US20060217996A1 - Point-of-sale activation of media device account - Google Patents

Point-of-sale activation of media device account Download PDF

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Publication number
US20060217996A1
US20060217996A1 US11/237,950 US23795005A US2006217996A1 US 20060217996 A1 US20060217996 A1 US 20060217996A1 US 23795005 A US23795005 A US 23795005A US 2006217996 A1 US2006217996 A1 US 2006217996A1
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
activation
media device
media
account
information
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
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US11/237,950
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English (en)
Inventor
Phillip Graves
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E2interactive Inc
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E2interactive Inc
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Publication date
Priority to US11/237,950 priority Critical patent/US20060217996A1/en
Application filed by E2interactive Inc filed Critical E2interactive Inc
Assigned to E2INTERACTIVE, INC. D/B/A E2INTERACTIVE, INC. reassignment E2INTERACTIVE, INC. D/B/A E2INTERACTIVE, INC. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: GRAVES, PHILLIP CRAIG
Assigned to JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT reassignment JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Assignors: E2INTERACTIVE, INC.
Priority to CA2539211A priority patent/CA2539211C/fr
Priority to KR1020077024301A priority patent/KR100971804B1/ko
Priority to AU2006227810A priority patent/AU2006227810A1/en
Priority to PCT/US2006/008909 priority patent/WO2006101803A2/fr
Priority to MXPA06003083A priority patent/MXPA06003083A/es
Priority to BRPI0601118-7A priority patent/BRPI0601118A/pt
Priority to IL174483A priority patent/IL174483A/en
Priority to JP2006079092A priority patent/JP5404993B2/ja
Priority to EP06111584A priority patent/EP1705610A1/fr
Publication of US20060217996A1 publication Critical patent/US20060217996A1/en
Priority to US11/930,559 priority patent/US7437329B2/en
Priority to AU2010219334A priority patent/AU2010219334A1/en
Priority to JP2010254722A priority patent/JP4838382B2/ja
Assigned to E2INTERACTIVE, INC. reassignment E2INTERACTIVE, INC. RELEASE OF PATENT SECURITY INTEREST Assignors: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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    • GPHYSICS
    • G06COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06QINFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q30/00Commerce
    • G06Q30/06Buying, selling or leasing transactions
    • GPHYSICS
    • G06COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06QINFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q20/00Payment architectures, schemes or protocols
    • G06Q20/08Payment architectures
    • G06Q20/10Payment architectures specially adapted for electronic funds transfer [EFT] systems; specially adapted for home banking systems
    • G06Q20/105Payment architectures specially adapted for electronic funds transfer [EFT] systems; specially adapted for home banking systems involving programming of a portable memory device, e.g. IC cards, "electronic purses"
    • GPHYSICS
    • G06COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06QINFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q20/00Payment architectures, schemes or protocols
    • G06Q20/08Payment architectures
    • G06Q20/20Point-of-sale [POS] network systems
    • GPHYSICS
    • G06COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06QINFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q20/00Payment architectures, schemes or protocols
    • G06Q20/38Payment protocols; Details thereof
    • G06Q20/40Authorisation, e.g. identification of payer or payee, verification of customer or shop credentials; Review and approval of payers, e.g. check credit lines or negative lists
    • G06Q20/407Cancellation of a transaction
    • GPHYSICS
    • G06COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06QINFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q40/00Finance; Insurance; Tax strategies; Processing of corporate or income taxes
    • GPHYSICS
    • G06COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06QINFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q50/00Information and communication technology [ICT] specially adapted for implementation of business processes of specific business sectors, e.g. utilities or tourism
    • G06Q50/10Services
    • G06Q50/26Government or public services
    • G06Q50/265Personal security, identity or safety

Definitions

  • This invention relates to distributing and activating accounts and/or removable (or portable) media devices, such as flash drives, USB drives, external hard drives, thumb drives, memory cards of various formats (SD, CF, xD, SonyTM Memory Card Duo), SIM cards, other phone cards, or other devices containing a writable and/or readable memory. More particularly, the invention relates to activating an account related to a media device at a point-of-sale (“POS”) and later activating the device by communicating with an account activation processor.
  • POS point-of-sale
  • Traditional media devices are distributed in a usable state to merchants and consumers. Such devices include a typical USB flash drive and camera memory stick before it is packaged and sent to merchants.
