WO2011010327A1

WO2011010327A1 - Activation and deactivation of attributes of a consumer device

Info

Publication number: WO2011010327A1
Application number: PCT/IN2010/000484
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ramendra S. Baoni; Dipendra Baoni
Original assignee: Ecco Electronics Private Limited
Priority date: 2009-07-21
Filing date: 2010-07-20
Publication date: 2011-01-27
Also published as: WO2011010326A2; WO2011010326A3; AP2012006079A0; IN2012DN01567A; IN2012DN01568A; AP2012006080A0

Abstract

The present invention provides a system, method, and a computer program product for activating and deactivating one or more attributes of a non-networked consumer device. The system may include a communication facility configured to establish intermittent communication between the non-networked consumer device and a network facility. The system may further include an activation and deactivation facility configured to perform at least one of activation of a first set of the one or more attributes of the non-networked consumer device and deactivation of a second set of the one or more attributes of the non-networked consumer device. The activation and the deactivation may be facilitated by the established communication.

Description

ACTIVATION AND DEACTIVATION OF ATTRIBUTES OF A CONSUMER DEVICE TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of consumer devices and specifically to activation and deactivation of attributes of the consumer devices.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Various modes of payments of services and goods, in addition to traditional cash payment methods such as data cards like credit cards, debit cards, online payments and the like, have increasingly become popular in the recent years. These modes primarily ease and expedite processing of financial transactions in a secured and reliable way. In order to further add to the comfort of consumers, various installments-based programs and schemes have been launched by companies.

[0003] . One of the existing methods of the installments-based programs is to make payments through Equal Monthly Installments (EMIs), in which a consumer purchases goods or services worth a principal amount and pays a fixed interest in addition to the principal amount for a predetermined period of time. The predetermined period of time usually depends on an amount paid as an EMI. In such a scenario, if the consumer is not able to make complete payments within the predetermined period, the consumer is either allowed more time with an increased rate of interest, or the goods or services purchased by the consumer are confiscated or terminated.

[0004] Usually, in regions with a well established credit rating system, consumer details such as name, address, and the like are registered with a point of sale for record keeping, authentication, and security purposes on purchase of any good or service. Account details of the consumer may also be registered in case the consumer opts for the online mode of payment or through data card or directly from a bank account of the consumer. The consumer's authentication may also be established by taking a signature on a written note. This may permit a selling party at the point of sale to deduct money from the consumer's account directly. However, in countries and regions that do not have a well established credit rating system and the social security system is unable to track individual consumers, it is rather difficult for the selling authority to deduct money from the consumer accounts. Tracking of consumers may still be more difficult in countries where a majority of consumers may not have even access to banks. [0005] Further, in recent years, fraudulent financial transactions have increased resulting in a loss to the selling party. Although various fraud prevention techniques are currently utilized to reduce the frequency of frauds and false transactions significantly, a fraud proof technique does not exist to guarantee complete security. In the existing methods, the selling party has the discretion to terminate services or operations of systems that are connected through a network if the consumer does not make timely payments. For example, the selling party may remotely monitor payments of consumers who have purchased goods or services from the selling party. The monitoring may be done via a network such as a mobile network, the Internet, and the like. The selling party may then temporarily or permanently terminate goods or services of those consumers who are determined as fraudulent or irregular payees.

[0006] However, termination of consumer goods or services, which are not connected with a network, is not possible in the existing scenario. In such cases, it is generally difficult for the selling party or the financing company to repossess the goods. For example, the consumer may have purchased the goods in one city and used them in another city. Further, the management of such goods is even more difficult in countries where banking and credit history have either low or no penetration. Consequently, the selling party loses the goods and products.

[0007] The existing methods involve financial transactions of goods for the purpose of permanent selling in entirety. There also exist methods, systems and models for selling/purchasing network-connected goods or services such as telephonic services and the like for specific time period and with desired features. However, there is no provision of purchasing unconnected goods and services with desired features and for a desired time period.

[0008] Therefore, in light of the above discussion, there is a need for a system and method to address the above requirements.

SUMMARY

[0009] An objective of the present invention is to provide a system, method, and computer program product for activating/deactivating one or more attributes of a consumer device that is not connected with a network.

[0010] Another objective of the present invention is to provide a system, method, and a computer program product that allows purchase of only desired attributes of a consumer device. [0011] Still another objective of the present invention is to provide a consumer device that may be purchased with the desired attributes.

[0012] Still another objective of the present invention is to provide a consumer device that may be purchased for a desired period of time, thereafter getting deactivated automatically.

[0013] Still another objective of the present invention is to provide a system, method, and computer program product for avoiding fraudulent methods related to sale of a consumer device.

[0014] The present invention provides a system, method, and a computer program product for activating and deactivating one or more attributes of a non-networked consumer device. The system may include a communication facility configured to establish a temporary communication between the non-networked consumer device and a network facility. The system may further include an activation and deactivation facility configured to perform at least one of activation of a first set of the one or more attributes of the non-networked consumer device and deactivation of a second set of the one or more attributes of the non-networked consumer device. The activation and the deactivation may be facilitated by the established communication.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0015] The attributes of the present invention, which are believed to be novel, are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention may best be understood in light of the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0016] Those with ordinary skills in the art will appreciate that the elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity, and are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated, relative to other elements, to improve understanding of the present invention.

[0017] Fig. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a system for activating and deactivating a plurality of consumer devices in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. [0018] Fig. 2 illustrates a block diagram of a consumer device with various utility attributes in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention.

[0019] Fig. 3 illustrates exemplary utility attributes in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention.

[0020] Fig. 4 illustrates a communication environment for activating/deactivating one or more attributes of a consumer device in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention.

[0021] Fig. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for activating and deactivating one or more attributes of a consumer device in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention.

[0022] Fig. 6 illustrates a flowchart for authenticating a consumer device and a portable unit for initiating a session of activating and deactivating one or more attributes of the consumer device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION:

[0023] While the specification concludes with the claims defining the attributes of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood by considering the following description in conjunction with the drawings and figures, in which like reference numerals are carried forward.

[0024] As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting, but rather to provide an understandable description of the present invention.

[0025] The terms "a" or "an" as used herein are defined as one or more than one. The term "another," as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms "including" and/or "having" as used herein are defined as comprising (open transition). [0026] Fig. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a system 100 for activating/deactivating a plurality of consumer devices in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. The system 100 may include a portable unit 102 that may be connected to a handheld device 1 14 either permanently or temporarily for a short period of time in an intermittent mode of connection. The system 100 may further include a network facility such as a server 1 16 connected with a network. In an embodiment of the present invention, the handheld device 1 14 may be a mobile phone that may include an application for exchanging information between the portable unit 102 and the server 1 16. In accordance with various other embodiments of the present invention, the handheld device 1 14 may be any mobile phone, cellular device, a personal digital assistant, a desktop, a laptop, a tablet computer, or any other general purpose device that may be connected with a network. In yet another embodiment, the handheld device 1 14 may be a dedicated and customized unit for enabling communication between the portable unit 102 and the server 1 16. Further, the handheld device 1 14 and the portable unit 102 may be integrated into a single integrated unit in such a scenario that may be capable of performing the functions of the handheld device 1 14 and the portable unit 102.

