System and method for automatic registration notification for over-the-air activation

A method and system automatically activates a mobile station in a wireless communications network. The system includes an over the air activation function (OTAF) processor in the network that initiates an activation process in response to receiving a registration message from a mobile switching center serving the mobile station requesting the activation. Each mobile station has a unit of information stored into it at the time of its manufacture to enable it to request over the air activation. That unit of information is either the network routing address of the OTAF processor, or alternately, it is a value that is translatable into that address, either an OTAF ID number that is the same value for every mobile station or it is a sequentially serialized dummy value for the mobile identification number (a dummy MIN). When the mobile station is turned on for the first time in the network, it requests activation over the air by transmitting to the local mobile switching center a registration order. The registration order will include one of the three alternative forms of the information unit described above, either the routing address of the OTAF processor, or the OTAF ID number, or a dummy MIN.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention broadly relates to over-the-air activation of mobile wireless telephones and more particularly relates to a method and apparatus for providing routing information to send a registration notification from a mobile switching center to an over-the-air activation processor in the fixed supporting network.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The term “mobile station”, as used herein, includes a comprehensive set of mobile telecommunications units that share the common property of communicating information with a base station in a network by means of electromagnetic waves. Mobile stations include mobile telephone devices such as mobile wireless telephone sets and cellular telephone sets that are primarily designed to exchange voice information with a base station. The term also includes mobile data communications devices such as pagers, mobile facsimile machines, and global positioning system (GPS) vehicle locator devices that are primarily designed to exchange data. The term “mobile station” also includes hybrid devices such as personal communications services (PCS) units, that have both telephony and facsimile communications features. Communications by mobile stations can be by radio waves, such as are used in cellular radio telephony. However, mobile stations can also communicate over electromagnetic links that include Earth-orbiting satellites, or alternate electromagnetic links that include optical or infra-red radiation.

Where the base station is connected in a fixed supporting network to other communications nodes, the network requires routing information for the mobile station to enable the other communications nodes to send information to the mobile station. Registration is the process used by a mobile station to announce its current location and to enable the fixed supporting network to direct incoming calls to the appropriate base station. When a mobile station is brought into the operating range of a new base station, the mobile station must announce its current location. In order to accomplish this, the mobile station must send a message with its mobile identity number (MIN) to the new base station. The MIN is a number assigned to the mobile station by the fixed supporting network to enable billing the customer for services and to enable the network to route incoming calls. The MIN must be programmed into the mobile station prior to the first time that the unit is used by the customer. This process is called activation.

For example, normally, a mobile wireless telephone set may not initiate or complete radio telephone calls until it is registered with and authorized for service by a service provider. Mobile wireless telephone service providers require that any new customer take the mobile wireless telephone set to an authorized service center for programming so that the telephone set becomes authorized for service in the network. Information must be entered and stored into the mobile wireless telephone set which is specific to the mobile subscriber and specific to the desired service for the set. In cellular mobile telephone communication services, for example, such information is referred to as number assignment module (NAM) designation parameters. Examples of NAM parameters that the cellular telephone service provider now manually enters into the cellular telephone set include system identification, telephone number, access overhead class, group identification, initial paging channel, security lock code, local use flag, A/B system selection, and MIN mark flag. The cellular telephone customer must present the new cellular telephone set to the service provider or a representative so that the NAM module, which constitutes approximately 30 bytes of information, can be manually entered into the cellular telephone set. There are millions of new customers each year for cellular mobile telephone communication services. Hundreds of employees of the service provider or representative, located over a wide geographic area, are responsible for manually entering the NAM module into unprogrammed cellular telephone sets for the new customers. This necessitates the use of a centraled data base to assist the service provider in coordinating the activation process. The service provider's employee typically uses a workstation computer to enter the customer's application data. The workstation is remotely connected to the central data base and sends the new customer's application data to the data base for processing. The centralized data base may perform a credit check on the new customer, may keep track of available services, telephone numbers, network access data, and other information, and then assigns the MIN to the new customer's cellular telephone set. The MIN and other NAM parameters are transmitted by the centralized data base back to the service provider's workstation for manual entry by the employee into the cellular telephone set. This presents a cumbersome and costly procedure both to the customer as well as to the service provider.