  • a primary benefit of many removable media devices is their diminutive size, as many of them are designed to be portable or to fit into a small compartment of an already small device such as a mobile phone or camera.
  • the small size of such devices makes them relatively more vulnerable to theft.
  • a thief who steals the USB flash drive from a merchant may use the USB flash drive to its full potential.
  • the same is true for camera memory cards and other removable media. Because these devices are typically very expensive, there is a large potential for merchant loss.
  • the software may be distributed in a “locked” or “partially locked” condition.
  • the software is not completely usable on a user's computer until the user accesses a central site.
  • the user may obtain a password or a final piece of software code that will “unlock” the installed software.
  • the media carrying the software is never locked.
  • the central site ensures that only one user (or a limited number of users) may activate the software.
  • the invention described herein provides methods of distributing media devices in such a manner that they are not usable unless or until they have been validly sold or transferred to an authorized user.
  • activation of a removable media device may be authorized at point-of-sale, and the media device may be activated at point-of-sale, upon the purchaser's request, or upon the first attempted use by the purchaser in a processing device.
  • Various embodiments of the invention are directed to the activation (and/or deactivation) of an account (or device, or account associated with a device) based on a transaction confirmation (or cancellation). For instance, an account may be activated after a confirmation that funds associated with an account purchase transaction are received. An account may be deactivated if funds if the transaction is cancelled and/or if a confirmation is not received within a sufficient period of time.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates a system for authorizing the activation of a media device according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary media device and package.
  • FIG. 3 illustrates a flowchart showing a method of distributing a media device according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 4 illustrates a flowchart showing a method of authorizing the activation of a media device according to another embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 5 illustrates a flowchart showing a method of authorizing the activation of a media device according to yet another embodiment of the invention.
  • a media device account (or media device) may be activated, e.g., at a POS. Any system or method of activation may be used, such as those described for activating stored value card accounts and other devices in any of the following U.S. Patents and Patent Applications: U.S. application Ser. No. 10/778,338 filed Feb. 17, 2004, U.S. application Ser. No. 10/253,243 filed Sep. 24, 2002, U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/324,333 filed Sep. 24, 2001, U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/396,404 filed Jul. 15, 2002, U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/519,630 filed on Nov. 14, 2003, U.S. Provisional Application No.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates a system for authorizing the activation of a media device according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • the system comprises a manufacturer 14 , distributor 12 , one or more merchants 10 , one or more merchant terminals 4 , an account activation processor 2 , a central database 8 , a media activation processor 6 and a media activation database 7 .
  • a media device may be activated after an account associated with the device is activated.
  • an account associated with a media device may be activated at a point-of-sale during a purchase transaction associated with the media device, such as a purchase of the device or a purchase of a feature of the device, such as a function or capability related to the device.
  • the account may be activated in any known process of activating accounts, such as those known for stored value cards and referenced elsewhere herein.
  • information embodied in a barcode, UPC, or magnetic stripe associated with the device (or its packaging) is read at a point-of-sale device and transmitted to a central account activation processor.
  • An account associated with the device may be activated, e.g., by creating or amending a database entry associated with the device. It should be appreciated that for purposes of this application, although the term “account” is used, there may be no actual account having value. The “account” may merely comprise a record that a device was validly sold or is otherwise authorized for activation (in whole or in part).
  • the media device may be activated or enabled.
  • “activating a device” or “activating a feature” of a device is intended to mean activating some, all, or a portion of the functions, functionality, capabilities, or data stored in the device.
  • a device is deemed to be “inactive” (or partially inactive) if it is not capable of performing all of its intended functions or utilizing all of its capabilities as a result of not being activated.
  • the media device may comprise a data storage system such as a flash drive, USB drive, external hard drive, thumb drive, SD memory card, CF memory card, xD memory card, Memory Card Duo (or Pro Duo) memory card, floppy disc, CD, DVD, HD-DVD, Blu-Ray disc, or other data storage component or system.
  • the data storage system may be formatted.
  • the data storage system may comprise a formatted drive configured to store data loaded by a user.
  • the data storage system may be formatted in such a way that it cannot be used (in whole or in part), e.g., to store data, until its format is changed.
  • the media device may comprise a processor, such as a wireless phone, PDA, pager, phone/PDA combination device, SIM card, internet-enabled device, portable gaming system, or any other media device.
  • the device may be configured to perform a function, such as store data, access a website, surf the Internet, communicate on a telecommunications network, play media (such as music, videos, and games), or perform calculations.
