CA2242490A1 - Method and apparatus for remotely establishing a cellular service account for a cellular radiotelephone - Google Patents
Method and apparatus for remotely establishing a cellular service account for a cellular radiotelephone Download PDFInfo
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- CA2242490A1 CA2242490A1 CA002242490A CA2242490A CA2242490A1 CA 2242490 A1 CA2242490 A1 CA 2242490A1 CA 002242490 A CA002242490 A CA 002242490A CA 2242490 A CA2242490 A CA 2242490A CA 2242490 A1 CA2242490 A1 CA 2242490A1
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- Prior art keywords
- cellular
- radiotelephone
- cellular system
- account information
- cellular radiotelephone
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
- H04W8/00—Network data management
- H04W8/26—Network addressing or numbering for mobility support
- H04W8/265—Network addressing or numbering for mobility support for initial activation of new user
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
- H04W12/00—Security arrangements; Authentication; Protecting privacy or anonymity
- H04W12/06—Authentication
Abstract
In a method for remotely establishing a cellular service account for a cellular radiotelephone within a cellular system, prompts for user input of account information are generated by the cellular system and sent to the cellular radiotelephone. The cellular radiotelephone provides the prompts for user input of the account information, accepts user input of the account information, and generates a data signal within the cellular radiotelephone in response to the user input of the account information. The cellular radiotelephone sends the data signal from the cellular radiotelephone to the cellular system, and the cellular system stores the account information to establish the cellular service account.
Description
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REMOTELY
ESTABLISHING A CEL~ ULAR SERVICE
ACCOUNT FOR A CE~LULAR RAD~OTELEPHONE
Field of the Invention This invention relates to communications systems and methods and more particularly to systems and methods for cellular communications.
Background of the Invention Currently, most cellular radiotelephones must be manually pro~ided with a cellular service account before the user can place a call, and this usually occurs after purchase. Establishing the account may include the steps of providing the user's account information, such as credit and billing information, to the cellular systemi waiting for the cellular system to store this account information and assign a telephone nu~ber (Mobile Identi~ication Number); and having a technician program the radiotelephone with the assigned telephone number. This process may take an hour or longer because the cellular system will typically run credit checks and other veri~ications prior to establishing an account. The process of establishing 2~ the account may also be delayed due to a backlog of new accounts. In addition, the telephone must remain with the technician until the phone is programmed.
Accordingly, there exists a need in the art for a cellular radiotelephone system wherein the radiotelephone can be purchased and a cellular service account established remotely.
In U.S. Patent No. 5,297,192, there is disclosed a method and apparatus ~or remotely programming a mobile data ~elephone. In this patent, downloading of Number Assignment Module ("NAM") designation parameters to a mobile data telephone set allows service authorization codes and activation to be entered remotely. A cellular mobile user first calls a remote cellular system center to establish a voice communication channel between the mobile data telephone and the center. The modem of the telephone is selectively bridged onto the voice communication channel to achieve data transfer between a source of data located at the remote center and the user's modem.
In U.S. Patent No. 5,301,223, there is disclosed a method and apparatus for use in a mobile telephone rental system. In this patent, credit card information is communicated between the mobile telephone unit and a Voice Response System for customer registration and remote programming of mobile telephone unit eatures and NAM settings. Data read from the mobile telephone units are transmitted i~ variable length, encrypted and error protected Packet Data Units.
PCT International Publication No. WO 95/15065 entitled "Apparatus and Method for Remotely Inltiating Operation of a Cellular Telephone" discusses an apparatus for activating a cellular telephone within a cellular communications network. A PCMCIA card interacts with a controller to display required programming information and questions. A user of the cellular telephone inputs responses to questions on a display. The user responses are transmitted to a system administrator at a customer activation center via a mo~ile telephone switching office in the cellular telecommunications network. More speciFically described, a personal computer memory card international association (PCMCIA) card is provided to the user who purchases or rents a cellular telephone.
The PCMCIA card is preprogrammed with a series of 3~ questions. The PCMCIA card, however, may add expense to the cost of this cellular telephone and may also require a corresponding slot port, thereby increasin the complexity of this telephone.
Notwithstanding the above identified paten~s, there con~inues to exist a need in the art for imprcved methods for remotely establishing a cellular service account for a cellular radiotelephone. In particular, there exists a need for methods for remotely establishing a cellular service account for a cellular radiotelephone which can be easily adapted for use in different cellular service areas having di~erent requirements for establishing accounts.
Summary o~ the Invention It is therefore an object of the present lnvention to provide an improved method and apparatus for remotely establishing a cellular service account ~or a cellular radiotelephone after purchase.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for remotely establishing a cellular service account for a cellular radiotelephone which can be easily adapted for use in different cellular service areas.
These and other objects are provided according to the present invention by a method for remotely establishing a cellular service account for a cellular radiotelephone wherein the cellular system generates prompts ~or user input of account information which are sent to the cellular radiotelephone over a wireless communications path. Accordingly, dif~erent prompts can be generated by different cellular systems 3~ and received by the same mass produced radio telephones. Stated in other words, the prompts can be adapted for use in each cellular system without ~ requiring any modification to the radiotelephone ~he cellular radiotelephone provides these prompts to the user who then inputs the account information into the radiotelephone. This in~ormation is sent as a data signal to the cellular system whe~e the cellular service account is established. Accordingly, no special hardware or soEtware i5 required to establish the cellular service account, and the account can be est~blished by an untrained user ~ollowing the prompts generated by the cellular system and provided at the radiotelephone.
In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of generating prompts ~or user input o~ account in~ormation at the cellular system and sending the prompts to the cellular radiotelephone. The prompts are provided to the user, pre~erably through a visual display. The user inputs the account in~ormation in response to the prompts, and this in~ormation is pre~erably accepted by the radiotelephone through an input device such as a keypad. The cellular radiotelephone generates a data signal in response to the user input o~ the account in~ormation, and sends the data signal to the cellular system. The cellular system stores the account in~ormation in memory to establish a cellular service account ~or the cellular radiotelephone.
The account in~ormation may include billing in~ormation, service in~ormation, the user's name, the user~s address, credit in~ormation, and other user in~ormation which may be required to setup the cellular service account. Individual prompts can be used ~or each item of in~ormation required. These prompts can be sent to the cellular radiotelephone durin~ a single ~0 data communication thereby reducing the required "air time.~' Alternately, the prompts can be sent individually thereby reducing the memory required at the cellular radiotelephone to store the prompts.
Similarly, the individual items o~ account in~ormatlon can be sent to the cellular system in one or multiple data communications.
-W097l28665 PCT/SE97/00039 The cellular system can send the prompt5 as one or more electronic pages. In particular, the electronic page may comprise an SMS message allowing the use of standard communications protocols.
Similarly, the cellular radiotelephone can send the account information as a data signal such as an SMS
page.
The cellular radiotelephone may include a programmable memory which is programmed with an initial identification number, and a step of providing the initial identification number to the cellular system may proceed the step o~ storing the account information in the cellular system. In addition, the step of storing the account information may be followed by the steps of esta~lishing a page to the radiotelephone using the initial identification number to identify the radiotelephone, sending a mobile identification number to the cellular radiotelephone during the page, and reprogramming the programmable memory so that it is programmed with the mobile identi~ication number Accordingly, the radiotelephone is programmed remotely after establishing the cellular service account.
Alternately, the initial identification number may be provided to the cellular system when the account information is sent.
In another embodiment of the present invention, a cellular radiotelephone comprises a receiver for receiving prompts from the cellular system and a means for prompting for user input of account 3~ in~ormation. Input means accept user input of the account information, and generating means generate a data signal in response to the user input. The data signal is transmitted by a transmitter to the cellular system wherein the account information is stored to establish a cellular service account. This radiotelephone can be mass produced and used in different cellular service areas because each cellular service area may generate its own unique promp~s.
The prompts from the cellular system are preferably received as a portion of an electronic page, and this electronic page, may comprise an SMS message.
Accordingly, the prompts can be received from a cellular system using conventional transmission protocols. In addition, the data sig~al can be transmitted to the cellular system as an SMS message.
The cellular radiotelephone may further comprise a programmable memory programmed with an initial identification number, and means for reprogramming the programmable memory in response to receipt of a mobile identi~ication number from the cellular system. Accordingly, the programmable memory can be programmed with the mobile identi~ication number automatically after the cellular service account has been setup.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a cellular system comprises means for generating prompts ~or user input of account information, and a transmitter ~or sending the prompts to a cellular radiotelephone. A receiver is included for receiving a data signal from the cellular radiotelephone wherein the data signal includes acco~nt information ~enerated by the cellular radiotelephone in response to prompts ~or user input followed by user input o~ the account information. The cellular system also includes memory means for storing the account in~ormation to establish a cellular service account for t~e cellular radiotelephone.
