KR100680299B1 - Portable device and method of connecting mobile network by the same - Google Patents

Abstract

A portable terminal and a mobile communication network connecting method using the same are provided to include a built-in default SIM in the portable terminal which can be used in a communication method making an external SIM as a standard, thereby removing complexity that a user has to connect the SIM one by one whenever a device receiving a communication service is changed. In a portable terminal(100) connecting to a mobile communication network by using an external SIM(Subscriber Identify Module), the portable terminal(100) includes a pre-stored default SIM(250). If the external SIM(280) is not combined, the portable terminal(100) connects to the mobile communication network by using information stored in the default SIM(250). The default SIM(250) further comprises an MNC(Mobile Network Code), subscriber authentication and charging information on the mobile communication network.

Description

Portable device and method of connecting mobile network using same {Portable device and method of connecting mobile network by the same}

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a mobile communication system using a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a diagram illustrating an interface for inserting an external SIM into a portable terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a diagram illustrating an interface for inserting an external SIM into a portable terminal according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a diagram illustrating an interface for inserting an external SIM into a notebook according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

6 is a flowchart illustrating a sequence of recognizing a subscriber identification module of a mobile terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

The present invention relates to a mobile terminal, and more particularly, to a mobile terminal that can use both an embedded default SIM and an external SIM.

In the present invention, the portable terminal refers to an electronic device that is formed in a small size to facilitate a user's carrying, so as to perform a mobile communication function, and with the rapid development of digital technology, the portable terminal includes not only a mobile communication terminal but also a personal portable terminal ( Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), Portable Multimedia Player (PMP), etc. may be included. In addition, it may include a computer such as a laptop having a miniaturized and portable including the recent communication function.

The mobile communication service provided through such a mobile terminal may include code division multiple access (CDMA), global system for mobile communication (GSM), international mobile telecommunication (IMT) -2000, and the like according to various classification criteria such as signal transmission method or development time. It may be classified into WCDMA (Wideband CDMA), 1G (Generation), 2G, or 3G.

In order to receive a mobile communication service, a mobile terminal first uses an electronic device for communicating with a base station in an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) inside the mobile terminal in the case of an AMP / Advanced Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) scheme. An electronic serial number (ESN) may be stored or the electronic serial number may be stored in the form of a chip or a card external to the portable terminal and used in combination with the portable terminal.

In addition, in order to receive a mobile communication service, identification information of a mobile communication service subscriber and a mobile network code (MNC), which is a code of a subscribed mobile communication service provider, must be stored. An apparatus or program for storing information such as ESN and MNC And the like are generally referred to as a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM).

Such a SIM may be used as a prepaid payment means by storing personal information such as authentication, billing, and security of a subscriber in the form of a chip or a card that can be used in a mobile terminal, and a function that can be recharged and used may be added to the SIM.

Such a SIM is adopted as a standard in the GSM method and the WCDMA method, so that a mobile communication service can be provided by inserting a SIM configured in a card form into a portable terminal.

However, when the insertion of the SIM is adopted as a standard, there is an advantage of not having to replace the mobile terminal according to the mobile carrier, but there is a problem that it is impossible to provide a mobile communication service when the SIM is lost or damaged.

In addition, the SIM can be selectively connected to a communication network of a plurality of mobile communication providers, but there is a problem in that a SIM of a specific communication service provider must first be purchased or a subscription to a communication service provider.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the WCDMA or GSM standard maintains the standard, but proposes a mobile terminal capable of providing a mobile communication service when the SIM is lost or damaged.

In addition, the present invention proposes a mobile terminal capable of providing a specific service through mobile communication without purchasing a SIM of a specific carrier or subscribing to a carrier.

Still other objects of the present invention will be readily understood through the following description of the embodiments.

In order to achieve the above object, according to an aspect of the present invention, a portable terminal is provided.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, in a portable terminal connected to a mobile communication network using an external Subscriber Identify Module (SIM), the portable terminal further includes a default SIM stored in advance. If the SIM is not coupled to the mobile terminal is provided using the information stored in the default SIM to access the mobile communication network.

