system as defined in claim 6 and further comprising a system server, wherein the second activity comprises making the digital handshake with the service terminal by:

the mobile device detecting, from the received second short-range wireless communication signal, identity information associated with the second transmitter function or the service terminal;

the mobile device reporting the detected identity information to the system server by long-range broadband data communication; and

the system server, in response, causing performance of the service.

8. The communication system as defined in claim 1 , wherein the service terminal is a point-of-sales terminal.

9. The communication system as defined in claim 1 and further comprising a system server and one or more additional service terminals, wherein the first activity involves:

the mobile device detecting, from the received first short-range wireless communication signal, identity information associated with the first transmitter function or the service terminal;

the mobile device reporting the detected identity information to the system server by long-range broadband data communication; and

the system server in response selectively notifying the service terminal, but not said additional service terminals, by long-range broadband data communication.

10. The communication system as defined in claim 1 and further comprising a system server, the service terminal comprising a presentation device, wherein the first activity involves:

the mobile device detecting, from the received first short-range wireless communication signal, identity information associated with the first transmitter function or the service terminal;

the mobile device reporting the detected identity information associated with the first transmitter function as well as identity information associated with the mobile device to the system server by long-range broadband data communication;

the system server in response:

determining an identity of a user of the mobile device from the identity information associated with the mobile device;

determining promotional information customized for the user; and

communicating the determined promotional information to the service terminal by long-range broadband data communication; and

the service terminal presenting the communicated promotional information by the presentation device to the user of the mobile device.

11. The communication system as defined in claim 1 and further comprising a system server, the service terminal comprising a presentation device, wherein the first activity involves:

the mobile device detecting, from the received first short-range wireless communication signal, identity information associated with the first transmitter function or the service terminal;

the mobile device reporting the detected identity information associated with the first transmitter function as well as identity information associated with the mobile device to the system server by long-range broadband data communication;

the system server in response:

determining an identity of a user of the mobile device from the identity information associated with the mobile device,

determining user profile information associated with the user, and

communicating the determined user profile information to the service terminal by long-range broadband data communication; and

the service terminal presenting the communicated user profile information by the presentation device to an operator of the service terminal and/or to the user of the mobile device.

12. The communication system as defined in claim 1 , wherein the first and second transmitter functions in or at the service terminal are configured for sending the first and second short-range wireless communication signals at respective defined periodicities.

13. The communication system as defined in claim 1 , wherein the first and second transmitter functions in or at the service terminal are configured for sending the first and second short-range wireless communication signals at respective transmission power levels, the transmission power level of the first short-range wireless communication signal being higher than the transmission power level of the second short-range wireless communication signal.

14. The communication system as defined in claim 1 , wherein the first and second transmitter functions in or at the service terminal are configured for sending the first and second short-range wireless communication signals with respective and different radio signals propagation profiles.

15. The communication system as defined in claim 1 , wherein one or both of the first and second transmitter functions is/are separate transmitter device(s) being positioned external to but physically near the service terminal.

16. The communication system as defined in claim 1 , one or both of the first and second transmitter functions being implemented by short-range wireless communication circuitry comprised in the service terminal.

17. The communication system as defined in claim 1 , wherein both of the first and second transmitter functions are implemented by a common separate transmitter device which is positioned external to but physically near the service terminal.

18. The communication system as defined in claim 1 , wherein both of the first and second transmitter functions are implemented by common short-range wireless communication circuitry comprised in the service terminal.