Thus, there exists a need for a method and system to automatically route activation information sent over-the-air from the mobile wireless telephone set, through the fixed supporting network to an over-the-air activation processor in the network, where the activation parameters for the NAM module can be prepared and automatically downloaded over the network and sent over-the-air to the mobile wireless cellular telephone set.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The need discussed above is satisfied by the invention, which enables an over-the-air activation message to be automatically sent from an unprogrammed mobile station to an over-the-air activation processor in the fixed supporting network. The activation message has the format of an ordinary registration message, but it is distinguished at the mobile switching center by including distinctive information that is translatable into the network address of the over-the-air activation processor. The electronic serial number of the mobile station is recorded in the visitor location register associated with the mobile switching center, and the activation message is directed by the mobile switching center to a signal transfer point in the fixed supporting network. The signal transfer point translates the distinctive information of the activation message into the network address of the processor. By contrast, ordinary registration messages would be directed by the mobile switching center to the home location register for the mobile station. From the signal transfer point, the activation message is routed, along with the identity of the mobile switching center, to the over-the-air activation processor. There the activation process is initiated in response to the received activation message. The over-the-air activation processor then transmits the activation parameters back to the mobile switching center, which then forwards them back to the mobile station, using the electronic serial number stored in the associated visitor location register.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the distinctive information in the activation message is an over-the-air activation function ID number that is the same for every mobile station. The over-the-air activation function ID number is programmed into the mobile station at the time of its manufacture. During the translation by the signal transfer point, the single valued over-the-air activation function ID number is translated into the network address of the over-the-air activation processor. In an alternate embodiment of the invention, the distinctive information in the activation message is the routing address, itself, of the over-the-air activation processor.

In another alternate embodiment of the invention, the distinctive information in the activation message is a sequentially serialized dummy value for the mobile identification number, abbreviated as “dummy MIN.” A dummy MIN is different for each mobile station. The dummy MIN is programmed into the mobile station at the time of its manufacture. During the translation by the signal transfer point, each distinctive dummy MIN is translated into the network address of the over-the-air activation processor. Since there is a small likelihood that a dummy MIN will be confused as a valid MIN by the signal transfer point, this embodiment is less advantageous than the embodiment where the distinctive information in the activation message is an over-the-air activation function ID number.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention is a method and system for activating a mobile station in a wireless communications network. The system includes an over the air activation processor in the network that initiates an activation process in response to receiving a registration message from a mobile switching center serving the mobile station requesting the activation. This activation process is referred to herein as the “OTAF”, which is an abbreviation for “over the air activation function.”

Each mobile station has a unit of information stored into it at the time of its manufacture to enable it to request over the air activation. That unit of information is either the network routing address of the OTAF processor, or alternately, it is a value that is translatable into that address. There are two alternatives for expressing the value that is translatable into the routing address of the OTAF processor. The first alternative is an OTAF ID number that is stored in each mobile station. The same value of the OTAF ID number is stored in every mobile station. The second alternative is to store a sequentially serialized dummy value for the mobile identification number or dummy MIN. The dummy MIN is different for each mobile station.

When the mobile station is turned on for the first time in the network, it cannot conduct a normal communications session with other subscriber units because it has not been activated in the network. In accordance with the invention, the mobile station requests activation over the air by transmitting to the local mobile switching center a registration order. The registration order will include one of the three alternatives described above, either the routing address of the OTAF processor, or the OTAF ID number, or a dummy MIN.

