USOO734971 OB2
`
`(12) United States Patent
`Kaplan et al.
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 7,349,710 B2
`Mar. 25, 2008
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`(54)
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`SYSTEMAND METHOD FOR WIRELESS
`DEVICE CONFIGURATION
`Inventors: Diego Kaplan, San Diego, CA (US);
`Bilhan Kirbas, La Jolla, CA (US)
`Assignee: Kyocera Wireless Corp., San Diego,
`CA (US)
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 163 days.
`Appl. No.: 11/382,122
`Filed:
`May 8, 2006
`
`Notice:
`
`Prior Publication Data
`US 2006/O195517 A1
`Aug. 31, 2006
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`Continuation of application No. 10/120.956, filed on
`Apr. 11, 2002, now Pat. No. 7,043,263.
`
`Int. C.
`(2006.01)
`H04O 7/20
`U.S. Cl. ...................... 455/466:455/418; 455/419;
`455/420; 455/517
`Field of Classification Search ................ 455/418,
`455/419, 420, 466, 517
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`2, 2000 Shah
`6,029,065. A
`4/2001 Chang et al.
`6,223,028 B1
`8, 2001 Lin et al.
`6,275,693 B1
`9, 2001 Liao et al.
`6,292,833 B1
`2002fO144151 A1* 10, 2002
`Shell et al. ................. T13 201
`2003. O186721 A1 10, 2003
`Kanazawa et al.
`
`* cited by examiner
`Primary Examiner Joseph Feild
`Assistant Examiner S. Smith
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A system and method for configuring, or provisioning,
`mobile communication devices 10 by an administrator 12.
`Administrator 12 comprises a computer, or second mobile
`device 18. Feature codes for configuring a device 10 are
`encrypted into a Short Message System (SMS) message or
`an Internet protocol-based Over-the-Air (IOTA) protocol
`message and transmitted to mobile device 10. The message
`further contains a mobile identifier and a set/reset bit to
`indicate whether the features are to be set or reset. The
`encrypted message is communicated to mobile device 10
`over communications channel 14 of a mobile communica
`tion network.
`
`10 Claims, 2 Drawing Sheets
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`10
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`12
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`ADMINISTRAOR
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`14
`COMMUNICATIONS
`CHANNEL
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`MOBILE DEVICE 1
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`MOBLE DEVICE 2
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`
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`MOBILE DEVICE 3
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`Petitioners Microsoft Corporation and HP Inc. - Ex. 1015, p. 1
`
`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 25, 2008
`
`Sheet 1 of 2
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`US 7,349,710 B2
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`10
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`MOBILE DEVICE 1
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`12
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`ADMINISTRATOR
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`COMMUNICATIONS
`CHANNEL
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`MOBLE DEVICE 2
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`FIG. 1
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`MOBILE DEVICE 3
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`O
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`R
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`E - -
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`16
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`HD
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`12
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`FIG. 2
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`18
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`-- a-mirror
`F
`F
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`10
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`16
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`FG. 4
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`Petitioners Microsoft Corporation and HP Inc. - Ex. 1015, p. 2
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 25, 2008
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`Sheet 2 of 2
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`US 7,349,710 B2
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`30
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`ADMNSTRATOR SELECTS MOBILE
`DEVICE(S) TO CONFIGURE
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`32
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`ADMINISTRATOR SELECTS
`FEATURES FOR MOBILE DEVICE(S)
`
`34
`ADMINISTRATORENCRYPTS
`FEATURES INTO MESSAGE FOR
`TRANSMISSION
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`36
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`TRANSMT MESSAGE TO MOBILE
`DEVICE(S)
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`38
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`50
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`USER SELECTS MOBILE DEVICE
`TO CONFIGURE
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`52
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`USER SELECTS FEATURES FOR
`MOBILE DEVICE
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`54
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`USER'S DEVICE ENCRYPTS
`FEATURES INTO MESSAGE FOR
`TRANSMISSION
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`56
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`TRANSMIT MESSAGE TO MOBILE
`EDEVICE
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`58
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`60
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`MOBILE DEVICE PROCESSES
`MESSAGE
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`62
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`MOBILE DEVICE(S) RECEIVE
`MESSAGE
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`MOBILE DEVICE RECEIVES
`MESSAGE
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`40
`MOBILE DEVICE(S) PROCESS
`MESSAGE
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`FEATURES STORED IN MEMORY
`OF MOBILE DEVICE(S)
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`FEATURES STORED IN MEMORY
`OF MOBILE DEVICE
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`INDICATOR MESSAGE DiSPLAYED
`TO MOBILE DEVICE USER
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`NDCATOR MESSAGE DISPLAYED
`TO MOBILE DEVICE USER
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`44
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`64
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`FIG. 3
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`F.G. 5
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`Petitioners Microsoft Corporation and HP Inc. - Ex. 1015, p. 3
`
`

`

`1.