19. A method of activating a mobile device to enable use of a service associated with a service terminal, the method involving:

sending a first short-range wireless communication signal to cause a first reaction when received by the mobile device being located within a first distance or distance range from the service terminal; and

sending a second short-range wireless communication signal to cause a second reaction when received by the mobile device being located within a second distance or distance range from the service terminal, the second distance or distance range being closer to the service terminal than the first distance or distance range,

wherein the method further comprises:

the mobile device, while approaching the service terminal:

receiving the first short-range wireless communication signal when being located within the first distance or distance range from the service terminal, and

reacting to the receiving of the first short-range wireless communication signal by performing a first activity; and

the mobile device, while approaching closer to the service terminal and conditionally upon having performed the first activity:

receiving the second short-range wireless communication signal, and

reacting to the receiving of the second short-range wireless communication signal by performing a second activity when being located within the second distance or distance range from the service terminal,

wherein the service involves payment for a purchase made by a user of the mobile device at the service terminal.

20. The method as defined in claim 19 , wherein the first activity involves preparations for the second activity and wherein the second activity involves participation in the service associated with the service terminal.

21. The method as defined in claim 19 , wherein the first activity comprises switching from a first mode in which the mobile device performs monitoring of short-range wireless communication to a second mode in which the mobile device performs ranging of short-range wireless communication signals.

22. The method as defined in claim 19 , wherein the second activity comprises making a digital handshake with the service terminal as part of the service associated with the service terminal.

23. A mobile computing device comprising:

a controller;

a short-range wireless communication interface; and

a long-range broadband communication interface,

wherein the mobile computing device is configured for:

receiving a first short-range wireless communication signal when being located within a first distance or distance range from a service terminal;

reacting to the receiving of the first short-range wireless communication signal by performing a first activity;

while approaching closer to the service terminal and conditionally upon having performed the first activity, receiving a second short-range wireless communication signal; and

reacting to the receiving of the second short-range wireless communication signal by performing a second activity when being located within a second distance or distance range from the service terminal,

wherein the first activity involves preparations for the second activity,

wherein the second activity involves participation in a service associated with the service terminal, and

wherein the service involves digital payment for a purchase made by a user of the mobile device at the service terminal.

24. A memory comprising computer program code, the computer program code being executable by a controller to cause a mobile computing device to:

receive a first short-range wireless communication signal when being located within a first distance or distance range from a service terminal;

react to the receiving of the first short-range wireless communication signal by performing a first activity;

while approaching closer to the service terminal and conditionally upon having performed the first activity, receive a second short-range wireless communication signal; and

react to the receiving of the second short-range wireless communication signal by performing a second activity when being located within a second distance or distance range from the service terminal,

wherein the service involves payment for a purchase made by a user of the mobile device at the service terminal.

25. A communication system comprising:

a mobile device;

a service terminal;

a first transmitter function in or at the service terminal, the first transmitter function being configured for sending a first short-range wireless communication signal to cause a first reaction when received by the mobile device being located within a first distance or distance range from the service terminal; and

a second transmitter function in or at the service terminal, the second transmitter function being configured for sending a second short-range wireless communication signal to cause a second reaction when received by the mobile device being located within a second distance or distance range from the service terminal, the second distance or distance range being closer to the service terminal than the first distance or distance range,

wherein the mobile device is configured for:

while approaching the service terminal:

receiving the first short-range wireless communication signal when being located within the first distance or distance range from the service terminal;

reacting to the receiving of the first short-range wireless communication signal by performing a first activity;

while approaching closer to the service terminal and conditionally upon having performed the first activity:

receiving the second short-range wireless communication signal; and

reacting to the receiving of the second short-range wireless communication signal by performing a second activity when being located within the second distance or distance range from the service terminal,

wherein the first activity involves preparations for the second activity,

wherein the second activity involves participation in a service associated with the service terminal, and

wherein the second activity comprises making a digital handshake with the service terminal as part of the service associated with the service terminal.

26. The communication system as defined in claim 25 , wherein the first activity comprises switching from a first mode in which the mobile device performs monitoring of short-range wireless communication signals to a second mode in which the mobile device performs ranging of short-range wireless communication signals.

27. The communication system as defined in claim 26 , wherein, in the second mode of performing ranging, the mobile device is configured to determine from the received second short-range wireless communication signal that the mobile device is located within the second distance or distance range from the service terminal and accordingly react by performing the second activity.

