Method in mobile telephone systems in which a subscriber identity module (SIM) is allocated at least two identities which are selectively activated by the user

• US 6,212,372 B1
• Filed: 01/09/1997
• Issued: 04/03/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Comvik GSM AB
• Original Assignee: Comvik GSM AB
• Inventors: Julin, Tomas
• Primary Examiner(s): Hunter, Daniel S.
• Application Number:
  US08/781,612
• Time in Patent Office: 1,545 Days
• Field of Search: 455/418, 455/434
• US Class Current: 455/418
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/00 Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/24 Accounting or billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/183 Processing at user equipment or user record carrier
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/26 Network addressing or numbering for mobility support

Abstract

An apparatus and a method for providing at least two identities to a subscriber unit of a mobile telephone system. A subscriber identity module (SIM) is provided which is inserted into the subscriber unit for selectively activating an identity. The module may be activated through a keypad on the subscriber unit allowing a subscriber to enter a code for selecting a specific identity, or it may be a card having a separate program circuit on either end so that when inserted into the unit with its first end, a first identity is activated, and when inserted into the unit with its second end, a second identity is activated. Each selected identity may be allocated a separate directory number or all identities may be allocated a single number.

Claims

1. A method for setting up calls to one of a plurality of subscriber identities in a GSM digital mobile telephone system, the system having a home database and a subscriber unit, comprising the steps of:

storing in the home database for a subscriber within one and the same subscription at least two identities and at least one directory number allocated to said identities;

selectively activating a desired identity from the at least two identities by inserting the subscriber identity module into the subscriber unit;

transmitting from the unit to the home database a signal indicative of the activated identity;

storing in the home database for such subscriber information identifying the activated identity responsive to said signal; and

setting up a call made to a directory number allocated to one identity of the at least two identities to the activated identity at the home database.

2. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein the subscriber identity module is a card, and wherein the step of selectively activating comprises the step of inserting an end of the card into the unit for selectively activating an identity wherein insertion of a first end of the card activates a first identity causing the unit to produce a signal of the first identity and insertion of a second end of the card activates a second identity causing the unit to produce a signal of the second identity.

3. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein keys are coupled to the unit and wherein the step of selectively activating the desired identity comprises the step of

entering a code with the keys corresponding to a desired identity.

4. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein the step of storing in the home database for such subscriber at least two identities comprises the step of storing in the home database for the subscriber at least two identities and a distinct directory number allocated to each of said identities.

5. A method as recited in claim 4 further comprising the step of transferring an incoming call made to a directory number allocated to a non-activated identity to a directory number allocated to the activated identity.

6. A method as recited in claim 5 wherein the step of transferring comprises the steps of:

identifying a second identity of said subscriber at the home database;

transferring the call to a directory number assigned to the second identity if said second identity is activated; and

setting up the call against the activated identity.

7. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein the step of activating comprises the step of activating one identity at a time.

8. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein the step of storing in the home database the activated identity further comprises the steps of:

storing the information at the home database; and

transmitting a signal from the home database to a visitor database informing the visitor database of the activated identity.

9. A method as recited in claim 8 further comprising the step of deactivating a previously activated identity when a signal informing the visitor database of a new selected identity is transmitted.

10. A method as recited in claim 9 wherein the step of deactivating comprises the steps of:

transmitting a signal from the subscriber unit informing the visitor database of a new selected identity;

sending a signal from the visitor database informing the home database of the new selected identity;

storing in the home database the new activated identity;

transmitting a signal to the visitor database from the home database to cancel the previously selected identity, deactivating the identity; and

transmitting a signal from the home database to the visitor database informing the visitor database of the new activated identity.

11. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein the step of storing in the home database the activated identity comprises the step of storing information about the selectively activated identity at the home database.

12. A method of setting up calls to one of a plurality of subscriber identities in a digital mobile telephone system, the system having a home database, a visitor database in communication with the home database and a subscriber unit for use with a removably insertable subscriber identity module, the method comprising the steps of:

storing in the home database for a subscriber first and second identities and a separate directory number allocated to each of the two identities;

selectively activating a first identity from the two identities by inserting the subscriber identity module into the subscriber unit;

transmitting to the home database a signal indicative of the activated first identity;

storing in the home database responsive to said signal information identifying the activated identity for such a subscriber;

determining if the second identity is registered at the visitor database;

canceling the second identity at the visitor database, if the second identity is registered at the visitor database;

determining if the subscriber has set a call forwarding number in a Call Forwarding Unconditional field designated for the second identity at the home database;

loading the directory number allocated to the selected first identity into the Call Forwarding Unconditional field designated for the second identity if the subscriber has not set a call forwarding number in said field designated for the second identity;

canceling the call forwarding number stored in the Call Forwarding Unconditional field designated for the first identity in the home database if such call forwarding number is the directory number allocated to the second identity; and

transferring a call made to a directory number allocated to the second identity, to the directory number stored in the Call Forwarding Unconditional field designated for the second identity at the home database.

13. A method as recited in claim 12 further comprising the step of setting up a flag on the Call Forwarding Unconditional field designated for the second identity when the directory number allocated to the first identity has been downloaded in such field, and wherein the step of canceling the call forwarding number comprises the step of canceling the directory number stored in the Call Forwarding Unconditional field for the selectively activated first identity if the Call Forwarding Unconditional field designated for the first identity is marked by a flag.

14. A method of setting up calls in a digital mobile telephone system, the system having a home database and subscriber units, a subscriber unit being controlled by a subscriber identity module, the method comprising:

allocating at least two identities to a subscriber identity module within one and the same subscription;

allocating said at least two identities to one and the same directory number in the home database;

selectively activating an identity of said at least two identities in a subscriber unit controlled by said subscriber identity module;

sending information to the home database identifying which identity is activated; and

setting up a call made to said directory number to the activated identity as identified by said information in the home database.

15. A method of setting up calls in a digital mobile telephone system, the system having a home database and subscriber units, a subscriber unit having an insertable subscriber identity module, the method comprising:

allocating at least two identities to a subscriber identity module within one and the same subscription;

allocating each of said at least two identities to one of a plurality of unique directory numbers in the home database, one of said unique directory numbers being the subscribers external telephone number;

selectively activating one identity of said at least two identities allocated to said subscriber identity module;

sending information to the home database identifying the activated identity; and

setting up an incoming call, responsive to the information in the home database, to the unique directory number being the subscriber'"'"'s external telephone number when the identity corresponding to the unique directory number is the selectively activated identity, and transferring the call to a next directory number of said unique directory numbers when the identity corresponding to the unique number is not activated.

16. A method of setting up calls in a digital mobile telephone system, the system having a home database and subscriber units, a subscriber unit being controlled by a subscriber identity module, the method comprising:

allocating two identities to a subscriber identity module within one and the same subscription;

allocating each said two identities to a different unique directory number in the home database, the unique directory numbers both being external telephone numbers for the subscriber;

selectively activating one identity of said two identities in a subscriber unit controlled by said subscriber identity module;

sending information to the home database identifying the activated identity; and

setting up an incoming call, responsive to the information in the home database, made to one of said unique directory numbers when the identity corresponding to said unique directory number is the selectively activated identity, and transferring the call to the other unique directory number of said two unique directory numbers when the identity corresponding to the incoming call unique directory number is not activated.