`SYSTEMAND METHOD FOR WIRELESS
`DEVICE CONFIGURATION
`
`RELATED APPLICATIONS
`
`This is a continuation application of U.S. application No.
`10/120.956 filed on Apr. 11, 2002, and issuing as U.S. Patent
`No. 7,043,263 on May 9, 2006.
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`10
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`The present invention relates to wireless communications
`devices, in particular to configuring or reconfiguring a
`wireless device by transmitting a configuration message
`from another wireless device or a computer to the wireless 15
`device to be configured.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`There are a variety of wireless communication devices 20
`(also referred to herein as mobile communication devices
`and mobile devices) available for wireless or remote com
`munications including mobile cellular and satellite tele
`phones, pagers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and the
`like. These wireless communication devices typically com- 25
`prise a rigid housing enclosing a printed circuit board, an
`associated microprocessor, electronic and electro-acoustic
`components, and a portable power Supply Such as a battery.
`Wireless communication devices communicate through a
`variety of means, including antennas that transmit and 30
`receive radio frequency (RF) signals, infrared (IR) emitters
`and receivers, or cable connections to input/output ports of
`computers and other mobile devices.
`The user of the mobile device interfaces with the circuitry
`and microprocessor of the device through a keypad, or 35
`touchpad, located on the front outer Surface of the housing.
`Keys on the keypad are pressed by the user to temporarily
`close an internal Switch and send a signal to the micropro
`cessor where an appropriate routine processes the input and
`operates the device. On mobile telephones, graphical ele- 40
`ments, such as alphanumeric characters and icons, are
`located on or near the keys of the keypad to guide the user
`in interfacing with the mobile device. A display on the
`housing of the device provides a readout of data input by the
`user, access to spatially navigated menu trees, includes a 45
`graphical user interface (GUIs), windows, and messages.
`Wireless communication devices are configured, or “pro
`visioned, for various modes of operation. The configuration
`determines how basic functions of the wireless device will
`operate. Such as setting or resetting wireless voice and data 50
`exchange protocol parameters, parameters used to enable or
`disable communication features, and local network services
`available to the mobile device. Examples of communication
`features include, but are not limited to, call forwarding, call
`waiting, caller identification, automatic callback, conference 55
`calling, message waiting notification, call encryption, Voice
`mail, cost of call notification, enhanced vocoder (voice
`encoder), and the ability to transmit and receive textual
`messages.
`Mobile devices are also configured so that communica- 60
`tions occur through the appropriate service provider and are
`invoiced properly. A telephone number and a binary mobile
`identification number (MIN), e.g., a 34-bit MIN, for analog
`communications, (international mobile Subscriber identity
`(IMSI) for CDMA communications), used to identify a 65
`particular mobile subscriber within the mobile telephone
`communication network, are also configured into a mobile
`
`US 7,349,710 B2
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`2
`device in a number assignment module (NAM) within
`non-volatile memory of the mobile device. The NAM is also
`used to indicate whether the mobile functions in the personal
`communication service (PCS) band (1.9 GHz) or the cellular
`band (800 MHz). Other configuration information can
`include an electronic serial number (ESN), network identi
`fication (NID), system identification (SID), a home regis
`tration indicator, a preferred roaming list (PRL), and other
`information that allows the network base station to locate
`and determine the operating characteristics and capabilities
`of the mobile device. The configuration can be preset in the
`mobile device, set into the mobile device upon entering an
`appropriate access code, or set after connection to the
`wireless carrier network through which the mobile device
`operates.