The local mobile switching center receives registration orders from previously activated mobile stations, as well as from new mobile stations. If a previously activated mobile station is moved into the coverage area of a local mobile switching center, the mobile station must become registered in the new area before it can conduct normal communications sessions. A previously activated mobile station will have a valid MIN which it sends in the registration order transmitted to the local mobile switching center. The valid MIN is not distinguished by the mobile switching center from a dummy MIN. In both cases, the mobile switching center prepares a registration notification message containing the MIN and forwards it to the signal transfer point (STP) in the network.

In accordance with the invention, the translation tables in the signal transfer point (STP) are constructed to map all dummy MINs to the network routing address of the OTAF processor. There, the activation process is initiated for the requesting mobile station in response to the OTAF processor removing the registration notification message. A record is created in the visitor location register (VLR) at the mobile switching center, to enable the activation parameters resulting from the activation process to be sent back to the mobile station, using the dummy MIN value.

Instead, if the MIN in the registration notification message received by the signal transfer point (STP) is a valid MIN, the translation table maps the registration notification message to the network routing address of the home location register (HLR) that is responsible for handling the registration request from its assigned mobile station. This request is only programmed phone in the new local service area, not for the activation of a new phone.

Further in accordance with the invention, the mobile switching center is able to recognize and distinguish a registration order from a mobile station using the OTAF ID number to request activation. In this case, the mobile switching center inserts the OTAF ID number into the registration notification message it prepares for sending to the signal transfer point (STP). Since the OTAF ID number is the same for every mobile station, the electronic serial number (ESN) of the mobile station, that is sent with every registration order, is also included in the registration notification message sent to the signal transfer point. A record is created in the visitor location register (VLR) at the mobile switching center, to enable the activation parameters resulting from the activation process to be sent back to the mobile station using the ESN.

In accordance with the invention, the translation tables in the signal transfer point (STP) are constructed to map the OTAF ID number to the routing address of the OTAF processor. There, the activation process is initiated for the requesting mobile station in response to the OTAF processor receiving the registration notification message.

In an alternate embodiment of the invention, the unit of information stored in the mobile station at the time of its manufacture to enable it to request over the air activation is the network routing address, itself, of the OTAF processor. In this embodiment, there is no need for an address translation by the signal transfer point (STP). In this embodiment, the mobile switching center forwards the registration notification message directly to the OTAF processor. The identity of the mobile switching center and the ESN of the mobile station is included in the registration notification message. A record is created in the visitor location register (VLR) at the mobile switching center, to enable the activation parameters resulting from the activation process to be sent back to the mobile station using the ESN.

Further in accordance with the invention, the subscriber of the mobile station can place a simultaneous voice call to an activation center in the network using the mobile station. The subscriber can provide to the activation center credit information and the subscriber can specify the types of service features wanted for the mobile station. The activation center then sends authorization data to the OTAF processor in response to the information received from the subscriber over the voice channel. The OTAF processor can then complete the activation process in response to the authorization data.

Turning now to the figures,FIG. 1shows a network reference model for the over-the-air activation function that controls delivery of the over-the-air activation messages to the mobile station. The mobile station100includes the mobile station (MS) and the short message entity (SME). The mobile station100communicates over-the-air with the base mobile station interworking function (BMI) which includes the base station BS102, the mobile switching center MSC104, and the visitor location register VLR106. The base station, BS, is connected by means of the link A to the mobile switching center, MSC, which in turn is connected by means of the link B to the visitor location register, VLR. Also shown inFIG. 1is the home location register, HLR108, which is assigned to handle the maintenance of location and business records for the specific mobile telephone100. The home location register108is typically located at a geographically remote location from the BMI currently servicing over-the-air communications with the mobile station100. The HLR is connected by means of the link D to the VLR106. Also shown inFIG. 1is the over-the-air activation function OTAF110′ which is connected by means of a link Q2to the mobile switching center104and is also connected by means of the link D2to the home location register108. The OTAF function110′ performs activation processing in response to a registration order from the mobile station100which has not previously been activated, and downloads activation parameters in the form of NAM parameters to the mobile station100. The links A, B, D, D2, Q2, and UM shown inFIG. 1are interfaces between network entities, as defined in the standard TIA IS-41, revision C ANSI ballot version, Jan. 3, 1996.

