Title: Method of activating a wireless communication system in a mobile vehicle
Abstract: The invention provides a method for activating an in-vehicle wireless communication system. A vehicle identification number associated with a vehicle may be received. An electronic serial number of a network access device located in the vehicle may be determined based on the vehicle identification number. Identification information of a user of the vehicle may be received. The electronic serial number and the user identification information may be sent to a selected wireless carrier to obtain a mobile phone number.
Patent Number: 6,915,126 Issued on 07/05/2005 to Mazzara, Jr.
| Inventors:
|
Mazzara, Jr.; William E. (Drayton Plains, MI)
|
| Assignee:
|
General Motors Corporation (Detroit, MI)
|
| Appl. No.:
|
141468 |
| Filed:
|
May 8, 2002 |
| Current U.S. Class: |
455/411; 455/569.2; 455/435.1; 455/11.1; 342/69; 713/168 |
| Intern'l Class: |
H04Q 007/20; H04M003/00 |
| Field of Search: |
455/411,435.1,414.1,418,569.1,569.2,111
342/69,70,357.1
340/426.1
713/171,168
|
References Cited [Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
| 5524135 | Jun., 1996 | Mizikovsky et al.
| |
| 6338140 | Jan., 2002 | Owens et al.
| |
| 6611913 | Aug., 2003 | Carroll et al.
| |
| 6643504 | Nov., 2003 | Chow et al.
| |
| 6728612 | Apr., 2004 | Carver et al.
| |
| 2001/0044296 | Nov., 2001 | Mizikovsky.
| |
| 2002/0094808 | Jul., 2002 | Tiedemann et al.
| |
| 2003/0162533 | Aug., 2003 | Moles et al.
| |
| 2004/0009772 | Jan., 2004 | Mazzara.
| |
| 2004/0142659 | Jul., 2004 | Oesterling.
| |
| 2004/0203340 | Oct., 2004 | Oesterling.
| |
| 2004/0203692 | Oct., 2004 | Schwinke et al.
| |
Primary Examiner: Hudspeth; David
Assistant Examiner: Afshar; Kamran
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Simon; Anthony Luke
Claims
1. A method of activating an in-vehicle wireless communication system, comprising:
receiving a vehicle identification number associated with a vehicle;
determining an electronic serial number of a network access device located in
the vehicle based on the vehicle identification number;
receiving identification information of a user of the vehicle; and
sending the electronic serial number and the user identification information
to a selected wireless carrier to obtain a mobile phone number.
2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
loading the mobile phone number into a vehicle communications unit containing
the network access device.
3. The method of claim 2 wherein the mobile phone number is loaded into the vehicle
communications unit from the selected wireless carrier using an over-the-air service
provisioning operation.
4. The method of claim 2 wherein the mobile phone number is loaded into the vehicle
communications unit from a call center using an air interface function.
5. The method of claim 2 wherein the mobile phone number is loaded into the vehicle
communications unit using an in-vehicle voice recognition system.
6. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
providing a user alert signal in response to a system status.
7. The method of claim 6 wherein the user alert signal is selected from a group
consisting of a flashing light emitting diode, a progression tone, and a system message.
8. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
receiving an activation key signal to initiate an activation algorithm.
9. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
setting at least one initial parameter in a vehicle communications unit.
10. The method of claim 9 wherein the initial parameter is selected from a group
consisting of an electronic serial number, a station identification number, an
authentication code, an enrollment cleared number, an emergency cleared number,
an analog cleared number, a preferred roaming list, a call setting, a factory setting,
a feature setting, a flag setting, a progression tone, a light emitting diode setting,
a discontinuous receive setting, a button feature state, an air bag notification
state, and a system setting.
11. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
downloading at least one system parameter to a vehicle communications unit.
12. The method of claim 11 wherein the system parameter is selected from a group
consisting of a preferred roaming list update, a mobile phone number, a call setting,
a feature setting, and a system setting.
13. The method of claim 11 further comprising:
activating at least one subscriber parameter in response to the downloaded system
parameter.
14. An in-vehicle wireless communication system comprising:
means for receiving a vehicle identification number associated with a vehicle;
means for determining an electronic serial number of a network access device
located in the vehicle based on the vehicle identification number;
means for receiving identification information of a user of the vehicle; and
means for sending the electronic serial number and the user identification information
to a selected wireless carrier to obtain a mobile phone number.
15. The system of claim 14 further comprising:
means for loading the mobile phone number into a vehicle communications unit
containing the network access device.
