Methods and systems for selective broadcast enhancement

• US 20040171383A1
• Filed: 08/01/2001
• Published: 09/02/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/01/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property
• Original Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property
• Inventors: She, George, Fingerhut, Howard W.
• Granted Patent: US 7,089,003 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/435.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/06 Selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS]; Services to user groups; One-way selective calling services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 60/00 Affiliation to network, e.g. registration; Terminating affiliation with the network, e.g. de-registration
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/26 Network addressing or numbering for mobility support

Abstract

Data is transmitted to and obtained by selected wireless devices in a wireless network without assignment of a unique network address (UNA) to the wireless devices. The data is transmitted over a broadcast and the wireless device obtains the data from the broadcast. Specifically, a wireless device is provisioned with a hardware serial number (HSN) and generic access numbers (GANs). The wireless device registers using the HSN and a randomly selected GAN. The service provider assigns and transmits a broadcast access number (BAN). The wireless device uses the BAN to access data from a broadcast from the service provider.

Claims

1. A method for transmitting data to selected wireless devices in a wireless network without assignment of a unique network address to each of the wireless devices, comprising:

provisioning a wireless device with at least a hardware serial number (HSN) and generic access numbers (GANs);

prompting the wireless device to register by selecting a GAN at random and transmitting the GAN as well as its HSN to the service provider;

causing the service provider to assign and transmit a broadcast access number (BAN) to the wireless device; and

causing the wireless device to use the BAN to access data from a broadcast message.