SUBSCRIBER IDENTITY MODULE (SIM) FOR MOBILE STATIONS

• US 20100248690A1
• Filed: 03/31/2009
• Published: 09/30/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Rapp, Robert E., Widmann, Alois, Biggs, Todd S.
• Granted Patent: US 9,369,938 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/411
• CPC Class Codes: G06G 7/122 for optimisation, e.g. least square fitting, linear programming, critical path analysis, gradient method
• 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: H04W 12/06 Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/48 using secure binding, e.g. securely binding identity modules to devices, services or applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/02 Arrangements for optimising operational condition
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/385 of the core network
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/08 Access point devices

Abstract

Methods and systems for associating a mobile station subscriber with at least one application or service are provided. The subscriber is provided with a subscriber identity module (“SIM”) identifier, which identifies a SIM associated with the subscriber. The SIM identifier is bound to the application or service The SIM identifier and the application or service are registered with a home location register (“HLR”) to bind the SIM identifier to the application or service. If the SIM is a virtual SIM, the provider of an application or service may cover the data costs associated with the use of that application or service.

Claims

1. A method for associating a mobile station subscriber with at least one application or service, comprising:

receiving a subscriber identity module (SIM) identifier identifying a SIM associated with a subscriber, wherein the SIM identifier is to be bound to at least one application or service that the subscriber is authorized to access over a wireless network; and

registering the SIM identifier and the at least one application or service with a home location register (HLR) so that the SIM identifier is bound to the at least one application or service, wherein the at least one application or service is in addition to mobile telephony services offered by a mobile operator and which are used to perform registration with the HRL.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the SIM identifier is an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI).

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the application or service includes a diagnostic application or service for diagnosing problems with a mobile station in which the SIM is employed.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the application or service is selected from the group consisting of a mapping application or service, business grade e-mail, a location based service, and an e-commerce service.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the SIM is a virtual SIM.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the virtual SIM is downloaded to a mobile station by a third party associated with the at least one application, service, or operating system update to which the SIM identifier is bound

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising establishing a communication connection between a mobile station in which the SIM is employed and the HLR to perform registration.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein a cost for establishing the communication connection is borne by a third party.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the third party is associated with the at least one application or service to which the SIM identifier is bound.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the HLR is associated with a third party different from a mobile operator of the wireless network to which the subscriber is subscribed.

11. A method of delivering a service to a mobile station subscriber, comprising:

receiving a request from a mobile station over a wireless network to access at least one service in addition to a mobile telephony service used to deliver the request from the mobile station;

determining that a SIM associated with the mobile station is authorized to access the service that is requested; and

establishing communication between the mobile station and an entity that delivers the service.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the entity that delivers the service is a packet network-based entity and communication between the mobile station and the entity is established at least in part over the wireless network.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the wireless network includes a GPRS network.

14. The method of claim 11 wherein determining that the SIM associated with the mobile station is authorized to access the service that is requested comprises accessing a database associated with an HLR, wherein the database relates SIM identifiers and authorized services.

15. The method of claim 11 further comprising comparing an IMSI associated with the SIM to a list of IMSIs authorized to access the service that is requested.

16. The method of claim 11 wherein the service includes a diagnostic service to repair and/or upgrade the mobile station.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the request is received over a guaranteed wireless data connection.

18. A mobile station, comprising:

a WLAN radio for communicating over a wireless network;

at least one user input and output device;

a subscriber interface module (SIM) having at least one identifier associated with at least one application or service with which the mobile station is authorized to access over the wireless network, wherein the at least one application or service is in addition to mobile telephony services offered by a mobile operator; and

a processor operatively associated with the WLAN radio, the user input and output device and the SIM.

19. The mobile station of claim 18 wherein the application or service includes a diagnostic application or service for diagnosing problems with a mobile station in which the SIM is employed.

20. The mobile station of claim 19 wherein the SIM is a SIM card.