METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROGRAMMING A MOBILE DEVICE WITH MULTIPLE SERVICE ACCOUNTS

• US 20100291898A1
• Filed: 05/17/2009
• Published: 11/18/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/17/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: TUGNAWAT, Yogesh, VAIDYANATHAN, Balaji, SANDING, Anthony
• Granted Patent: US 8,417,231 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/411
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/183 Processing at user equipment or user record carrier

Abstract

Methods and systems enable mobile devices equipped with software defined radio based chipset modules to seamlessly re-program the mobile device to operate on any of a variety of service provider networks. By re-programming a mobile device equipped with software defined radio based chipset module, the mobile device can support communications over both GSM and CDMA communication networks. An environment is provided which allows a user to quickly and efficiently switch between service provider accounts supporting communications.

Claims

1. A method for programming a mobile device with a software build supporting a selected service provider account comprising:

receiving a service provider account selection;

determining whether an account with the selected service provider is activated;

retrieving software build parameters and settings from a non-volatile memory corresponding to the selected service provider account; and

implementing the software build supporting the selected service provider account using the retrieved software build parameters and settings.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein implementing the software build supporting the selected service provider account further comprises:

retrieving an application programming interface and a dynamically linked library corresponding to the selected service provider account from memory;

implementing the application programming interface and dynamically linked library;

resetting a download service;

deleting all previous parameters, settings, files and provisioning data from an extended file service;

writing the retrieved software build parameters, provisioning data, files and settings into the extended files service;

storing the retrieved software build parameters, files, provisioning data, and settings into the non-volatile memory; and

resetting the mobile device.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein implementing the software build supporting the selected service provider account further comprises:

retrieving an application programming interface and a dynamically linked library corresponding to the selected service provider account from memory;

implementing the application programming interface and dynamically linked library;

resetting a download service;

deleting all previous parameters, settings, files and provisioning data from an extended file service;

writing the retrieved software build parameters, files, provisioning data, and settings into the extended files service;

storing the retrieved software build parameters, files, provisioning data, and settings into the non-volatile memory;

resetting the mobile device; and

initiating an activation procedure for the selected service provider.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising:

determining whether the software build supporting the selected service provider account was successfully implemented;

repeating the steps to implement the software build if the software build was not successfully implemented; and

setting an indicator of account activation for the selected service provider.

5. The method of claim 2, further comprising confirming prior activation of the selected service provider account.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein said confirming prior activation of the selected service provider account further comprises:

attempting to conduct a data call;

determining whether the data call attempt was successful;

determining if the mobile device is located within the home network for the selected service provider account if the data call is unsuccessful;

indicating a roaming condition if the mobile device is determined to be located outside the home network for the selected service provider account; and

resetting factory default parameters and an indicator of account activation for the selected service provider if the mobile device is determined to be not located outside the home network for the selected service provider account.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

resetting a fail to connect counter to zero;

incrementing the fail to connect counter if the data call is unsuccessful and the mobile device is determined to be within the home network for the selected service provider account;

determining whether the fail to connect counter equals a predetermined number; and

repeating attempts to conduct a data call if the number of connection attempts does not equal the predetermined number wherein said resetting factory default parameters and the indicator of account activation for the selected service provider is performed only if the fail to connect counter equals the predetermined number of connection attempts.

8. The method of claim 5, further comprising:

attempting to conduct a data call;

determining whether the data call attempt was successful;

determining if the mobile device is located within the home network for the selected service provider account if the data call is unsuccessful;

indicating a roaming condition if the mobile device is determined to be located outside the home network for the selected service provider account;

storing existing mobile device credential values to a temporary file in memory;

changing the existing mobile device credential values to known working credential values for the selected service provider if the data call attempt is unsuccessful and the mobile device is not located outside the home network for the selected service provider;

contacting an accounts server to determine if the selected service provider account is active;

performing a repair routine if the selected service provider account is determined to be active; and

resetting factory default parameters and an indicator of account activation for the selected service provider account if the selected service provider account is determined by the accounts server to be not active.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

resetting a fail to connect counter to zero;