  • the processor may be distributed in such a manner that one or more functions are disabled (in whole or in part).
  • the functions may be enabled by communicating with a central processor, such as a media activation processor.
  • the media activation processor may enable the device to install code that enables the functions.
  • an attempt to use a media device that has not yet been activated may trigger automatic communication between a user processor on which the media device has been installed and the media activation processor, whereby the media activation processor may communicate instructions or code for activating the media device.
  • an attempt to use the media device may result in graphic presentation of a message to the user whereby the user is instructed to contact the media activation processor, such as by logging on to a website or calling a phone number to receive a code for input into the device. Establishing communication with the activation processor may allow the user to download instructions or code for activating the media device.
  • an activation processor may distribute an activation code that may be input into the device to activate the device (or one or more of its functions).
  • an activation processor may communicate software code that may be loaded onto the device in order to activate it.
  • a central processor may communicate program code to a computer that can be installed on the computer. Running the program (e.g., when the computer is coupled to the device) may cause the device to be activated.
  • an activation processor may communicate directly and/or indirectly with the media device.
  • a SIM card may communicate directly with a central telecommunications provider that may install information onto the SIM card.
  • a USB flash drive that is plugged into a USB port of a computer may communicate with a centralized website via the computer.
  • the device may comprise a processor and a database storing encrypted data.
  • One or more device functions may be disabled until the encrypted data is decrypted.
  • Communication with a central processor may enable decryption.
  • different functions may be activated at different times. For instance, a wireless communication function may be activated at one time, and an mp3 playing function may be activated at another time. Each activation may be enabled by a purchase associated with that function. For instance, a user may purchase a telecommunications service and then activate the service, and the user may later purchase the mp3 function and then activate the mp3 function.
  • device activation may occur at the point-of-sale (POS).
  • POS point-of-sale
  • a point-of-sale terminal may be configured to interact with the media device.
  • the terminal may physically change the media device. For instance, the terminal may remove a physical tab on the media device that would otherwise prevent the media device from being usable (or otherwise physically alter the device to enable a feature of the device).
  • the terminal may electronically interact with the media device (instead of or in addition to any interaction involving physical change).
  • the terminal may be configured to change a processor and/or memory of the media device.
  • the terminal may read and/or write to a memory of the media device.
  • the terminal may format a disk drive or memory of the media device.
  • the media device may install software onto the media device. Any form of activation is contemplated herein.
  • device activation may occur after POS at a location remote from the POS, such as at a user's desktop computer.
  • device activation may entail additional actions. For instance, a user may enter personal data, product registration data, or other information before the device is enabled.
  • a media device storing information may be distributed to a user at a POS.
  • an identifier associated with the media device may be passed to a central processor.
  • a magnetic stripe or barcode associated with the product may be read at a terminal during sale of the media device, and the identifier may be passed to a central processor.
  • the central processor may authorize the activation of information stored on the device.
  • the user may then transfer the information to another device, such as a user's computer.
  • the user may install software stored on the media device onto the desktop computer. On the user's computer (or other device), the information may be fully or partially locked.
  • the program may be usable for only a certain period of time, or certain features may be inaccessible to the user.
  • Information e.g., a program
  • Information may pass activation information to the user, such as a URL of a central processor that can be accessed to fully enable the information (e.g., the program).
  • the user may access the central processor.
  • the central processor may identify information about the media device (or identify the media device) and enable full functionality of the information based on such identification. For instance, the central processor may unlock a feature of an installed program by determining that the media device was validly sold at a POS (e.g., by determining that an identifier associated with the media device was received from a POS terminal during a valid transaction).
  • the media device may be in a package, for instance when it is sold.
  • the media device package may be any container, box, or packaging that may contain, hold, or otherwise couple to the device.
  • the package contains the device 16 when the customer purchases the device at a merchant terminal 4 .
  • a manufacturer 14 may manufacture media devices and pass them to one or more distributors 12 .
  • the distributors 12 may ship the media devices to one or more merchant stores 10 .
  • the merchant stores 10 may comprise one or more merchant terminals 4 .
  • Customers may purchase the media devices at merchant terminals 4 .
  • the merchant terminals 4 may comprise an input/output device for inputting media device and/or package information (such as an identifier) during a purchase transaction and passing such information to the account activation processor 2 .
  • the merchant terminals may comprise any point-of-sale terminal configured to process sale transactions between merchants and customers.
