FR2811851A1 - Digital mobile phone has external holder for subscriber identification modules - Google Patents

Abstract

Phone holds two or more memory modules, one being a subscriber identification module for network authorization or authentication. Each module is in continuous electrical communication with other phone components and a switch enables the user to select the modules.

Description

This invention relates to digital portable telephones.

  A conventional mobile phone has a removable identification module for a)

  in the form of a card installed in an internal card holder.

  Such a module, hereinafter referred to as a “subscriber identification module card”, is a user-replaceable module used by a network service commercial entity to ensure the connection of the digital telephone to the network of the commercial entity. . A user can have the subscriber identification module card of a network provider

  as well as the competitor's subscriber identification module card.

  However, in the phones currently on the market, it is difficult to access the card

  to remove it and replace it with another subscriber identification module card.

  This is achievable but, to replace the subscriber identification module card of a network by that of another network in a Nokia digital phone (registered trademark) 2110, for example you must remove the battery, deposit a first external cover and operate an interlocking support to unlock a pivoting support pushed into the release position. The device must still be handled afterwards in order to be able to remove the identification module card

subscriber from his card holder.

  This intervention requires that the phone be disconnected, therefore, if you want to change

  network, you must also disconnect the phone and then reconnect it.

  At present, digital networks are not coextensive; in addition, there are considerable variations in the costs of accessing and using various networks. The possibility of

  selecting a network is therefore of great interest to the user.

  a) when it is within the operating range of a particular network or when it has the 2% possibility of improving the reception of a particular signal, and, alternatively, b) when the tariff for a call in a network differs significantly from that which is applied in

another network.

  Currently, the same phone can access multiple networks but, given the effort required to change the subscriber identification module card, most often, subscribers do not

  have no idea or are unwilling to do so.

  The downside in all of this is that a network provider wishing to actively compete with other network providers may be at a considerable disadvantage because, even if their prices are the best, their network may not be as extensive. and he does

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  therefore cannot persuade a subscriber to use his network because the latter's decision depends on

both access and tariff.

  I propose a solution to this problem. It will be of particular interest to the commercial network provider, whose range of action is not as extensive and will constitute an important advantage [) for users because it will allow them to choose more judiciously without

  implicit difficulties that currently exist.

  According to a provision of this invention, there is provided a portable of the type comprising a subscriber identification module in which are provided at least two subscriber identification modules and switching devices accessible to the user and enabling him to

  select one or the other of these modules.

  It is preferably proposed an external card holder which can be fixed to an existing portable digital telephone and adapted to contain at least two subscriber identification module cards, switching devices allowing access to any of the module cards. subscriber identification cards located in the external card holder and devices electrically connecting this external subscriber identification module card to a detachable subscriber identification module adapter which can be placed inside an existing internal subscriber identification module card holder for the digital mobile phone. According to another arrangement, the invention resides in a digital portable telephone of the type provided with a subscriber identification module card withdrawable by the user and located in an internal card holder and characterized in that at inside the internal subscriber identification module card holder, a detachable card provided with electrical contacts reproduces any subscriber identification module card which may be there and is provided with electrical connections ensuring the electrical connection in telephone and having a patch cord for each subscriber identification module connection. This wire extends outside the body of the mobile phone to an external subscriber identification module card holder which can contain at least two subscriber identification module cards each provided with electrical connections for their connection to the corresponding connection wires connected to the detachable card; a switch makes it possible to switch the effective active connection from one of the subscriber identification module cards from the external card holder to

  a second card located in the same external card holder.

  According to another arrangement, this invention resides in a digital portable telephone of the type provided with a subscriber identification module card withdrawable by the user and located in an internal subscriber identification module card holder, a detachable card provided with a connecting wire for each connection of subscriber identification module contained in the card holder, this wire being able to extend outside the body of the mobile telephone up to a card holder external subscriber identification module attached to the telephone casing, this

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  external subscriber identification module card holder which may contain at least two subscriber identification module cards, each provided with electrical connections connected to the corresponding card connection wires connected to the detachable card, and provided with '' a switch allowing the effective active connection of the wires to pass from a first i module module (subscriber dentification located in the external card holder to a second

  card located in this same care box.