FIG. 2illustrates the over-the-air activation physical architecture. The mobile station100communicates over-the-air with the local base station102, using the IS-136 standard. This standard is documented in TIA IS-136 Revision A, Mar. 21, 1996. The base station102, the mobile switching center104, and the visitor location register106, are typically co-located at a local base station complex. The MSC104communicates over the fixed supporting network to the signal transfer point, STP114, which in turn will forward messages from the MSC104to either the home location register, HLR108, or alternately to the over-the-air activation function processor, OTAF processor110. The VLR106at the base station complex can also directly access a particular HLR108in the fixed supporting network. Also shown inFIG. 2is an activation center112which includes business systems and billing systems which are connected in the fixed supporting network to the OTAF processor110and to the HLR108.

The over-the-air activation feature requires a notification be sent from the MSC104to the OTAF processor110. This registration notification is via an IS-41 message on the Signaling System 7 (SS7) network. The fixed supporting network requires routing information to be able to send the registration notification from the MSC104to the proper network node, which in this case is the OTAF processor110. In accordance with the invention, the mobile stations100are pre-programmed with information at the time of their manufacture to be able to request over-the-air activation. The unit of programmed information is either the network routing address of the OTAF processor110or alternately it is a value that is translatable into that address. When the unactivated mobile station100powers up in the network, the mobile station requests activation over-the-air by transmitting to the local mobile switching center104a registration order that includes one of the three alternatives for pre-programmed information, either the routing address of the OTAF processor110, or the OTAF ID number, or a dummy MIN value. The MSC104then forwards this information through the network to the over-the-air activation function processor110.

In a previously activated mobile station100, that is a mobile station100that has been programmed with a valid mobile identification number MIN, the registration order transmitted over-the-air contains the mobile station's MIN, encoded in an IS-136 mobile station ID (MSID). (See the standard TIA IS-136 revision A, Mar. 21, 1996). The IS-136 standard specifies rules for encoding the MIN into the MSID. The MSID is sent in layer 2 of the registration order which is described in the IS-41 standard. Typically this operation takes place for a previously activated mobile station100which is moved into the coverage area of the local mobile switching center104and must become registered in the new area before it can conduct normal communication sessions. The registration notification is carried in the mobile application part (MAP) layer of the SS7 transport, as is specified in the IS-41 standard.

Cellular telephone networks use the global title translation (GTT) on the MIN at the signal transfer point114in a fixed supporting network, to route IS-41 messages to the home location register, HLR108, in normal communications sessions. Global title translation (GTT) is described in the standard ANSI T1.112-1992, SS7, Signalling Connection Control Part (SCCP). The global title indicator type 2 is used, with a translation type value of 3 to specify the “MIN to HLR” translation in the STP114. The global title address information field contains the ten digit MIN (BCD encoded). For Example, the MSC104and the VLR106will send the registration notification to the signal transfer point114, which performs the GTT translation on the MIN to obtain routing information in the form of a point code and subsystem number in the fixed supporting network, to the HLR108. Thus, in normal communications sessions, the registration notification is routed from the MSC104and VLR106to the HLR108which is responsible for the specified MIN from the requesting mobile station100.

