System and Method for Real Time Self-Provisioning for a Mobile Communication Device

Abstract

A system and method of provisioning services for a mobile communication device are disclosed. A provisioning request including provisioning information and specifying a provisioning operation and a first communication service is prepared on the mobile communication device and sent to a provisioning system. Processing of the provisioning request is dependent upon whether or not a second communication service has been activated for the mobile communication device. If the mobile communication device is outside a coverage area of a wireless communication network when a provisioning request is prepared, the request is stored at the mobile communication device and sent to the provisioning system when the mobile communication device enters the coverage area. The provisioning system preferably manages service provisioning for multiple services, any of which may be hosted by different service providers.

1 - 26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . A method to activate a mobile device having a provisioning application for operation on a wireless network, the method comprising:
 establishing a connection between the provisioning application and a provisioning authority over an internet;   sending, using the provisioning application, a provisioning request to the provisioning authority to activate the mobile device for operation with the wireless network;   receiving a provisioning response; and   registering with the wireless network upon receiving the provisioning response.   
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27  further comprising enabling a communication software application on the mobile device for operation over the wireless network when the mobile device is registered on the wireless network. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the mobile device restricts the communication software application stored on the mobile device from operating over the wireless network. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the mobile device is operable to place an emergency call prior to receiving the provisioning response. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the provisioning request is sent to the provisioning authority over the internet and the wireless network. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the provisioning request is sent to the provisioning authority via a computer connected to the Internet. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the connection is a connection to a web page associated with the provisioning authority. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein sending the provisioning request to the provisioning authority further comprises sending a mobile device identification number to the provisioning authority. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the provisioning response is received over the wireless network. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the provisioning request comprises at least one of a user name, a mobile device identification number, and a service plan selection. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the provisioning request is for at least one service and the provisioning response is for at least one service. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the mobile device is registered for at least one service with the wireless network upon receiving the provisioning response. 
     
     
         39 . A mobile communication device configured to operate within a wireless communication network, the mobile communication device comprising:
 a processor;   a memory device; and   a provisioning application stored on the memory device and executable by the processor, when executed by the processor the provisioning application being configured to:   establish a connection between the provisioning application and a provisioning authority over an internet;   send, using the provisioning application, a provisioning request to the provisioning authority to activate the mobile device for operation with the wireless network;   receive a provisioning response; and   register with the wireless network upon receiving the provisioning response.   
     
     
         40 . The mobile communication device of  claim 39  further configured to enable a communication software application on the mobile device for operation over the wireless network when the mobile device is registered on the wireless network. 
     
     
         41 . The mobile communication device of  claim 40 , wherein the mobile device restricts the communication software application stored on the mobile device from operating over the wireless network. 
     
     
         42 . The mobile communication device of  claim 39 , wherein the mobile device is configured to place an emergency call prior to receiving the provisioning response. 
     
     
         43 . The mobile communication device of  claim 39 , wherein the provisioning request is sent to the provisioning authority over the internet and the wireless network. 
     
     
         44 . The mobile communication device of  claim 39 , wherein the provisioning request is sent to the provisioning authority via a computer connected to the Internet. 
     
     
         45 . The mobile communication device of  claim 44 , wherein the connection is a connection to a web page associated with the provisioning authority. 
     
     
         46 . The mobile communication device of  claim 44 , wherein sending the provisioning request to the provisioning authority further comprises sending a mobile device identification number to the provisioning authority. 
     
     
         47 . The mobile communication device of  claim 44 , wherein the provisioning response is received over the wireless network. 
     
     
         48 . The mobile communication device of  claim 39 , wherein the provisioning request comprises at least one of a user name, a mobile device identification number, and a service plan selection. 
     
     
         49 . The mobile communication device of  claim 39 , wherein the provisioning request is for at least one service and the provisioning response is for at least one service. 
     
     
         50 . The mobile communication device of  claim 39 , wherein the mobile device is registered for at least one service with the wireless network upon receiving the provisioning response.