Method for synthesizing mobile identification numbers

• US 6,901,253 B2
• Filed: 11/21/2001
• Issued: 05/31/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/06/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Telcontar
• Inventors: Bristow, Steve, Bentley, Sheldon Richard
• Primary Examiner(s): Trost, William
• Assistant Examiner(s): Le, Danh C
• Application Number:
  US09/991,054
• Publication Number:
  US 20020052191A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,287 Days
• Field of Search: 455/418, 455/419, 455/405, 455/410, 455/420, 455/551, 340/825.22, 340/5.23, 340/5.25, 340/7.39, 340/7.41
• US Class Current: 455/418
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2325/205 Mobile phones
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2325/304 Boats
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/1004 Alarm systems characterised by the type of sensor, e.g. current sensing means using door lock sensors B60R25/1001
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/102 a signal being sent to a remote location, e.g. a radio signal being transmitted to a police station, a security company or the owner
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/33 of global position, e.g. by providing GPS coordinates
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/008 communicating information to a remotely located station transmission systems for measured values G08C
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/1016 Telecontrol
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2207/18 wireless networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42 Systems providing special services or facilities to subscribers specially adapted for wireless communication networks H04W4/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/00 Supervisory, monitoring or testing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/00 Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 68/00 User notification, e.g. alerting and paging, for incoming communication, change of service or the like
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 74/06 using polling
• 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 8/20 Transfer of user or subscriber data
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/26 Network addressing or numbering for mobility support

Abstract

A method for adding functionality to a network system is provided. The method is particularly applicable to network systems that utilize a limited number of data packets, e.g., Mobile Identification Numbers (MINs), to send instructions between the network operations center and the individual devices coupled to the network operations center. The added functionality is achieved by assigning more than one function or possible response to at least some of the secondary MINs and allowing secondary MINs to be combined.

Claims

1. A method of communicating instructions from a network operations center to a specific remote device selected from a plurality of remote devices, the method comprising the steps of:

selecting the specific remote device from said plurality of remote devices;

selecting a specific instruction from a plurality of alternate instructions;

encoding a first message for transmission by a network system as a first data packet over a control channel of a cellular network, said first message comprising;

a first secondary Mobile Identification Number (MIN) selected from a plurality of alternate secondary MINs uniquely identifying said specific remote device, wherein said first secondary MIN is a Command Sequence Trigger (CST) secondary MIN;

transmitting said first data packet over said control channel of said cellular network;

encoding a second message for transmission by said network system as a second data packet over said control channel of said cellular network, said second message comprising;

a second secondary MIN selected from said plurality of alternate secondary MINs uniquely identifying said specific remote device; and

transmitting said second data packet over said control channel of said cellular network within a predetermined time period, wherein said specific instruction corresponds to a combination of said first secondary MIN and said second secondary MIN.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

receiving said first data packet;

performing a first response if said second data packet is received within said predetermined time, wherein said first response corresponds to said specific instruction; and

performing a second response if said second data packet is not received within said predetermined time, wherein said steps of receiving and performing are executed by the specific remote device.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein at least one of said performing steps is comprised of transmitting a status of at least one monitored condition of a user device coupled to said specific remote device to said network operations center.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein at least one of said performing steps is comprised of transmitting a set of position coordinates to said network operations center.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein at least one of said performing steps is comprised of instructing a device controller coupled to said specific remote device to perform a predefined function.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein at least one of said performing steps is comprised of transmitting an acknowledgement message to said network operations center.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

receiving said first data packet;

determining if said first secondary MIN is said CST secondary MIN;

immediately responding to said first secondary MIN if said first secondary MIN is determined not to be said CST secondary MIN;

performing said first instruction if said second data packet is received within said predetermined time; and

performing an alternate instruction if said second data packet is not received within said predetermined time, wherein said steps of receiving, determining and responding are executed by the specific remote device.

8. A method of communicating instructions from a network operations center to a specific remote device selected from a plurality of remote devices, the method comprising the steps of:

selecting the specific remote device from said plurality of remote devices;

selecting a specific instruction from a plurality of alternate instructions;

determining if more than one secondary Mobile Identification Number (MIN) is required to communicate said selected specific instruction;

selecting a first secondary MIN from a plurality of secondary MINs uniquely identifying the specific remote device, wherein said first secondary MIN corresponds to said selected specific instruction if only one secondary MIN is required to communicate said selected specific instruction to the specific remote device, and wherein said first secondary MIN corresponds to a Command Sequence Trigger (CST) secondary MIN if more than one secondary MIN is required to communicate said selected specific instruction to the specific remote device;

transmitting a first data packet over a control channel of a cellular network, wherein said first data packet is comprised of said first secondary MIN;

selecting at least one additional secondary MIN from said plurality of secondary MINs if more than one secondary MIN is required to communicate said selected specific instruction to the specific remote device;

transmitting a second data packet over said control channel of said cellular network, wherein said second data packet is comprised of said at least one additional secondary MIN, wherein said selected specific instruction is derivable by the specific remote device from a combination of said first secondary MIN and said at least one additional secondary MIN.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein said second data packet is transmitted within a predetermined time after said first data packet.