[0027] The portable unit 102 may include a communication facility 104 configured to communicate with the handheld device 1 14 and the plurality of consumer devices, including consumer device 1 12a, 1 12b, 1 12c and 1 12d, and the like. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the portable unit 102 may communicate with the plurality of consumer devices one by one. In another embodiment of the present invention, the portable unit 102 may communicate the plurality of consumer devices simultaneously. The plurality of consumer devices depicted in Fig. 1 is merely exemplary and may include more or a few number of consumer devices than those depicted in Fig. 1. In accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, the plurality of consumer devices may be non-networked devices that may not access a communication network, and hence may be hereinafter interchangeably referred to as non-networked consumer devices. In accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, a consumer device such as the consumer device 1 12a may be, but is not limited to, a portable entertainment device such as an MP3 player, an audio player, a sound recorder, a video camera, a movie player, a video player, a video recorder, a digital camera, a CD player, a DVD player, a radio, and a handheld game console; a utility device such as a lighting device, a torch, a flashlight, , a television, a washing machine, a microwave oven, an air cooler, an air conditioner, a refrigerator and the like; a computing device such as a laptop that is not connected with a network, and a calculator; or any other consumer device. [0028] The communication facility 104 may be responsive to signals transmitted from an external device such as the consumer device 1 12a or the handheld device 1 14. The communication facility 104 may allow exchange of information between the consumer device such as the consumer device 1 12a and the portable unit 102, and between the portable unit 102 and the handheld device 1 14. In an embodiment of the present invention, the communication facility 104 may include two interfaces. One of the two interfaces that may be adapted to connect the portable unit 102 with the plurality of consumer devices is hereinafter referred to as a first interface. The first interface may be in the form of a communication port that may allow communication between the plurality of consumer devices and the portable unit 102. In an embodiment of the present invention, the communication port may include pin connections. The pin connections of the portable unit 102 may be plugged to any consumer device such as the consumer device 1 12a. Each of the plurality of consumer devices may have a corresponding communication port to allow the pin connections of the portable unit 102 to be plugged into the communication port. In another embodiment, the first interface may be a wireless interface such as Infrared, Bluetooth, Zigbee, WiFi, WiMAX and the like.

[0029] In another embodiment of the present invention, the communication facility 104 may include more than one interface acting as the first interface, each configured to exchange information with respective consumer devices. This may be used for interfacing the portable unit 102 with different types of consumer devices. For example, a 3-pin interface may be used for connecting the portable unit 104 to a first type of consumer device such as a lighting device. Similarly, another interface with 10 pin connections may be used for connecting the portable unit 102 to a second type of consumer device such as a television and the like.

[0030] Another interface of the two interfaces that may be adapted to allow communication between the portable unit 102 and the handheld device 1 14 is hereinafter referred to as second interface. In an embodiment of the present invention, the second interface may be a wireless mode of communication such as, but not limited to, Infrared, Bluetooth, Zigbee, WiFi or WiMAX. In another embodiment of the present invention, the second interface may be a wired connection such as a serial interface and the like.

[0031] The portable unit 102 may further include a processing facility 106 configured to process a user request for activation and deactivation purposes. The portable unit 102 may also include an activation and deactivation facility 108 configured to activate and deactivate one or more attributes of a consumer device such as the consumer device 1 12a. In another embodiment of the present invention, the processing facility 106 and the activation and deactivation facility 108 may be integrated to facilitate processing of user request and activation/deactivation of one or more attributes of a consumer device such as the consumer device 1 12a using a single integrated facility.

[0032] The portable unit 102 may further include a memory 1 10. The memory 1 10 may be utilized to store information. In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the memory may store a list of the plurality of attributes. In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the memory may store user-related information such as user names; user identity codes; personal identification numbers; transaction-related information like transaction value, transaction limit, transaction details, credit/debit card details, bank account numbers, and user and transaction history; information related to one or more attributes, e.g., activated and deactivated attributes; status of the plurality of consumer devices; usage history of the plurality of consumer devices, list of the plurality of attributes, and the like.

[0033] In accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, a user of the consumer device 1 12a may send a request for activation and deactivation of the one or more attributes of the consumer device 1 12a. The user request may include usage details of the consumer device 1 12a, activated attributes of the consumer device 1 12a, required attributes to be activated in the consumer device 1 12a, required attributes to be deactivated from the consumer device 1 1 12a name, address, and account details of the user, investment plans related to payments by the user, and the like. The request may further include a time value for activation or deactivation of the one or more attributes of the consumer device 1 12a for a predetermined period of time. In an embodiment of the present invention, a counter (not shown in Fig. 1) may be provided in the consumer device 1 12a to record and count the time value of activation and deactivation of attributes. The counter may facilitate switching off the consumer device 1 12a by itself if the attributes are not recharged before expiration. Various attributes of the consumer device 1 12a are further described in conjunction with Figs. 2 and 3.

[0034] The portable unit 102 and the consumer device 1 12a may be present at two different geographical locations. In order to facilitate communication between these units, the portable unit 102 may be transported to the location of the consumer device 1 12a in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the user of the consumer device 1 12a may visit the location of the portable unit 102 in order to allow the consumer device 1 12a and the portable unit 102 to communicate with each other. In both cases, the desired first interface may be formed between the consumer device 1 12a and the portable unit 102 by plugging the portable unit 102 with the consumer device 1 12a, as described above.

[0035] [0036] Each of the plurality of consumer devices such as 1 12a, 1 12b, 1 12c, and 1 12d may be tagged with distinct information such as the visual representation like printed bars, smart labels, RFID tags, or textual representation like a code or a PIN that acts as an identifier for each of the plurality of consumer devices 1 12a, 1 12b, 1 12c, and 1 12d. In another embodiment of the present invention, the information that acts as the identifier of the plurality of consumer devices may be embedded electronically inside the plurality of consumer devices. This may allow authorization of the plurality of consumer devices electronically without requiring any external device.

[0036] Once the portable unit 102 is connected with the consumer device 1 12a, the communication channel 104 may receive an identifier of the consumer device 1 12a for authorization purposes. Various sale and purchase-related transactions and processing, including financial transactions related to the consumer device 1 12a, may occur only after authorization of the distinctly tagged information such as the identifier of the consumer device 1 12a. The processing facility 106 may be configured to decode this distinctly tagged information. The processing facility 106 may provide strong authentication for performing any transaction. The processing facility 106 may perform operations, such as identification and verification of codes, personal identification numbers (PINs), user identity, transaction identity, encrypted information, processing of the user request, and the like, without limitations.

[0037] The portable unit 102 may communicate with the handheld device 1 14 automatically on being interfaced with the consumer device 1 12a, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In another embodiment, the portable unit 102 may be connected with the handheld device 1 14 manually. The portable unit 102 may transmit the identifier and other details related to the user and the consumer device 1 12a to the handheld device 1 14 through the second interface of the communication facility 104. In accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, the handheld device 1 14 may connect the portable unit 102 with a network. The network may manage retail and authentication operations. For example, there may be millions of consumer devices that may be managed, controlled, and authenticated through the network. The network may be handled by a service provider such as a telecom service provider, the Internet service provider, and the like, without limitations. The handheld device 1 14 may include an application that may support authorization of the consumer device 1 12a by communicating the identifier of the consumer device 1 12a to the server 1 16 via the network. The application may include software that may enable communication for authorization purposes.

