Methods and apparatus of over-the-air programming of a wireless unit

A method to prevent a wireless unit from being programmed over-the-air (OTA), the method comprising:

• employing a processor of the wireless unit for executing computer executable instructions to perform the following acts:
• storing a key at the wireless unit, the stored key generated by using a key algorithm (K-algorithm) with an identifier associated with the wireless unit as an input to the K-algorithm;
• receiving wireless unit parameters and a verification number OTA, the verification number generated by using an authorization algorithm (A-algorithm) having the wireless unit parameters and the stored key as inputs to the A-algorithm;
• in response to receiving the wireless unit parameters and verification number OTA, generating a trial verification number by using the A-algorithm with the stored key and the wireless unit parameters as inputs;
• comparing the trial verification number with the verification number for a match;
• and
• in response to failing to find the match, blocking programming of the wireless unit to a particular communications system.

A method for secure over-the-air (OTA) programming of a wireless unit, the method comprising:

• employing a processor of the wireless unit for executing computer executable instructions to perform the following acts:
• storing a key at the wireless unit, the stored key generated by using a key algorithm (K-algorithm) with an identifier associated with the wireless unit as an input to the K-algorithm;
• receiving wireless unit parameters and a verification number OTA, the verification number generated by using an authorization algorithm (A-algorithm) having the wireless unit parameters and the stored key as inputs;
• in response to receiving the wireless unit parameters and the verification number, generating a trial verification number, the trial verification number generated by using the A-algorithm with the stored key and the wireless unit parameters as inputs;
• comparing the verification number to the trial verification number for a match;
• and
• in response to finding the match, using the wireless unit parameters for programming of the wireless unit for use on a particular communications system.

A wireless unit that can be programmed over-the-air (OTA) by only a particular service provider, the wireless unit comprising:

• a memory for storing a key relatively unique to the wireless unit and for storing wireless unit information, the stored key generated by a K-algorithm having an identifier associated with the wireless unit as an input to the K-algorithm;
• a control for receiving wireless unit parameters and a verification number OTA from the particular service provider, the verification number generated by using an authorization algorithm (A-algorithm) with the wireless unit parameters and the stored key as inputs;
• a processor being functionally connected to the control and to the memory, and, being configured to, in response to receiving the wireless unit parameters OTA from the particular service provider:
• generate a trial verification number by inputting the wireless unit parameters and the stored key into the A-algorithm and
• compare the trial verification number to the verification number for a match, and in response to finding the match, store the wireless unit parameters in the memory, whereby the wireless unit can be programmed OTA only by the particular service provider that provides the verification number that results in the match with the trial verification number.