Method and apparatus for a unit locked against use until unlocked and/or activated on a selected network

#The present invention relates generally to the field of wireless communications systems, and relates particularly to the field of activation of wireless units used in wireless communications systems.

#The advance of technology in telecommunications has allowed a large segment of the population to own and to use wireless units operating on wireless communications systems. Wireless units such as cellular telephones and personal communication system (PCS) devices have been particularly popular. The delivery of service to these wireless units by wireless communications service providers is a competitive yet profitable endeavor. Service providers continue to seek ways to satisfy customers, and to improve and manage wireless service so as to continue to profit by the delivered services.

#One manner in which service providers seek to better serve and to obtain customers is to provide for retail outlets where a customer may purchase a wireless unit and have it activated for use. A specific retail outlet may sell wireless units from many different manufacturers, but typically, a retail outlet has an exclusive relationship with a specific service provider. As part of this exclusive relationship, the retail outlet activates wireless units purchased at the retail outlet only on the network of the specific service provider. In other words, generally, when a customer purchases a wireless unit at a specific retail outlet, the wireless unit is activated so that wireless communications service to that wireless unit is provided by the service provider that has an exclusive relationship with the specific retail outlet. In return for this activation, the service provider typically pays the retail outlet a commission for each sale and activation of a wireless unit. This commission often is not insignificant with respect to the purchase price of a wireless unit.

#FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary wireless unit in block diagram form.

#FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary method of locking a wireless unit.

#FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating additional steps to the exemplary method illustrated in FIG. 2.

#The present invention includes methods and apparatus as embodiments with respect to a unit that may be locked against use or operation until the unit is unlocked and/or activated for use or operation on a selected network. This description provides details with respect to exemplary methods and apparatus of the present invention. Advantageously, these exemplary methods and apparatus allow for a unit whose purchase price may be subsidized by a service provider, which may be activated by a customer at a convenient place and time through an easy process, and which process may result in activation of the unit on the network of the service provider that subsidized the purchase price of the unit. In this manner, the service provider may recoup its subsidy and otherwise derive benefits from the delivery of services to the unit. As explained in detail below, the exemplary methods and apparatus provide a unit that may be locked and that does not allow for the circumvention of the lock.

#The exemplary methods and apparatus are described below by reference to any wireless unit that may be used as a communications tool in any wireless communications system. For example, a wireless unit may include a cellular telephone, mobile telephone, personal communication system (PCS) device, pager or the like. A wireless communications system may include any telecommunications system that partially or entirely conveys communications in a wireless manner such as through the use of radio waves, microwaves or other radio frequency (RF) technology including cellular systems, mobile telephone systems, PCS systems, paging systems, or the like. But the reader is advised that the reference to a wireless unit used in a wireless communications system in the context of the present invention is merely exemplary. The methods and apparatus of the present invention may be used with respect to other types of units that may be locked for various purposes and that are unlocked for use or operation in certain circumstances. For example, the methods and apparatus of the present invention may be used with respect to: a unit in a set top box or other controller associated with a cable or other broadband television service; a unit in a computer associated with an Internet or other computer service; a modem used in or with a computer or other device and associated with information delivery services; a satellite receiver; a wireless news receiver; an asymmetrical digital subscriber line (ADSL) modem; cable modem; an integrated services digital network (ISDN) telephone; or other such units.

#The exemplary methods and apparatus are described below through a description of their use in connection with an exemplary wireless unit as illustrated in FIG. 1. A description of the locking of a wireless unit pursuant exemplary methods and apparatus is presented thereafter in connection with FIGS. 2-3. A description of the unlocking of a wireless unit pursuant to exemplary methods and apparatus then is presented in connection with FIG. 4. A description of the relocking of a wireless unit pursuant to exemplary methods and apparatus concludes this detailed description.