CUSTOMIZING A TELECOMMUNICATIONS APPARATUS

Abstract: A method of customizing a telecommunications apparatus, such as a digital pager, in which the apparatus (10) is supplied to a user primed for programming and storing a factory entered reference receiver identify code (RIC). The user enters a code number provided by an operator into the apparatus, which code number is used to modify the reference RIC. A permanent RIC is programmed over-the-air into the apparatus using the modified reference RIC.

Description: DESCRIPTION CUSTOMIZING A TELECOMMUNICATIONS APPARATUS Technical Field The present invention relates to customizing telecommunications apparatus, particularly but not exclusively, to one-way and two-way digital pagers. For convenience of description, the present invention will be described with reference to a one-way pager but it is to be understood that the teachings of the present invention can be applied to two-way pagers and other telecommunications apparatus. Background Art At the present time pagers are manufactured to specifications of individual customers. These specifications may set out the frequency or frequencies of use, the protocol or protocols to be followed, the customer's identification code and the radio identity code(s) assigned to the pager. As a consequence the logistical costs associated with manufacturing pagers is relatively high for what is regarded as a relatively inexpensive product. US Patent Specification 5,673,317 discloses a method of preventing unauthorized programming of wireless network access devices to avoid what is referred to in the industry as "churning", that is a user purchasing a subsidised device from one service provider or carrier and activating the device with another service provider or carrier resulting in a loss of profit by the original vendor. The cited method comprises storing a key code and an access code in a memory in the device. In order to programme the device it is coupled to an external device which reads-out the key code from the memory and uses it to generate an access code. The generated code is compared with the stored access code and if they match, the device can be programmed. If there is a mismatch, programming is inhibited. A drawback to this method is that the owner of the device has to interface with an external device to programme his or her device. Disclosure of Invention An object of the present invention is to reduce the logistical costs. According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of customizing a telecommunications apparatus comprising radio receiving means, means for decoding and controlling the operation of the apparatus, receiver identity code(RIC) storage means, and man/machine interface means, the method comprising providing an apparatus primed for programming and having a reference RIC stored in the RIC storage means, modifying the reference RIC in a manner prescribed by an operator of a system on which the apparatus is be operated to give the apparatus a temporary RIC, and over-the-air programming at least one permanent RIC into the apparatus using the temporary RIC to address the apparatus. According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a system for customizing a telecommunications apparatus, the telecommunications apparatus comprising radio receiving means, means for decoding and controlling the operation of the apparatus, said means being primed for programming mode, receiver identity code (RIC) storage means storing a reference RIC and man/machine interface means, and at least primary station for transmitting over-the-air at least one permanent RIC using a temporary address which is an adaptation of the reference RIC. According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a non-customized telecommunications apparatus comprising radio receiving means, means for decoding and controlling the operation of the apparatus, said means being primed for programming mode, receiver identity code (RIC) storage means storing a reference RIC and man/machine interface means. The present invention is based on the realisation that by building-in the capability for the telecommunications apparatus to be used on different operators' systems then only one single type of non-customized apparatus need be manufactured. Customization can be carried by the purchaser of the apparatus or service provider. As a result the logistical costs involved in the manufacture and distribution of the telecommunications apparatus can be minimised. Brief Description of Drawings The present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a block schematic diagram of a one way paging and associated apparatus involved in one embodiment of customising the pager; and Figure 2 is a flow chart of the operations involved in customizing the pager. In the drawings, the same reference numerals have been used to indicate corresponding features. Mode for Carrying Out the Invention Referring to Figure 1 , a pager 10 for use with an embodiment of the method in accordance with the present invention comprises an antenna 12 which is coupled to the input of a radio receiver 14, the local oscillator frequency of which is supplied by a frequency synthesizer 16. An output of the receiver 14 is coupled to a decoder 18, the output of which is supplied to a microcontroller 20. The microcontroller operates in accordance with a program stored in a ROM 22 and serves to control different aspects of the pager 10. Annunciating devices comprising an acoustic transducer 24, a light emitter 26 and a vibrator 28 are coupled to the microcontroller 20. A keypad 30 is coupled to the microcontroller 20 and provides a man/machine interface. Numeric and/or alphanumeric messages received by the pager are held in a RAM 32 pending read-out in consequence of actuation of the keypad 30. The messages are relayed by the microcontroller 20 to a driver 34 of an LCD panel 36. A receiver power control circuit 38 is coupled between the microcontroller 20 and the radio receiver 14 to effect battery saving in accordance with the particular paging protocol, for example CCIR Radiopaging Code No. 1 (otherwise known as POCSAG), being followed. In order to be able to customize the pager 10 it is necessary to store in a non-volatile memory (or memory area) 40 different operator codes and the frequency or frequencies which the operator uses. The microcontroller 20 sets the local oscillator frequency generated by the frequency synthesizer in response to data read-out from the memory 40. Another non-volatile memory (or memory area) 42 stores the different paging protocols, for example POCSAG, ERMES and FLEX, which the pager can operate in accordance with. Once the details of one of the protocols is read-out, the microcontroller uses the information to control the operation of the radio receiver 14 and the decoder 18. Finally a non-volatile memory (or memory area) 46 comprises a store for one or more receiver identity codes (RICs). Communication with the pager 10 is from a base station 44 which can include (or be connected to) a paging system controller. Also shown in Figure 1 is a telephone 48 which is coupled by the PSTN 50 to an operator 52. The purpose of these items will become clear later. One embodiment of a method of customizing the