Telecommunications system

Abstract

In a telecommunications system such as a global mobile telephone network in which each subscriber unit includes a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM card), each SIM card has fixed memory locations, to which data can be addressed over the air. Some of the locations can not be overwritten from the subscriber unit but can be accessed therefrom on the entry of short simple codes, each associated with one of the locations. Further fixed memory locations can be read over the air only when the subscriber enters a personal identification number. Locking control files are used to control read/write access to the locations respectively.

1 - 30 . (canceled) 
     
     
         31 . The module of  claim 32 , wherein the SIM card is further configured to store executable code based on the detected second format and the write command, the SIM card further configured to process the executable code based in response to a run command. 
     
     
         32 . A SIM card used in a telecommunications system having a host station configured to selectively output data in at least a first format and a second format, the data including a write command in the second format, and a subscriber unit coupleable to the host station:
 said SIM card coupleable to the subscriber unit; and   said SIM card configured to detect the second format and to store the data based on the detected second format and the write command.   
     
     
         33 . The SIM card of  claim 32 , wherein the data includes application data in the second format. 
     
     
         34 . The SIM card of  claim 33 , wherein the application data includes at least one telephone number in the second format. 
     
     
         35 . The SIM card of  claim 33 , wherein the application data includes at least one of a name and an address in the second format. 
     
     
         36 . The SIM card of  claim 32 , wherein the data includes at least one of personalization and re-personalization data in the second format. 
     
     
         37 . The SIM card of  claim 32 , wherein the SIM card is further configured to store the data using a secure data protocol. 
     
     
         38 . The SIM card of  claim 37 , wherein the SIM card is configured to output the data to at least one of the host station and a user of the subscriber unit using the secure data protocol. 
     
     
         39 . A method for personalizing a subscriber unit, with personalization data transmitted from at least one host station, the personalization data in a special format, the personalization data embedded in a SMS message, the SMS message in a second format, the method comprising:
 receiving the message in a transceiver and a SIM card coupled to the transceiver; and   detecting the second format in the SIM card.   
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 39 , further comprising storing the personalization data in the SIM card. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 39 , further comprising the steps of:
 reading the personalization data in the SIM card; and   outputting the personalization data to at least one of the at least one host station.   
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 39 , further comprising the steps of:
 transmitting subsequent personalization data from the at least one host station, the subsequent personalization data in the special format, the subsequent personalization data embedded in the SMS message, the SMS message in the second format;   receiving the subsequent message in the transceiver and the SIM card; and   detecting the second format in the SIM card.   
     
     
         43 . A method for telecommunications with subscriber units capable of detecting a command in a specific format distinct from a format used for other transmissions and of executing the command in a processor of each subscriber unit comprising:
 selecting a plurality of the subscriber units in a predetermined geographical area; and   transmitting data from at least one host to the selected plurality of subscriber units, the data including a write command in a specific format, wherein the specific format is distinct from a format used for other transmissions, the write command to be executed in a processor of each subscriber unit.   
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 43 , further comprising the step of detecting the specific format in each of the selected plurality of subscriber units. 
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein the step of selecting is based on at least one cell. 
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein the step of selecting is based on roam status. 
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein the step of transmitting includes data having advertisement information. 
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 43 , further comprising the steps of:
 determining in each of the selected plurality of subscriber units whether the data is already stored; and   in each of the subscriber units, storing the data if it is determined that the data is not already stored.   
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 43 , further comprising the step:
 configuring the subscriber unit to receive a first data item from a user of the subscriber unit; and   removably coupling a SIM card to the subscriber unit, the SIM card configured to receive the first data item from the subscriber unit in a special format, the SIM card further configured to read a second data item stored in the SIM card, the SIM card further configured to output the second data item to the interface.   
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 50 , wherein the first data item includes a personal identification number, wherein the second data item includes credit account information, and wherein the SIM card is configured to output the second data item in a secure format.