System and method for using a temporary electronic serial number for over-the-air activation of a mobile device

• US 8,112,118 B2
• Filed: 05/11/2009
• Issued: 02/07/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/07/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Wong, Gregory A., Shieh, Hugh H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hashem, Lisa
• Application Number:
  US12/463,888
• Publication Number:
  US 20100120409A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,002 Days
• Field of Search: 455/419, 455/410, 455/435, 455/552, 455/558, 455/426, 455/433, 455/411, 455/551, 455/553, 455/435.2, 380/249
• US Class Current: 455/558
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0853 using an additional device, e.g. smartcard, SIM or a different communication terminal cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication involving additional secure or trusted devices H04L9/3234
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2207/18 wireless networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/22 Arrangements for supervision, monitoring or testing
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/265 for initial activation of new user

Abstract

A system and method for activating a subscriber identification module (SIM) based mobile device in a PCS/ANSI type wireless network. The method comprises pre-programming the SIM card of the mobile device with temporary activation identifiers, such as an international mobile station identity (IMSI) and/or a mobile identification number (MIN), and a temporary electronic serial number. The temporary electronic serial number, rather than the mobile device actual electronic serial number, is used to identify the mobile device during registration and activation. The network identifies the temporary electronic serial number associated with the SIM vendor and invokes an over-the-air activation procedure especially for the SIM card mobile devices. A SIM-over-the-air-activation processor is notified to perform the activation for that mobile device on the PCS wireless network. Authentication of the mobile device may be bypassed and the mobile device is instructed to transmit its actual electronic serial number for future registrations. Once the activation process is completed, the temporary activation identifiers are overwritten.

Claims

1. A personal communication service wireless system for achieving over-the-air activation of a subscriber identification module based mobile device having a removable identification card with a temporary electronic serial number, the system comprising:

a base station communicating with the subscriber identification module based mobile device through an over-the-air interface;

a mobile switching center communicating with the base station;

a home location register communicating with the mobile switching center; and

a first processor that activates the subscriber identification module based mobile device with the removable identification card communicating with the mobile switching center and the home location register, wherein when the subscriber identification module based mobile device having the removable identification card registers with the personal communication service wireless system, the home location register informs the first processor to activate the subscriber identification module based mobile device according to the temporary electronic serial number.

2. The personal communication service wireless system of claim 1, wherein the personal communication service wireless system conforms to an american national standards institute protocol.

3. The personal communication service wireless system of claim 2, wherein the home location register informs the first processor to activate the subscriber identification module based mobile device, based on whether the subscriber identification module based mobile device transmits the temporary electronic serial number.

4. The personal communication service wireless system of claim 3, wherein a second processor activates the subscriber identification module based mobile device if the subscriber identification module based mobile device is identified using an electronic serial number or mobile identification number.

5. The personal communication service wireless system of claim 4, wherein the home location register informs the second processor to activate the subscriber identification module based mobile device if it does not contain a removable identification card.

6. A personal communication service wireless system for achieving over-the-air activation of a subscriber identification module based mobile device having a removable identification card with a temporary electronic serial number, the system comprising:

a base station communicating with the subscriber identification module based mobile device through an over-the-air interface;

a mobile switching center communicating with the base station;

a message center communicating with the mobile switching center; and

a first processor that activates the subscriber identification module based mobile device with the removable identification card communicating with the mobile switching center and the message center, wherein when the subscriber identification module based mobile device having the removable identification card registers with the personal communication service wireless system, the message center identifies the subscriber identification module based mobile device as containing the removable identification card and informs the first processor to activate the subscriber identification module based mobile device according to the temporary electronic serial number.

7. A subscriber identification module in a subscriber identification module based mobile device for registration with a wireless network, the subscriber identification module comprising:

a temporary activation identifier;

a temporary electronic serial number; and

a usage indicator set to report the temporary electronic serial number during a registration of the subscriber identification module based mobile device with a personal communication service wireless network.