CZ20004692A3

CZ20004692A3 - Enhancement of communication method and apparatus for making the same

Info

Publication number: CZ20004692A3
Application number: CZ20004692A
Authority: CZ
Inventors: Keith Benson
Original assignee: Newcom Holdings Pty Ltd
Priority date: 1999-06-11
Filing date: 1999-06-11
Publication date: 2001-06-13

Abstract

Mobilní komunikační zařízení je uzpůsobené k občasnému přijímání dotazů týkajících se identifikace uživatele zařízení a které uvnitř obsahuje prostředek pro uložení modulu identifikace předplatitele (SIM), který občasnému vnějšímu dotazu autenticitu uživatele potvrzuje. K elektrickým kontaktům, které jsou uzpůsobené k elektrickému připojení odpovídajícího SIM, se připojí zprostředkovací procesorový prostředek k přijímání dotazových signálů, který je uzpůsobený tak, aby v případě, ze dotazový signál odpovídá zjišťování identity SIM poskytovatelem sítě, přesměroval takové příchozí dotazové signály k připojenému SIM tak, aby se příslušná identifikace mohla v odpovědi odeslat; a v případě jiného dotazu, než je dotaz od poskytovatele sítě na identifikaci nebo za jiným účele, přesměroval takový jiný dotaz k jinému paměťovému prostředku. Dalším paměťovým prostředkem je buď pasivní paměť nebo paměť na vyjímatelném prostředku, jako je inteligentní karta, multimediální karta a podobně.The mobile communication device is adapted to intermittently receive device user identification queries and which includes a means for storing a subscriber identification module (SIM) within the device, which confirms user authenticity to the occasional external query. To the electrical contacts that are adapted to electrically connect the corresponding SIM, a moderate processing means is provided for receiving the query signals, which is adapted to redirect such incoming interrogation signals to the connected SIM if the query signal corresponds to the identification of the SIM by the network provider. so that the respective identification can be sent in the reply; and in the case of a query other than a query from the network provider for identification or other purpose, redirects such other query to another storage resource. Another memory means is either passive memory or a removable device memory such as a smart card, a multimedia card, and the like.

Description

Technical field

The invention relates to communication, the invention to a communication device, identity, for example, in a network.

In particular, the communication relates to which connection of the device and method of communication method and requires the authentication of the mobile phone to

The invention is described on the example of mobile phones.

However, the invention in its broadest sense is not limited to this application.

Background Art

The problem solved by the invention relates to the current state of identification of a user who wants to log on to a communications network and stay with the network service provider for some time.

It is now common practice for a person wishing to obtain network services to enter into a contract with a network service provider to provide the subscriber identification module (SIM) to the person. The SIM is inserted into the mobile phone to access the network. According to SIM, the network provider knows that a mobile phone is authorized to access and use the network. It is the SIM that the network provider asks for and which ensures the identity and authenticity that is required for billing and other control processes at the network provider.

Currently, access to the identification information is fully under the control of the network provider, who from the business:. ; důvodů Á ΐ> důvodů důvodů důvodů • • • • • • důvodů důvodů důvodů důvodů důvodů důvodů důvodů důvodů důvodů důvodů důvodů důvodů důvodů důvodů důvodů důvodů důvodů důvodů důvodů důvodů důvodů důvodů důvodů důvodů důvodů důvodů důvodů důvodů nosti nosti nosti nosti nosti.

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However, there are many other providers of other services who would appreciate having another network identification or authentication process that would use a similar or the same device, but would not be under the control of the network provider. Banks, security forces and traders would certainly like to take advantage of such opportunities, but at present, with existing technologies, this option is neither economically feasible nor technically possible.

The first problem is that a mobile phone is authorized to connect with a network service provider to obtain full SIM-only communications services. The SIM does not only contain data, but also a program (for example, a GSM connection program) that contains information and generates data that is not available to any third party and is sent back to the service provider upon receipt of the corresponding query. The security of this system is of utmost importance to the network service provider.

