Wireless device service activation from the wireless device

• US 20060035631A1
• Filed: 08/13/2004
• Published: 02/16/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/13/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: White, Christopher, Cannon, James L.
• Application Number:
  US10/918,697
• Publication Number:
  US 20060035631A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/418
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2207/18 wireless networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/382 using authorisation codes or passwords
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/265 for initial activation of new user

Abstract

A method and system for facilitating activation of a mobile device by an end user, where the end user may initiate the activation from the mobile device. Prior to activation, the mobile device is configured with a permanent identifier that is known by a select network service provider. The inactive mobile device sends a request for access that is ultimately received at a system of the service provider. The request includes the permanent identifier. Based on the permanent identifier, if the service provider recognizes the mobile device as having an inactive status, it provides the mobile device with access to an activation component portion of the system. Once the mobile device has access to the activation component, the end user of the mobile device can provide the activation component with activation information so that the mobile device can be activated and have increased access to the system.

Claims

1. At a wireless service provider system, a method for facilitating activation of a mobile station so that the mobile station can have less-restricted access to a communications network of the wireless service provider system, the method comprising:

receiving, from the mobile station, a request for access to the communications network of the wireless service provider system, wherein the request includes a code corresponding to an international mobile subscriber identifier (IMSI) permanently associated with a mobile station subscriber identity module (SIM) card in the mobile station;

determining whether the code corresponding to the international mobile subscriber identifier (IMSI) corresponds with a code stored in a record of a home location register (HLR) associated with the wireless service provider system;

if the code corresponding to the international mobile subscriber identifier (IMSI) corresponds with the code stored in the record of the home location register (HLR), providing the mobile station with restricted access to the communications network of the wireless service provider system, wherein the restricted access to the network of the wireless service provider system includes access to an activation portion of the wireless service provider system;

at the activation portion of the wireless service provider system, receiving activation information from the mobile station; and

based on the received activation information, updating the record of the home location register (HLR) to indicate that the mobile station has less-restricted access to the wireless network of the wireless service provider system.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising assigning a temporary international mobile subscriber identifier (TIMSI) to the mobile station, wherein the mobile station transmits the temporary international mobile subscriber identifier (TIMSI) in place of the international mobile subscriber identifier (IMSI) in future exchanges with the wireless service provider system, as long as the mobile station remains continuously accessible to the network of the mobile service provider.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising sending a request for activation information to the mobile station, wherein the request for activation information is presented to a user of the mobile station.

4. At a wireless service provider system, a method for facilitating activation of a mobile device so that the mobile device can have increased access to a communications network of the wireless service provider system, the method comprising:

receiving a request for access to the communications network of the wireless service provider system, wherein the request includes a nontemporary code identifying the mobile device or a module in the mobile device, and wherein the request does not include a temporary identifier;

based on the nontemporary identification code, searching one or more records to determine whether the mobile device is recognized by the wireless service provider system and whether the mobile device has an inactive status; and

if the mobile device is recognized by the wireless service provider and has an inactive status, providing the mobile device with restricted access to the network of the wireless service provider system, wherein the restricted access to the network includes access to a portion of the wireless service provider system that facilitates wireless activation of the mobile device by a user of the mobile device who is not trained in device activation.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

receiving activation information from the mobile device; and

based on the received activation information, updating the status of the mobile device from inactive to active.

6. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

receiving activation information from the mobile device; and

based on the received activation information, updating the status of the mobile device from inactive to active, including updating at least one of the one or more records to indicate that the device is permitted to have increased access to the network.

7. The method of claim 4 wherein the nontemporary identification code identifies both the mobile device and the wireless service provider system.

8. The method of claim 4 wherein the nontemporary identification code corresponds to an international mobile subscriber identifier (IMSI).

9. The method of claim 4 wherein the permanent identifier is associated with a subscriber identity module (SIM) card in the mobile device.

10. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

sending a request for activation information to the mobile device, wherein the request for activation information is for presentation to a user of the mobile device;

receiving activation information from the mobile device in response to the sent request; and

based on the received activation information, updating the status of the mobile device from inactive to active.

11. The method of claim 4, further comprising receiving activation information from the mobile device, wherein the activation information includes an indication of a selected service plan.

12. The method of claim 4, further comprising receiving activation information from the mobile device, wherein the activation information includes billing information.

13. The method of claim 4 wherein the communications network includes at least one wireless local network that uses high frequency radio signals to transmit and receive data over distances of a few hundred feet, wherein the wireless device communicates, at least in part, via the wireless local network.

