Systems and methods for electronic device point-of-sale activation

• US 8,655,309 B2
• Filed: 05/17/2010
• Issued: 02/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 11/14/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: e2Interactive Incorporated
• Original Assignee: e2Interactive Incorporated
• Inventors: Smith, Merrill Brooks, Graves, Phillip Craig, Chakiris, Phil M
• Primary Examiner(s): Brandt, Christopher M
• Assistant Examiner(s): MANOHARAN, MUTHUSWAMY GANAPATHY
• Application Number:
  US12/800,581
• Publication Number:
  US 20100235249A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,373 Days
• Field of Search: 455/406, 455/426, 455/409, 455/551
• US Class Current: 455/406
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 5/00 Methods or arrangements for verifying the correctness of markings on a record carrier; Column detection devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/20 Point-of-sale [POS] network systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/202 Interconnection or interaction of plural electronic cash registers [ECR] or to host computer, e.g. network details, transfer of information from host to ECR or from ECR to ECR
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/08 Access security
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/35 Protecting application or service provisioning, e.g. securing SIM application provisioning
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/72 Subscriber identity

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.

Claims

1. 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:

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 by comparing the information sufficient to identify the point-of-sale with point-of-sale, merchant location, or network information previously stored in the database;

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, comprising a telephone number of the electronic device.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the status of the electronic device in the database is active or inactive.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the information sufficient to identify the point-of-sale comprises a terminal identifier.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the information sufficient to identify the point-of-sale comprises information sufficient to identify a merchant location.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the information sufficient to identify the point-of-sale comprises information regarding the network over which the activation request from the point-of-sale was transmitted.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the activation processor enabling communication with the provider regarding the status of the electronic device comprises sending a communication from the central processor to the provider identifying the electronic device.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the activation processor enabling communication with the provider regarding the status of the electronic device comprises the central processor reaching into a database associated with the provider and modifying a status indicator of the electronic device.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the activation processor enabling communication with the provider regarding the status of the electronic device comprises the central processor maintaining, in the database, a record in which the electronic device is designated as active, and wherein the provider has access to the database.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the activation processor conveys to the electronic device information material to a feature, functionality, or use of the electronic device via a manner selected from the group consisting of:

a short message communication (SMS), a multi-media message (MMS), an electronic mail message, or an applet communication.