  • the merchant terminal 4 may comprise a barcode scanner and/or a credit card reader, and it may be in selective communication with a network as well-known in the art.
  • the account activation processor 2 may comprise any data processing system that stores, manages, and/or processes device-related information.
  • the account activation processor 2 may itself be a media activation processor 6 .
  • the account activation processor 2 is configured to process device-related information (such as an identifier).
  • the account activation processor 2 is further configured to store device-related information in a central database 8 .
  • the information may comprise information received from a merchant terminal 4 during a device sale transaction.
  • the account activation processor 2 is also configured to communicate information to and from a media activation processor 6 .
  • the account activation processor 2 is configured to receive authorization requests and/or status inquiries from media activation processors 6 .
  • the account activation processor 2 is configured to process information stored in the central database 8 based on such requests and inquiries.
  • the account activation processor 2 is also configured to pass information to the media activation processor.
  • the account activation processor 2 is configured to communicate with merchant terminals regarding device activation requests.
  • the media activation processor 6 may process information it receives from the account activation processor 2 .
  • the media activation processor may also store information in a media activation database 7 .
  • the media activation processor 6 may also be configured to communicate with customers. For instance, the media activation processor 6 may be configured to receive device activation requests from customers.
  • the media activation processor 6 is also configured to process information based on the request and/or communicate with the account activation processor based on the request.
  • the media activation processor 6 may also be configured to pass information to the customer, such as an activation confirmation.
  • FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary media device 16 and package 18 , the activation of which may be authorized according to various embodiments of the invention.
  • the top left figure in FIG. 2 shows the front view of a generic media device 16 such as a USB flash drive.
  • the top left figure shows a rear view of the media device 16 .
  • the device 16 may have an identifier 20 associated with the device 16 .
  • the identifier 20 may be applied to (e.g., labeled on) the device 16 , the package 18 , or both.
  • the identifier 20 may comprise an electronic serial number (ESN), an IMEI, RFID, a subscriber information module (SIM), a UPC code, or other number or indicia that identifies the device 16 .
  • ESN, IMEI, and/or SIM code may comprise numbers or codes that are uniquely associated with the device 16 .
  • the identifier may be applied in a SIM card 22 (or SIM card indicia 22 ), a magnetic strip 24 , and/or a barcode 26 .
  • the barcode 26 may represent the ESN, IMEI, or SIM, and optionally the UPC.
  • the media device has a SIM card 22 or an equivalent of a SIM card.
  • the identifier 20 may be visible on the outside of the device 16 and/or package 18 , or it may be applied or otherwise encoded on the device 16 and/or package 18 . It also may be visible only after manipulating the device 16 , such as by taking out a battery.
  • the identifier 20 may be used by the merchant, distributor, media activation processor, and/or customer to track the location and activation status of the device 16 , or for any other record-keeping purpose such as inventory management.
  • the device 16 is typically in a package 18 prior to and during sale to a customer.
  • the package may have barcodes and other indicia on it.
  • the package may comprise an identifier such as an ESN 20 in machine-readable indicia (such as a barcode). This identifier such as ESN 20 may also be printed (or magnetically encoded) on the media device itself.
  • the package 18 and device 16 may also have other barcodes (or other machine-readable indicia) used during purchase or during inventory scanning or other product scanning purposes.
  • the package 18 may have one or more identifiers that are identical to or different from the one or more identifiers 20 associated with the device. In a preferred embodiment, the device 16 and package 18 have at least one identifier 20 in common.
  • the bottom figure of FIG. 2 shows a package 18 configured to contain the media device 16 .
  • the package 18 may have one or more identifiers printed or otherwise stored on the package 18 as described for the media device.
  • the package identifiers may be the same or different from the media device identifiers.
  • the package 18 and device 16 have at least one identifier that is identical on both the package 18 and device 16 , such as an ESN 20 .
  • FIG. 3 illustrates a flowchart showing a method of authorizing the activation of a media device according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • media device refers generally to any type of storage or data processing device.
  • media device identifier information may be received.
  • the account activation processor and/or media activation processor receives media device identifier information.
  • the manufacturer (or distributor) of the media devices may pass an inventory list of media device ESNs (or other identifiers) to the account activation processor or media activation processor.
  • a merchant may provide a list of media device identifiers to the account activation processor or media activation processor after (or before) it receives the media devices from a distributor.
