WO2004052037A2

WO2004052037A2 - Method for optimizing the read-out time of a read-only memory card by copying in a memory of the mobile terminal device and circuit for detecting replacement of said card

Info

Publication number: WO2004052037A2
Application number: PCT/DE2003/003807
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jörg Bittermann; Laurenz PRÜßNER
Original assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
Priority date: 2002-12-02
Filing date: 2003-11-13
Publication date: 2004-06-17
Also published as: WO2004052037A3; DE10257163A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for optimizing the read-out time of data stored on a read-only memory card in a mobile communication terminal. The inventive method is characterized in that when the mobile communication terminal is switched on for the first time the data stored on the read-only memory card are read out and stored in a memory element of the mobile communication terminal. When the data read out from the read-only memory card and stored in a memory element of the mobile communication terminal are accessed, the corresponding memory element of the communication terminal is accessed as long as the read-only memory card is not replaced. When the read-only memory card is replaced, the data stored on the read-only memory card are again read out. The invention also relates to a circuit, for example in a mobile communication terminal, for detecting when the read-only memory card is replaced, which circuit is characterized in that a binary memory unit (2) switches when the condition of a contact (10) in the card reader (1) changes.

Description

description

Process for optimizing the readout time of a fixed memory card and corresponding circuit

The present invention relates to a method for optimizing the readout time of information stored on a read-only memory card in a mobile communication terminal. Furthermore, the present invention comprises a suitable circuit arrangement and a corresponding communication terminal.

It is known that in a GSM communication terminal, information is read from fixed memory cards, the so-called SIM cards (Subscriber Identity Module). A SIM card is located in a specially designed card reader, a SIM card reader, of the corresponding communication terminal. Telephone books or short messages, so-called SMS (Short Message Service), are stored or stored as information on the fixed memory cards. Reading the phone books in a GSM communication terminal takes a very long time after the GSM communication terminal is switched on, since the GSM communication terminal has to operate the interface to the fixed memory card serially and at a low clock rate. The latter can be explained by the fact that SIM memory cards may not be subjected to excessive mechanical stress due to the large number of plug and pull cycles, and accordingly the circuit contact is made by weak contact springs. Since this contact is not too interference-proof electromechanically and the contacts can be contaminated by environmental influences, secure data transfer is only possible at low speeds. Low speeds are expressed, among other things due to low clock rates. The same applies to the reading of short messages, the already mentioned SMS. During this reading-in process, a suitable display, such as an hourglass and / or a note "Please wait" appears on a display of the corresponding communication terminal.

It was therefore an object of the present invention to provide a method and a suitable communication terminal with the aid of which the readout time of information from a read-only memory card is reduced.

The object is achieved by a method according to the invention according to independent claim 1, as well as by a suitable circuit according to claim 8 and a corresponding communication terminal according to claim 9. Further advantageous embodiments are shown in the corresponding subclaims.

According to claim 1, a method for optimizing the readout time of information stored on a read-only memory card is provided in a mobile communication terminal, in which when the mobile communication terminal is switched on for the first time, the information stored on the read-only memory card is read out and stored in a storage element of the mobile communication terminal, when the information read from the fixed memory card and stored in a storage element of the mobile communication terminal is queried for the corresponding storage element of the mobile communication device, is accessed as long as the fixed memory card is not replaced, - when the fixed memory card is replaced, the information stored on the fixed memory card is read out again.

A replacement of the fixed memory card is preferably determined by means of a binary memory unit. For example, an RS flip-flop can be used, which is directly coupled to a card reader of the communication terminal. The RS flip-flop can be used to identify whether a fixed memory card has been removed from the card reader unit and reinserted, i.e. whether the memory card has been replaced. This check can preferably also be carried out when the communication terminal is switched off. When the communication terminal is started, it is checked according to the invention whether the removal of the fixed memory card has taken place or can be safely excluded. If removal can be ruled out, the very slow memory of the fixed memory card does not have to be read out again, since according to the invention the information stored on the fixed memory card is read out for the first time in the communication terminal and stored in a storage element of the mobile communication terminal. When the information read from the read-only memory card is queried, the memory element of the mobile communication terminal is then accessed, which takes place much faster than the renewed access to the read-only memory card.

Accelerating is determined by determining whether a change in the fixed memory card can be safely ruled out the switch-on cycle from about 30 seconds to about 5 seconds.

