Method of limiting access to the data stored in a cellular telephone

• US 6,259,908 B1
• Filed: 11/25/1996
• Issued: 07/10/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 11/25/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: BellSouth Intellectual Property Management Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Austin, Mark
• Primary Examiner(s): Dolinar, Andrew M.
• Application Number:
  US08/756,017
• Time in Patent Office: 1,688 Days
• Field of Search: 455/410, 455/411, 455/418, 455/419
• US Class Current: 455/411
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/08 Access security
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/265 for initial activation of new user

Abstract

A method of limiting access to data of a cellular telephone. The method of limiting access may be accomplished by defining in the cellular telephone a subsidy lock code for use in activating the cellular telephone on the designated cellular network. The step of defining occurs before the cellular telephone is activated on a cellular network. The subsidy lock code is defined in manner that prevents the subsidy lock code from being erased using the keypad of the cellular telephone. When procedures are initiated by an entity for activating the cellular telephone on the cellular network, the entity must demonstrate knowledge of the subsidy lock code. Upon demonstration of knowledge of the subsidy lock code, the cellular telephone may be activated on the cellular network by the entity.

Claims

1. In a cellular telephone having a keypad, a controller circuit for controlling the operations of said cellular telephone, and a memory for storing data related to said operations, a method of limiting access to said data of said cellular telephone, comprising the steps of:

defining a first memory location in said cellular telephone for storing a data configuration lock code;

defining a second memory location in said cellular telephone for storing a subsidy lock code;

enabling said cellular telephone to select said data configuration lock code or said subsidy lock code;

requiring an entity seeking to access said data of said cellular telephone to demonstrate knowledge of said data configuration lock code or said subsidy lock code as selected by said cellular telephone; and

upon demonstration of said knowledge, enabling activation of said cellular telephone by said entity.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of determining whether there is an indicator that said data configuration lock code or said subsidy lock code is not to be selected.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of defining a third memory location in said cellular telephone for storing a flag that indicates whether said data configuration lock code or said subsidy lock code is selected by said cellular telephone.

4. A method of limiting activation of a cellular telephone to a designated cellular network, comprising the steps of:

defining in a cellular telephone a subsidy lock code for use in activating said cellular telephone on said designated cellular network, said step of defining occurring before said cellular telephone is activated on a cellular network;

initiating procedures through an entity of said designated cellular network for activating said cellular telephone on said designated cellular network;

requiring said entity to demonstrate knowledge of said subsidy lock code in response to a challenge by said cellular telephone; and

upon demonstration of knowledge of said subsidy lock code, activating said cellular telephone on said designated cellular network.

5. A method of providing a subsidy lock code in a cellular telephone, said subsidy lock code preventing unauthorized activation of said cellular telephone on a cellular network, said cellular telephone having a keypad, comprising the steps of:

determining the electronic serial number of said cellular telephone;

providing an identification code associating said cellular telephone with a selected cellular service carrier; and

combining said electronic serial number and said identification code, thereby forming a subsidy lock code;

storing said subsidy lock code in said cellular telephone; and

defining said subsidy lock code in a manner that prevents said subsidy lock code from being erased using said keypad of said cellular telephone, said subsidy lock code being operative to associate said cellular telephone with said selected cellular service carrier, and being operative to enable activation of said cellular telephone on said cellular network.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein said subsidy lock code is a first subsidy lock code, and further comprising the step of activating said cellular telephone on said cellular network if said first subsidy lock code corresponds to a second subsidy lock code generated by said selected cellular service carrier.