`Typically, the configuration is established after connec
`tion to the wireless carrier network, commonly referred to as
`over-the-air service provisioning (OTASP). A specification
`for OTASP operation can be found in “Over-the-Air Service
`Provisioning of Mobile Stations in Spread Spectrum Sys
`tems, TIA/EIA/IS-683-A, incorporated herein by reference.
`Local service parameters are acquired from and set by the
`carrier network via the over-the-air function/customer ser
`vice center (OTAF/CSC) through a particular server, typi
`cally that of the communication service provider. The
`mobile device requests configuration information from a
`network server and is then configured "over the air in
`accordance with the information acquired from the server.
`The information obtained from the server is executable or
`binary code containing interfaces, data, and operational
`parameters that modify local service parameters to set or
`alter mobile functions, such as communication features,
`including whether the mobile device will support cellular or
`personal communication service, dual-band or single band
`transmission, analog or digital transmission protocol, etc.
`Users are not directly provided the information necessary
`to configure, or reconfigure, a mobile device. However, most
`mobile devices can be reconfigured by accessing a “hidden'
`menu within the mobile processor. To do so, the communi
`cations service provider must either contact the user, or
`subscriber, in order to instruct the user how to reconfigure
`the mobile device. Alternatively, the mobile device must be
`taken to a service provider service center. The mobile device
`cannot be reconfigured for a particular feature until the
`appropriate access code has been entered into the mobile
`device to access the appropriate configuration menu. Par
`ticular communication features require a feature code in
`order to set or reset the feature.
`Once configured, information is exchanged between
`mobile devices or between mobile devices and other
`devices, such as computers, via RF signals, or cable con
`nections sometimes referred to as “connectivity kits'. Wire
`less RF transmission provides the longest transmission
`range currently available and is often more flexible than
`cable transmission.
`As mobile designs have advanced over time, more fea
`tures are available to the user, such as the ability to program,
`store, and transmit data. Mobile devices store contact infor
`mation, for example, names, telephone numbers, addresses,
`e-mail addresses, web site addresses, and Scheduling infor
`mation Such as meetings and appointments. Many mobile
`devices are capable of transmitting textual data as well as
`Voice information to other mobile devices, computers, serv
`ers, or over the Internet by means Such as short messaging
`systems (SMS), discussed below, and Internet protocol
`based over-the-air configuration management (IOTA proto
`col).
`
`Petitioners Microsoft Corporation and HP Inc. - Ex. 1015, p. 4
`
`

`

`US 7,349,710 B2
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`In order to transmit data and text messages between
`mobile devices or between mobile devices and computers,
`servers, or the Internet, spatially navigated menus shown on
`the display are typically implemented to aid the user in
`inputting messages and data, and also to aid the user in
`accessing data for revision or transmission. To improve the
`efficiency of text message transmission between mobile
`devices, a variety of SMS have been designed for rapid text
`entry. Early applications of SMS were used by telephone
`operators to alert subscribers to newly received voice mail
`messages or stored facsimiles by displaying a simple mes
`sage on the mobile display that the user saw once the mobile
`was turned on. Later applications of SMS provide users with
`a list of default messages that are chosen by a single
`keystroke in order to be sent, for example, "please call
`home. Upon choosing the predefined message, the sending
`mobile would automatically send it to the receiving mobile.
`One advantage of an SMS is that it does not require the
`receiving mobile to be powered on in order to receive the
`message. The sent message is stored in the communication
`system until the receiving mobile is powered on. The
`message is then automatically received, stored on the receiv
`ing mobile, and displayed on the mobile display.