[0038] In accordance with various embodiments, the server 1 16 may be a dedicated central unit facilitating control and management of retail operations of the plurality of consumer devices across a region, a city, a country, and the world. The server 1 16 may maintain a database for storing information related to users and information related to the consumer devices such as details of the users who are utilizing the consumer devices across specific regions, activated and deactivated attributes, local business policies, modes of payments and credit balance for the consumer devices, and the like. This information may be utilized for authorization and various other purposes. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, retail operations of the plurality of consumer devices may be segregated based on areas, types of consumer devices, and the like. Similarly, various selling parties may handle segregated retail operations. The server 1 18 may maintain a record of the various segregated retail operations and corresponding selling parties that handle the retail operations.

[0039] The distinctly tagged information reflecting the identifier received by the server 1 16 may be processed by an intelligence unit of the server 1 16 for authorization purposes based on the set of details stored in the server 116. A variety of operations may be performed relating to financial transactions, activation of the one or more attributes, deactivation of the one or more attributes, extension of lifetime of the one or more attributes, and the like. In an embodiment, the distinctly tagged information may reveal genuineness of the consumer device 1 12a that may be identified by the server 1 16. The server 1 16 may also identify credit balance of the user account and accordingly determine whether the user request should be fulfilled. Similarly, the server 1 16 may identify and determine several other aspects of the user request for activation and deactivation purposes. Information or set of instructions executed by the server 1 16 may be passed to the handheld device 1 14 through the network. The executed information or executed set of instructions may then be transmitted to the portable unit 102 that may be connected through wired or wireless mode with the handheld device 1 14.

[0040] The activation and deactivation facility 108 may be configured to either activate or deactivate the one or more attributes of the consumer device 1 12a based on authorization and the executed set of instructions received from the handheld device 1 14. For example, the user of the consumer device 1 12a may request permanent deactivation of specific attributes of the consumer device 1 12a. The consumer device 1 12a may then be connected with the portable unit 102 for permanent deactivation of the specific attributes. The identifier of the consumer device 1 12a, user's identification details for authorization and other details for deactivation may be authenticated by the server 116. Thereafter, the executed set of instructions received by the portable unit 102 may be used to deactivate the consumer device 1 12a permanently. Similarly, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, several types of operations related to activation/deactivation of the consumer device 1 12a may be performed by the portable unit 102. In an embodiment of the present invention, the user may request a temporary deactivation of the consumer device 1 12a. In accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, activation and deactivation of the attributes may be performed by the processing facility 106 that marks on or off various attributes of the consumer device 1 12a when being interfaced with the portable unit 102. This may facilitate the user to utilize the marked attributes only. In an embodiment of the present invention, various attributes may be stored as a list in the memory 1 10 of the portable unit 102 as a reference for the processing facility 106 to mark on or mark off the attributes.

[0041] In accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, the memory 1 10 of the portable unit 102 may store programmes, codes, and algorithms. The programmes, codes, and algorithms may be executed by the processing facility 106 for activating and/or deactivating the one or more attributes of the consumer device 1 12a. A set of programmes, codes, and algorithms may be referred as 'software'. In an embodiment, the software may include an internal clock such as the counter to maintain time for activation and deactivation purposes. In an embodiment of the present invention, the software may provide instructions to the memory 1 10 to keep a log of one or more attributes that are enabled within the consumer device 1 12a. The information related to attributes may be maintained in a file, a database, an XML file, and the like, which may be accessed by the software. The software may also track the history regarding previously enabled attributes for estimating future usage of the consumer device 1 12a. The software may send instructions to the processing facility 106 and the activation and deactivation facility 108 for processing the user request and activating/deactivating the one or more attributes. The software may further facilitate communication of the portable unit 102 with the plurality of consumer devices and the handheld device 1 14 for data exchange. [0042] In an embodiment, the software may include a graphical user interface that may display various usage functions to operate/control/manipulate the portable unit 102 or various components of the portable unit 102. In an embodiment, the graphical user interface may include a screen with buttons for performing various operational tasks. In another embodiment, the graphical user interface may include a touch-sensitive such as a touch screen or a touchpad interface.

[0043] The software may reside in Random Access Memory (RAM), flash memory, Read Only Memory (ROM), Electrically Programmable ROM (EPROM), Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM (EEPROM), hard disk, removable disk, or any other form of storage medium.

[0044] In accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, the portable unit 102 may be a fixed system, a mobile system, or a semi-mobile system. In an embodiment of the present invention, the portable unit 102 may be configured in the form of a pocket-sized instrument such as a dongle that may have the capability to connect with the handheld device 1 14. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the portable unit 102 may be configured as a simple module that may merely include a communication interface adapted to form communication with the plurality of consumer devices and the handheld device 1 14, and a button adapted to be pressed for activating and deactivating the one or more attributes.

[0045] In accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, the functionality and capability of the handheld device 1 14 may be integrated with the portable unit 102 to form an integrated unit that may be capable of performing operations of the handheld device 1 14 as well as the portable unit 102. The integrated unit at one end may be connected with the network and communicate directly with the server 1 16 for authentication purposes. In an embodiment of the present invention, the integrated unit may communicate directly with the server 1 16 via the GPRS, EDGE, CDMA etc. connection when the network is a mobile network. In another embodiment of the present invention, the integrated unit may communicate directly with the server 1 16 via the Internet using WiFi, WiMAX, Ethernet etc. when the network is a computer network. In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the integrated unit may communicate directly with the server 1 16 via a wired connection such as an optical cable and the like. At the other end of the integrated unit, it may be connected with the consumer device 1 12a through a port or pin connection as described earlier. [0046] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the handheld device 1 14 may be connected with the network and the server 1 16 through intermittent connections. In such a scenario, the handheld device 114 may operate for activation and deactivation of the one or more attributes without being connected with the network permanently. Only, a periodic and intermittent connection of the handheld device 1 14 with the network may be required. In accordance with this embodiment, the handheld device 1 14 may be utilized and dedicated for the purpose of activating and deactivating the one or more attributes of only specific consumer devices. Accordingly, the details such as the identifiers of the consumer devices, users of the consumer devices and the like related to the specific consumer devices may be cached from the server 1 16 by the handheld device 1 14. The cached details may be stored in a memory of the handheld device 1 14. Therefore, now, the handheld device 1 14, may be capable of performing the functions of the server 116 such as authorization for the specific consumer devices without actually being connected with the server 1 16 permanently. The handheld device 1 14 may be connected with the network or the server 1 16 whenever required, such as if there is any change in the details of the specific consumer devices and the like. In accordance with this embodiment, a merchant or his agent may be provided with a handheld device such as the handheld device 1 14 for operating on a specific set of consumer devices for example 50 given consumer devices. The merchant or his agent may, therefore, bear the responsibility of performing activation and deactivation related processes of the same 50 consumer devices only.