16. The system of claim 14 further comprising:
means for providing a user alert signal in response to a system status.
17. The system of claim 14 further comprising:
means for receiving an activation key signal to initiate an activation algorithm.
18. The system of claim 14 further comprising:
means for setting at least one initial parameter in a vehicle communications
unit.
19. The system of claim 14 further comprising:
means for downloading at least one system parameter to a vehicle communications
unit.
20. The system of claim 19 further comprising:
means for activating at least one subscriber parameter in response to the downloaded
system parameter.
21. A computer usable medium including a program for operating an in-vehicle
wireless communication system comprising:
computer program code to receive a vehicle identification number associated with
a vehicle;
computer program code to determine an electronic serial number of a network access
device located in the vehicle based on the vehicle identification number;
computer program code to receive identification information of a user of the
vehicle; and
computer program code to send the electronic serial number and the user identification
information to a selected wireless carrier to obtain a mobile phone number.
22. The computer usable medium of claim 21 further comprising:
computer program code to load the mobile phone number into a vehicle communications
unit containing the network access device.
23. The computer usable medium of claim 21 further comprising:
computer program code to provide a user alert signal in response to a system
status.
24. The computer usable medium of claim 21 further comprising:
computer program code to receive an activation key signal to initiate an activation
algorithm.
25. The computer usable medium of claim 21 further comprising:
computer program code to set at least one initial parameter in a vehicle communications
unit.
26. The computer usable medium of claim 21 further comprising:
computer program code to download at least one system parameter to a vehicle
communications unit.
27. The computer usable medium of claim 26 further comprising:
computer program code to activate at least one subscriber parameter in response
to the downloaded system parameter.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention generally relates to a method of operating a wireless communication
system. In particular, the invention relates to a method of activating a wireless
communication system in a mobile vehicle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
One of the fastest growing areas of communications technology is related to automobile
network solutions. An increasing number of mobile vehicles are being equipped with
wireless communication devices, requiring vehicle manufacturers and dealers to
have an efficient way for preparing a wireless communication device in an automobile
before delivery to a new owner.
Because of the complexities in setting up network communications and instrument
settings for an in-vehicle wireless communication unit, the business and information
delivery methods among the vehicle and network device manufacturers, wireless carriers,
communication services call centers and vehicle dealers may benefit from well-defined,
coordinated procedures. The manufacturers of the wireless communication unit and
the vehicle may load default information into the software of the communication
unit. When a vehicle dealer receives a new vehicle, the dealer may need to initialize
the communications unit in preparation for delivery to the new owner. The process
of initializing the unit should be largely automated, straightforward and require
little time.
When the new owner receives the mobile vehicle with an installed vehicle communications
unit, the enrollment process for obtaining communication services from a call center
should be efficient and uncomplicated. In addition, the user interface of the communication
device should be easy to initiate and to use.
The processes of initiating and enrolling a vehicle communications unit need
to be adaptable enough to make proper connections and set up services in alternative
ways when preferred ways are unavailable. One preferred process utilizes over-the-air
service provisioning (OTASP) specified in TIA/EIA/IS-683-A (1998), "Over-the-Air
Service Provisioning of Mobile Stations in Spread Spectrum Systems."
It is the object of this invention, therefore, to provide a method of activating
an in-vehicle wireless communication system in an effective, efficient, user-friendly,
and adaptable way, addressing the needs described above.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One aspect of the invention provides a method of activating an in-vehicle wireless
communication system. A vehicle identification number associated with a vehicle
may be received. An electronic serial number of a network access device (NAD) located
in the vehicle may be determined based on the vehicle identification number. Identification
information of a user of the vehicle may be received. The electronic serial number
and the user identification information may be sent to a selected wireless carrier
to obtain a mobile phone number.
The mobile phone number may be loaded into a vehicle communications unit containing
the network access device. The mobile phone number may be loaded into the vehicle
communications unit from the selected wireless carrier using an over-the-air service
provisioning operation. The mobile phone number may be loaded into the vehicle
communications unit from a call center using an air interface function. The mobile
phone number may be loaded into the vehicle communications unit using an in-vehicle
voice recognition system.
A user alert signal may be provided in response to a system status. The user
alert
signal may be a flashing light emitting diode, a progression tone, or a system message.
An activation key signal may be received to initiate an activation algorithm.
