Communication method and apparatus improvements

Abstract

A remote communication apparatus such as a mobile digital telephone adapted to receive interrogation from time to time with respect to the identification of a user of the apparatus from a network provider and including means to hold an identification module within the apparatus which can provide for that authentication of the user to an external interrogation from time to time, with an appropriate identification module means to receive any interrogation signals and adapted in the case that the identification signals are appropriate for seeking identification of a network providers subscriber identification module, then effecting a direction of such incoming inquiry signals to information being stored whereby the appropriate identification can be provided in reply, and in the event of an interrogation other than from the network provider, then, as appropriate, directing such further interrogation to other memory means the further memory means including either passive memory or memory contained on removable means such as a smart card, a multi-media card or the like.

1. An intelligent switching apparatus for use with a remote communication apparatus adapted to receive interrogation from lime time to time with respect to the identification of a user of the apparatus and including means to hold a subscriber identification module within the remote communication apparatus which can provide for that authentication of the user to an external interrogation from time to time, the means to hold a subscriber identification module having electrical contacts for connecting with the subscriber identification module, the intelligent switching apparatus comprising:
 an intermediary processor connectable to the electrical contacts and adapted to receive interrogation signals from the remote communications apparatus and only in the case that the interrogation signals are appropriate for seeking identification of and from the subscriber identification module, to effect a direction of such incoming inquiry signals to the attached subscriber identification module whereby appropriate identification can be provided in reply, and in the event that the interrogation signals are not appropriate for seeking identification of and from the subscriber identification module, then as appropriate to direct such further interrogation to other memory means, 
 wherein such additional apparatus providing for intelligent switching is joinable to existing electrical equipment as originally provided by a manufacturer by means which do not in substance alter the original equipment. 
 
     
     
       2. An intelligent switching apparatus as in  claim 1  wherein the intermediary processor is a processor that is installable in the remote communication apparatus at original manufacture, said processor being the main CPU of the apparatus or alternatively an additional CPU incorporated in the original equipment. 
     
     
       3. An intelligent switching apparatus as in  claim 1  wherein the intermediary processor is a processor incorporated in an attachment to the remote communication apparatus. 
     
     
       4. An intelligent switching apparatus as in  claim 1  wherein the other memory means include either passive memory or memory contained on removable means such as a smart card, or a multi-media card or the like. 
     
     
       5. An intelligent switching apparatus as in  claim 1  wherein the remote communication apparatus is a cellular mobile phone. 
     
     
       6. An intelligent switching apparatus as in  claim 1  wherein the remote communication apparatus has sockets to receive a plurality of subscriber identification modules. 
     
     
       7. An intelligent switching apparatus as in  claim 1  wherein the other memory means are remote from the apparatus and there are communication means selected from an infrared link or wireless or a wired connection to the apparatus. 
     
     
       8. An intelligent switching apparatus as in  claim 1  wherein there is at least a holder and reader for a further device that is attachable or attached to the remote communication apparatus so that such additional reader or other receiving means can be used to receive an authenticating smart card provided by an alternate supplier. 
     
     
       9. An intelligent switching apparatus as in  claim 1  wherein the apparatus provides a virtual subscriber identification module by having and an active central processing unit with appropriate programming held in appropriate memory so that it will be adapted to receive and appropriately respond in the case of appropriate interrogation signals being received. 
     
     
       10. An intelligent switching apparatus as in  claim 9  wherein a subscriber identification module which is conventionally provided by the network provider is in electrical contact with the processing unit so that, when appropriate interrogation signals are detected, the central processing unit will switch associated following signals through to the original subscriber identification module. 
     
     
       11. An intelligent switching apparatus as in  claim 1  wherein there is provided circuitry which connects by contact with original equipment and then through a flexible and adhering material, to provide continuing electrical connections to an external location by passing through conventional manufacturing gaps between housing conventionally existing in currently manufactured equipment. 
     
     
       12. An intelligent switching apparatus as in  claim 1  further comprising a housing configured for disposition of a battery therein and for selective attachment to a battery bay of the remote communication apparatus, the housing having appropriate physical interconnections to connect the battery to the remote communication apparatus to provide power thereto and to provide power to the intermediary processor. 
     
     
       13. An intelligent switching arrangement apparatus as in  claim 12  wherein the intermediate intermediary processor means includes means to effect input and output signals to effect control to and from the keyboard, screen and radio frequency transmission and receiving means of the mobile phone to which it is adapted to be attached. 
     
