Certification and activation of used phones purchased through an online auction

• US 20070299764A1
• Filed: 08/30/2007
• Published: 12/27/2007
• 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
• Granted Patent: US 8,060,409 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/37
• 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 15/47 Fraud detection or prevention means
• 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 17/103 using SIMs (USIMs) or calling cards
• 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

A system and method for providing an online auction of a wireless device. An indicator is displayed to a winner of an online auction of the wireless device. The indicator is associated with an option for the user to certify the wireless device for use with one or more providers of telecommunications services. The wireless device is certified in response to the selection of the indicator by the winner.

Claims

1. A method for providing an online auction of a wireless device, the method comprising:

displaying an indicator to a winner of an online auction of the wireless device, the indicator being associated with an option for the user to certify the wireless device for use with one or more providers of telecommunications services; and

certifying the wireless device in response to the selection of the indicator by the winner.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

storing an identifier associated with the wireless device, and wherein certifying the wireless device further comprises comparing the stored identifier to one or more identifiers associated with telecommunications devices that are indicated as not certifiable.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

identifying the one or more telecommunications service providers;

receiving a selection associated with one of the one or more telecommunications service providers; and

enabling access by the wireless device to the telecommunications services provided by the selected one of the one or more telecommunications service providers.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising:

conveying the selection to the selected one or more telecommunications service providers.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the displaying and certifying occurs through an online auction website.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

requesting telecommunication services through a certification and activation website.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

querying a buyer of the wireless device to determine whether the wireless device is approved for a network associated with the provider of telecommunications services.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein the wireless device is approved for the network if the wireless device is not listed on a do not activate list.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

accessing a site explaining available telecommunications services.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein the site is linked from the online auction website.

11. The method of claim 7, wherein the site is linked from an end-of-auction email.

12. A website for activating a used wireless device comprising:

a displaying module for providing an indicator to a winner of an online auction of the used wireless device, the indicator being associated with an option for the user to certify the used wireless device for use with one or more providers of telecommunications services; and

a certification module for certifying the used wireless device in response to the selection of the indicator by the winner.

13. The website of claim 12, wherein the displaying module presents the one or more providers of telecommunications services based on the anticipated usage area of the winner.

14. The website of claim 12, wherein the certification module stores an identifier associated with the wireless device, and compares the stored identifier to one or more identifiers associated with telecommunications devices that are indicated as not certifiable.

15. The website of claim 12, wherein the website communicates with the winner through an interactive voice system.

16. The website of claim 12, wherein the certification module allows the winner to establish an account with the one or more providers of telecommunications services.

17. The website of claim 12, wherein the website is an online-auction.

19. The computer program product of claim 17, comprising:

computer usable program code for receiving activation information from the user, and

computer usable program code for sending the activation information to a selected telecommunications service provider.

20. The computer program product of claim 17, comprising computer usable program code for storing an identifier associated with the wireless device, and wherein certifying the wireless device further comprises comparing the stored identifier to one or more identifiers associated with telecommunications devices that are indicated as not certifiable.

18. A computer program product comprising a computer usable medium including computer usable program code for activating a used wireless device, the computer program product comprising:

computer usable program code for displaying an indicator to a winner of an online auction of the used wireless device, the indicator being associated with an option for the user to certify the used wireless device for use with one or more providers of telecommunications services; and

computer usable program code for certifying the used wireless device in response to the selection of the indicator by the winner.