[0047] In accordance with still another embodiment of the present invention, the portable unit 102 may be directly utilized for performing operations of the server 1 16 such as authorization of the consumer devices. In such a scenario, the portable unit 1 12 may be utilized and dedicated for the purpose of activating and deactivating the one or more attributes of only specific consumer devices. Accordingly, the details such as the identifiers of the consumer devices, users of the consumer devices and the like related to the specific consumer devices may be cached from the server 1 16 or from the handheld device 1 14 by the portable unit 102. The cached details may be stored in the memory 1 10 of the portable unit 102. Therefore, now, the portable unit 102, may be capable of performing the functions of the server 1 16 such as authorization for the specific consumer devices without actually being connected with the server 1 16 permanently. The portable unit 102 may be connected with the network or the server 1 16 or the handheld device 1 14 whenever required, such as if there is any change in the details of the specific consumer devices and the like. In accordance with this embodiment, a merchant or his agent may be provided with a portable unit such as the portable unit 102 for operating on a specific set of consumer devices for example 50 given consumer devices. The merchant or his agent may, therefore, bear the responsibility of performing activation and deactivation related processes of the same 50 consumer devices only. In accordance with this embodiment of the present invention, the portable unit 102 may act as an intelligent unit configured to authorize he consumer devices based on the details stored in the memory 1 10. This embodiment may be implemented in areas that face network connectivity problems such as far off villages.

[0048] It must be appreciated by a person ordinarily skilled in the art that though the invention has been described in conjunction with portable consumer devices such as the consumer device 1 12a and the like for exemplary reasons; however, the invention may be applied in a similar manner on other devices that are not conventionally considered portable. A few examples of such devices are refrigerators, air conditioners, air coolers, fans, kitchen appliances, furniture, TV sets, large home-fitted stereo systems, desktops, and the like.

[0049] In various embodiments of the present invention, the consumer device 1 12a may be connected with the portable unit 102 for a short period of time. Thereafter, the activation and deactivation of the consumer device 1 12a may be governed automatically. This may facilitate activation and deactivation of consumer devices that may not be approachable within a network of the selling party.

[0050] Fig. 2 illustrates a block diagram of a consumer device 1 12a with a plurality of utility attributes in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. The consumer device 1 12a may include a transmitting facility 202, a receiving facility 204, and an intelligent facility 206. The intelligent facility 206 may further include a processor 208 and a memory 210.

[0051] The consumer device 112a as shown in Fig. 2 may include a plurality of utility attributes such as attribute 1, attribute 2, attribute 3, and the like. The plurality of utility attributes (hereafter referred as attributes) are intrinsic properties or operational capabilities of the consumer device 1 12a that may be activated or deactivated in/from the consumer device 1 12a on the basis of a request made by a user to a selling party or a merchant or an agent of the merchant. In accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, some attributes may be activated (hereinafter interchangeably referred to as a first set of attributes) while others are deactivated (hereinafter interchangeably referred to as a second set of attributes). In an embodiment of the present invention, the consumer device 1 12a may be a portable lighting device. In such a case, one of the attributes of the consumer device 1 12a adapted as a portable lighting device may include illumination capability from an LED source, the activation of which may allow the user to use the portable lighting device as a lamp for illumination purposes. Another example of the attributes may be adaptive control of the portable lighting device for charging a battery used for storing charge based on predefined factors. Similarly, various other attributes may be possible based on the design of the consumer device 1 12a that may allow the consumer device 1 12a to be used for multiple purposes. Based on the activation of one or more attributes, the user may be provided facilities of the one or more attributes of the consumer device 1 12a. A cost or number of credits may be fixed by the selling party for purchasing various attributes.

[0052] Various attributes of the consumer device 1 12a may be represented by unique names or codes. The unique code may be assigned credits for purchase depending on the utility and quality of the attribute represented by the code. The user may be required to pay an equivalent amount to purchase the consumer device 1 12a as determined by the attributes enabled within the consumer device 1 12a. This may provide flexibility to the user to opt for only selected attributes depending on the user's requirements. In accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, the one or more attributes may be time based such as media player for six months usage, illumination by an LED source for three month usage and the like as depicted in FIG. 3.

[0053] Fig. 3 illustrates exemplary codes assigned to exemplary attributes of the consumer device 1 12a. The user may use these codes for representing a request to activate or deactivate the attributes. The technique or representation of codes associated with the attributes as depicted in Fig. 3 are merely exemplary and therefore, various other ways of representing the attributes may be used without deviating from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0054] In accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, the plurality of attributes may include primary attributes that are activated by default when the user purchases the consumer device 1 12a. These attributes may be basic operational features such as ability to illuminate by the consumer device 1 12a acting as a portable lighting device may be considered as a primary attribute of the portable lighting device. Similarly, the consumer device 1 12a may possess secondary attributes that may be opted by the user based on his requirements. These attributes offer features that are additional to the basic operational features. These additional features may not be the primary purpose of the consumer device 1 12a. Alternatively, these additional features may enhance the effectiveness, of primary attributes. For example, a portable lighting device may be integrated with a music player to provide a primary attribute of lighting and a secondary attribute of a music player. Similarly, various combinations of the primary as well as secondary attributes may be possible without limiting the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0055] In accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, the intelligent facility 206 as depicted in Fig. 2 may control operations of the plurality of attributes of the consumer device 1 12a. The intelligent facility 206 may include the processor 208. The one or more attributes may be implemented by the processor 208 that may allow the consumer device 1 12a to operate with respect to the one or more attributes. For example, the consumer device 1 12a configured as a portable lighting device may include an attribute to adaptively control the rate of charging of a battery based on an existing level of charge in the battery. The processor 208 connected with the battery may send instructions to a battery charger to receive charge from an external energy source at varying rates based on the existing level of charge in the battery. Therefore, the functionality of the consumer device 1 12a to adjust rate of charging may be directly controlled by the processor 208.

[0056] The transmitting facility 202 may be configured to send information from the consumer device 1 12a to the portable unit 102 for activation/deactivation of the one or more attributes of the consumer device 1 12a. In an embodiment, the information may include user details, account details of the user, identifier of the consumer device 1 12a, and the like that may be stored within the consumer device 1 12a. The information may be communicated to the portable unit 102 when the consumer device 1 12a is interfaced with the portable unit 102 through the first interface of the communication facility 104.

[0057] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the transmitting facility 202 may transmit or send information through an automated system when coupled with the first interface of the portable unit 102. The automated system may include Radio Frequency Identification Devices (RFID), including tags that may be read by a tag reader to generate the instructions. In an embodiment of the present invention, the transmitting facility 202 may be configured to transmit or send information through automated touch-based techniques. A user interface such as a switch button, a visual scanner, a touch pad, and the like may be provided on the consumer device 1 12a to initiate communication of the consumer device 1 12a with the portable unit 102. [0058] The information transmitted by the consumer device 1 12a to the portable unit 102 may be processed by the processing facility 106. Based on processing of the information, the portable unit 102 may transmit a response to the consumer device 1 12a that may enable activation and deactivation of the one or more attributes. The response may be received by the receiving facility 204 in the consumer device 1 12a. The response may activate the one or more attributes or extend/reduce life of the one or more attributes or deactivate the one or more attributes of the consumer device 1 12a. The receiving facility 204 may be configured to receive information and data transmitted from the portable unit 102 electronically. In another embodiment, the receiving facility 204 may be configured to receive visual data transmission signals also such as those transmitted by various identification devices like RFIDs, biometric scanning devices, behaviometric scanning devices, voice recognition systems, and the like. A signal receiving interface of the receiving facility 204 may be provided on an external body of the consumer device 1 12a that may allow interfacing of the consumer device 1 12a with the portable unit 102.

