COMMUNICATION METHOD AND APPARATUS IMPROVEMENTS

• US 20020196127A1
• Filed: 06/15/2000
• Published: 12/26/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/15/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vsim Patent Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Imbros Corporation (CGI, Inc.)
• Inventors: Benson, Keith
• Granted Patent: US 6,747,547 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/10.4
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 2011/188 Media card holders, e.g. memory cards, SIM cards
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3816 Mechanical arrangements for accommodating identification devices, e.g. cards or chips; with connectors for programming identification devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0853 using an additional device, e.g. smartcard, SIM or a different communication terminal cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication involving additional secure or trusted devices H04L9/3234
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0202 Portable telephone sets, e.g. cordless phones, mobile phones or bar type handsets constructional features of telephone transmitters or receivers, e.g. of speakers or microphones H04M1/03
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/724 User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/14 including a card reading device
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/45 using multiple identity modules
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices

Abstract

Abstract of Disclosure

A remote communication apparatus such as a mobile digital telephone adapted to receive interrogation from time to time with respect to the identification of a user of the apparatus from a network provider and including means to hold an identification module within the apparatus which can provide for that authentication of the user to an external interrogation from time to time, with an appropriate identification module means to receive any interrogation signals and adapted in the case that the identification signals are appropriate for seeking identification of a network providers subscriber identification module, then effecting a direction of such incoming inquiry signals to information being stored whereby the appropriate identification can be provided in reply, and in the event of an interrogation other than from the network provider, then, as appropriate, directing such further interrogation to other memory means the further memory means including either passive memory or memory contained on removable means such as a smart card, a multi-media card or the like.

Claims

1. A remote communication apparatus adapted to receive interrogation from time to time with respect to the identification of a user of the apparatus and including means to hold a subscriber identification module within the apparatus which can provide for that authentication of the user to an external interrogation from time to time, characterised in that there is connected to the electrical contacts adapted to connect with an appropriate subscriber identification module, an intermediary processor means to receive any interrogation signals and adapted in the case that the identification signals are appropriate for seeking identification of and from a network providers subscriber identification module, then effecting a direction of such incoming inquiry signals to the attached subscriber identification module whereby appropriate identification can be provided in reply, and in the event of an interrogation or communication other than from the network provider for identification or other purposes, then as appropriate directing such further interrogation or communication to other means.

2. A remote communication apparatus as in Claim 1 further characterised in that the intermediary processor is a processor incorporated in the remote communication apparatus at original manufacture, said processor being the main CPU of the apparatus or alternatively an additional CPU incorporated in the original equipment.

3. A remote communication apparatus as in Claim 1 wherein the intermediary processor is a processor incorporated in an attachment to the remote communication apparatus.

4. A remote communication apparatus as in Claim 1 further characterised in that the further memory means include either passive memory or memory contained on removable means such as a smart card, or a multi-media card or the like.

5. A remote communication apparatus as in Claim 1 further characterised in that the apparatus is a cellular mobile phone.

6. A remote communication apparatus as in Claim 1 further characterised in that there are sockets to receive a plurality of subscriber identification modules.

7. A remote communication apparatus as in Claim 1 further characterised in that the other memory means are remote from the apparatus and there are communication means selected from an infrared link or wireless or a wired connection to the apparatus.

8. A remote communication apparatus as in Claim 1 further characterised in that there is at least a holder and reader for a further device that is attachable or attached to the mobile phone so that such additional reader or other receiving means can be used to insert for instance an authenticating smart card provided by an alternate supplier.

9. A remote communication apparatus as in Claim 1 further characterised in that the additional apparatus provides a virtual subscriber identification module by having an active central processing unit with appropriate programming held in appropriate memory so that it will be adapted to receive and appropriately respond in the case of appropriate interrogation signals being received.

10. A remote communication apparatus as in Claim 1 further characterised in that a subscriber identification module which is conventionally provided by the network provider is in electrical contact with the processing unit so that, when appropriate interrogation signals are detected, the central processing unit will switch associated following signals through to the original subscriber identification module.

11. A remote communication apparatus as in Claim 1 further characterised in that such additional apparatus providing for intelligent switching is joined to existing electrical equipment as originally provided by a manufacturer by means which do not in substance alter the original equipment.

12. A remote communication apparatus as in Claim 1 further characterised in that there is provided circuitry which connects by contact with original equipment and then through a flexible and adhering material, to provide continuing electrical connections to an external location by passing through conventional manufacturing gaps between housing conventionally existing in currently manufactured equipment.

13. A remote communication apparatus as in Claim 1 further characterised in that there is an alternate housing which has the appropriate physical interconnections to hold a battery both physically with remaining housing of the mobile phone, and providing for electrical connections.

14. A remote communication apparatus as in Claim 1 further characterised in that there is included a smart card reader.

16. An arrangement as in the immediately preceding Claim 13 further characterised in that the intermediate processor means includes means to effect input and output signals to effect control to and from the keyboard, screen and radio frequency transmission and receiving means of the mobile phone to which it is adapted to be attached.

17. An arrangement as in Claim 13 further including a smart card reader.

18. A digital phone network where there is included in communication with the network a mobile digital phone with an arrangement as characterized in any one of the preceding claims.

15. An arrangement including a take-off connector adapted to be inserted into and be electrically connect with available electrical contacts within an identification module socket within a cellular mobile digital phone, an intermediate processor means which is electrically connected to at least one subscriber identification module so that when connected electrically to the electrical connections in the phone act in a way that will act to send interrogation signals provided from the phone by reason of a startup signal or otherwise through to the identification module and transmit replies back from the identification module so that, to a network service provider, the effect will be substantially the same as if the identification module is in its appropriate location in the socket.

19. A digital mobile phone of a type including means to hold an identification member in electrical communication with its operating system for identification of a user , and a further arrangement adapted such that in the event of identification signals appropriate for seeking identification of a network providers subscriber identification module being received, then there are means effecting a direction of such incoming inquiry signals to information being stored whereby the appropriate identification can be provided in reply, and in the event of an interrogation other than from the network provider, directing such further interrogation to other memory means.