Method and apparatus for remotely programming a wireless telephone set

• US 5,297,191 A
• Filed: 06/03/1993
• Issued: 03/22/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: AT&T, Inc.
• Original Assignee: AT&T, Inc.
• Inventors: Gerszberg, Irwin
• Primary Examiner(s): Chan, Wing F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bost, Dwayne D.
• Application Number:
  US08/072,647
• Time in Patent Office: 292 Days
• Field of Search: 379/57-59, 379/62, 379/63, 455/33.1
• US Class Current: 455/419
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/20 Manipulation of established connections
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/245 from a network towards a terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/265 for initial activation of new user

Abstract

Remote downloading of number assignment module designation parameters into a read-only memory circuit of a wireless telephone subscriber set (e.g., mobile, cordless, etc.) can be achieved by incorporating a tone signals receiver into the set and by bridging the receiver onto a wireless voice communication channel established between the subscriber'"'"'s set and a service representative. The service representative can remotely enter subscriber-specific programming information and wireless service authorization data into the subscriber'"'"'s telephone set for storage therein thereby quickly, reliably and cost-effectively providing authorized service to a new subscriber, or to an existing subscriber who requests a service change.

Claims

1. An improved wireless mobile radiotelephone set adapted for operation in a cellular mobile radio telecommunications system;

comprising;

a transmit and receive antenna;

a radio transceiver connected to the antenna and including, a radio transmitter, a radio receiver and an audio processor for processing received and originated voice and data signals;

a voice handset and handset interface coupled to the audio processor;

wherein the improvement comprises;

a mode switch interconnecting the voice handset and handset interface to the audio processor;

a tone signals receiver connected to the mode switch to receive tone signals representative of mobile service authorization codes sent from a service provider center, over a channel unblocked to unauthorized subscribers and transmitted to it by mode switch;

a transceiver controller connected to the tone signals receiver and responding to service authorization tone signals placing the wireless mobile radiotelephone set into a program mode and enabling reception of the tone signals;

the transceiver controller including a converter for converting the tone signals into digital signals and a memory for storing the digital signals representing mobile service authorization codes that are specific to the wireless mobile radiotelephone set owner and operative for enabling telephone service to the wireless mobile radiotelephone set.

2. A mobile telephone set according to claim 1, wherein the tone signals receiver includes a dual tone multifrequency receiver.

3. A mobile telephone set according to claim 1, wherein the tone signals receiver includes an audio frequency tone receiver.

4. An improved method for programming information into a wireless mobile radiotelephone set;

comprising the steps of;

establishing a wireless bidirectional voice communication path between a wireless mobile radiotelephone set and a distant control center over a channel unblocked to unauthorized subscribers;

selectively placing the mobile wireless mobile radiotelephone set in a program mode;

wherein the improvement comprises;

transmitting from the mobile wireless to a service provider center radiotelephone set identification indicia associated with the mobile wireless radiotelephone set;

at the mobile wireless radiotelephone set receiving from the distant control center over a voice communication channel tone signals representative of mobile signal authorization codes specific to an owner of the wireless mobile radiotelephone set in response to the identification indicia transmitted by the mobile wireless radiotelephone set;

at the mobile wireless radiotelephone set converting the tone signals into telecommunication authorization codes;

at the mobile wireless radiotelephone set storing the telecommunication digital authorization codes in a nonvolatile memory contained within the mobile wireless radiotelephone set; and

programming the mobile wireless radiotelephone set with corresponding service authorization codes to enable telephone service to the mobile wireless radiotelephone set.

5. A method for programming information into a wireless mobile radiotelephone set as claimed in claim 4;

comprising the further steps of;

using multifrequency signals for the tone signals and

using an audio receiver to receive the multifrequency tone signals.

6. A method for programming information into a wireless mobile radiotelephone set as claimed in claim 5;

comprising the further step of;

including in the mobile service authorization codes number assignment module designation parameters.