10. The method of claim 8, further comprising the steps of:

receiving said first data packet;

responding to a combination of said first secondary MIN and said at least one additional MIN if said second data packet is received within said predetermined time; and

responding to said first secondary MIN if said second data packet is not received within said predetermined time, wherein said steps of receiving and responding are executed by the specific remote device.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein at least one of said responding steps is comprised of transmitting a status of at least one monitored condition of a user device coupled to said specific remote device to said network operations center.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein at least one of said responding steps is comprised of transmitting a set of position coordinates to said network operations center.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein at least one of said responding steps is comprised of instructing a device controller coupled to said specific remote device to perform a predefined function.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein at least one of said responding steps is comprised of transmitting an acknowledgement message to said network operations center.

15. The method of claim 8, further comprising the steps of:

selecting at least a second additional secondary MIN from said plurality of secondary MINs if more than said first and said at least one additional secondary MIN are required to communicate said selected specific instruction to the specific remote device; and

transmitting a third data packet over said control channel of said cellular network, wherein said third data packet is comprised of said second additional secondary MIN, wherein said selected specific instruction is derivable by the specific remote device from a combination of said first secondary MIN, said at least one additional secondary MIN and said second additional secondary MIN.

16. The method of claim 8, wherein said first secondary MIN and at least one of said additional secondary MINs are identical.

17. The method of claim 10, wherein said first secondary MIN and at least one of said additional secondary MINs are identical, and wherein the response for said combination of said first secondary MIN and said identical additional secondary MIN is different from the response for said first secondary MIN if said second data packet is not received within said predetermined time.

18. A method of interpreting secondary Mobile Identification Numbers (MINs), the method comprising the steps of:

accepting a first secondary MIN by an intended remote device, wherein said intended remote device is one of a plurality of remote devices capable of receiving said first secondary MIN, wherein said first secondary MIN is one of a plurality of secondary MINs uniquely identifying said intended remote device and distinguishing said intended remote device from said plurality of remote devices;

determining if said first secondary MIN is a Command Sequence Trigger (CST) secondary MIN;

responding to said first secondary MIN if said first secondary MIN is determined not to be said CST secondary MIN; and

initializing a timer if said first secondary MIN is determined to be said CST secondary MIN.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein said responding step is comprised of transmitting a status of at least one monitored condition of a user device coupled to said intended remote device to said network operations center.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein said responding step is comprised of transmitting a set of position coordinates to said network operations center.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein said responding step is comprised of instructing a device controller coupled to said intended remote device to perform a predefined function.

22. The method of claim 18, wherein said responding step is comprised of transmitting an acknowledgement message to said network operations center.

23. The method of claim 18, further comprising the step of responding to said first secondary MIN if said first secondary MIN is determined to be said CST secondary MIN and if a second secondary MIN is not received within a preset time period as determined by said timer, wherein said second secondary MIN is one of said plurality of secondary MINs uniquely identifying said intended remote device and distinguishing said intended remote device from said plurality of remote devices.

24. The method of claim 18, further comprising the step of resetting said intended remote device if said first secondary MIN is determined to be said CST secondary MIN and if a second secondary MIN is not received within a preset time period as determined by said timer, wherein said second secondary MIN is one of said plurality of secondary MINs uniquely identifying said intended remote device and distinguishing said intended remote device from said plurality of remote devices.

25. The method of claim 18, further comprising the steps of:

receiving a second secondary MIN by said intended remote device within a preset time period as determined by said timer, wherein said second secondary MIN is one of said plurality of secondary MINs uniquely identifying said intended remote device and distinguishing said intended remote device from said plurality of remote devices;

accepting said second secondary MIN by said intended remote device; and

responding to a combination of said second secondary MIN and said first secondary MIN.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein said step of responding to said combination of said second secondary MIN and said first secondary MIN is comprised of transmitting a status of at least one monitored condition of a user device coupled to said intended remote device to said network operations center.

27. The method of claim 25, wherein said step of responding to said combination of said second secondary MIN and said first secondary MIN is comprised of transmitting a set of position coordinates to said network operations center.