Furthermore, most mobile phone authentication software is part of the SIM, so if additional functionality (third party access, etc.) is added, it would have to be part of a SIM that is fully under the control of the network service provider. Any commercial agreement between the user and a third party would thus be subject to approval by the network provider and could be subject to any additional costs for the network provider.

Another complication is the fact that device manufacturers, such as mobile phones, usually exclude interference with the device's internal circuitry. Not only does it interfere with the inner •

The circuit of the mobile phone results in a loss of warranty, but it is also likely that a security mechanism may be triggered to completely destroy the circuitry. \ T Many phones are also supplied as part of a contract that includes a ban on unauthorized access to the device.

Therefore, without the approval of network service providers and mobile phone suppliers, there is no way to make progress.

The invention aims to circumvent this obstacle.

It is known that SIM can be inserted and removed from the appropriate slot on the mobile phone. The SIM slot is also accessible to the user or third party and of course has electrical contacts to connect the device circuits to the SIM circuit.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In the first aspect, the invention is a mobile communication device that is adapted to intermittently receive and transmit queries relating to the identification of a user of the device and which includes means for storing a user identification module (SIM) that can authenticate a user to an external query, characterized in that to the electrical contacts of the socket that are adapted to electrically connect the corresponding SIM, a moderate processing means is provided to receive the query signals, the processor means is adapted to redirect such incoming query signals when the query signal corresponds to the identification of the SIM by the network service provider to the SIM in order to send the required identification in the response, and in case of a query other than the network provider, redirect another query and other signals to another memory and broadcast for the middle.

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In one embodiment, the mediation processor means may be incorporated into the mobile phone already at the factory, alternatively, the mediation processor means may be part of an accessory that connects to the mobile phone.

Thus, the mobile communication device is further characterized in that the moderator processor is a processor that has incorporated the original manufacturer into the mobile communications device, the processor is the main CPU of the device or other CPUs embedded in the original device i.

Alternatively, the mediation processor is part of the attachment to the mobile communication device.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the device comprises a connector which is inserted into the SIM socket and electrically connected to its electrical contacts. The mediation processor means electrically connects to the one or more SIMs by sending interrogation signals from the phone to the SIM and transmitting responses from the SIM to the phone so that the SIM service provider appears to the network provider as if it were he was in his respective slot position. However, such a connection will allow the processor to add additional functionality or to access other services via a mobile phone while maintaining the original connection to and through the network service provider.

Therefore, an additional device is attached to the normal device, but it does not interfere with either the warranty or the contractual conditions and maintains the existing functions of the device. In addition, it extends the capabilities of the device with additional functions controlled only by the mediation processor, such as broadcasting and receiving.

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Short Message Service (SMS) and third party data communication.

In the preferred 5 communication devices cellular of the invention is a mobile phone. mobile Mediation processor contains a program and data. Part of the additional equipment the reader is removable

storage media to which additional data can be stored and to which the processor can access the reader.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the removable storage media reader is a smart (SMART) card reader.

In an alternative preferred embodiment, the invention includes an additional memory means located outside the device, and communication between the memory means and the device is via an infrared, wireless or cable connection.

An additional device for intelligently routing the query signals may advantageously integrate with the power of the mobile phone.

The additional device may advantageously include a holder and a reader in an arrangement which is connectable or connected to the mobile phone so that, for example, an authentication smart card from an alternative supplier may be inserted into the attachment.

The device may include more than one SIM socket.

The additional device preferably acts as a virtual SIM.

The CPU with the corresponding memory stored by the program is adapted to the signals from the provider • · · *> «α • ·· ·· ··. ·. :: · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · • • • • • • • • • - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · ·.

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This is accomplished by electrically connecting the original SIM provided by the network provider 5 to the processor, so that after detecting the appropriate query signal from the CPU of the CPU, it simply switches the signals to the original SIM. Thus, to the network provider, the device with the device according to the invention appears to be an original, untreated device.

The advantage of the invention is that it is intelligent switching and the ability to receive query signals from parties other than the network service provider. The processor may be programmed to respond to alternative and other query signals and direct such signals to alternative, active, or passive, authentication, or identification means.