The default SIM may include a carrier code, subscriber authentication and billing information for the mobile communication network.

The portable terminal may further include an input unit for inputting a signal and a controller configured to generate a control signal for operating the portable terminal. The portable terminal may further include an external SIM interface unit to which the external SIM is connected, and the external SIM interface unit may transmit an interrupt signal due to the connection of the SIM to the controller when the SIM is connected.

The mobile communication network may be a wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA) scheme.

The mobile communication network may be a Global System for Mobile communication (GSM) scheme.

The external SIM may be in the form of a card.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a method for accessing a mobile communication network using a portable terminal is provided.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, in a method of accessing a mobile communication network by a mobile terminal including an external subscriber identity module (SIM) and a built-in default SIM, recognizing a connection of an external SIM (a); (B) reading subscriber authentication information from the default SIM when the recognized connection of the external SIM is not recognized; (C) generating a network access request message including the read authentication information; And (d) transmitting the generated communication network access request message to a base station of a mobile communication network.

The default SIM further includes a service provider code, subscriber authentication and billing information for the mobile communication network, and generating the network access request message including the read authentication information further includes the billing information. Can be.

Recognizing the connection of the external SIM may be recognized by an interrupt signal generated when the external SIM is connected.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description of the present invention, the same reference numerals will be used for the same means regardless of the reference numerals in order to facilitate the overall understanding.

The present invention may be applied to a GSM method or a WCDMA method using an external SIM as a standard, but the present invention will be described below based on the WCDMA method.

WCDMA stands for Wideband Code Division Multiple Access and is often referred to as the next generation mobile telecommunication wireless access standard.

In addition, the conventional analog cellular communication system (analog cellular system) is the first generation mobile communication system, currently used (Code Division Multiple Access), GSM (Global System for Mobile communication), PDC (Personal Digital Cellular telecommunication system), US- TDMA (Time Division Multiple Acces) is referred to as a second generation mobile communication system, and a newly developed mobile communication system may be referred to as a third generation mobile communication system.

The third generation system was developed for the purpose of multimedia transmission, and it is distinguished from many existing systems such as high-definition image service and fast data rate.

In particular, WCDMA is the third generation mobile communication system adopted by most countries. Many companies and organizations in Korea, Europe, Japan, the United States, and China have established 3GPP (3'rd Generation Project Group) to establish technical standards. It is developing.

WCDMA has been adopted as a radio access technology for third generation communication in many countries including Europe, Korea, and Japan, and is considered a suitable standard for the purpose of a single radio access standard.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a mobile communication system using a portable terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention, which illustrates a configuration of a WCDMA mobile communication system adopting a SIM card as a standard.

As shown in FIG. 1, a mobile communication system using a mobile terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a terminal 100, a base station (BS) 110, a radio network controller (RNC) 120, and an MSC ( Mobile Telephone Switching Center (130), Gateway Mobile Services Switching Center (GMSC) 140, Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN) 160, Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN) 170, and the like.

When the voice call service is to be provided using the mobile terminal 100, the voice call connection is a public telephone exchange network for voice call through the BS 110, the RNC 120, and the MSC 130 and the GMSC 140. It is connected to the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) 150.

On the other hand, the Internet connection is connected to the Internet network 180 through the BS 110, the RNC 120, and the SGSN 160 and the GGSN 170.

The mobile terminal 100 is capable of various digital processing devices as well as a mobile communication terminal, that is, a mobile phone. In particular, the WCDMA method supports high-speed mobility, high voice quality, and is suitable for transmitting a large amount of data using a spread spectrum method, thereby enabling various applications.

Due to such various application possibilities, the SIM, which is configured in the form of a card, is adopted as a standard so that the SIM can be inserted into various digital processing devices such as mobile phones and laptops to access the WCDMA communication network. Therefore, in the present invention, the mobile terminal 100 may include various digital processing devices.

