US6138009A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System and method for customizing wireless communication units
Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson AB
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Filing: 1998-06-16
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Granted: 2000-10-24
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Expires: 2018-06-16
Abstract
Abstract A system and a method respectively for customizing wireless communication units for use in wireless communication systems. The wireless communication units are generic and include a device for enabling establishment of contact with a switching arrangement and a handling device including a program executor. Software relating to the wireless communication units is provided in a number of storing devices accessible over a global data communications network. Location information is provided, and, with use of the location information, software relating to a particular generic communication unit is downloaded via the switching arrangement using the global data communications network to the communication unit.
Inventors
- 👤 Joakim Birgerson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 15:36
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F8/00; G06F8/60; H; H04; H04W; H04W8/00; H04W8/22; H04W8/24; H04W8/245
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 34
Claim 1
Independent Claim
150 words
A system for customizing wireless communication units for use in a wireless communication system including a number of switching arrangements arranged throughout the coverage area of the wireless communication system, each wireless communication unit comprising means enabling establishment of contact with a switching arrangement, wherein each communication unit is generic and comprises handling means with program executing means; software relating to wireless communication units being provided in a number of storing means accessible over a global data communications network, each generic communication unit including indicating means for communicating a switching arrangement, with which contact is established, that software is requested; the switching arrangement or communication means connected thereto providing information relating to the location of the communication unit, and using said location information, for downloading software relating to a particular generic communication unit via said switching arrangement or communication means using said global data communications network to said communication unit.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
150 words
A system for customizing wireless communication units for use in a wireless communication system including a number of switching arrangements arranged throughout the coverage area of the wireless communication system, each wireless communication unit comprising means enabling establishment of contact with a switching arrangement, wherein each communication unit is generic and comprises handling means with program executing means; software relating to wireless communication units being provided in a number of storing means accessible over a global data communications network, each generic communication unit including indicating means for communicating a switching arrangement, with which contact is established, that software is requested; the switching arrangement or communication means connected thereto providing information relating to the location of the communication unit, and using said location information, for downloading software relating to a particular generic communication unit via said switching arrangement or communication means using said global data communications network to said communication unit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 1, wherein the storing means comprises a plurality of databases including at least a master data base.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 1, wherein at least a plurality of communication means or switching arrangements comprise local storing means for locally holding software replicated from the database(s).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system of claim 3, wherein when software is requested, a channel for transfer of software is set-up between the communication unit and the switching arrangement, software being transferred from replicated, local storing means to the communication unit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said indicating means are included in communication unit activating means, the first time a communication unit is activated, software automatically being requested.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 1, wherein an indication that software is requested by a communication unit is provided through user interaction.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 1, wherein the switching arrangement is a base station.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
68 words
The system of claim 7, wherein when a communication unit is activated, contact is established with an adjacent base station which provides information relating to the location of the base station itself, said information being indicative of the location of the communication unit, so that when contact is established between the communication unit and the base station, information about communication unit identity is provided to the base station.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
41 words
The system of claim 8, wherein a channel for transfer of software is set-up between a communication unit and a switching arrangement, when software is requested, a software transferring channel being provided between the switching arrangement and a database containing software.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 9, wherein a software transferring protocol is used for transferring software to the communication unit.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
45 words
The system of claim 9, wherein the switching arrangement at least if it does not comprise/communicate with local information holding means, holds information about a number of databases for routing a query to an appropriate database relating to the software request of a communication unit.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 1, wherein the global communication network is the Internet.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 1, wherein the pull technique is used for loading down customized basic software to the communication unit.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
49 words
The system of claim 1, wherein an application comprising generic tuning means is downloaded to the communication unit, said application receiving and managing applications and/or content to be delivered using said global data communication network and which via a default procedure automatically is selected by the communication unit user.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 14, wherein selected software applications/content are provided to the communication unit using push technique.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 15, wherein generic tuning means comprising a Castanet tuner or similar is automatically downloaded to storing means of the communication unit.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 1, wherein the handling means comprising executing means is a JAVA™ chip.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 17, wherein in the switching arrangement serving information holding means is arranged, and transmitting means and a number of repeaters distributing and managing channels towards the communication unit.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
39 words
The system of claim 1, wherein generic, default tuning means are provided in the communication unit, the push technique being used for downloading customized basic functionality software as well as updating, new, application, service software to the communication unit.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 19, wherein the default tuning means comprises a Castanet tuner, customized tuning means being downloaded to replace the default tuning means when software is requested.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system of claim 1, wherein the generic communication unit includes basic functionality, front-end functionality basic functionality being automatically dynamically updated/upgraded/modified using software downloading from the global data communication network.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 1, wherein the JAVA-programming language is used, services being downloaded as JAVA applets.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
63 words
A communication unit comprising basic functionality including means for establishing contact with a switching arrangement, wherein the communication unit is generic and comprises handling means including processing means for program execution, customized basic functionality being downloaded to the communication unit via a global datacommunications network using location information provided by the switching arrangement with which contact is established, for providing customized basic software.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
63 words
A communication unit comprising basic functionality including means for establishing contact with a switching arrangement, wherein the communication unit is generic and comprises handling means including processing means for program execution, customized basic functionality being downloaded to the communication unit via a global datacommunications network using location information provided by the switching arrangement with which contact is established, for providing customized basic software.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
34 words
The communication unit of claim 23, wherein basic and customized basic functionality is dynamically updated via said global datacommunications network, applications, services, as well as new software being downloaded to the communication unit automatically.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
36 words
The communication unit of claim 23, wherein basic and customized basic functionality is dynamically updated via said global datacommunications network, applications, services, as well as new software being downloaded to the communication unit via user interaction.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
26 words
The communication unit of claim 23, wherein the handling means comprises a Java chip, Castanet tuners being downloaded to storing means provided in the communication unit.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
89 words
A method of customizing a communication unit for use in a mobile communication system, which comprises the steps of: establishing contact between the communication unit which is generic and a switching arrangement of the mobile communication system, including a request for software, setting up a communication channel between the communication unit and the switching arrangement for transfer of software, providing location information relevant to the generic communication unit, via said switching arrangement loading down software to said communication unit over a global data communication network using said location information.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
89 words
A method of customizing a communication unit for use in a mobile communication system, which comprises the steps of: establishing contact between the communication unit which is generic and a switching arrangement of the mobile communication system, including a request for software, setting up a communication channel between the communication unit and the switching arrangement for transfer of software, providing location information relevant to the generic communication unit, via said switching arrangement loading down software to said communication unit over a global data communication network using said location information.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 27, further comprising the step of: providing a request for software the first time the communication unit is activated.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 27, wherein the pull technique is used for downloading of customized basic software to the communication unit.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 28, wherein the push technique is used at least for dynamical (automatic) downloading of updated/modified software.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 27, wherein push technique is used for downloading software to the communication unit, basic functionalities initially provided in the telephone automatically and dynamically being updated/modified/replaced using the push technique.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-10-24 | 2004-04-24 | 2004-10-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-10-24 | 2008-04-24 | 2008-10-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-10-24 | 2012-04-24 | 2012-10-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |