System for providing communications equipment

• US 20040067746A1
• Filed: 10/03/2002
• Published: 04/08/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/03/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Johnson, Jeffrey A.
• Application Number:
  US10/263,991
• Publication Number:
  US 20040067746A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/405
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/854 Available credit
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2207/18 wireless networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/2026 Wireless network, e.g. GSM, PCS, TACS
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/32 Involving wireless systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/8166 Available credit
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/38 Graded-service arrangements, i.e. some subscribers prevented from establishing certain connections queuing arrangements H04Q3/64
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/24 Accounting or billing

Abstract

A system configured to facilitate the provision of a wireless device to a customer is presented. The system includes a memory, a communications connection, and a processor. The processor is configured to receive information about the customer, perform a credit check on the customer, request the wireless device from a leasing entity, and structure a contract based on the credit history of the customer.

Claims

1. A system configured to facilitate the provision of a wireless device to a customer, the system comprising:

a memory;

a communications connection; and

a processor coupled to the memory and the communications connection, the processor operable to;

receive information about the customer;

perform a credit check on the customer;

request the wireless device from a leasing entity; and

structure a contract based on a credit history of the customer.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the communications connection is selected from one of a network connection, a wireless connection, a leased line connection, a secure connection, or an internet connection.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the processor is further operable to create a record about the customer.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the processor is further operable to bill the customer.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the processor is further operable to determine an amount of a deposit based on a credit rating of the customer.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the processor is further operable to accept a capital lease with the leasing entity.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the processor is further operable to accept an operating lease with the leasing entity.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the processor is further operable to determine a residual value.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein the residual value is a fair market value.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein the processor is further operable to structure a contract comprising a purchase option, a dollar buy-out option, a percentage but-out option, or a cancellation option.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein the processor is further operable to initiate provision of the wireless device to the customer based on the terms of the contract.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein the processor is further operable to sell the wireless device to the customer.

13. The system of claim 11 wherein the processor is further operable to sublease the wireless device to the customer.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein a length of a sublease is less than or equal to a length of a wireless subscription.

15. The system of claim 13 wherein a term of a sublease is based on a credit history of the customer.

16. A system configured to facilitate the provision of a wireless device to a customer, the system comprising:

a retail store computer;

a wireless provider computer; and

a communication link between the retail store computer and the wireless provider computer;

wherein the wireless provider computer is configured to interface with the retail store computer via the communication link; and

wherein the wireless provider computer is configured to receive customer information and request a wireless device from a leasing entity by sending request information to a leasing entity computer.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein the communications link is selected from one of a network connection, a wireless connection, a leased line connection, a secure connection, or an internet connection.

18. The system of claim 16 wherein the wireless provider computer is configured to receive credit information from a credit agency.

19. The system of claim 16 wherein the retail store computer is configured to receive credit information from a credit agency.

20. The system of claim 16 wherein the wireless provider computer is configured to interface with the leasing entity computer.

21. The system of claim 16 wherein the wireless provider computer is configured to interface with a manufacturer computer.

22. The system of claim 16 wherein the wireless provider computer is configured to store customer information in a database.

23. The system of claim 16 wherein the retail store computer is configured to store customer information in a database.

24. The system of claim 16 wherein the wireless provider computer is configured to generate a customer bill.

25. The system of claim 16 wherein the retail store computer is configured to generate a customer bill.

26. The system of claim 16 wherein the wireless provider computer is configured to accept or reject a customer based on a credit history of the customer.

27. The system of claim 16 wherein the wireless provider computer is configured to structure a contract.

28. The system of claim 16 wherein the wireless provider computer is configured to receive inventory information.

29. The system of claim 16 wherein the retail store computer is configured to receive inventory information.

30. The system of claim 16 wherein the wireless provider computer is configured to place an order for a wireless device.

31. The system of claim 16 wherein the retail store computer is configured to place an order for a wireless device.

32. The system of claim 16 wherein the wireless provider computer is configured to receive shipment information.

33. The system of claim 16 wherein the retail store computer is configured to receive shipment information.