JPH10108269A - Telecommunication system having subscriber identifying means - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve functionality and flexibility concerning various kinds of applying examples which are used by means of a subscriber with a subscriber terminal equipment by simultaneously assigning IDs of the plural subscribers to be activated/inactivated to at least on of the subscriber terminal equipments. SOLUTION: The subscriber who subscribes with a mobile communication network which is telecommunicated from a mobile station MS is probided with at least one permitted subscriber ID. Two IDs, I1 and Id2 owned by one subscriber are stored in an ID module 2 and the ID module 2 is stored in a chip card. The chip card is inserted to a containing device corresponding to the mobile station MS so that signal exchange concerning the assignment of thesubscriber ID (Id1 and Id2) is executed between the subscriber terminal equipment (MS) and the subscriber ID module 2. Thus, the subscriber assigns Id1 and Id2 stored in the chip card to the mobile station MS which the subscriber utilizes himself.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a telecommunication system having at least one switching center, a plurality of subscriber terminals and subscriber identification means.

The invention also relates to a subscriber terminal for a telecommunication system having at least one switching center, wherein a plurality of subscriber IDs to be activated / deactivated are simultaneously assigned to this subscriber terminal. Means for a telecommunications system having at least one switching center, provided with means for providing the same.

Further, the present invention is a chip card accommodated in a subscriber terminal device of a telecommunication system having at least one switching center, wherein the chip card is a chip card including a subscriber ID module. Are stored in the chip card.

[0004]

2. Description of the Related Art Such telecommunication systems, in particular, for example the GSM standard ("Global System")
for Mobil Communications ") assigns subscriber IDs to various subscribers.
A chip card is used in the SM mobile communication system, and a subscriber ID is stored in each of the chip cards. The subscriber ID is the IMSI in such a system.
(“International Mobil Subscriber Identity”), for example, GSM recommendation 0
This is explained in detail in 3.03. The subscriber ID is used to assign telecommunications processing to the subscriber. For example, the usage fee of a given subscriber is confirmed by the mobile communication network provider using his ID. Further, the subscriber ID is used to identify the current location of the subscriber assigned to this ID or to identify the current location of the subscriber terminal being used by this subscriber. . Such a subscriber terminal device has a chip card accommodation device. Before telecommunications processing via the telecommunications system is permitted and enabled using the subscriber terminal device, a chip card having a subscriber ID stored in this chip card storage device is inserted. The subscriber ID stored on the chip card is read by the subscriber terminal and transmitted to the exchange, where it is checked whether the subscriber ID permits telecommunication via the telecommunications system. The mobile communication network provider can thus block or prohibit telecommunications on the basis of the subscriber ID.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The object of the invention is to improve the telecommunications system as described at the outset and to increase the functionality and flexibility in the various applications available to the subscriber by means of the subscriber terminal. It is to make it.

[0006]

The above object is achieved in that a plurality of subscriber IDs to be activated / deactivated are simultaneously assigned to at least one of the subscriber terminals.

[0007]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In this manner, a subscriber is free to use a plurality of IDs with only one subscriber terminal. The subscriber can assign a predetermined application to each of his IDs, in which case he only needs to own and use one subscriber terminal. For example, a subscriber uses two IDs, and one of the two IDs
One for work telecommunications processing and the other for private telecommunications processing. Subscribers can thus flexibly create their accessibility. The subscriber can also have his / her fee separately checked for various application cases, so that the subscriber can recognize different usage fee costs for different application cases,
In some cases, they can be paid separately.

For example, the subscriber ID is stored in a data memory assigned to the exchange, and the assignment of the subscriber ID is performed by activating an activation command (acti) between the subscriber terminal and the exchange.
vation instruction). The transmission of the activation command is triggered by a corresponding input to the subscriber terminal. Advantageously, such entry is made by menu control. First, PIN (Pe
By requiring the entry of an rsonal Identity Number, unauthorized activation is avoided. Thereafter, the subscriber may use this ID or one or more of his or her own subscriber IDs that he wishes to access by these IDs.
You need to choose. This subscriber ID or these subscriber IDs are converted by the subscriber terminal into a corresponding activation command transmission. The assignment of the subscriber ID to the subscriber terminal in the telecommunications system is now also performed.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of I
An interface for coupling to the subscriber terminal is provided on the subscriber ID module for storing D. This subscriber ID module (usually SIM, "Subs
The subscriber certifies that he / she has the right to telecommunications in the telecommunications system by means of the “criber Identity Module”. The possibility of using a subscriber terminal for communication is provided: a plurality of subscriber IDs in one subscriber ID module.
Integration leads to simplification of operability, reduction in circuit technical complexity and cost. Advantageously, this subscriber ID module is realized by a chip card. This is a simple technical solution for the realization of a subscriber ID module and is very popular in cellular mobile communication systems. Usually the subscriber ID module is SI
It is called M (“Subscriber IdentityModule”). Of course, in the conventional mobile communication system, a configuration in which a plurality of subscriber IDs are stored in a single chip card is not implemented. However, there is no problem modifying the corresponding chip card.

