IP Library Granted Patent US 8,055,238
Granted Patent B1
US 8,055,238 · App. 12/265,424 · Granted Nov 8, 2011

Prepaid handset credit activation

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,055,238
App. No.
12/265,424
Granted
Nov 8, 2011
Kind
B1
Abstract

A system is provided for prepaid handset credit activation. The system includes a prepaid handset, a subscriber identity module, and a server. The prepaid handset is associated with a prepaid handset identifier. The subscriber identity module is associated with a subscriber identity module identifier. The server communicates with a communication device to receive the prepaid handset identifier and the subscriber identity module identifier and determines whether both of the prepaid handset identifier and the subscriber identity module identifier are associated with prior activation. The server also applies credit to account information associated with the prepaid handset in response to a determination that both of the prepaid handset identifier and the subscriber identity module identifier are not associated with the prior activation, and activates the prepaid handset for user communication in response to applying credit to the account information associated with the prepaid handset.

Claims (33)

1. A system for prepaid handset credit activation, comprising:

a prepaid handset, wherein the prepaid handset is associated with a prepaid handset identifier;

a subscriber identity module, wherein the subscriber identity module is associated with a subscriber identity module identifier; and

a server to communicate with a communication device to receive the prepaid handset identifier and the subscriber identity module identifier, to determine whether both of the prepaid handset identifier and the subscriber identity module identifier are associated with prior activation, to apply credit to account information associated with the prepaid handset in response to a determination that both of the prepaid handset identifier and the subscriber identity module identifier are not associated with the prior activation,

to activate the prepaid handset for user communication in response to applying the credit to the account information associated with the prepaid handset, and

wherein the server determines whether both of the prepaid handset identifier and the subscriber identity module identifier are associated with the prior activation based on a prior activations list.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the prepaid handset is associated with a prepaid billing plan.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the communication device is one of a personal computer, a telephone, and another handset.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the server communicates with the communication device via a customer care system.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the server communicates with the communication device via a web browser.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the server communicates with the communication device via an automated interactive voice message system.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the server communicates with the communication device via text messages.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the prior activations list comprises prior activations prepaid handset identifiers and prior activations subscriber identity module identifiers.

9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the server is further configured to update the prior activations list based on the prepaid handset identifier and the subscriber identity module identifier.

10. The system of claim 1 , wherein the server activates the prepaid handset for user communication via “over the air” messaging.

11. The system of claim 10 , wherein the server communicates via a base transceiver station to activate the prepaid handset for user communication via “over the air” messaging.

12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the server communicates with the base transceiver station via wireless communication.

13. The system of claim 12 , wherein the server communicates with the base transceiver station via a communication network.

14. A method for prepaid handset credit activation, comprising:

receiving a prepaid handset identifier and a subscriber identity module identifier;

determining whether either of the prepaid handset identifier and the subscriber identity module identifier are associated with prior activation;

applying credit to account information associated with the prepaid handset in response to a determination that either of the prepaid handset identifier or the subscriber identity module identifier are not associated with the prior activation;

activating the prepaid handset for user communication in response to applying the credit to the account information associated with the prepaid handset, and

wherein a server determines whether both of the prepaid handset identifier and the subscriber identity module identifier are associated with the prior activation based on a prior activations list.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein applying credit to the account information comprises adding a specific number of minutes for user communication to the account information.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein applying the credit to the account information enables bypassing of a standard credit activation requirement presented by an automated interactive voice message system.

17. A system for prepaid handset credit activation, comprising:

a prepaid handset, wherein the prepaid handset is associated with a prepaid handset identifier;

a subscriber identity module comprising a stored value, wherein the subscriber identity module is associated with a subscriber identity module identifier; and

a server to communicate with a communication device to receive the prepaid handset identifier and the subscriber identity module identifier, to communicate with the subscriber identity module via the prepaid handset, to apply credit to account information associated with the prepaid handset based on the stored value, and to activate the prepaid handset for user communication, and

wherein the server further to determine whether both of the prepaid handset identifier and the subscriber identity module identifier are associated with a prior activation based on a prior activations list.

18. The system of claim 17 , wherein the stored value is associated with a specific number of minutes for user communication.

19. The system of claim 17 , wherein the handset is at least one of a mobile phone, a wireless handset, a pager, a personal digital assistant, a gaming device, an inventory control device, a media player, a digital camera, a digital calculator, a portable computer, a tablet computer, and a laptop computer.

Assignments (6)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 23, 2022
From: DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS
To: IBSV LLC; LAYER3 TV, LLC; PUSHSPRING, LLC; T-MOBILE CENTRAL LLC; T-MOBILE USA, INC.; ASSURANCE WIRELESS USA, L.P.; BOOST WORLDWIDE, LLC; CLEARWIRE COMMUNICATIONS LLC; CLEARWIRE IP HOLDINGS LLC; SPRINTCOM LLC; SPRINT COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY L.P.; SPRINT INTERNATIONAL INCORPORATED; SPRINT SPECTRUM LLC
Reel/Frame 062595/0001 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 4, 2021
From: SPRINT COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY L.P.
To: T-MOBILE INNOVATIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 055604/0001 →
TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF FIRST PRIORITY AND JUNIOR PRIORITY SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT RIGHTS Recorded Apr 2, 2020
From: DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS
To: SPRINT COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY L.P.
Reel/Frame 052969/0475 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 2, 2020
From: T-MOBILE USA, INC.; ISBV LLC; T-MOBILE CENTRAL LLC; LAYER3 TV, INC.; PUSHSPRING, INC.; BOOST WORLDWIDE, LLC; CLEARWIRE COMMUNICATIONS LLC; CLEARWIRE IP HOLDINGS LLC; CLEARWIRE LEGACY LLC; SPRINT COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY L.P.; SPRINT INTERNATIONAL INCORPORATED; SPRINT SPECTRUM L.P.; ASSURANCE WIRELESS USA, L.P.
To: DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS
Reel/Frame 053182/0001 →
GRANT OF FIRST PRIORITY AND JUNIOR PRIORITY SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT RIGHTS Recorded Mar 6, 2017
From: SPRINT COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY L.P.
To: DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS
Reel/Frame 041895/0210 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 6, 2008
From: GAILLOUX, MICHAEL A.; SAMSON, KENNETH
To: SPRINT COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY L.P.
Reel/Frame 021793/0061 →