BS 110 is generally called a base station and transmits and receives signals to or from a mobile terminal.

The RNC 120 is a component of a radio access network that controls a base station. The RNC 120 performs a function for radio resource management, a management of a base station in a wireless communication network, and a management function for a connection between a wireless network controller and another network component.

The MSC 130, also called a mobile switching center or mobile switching center, processes the signals originating or incoming at the base station and adjusts the base station to operate efficiently.

Although not shown in FIG. 1, the MSC 130 manages the location of the mobile terminal and inquires the location registration information of the user to the home location register (HLR) of the subscriber. It informs you of various information such as incoming call status, supplementary services, and subscriber location.

GMSC 140, also called gateway mobile communication switching center, performs an automatic tracking connection function for determining a VMSC (Visited MSC) and selecting a call by referring to the location information stored in the HLR.

GMSC 140 and VMSC may be the same exchange or call exchange on a call-by-call basis.

The MSC 130 and the GMSC 140 are connected to the PSTN 150 via these components as components necessary for a voice call.

The PSTN 150 generally refers to a public switched telephone network operated by a public telecommunications operator, and voice communication is possible through the connection of the PSTN 150 and the GMSC 140.

SGSN 160, also called a packet switched support node, is a node that delivers data packets with a base station within a mobile communication service area.

It has functions such as packet, routing and transmission, mobility management, logical link management, authentication and charging, and the location register (not shown) of SGSN 160 is a General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) user registered with SGSN 160. Stores location information, user profiles and more.

The GGSN 170 is also called a packet gateway support node, and is a node in charge of a connection function between a GPRS backbone network and an external packet data network.

A packet transmitted from the SGSN 160 is converted into an appropriate Packet Data Protocol (PDP) and transmitted, and a PDP address of the incoming packet data is converted into a GSM address. It stores the user's SGSN 160 address and user profile in the location register of SGSN 160 and also performs authentication and charging functions.

In such a WCDMA communication network, various digital processing devices may perform data communication as well as voice calls through communication with the BS 110. To this end, a subscriber identity module (SIM: Subscriber Identity Module or UIM: User Identity Module) in the form of a card storing authentication information, security, and billing information for user identification is adopted as a standard.

The present invention proposes a portable terminal that meets the standards for applying an external SIM in such a WCDMA communication network and solves the problems of adopting such a standard.

Referring to Figure 2 looks at the configuration of a portable terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a portable terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the portable terminal 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes an input unit 200. , A display unit 210, a transceiver 220, a controller 230, a storage 240, a default SIM 250, a sound output unit 260, an external SIM interface unit 270, and an external SIM. The interface unit 270 is connected to an external card type SIM 280.

The input unit 210 is a means for receiving a control command, a function selection command, or the like for controlling the operation of the mobile terminal 100 from the user. For example, the input unit 210 may include a plurality of key buttons (for example, numeric / character keys, * or # symbol keys, one or more function keys (for example, a menu key, a call key, an confirmation key, a wireless key). Key for Internet connection) or a touch screen.

The display unit 210 performs a function of displaying image data, image data, text data, numeric data, and the like under the control of the controller 230. For example, the display unit 210 may be a liquid crystal display (LCD).

The transceiver 220 transmits a communication network access request message to the base station 110 of the WCDMA communication network and connects the mobile terminal 100 to the WCDMA communication network. In addition, the transceiver 230 receives a call signal through the base station 110 to enable voice call and data communication through the mobile terminal 100.

The control unit 230 is a component of the mobile terminal 100 according to the present invention (for example, the input unit 200, the display unit 210, the transceiver 220, the storage unit 240, the default (default) SIM 250, sound output unit 260, external SIM interface unit 270). When the connection of the SIM is recognized by the external SIM interface unit 270, the controller 230 reads information stored in the external SIM and generates a network connection request message. On the other hand, when the SIM 280 is not connected to the external SIM interface unit 270, information stored in the default SIM 250 is read to generate a network connection request message.