The methods, radiotelephones, and cellular systems discussed above allow a cellular service account to be established for a cellular radiotelephone withou~ the intervention of a trained technician or the re~uirement of special hardware or software.
Accordlngly, the user can purchase a cellular W O 97128665 PCT/S~97/00039 .
radiotelephone, leave the store, and then set up a cellular account remotely. Furthermore, the generation o~ the prompts within the cellular system allows a mass produced radiotelephone to be used universally with di~erent cellular service systems having dif~erent account set up procedures.
Brief Descri~tion of the Drawinqs Figure 1 illustrates a cellular system ~or remotely establishing a cellular service account ~or a cellular radiotelephone according to the present invention.
Figure 2 illustrates a cellular radiotelephone according to the system of Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a flowchart which illustrates operations for remotely establishing a cellular service account ~or a cellular radiotelephone according to the present invention.
Figure 4 is a flowchart which illustrates operations ~or providing in~ormation to the cellular system according to Figure 3.
Figure 5 is a flowchart which illustrates operations ~or providing an MIN to the radiotelephone according to the present invention.
Detailed Description of a Preferred Embodiment The present invention will now be described more ~ully hereina~ter with rererence to the accompanying drawings, in which a pre~erred embodiment o~ the invention is shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many di~erent ~orms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiment set ~orth herein; rather, this embodiment is provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will ~ully convey the scope o~ the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers re~er to like e~ements throughout.
Referring now to Figure 1, ~he cellular service provider maintains a cellular system 18 including a plurality of base stations 20~_C, with each base s~ation de~ining a respective cell 21A C; at least one Mobile Switching Center ("MSC") 22, also known as a mobile telephone switching office; a subscriber data base 24 including a Home Location Register ("HLR") and a Visited Location Register ("VLR"); and a message center 26 which may communicate with an activation center 27. Each of the base stations 20AC pre~erably conforms to the IS-56B standard, and sends and receives communications to and from the MSC 22 according to proprietary standards. Communications between the MSC
22, the subscriber data base 24, and the message center 26 pre~erably con~orm to the IS-41C standard. The IS-41C and IS-56B communications standards will be known to those having skill in the art. Other cellular communications standards may also be used In addition, the cellular system is pre~erably connected to a Public Switched Telephone Network ("PSTN") 28 ~also known as a land line telephone network) through the MSC 22.
In normal operation, the cellular system 18 provldes cellular radiotelephone communications to and ~rom the cellular radiotelephone 30 in a cell of the system. As shown, cellular radiotelephone communications between the radiotelephone 30 and the base station 2OA within cell 21A are pre~erably provided over the wireless communications path 32 according to the IS-136 st~n~rd, and the radiotelephone pre~erably con~orms to the IS-55B standard. Accordingly, the cellular system 18 can support radiotelephone communications between the radiotelephone 30 and the PSTN 28 or another radiotelephone.
Brie~1y, the radiotelephone 30 can be identified ~y the cellular system 18 by data stored in memory in the radiotelephone. Each radiotelephone W O 97/28665 PCT/~E97/00039 includes a programmable memory which contains a unique identification number assigned by the cellular system.
This uni~ue identification number is the equivalent o~
a conventional telephone number, and is preferably a 10 digit number known as the Mobile Identi ication Number ("MIN"). Because the MIN is assigned by the cellular system, the radiotelephone 30 must be programmed with an MIN of the cellular system's choosing after the phone is purchased and before the radiotelephone can be used. Once the radiotelephone is programmed, the MIN
is used by the cellular system to route calls to the phone and to keep track of account information relating to the radiotelephone. When a typical radiotelephone is manufactured, the programmable memory does not contain meaningful data.
Each radiotelephone also includes a non-programmable memory which contains a unique telephone serial number. This serial number can also be used to identify the telephone, and is preferably the Electronic Serial Number ("ESN"). The ESN for each phone is stored in the non-programmable memory when the radiotelephone is manufactured. The ESN is an 11 digit number reGuired by the FCC which identifies the manufacturer of the radiotelephone and the model, as well as providing a unique serial number for the radiotelephone.
In one embodiment, the radiotelephone 30 of the present invention includes a memory, including a programmable memory 34~ and a non-programmable memory 34B~ as shown in Figure 2. The ESN for the radiotelephone is preferably stored in ~he non-programmable memory 343 when the radiotelephone is ~anufactured. In the most preferred embodiment, the least significant 10 digits of the ~SN are stored in a ~5 portion of the programmable memory 34A wnen the radiotelephone is manu~actured, and the resulting number is known as the initial identifi~ation number.
As will be understood by those having skill in the art, other numbers may be used ~or the initial identi~ication number as long as each manu~ac_ured phone has a relatively unique initial identi~-cation number. This programmable memory 34A can later be programmed with an MIN designated by a cellular system.
The radio~elephone also includes a transceiver 36 for transmitting and receiving cellular radiotelephone communications signals to and from a ~ase station The cellular communications signals are transmitted and received ~rom the antenna 31 over the wireless communication path 32 and pre~erably con~orm to IS-13~ standards. A processor 38 may control the operation of the radiotelephone and provide an inter~ace between the other elements o~ the radiotelephone The radiotelephone may also include a keypad 40, a microphone 42, a speaker 44, and a display 45.
The processor 38 pre~erably includes a memory programming function ~or programming the programmable memory 34~ in response to receipt o~ an MIN ~rom the transceiver 36. Accordingly, the radiotelephone 30 can be activated or programmed remotely in response to cellular radiotelephone communication si~nals generated ~y the cellular system. The cellular system ~ransmits cellular communication signals including the initial identi~ication number so that the radiotelephone knows to accept the communication including ~rogramming in~ormation. The communication signals also include the desired MIN, chosen by the cellular system, which is received by the transceiver 36 and written into the programmable memory 34A by the processor 38. These communication signals may be transmitted by the cellular system in the ~orm o~ a page which is received by the transceiver. The page pre~erably comprises a Short Message Service ("SMS") data string provided on a Digital Control Channel ("DCC") according to ~he W O ~7128665 PCT/S~97/00039 TIA/EIA IS-~36 standard. Accordingly, the SMS data string may include up to 239 octets (or bytes) which can be formatted as characters o~ alpha-numeric data.
The process o~ establishing a cellular service account and activating the cellular radiotelephone may be initiated by the radiotelephone 30 by ~irst initiating a cellular radiotelephone c3mmunication to the cellular system. Accordingly, the transceiver 36 may include an activation ~unction ~or establishing a cellular radiotelephone communication ~rom the radiotelephone 30 to the cellular system before the telephone is programmed. This activation ~unction allows the transceiver 36 to transmit the initial identi~ication number to the cellular system.
The cellular system can use the initial identification number to identi~y the radiotelephone 30 a~ter an account has been established, and the MIN has been chosen, as discussed above. The activation ~unction may also allow the transceiver to transmit the ESN to 2~ the cellular system.
The cellular radiotelephone communication used to initiate the activation process can be established by manually dialing a predetermined telephone number ~rom the radiotelephone. Alternately, the radiotelephone communication can be automatically initiated by the radiotelephone at the initial power up. For example, a boolean variable in a programmable memory can be used to indicate that the radiotelephone is in a programmed or unprogrammed state. I~ the 3~ boolean variable indicates that the radiotelephone has not been programmed, the radlotelephone automatically establishes a cellular radiotelephone communication, using a previously stored activation number, to initiate the activation process when curned on or when the send button is pressed. This approach allows the phone to be actlvated with reduced user intervention.
The communication can also be initiated by pressing a W O 97n866~ PCT/SE97/00039 predetermined key or combination of keys on the key pad 40.
In order to establish a cellular service account, account in~ormation (such as billing in~ormation, service in~ormation, the user's name, the user's address, credit in~ormation, and other user in~ormation) is pre~erably provided to the cellular system. Accordingly, the cellular radiotelephone prompts the user ~or input o~ the account in~ormation and then accepts the account in~ormation input by the user. Pre~erably, the prompts are displayed visually on display 45 and the account in~ormation is accepted through keypad 40.
