US Patent 9198024 Remote device activation

An application installed on a mobile device currently activated for service with a mobile wireless communication network captures information uniquely identifying a currently unsubscribed mobile device. The unique information may be captured from the currently unsubscribed mobile device via any of several short range transfer mechanisms. The application transfers the captured information and other information used to activate the currently unsubscribed mobile device to an activation service of the mobile wireless communication network, and the service activates the currently unsubscribed mobile device. In another example, a self-activation portal system determines an identifier of an owner of an account associated with an identifier provided by a user of a mobile device to be activated for use with a mobile wireless service. The system sends a message to the account owner offering options to accept or decline the activation request.