  One of the difficulties of such an arrangement, however, is to provide such electrical connections, from the internal parts of the telephone to a module card holder.

external subscriber identification.

  I have carefully studied all the digital mobile phones available on the market today and have concluded that, in each case, the connection can be ensured using very fine wires - less than 0.3 mm thick in some cases - and routing them under the covers and along the corners to an external subscriber identification card holder. The external subscriber identification module card holder preferably adheres adequately to the body of an existing digital telephone and the switch is preferably a

mechanical switch.

  In addition and preferably, one can also provide inside the external card holder a memory accessible electronically and in this memory programmed software which confers

  additional functionality to the digital mobile phone.

  It is preferably proposed, for example, that, via its connections to the digital telephone, such logic determines the best network connection to use and the cost of the communication. In this case, we offer the additional functionality of an electronic switch actuated by logic which saves the user of the telephone from having to choose himself a network and who chooses this network according to tariffs or signal quality, depending on who there

would have been scheduled.

  In addition, additional memory can be provided for recording audio signals and any number of additional functions which can be incorporated therein.

  or connected to the external module to add to the functions of the digital telephone.

  In addition, provision is preferably made for the connecting wires of the detachable card to be assembled into a flexible integrated circuit card consisting of a substrate, a conductive track for

  each circuit of the substrate and a covering coating.

  The substrate is preferably made of a polyester plastic material.

  The conductive tracks are preferably made of copper with gold contact surfaces.

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  From all this it appears that the preferred solution is a digital portable telephone of the type using a subscriber identification module, the improvement consisting of a card holder fixed to the outside on the housing and being able to contain at least two modules subscriber identification easily selectable by means of a switch for use with the

same telephone.

  In addition, flexible circuits are preferably provided which can be used to connect the internal electrical contacts conventionally used by the telephone for reading the subscriber identification module and which can slide through the openings existing automatically between the sheaths. protect the phone in accordance with the required manufacturing tolerances, which allows external subscriber identification modules to be connected without wearing

  prejudice to the guarantees of the manufacturer of the telephone whatever it is.

  According to another arrangement, this invention provides a digital portable telephone of the type requiring a subscriber identification module to establish the authorization and / or validation of a network, the telephone being characterized in that it can accept at least two memory modules, at least one of them being a subscriber identification module for network authorization and / or validation, and each containing a memory enabling it to remain in continuous electrical communication with the other functional components of the telephone, and of switching devices permanently accessible by the user and adapted to allow him to select one, several or all of the modules or parts of modules, and further comprising a memory accessible electronically and in this memory software programmed to give the digital mobile phone additional functionality. Preferably, the electronically accessible memory and the programmed software are provided, at least partially, by a module accessible by magnetic interconnection. Preferably, at least one of the modules is such that the inclusion of a module will activate a switching which

  will connect to other functional components of the phone.

  According to another arrangement, this invention provides a digital portable telephone of the type provided with a subscriber identification module, the telephone containing the devices making it possible to house at least two subscriber identification modules in an arrangement allowing each subscriber identification module to be maintained in electrical communication with functional components of the telephone, and switching devices accessible by or to the user and adapted to enable him to select one, more or all of the memory modules and o are provided, in at least one of the selections, the means of containing a subscriber module or other device built in by the user and accessible devices with logic for other functionalities, such logic determining by means of its connections the best network connection to use and the

best rate.

  s 2811851 According to another arrangement, this invention provides a portable digital telephone of the type provided with a subscriber identification module, the telephone containing devices allowing to contain at least two subscriber identification modules in an arrangement allowing each subscriber identification module to remain in electrical communication with coifx) Functional doors (of the telephone, and switching devices accessible to the user and adapted to allow the user to make a selection with devices user-built-in with additional memory with additional functionality that is incorporated inside or connected to the module

  external to add to the functions of the digital telephone.