The prompts are genera~ed by the cellular system and sent to the cellular radiotelephone. These prompts can be sent as a single data signal or separate data signals. In each o~ the above mentioned embodiments, in~ormation sent to the cellular system, and prompts sent to the cellular radiotelephone can be sent as pages such as SMS messages allowing this radiotelephone to operate according to conventional protocols.
I~ the prompts for user input of account in~ormation are sent from the cellular system to the radiotelephone in a single page, the total air time required to send the prompts can be reduced. These prompts can be received by the radiotelephone, stored in memory, and displayed to the user one at the time.
In response to the display o~ each prompt, the user inputs the reques~ed in~ormation using the keypad.
Each item o~ in~ormation can be sent to the cellular system as it is input or stored and sent during a - single transmission. ~ending the in~ormation as it is input can ~urther reduce the memory required in the radiotelephone, while sending a single transmission to the cellular system can reduce the total "air 'ime~
re~ired to send this in~ormation.
CA 02242490 l998-07-08 W O 97f28665 PCTISE97/00039 If the prompts are sent from the cellular system to the radiotelephone as separate data signals, the memory in the cellular radiotelephone can be reduced. This reduction in memory can be achieved because there is no need to store all of the prompts.
Accord~ngly, a prompt for a single item of information can be sent to the radiotelephone and the information input by the user can be returned without storing multiple prompts or multiple items of input lnformation.
The radiotelephone of the present invention has the advantage that it allows a cellular service account to be established remotely without requiring special hardware or software or a trained technician.
The radiotelephone need only support reception of pages ~rom the cellular system, the display of prompts for information, user input o~ information, and transmlssion of the information to the cellular system.
Accordingly, a radiotelephone which can send and receive pages and which includes an LCD display and a keypad can provide these functions. The cellular system in turn supports the generation of the prompts and the processing of the information. Accordingly, different cellular systems can accommoda~e different account procedures using the same mass produced cellular radiotelephones.
Referring to Figure 3, operations for establishing a cellular account and activating a radiotelephone 30 by remote programming are shown in flowchart form. This radiotelephone 30 has a programmable memory 34~ which is programmed by the manufacturer with a relatively unique initial identification number. The initial identification number may include predetermined digits chosen ~rom the ESN, such as the least significant 10 digits of the ESN.
When phone activation is desired, the account in~ormation and the initial identi~icatlon number ~"IIN"~ are provided at block 50 to the cellular system. Preferably, a ~irst cellular radiotelephone communication is established ~rom the radiotelephone 30 to the cellular system 18, and the initial identi~ication number is transmitted to the cellular system, as shown in Figure 4. This may be accomplished by initiating an exchange over a digital control channel at block 62 wherein the initial identification number is transmitted at block 64 to the cellular system via the wireless communications path 32 and the base station 20~. The ESN may also be transmi~ted at block 64 over the digital control channel. The ESN may be compared to the initial identi~ication number to insure that the phone has not been previously programmed. The radiotelephone can include a unction so that this sequence o~ events starts automatically the ~irst time the radiotelephone is turned on.
As shown in block 65, the cellular system generates prompts ~or user input of account in~ormation which are sent to the cellular radiotelephone over the wireless communication path. The prompts can be sent ~rom the cellular system to ~he radiotelephone using one or more electronic pages such as SMS pages over a digital control channel as shown in block 66. I~ sent as a single page, the total "air time" required can be reduced. I~ sent as separate pages, the memory required in the radiotelephone can be reduced.
At block 67, the cellular radiotelephone ~hen prompts ~he user to input account in~ormation which can include the user's name, address, credit in~ormation, credit card numbers, billing ln~ormation, service in~orma~ion, etc. The prompts are pre~erably provided 3~ on a visual display such as an LCD display. At block 68, the account in~ormation is accepted by the cellular radiotelephone through means such as a keypad.
At block 70, a data signal, such as an SMS
page, including the account in~ormation is generated by the cellular radiotelephone. This data signal ls ~hen sent to the cellular system as an SMS page over a Digital Control Channel at block 72. The account in~ormation is stored in the cellular system at block ~4. In particular, the Account information can be stored in the Activation Center 27 of the cellular system. As previously discussed, the account in~ormation can be sent in separate data signals as the in~ormation is input, or the account in~ormation can be stored in the cellular radiotelephone until all prompts have been answered and sent as a single data signal.
The multiple data signal approach reduces the memory required in the cellular radiotelephone while the single data signal approach reduces the ~'air time"
required to transmit this in~ormation.
Because the phone is programmed with the initial identi~ication number, and this number has been 23 provided to the cellular system, the cellular system can call the phone back at a later time to program (or activate) the phone. Accordingly, the user does not have to wait on the phone ~or the cellular system ~o establish the account.
The cellular system next determines the MIN
and provides the MIN to the radiotelephone at block 52 o~ Figure 3. This operation is shown in greater detail in Figure 5. The cellular system may run automated or manual credit checks and veri~y account in~ormation at block 80. I~ the cellular system decides to establish an account ~or the new radiotelephone 30, an MIN is chosen at block 82, and all relevant account information can be stored in the subscriber data base 24. Then, a second cellular radiotelephone communication is established over the wireless communication path 32 ~rom the cellular system to the radiotelephone 30 using the initial identi~ication CA 02242490 l998-07-08 WO 97/2866~ PCT/SE97/00~39 number to identif~y the radiotelephone, and the MIN is transmitted to the radiotelephone. This communication is prei~erably established by initiating an exchange over a DCC at block 84. This cellular communication is pre:~erably a page comprising an SMS data string according to the IS-136 standard.
The SMS page can be provided on the digital control channel and includes the IIN and MIN as shown at block 86. The SMS page may also include any other 10 phone conf~iguration parameters, as well as other Number Assignment Module ("NAM") parameters such as the Public Ser~ice I~ ("PSID"), the Residential Service ID
(RSID"), etc. The SMS page may include up to 293 characters originating from the activation center 26 15 and transmitted ~rom the base station 2 OA according to the TIA/EIA IS-136 standard. The transmission of the MIN is discussed in U.S. Patent Application Serial No.
08/397,583 entitled l'Method And Apparatus For Remotely Programming A Cellular Radiotelephonel', the disclosure 20 of which is hereby incorporated in its entirety herein by re~erence.
The programmable memory is then programmed with the MIN at block 54 in Figure 3, and the radiotelephone is ready for normal operation. The page ~5 is preferably received by the radiotelephone transceive~r 36, as discussed above. Data within the page identi~ies the MIN and signals the processor 38 in thP phone to program the programmable memory 34A with tne M:~:N. Methods o:E remote programming are disclosed, 30 for example, in: U.S. Patent No. 5,301,223 entitled "C~ellular Telephone System with Remote Programming, Voice Responsive Registration and Real Time Billing" to Amadon et al.; U.S. ~atent NO. 5,297,192 entitled "Method and Appara~us ~or Remotely Programming a Mobile 35 ~ata Telephone Set" to Gerszberg; and PCT International Publication No. WO 95/15065 published June 1, 1995, and entitled "Apparatus and Method ~or Remotely Initiating Operation of a Cellular Telephone". The disclosures o~
each o~ the above mentioned re~erences are hereby incorporated in their entirety herein by re~erence.
The cellular system may wait ~or a response ac block ~6 ~rom the radiotelephone 30 indicating success~ul programming be~ore storing account in~ormation in a subscriber database such as a Home Location Register ~"HLR") su~scriber database. If no response is received, SMS page may be retransmitted.
When the programming step has been completed, the cellular system may automatically initiate a call to the phone to veri~y proper programming. This call may also be used to indicate to the user that the phone is operational. When the user answers this call, a recorded message may state that the phone is now operational. Alternately, a predetermined signal on the phone such as a tone or a light may indicate that the phone has been programmed. This signal may also be initiated by the page used to program the phone.
The use o~ these operations eliminates the need to have a technician establish a cellular service account and program a new cellular radiotelephone prior to use. The user can purchase a cellular radiotelephone; remotely establish a cellular service account; and then put the phone away until the page is sent to program the phone. Accordingly, the user does not need to wait ~or a cellular service account to be established or ~or the phone to be programmed in order to leave the dealer with the phone a~ter having purchased the phone.
Furthermore, these operations can be implemented using existing cellular system operating standards reducing the need to develop new hardware to support this method o~ remote programming. The use o~
an SMS page would be virtually transparent to existing systems.
CA 02242490 l998-07-08 W O 97/28665 PCT/S~97/00039 In a particular embodiment o~ the method according to the present invention, the radiotelephone 30 initiates a call to the cellular system using a predetermined activation number to access the activation center. In this embodiment, the activation center and the message center are separate units within the cellular system which are linked by a communications line For example, an X.400 protocol running on top o~ a Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol ("TCP/IP") or an asynchronous dialup connection can be used.