incrementing the fail to connect counter if the data call is unsuccessful and the mobile device is determined to be within the home network for the selected service provider account;

determining whether the fail to connect counter equals a predetermined number; and

repeating attempts to conduct a data call if the number of connection attempts does not equal the predetermined number, wherein the step of changing the existing mobile device credential values to known working credential values for the selected service provider is performed only if the fail to connect counter equals the predetermined number of connection attempts.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein said repair routine further comprises:

comparing the existing mobile device credential values to selected service provider account credential values stored in the selected service provider'"'"'s HLR/AAA server to determine whether there is a discrepancy between the values if it is determined that the account with the selected service provider is active; and

changing the known working credential values to the credential values stored in the selected service provider'"'"'s HLR/AAA server if a discrepancy exists.

13. The mobile device of claim 10, wherein said means for implementing the software build supporting the selected service provider account further comprises:

means for retrieving an application programming interface and a dynamically linked library corresponding to the selected service provider account from memory;

means for implementing the application programming interface and dynamically linked library;

means for resetting a download service;

means for deleting all previous parameters, settings, files and provisioning data from an extended file service;

means for writing the retrieved software build parameters, files, provisioning data, and settings into the extended files service;

means for storing the retrieved software build parameters, files, provisioning data, and settings into non-volatile memory;

means for resetting the mobile device; and

means for initiating an activation procedure for the selected service provider.

14. The mobile device of claim 13 further comprising:

means for determining whether the software build supporting the selected service provider account was successfully implemented;

means for repeating the steps to implement the software build if the software build was not successfully implemented; and

means for setting an indicator of account activation for the selected service provider.

11. A mobile device comprising:

means for receiving a service provider account selection;

means for determining whether an account with the selected service provider is activated;

means for retrieving software build parameters and settings from a non-volatile memory corresponding to the selected service provider account; and

means for implementing the software build supporting the selected service provider account using the retrieved software build parameters and settings.

12. The mobile device of claim 11, wherein said means for implementing the software build supporting the selected service provider account further comprises:

means for retrieving an application programming interface and a dynamically linked library corresponding to the selected service provider account from memory;

means for implementing the application programming interface and dynamically linked library;

means for resetting a download service;

means for deleting all previous parameters, settings, files and provisioning data from an extended file service;

means for writing the retrieved software build parameters, provisioning data, files and settings into the extended files service;

means for storing the retrieved software build parameters, files, provisioning data, and settings into non-volatile memory; and

means for resetting the mobile device.

15. The mobile device of claim 12 further comprising means for confirming prior activation of the selected service provider account.

16. The mobile device of claim 15, wherein said mean for confirming prior activation of the selected service provider account further comprises:

means for attempting to conduct a data call;

means for determining whether the data call attempt was successful;

means for determining if the mobile device is located within the home network for the selected service provider account if the data call is unsuccessful;

means for indicating a roaming condition if the mobile device is determined to be located outside the home network for the selected service provider account;

means for resetting factory default parameters; and

means for resetting factory default parameters and an indicator of account activation for the selected service provider if the mobile device is determined to be not located outside the home network for the selected service provider account.

17. The mobile device of claim 16, further comprising:

means for resetting a fail to connect counter to zero;

means for incrementing the fail to connect counter if the data call is unsuccessful and the mobile device is determined to be within the home network for the selected service provider account;

means for determining whether the fail to connect counter equals a predetermined number; and

means for repeating attempts to conduct a data call if the fail to connect counter does not equal the predetermined number, wherein said means for resetting factory default parameters and means for resetting the indicator of account activation for the selected service provider do so only if the fail to connect counter equals the predetermined number of connection attempts.

18. The mobile device of claim 15, further comprising:

means for attempting to conduct a data call;

means for determining whether the data call attempt was successful;

means for determining if the mobile device is located within the home network for the selected service provider account if the data call is unsuccessful;

means for indicating a roaming condition if the mobile device is determined to be located outside the home network for the selected service provider account;

means for storing existing mobile device credential values to a temporary file in memory;

means for changing the existing mobile device credential values to known working credential values for the selected service provider if the data call attempt is unsuccessful and the mobile device is not located outside the home network for the selected service provider;

means for contacting an accounts server to determine if the selected service provider account is active;

means for performing a repair routine if the selected service provider account is determined to be active;

means for resetting factory default parameters; and

means for resetting an indicator of account activation for the selected service provider account if the selected service provider account is determined by the accounts server to be not active.