When a mobile station100has not previously been activated, the NAM parameters have not been loaded to the mobile station and there is no corresponding HLR record in any HLR108the fixed supporting network for that mobile station. The unactivated mobile station100does not have a valid MIN stored in it. If the unactivated mobile station attempts100registration, there is no corresponding HLR108associated with that mobile station. Since there is no valid MIN in the mobile station100, the global title translation cannot be performed in the signal transfer point114in the fixed supporting network. This would normally prevent over-the-air activation since it would not be possible in the prior art to communicate over-the-air activation requests from the mobile station100to an OTAF processor110in the fixed supporting network. Corrrespondingly, it would not be possible to download NAM activation parameters from the OTAF processor110to the mobile station100. During the over-the-air activation process, the OTAF processor110must deliver the NAM parameters to the mobile station100. In order to do this, the over-the-air activation function processor110must have an address of the serving MSC104plus the mobile station must have registration information in the VLR106of the serving MSC104. In accordance with the invention, mobile stations100will be programmed with information at the time of their manufacture to enable them to request over-the-air activation. That unit of information is either the network routing address of the OTAF processor110, or alternatively it is a value that is translatable into that address. There are two alternatives for expressing the value that is translatable into the routing address to the OTAF processor110, the first being an OTAF ID number that is stored in each mobile station100. The same vlue of the OTAF ID number is stored in every mobile station100. The second alternative is to store a sequentially serialized dummy value for the mobile identification number, called a dummy MIN. The dummy MIN is different for each mobile station100.

In the advantageous embodiment of the invention, an OTAF ID number is stored in each mobile station100. The OTAF ID number is a ten digit B. 164 telephony number, using BCD encoding. The format follows standard IS-41 digit encoding (such as used in the IS-41 Sender Identification Number). This standard format is described further in the CCITT Blue Book, Volume II—Fascicle II.2, Telephone Network and ISDN—Operation Numbering, Routing and Mobile Service, Recommendation E.164; Numbering Plan for the ISDN Era. The OTAF ID number is an address which appears as a directory number for the OTAF processor110, but is used only for routing and is a non-dialable number not supporting voice circuits. The registration order in the IS-136 standard is modified to carry the OTAF ID number in the air interface message. In addition, the mobile station100must supply an MSID value in the message to uniquely identify the mobile station sending the message. This MSID value is constructed using the electronic serial number (ESN) of the mobile station100, as is specified in the IS-136 standard. This standard specifies how an MSID is to be constructed if a mobile station does not have a valid MIN.

Upon receipt of the air interface registration order, the MSC104and VLR106construct an IS-41 registration notification message using the information supplied in the air interface registration order from the mobile station100. The MSC104recognizes that the mobile station100supplied an OTAF ID number, and thus the MIN field is not populated in the registration notification message. The OTAF ID number is included in the Signaling Connection Control Part (SCCP) layer of the mobile application part (MAP) of the IS-41 message. The SCCP layer is described in the published standard ANSI T1.112 Signalling System No. 7 (SS7)—Signalling Connection Control Point (SCCP). The MSC104and VLR106then send the registration notification message to the signal transfer point114in the fixed supporting network. The VLR106also creates a record of the mobile station100using the ESN and the MSID for the mobile station100.

The STP114receives the registration notification message and recognizes that it is to perform the global title translation (GTT) on the OTAF ID number, in order to get the fixed supporting network address of the OTAF processor110. A new translation type has to be used for the “OTAF ID number to OTAF processor” translation. The STP114translates the OTAF ID number into the routing address information (PC/SSN) for the OTAF processor110in the fixed supporting network, and a registration notification message is forwarded to the OTAF processor110.

This routing mechanism, in accordance with the invention, allows for routing a registration notification message without the need to have a mobile identification number MIN preprogrammed into the mobile station100.

The information flow diagram ofFIG. 3illustrates the over-the-air activation registration flow for activation registration using the global title translation on the OTAF ID number. The figure is organized with the vertical axis representing time and the horizontal axis representing messages passing between the mobile station100(labeled MS), the mobile switching center104(labeled MSC), the signal transfer point114(labeled STP), and the OTAF processor110(labeled OTAF). When a subscriber powers up a mobile station MS, the mobile station engages in an acquisition phase to obtain a channel assignment from the base station, which is identified in theFIG. 3as system overhead. Then the mobile station MS sends an IS-136 registration order (message A) to the MSC104containing the OTAF ID number (designated OTAF ID in FIG.3).

