System and method for using a temporary electronic serial number for over-the-air activation of a mobile device
US6591098B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 7, 2000 |
| Grant date | Jul 8, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 7, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04M2207/18
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A system and method for activating a subscriber identification module (SIM) based mobile device in a PCS/ANSI type wireless network. The method comprises preprogramming the SIM card of the mobile device with temporary activation identifiers, such as an international mobile station identity (IMSI) and/or a mobile identification number (MIN), and a temporary electronic serial number. The temporary electronic serial number, rather than the mobile device actual electronic serial number, is used to identify the mobile device during registration and activation. The network identifies the temporary electronic serial number associated with the SIM vendor and invokes an over-the-air activation procedure especially for the SIM card mobile devices. A SIM-over-the-air-activation processor is notified to perform the activation for that mobile device on the PCS wireless network. Authentications of the mobile device may be bypassed and the mobile device is instructed to transmit its actual electronic serial number for future registrations. Once the activation process is completed, the temporary activation identifiers are overwritten.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.