Early activation of mobile device to enable use at service terminal

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.