Then the MSC104receives the registration order (message A) from the air interface and it formats an IS-41 registration notification (message B) identified as “REGNOT” in FIG.3. The MSC104sends the REGNOT to the STP114for routing.

Then the STP114performs a global title translation on the OTAF ID number (OTAF ID) and routes the REGNOT (message C) to the OTAF processor110.

The OTAF processor110processes the REGNOT and returns a REGNOT return result (message D) to the MSC104.

FIG. 3also shows an MS originate attempt where the mobile station MS attempts to originate a voice connection to the fixed supporting network. The simultaneous voice origination attempt and registration order will take place in the four step sequence of messages E, F, G, and H shown inFIG. 3, which is the same as the four step sequence of messages A, B, C, and D previously described for FIG.3.

FIG. 4Aillustrates a flow diagram of a sequence of operational steps for carrying out over-the-air activation using an OTAF ID number. Step402begins by programming the over-the-air function ID number into a new mobile station100at the time of manufacture.

Step404inFIG. 4Ahas the mobile station100turn on the unit's power for the first time in the network. Then in step406, mobile station100prepares the registration order message to include the OTAF ID number and the ESN. Then in step408, the mobile station100transmits station100a registration order over-the-air to the base station and the mobile switching center.

In step410ofFIG. 4A, the mobile switching center104detects the OTAF ID number and inserts it into the registration notification message along with the ESN, which it then sends to the STP114in the SS7 network. The MSC104also puts the ESN into a VLR record in the VLR106.

Then step412ofFIG. 4Ahas the STP114translate the OTAF ID number into a routing address to the OTAF processor110. The STP sends the registration notification message to the OTAF processor110in the network.

In step414ofFIG. 4Ahas the OTAF processor110initiate the activation process for the mobile station100. In step416, the OTAF processor110sends the activation parameters in the form of the NAM parameters, for the mobile station, back to the mobile switching center104.

Then step418ofFIG. 4Ahas the mobile switching center104and base station102transmit the activation parameters over-the-air to the mobile station100using the VLR record in the VLR106to identify which mobile station100is intended to receive the activation parameters.

FIG. 4Billustrates a flow diagram of a variation in the method shown inFIG. 4A, wherein step414′ has the OTAF processor110initiate the activation process for the mobile station100and then wait for authorization from the business office activation center112, shown in FIG.2.

Step415ofFIG. 4Bhas a voice path established over-the-air by the mobile station subscriber. The mobile station subscriber places a simultaneous call over-the-air to the carrier's business office activation center112, using a special dialed number such as “1-800-ACTIVATE”. The subscriber can provide to the business office activation center112credit information and the subscriber can specify the types of service features wanted for the mobile service. The business office activation center112then sends authorization data to the OTAF processor110.

Step416′ ofFIG. 4Bthen has the OTAF processor110complete the activation process and send the activation parameters for the mobile station back to the mobile switching center104. Then step418ofFIG. 4Bhas the mobile switching center104and base station102transmit the activation parameters over-the-air to the mobile station100.

FIG. 5illustrates a flow diagram of a sequence of operational steps for an alternate embodiment of the invention, wherein each new mobile station100is programmed at the time of manufacture with a sequentially serialized dummy MIN mobile ID number. This is shown in step502of FIG.5. Step504has the mobile station100turn on the unit's power for the first time in the network. Step506has a mobile station100prepare a registration message to include the dummy MIN. Step508has the mobile station100transmit the registration order over-the-air to the base station and the mobile switching center104.

