# US 2014/0194103 A1 · Softmodem activation and customization > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0194103 A1 - Document ID: US20140194103A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/796,617 - Filed: 2013-03-12 - Published: 2014-07-10 - Earliest claimed: 2013-01-09 - Inventors: Murt O'Donnell; Ramana Dommata - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140194103A1 ## CPC - G06F 8/61: Installation - H04L 41/082: the condition being updates or upgrades of network functionality - H04W 4/50: Service provisioning or reconfiguring - H04M 1/72406: by software upgrading or downloading - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) - H04L: TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (arrangements common to telegraphic and telephonic communication H04M) - H04W: WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS (broadcast communication H04H; communication systems using wireless links for non-selective communication, e.g. wireless extensions H04M1/72) - H04M: TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION (circuits for controlling other apparatus via a telephone cable and not involving telephone switching apparatus G08) ## Abstract Systems and methods are provided for activating, configuring, and/or re-configuring a “softmodem” in a computer device. The softmodem can be specially configured to accept firmware specifications that control the operation of communication by the softmodem. According to one embodiment, in conjunction with a firmware download and installation, at activation an unlocking key can be provided to enable, for example, data service through any selected provider using the softmodem. In some embodiments, the softmodem is specially configured to accommodate a variety of data signal protocols (e.g., CDMA, GSM, etc.) through firmware downloads and configuration. Installation of the firmware on the softmodem enables the softmodem to communicate according to a selected communication protocol and further enables re-configuration of the softmodem between the variety of data signal protocols. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for activating a mobile computing device after distribution, the method comprising: determining, by a processor state information for a communication subsystem on the mobile device; acquiring, by the processor, configuration data for the communication subsystem, responsive to user selection of a data service provider, wherein the configuration data includes information for an associated data provider communication protocol; and configuring, by the processor, the communication subsystem to communicate using the communication protocol. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein acquiring the configuration data for communication subsystem includes downloading firmware defining the associated data provider communicate protocol for the communication subsystem. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method according to claim 2, wherein configuring the communication subsystem includes installing the downloaded firmware to configure the communication subsystem. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, further comprising an act of displaying on the mobile communication device a user interface configured to accept the user's selection of the data provider from a plurality of data providers associated with a plurality of communication protocols. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the configuration data includes account information for the data service provider and device specific identifying information, and wherein the act of configuring includes establishing communication with the data service provider using the configuration data. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, further comprising detecting an insertion of a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card. ### Claim 7 (depends on 4) The method according to claim 4, further comprising displaying on the mobile communication device a user interface configured to accept the user's selection of the data provider responsive to the detected insertion of the SIM card. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, further comprising an act of re-configuring the communication subsystem from one data provider to another data provider. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method according to claim 8, wherein re-configuring the communication subsystem includes re-configuring the communication sub-system from a first communication protocol associated with the one data provider to a second communication protocol associated with the another data provider. ### Claim 10 A system for activating a mobile computing device after distribution, the system comprising at least one processor operatively connected to a memory, the at least one processor when executing is configured to: determine state information for a communication subsystem on the mobile device; acquire configuration data for the communication subsystem, responsive to user selection of a data service provider, wherein the configuration data includes information for an associated data provider communication protocol; and configure the communication subsystem to communicate using the communication protocol. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The system method according to claim 10, further comprising a communication subsystem configured to communicate over a plurality of communication protocols responsive to specification of firmware installed for the communication subsystem. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The system method according to claim 11, wherein the at least one processor is configured to download firmware associated with the associated data service provider communication protocol. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The system according to claim 12, wherein configuring the communication subsystem includes installing the downloaded firmware. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The system according to claim 10, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to display on the mobile communication device a user interface configured to accept the user's selection of the data provider. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The system according to claim 14, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to determine a communication protocol associated with the selected data provider. ### Claim 16 (depends on 10) The system according to claim 10, wherein the configuration data includes account information for the data service provider and device specific identifying information, and wherein the at least one processor is further configured to establish communication on the communication subsystem with the data service provider using the configuration data. ### Claim 17 (depends on 10) The system according to claim 10, wherein the at least one processor is configured to detect an insertion of a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The system according to claim 17, wherein the at least one processor is configured to display on the mobile communication device a user interface configured to accept the user's selection of the data provider responsive to the detected insertion of the SIM card. ### Claim 19 (depends on 10) The system according to claim 10, wherein the at least one processor is configured to re-configure the communication subsystem from one data provider to another data provider. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The system according to claim 19, wherein the at least one processor is configured to re-configure the communication sub-system from a first communication protocol associated with the one data provider to a second communication protocol associated with the another data provider.