Cellular radiotelephone system with remotely programmed mobile stations

• US 6,122,523 A
• Filed: 07/28/1999
• Issued: 09/19/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 02/24/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: GTE Wireless Service Corporation (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Original Assignee: GTE Mobile Communications Service Corporation (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Inventors: Zicker, Robert G., Dion, John K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Trost, William G.
• Application Number:
  US09/363,901
• Time in Patent Office: 419 Days
• Field of Search: 455/418-420, 455/403, 455/422, 455/550-552, 455/426, 455/434, 455/461-462
• US Class Current: 455/551
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 23/0021 discs
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 23/0316 Constructional details, e.g. shape
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 7/24 Record carriers characterised by shape, structure or physical properties, or by the selection of the material characterised by the arrangement of information on the carrier G11B7/007
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/27 Devices whereby a plurality of signals may be stored simultaneously
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/2745 using static electronic memories, e.g. chips
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/27463 Predictive input, predictive dialling by comparing the dialled sequence with the content of a telephone directory
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/27485 Appending a prefix to or inserting a pause into a dialling sequence
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/724 User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72406 by software upgrading or downloading
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/725 Cordless telephones user interfaces specially adapted therefor H04M1/724
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72502 with one base station connected to a single line
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/1091 Fixed mobile conversion
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2207/18 wireless networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/00 Metering arrangements; Time controlling arrangements; Time indicating arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42246 where the subscriber uses a multi-mode terminal which moves and accesses different networks with at least one network having a wireline access including cordless PBX
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/037 of the control plane, e.g. signalling traffic
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/71 Hardware identity
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/16 for PBS [Private Base Station] arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/32 Hierarchical cell structures
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/24 Accounting or billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/20 : Manipulation of established connections
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/205 : Transfer to or from user equipment or user record carrier
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/245 : from a network towards a terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/265 : for initial activation of new user
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/28 : Number portability ; Network address portability
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/045 : using private Base Stations, e.g. femto Base Stations, home Node B
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/14 : WLL [Wireless Local Loop]; RLL [Radio Local Loop]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 : Terminal devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/021 : adapted for Wireless Local Loop operation
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 : adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 : in wireless communication networks

Abstract

A cellular radiotelephone system (10) includes mobile stations (28) which may be remotely programmed from a customer activation system (12) to effect activation and other programming needs. Mobile stations (28) are manufactured in a blank form that causes them to operate only in an inactive state. During activation, information describing the mobile station'"'"'s electronic serial number (ESN) is collected along with area of use information. A mobile identification number (MIN) is assigned in response to the area of use information. A page message is directed to the mobile station operating in its inactive state, but the page message references the mobile station'"'"'s ESN. While inactive, the mobile station (28) detects pages directed to its ESN. A remote programming session is then performed wherein digital user-specific programming data, including the newly assigned MIN, are transferred to the mobile station (28) over a voice channel using a control channel protocol (80).

Claims

1. A cellular telephone configured for remote activation, the cellular telephone comprising:

an antenna;

a transmitter coupled to said antenna;

a receiver coupled to said antenna, said receiver being used to conduct telephone calls;

a controller coupled to said transmitter and to said receiver; and

a memory coupled to said controller;

wherein said controller is configured to detect a page message received at said receiver and referencing a location-independent identifying code stored in said memory.

2. The cellular telephone of claim 1, wherein said location-independent identifying code is derived from an electronic serial number (ESN) assigned to said cellular telephone.

3. The cellular telephone of claim 1, wherein said controller is further configured to enter a remote programming mode after detecting said page message.

4. The cellular telephone of claim 3, wherein after entering said remote programming mode, said controller is configured to accept digital data received by said cellular telephone and to store said digital data in said memory.

5. The cellular telephone of claim 4, wherein said digital data comprises a home system identification number (SID) for said cellular telephone.

6. The cellular telephone of claim 4, wherein said digital data comprises a system identification number (SID).

7. The cellular telephone of claim 4, wherein said digital data comprises a mobile identification number (MIN) for said cellular telephone.

