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 - 29 . (canceled) 
     
     
         30 . A SIM card for a subscriber unit in a telecommunications system, the subscriber unit including a transceiver removably housing the SIM card, the telecommunications system possessing a host station, the transceiver operable to receive from the host station SMS messages including a command encoded in a specific format and embedded in a command message in a predetermined format, the SIM card comprising:
 a filter coupled to the transceiver to receive a SMS message from the transceiver in a predetermined format and configured to detect whether the received SMS message is the command message; and   a processor coupled to the filter, programmed to decode the SMS command message, and responsive to the decoded SMS command message to execute the command.   
     
     
         31 . The SIM card of  claim 30 , further including a memory location; and wherein:
 said command is a read command; and   said processor is programmed to execute the command by reading an item of data from the memory location.   
     
     
         32 . The SIM card of  claim 30 , further including a memory location; and wherein:
 said command is a write command;   said command message includes an item of data; and   said processor is programmed to execute the command by writing said item of data to the memory location.   
     
     
         33 . The SIM card of  claim 30 , further including a memory location; and wherein:
 said command is a lock/unlock command;   said command message includes an item of data; and   said processor is programmed to execute the command by locking or unlocking the memory location.   
     
     
         34 . The SIM card of  claim 30 , further including a memory location; and wherein:
 said command is a run command;   said command message includes an item of data; and   said processor is programmed to execute the command by running a program accessed from the memory location.   
     
     
         35 . The SIM card of  claim 30 , further including a plurality of memory locations; and
 wherein the SMS message operates on a locking control file providing for activation or removal of read/write protection of at least one memory location.   
     
     
         36 . The SIM card of  claim 30 , further comprising the SIM card possessing a memory directory structure wherein a directory can be created, deleted, or modified using a received SMS message. 
     
     
         37 . The SIM card of  claim 30 , further comprising the SIM card possessing a memory directory structure wherein multiple tree directory operations can be carried out according to a received SMS message. 
     
     
         38 . The SIM card of  claim 30 , further comprising a created external file object within the SIM card. 
     
     
         39 . The SIM card of  claim 38 , wherein the created external file object comprises an application data file program or an application data file. 
     
     
         40 . A method for controlling a subscriber unit in a telecommunications system, the subscriber unit including a SIM card module and a transceiver connected to the SIM card module, the telecommunications system having a host station, the transceiver operable to receive from the host station SMS messages that can include a command encoded in a specific format and embedded in a command message in a predetermined format, comprising:
 determining whether a SMS message received by the module from the transceiver is in the predetermined format and is the command message;   decoding the command; and   in response to the decoded command, executing the command.   
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein the SIM card module includes a memory location having stored therein an item of data and the command is a read command to retrieve the item of data, further comprising:
 reading the item of data from the memory location; and   providing the item of data to the transceiver for transmission to the host station.   
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein the module includes a memory location, the command is a write command, and the message includes an item of data, further comprising writing the item of data to the memory location. 
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein the module further comprises:
 a coupled filter to receive and detect the SMS message format from the transceiver;   a memory coupled to the filter;   a processor coupled to the filter and configured to decode the SMS message into at least one of a data file program and a data file, the processor further configured to execute the data file program, the processor and memory configured to store the data file in the memory; and   the SIM card module releaseably connected to the transceiver.   
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein the filter is further configured to detect a read command from the transceiver, the processor and memory are further configured to read data from the memory based on the read command and output the data to the transceiver, and the transceiver is configured to output the data to a host station. 
     
     
         45 . A method for communicating, comprising:
 receiving a SMS message from a host station in a mobile station, the SMS message including a file object;   outputting the SMS message to a SIM card, the SIM card releasaably coupled to the mobile station;   detecting the file object in the SIM card; and   decoding at least one of a data file and data file program in the file object, the decoding performed in the SIM card.   
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 45 , further comprising:
 storing the data file in the SIM card if the file object includes a data file; and   executing the data file program in the SIM card if the file object includes a data file program.   
     
     
         47 . (canceled) 
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 46 , further comprising the steps of:
 decoupling the SIM card from the mobile station;   coupling the SIM card to a point of sale device; and   transmitting a data file from the SIM card to the point of sale device.   
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 46 , further comprising:
 receiving a subsequent message from the host station in the mobile station, the subsequent message including a subsequent file object;   outputting the subsequent message to the SIM card;   detecting the subsequent file object in the SIM card; and   decoding a read command in the subsequent file object, the decoding performed in the SIM card.   
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 49 , further comprising the steps of:
 reading a subsequent data file in the memory;   transmitting the subsequent data file from the SIM card to the mobile station; and   transmitting the subsequent data file from the mobile station to the host station.