U.S. patent application number 11/556032 was filed with the patent office on 2007-03-15 for subscriber identity module card.
Invention is credited to Adam Boris, Daniel McFarland.
Application Number | 20070060200 11/556032 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35910249 |
Filed Date | 2007-03-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070060200 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Boris; Adam ; et
al. |
March 15, 2007 |
Subscriber Identity Module Card
Abstract
A SIM card for a phone has a first memory partition on which a
phone user identity and phone network access data are stored. A
service usage monitoring application is stored in a memory. The
service usage monitoring application (a) logs information about a
service used via the phone, (b) creates a service usage record for
the service activity based on the information, (c) stores the
service usage record in a buffer, (d) creates a reporting message
containing at least one service usage data record, (e) sends the
reporting message to a remote server at a preset interval based on
a triggered event, and (f) purges the at least one service usage
record from the buffer upon successful transmission of the
reporting message.
Inventors: |
Boris; Adam; (West Chicago,
IL) ; McFarland; Daniel; (Barrington, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SACHNOFF & WEAVER, LTD.
10 SOUTH WACKER DRIVE
CHICAGO
IL
60606-7507
US
|
Family ID: |
35910249 |
Appl. No.: |
11/556032 |
Filed: |
November 2, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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10923479 |
Aug 20, 2004 |
|
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|
11556032 |
Nov 2, 2006 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
455/558 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04W 4/24 20130101; H04M
2215/92 20130101; H04W 8/205 20130101; H04M 2215/2026 20130101;
H04M 2215/32 20130101; H04M 15/30 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
455/558 |
International
Class: |
H04B 1/38 20060101
H04B001/38 |
Claims
1. A Subscriber Identity Module ("SIM") card for a communication
device, comprising: a first memory partition on which a user
identity and network access data are stored; a second memory
partition on which a service usage monitoring application is
stored; wherein the service usage monitoring application is adapted
to: detect and log information about a service utilized via the
wireless device, create a service usage record for the service
based on the information, create a reporting message containing at
least one service usage record, and send the reporting message to a
remote server.
2. The SIM card according to claim 1, wherein the communication
device is at least one of: (i) a GSM cellular phone; (ii) a CDMA
cellular phone; (iii) a personal data assistant; (iv) a wireless
media device; (v) digital cable set-top box; and (vi) a wireless
e-mail device; (vii) Wi-Fi Phone; (viii) Wi-Max Phone; (ix) network
access point.
3. The SIM card according to claim 2, wherein the service usage
monitoring application is further adapted to store the service
usage record in a buffer.
4. The SIM card according to claim 3, wherein the service usage
monitoring application is further adapted to purge the at least one
service usage record from the buffer upon successful transmission
of the reporting message.
5. The SIM card according to claim 4, wherein the service usage
monitoring application is further adapted to send the reporting
message at a preset interval based on a triggered condition.
6. The SIM card according to claim 4, wherein the service usage
monitoring application is further adapted to send the reporting
message using a communication protocol used by the communication
device.
7. The SIM card according to claim 4, wherein the service usage
monitoring application is further adapted to send the reporting
message using a GSM wireless communications protocol selected from
a group consisting of: short message device protocol, general
packet radio service protocol, user datagram protocol, and a
circuit-switched data calling protocol.
8. The SIM card according to claim 1, wherein the service is
selected from a group consisting of: voice calling service,
messaging service, general packet radio service, data transmission
service, execution of a purchase transaction service, downloading
service, streaming media service, location based service, and
picture messaging.
9. The SIM card according to claim 1, wherein the information
includes at least one of: (i) a start time of the service; (ii) a
destination number when a user of the communication device
initiates an outbound service; (iii) type of service; and (iv) a
phone number and an origin number when the user receives an inbound
service.
10. The SIM card according to claim 1, wherein the service usage
monitoring application is further adapted to perform at least one
of: (i) periodically updating a record of a length of the service
during the use of the service; and (ii) logging an end time at the
end of the service.