[0059] The response or a set of instructions (hereinafter referred to as instructions merely for convenience) received by the receiving facility 204 of the consumer device 1 12a may be implemented by the processor 208 connected to the receiving facility 204 for activation and deactivation of the one or more attributes of the consumer device 1 12a. The set of instructions may provide details to activate the first set of the one or more attributes of the consumer device 1 12a and deactivate the second set of the one or more attributes of the consumer device 1 12a. In accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, the set of instructions may be in the form of a code. For example, the code may be an alphanumeric code of 8 digits. As mentioned earlier, the internal clock or the counter may be provided within the consumer device 1 12a. The processor 208 may identify time limits for activation and deactivation using the clock/timer output, and it may accordingly activate and deactivate the one or more attributes after a predefined period of time.

[0060] In accordance with an embodiment, the processor 208 may be responsible for the operation of the plurality of attributes. This may be achieved by marking on or marking off the operation of the one or more of the plurality of attributes using related codes of operations. This may allow the user to opt for the desired attributes for a predetermined period of time. Therefore, the user may pay an equivalent amount based on the utilization of the attributes without making any payment for the undesired and unused attributes. [0061] The consumer device 1 12a as depicted in Fig. 2 may keep a log of the one or more attributes that may be stored in the memory 210 of the consumer device 1 12a. It may also be possible that various consumer devices such as the consumer device 1 12a may support various attributes. Therefore, each consumer device such as the consumer device 1 12a may include a memory such as the memory 210 for storing details of the attributes that may be specific to the consumer device 1 12a. The memory 210 may also keep a log of usage details such as the number of hours of usage of various attributes in the consumer device 1 12a and the remaining hours that may be used without purchasing more credits. Financial transaction-related details such as the number of credits purchased, amount paid by the user for the purchase of a fixed number of credits and the like may also be stored in the memory 210. In accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, credits may define and specify the number of hours a user may be allowed to use the consumer device 1 12a with a fixed set of attributes. Accordingly, various combinations of the attributes and for various usage periods may be purchased by purchasing a fixed number of credits on making an equivalent payment. The credits may represent different financial values in different markets and different attributes may cost a different number of credits.

[0062] In accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, the consumer device 1 12a may act as a pre-paid device for which the user may have to make payments for the desired attributes for a predetermined period of time. In an embodiment of the present invention, the user may make payments during purchase of the credits only for usage of the one or more attributes of the consumer device 1 12a without paying for the consumer device 1 12a in its entirety. In such a scenario, the selling party may define a fixed amount to be deposited for security concerns and which may be refunded once the consumer device 1 12a is returned to the selling party after completion of the usage period. If required, the user may pay and get the consumer device 1 12a reissued for additional usage. Thus, the user is merely charged for the rent of the consumer device 1 12a during the usage period.

[0063] In accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, the consumer device 1 12a may be deactivated periodically for security concerns. The consumer device 1 12a may be re-activated by approaching the selling party. The periodicity timeframe may be set depending on the feasibility and desirability of the user. This may avoid any misuse of the consumer device 1 12a in case of thefts, since the consumer device 1 12a gets automatically deactivated after its set period till it is activated again through the portable unit 102.

[0064] In accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, the memory 210 of the consumer device 1 12a may store a set of programmes, codes, and algorithms. In an embodiment, the programmes, codes, and algorithms may be executed by the processor 208 for activating and/or deactivating the one or more attributes of the consumer device 1 12a. The set of programmes, codes, and algorithms may be referred as software. In an embodiment, the software may include an internal clock for maintaining the time of activation and deactivation. The software may automatically deactivate the one or more attributes after expiry of a pre-determined time. In another scenario, the software may limit the functionality of the consumer device 1 12a after the expiry of the predetermined time. In an embodiment of the present invention, the software may provide instructions to keep a log of the one or more attributes in the memory 210 that may be activated within the consumer device 1 12a. For example, the information related to the one or more attributes may be maintained in a file, a database, an XML file, and the like, which may be accessed by the software when required. The software may send instructions to track usage of the one or more attributes of the consumer device 1 12a. For example, the software may track the history regarding previously enabled attributes for estimating future usage of the consumer device 1 12a. In an embodiment of the present invention, the software may provide self-diagnostic services to the consumer device 1 12a. For example, the software may detect an error in the functionality and operation of the consumer device 1 12a and report it to the user through a display unit. The user may then notify the manufacturer or the selling party regarding the error. In an embodiment of the present invention, the self-diagnostic service may allow the user to confirm if all activated attributes are functioning properly. In case any activated or purchased attribute is found invalid, the user may notify the manufacturer or the selling party.

[0065J In an embodiment of the present invention, the software may detect the time when the one or more attributes were activated. Accordingly, the number of hours may be indicated on the display unit to inform the user about the time for which the one or more attributes may further be used. This may prompt the user to purchase the required attributes in advance before getting the consumer device 1 12a deactivated with respect to the one or more attributes. In another embodiment of the present invention, the consumer device 1 12a may prompt the user for recharging of credits through various other indicators provided on the consumer device 1 12a such as a blinking LED or through multiple LED's representing various levels of credits and the like.

[0066] The software may further allow communication with the portable unit 102 for data exchange. In an embodiment, the software may interpret operations of various components of the consumer device 112a and configure the consumer device 1 12a based on the interpreted operations.

[0067] The software may include a graphical user interface that may display various usage functions to operate/control/manipulate the consumer device 1 12a or various components of the consumer device 1 12a. In an embodiment, the graphical user interface may include a screen with buttons for various operational tasks. In another embodiment, the graphical user interface may include a touch-based screen.

[0068] The software may reside in RAM, flash memory, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, hard disk, removable disk, or any other form of storage medium.

[0069] Fig. 4 illustrates a communication environment 400 for activating/deactivating the one or more attributes of a plurality of consumer devices in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. The communication environment 400 may include a plurality of portable units, such as a portable unit 102a, a portable unit 102b, a portable unit 102c, and a portable unit 102d connected with a plurality of consumer devices such as the consumer device 1 12a, the consumer device 1 12b, the consumer device 1 12c, and the consumer device 1 12d as shown in Fig. 4. The dotted lines representing connections between various units/devices and modules in FIG. 4 indicate intermittent connections. For example, the portable unit 102a may connect with the consumer device 1 12a for a short period of time as and when required and not permanently. The plurality of portable units may be connected with a plurality of handheld devices such as a handheld device 1 14a, a handheld device 1 14b, a handheld device 114c, and a handheld device 1 14d. The communication environment 400 may further include a plurality of merchants such as a merchant 402a, a merchant 402b, a merchant 402c, a merchant 402d, a financial organization 404, and the server 1 16 as depicted in Fig. 4. It must be understood by a person ordinarily skilled in the art that elements and devices as depicted in Fig. 4 are merely for illustration and there could be more or less number of elements and devices than those depicted in Fig. 4. For example, the communication environment 400 may include more than one financial organization such as the financial organization 404 and servers such as the server 1 16 without any limitation. The plurality of handheld devices, the plurality of merchants, the server 1 16, and the financial organization 404 may be directly connected with a communication network such as a mobile network, a computer network like the Internet, and the like. In accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, the plurality of consumer devices is not directly connected with the communication network. Since a physical channel and a protocol for communication is required for the plurality of consumer devices to communicate with the communication network, a portable unit such as the portable unit 102a may temporarily provide the physical channel and protocol for the plurality of consumer devices that are usually not connected with the network. A few examples of such consumer devices, without limitations, are portable entertainment devices such as MP3 players, audio players, sound recorders, video cameras, movie players, video players, video recorders, digital cameras, CD players, DVD players, radios, handheld game consoles; utility devices such as lighting devices, torches, flashlights, televisions, washing machines, microwave ovens, air coolers, air conditioners, refrigerators and the like; computing devices such as laptops, and calculators; and the like.