`With increasing reliance on wireless communication, par
`ticularly via mobile devices, it is desirable for individuals or
`organizations to be able to control the configuration of a
`particular mobile, and to be able to monitor the current
`configuration status of the mobile. Currently, mobile devices
`are constrained by the service provider to the configuration
`provided under the service plan and can only be configured,
`or reconfigured, by the carrier network, or by accessing the
`appropriate configuration menu by secret code.
`Accordingly, a method is needed whereby mobile devices
`can be configured or reconfigured for particular features in
`a user-friendly manner to enhance communication efficiency
`and to minimize communication costs.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`40
`
`In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention a
`mobile device is directly configured with features selected
`by a user via another mobile device or from a computer. In
`an exemplary embodiment, the mobile device is configured
`over wireless means so that communication distance does
`not inhibit the process. In another exemplary embodiment of
`45
`the present invention, the configuration status of a mobile
`device is retrieved from the mobile device by communica
`tion from another mobile or a computer. The present inven
`tion overcomes the limitations existing in the prior art by
`implementing a conventional SMS or IOTA protocol to
`configure and reconfigure features of mobile devices.
`
`50
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`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into
`and form a part of the specification, illustrate preferred
`embodiments of the present invention and, together with the
`description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.
`The drawings are only for the purpose of illustrating exem
`plary embodiments of the invention and are not to be
`construed as limiting the invention.
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary
`embodiment of the present invention for configuring a
`mobile device, depicting communication between a plurality
`of mobile devices and an organization administrator.
`FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the embodiment of FIG. 1
`operating in a cellular telephone communications network.
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`FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of the method of configuring a
`mobile device according to an exemplary embodiment of the
`present invention.
`FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating another exemplary
`embodiment of the present invention for configuring a
`mobile device, wherein a second mobile device operates as
`the administrator to configure the first mobile device.
`FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of the method of configuring a
`mobile device according to the embodiment of FIG. 4.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`An exemplary embodiment of the present invention is a
`method and system for configuring a mobile device. The
`method and system allows an administrator, operating inde
`pendently, yet within the parameters set by a carrier network,
`to use an SMS or an IOTA protocol to communicate feature
`codes to a mobile device, as well as to retrieve the current
`configuration status of the mobile device. As used herein the
`phrase “feature codes' refers to codes depicting a variety of
`communication features available to a typical mobile device,
`including wireless voice and data exchange protocol param
`eters, parameters used to enable or disable communication
`features, and local network services available to the mobile
`device. Such features may include but are not limited to call
`blocking, call forwarding, call waiting, caller identification,
`automatic callback, conference calling, message waiting
`notification, call encryption, Voice mail, cost of call notifi
`cation, enhanced Vocoder (voice encoder), and the ability to
`transmit and receive textual messages.
`Features also include such capabilities as whether the
`mobile device can support cellular or personal communica
`tion service, IS 95 or CDMA 2000 modulation protocol,
`dual-band or single band transmission, analog or digital
`transmission protocol, etc. The term “administrator” as used
`herein refers to the device through which the user or
`individual within a business organization controls the con
`figuration of a mobile device. Such a device can include a
`second mobile device, a computer, or a server.
`Referring to FIG. 1, a block diagram depicts an exemplary
`embodiment of the present invention. A plurality of mobile
`devices 10 used within an organization, such as a particular
`business environment, communicate with an organization
`administrator 12 through communications channel 14. Com
`munications channel 14 can comprise RF or other wireless
`transmission means between mobile devices 10 and admin
`istrator 12. Communications channel 14 can operate via the
`Internet Protocol (IP), Wireless Application Protocol
`(WAP), or other suitable transmission protocol. Preferably
`the communications channel is wireless, so that distance and
`flexibility of communication is maximized. In this system,
`administrator 12 operates as a mobile communications
`administrator for the organization, capable of communicat
`ing feature codes to mobile devices 10 and retrieving
`configuration data from mobile devices 10. It will be under
`stood in this embodiment of the invention that administrator
`12 comprises a computer, a server for a particular organi
`Zation, or other equivalent device.