For example, the active means may be a computer.

Additional means of identification are not subject to control by the network service provider and are therefore not limited by its terms of service. However, additional identification means can be used together with the usual communication link to the network service provider.

An additional device that provides intelligent switching is connected to the original electrical equipment of the device by a device that does not substantially interfere with the original device.

Such a means is, for example, a connector which is inserted into the SIM socket instead of the original SIM card. The other circuit then provides electrical connection to the outside by a flexible and tacky material that passes through the appropriate

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For a variety of phones, battery compartments including holders and electrical contacts can be used to store the attachment 5. The alternative housing may then include a battery, additional intelligent switching device elements, and an authentication or identification module including the necessary electrical connections.

The device may include a smart card reader. Smart cards can then be issued by any third party, who wants to provide additional services through this method of communication. The device user is then able to prove his identity to a third party without communicating directly with the network service provider.

It is understood that suitable programming and storage techniques may be used to conceal information on the added authentication or identification module.

The invention is described on the example of mobile phones. It will be understood, however, that the invention may also be applied to other communication devices.

Such other device may be, for example, a television signal decoder which may be connected to the signal provider's optical cable. The authentication module then verifies that the subscriber is entitled to receive the service provided.

The general idea of the invention is to provide the device with an active means of capturing all query signals. If the query signal contains a network service provider's SIM information, it switches »

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The described arrangement has the additional advantage that it does not violate any provision of the agreement between the user and the network service provider. In most cases, the device with the additional device will still use the service provider's network to contribute to its greater utilization to the service provider. At the same time, it does not violate any of the warranty conditions of the instrument manufacturer, since the device itself is not affected by the adjustment and the attachment can be removed at any time.

Image overview

For a better understanding of the invention, the preferred embodiments will be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 shows a mobile phone with an alternative cover and SMART card reader;

Fig. 2 is a rear view of the embodiment of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an alternative cover that is attached to the back of the mobile phone instead of the battery and which includes the battery and apparatus of the invention;

Fig. 4 is a block diagram of an apparatus according to the invention; and

Fig. 5 is an alternative embodiment of an additional device according to the invention which connects to a SIM card slot.

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EXAMPLES OF THE INVENTION

The mobile phone of Fig. 1 has a body 1, in the lower rear of which is normally a battery. In a mobile phone adapted according to the invention, the battery is replaced by a new, alternative rear part 2 which includes both the battery and the device of the invention. The mobile phone itself remains standard and is not modified.

As shown in Fig. 3, the alternative rear portion 2 has a latch 3 by means of which it is secured to the original battery compartment of the mobile phone. Means for connecting the existing SIM card slot and the electronic circuitry of the device of the invention are not shown. On one side of the alternate rear 2 there is a slot 4, into which the SMART card 5 can be inserted.

Fig. 5 is a circuit diagram and circuitry of a device according to an embodiment of the invention. The electronics includes a central processor (CPU) 10 which is connected to the original SIM socket 12 of the mobile phone via a telephone interface 11. The CPU 10 has a clock 13 and a power control unit 14 that is connected to the telephone power interface 15. The CPU 10 continues to belong to the memory 16, the memory controller 17 and the real-time clock 18. To CPU

Also, the OSIM interface 19 and the ESIM interface 22 are connected.

The OSIM interface 19 consists of a first OSIM connector 20 and a second OSIM connector 21. Two different SIM cards can be connected to the first and second OSIM connectors so that the device of the invention can be used simultaneously in multiple networks of different providers. The ESIM interface 22 includes an ESIM connector 23 to which a SMART card reader or other similar device can be connected.

Alternatively, the mediation processor may be the CPU of the telephone or the like, for example, if the manufacturer already sets up it. In this situation, there is no telephone interface

11, which the moderator processor 10 connects to the original SIM card slot 12.

