System and method for unlocking wireless communications device

• US 7,840,204 B2
• Filed: 11/22/2005
• Issued: 11/23/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/22/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kyocera Corporation
• Original Assignee: Kyocera Corporation
• Inventors: Bandaru, Murali Krishna
• Primary Examiner(s): Pérez-Gutiérrez; Rafael
• Assistant Examiner(s): Miah; Liton
• Application Number:
  US11/285,412
• Publication Number:
  US 20070115091A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,827 Days
• Field of Search: 455/411, 455/558
• US Class Current: 455/411
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/31 User authentication
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2131 Lost password, e.g. recovery of lost or forgotten passwords
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/10 for controlling access to devices or network resources
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/08 Access security

Abstract

An exemplary method for unlocking a wireless communications device comprises entering a backdoor screen, prompting input of a backdoor code, receiving the backdoor code, comparing the received backdoor code to a service validation code, and resetting an unlock code of the wireless communications device if the received backdoor code matches the service validation code. The service validation code may be, for example, a one time subsidy lock code, an operator master subsidy lock code, another service programming code or any other stored code not generally known to the user. The method may further comprise unlocking the wireless communications device if the received backdoor code matches the service validation code.

Claims

1. A method for unlocking a particular locked wireless communications device, comprising the steps of:

identifying a one time subsidy lock code (OTKSL) that is used by the service provider to initially provision the particular locked wireless device, wherein the OTKSL is unique to the particular locked wireless device;

obtaining a first backdoor code from a service provider, wherein the backdoor code comprises the OTKSL that is unique to the particular locked wireless device, and the OTKSL is repeatedly used until a pre-determined OTKSL limit is reached;

receiving input of a character sequence for entering a backdoor screen;

displaying the backdoor screen;

prompting input of the first backdoor code on the backdoor screen displayed on the locked wireless device;

receiving the first backdoor code at the locked wireless device;

comparing the received first backdoor code to a stored OTKSL that is stored on the wireless device;

resetting a first unlock code for the wireless communications device if the received first backdoor code matches the stored OTKSL and the device determines that the OTKSL has not reached its limit of use;

prompting input for a second backdoor code, if the first backdoor code does not match the stored OTKSL, wherein the second backdoor code is a service programming code (SPC) that is the same for each wireless device associated with the service provider;

obtaining the second backdoor code from the service provider;

receiving the second backdoor code at the locked wireless device;

comparing the received second back door code to a stored SPC associated with the service provider that is stored on the wireless device; and

resetting a second unlock code for the wireless communication device if the received second backdoor code matches the stored SPC;

wherein the steps of prompting, receiving and comparing are repeated for a plurality of requested backdoor codes.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of unlocking the wireless communications device if the received backdoor code matches a service validation code that allows a manufacturer of the wireless device to service the wireless devices.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the service validation code includes a service programming code (SPCn) that is associated with the manufacturer of the wireless device.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the service programming code includes an operator master subsidy lock code for programming of the wireless communications device.

5. A method for unlocking a particular locked wireless communications device, comprising the steps of:

identifying a one time subsidy lock code (OTKSL) that is used by the service provider to initially provision the particular locked wireless device, wherein the OTKSL is unique to the particular locked wireless device;

obtaining a first backdoor code from a service provider, wherein the backdoor code comprises the OTKSL that is unique to the particular locked wireless device, and the OTKSL is repeatedly used until a pre-determined OTKSL limit is reached;

receiving a backdoor input to enter a backdoor screen;

entering the backdoor screen upon receipt of the backdoor input;

prompting input of the first backdoor code on the backdoor screen displayed on the locked wireless device;

receiving the first backdoor code at the locked wireless device;

comparing the received first backdoor code to a stored OTKSL that is stored on the wireless device;

unlocking the wireless communications device if the first backdoor code matches the stored OTKSL and the device determines that the OTKSL has not reached its limit of use;

prompting input for a second backdoor code, if the first backdoor code does not match the stored OTKSL, wherein the second backdoor code is a service programming code (SPC) that is the same for each wireless device associated with the service provider;

obtaining the second backdoor code from the service provider;

receiving the second backdoor code at the locked wireless device;

comparing the received second back door code to a stored SPC associated with the service provider that is stored on the wireless device; and

resetting a second unlock code for the wireless communication device if the received second backdoor code matches the stored SPC;

wherein the steps of prompting, receiving and comparing are repeated for a plurality of requested backdoor codes.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising the step of resetting an unlock code of the wireless communications device if the received backdoor code matches a service validation code that allows a manufacturer of the wireless device to service the wireless device.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the backdoor input to enter the backdoor screen includes a pre-determined sequence of characters.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein the service validation code includes a service programming code that is associated with the manufacturer of the wireless device.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the service programming code includes an operator master subsidy lock code.

10. A wireless communications device comprising:

a processor;

a memory coupled to the processor;

a transceiver coupled to the processor;

an input device coupled to the processor; and

software executable by the processor for carrying out the method of;

identifying a one time subsidy lock code (OTKSL) that is used by the service provider to initially provision the particular locked wireless device, wherein the OTKSL is unique to the particular locked wireless device;

obtaining a first backdoor code from a service provider, wherein the backdoor code comprises the OTKSL that is unique to the particular locked wireless device, and the OTKSL is repeatedly used until a pre-determined OTKSL limit is reached,

receiving a backdoor input to enter a backdoor screen;

entering the backdoor screen upon receipt of the backdoor input;

prompting input of the first backdoor code on the backdoor screen displayed on the locked wireless device,

receiving the first backdoor code at the locked wireless device,

comparing the received first backdoor code to a stored OTKSL that is stored on the wireless device;

resetting a first unlock code for the wireless communications device if the received first backdoor code matches the stored OTKSL and the device determines that the OTKSL has not reached its limit of use;

prompting input for a second backdoor code, if the first backdoor code does not match the stored OTKSL, wherein the second backdoor code is a service programming code (SPC) that is the same for each wireless device associated with the service provider;

obtaining the second backdoor code from the service provider;

receiving the second backdoor code at the locked wireless device;

comparing the received second back door code to a stored SPC associated with the service provider that is stored on the wireless device; and

resetting a second unlock code for the wireless communication device if the received second backdoor code matches the stored SPC;

wherein the steps of prompting, receiving and comparing are repeated for a plurality of requested backdoor codes.

11. The device of claim 10, the method further comprising the step of unlocking the wireless communications device if the received backdoor code matches a service validation code that allows a manufacturer of the wireless device to service the wireless devices.

12. The device of claim 10, wherein the service validation code includes an operator master subsidy lock code for programming of the wireless communications device.

13. The device of claim 10, wherein the backdoor input includes a sequence of characters input on the input device.