`Referring to FIG. 2, a diagram illustrates a mobile cellular
`telephone communications system within which an embodi
`ment of the present invention as described above can be
`implemented. Three mobile devices 10, 10", and 10" are
`shown with a single base transceiver station 16 within a
`cellular communications site, or cell. A cell is generally
`defined as a particular RF coverage area. As a mobile device
`changes location, it can move from one cell to the next if
`necessary to maintain communication. Base station 16 is a
`
`Petitioners Microsoft Corporation and HP Inc. - Ex. 1015, p. 5
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`US 7,349,710 B2
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`multi-circuit transceiver located at the center of the cell
`whose primary purpose is to handle incoming and outgoing
`calls within the cell. Calls originating from a particular
`mobile device are relayed through base station 16. All
`mobile communications occur through the base stations of 5
`each cell via RF transmission, as well as through a mobile
`telephone switching office (MTSO) computer that is in
`communication with each base station. Reverse channel link
`R represents RF communication from mobile device 10 to
`base station 16, while forward channel link F represents RF
`communication from base station 16 to mobile device 10,
`when mobile device 10 is in operation. Transmission may
`occur in an analog mode, such as via advanced mobile phone
`service (AMPS), or a digital mode, such as code-division
`multiple access (CDMA) or time-division multiple access
`(TDMA) modulation techniques.
`An exemplary embodiment of the present invention is
`preferably implemented within such a cellular telecommu
`nications environment depicted in FIG. 2. Administrator 12
`configures mobile devices 10 via RF communication
`through base station 16. Mobile feature codes are encrypted
`into a message and transmitted to mobile device 10 from
`administrator 12 in the forward link via base station 16.
`“Encrypt will be understood herein to refer to incorporating
`the information into a message for transmission and need not
`necessarily mean that the information is somehow disguised
`to inhibit interception by a third party.
`FIG. 3 is a flow diagram demonstrating the methodology
`of an exemplary embodiment of the invention operating
`within the communications network of FIG. 2. Certain
`details and features have been left out of the flow diagram
`of FIG.3 that are apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the
`art. For example, a step may consist of one or more Sub-steps
`or may involve specialized equipment or materials, as
`known in the art. While steps 30 through 44 shown in FIG.
`3 are sufficient to describe one embodiment of the present
`invention, other embodiments of the invention may utilize
`steps different from those shown.
`In order to configure selected mobile devices within the
`organization for particular features, the organization admin
`istrator 12 is preferably guided through the feature configu
`ration process by a series of menus or other GUIs. First, the
`mobile or mobile devices 10 for which selected features are
`to be set are selected as shown in block 30. Mobile devices
`can be selected by telephone number, by MIN or IMSI, or
`any other appropriate designation. In block32, the feature or
`features are selected for the mobile device 10.
`Continuing with FIG. 3, once features are selected, the
`various feature codes are encrypted into a message by
`Suitable Software operating within administrator 12, as
`shown in block 34. The message preferably contains at least
`three identifying strings, including the mobile identifier
`(such as an MIN), a bit or bits to indicate to the mobile
`processor that features are to be set or reset, and the
`encrypted feature codes. In block 36, the message is then
`transmitted to the receiving mobile or mobile devices 10 by
`means of a SMS or IOTA protocol. Upon receiving the
`encrypted message as shown in block 38, receiving mobile
`device 10 decrypts the message to indicate that feature codes
`are to be set or reset, and then processes the message and
`configures the mobile device according to the feature codes
`by a suitable software routine operating in the mobile
`processor, as shown in block 40. In block 42, feature codes
`are then stored in non-volatile memory within mobile device
`10 until Such time as another feature code message is
`received.
`
`6
`The process of receiving feature codes is therefore trans
`parent to the mobile device user. Optionally as shown in
`block 44, the user is notified in the event that administrator
`12 resets the features of mobile device 10, by means of a
`message displayed on the mobile display, such as: “Feature
`codes have been reset. Please see updated list of available
`communication features.”