  • the account activation processor will then have one or more media device identifiers that may eventually be purchased (or otherwise acquired) from merchants.
  • each media device is pre-associated with a media activation processor.
  • the media activation processor receives media device identifier information, it would only receive media device identifier information for the media devices pre-associated with it.
  • a media activation processor is chosen after purchase by the customer. In this embodiment, the media activation processor may not receive identifier information at this stage.
  • the identifier information may be stored and/or processed.
  • the account activation processor and/or media activation processor stores identifier information.
  • the account activation processor and/or media activation processor may store a list of ESNs corresponding to media devices that were received by a particular store, delivered by a particular distributor, or manufactured by a particular manufacturer.
  • the information may be stored in a central database coupled to the account activation processor or a media activation database coupled to the media activation processor.
  • the account activation processor (and/or media activation processor) may also store status information associated with each media device.
  • the account activation processor may store information for each media device indicating that the media device is “not sold” and/or is “not activated.” Other methods of storing and/or identifying stored information may be used.
  • a media device identifier may be input at a merchant terminal during a media device purchase transaction. For instance, one or more media device identifiers may be input at a merchant terminal during a transaction in which a customer purchases the media device. In this block, the customer selects a media device to purchase and purchases the media device at a merchant terminal. During the sale, the media device package (or media device) may be scanned at the merchant terminal. In a preferred embodiment, an ESN associated with the media device is input at the terminal by scanning the media device package. Whether the package or media device is scanned or otherwise entered, the identifier input at the merchant terminal is uniquely associated with the media device itself.
  • identifiers may be input at the merchant terminal. For instance, a UPC code may be input as well as an ESN, IMEI, SIM, or other identifier. The UPC may input for merchant inventory purposes, while the ESN may be input for purposes of eventual media device activation.
  • the media device may be inactive or disabled prior to delivery to the customer. For instance, some media devices may be hotlined or otherwise disabled at an internal switch. It may be actively or passively disabled.
  • the merchant may disable the media device at (or prior to) purchase. In a preferred embodiment the media device may be disabled before it is distributed to the merchant.
  • the media activation processor disables the media device, such as before the merchant receives the media device into merchant inventory. Disabling of the media device may occur before it is offered to the customer (e.g., before the product is placed on the store shelves or otherwise offered to the customer), or it may occur during the purchase transaction.
  • the customer in order to activate the media device, the customer must later contact a central server such as by calling an 800 number or accessing a website of the media activation processor.
  • the server may comprise a computer or media device system of a media activation processor and may be adapted for enabling the customer's purchased media device.
  • the merchant terminal may also input information regarding the purchaser, such as the purchasers name, address, social security number, PIN, home or other telephone number, email address, website, or other information. Some of this information may be identified via a purchaser credit card or check, or the information may be provided by the customer at the request of the merchant. Customer information may also be passed to the account activation processor or media activation processor, which may store such information in a database. This information may be used to verify the identity of the purchaser when the purchaser later activates the media device.
  • the account activation processor may receive a media device identifier.
  • An account (or record) associated with the media device (or a function or capability thereof) may be activated based on receiving the identifier. Activation may occur by any means or mechanisms described or referenced herein, or by any other means known in the art. It will be understood that activation of the account does not mean that the media device has been activated/enabled.
  • the identifier may be the identifier input in block 33 .
  • the merchant terminal may input the identifier and then pass the identifier to the account activation processor during sale of the media device to a customer. In a preferred embodiment, this occurs simultaneously with the sale.
  • the sale transaction may comprise inputting the identifier information and automatically passing the information to the account activation processor.
  • a barcode may be scanned during purchase, as with typical transactions, and the barcode number may be passed to the account activation processor.
  • the merchant or merchant terminal may notify the account activation processor of the problem at that time.
  • the media device account may then be deactivated. Appropriate records of such return transactions may be stored and passed to the media activation processor and account activation processor.
  • the merchant terminal may wait until the customer's purchase funds clear to ensure that only validly purchased media device identifiers are passed to the account activation processor.
  • the account activation processor may amend a database entry corresponding to the media device to reflect that the media device has been “cancelled.” Such a media device may not be activated, as reflected by its “cancelled” status.
  • the media device may be registered as being validly purchased and/or ready for activation.
  • the account activation processor passes media device identifier information to a media activation processor system to indicate that the media device was validly purchased. It may pass such information via any media device or means, such as via the internet, dedicated data line, telephone IVR, or other system.
