Certification and activiation of used phones on a wireless carrier network

• US 20040185833A1
• Filed: 03/18/2003
• Published: 09/23/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/18/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ebm/Ip, Llc
• Original Assignee: Simplexity LLC d/b/a Wirefly (Simplexity)
• Inventors: Walden, Michael, Steinberg, David A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,493,105 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• 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 15/51 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 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 for enabling access to a used telecommunications device comprising:

receiving a request from a buyer;

identifying one or more telecommunication services providers available to the buyer;

allowing the buyer to select a telecommunication services provider; and

communicating the buyer'"'"'s selection to the telecommunication services provider, wherein said telecommunication services provider enables access to said used telecommunications device.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising providing the buyer with a confirmation message when said used telecommunications device is enabled.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the one or more telecommunication services providers are identified by the buyer'"'"'s area code or the buyer'"'"'s zip code.

4. An apparatus for remotely enabling access to a used telecommunications device comprising

means for receiving a request from a buyer;

means for identifying one or more telecommunication services carriers available to the buyer;

means for allowing the buyer to select a telecommunication services provider;

means for communication the buyer'"'"'s selection to the telecommunication services provider; and

means for said telecommunication services provider to enable access to said used telecommunications device.

5. A computer program for enabling access to a used telecommunications device comprising

means for receiving a request from a buyer;

means for identifying one or more telecommunication services providers available to the buyer;

means for allowing the buyer to select a telecommunication services provider; and

means for communicating the buyer'"'"'s selection to the telecommunication services provider, wherein said telecommunication services provider enables access to said used telecommunications device.

6. A programmed computer system for enabling access to a used telecommunications device comprising

means for receiving a request from a buyer;

means for identifying one or more telecommunication services providers available to the buyer;

means for allowing the buyer to select a telecommunication services provider; and

means for communicating the buyer'"'"'s selection to the telecommunication services provider, wherein said telecommunication services provider enables access to said used telecommunications device.