11. The SIM card according to claim 10, wherein the service usage
monitoring application is further adapted to determine time by
referencing a clock/timer on the communication device.
12. The SIM card according to claim 1, wherein the service usage
monitoring application is implemented using program code stored on
the SIM card.
13. The SIM card according to claim 1, wherein the triggered
condition is based on at least one of: (i) time; (ii) message size;
and (iii) accumulated service usage units count.
14. The SIM card according to claim 1, wherein the SIM card is
further adapted to receive a control message from the remote
server, the control message including parameters to at least one
of: (i) control the service on the communication device; and (ii)
to optimize a reporting frequency of the reporting message.
15. The SIM card according to claim 14, wherein the parameters
include at least one of: (i) a time frequency at which the
reporting message is sent to the remote server; (ii) a message size
threshold to determine when the reporting message is sent; (iii) a
service count limit of the service before the reporting message is
sent; and (iv) a maximum service duration allowed by the SIM
card.
16. The SIM card according to claim 14, wherein the parameters
include an ability to command the SIM card to do at least one of:
(i) immediately send the reporting message; and (ii) set a
transmission time of the reporting message according to a
predefined event.
17. The SIM card according to claim 16, wherein the predefined
event is selected from the group consisting of: power-up,
power-down, occurrence of a predefined error condition,
communication device change of geographic state, and detection of a
user input.
18. The SIM card according to claim 14, wherein the control message
enables or disables a mode of the service, the mode of the service
being selected from the group consisting of: voice calling service,
messaging service, general packet radio service, data transmission
service, execution of a purchase transaction service, downloading
service, streaming media service, location based service, and
picture messaging.
19. The SIM card according to claim 14, wherein at least one of the
control message and the at least one service usage record is
transparent to a user of the communication device.
20. The SIM card according to claim 14, wherein the control message
causes an updating of the service usage monitoring application by
(i) downloading new code libraries to the SIM card; and (ii)
commanding the service usage monitoring application to utilize the
new code libraries and to purge old code libraries.
21. The SIM card according to claim 1, wherein the service usage
monitoring application is further adapted to: (i) interrogate the
communication device to determine if a plurality of predetermined
standards are met by the communication device; and (ii)
invalidating the SIM card if at least one of the plurality of
predetermined standards are not met by the communication
device.
22. The SIM card according to claim 1, wherein access between the
first memory partition and the second memory partition is (i)
secure, (ii) controlled locally, and (iii) limited to pre-selected
SIM elemental files.
23. The SIM card according to claim 14, wherein the control message
shuts off the service on the communication device when a
predetermined service threshold has been met by the communication
device.
24. The SIM card according to claim 14, wherein at least one of the
reporting message and the control message are encrypted.
25. The SIM card according to claim 1, wherein the reporting
message is sent via a communication protocol used by the
communication device.
26. The SIM card according to claim 1, wherein the reporting
message is sent via a CDMA wireless communications protocol
selected from a group consisting of: short message service
protocol, 1xRTT protocol, user datagram protocol, and a
circuit-switched packet data calling protocol.
27. The SIM card according to claim 1, wherein the service is
selected from a group consisting of: voice calling service,
messaging service, general packet radio service, data transmission
service, execution of a purchase transaction service, downloading
service, streaming media service, location based service, and
picture messaging.
28. A Subscriber Identity Module ("SIM") for a communications
device, comprising: a first memory partition on which a user
identity and network access data are stored; a second memory
partition on which a service usage monitoring application is
stored, wherein access between the first memory partition and the
second memory partition is limited to SIM elemental files to
control access to a network; wherein the service usage monitoring
application is adapted to: detect and log information about a
service utilized via the communications device, create a service
usage record for the service based on the information, create a
reporting message containing at least one service usage record, and
send the reporting message to a remote server.
29. The SIM according to claim 28, wherein the service usage
monitoring application is adapted to store the service usage record
in a buffer.
