U.S. patent application number 16/785607 was filed with the patent office on 2020-08-13 for certification and activation of used phones on a wireless carrier network.
The applicant listed for this patent is EBM/IP, LLC. Invention is credited to David A. Steinberg, Michael Walden.
Application Number | 20200259961 16/785607 |
Document ID | 20200259961 / US20200259961 |
Family ID | 1000004812197 |
Filed Date | 2020-08-13 |
Patent Application | download [pdf] |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200259961 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Walden; Michael ; et
al. |
August 13, 2020 |
CERTIFICATION AND ACTIVATION OF USED PHONES ON A WIRELESS CARRIER
NETWORK
Abstract
Telecommunication services systems and methods are disclosed.
The telecommunication services systems and methods preferably
enable a buyer to certify and activate a used wireless
telecommunications device. The systems and methods may also be
employed to provide the buyer with specialized pricing options and
other customized services.
Inventors: |
Walden; Michael; (Annapolis,
MD) ; Steinberg; David A.; (Washington, DC) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
EBM/IP, LLC |
Vienna |
VA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000004812197 |
Appl. No.: |
16/785607 |
Filed: |
February 9, 2020 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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15654545 |
Jul 19, 2017 |
|
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16785607 |
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14481395 |
Sep 9, 2014 |
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15654545 |
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13253555 |
Oct 5, 2011 |
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14481395 |
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11897466 |
Aug 30, 2007 |
8060409 |
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13253555 |
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10389899 |
Mar 18, 2003 |
7493105 |
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11897466 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04M 15/705 20130101;
H04M 15/715 20130101; H04W 48/18 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H04M 15/00 20060101
H04M015/00; H04W 48/18 20060101 H04W048/18 |
Claims
1. A method for enabling access to a used telecommunications device
comprising: receiving a request from a buyer; identifying one or
more telecommunication services providers available to the buyer;
allowing the buyer to select a telecommunication services provider;
and communicating the buyer's selection to the telecommunication
services provider, wherein said telecommunication services provider
enables access to said used telecommunications device.
2. The method of claim 1 further comprising providing the buyer
with a confirmation message when said used telecommunications
device is enabled.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the one or more telecommunication
services providers are identified by the buyer's area code or the
buyer's zip code.
4. An apparatus for remotely enabling access to a used
telecommunications device comprising means for receiving a request
from a buyer; means for identifying one or more telecommunication
services carriers available to the buyer; means for allowing the
buyer to select a telecommunication services provider; means for
communication the buyer's selection to the telecommunication
services provider; and means for said telecommunication services
provider to enable access to said used telecommunications
device.
5. A computer program for enabling access to a used
telecommunications device comprising means for receiving a request
from a buyer; means for identifying one or more telecommunication
services providers available to the buyer; means for allowing the
buyer to select a telecommunication services provider; and means
for communicating the buyer's selection to the telecommunication
services provider, wherein said telecommunication services provider
enables access to said used telecommunications device.
6. A programmed computer system for enabling access to a used
telecommunications device comprising means for receiving a request
from a buyer; means for identifying one or more telecommunication
services providers available to the buyer; means for allowing the
buyer to select a telecommunication services provider; and means
for communicating the buyer's selection to the telecommunication
services provider, wherein said telecommunication services provider
enables access to said used telecommunications device.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
[0001] The present invention relates to telecommunication services
systems and methods, and in particular, to telecommunication
services systems and methods that enable a buyer to certify and
activate a used wireless telecommunications device. The systems and
methods may also be employed to provide the buyer of a used
wireless telecommunications device with specialized pricing options
and other customized services.
2. Description of the Prior Art
[0002] Security elements, which are becoming an essential component
of telecommunication services, are used to authenticate the buyer
of a wireless telecommunications device. Based on current
technology, security elements may take many forms, including
removable and non-removable types, relative to the
telecommunications device. A well-known removable type of security
element is a subscriber identity module (SIM), currently used in
telecommunications devices that operate according to the Global
System for Mobile (GSM) standard.
[0003] A service certificate is an electronic document signed by a
trusted third party, i.e., a certification agency (CA)--which
states that a named entity is a certified buyer of the public key
contained in the certificate for the service identified by the
certificate number. Service certificates may be used as electronic
credit cards in mobile e-commerce. However, since many "credit
cards" can be assigned to a small number of key pairs, the issuer
of the security may not be the issuer of the service certificate,
so that the issuer of the security element does not control all
uses of the security element.
[0004] Currently, if a SIM-enabled wireless telecommunications
device is lost or stolen, a buyer can notify his or her wireless
service provider, who can block access to the network at the
wireless infrastructure. FIG. 1 illustrates this scenario. Wireless
phone 101 using SIM card 102 normally accesses the wireless
operator's infrastructure 103 through public land mobile network
(PLMN) 104. In turn, the public switched telephone network (PSTN),
105, and the Internet, 106 can be accessed. When access to the
network is denied at infrastructure 103, as indicated by the cross
in the box depicting 103, the denial of service is based on the
phone number of the lost phone recorded in the phone's SIM
card.