Alternately, the activation center and message center can be implemented in a single unit. The activation number allows an un-programmed radiotelephone to access the activation center. The radiotelephone 30 ~irst accesses a base station 20~ on a DCC. Identl~ication numbers and other data ~rom the memory o~ the radiotelephone may be transmitted to the cellular system over the DCC, allowing the cellular system to compare the ESN and initial identi~ication number to veri~y that the phone has not been previously programmed.
In an un-programmed radiotelephone 30 according to the present invention, the initial identi~ication number comprises predetermined digits o~
the-ESN and is stored in the programmable memory in which the MIN will later be programmed. In addition, a ~lag may be set in another programmable memory to indicate that the radiotelephone has not been programmed. Accordingly, the cellular system can determine whether to allow access to the activation cente~ In addition, the cellular system can determine whether any previous attempts have been made to program a radiotelephone using the initial identification num~er. Any previous attempts may be disregarded.
Communications are then established between the un-programmed phone and the activation center. I~
an Integrated Services Digital Network ("ISDN") User Part ("ISUP") is used to trunk the call, some combination o~ the Numbering Plan Area (area code) ("NPA-NXX") and MIN/ESN or the Mobile Switching Center Identification ~"MSCID") and the MIN/ESN are used for the calling party number field. Otherwise, the Feature Group D, Account Number Identification ("FG-D ANI") field is used to convey the user's address.
Interactive voice response units combined with live lC operators may prompt the user to enter required account in~ormation. Once the information has been entered, the call is terminated.
After validating the account information supplied by the user over the radiotelephone and cnoosing a MIN ~or the radiotelephone, the activation center submits a short (prioritized) message to the local message center. This short message may be submitted by either a dial-up asynchronous connection or X.400 transaction. The short message encapsulates Number Assignment Module ("NAM") program elements including the assigned MIN on the SMS teleservice level. The user's initial identification number received at the activation center is passed as the dialed digits for the submitted short message.
If the activation center saved the Mobile Switching Center Identification ("MSCID") identifying the MSC from which the radiotelephone 3~ called, the message center may route the short message as an SMS
page directly back to that base station. AIternately, the message center may route the SMS page to every base station in the cellular system. Accordingly, the radiotelephone can be programmed even if the phone is mcved from the cell in which it was located when the call was placed to the activation center. If a base station transmits a page and the radiotelephone does not respond, this in~ormation can be relayed to the activation center.
When an SMS page is received by a base station from the message center, the base station will transmit the SMS page with the initial identification number to identi~y the radiotelephone to be programmed and the assigned MIN to be programmed. The assigned MIN may be transmitted as an R-Data portion of the SMS
page. I~ the radiotelephone success~ully receives the SMS page and programs the MIN portion into the appropriate programmable memory, the radiotelephone may transmit a response indicating that the programming was success~ul. This response can be transmitted ~rom the base station back to the activation center, where commands can be initiated to save the account in~ormation ~or the success~ully programmed radiotelephone in the HLR portion o~ the subscriber ~ata base 24. The transmission o~ the response ~rom the base station back to the activation center can be accomplished according to the TIA/EIA IS-41C standard.
In this embodiment, autonomous terminal registration may be disabled ~or the radiotelephone being programmed from the time that the SMS page is transmitted ~rom the base station to the time that the account in~ormation is programmed in the HLR.
Accordingly, the base station can handle the page to the un-programmed radiotelephone.
In addition, a ~lag in a programmable memory o~ the radiotelephone may be set to indicate that the phone has been programmed ~or use with a cellular system. Accordingly, i~ the attempted programming is 3Q unsuccessful, the programming may be re-initiated, and the flag will indicate that the phone has not yet been programmed. The ~lag may comprise a programmable memory in the radiotelephone which is programmed to a first boolean value when the phone is manu~actured ~o i~dicate that the phone has not been programmed, and which is programmed to a second boolean value by the processor within the radiotelephone to indicate that the radiotelephone has been success~ully programmed In addition, the use o~ E212 addresses or optional sub-address capabilities may simpli~y the method by allowing more digits ~or both routing and uniquely identi~ying the radiotelephone. Optionally, the dialed digit (called party) ~ield can be used on the air-inter~ace to convey more in~ormation about the desired call routing. Furthermore, digits can be added to the initial identi~ication number. This can be done by using a non-assigned Numbering Plan Area (I'NPA'') value.
Alternately, the HLR o~ the subscriber database can be involved at the beginning. The ~irst communication ~rom the radiotelephone to the cellular system can trigger an interrogation o~ the XLR which then compares the ESN and the initial identi~ication number to determine i~ programming is required.
Furthermore, Intelligent Network (''IN'I) concepts can be used to initiate the programming method.
In the drawings and speci~ication, there have ~een disclosed typical pre~erred embodiments o~ the invention, and although 6peci~ic terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not ~or purposes o~ limitation, the scope o~ the invention being set ~orth in the ~ollowing claims.
~r~
ESTABLISHING A CEL~ ULAR SERVICE
ACCOUNT FOR A CE~LULAR RAD~OTELEPHONE
Field of the Invention This invention relates to communications systems and methods and more particularly to systems and methods for cellular communications.
Background of the Invention Currently, most cellular radiotelephones must be manually pro~ided with a cellular service account before the user can place a call, and this usually occurs after purchase. Establishing the account may include the steps of providing the user's account information, such as credit and billing information, to the cellular systemi waiting for the cellular system to store this account information and assign a telephone nu~ber (Mobile Identi~ication Number); and having a technician program the radiotelephone with the assigned telephone number. This process may take an hour or longer because the cellular system will typically run credit checks and other veri~ications prior to establishing an account. The process of establishing 2~ the account may also be delayed due to a backlog of new accounts. In addition, the telephone must remain with the technician until the phone is programmed.
Accordingly, there exists a need in the art for a cellular radiotelephone system wherein the radiotelephone can be purchased and a cellular service account established remotely.
In U.S. Patent No. 5,297,192, there is disclosed a method and apparatus ~or remotely programming a mobile data ~elephone. In this patent, downloading of Number Assignment Module ("NAM") designation parameters to a mobile data telephone set allows service authorization codes and activation to be entered remotely. A cellular mobile user first calls a remote cellular system center to establish a voice communication channel between the mobile data telephone and the center. The modem of the telephone is selectively bridged onto the voice communication channel to achieve data transfer between a source of data located at the remote center and the user's modem.
In U.S. Patent No. 5,301,223, there is disclosed a method and apparatus for use in a mobile telephone rental system. In this patent, credit card information is communicated between the mobile telephone unit and a Voice Response System for customer registration and remote programming of mobile telephone unit eatures and NAM settings. Data read from the mobile telephone units are transmitted i~ variable length, encrypted and error protected Packet Data Units.
PCT International Publication No. WO 95/15065 entitled "Apparatus and Method for Remotely Inltiating Operation of a Cellular Telephone" discusses an apparatus for activating a cellular telephone within a cellular communications network. A PCMCIA card interacts with a controller to display required programming information and questions. A user of the cellular telephone inputs responses to questions on a display. The user responses are transmitted to a system administrator at a customer activation center via a mo~ile telephone switching office in the cellular telecommunications network. More speciFically described, a personal computer memory card international association (PCMCIA) card is provided to the user who purchases or rents a cellular telephone.
The PCMCIA card is preprogrammed with a series of 3~ questions. The PCMCIA card, however, may add expense to the cost of this cellular telephone and may also require a corresponding slot port, thereby increasin the complexity of this telephone.
Notwithstanding the above identified paten~s, there con~inues to exist a need in the art for imprcved methods for remotely establishing a cellular service account for a cellular radiotelephone. In particular, there exists a need for methods for remotely establishing a cellular service account for a cellular radiotelephone which can be easily adapted for use in different cellular service areas having di~erent requirements for establishing accounts.
Summary o~ the Invention It is therefore an object of the present lnvention to provide an improved method and apparatus for remotely establishing a cellular service account ~or a cellular radiotelephone after purchase.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for remotely establishing a cellular service account for a cellular radiotelephone which can be easily adapted for use in different cellular service areas.