8. The cellular telephone of claim 4, wherein said digital data comprises an executable instruction.

9. A cellular telephone configured for remote activation, the cellular telephone comprising:

an antenna;

a transmitter coupled to said antenna;

a receiver coupled to said antenna;

a controller coupled to said transmitter and to said receiver; and

a memory coupled to said controller;

wherein said controller is configured to detect a page message received over a cellular network, said page message referencing a location-independent identifying code stored in said memory.

10. The cellular telephone of claim 9, wherein said location-independent identifying code is derived from an electronic serial number (ESN) assigned to said cellular telephone.

11. The cellular telephone of claim 9, wherein said controller is further configured to enter a remote programming mode after detecting said page message.

12. The cellular telephone of claim 11, wherein after entering said remote programming mode, said controller is configured to accept digital data received by said cellular telephone and to store said digital data in said memory.

13. The cellular telephone of claim 11, wherein said digital data comprises a home system identification number (SID) for said cellular telephone.

14. The cellular telephone of claim 11, wherein said digital data comprises a system identification number (SID).

15. The cellular telephone of claim 11, wherein said digital data comprises a mobile identification number (MIN) for said cellular telephone.

16. The cellular telephone of claim 11, wherein said digital data comprises an executable instruction.

17. A cellular telephone comprising:

an antenna;

a transmitter configured to conduct telephone calls, said transmitter being coupled to said antenna;

a receiver configured to conduct telephone calls, said receiver being coupled to said antenna and said antenna, said transmitter, and said receiver forming an air interface for said cellular telephone;

a controller coupled to said air interface; and

a memory coupled to said controller;

wherein said controller is configured to detect a page message received through said receiver by said air interface, said page message referencing a location-independent identifying code stored in said memory.

18. The cellular telephone of claim 17, wherein said location-independent identifying code is derived from an electronic serial number (ESN) of said cellular telephone.

19. The cellular telephone of claim 18, wherein after detecting said page message, said controller is further configured to receive remote programming information received by said air interface.

20. The cellular telephone of claim 19, wherein said remote programming information comprises a mobile identification number (MIN).

21. The cellular telephone of claim 20, wherein said controller is configured to store said received mobile identification number (MIN) in said memory.

22. A cellular telephone comprising:

an antenna;

a transmitter coupled to said antenna;

a receiver coupled to said antenna, so that said antenna, said transmitter, and said receiver form an air interface for said cellular telephone;

a controller coupled to said air interface; and

a memory coupled to said controller;

wherein said controller is configured to detect a page message received from a cellular network by said air interface, said page message referencing a location-independent identifying code stored in said memory.

23. The cellular telephone of claim 22, wherein said location-independent identifying code is derived from an electronic serial number (ESN) of said cellular telephone.

24. The cellular telephone of claim 23, wherein after detecting said page message, said controller is further configured to receive remote programming information received by said air interface.

25. The cellular telephone of claim 24, wherein said remote programming information comprises a mobile identification number (MIN).

26. The cellular telephone of claim 25, wherein said controller is configured to store said received mobile identification number (MIN) in said memory.

27. A cellular telephone configured for network initiated activation, said cellular telephone comprising:

an antenna;

a transmitter coupled to said antenna;

a receiver coupled to said antenna;

a controller coupled to said transmitter and to said receiver; and

a memory coupled to said controller, said memory containing an electronic serial number (ESN) assigned to said cellular telephone but not containing a mobile identification number (MIN) assigned to said cellular telephone;

wherein said controller is configured to detect a page message that references data derived from said electronic serial number (ESN) and to enter a remote programming mode after detecting said page message.

28. The cellular telephone of claim 27, wherein said controller is configured to accept digital data received by said cellular telephone while said controller is in said remote programming mode.

29. The cellular telephone of claim 28, wherein said digital data comprises a mobile identification number (MIN) for said cellular telephone.

30. The cellular telephone of claim 28, wherein said digital data comprises a home system identification number (SID) for said cellular telephone.

31. The cellular telephone of claim 28, wherein said digital data comprises a system identification number (SID) other than a home SID for said cellular telephone.

