Patent ID: 6490445
Filing Date: 2002-12-03
Classification: H04W

Abstract:
A method of controlling access by a wireless terminal to a wireless link available from a communications service provider, said method comprising:receiving from a wireless terminal an identifier transmitted, at least in part, on the wireless link, wherein the identifier includes first and second numbers, the first number including a serial number that is permanently associated with the wireless terminal; analyzing the identifier to determine whether the second number transmitted by the wireless terminal is a preliminary identifier, the preliminary identifier providing the wireless terminal restricted access to the wireless link, and if the second number is a preliminary identifier, analyzing a customer data record using the first and second numbers to determine whether the wireless terminal should continue to have restricted access to the wireless link; and transmitting, upon favorable completion of said analyzing step, a signal to the wireless terminal so that the wireless terminal transmits a replacement identifier the next time the wireless terminal transmits an identifier, the replacement identifier allowing the wireless terminal to have less restricted access to the wireless link than the preliminary identifier.