System and Method for Authorizing the Activation of a Communication Device

Abstract

A system and method for authorizing the activation of a communication device is provided. A request to activate a communication device is received by a communication service provider. The communication service provider or a central processor determines whether the communication device was validly sold in a purchase transaction. Alternately, the communication service provider can outsource the determining step to a central processor. The communication service provider or central processor determines whether to activate the communication device based on the determining action.

1 . A method of authorizing the activation of a communication device, comprising:
 receiving a request to activate a communication device;   determining whether the communication device was validly sold in a purchase transaction; and   responsive to a determination that the communication device was validly sold in a purchase transaction, authorizing activation of the communication device.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 activating the communication device.   
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the request is from a customer. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the request comprises an identifier. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the identifier comprises at least one of an ESN, SIM, or IMEI. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the request is received by a central processor. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the request is received by a communication service provider. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the phone is deactivated prior to sale. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the communication device is pre-associated with a specific communication service provider. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the communication device is a wireless communication device. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the communication device is a wireless phone. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the communication device is an internet-enabled PDA. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the communication device is a pager. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the communication device can access the internet. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 responsive to a determination that the communication device was not validly sold in a purchase transaction, denying authorization of the communication device.   
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving from a central processor an identifier associated with the communication device,   
     wherein the determining action comprises processing the identifier. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 passing an authorization request to a central processor; and   receiving from the central processor a response to the authorization request, wherein the determining action comprises processing the response.   
   
   
       18 . A system for authorizing the activation of a communication device, comprising:
 an input device operative to receive a request to determine whether a communication device was validly sold in a purchase transaction;   a processor coupled to the input device, wherein the processor is operative to determine whether the communication device was validly sold in a purchase transaction; and   an output device operative to output an activation response based on the determining action.   
   
   
       19 . A system for authorizing the activation of a communication device, comprising:
 an input device operative to receive a request to activate a communication device;   a processor coupled to the input device, wherein the processor is operative to process information based on the request and determine whether the communication device was validly sold in a purchase transaction, wherein the processor is further operative to determine whether to activate the communication device based on the determining action; and   an output device operative to output an activation response based on the determining actions.   
   
   
       20 - 30 . (canceled)