These and other objects are provided according to the present invention by a method for remotely establishing a cellular service account for a cellular radiotelephone wherein the cellular system generates prompts ~or user input of account information which are sent to the cellular radiotelephone over a wireless communications path. Accordingly, dif~erent prompts can be generated by different cellular systems 3~ and received by the same mass produced radio telephones. Stated in other words, the prompts can be adapted for use in each cellular system without ~ requiring any modification to the radiotelephone ~he cellular radiotelephone provides these prompts to the user who then inputs the account information into the radiotelephone. This in~ormation is sent as a data signal to the cellular system whe~e the cellular service account is established. Accordingly, no special hardware or soEtware i5 required to establish the cellular service account, and the account can be est~blished by an untrained user ~ollowing the prompts generated by the cellular system and provided at the radiotelephone.
In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of generating prompts ~or user input o~ account in~ormation at the cellular system and sending the prompts to the cellular radiotelephone. The prompts are provided to the user, pre~erably through a visual display. The user inputs the account in~ormation in response to the prompts, and this in~ormation is pre~erably accepted by the radiotelephone through an input device such as a keypad. The cellular radiotelephone generates a data signal in response to the user input o~ the account in~ormation, and sends the data signal to the cellular system. The cellular system stores the account in~ormation in memory to establish a cellular service account ~or the cellular radiotelephone.
The account in~ormation may include billing in~ormation, service in~ormation, the user's name, the user~s address, credit in~ormation, and other user in~ormation which may be required to setup the cellular service account. Individual prompts can be used ~or each item of in~ormation required. These prompts can be sent to the cellular radiotelephone durin~ a single ~0 data communication thereby reducing the required "air time.~' Alternately, the prompts can be sent individually thereby reducing the memory required at the cellular radiotelephone to store the prompts.
Similarly, the individual items o~ account in~ormatlon can be sent to the cellular system in one or multiple data communications.
-W097l28665 PCT/SE97/00039 The cellular system can send the prompt5 as one or more electronic pages. In particular, the electronic page may comprise an SMS message allowing the use of standard communications protocols.
Similarly, the cellular radiotelephone can send the account information as a data signal such as an SMS
page.
The cellular radiotelephone may include a programmable memory which is programmed with an initial identification number, and a step of providing the initial identification number to the cellular system may proceed the step o~ storing the account information in the cellular system. In addition, the step of storing the account information may be followed by the steps of esta~lishing a page to the radiotelephone using the initial identification number to identify the radiotelephone, sending a mobile identification number to the cellular radiotelephone during the page, and reprogramming the programmable memory so that it is programmed with the mobile identi~ication number Accordingly, the radiotelephone is programmed remotely after establishing the cellular service account.
Alternately, the initial identification number may be provided to the cellular system when the account information is sent.
In another embodiment of the present invention, a cellular radiotelephone comprises a receiver for receiving prompts from the cellular system and a means for prompting for user input of account 3~ in~ormation. Input means accept user input of the account information, and generating means generate a data signal in response to the user input. The data signal is transmitted by a transmitter to the cellular system wherein the account information is stored to establish a cellular service account. This radiotelephone can be mass produced and used in different cellular service areas because each cellular service area may generate its own unique promp~s.
The prompts from the cellular system are preferably received as a portion of an electronic page, and this electronic page, may comprise an SMS message.
Accordingly, the prompts can be received from a cellular system using conventional transmission protocols. In addition, the data sig~al can be transmitted to the cellular system as an SMS message.
The cellular radiotelephone may further comprise a programmable memory programmed with an initial identification number, and means for reprogramming the programmable memory in response to receipt of a mobile identi~ication number from the cellular system. Accordingly, the programmable memory can be programmed with the mobile identi~ication number automatically after the cellular service account has been setup.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a cellular system comprises means for generating prompts ~or user input of account information, and a transmitter ~or sending the prompts to a cellular radiotelephone. A receiver is included for receiving a data signal from the cellular radiotelephone wherein the data signal includes acco~nt information ~enerated by the cellular radiotelephone in response to prompts ~or user input followed by user input o~ the account information. The cellular system also includes memory means for storing the account in~ormation to establish a cellular service account for t~e cellular radiotelephone.
The methods, radiotelephones, and cellular systems discussed above allow a cellular service account to be established for a cellular radiotelephone withou~ the intervention of a trained technician or the re~uirement of special hardware or software.
Accordlngly, the user can purchase a cellular W O 97128665 PCT/S~97/00039 .
radiotelephone, leave the store, and then set up a cellular account remotely. Furthermore, the generation o~ the prompts within the cellular system allows a mass produced radiotelephone to be used universally with di~erent cellular service systems having dif~erent account set up procedures.
Brief Descri~tion of the Drawinqs Figure 1 illustrates a cellular system ~or remotely establishing a cellular service account ~or a cellular radiotelephone according to the present invention.
Figure 2 illustrates a cellular radiotelephone according to the system of Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a flowchart which illustrates operations for remotely establishing a cellular service account ~or a cellular radiotelephone according to the present invention.
Figure 4 is a flowchart which illustrates operations ~or providing in~ormation to the cellular system according to Figure 3.
Figure 5 is a flowchart which illustrates operations ~or providing an MIN to the radiotelephone according to the present invention.
Detailed Description of a Preferred Embodiment The present invention will now be described more ~ully hereina~ter with rererence to the accompanying drawings, in which a pre~erred embodiment o~ the invention is shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many di~erent ~orms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiment set ~orth herein; rather, this embodiment is provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will ~ully convey the scope o~ the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers re~er to like e~ements throughout.
Referring now to Figure 1, ~he cellular service provider maintains a cellular system 18 including a plurality of base stations 20~_C, with each base s~ation de~ining a respective cell 21A C; at least one Mobile Switching Center ("MSC") 22, also known as a mobile telephone switching office; a subscriber data base 24 including a Home Location Register ("HLR") and a Visited Location Register ("VLR"); and a message center 26 which may communicate with an activation center 27. Each of the base stations 20AC pre~erably conforms to the IS-56B standard, and sends and receives communications to and from the MSC 22 according to proprietary standards. Communications between the MSC
22, the subscriber data base 24, and the message center 26 pre~erably con~orm to the IS-41C standard. The IS-41C and IS-56B communications standards will be known to those having skill in the art. Other cellular communications standards may also be used In addition, the cellular system is pre~erably connected to a Public Switched Telephone Network ("PSTN") 28 ~also known as a land line telephone network) through the MSC 22.
In normal operation, the cellular system 18 provldes cellular radiotelephone communications to and ~rom the cellular radiotelephone 30 in a cell of the system. As shown, cellular radiotelephone communications between the radiotelephone 30 and the base station 2OA within cell 21A are pre~erably provided over the wireless communications path 32 according to the IS-136 st~n~rd, and the radiotelephone pre~erably con~orms to the IS-55B standard. Accordingly, the cellular system 18 can support radiotelephone communications between the radiotelephone 30 and the PSTN 28 or another radiotelephone.
Brie~1y, the radiotelephone 30 can be identified ~y the cellular system 18 by data stored in memory in the radiotelephone. Each radiotelephone W O 97/28665 PCT/~E97/00039 includes a programmable memory which contains a unique identification number assigned by the cellular system.
This uni~ue identification number is the equivalent o~
a conventional telephone number, and is preferably a 10 digit number known as the Mobile Identi ication Number ("MIN"). Because the MIN is assigned by the cellular system, the radiotelephone 30 must be programmed with an MIN of the cellular system's choosing after the phone is purchased and before the radiotelephone can be used. Once the radiotelephone is programmed, the MIN
is used by the cellular system to route calls to the phone and to keep track of account information relating to the radiotelephone. When a typical radiotelephone is manufactured, the programmable memory does not contain meaningful data.
Each radiotelephone also includes a non-programmable memory which contains a unique telephone serial number. This serial number can also be used to identify the telephone, and is preferably the Electronic Serial Number ("ESN"). The ESN for each phone is stored in the non-programmable memory when the radiotelephone is manufactured. The ESN is an 11 digit number reGuired by the FCC which identifies the manufacturer of the radiotelephone and the model, as well as providing a unique serial number for the radiotelephone.
In one embodiment, the radiotelephone 30 of the present invention includes a memory, including a programmable memory 34~ and a non-programmable memory 34B~ as shown in Figure 2. The ESN for the radiotelephone is preferably stored in ~he non-programmable memory 343 when the radiotelephone is ~anufactured. In the most preferred embodiment, the least significant 10 digits of the ~SN are stored in a ~5 portion of the programmable memory 34A wnen the radiotelephone is manu~actured, and the resulting number is known as the initial identifi~ation number.
