Method for Activating an Unlocked, Inactive Mobile Device Using a Universal Integrated Circuit Card Pre-Provisioned With a Service Plan

Abstract

A service plan is delivered to a mobile phone user without direct user communication with a mobile network operator or providing of personal details. A method comprises packaging a service plan, and at least one of a phone number and data plan, from a mobile network operator; associating the plan and phone number or data plan with a non-provisioned Universal Integrated Circuit Card; cueing service plan loading and activation of the UICC post purchase of the UICC by a user in communication with a provisioner by at least one of 1) product code scanning of the UICC and messages generated thereby; 2) automatic messaging generated by an activation application on the UICC; 3) user directed short messaging; 4) interactive voice responses between user and a provisioner system; 5) network detection software; 6) user interaction with a website; and 7) user entry of a zip code.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method for activating an unlocked, inactive mobile device with a pre-provisioned Universal Integrated Circuit Card (UICC) including at least a service/price plan, said method comprising at least one of the following steps:
 a) inserting a pre-provisioned UICC in said mobile device, wherein the UICC comprises an activation application activating said UICC by powering up the mobile device; detecting on the UICC the home network to which the UICC is registered, the activation application automatically directing the device to transmit at least one message to a provisioner, wherein said message requests automatic activation of the mobile device, the activation application receiving confirmation from the provisioner, said confirmation enabling activation of the mobile device, and the instant application of the pre-provisioned service and price plan to said device;   b) inserting a pre-provisioned UICC in said mobile device, wherein the UICC either does not comprise or require an activation application, activating said UICC by powering up the mobile device; detecting on the UICC the home network to which the UICC is registered, transmitting at least one message to a provisioner, wherein said message requests automatic activation of the mobile device, the device receiving confirmation from the provisioner, said confirmation enabling activation of the mobile device, and the instant application of the pre-provisioned service and price plan to said device;   c) inserting a pre-provisioned UICC in said mobile device wherein the UICC either does not comprise or require an activation application, activating the UICC by powering up the mobile device; detecting on the UICC the home network to which the UICC is registered, transmitting at least one message to a provisioner, transmitting at least one zip code message to a provisioner, wherein said message requests automatic activation of the mobile device, the device receiving confirmation from the provisioner, said confirmation enabling activation of the mobile device, provision of a phone number based on zip code transmitted, and the instant application of the pre-provisioned service and price plan to said device;   d) inserting a pre-provisioned UICC in said mobile device, wherein UICC card comprises an activation application, activating the UICC by powering up the mobile device; detecting on the UICC the home network to which the UICC is registered, the activation application automatically directing the device to transmit at least one message to a provisioner, transmitting at least one zip code message to the provisioner, wherein said message requests automatic activation of the mobile device, the activation application receiving confirmation from the provisioner, said confirmation enabling activation of the mobile device, provision of a phone number based on zip code transmitted and the instant application of the pre-provisioned service and price plan to said device;   e) selecting from a retailer a pre-provisioned UICC with an assigned a bar code/UPC and a service plan but which comprises a blocking flag preventing unauthorized activation of UICC, said UICC, upon scanning said bar code/UPC/QR code directs message to provisioner, receiving validation from provisioner of service plan as compared to bar code/UPC/QR code; removing blocking flag thereby creating a UICC unblocked and ready for self-activation in the mobile device by user;   f) inserting a pre-provisioned UICC in said mobile device, wherein the UICC either does not comprise or require an activation application, activating said UICC by powering up the mobile device and user contacting provisioner via interactive voice response (IVR) technology enabled by said UICC; detecting on the UICC the home network to which the UICC is registered and securing automatic activation of the mobile device and the instant application of the pre-provisioned service and price plan to said device;   g) inserting a pre-provisioned UICC in said mobile device, wherein the UICC either does not comprise or require an activation application, activating said UICC by powering up the mobile device, network detection software therein recognizing the UICC and detecting on the UICC the home network to which the UICC is registered and securing automatic activation of the mobile device and the instant application of the pre-provisioned service and price plan to said device; and   h) inserting a pre-provisioned data use only UICC in said mobile device, wherein the UICC comprises an activation application activating said UICC by powering up the mobile device; detecting on the UICC the home network to which the UICC is registered, the activation application automatically directing activation of the data use only mobile device;   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein, in any activation steps, if no zip code or an invalid zip code is transmitted, provisioner may assign a default zip code for association with the phone number. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein UICC is a SIM card. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein UICC was purchased by a user separate and apart from the mobile device. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein UICC was purchased by a user from a source selected from the group consisting of vending machines, car rental offices, tourist establishments, hotels/motels, amusement parks, stores, airports, and transportation stations. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the activation application directs transmission even in the absence of the device having an assigned phone number. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  where the activation application prompts a user to enter a zip code/postal code. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein UICC is pre-provisioned in association with a mobile network operator and said preactivation application detects a home network of the mobile network operator. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein preactivation application detects the home network of the mobile network operator by communication to a cellular tower. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the provisioner is a third party in communication with a mobile network operator and purchaser of UICC. 
     