  • the account activation processor transfers such information via an API so that the media activation processor system can easily recognize and process the information.
  • the media device may be registered in the media activation processor's system as a validly purchased media device.
  • the media activation processor may store the identifier in a media activation database file that includes identifiers for media devices that have been validly purchased. The fact that the media device is valid (or invalid) may be apparent from the file in which it is stored. Or, the media activation processor may amend an existing database entry corresponding to the media device to indicate that the media device has been validly sold.
  • the account activation processor may store status information indicating that the media device is “sold and ready for activation.” It may store such information in the manner described for the media activation processor system, or in any manner known in the art.
  • the media activation processor may receive from a customer a request to activate the media device.
  • the media device may communicate with the activation processor, directly or indirectly via a user computer, such as a desktop or laptop computer.
  • a customer may contact the media activation processor (via phone, internet, etc.) to activate the media device.
  • the customer may call an 800 number that accesses a media activation processor IVR system, or the customer may access the media activation processor's website.
  • some embodiments may provide for automatic initiation of contact with the media activation processor upon an attempt to use an non-activated media device. This communication may be made by the media device itself or may be established through a processor in which the media device has been installed.
  • the customer may also call a media activation processor customer service or activation department.
  • the customer may provide identifier information to the media activation processor system so that the media activation processor system can identify the specific media device for activation. For instance, the customer may provide the ESN or SIM, such as by entering the ESN at an internet or IVR prompt. Alternately, if the customer contacts the media activation processor using the media device itself, the media device may automatically provide identifier information to the media activation processor system.
  • the activation processor may also determine this information by receiving information directly or indirectly from the media device, or by performing queries (directly or indirectly) on information stored in the media device.
  • the customer may also provide customer identification information.
  • customer identification information may comprise a customer name, address, phone number, receipt number, product number, or other number or code that may be associated with the purchased media device, purchaser, vendor, or wireless service provider.
  • the media activation processor may request to verify such information prior to activation.
  • the media activation processor may determine whether the media device has been validly purchased.
  • the media activation processor may check its database to determine whether the identifier is associated with a validly purchased media device. For instance, the media activation processor may determine whether an identifier associated with the media device (such as the ESN) is stored in a database corresponding to valid media devices.
  • the media activation processor system may contact the account activation processor to determine whether the identified media device has been validly sold. For instance, the media activation processor system (such as a customer service center) may pass a media device identifier (such as the one provided in block 36 ) to the account activation processor. This may occur by accessing an account activation processor IVR system, or by any other method of communication as described herein.
  • the account activation processor would receive the identifier, access its database to determine whether the identifier is associated with a validly purchased identifier, and then pass an authorization result back to the media activation processor.
  • the authorization result may indicate that the media device was validly sold or that the media device was not validly sold (or that there was some other problem associated with the media device).
  • the account activation processor may determine the authorization result based on stored authorization status information.
  • the media activation processor may initiate activation of the media device or deny the customer's request. If the media activation processor determines that the media device was validly purchased, the media activation processor may initiate activation of the media device. If the media activation processor determines that the media device was not validly purchased, or if there is some other problem with the purchase of the media device, then the media activation processor may deny the customer's request and refuse to activate the media device. In some embodiments, activation may be accomplished through communication between the media activation processor and the media device. This may be direct communication to the media device or may be communication through a processor on which the media device has been installed. Activation may be accomplished based on instructions or code received from the activation processor by the media device or a processor on which the media device has been installed.
  • the media device may become usable. For instance, if the media device is a USB flash drive, then activation might allow the customer to store information on the flash drive and/or retrieve information pre-installed on the flash drive.
  • activation authorization may be based on any of a variety of factors. For instance, a device may be activated a certain number of times, or an authorization code received from customers may be usable a certain number of times. There may also be limits associated with the number or degree of usable functions on a particular device. For instance, a larger amount of storage space may be enabled based on how money was spent on the device, or how much money was added to an account associated with the device.
  • Activation of all or part of the functions of a device may also be based on any of the following: the number of times a specific program or type of software has been loaded onto a device; the number of times the device (or a function of the device) has been used; the length of time a device has been used; the time elapsed since purchase of the device; the amount of funds in an account associated with the device; the activity of an account associated with the device; the status of a user account (e.g., having an account in good standing); the status of a user, e.g., with the activation processor or other entity (or marital, employment, or other status); personal information of the user; and other factors.