As will be understood by those having skill in the art, other numbers may be used ~or the initial identi~ication number as long as each manu~ac_ured phone has a relatively unique initial identi~-cation number. This programmable memory 34A can later be programmed with an MIN designated by a cellular system.
The radio~elephone also includes a transceiver 36 for transmitting and receiving cellular radiotelephone communications signals to and from a ~ase station The cellular communications signals are transmitted and received ~rom the antenna 31 over the wireless communication path 32 and pre~erably con~orm to IS-13~ standards. A processor 38 may control the operation of the radiotelephone and provide an inter~ace between the other elements o~ the radiotelephone The radiotelephone may also include a keypad 40, a microphone 42, a speaker 44, and a display 45.
The processor 38 pre~erably includes a memory programming function ~or programming the programmable memory 34~ in response to receipt o~ an MIN ~rom the transceiver 36. Accordingly, the radiotelephone 30 can be activated or programmed remotely in response to cellular radiotelephone communication si~nals generated ~y the cellular system. The cellular system ~ransmits cellular communication signals including the initial identi~ication number so that the radiotelephone knows to accept the communication including ~rogramming in~ormation. The communication signals also include the desired MIN, chosen by the cellular system, which is received by the transceiver 36 and written into the programmable memory 34A by the processor 38. These communication signals may be transmitted by the cellular system in the ~orm o~ a page which is received by the transceiver. The page pre~erably comprises a Short Message Service ("SMS") data string provided on a Digital Control Channel ("DCC") according to ~he W O ~7128665 PCT/S~97/00039 TIA/EIA IS-~36 standard. Accordingly, the SMS data string may include up to 239 octets (or bytes) which can be formatted as characters o~ alpha-numeric data.
The process o~ establishing a cellular service account and activating the cellular radiotelephone may be initiated by the radiotelephone 30 by ~irst initiating a cellular radiotelephone c3mmunication to the cellular system. Accordingly, the transceiver 36 may include an activation ~unction ~or establishing a cellular radiotelephone communication ~rom the radiotelephone 30 to the cellular system before the telephone is programmed. This activation ~unction allows the transceiver 36 to transmit the initial identi~ication number to the cellular system.
The cellular system can use the initial identification number to identi~y the radiotelephone 30 a~ter an account has been established, and the MIN has been chosen, as discussed above. The activation ~unction may also allow the transceiver to transmit the ESN to 2~ the cellular system.
The cellular radiotelephone communication used to initiate the activation process can be established by manually dialing a predetermined telephone number ~rom the radiotelephone. Alternately, the radiotelephone communication can be automatically initiated by the radiotelephone at the initial power up. For example, a boolean variable in a programmable memory can be used to indicate that the radiotelephone is in a programmed or unprogrammed state. I~ the 3~ boolean variable indicates that the radiotelephone has not been programmed, the radlotelephone automatically establishes a cellular radiotelephone communication, using a previously stored activation number, to initiate the activation process when curned on or when the send button is pressed. This approach allows the phone to be actlvated with reduced user intervention.
The communication can also be initiated by pressing a W O 97n866~ PCT/SE97/00039 predetermined key or combination of keys on the key pad 40.
In order to establish a cellular service account, account in~ormation (such as billing in~ormation, service in~ormation, the user's name, the user's address, credit in~ormation, and other user in~ormation) is pre~erably provided to the cellular system. Accordingly, the cellular radiotelephone prompts the user ~or input o~ the account in~ormation and then accepts the account in~ormation input by the user. Pre~erably, the prompts are displayed visually on display 45 and the account in~ormation is accepted through keypad 40.
The prompts are genera~ed by the cellular system and sent to the cellular radiotelephone. These prompts can be sent as a single data signal or separate data signals. In each o~ the above mentioned embodiments, in~ormation sent to the cellular system, and prompts sent to the cellular radiotelephone can be sent as pages such as SMS messages allowing this radiotelephone to operate according to conventional protocols.
I~ the prompts for user input of account in~ormation are sent from the cellular system to the radiotelephone in a single page, the total air time required to send the prompts can be reduced. These prompts can be received by the radiotelephone, stored in memory, and displayed to the user one at the time.
In response to the display o~ each prompt, the user inputs the reques~ed in~ormation using the keypad.
Each item o~ in~ormation can be sent to the cellular system as it is input or stored and sent during a - single transmission. ~ending the in~ormation as it is input can ~urther reduce the memory required in the radiotelephone, while sending a single transmission to the cellular system can reduce the total "air 'ime~
re~ired to send this in~ormation.
CA 02242490 l998-07-08 W O 97f28665 PCTISE97/00039 If the prompts are sent from the cellular system to the radiotelephone as separate data signals, the memory in the cellular radiotelephone can be reduced. This reduction in memory can be achieved because there is no need to store all of the prompts.
Accord~ngly, a prompt for a single item of information can be sent to the radiotelephone and the information input by the user can be returned without storing multiple prompts or multiple items of input lnformation.
The radiotelephone of the present invention has the advantage that it allows a cellular service account to be established remotely without requiring special hardware or software or a trained technician.
The radiotelephone need only support reception of pages ~rom the cellular system, the display of prompts for information, user input o~ information, and transmlssion of the information to the cellular system.
Accordingly, a radiotelephone which can send and receive pages and which includes an LCD display and a keypad can provide these functions. The cellular system in turn supports the generation of the prompts and the processing of the information. Accordingly, different cellular systems can accommoda~e different account procedures using the same mass produced cellular radiotelephones.
Referring to Figure 3, operations for establishing a cellular account and activating a radiotelephone 30 by remote programming are shown in flowchart form. This radiotelephone 30 has a programmable memory 34~ which is programmed by the manufacturer with a relatively unique initial identification number. The initial identification number may include predetermined digits chosen ~rom the ESN, such as the least significant 10 digits of the ESN.
When phone activation is desired, the account in~ormation and the initial identi~icatlon number ~"IIN"~ are provided at block 50 to the cellular system. Preferably, a ~irst cellular radiotelephone communication is established ~rom the radiotelephone 30 to the cellular system 18, and the initial identi~ication number is transmitted to the cellular system, as shown in Figure 4. This may be accomplished by initiating an exchange over a digital control channel at block 62 wherein the initial identification number is transmitted at block 64 to the cellular system via the wireless communications path 32 and the base station 20~. The ESN may also be transmi~ted at block 64 over the digital control channel. The ESN may be compared to the initial identi~ication number to insure that the phone has not been previously programmed. The radiotelephone can include a unction so that this sequence o~ events starts automatically the ~irst time the radiotelephone is turned on.
As shown in block 65, the cellular system generates prompts ~or user input of account in~ormation which are sent to the cellular radiotelephone over the wireless communication path. The prompts can be sent ~rom the cellular system to ~he radiotelephone using one or more electronic pages such as SMS pages over a digital control channel as shown in block 66. I~ sent as a single page, the total "air time" required can be reduced. I~ sent as separate pages, the memory required in the radiotelephone can be reduced.
At block 67, the cellular radiotelephone ~hen prompts ~he user to input account in~ormation which can include the user's name, address, credit in~ormation, credit card numbers, billing ln~ormation, service in~orma~ion, etc. The prompts are pre~erably provided 3~ on a visual display such as an LCD display. At block 68, the account in~ormation is accepted by the cellular radiotelephone through means such as a keypad.
At block 70, a data signal, such as an SMS
page, including the account in~ormation is generated by the cellular radiotelephone. This data signal ls ~hen sent to the cellular system as an SMS page over a Digital Control Channel at block 72. The account in~ormation is stored in the cellular system at block ~4. In particular, the Account information can be stored in the Activation Center 27 of the cellular system. As previously discussed, the account in~ormation can be sent in separate data signals as the in~ormation is input, or the account in~ormation can be stored in the cellular radiotelephone until all prompts have been answered and sent as a single data signal.
The multiple data signal approach reduces the memory required in the cellular radiotelephone while the single data signal approach reduces the ~'air time"
required to transmit this in~ormation.
Because the phone is programmed with the initial identi~ication number, and this number has been 23 provided to the cellular system, the cellular system can call the phone back at a later time to program (or activate) the phone. Accordingly, the user does not have to wait on the phone ~or the cellular system ~o establish the account.