[0070] In accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, a user may purchase one of the plurality of consumer devices such as the consumer device 1 12a from one of the plurality of merchants such as the merchant 402a. The merchant 402a may be authorized by a manufacturer, a licensee, or the selling party of the consumer device 1 12a to sell the consumer device 1 12a to a user. The user may purchase the consumer device 1 12a in its entirety or for a specific attribute of the consumer device 1 12a. The user may have to pay the merchant 402a for each added attribute. In accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, the user may purchase the consumer device 1 12a with desired attributes cither temporarily for a predetermined period of time or permanently by paying the required amount. Details regarding a financial transaction between the user and the merchant 402a, including an amount paid, date and time of the financial transaction, the kind of purchase, and the like, may be noted and transmitted to the server 1 16 for records and transaction processing purposes. Further -, these details may also be stored in the consumer device 1 12a.

[0071] In accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, the purchasing process of the consumer device 112a may be routed through the financial organization 404, which may be responsible for making payments on behalf of the user conditioned with various investment plans and schemes such as Equal Monthly Installments (EMIs). The user, therefore, may be required to pay EMIs to the financial organization 404 and use the consumer device 1 12a in return. However, the financial organization 404 may owe the authority to deactivate the one or more attributes of the consumer device 1 12a if the user fails to make payments to the financial organization 404 according to the investment plans or schemes. In this case, the financial organization 404 may send a request to the merchant such as the merchant 402a or directly to the server 1 16 for deactivation of the one or more attributes. In such a scenario, the user may be barred from activation of the attributes during subsequent renewals of the attributes. In case, the user again wants to activate the one or more deactivated attributes by making requisite payments to the financial organization 404, the financial organization 404 may send a notification requesting re-activation of the one or more deactivated attributes. This may allow the user to enjoy the deactivated attributes of the consumer device 1 12a once again. In accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, the process of activation and deactivation of the one or more attributes may be implemented and/or controlled by a merchant such as the merchant 402a or by the financial organization 404.

[0072] The user may have to make payment directly to the selling party such as the merchant 402a or to the financial organization such as the financial organization 404 depending on the mode of purchase. However, if the user is not able to make requisite payments within a stipulated time period, the one or more attributes may be deactivated, which may not be reactivated unless the user makes the requisite payments. In another embodiment, the deactivation may be automatic after the expiry of credits and the user may need to purchase more credits for further usage by requesting a merchant or his agent.

[0073] In an embodiment of the present invention, the one or more attributes of the consumer device 1 12a may be re-activated by simply adding more number of hours of usage in the consumer device 1 12a. In this scenario, a log of the number of hours of usage referring to the total number of hours for which the consumer device 1 12a may be used under the given payments are stored in the consumer device 1 12a. Similarly, a log of the consumed hours may be stored in the consumer device 1 12a. The value of the consumed hours may refer to the total number of hours for which the user may have used the consumer device 1 12a. The consumer device 1 12a may get deactivated automatically once the number of consumed hours equals the number of hours of usage. The consumer device 1 12a may be re-activatcd by adding additional number of hours of usage depending on the amount paid. In such a case, the selling party may either decrease the value of consumed hours or increase the value of the number of hours of usage reflecting an increase in the available hours based on the amount of payments made by the user. The activation or deactivation may, therefore, be controlled by assigning a value to the number of hours of usage by the merchant such as the merchant 402a. The actual number of hours of usage and the assigned number of hours of usage may be stored by the merchant 402a for records and further processing purposes.

[0074] The deactivation of the one or more attributes of the consumer device 1 12a after a predetermined period of time may motivate the financial organization 404 to provide loans to the user for purchase of the consumer devices such as the consumer device 1 12a. The financial organization 404 may have the authority to terminate services of the consumer device 1 12a in case the user is unable to make requisite payments to the financial organization 404. For example, the financial organization 404 may purchase the consumer device 1 12a for a user on monthly installments. In such a case, the financial organization 404 may ask the merchant 402a to activate the one or more attributes of the consumer device 1 12a for a user-defined time period with intermittent monthly deactivation. In this case, the user may require the permission of the financial organization 404 for activation of the consumer device 1 12a every month. The financial organization 404 may also have the authority to disallow activation of the consumer device 1 12a.

[0075] In accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, the plurality of merchants may be associated with the communication network based on regional retail operations, kind of consumer devices sold, and the like. In an embodiment of the present invention, the merchant 402a may handle operations of a specific geographical area Al , while the merchant 402b may handle operations of another area A2. Another merchant 402c may handle retail operations of portable lighting units, while the merchant 402d may manage the sales operations of fans. Similarly, various merchants may operate in the retail business of the plurality of consumer devices and for various regions. Each of the plurality of merchants may be provided with a portable unit such as the portable unit 102. Similarly, each merchant may be provided with a handheld device such as the handheld device 1 14a. In accordance with another embodiment, a single handheld device such as the handheld device 1 14a may be deployed that may be accessible by the portable units of each merchant. The handheld device 1 14a, in this case, may run an application to manage requests from the plurality of portable units.

[0076] Fig. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for activating/deactivating one or more attributes of a consumer device 1 12a in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. At step 502, a request may be received from a user. The user may communicate the request to a merchant such as the merchant 402a, an agent of the merchant 402a, or any other selling authority either orally or through any other modes. The request may include information regarding purchase of the one or more attributes of the consumer device 1 12a, information regarding time frame for which the one or more attributes are desired for use, and the like. In an embodiment of the present invention, the request may be sent for activation or deactivation of the one or more attributes for permanent effect by the user of the consumer device 1 12a. In another embodiment of the present invention, the request may be sent for activation and deactivation of the one or more attributes for temporary effect for a predetermined period of time by the user of the consumer device 1 12a.

[0077] At step 504, information may be received from the consumer device 1 12a by a portable unit 102 for authorization and processing purposes. The received information may include details for authorization and security purposes. These details such as a user name, user account details, an identifier of the consumer device 1 12a, and other personal details may be included within the information and communicated to the portable unit 102 by the consumer device 1 12a. Various techniques may be used for communicating the information between the consumer device 112a and the portable unit 102. In an embodiment, the information may be communicated to the portable unit 102 through a first interface of a communication facility 104. The first interface may be adapted to connect the portable unit 102 with the consumer device 1 12a. The first interface may be in the form of a port that may allow communication between the consumer device 1 12a and the portable unit 102 by simply plugging the portable unit 102 with the consumer device 1 12a through the port.