14. The method of claim 4 wherein the communications network includes a Wi-Fi network, wherein the wireless device communicates, at least in part, via the Wi-Fi network, and wherein the portion of the wireless service provider system that facilitates activation of the mobile device includes a domain controller that allows the wireless device to access an activation web site.

15. At a mobile station, a method for activating the mobile station so that it has increased access to a communications network, the method comprising:

transmitting a permanent identifier including a code identifying the mobile station or a module in the mobile station, wherein the code identifying the mobile station or the module in the mobile station is known to at least one component of the communications network prior to activation;

based on the transmitting, obtaining access to an activation component of the communications network, wherein the activation component facilitates wireless activation by an untrained end user of the mobile station;

receiving a request for activation information from the activation component; and

transmitting activation information to the activation component so that the activation component can update the status of the mobile station from inactive to active.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the permanent identifier is associated with a subscriber identity module (SIM) card in the mobile station.

17. The method of claim 15 wherein the permanent identifier is associated with an international mobile subscriber identifier (IMSI).

18. The method of claim 15, further comprising displaying the request for activation information on a display at the mobile station.

19. A communications service provider system configured for facilitating the activation of a communications device so that the communications device can have an increased level of access to one or more communications networks associated with the communications service provider system, the system comprising:

means for receiving, from the communications device, a request for access to a communications network of the communications service provider system, wherein the request includes a nontemporary code identifying the communications device or a module in the communications device, and wherein the request does not include a temporary identifier associated with the communications device;

means for searching one or more records to determine whether the communications device is recognized by the communications service provider system and whether the communications device has an inactive status; and

means for providing the communications device with restricted access to the network of the communications service provider system, wherein the restricted access to the communications network includes access to a portion of the communications service provider system that facilitates activation of the communications device.

20. The system of claim 19 wherein the communications device is a personal computer.

21. The system of claim 19 wherein the communications device includes an enhanced data rates for global evolution (EDGE) card.

22. The system of claim 19 wherein the communications device is a mobile terminal.

23. The system of claim 19 wherein the communications device is a mobile phone.

24. The system of claim 19 wherein the communications service provider system provides Internet services.

25. The system of claim 19 wherein the communications service provider system provides media entertainment services.

26. A method for configuring a mobile device so that it can be provided to a customer in a nonactivated state, wherein the mobile device can then be activated by an end user so that the mobile device can have increased access to services provided by a wireless service provider, the method comprising:

receiving a permanent identifier code from a wireless service provider; and

configuring a memory associated with the mobile device so that the memory includes the permanent identifier code, such that the mobile device may then be activated by a method comprising;

transmitting the permanent identifier code to a station accessible by the wireless service provider;

based on the transmitting of the permanent identifier code, obtaining access to an activation component of the wireless service provider;

receiving a request for activation information from the activation component; and

transmitting activation information to the activation component so that the activation component can update the status of the mobile device from inactive to active.

27. At a personal base station, a method for facilitating activation of a mobile station so that the mobile station can have less-restricted access to a network of a wireless service provider system, wherein the personal base station is controlled, at least in part, by an end user of the mobile device who is not trained in activation methods, the method comprising:

receiving, from the mobile station, a request for access to the network of the wireless service provider system, wherein the request includes a nontemporary code identifying the mobile station or a module in the mobile station, and wherein the request does not include a temporary identifier; and

providing the mobile station with restricted access to the network of the wireless service provider system, wherein the restricted access to the network includes access to a portion of the wireless service provider system that facilitates activation of the mobile station, so that the mobile station can complete activation by a method comprising;

receiving a request for activation information from an activation component of the wireless service provider system; and

transmitting activation information to the activation component so that the activation component can update the status of the mobile station from inactive to active.

28. The method of claim 27 wherein the provided access to the network of the wireless service provider system includes machine-to-machine access.

29. The method of claim 27 wherein the provided access to the network of the wireless service provider system includes web-based access.

30. The method of claim 27 wherein the provided access to the network of the wireless service provider system includes chat-based access.

31. An activation component of a mobile communications network, the activation component comprising:

means for communicating with an untrained end user of a mobile device for the purpose of activating the mobile device so that the mobile device may obtain access to the mobile communications network;

means for providing instructions for permitting the untrained end user to provide information for wireless activation of the mobile device, using the mobile device; and

means for facilitating the update of a record in a customer record component of the mobile communications network, wherein information stored in the record at the customer record component determines the level of access to the mobile communications network, both before and after the device is activated.