32. The cellular telephone of claim 28, wherein said digital data comprises an executable instruction.

33. The cellular telephone of claim 27, wherein said page message is directed to an ESN-MIN number derived from said electronic serial number (ESN).

34. A cellular telephone configured for network initiated activation, said cellular telephone comprising:

an antenna;

a transmitter coupled to said antenna;

a receiver coupled to said antenna;

a memory containing a location-independent identifying code; and

first means for detecting a page message which references said location-independent identifying code.

35. The cellular telephone of claim 34, further comprising:

second means for entering a remote programming mode after said first means has detected said page message.

36. The cellular telephone of claim 35, wherein said cellular telephone is configured to receive digital data while in said remote programming mode and to store said digital data in said memory.

37. The cellular telephone of claim 36, wherein said digital data comprises a mobile identification number (MIN).

38. The cellular telephone of claim 36, wherein said digital data comprises a system identification number (SID).

39. The cellular telephone of claim 36, wherein said digital data comprises an executable instruction.

40. A cellular telephone configured for remote reprogramming, said cellular telephone comprising:

an antenna;

a receiver coupled to said antenna;

a transmitter coupled to said antenna;

a controller coupled to said transmitter and to said receiver; and

a memory coupled to said controller, said memory containing an electronic serial number (ESN) and a first valid mobile identification number (MIN) for said cellular telephone;

wherein said controller is configured to accept digital data received over a cellular network by said receiver operating in a digital data mode and to store said digital data in said memory.

41. The cellular telephone of claim 40, wherein said receiver is configured to receive said digital data formatted according to a control channel protocol.

42. The cellular telephone of claim 41, wherein said digital data comprises a second mobile identification number (MIN), said second MIN being different than said first MIN.

43. The cellular telephone of claim 41, wherein said digital data comprises a system identification number (SID).

44. The cellular telephone of claim 41, wherein said digital data comprises an executable instruction.

45. The cellular telephone of claim 41, wherein said digital data comprises data that deactivates said cellular telephone.

46. The cellular telephone of claim 41, wherein said digital data comprises a deactivation command.

47. The cellular telephone of claim 40, wherein said digital data is conveyed to said cellular telephone through a remote programming session initiated by said cellular network.

48. A cellular telephone configured for network initiated remote programming, said cellular telephone comprising:

an antenna;

a transmitter coupled to said antenna;

a receiver coupled to said antenna, said receiver being used to conduct telephone calls;

a controller coupled to said transmitter and to said receiver; and

a memory coupled to said controller;

wherein said controller is configured to detect a digital message received by said receiver and to enter a remote programming mode after detecting said digital message.

49. The cellular telephone of claim 48, wherein said digital message is formatted according to a control channel protocol.

50. The cellular telephone of claim 49, wherein said controller is further configured to accept digital programming data received by said receiver while in said remote programming mode and to store said digital programming data in said memory.

51. The cellular telephone of claim 50, wherein said digital programming data comprises a system identification number (SID).

52. The cellular telephone of claim 50, wherein said digital programming data comprises a mobile identification number (MIN).

53. The cellular telephone of claim 50, wherein said digital programming data comprises an executable instruction.

54. The cellular telephone of claim 48, wherein said digital message is initiated by said network.

55. A cellular telephone configured for network initiated remote programming, said cellular telephone comprising:

an antenna;

a transmitter coupled to said antenna;

a receiver coupled to said antenna;

a memory containing an electronic serial number (ESN) and a first mobile identification number (MIN);

first means for detecting a digital message received by said receiver; and

second means for entering a remote programming mode wherein said cellular telephone receives digital data formatted according to a control channel protocol, said second means entering said remote programming mode after said first means detects said digital message.

56. The cellular telephone of claim 55, wherein said digital data comprises a second mobile identification number (MIN).

57. The cellular telephone of claim 55, wherein said digital data comprises a system identification number (SID).

58. The cellular telephone of claim 55, wherein said digital data comprises an executable instruction.

59. The cellular telephone of claim 55, wherein said digital data comprises data that deactivates said cellular telephone.

60. The cellular telephone of claim 55, wherein said data comprises a deactivation command.