At least one initial parameter may be set in a vehicle communications unit. The
initial parameter may be an electronic serial number, a station identification
number, an authentication code, an enrollment cleared number, an emergency cleared
number, an analog cleared number, a preferred roaming list, a call setting, a factory
setting, a feature setting, a flag setting, a progression tone, a light emitting
diode setting, a discontinuous-receive setting, a button feature state, an air-bag
notification state, or a system setting.
At least one system parameter may be downloaded to a vehicle communications unit.
The system parameter may be a preferred roaming list (PRL) update, a mobile phone
number, a call setting, a feature setting, or a system setting. One or more subscriber
parameters may be activated in response to the downloaded system parameter.
Another aspect of the current invention is an in-vehicle wireless communication
system. The in-vehicle wireless communication system may provide means for receiving
a vehicle identification number associated with a vehicle, means for determining
an electronic serial number of a network access device located in the vehicle based
on the vehicle identification number, means for receiving identification information
of a user of the vehicle, and means for sending the electronic serial number and
the user identification information to a selected wireless carrier to obtain a
mobile phone number.
The in-vehicle wireless communication system may include means for loading the
mobile phone number into a vehicle communications unit containing the network access
device. The in-vehicle wireless communication system may include means for providing
a user alert signal in response to a system status.
The in-vehicle wireless communication system may include means for receiving
an activation key signal to initiate an activation algorithm. The in-vehicle wireless
communication system may include means for activating at least one initial parameter
in a vehicle communications unit. The in-vehicle wireless communication system
may include means for downloading at least one system parameter to a vehicle communications
unit. The system may include means for setting one or more subscriber parameters
in response to the downloaded system parameter.
Another aspect of the current invention is a computer usable medium, including
a program for operating an in-vehicle wireless communication system. The program
may include computer program code to receive a vehicle identification number associated
with a vehicle; to determine an electronic serial number of a network access device
located in the vehicle based on the vehicle identification number; to receive identification
information of a user of the vehicle; and to send the electronic serial number
and the user identification information to a selected wireless carrier to obtain
a mobile phone number.
The computer program may include code to load the mobile phone number into a
vehicle communications unit containing the network access device. The computer
program may include code to provide a user alert signal in response to a system
status. The computer program may include code to receive an activation key signal
to initiate an activation algorithm. The computer program may include code to set
at least one initial parameter in a vehicle communications unit. The computer program
may include code to download at least one system parameter to a vehicle communications
unit. The computer program may include code to activate one or more subscriber
parameters in response to the downloaded system parameter.
The aforementioned, and other features and advantages of the invention will become
further apparent from the following detailed description of the presently preferred
embodiments, read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The detailed description
and drawings are merely illustrative of the invention rather than limiting, the
scope of the invention being defined by the appended claims and equivalents thereof.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of a system for activating a
wireless communication system in a mobile vehicle, in accordance with the current invention;
FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of one embodiment of a method for activating a wireless
communication system in a mobile vehicle, in accordance with the current invention; and
FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of another embodiment of a method for activating a
wireless communication system in a mobile vehicle, in accordance with the current invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of a system for activating a wireless communication
system in a mobile vehicle, in accordance with the present invention at
100.
Mobile vehicle access system
100 may contain one or more mobile vehicles
110, one or more wireless carrier systems
120, one or more communication
network
130, one or more land networks
140, and one or more call
centers
150. Call center
150 may contain one or more voice and data
switches
152, one or more communication services managers
154, one
or more communication services databases
156, one or more communication
services advisors
158, and one or more bus systems
160.
Mobile vehicle
110 may be a mobile vehicle equipped with suitable hardware
and software for transmitting and receiving voice and data communications. Mobile
vehicle
110 may contain vehicle communications unit
115 for sending
or receiving voice or data communications. Vehicle communications unit
115
may include, for example, a digital signal processor, a wireless modem, a global
positioning system (GPS) unit, an in-vehicle memory, and a network access device
(NAD). The network access device may be an analog, digital, or dual mode cellular
phone. Vehicle communications unit
115 may be a vehicle communications processor.
Mobile vehicle
110 may send and receive radio transmissions from wireless
carrier system
120. Wireless carrier system
120 may be any suitable
system for transmitting a signal from mobile vehicle
110 to communication
network
130.
Communication network
130 may comprise services from one or
more mobile telephone switching offices and wireless networks. Communication network
130 connects wireless carrier system
120 to land network
140.
Communication network
130 may be any suitable system or collection of systems
for connecting wireless carrier system
120 to mobile vehicle
110
and land network
140.
