Subscriber identity module unlocking service portal

• US 8,050,705 B2
• Filed: 10/12/2006
• Issued: 11/01/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/12/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dell Products LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Dell Products LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Inventors: Mehta, Pratik M., Sicher, Alan E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel; Nimesh
• Application Number:
  US11/548,749
• Publication Number:
  US 20080090614A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,846 Days
• Field of Search: 455/550.1, 455/407, 455/3.04, 455/425, 455/461, 455/418, 455/419, 455/420, 455/551, 455/100, 370/343, 370/375, 370/379, 370/381
• US Class Current: 455/550.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/205 Transfer to or from user equipment or user record carrier

Abstract

An improved method and system for removing operating restrictions associated with a predetermined subscriber identity module (SIM) from a wireless device. A user is allowed to securely log onto a Web site that contains support information on subscription plans, billing, termination, penalties, and device-to-SIM unlocking. After satisfying any outstanding contract terms and payment of termination or device unlock fees, the user initiates a device-to-SIM unlock procedure. A client application on the wireless device securely transfers subscription, system, and SIM information to a device-to-SIM unlock system which uses the information to generate appropriate unlock codes. The unlock codes are then securely transferred to the client application, which processes them to remove operating restrictions associated with the predetermined SIM from the device and allow it to thereafter implement a plurality of SIMs.

Claims

1. A system for removing restrictions from the operation of an information handling system having wireless capabilities and operating within a network services environment, comprising:

a predetermined subscriber information module (SIM) comprising a unique electronic identifier and subscriber information, said subscriber information corresponding to said network services operating environment;

an information handling system comprising a unique electronic identifier and operable to implement a plurality of SIMs, said information handling system restricted to implement said predetermined SIM;

a Web service portal, comprising said network services operating environment, operable to receive and process said unique electronic identifiers and subscriber information, said Web services portal providing information handling system users support information on subscription plans, account termination, billing and information handling system-to-SIM unlocking, and;

an information handling system-to-SIM unlock system operable to generate at least one unlock code, said unlock code operable to remove operating restrictions from said information handling system corresponding to said predetermined SIM, said information handling system-to-SIM unlock system generating said unlock code based upon processing said unique electronic identifiers via the Web service portal; and

wherein

said information handling system is operable to implement said predetermined SIM, extract unique electronic identifier and subscriber information therefrom, and establish a communications session with said network services operating environment;

said information handling system is operable to connect with said Web service portal and submit said unique electronic identifiers and subscriber information; and

,

said Web service portal is operable to receive and process said subscriber information and electronic identifiers to determine eligibility of removing said operating restrictions from said information handling system corresponding to said predetermined SIM.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said unique electronic identifier of said SIM comprises an international circuit card ID (ICCID).

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said subscriber information of said SIM comprises an international mobile subscriber identifier (IMSI).

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said unique electronic identifier of said information handling system comprises an international mobile equipment identifier (IMEI).

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said Web service portal is operable to approve removal of said operating restrictions, wherein said approval initiates the generation of an information handling system unlock code by the unlock system.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein said unlock system is operable to generate a predetermined unlock code, said unlock code communicated by said unlock system to said information handling system.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein said information handling system is operable to receive and process said predetermined unlock code, said unlock code operable to remove operating restrictions, said operating restriction removal allowing said information handling system to implement a plurality of SIMs.

8. A method for removing restrictions from the operation of an information handling system having wireless capabilities and operating in a network services operating environment, comprising:

providing a subscriber information module (SIM) comprising a unique electronic identifier and subscriber information, said subscriber information corresponding to the network services operating environment;

providing the information handling system with a unique electronic identifier operable to implement a plurality of SIMs, the information handling system being restricted to implement said SIM;

enabling receipt and processing of said unique electronic identifiers and subscriber information via a Web service portal, the Web services portal providing information handling system users support information on subscription plans, account termination, billing and information handling system-to-SIM unlocking, and;

generating at least one unlock code via an unlock system, said unlock code operable to remove operating restrictions from said information handling system corresponding to said SIM, said unlock system generating said unlock code based upon processing said unique electronic identifiers via the Web service portal; and

wherein

said information handling system is operable to implement said SIM, extract unique electronic identifier and subscriber information therefrom, and establish a communications session with said network services operating environment;

said information handling system is operable to connect with said Web service portal and submit said unique electronic identifiers and subscriber information; and

,

said Web service portal is operable to receive and process said subscriber information and electronic identifiers to determine eligibility of removing said operating restrictions from said information handling system corresponding to said SIM.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein said unique electronic identifier of said SIM comprises an international circuit card ID (ICCID).

10. The method of claim 8, wherein said subscriber information of said SIM comprises an international mobile subscriber identifier (IMSI).

11. The method of claim 8, wherein said unique electronic identifier of said information handling system comprises an international mobile equipment identifier (IMEI).

12. The method of claim 8, wherein said Web service portal is operable to approve removal of said operating restrictions, wherein said approval initiates the generation of an information handling system unlock code by the unlock system.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein said unlock system is operable to generate a predetermined unlock code, said unlock code communicated by said unlock system to said information handling system.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein said information handling system is operable to receive and process said predetermined unlock code, said unlock code operable to remove operating restrictions, said operating restriction removal allowing said information handling system to implement a plurality of SIMs.