Point-of-sale activation of media device account
First Claim
1. A method of activating at least one feature stored in a media device, comprising:
- storing at a central processor information identifying a media device;
after the storing action, inputting device identifier information at a merchant terminal during a purchase of the media device, the device identifier information identifying the media device;
receiving the device identifier information from a merchant terminal at a central processor;
registering the sale of the media device based on the act of receiving the device identifier information;
receiving a device activation request at the central processor; and
determining whether to authorize activation of the device based on the registering action.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
This method and apparatus may activate removable or portable media devices (or accounts associated therewith), such as flash drives, USB drives, external hard drives, thumb drives, memory cards of various formats (SD, CF, xD, Memory Card Duo), SIM cards, other phone cards, or other devices containing a writable and/or readable memory. The devices may be activated after purchase based on a communication between a central processor and a device or device user. Further, this method and apparatus may activate an account related to a media device at a point-of-sale (“POS”), and may later activate the device by communicating with an account activation processor. Activation and deactivation of the device (or account) may further be based on a confirmation or cancellation of a purchase transaction associated with the device, such as a purchase of the device.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method of activating at least one feature stored in a media device, comprising:
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storing at a central processor information identifying a media device;
after the storing action, inputting device identifier information at a merchant terminal during a purchase of the media device, the device identifier information identifying the media device;
receiving the device identifier information from a merchant terminal at a central processor;
registering the sale of the media device based on the act of receiving the device identifier information;
receiving a device activation request at the central processor; and
determining whether to authorize activation of the device based on the registering action. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of activating a feature of a media device, comprising:
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inputting device identifier information during a device purchase transaction;
passing the device identifier information to a central processor;
storing the device identifier information by the central processor;
receiving device activation information by an activation processor;
passing an activation authorization request to the central processor;
processing the device identifier information by the central processor;
passing an activation authorization response to the activation processor; and
initiating device activation or denying the activation authorization request. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of activating an account, comprising:
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completing a purchase transaction associated with an account;
sending a transaction confirmation indicating that the purchase transaction was completed; and
activating the account based on the transaction confirmation. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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21. A method of activating a feature of a media device, comprising:
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passing a request to activate an account based on a purchase of account value, the request being passed before funds associated with the purchase have been transferred from a buyer of the account value to a seller of the account value;
automatically causing the account to de-activate if the purchase transaction is cancelled.
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22. A method of activating at least one feature stored in a media device, comprising:
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storing at a central processor information identifying a media device, the media device comprising at least one of a flash drive, a USB drive, an external hard drive, a thumb drive, an SD format memory card, a CF format memory card, an xD format memory card, a Memory Card Duo, and a SIM card;
after the storing action, inputting device identifier information at a merchant terminal during a purchase of the media device, the device identifier information identifying the media device;
receiving the device identifier information from a merchant terminal at a central processor;
registering the sale of the media device based on the act of receiving the device identifier information;
receiving a device activation request at the central processor;
determining whether to authorize activation of the device based on the registering action; and
based on a determination that the media device is registered, causing the media device to store activation information, the activation information enabling at least one of a storage and processing functionality of the media device.
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Specification