Method and system for mobile device activation
OwnerPatrice Gautier, Debbie Shimizu +4inventors
InventorsPatrice Gautier, Debbie Shimizu, Alexandrea Anderson, Eddy Cue, Monika Gromek, Robert H. Kondrk
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Abstract
Methods, systems and graphical user interfaces that facilitate activation of mobile devices, such as communication devices or multi-function devices, via computers are disclosed. According to one embodiment, activation of a mobile device with respect to a wireless service provider can be performed by users through use of a computer (e.g., personal computer) that communicate with a remotely located activation server. According to another embodiment, graphical user interfaces can be presented to users so as to enable end users to easily activate mobile devices.
Claims32
A computer-implemented method for activating wireless network service for an electronic device through use of a host device, the electronic device being associated with a customer for wireless network service provided by a wireless network service provider, said method comprising:
- receiving device information from the electronic device when the electronic device is attached to the host device;
- acquiring customer information pertaining to the customer;
- receiving a service plan selection from the customer;
- receiving billing information for payment of the service plan;
- and
- initiating activation of a wireless service account for use of the electronic device with the wireless network service provided by the wireless network service provider, wherein the wireless service account being activated is based on the customer information, the service plan and the billing information.
A computer-implemented method as recited 1, wherein said method further comprises:
- enabling, following said activating, the electronic device for usage of at least one operation that was previously restricted prior to said enabling.
A computer-implemented method as recited 1, wherein said method further comprises:
- obtaining a credit indication for the customer;
- and
- determining one or more service plans that are made available to the customer based at least in part on the credit indication for the customer,
- wherein the service plan selection is one of the one or more service plans.
A computer-implemented method for activating an electronic device for wireless network service through use of a host device, the electronic device being associated with a customer for wireless network service provided by a wireless network service provider, said method comprising:
- receiving device information from the electronic device while the electronic device is attached to the host device;
- acquiring customer information pertaining to the customer;
- offering the user one or more service plans;
- receiving a user selection of one of the service plans;
- and
- receiving billing information for payment of the selected service plan.
A computer-implemented method for activating an electronic device for wireless network service from a host device, the electronic device being associated with a customer for wireless network service provided by a wireless network service provider, said method comprising:
- receiving device information from the electronic device when the electronic device is attached to the host device;
- determining whether the electronic device has already been activated based on the device information;
- and
- automatically initiating activation of the electronic device when said determining determines that the electronic device has not already been activated.
A computer readable medium including at least computer executable program code tangibly embodied therein for activating wireless network service for an electronic device through use of a client computing device, the electronic device being associated with a customer for wireless network service provided by a wireless network service provider, said computer readable medium comprising:
- computer program code for receiving device information from the electronic device;
- computer program code for acquiring customer information pertaining to the customer;
- computer program code for receiving a service plan selection from the customer;
- computer program code for receiving billing information for payment of the service plan;
- and
- computer program code for initiating activation of a wireless service account for use of the electronic device with the wireless network service provided by the wireless network service provider.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.