Remote feature code programming for mobile stations

• US 6,029,065 A
• Filed: 05/05/1997
• Issued: 02/22/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 05/05/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Vringo Infrastructure, Inc. (XpresSpa Group, Inc. (f/k/a FORM Holdings Corp.))
• Original Assignee: Nokia Mobile Phones UK Limited (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: Shah, Bharat
• Primary Examiner(s): Chin, Wellington
• Assistant Examiner(s): Jama, Isaak R.
• Application Number:
  US08/841,850
• Time in Patent Office: 1,023 Days
• Field of Search: 455/414, 455/415, 455/416, 455/417, 455/418, 455/419, 455/432, 455/435, 455/550, 370/271, 370/259, 370/465, 379/201, 379/207, 379/211, 379/212, 379/214
• US Class Current: 455/414.4
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42178 by downloading data to substation equipment
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/18 Processing of user or subscriber data, e.g. subscribed services, user preferences or user profiles; Transfer of user or subscriber data
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/183 Processing at user equipment or user record carrier
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/245 from a network towards a terminal

Abstract

The base station of a wireless communications network determines what features a mobile station will support, then downloads information to the mobile station which will notify the mobile station of which network features are available and how they may be accessed in the local network. Specifically, the base station provides the features codes that are required to access the network features. The base station may also inquire into what features the mobile station supports. Each of these communications may take place over the combination of the Paging Channel/Access Channel, collectively, the Control Channel, or the Traffic Channel. With the downloaded information, the mobile station user may select a desired feature using the method to which he or she is accustomed, i.e., either by selecting a menu location or by entering a familiar sequence of keystrokes. The mobile station'"'"'s internal processor converts the entered values into the feature codes corresponding to the selected features within the network. The process of downloading the feature code information does not require the user'"'"'s intervention, such that any conversion required from the user'"'"'s familiar feature access process is transparent to the user.

Claims

1. A method for accessing a plurality of network features enabled by a local set of feature codes using a mobile station having an original set of feature codes, the local set of feature codes being at least partially incompatible with the original set of feature codes, the method comprising:

communicating between a network base station and the mobile station to register the mobile station with the network base station;

transmitting the local set of feature codes from the base station to the mobile station;

comparing the local set of feature codes with the original set of feature codes;

if the local set of feature codes is at least partially incompatible with the original set of feature codes, storing the local set of feature codes within a memory of the mobile station;

selecting an original feature code from the original set of feature codes corresponding to a desired network feature of the plurality of network features using a user input on the mobile station;

processing within the mobile station the selected original feature code to correspond to a local feature code for accessing the desired network feature; and

transmitting from the mobile station to the base station the local feature code corresponding to the desired network feature.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of transmitting the local set of feature codes includes transmitting the local set of feature codes within a registration acknowledgment message.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of transmitting the local set of feature codes includes transmitting the local set of feature codes within a Paging Channel Message.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of transmitting the local set of feature codes includes transmitting the local set of feature codes within a Forward Traffic Channel Message.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the Forward Traffic Channel Message is a Data Burst Message.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of transmitting from the mobile station the local set of feature codes includes a request for acknowledgment of successful accessing of the desired network feature.

6. A method for accessing a plurality of network features enabled by a first set of feature codes using a mobile station having a second set of feature codes corresponding to the network features, the first set of feature codes having at least one feature code differing from the second set of feature codes, the method comprising:

communicating between a network base station and the mobile station to register the mobile station with the network base station;

transmitting the first set of feature codes from the base station to the mobile station;

comparing the first set of feature codes with the second set of feature codes;

if the first set of feature codes is different from the second set of feature codes, storing the first set of feature codes within a memory of the mobile station;

selecting a second feature code from the second set of feature codes corresponding to a provisioned network feature of the plurality of network features using a user input on the mobile station;

processing within the mobile station the selected second feature code to correspond to a first feature code for accessing the provisioned network feature;

transmitting from the mobile station to the base station the first feature code corresponding to the provisioned network feature;

transmitting from the base station a message requesting acceptance of a surcharge for the provisioned network feature; and

awaiting acknowledgment of acceptance of the surcharge from the mobile station before transmitting a provisioned feature corresponding to the provisioned feature code.