The cellular system next determines the MIN
and provides the MIN to the radiotelephone at block 52 o~ Figure 3. This operation is shown in greater detail in Figure 5. The cellular system may run automated or manual credit checks and veri~y account in~ormation at block 80. I~ the cellular system decides to establish an account ~or the new radiotelephone 30, an MIN is chosen at block 82, and all relevant account information can be stored in the subscriber data base 24. Then, a second cellular radiotelephone communication is established over the wireless communication path 32 ~rom the cellular system to the radiotelephone 30 using the initial identi~ication CA 02242490 l998-07-08 WO 97/2866~ PCT/SE97/00~39 number to identif~y the radiotelephone, and the MIN is transmitted to the radiotelephone. This communication is prei~erably established by initiating an exchange over a DCC at block 84. This cellular communication is pre:~erably a page comprising an SMS data string according to the IS-136 standard.
The SMS page can be provided on the digital control channel and includes the IIN and MIN as shown at block 86. The SMS page may also include any other 10 phone conf~iguration parameters, as well as other Number Assignment Module ("NAM") parameters such as the Public Ser~ice I~ ("PSID"), the Residential Service ID
(RSID"), etc. The SMS page may include up to 293 characters originating from the activation center 26 15 and transmitted ~rom the base station 2 OA according to the TIA/EIA IS-136 standard. The transmission of the MIN is discussed in U.S. Patent Application Serial No.
08/397,583 entitled l'Method And Apparatus For Remotely Programming A Cellular Radiotelephonel', the disclosure 20 of which is hereby incorporated in its entirety herein by re~erence.
The programmable memory is then programmed with the MIN at block 54 in Figure 3, and the radiotelephone is ready for normal operation. The page ~5 is preferably received by the radiotelephone transceive~r 36, as discussed above. Data within the page identi~ies the MIN and signals the processor 38 in thP phone to program the programmable memory 34A with tne M:~:N. Methods o:E remote programming are disclosed, 30 for example, in: U.S. Patent No. 5,301,223 entitled "C~ellular Telephone System with Remote Programming, Voice Responsive Registration and Real Time Billing" to Amadon et al.; U.S. ~atent NO. 5,297,192 entitled "Method and Appara~us ~or Remotely Programming a Mobile 35 ~ata Telephone Set" to Gerszberg; and PCT International Publication No. WO 95/15065 published June 1, 1995, and entitled "Apparatus and Method ~or Remotely Initiating Operation of a Cellular Telephone". The disclosures o~
each o~ the above mentioned re~erences are hereby incorporated in their entirety herein by re~erence.
The cellular system may wait ~or a response ac block ~6 ~rom the radiotelephone 30 indicating success~ul programming be~ore storing account in~ormation in a subscriber database such as a Home Location Register ~"HLR") su~scriber database. If no response is received, SMS page may be retransmitted.
When the programming step has been completed, the cellular system may automatically initiate a call to the phone to veri~y proper programming. This call may also be used to indicate to the user that the phone is operational. When the user answers this call, a recorded message may state that the phone is now operational. Alternately, a predetermined signal on the phone such as a tone or a light may indicate that the phone has been programmed. This signal may also be initiated by the page used to program the phone.
The use o~ these operations eliminates the need to have a technician establish a cellular service account and program a new cellular radiotelephone prior to use. The user can purchase a cellular radiotelephone; remotely establish a cellular service account; and then put the phone away until the page is sent to program the phone. Accordingly, the user does not need to wait ~or a cellular service account to be established or ~or the phone to be programmed in order to leave the dealer with the phone a~ter having purchased the phone.
Furthermore, these operations can be implemented using existing cellular system operating standards reducing the need to develop new hardware to support this method o~ remote programming. The use o~
an SMS page would be virtually transparent to existing systems.
CA 02242490 l998-07-08 W O 97/28665 PCT/S~97/00039 In a particular embodiment o~ the method according to the present invention, the radiotelephone 30 initiates a call to the cellular system using a predetermined activation number to access the activation center. In this embodiment, the activation center and the message center are separate units within the cellular system which are linked by a communications line For example, an X.400 protocol running on top o~ a Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol ("TCP/IP") or an asynchronous dialup connection can be used.
Alternately, the activation center and message center can be implemented in a single unit. The activation number allows an un-programmed radiotelephone to access the activation center. The radiotelephone 30 ~irst accesses a base station 20~ on a DCC. Identl~ication numbers and other data ~rom the memory o~ the radiotelephone may be transmitted to the cellular system over the DCC, allowing the cellular system to compare the ESN and initial identi~ication number to veri~y that the phone has not been previously programmed.
In an un-programmed radiotelephone 30 according to the present invention, the initial identi~ication number comprises predetermined digits o~
the-ESN and is stored in the programmable memory in which the MIN will later be programmed. In addition, a ~lag may be set in another programmable memory to indicate that the radiotelephone has not been programmed. Accordingly, the cellular system can determine whether to allow access to the activation cente~ In addition, the cellular system can determine whether any previous attempts have been made to program a radiotelephone using the initial identification num~er. Any previous attempts may be disregarded.
Communications are then established between the un-programmed phone and the activation center. I~
an Integrated Services Digital Network ("ISDN") User Part ("ISUP") is used to trunk the call, some combination o~ the Numbering Plan Area (area code) ("NPA-NXX") and MIN/ESN or the Mobile Switching Center Identification ~"MSCID") and the MIN/ESN are used for the calling party number field. Otherwise, the Feature Group D, Account Number Identification ("FG-D ANI") field is used to convey the user's address.
Interactive voice response units combined with live lC operators may prompt the user to enter required account in~ormation. Once the information has been entered, the call is terminated.
After validating the account information supplied by the user over the radiotelephone and cnoosing a MIN ~or the radiotelephone, the activation center submits a short (prioritized) message to the local message center. This short message may be submitted by either a dial-up asynchronous connection or X.400 transaction. The short message encapsulates Number Assignment Module ("NAM") program elements including the assigned MIN on the SMS teleservice level. The user's initial identification number received at the activation center is passed as the dialed digits for the submitted short message.
If the activation center saved the Mobile Switching Center Identification ("MSCID") identifying the MSC from which the radiotelephone 3~ called, the message center may route the short message as an SMS
page directly back to that base station. AIternately, the message center may route the SMS page to every base station in the cellular system. Accordingly, the radiotelephone can be programmed even if the phone is mcved from the cell in which it was located when the call was placed to the activation center. If a base station transmits a page and the radiotelephone does not respond, this in~ormation can be relayed to the activation center.
When an SMS page is received by a base station from the message center, the base station will transmit the SMS page with the initial identification number to identi~y the radiotelephone to be programmed and the assigned MIN to be programmed. The assigned MIN may be transmitted as an R-Data portion of the SMS
page. I~ the radiotelephone success~ully receives the SMS page and programs the MIN portion into the appropriate programmable memory, the radiotelephone may transmit a response indicating that the programming was success~ul. This response can be transmitted ~rom the base station back to the activation center, where commands can be initiated to save the account in~ormation ~or the success~ully programmed radiotelephone in the HLR portion o~ the subscriber ~ata base 24. The transmission o~ the response ~rom the base station back to the activation center can be accomplished according to the TIA/EIA IS-41C standard.
In this embodiment, autonomous terminal registration may be disabled ~or the radiotelephone being programmed from the time that the SMS page is transmitted ~rom the base station to the time that the account in~ormation is programmed in the HLR.
Accordingly, the base station can handle the page to the un-programmed radiotelephone.
In addition, a ~lag in a programmable memory o~ the radiotelephone may be set to indicate that the phone has been programmed ~or use with a cellular system. Accordingly, i~ the attempted programming is 3Q unsuccessful, the programming may be re-initiated, and the flag will indicate that the phone has not yet been programmed. The ~lag may comprise a programmable memory in the radiotelephone which is programmed to a first boolean value when the phone is manu~actured ~o i~dicate that the phone has not been programmed, and which is programmed to a second boolean value by the processor within the radiotelephone to indicate that the radiotelephone has been success~ully programmed In addition, the use o~ E212 addresses or optional sub-address capabilities may simpli~y the method by allowing more digits ~or both routing and uniquely identi~ying the radiotelephone. Optionally, the dialed digit (called party) ~ield can be used on the air-inter~ace to convey more in~ormation about the desired call routing. Furthermore, digits can be added to the initial identi~ication number. This can be done by using a non-assigned Numbering Plan Area (I'NPA'') value.
Alternately, the HLR o~ the subscriber database can be involved at the beginning. The ~irst communication ~rom the radiotelephone to the cellular system can trigger an interrogation o~ the XLR which then compares the ESN and the initial identi~ication number to determine i~ programming is required.
Furthermore, Intelligent Network (''IN'I) concepts can be used to initiate the programming method.
