Activation and remote modification of wireless services in a packet network context

• US 7,266,371 B1
• Filed: 11/07/2000
• Issued: 09/04/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Cingular Wireless II LLC (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Zhao, Hong, Myhre, John Eric, Amin, Umesh J., Wong, Greg A., Daly, Brian Kevin, Kessler, Gary
• Primary Examiner(s): ZEWDU, MELESS NMN
• Application Number:
  US09/707,671
• Time in Patent Office: 2,492 Days
• Field of Search: 455418-420, 455/517, 4554561-4563, 455/414.1, 455/414.2, 455423-425, 455/435.1, 455/456.5, 455/456.6, 455/550.1, 455/466, 455577-558, 455/551, 455/552.1, 455/556.2, 455560-561, 455565-566, 370/395.52, 370/395.53, 370912-913, 379/88.15, 379/207.02, 379/207.11, 379/207.12, 379/207.13
• US Class Current: 455/419
• 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

Abstract

A third generation (3G) mobile communication system supports an over-the-air activation scheme utilizing a wireless packet data protocol. A subscriber identity module (SIM) is preloaded with temporary operating parameters such as a temporary international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI) that is used for initial access to a network. Once a packet data protocol communication link is established between the mobile device and a network support node, the user may remotely subscribe to a number of service terms using the mobile device. In addition, an activation procedure is carried out to assign permanent operating parameters, e.g., a permanent IMSI, to the SIM. After activation, the user can remotely modify existing terms or remotely enroll in additional service features via a wireless IP link between the mobile device and a network support node.

Claims

1. A programmable module for use with a mobile communication device capable of receiving data in accordance with a data transmission protocol, said programmable module comprising:

a memory element for storing at least one temporary operating parameter that facilitates operation of said mobile communication device in an activation mode; and

an interface configured to receive at least one assigned operating parameter during said activation mode, wherein said mobile communication device receives said at least one assigned operating parameter over a data transmission link and in accordance with said data transmission protocol,

said at least one temporary operating parameter comprises a temporary International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI); and

said at least one assigned operating parameter comprises a permanent IMSI.

2. A programmable module according to claim 1, wherein said memory element is further configured to store said at least one assigned operating parameter.

3. A programmable module according to claim 1, wherein said memory element is further configured to overwrite said at least one temporary operating parameter with said at least one assigned operating parameter.

4. A programmable module according to claim 1, wherein:

said mobile communication device is compatible with General Packet Radio Service (GPRS); and

said programmable module is configured as a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM).

5. A programmable module according to claim 1, wherein said mobile communication device receives said at least one assigned operating parameter over a wireless packet data transmission link.

6. A mobile communication device capable of receiving data over a data transmission link in accordance with a data transmission protocol, said mobile communication device comprising:

a receiver configured to receive, via said data communication link and in accordance with said data transmission protocol, at least one assigned operating parameter; and

a memory element electronically coupled to said receiver, said memory element being configured to store said at least one assigned operating parameter, wherein said memory element initially contains at least one temporary operating parameter that facilitates operation of said mobile communication device in an activation mode,

said receiver is compatible with General Packet Radio Service (GPRS);

said at least one temporary operating parameter comprises a temporary International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI); and

said at least one assigned operating parameter comprises a permanent International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI).

7. A mobile communication device according to claim 6, further comprising a transmitter configured to transmit, via said data communication link and in accordance with said data transmission protocol, an attach request using said at least one temporary operating parameter.

8. A method for activating a mobile communication device capable of receiving data in accordance with a packet data protocol, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a programmable module that is compatible with said mobile communication device, said programmable module storing at least one temporary operating parameter to facilitate operation of said mobile communication device in an activation mode;

establishing a packet data transmission link between said mobile communication device and a network support node during said activation mode;

transmitting, via said packet data transmission link, at least one assigned operating parameter to said mobile communication device;

storing said at least one assigned operating parameter at said programmable module;

detaching said mobile communication device from said network support node; and

generating, from said mobile communication device, a reattach request using said at least one assigned operating parameter.

9. A method according to claim 8, wherein said storing step replaces said at least one temporary operating parameter with said at least one assigned operating parameter.

10. A method according to claim 8, further comprising the step of transmitting, from said mobile communication device, an attach request using said at least one temporary operating parameter.

11. A method according to claim 8, wherein said establishing step establishes a wireless packet data transmission link.

12. A method according to claim 8, further comprising the step of receiving via said packet data communication link, information indicative of a number of service features selected by a user of said mobile communication device.

13. The method of claim 8 further comprising:

transmitting, via said packet data transmission link, information related to a number of current service features for a user, said transmitting step being performed by said network support node;

said network support node receiving, from said user, a request to modify a current service feature associated with said user; and

updating a service provider associated with said network support node in response to said request to thereby implement the modification of said current service feature.

14. A method according to claim 13, wherein:

said mobile communication device is capable of receiving data in accordance with a packet data protocol;

said communication link established during said establishing step is a wireless packet data transmission link; and

said receiving step receives said request over said wireless packet data transmission link and in accordance with said packet data protocol.

15. A method according to claim 14, wherein:

said mobile communication device is compatible with General Packet Radio Service (GPRS); and

said establishing step establishes a wireless Internet Protocol (IP) data transmission link.