Land network
140 may be a public-switched telephone network Land network
140 may be an Internet protocol (IP) network. Land network
140 may
be comprised of a wired network, an optical network, a fiber network, another wireless
network, or any combination thereof. Land network
140 may connect communication
network
130 to call center
150. Communication network
130
and land network
140 may connect wireless carrier system
120 to a
communication node or call center
150.
Call center
150 may be a location where many calls may be received and
serviced at the same time, or where many calls may be sent at the same time. The
call center may be a telematics call center, prescribing communications to and
from vehicle communications unit
115 in mobile vehicle
110. The call
center may be a voice call center, providing verbal communications between an advisor
in the call center and a subscriber in a mobile vehicle. The call center may contain
each of these functions.
Call center
150 may contain one or more voice and data switches
152.
Switch
152 may be connected to land network
140. Switch
152
may transmit voice or data transmissions from call center
150. Switch
152
also may receive voice or data transmissions from vehicle communications unit
115
in mobile vehicle
110 through wireless carrier system
120 and communication
network
130 and land network
140. Switch
152 may receive from
or send to one or more communication services managers
154 data transmissions
via one or more bus systems
160. Communication services manager
154
may be any suitable hardware and software capable of providing requested communication
services to vehicle communications unit
115 in mobile vehicle
110.
Communication services manager
154 may send to or receive from one or more
communication services databases
156 data transmissions via bus system
160.
Communication services manager
154 may send to or receive from one or more
communication services advisors
158 data transmissions via bus system
160.
Communication services database
156 may send to or receive from communication
services advisor
158 data transmissions via bus system
160. Communication
services advisor
158 may receive from or send to switch
152 voice
or data transmissions.
Communication services manager
154 may provide one or more of
a variety of services, including enrollment services, navigation assistance, directory
assistance, roadside assistance, business or residential assistance, information
services assistance, emergency assistance, and communications assistance. Communication
services manager
154 may transmit data to vehicle communications unit
115
in mobile vehicle
110 through wireless carrier system
120, communication
network
130, land network
140, voice and data switch
152,
and bus system
160. Communication services manager
154 may store
or retrieve data and information from communication services database
156.
Communication services manager
154 may provide requested information to
communication services advisor
158.
Communication services advisor
158 may be a real advisor or
a virtual advisor. A real advisor may be a human being in verbal communication
with a user or subscriber in mobile vehicle
110 via vehicle communications
unit
115. A virtual advisor may be a synthesized voice interface responding
to requests from vehicle communications unit
115 in mobile vehicle
110.
Communication services advisor
158 may provide services to vehicle communications
unit
115 in mobile vehicle
110. Services provided by communication
services advisor
158 may include enrollment services, navigation assistance,
directory assistance, roadside assistance, business or residential assistance,
information services assistance, emergency assistance, and communications assistance.
Communication services advisor
158 may communicate with vehicle communications
unit
115 in mobile vehicle
110 through wireless carrier systems
120,
communication network
130, and land network
140 using voice transmissions,
or through communication services manager
154 and switch
152 using
data transmissions. Switch
152 may select between voice transmissions and
data transmissions.
Vehicle communications unit
115 in mobile vehicle
110 may initiate,
for example, a communication services request to call center
150 via wireless
carrier system
120, communication network
130, and land network
140.
Vehicle communications unit
115 in mobile vehicle
110 may initiate,
for example, communications with wireless carrier system
120 in the same
geographical region as the mobile vehicle.
FIG. 2 shows a flow diagram of one embodiment of a method for activating a wireless
communication system in a mobile vehicle, in accordance with the present invention
at
200.
The vehicle communications unit of a new mobile vehicle may have software defaults
set and certain features enabled in its network access device before a new user
may be enrolled for services from a vehicle communications service provider, as
seen at block
205. The manufacturer or vendor may record and send to an
appropriate call center station the vehicle identification number (VIN), the station
identification number (STID) of the vehicle communication processor or unit, the
electronic serial number (ESN) of network access device (NAD), and an authentication
key for the vendor, which all may be used to identify the vehicle and vehicle communications
unit during the enrollment process with the wireless service provider.
The manufacturer or vendor may load, for example, a dialable phone number or
mobile directory number (MDN) into the network access device. The manufacturer
or vendor may load, for example, a generic default mobile station identifier (MSID),
which may be a non-portable and non-dialable 10-digit mobile phone identification
number (MIN) or 15-digit international mobile station identifier (IMSI) that is
used within land network
140. The manufacturer or vendor may load a default
number comprising a partial MDN/MIN. The manufacturer or vendor also may load,
for example, an authentication key, and a clear, non-validating phone number.