28. The communication system as defined in claim 25 , wherein at least one of the first short-range wireless communication signal and second short-range wireless communication signal is a Bluetooth Low Energy signal.

29. The communication system as defined in claim 25 , wherein at least one of the first short-range wireless communication signal and second short-range wireless communication signal is a beacon advertisement signal.

30. The communication system as defined in claim 29 and further comprising a system server, wherein the second activity comprises making the digital handshake with the service terminal by:

the mobile device detecting, from the received second short-range wireless communication signal, identity information associated with the second transmitter function or the service terminal;

the mobile device reporting the detected identity information to the system server by long-range broadband data communication; and

the system server, in response, causing performance of the service.

31. The communication system as defined in claim 25 , wherein the service involves digital payment for a purchase made by a user of the mobile device at the service terminal.

32. The communication system as defined in claim 25 , wherein the service terminal is a point-of-sales terminal.

33. The communication system as defined in claim 25 and further comprising a system server and one or more additional service terminals, wherein the first activity involves:

the mobile device detecting, from the received first short-range wireless communication signal, identity information associated with the first transmitter function or the service terminal;

the mobile device reporting the detected identity information to the system server by long-range broadband data communication; and

the system server in response selectively notifying the service terminal, but not said additional service terminals, by long-range broadband data communication.

34. The communication system as defined in claim 25 and further comprising a system server, the service terminal comprising a presentation device, wherein the first activity involves:

the mobile device detecting, from the received first short-range wireless communication signal, identity information associated with the first transmitter function or the service terminal;

the mobile device reporting the detected identity information associated with the first transmitter function as well as identity information associated with the mobile device to the system server by long-range broadband data communication;

the system server in response:

determining an identity of a user of the mobile device from the identity information associated with the mobile device;

determining promotional information customized for the user; and

communicating the determined promotional information to the service terminal by long-range broadband data communication; and

the service terminal presenting the communicated promotional information by the presentation device to the user of the mobile device.

35. The communication system as defined in claim 25 and further comprising a system server, the service terminal comprising a presentation device, wherein the first activity involves:

the mobile device detecting, from the received first short-range wireless communication signal, identity information associated with the first transmitter function or the service terminal;

the mobile device reporting the detected identity information associated with the first transmitter function as well as identity information associated with the mobile device to the system server by long-range broadband data communication;

the system server in response:

determining an identity of a user of the mobile device from the identity information associated with the mobile device,

determining user profile information associated with the user, and

communicating the determined user profile information to the service terminal by long-range broadband data communication; and

the service terminal presenting the communicated user profile information by the presentation device to an operator of the service terminal and/or to the user of the mobile device.

36. The communication system as defined in claim 25 , wherein the first and second transmitter functions in or at the service terminal are configured for sending the first and second short-range wireless communication signals at respective defined periodicities.

37. The communication system as defined in claim 25 , wherein the first and second transmitter functions in or at the service terminal are configured for sending the first and second short-range wireless communication signals at respective transmission power levels, the transmission power level of the first short-range wireless communication signal being higher than the transmission power level of the second short-range wireless communication signal.

38. The communication system as defined in claim 25 , wherein the first and second transmitter functions in or at the service terminal are configured for sending the first and second short-range wireless communication signals with respective and different radio signals propagation profiles.

39. The communication system as defined in claim 25 , wherein one or both of the first and second transmitter functions is/are separate transmitter device(s) being positioned external to but physically near the service terminal.

40. The communication system as defined in claim 25 , one or both of the first and second transmitter functions being implemented by short-range wireless communication circuitry comprised in the service terminal.

41. The communication system as defined in claim 25 , wherein both of the first and second transmitter functions are implemented by a common separate transmitter device which is positioned external to but physically near the service terminal.

42. The communication system as defined in claim 25 , wherein both of the first and second transmitter functions are implemented by common short-range wireless communication circuitry comprised in the service terminal.