19. The mobile device of claim 18, further comprising:

means for resetting a fail to connect counter to zero;

means for incrementing the fail to connect counter if the date call is unsuccessful and the mobile device is determined to be within the home network for the selected service provider account;

means for determining whether the fail to connect counter equals a predetermined number; and

means for repeating attempts to conduct a data call if the number of connection attempts does not equal the predetermined number, wherein said means for changing the existing mobile device credential values to known working credential values for the selected service provider does so only if the fail to connect counter equals the predetermined number of connection attempts.

20. The mobile device of claim 18, wherein said means for performing the repair routine further comprises:

means for comparing the existing mobile device credential values to selected service provider account credential values stored in the selected service provider'"'"'s HLR/AAA server to determine whether there is a discrepancy between the values if it is determined that the account with the selected service provider is active; and

means for changing the known working credential values to the credential values stored in the selected service provider'"'"'s HLR/AAA server if a discrepancy exists.

21. A mobile device, comprising:

an internal memory unit, the internal memory unit including a provisioning data buffer; and

a processor coupled to the internal memory unit, wherein the processor is configured with software instructions to perform steps comprising;

receiving a service provider account selection;

determining whether an account with the selected service provider is activated;

retrieving software build parameters and settings from a non-volatile memory corresponding to the selected service provider account; and

implementing the software build supporting the selected service provider account using the retrieved software build parameters and settings.

22. The mobile device of claim 21, wherein the processor is configured with software instructions to perform further steps comprising:

retrieving an application programming interface and a dynamically linked library corresponding to the selected service provider account from memory;

implementing the application programming interface and dynamically linked library;

resetting a download service;

deleting all previous parameters, settings, files and provisioning data from an extended file service;

writing the retrieved software build parameters, provisioning data, files and settings into the extended files service;

storing the retrieved software build parameters, files, provisioning data, and settings into the non-volatile memory; and

resetting the mobile device.

23. The mobile device of claim 21, wherein the processor is configured with software instructions to perform further steps comprising:

retrieving an application programming interface and a dynamically linked library corresponding to the selected service provider account from memory;

implementing the application programming interface and dynamically linked library;

resetting a download service;

deleting all previous parameters, settings, files and provisioning data from an extended file service;

writing the retrieved software build parameters, files, provisioning data, and settings into the extended files service;

storing the retrieved software build parameters, files, provisioning data, and settings into the non-volatile memory;

resetting the mobile device; and

initiating an activation procedure for the selected service provider.

24. The mobile device of claim 23, wherein the processor is configured with software instructions to perform further steps comprising:

determining whether the software build supporting the selected service provider account was successfully implemented;

repeating the steps to implement the software build if the software build was not successfully implemented; and

setting an indicator of account activation for the selected service provider.

25. The mobile device of claim 22, wherein the processor is configured with software instructions to perform further steps comprising confirming prior activation of the selected service provider account.

26. The mobile device of claim 25, wherein the processor is configured with software instructions to perform further steps comprising:

attempting to conduct a data call;

determining whether the data call attempt was successful;

determining if the mobile device is located within the home network for the selected service provider account if the data call is unsuccessful;

indicating a roaming condition if the mobile device is determined to be located outside the home network for the selected service provider account; and

resetting factory default parameters and an indicator of account activation for the selected service provider if the mobile device is determined to be not located outside the home network for the selected service provider account.

27. The mobile device of claim 26, wherein the processor is configured with software instructions to perform further steps comprising:

resetting a fail to connect counter to zero;

incrementing the fail to connect counter if the data call is unsuccessful and the mobile device is determined to be within the home network for the selected service provider account;

determining whether the fail to connect counter equals a predetermined number; and

repeating attempts to conduct a data call if the number of connection attempts does not equal the predetermined number wherein said resetting factory default parameters and the indicator of account activation for the selected service provider is performed only if the fail to connect counter equals the predetermined number of connection attempts.

