Mobile device activation

摘要

Methods, systems and apparatus that facilitate activation of mobile devices, such as communication devices or multi-function devices, via a computer are disclosed. According to one aspect of the invention, a mobile device can be forced into a limited service mode until properly activated with a service provider for a wireless network. According to another aspect of the invention, a mobile device can defer its attempt to send a location update request to a wireless network. According to still another aspect of the invention, a mobile device can be automatically controlled to reset a portion of its internal hardware to initiate a location update request.

主权项

1. A method for enabling a mobile device to access a wireless network that is associated with a wireless network provider, wherein the mobile device includes at least wireless voice communication capabilities and an internal memory, and the method comprises:
at the mobile device, determining that the mobile device has not been activated with any service plan provided by the wireless network provider; at the mobile device, receiving from a computing device that is external to the mobile device and with which the mobile device is configured to communicate, an activation identifier that indicates the mobile device has been activated with a service plan provided by the wireless network provider; at the mobile device, securely storing the received activation identifier into the internal memory of the mobile device; at the mobile device, determining that the mobile device has been activated with the service plan based at least in part on the stored activation identifier, and that a network set-up of the mobile device is complete; and at the mobile device, resetting or cycling power to a portion of hardware within the mobile device to initiate a location update request to register the mobile device with the wireless network, wherein the location update request enables the mobile device to access the wireless network.