16. A method according to claim 13, further comprising the steps of:

retrieving said number of current service features for said user from said service provider database; and

determining the location of said mobile communication device to facilitate said transmitting step.

17. A method for activating an unprogrammed mobile station from a service node in a radio packet communication network, the method comprising:

storing an activation identifier in a memory that is accessible by the service node, wherein the activation identifier includes identity information about the unprogrammed mobile station;

connecting the unprogrammed mobile station to the service node via a data control channel;

transferring the unprogrammed mobile station from the data control channel to a corresponding packet channel, in which packet control and data signals are communicated between the service node and the mobile station;

thereafter

accessing the memory to identify the mobile station according to the activation identifier;

communicating activation signals to the mobile station via the packet channel; and

thereafter

programming the mobile station for receiving packet data from an applications server.

18. The method of claim 17 further comprising:

providing a user information regarding present services;

providing the user a menu of possible services;

receiving service modification choices from the user; and

modifying user services according to the service modification choices.

19. A method of providing automated modification of service options for a wireless device in a wireless network according to claim 18, wherein providing a user information regarding present services further comprises providing the user information via the wireless device after establishing a communication link between the wireless device and the wireless network.

20. A method of providing automated modification of service options for a wireless device in a wireless network according to claim 19, wherein providing the user a menu of possible services further comprises providing the menu via the wireless device and wherein receiving service modification choices further comprises receiving the service modification choices via the wireless device.

21. A method of activating a wireless device in a wireless network comprising:

attaching the wireless device to the wireless network;

establishing a packet data protocol (PDP) context for the wireless device attached to the wireless network;

providing activation options to the wireless device while the wireless device is in the PDP context, wherein the activation options include at least one of features, service plans, and contractual terms;

preprogramming a subscriber identity module (SIM) of the wireless device with a temporary mobile station identification and internet protocol (IP) address of an activation server coupled to the wireless network; and

sending an attach request signal from the wireless device, the attach request signal including the temporary mobile station identification to a serving general packet radio service support node (SGSN) over a packet control channel of the wireless network.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein providing the activation options comprises:

providing an electronic option menu to a user of the wireless device;

transmitting user service option selections to the wireless network; and

providing selected service options to the wireless device in response to the user service option selections.

23. A method of providing user-selectable service options for a wireless device according to claim 22, further comprising establishing a wireless link between the wireless device and the wireless network.

24. A method of providing user-selectable service options for a wireless device according to claim 23, wherein providing an electronic option menu further comprises providing an electronic option menu on the wireless device after establishing the wireless link.

25. A method of providing user-selectable service options for a wireless device according to claim 24, wherein the electronic option menu further comprises promotional information.

26. A method of providing user-selectable service options for a wireless device according to claim 22, wherein providing an electronic option menu further comprises providing an electronic option menu via a communication device other than the wireless device.

27. A method of providing user-selectable service options for a wireless device according to claim 22, further comprising:

verifying user information in the wireless network; and

registering the user service option selections in a database.

28. A method of activating a wireless device in a wireless network according to claim 21, wherein attaching the wireless device to the wireless network further comprises:

sending a location update signal to a home location register (HLR) supporting the wireless device when unprogrammed; and

sending subscription data from the HLR to the SGSN, the subscription data informing the SGSN that the wireless device is unprogrammed and that no services other than activation are allowed in a packet data protocol context.

29. A method of activating a wireless device in a wireless network according to claim 28, wherein attaching the wireless device to the wireless network further comprises sending an attach accept signal from the SGSN to the wireless device.

30. A method of activating a wireless device in a wireless network according to claim 29, wherein establishing a PDP context for the wireless device attached to the wireless network further comprises:

initiating a special PDP context for activation request to the SGSN; and

transmitting a create PDP context request from the SGSN to a gateway general packet radio service support note (GGSN).

31. A method of activating a wireless device in a wireless network according to claim 30, wherein establishing a PDP context for the wireless device attached to the wireless network, further comprises:

creating a new entry in a PDP context table;

assigning a dynamic IP address for the wireless device;

returning a response to the SGSN including the dynamic IP address; and

sending a response signal, from the SGSN to the wireless device, indicting an active context for activation, including the dynamic IP address.

32. A method of activating a wireless device in a wireless network according to claim 31, wherein the step providing activation options further comprises:

connecting the wireless device to the IP address of the activation server using the IP address preprogrammed in the wireless device'"'"'s SIM; and

providing the dynamic IP address of the wireless device to the activation server.

33. A method of activating a wireless device in a wireless network according to claim 32, wherein the step of providing activation options further comprises:

transmitting data from the activation server to the mobile device using the dynamic IP address; and

providing activation functions to the mobile station for user service choices.

34. A method of activating a wireless device in a wireless network according to claim 33, wherein the step of providing activation options further comprises downloading SIM information to the mobile device, including a permanent mobile station identification.

35. A method of activating a wireless device in a wireless network according to claim 34, further comprising, after completion of activation:

deactivating the activation context;

releasing the activation context IP address; and

detaching the temporary mobile station identification from the network by sending a detach signal to the SGSN to clear the mobility information from the SGSN and the HLR.

36. A method of activating a wireless device in a wireless network according to claim 35, further comprising, after activation:

resetting the mobile device;

storing a permanent mobile station identification in the mobile station;

initiating system selecting using intelligent roaming; and

registering with the preferred system using the permanent mobile station identification.