Method and apparatus for a unit locked against use until unlocked and/or activated on a selected network

• US 6,550,010 B1
• Filed: 02/03/2000
• Issued: 04/15/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Batson, Donald Lee Jr., Link, Charles M. II
• Primary Examiner(s): Hayes, Gail
• Assistant Examiner(s): DiLorenzo, Anthony
• Application Number:
  US09/497,584
• Time in Patent Office: 1,167 Days
• Field of Search: 455/410, 455/411, 455/418, 455/419, 455/420, 380/247, 380/249, 713/168
• US Class Current: 713/168
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/31 User authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/673 the user being required to key in a code
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/724 User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices

Abstract

Methods and apparatus to provide for a unit that is locked against use for communications until the unit is unlocked and that may be activated on a selected network in conjunction with the unit being unlocked. A unit includes a memory for storing an unlock code specific to the unit. The unlock code is used to unlock the unit and is unbreakable without knowledge of a secret code and an algorithm. The unlock code is generated by using the algorithm with the secret code and an identifier unique to the unit. The unit also includes a control for receipt of an input code and a system identification number with the input code and the system identification number having originated from the selected network. The unit further includes a processor to effect a comparison of the input code to the unlock code, to effect an unlocking of the unit if the comparison results in a finding that the input code is substantially equal to the unlock code, and if the unlocking is effected, to effect activation of the unit on the selected network based on the system identification number.

Claims

1. A unit that is locked against use for communications until the unit is unlocked, comprising:

memory for storing an unlock code with the unlock code being generated from an algorithm including division of a secret code by an identifier of the unit so as to result in a remainder;

a control for receipt of an input code; and

a processor being functionally connected to the control and to the memory to effect a comparison of the input code to the unlock code, and to effect an unlocking of the unit if the comparison results in a finding that the input code is substantially equal to the unlock code.

2. The unit of claim 1 wherein the identifier comprises an identifier unique to the unit.

3. The unit of claim 1 wherein the identifier comprises an electronic serial number of the unit.

4. The unit of claim 1 wherein the control is operative to receive the input code and a system identification number from a selected network;

and wherein the processor is operative, after the unlocking of the unit, to effect activation of the unit on the selected network based on the system identification number.

5. The unit of claim 1 wherein the algorithm comprises a cryptographic algorithm;

and wherein the unlock code comprises a pseudo-random output generated by the cryptographic algorithm.

6. The unit of claim 1 wherein the algorithm comprises a cave algorithm;

and wherein the unlock code comprises a subset of mixing register result generated by the cave algorithm.

7. The unit of claim 1 wherein the algorithm comprises an MD5 algorithm;

and wherein the unlock code comprises a subset of an MD5 result.

8. The unit of claim 1 wherein the algorithm used to generate the unlock code is run by a device other than the unit;

and

wherein the unlock code is loaded by the device in the memory.

9. The unit of claim 1 wherein the unit comprises a wireless unit;

and wherein the identifier comprises an electronic serial number of the wireless unit.

10. With respect to a unit loaded with an identifier, a method to render the unit useless for communications until the unit is unlocked, the method comprising:

generating an unlock code by using an algorithm to

i. divide a secret code by the identifier to obtain a remainder, and

ii. select the remainder as the unlock code;

storing the unlock code in the unit; and

configuring the unit to be unlocked through input into the unit of an input code substantially equal to the unlock code,

whereby the unit cannot be used for communications until the unit is unlocked with the input of the input code substantially equal to the unlock code.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein generating the unlock code comprises causing the unit to generate the unlock code by using the algorithm to divide the secret code by the identifier to obtain a remainder, and to select the remainder as the unlock code.

12. The method of claim 10 wherein the algorithm comprises a cave algorithm;

and wherein generating the unlock code comprises using the cave algorithm.

13. The method of claim 10 wherein the algorithm comprises an MD5 algorithm;

and wherein generating the unlock code comprises using the MD5 algorithm.

14. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

receiving a system identification number from a selected network; and

based on unlocking of the unit, activating the unit on the selected network.

15. With respect to a unit that has been loaded with an identifier and that has been locked, a method to unlock the unit for communications, comprising:

generating an unlock code using an algorithm including division of a secret code by an identifier so as to result in a remainder used as the unlock code;

receiving an input code;

comparing the input code to the unlock code; and

unlocking the unit if the input code is substantially equal to the unlock code.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

receiving a system identification number from a selected network; and

based on the unlocking of the unit, activating the unit on the selected network.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein receiving the input code comprises receiving the input code from a selected network;

and further comprising;

receiving a system identification number from the selected network; and

based on the unlocking of the unit, activating the unit on the selected network.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein generating the unlock code comprises causing the unlock code to be generated by a device other than the unit.

19. A computer-readable medium on which is stored a computer program for rendering a unit useless for operation until the unit is unlocked, the unit having an identifier unique to the unit, the computer program comprising instructions, which when executed by a computer perform the steps of:

obtaining a secret code;

using the secret code with the identifier in an algorithm to generate an unlock code by dividing the secret code by the identifier to obtain a remainder, and selecting the remainder as the unlock code;

loading the unit with the unlock code; and

configuring the unit so that the unit can only be unlocked through input into the unit of an input code substantially equal to the unlock code.

20. The computer-readable medium of claim 19 wherein the algorithm comprises a cave algorithm;

and wherein using the secret code with the identifier in the algorithm to generate the unlock code comprises using the secret code with the identifier in the cave algorithm to generate the unlock code.

21. The computer-readable medium of claim 19 wherein the algorithm comprises an MD5 algorithm;

and wherein using the secret code with the identifier in the algorithm to generate the unlock code comprises using the secret code with the identifier in the MD5 algorithm to generate the unlock code.