U.S. Patent 10972901 was awarded to T-Mobile USA, Inc. on April 06, 2021 and is entitled “Remote SIM unlock (RSU) implementation using blockchain.” The first named inventor is Ahmad Arash Obaidi of Issaquah, WA. The abstract contains an overview of the patent disclosure:

A permissioned blockchain can be a decentralized data store that maintains information indicating whether user equipment (UE) is SIM locked and/or should be disabled. A UE can access the blockchain during boot up to determine if it should be disabled and not booted into a normal operating environment, and/or whether it is SIM locked to a particular carrier. Authorized entities, such as carriers and UE manufacturers, can update the blockchain to indicate that certain UEs should be disabled, are SIM locked, are not SIM locked, and/or whether it is permissible to remove SIM locks from those UEs. Link to Full Patent

This blockchain patent was originally filed on January 30, 2019  as U.S. Patent Application 16/262559 at the United Stated Patent and Trademark Office. The application was them awarded a patent grant and published as U.S. Patent 10972901. The primary examiner was Anthony S Addy.

T-Mobile USA, Inc., who is the original assignee of this patent, has at least 1424 total granted patents in the United States as of the date of this article. This blockchain patent has been cited 0 times by other U.S. patents according to our law firm research, and can be considered an innovative patent in the field of cryptocurrency and blockchain.

Select IP monitors top patents and patents which have been allowed and granted worldwide. We are experts in patent law with experience blockchain technology and IP law and intellectual property law as it pertains to blockchain technology and cryptocurrency patents. If you are interested in connecting with an IP law attorney or patent law attorney, please contact us via the contact form.

Patentability Searches – Determine the patentability of your inventions.
Freedom to Operate Searches & Opinions – Identify patents may give you potential infringement issues (including in the recording, communication or information retrieval equipment field).
Non-Infringement Opinions – Determine if your product infringes a competitor’s patent.
Patent Invalidity Searches & Opinions – Find prior art to invalidate a competitor’s patent.
U.S. Provisional Patent Applications – Receive cost-effective “patent pending” status for your invention.
U.S. Non-Provisional Patent Applications (Utility) – Apply for patent protection on the structural and functional aspects of your invention.
U.S. Design Patent Applications – Apply for patent protection on the ornamental appearance of your invention.