Cellular radiotelephone system with remotely programmed mobile stations

• US 6,556,840 B2
• Filed: 01/16/2001
• Issued: 04/29/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/24/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: GTE Wireless Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Original Assignee: GTE Wireless Service Corporation (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Inventors: Zicker, Robert G., Dion, John K.
• Primary Examiner(s): MAUNG, NAY AUNG
• Application Number:
  US09/766,314
• Publication Number:
  US 20010005683A1
• Time in Patent Office: 833 Days
• Field of Search: 455/403, 455/418, 455/419, 455/420, 455/422, 455/550-552, 455/426, 455/461, 455/462, 455/444
• US Class Current: 455/551
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 23/0021 discs
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 23/0316 Constructional details, e.g. shape
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 7/24 Record carriers characterised by shape, structure or physical properties, or by the selection of the material characterised by the arrangement of information on the carrier G11B7/007
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/27 Devices whereby a plurality of signals may be stored simultaneously
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/2745 using static electronic memories, e.g. chips
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/27463 Predictive input, predictive dialling by comparing the dialled sequence with the content of a telephone directory
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/27485 Appending a prefix to or inserting a pause into a dialling sequence
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/724 User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72406 by software upgrading or downloading
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/725 Cordless telephones user interfaces specially adapted therefor H04M1/724
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72502 with one base station connected to a single line
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/1091 Fixed mobile conversion
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2207/18 wireless networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/00 Metering arrangements; Time controlling arrangements; Time indicating arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42246 where the subscriber uses a multi-mode terminal which moves and accesses different networks with at least one network having a wireline access including cordless PBX
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/037 of the control plane, e.g. signalling traffic
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/71 Hardware identity
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/16 for PBS [Private Base Station] arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/32 Hierarchical cell structures
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/24 Accounting or billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/20 : Manipulation of established connections
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/205 : Transfer to or from user equipment or user record carrier
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/245 : from a network towards a terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/265 : for initial activation of new user
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/28 : Number portability ; Network address portability
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/045 : using private Base Stations, e.g. femto Base Stations, home Node B
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/14 : WLL [Wireless Local Loop]; RLL [Radio Local Loop]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 : Terminal devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/021 : adapted for Wireless Local Loop operation
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 : adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 : in wireless communication networks

Abstract

A cellular radiotelephone system (10) includes mobile stations (28) which may be remotely programmed from a customer activation system (12) to effect activation and other programming needs. Mobile stations (28) are manufactured in a blank form that causes them to operate only in an inactive state. During activation, information describing the mobile station'"'"'s electronic serial number (ESN) is collected along with area of use information. A mobile identification number (MIN) is assigned in response to the area of use information. A page message is directed to the mobile station operating in its inactive state, but the page message references the mobile station'"'"'s ESN. While inactive, the mobile station (28) detects pages directed to its ESN. A remote programming session is then performed wherein digital user-specific programming data, including the newly assigned MIN, are transferred to the mobile station (28) over a voice channel using a control channel protocol (80).

Claims

1. A wireless telephone configured for activation through an activation call originated from a location remote to said wireless telephone, said wireless telephone comprising:

an antenna;

a transmitter coupled to said antenna, said transmitter being used to conduct user information calls;

a receiver coupled to said antenna, said receiver being used to conduct said activation call and said user information calls;

a controller, coupled to said transmitter and to said receiver; and

a memory coupled to said controller;

wherein said controller is configured to detect a page message received at said receiver during origination of said activation call and referencing a location-independent identifying code stored in said memory.

2. The wireless telephone of claim 1, wherein said location-independent identifying code is derived from an electronic serial number (ESN) assigned to said wireless telephone.

3. The wireless telephone of claim 1, wherein said controller is further configured to enter a remote programming mode after detecting said page message.

4. The wireless telephone of claim 3, wherein after entering said remote programming mode, said controller is configured to accept digital data received by said wireless telephone and to store said digital data in said memory.

5. The wireless telephone of claim 4, wherein said digital data comprises a home system identification number (SID) for said wireless telephone.

6. The wireless telephone of claim 4, wherein said digital data comprises a system identification number (SID).

7. The wireless telephone of claim 4, wherein said digital data comprises a mobile identification number (MIN) for said wireless telephone.

8. The wireless telephone of claim 4, wherein said digital data comprises an executable instruction.