US 8,260,345 B2Granted

Method for changing the mobile number of a wireless communications device

AssigneeGeneral Motors Corporation

InventorsLaura R Chmielewski, Garett Gould, Kevin Krause, David Holt

Life of this patent

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Abstract

An automated method for remotely changing the mobile number (MDN or MIN) of a wireless communications device, such as a vehicle communications device capable of making hands-free calls. Generally, some wireless carriers do not allow multiple mobile numbers to be simultaneously activated to a single wireless communications device. Therefore, when a mobile number change request is made, the automated method determines what type of process is most appropriate for that change: an indirect change process that uses at least three mobile numbers (current, intermediate, and target numbers) and addresses the above-mentioned wireless carrier limitations, or a direct change process that uses only two mobile numbers (current and target numbers). In either case, a wireless data link is established between a call center and the vehicle communications device so that the remote number change can be performed.

Claims17

Dependent claims

An automated method for remotely changing the mobile number of a wireless communications device, wherein said method changes the mobile number from a current number to a target number and comprises the steps of:

(a) automatically selecting between a direct change process and an indirect change process in order to perform the mobile number change;
(b) when the direct change process is selected, then automatically executing electronic instructions for a direct change that:
(i) activate the target number, (ii) establish a data link with the wireless communications device, (iii) configure the wireless communications device with the target number, and (iv) deactivate the current number;
(c) when the indirect change process is selected, then automatically executing electronic instructions for an indirect change that:
(i) identify and activate an intermediate number, (ii) establish a data link with the wireless communications device, (iii) configure the wireless communications device with the intermediate number, (iv) deactivate the current number, (v) activate the target number, (vi) configure the wireless communications device with the target number, and (vii) deactivate the intermediate number;
wherein step (a) further includes at least one of the following sub-steps:
(i) determining when the requested mobile number change involves an intra-carrier exchange or an inter-carrier exchange, (ii) determining when the wireless carrier that services the current number or that which services the target number accommodates multiple mobile numbers simultaneously activated to a single Electronic Serial number (ESN), or (iii) reviewing the status of a flag, variable or other indicator suggesting a type of mobile number change process.

4 more elements

An automated method for remotely changing a mobile number of a wireless communications device from a current number to a target number, wherein said method involves the use of a call center and a wireless carrier and comprises the steps of:

(a) automatically selecting between a direct change process and an indirect change process in order to perform the mobile number change;
(b) when step (a) selects the direct change process, then:
(i) using the wireless carrier to activate the target number and to deactivate the current number, and (ii) using the call center to establish a data link with the wireless communications device and to configure the wireless communications device with the target number;
(c) when step (a), selects the indirect change process, then:
(i) using the wireless carrier to identify an intermediate number available for use, to activate the intermediate number, to deactivate the current number, to activate the target number, and to deactivate the intermediate number, and (ii) using the call center to establish a data link with the wireless communications device, to configure the wireless communications device with the intermediate number, and to configure the wireless communications device with the target number;
wherein step (a) further includes at least one of the following sub-steps:
(i) determining when the requested mobile number change involves an intra-carrier exchange or an inter-carrier exchange, (ii) determining when the wireless carrier that services the current number or that which services the target number accommodates multiple mobile numbers simultaneously activated to a single Electronic Serial number (ESN), or (iii) reviewing the status of a flag, variable or other indicator suggesting a type of mobile number change process.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 11/381,025Filed 1 May 2006
Published: US 2007/0254639 A11 Nov 2007
Granted: 4 Sep 2012
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification12 codes

H04Q 3/005
Provisions for intelligent networking: personal communication services, e.g. provisions for portability of subscriber numbers
H04Q 3/007
Provisions for network management: customer-controlled
H04M 1/6075
Portable telephones adapted for handsfree use: adapted for handsfree use in a vehicle
H04Q 2213/13096
Indexing scheme relating to selecting arrangements in general and for multiplex systems: digital apparatus individually associated with a…