Step510ofFIG. 5has the MSC104prepare registration notification message with the dummy MIN. This operation is the same as if the mobile station100were requesting a normal registration for a previously activated mobile station, the mobile switching center104being unable to distinguish between a dummy MIN and a valid MIN. The mobile switching center104then sends the registration notification message to the STP114in the SS7 network. The MSC104puts the dummy MIN into a VLR record in the VLR106. In step512, the STP114translates all dummy MINs into the routing address of the OTAF processor110. All of the plurality of sequentially serialized dummy MIN values are translated by the STP114into a single OTAF processor address in the fixed supporting network. Then the STP114sends the registration notification message to the OTAF processor110.

Then step514ofFIG. 5has the OTAF processor110initiate the activation process for the mobile station100. In step516, the OTAF processor110sends the activation parameters for the mobile station back to the MSC104.

Then in step518ofFIG. 5, the MSC104and base station102transmit the activation parameters over-the-air to the mobile station100using the VLR record in VLR106to identify with the dummy MIN which mobile station100is the intended recipient for the activation parameters.

FIG. 6is flow diagram of the sequence of operational steps for a previously activated mobile station100having a valid MIN, which seeks registration in a new service area.

In step602, the previously activated mobile station100seeks registration in the new services area. In step604, the mobile station100turns on the unit's power in the network. In step606the mobile station100prepares a registration order message to include the valid mobile identification number (MIN). In step608, the mobile station100transmits the registration order over-the-air to the base station102and MSC104. In step610, the MSC104prepares the registration notification message with the valid MIN and sends it to the STP114in the SS7 network. The MSC also puts the valid MIN in a VLR record in VLR106. In step612, the STP114translates the valid MIN into the routing address of the HLR108assigned to the mobile station100. The STP114sends the registration notification message to the HLR108. In step614, the HLR108initiates the registration process for the mobile station for the new service area. In step616, the HLR108sends the new registration information for MS100back to the MSC104. In step618, the VLR106updates the new registration information and begins local service to the mobile station100using the VLR record.

FIG. 7illustrates the STP114and its translation table700and shows how a plurality of dummy MINs having different, sequentially serialized values, are translated in translation702into a single OTAF address.FIG. 7shows several example translations of input expressions in the dialed number format to output Signaling System 7 (SS7) network addresses. For example, the dialed number “911” input to the translation table700, is translated into the SS7 network address of emergency services. As another example, the dialed number “1-800-ACTIVATE” input to the translation table700, is translated into the SS7 network address of the business office activation center112shown in FIG.2. As another example, the dialed number format for the valid MIN “VALID MIN-5” input to the translation table700, is translated into the SS7 network address of the HLR-5 home location register for that MIN. As another example, the dialed number format for the valid MIN “VALID MIN-6” input to the translation table700, is translated into the SS7 network address of the different HLR-6 home location register for that different valid MIN. In accordance with the invention, all of the dummy MINs are translated by the translation702in the translation table700into the network address of the OTAF processor110. Still further in accordance with the invention, the OTAF ID number is translated by the translation table700into the SS7 network address of the OTAF processor110.

FIG. 8Ashows a schematic diagram of a mobile station100with a preprogrammed OTAF ID number810or alternately with a pre-programmed dummy MIN832. Mobile station100includes RF transmit and receive circuits, digital circuits, and voice circuits. Mobile station100also includes the RAM memory806which stores the NAM parameters in the NAM register after they are downloaded over the air from the OTAF processor110. Mobile station100also includes the programmable read only memory (ROM)808that is programmed at the time of manufacture with the ESN and with the OTAF ID number810. In the alternate embodiment of the invention, mobile station100alternately includes the programmable ROM830(shown in dotted outline inFIG. 8A) that is programmed at the time of manufacture with the ESN and with a sequentially serialized dummy MIN832.

FIG. 8Bshows how a plurality of mobile stations100,100′, and100″ are all preprogrammed with the identical OTAF ID number810, in the advantageous embodiment.

FIG. 8Cshows how a plurality of mobile stations100,100′, and100″ in the alternate embodiment, are preprogrammed with mutually different dummy MIN values832,832′, and832″.