Mobile unit having internet protocol functionality

• US 20040043791A1
• Filed: 05/20/2003
• Published: 03/04/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/22/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Interdigital Technology Corporation (InterDigital, Inc.)
• Inventors: Reddy, Gautam G.
• Granted Patent: US 7,640,038 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/558
• 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 2101/654 International mobile subscriber identity [IMSI] numbers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/00 Network arrangements, protocols or services for addressing or naming
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/35 involving non-standard use of addresses for implementing network functionalities, e.g. coding subscription information within the address or functional addressing, i.e. assigning an address to a function
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/5007 Internet protocol [IP] addresses
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0254 comprising one or a plurality of mechanically detachable modules
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/2535 adapted for voice communication over an Internet Protocol [IP] network Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) network equipment and services H04M7/006; implementation or adaptation of Internet protocol [IP], of transmission control protocol [TCP] or of user datagram protocol [UDP] H04L69/16
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72403 with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/1446 wherein at least one of the networks is unlicensed
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/26 Network addressing or numbering for mobility support
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 80/04 Network layer protocols, e.g. mobile IP [Internet Protocol]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices

Abstract

A mobile unit includes a handset and a removable storage module having a unique storage module identity, for storing information specific to a user, including an Internet Protocol (IP) address. Additional information regarding a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) and International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) which uniquely identifies the subscriber is also stored in the removable storage module. Upon successfully camping on a cell of a mobile network, the IP address is forwarded to an IP-based network capable of communicating with the mobile unit. In an alternate embodiment, the mobile unit has multi-network capabilities which allow it to communicate with an IP-based network and a cellular network at the same time. In another embodiment, existing cellular network services for the mobile unit having multi-network capabilities are routed through the IP-based network.

Claims

1. A mobile unit, comprising:

a handset having a unique handset identity for transmitting, receiving and processing wireless communications; and

a removable storage module, having a unique storage module identity, which stores information specific to a user, wherein said information includes an Internet Protocol (IP) address.

2. The mobile unit of claim 1 wherein said IP address is used to gain access to an IP-based network for facilitating the transfer of data to and from the IP-based network.

3. The mobile unit of claim 1 wherein said stored information further includes:

(i) Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) information; and

(ii) International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) information.

4. The mobile unit of claim 1 wherein said removable storage module is a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM).

5. The mobile unit of claim 1 wherein said removable storage module is a Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS) Subscriber Identity Module (USIM).

6. The mobile unit of claim 1 wherein said removable storage module is a smart card.

7. A mobile unit, comprising:

a handset having a unique handset identity for transmitting, receiving and processing wireless communications;

a removable storage module, having a unique storage module identity, which stores information specific to a user, wherein said information includes an Internet Protocol (IP) address and International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) information; and

means for selectively transmitting said information to one or more networks.

8. The mobile unit of claim 7 wherein said networks include a cellular network and an IP-based network.

9. The mobile unit of claim 8 wherein said IP address is used to gain access said IP-based network.

10. The mobile unit of claim 8 wherein said mobile unit has multi-network capabilities allowing it to communicate with said IP-based network and said cellular network at the same time.

11. The mobile unit of claim 8 further comprising:

means for communicating with said cellular network via a connection established using said IMSI information;

means for accessing said IP-based network using the IP address; and

means for dropping the established connection with the cellular network and routing existing cellular network services through the IP-based network.

12. The mobile unit of claim 8 further comprising:

means for establishing a connection with said cellular network via an established connection;

means for accessing said IP-based network using the IP address; and

means for simultaneously communicating with the cellular network and the IP-based network.

13. The mobile unit of claim 7 wherein said removable storage module is a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM).

14. The mobile unit of claim 7 wherein said removable storage module is a Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS) Subscriber Identity Module (USIM).

15. The mobile unit of claim 7 wherein said removable storage module is a smart card.

16. The mobile unit of claim 7 wherein said stored information further includes Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) information.

17. A mobile unit, comprising:

(a) a handset, having a unique handset identity for transmitting, receiving and processing wireless communications; and

(b) a removable storage module, having a unique storage module identity, which stores information specific to a user, wherein said information includes;

(i) an Internet Protocol (IP) address;

(ii) Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) information; and

(iii) International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) information; and

(c) means for selectively transmitting said information to one or more networks.

18. A communications method for establishing communications between a mobile unit and a plurality of networks, the mobile unit including a removable storage module having a unique storage module identity, the method comprising:

(a) providing, in the removable storage module, information specific to a user, wherein said information includes an Internet Protocol (IP) address;

(b) the mobile unit communicating with a first one of said networks via an established connection;

(c) the mobile unit accessing a second one of said networks using the IP address; and

(d) the mobile unit dropping the established connection with the first network and routing existing services associated with said first network through the second network.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein said first network is a cellular network and said second network is an IP-based network.

20. The method of claim 18 wherein said first network is a cellular network and said second network is an wireless local area network (LAN).

21. A communications method for establishing communications between a mobile unit and a plurality of networks, the mobile unit including a removable storage module having a unique storage module identity, the method comprising:

(a) providing, in the removable storage module, information specific to a user, wherein said information includes an Internet Protocol (IP) address;

(b) the mobile unit communicating with a first one of said networks via an established connection;

(c) the mobile unit accessing a second one of said networks using the IP address; and

(d) the mobile unit simultaneously communicating with said first and second networks.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein said first network is a cellular network and said second network is an IP-based network.

23. The method of claim 21 wherein said first network is a cellular network and said second network is an wireless local area network (LAN).