[0005] A legitimate buyer of the wireless telecommunications device
notifies the certificate issuer of the loss. The issuer then adds
its certificate to a certificate revocation list (CRL) which is
sent to telecommunication services provider, 203, through the
regular secure payment gateway, 206, so that the telecommunication
services provider knows to deny attempts to use the wireless
telecommunications device.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 5,289,526 discloses a method and apparatus for
monitoring and reporting information relating to the operation of
cellular telephone systems. The patent discloses that the method
and apparatus may be employed to analyze the performance of a
cellular system as it is acting in the field.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 5,471,526 discloses a method and apparatus for
detecting events occurring in a telecommunications network. The
method and apparatus include stored program control exchanges that
execute software programs having controlled sequences that are
responsive to certain events.
[0008] U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,572,571; 5,828,956; and 6,018,656 disclose
a method and apparatus that permit a buyer to program the necessary
information to incorporate a cellular telephone into a network
without assistance from a dealer.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 6,223,290B1 discloses a method and apparatus
for controlling use of an electronic system, including a cellular
telephone. The patent discloses that the method and apparatus may
be employed to identify and prevent fraudulent use of the cellular
telephone.
[0010] U.S. Application No. 2002/0186845A1 discloses a method and
apparatus for remotely disabling and enabling access to secure
transaction functions of a mobile phone. The method and apparatus,
which enable a buyer to immediately block access to the payment and
buyer authentication functions in a security element of the phone,
include a step or means for verifying the authenticity of the
buyer.
[0011] WO 02/01891 discloses a system for storing information while
using a mobile communication device such as a mobile phone. The
system, which stores data from a mobile communications device over
a mobile communications network to a remote storage device, permits
a buyer to have access to increased capacity.
[0012] None of the references discloses or suggests a system or
method that enables a buyer to certify and activate a used wireless
telecommunications device. There is thus a need for a system and
method that enables a buyer to certify and activate a used wireless
telecommunications device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] All patents and patent publications cited herein are hereby
incorporated herein by reference.
[0014] An object of the present invention is to provide a system
and method that enable a buyer to certify and activate a used
wireless telecommunications device.
[0015] According to an object of the invention, the system
comprises a web server and the method comprises the use of the web
server. The system and method involve the buyer using the web
server to certify and activate a used wireless telecommunications
device. The buyer may also use the web server to access additional
information related to telecommunication services available to the
buyer. In accordance with this object, a system and method for
accessing information and for establishing a telecommunication
services account are provided. The system and method comprise
providing access to information regarding telecommunication
services and optionally establishing an account for the
telecommunication services.
[0016] According to another object of the invention, the system
comprises a live operator and the method comprises the use of the
live operator. The system and method involve the buyer contacting
the live operator via, e.g., the use of an "800" number and
communicating with the live operator to certify and activate a used
wireless telecommunications device. The buyer may also use the live
operator to access additional information related to
telecommunication services available to the buyer. In accordance
with this object, a system and method for accessing information and
for establishing a telecommunication services account are provided.
The system and method comprise providing access to information
regarding telecommunication services and optionally establishing an
account for the telecommunication services.
[0017] According to yet another object of the invention, the system
comprises an e-mail system and the method comprises the use of the
e-mail system. The system and method involve the buyer using the
e-mail system to certify and activate a used wireless
telecommunications device. The buyer may also use the e-mail system
to access additional information related to telecommunication
services available to the buyer. In accordance with this object, a
system and method for accessing information and for establishing a
telecommunication service are provided. The system and method
comprise providing access to information regarding
telecommunication services and optionally establishing an account
for the telecommunication services.
[0018] According to yet a further object of the invention, the
system comprises an interactive voice system ("IVS") and/or an
interactive data system ("IDS"). Once the buyer is identified, the
buyer may obtain information regarding its used telecommunication
device and/or available telecommunication services. The system and
method involve the buyer using the IVS and/or the IDS to certify
and activate a used wireless telecommunication device. The buyer
may also use the IVS and/or IDS to access additional information
related to telecommunication services available to the buyer. In
accordance with this object, a system and method for accessing
information and for establishing a telecommunication service are
provided. The system and method comprise providing access to
information regarding telecommunication services and optionally
establishing an account for the telecommunication services.
[0019] These and other objects of the invention will be apparent to
those of ordinary skill in the art from the following Detailed
Description and the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] FIG. 1 illustrates one way a lost or stolen
telecommunications device is disabled in the prior art.
[0021] FIG. 2A is the first of three parts of a flow chart showing
an example of a system and method that enable a buyer to certify
and activate a used wireless telecommunications device in
accordance with the invention. FIG. 2B is the second of three parts
of the flow chart. FIG. 2C is the third of three parts of the flow
chart.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0022] The invention will now be described by reference to FIG. 2.
FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing an example of a system and method
that enable a buyer to certify and activate a used wireless
telecommunications device in accordance with the invention.