43. A method of activating a mobile device to enable use of a service associated with a service terminal, the method involving:

sending a first short-range wireless communication signal to cause a first reaction when received by the mobile device being located within a first distance or distance range from the service terminal; and

sending a second short-range wireless communication signal to cause a second reaction when received by the mobile device being located within a second distance or distance range from the service terminal, the second distance or distance range being closer to the service terminal than the first distance or distance range,

wherein the method further comprises:

the mobile device, while approaching the service terminal:

receiving the first short-range wireless communication signal when being located within the first distance or distance range from the service terminal, and

reacting to the receiving of the first short-range wireless communication signal by performing a first activity; and

the mobile device, while approaching closer to the service terminal and conditionally upon having performed the first activity:

receiving the second short-range wireless communication signal, and

reacting to the receiving of the second short-range wireless communication signal by performing a second activity when being located within the second distance or distance range from the service terminal,

wherein the second activity comprises making a digital handshake with the service terminal as part of the service associated with the service terminal.

44. A mobile computing device comprising:

a controller;

a short-range wireless communication interface; and

a long-range broadband communication interface,

wherein the mobile computing device is configured for:

receiving a first short-range wireless communication signal when being located within a first distance or distance range from a service terminal;

reacting to the receiving of the first short-range wireless communication signal by performing a first activity;

while approaching closer to the service terminal and conditionally upon having performed the first activity, receiving the second short-range wireless communication signal; and

reacting to the receiving of the second short-range wireless communication signal by performing a second activity when being located within the second distance or distance range from the service terminal,

wherein the first activity involves preparations for the second activity,

wherein the second activity involves participation in a service associated with the service terminal, and

wherein the second activity comprises making a digital handshake with the service terminal as part of the service associated with the service terminal.

45. A memory comprising computer program code, the computer program code being executable by a controller to cause a mobile computing device to:

receive a first short-range wireless communication signal when being located within a first distance or distance range from a service terminal;

react to the receiving of the first short-range wireless communication signal by performing a first activity;

while approaching closer to the service terminal and conditionally upon having performed the first activity, receive a second short-range wireless communication signal; and

react to the receiving of the second short-range wireless communication signal by performing a second activity when being located within a second distance or distance range from the service terminal,

wherein the second activity comprises making a digital handshake with the service terminal as part of the service associated with the service terminal.

46. A communication system comprising:

a mobile device;

a service terminal;

a first transmitter function in or at the service terminal, the first transmitter function being configured for sending a first short-range wireless communication signal to cause a first reaction when received by the mobile device being located within a first distance or distance range from the service terminal; and

a second transmitter function in or at the service terminal, the second transmitter function being configured for sending a second short-range wireless communication signal to cause a second reaction when received by the mobile device being located within a second distance or distance range from the service terminal, the second distance or distance range being closer to the service terminal than the first distance or distance range,

wherein the mobile device is configured for:

while approaching the service terminal:

receiving the first short-range wireless communication signal when being located within the first distance or distance range from the service terminal;

reacting to the receiving of the first short-range wireless communication signal by performing a first activity;

while approaching closer to the service terminal and conditionally upon having performed the first activity:

receiving the second short-range wireless communication signal; and

reacting to the receiving of the second short-range wireless communication signal by performing a second activity when being located within the second distance or distance range from the service terminal,

wherein the first activity involves preparations for the second activity, and

wherein the first activity comprises switching from a first mode in which the mobile device performs monitoring of short-range wireless communication signals to a second mode in which the mobile device performs ranging of short-range wireless communication signals.