  • FIG. 4 illustrates a flowchart showing a method of authorizing the activation of a media device according to another embodiment of the invention. The method of FIG. 4 should be interpreted in light of the discussion of FIG. 3 .
  • the account activation processor may store identifier information, e.g., as described for block 32 .
  • a media device identifier may be input at a merchant terminal during a media device purchase transaction, e.g., as described for block 33 .
  • the merchant terminal may pass the identifier to the account activation processor, e.g., as described for 34 .
  • the account activation processor may pass the identifier to the media activation processor.
  • the identifier may be stored in a media activation database.
  • a status of the identifier (and/or corresponding media device) may be stored and/or updated based on receiving the identifier from the account activation processor.
  • the actions described at blocks 44 and 45 may occur when, e.g., the account activation processor inserts the identifier into a media activation database, e.g., using an API. An example of this process is also described in block 35 .
  • the media activation processor may receive a media device activation request, e.g., as described for block 36 .
  • the media activation processor may determine whether to authorize activation of the media device. This action may comprise accessing a media activation database to determine whether the identifier is in the database, or to determine whether the identifier is associated with a media device that has been approved for activation. This may also comprise determining the status of the identifier (and/or the corresponding media device).
  • the media activation processor may respond to the customer request by either initiating activation of the media device or by denying the customer request. For instance, if the identifier is in the database (or if the identifier is associated with a media device approved for activation), the media activation processor will initiate activation of the media device. If not, then the media activation processor may deny the request.
  • FIG. 5 illustrates a flowchart showing a method of authorizing the activation of a media device according to yet another embodiment of the invention. The method of FIG. 5 should be interpreted in light of the discussion of FIG. 3 .
  • the media device identifier may be input at a merchant terminal during a media device purchase transaction, e.g., as described for block 33 .
  • the merchant terminal may pass media device identifier information to the account activation processor, e.g., as described for block 43 .
  • the account activation processor may process and/or store the identifier. For instance, the account activation processor may store the identifier in a database entry (or amend an existing database entry) to indicate that the identifier was received from a merchant terminal. The entry may be reflect that the corresponding media device has a particular status, e.g., that the media device is sold and ready for activation.
  • the media activation processor may receive a media device activation request from the customer, e.g., as described for block 46 .
  • the media activation processor may pass the activation authorization request to the account activation processor.
  • the account activation processor may process the identifier.
  • the account activation processor may determine whether the identifier was validly sold. For instance, the account activation processor may determine whether the identifier was received in a transaction according to blocks 51 and 52 .
  • the account activation processor may also determine the status of the media device (and/or corresponding identifier). For instance, the account activation processor may determine that the media device has a particular status, such as “sold and ready for activation,” “not sold,” “sold and activated,” “sold and returned,” or “cancelled” (or other status category). Depending on the status, the account activation processor may determine to pass a positive or negative (or other) activation response.
  • the account activation processor may determine to send a positive response if the corresponding media device is “sold and ready for activation.”
  • the account activation processor may pass a negative response if the status is “cancelled,” “not sold,” or “sold and returned.”
  • the account activation processor may pass an activation authorization response to the media activation processor.
  • the authorization response may be an indication to activate or to not activate.
  • the authorization response may comprise status information about the identifier and/or corresponding media device.
  • the media activation processor may either initiate activation of the media device or deny the customer's request, e.g., as described for block 48 .
  • the media activation processor's action may be based on the account activation processor's response in block 57 .
  • identifiers may be used in the different blocks described herein, provided that the different identifiers are associated with a single media device. I.e., it is not necessary that the ESN be the single identifier that is used throughout the process. For instance, a barcoded number (e.g., a number that is mapped to or otherwise associated with a media device identifier in a database) may be scanned at the merchant terminal and passed to the account activation processor, but the processor may determine the media device identifier and pass it to the media activation processor.
  • a barcoded number e.g., a number that is mapped to or otherwise associated with a media device identifier in a database
  • the account activation processor may receive the UPC and determine the media device identifier that is associated with that barcode by processing information stored in a database (for instance, information received from the merchant associating UPC numbers with media device numbers).
  • a database for instance, information received from the merchant associating UPC numbers with media device numbers.
  • the term “identifier” may comprise information associated with the identifier.
  • an identifier received by a media activation processor need not be the exact same as the identifier passed from a merchant terminal to an account activation processor in an earlier block, provided that the two identifiers are uniquely associated with the same device.