  o O To better understand this invention, it will now be described with reference to preferred embodiments which will be described by following attached drawings: Figure 1: perspective view of a digital telephone according to a first embodiment o battery and card holder SIM are removed and with a conductive track moving towards a switch located on the upper part of the telephone, Figure 2: perspective view of the upper part of the telephone illustrated in Figure 1, Figure 3: other perspective view of the part top of the phone illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, where the switch has moved from a first position to a second position and where the battery is in place, Figure 4: another view of the telephone illustrated in Figures 1, 2 and 3 according to the first embodiment, Figure 5: perspective view of a second telephone according to a second embodiment, subscriber identification module cover (card SIM) open, battery removed, and track starting from a detachable card which replaces a subscriber identification module, Figure 6: view of the same telephone in the same position as that illustrated in Figure 5, but o a wire detachable card connector is fully illustrated, profile of

dotted phone.

  Figure 7: view of the phone illustrated in Figures 5 and 6 with, however, a SIM card holder in the open position, ready to receive a detachable card replacing a SIM card before housing the connecting wire of said card on the track leading to a

  external switch attached to the phone.

  FIG. 8: perspective view of a third embodiment where the battery is removed to facilitate viewing of the functionalities and where a switch is attached to the back of the telephone and in this case connected to the subscriber identification module,

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  Figure 9: transverse view according to a fourth embodiment where the internal parts of the telephone are hatched where there are actually functional electronic components of the telephone which have no direct connection with the invention; this figure shows the path of a flexible track, Figure 1 (0: transverse view, similar to Figure 9, of another phone in which the battery is also connected but where the internal components of the battery are

hatched for simplicity.

  Figure 1 1: schematic transverse view of the m (embodiment shown in Figure 8, Figure 12: perspective view of another embodiment where the switch is connected to the lever cover of a telephone and where the track is connected by means of a flexible connection, Figure 13: another view of the telephone illustrated in Figure 12, Figure 14: plan view of a flexible track in a typical arrangement, Figure 15: perspective view of the arrangement of the track illustrated in Figure 14, Figure 16: transverse view along the lines of 16, Figure 17: exploded view of the components of the switching device which connects to a track of flexible connecting wires, Figure 18: transverse view of the assembled switching device including the exploded view is illustrated in FIG. 17, FIG. 19: opposite transverse view of the switch illustrated in FIG. 18, and FIG. 20: elevation of the end of the switch illustrated in FIGS. 18 and 19 and in exploded view at Figure 17, If we now refer in detail to the drawings and in particular to Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4, this first telephone is typical of digital telephones currently manufactured, with control buttons in 2 on its front side, d '' a microphone in 3, a sound output in 4 and

a visual display in 5.

  On the back of this telephone are provided the means for attaching a subscriber identification module which uniquely identifies a subscriber to the provider of a digital communications service. In this case, battery removed as illustrated in FIG. 1, a flexible initially flat track 6 is assembled so as to receive a polyester substrate, a track deposited in a channel etched inside the polyester substrate to ensure its conduction. and, above, a

  coated in polyester plastic also.

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  The reason for this choice is to make the material flexible enough so that it can follow very closely the relatively tortuous path required to provide the detachable card 7 with the electrical wire connections, running along corners such as 8, 9, 10 and 1l 1 while adhering well to the surface of the material on which they pass and, secondly, so that it is sufficiently thin so as not to interfere with the interconnected components which, if not, will have to be replaced.

  The track also passes, diagonally, from one linear direction to another in 12.

  Finally, the track connects to switch 13.

  Switch 13 has the capacity to contain two subscriber identification modules. By changing the xposition of the switch 13, as from (1) to (2), the effective active electrical connections established by the detachable card 7 will therefore be effectively modified. We will now see that the fixing of such an electrically conductive track to the telephone I will allow the user to choose at least one of the two subscriber identification modules with ease. It is not even necessary to disconnect the phone to do this and the user can therefore quickly check whether the required service is offered by one or other of the

  providers with SIM cards in place.