28. The mobile device of claim 25, wherein the processor is configured with software instructions to perform further steps comprising:

attempting to conduct a data call;

determining whether the data call attempt was successful;

determining if the mobile device is located within the home network for the selected service provider account if the data call is unsuccessful;

indicating a roaming condition if the mobile device is determined to be located outside the home network for the selected service provider account;

storing existing mobile device credential values to a temporary file in memory;

changing the existing mobile device credential values to known working credential values for the selected service provider if the data call attempt is unsuccessful and the mobile device is not located outside the home network for the selected service provider;

contacting an accounts server to determine if the selected service provider account is active;

performing a repair routine if the selected service provider account is determined to be active; and

resetting factory default parameters and an indicator of account activation for the selected service provider account if the selected service provider account is determined by the accounts server to be not active.

29. The mobile device of claim 28, wherein the processor is configured with software instructions to perform further steps comprising:

resetting a fail to connect counter to zero;

incrementing the fail to connect counter if the data call is unsuccessful and the mobile device is determined to be within the home network for the selected service provider account;

determining whether the fail to connect counter equals a predetermined number; and

repeating attempts to conduct a data call if the number of connection attempts does not equal the predetermined number, wherein the step of changing the existing mobile device credential values to known working credential values for the selected service provider is performed only if the fail to connect counter equals the predetermined number of connection attempts.

30. The mobile device of claim 26, wherein the processor is configured with software instructions to perform further steps comprising:

comparing the existing mobile device credential values to selected service provider account credential values stored in the selected service provider'"'"'s HLR/AAA server to determine whether there is a discrepancy between the values if it is determined that the account with the selected service provider is active; and

changing the known working credential values to the credential values stored in the selected service provider'"'"'s HLR/AAA server if a discrepancy exists.

31. A tangible storage medium having stored thereon processor-executable software instructions configured to cause a processor to perform steps comprising:

receiving a service provider account selection;

determining whether an account with the selected service provider is activated;

retrieving software build parameters and settings from a non-volatile memory corresponding to the selected service provider account; and

implementing the software build supporting the selected service provider account using the retrieved software build parameters and settings.

32. The tangible storage medium of claim 31, wherein the tangible storage medium has processor-executable software instructions configured to cause a processor to perform further steps comprising:

retrieving an application programming interface and a dynamically linked library corresponding to the selected service provider account from memory;

implementing the application programming interface and dynamically linked library;

resetting a download service;

deleting all previous parameters, settings, files and provisioning data from an extended file service;

writing the retrieved software build parameters, provisioning data, files and settings into the extended files service;

storing the retrieved software build parameters, files, provisioning data, and settings into the non-volatile memory; and

resetting the mobile device.

33. The tangible storage medium of claim 31, wherein the tangible storage medium has processor-executable software instructions configured to cause a processor to perform further steps comprising:

retrieving an application programming interface and a dynamically linked library corresponding to the selected service provider account from memory;

implementing the application programming interface and dynamically linked library;

resetting a download service;

deleting all previous parameters, settings, files and provisioning data from an extended file service;

writing the retrieved software build parameters, files, provisioning data, and settings into the extended files service;

storing the retrieved software build parameters, files, provisioning data, and settings into the non-volatile memory;

resetting the mobile device; and

initiating an activation procedure for the selected service provider.

34. The tangible storage medium of claim 33, wherein the tangible storage medium has processor-executable software instructions configured to cause a processor to perform further steps comprising:

determining whether the software build supporting the selected service provider account was successfully implemented;

repeating the steps to implement the software build if the software build was not successfully implemented; and

setting an indicator of account activation for the selected service provider.

35. The tangible storage medium of claim 32, wherein the tangible storage medium has processor-executable software instructions configured to cause a processor to perform further steps comprising confirming prior activation of the selected service provider account.