Meanwhile, the generated network access request message is transmitted to the transceiver 220 and transmitted to the communication network (more specifically, the base station 110).

The storage unit 240 may store data related to a communication service, an operation program of the mobile terminal 100, a set algorithm, and the like under the control of the controller 230.

The default SIM 250 is a subscriber identification module that stores authentication, billing, and security information of a communication service subscriber.

In addition, the subscriber identification module may store a carrier code (MNC: Mobile Network Code) that is information for defining a carrier, and is embedded in the form of a chip or card in the portable terminal 100 or in the form of a program. ) Can be installed.

A subscriber identity module (SIM: Subscriber Identity Module or UIM: User Identity Module) is a card or a built-in module that can be generally used in a mobile communication terminal so that subscribers can provide various information such as authentication, billing, and security information. Chip or program that stores information.

As described above, in a mobile communication method such as WCDMA or GSM, a SIM external to a card form is adopted as a standard, and thus, the mobile terminal does not include a SIM as a default value.

On the other hand, the mobile terminal 100 according to the present invention includes an interface into which an external SIM can be inserted, but also includes a default SIM 250 in the mobile terminal 100.

By further including such a default SIM 250, not only the communication service using the mobile terminal can be provided by inserting the SIM according to the standard of the mobile communication technology, but also the mobile communication through the mobile terminal using the built-in default SIM 250. You can get services.

The sound output unit 260 is a means for outputting a communication service provided through the mobile terminal, for example, a voice call, a sound received in response to data communication, a sound stored in the storage unit 240 of the mobile terminal 100, and the like. to be. For example, the sound output unit 260 may include a sound source chip, for example, may be a speaker.

The external SIM interface unit 270 is connected to the SIM 280 to read information stored in the SIM 280. When the SIM 280 is inserted into the external SIM interface unit 270, the external SIM interface unit 270 may transmit a predetermined interrupt signal to the controller 230. The controller 230 determines the interrupt signal input from the external SIM interface unit 270, recognizes that the SIM 280 is inserted into the external SIM interface unit 270, and not the default SIM 250, but the external SIM 280. Reads information necessary for generating a network access request message.

The SIM 280 is a subscriber identity module in the form of an external card adopted as a standard in the WCDMA or GSM scheme. As described above, the information stored in the SIM 280 may store various information such as authentication, billing, and security information of the subscriber.

An example in which the mobile terminal 100 including the external SIM 280 as well as the built-in default SIM 250 is actually implemented will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5.

3 is a diagram illustrating an interface for inserting an external SIM 280 into a portable terminal 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a portable terminal according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 100 is a diagram illustrating an interface for inserting the external SIM 280.

First, as shown in FIG. 3, the external SIM 280 may be mounted through an interface provided in a part of the mobile phone, which is the most common form of the mobile terminal 100, and connected to the mobile terminal 100.

 As illustrated in FIG. 3, the mobile terminal 100, which is one type of the mobile terminal 100 according to the present invention, has an interface on which an external SIM 280 implemented in the form of a card may be mounted on a portion of the rear surface. The external SIM 280 can be mounted. As illustrated in FIG. 4, an additional service identification module 300 may be mounted on the side of the portable terminal.

5 is a diagram illustrating an interface for inserting an external SIM into a notebook according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

In particular, since the WCDMA method supports high-speed mobility and is suitable for transmitting a large amount of data using the spread spectrum method, various digital processing apparatuses can perform functions as the mobile terminal 100.

Therefore, the mobile terminal 100 according to the present invention is not limited to the mobile phone as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, but is not limited as long as it is a device having a communication function and connected to a communication network to receive various services.

Accordingly, as illustrated in FIG. 5, a notebook including a communication function may include a SIM 280 to access a WCDMA communication network using a notebook and receive a mobile communication service.

