Method for transmitting user identification data to a wireless communication device

• US 6,928,299 B1
• Filed: 08/03/2000
• Issued: 08/09/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/06/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: RPX Corporation
• Original Assignee: Nokia Mobile Phones UK Limited (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: Ratamo, Ilkka, Rinne, Juha
• Primary Examiner(s): Corsaro, Nick
• Assistant Examiner(s): TRINH, TAN H
• Application Number:
  US09/630,945
• Time in Patent Office: 1,832 Days
• Field of Search: 455/41, 455/403, 455/406, 455/556, 455/558, 455/411, 455/41.2, 455/41.3, 455/555, 455/556.1, 455/557, 235/380, 368/10
• US Class Current: 455/555
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/08 Access security
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/43 using shared identity modules, e.g. SIM sharing
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/183 Processing at user equipment or user record carrier

Abstract

In a method for transmitting user identification data to a wireless communication device (1), user data is stored in a user data identification module (2). Upon initiating operation of the wireless communication device, the user data is examined to obtain access rights of the user of the wireless communication device. The user data is transmitted at least partly in a wireless manner from the user data identification module to the wireless communication device. The invention relates also to a user identification module having means (9) for storing user data and means (4, 6) for transmission of user data to a wireless communication device, and relates also to be wireless communication device (1). The wireless communication device includes means (5) for receiving user data and means (11) for examining the user data to obtain the access rights of the user of the wireless communication device. The data transmitting means (4) includes wireless communication means.

Claims

1. A method for transmitting user identification data to a wireless communication device (1), in which method said user data are stored in a user data identification module (2), wherein in connection with starting up of the wireless communication device (1), the user data stored in said user data identification module (2) are examined to find out the access rights of the user of the wireless communication device (1), wherein the user identification data are transmitted at least partly in a wireless manner from the user data identification module (2) to the wireless communication device (1).

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the user data stored in said user data identification module (2) are used in connection with at least a first (1) and a second wireless communication device (1′

) to find out the access rights of the user.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the identification module (2) is placed in the first wireless communication device (1), wherein to find out the access rights of the user, the identification module (2) placed in said first wireless communication device (1) is used in the second wireless communication device (1′

).

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein for the transmission of user data, radio-frequency signals are used.

5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising a step of providing user identification data by inserting a SIM card in said user data identification module (2).

6. A user data identification module which comprises means for storing user identification data and means for transmission of user data to a wireless communication device, the wireless communication device comprising means for receiving user data and start up means for the wireless communication device, the start up means further comprising means for examining the user data to find out during a start up mode of the wireles communications device the access rights of the user of the wireless communication device, wherein said means for transmitting user identification data comprise wireless communication means, wherein the user data is checked in the wireless communication device to determine if the user has access rights to the wireless communication device.

7. The user data identification module (2) according to claim 6, wherein it is intended to be used in connection with at least a first wireless communication device (1) and a second wireless communication device (1′

) to find out the access rights of the user.

8. The user data identification module (2) according to claim 6, wherein the means (4) for transmitting user data comprise means (RX, TX) for transmitting and receiving low power radio frequency signals.

9. The user data identification module (2) according to claim 6, wherein it is arranged to be portable with the user, preferably to be attached to the wrist.

10. The user data identification module according to claim 6, wherein said user data identification module (2) is operative with a SIM card.

11. A user data identification module (2) which comprises means (9) for storing user identification data and means (4, 6) for transmission of user data to a wireless communication device (1), the wireless communication device (1) comprising means (5) for receiving user data and means (11) for examining the user data to find out the access rights of the user of the wireless communication device (1), wherein said means (4) for transmitting user identification data comprise wireless communication means;

wherein it is intended to be used in connection with at least a first wireless communication device (1) and a second wireless communication device (1′

) to find out the access rights of the user; and

it is placed in the first wireless communication device (1), and wherein said identification module (2) placed in the first wireless communication device (1) is arranged to be used for finding out the access rights of the user in the second wireless communication device (1′

).

12. A wireless communication device which comprises means for receiving user identification data stored in a user data identification module and in a start up mode of the wireless communication device means for examining the user data to find out the access rights of the user of the wireless communication device, wherein said means for receiving user identification data comprise wireless communication means, wherein the user data is checked in the wireless communication device to determine if the user has access rights to the wireless communication device.

13. The wireless communication device (1) according to claim 12, wherein it is a GSM mobile station.

14. The wireless communication device (1) according to claim 12, wherein it comprises means (11) for setting the access rights for the wireless communication device, wherein the access rights (1) for the wireless communication device (1) are arranged to be limited, if the user data are not received from the identification module (2) in the wireless communication device (1).

15. The wireless communication device of claim 12 further comprising start up means for the wireless communication device, the start up means including the start up mode during which the means for examining the user data determines the access rights of the user of the wireless communication device.

16. A method for transmitting user identification data to a wireless communication device, comprising the steps of:

storing user identification data within a user data identification module, the user identification data including access rights of the user for communication within a mobile communication system;

communicating by the wireless communication device via a first portion of the electromagnetic spectrum to a mobile communication system;

interrogating the user data identification module by the wireless communication device via a second portion of the electromagnetic spectrum to attain a transmitting of the user identification data from the data identification module to the wireless communication device, the second spectral portion being different from said first spectral portion; and

transmitting the user identification data via the second spectral portion, at least partly in a wireless manner, from the user data identification module to the wireless communication device.