Multiple subscription subscriber identity module (SIM) card

• US 20050164737A1
• Filed: 12/31/2003
• Published: 07/28/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cingular Wireless LLC (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Cingular Wireless II LLC (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Brown, Jason
• Granted Patent: US 7,613,480 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/558
• 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: H04W 12/45 using multiple identity modules
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/245 from a network towards a terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention include a multiple subscription subscriber identity module (SIM) card. The SIM card includes a plurality of sets of subscription parameters from which to select and activate a single set of parameters. The sets of subscription parameters each contain various information, e.g., information such as an Integrated Circuit Card Identifier (ICCID) and an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI), and are based on various criteria, e.g., different service regions of use for the electronic device on which the SIM card is installed. A set of subscription parameters is selected for a particular region of use either manually or automatically. The SIM card, which can include a software interface that provides a list of available sets of subscription parameters, is activated by updating the selected set of subscription parameters. Alternatively, a default set of subscription parameters is selected unless a different set of subscription parameters is selected manually from among the plurality of sets of subscription parameters. According to alternative embodiments of the invention, the selected set of subscription parameters can be deactivated and a different set of subscription parameters can be selected and updated to in the SIM card.

Claims

1. A multiple subscription subscriber identity module (SIM) card for use with portable devices, said card comprising:

a subscription identity module (SIM) coupled to said card, said SIM including a plurality of sets of subscription parameters,

wherein a single set of subscription parameters is selected from among the plurality of sets of subscription parameters and wherein the selected set of subscription parameters is activated.

2. A multiple subscription SIM card as recited in claim 1, wherein at least one set of subscription parameters corresponds to one of a plurality of different operating markets of use for the SIM card.

3. A multiple subscription SIM card as recited in claim 1, wherein the SIM has a default set of subscription parameters from among the plurality of sets of subscription parameters, wherein the default set of subscription parameters is selected unless a set of subscription parameters different from the default set of subscription parameters is selected.

4. A multiple subscription SIM card as recited in claim 1, wherein the SIM further comprises a software interface for selecting which one of the plurality of sets of subscription parameters to activate.

5. A multiple subscription SIM card as recited in claim 4, wherein the software interface is activated upon powering up the SIM card, unless one set of the plurality of subscription parameters has been selected/activated.

6. A multiple subscription SIM card as recited in claim 4, wherein the software interface further comprises a menu-based software interface.

7. A multiple subscription SIM card as recited in claim 6, wherein, during activation of the card, the set of subscription parameters is automatically selected based on the market in which the SIM card is activated.

8. A multiple subscription SIM card as recited in claim 1, wherein at least one set of the plurality of sets of subscription parameters includes an Integrated Circuit Card Identifier (ICCID).

9. A multiple subscription SIM card as recited in claim 1, wherein at least one set of the plurality of sets of subscription parameters includes an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI).

10. A method for activating a set of subscription parameters on a subscriber identity module (SIM) card, comprising the steps of:

providing a subscriber identity module (SIM) card having a subscription identity module (SIM) coupled to said card, said SIM including a plurality of sets of subscription parameters;

accessing at least one of the plurality of sets of subscription parameters in the SIM; and

selecting at least one set of subscription parameters.

11. A method as recited in claim 10, further comprising the step of updating the SIM module with the selected set of subscription parameters.

12. A method as recited in claim 10, wherein at least one set of subscription parameters corresponds to one of a plurality of different operating markets of use for the SIM card, and wherein the selecting step further comprises activating the set of subscription parameters based on the operating market of use for the SIM card.

13. A method as recited in claim 10, wherein the SIM has a default set of subscription parameters from among the plurality of sets of subscription parameters, and wherein the selecting step further comprises activating the default set of subscription parameters unless a set of subscription parameters different from the default set of subscription parameters is selected.

14. A method as recited in claim 10, wherein the SIM includes a software interface, and wherein the accessing step further comprises instructing the software interface providing a list of the available sets of subscription parameters.

15. A method as recited in claim 14, wherein the selecting step further comprises instructing the software interface to select one set of subscription parameters from among the plurality of subscription parameters and instructing the software interface to update the SIM module with the selected set of subscription parameters.

16. A method as recited in claim 14, wherein, upon powering up the SIM card, the software interface provides a list of available sets of subscription parameters unless a set of subscription parameters already has been activated.

17. A method as recited in claim 10, wherein the plurality of sets of subscription parameters are based on the markets of use of the SIM card, and wherein the selecting step further comprises automatically activating the set of subscription parameters based on the market in which the SIM card is to be used primarily.

18. A method as recited in claim 10, wherein the selecting step further comprises the steps of:

deactivating the selected set of subscription parameters,

selecting a different set of subscription parameters, and

updating the SIM module with the newly selected set of subscription parameters.