`The present invention further provides the ability to
`retrieve the current configuration status of mobile device 10.
`First administrator 12 selects the mobile device for which
`the configuration status is needed. A request for configura
`tion status is then encrypted into a message for transmission
`to mobile device 10 by a suitable software routine operating
`within administrator 12. The message preferably includes a
`string to indicate the receiving mobile identification, and a
`bit or bits to indicate to the mobile processor that the
`configuration status is requested. The message is then trans
`mitted to the receiving mobile device 10 over a mobile
`wireless communications channel via an SMS or IOTA
`protocol. Upon receiving the encrypted message, the receiv
`ing mobile decrypts the message to indicate that the con
`figuration status is requested by way of a suitable software
`routine operating in the mobile processor. Mobile device 10
`then transmits a code indicating its current configuration
`through the reverse link via base station 16 to administrator
`12 by means of a message in an SMS or IOTA protocol. This
`process is transparent to the mobile device user. However,
`the user is optionally notified that the configuration status
`has been forwarded to administrator 12 by displaying a
`message on the mobile device display.
`The present invention is particularly suited for operation
`within an organization, such as within a particular business,
`to enhance communication efficiency and to reduce com
`munication costs within an organization. The ability to
`program features of mobile devices operating within the
`organization is limitless. However, examples include the
`ability to program a mobile device to only receive telephone
`calls from a particular telephone number; to block the ability
`of the mobile device to make “long distance' calls; to lock
`access to mobile device operation except by means of a
`password; to program a lost mobile device to only be able to
`dial a particular telephone number so that it can be returned
`to its proper owner; and other organization-specific param
`eters.
`Referring to FIG. 4, a second exemplary embodiment of
`the present invention for configuring mobile device 10 is
`shown. In this embodiment, mobile device 10 is configured,
`or reconfigured, by way of an administrator comprising a
`second mobile device 18. The second mobile device 18
`configures mobile device 10 by communicating with mobile
`device 10 via base station 16 in the same manner as
`described above with respect to the first embodiment. In this
`embodiment a user simply calls mobile device 10 from
`mobile device 18 in order to configure or to determine the
`configuration status of mobile device 10, making this
`embodiment particularly convenient and efficient for a user.
`In this manner the user can remotely reconfigure mobile
`device 10 without the need for contacting a service provider.
`Referring to FIG. 5, a flow diagram demonstrates the
`methodology of the second exemplary embodiment of the
`invention operating within the communications network of
`FIG. 4. Certain details and features have been left out of the
`flow diagram of FIG. 5 that are apparent to a person of
`ordinary skill in the art. For example, a step may consist of
`one or more sub-steps or may involve specialized equipment
`or materials, as known in the art. While steps 50 through 64
`shown in FIG. 5 are sufficient to describe one embodiment
`of the present invention, other embodiments of the invention
`may utilize steps different from those shown.
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`Petitioners Microsoft Corporation and HP Inc. - Ex. 1015, p. 6
`
`

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`US 7,349,710 B2
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`To configure mobile device 10 for particular features, the
`user is preferably guided through the configuration process
`by a series of menus or other GUIs on mobile device 18
`operated by suitable software within the mobile processor.
`First, the user selects mobile device 10 which is to be
`configured by telephone number, by MIN or IMSI, or any
`other appropriate designation, block 50. Then the user
`selects the feature or features for mobile device 10, block 52.
`Once features are selected, the various feature codes are
`encrypted into a message by a suitable Software routine
`operating within mobile device 18, block 54. As in the first
`embodiment, the message preferably contains at least three
`identifying strings, including the mobile identifier (such as
`an MIN), a bit or bits to indicate to the receiving mobile
`processor that features are to be set or reset, and the
`encrypted feature codes.
