Telecommunications – Radiotelephone system – Programming control
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-04
2002-11-19
Urban, Edward F. (Department: 2685)
Telecommunications
Radiotelephone system
Programming control
C455S558000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06484024
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
An object of the present invention is a method for the programming of an instrument, especially a mobile telephone. The aim of the invention is to simplify an updating of mobile telephone programs while enabling the commercial distribution, with recorded accounting, of new services made available to users with their mobile telephones. More generally, the invention relates to the programming of any instrument whose operation is conditioned by the presence of a chip card, especially a chip card to validate its operation. In this respect, the invention relates more particularly to mobile instruments even though this is not necessarily so.
2. Description of the Prior Art
GSM type mobile telephones work with chip cards or with chip tokens that are detachable and are inserted into a reader contained in a package of the mobile telephone. This chip card is called an SIM or secure identification module card. One of the essential functions of these chip cards is to ensure that the mobile telephone is used by its real owner. Indeed, when the mobile telephone is put into service, namely when it is powered on, there is a process comprising the recognition of a secret code known to the owner of the mobile telephone. The secret code is compared in the chip card with a secret code contained by it. In the event of coincidence, the operation of the mobile telephone is permitted. Otherwise, it is prohibited.
As other functions, the chip card has that of memorizing different items of information on its bearer, especially information on a subscription with a mobile telephony operator. Consequently, with a system of this kind, any user is able to exchange his mobile telephone for another one because he deems it to be obsolete or for any other reason. He can then make this other telephone work without difficulty by inserting his subscription chip card therein. The identification of subscriptions stored in the chip card will preferably but not compulsorily relate to the series number of the chip, a secret code associated with the recognition algorithm, a telephone number at which the subscriber can be reached, as well as a subscriber number called an IMSI (these two numbers could be one and the same number) or any other piece of information.
A mobile telephone and, in general, a piece of equipment capable of working under the control of a chip card comprises a data-processing system similar to that of a microcomputer, although certain functions can be more specialized. A computer system of a mobile telephone essentially comprises a program memory and a data memory linked with a microprocessor. The program memory comprises all the programs that the mobile telephone can be made to perform. The data memory generally comprises the series number of the mobile telephone as well as different data elements proper to the user. Among the pieces of data proper to the user, there is the known example of directory data: the user can store his preferred telephone numbers in a directory of this kind. In general, such a directory is associated with an automatic keying-in function. The program memory therefore comprises a sub-program to perform this automatic keying-in function. There are other known functions. For example, there is the hands-free function in which, at the user's request, a loudspeaker of the mobile telephone sends amplified sounds so that they can be heard, if necessary, by several persons without its being necessary to hold the mobile telephone close to the ear. It is also possible to provide the mobile telephone with a diary function, calculator function and so on.
The process of making these functions available has several particular aspects. First of all, the new functions can be prepared as and when they occur in time. They can even be improved from a first version to a following version. It is then important that users who do not have this function or have an older version of it should be provided with a new function, the most recent one which, in principle, is the most powerful one. Furthermore, the storage of all these functions in a program memory of a mobile telephone means that this memory will be large in size. Given the limits of capacity encountered in certain cases, it may be necessary to make choices, for example by giving priority to one function over another function which will be absent. Thirdly, even when this technical limitation is not present, it is possible to consider depreciating the cost of devising these functions by selling their utility to mobile telephone users. For example, when taking out a subscription, or purchasing a mobile telephone, a user may be able, for an extra charge, to subscribe to other options in the operation of his mobile telephone.
In any case, when the choice is made, the final problem that arises is that of the effective programming of the working of the mobile telephone as a function of the wishes expressed by the user. To arrive at this result, it is possible to connect the mobile telephone by its base connector to a holder with a multiple-pin connector. The holder is furthermore connected to a piece of equipment such as a microcomputer. The microcomputer is used for the loading into the program memory of the mobile telephone of all the functions that a user might wish. Otherwise, it may be planned to remote-load all the functions to which the user may subscribe into the program memory, using RF means.
In the former case, fairly complex equipment is needed. This runs counter to the possibility of fast sales. Furthermore, a mobile telephone operator cannot be certain that the retailer who does this programming will not offer functions as he wishes to all the clients of his choosing without informing the operator about it. In this case, the marketing of the services will be unprofitable, since the intermediate retailer will be encouraged to achieve his own business objectives by offering additional functions as gifts.
In the latter approach with remote loading, it should at least be possible for a communication to be set up. Now a communication such as this is set up only for mobile telephones, not for any unspecified instruments. In addition, for a mobile telephone, the communication is set up only when the subscription has been is made. Furthermore, the use of a remote-loading operation of this kind makes it difficult to account separately for the amounts due by the user and the amounts due by the retailer. In principle, everything is invoiced to the user. This means that it is not really possible for the retailer to adopt a strategy of offering incentives. All the subscribed functions will be automatically invoiced. The retailer no longer has the possibility of offering discounts.
One approach to overcome these problems could consist of the loading into the SIM card that makes the mobile telephone work of all the functions to which the user can subscribe. An approach of this kind nevertheless comes up against several problems. If it is sought to set up a program that is specific to a user and at the same time a check (for the mobile telephone operator) the process of making the different functions available, then a problem of real-time updating will come up. At present, a real-time updating of this kind is nevertheless indispensable. Furthermore, in a SIM card, the memory size is limited. Indeed, a card of this kind must have a program memory responsible for performing all the security functions. The program pertaining to this security function is already large. There does not really remain any space for the storage therein of all the sub-programs that can be envisaged.
To resolve this problem, in the invention it is planned to act in a way that is quite original. It is planned temporarily to replace the SIM card of the mobile telephone by a bulk carrier card, hereinafter be called a cargo card, containing the sub-programs that correspond to the options to be made available to the user. In a preferred case, the cargo card comprises all the options that can be made available to the user.
Darnault Patrick
Marjollet Laurent
Mehrpour Naghmeh
Nilles & Nilles S.C.
Sagem SA
Urban Edward F.
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