System and method for user-programmable service programming of cellular telephones

A system for user-programming of a cellular telephone for operation with a cellular service provider via a cell site controller, the system comprising:

• a housing containing the cellular telephone;
• a transceiver within said housing for transmitting information from the cellular telephone to the cellular service provider via the cell site controller and for receiving information from the cellular service provider via the cell site controller;
• a display device coupled to said housing;
• a parameter storage area within said housing for storing system parameter values, said system parameters controlling interaction between the cellular telephone and the cellular service provider via the cell site controller, with a predetermined number of said system parameters requiring programming;
• a data entry device coupled to said housing and operable by a user for operating the cellular telephone and for entering said system parameter values;
• a counter to count a number of programming attempts;
• and
• a processor for detecting user entry of said system parameter values and for decrementing said count in response to said entry of said system parameter values.

A user-programmable cellular telephone for operation with a cellular service provider, comprising:

• a data entry device operable by a user for entering data into the cellular telephone;
• a parameter storage area for storing system parameter values, said system parameter values controlling communications between the cellular telephone and the cellular service provider;
• a password storage area for storing a password;
• a password comparator for comparing password data entered by the user using said data entry device with said stored password and, if said user-entered password matches said stored password, permitting user-programming of new system parameter values for storage in said parameter storage area;
• a counter to count a number of programming attempts;
• and
• a processor for detecting user entry of said system parameter values and for decrementing said count in response to said entry of said system parameter values.

A method for user-programming of a wireless communication device having a data entry device for operation with a wireless service provider, the method comprising the steps of:

• entering a user-entered password and user-entered data using said data entry device;
• storing system parameter values, said system parameter values controlling communications of the wireless communication device;
• storing at least one password;
• comparing said user-entered password with said at least one stored password;
• generating an authorization signal if said user-entered password matches said at least one stored password, said authorization signal enabling said system parameter values to be changed in response to said user-entered data;
• generating an error signal if said user-entered password does not match said stored password;
• storing an allowable attempt count;
• decrementing said allowable attempt count in response to said error signal;
• and
• setting said allowable attempt count to zero in response to said change of said system parameters.