30. The SIM according to claim 29, wherein the service usage
monitoring application is adapted to purge the at least one service
usage record from the buffer upon successful transmission of the
reporting message.
31. The SIM according to claim 28, wherein the service usage
monitoring application is adapted to identify the network used by
the communication device and communicate with the identified
network using appropriate network protocol.
32. The SIM according to claim 28, wherein the network is selected
from a group consisting of: a voice-over-Internet-protocol network;
a GSM network; a DECT network; a TDMA network; or a CDMA
network.
33. The SIM according to claim 28, wherein the service is selected
from a group consisting of: voice calling service, messaging
service, general packet radio service, data calling service,
execution of a purchase transaction service, downloading service,
streaming media service, and picture messaging.
34. The SIM according to claim 28, wherein the service usage
monitoring application is implemented using at least one of: (i)
software; (ii) hardware; and (iii) firmware.
35. The SIM according to claim 28, wherein the service usage
monitoring application is further adapted to: (i) interrogate the
communication device to determine if a plurality of predetermined
standards are met by the communication device; and (ii)
invalidating the SIM card if at least one of the plurality of
predetermined standards are not met by the communication
device.
36. The SIM according to claim 28, wherein the SIM card is further
adapted to receive a control message from the remote server, the
control message including parameters to at least one of: (i)
control the service on the communication device; and (ii) to
optimize a reporting frequency of the reporting message.
37. The SIM according to claim 36, wherein the control message
causes an updating of the service usage monitoring application by
(i) downloading new code libraries to the SIM card; and (ii)
commanding the service usage monitoring application to utilize the
new code libraries and to purge old code libraries.
38. The SIM according to claim 28, wherein the service usage
monitoring application is adapted to send the reporting message to
a remote server at a preset interval based on a triggered
event.
39. A Subscriber Identity Module ("SIM") for a communication
device, comprising a processor readable medium having a user
identity, network access data and service usage monitoring
application stored thereon, wherein the service usage monitoring
application is adapted to: detect and log information about a
service utilized via the wireless device; create a service usage
record for the service based on the information; create a reporting
message containing at least one service usage record; and send the
reporting message to a remote server.
40. The SIM of claim 41, wherein the processor readable medium is
divided into a first partition and a second partition, wherein the
first partition is adapted to store the user identity and network
access data, and the second partition is adapted to store the
service usage monitoring application.
41. The SIM of claim 40, wherein the access between the first
partition and the second partition is limited to SIM elemental
files.
Description
REFERENCE TO PRIOR APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a divisional application of the U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 10/923,479 filed on Aug. 20, 2004 and
entitled "Service Detail Record Application and System" which is
incorporated herein in by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Technical Field
[0003] This invention relates a system and method for actively
monitoring and reporting service usage activity on a wireless
system, and more specifically, to a system for compiling service
usage records for services used on the wireless system and
transmitting the service usage records to a remote server for
processing.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Arts
[0005] There are calling/billing systems in the art. Such systems
typically include a Subscriber Identity Module smart card ("SIM
card") hooked into a cellular telephone, where the SIM cards
contain information personal to the user. Such systems require
specialized software on the cellular telephone, in order for
compilation of call information to occur. For example, in typical
systems, a SIM card for a Global System for Mobile Communications
("GSM") cell phone can only be used with certain GSM cell phones
having the specialized software on the GSM cell phone itself.