The manufacturer or vendor may load, for example, an enrollment hotline phone
number into an international dialing table, which may contain the enrollment number,
an emergency number and other phone numbers of up to fifteen digits. The manufacturer
or vendor may load into a particular vehicle communication device, for example,
an enrollment preferred roaming list (PRL) containing records of system identifiers
(SIDs) for all available markets enabled by OTASP. The manufacturer or vendor may
set, for example, all records in the PRL to non-preferred and an acquisition-type
preference of the enrollment PRL to factory-default first channel preference. The
manufacturer or vendor may load, for example, a default OTASP initiation feature
code and an automatic initiation system selection code that are provided by a selected
wireless carrier system.
The manufacturer or vendor may set initial parameters to a predefined state.
The manufacturer or vendor may disable, for example, outgoing call capability.
The manufacturer or vendor may set to a predefined state, for example, the number
of registration attempts, a cellular registration control, a virtual advisor setting,
a unit-add function, an airbag/collision sensor function, a voice recognition system,
a discontinuous receive (DRx) time-cycled wake-up function, an emergency call key,
a vendor call key, a calling center call function, a call retry strategy function,
a light emitting diode state, a calling function payment mode, an analog operation
timer, and a virtual advisor button.
A vehicle equipped with a vehicle communication unit may be delivered for sale,
for example, to a dealer. The dealer may determine the vehicle identification number
of the vehicle. The dealer may gather personal information from the new user of
the vehicle equipped with a new vehicle communication unit. The dealer then may
send the vehicle identification number and personal information to the proper call
center based on geographical location, as seen at block
210. The personal
information may include, for example, a preferred address of the customer. Optionally,
the user or subscriber may give a suitable cellular phone number when the user
provides the local phone number and account with an appropriate wireless carrier.
The user identification information, for example, may be sent by a telephone call
to the call center. The user identification information, for example, may be uploaded
from a computer at the dealership to the call center.
The call center may acknowledge the receipt of the vehicle identification number
and user identification information. As seen at block
215, the call center
may process the enrollment information. The call center may determine the station
identification and electronic serial number of the network access device by cross-referencing
the vehicle identification number of the vehicle. The information for setting up
a connection between the vehicle communication unit and call center then may be
sent to a selected wireless carrier. The wireless carrier may process the geographical
MIN/MDN request, as seen at block
220.
The dealer may begin the activation process for initializing the vehicle communication
unit by pressing and holding an activation key, as seen at block
225. The
activation key, for example, may be a button on the control panel of a vehicle
communication unit located on an instrument console of a vehicle. The activation
key may send a signal to initiate an activation algorithm.
One or more initial parameters may be set in the vehicle communications unit.
The initial parameters may include an electronic serial number, a station identification
number, an authentication code, an enrollment cleared number, an emergency cleared
number, an analog cleared number, a preferred roaming list, a call setting, a factory
setting, a feature setting, a flag setting, a progression tone, a light-emitting-diode
setting, a discontinuous-receive setting, a button feature state, an air-bag notification
state, and a system setting.
The activation may include, for example, the receipt of a MIN/MDN or phone number
from a wireless carrier that services the local geographical area of the user.
The vehicle communication unit may be activated, for example, by pressing a single
key on a control panel of a vehicle communications unit. If the activation process
fails, the vehicle communication unit may give a failure message. The vendor may
call the call center directly from the vehicle communications unit. The call may
be initiated, for example, by activating a key on the vehicle communication unit
that is dedicated to calling the call center. The call may be initiated, for example,
by a voice-recognition function. If the activation from the vehicle fails, the
vendor may call for technical assistance from the call center. The call center
may process the activation and provisioning of the vehicle communication units
in the best possible manner.
The new user of a vehicle communication unit may activate the vehicle communication
unit. The activation process may begin, for example, by pressing an activation
key for ten seconds. The activation process may begin, for example, by giving a
voice command.
During the beginning of the activation process, the vehicle communication
unit may give a visual or aural alert signal. The vehicle communication unit, for
example, may play an activation jingle and progression of tones. The unit, for
example, may flash a red or green light emitting diode, depending on the functional
state of the unit. The unit, for example, may play a system message.
