Wireless device activation

Abstract

Tools and techniques for activating a wireless device on a wireless network. In an aspect, such tools can allow an unactivated wireless device (that is, a wireless device that generally would be inoperable on a wireless network) to be given limited functionality in order to activate itself on the network. In some cases, such tools can be implemented within business processes to generate revenue streams for entities involved in the wireless activation process.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A method of activating a wireless device on a wireless network, the method comprising:
 providing, in the wireless network, a detection device configured to identify the wireless device that is associated with an identification module, wherein:
 the identification module is associated with a temporary identification number; and 
 the temporary identification number is not activated on the wireless network; 
   configuring the wireless network to identify the detection device as a quasi-home location register for a block of known identification numbers comprising the temporary identification number;
 receiving, by the detection device, a query for data pertaining to the identification module associated with the temporary identification number; 
 assigning a temporary addressing number to the wireless device; and 
 providing the temporary addressing number to the wireless network. 
   
     
     
         3 . The method of activating the wireless device on the wireless network of  claim 2 , the method further comprising:
 assigning a permanent addressing number to the identification module of the wireless device; and   creating a record in a home location register corresponding to the wireless device, wherein the record comprises the permanent addressing number.   
     
     
         4 . The method of activating the wireless device on the wireless network of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 maintaining a pool of available permanent addressing numbers, wherein the permanent addressing number assigned to the identification module of the wireless device is selected from the pool of available permanent addressing numbers.   
     
     
         5 . The method of activating the wireless device on the wireless network of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 assigning a permanent identification number to the identification module of the wireless device; and   transmitting, by the wireless network, the permanent identification number to the identification module of the wireless device.   
     
     
         6 . The method of activating the wireless device on the wireless network of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 transmitting, by the wireless network, the permanent addressing number to the wireless device.   
     
     
         7 . The method of activating the wireless device on the wireless network of  claim 2 , the method further comprising:
 prior to receiving, by the detection device, the query for data pertaining to the wireless device associated with the temporary identification number, assigning the temporary identification number to the identification module.   
     
     
         8 . The method of activating the wireless device on the wireless network of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the identification module is a subscriber identity module (“SIM”) card;   the temporary identification number is a temporary international mobile subscriber identifier (“IMSI”); and   the temporary addressing number is a temporary mobile subscriber integrated services digital network number (“MSISDN”).   
     
     
         9 . The method of activating the wireless device on the wireless network of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 receiving, at a base station controller of the wireless network, a message from the wireless device, wherein the message comprises the temporary identification number;   identifying, by the wireless network, the temporary identification number, based on the message from the wireless device; and   querying the detection device with the temporary identification number.   
     
     
         10 . The method of activating the wireless device on the wireless network of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 populating an authentication center of the wireless network with data for generating a security challenge for the identification module of the wireless device.   
     
     
         11 . A system configured to activate a wireless device on a wireless network, the system comprising:
 a detection device, wherein the detection device comprises:
 a processor; and 
 a memory communicatively coupled with and readable by the processor and having stored therein processor-readable instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:
 receive a query for data pertaining to the identification module associated with a temporary identification number; 
 assign a temporary addressing number to the wireless device; and 
 provide the temporary addressing number to the wireless network. 
 
   
     
     
         12 . The system configured to activate the wireless device on the wireless network of  claim 11 , wherein:
 the wireless network is configured to identify the detection device as a quasi-home location register for a block of temporary identification numbers that comprises the temporary identification number.   
     
     
         13 . The system configured to activate the wireless device on the wireless network of  claim 11 , wherein the detection device is part of the wireless network. 
     
     
         14 . The system configured to activate the wireless device on the wireless network of  claim 11 , wherein:
 the wireless device is not activated as a subscriber on the wireless network; and   the temporary identification number is assigned to an identification module of the wireless device during manufacture of the identification module.   
     
     
         15 . The system configured to activate the wireless device on the wireless network of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a home location register; and   an activation system, comprising:
 a processor; and 
 a memory communicatively coupled with and readable by the processor and having stored therein processor-readable instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor of the activation system to:
 assign a permanent addressing number to an identification module of the wireless device; and 
 create a record in the home location register of the wireless network corresponding to the wireless device, wherein the record comprises the permanent addressing number. 
 
   
     
     
         16 . The system configured to activate the wireless device on the wireless network of  claim 15 , wherein the processor-readable instructions of the activation system are further configured to cause the processor of the activation system to:
 maintain a pool of available addressing numbers, wherein the permanent addressing number assigned to the identification module of the wireless device is selected from the pool of available addressing numbers.   
     
     
         17 . The system configured to activate the wireless device on the wireless network of  claim 15 , wherein the activation system is part of the wireless network. 
     
     
         18 . The system configured to activate the wireless device on the wireless network of  claim 15 , wherein, following the permanent addressing number being assigned to the identification module of the wireless device, the temporary addressing number is available for use with a second wireless device. 
     
     
         19 . The system configured to activate the wireless device on the wireless network of  claim 15 , wherein the processor-readable instructions further comprise processor-readable instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor of the activation system to:
 assign a permanent identification number to the identification module of the wireless device; and   cause the permanent identification number to be transmitted to the identification module of the wireless device.   
     
     
         20 . The system configured to activate the wireless device on the wireless network of  claim 11 , wherein:
 the temporary identification number is a temporary international mobile subscriber identifier (“IMSI”); and   the temporary addressing number is a temporary mobile subscriber integrated services digital network number (“MSISDN”).   
     
     
         21 . The system configured to activate the wireless device on the wireless network of  claim 11 , wherein:
 the wireless network is configured to:
 receive a message from the wireless device, wherein the message comprises the temporary identification number; and 
 query the detection device for data pertaining to the temporary identification number. 
   
     
     
         22 . A computer program product for activating a wireless device for use on a wireless network, the computer program product comprising processor-readable instructions, which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to:
 receive a query for data pertaining to the identification module of a wireless device associated with a temporary IMSI;   assign a temporary MSISDN to the wireless device; and   provide the temporary MSISDN to the wireless network.