Methods and apparatus for locking communications devices (US Patent 6124799)

Patent number: 6124799 Granted: 2000-09-26 Filed: 1998-10-02 Inventors: John Patrick Parker (Royston, GB) Assignees: BellSouth Intellectual Property Corporation (Atlanta, GA, US)

Abstract

An apparatus and method for locking and unlocking mobile telecommunications handsets or other devices is disclosed. Each handset is unactivated at the time of purchase. Other than emergency calls, or account activation, no calls can be made using the handset unless it has been unlocked. The handset is capable of receiving a