Memory device for a cellular telephone

• US 6,819,916 B1
• Filed: 05/22/1998
• Issued: 11/16/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/23/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Griffith, Gregory Clyde, Guidotti, Richard Allen, Norman, Daniel P., Saitta, David A.
• Primary Examiner(s): CUMMING, WILLIAM D
• Application Number:
  US09/083,452
• Time in Patent Office: 2,370 Days
• Field of Search: 455/461, 455/558, 455/557, 455/418, 455/410, 455/550, 455/550.1, 379/112, 379/112.01
• US Class Current: 455/410
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/265 for initial activation of new user
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 92/18 between terminal devices

Abstract

A memory device for use with a cellular telephone capable of communicating with a customer activation center (CAC) via a cellular telephone network. The memory device includes a dummy mobile identification number (MIN). An instruction can cause the cellular telephone to use the dummy MIN to gain access to the cellular telephone network and to use a radio frequency (RF) transmitter of the cellular telephone to send the dummy MIN to the CAC. Another instruction can cause the cellular telephone to use an RF receiver of the cellular telephone to receive a valid MIN from the CAC over the cellular telephone network. A further instruction can cause the cellular telephone to store the valid MIN in the cellular telephone. The memory device can be implemented as a personal computer memory card international association (PCMCIA) card.

Claims

1. A memory device for use with a cellular telephone, said cellular telephone having a radio frequency (RF) transmitter and an RF receiver designed for communicating with a customer activation center (CAC) over a cellular telephone network, said memory device having a connector to adaptively connect said memory device inside the cellular phone, said memory device storing preprogrammed information comprising:

a dummy mobile identification number (MIN);

a program for causing said cellular telephone to use said dummy MIN to gain access to said cellular telephone network and to communicate with the CAC and to use said RF transmitter to send said dummy MIN to said CAC; and

a program for causing said cellular telephone to use said RF receiver to receive a permanent MIN from said CAC over said cellular telephone network.

2. The memory device of claim 1 further operative for storing preprogrammed information comprising a program for causing said cellular telephone to store said permanent MIN in said cellular telephone.

3. The memory device of claim 1 wherein said memory device comprises a personal computer memory card international association (PCMCIA) card.

4. A memory device for use with a cellular telephone, said cellular telephone having a radio frequency (RF) transmitter and an RF receiver designed for communicating with a customer activation center (CAC) over a cellular telephone network, said memory device having a connector to adaptively connect said memory device inside the cellular phone, said memory device storing preprogrammed information comprising:

a dummy mobile identification number (MIN); and

a program causing prompts to be displayed to a user of said cellular telephone.

5. The memory device of claim 4 further operative for storing preprogrammed information comprising:

a program for causing said cellular telephone to use said dummy MIN to gain access to said cellular telephone network and to use said RF transmitter to send said dummy MIN to said CAC; and

a program for causing said cellular telephone to use said RF receiver to receive a permanent MIN from said CAC over said cellular telephone network.

6. The memory device of claim 4 further operative for storing preprogrammed information comprising a program for causing said cellular telephone to store said permanent MIN in said cellular telephone.

7. The memory device of claim 4 wherein said memory device is a personal computer memory card international association (PCMCIA) card.

8. A memory device for use with a cellular telephone, said cellular telephone having a radio frequency (RF) transmitter and an RF receiver designed for communicating with a customer activation center (CAC) over a cellular telephone network, said memory device having a connector to adaptively connect said memory device inside the cellular phone, said memory device operative for storing preprogrammed information comprising:

a dummy mobile identification number (MIN);

a program for causing said cellular telephone to use said dummy MIN and said RF transmitter to gain access to the cellular telephone network and to receive a communication from said CAC; and

a program for causing said cellular telephone to use said RF receiver to receive a permanent MIN from said CAC over said cellular telephone network.

9. The memory device of claim 8 further operative for storing preprogrammed information comprising a program for causing said cellular telephone to store said permanent MIN in said cellular telephone.

10. The memory device of claim 8 wherein said memory device comprises a personal computer memory card international association (PCMCIA) card.