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 telecommunications system, comprising:
 a host station operable to transmit a SMS message and a SMS message with an embedded command;   a mobile telephone in communication with the host station;   a module removably coupled to the mobile telephone and operable to receive the SMS message and the SMS message with the embedded command, said module comprising:
 a multiplicity of memory locations; 
 a filter adapted to distinguish the SMS message from the SMS message with the embedded command coupled to the multiplicity of memory locations; 
 a decoder coupled to the filter, said decoder adapted to decode the SMS message with the embedded command and further adapted to respond to the command to determine and undertake appropriate processing of data contained in the SMS message with the embedded command; and 
   a display disposed within the mobile telephone in electrical communication with the module adapted to display the SMS message.   
     
     
         31 . The telecommunications system of  claim 30 , wherein the embedded command is selected from the group of commands comprising at least a write command for writing data, a read command, an attribute command, and a run command. 
     
     
         32 . The telecommunications system of  claim 31 , wherein the embedded command is the write command and data, said write command specifying a selected memory location for storing the data in the SMS message with the embedded command. 
     
     
         33 . The telecommunications system of  claim 32 , wherein the selected memory is one of the multiplicity of memory locations. 
     
     
         34 . The telecommunications system of  claim 32 , wherein the filter is further adapted to write the SMS message with the embedded command to one of the multiplicity of memory locations prior to decoding. 
     
     
         35 . A removable module connectable to a transceiver in a mobile telephone for use in a telecommunications system having a host station, said module comprising:
 a multiplicity of fixed memory locations;   a filter coupled to the multiplicity of fixed memory locations and adapted to distinguish a first message coded in a first format and a second message coded in a second format distinguished from said first format; and   a decoder coupled to the filter, said decoder adapted to decode the second message and to store the second message in one of the multiplicity of fixed memory locations.   
     
     
         36 . The module of  claim 35 , wherein the second message comprises a SMS message. 
     
     
         37 . The module of  claim 35 , wherein the second message comprises an embedded command, said command selected from the group of commands comprised of a read command, a write command, a run command, and an attribute command. 
     
     
         38 . The module of  claim 37 , wherein the second message comprises the write command and data, said write command specifying a selected memory location for storing data in the second message. 
     
     
         39 . The module of  claim 38 , wherein the selected memory is one of the multiplicity of fixed memory locations. 
     
     
         40 . A method of commanding a mobile telephone in a telecommunications system comprising a host station, said mobile telephone having a multiplicity of fixed memory locations, comprising the steps of:
 receiving a message coded in a specific format distinguished from other message formats used in the telecommunications system from the host station to the mobile phone, said message comprising a write command and data;   writing the message to a selected one of the multiplicity of memory locations;   distinguishing the message coded in the specific format from the other message formats; and   storing the data in a location specified in the message.   
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 40 , further comprising the step of making the message secure against interception. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein the other message formats comprise a SMS message. 
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein the multiplicity of memory locations are disposed within a SIM card and the step of distinguishing the message occurs within the SIM card. 
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein the location specified in the message is within the SIM card. 
     
     
         45 . (canceled) 
     
     
         46 . The mobile telephone of  claim 35 , wherein the multiplicity of fixed memory locations is contained in a SIM card. 
     
     
         47 . The mobile telephone of  claim 35 , wherein the first message is an embedded command message and the second message is a SMS message. 
     
     
         48 . The mobile telephone of  claim 47 , wherein the embedded command message comprises a command and data, said command selected from the group of commands consisting of a read command, a write command, a run command, and an attribute command. 
     
     
         49 . The mobile telephone of  claim 46 , wherein the multiplicity of fixed memory locations are disposed within a SIM card.