Automated device activation

• US 8,355,696 B1
• Filed: 06/07/2007
• Issued: 01/15/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/07/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: T-Mobile Innovations LLC (Deutsche Telekom AG)
• Original Assignee: Sprint Communications Company LP (Deutsche Telekom AG)
• Inventors: Olding, Douglas Alan, Habib, Ahsan, Werner, Shane Robert, Cope, Warren Bruce, Manjaro, Nadine Lamoure
• Primary Examiner(s): Kim, Wesley
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, DINH
• Application Number:
  US11/759,660
• Time in Patent Office: 2,049 Days
• Field of Search: 455/414.1, 455/418, 455/419, 455/422.1, 455/432.1, 455/435, 455/456.1, 455/456.2, 455/456.3, 455/456.4, 455/456.6, 455/567
• US Class Current: 455/411
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72406 by software upgrading or downloading
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72415 for remote control of appliances
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72436 for text messaging, e.g. short messaging services [SMS] or e-mails
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/08 Access security
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/265 for initial activation of new user

Abstract

Computer-readable media, systems, and methods for automated device activation are described. In embodiments, an activation message is received from a non-provisioned mobile device identifying a user account. In various embodiments, it is determined whether activation is authorized and, if it is determined that activation is authorized, the non-provisioned mobile device is activated. In various other embodiments, it is determined whether activation is authorized by sending a confirmation message to a provisioned mobile device and receiving an authorization message from the provisioned mobile device.

Claims

1. A method for automated device activation comprising:

receiving an activation message from a non-provisioned mobile device identifying an existing user account;

determining whether activation is authorized by;

(1) sending a confirmation message from a device via a wireless communication network, directly to a provisioned mobile device, wherein the device is different from a non-provisioned mobile device; and

(2) receiving an authorization message from the provisioned mobile device; and

if it is determined that activation is authorized based on the authorization message, simultaneously;

(1) activating the non-provisioned mobile device;

(2) associating the non-provisioned mobile device with the existing user account; and

(3) deactivating the provisioned mobile device associated with the existing user account.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein determining whether activation is authorized comprises:

sending the confirmation message from a confirming component associated with the wireless communication network;

to the provisioned mobile device;

wherein the confirming component is different from the non-provisioned mobile device; and

receiving at the confirming component the authorization message from the provisioned mobile device.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

sending a notification message indicating that the non-provisioned mobile device will be activated and the provisioned mobile device will be deactivated.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising:

deactivating the provisioned mobile device.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the confirmation message and the notification message are sent using a short message service protocol.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the confirmation message includes an activation link.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the activation message is received using a short message service protocol.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the activation message is received using dedicated priority message delivery.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the activation message includes an account identification including at least one of a mobile directory number and a mobile station identification.

10. A computerized system for automated device activation, the system comprising:

a receiving component configured to receive an activation message from a non-provisioned mobile device;

a confirming component configured to send a confirmation message via a wireless communication network directly to a provisioned mobile device associated with an existing user account to confirm activation of the non-provisioned mobile device that is not yet associated with the existing user account;

an authorizing component configured to receive an authorization message from the provisioned mobile device indicating that the provisioned mobile device confirmed activation of the non-provisioned mobile device;

an activating component configured to activate the non-provisioned mobile device if the authorization message is received from the provisioned mobile device; and

at least one database for storing information associated with the non-provisioned mobile device and the provisioned mobile device.

11. The system of claim 10, further comprising:

a notifying component configured to send a notification message indicating that the non-provisioned mobile device will be activated and the provisioned mobile device will be deactivated.

12. The system of claim 11, further comprising:

a deactivating component configured to deactivate the provisioned mobile device such that the provisioned mobile device is no longer operational with the existing user account.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein the receiving component is further configured to receive the activation message using a short message service protocol.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the receiving component is further configured to receive the activation message using dedicated priority message delivery.

15. The system of claim 10, wherein the confirming component is further configured to send an activation link with the confirmation message.

16. One or more non-transitory computer readable media having instructions embodied thereon that, when executed, perform a method for verifying automatic device activation, the method comprising:

receiving an activation request identifying a non-provisioned mobile device and a user account;

sending a confirmation message having an activation link message from a device via a wireless communication network directly to a provisioned mobile device associated with the user account, wherein the device is different from the non-provisioned mobile device;

receiving a selection of the activation link that confirms activation of the non-provisioned mobile device and an authorization of the activation request from the provisioned mobile device; and

upon receiving the authorization from the provisioned mobile device, simultaneously activating the non-provisioned mobile device and deactivating the provisioned mobile device such that the provisioned mobile device is no longer operational with the user account.

17. The computer readable media of claim 16, further comprising:

sending a notification message indicating that the non-provisioned mobile device will be activated and the provisioned mobile device will be deactivated.

18. The computer readable media of claim 17, wherein the confirmation message and the notification message are sent using a short message service protocol.

19. The computer readable media of claim 18 wherein at least one of the non-provisioned mobile device and the provisioned mobile device is a mobile telephone.