The method according to the invention is both on GSM fixed memory cards, the already mentioned GSM SIM cards, and on all removable memory cards which are addressed via a serial interface, that is to say also for so-called UMTS SIM cards and memory cards, such as those in MP3 -Player or digital cameras are used, applicable. Furthermore, the method according to the invention can also be used with parallel interfaces, such as, for example, Centronics.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, a contact is provided within a card reading unit of the mobile communication terminal, which contact is in an open or closed state depending on the presence of a fixed memory card. The binary storage unit or the RS flip-flop is connected to the card reader unit in such a way that when the state of the card reader unit changes, the binary memory unit or the RS flip-flop switches. The S input of the RS flip-flop is preferably coupled to or connected to the card reader unit. When the contact closes, the S input of the RS flip-flop is set to a different, preferably higher potential, so that the RS flip-flop is set. This means, for example, that when the permanent memory card is inserted, the contact in the card reader is open. The contact is closed as soon as the fixed memory card is removed from the card reader. The S input of the RS flip-flop then changes from an L level, where L stands for "low", to an H level, where H stands for "high". The RS flip-flop is thereby puts. Alternatively, the RS flip-flop could also work with a negative logic, which means that the RS flip-flop is not set by an H level but an L level. In general, however, it can be stated that the logic level or the voltage changes at the output Q of the RS flip-flop. This voltage change is forwarded within the mobile communication terminal, so that it can be recognized that the fixed memory card has been removed and must now be read out again. If the voltage at the Q output does not change, the read-only memory card is not read out again, but the information is taken from the memory unit in which the information was stored when the read-out memory card was read out for the first time.

In a further preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, when the mobile communication terminal is switched off, the information read from the fixed memory card and stored in a first memory unit of the mobile communication terminal is copied to a second memory unit. When the mobile communication terminal is switched on again, the information copied into the second storage unit is then copied back into the first storage unit if the fixed memory card has not been replaced. The first storage unit is referred to as a so-called random access memory. A so-called flash memory is preferably used in the second memory unit. When the mobile communication terminal is switched off, the information or data stored in the RAM is permanently stored in the flash memory. When the mobile communication terminal is switched on again, the data from the flash memory is copied back into the RAM and queried from there. A GSM device is preferably used as the mobile communication terminal.

Furthermore, the fixed memory card is preferably a SIM card. Telephone books and / or short messages are particularly preferably read out as information. The short messages are the so-called SMS (Short Message Service) that have been received and / or sent by the mobile communication terminal.

Furthermore, the present invention comprises a circuit for optimizing the readout time of information stored on a read-only memory card in a mobile communication terminal, the circuit comprising at least the following elements: a binary storage unit, a card reader connected to the binary storage unit for reading information stored on a read-only memory card , - A voltage source supplying the binary storage unit, wherein a contact arranged in the card reader unit is in an open or a closed state depending on the presence of a fixed memory card in the card reader unit and the card reader unit is connected to the binary memory unit in such a way that in one state - change of contact switches the binary storage element.

As already explained, the binary storage unit is preferably an RS flip-flop.

Furthermore, a mobile communication terminal is provided, in which a circuit according to the invention is integrated , wherein the mobile communication terminal further comprises at least the following components: a control unit connected to the binary storage unit, - a first storage element connected to the control unit for temporarily storing information read from a fixed memory card, a second storage element connected to the control unit for permanently storing off information read out on a non-volatile memory card.

Further advantages of the invention are explained in more detail with reference to the following figures. Show it

1 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a circuit according to the invention integrated in a mobile communication terminal according to the invention;

2 shows a schematic representation of a further embodiment of a circuit according to the invention integrated in a mobile communication terminal according to the invention.

In Figure 1, an embodiment of a circuit according to the invention is shown schematically. After a mobile communication terminal is switched on for the first time, an RS flip-flop 2 with an R and S input and a Q output with an H pulse at the R input is reset. This means that the Q output changes from an H level to an L level. One speaks of reset. This reset or H pulse is within a microcontroller, more precisely one

GSM baseband controller 4 is generated from a port P2. Here, as well as generally, a port is to be understood as an input or output pin in a microcontroller. FER A card reader unit 1 is provided for reading out a fixed memory card, in particular a SIM card. A contact 10 is arranged within the card reader 1. The contact 10 is closed as soon as the SIM card is removed from the card reader 1. The S input of the RS flip-flop 2 is then set to an H potential. The H potential corresponds to the voltage of a battery 7 connected to the card reading unit 1. The RS flip-flop 2 is supplied via a diode 8, the diode 8 preventing a capacitor 9 from being discharged via the battery voltage path if the battery 7 is disconnected becomes. Depending on the current in the RS flip-flop 2, a voltage of approximately 0-0.7 V drops across the diode 8. There is therefore a somewhat lower H potential at the Q output and at an output / Q negated to the Q output. The RS flip-flop 2 is thereby set. Output Q changes the logic level from low to high. The voltage at the output Q of the RS flip-flop 2 is adapted, for example, to a permissible input voltage of the GSM baseband controller 4 using a level converter or converter 3.