     
         11 . A computer-readable medium comprising computer-executable instructions for performing the following to achieve automated activation and provisioning for mobile device, which comprises: inserting a pre-provisioned UICC in said mobile device, and
 i) wherein the UICC comprises an activation application:
 activating said UICC by powering up the mobile device; detecting on the UICC the home network to which the UICC is registered, the activation application automatically directing the device to transmit at least one message to a provisioner, wherein said message requests automatic activation of the mobile device, the activation application receiving confirmation from the provisioner, said confirmation enabling activation of the mobile device, and the instant application of the pre-provisioned service and price plan to said device; and 
   ii) wherein UICC does not comprise an activation application:
 activating said UICC by powering up the mobile device; detecting on the UICC the home network to which the UICC is registered, transmitting at least one message to a provisioner, wherein said message requests automatic activation of the mobile device, the device receiving confirmation from the provisioner, said confirmation enabling activation of the mobile device, and the instant application of the pre-provisioned service and price plan to said device. 
   
     
     
         12 . A computer-readable medium comprising computer-executable instructions for performing the following to achieve automated activation and provisioning for mobile device, which comprises selecting from a retailer a pre-provisioned UICC with an assigned a bar code/UPC and a service plan but which comprises a blocking flag preventing unauthorized activation of UICC, said UICC, upon scanning said bar code/UPC directs message to provisioner, receiving validation from provisioner of service plan as compared to bar code/UPC; removing blocking flag thereby creating a UICC unblocked and ready for self-activation in the mobile device by user. 
     
     
         13 . A method for the delivery to a mobile phone user of a service plan and optionally a phone number without said user having to directly communicate with a mobile network operator and without said user having to provide any personal details to any third party or to the mobile network operator which comprises in one aspect:
 a) packaging a service plan (with at least one of a phone number and data plan) onto a UICC;   b) conveying the UICC, so formed, directly or indirectly, to a mobile phone user; and   c) activating service plan via a provisioner;   
       and which comprises in another aspect:
 i) packaging a service plan (with at least one of a phone number and data plan) from a mobile network operator; 
 ii) associating the plan and at least one of a phone number and a data plan with a non-provisioned Universal Integrated Circuit Card (UICC); 
 iii) cueing service plan loading and activation of the UICC post purchase of the UICC by a user in direct or indirect communication with a provisioner by at least one of 1) product code (for example UPC/bar code, QR code etc.) scanning of the UICC and messages generated thereby; 2) automatic messaging generated by an activation application on the UICC; 3) user directed short messaging; 4) interactive voice responses between user and a system of the provisioner; 5) network detection software; 6) user interaction with a website; and 7) user entry of a zip code. 
 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein, in any activation steps at iii), if no zip code or an invalid zip code is transmitted to provisioner, the provisioner may assign a default zip code for association with a phone number. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13  wherein UICC is a SIM card. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13  wherein UICC was purchased by a user separate and apart from the mobile device. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13  wherein UICC was purchased by a user from a source selected from the group consisting of vending machines, car rental offices, tourist establishments, hotels/motels, amusement parks, stores, airports, and transportation stations. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13  where activation prompts a user to enter a zip code/postal code. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the provisioner is a third party in communication with a mobile network operator and purchaser of UICC.