     
       14. An intelligent switching arrangement apparatus as in  claim 12  further including a smart card reader. 
     
     
       15. An intelligent switching apparatus as in  claim 1  further comprising a smart card reader. 
     
     
       16. An intelligent switching apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the other memory means include at least one of a subscriber identification module and a memory module in communication with the intermediary processor. 
     
     
       17. An intelligent switching apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the other memory means includes at least one socket, each of the at least one socket being configured for removable disposition of one of a subscriber identification module and a memory module therein, the at least one socket being in communication with the intermediary processor. 
     
     
       18. An intelligent switching arrangement including a take-off connector adapted to be inserted into and be electrically connected with available electrical contacts within an identification module socket within a cellular mobile digital phone, an intermediate intermediary processor means which is electrically connected to at least one subscriber identification module not located in the identification module socket, the intermediate intermediary processor means being adapted so that when connected electrically to the electrical connections in the phone, the intermediate intermediary processor means can identify interrogation signals seeking identification from the subscriber identification module and direct such interrogation signals provided from the phone by reason of a startup signal or otherwise through to the subscriber identification module and transmit replies back from the subscriber identification module so that, to a network service provider, the effect will be substantially the same as if the subscriber identification module is in its appropriate location in the identification module socket,
 wherein the intelligent switching arrangement is joinable to existing electrical equipment as originally provided by a manufacturer by means which do not in substance alter the original equipment. 
 
     
     
       19. An intelligent switching apparatus for use with a digital mobile phone of a type including means to hold an identification member in electrical communication with its operating system for identification of a user, the intelligent switching apparatus having a processor in communication with the means to hold an identification member, the processor being adapted such that only in the event of identification signals appropriate for seeking identification of a network provider's subscriber identification module being received, the processor directs such identification signals to the network provider's subscriber identification module whereby the appropriate identification can be provided in reply, and in the event of an interrogation other than from the network provider, directing such further interrogation to other memory means,
 wherein the intelligent switching apparatus is joinable to existing electrical equipment as originally provided by a manufacturer by means which do not in substance alter the original equipment. 
 
     
     
       20. An intelligent switching apparatus for use with a remote communication apparatus having a first subscriber identification module holder having contacts for establishing electrical communication with a first subscriber identification module, the remote communication apparatus being adapted for receiving interrogation signals with respect to user identification information stored on the first subscriber identification module, the intelligent switching apparatus comprising:
 a connector adapted for connecting to the contact of the first subscriber identification module holder; and 
 an intermediary processor in electrical communication with the connector and being connectable to the first subscriber identification module, the intermediary processor being adapted to receive interrogation signals from the remote communications apparatus and only in the case that the interrogation signals are appropriate for seeking identification of and from the first subscriber identification module, then directing the interrogation signals to the first subscriber identification module and in the event that the interrogation signals are not appropriate for seeking identification of and from the first subscriber identification module, then directing the interrogation signals to other memory means, 
 wherein the intelligent switching apparatus is joinable to existing electrical equipment as originally provided by a manufacturer by means which do not in substance alter the original equipment. 
 
     
     
       21. An intelligent switching method used with a remote communication apparatus adapted to receive interrogation from time to time with respect to the identification of a user of the apparatus and including means to hold a subscriber identification module within the remote communication apparatus which can provide for that authentication of the user to an external interrogation from time to time, the means to hold a subscriber identification module having electrical contacts for connecting with the subscriber identification module, the intelligent switching method comprising: an intermediary processor connectable to the electrical contacts and adapted to receive interrogation signals from the remote communications apparatus and only in the case that the interrogation signals are appropriate for seeking identification of and from the subscriber identification module, to effect a direction of such incoming inquiry signals to the attached subscriber identification module whereby appropriate identification can be provided in reply, and in the event that the interrogation signals are not appropriate for seeking identification of and from the subscriber identification module, then as appropriate to direct such further interrogation to other memory means, wherein such additional method providing for intelligent switching comprises apparatus joinable to existing electrical equipment as originally provided by a manufacturer by means which do not in substance alter the original equipment. 
     
     
       22. An intelligent switching method as in claim 21 wherein the intermediary processor is a processor that is installable in the remote communication apparatus at original manufacture, said processor being the main CPU of the apparatus or alternatively an additional CPU incorporated in the original equipment. 
     
     
       23. An intelligent switching method as in claim 21 wherein the other memory means include either passive memory or memory contained on removable means such as a smart card, or a multi-media card or the like. 
     
     
       24. An intelligent switching method as in claim 21 wherein the other memory means are remote from the apparatus and there are communication means selected from an infrared link or wireless or a wired connection to the apparatus.