Method of configuring an in-vehicle telematics unit

Abstract

The present invention present invention provides a method and system for configuring a telematics unit in a mobile vehicle. An assigned system identifier is stored in the telematics unit, and a determination is made as to whether the assigned system identifier corresponds to a broadcast system identifier. A wireless carrier is called based on the determination, and a mobile identification number is received from the wireless carrier.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of configuring a telematics unit in a mobile vehicle, comprising: 
 storing an assigned system identifier in the telematics unit;    determining whether the assigned system identifier corresponds to a broadcast system identifier;    calling a wireless carrier based on the determination; and    receiving a mobile identification number from the wireless carrier.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the assigned system identifier is based on a destination zip code.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the wireless carrier is called when the broadcast system identifier matches the assigned system identifier.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the mobile identification number is received using over-the-air service provisioning.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the mobile identification number is received using a wireless carrier system protocol.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 providing an assigned preferred roaming list for the telematics unit; and  
 storing the assigned preferred roaming list in the telematics unit.  
 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 providing the wireless carrier with an electronic serial number corresponding to the telematics unit and a destination zip code; and  
 assigning the mobile identification number based on the electronic serial number and the destination zip code.  
 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 transmitting an electronic serial number from the telematics unit to the wireless carrier.  
 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 setting an update parameter flag in the telematics unit; and  
 updating a telematics unit parameter based on the update parameter flag.  
 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the telematics unit parameter is selected from the group consisting of a mobile identification number, a mobile directory number, a home system identifier, a preferred roaming list, a cell phone system parameter, and a telematics unit system parameter.  
     
     
         11 . A computer usable medium including a program to configure a telematics unit in a mobile vehicle, comprising: 
 computer program code to store an assigned system identifier in the telematics unit;    computer program code to determine whether the assigned system identifier corresponds to a broadcast system identifier;    computer program code to call a wireless carrier based on the determination; and    computer program code to receive a mobile identification number from the wireless carrier.    
     
     
         12 . The computer usable medium of  claim 11  further comprising: 
 computer program code to provide an assigned preferred roaming list for the telematics unit; and  
 computer program code to store the assigned preferred roaming list in the telematics unit.  
 
     
     
         13 . The computer usable medium of  claim 11  further comprising: 
 computer program code to provide the wireless carrier with an electronic serial number corresponding to the telematics unit and a destination zip code; and  
 computer program code to assign the mobile identification number based on the electronic serial number and the destination zip code.  
 
     
     
         14 . The computer usable medium of  claim 11  further comprising: 
 computer program code to transmit an electronic serial number from the telematics unit to the wireless carrier.  
 
     
     
         15 . The computer usable medium of  claim 11  further comprising: 
 computer program code to set an update parameter flag in the telematics unit; and  
 computer program code to update a telematics unit parameter based on the update parameter flag.  
 
     
     
         16 . A system for configuring a telematics unit in a mobile vehicle, comprising: 
 means for storing an assigned system identifier in the telematics unit;    means for determining whether the assigned system identifier corresponds to a broadcast system identifier;    means for calling a wireless carrier based on the determination; and    means for receiving a mobile identification number from the wireless carrier.    
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16  further comprising: 
 means for providing the wireless carrier with an electronic serial number corresponding to the telematics unit and a destination zip code; and  
 means for assigning the mobile identification number based on the electronic serial number and the destination zip code.  
 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 16  further comprising: 
 means for providing the wireless carrier with an electronic serial number corresponding to the telematics unit; and  
 means for assigning the mobile identification number based on the electronic serial number and a destination zip code.  
 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 16  further comprising: 
 means for transmitting an electronic serial number from the telematics unit to the wireless carrier.  
 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 16  further comprising: 
 means for setting an update parameter flag in the telematics unit; and  
 means for updating a telematics unit parameter based on the update parameter flag.