[0078] At step 506, authorization of the consumer device 1 12a may be performed based on the received information. The identifier of the consumer device 1 12a and other relevant details for authorization included in the information and received by the portable unit 102 may be processed by a processing facility 106. The processing facility may transmit the identifier of the consumer device 1 12a and other relevant details to the handheld device 1 14 for authorization. The handheld device 1 14 may send the identifier of the consumer device 1 12a and other relevant details to a server 1 16 for authorization that may be connected through a communication network with the handheld device 114. The server 1 16 may control and manage retail operations of several consumer devices across a region, a city, a country, and the world. The server 1 16 may maintain a database for storing information related to the plurality of consumer devices, details of the users utilizing the plurality of consumer devices across regions, details related to activated and deactivated attributes, and the like. On authorization, executed information may be transmitted to the portable unit 102 through the handheld device 1 14 for further implementation. The portable unit 102 may activate or deactivate the one or more attributes of the consumer device 1 12a based on the executed information and after authorization.

[0079] At step 508, the one or more attributes of the consumer device 1 12a may be activated or deactivated based on authorization and the executed information received after authorization. In an embodiment of the present invention, the one or more attributes of the consumer device 1 12a may be activated or deactivated by simply adding more number of hours of usage to the consumer device I I 2a. In this scenario, a log of the number of hours of usage referring to the total number of hours for which the consumer device 1 12a may be used under the given payments and the consumed hours referring to the total number of hours for which the consumer device 1 12a has been used may be stored in the memory 210 of the consumer device 1 12a. Further, a clock may be included in the consumer device 1 12a that may assess the time limits for activation and deactivation of the one or more attributes. The consumer device 1 12a may get automatically deactivated once the number of consumed hours equals the number of hours of usage. The consumer device 1 12a may be re-activated by allowing additional number of hours of usage depending on an amount paid thereafter. In such a scenario, the selling party may either decrease the value of consumed hours or increase the value of number of hours of usage reflecting an increase in the available hours to be used based on the amount of payment made by the user. The activation or deactivation may, therefore, be controlled by assigning a value to the number of hours of usage by the selling party.

[008OJ Fig. 6 illustrates a flowchart for authenticating a consumer device 1 12a and a portable unit 102 for initiating a session of activating and deactivating one or more attributes of the consumer device 1 12a. The consumer unit 1 12a may receive data from the portable unit 102 at step 602 being used for validation of protocol at step 604. At step 604, the consumer unit 1 12a may check for start-up sequence based on the data received by the consumer device 1 12a from the portable unit 102 for assessment and validation of the protocol of the portable unit 102. The checking of the start-up sequence ensures that the portable unit 102 follows a protocol similar to the protocol of the consumer device 1 12a. If the portable unit 102 is not found to follow the similar protocol after checking the start-up sequence, the consumer device 1 12a may ignore the received data. However, if the consumer device 1 12a finds the start-up sequence as relevant and identify the portable unit 102 to follow the same protocol, an acknowledgement confirming validation of the protocol and an identifier of the consumer device 1 12a may be transmitted to the portable unit 102 at step 606. The acknowledgement and the identifier of the consumer device 1 12a may be received by the portable unit 102. After receipt of the identifier of the consumer device 1 12a, the portable unit 102 may transmit an identifier of the portable unit 102 and a challenge (in the form of a question) to the consumer device 1 12a. The challenge may be configured to be responded by a genuine and authentic consumer device only such as the consumer device 1 12a. The identifier of the portable unit 102 and the challenge may be received by the consumer device 1 12a at step 608. The consumer device 1 12a may authenticate and validate the portable unit 102 based on the received identifier of the portable unit 102 and the challenge.

[0081] Once the portable unit 102 is authenticated, a response for the challenge may be transmitted by the consumer device 1 12a to the portable unit 102 for authorization of the consumer device 1 12a at step 610. The portable unit 102 maps the response with the information stored in a memory of the portable unit 102. If the response is validated as correct, the portable unit 102 and the consumer device 1 12a may be considered as genuine and suitable for initiating a session of data transmission for activating and/or deactivating the one or more attributes of the consumer device 1 12a.

[0082] At step 612, the consumer device 1 12a may receive a request for transmission of data related to the consumer device 1 12a after validation of the response to the challenge. The data may be related to such as usage of the one or more attributes, activated attributes, deactivated attributes, time period for activation and deactivation of the attributes and the like. The data related to the consumer device 1 12a may be transmitted to the portable unit 102 at step 614. The portable unit 102 may analyze the data received and recognize if any tampering is done with the activated and/or deactivated attributes. If the portable unit 102 finds an error or tampering done with the attributes, the portable unit 102 may cease the consumer device 1 12a for security purposes. In another embodiment, the portable unit 102 may generate instructions for updating the attributes for the next time period till next validation occurs. However, if the portable unit 102 finds no error or tampering with the attributes, the portable unit 102 may generate instructions to refresh the attributes without requiring any update. Any update or refreshing of the attributes may be performed by the consumer device 1 12a at step 616.

[0083] In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the process of authentication and validation as described above may be performed between the consumer device 1 12a and a handheld device 1 14. In another embodiment of the present invention, the process of authentication and validation may be performed between the consumer device 1 12a and a server 1 16. In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the process of authentication and validation may be performed between the handheld device 1 14 and the server 1 16. In such a scenario, the handheld device 1 14 may first receive details for authentication of the consumer device 1 12a from the portable unit 102 through any wired or wireless mode of communication. The handheld device 1 14 may then communicate the details for authentication to the server 1 16. It must be understood by a person ordinarily skilled in the art that various terms such as authorization, authentication and the like have been interchangeably used in the description merely for descriptive purposes without limiting the scope and the spirit of the present invention.

[0084] In accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, the present invention may be embodied in the form of a secured and reliable system along with a method for performing financial transactions. The method of performing financial transactions may include deactivation of the one or more attributes of the consumer device 1 12a based on various criteria such as making no payments by a user of the consumer device 1 12a and the like. Therefore, usage of the consumer device 1 12a may be terminated and controlled by the selling party, thereby avoiding fraudulent methods of purchasing the consumer device 1 12a that may result in losses for the selling party.

[0085] It must be appreciated by a person ordinarily skilled in the art that though the present invention has been described for the consumer devices that arc not connected with the network, the present invention may be equally applied to the portable and non-consumer devices that are directly connected with the network such as the Internet, intranet, PAN, LAN, MAN, WAN, and the like without limiting the spirit and scope of the present invention. Various networking protocols such as, but not limited to, TCP/IP Internet protocol, Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM), Internet Packet Exchange Protocol (IPXP), Lotus Notes, Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP), Multiple Internet Mail Exchange (MIME), Web Network File System (WNFS), File Transfer Protocol (FTP), Fiber Distributed Data Interface (FDDl), Reliable Multi-cast Transfer Protocol (RMTP), Multiprotocol Over ATM (MPOA), and the like may be utilized for secured and reliable communications over the network.

[0086] The system for activating/deactivating the consumer device 1 12a, as described in the present invention, or any of its components or elements may be embodied in the form of a computer program product that is accessible from a computer usable/readable medium. The computer usable/readable medium may include any device capable of storing, holding, processing, and communicating a set of instructions that may constitute the method steps of the present invention which may be executed by a computer system. A few examples of a computer system include, but are not limited to, a general purpose computer, programmed microprocessor, microcontroller, and other devices that may be capable of executing and implementing the set of instructions. The^computer usable medium or the computer readable medium may be in the form of an information source or a physical memory element including, but not limited to, removable disks, optical disks, read only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic tape, network storage devices, and the like.