28. The method of claim 25, wherein said step of responding to said combination of said second secondary MIN and said first secondary MIN is comprised of instructing a device controller coupled to said intended remote device to perform a predefined function.

29. The method of claim 25, wherein said step of responding to said combination of said second secondary MIN and said first secondary MIN is comprised of transmitting a n acknowledgement message to said network operations center.

30. The method of claim 25, wherein a first response corresponding to said step of responding to said first secondary MIN if said first secondary MIN is determined not to be said CST secondary MIN is different from a second response corresponding to said step of responding to said combination of said second secondary MIN and said first secondary MIN.

31. The method of claim 18, further comprising the steps of:

receiving a second secondary MIN by said intended remote device within a preset time period as determined by said timer, wherein said second secondary MIN is one of said plurality of secondary MINs uniquely identifying said intended remote device and distinguishing said intended remote device from said plurality of remote devices;

accepting said second secondary MIN by said intended remote device;

determining if said second secondary MIN is a second CST secondary MIN;

responding to a combination of said second secondary MIN and said first secondary MIN if said second secondary MIN is determined not to be said second CST secondary MIN; and

initializing said timer if said second secondary MIN is determined to be said second CST secondary MIN.

32. The method of claim 31, further comprising the step of responding to said combination of said second secondary MIN and said first secondary MIN if said second secondary MIN is determined to be said second CST secondary MIN and if a third secondary MIN is not received within a second preset time period as determined by said timer, wherein said third secondary MIN is one of said plurality of secondary MINs uniquely identifying said intended remote device and distinguishing said intended remote device from said plurality of remote devices.

33. The method of claim 31, further comprising the step of resetting said intended remote device if said second secondary MIN is determined to be said second CST secondary MIN and if a third secondary MIN is not received within a second preset time period as determined by said timer, wherein said third secondary MIN is one of said plurality of secondary MINs uniquely identifying said intended remote device and distinguishing said intended remote device from said plurality of remote devices.

34. The method of claim 31, further comprising the steps of:

receiving a third secondary MIN by said intended remote device within a second preset time period as determined by said timer, wherein said third secondary MIN is one of said plurality of secondary MINs uniquely identifying said intended remote device and distinguishing said intended remote device from said plurality of remote devices;

accepting said third secondary MIN by said intended remote device; and

responding to a combination of said first, second and third secondary MINs.

35. A method of interpreting secondary Mobile Identification Numbers (MINs), the method comprising the steps of:

accepting a first secondary MIN by an intended remote device, wherein said intended remote device is one of a plurality of remote devices capable of receiving said first secondary MIN, wherein said first secondary MIN is one of a plurality of secondary MINs uniquely identifying said intended remote device and distinguishing said intended remote device from said plurality of remote devices;

determining if said first secondary MIN is a first Command Sequence Trigger (CST) secondary MIN;

performing a first response if said first secondary MIN is determined not to be said first CST secondary MIN;

accepting a second secondary MIN by said intended remote device if said second secondary MIN is received by said intended remote device within a preset time period associated with said first secondary MIN and if said first secondary MIN is determined to be said first CST secondary MIN, wherein said second secondary MIN is one of said plurality of secondary MINs uniquely identifying said intended remote device and distinguishing said intended remote device from said plurality of remote devices;

determining if said second secondary MIN is a second CST secondary MIN;

performing a second response if said second secondary MIN is determined not to be said second CST secondary MIN, wherein said second response corresponds to a combination of said first and second secondary MINs;

continuing to accept additional secondary MINs by said intended remote device as long as said additional secondary MINs are received by said intended remote device within a preset time period associated with a previously accepted secondary MIN and as long as said additional secondary MINs are preceded by the receipt of an additional CST secondary MIN; and

responding to an instruction assigned to a combination of said first secondary MIN, said second secondary MIN and any accepted additional secondary MINs.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein said step of continuing to accept additional secondary MINs is limited to a preset number of additional secondary MINs.

37. The method of claim 35, wherein said first and second secondary MINs are identical, and wherein the response for said combination of said first and second identical secondary MINs is different from the response for a singly received secondary MIN.

38. The method of claim 35, wherein at least two of said first secondary MIN, said second secondary MIN and said additional secondary MINs are identical, and wherein the instruction assigned to said combination of said first secondary MIN, said second secondary MIN and any accepted additional secondary MINs is different from said first response or said second response.

