Method of adapting the operation of a subscriber identity module to one or more interfaces of a mobile radiocommunications terminal, a corresponding subscriber identity module, and a corresponding mobile terminal

• US 6,178,324 B1
• Filed: 07/31/1998
• Issued: 01/23/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 08/04/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: DRNC Holdings, Inc. (InterDigital, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Alcatel SA (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: Choquet, Christophe, Hubbe, Pascal, Lelong-Gilbert, Anne-Gaelle
• Primary Examiner(s): Hunter, Daniel S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): WYCHE, MYRON
• Application Number:
  US09/127,682
• Time in Patent Office: 907 Days
• Field of Search: 455/558, 455/422, 455/418, 235/380
• US Class Current: 455/558
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72403 with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 92/08 between user and terminal device

Abstract

A method of adapting the operation of a subscriber identity module as a function of information received from a mobile radio communications terminal concerning one or more interfaces of the mobile radio communications terminal. The subscriber identity module transmits an interface information acquisition command to the communications terminal. Upon reception of the interface information acquisition command, the terminal executes the interface information acquisition command to generate a reply containing interface information which is transmitted to the subscriber identity module. Upon reception of the reply, the subscriber identity module adapts its operation as a function of the interface information contained in the reply.

Claims

1. A method for adapting the operation of a subscriber identity module to one or more interfaces of a radio communications terminal with which said subscriber identity module co-operates, said method comprising the steps of

transmitting an interface information acquisition command from said subscriber identity module;

receiving said interface information acquisition command at said terminal;

executing said interface information acquisition command at said terminal to generate a reply containing interface information;

transmitting said reply from said terminal to said subscriber identity module; and

receiving said reply at said subscriber identity module and adapting operation of said subscriber identity module based on said interface information contained in said reply.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein said interface information comprises at least one of:

a type of display of said terminal;

a size of a screen of said terminal;

a size in text terms of the screen of said terminal;

a type of keypad of said terminal;

a range of sound frequencies that said terminal is capable of generating; and

a range of sound frequencies that said terminal is capable of receiving.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein said interface information acquisition command comprises a command which is additional to a set of commands in a protocol for communications between said terminal and said subscriber identity module.

4. A method according to claim 1, further comprising, prior to said step of transmitting an interface information acquisition command from said subscriber identity module providing an indication to said subscriber identity module of whether said terminal is capable of executing said interface information acquisition command.

5. A subscriber identity module which co-operates with a mobile radio communications terminal, said subscriber identity module comprising:

a transmitter for transmitting an information acquisition command to said terminal to acquire information regarding an interface of said terminal;

a receiver for receiving a reply sent by said terminal in response to said acquisition command, said reply containing said information regarding said interface of said terminal; and

a processor for adapting operation of said subscriber identity module based on said information regarding said interface contained in said reply received from said terminal.

6. A subscriber identity module according to claim 5, further comprising a memory for temporarily storing said interface information.

7. A mobile radio communications terminal operates with a subscriber identity module, said terminal comprising:

a receiver for receiving an acquisition command to acquire information regarding an interface of said terminal, said command being sent to said terminal by said subscriber identity module;

a processor for executing said acquisition command to thereby generate a reply to said acquisition command containing interface information; and

a transmitter for transmitting said reply to said subscriber identity module.