  In addition, since the electrical track has an approximate total thickness of six thousandths of an inch (which can vary between four thousandths of an inch and eight thousandths of an inch) it does not interfere in any of the cases established so far with any of the interlocking parts mechanical to be reconnected later, neither the protective plate nor the battery connection of any existing mobile phone. I will now consider other phones and examples of track forms that are effective but we will see that as a general rule, any digital phone available on the market and using a subscriber identification module can be suitably modified to

  exploit this advantageous functionality.

  Let us examine for example the embodiment illustrated in Figures 5, 6 and 7. In this case, the telephone (14) is of a type provided with a separate compartment for the SIM card, compartment

  which can only be opened after removing the battery.

  The compartment (15) is therefore accessed by sliding a cover 16 which, in Figure 5 by

  example and in Figure 7, is shown in the open position.

  A subscriber identification module is intended to be housed in a card holder (17), itself

swivel at 18.

  Therefore, according to this embodiment, a detachable card (18) is inserted in the SIM card holder (17) in such a way that the electrical contacts (19) will engage the connectors

  corresponding electrical components of the telephone (20).

  8 2811851 l The thin pistc, also approximately six thousandths of an inch thick and made up of two layers of polyester plastic material, is delicately shaped to be placed on the back of the card holder (17) then routed out of the compartment over a ledge (21)

to a switch (22).

  In this case also, the electrical connections of the detachable SIM card can be

  connected to a separate and therefore easily accessible switching device (22).

  In this case, the track also adheres to an external surface of the phone body to

ensure its protection.

  The drawing of Figure 8 illustrates a third embodiment, a model of the most recent digital telephone, battery removed, and showing a detachable electric card (23) held in position by a sliding latch (24); in this case, the electrical connections are routed as shown in 24 and run along the outer surfaces of the body until they reach the switch (25); the latter includes a visual window (26) to indicate which of the two SIM cards has been selected. A switching element at the end

  is provided (27) for switching.

  In this case also, the track 24 adheres to the surface of the telephone and, given its thin thickness and its material structure, namely its substrate and its polyester plastic coating, it can closely follow the corners of the track whose radius curvature is very small without breaking. The track is glued to the surface of the phone case to provide long-term stability and mechanical support. In this case, a protective coating is also applied to the

  track and box on each side of the track.

  Figure 9 illustrates in a somewhat schematic way how the runway is routed

  between the detachable card (28) and the switch (29).

  The card (28) is placed in such a way that its conductive face is electrically connected to connectors such as 30; the track of the conductive layers then extends up to 31 as illustrated until it reaches the switching device 29 where the track itself is folded in the form of a circuit to allow the opposite electronic parts of the identification modules d '' subscriber, illustrated in 32 in one case and 33 in the other, to be in

  each case accessible to be electrically connected to the track.

  This is also illustrated in Figure 10 o the track goes from a detachable card (35) to a switch device (36), two subscriber identification modules at 37 and 38 being adapted

  to be in electrical contact with their effective active connections.

  Another example is illustrated in Figure 11 where again, the track (39) very closely follows an external shape of the body of the telephone (40); note that the hatching is purely schematic. In this case also, it can be seen that the battery (41) is well disengaged from the

track (42 and 39).

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  Here, the pistc is also of a total thickness of six thousandths of an inch and the tolerance or the play between the elements to be coupled such as the battery and the case allows an even thickness

  larger without effective interference forcing it to reconsider its location.

  [In switch is provided. here also ren 43, with the identification modules of abo) born in 44 and 45. It has a detachable card (46). Let us now examine Figures 12 and 13 which differ in that they illustrate a mode

  of implementation applicable to a 'lever telephone'.

  This case provides a cover (47) which can be opened to reveal a block of keys and also to

provide a microphone position.