8. A method for remotely enabling a mobile station having an original set of feature codes to access at least one local set of feature codes from a base station for use in selecting one or more network features of a local network, wherein the original set of feature codes is at least partially incompatible with the local set of feature codes, the method comprising:

selecting an original feature code of the original set of feature codes corresponding to a desired network feature of the one or more network features using a user input on the mobile station;

transmitting the selected original feature code to the base station;

transmitting from the base station the local set of feature codes;

correlating within the mobile station the selected original feature code to a corresponding local feature code from the local set of feature codes;

transmitting from the mobile station to the base station the corresponding local feature code for the desired network feature; and

transmitting from the base station an acknowledgment of successful selection of the desired network feature.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the step of selecting an original feature code comprises entering a plurality of keystrokes at a keypad, the plurality of keystrokes including pressing a "Menu" key and selecting a pre-programmed menu location.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the step of selecting an original feature code comprises entering a plurality of keystrokes at a keypad, the plurality of keystrokes including pressing a "star" key followed by at least one numeric key.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the step of transmitting the local set of feature codes includes transmitting the local set of feature codes within a registration acknowledgment message.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein the step of transmitting the local set of feature codes includes transmitting the local set of feature codes within a Paging Channel Message.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein the step of transmitting the local set of feature codes includes transmitting the local set of feature codes within a Forward Traffic Channel Message.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the Forward Traffic Channel Message is a Data Burst Message.

15. The method of claim 8, wherein one network feature of the one or more network features is a provisioned feature and further comprising the steps of transmitting from the base station a message requesting acceptance of a surcharge for the provisioned feature and awaiting acknowledgment of acceptance of the surcharge from the mobile station before transmitting a feature code corresponding to the provisioned feature.

27. The method of claim 8, wherein the local set of feature codes includes an additional feature code for an additional network feature that does not correspond to an original feature code of the original set of feature codes, further comprising the steps of:

notifying the user of the additional feature code; and

prompting the user for an acknowledgment of the additional feature code.

16. A method for administering a wireless communications network comprising a base station and a plurality of mobile stations, each mobile station having an identity and a set of pre-determined selectable feature codes for accessing one or more network features, wherein a user of the mobile station is not required to initiate a procedure for changing the set of pre-determined selectable feature codes to a plurality of new feature codes, the method comprising:

programming the mobile station with a feature code change option and at least one feature code change number for permitting over-the-air provisioning of network features;

when provisioning of a network feature is requested by the user of the mobile station, transmitting a Page Message from a base station to the mobile station, the Page Message including a request to verify the identity of the mobile phone and a first data field for the feature code change option;

receiving a Page Response Message from the mobile phone to the base station including the identity of the mobile phone;

transmitting a Channel Assignment Message from the base station to the mobile phone, the Channel Assignment Message instructing the mobile phone to set up a traffic channel;

transmitting a Data Burst Message from the base station to the mobile phone instructing the mobile phone to enter an over-the-air service provisioning process;

transmitting the at least one feature code change number corresponding to the requested network feature from the base station to the mobile phone;

transmitting from the mobile phone to the base station a response verifying the at least one feature code change number;

downloading a new feature code of said plurality of new feature codes for accessing the requested network feature from the base station to the mobile phone, the new feature code not included in the set of pre-determined selectable feature codes;

transmitting a message from the base station to the mobile phone for requesting activation of the requested network feature; and

acknowledging activation of the requested network feature.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising the steps of transmitting from the base station a message requesting acceptance of a surcharge for the requested network feature and awaiting acknowledgment of acceptance of the surcharge from the mobile station before transmitting a feature code corresponding to the requested network feature.

18. A mobile phone having means for accessing a local set of feature codes for use in selecting at least one network features of a local network having a base station, wherein the mobile phone has a pre-determined means for selecting an original set of feature codes, and wherein the original set of feature codes is at least partially incompatible with the local set of feature codes, the mobile phone comprising:

a transceiver for receiving a message transmitted from the base station, the message including the local set of feature codes, and for transmitting responses and requests to the base station;

a first memory means for storing the original set of feature codes;

a second memory means for storing the local set of feature codes;

a processor comprising;

an input for receiving the message from the transceiver;

a comparator means for comparing the local set of feature codes with the original set of feature codes; and

if the local set of feature codes is at least partially incompatible with the original set of feature codes, means for storing the local set of feature codes within the second memory means;

a correlation means for correlating a local feature code from the local set of feature codes to correspond an original feature code from the original set of feature codes in response to a user selection of the original feature code;

an output for sending the local feature code corresponding to the at least one network feature to the transceiver to transmit to the base station; and

a user input in communication with the processor for selecting the original feature code corresponding to the at least one network feature.

