Method and apparatus for remotely programming a mobile data telephone set

• US 5,297,192 A
• Filed: 06/30/1993
• 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:
  US08/085,248
• Time in Patent Office: 265 Days
• Field of Search: 379/58, 379/59, 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

Downloading of number assignment module designation parameters into a memory circuit of a mobile data telephone set utilizes the built-in voice band modem of the set so that service authorization codes and activation can be entered remotely into the subscriber'"'"'s set thereby initiating cellular service or changing the type of service provided. As described, a cellular mobile subscriber first calls a remote cellular service provider center to establish a voice communication channel between the set and the center. Next, the modem of the set is selectively bridged onto the voice communication channel to achieve data transfer between a source of data located at the remote center and the subscriber'"'"'s modem. The foregoing enables the remote programming of subscriber'"'"'s authorization and information into the memory circuit of the mobile data telephone set.

Claims

1. A wireless remotely programmable mobile radiotelephone set in a cellular telephone system comprising:

a transmit and receive antenna;

a radio transceiver connected to the antenna and including transmit and receive apparatus for establishing a wireless bidirectional voice and data communication path between the wireless remotely programmable mobile radiotelephone set and a distant control center;

an audio processor for processing received and originated voice and data signals;

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

means for enabling a wireless remotely programmable mobile radiotelephone set owner to receive and have downloaded into the wireless remotely programmable mobile radiotelephone set, via the wireless bidirectional voice and data communication path, a set of service authorization signals, including a telephone number for the wireless remote programmable mobile radiotelephone set, enabling its operation within a cellular telephone system, by initiating a call from the wireless remotely programmable mobile radiotelephone set which is directed, over a channel unblocked to unauthorized subscribers, to a service center number at the distant control center;

the means for enabling including;

a modem and modem controller connected to the radio transceiver;

a mode switch for controllably interconnecting the modem and modem controller and the voice handset and handset interface to the audio processor, and for bridging the modem onto a voice communication path;

actuating means for selectively bridging through the mode switch the modem of the mobile radiotelephone set onto a voice communication path;

means responsive to the actuating means for enabling the modem to receive, over the voice communication path, the set of service authorization signals transmitted from the distant control center and allocated to the wireless remotely programmable mobile radiotelephone set; and

means for storing in the mobile data telephone set the received set of service authorization signals that are specific to the wireless remotely programmable mobile radiotelephone set owner and operative for enabling telephone service to the wireless remotely programmable mobile radiotelephone set.

2. A wireless remotely programmable mobile radiotelephone set as claimed in claim 1 wherein;

the means for storing comprises a nonvolatile memory and the authorization signals include Number Assignment Module designation parameters.

3. A method for remotely authorizing telecommunications service to a wireless mobile radiotelephone set from a distant control center comprising the steps of:

establishing a wireless bidirectional voice and data communication path between a wireless mobile radiotelephone set and the distant control center by initiating from a transceiver of the wireless mobile radiotelephone set a first initial telephone call to the distinct control center over a channel unblocked to unauthorized subscribers,

entering information in response to and through the first initial telephone call into the wireless mobile radio telephone set that is specific to an owner of the wireless mobile radiotelephone set for enabling service to the wireless mobile radiotelephone set by;

activating a modem associated with the wireless mobile radio telephone set to enable transmission and reception of data to and from the distant control center over the voice communication path by using a switch to connect the modem to the transceiver on the mobile radiotelephone set and hence direct received signals to the modem;

transmitting from the wireless mobile radio telephone set identification indicia associated with the wireless mobile radio telephone set;

receiving from the distant control center over a voice communication path a set of predetermined telecommunication service authorization coded signals including a telephone number to be allocated to the wireless mobile radio telephone set;

storing the received telecommunication service authorization coded signals in the wireless mobile radiotelephone set;

programming the wireless mobile radiotelephone set with corresponding authorization codes including a telephone number operative to enable telephone service to the wireless mobile radiotelephone set.

4. A method for remotely authorizing telecommunication service to a wireless mobile radiotelephone set from a distant control center as claimed in claim 3;

comprising the further steps of;

including in the telecommunication service authorization signal Number Assignment Module designation parameters.