47. A method of activating a mobile device to enable use of a service associated with a service terminal, the method involving:

sending a first short-range wireless communication signal to cause a first reaction when received by the mobile device being located within a first distance or distance range from the service terminal; and

sending a second short-range wireless communication signal to cause a second reaction when received by the mobile device being located within a second distance or distance range from the service terminal, the second distance or distance range being closer to the service terminal than the first distance or distance range,

wherein the method further comprises:

the mobile device, while approaching the service terminal:

receiving the first short-range wireless communication signal when being located within the first distance or distance range from the service terminal, and

reacting to the receiving of the first short-range wireless communication signal by performing a first activity; and

the mobile device, while approaching closer to the service terminal and conditionally upon having performed the first activity:

receiving the second short-range wireless communication signal, and

reacting to the receiving of the second short-range wireless communication signal by performing a second activity when being located within the second distance or distance range from the service terminal,

wherein the first activity comprises switching from a first mode in which the mobile device performs monitoring of short-range wireless communication to a second mode in which the mobile device performs ranging of short-range wireless communication signals.

48. A communication system comprising:

a mobile device;

a service terminal;

a first transmitter function in or at the service terminal, the first transmitter function being configured for sending a first short-range wireless communication signal to cause a first reaction when received by the mobile device being located within a first distance or distance range from the service terminal; and

a second transmitter function in or at the service terminal, the second transmitter function being configured for sending a second short-range wireless communication signal to cause a second reaction when received by the mobile device being located within a second distance or distance range from the service terminal, the second distance or distance range being closer to the service terminal than the first distance or distance range,

wherein the mobile device is configured for:

while approaching the service terminal:

receiving the first short-range wireless communication signal when being located within the first distance or distance range from the service terminal;

reacting to the receiving of the first short-range wireless communication signal by performing a first activity;

while approaching closer to the service terminal and conditionally upon having performed the first activity:

receiving the second short-range wireless communication signal; and

reacting to the receiving of the second short-range wireless communication signal by performing a second activity when being located within the second distance or distance range from the service terminal,

wherein the first activity involves preparations for the second activity,

wherein the second activity involves participation in a service associated with the service terminal;

wherein the communication system further comprises a system server and one or more additional service terminals, wherein the first activity involves:

the mobile device detecting, from the received first short-range wireless communication signal, identity information associated with the first transmitter function or the service terminal;

the mobile device reporting the detected identity information to the system server by long-range broadband data communication; and

the system server in response selectively notifying the service terminal, but not said additional service terminals, by long-range broadband data communication.

49. A communication system comprising:

a mobile device;

a service terminal;

a first transmitter function in or at the service terminal, the first transmitter function being configured for sending a first short-range wireless communication signal to cause a first reaction when received by the mobile device being located within a first distance or distance range from the service terminal; and

a second transmitter function in or at the service terminal, the second transmitter function being configured for sending a second short-range wireless communication signal to cause a second reaction when received by the mobile device being located within a second distance or distance range from the service terminal, the second distance or distance range being closer to the service terminal than the first distance or distance range,

wherein the mobile device is configured for:

while approaching the service terminal:

receiving the first short-range wireless communication signal when being located within the first distance or distance range from the service terminal;

reacting to the receiving of the first short-range wireless communication signal by performing a first activity;

while approaching closer to the service terminal and conditionally upon having performed the first activity:

receiving the second short-range wireless communication signal; and

reacting to the receiving of the second short-range wireless communication signal by performing a second activity when being located within the second distance or distance range from the service terminal,

wherein the first activity involves preparations for the second activity,

wherein the second activity involves participation in a service associated with the service terminal;

wherein the communication system further comprises a system server, the service terminal comprising a presentation device, wherein the first activity involves:

the mobile device detecting, from the received first short-range wireless communication signal, identity information associated with the first transmitter function or the service terminal;

the mobile device reporting the detected identity information associated with the first transmitter function as well as identity information associated with the mobile device to the system server by long-range broadband data communication;

the system server in response:

determining an identity of a user of the mobile device from the identity information associated with the mobile device;

determining promotional information customized for the user; and

communicating the determined promotional information to the service terminal by long-range broadband data communication; and

the service terminal presenting the communicated promotional information by the presentation device to the user of the mobile device.