pager 10 will now be described with reference to the flow chart shown in Figure 2. Block 60 denotes the manufacture of the pager 10 during which data on operator codes and associated frequencies and protocols is stored in the nonvolatile memories 40 and 42. Additionally the same reference or test RIC is stored in the non-volatile memory 46 of all the pagers. The frequency synthesizer 16 is set to be able to select 25kHz channels currently used by many paging operators. Prior to being despatched the pager 10 is primed for programming. The broken line 62 denotes the pager 10 being despatched to a customer who may be a service provider. Block 64 indicates a customer initiating the customization process by telephoning the operator 52 and requesting registration of his/her pager. Certain formalities may have to be complied with, such as answering some questions and/or giving a credit card number to initiate payment. In response to complying with these formalities the operator gives a code number, for example 76521. Block 66 indicates the customer entering the code number into the pager using the keypad 30. Block 68 denotes the microcontroller responding to the first two digits which identify a particular operator code stored in the memory 40. In an automatic scanning protocol the auto selection of the channel frequency will result and in a non-scanning protocol, the operator code will set the frequency which in turn sets the divider of the frequency synthesizer accordingly. Block 70 is optional and applies to pagers which are to have a multiprotocol capability. An extra digit in the code number entered by the customer under the instructions of the operator 52 determines the operation of the pager 10 in accordance with the desired protocol, the details of which are stored in the memory 42. Block 72 relates to conditioning the pager in preparation for the transmission over-the-air of the RIC to be assigned to the pager. More particularly the next two or three digits respectively identify one of 100 codes or one of 1000 codes assigned to the pager 10 for a limited time period of say two minutes. Block 74 relates to this period only, namely the pager 10 will respond to a message transmitted by the base station 44 with these two or three digits as the last digits of the reference RIC used in manufacture. The message appended to this modified reference RIC is the RIC to be assigned to the pager for all further messages transmitted by the base station 44. The assigned RIC is programmed into the RIC memory 46 of the pager using the standard over-the-air programming technique for the selected protocol. Once programmed with an individual RIC the pager 10 cannot be put into the originally primed programming mode using for example the keypad 30. The exception to this inhibiting of the pager to be programmed is when the paging operating company sends a command message on the radio channel specifically authorising the pager to enter a programming mode. Block 76 is an optional stage and relates to the operating company wanting to give the pager twenty narrow-cast group addresses that put the pager into specific sets of interest groups or data bases. This can be achieved simultaneously with the over-the-air programming of the individual RIC. Block 78 relates to the pager 10 advising the customer of a successful completion of the programming process by displaying a "Programmed" message on the LCD panel 36. From reading the present disclosure, other modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the art. Such modifications may involve other features which are already known in the design, manufacture and use of telecommunications apparatus and component parts thereof and which may be used instead of or in addition to features already described herein. Industrial Applicability Telecommunications apparatus, particularly one way and two way digital pagers.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A method of customizing a telecommunications apparatus comprising radio receiving means, means for decoding and controlling the operation of the apparatus, receiver identity code(RIC) storage means, and man/machine interface means, the method comprising providing an apparatus primed for programming and having a reference RIC stored in the RIC storage means, modifying the reference RIC in a manner prescribed by an operator of a system on which the apparatus is be operated to give the apparatus a temporary RIC, and over-the-air programming at least one permanent RIC into the apparatus using the temporary RIC to address the apparatus. 2. A method as claimed in claim 1 , characterised in that the reference RIC is modified by using the man/machine interface to input a code number provided by the operator, digits of the code number being substituted for a corresponding number of least significant digits in the reference RIC. 3. A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the apparatus has means for storing at least one operator code and operating data associated with the or each operator code stored, characterised in that digits in the code number are used to select the or one of the stored operator code(s) and its associated operating data. 4. A method as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein the 5 telecommunications apparatus comprises means storing at least one operating protocol, characterised in that the code number under the control of said decoding and controlling means is used to select the or one of the operating protocols. o 5. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised by inhibiting the apparatus from being reprogrammed using the man/machine interface after the successful programming of the at least one permanent RIC. 6. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the over-the-programming is initiated within a predetermined time interval of the operator prescribing the modification to be made to the reference RIC. 7. A system for customizing a telecommunications apparatus, the telecommunications apparatus comprising radio receiving means, means for decoding and controlling the operation of the apparatus, said means being primed for programming mode, receiver identity code (RIC) storage means storing a reference RIC and man/machine interface means, and at least primary station for transmitting over-the-air at least one permanent RIC using a temporary address which is an adaptation of the reference RIC. 8. A non-customized telecommunications apparatus comprising radio receiving means, means for decoding and controlling the operation of the apparatus, said means being primed for programming mode, receiver identity code (RIC) storage means storing a reference RIC and man/machine interface means. 9. An apparatus as claimed in claim 8, characterised by operator code storage means containing operating data associated with at least operator. 10. An apparatus as claimed in claim 8 or 9, characterised by protocol storage means for storing at least one operating protocol.

Inventors: SHARPE ANTHONY KEITH, SHARPE, ANTHONY, KEITH
Applicants: KONINKL PHILIPS ELECTRONICS NV, PHILIPS SVENSKA AB, KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V., PHILIPS AB
Application year: 1998
Main classification: H04Q
IPC codes: H04M1, H04M3, H04W8, H04W88