System and Method for Authorizing the Activation of a Communication Device

a communication device and authorization technology, applied in the field of distribution and activation of communication devices, can solve the problems of carrier not knowing whether the phone was ever legitimately purchased at an authorized retailer, method not allowing the carrier to know the status of the phone, carrier not knowing, etc., to achieve the effect of preventing and controlling loss

Inactive Publication Date: 2010-05-20
E2INTERACTIVE INC D B A E2INTERACTIVE
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This solution prevents the activation of stolen devices and ensures that only legitimate purchases can access communication services, thereby enhancing loss prevention and enabling both carriers and merchants to track the sales of communication devices effectively.

Problems solved by technology

The traditional method does not allow the carrier to know the status of the phone prior to activation.
However, the carrier will not know whether the phone was ever legitimately purchased at an authorized retailer.
For instance, the carrier will not know whether the person calling to activate the phone is requesting to activate a stolen phone or a legitimately purchased phone.

Method used

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  • System and Method for Authorizing the Activation of a Communication Device
  • System and Method for Authorizing the Activation of a Communication Device
  • System and Method for Authorizing the Activation of a Communication Device

Examples

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Embodiment Construction

[0023]The subject matter of this application is related to the technology described in the following U.S. Patents and Patent Applications: U.S. application Ser. No. 10 / 253,243 filed Sep. 24, 2002, U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 324,333 filed Sep. 24, 2001, U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 396,404 filed Jul. 15, 2002, U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 519,630 filed on Nov. 14, 2003, U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 519,629 filed on Nov. 14, 2003, U.S. application Ser. No. 10 / 712,182 filed Nov. 13, 2003, U.S. application Ser. No. 10 / 655,828 filed Sep. 5, 2003, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 698,084 filed Nov. 3, 2003, U.S. application Ser. No. 10 / 411,971 filed Apr. 11, 2003, U.S. application Ser. No. 09 / 641,363 filed Aug. 18, 2000 (now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,575,361), U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 149,740 filed Aug. 19, 1999, U.S. application Ser. No. 10 / 732,641 filed Dec. 10, 2003, the U.S. application filed Dec. 19, 2003 under Attorney Docket No. 64243.000...

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Abstract

A system and method for authorizing the activation of a communication device is provided. A request to activate a communication device is received by a communication service provider. The communication service provider or a central processor determines whether the communication device was validly sold in a purchase transaction. Alternately, the communication service provider can outsource the determining step to a central processor. The communication service provider or central processor determines whether to activate the communication device based on the determining action.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 519,629 filed Nov. 14, 2003.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]This invention relates to distributing and activating communication devices, such as wireless phones. More particularly, the invention relates to distributing wireless communication devices at point-of-sale merchant terminals wherein the communication devices may be used for wireless communication service.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Merchant stores receive wireless phones from distributors and sell the phones and other communication devices to customers. These phones may be pay-as-you-go wireless phones. Typically, the phones are inactive when the stores receive the phones from distributors. Thus, in order for a customer to use a phone after purchase, the phone must be activated through a communication service provider, i.e., a carrier. For instance, a customer may purchase at a merchant store a phone pre-as...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & AuthorityApplications(United States)
IPC IPC(8): H04M3/42H04W12/12
CPCH04W12/08H04W12/12H04W12/126
InventorSMITH, MERRILL BROOKSGRAVES, PHILLIP CRAIG
OwnerE2INTERACTIVE INC D B A E2INTERACTIVE