[0010] In another embodiment of the present invention, the subscriber terminal device has an accommodating device for accommodating a plurality of subscriber ID modules each provided for storing a subscriber ID. As a result, the subscriber terminal and the subscriber I
Signal exchange regarding the assignment of the subscriber ID between the D module and the D module is enabled. For example, each subscriber ID module is realized by a separate chip card. This variant embodiment allows the use of the ID modules which have hitherto been widespread. In particular, it allows the use of an ID module of a cellular mobile communication system. The ID module of this cellular mobile communication system is realized by a chip card, each storing only one subscriber ID. Moreover, no adaptation of the standard, for example the GSM standard, is necessary.

[0011]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

The telecommunications system illustrated in FIG. 1 is in a preferred embodiment a GSM
It is shown as a mobile communication system (cellular mobile communication system). This telecommunications system
It has a subscriber terminal device configured as a mobile station MS.
The subscriber terminal communicates with the base station BS via a communication link. The base station BS exchanges payload data and signaling data with an exchange ("Mobile Switching Centre"), designated MSC. The mobile communication network ("Public Land Mobile N
etwork ") to other nodes and to the public switched telephone network PSTN (" Public Switched Telephone Networ
k "). The exchange MSC has
Visitor Location Register VLR (“Visitor Loca
data register 1 is assigned to the visitor location register VLR.
Used as a database with information about all subscribers and mobile stations MS. This mobile station MS is active in the communication cell allocated to the base station BS and logically belongs to the switching center MSC. Data memory 1 having visitor location register VLR
Are preferably also physically integrated in the switching center MSC. However, this is not required. Other base stations and other parts of the mobile communication network GSM-PLMN are not shown in detail for the sake of clarity.

Each subscriber T who subscribes to the telecommunications by the mobile station MS via the mobile communication network shown here has at least one authorized subscriber ID, through which the usage fee is charged. Pay. Such a subscriber ID is a so-called IMSI (“International Mobile Subscriber Ide”) in the GSM system.
ntity "). In this embodiment, one subscriber T
Has two IDs, ID1 and ID2. These two IDs are either ID module 2 (see FIG. 3) or two I
It is stored in D modules 3 and 4 (see FIG. 4). The ID modules 2, 3 and 4, usually called SIMs (“Subscriber Identity Modules”), are realized by chip cards in this embodiment of FIGS. These chip cards have functional units 2a and 3a, respectively.
And 4a are shown. These functional units 2a, 3a
And 4a integrate the electrical / electronic functions of each chip card, especially the microprocessor function and the data memory function. The user inserts his / her chip card into the corresponding accommodation device of the mobile station MS, so that the subscriber ID (ID)
1, ID2) can be exchanged between the subscriber terminal (MS) and the subscriber ID modules (2, 3, 4) by using the ID modules 2, 3 and 4. The subscriber T is given permission to use the mobile station MS. As a result, the subscriber assigns the ID, ID1, and ID2 stored in the chip card to the mobile station MS used by the subscriber. The accommodation device is indicated by slot 5 in FIG. 3 and by two slots 6, 7 in FIG. 4 and is configured in the usual manner prevalent in mobile stations MS. Embodiments having a single chip card for storing a plurality of subscriber IDs are not provided according to the current GSM standard. However, this technical transformation
Substantially only the corresponding software of the mobile station MS needs to be adapted. The embodiment of FIG. 4 requires only two ordinary chip card accommodation devices,
All that is necessary is to adapt the MS accordingly. I of subscriber T
D, ID1, and ID2 are further stored in the data memory 1, that is, in the visitor location register VLR. This corresponds to the following. That is,
This corresponds to the fact that the subscriber T and the mobile station MS used for this subscriber T are active in the area of influence of the base station BS or of the communication cell assigned to this base station BS. If this subscriber changes his position and thus leaves the communication cell of the base station BS, his ID, I
D1 and ID2 are transmitted to a visitor location register assigned to another communication cell and stored therein.

These IDs, ID1 and ID2, are activated or deactivated individually or together by the subscriber T, so that this subscriber T can be accessed based on these IDs, The processing can be initialized by the own terminal device MS, and the usage fee to be paid can be assigned using these IDs. The prerequisites here for the GSM system are: That is, it is guaranteed that the same communication resource, that is, the same communication channel is used for all IDs activated for the telecommunication processing by communication transmission. These IDs, ID1 and ID2, must be assigned to the same paging group in the activated state (see GSM 05.02). Furthermore, these IDs must be assigned to the same message cell.