  In this case, however, a switch device (48) can be placed on the outer surface of the cover (47) and a flexible track (49) can be connected to the cover (47) without being bonded thereto. The track thus constitutes a flexible hinge with a larger radius, which means that the track, which is only six thousandths of an inch thick, supports hinge movements.

repeated without tiring the metal.

  Connecting the track to an appropriate subscriber identification module provided by the

manufacturer is not shown.

  Figure 12 illustrates the fact that, in this case, the subscriber identification module is larger, comparable to that of a conventional credit card (50), operating

  however in the same way as in the applications described above.

  Let us now examine Figures 14 and 15. These Figures specifically illustrate a typical track consisting of a double rolling of polyester plastic materials and a track

copper inlaid.

  At the location of the detachable card (51) are provided typical electrical contact points (52 and 53) which are also coated with a suitable durable material such as gold

  or iridium and which are left open for electrical contact.

  At the level of the switch, contact with the respective subscriber identification modules is ensured by folding the track, itself provided with two sets of electrical contactors illustrated at 54 in one case and 55 in the other. The circuit contains breaks (56) which allow, for example, the electrical contactor to connect either to the connector connectors (58) in a case or to the connectors (59) for connection to the contactors.

(58) in the other.

  This operation is illustrated more generally in Figure 17.

  Thus, as shown in Figure 17, a track (60) is folded generally in an 'S' shape so that there are switch connectors on top (61, 62 and 63) and that two modules subscriber identification (64 and 65) can each fit into a slot (66) of

2811851

  so that the two upper and lower sides of the two S [M cards have

  Electrically open contact surfaces.

  An electrical contact plate (67) is retained under the pressure of a foam pad (68) inside the operating plate (69) of the switch and so that the respective electrical connections bridge the bridge between the contacts 61 and 62 in one case; or 62 and 63

  in the other case, thus activating the connection of modules 64 or 65 respectively.

  A housing (71) and a cover (72) allow all these parts to be brought together. A cross-sectional view of the assembled switch is illustrated in Figures 18 and 19; it can be seen that the track (60) is tightly folded back on itself (73), thereby providing an upper surface through which the electrical connections (67) can contact and bridge the appropriate contact surfaces.

  This illustrates how the invention can be implemented in various modes.

  This description shows that all the portable digital phones available on the

  market can be very effectively equipped with means to significantly improve and at will the user's access to alternative providers. Such a modification can be prepared and provided inexpensively and easily installed by suitable personnel. It does not in any way detract from the pleasure of using the telephone, nor does it detract from the size or location of the digital portable telephones available at

the current time.

  Plastic lids of conventional manufacture have openings of sufficient size to allow the passage of an electric track; this allows connections to be made which are in no way dependent on the manufacturer's agreement as they do not risk

  damage the internal electrical components and challenge the warranties.

  2.ó 2 5 This is at the same time a significant advantage for the consumer who can extend the functions of his telephone simply and inexpensively thanks to the easy access of a

  alternative SIM card and other logical connections.

he

Claims (12)