[0087] A processing machine capable of executing the set of instructions stored on the computer program product may be connected with the computer system. Further, input and output devices including, but not limited to, keyboards, display peripherals, other computer connected user interfaces, and the like may be coupled with the computer system. The computer system may also include a communication unit that may allow the computer system to connect with various elements of the computer system and the Internet through input and output devices.

[0088] The present invention as described above facilitates a secured and reliable way of financial transactions related to consumer devices that arc not connected with the network. An advantage of the present invention is the activation/deactivation of one or more attributes of the consumer device based on fulfillment/non-fulfillment of payments.

[0089] Yet another advantage of the present invention is purchase of the consumer device with desired attributes only, thereby avoiding making payments for attributes that may not be of interest to a user. This facilitates in providing a more customized consumer device to the user without making any change in its design.

[0090] Still another advantage of the present invention is that the consumer device may be purchased for a predetermined period of time. [0091] While various embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it will be clear that the present invention is not limited to these embodiments only. Numerous modifications, changes, variations, substitutions, and equivalents will be apparent to those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, as described in the claims.

Claims

1. A system for activating and deactivating one or more attributes of a non- networked consumer device, the system comprising: a communication facility configured to establish communication between the non-networked consumer device and a network facility; and an activation and deactivation facility configured to perform at least one of activation of a first set of the one or more attributes of the non-networked consumer device and deactivation of a second set of the one or more attributes of the non- networked consumer device, the activation and the deactivation being facilitated by the established communication.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the non-networked consumer device comprises one or more of a portable lighting device, fan, media player, television, refrigerator, washing machine, microwave oven.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the communication facility comprises a first interface for communicating with the non-networked consumer device through a communication port.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the communication facility further comprises a second interface for communicating with a handheld device, the handheld device being connected with the network facility.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the handheld device comprises one of a mobile phone, a cellular device, a PDA, a desktop and a laptop.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein the second interface communicates with the handheld device through a wireless mode of communication.

7. The system of claim 4, wherein the second interface communicates with the handheld device through a wired mode of communication.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the communication facility further comprises a second interface for communicating with the network facility.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the second interface communicates with the network facility through a wireless mode of communication.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the second interface communicates with the network facility through a wired mode of communication.

1 1. The system of claim 1 , wherein the network facility is configured to perform an authorization of the non-networked consumer device.

12. The system of claim 1 , wherein the communication between the non-networked consumer device and the network facility is intermittent.

13. A system for activating and deactivating one or more attributes of a non- networked consumer device, the system comprising: a communication facility configured to establish communication between the non-networked consumer device and a network facility; and an activation and deactivation facility configured to activate the one or more attributes of the non-networked consumer device for a predetermined period of time through the established communication, the one or more attributes being deactivated after the predetermined period of time automatically.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the non-networked consumer device comprises one or more of a portable lighting device, fan, media player, television, refrigerator, washing machine, microwave oven.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the communication facility comprises a first interface for communicating with the non-networked consumer device through a communication port.

16. The system of claim 13, wherein the communication facility further comprises a second interface for communicating with a handheld device, the handheld device being connected with the network facility.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the handheld device comprises one of a mobile phone, a cellular device, a PDA, a desktop and a laptop.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein the second interface communicates with the handheld device through a wireless mode of communication.

19. The system of claim 16, wherein the second interface communicates with the handheld device through a wired mode of communication.

20. The system of claim 16, wherein the communication facility further comprises a second interface for communicating with the network facility.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the second interface communicates with the network facility through a wireless mode of communication.

22. The system of claim 20, wherein the second interface communicates with the network facility through a wired mode of communication.

23. The system of claim 13, wherein the network facility is configured to perform an authorization of the non-networked consumer device.

24. The system of claim 13, wherein the one or more attributes are deactivated automatically when the consumer device is not connected with the network facility.

25. The system of claim 13, wherein the communication between the non-networked consumer device and the network facility is intermittent.

26. A non-networked consumer device comprising: a transmitting facility configured to transmit information for authorization associated with the non-networked consumer device; a receiving facility configured to receive a set of instructions based on the authorization, the set of instructions representing details to perform at least one of activation of a first set of the one or more attributes of the non-networked consumer device and deactivation of a second set of the one or more attributes of the non- networked consumer device; and an intelligent facility configured to implement the set of instructions to perform at least one of activation of the first set of the one or more attributes of the non-networked consumer device and deactivation of the second set of the one or more attributes of the non-networked consumer device.

27. The non-networked consumer device of claim 26, wherein the non-networked consumer device comprises one or more of a portable lighting device, fan, media player, television, refrigerator, washing machine, microwave oven.

28. The non-networked consumer device of claim 26, wherein the set of instructions comprises a code to perform at least one of activation of the first set of the one or more attributes of the non-networked consumer device and deactivation of the second set of the one or more attributes of the non-networked consumer device.

29. The non-networked consumer device of claim 26, wherein the intelligent facility comprises a processor, the processor being configured to execute the set of instructions.

30. The non-networked consumer device of claim 26, wherein the intelligent facility further comprises a memory for storing details related to usage of the one or more attributes of the non-networked consumer device.

31. The non-networked consumer device of claim 26 further comprising a counter for determining time values for at least one of activating the first set of the one or more attributes of the non-networked consumer device and deactivating the second set of the one or more attributes of the non-networked consumer device.

32. A method of activating and deactivating one or more attributes of a non- networked consumer device, the method comprising: receiving an information for authorization of the non-networked consumer device at a first interface; transmitting the information for authorization of the non-networked consumer device to a network facility from a second interface; performing an authorization of the information based on at least one of user details and details of the non-networked consumer device, wherein the at least one of the user details and the details of the non-networked consumer device are stored in the network facility; activating a first set of the one or more attributes of the non-networked consumer device based on the authorization of the information, wherein the activation is performed based on a user request for activation; and deactivating a second set of the one or more attributes of the non-networked consumer device based on the authorization of the information, wherein the deactivation is performed based on a user request for deactivation.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein the non-networked consumer device comprises one or more of a portable lighting device, fan, media player, television, refrigerator, washing machine, microwave oven.

34. The method of claim 32, wherein the first interface comprises a communication port.

35. The method of claim 32, wherein the second interface is adapted to communicate in a wireless mode.

36. A computer program product for use with a computer, the computer program product comprising a computer usable medium having a computer readable set of instructions embodied therein for activating or deactivating one or more attributes of a non-networked consumer device, the computer readable set of instructions performing: receiving an information for authorization of the non-networked consumer device at a first interface; transmitting the information for authorization of the non-networked consumer device to a network facility from a second interface; performing an authorization of the information based on at least one of user details and details of the non-networked consumer device, wherein the at least one of the user details and the details of the non-networked consumer device are stored in the network facility; activating a first set of the one or more attributes of the non-networked consumer device based on the authorization of the information, wherein the activation is performed based on a user request for activation; and deactivating a second set of the one or more attributes of the non-networked consumer device based on the authorization of the information, wherein the deactivation is performed based on a user request for deactivation.

37. The computer program product of claim 36, wherein the non-networked consumer device comprises one or more of a portable lighting device, fan, media player, television, refrigerator, washing machine, microwave ove^~h.

38. The computer program product of claim 36, wherein the first interface comprises a communication port.

39. The computer program product of claim 36, wherein the second interface is adapted to communicate in a wireless mode.