Cellular radiotelephone system with remotely programmed mobile stations

• US 7,146,156 B2
• Filed: 04/14/2003
• Issued: 12/05/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/24/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: GTE Wireless Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Original Assignee: GTE Wireless Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Inventors: Zicker, Robert G., Dion, John K.
• Primary Examiner(s): BOST, DWAYNE D
• Application Number:
  US10/414,375
• Publication Number:
  US 20030195013A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,331 Days
• Field of Search: 455/551, 455/411, 455/418, 455/419, 455/420, 455/550.1, 455/462, 455/552.1, 455/423, 455/426.1, 455/461, 455/426.2, 455/403
• US Class Current: 455/411
• 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 method of activation and operation of a cellular mobile station, said method comprising:

placing said mobile station proximate a sales kiosk coupled to a communication network;

imparting station data peculiar to said mobile station from said sales kiosk to a customer activation system coupled to said communication network;

formulating said station data into an invalid mobile identification number (MIN) in said customer activation system, said invalid MIN being a MIN having an invalid format;

communicating said invalid MIN to said mobile station from said customer activation system via a control channel of a cellular network; and

activating said mobile station in response to receipt of said invalid MIN at said mobile station.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said invalid MIN is configured so that no mobile station activated to operate in said cellular network recognizes said invalid MIN as its valid MIN.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein:

said imparting activity comprises obtaining a location-independent code substantially unique to said mobile station;

said formulating activity additionally associates a valid MIN with said mobile station in response to said location-independent code and an area in which said mobile station is to be used; and

said activating activity comprises programming said mobile station to respond to said valid MIN.

4. A method as claimed in claim 3 wherein said location-independent code is an electronic serial number (ESN).

5. A method as claimed in claim 3 wherein said valid MIN constitutes a telephone number assigned to said mobile station.

6. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein:

said imparting activity comprises;

acknowledging a location of said sales kiosk;

identifying an area in which said mobile station is to be used after said activating activity; and

obtaining an electronic serial number of said mobile station;

said formulating activity comprises;

translating said electronic serial number into said invalid MIN; and

associating a valid MIN with said mobile station;

said communicating activity comprises;

identifying said control channel of said cellular network in response to said acknowledging activity; and

transmitting said invalid MIN to said mobile station via said control channel; and

said activating activity comprises programming said mobile station to respond to said valid MIN.

7. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein:

said activating activity comprises programming, after receipt of said invalid MIN, said mobile station to respond to a valid MIN; and

said method additionally comprises communicating, after said activating activity, with an additional telecommunications device coupled to said cellular network in response to said valid MIN.

8. A method as claimed in claim 7 wherein said communicating activity prior to said formulating activity formulates said invalid MIN in response to an electronic serial number contained within said mobile station.

9. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said activating activity comprises:

programming said mobile station to respond to a valid MIN unique to said mobile station; and

programming said mobile station to effect user-specific programming of functions of said mobile station.

10. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said communications network is a public switched telecommunications network (PSTN) of which said cellular network is a portion.

11. A telecommunications system comprising:

a customer activation system coupled to a communications network;

a sales kiosk of a cellular network remotely located from said customer activation system and coupled to said customer activation system through said communications network;

a mobile telephone switching office (MTSO) of said cellular network coupled to said customer activation system through said communications network;

a mobile station coupled to said MTSO through an RF link; and

an additional telecommunications device coupled to said communications network;

wherein said sales kiosk is configured to communicate station data peculiar to said mobile station from said sales kiosk to said customer activation system and said customer activation system is configured to communicate activation data to said mobile station through said MTSO.

12. A telecommunications system as claimed in claim 11 wherein:

said mobile station is configured to effect a data communication originating with said customer activation system and passing through said MTSO prior to activation of said mobile station; and

said mobile station is configured to effect one of data and voice communications with said additional telecommunications device after activation of said mobile station.

13. A telecommunications system as claimed in claim 11 wherein said mobile station is in an inactive state prior to activation and in an active state following activation.

14. A telecommunications system as claimed in claim 13 wherein, when said mobile station is in said inactive state, said mobile station is configured to communicate with said customer activation system through response to an electronic serial number unique to said mobile station, and said mobile station is inhibited from communicating with said additional communication device.

15. A telecommunications system as claimed in claim 14 wherein:

said customer activation system is configured to generate a mobile identification number (MIN) unique to said mobile station in response to said electronic serial number and an area in which said mobile station is to predominantly operate when said mobile station is in said active state; and

said customer activation system is further configured to communicate said MIN to said mobile station when said mobile station is in said inactive state.

18. A telecommunication system as claimed in claim 11 wherein said communications network is a public switched telecommunications network (PSTN) and said cellular network is a portion of said PSTN.

16. A telecommunications system comprising:

a customer activation system coupled to a communications network;

a sales kiosk of a cellular network coupled to said customer activation system through said communications network;

a mobile telephone switching office (MTSO) of said cellular network coupled to said customer activation system through said communications network;

a mobile station coupled to said MTSO through an RF link; and

an additional telecommunications device coupled to said PSTN;

wherein said mobile station is in an inactive state prior to activation, said sales kiosk is configured to communicate station data peculiar to said mobile station from said sales kiosk to said customer activation system, said customer activation system is configured to communicate activation data to said mobile station through said MTSO, said mobile station is in an active state following activation, and when said mobile station is in said active state, said mobile station is configured to communicate with said additional communication device in response to a MIN unique to said mobile station.

17. A telecommunication system as claimed in claim 16 wherein said MIN is a telephone number.

19. A telecommunications system comprising:

a customer activation system coupled to a communications network;

a sales kiosk of a cellular network coupled to said customer activation system through said communications network;

a mobile telephone switching office (MTSO) of said cellular network coupled to said customer activation system through said communications network;

a mobile station coupled to said MTSO through an RF link; and

an additional telecommunications device coupled to said PSTN;

wherein said mobile station is configured to effect a data communication originating with said customer activation system and passing through said MTSO prior to activation of said mobile station, said sales kiosk is configured to communicate station data peculiar to said mobile station from said sales kiosk to said customer activation system, said customer activation system is configured to communicate activation data to said mobile station through said MTSO, and said mobile station is configured to effect one of data and voice communications with said additional telecommunications device after activation of said mobile station.

20. A telecommunications system comprising:

a customer activation system coupled to a communications network;

a sales kiosk of a cellular network coupled to said customer activation system through said communications network;

a mobile telephone switching office (MTSO) of said cellular network coupled to said customer activation system through said communications network;

a mobile station coupled to said MTSO through an RF link; and

an additional telecommunications device coupled to said PSTN;

wherein;

said mobile station is in an inactive state prior to activation,

when said mobile station is in said inactive state, said mobile station is configured to communicate with said customer activation system through response to an electronic serial number unique to said mobile station, and said mobile station is inhibited from communicating with said additional communication device,

said sales kiosk is configured to communicate station data peculiar to said mobile station from said sales kiosk to said customer activation system, said customer activation system is configured to communicate activation data to said motile station through said MTSO, and

said mobile station is in an active state following activation.