Network activation of a telematics unit for wireless communication

• US 7,894,795 B1
• Filed: 06/26/2007
• Issued: 02/22/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/26/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cellco Partnership, Inc. (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Cellco Partnership, Inc. (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Inventors: Rappoport, Bruce Joel, McHenry, James, Dunne, Kevin Francis
• Primary Examiner(s): Taylor; Barry W
• Application Number:
  US11/819,188
• Time in Patent Office: 1,337 Days
• Field of Search: 455/406, 455/418, 455/419
• US Class Current: 455/406
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/125 involving control of end-device applications over a network
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/00 Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/68 Payment of value-added services
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0192 Sponsored, subsidised calls via advertising, e.g. calling cards with ads or connecting to special ads, free calling time by purchasing goods
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/00 Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/24 Accounting or billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/50 for emergency connections

Abstract

Technology is disclosed for activating a telematics unit, particularly with respect to wireless communication service through a mobile network, e.g. to re-activate a unit that was previously de-activated. In a detailed example, a user initiates a unique action such as a two-button push or holding down certain buttons on the telematics unit, which causes the unit to initiate a call to the telematics service provider (TSP), e.g. by dialing a cleared number. The serving wireless switch routes the cleared number call to the TSP, who will gather user information and activate the unit for telematics service. The TSP then forwards an activation request identifying the unit, to the network operator. The operator updates its systems in a manner to enable downloading of provisioning data, typically including a mobile directory number/mobile identification number (MDN/MIN), to the telematics unit through the mobile wireless network.

Claims

1. A method of activating a telematics unit for telematics communication via a mobile communication network,

wherein the telematics unit is not yet activated for telematics service and is not yet activated for communication via the mobile communication network,

the method comprising steps of:

detecting a unique user actuation of the telematics unit indicating a user intent to activate telematics service and communication via the mobile communication network, through the telematics unit;

responsive to the detected user actuation, using a cleared number assigned to the telematics service provider for service activation to automatically initiate a wireless call from the telematics unit, through the mobile communication network;

completing the call from the telematics unit through the mobile communication network to a telematics service provider;

communicating information between the telematics unit and the telematics service provider, to activate telematics service with respect to the telematics unit, via the completed call through the mobile communication network;

responsive to the activation of the telematics service, sending a message identifying the telematics unit to a billing system of the mobile communication network requesting activation of service for the telematics unit through the mobile communication network; and

communicating provisioning data, needed to activate the telematics unit for operation through the mobile communication network, from a system of the mobile communication network to the telematics unit.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of communicating provisioning data comprises:

terminating the completed call between the telematics unit and the telematics service provider;

following termination, initiating another wireless call from the telematics unit, through the mobile communication network, using a number assigned for mobile station service activation;

based on the mobile station service activation number, completing the other call from the telematics unit through the mobile communication network to a service provisioning platform of an operator of the mobile communication network; and

responsive to completion of the other call, downloading the provisioning data needed to activate the telematics unit for operation through the mobile communication network from the service provisioning platform into the telematics unit.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of communicating provisioning data comprises:

communicating the provisioning data needed to activate the telematics unit for operation through the mobile communication network from the billing system to the telematics service provider; and

downloading the provisioning data needed to activate the telematics unit for operation through the mobile communication network from the telematics service provider to the telematics unit, via the completed call through the mobile communication network.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the provisioning data includes a mobile directory number (MDN) and a mobile identification number (MIN) assigned to the telematics unit for use in wireless communications through the mobile communication network.

5. A telematics unit, comprising:

an interface for receiving signals from one or more input elements for monitoring with respect to possible occurrence of an emergency condition;

a wireless transceiver for wireless communications through a mobile communication network;

at least one processor coupled to the interface and the wireless transceiver;

a memory coupled to the at least one processor, the memory having provisioning data storage and having program storage; and

programming in the program storage memory for execution by the at least one processor, wherein execution of the programming enables the at least one processor to control operations of the telematics units to perform functions, including;

(a) obtaining activation information in the telematics unit from a telematics service provider, indicating activation of telematics service with respect to the telematics unit, wherein the programmed function of obtaining activation information from the telematics service provider comprises;

when the telematics unit is not yet activated for telematics service and is not yet activated for communication via the mobile communication network, detecting a unique user actuation of the telematics unit indicating a user intent to activate telematics service through the telematics unit;

responsive to the detected user actuation, using a cleared number assigned to the telematics service provider for service activation to initiate a wireless call from the telematics unit, through the mobile communication network to the telematics service provider for service activation; and

receiving the activation information in the telematics unit from the telematics service provider, via the wireless call to the telematics service provider;

(b) in response to activation of telematics service, automatically initiating a wireless call from the telematics unit, through the mobile communication network, to a service provisioning platform of an operator of the mobile communication network; and

(c) receiving provisioning data needed to activate the telematics unit for operation through the mobile communication network from the service provisioning platform and storing the received provisioning data in the provisioning data storage; and

(d) after receiving the provisioning data, processing signals received via the interface to detect occurrence of the emergency condition, and in response to detecting the occurrence of the emergency condition operating the wireless transceiver to initiate a communication attempt through the mobile communication network using the stored provisioning data.

6. The telematics unit of claim 5, wherein the provisioning data includes a mobile directory number (MDN) and a mobile identification number (MIN) assigned to the telematics unit for use in wireless communications through the mobile communication network.