39. A method of interpreting secondary Mobile Identification Numbers (MINs), the method comprising the steps of:

accepting a first secondary MIN by an intended remote device, wherein said intended remote device is one of a plurality of remote devices capable of receiving said first secondary MIN, wherein said first secondary MIN is one of a plurality of secondary MINs uniquely identifying said intended remote device and distinguishing said intended remote device from said plurality of remote devices;

determining if said first secondary MIN is a first Command Sequence Trigger (CST) secondary MIN;

performing a first response if said first secondary MIN is determined not to be said first CST secondary MIN;

accepting a second secondary MIN by said intended remote device if said second secondary MIN is received by said intended remote device within a preset time period associated with said first secondary MIN and if said first secondary MIN is determined to be said first CST secondary MIN, wherein said second secondary MIN is one of said plurality of secondary MINs uniquely identifying said intended remote device and distinguishing said intended remote device from said plurality of remote devices;

resetting said intended remote device if said second secondary MIN is not received by said intended remote device within said preset time period associated with said first secondary MIN and if said first secondary MIN is determined to be said first CST secondary MIN;

determining if said second secondary MIN is a second CST secondary MIN;

resetting said intended remote device if said second secondary MIN is determined not to be said second CST secondary MIN;

continuing to accept additional secondary MINs by said intended remote device as long as said additional secondary MINs are determined to be CST secondary MINs, as long as said additional secondary MINs are received by said intended remote device within a preset time period associated with a previously accepted secondary MIN and as long as said additional secondary MINs are preceded by the receipt of an additional CST secondary MIN;

responding to a pre-assigned instruction, wherein said pre-assigned instruction corresponds to a combination of said first secondary MIN, said second secondary MIN and any accepted additional secondary MINs, and wherein said pre- assigned instruction corresponds to an order accepted of said first secondary MIN, said second secondary MIN and any accepted additional secondary MINs; and

resetting said intended remote device if said additional secondary MINs are determined not to be CST secondary MINs.

40. The method of claim 39, wherein said pre-assigned instruction is comprised of transmitting a status of at least one monitored condition of a user device coupled to said intended remote device to said network operations center.

41. The method of claim 39, wherein said pre-assigned instruction is comprised of transmitting a set of position coordinates to said network operations center.

42. The method of claim 39, wherein said pre-assigned instruction is comprised of instructing a device controller coupled to said intended remote device to perform a predefined function.

43. The method of claim 39, wherein said pre-assigned instruction is comprised of transmitting an acknowledgement message to said network operations center.

44. The method of claim 39, wherein said step of continuing to accept additional secondary MINs is limited to a preset number of additional secondary MINs.

45. The method of claim 39, further comprising the step of responding to an initial pre-assigned instruction if no additional secondary MINs are accepted and if said second secondary MIN is a second CST secondary MIN, wherein said initial pre-assigned instruction corresponds to a combination of said first secondary MIN and said second secondary MIN, and wherein said initial pre-assigned instruction corresponds to an order accepted of said first secondary MIN and said second secondary MIN.

46. A method of interpreting secondary Mobile Identification Numbers (MINs), the method comprising the steps of:

accepting a first secondary MIN by an intended remote device, wherein said intended remote device is one of a plurality of remote devices capable of receiving said first secondary MIN, wherein said first secondary MIN is one of a plurality of secondary MINs uniquely identifying said intended remote device and distinguishing said intended remote device from said plurality of remote devices;

initializing a timer;

accepting a second secondary MIN by said intended remote device if said second secondary MIN is received by said intended remote device within a first preset time period, wherein said second secondary MIN is one of said plurality of secondary MINs uniquely identifying said intended remote device and distinguishing said intended remote device from said plurality of remote devices;

performing a first response if said second secondary MIN is not received within said first preset time period; and

performing a second response if said second secondary MIN is received within said first preset time period.

47. The method of claim 46, said step of performing said second response comprised of:

re-initializing said timer;

accepting a third secondary MIN by said intended remote device if said third secondary MIN is received by said intended remote device within a second preset time period, wherein said third secondary MIN is one of said plurality of secondary MINs uniquely identifying said intended remote device and distinguishing said intended remote device from said plurality of remote devices;

performing a third response if said third secondary MIN is not received within said second preset time period; and

performing a fourth response if said third secondary MIN is received within said second preset time period.

48. The method of claim 46, said step of performing said second response comprised of:

re-initializing said timer;

continuing to accept additional secondary MINs by said intended remote device if said additional secondary MINs are received by said intended remote device within an additional preset time period corresponding to a previously accepted secondary MIN, wherein said additional secondary MINs are of said plurality of secondary MINs uniquely identifying said intended remote device and distinguishing said intended remote device from said plurality of remote devices; and

determining an appropriate response, wherein said appropriate response is pre-assigned and based on a total number, identity, and order of said first secondary MIN, said second secondary MIN, and any accepted additional secondary MINs.