In the drawings and speci~ication, there have ~een disclosed typical pre~erred embodiments o~ the invention, and although 6peci~ic terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not ~or purposes o~ limitation, the scope o~ the invention being set ~orth in the ~ollowing claims.
~r~
Claims
THAT WHICH IS CLAIMED:
1. A method for remotely establishing a cellular service account for a cellular radiotelephone within a cellular system, said method comprising the steps of:
said cellular system generating prompts for user input of account information;
said cellular system sending said prompts to said cellular radiotelephone;
said cellular radiotelephone providing said prompts for user input of said account information;
said cellular radiotelephone accepting user input of said account information;
said cellular radiotelephone generating a data signal within said cellular radiotelephone in response to said user input of said account information, said data signal including said account information;
said cellular radiotelephone sending said data signal from said cellular radiotelephone to said cellular system; and said cellular system storing said account information to establish said cellular service account;
wherein said cellular system sending step comprises sending said prompts as an electronic page.
3. A method according to Claim 1 wherein said electronic page comprises an SMS message.
4. A method according to Claim 1 wherein said cellular radiotelephone sending step comprises sending said data signal as an SMS
message.
5. A method according to Claim 1 wherein:
said cellular radiotelephone includes a programmable memory which is programmed with an initial identification number;
said cellular system storing step is proceeded by the step of providing said initial identification number to said cellular system; and said cellular system storing step is followed by the steps of said cellular system establishing a page to said cellular radiotelephone using said initial identification number to identify said cellular radiotelephone, said cellular system sending a mobile identification number to said cellular radiotelephone during said page, and said cellular radiotelephone reprogramming said programmable memory so that said programmable memory is programmed with said mobile identification number.
6. A method according to Claim 1 wherein:
said cellular radiotelephone includes a programmable memory which is programmed with an initial identification number;
said cellular radiotelephone sending step further comprises providing said initial identification number to said cellular system; and said storing step is followed by the steps of said cellular system establishing a page to said cellular radiotelephone using said initial identification number to identify said cellular radiotelephone, said cellular system sending a mobile identification number to said cellular radiotelephone during said page, and said cellular radiotelephone reprogramming said programmable memory so that said programmable memory is programmed with said mobile identification number.
7. A cellular radiotelephone for operation in a cellular system, said cellular radio telephone comprising:
a receiver for receiving prompts for user input of account information from said cellular system;
prompting means for prompting for user input of said account information;
input means for accepting user input of said account information;
generating means for generating a data signal in response to said user input of said account information, said data signal including said account information; and a transmitter for transmitting said data signal from said cellular radiotelephone to said cellular system wherein said account information is stored to establish a cellular service account;
wherein said prompts from said cellular system are received as a portion of an electronic page.
9. A cellular radiotelephone according to Claim 7 wherein said electronic page comprises an SMS message.
10. A cellular radiotelephone according to Claim 7 wherein said data signal is transmitted as an SMS message.
11. A cellular radiotelephone according to Claim 7 further comprising:
a programmable memory programmed with an initial identification number; and reprogramming means for reprogramming said programmable memory in response to receipt of a mobile identification number from said cellular system so that said programmablememory is programmed with said mobile identification number.
12. A cellular system for providing communications with at least one cellular radiotelephone, said cellular system comprising:
generating means for generating prompts for user input of account information;
a transmitter for sending said prompts for user input of said account information to said cellular radiotelephone;
a receiver for receiving a data signal from said cellular radiotelephone, said data signal including account information generated by saidcellular radiotelephone in response to prompts for user input followed by user input of said account information; and memory means for storing said account information to establish a cellular service account for said cellular radiotelephone;
wherein said prompts for user input of said account information are sent as an electronic page.
14. A cellular system according to Claim 12 wherein said electronic page comprises an SMS message.
15. A cellular system according to Claim 12 wherein said data signal comprises an SMS message.
1. A method for remotely establishing a cellular service account for a cellular radiotelephone within a cellular system, said method comprising the steps of:
said cellular system generating prompts for user input of account information;
said cellular system sending said prompts to said cellular radiotelephone;
said cellular radiotelephone providing said prompts for user input of said account information;
said cellular radiotelephone accepting user input of said account information;
said cellular radiotelephone generating a data signal within said cellular radiotelephone in response to said user input of said account information, said data signal including said account information;
said cellular radiotelephone sending said data signal from said cellular radiotelephone to said cellular system; and said cellular system storing said account information to establish said cellular service account;
wherein said cellular system sending step comprises sending said prompts as an electronic page.
3. A method according to Claim 1 wherein said electronic page comprises an SMS message.
4. A method according to Claim 1 wherein said cellular radiotelephone sending step comprises sending said data signal as an SMS
message.
5. A method according to Claim 1 wherein:
said cellular radiotelephone includes a programmable memory which is programmed with an initial identification number;
said cellular system storing step is proceeded by the step of providing said initial identification number to said cellular system; and said cellular system storing step is followed by the steps of said cellular system establishing a page to said cellular radiotelephone using said initial identification number to identify said cellular radiotelephone, said cellular system sending a mobile identification number to said cellular radiotelephone during said page, and said cellular radiotelephone reprogramming said programmable memory so that said programmable memory is programmed with said mobile identification number.
6. A method according to Claim 1 wherein:
said cellular radiotelephone includes a programmable memory which is programmed with an initial identification number;
said cellular radiotelephone sending step further comprises providing said initial identification number to said cellular system; and said storing step is followed by the steps of said cellular system establishing a page to said cellular radiotelephone using said initial identification number to identify said cellular radiotelephone, said cellular system sending a mobile identification number to said cellular radiotelephone during said page, and said cellular radiotelephone reprogramming said programmable memory so that said programmable memory is programmed with said mobile identification number.
7. A cellular radiotelephone for operation in a cellular system, said cellular radio telephone comprising:
a receiver for receiving prompts for user input of account information from said cellular system;
prompting means for prompting for user input of said account information;
input means for accepting user input of said account information;
generating means for generating a data signal in response to said user input of said account information, said data signal including said account information; and a transmitter for transmitting said data signal from said cellular radiotelephone to said cellular system wherein said account information is stored to establish a cellular service account;
wherein said prompts from said cellular system are received as a portion of an electronic page.
9. A cellular radiotelephone according to Claim 7 wherein said electronic page comprises an SMS message.
10. A cellular radiotelephone according to Claim 7 wherein said data signal is transmitted as an SMS message.
11. A cellular radiotelephone according to Claim 7 further comprising:
a programmable memory programmed with an initial identification number; and reprogramming means for reprogramming said programmable memory in response to receipt of a mobile identification number from said cellular system so that said programmablememory is programmed with said mobile identification number.
12. A cellular system for providing communications with at least one cellular radiotelephone, said cellular system comprising:
generating means for generating prompts for user input of account information;
a transmitter for sending said prompts for user input of said account information to said cellular radiotelephone;
a receiver for receiving a data signal from said cellular radiotelephone, said data signal including account information generated by saidcellular radiotelephone in response to prompts for user input followed by user input of said account information; and memory means for storing said account information to establish a cellular service account for said cellular radiotelephone;
wherein said prompts for user input of said account information are sent as an electronic page.
14. A cellular system according to Claim 12 wherein said electronic page comprises an SMS message.
15. A cellular system according to Claim 12 wherein said data signal comprises an SMS message.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US08/594,724 US5887249A (en) | 1996-01-31 | 1996-01-31 | Method and apparatus for remotely establishing a cellular service account for a cellular radiotelephone |
| US08/594,724 | 1996-01-31 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2242490A1 true CA2242490A1 (en) | 1997-08-07 |
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ID=24380117
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|---|---|---|---|
| CA002242490A Abandoned CA2242490A1 (en) | 1996-01-31 | 1997-01-14 | Method and apparatus for remotely establishing a cellular service account for a cellular radiotelephone |
Country Status (9)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US5887249A (en) |
| JP (1) | JP2000504511A (en) |
| AR (1) | AR005677A1 (en) |
| AU (1) | AU1678297A (en) |
| BR (1) | BR9707212A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2242490A1 (en) |
| DE (1) | DE19781521T1 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB2323753B (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1997028665A1 (en) |
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1997
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- 1997-01-14 GB GB9815675A patent/GB2323753B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
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- 1997-01-14 AU AU16782/97A patent/AU1678297A/en not_active Abandoned
- 1997-01-31 AR ARP970100408A patent/AR005677A1/en unknown
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| FZDE | Discontinued | ||
| FZDE | Discontinued |
Effective date: 20040114 |