50. A communication system comprising:

a mobile device;

a service terminal;

a first transmitter function in or at the service terminal, the first transmitter function being configured for sending a first short-range wireless communication signal to cause a first reaction when received by the mobile device being located within a first distance or distance range from the service terminal; and

a second transmitter function in or at the service terminal, the second transmitter function being configured for sending a second short-range wireless communication signal to cause a second reaction when received by the mobile device being located within a second distance or distance range from the service terminal, the second distance or distance range being closer to the service terminal than the first distance or distance range,

wherein the mobile device is configured for:

while approaching the service terminal:

receiving the first short-range wireless communication signal when being located within the first distance or distance range from the service terminal;

reacting to the receiving of the first short-range wireless communication signal by performing a first activity;

while approaching closer to the service terminal and conditionally upon having performed the first activity:

receiving the second short-range wireless communication signal; and

reacting to the receiving of the second short-range wireless communication signal by performing a second activity when being located within the second distance or distance range from the service terminal,

wherein the first activity involves preparations for the second activity,

wherein the second activity involves participation in a service associated with the service terminal;

wherein the communication system further comprises a system server, the service terminal comprising a presentation device;

wherein the first activity involves:

the mobile device detecting, from the received first short-range wireless communication signal, identity information associated with the first transmitter function or the service terminal;

the mobile device reporting the detected identity information associated with the first transmitter function as well as identity information associated with the mobile device to the system server by long-range broadband data communication;

the system server in response:

determining an identity of a user of the mobile device from the identity information associated with the mobile device,

determining user profile information associated with the user, and

communicating the determined user profile information to the service terminal by long-range broadband data communication; and

the service terminal presenting the communicated user profile information by the presentation device to an operator of the service terminal and/or to the user of the mobile device.

51. A communication system comprising:

a mobile device;

a service terminal;

a first transmitter function in or at the service terminal, the first transmitter function being configured for sending a first short-range wireless communication signal to cause a first reaction when received by the mobile device being located within a first distance or distance range from the service terminal; and

a second transmitter function in or at the service terminal, the second transmitter function being configured for sending a second short-range wireless communication signal to cause a second reaction when received by the mobile device being located within a second distance or distance range from the service terminal, the second distance or distance range being closer to the service terminal than the first distance or distance range,

wherein the mobile device is configured for:

while approaching the service terminal:

receiving the first short-range wireless communication signal when being located within the first distance or distance range from the service terminal;

reacting to the receiving of the first short-range wireless communication signal by performing a first activity;

while approaching closer to the service terminal and conditionally upon having performed the first activity:

receiving the second short-range wireless communication signal; and

reacting to the receiving of the second short-range wireless communication signal by performing a second activity when being located within the second distance or distance range from the service terminal,

wherein one or both of the first and second transmitter functions is/are separate transmitter device(s) being positioned external to but physically near the service terminal.

52. A communication system comprising:

a mobile device;

a service terminal;

a first transmitter function in or at the service terminal, the first transmitter function being configured for sending a first short-range wireless communication signal to cause a first reaction when received by the mobile device being located within a first distance or distance range from the service terminal; and

a second transmitter function in or at the service terminal, the second transmitter function being configured for sending a second short-range wireless communication signal to cause a second reaction when received by the mobile device being located within a second distance or distance range from the service terminal, the second distance or distance range being closer to the service terminal than the first distance or distance range,

wherein the mobile device is configured for:

while approaching the service terminal:

receiving the first short-range wireless communication signal when being located within the first distance or distance range from the service terminal;

reacting to the receiving of the first short-range wireless communication signal by performing a first activity;

while approaching closer to the service terminal and conditionally upon having performed the first activity:

receiving the second short-range wireless communication signal; and

reacting to the receiving of the second short-range wireless communication signal by performing a second activity when being located within the second distance or distance range from the service terminal,

wherein both of the first and second transmitter functions are implemented by a common separate transmitter device which is positioned external to but physically near the service terminal.