An alternative embodiment of an additional device to a mobile phone according to the invention is shown in Fig. 5. The mobile phone 30 is shown with the battery removed under which the ESIM socket 31 lies. The original SIM card was removed from the SIM socket 31 and replaced by a SIM connector 33 from which it leads a flat cable 34 to the additional device 35. The additional device 35 comprises the circuitry of FIG. 4 including at least one SIM card slot that would otherwise be inserted into the socket 31.

Added functions provided by the circuitry in the attachment

35 can be controlled with the normal keypad and phone display.

In the foregoing description, it has been explained by way of exemplary embodiments, these exemplary embodiments, and not limiting thereof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION However, the invention is contemplated for possible combinations

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Claims

PATENT CLAIMS

A mobile communication device adapted to occasionally receive identification inquiries

5 of the user of the device, and which comprises means for storing a subscriber identification module (SIM), which confirms the authenticity of the user to an intermittent external inquiry, characterized in that to electrical contacts adapted to electrically connect the corresponding module

The subscriber identification means 10 is connected to the request processor for receiving the request signals, which is adapted to redirect such request signals when the request signals correspond to the identity of the subscriber identification module from the network provider.

15 the incoming request signals to a connected subscriber identification module so that the corresponding identification can be sent in response; and in the case of a query other than a query from the network provider for identification or for a different purpose, it redirected that other query to another means.

Mobile communication device according to claim 1, characterized in that the intermediate processor is a processor which has been built into the mobile communication device at the factory, the processor being either a main central processing unit

25 or, alternatively, another central processing unit embedded in the original device.

Mobile communication device according to claim 1, characterized in that the intermediate processor is a built-in processor

30 to an additional device for the mobile communication device.

Mobile communication device according to claim 1, characterized in that the further memory means comprise either passive memory or memory contained in the removable means, such as

35 is a smart card, a multimedia card, and the like.

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Mobile communication device according to claim 1, characterized in that the device is a cellular mobile phone.

5

6. The mobile communication device of claim 1 having a slot for receiving multiple subscriber identification module cards.

7. The mobile communication device of claim 1, wherein the additional storage means is located outside the device, and the device comprises communication means from the group of infrared, wireless, or wired to the device.

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Mobile communication device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises at least one holder and a reader for another device that is connectable or connected to a mobile phone so that the added reader or other receiving device can be used to insert, for example

20 authentication smart cards provided by the alternative vendor.

The mobile communication device of claim 1, wherein the added device provides a virtual module

25 identifying a subscriber by having an active central processing unit with a respective program stored in a respective memory, which is adapted to receive and respond accordingly when receiving the respective interrogation signals.

Mobile communication device according to claim 1, characterized in that the subscriber identification module provided by the network service provider is electrically connected to the processing unit such that, if a respective

5, the central processing unit query signal switches the subsequent associated signals to the original subscriber identification module.

11. The mobile communication device of claim 1, wherein the additional device that provides intelligent switching is connected to existing electrical equipment as supplied by the manufacturer by means that do not substantially alter the original device.

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12. A mobile communication device according to claim 1, comprising a circuit that is in contact with the original device and which provides a continuous electrical connection to the external site by means of a flexible and sticky material that passes through suitable technological gaps in the device.

20 of the housing of the device as it left production.

Mobile communication device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises an alternative cover having appropriate physical connections for both storing the battery in the rest of the cover

25 of the mobile phone and its electrical connection.

14. The mobile communication device of claim 1 including a smart card reader.

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15. A device adapted to be inserted into electrical contacts by a subscriber comprising a connector and for electrical connection to a base of the cellular mobile phone identification module; and an intermediate processor means that is electrically coupled to the at least one subscriber identification module such that, after being electrically connected to the electrical contacts in the telephone, it sends the call signals from the telephone to the subscriber identification module and sends responses from the subscriber identification module to the telephone so that the subscriber identification module appears to be in its respective slot position.

16. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the intermediate processor means comprises means for processing input and output signals for control by means of a keyboard, a display, and a radio transmission and reception means of the mobile phone to which the apparatus is connected.

17. The apparatus of claim 13 including a smart card reader.