Methods and apparatus of over-the-air programming of a wireless unit

• US 8,731,521 B2
• Filed: 07/10/2013
• Issued: 05/20/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Link, Charles M. II, Hardin, Stephen Thomas, Klenzak, Megan Koch
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran, Tuan A
• Application Number:
  US13/938,913
• Publication Number:
  US 20130295884A1
• Time in Patent Office: 314 Days
• Field of Search: 455410-411, 455418-420, 380/247, 380/249, 713168-176
• US Class Current: 455/411
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0428 wherein the data content is protected, e.g. by encrypting or encapsulating the payload
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/03 Protecting confidentiality, e.g. by encryption
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/069 using certificates or pre-shared keys
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices

Abstract

Facilitation of secure over-the-air programming is provided herein. A device can store a key, which can be based on a key algorithm (K-algorithm) and an identifier associated with the device. The device can receive information such as parameter(s) and a verification number from a communications system. The verification number can be generated by using an authorization algorithm (A-algorithm) based on the parameter(s) and a K-algorithm input. The device can generate a trial verification number by using the A-algorithm with the parameter(s) and the key as trial inputs. The device can compare the verification number to the trial verification number, and in response to the verification number being at least similar to the trial verification number, the device can use the parameter(s) for programming of the device.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

deriving, by a system comprising a processor and a storage device, a first number based on a value stored in the storage device;

in response to sending, by the system, an identifier representing the system directed to a configuration device associated with a wireless communication service, receiving, by the system, a second number from the configuration device; and

in response to determining that the second number satisfies a defined similarity to the first number, modifying, by the system, a parameter stored in the storage device to facilitate activation of the system on a network device associated with the wireless communication service.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

deriving, by the system, the value based on the identifier.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving, by the system, the value from a remote device.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the deriving comprises determining the first number based on the parameter.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the deriving comprises determining the first number based on a checksum.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the deriving comprises determining the first number utilizing a hash function.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

storing, by the system, the parameter in the storage device.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

in response to determining that the second number does not satisfy the defined similarity to the first number, disallowing, by the system, a modification of the storage device.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

in response to the modifying the parameter, receiving, by the system, a communication from the wireless communication service.

10. A computer-readable storage device comprising computer executable components that, in response to execution, cause a system comprising a processor and a storage device to perform operations, comprising:

creating a derived verification number based on a first parameter stored in the storage device;

in response to sending an identifier representing the system directed to a remote device, receiving a verification number from the remote device; and

in response to determining that the derived verification number satisfies a criterion for being similar to the verification number, changing a second parameter stored in the storage device for facilitation of activation of the system on a network device of a wireless network.

11. The computer-readable storage device of claim 10, wherein the operations further comprise:

creating the first parameter based on the identifier.

12. The computer-readable storage device of claim 10, wherein the operations further comprise:

receiving the first parameter from a configuration device.

13. The computer-readable storage device of claim 10, wherein the operations further comprise:

in response to determining that the derived verification number does not satisfy the criterion for being similar to the verification number, preventing a modification of the storage device.

14. The computer-readable storage device of claim 10, wherein the creating comprises creating the derived verification number using the second parameter.

15. The computer-readable storage device of claim 10, wherein the creating comprises creating the derived verification number utilizing a hash sum.

16. The computer-readable storage device of claim 10, wherein the verification number is created from the first parameter.

17. A system, comprising:

a storage device;

a memory to store instructions; and

a processor, coupled to the memory, that facilitates execution of the instructions to perform operations, comprising;

determining a first value using first information stored in the storage device;

sending a first wireless communication comprising an identifier representing the system directed to a device associated with a communication service;

in response to the sending the first wireless communication, receiving, based on the identifier, a second wireless communication comprising a second value from the device; and

in response to determining that the first value satisfies a condition representing a defined similarity between the first value and the second value, modifying second information stored in the storage device for facilitating reception of a third wireless communication with respect to the communication service.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the determining comprises determining the first value using the second information.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein the determining comprises determining the first value using a checksum.

20. The system of claim 17, wherein the operations further comprise:

in response to determining that the first value does not satisfy the condition, preventing a modification of the storage device.