19. The mobile phone of claim 18, wherein the message is a registration acknowledgment message.

20. The mobile phone of claim 18, wherein the message is a Paging Channel Message.

21. The mobile phone of claim 18, wherein the message is a Forward Traffic Channel Message.

22. The mobile phone of claim 18, wherein the message is a Data Burst Message.

23. A mobile phone with a pre-determined means for selecting an original set of feature codes for activating one or more network features of a local network responsive to at least one of a local set of feature codes, the original set of feature codes having at least one original feature code that is incompatible with the local set of feature codes, the local network having a base station, the mobile phone comprising:

a user input in communication with a processor for selecting an original feature code of the original set of feature codes corresponding to a desired network feature of the one or more network features;

a transceiver for transmitting a request for the selected original feature code to the base station and for receiving from the base station the local set of feature codes; and

a memory means in communication with the processor for storing the local set of feature codes, the processor including means for correlating the selected original feature code to a corresponding local feature code from the local set of feature codes and causing the transceiver to transmit the corresponding local feature code for the desired network feature.

24. The mobile phone of claim 23, wherein the user input comprises a keypad including a "Menu" key and a plurality of function-selecting keys, wherein a combination of the "Menu" key followed by at least one function-selecting key selects an original feature code from a pre-programmed menu location in the memory means.

25. The mobile phone of claim 23, wherein the user input comprises a "star" key and a plurality of numeric keys, wherein a combination of the "star" key followed by at least one numeric key selects an original feature code.

26. A method for accessing a plurality of network features enabled by a first set of feature codes using a mobile station having a second set of feature codes corresponding to the network features, the first set of feature codes having at least one feature code differing from the second set of feature codes, the method comprising;

communicating between a network base station and the mobile station to register the mobile station with the network base station;

transmitting the first set of feature codes from the base station to the mobile station;

comparing the first set of feature codes with the second set of feature codes;

if the first set of feature codes is different from the second set of feature codes, storing the first set of feature codes within a memory of the mobile station;

selecting a second feature code from the second set of feature codes corresponding to a desired network feature of the plurality of network features using a user input on the mobile station;

processing within the mobile station the selected second feature code to correspond to a first feature code for accessing the desired network feature;

transmitting from the mobile station to the base station the first feature code corresponding to the desired network feature; and

if the first set of feature codes includes a new feature code for a new network feature that is unavailable in the second set of feature codes of the mobile station, informing the user of the availability of the new feature code, and establishing means for the user to utilize the new feature code.

28. A mobile phone having means for accessing a new set of feature codes for use in selecting one or more network features of a local network having a base station, wherein the mobile phone has a pre-determined means for selecting an original set of feature codes, the mobile phone comprising:

a transceiver for receiving a message transmitted from the base station, the message including the new set of feature codes, and for transmitting responses and requests to the base station;

a first memory means for storing the original set of feature codes;

a second memory means for storing the new set of feature codes;

a processor comprising;

an input for receiving the message from the transceiver;

a comparator means for comparing the new set of feature codes with the original set of feature codes; and

if the new set of feature codes is different from the original set of feature codes, means for storing the new set of feature codes within the second memory means;

a correlation means for correlating a new feature code from the new set of feature codes to correspond an original feature code from the original set of feature codes in response to a user selection of the original feature code;

an output for sending the new feature code corresponding to the desired network feature to the transceiver to transmit to the base station;

a means for identifying an additional feature code from the new set of feature codes that does not correspond to an original feature code; and

notification means for notifying a user of the availability of the additional feature code; and

a user input in communication with the processor for selecting the original feature code corresponding to a desired network feature.

29. A mobile phone with a pre-determined means for selecting an original set of feature codes for activating one or more network features of a local network responsive to at least one of a new set of feature codes, the local network having a base station, the mobile phone comprising:

a user input in communication with a processor for selecting an original feature code of the original set of feature codes corresponding to a desired network feature of the one or more network features;

a transceiver for transmitting a request for the selected original feature code to the base station and for receiving from the base station the new set of feature codes;

a memory means in communication with the processor for storing the new set of feature codes, the processor including means for correlating the selected original feature code to a corresponding new feature code from the new set of feature codes and causing the transceiver to transmit the corresponding new feature code for the desired network feature; and

wherein the new set of feature codes includes at least one local code that is unavailable in the original set of feature codes, the processor further including means to notify the user of the availability of the at least one local code.