Systems and methods for electronic device point-of-sale activation
First Claim
1. A method of activating an electronic device at a point-of-sale, the electronic device identified by a unique indicia and the activation occurring following a purchase of the electronic device in a purchase transaction, the method comprising:
- receiving at a central processor from the point-of-sale the indicia identifying the electronic device purchased at the point-of-sale;
enabling, by the central processor, a feature of the electronic device, a functionality of the electronic device, or use of the electronic device;
conveying, from the central processor to the electronic device;
an activation confirmation; and
information material to the feature, functionality, or use of the electronic device.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention is directed to systems and methods of activating an electronic device at a point-of-sale (POS). The device may be identified by an indicia and activation may occur following purchase of the device. The method may include the steps of receiving at a central processor from the POS the indicia identifying the device purchased at the POS; enabling by the central processor a feature or functionality of the device or use of the device; and conveying to the device information material to the feature, functionality, or use. The system may include a central processor that activates the device. The central processor may include various interfaces with the POS, provider, and device, as well as a database with records related to the device and an activation processor for determining if activation is appropriate, activating the device, and sending information material to the feature, functionality, or use to the device.
128 Citations
37 Claims
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1. A method of activating an electronic device at a point-of-sale, the electronic device identified by a unique indicia and the activation occurring following a purchase of the electronic device in a purchase transaction, the method comprising:
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receiving at a central processor from the point-of-sale the indicia identifying the electronic device purchased at the point-of-sale; enabling, by the central processor, a feature of the electronic device, a functionality of the electronic device, or use of the electronic device; conveying, from the central processor to the electronic device; an activation confirmation; and information material to the feature, functionality, or use of the electronic device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of activating an electronic device at a point-of-sale, the electronic device identified by a unique indicia and the activation occurring following a purchase of the electronic device in a purchase transaction, the method facilitated between a point-of-sale, a central processor, and a provider of goods or services, the method comprising:
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receiving at a central processor from the point-of-sale the indicia identifying the electronic device purchased at the point-of-sale and information sufficient to identify the point-of-sale; determining, by the central processor; whether the indicia is valid and identifies an non-activated electronic device; whether the point-of-sale is authorized to request activation of the electronic device; upon a positive determination that the indicia is valid and the point-of-sale is authorized, communicating with the provider in order to enable a feature of the electronic device, a functionality of the electronic device, or use of the electronic device; conveying to the electronic device; an activation confirmation; and information material to the feature, functionality, or use of the electronic device. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A method of activating a mobile communications device at a point-of-sale, the mobile communications device identified by a unique indicia and the activation occurring following a purchase of the mobile communications device in a purchase transaction, the method facilitated between a point-of-sale, a central processor, and a provider of goods or services, the method comprising:
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receiving at a central processor from the point-of-sale the indicia identifying the mobile communications device purchased at the point-of-sale; communicating with the provider in order to activate the mobile communications device; following activation of the mobile communications device, conveying to the electronic device a telephone number of the electronic communications device.
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27. A central processor for activating an electronic device at a point-of-sale, the electronic device identified by a unique indicia and the activation occurring following a purchase of the electronic device from at the point-of-sale, the central processor comprising:
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a point-of-sale communication interface that provides selectable communication between the central processor and the point-of-sale, the point-of-sale interface configured to receive from the point-of-sale; the indicia identifying the electronic device; and information sufficient to identify the point-of-sale; a provider communication interface that provides selectable communication between the central processor and the provider of goods or services, the provider interface configured to transact communication with the provider regarding a status of the electronic device; a electronic device communication interface that provides selectable communication between the central processor and the electronic device, the electronic device interface configured to send to the electronic device, following activation of the electronic device, information material to the electronic device; a database comprising a record for each electronic device, the record comprising; the indicia identifying the electronic device; a status of the electronic device; information sufficient to identify any point-of-sales that are authorized to request activation of the electronic device; and information sufficient to identify the provider associated with the electronic device; and an activation processor configured to; determine whether the indicia is valid and identifies an electronic device with an inactive status; determine whether the point-of-sale sending the activation request is authorized to request activation of the electronic device; determine the provider associated with the electronic device and enable communication with the provider regarding the status of the electronic device; convey to the electronic device information material to a feature, functionality, or use of the electronic device. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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Specification