When switching on for the first time, for example, telephone books and possibly short messages, so-called SMS, which are stored on the SIM card, are read out of the SIM card by the GSM baseband controller 4 via a SIM interface. The GSM baseband controller 4 then stores this data in a first storage unit 6, namely a RAM. The data is then available with a significantly shorter access time. A second memory unit 5, namely a so-called flash memory, is also connected to the GSM baseband controller 4. The GSM baseband controller 4, the RAM 6 and the flash memory 5 are connected to one another via an address and data bus. As long as the mobile le communication terminal is switched on and the SIM card is not changed, the GSM baseband controller 4 accesses the copies of the SIM phone books or the SMS in RAM 6. Only when a change of the SIM card is determined, the SIM phone books and / or the SMS are read in again via the SIM interface and stored again in the RAM 6. When the mobile communication terminal is switched off, the data from the RAM 6 are permanently stored in the flash memory 5. When the mobile communication terminal is switched on again, the data is copied from the flash memory 5 into the RAM 6 if the SIM card has not been changed in the meantime. If the SIM card has been changed, the data are read out again by the GSM baseband controller 4 via the SIM interface and stored in the RAM 6. The RS flip-flop 2 is then reset with another H pulse at the R input.

When a supply voltage supplied, for example, by a battery 7 is disconnected, the RS flip-flop 2 is still supplied by a capacitor 9 for some time. The time bridged is predetermined by the capacitance of the capacitor 9 used. A diode 8 prevents the capacitor from being discharged via the supply line to the battery 7.

FIG. 2 schematically shows a further embodiment of a circuit according to the invention integrated in a mobile communication terminal. In general, the functional structure is identical to the structure shown in FIG. 1. In order to minimize the number of components as much as possible, in this embodiment the RS flip-flop 2 and the level converter or converter 3 which may be required are integrated into the GSM baseband controller 4.

Claims

claims

1. Method for optimizing the readout time of information stored on a read-only memory card in a mobile communication terminal, in which

when the mobile communication terminal is switched on for the first time, the information stored on the permanent memory card is read out and stored in a storage element of the mobile communication terminal,

when the information read from the fixed memory card and stored in a memory element of the mobile communication terminal is queried, the corresponding memory element of the mobile communication terminal is accessed as long as the fixed memory card is not replaced,

- When the fixed memory card is replaced, the information stored on the fixed memory card is read out again.

Method according to claim 1, so that a change of the fixed memory card is determined by means of a binary memory unit (2).

3. The method according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that - within a card reader (1), a contact (10) is provided, which is in an open or closed state depending on the presence of a memory card, and the binary memory unit (2 ) is connected to the card reader (1) in this way, that when the state of the card reader unit (1) changes, the binary storage unit (2) switches over.

4. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, d a d u r c h g e k e n n z e i c h n e t that

- When the mobile communication terminal is switched off, the information read from the fixed memory card and stored in a first storage unit (6) of the mobile communication terminal is copied into a second storage unit (5),

- When the mobile communication terminal is switched on again, the information copied into the second memory unit (5) is copied back into the first memory unit (6) if the fixed memory card has not been replaced.

5. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, d a d u r c h g e k e n n z e i c h n e t that a GSM device is used as a mobile communication terminal.

6. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, d a d u r c h g e k e n n z e i c h n e t that a SIM card is used as a fixed memory card.

7. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, that data and telephone books and / or short messages are read as information from the fixed memory card.

8. Circuit for optimizing the readout time of information stored on a fixed memory card in one Mobile communication terminal, the circuit comprising at least the following elements: a binary storage unit (2), a card reader unit (1) connected to the binary storage unit (2) for reading information stored on a fixed memory card, and a voltage source supplying the binary storage unit (2) (7), wherein a contact (10) arranged in the card reader unit (1) is in an open or closed state depending on the presence of a fixed memory card in the card reader unit (1) and the card reader unit (1) is connected to the binary memory unit (2 ) is connected that the binary memory element (2) switches when the state of the contact changes.

9. Mobile communication terminal with an integrated circuit according to claim 8, wherein the mobile communication terminal further comprises at least the following components: a control unit (4) connected to the binary storage unit (2), a first storage element (6) connected to the control unit (4) ) for temporarily storing information read from a fixed memory card, a second memory element (5) connected to the control unit (4) for permanently storing information read out from a fixed memory card.