The activation procedure will now be described in detail with reference to FIG. Activation of the subscriber ID is performed according to the procedure described in GSM Recommendation 04.08 (see in particular Chapter 4.4.3 “IMS
I attach ”, Chapter 4.4.1“ Location Update ”, Chapter 4.3.4
See chapter “IMSI Detach”). In Step 10, GS
According to M02.30, the internal release of ID1 of subscriber T
Mobility Management Sublayer
This is done (by menu control) by a corresponding release of the entity MM1 (eg a software module) of the ent sublayer (eg GSM 04.08, see Chapter 4).
For this, the password must be entered by the subscriber T at the beginning of step 10. Then, in step 11, this entity MM1
Activation of subscriber ID1 at C is effected by data exchange according to GSM 04.08. As a result, the availability of ID1 by the subscriber T is provided from the mobile communication network side. Step 1 after successful activation of ID1
An acknowledgment message is sent to the subscriber T by this entity MM1 at 2. Steps 13 and 14
In steps 15 and 15, the activation procedure of ID2 is performed in a manner similar to the method described in steps 10, 11 and 12.
The deactivation procedure for ID1 and ID2 is steps 10-15
Proceeds in a manner analogous to the preceding methods, wherein each individual deactivation procedure is assigned to three corresponding steps, respectively.

Step 16 describes, by way of example, the selection of ID2 for the communication process by the mobile station MS. This selection is advantageously made by menu control,
The so-called connection management sublayer (“Conn
Section Management Sublayer ”) (GSM 04.08, see especially Chapter 4.5) for entity CM
Entity MM2 (Mobility Managem) belonging to D2
ent Sublayer). After this ID
2, the connection can be formed and released in accordance with GSM 04.08 (step 17). The selection of ID1 and the subsequent connection formation and disconnection are performed similarly.

In the so-called idle state of the mobile station MS, the subscriber T is accessible by all the activated IDs. However, as soon as one connection is made for one ID, the subscriber can no longer be accessed by another ID of the subscriber in an embodiment of the present invention.

In this embodiment, the subscriber T uses his two IDs, for example, to distinguish between using one mobile station MS for private purposes and for using it for work purposes. More than two subscriber IDs for subscriber T
Still other embodiments for assigning are possible. Further, the present invention is not limited to a mobile communication system, but is applicable to various telecommunication systems. Therefore, the present invention can be applied to, for example, a telecommunications system having a terminal device connected to a cord.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a telecommunications system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a procedure for activating a subscriber ID.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a subscriber terminal device having one chip card.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a subscriber terminal device having two chip cards.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 ID Module 3 ID Module 4 ID Module 2a Functional Unit 3a Functional Unit 4a Functional Unit 5 Slot 6 Slot 7 Slot MS Mobile Station BS Base Station MSC Switching Center VLR Visitor Location Register PSTN Public Telephone Network

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A telecommunications system having at least one switching center (MSC), a plurality of subscriber terminals (MS) and subscriber identification means, comprising a plurality of subscriber IDs (ID1) to be activated / deactivated. , I
D2) is simultaneously assigned to at least one of said subscriber terminals (MS), characterized in that at least one switching center (MSC), a plurality of subscriber terminals (MS) and a subscriber identification. Telecommunication system having means. 2. The subscriber ID (ID1, ID2) is stored in a data memory (1) assigned to an exchange (MSC), and the subscriber ID (ID1, ID2) is stored in the exchange (M).
2. The telecommunications system according to claim 1, wherein the telecommunications system is assigned by an activation command transmission between the SC and the subscriber terminal. 3. A plurality of subscriber IDs (ID) of a subscriber (T).
3. A telecommunications system according to claim 1, wherein the subscriber ID module for storing the IDs has an interface for coupling to a subscriber terminal. 4. The telecommunications system according to claim 3, wherein the subscriber ID module is realized by a chip card. 5. The subscriber terminal device (MS) has an accommodation device (6, 7) for accommodating a plurality of subscriber ID modules (3, 4) at the same time, and the subscriber ID modules (3, 4). 4) are respectively provided for storing the subscriber IDs (ID1, ID2), whereby the signal exchange relating to the assignment of the subscriber IDs (ID1, ID2) is performed by the subscriber terminal device (MS).
3. The telecommunications system according to claim 1, wherein the telecommunications system is enabled between the subscriber ID module and the subscriber ID module. 6. The telecommunication system according to claim 5, wherein the subscriber ID modules are realized by separate chip cards (3, 4). 7. A subscriber terminal (MS) for a telecommunication system having at least one switching center (MSC), comprising a plurality of activated / deactivated subscriber IDs (ID1, I2).
Subscriber terminal (MS) for a telecommunications system having at least one switching center (MSC), characterized in that means are provided for simultaneously assigning D2) to said subscriber terminal (MS). ). 8. A chip card (2) accommodated in a subscriber terminal (MS) of a telecommunications system having at least one switching center (MSC), said chip card (2) being a subscriber ID module. including,
The chip card (2), wherein a plurality of IDs (ID1, ID2) of the subscriber (T) are stored in the chip card (2).