MEID-based paging to reach de-activated telematics modules

1. A method of operating a vehicle telematics unit, comprising the steps of:

(a) replacing a mobile identification number (MIN) or a mobile dialed number (MDN) stored in a telematics unit with a temporary geographical mobile identification number (GMIN) that prevents the telematics unit from using all of its features;

(b) associating the GMIN with a plurality of vehicles and a mobile equipment identification number (MEID) of the telematics device;

(c) storing the associated GMIN and MEID at a central facility;

(d) paging the telematics unit using the associated GMIN and MEID; and

(e) instructing the telematics unit via the page to communicate with the central facility over a wireless data connection.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the steps of:

determining that the vehicle has moved outside of a geographical area serviced by the GMIN; and replacing the GMIN with a new GMIN based on the location of the vehicle.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the location of the vehicle is determined based on a system identification code (SID) or a network identification code (NID).

4. The method of claim 2 , wherein the location of the vehicle is determined based on global positioning system (GPS) coordinates sent from the vehicle to the central facility.

5. The method of claim 2 , wherein the location of the vehicle is determined based on a periodic update of the last known pointer provided by a home location register (HLR) or a visitor location register (VLR) that services the GMIN in the telematics unit.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the GMIN is a 500-prefix number.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the GMIN services a geographical area covering two or more area codes.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein replacing the MIN or MDN is carried out wirelessly from the central facility.

9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of instructing the telematics unit to communicate using a short-message service (SMS) shoulder tap sent by the central facility.

10. A method of operating a vehicle telematics unit, comprising the steps of:

(a) determining that a wireless communication service has not been renewed for a vehicle having a telematics unit;

(b) identifying the location of the vehicle;

(c) associating a temporary geographic mobile identification number (GMIN) having limited functionality with a plurality of vehicles and a mobile equipment identification number (MEID) of the telematics unit based on the location of the vehicle;

(d) storing the associated GMIN and MEID at a central facility;

(e) wirelessly transmitting the GMIN to the vehicle;

(f) programming the telematics unit with the GMIN; and

(g) contacting the telematics unit using the associated GMIN and MEID.

11. The method of claim 10 , further comprising the steps of:

determining that the vehicle has moved outside of a geographical area serviced by the GMIN; and replacing the GMIN with a new GMIN based on the location of the vehicle.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the location of the vehicle is determined based on a system identification code (SID) or a network identification code (NID).

13. The method of claim 11 , wherein the location of the vehicle is determined based on global positioning system (GPS) coordinates sent from the vehicle to the central facility.

14. The method of claim 11 , wherein the location of the vehicle is determined based on a periodic update of the last known pointer provided by a home location register (HLR) or a visitor location register (VLR) that services the GMIN programmed in the telematics unit.

15. The method of claim 10 , wherein the GMIN is a 500-prefix number.

16. The method of claim 10 , wherein the GMIN services a geographical area covering two or more area codes.

17. The method of claim 10 , further comprising the step of instructing the telematics unit to communicate using a short-message service (SMS) shoulder tap sent by the central facility.

18. A method of operating a vehicle telematics unit, comprising the steps of:

(a) determining a system identification number (SID) or a network identification number (NID) of a wireless carrier system at the location of a vehicle that includes a telematics unit;

(b) selecting a temporary geographical mobile identification number (GMIN), a number associated with a plurality of vehicles, based on the SID or NID;

(c) replacing a mobile identification number (MIN) or mobile dialed number (MDN) of the telematics unit with the selected GMIN;

(d) associating the GMIN with a mobile equipment identification number (MEID) of the telematics unit;

(e) storing the associated GMIN and MEID at a central facility;

(f) if the vehicle detects that the SID or NID of the wireless carrier system at the location of the vehicle has changed, then:

(f 1 ) establishing a data connection via the wireless carrier system between the vehicle and the central facility;

(f 2 ) sending the SID or NID detected in step (f) to the central facility;

(f 3 ) selecting a new GMIN based on the changed SID or NID sent to the central facility;

(f 4 ) programming the telematics unit with the new GMIN;

(f 5 ) associating the new GMIN with the MEID of the vehicle telematics unit; and

(f 6 ) storing the associated new GMIN and MEID at the central facility.

19. The method of claim 18 , wherein the GMIN is a 500-prefix number.

20. The method of claim 18 , wherein the GMIN services a geographical area covering two or more area codes.