Method for performing replacement of a subscriber identity module (SIM) in a mobile communications network

• US 6,285,869 B1
• Filed: 05/15/1998
• Issued: 09/04/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 08/08/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Zhigu Holdings Limited
• Original Assignee: Nortel Networks Limited (Nortel Networks Corporation)
• Inventors: Shannon, John Parker, Morgan, Andrew
• Primary Examiner(s): Bost, Dwayne
• Assistant Examiner(s): GELIN, JEAN ALLAND
• Application Number:
  US09/011,421
• Time in Patent Office: 1,208 Days
• Field of Search: 455/410, 455/411, 455/434, 455/450, 455/464, 455/551, 455/557, 455/558, 455/186.1, 455/420, 380/23, 380/25, 380/50, 340/825.34
• US Class Current: 455/411
• 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 12/72 Subscriber identity
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/183 Processing at user equipment or user record carrier

Abstract

In a mobile communications network, each subscriber is allocated a unique identity code and is provided with a card (a SIM card) bearing that code which provides subscriber access to the system. A list of identity codes together with corresponding subscriber details are stored in a first store. When a card is to be replaced, a new identity code is created for the subscriber and is stored in the first store and in a second store. A mapping is provided between the new identity code and the corresponding existing subscriber identity code. The new identity code is then associated with the corresponding subscriber details and is activated while the existing code is de-activated.

Claims

1. A method of effecting subscriber identity card replacement in a mobile communications network in which each subscriber is allocated a unique identity code that is associated with information stored on the card, the method including storing a current identity code together with respective subscriber details as a first record in a first store, storing said current subscriber identity code in a second store together with a status indicator indicating an active nature of that identity code, creating a replacement identity code for said subscriber, storing said replacement code in said first store together with the subscriber details as a second record, storing said replacement subscriber identity code in the second store together with a status indicator indicating a de-activated nature of that identity code, storing in a third store data incorporating timing information and providing a correlation between the replacement subscriber identity code and the current subscriber identity code allocated to that subscriber, changing the status indicator of the replacement code to indicate a replacement nature of the replacement code in the second store, and, at a time determined from said timing information in said third store, exchanging said current and replacement subscriber identity codes between said first and second records so as to associate the replacement subscriber identity code with the subscriber details in the first record, activating the replacement subscriber identity code and deleting said second record so as to maintain the first record containing the replacement subscriber identity code as the sole active record.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein a new subscriber identity code can be entered into the third store only if that identity code together with the corresponding existing code which it is to replace are present in both the first and second stores and the status indicator of that code in the second store is indicative of a deactivated condition of that code.

3. A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein each new subscriber identity code stored in the third store is provided with a corresponding option code indicative of the manner in which that new code is to replace the corresponding existing code.

4. A method as claimed in claim 3 wherein a network scheduler initiates the step of associating the new identity code with the corresponding subscriber details.

5. A method as claimed in claim 4 wherein the timing information determines a time after which a subscriber can initiate the step of associating the new identity code with the corresponding subscriber details.

6. A method as claimed in claim 5 wherein the timing information further determines a time after which, if the subscriber has not initiated the associating step, a network scheduler initiates the associating step.

7. An arrangement for effecting subscriber identity card replacement in a mobile communications network in which each subscriber is allocated a unique identity code that is associated with information stored on the card, the arrangement including a first store for storing a current identity code together with respective subscriber details as a first record and for storing a replacement code in said first store together with the subscriber details as a second record, a second store for storing said current subscriber identity code together with a status indicator indicating an active nature of that identity code and for storing said replacement subscriber identity code together with a status indicator indicating a de-activated nature of that identity code, a third store for storing data incorporating timing information and providing a correlation between the replacement subscriber identity code and the current subscriber identity code allocated to that subscriber, means for changing the status indicator of the replacement identity code to indicate a replacement nature of the replacement code in the second store, means for exchanging, at a time determined from said timing information, said current and replacement subscriber identity codes between said first and second records so as to associate the replacement subscriber identity code with the subscriber details in the first record, and means for deleting said second record so as to maintain the first record containing the replacement subscriber identity code as the sole active record.