The order in which each SIM is recognized in a mobile terminal further including a built-in default SIM in addition to an external SIM in a communication network adopting such a SIM will be described with reference to FIG. 6.

6 is a flowchart illustrating a sequence in which a subscriber identification module (SIM) of the mobile terminal 100 is recognized according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 6, first, it is recognized whether an external SIM 280 is inserted into and connected to the mobile terminal 100 (S600). As described above, the connection of the external SIM 280 is recognized by transmitting an interrupt signal due to the connection of the external SIM 280 from the external SIM interface unit 270 to the controller 230.

If the connection of the external SIM 280 is not recognized, information (for example, authentication information, security information, billing information, etc.) necessary for accessing a communication network is read from the built-in default SIM 250 (S602).

On the other hand, when the connection of the external SIM 280 is recognized, the external SIM 280 reads information (for example, authentication information, security information, billing information, etc.) necessary for accessing the communication network (S604).

A communication network access request message is generated using the read information (S606), and the generated request message is transmitted to the base station 110 of the communication network, so as to connect to the voice call or the internet network as shown in the communication system of FIG. (S608).

By including a default SIM embedded in the mobile terminal that can be used in the communication method based on the external SIM as a standard, from the user's point of view, the hassle of having to connect the SIM every time the device receiving communication service is changed is eliminated. There is an advantage.

In addition, by including the charging information in the SIM, even if each mobile communication provider is different, the device of the communication network of each mobile communication provider can communicate with the user's mobile terminal through the default SIM, thereby providing location information of the user's mobile terminal. Since it is possible to grasp, even if the subscriber does not subscribe to a communication service of a specific communication service provider, it is possible to provide various communication services such as allowing communication of a specific service, for example, an emergency service.

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention described above using various portable terminals are disclosed for the purpose of illustration, and those skilled in the art will be able to make various modifications, changes, and additions within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Such modifications, changes and additions should be considered to be within the scope of the following claims.

As described above, there is an advantage that a mobile terminal used in a mobile communication network based on an external SIM such as a WCDMA or GSM scheme can provide a mobile communication service when a SIM is lost or damaged.

In addition, there is an advantage in that a specific service can be provided through a mobile communication network without purchasing a SIM of a specific carrier or subscribing to a carrier.

Claims (10)

A mobile terminal accessing a mobile communication network using an external subscriber identify module (SIM), The portable terminal further includes a default SIM stored in advance, And when the external SIM is not coupled, access to the mobile communication network using information stored in the default SIM. The method of claim 1, The default SIM further comprises a carrier code, subscriber authentication, billing information for the mobile communication network. The method of claim 1, The mobile terminal, An input unit for inputting a signal; And a control unit for generating a control signal for operating the portable terminal. The method of claim 1, The mobile terminal, Further comprising an external SIM interface unit to which the external SIM is connected, The external SIM interface unit when the SIM is connected, characterized in that for transmitting the interrupt signal by the connection of the SIM to the controller. The method of claim 1, The mobile communication network is a wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA) method. The method of claim 1, The mobile communication network is a portable terminal, characterized in that the Global System for Mobile communication (GSM) system. The method of claim 1, The external SIM is a portable terminal, characterized in that the card form. In the method of accessing a mobile communication network to a mobile terminal comprising an external Subscriber Identify Module (SIM) and a built-in default SIM, Recognizing a connection of the external SIM (a); (B) reading subscriber authentication information from the default SIM when the recognized connection of the external SIM is not recognized; (C) generating a network access request message including the read authentication information; And And (d) transmitting the generated communication network access request message to a base station of a mobile communication network. The method of claim 8, The default SIM further includes a carrier code, billing information of the mobile communication network, The step (c) is a mobile communication network connection method, characterized in that it further comprises a carrier code, billing information information of the mobile communication network. The method of claim 8, Step (a) is, Mobile communication network access method characterized in that the recognition by the interrupt signal generated when the external SIM is connected.

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