Although FIG. 2 regards the use of a website for certification and
activation, as discussed herein, certification and/or activation
may also be accomplished by other means, including via e-mail
communication, via an IVS and/or an IDS, and/or via interaction
with a live operator.
[0023] An exemplary embodiment of the present invention is a method
for enabling access to a used telecommunications device comprising
receiving a request from a buyer; identifying one or more
telecommunication services providers available to the buyer;
allowing the buyer to select a telecommunication services provider;
and communicating the buyer's selection to the telecommunication
services provider, wherein said telecommunication services provider
enables access to said used telecommunications device.
[0024] Referring to FIG. 2, a buyer purchases a used wireless
telecommunications device by use of, for example, an on-line
purchasing service. The buyer then accesses a "certification and
activation" website through which the buyer may submit a request
for telecommunication services. Although the term "certification
and activation" website is employed herein, it is to be understood
that it is contemplated that certification and activation are
independent steps in the system and method of the invention and
that each can be carried out independently via each of the means
described herein.
[0025] The certification and activation website first queries the
buyer to determine whether the used telecommunication device is
approved for the network and that it is not listed on the "do not
activate" list as lost, missing, stolen, etc. The certification is
accomplished by the buyer identifying the used telecommunication
device via, e.g., the used telecommunication device's
identification number, and the certification and activation website
processing this information to determine whether the used
telecommunication device is certifiable. Once the buyer's use of
the used telecommunication device is certified, the web site then
provides information regarding telecommunication services that are
available to the buyer. The buyer may access this information by
entering information regarding the buyer's anticipated usage area,
e.g., a zip code. As demonstrated in more detail in the example
below, the buyer is then provided with the option of activating its
telecommunications device. At this time, the buyer is also provided
with various options with regard to its telecommunications
services.
[0026] After the buyer selects a telecommunication service
provider, that selection is communicated to the services provider
and the services provider enables access to the used
telecommunications device. The website, IVS, IDS and/or live
operator may then confirm that the telecommunications device is
enabled.
[0027] According to another exemplary embodiment of the invention,
an apparatus is provided for remotely enabling access to a used
telecommunications device comprising means for receiving a request
from a buyer; means for identifying one or more telecommunication
services carriers available to the buyer; means for allowing the
buyer to select a telecommunication services provider; means for
communication the buyer's selection to the telecommunication
services provider; and means for said telecommunication services
provider to enable access to said used telecommunications
device.
[0028] According to another exemplary embodiment a computer program
is provided for enabling access to a used telecommunications device
comprising means for receiving a request from a buyer; means for
identifying one or more telecommunication services providers
available to the buyer; means for allowing the buyer to select a
telecommunication services provider; and means for communicating
the buyer's selection to the telecommunication services provider,
wherein said telecommunication services provider enables access to
said used telecommunications device.
[0029] According to another exemplary embodiment a programmed
computer system is provided for enabling access to a used
telecommunications device comprising means for receiving a request
from a buyer; means for identifying one or more telecommunication
services providers available to the buyer; means for allowing the
buyer to select a telecommunication services provider; and means
for communicating the buyer's selection to the telecommunication
services provider, wherein said telecommunication services provider
enables access to said used telecommunications device.
EXAMPLE
[0030] The system and method of the invention may be employed in
combination with on-line purchasing services. By way of example,
the invention provides a method for the on-line purchasing service
auction winners to enter information about their used
telecommunications device and certify and activate the used
telecommunications device.
[0031] The first step in the process is for an on-line seller to
add HTML to their auction listing encourage buyers to certify and
activate their used telecommunications device after purchase. A
buyer who has won a telecommunications device can then access a
site explaining available telecommunication services by clicking on
a link from the auction or the end-of-auction e-mail sent by the
on-line purchasing service. If the buyer chooses to continue, it
can enter information that is used by the telecommunication
services provider to identify which carriers have service in the
buyer's anticipated usage area. Such information may include, but
is not limited to, the buyer's area code, the buyer's zip code,
etc. The buyer can also access a telecommunications device
selection page where it may identify its telecommunications device
by, e.g., manufacturer, model number, and carrier. Next, the buyer
is presented with the option to choose a telecommunication services
plan. Once a buyer has selected a telecommunication services plan,
it is presented with a screen asking it to enter activation
information (e.g., name, address, and information used by the
carriers to do a credit assessment on the buyer).
[0032] Once the order has entered the telecommunication service
providers' database, the order is communicated to the
telecommunication service provider's certification and activation
system and is treated as a special type of activation. E-mail, IVS
and/or IDS statuses are sent to the buyer throughout the activation
process to let the buyer know the status of the order. The buyer
may also access status information via the internet. Once
activation is successful, a welcome kit is shipped to the buyer
along with an e-mail, an IVS and/or an IDS announcement announcing
the successful activation as well as instructions (when
necessary).
[0033] While, in the foregoing, the present invention has been
described in accordance with specific embodiments, those skilled in
the art would appreciate that variations of these embodiments fall
within the scope of the invention. As a result, the invention is
not limited to the specific examples and illustrations discussed
above.
* * * * *