  1. Portable digital telephone of the type provided with a subscriber identification module characterized in that it comprises at least two subscriber identification modules and switching devices accessible to the user and adapted so that the user can   choose one or other of the modules.   2. Portable digital telephone, characterized in that it comprises an external card holder which can be fixed to the telephone and adapted to contain at least two subscriber identification module cards, switching devices allowing access to a any of the subscriber identification module cards housed in this external card holder and the means of connecting such an external subscriber identification module card electrically to a subscriber identification module connector adapter located inside the existing internal subscriber identification module card holder portable digital.   3. Portable digital telephone of the type provided with a subscriber identification module card detachable by the user placed in an internal card holder characterized by the presence in this card holder of an internal subscriber identification module card a detachable card replacing a subscriber identification module and connected to electrical connections ensuring the electrical connection of the subscriber identification module card to the telephone and comprising a connecting wire for each connection of the subscriber identification, the   connection wire extending from the outside of the mobile phone body to a holder   external subscriber identification module card, the external subscriber identification module card holder being adapted to contain at least two subscriber identification module cards, the electrical connections of each being connected to the corresponding connection wires connected to the connection wire and comprising a switch making it possible to switch the effective active connection of the connection wires from a first of the subscriber identification module cards contained in the external card holder to a second or other card   subscriber identification module contained in the external card holder.   4. Portable digital telephone of the type provided with a subscriber identification module card removable by the user inside an internal subscriber identification module card holder, characterized in that it has a detachable card with a connecting wire for each subscriber identification module combination inside the card holder, the connecting wire being adapted to extend on the outside of the body of the mobile phone up to to a subscriber identification module card holder fixed to the telephone case, the abductor identification module card holder being adapted to contain at least two abomlné identification module cards each having electrical connections connected to the corresponding connection wires connected to the connection wire and comprising a switch enabling the effective active connection of the connection wires to pass from a first of the abo identification module cards data contained in the external card holder to a second or other subscriber identification module card contained in the external card holder. 5. Portable digital telephone of the type provided with a subscriber identification module card removable by the user inside an internal subscriber identification module card holder, characterized by the presence at the inside of the internal subscriber identification module card holder of a detachable card provided with electrical contacts reproducing any internal subscriber identification module card holder card which may be there and connected to electrical connections ensuring the electrical connection in the telephone and having a connecting wire for each connection of subscriber identification module, the connecting wire in this case extending on the outside of the body of the mobile telephone to a external subscriber identification module card holder, this external subscriber identification module card holder being adapted to contain at least two subscriber identification module cards each having connections electrics connected to the connection wires connected to the detachable card and comprising a switch making it possible to switch the effective active connection from one of the subscriber identification module cards contained in the external card holder to a second of the module cards Identification   subscriber contained in the external card holder.   6. portable digital telephone according to any one of claims 2 to 5,   further characterized by the fact that the connecting wires together constitute a flexible impregnated circuit board consisting of a substrate, of a conductive track posed for each circuit on   the substrate and a coating.   7. portable digital telephone according to any one of claims 2 to 6,   further characterized by the fact that the connecting wires together constitute a flexible integrated circuit card consisting of a polyester plastic substrate, of a conductive track laid   for each circuit on the substrate and a polyester plastic covering coating.   8. Portable digital telephone of the type requiring a subscriber identification module to establish the authorization and / or validation of a network, characterized in that it can accept at least two memory modules, one of them, at a minimum, being a subscriber identification module for network authorization and / or validation, each containing a memory allowing it to remain in continuous electrical communication with other functional components of the telephone, and of the devices permanently accessible by the user and adapted to allow him to select one, more or all of the modules or parts of modules, and further comprising a memory accessible electronically and in this memory software programmed to confer on the telephone   portable digital additional features.   9. Portable digital telephone according to claim 8, further characterized in that the electronically accessible memory and the programmed software are provided, at least   partially, by a module accessible by means of a magnetic interconnection.   10. Portable digital telephone according to claim 9, further characterized in that at least one of the modules is such that the inclusion of a module will activate a switching which   will connect to other functional components of the phone.   11. Portable digital telephone of the type provided with a subscriber identification module, characterized in that it is provided with devices making it possible to house at least two memory subscriber identification modules in an arrangement which allows each of the modules to be maintained in electrical communication with the functional components of the telephone, and of switching devices accessible by or to the user and adapted to enable him to select one, several or all modules with memory and where provided, in at least one of the selections, the devices permitting to house a subscriber module or another device which can be built in by the user and devices accessible with logic for other functionalities, such logic determining via its connections to the digital telephone   best network connection to use and the best rate.   12. Portable digital telephone of the type provided with a subscriber identification module, characterized in that it comprises devices making it possible to house at least two subscriber identification modules in an arrangement which allows each module to subscriber identification to remain in electrical communication with the functional components of the telephone, and of switching devices accessible to the user and adapted to allow selection by the user with devices built in by the user with an additional memory having additional functionality incorporated inside or   connected to the external module to add to the functions of the digital telephone.