  • media devices mentioned above may be activated in any manner as described for activating PINs in the above-referenced applications.
  • a post tender (or post sale) verification may be performed to reduce theft.
  • the media device may be activated during the sale procedure, but then the sale procedure may be interrupted for many reasons such as lack of funds by the intended customer. In this case, the media device may be activated (but not paid for), thus creating a risk of theft of an activated (and valuable) media device.
  • the system may include a presumption that no sales transactions are completed until verification (e.g., verification of payment) is received.
  • a verification transmission may be required to verify that the sale was completed.
  • an account or device or device feature
  • Such transaction verification may be a verification that funds of a customer's payment have actually been confirmed and/or transferred into a merchant account. If this verification transmission was not received in a timely fashion, then in some embodiments the device would not be activated; and in some embodiments, the device would be de-activated.
  • the system may operate under the assumption that sales transactions will be properly completed. For instance, the system may automatically activate a device (or function) during (or at least based on) a transaction, before customer funds have cleared.
  • the media device may be activated during the sales transaction and may remain activated, e.g., unless a message stating that the transaction has been cancelled (or similar code or instruction) is sent (e.g., by a merchant terminal) and received (e.g., at a central activation processor such as device activation processor 6 and/or account activation processor 2 ).
  • a sales transaction may include purchasing a media device, or renting a media device, or temporarily activating a feature (function, functionality, capability, or stored data) of a media device, or permanently activating a feature of a media device.
  • a post tender (or post sale) verification may be performed integrally with other embodiments, such as the embodiments illustrated by FIGS. 1-5 .

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Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US11/237,950 US20060217996A1 (en) 2005-03-23 2005-09-29 Point-of-sale activation of media device account
CA2539211A CA2539211C (fr) 2005-03-23 2006-03-10 Activation de point de vente d'un compte de dispositifs multimedias
KR1020077024301A KR100971804B1 (ko) 2005-03-23 2006-03-13 미디어디바이스 계좌의 pos 활성화 방법
AU2006227810A AU2006227810A1 (en) 2005-03-23 2006-03-13 Point-of-sale activation of media device account
PCT/US2006/008909 WO2006101803A2 (fr) 2005-03-23 2006-03-13 Activation de point de vente sale de compte de dispositif multimedia
MXPA06003083A MXPA06003083A (es) 2005-03-23 2006-03-17 Activacion mediante punto de venta de cuenta de dispositivo de soporte.
JP2006079092A JP5404993B2 (ja) 2005-03-23 2006-03-22 媒体デバイスアカウントの売場起動
BRPI0601118-7A BRPI0601118A (pt) 2005-03-23 2006-03-22 método para ativação de pelo menos um recurso armazenado em um dispositivo de mìdia
IL174483A IL174483A (en) 2005-03-23 2006-03-22 Activation at the point of sale of a media device account
EP06111584A EP1705610A1 (fr) 2005-03-23 2006-03-23 Activation de point de vente d'un compte de dispositif de support
US11/930,559 US7437329B2 (en) 2005-03-23 2007-10-31 Point-of-sale activation of media device account
AU2010219334A AU2010219334A1 (en) 2005-03-23 2010-09-08 Point-of-sale activation of media device account
JP2010254722A JP4838382B2 (ja) 2005-03-23 2010-11-15 媒体デバイスアカウントの売場起動

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EP (1) EP1705610A1 (fr)
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KR (1) KR100971804B1 (fr)
AU (2) AU2006227810A1 (fr)
BR (1) BRPI0601118A (fr)
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AU2006227810A1 (en) 2006-09-28
WO2006101803A3 (fr) 2007-10-25
EP1705610A1 (fr) 2006-09-27
KR20070121802A (ko) 2007-12-27
JP4838382B2 (ja) 2011-12-14
IL174483A (en) 2013-09-30
WO2006101803A2 (fr) 2006-09-28
CA2539211A1 (fr) 2006-09-23
MXPA06003083A (es) 2006-09-26
US7437329B2 (en) 2008-10-14
JP5404993B2 (ja) 2014-02-05
IL174483A0 (en) 2006-08-01
CA2539211C (fr) 2012-08-21
BRPI0601118A (pt) 2007-02-21
JP2011100462A (ja) 2011-05-19
KR100971804B1 (ko) 2010-07-22
US20080046283A1 (en) 2008-02-21
AU2010219334A1 (en) 2010-09-30
JP2006309729A (ja) 2006-11-09

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