`In block 56, the message is then transmitted to the
`receiving mobile device 10 over a wireless communications
`channel. Such as the cellular telephone network depicted in
`FIG. 4, by means of an SMS or IOTA protocol. Upon
`receiving the encrypted message, block 58, the receiving
`mobile device 10 decrypts the message to indicate that
`feature codes are to be set or reset, and then processes the
`message according to the feature codes, configuring mobile
`device 10 accordingly, block 60. Feature codes are then
`stored in non-volatile memory within mobile device 10 until
`Such time as another feature code message is received, block
`62. As in the first embodiment, the process of receiving
`feature codes is transparent to the user of mobile device 10.
`Optionally, as shown in block 64, the user of mobile device
`10 is notified in the event that reconfiguration has occurred,
`by means of a message displayed on the display of mobile
`device 10; for example: “This mobile device can only call
`555-1212. Please call now.” In the second embodiment
`mobile device 18 can retrieve the current configuration
`status of mobile device 10 in a similar manner as described
`above with respect to the first embodiment.
`Although the present invention can be implemented
`within a carrier network in a variety of ways, one suitable
`implementation requires Subscription to a particular service
`plan from a service provider. The user, or business organi
`Zation, would then retain the ability to program a mobile
`device for certain features available within the service plan.
`It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited
`to operation within a cellular communications environment,
`or to RF communication, as will be understood by those
`skilled in the art.
`45
`From the above description of exemplary embodiments of
`the invention, it is manifest that various techniques can be
`used for implementing the concepts of the present invention
`without departing from its scope. Moreover, while the
`invention has been described with specific reference to
`certain embodiments, a person of ordinary skill in the art
`would recognize that changes could be made in form and
`detail without departing from the spirit and the scope of the
`invention. For example, the specific steps of the methods
`could be modified from that discussed above without depart
`ing from the scope of the invention. The described exem
`55
`plary embodiments are to be considered in all respects as
`illustrative and not restrictive. It should also be understood
`that the invention is not limited to the particular exemplary
`embodiments described herein, but is capable of many
`rearrangements, modifications, and Substitutions without
`departing from the scope of the invention.
`The invention claimed is:
`1. A system for remote configuration of a wireless device,
`the system comprising:
`a communication network operated by a carrier that
`Supports communications with the wireless device;
`
`8
`a configuration server in communication with the com
`munication network, the configuration server for send
`ing a configuration message to a wireless device, the
`configuration message having at least three identifying
`strings comprising a mobile identifier, a set/reset bit,
`and at least one encrypted feature code, the configura
`tion message generated by a user associated with a
`business organization; and
`the wireless device for receiving the configuration mes
`Sage from the configuration server via the communi
`cation network, the wireless device comprising a pro
`cessor for decrypting at least one feature code from the
`at least one encrypted feature code and configuring the
`wireless device according to the at least one feature
`code and the set/reset bit, the wireless handset config
`ured to communicate a code using the communication
`network that indicates the configuration of the wireless
`device to the business organization.
`2. The system of claim 1, wherein the configuration
`message is a Short Message System (SMS) message.
`3. The system of claim 1, wherein the configuration
`message is an Internet Protocol-based Over-the-Air (IOTA)
`message.
`4. The system of claim 1, wherein the wireless device
`further comprises a user interface, the processor for indicat
`ing on the user interface that the wireless device has been
`configured.
`5. The system of claim 1, wherein the wireless device
`further comprises a non-volatile memory for storing the at
`least one feature code.
`6. A method for remote configuration of a wireless device,
`the method comprising:
`generating a configuration message on a configuration
`server, the configuration message having at least three
`identifying strings comprising a mobile identifier, a
`set/reset bit, and at least one feature code, the configu
`ration message generated by a user associated with a
`business organization;
`transmitting the configuration message to the wireless
`device from a configuration server over a wireless
`communication network operated by a carrier that
`Supports communication with the wireless device; and
`the wireless device receiving the configuration message
`from the configuration server via the wireless commu
`nication network;
`the wireless device decrypting at least one feature code
`from the at least one encrypted feature code:
`configuring the wireless device according to the at least
`one feature code and the set/reset; and
`communicating a code using the communication network
`that indicates the configuration of the wireless device to
`the business organization.
`7. The method of claim 6, wherein the configuration
`mes