36. The tangible storage medium of claim 35, wherein the tangible storage medium has processor-executable software instructions configured to cause a processor to perform further steps comprising:

attempting to conduct a data call;

determining whether the data call attempt was successful;

determining if the mobile device is located within the home network for the selected service provider account if the data call is unsuccessful;

indicating a roaming condition if the mobile device is determined to be located outside the home network for the selected service provider account; and

resetting factory default parameters and an indicator of account activation for the selected service provider if the mobile device is determined to be not located outside the home network for the selected service provider account.

37. The tangible storage medium of claim 36, wherein the tangible storage medium has processor-executable software instructions configured to cause a processor to perform further steps comprising:

resetting a fail to connect counter to zero;

incrementing the fail to connect counter if the data call is unsuccessful and the mobile device is determined to be within the home network for the selected service provider account;

determining whether the fail to connect counter equals a predetermined number; and

repeating attempts to conduct a data call if the number of connection attempts does not equal the predetermined number wherein said resetting factory default parameters and the indicator of account activation for the selected service provider is performed only if the fail to connect counter equals the predetermined number of connection attempts.

38. The tangible storage medium of claim 35, wherein the tangible storage medium has processor-executable software instructions configured to cause a processor to perform further steps comprising:

attempting to conduct a data call;

determining whether the data call attempt was successful;

determining if the mobile device is located within the home network for the selected service provider account if the data call is unsuccessful;

indicating a roaming condition if the mobile device is determined to be located outside the home network for the selected service provider account;

storing existing mobile device credential values to a temporary file in memory;

changing the existing mobile device credential values to known working credential values for the selected service provider if the data call attempt is unsuccessful and the mobile device is not located outside the home network for the selected service provider;

contacting an accounts server to determine if the selected service provider account is active;

performing a repair routine if the selected service provider account is determined to be active; and

resetting factory default parameters and an indicator of account activation for the selected service provider account if the selected service provider account is determined by the accounts server to be not active.

39. The tangible storage medium of claim 38, wherein the tangible storage medium has processor-executable software instructions configured to cause a processor to perform further steps comprising:

resetting a fail to connect counter to zero;

incrementing the fail to connect counter if the data call is unsuccessful and the mobile device is determined to be within the home network for the selected service provider account;

determining whether the fail to connect counter equals a predetermined number; and

repeating attempts to conduct a data call if the number of connection attempts does not equal the predetermined number, wherein the step of changing the existing mobile device credential values to known working credential values for the selected service provider is performed only if the fail to connect counter equals the predetermined number of connection attempts.

40. The tangible storage medium of claim 38, wherein the tangible storage medium has processor-executable software instructions configured to cause a processor to perform further steps comprising:

comparing the existing mobile device credential values to selected service provider account credential values stored in the selected service provider'"'"'s HLR/AAA server to determine whether there is a discrepancy between the values if it is determined that the account with the selected service provider is active; and

changing the known working credential values to the credential values stored in the selected service provider'"'"'s HLR/AAA server if a discrepancy exists.

41. A system for programming mobile devices with a software build supporting a selected service provider account, comprising:

at least one mobile device comprising a software defined radio based chipset communication module, wherein the at least one mobile device is configured to implement the software build supporting the selected service provider account;

an accounts server configured to store all necessary parameters and settings regarding each software build implemented on the at least one mobile device; and

a communication network connecting the at least one mobile device with the accounts server.

42. The system of claim 41, further comprising:

at least one selected service provider provisioning server configured to provide the at least one mobile device with all the necessary parameters and settings regarding the software build supporting the selected service provider account via the communication network.

43. The system of claim 42, further wherein the at least one selected service provider provisioning server is connected to the accounts server via the communication network and provides the accounts server all the necessary parameters and settings regarding the software build supporting the selected service provider account for the at least one mobile device.

44. The system of claim 41, further comprising a manufacturer server in communication with the accounts server and configured to maintain a listing of each unique serial number assigned to each of the at least one mobile device comprising the software defined radio chipset module and communicate the listing to the accounts server.

45. The system of claim 44, wherein the accounts server maintains an indexed data table of the at least one mobile devices comprising software defined radio chipset communication modules and of all necessary parameters and settings regarding each software build implemented on each of the at least one mobile devices.