Patent ID: 8260345

Claim:
An automated method for remotely changing the mobile number of a wireless communications device, wherein said method changes the mobile number from a current number to a target number and comprises the steps of: (a) automatically selecting between a direct change process and an indirect change process in order to perform the mobile number change; (b) when the direct change process is selected, then automatically executing electronic instructions for a direct change that: (i) activate the target number, (ii) establish a data link with the wireless communications device, (iii) configure the wireless communications device with the target number, and (iv) deactivate the current number; (c) when the indirect change process is selected, then automatically executing electronic instructions for an indirect change that: (i) identify and activate an intermediate number, (ii) establish a data link with the wireless communications device, (iii) configure the wireless communications device with the intermediate number, (iv) deactivate the current number, (v) activate the target number, (vi) configure the wireless communications device with the target number, and (vii) deactivate the intermediate number; wherein step (a) further includes at least one of the following sub-steps: (i) determining when the requested mobile number change involves an intra-carrier exchange or an inter-carrier exchange, (ii) determining when the wireless carrier that services the current number or that which services the target number accommodates multiple mobile numbers simultaneously activated to a single Electronic Serial number (ESN), or (iii) reviewing the status of a flag, variable or other indicator suggesting a type of mobile number change process.