Apparatus and method for activation and deactivation of devices to prevent unauthorized acquisition and use
US12333514B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 14, 2023 |
| Grant date | Jun 17, 2025 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 26, 2043 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04W12/71
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
System and method for activation and deactivation of devices to prevent unauthorized acquisition and use. For example, one embodiment of a system comprises: an internet of things (IoT) service to receive a first message from a point of sale (POS) system, the first message including a device identifier (ID) to uniquely identify a device purchased by a user via the POS system; device management logic of the IoT service to identify an entry in a device database using the device ID, the entry including a field to indicate whether the corresponding device has been purchased; the device management logic to update the field responsive to the first message to indicate that the device has been purchased; and the IoT service to transmit a second message to the POS system or to a mobile device of the user in response to a request from the POS system or the mobile device, respectively, the second message authorizing unlocking of the device if the field indicates that the device has been purchased, wherein a short-range wireless connection is established between the mobile device or the POS system and the device the short-range wireless connection to be used to transmit an unlock command from t…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.