The vehicle communication unit may begin the PRL enrollment process with the
selected wireless carrier. The wireless carrier may process a geographical MIN/MDN
request and send back an updated MIN/MDN. The local wireless carrier may or may
not be OTASP-enabled, as seen at block
230. As seen at block
235,
if the vehicle communication unit is able to acquire a system in its PRL enrollment
list via an over-the-air service provisioning operation, or if the vehicle may
be driven to an OTASP-enabled market, then the vehicle communication unit may be
activated by the OTASP process, as specified in TIA/EIA/IS-683-A (1998), "Over-the-Air
Service Provisioning of Mobile Stations in Spread Spectrum Systems."
The OTASP process may or may not be successful in completing the update of the
PRL, as seen at block
240. When the activation process is successfully completed,
one or more system parameters of the user or subscriber may be enabled, activated,
loaded, or set, as seen at block
245. The system, user, or subscriber parameters
may include a preferred roaming list update, a mobile phone number, a call setting,
a feature setting, or a system setting. One or more of the system, user, or subscriber
parameters may be automatically updated after a system parameter is downloaded.
The vehicle communication unit may give a visual or aural disposition signal or
message to convey success or failure in the loading of a phone number or enabling
of subscriber parameters. The user alert signal may be, for example, a flashing
light emitting diode, a progression tone, or a system message.
When the local wireless carrier is not OTASP-enabled, the vehicle communication
may initiate a call via an air interface function (AIF) to the call center to request
a phone number, as seen at block
250.
The AIF enrollment process with the call center may or may not be successful,
as seen at block
255. When successful, the call center may send a phone
number and receive an acknowledged response from the vehicle communication unit.
An outdated PRL flag may be set in the vehicle communication unit so that the wireless
carrier may update the PRL later when the unit and wireless carrier are connected.
When the AIF process succeeds, one or more subscriber parameters may be enabled,
activated, loaded, or set, as seen at block
245. The vehicle communication
unit may give visual or aural disposition signal or message to convey success or
failure in the loading of a phone number or enabling subscriber parameters.
If the AIF process fails, the vehicle communication unit may be placed in a demonstration
mode, as seen at block
260. The vehicle communication unit may try to activate
the AIF process at a later time, as seen at block
250.
A failure message, for example, may instruct the user to press a key to reach
the
call center directly. Alternatively, the user may call into the call center, for
example, via another mobile phone unit to receive the new phone number. The user
may then install the new phone number via a voice-recognition routine.
The vehicle communication unit may remain powered on and active until the process
is completed, for example, when a power mode change occurs during the activation
process. The activation process may continue to completion, for example, when other
non-emergency requests are initiated during the process. The other requests may
be queued.
The activation process may be initiated again and the outdated PRL flag may be
reset, for example, when the connection with the wireless carrier or call center
is lost during an activation attempt. The vehicle communication unit may return
to the factory default state, for example, when all activation requests to the
wireless carrier and call center fail. The vehicle communication unit may then
be activated at a later time.
FIG. 3 shows a flow diagram of another embodiment of a method for activating
a wireless communication system in a mobile vehicle, in accordance with the present
invention at
300. The activation of vehicle communications unit
115
in mobile vehicle
110 may begin by pressing and holding an activation key
to generate an activation key signal, as seen at block
305. The vehicle
communications unit
115 may play an activation message while attempting
to contact wireless carrier system
120. Wireless carrier system
120
may process a geographical MIN/MDN request. The vehicle communication unit
115
may begin the PRL enrollment process with the selected wireless carrier. Vehicle
communications unit
115 may perform one or more acquisition tasks, as seen
at block
315. The acquisition tasks may or may not be successful in establishing
contact with a wireless carrier in the preferred roaming list, as seen at block
320. When the acquisition task is successful, vehicle communications unit
115 may perform the OTASP activation process, as seen at block
325.
One or more system parameters may be downloaded to vehicle communications unit
115.
When unsuccessful, vehicle communications unit
115 may originate a direct
call to call center
150 using an air-interface function, as seen at block
330. Once a connection is established, call center
150 may execute
an exchange of data between vehicle communications unit
115 and call center
150. Vehicle communications unit
115 may or may not receive a PRL
identification list message, as seen at block
335. If the message is not
received, communication services may be set to the demonstration mode, as seen
at block
340. Vehicle communications unit
115 may wait and attempt
again to receive the message, as seen in
335. When the PRL identification
message is received, the vehicle communications unit may be set to an enabled state,
as seen at block
345, and the PRL may be downloaded, as seen at block
350.
*
