Certification and activation of used phones on a wireless carrier network

• US 7,493,105 B2
• Filed: 03/18/2003
• Issued: 02/17/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/18/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ebm/Ip, Llc
• Original Assignee: Simplexity LLC d/b/a Wirefly (Simplexity)
• Inventors: Walden, Michael, Steinberg, David A.
• Primary Examiner(s): DEANE JR, WILLIAM J
• Application Number:
  US10/389,899
• Publication Number:
  US 20040185833A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,163 Days
• Field of Search: 455/414.1, 455/419, 455/414.2, 455/414.3, 455/410, 455/411, 455/418
• US Class Current: 455/414.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0633 Lists, e.g. purchase orders, compilation or processing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/04 Trading; Exchange, e.g. stocks, commodities, derivatives or currency exchange
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/00 Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/47 Fraud detection or prevention means
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/51 for resellers, retailers or service providers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/70 Administration or customization aspects; Counter-checking correct charges
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/705 Account settings, e.g. limits or numbers or payment
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/715 Activating new subscriber or card
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/72 by the user
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/721 using the Internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/725 by the operator
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/745 Customizing according to wishes of subscriber, e.g. friends or family
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 17/103 using SIMs (USIMs) or calling cards
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0108 Customization according to wishes of subscriber, e.g. customer preferences, friends and family, selecting services or billing options, Personal Communication Systems [PCS]
• 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 2215/54 Resellers-retail or service providers billing, e.g. agreements with telephone service operator, activation, charging/recharging of accounts
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/70 Administration aspects, modify settings or limits or counter-check correct charges
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/7027 Activate new subscriber or card
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/7036 Administer via user
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/7045 : Using Internet or WAP
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/7063 : Administer via operator
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/24 : Accounting or billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/18 : Selecting a network or a communication service

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.

Claims

1. A method of certifying a telecommunications device for activation by a buyer, wherein the telecommunications device was previously used to access telecommunications services, the method comprising:

receiving an identifier associated with the telecommunications device, wherein the telecommunications device is not activated;

comparing the identifier to one or more identifiers associated with telecommunications devices that are indicated as not certifiable; and

certifying the telecommunications device in response to the comparison prior to providing the buyer an option to activate the telecommunications device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein activating the telecommunications device further comprises the steps of:

identifying one or more telecommunications service providers available to the buyer;

receiving a selection associated with one of the one or more telecommunications service providers; and

enabling access by the telecommunications device to telecommunications services provided by the selected one of the one or more telecommunications service providers.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the telecommunications device was previously used to access telecommunications services by a user other than the buyer.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein identifying one or more telecommunications service providers further comprises identifying one or more telecommunications service providers in response to a zip code of the buyer.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein identifying one or more telecommunications service providers further comprises identifying one or more telecommunications service providers in response to an area code of the buyer.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein comparing the identifier to one or more identifiers associated with telecommunications devices that are indicated as not certifiable further comprises comparing the identifier to one or more identifiers associated with telecommunications devices that are indicated as being stolen.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein comparing the identifier to one or more identifiers associated with telecommunications devices that are indicated as not certifiable further comprises comparing the identifier to one or more identifiers associated with telecommunications devices that are indicated as being lost.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving an identifier associated with the telecommunications device further comprises receiving the identifier through an Internet website.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving an identifier associated with the telecommunications device further comprises receiving the identifier through an interactive voice system.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving an identifier associated with the telecommunications device further comprises receiving the identifier through an interactive data system.

11. The method of claim 1, and further comprising providing a uniform resource locator, the uniform resource locator being used by a seller of the telecommunications device to allow the buyer to access a website for the purpose of certifying the telecommunications device, and wherein receiving an identifier further comprises receiving the identifier using the website.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the uniform resource locator is displayed on a listing of an auction to purchase the telecommunications device.

13. A system for certifying a telecommunications device for activation by a buyer, wherein the telecommunications device was previously used to access telecommunications services, the system comprising:

means for receiving an identifier associated with the telecommunications device wherein the telecommunications device is not activated;

means for comparing the identifier to one or more identifiers associated with telecommunications devices that are indicated as not certifiable; and

means for certifying the telecommunications device in response to the comparison prior to providing the buyer an option to activate the telecommunications device.

14. The system of claim 13, the system further comprising:

means for identifying one or more telecommunications service providers available to the buyer;

means for receiving a selection associated with one of the one or more telecommunications service providers; and

means for enabling access by the telecommunications device to telecommunications services provided by the selected one of the one or more telecommunications service providers.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the means for identifying one or more telecommunications service providers further comprises means for identifying one or more telecommunications service providers in response to a zip code of the buyer.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein the means for identifying one or more telecommunications service providers further comprises means for identifying one or more telecommunications service providers in response to an area code of the buyer.

17. The system of claim 13, wherein the means for comparing the identifier to one or more identifiers associated with telecommunications devices that are indicated as not certifiable further comprises means for comparing the identifier to one or more identifiers associated with telecommunications devices that are indicated as being stolen.

18. The system of claim 13, wherein the means for comparing the identifier to one or more identifiers associated with telecommunications devices that are indicated as not certifiable further comprises means for comparing the identifier to one or more identifiers associated with telecommunications devices that are indicated as being lost.

19. A computer program for certifying a telecommunications device for activation by a buyer, wherein the telecommunications device was previously used to access telecommunications services, the computer program being executable by a processor, the computer program being operable when executed by the processor to:

receive an identifier associated with the telecommunications device, wherein the telecommunications device is not activated;

compare the identifier to one or more identifiers associated with telecommunications devices that are indicated as not certifiable; and

certify the telecommunications device in response to the comparison prior to providing the buyer an option to activate the telecommunications device.

20. The computer program of claim 19, wherein the computer program is further operable when executed by the processor to:

identify one or more telecommunications service providers available to the buyer,

receive a selection associated with one of the one or more telecommunications service providers; and

enable access by the telecommunications device to telecommunications services provided by the selected one of the one or more telecommunications service providers.

21. The computer program of claim 20, wherein the computer program is further operable to identify one or more telecommunications service providers in response to a zip code of the buyer.

22. The computer program of claim 20, wherein the computer program is further operable to identify one or more telecommunications service providers in response to an area code of the buyer.

23. The computer program of claim 19, wherein the computer program is further operable to compare the identifier to one or more identifiers associated with telecommunications devices that are indicated as being stolen.

24. The computer program of claim 19, wherein the computer program is further operable to compare the identifier to one or more identifiers associated with telecommunications device that are indicated as being lost.