[0006] There are also calling/billing systems in the art which
include SIM cards on which a running total is kept of the user's
minutes and rating occurs on the card. Such SIM cards can be for
calling plans where the user pays for minutes and services prior to
using the minutes and services. In such SIM cards, a tariff table
within the SIM card keeps track of the minutes and service and
shuts off service itself when the user's paid minutes and/or
services have been used up. Some of these systems conduct billing
in real-time on the SIM. There are also additional SIM cards in the
art in which complex billing rules are stored on the SIM card
itself. Other calling/billing systems in the art allow the user to
replenish an account (e.g., add minutes and services) during a
call.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] Embodiments of the inventions are directed to a SIM card for
a phone or other wireless device. The SIM card for a phone has a
first memory partition on which a phone user identity and phone
network access data are stored. A service usage monitoring
application is stored in a memory. The service usage monitoring
application (a) logs information about a service used via the
phone, (b) creates a service usage record for the service activity
based on the information, (c) stores the service usage record in a
buffer, (d) creates a reporting message containing at least one
service usage data record, (e) sends the reporting message to a
remote server at a preset interval based on a triggered event, and
(f) purges the at least one service usage record from the buffer
upon successful transmission of the reporting message.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 illustrates a cell phone according to an embodiment
of the invention;
[0009] FIG. 2 illustrates a SIM card according to an embodiment of
the invention;
[0010] FIG. 3 illustrates a diagram of a cellular system according
to an embodiment of the invention;
[0011] FIG. 4A illustrates a service usage monitoring method
implemented by a wireless system according to an embodiment of the
invention;
[0012] FIG. 4B illustrates an alternative call monitoring method
implemented by the cellular system according to an embodiment of
the invention.
[0013] FIG. 4C illustrates a service usage record reporting method
implemented by a wireless system according to an embodiment of the
invention;
[0014] FIG. 4D illustrates a method of disabling the SIM card when
predetermined standards are not met by the phone according to an
embodiment of the invention;
[0015] FIG. 5 illustrates components within a memory partition
according to an embodiment of the invention;
[0016] FIG. 6 illustrates a cell phone for accessing a network
according to an embodiment of the invention;
[0017] FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate a method of remotely controlling
services on a cell phone utilizing a SIM card implementing a
service usage monitoring application according to an embodiment of
the invention; and
[0018] FIG. 8 illustrates a diagram of another cellular system
according to an embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] An embodiment of the invention is directed to a method and
system for compiling information pertaining to service usage made
on a wireless network and transmitting the information via a
wireless network to a Storage and Control Server ("SCS"). The
service usage may be made via cellular telephones on a cellular
network, for example. The cell phones may be GSM cell phones. A
user may have a SIM card that contains personal user account
information such as custom menus, telephone lists, personalized
services, network access and authentication protocols, etc. The SIM
card may also include a memory which stores instructions or unique
software code for a customized service usage monitoring
application. The SIM card may be used with any cell phone compliant
with GSM standards.
[0020] The unique software code for the customized service usage
monitoring application may be located entirely within the SIM card
in a memory partition. Software on the cellular phone itself may be
executed in conjunction with the instructions or code on the SIM
card, but the unique instructions or code are contained entirely
within the SIM card itself so that the SIM card can be moved from
one GSM cellular phone to another GSM cellular phone and the
customized service usage monitoring application may still be
invoked. The customized service usage monitoring application may
periodically send messages to the SCS, the messages containing
details of service usage made via the cellular phone. Services in
the GSM environment may include calling, messaging, use of General
Packet Radio Service ("GPRS"), data calls, purchase transactions,
downloading, streaming media, picture messaging, etc. The service
usage records may be sent using the Short Message Service ("SMS")
format or in any other data format such as GPRS, User Datagram
Protocol ("UDP"), a circuit-switched data calling protocol, or any
other bearer channel available to the wireless phone. For example,
the messages may contain information about the starting time and
stopping time of a call or service, as well as the number and name
of the called and calling parties. The messages may also contain
information relating to an amount of The SCS may contain
information relating to the usage on the user's account to
determine how to charge for services and to decide whether to
activate or terminate service.
[0021] An embodiment of the invention may also be implemented in a
Code Division Multiple Access ("CDMA") environment. In a CDMA
environment, the available services may include, e.g., voice
calling, messaging, Evolution Data Only ("EvDO"), single carrier
(1x) radio transmission technology ("1xRTT"), circuit-switched
data, packet data, etc. The service usage records for an embodiment
in a CDMA environment may be sent using SMS, 1xRTT, UDP, a
circuit-switched data calling protocol, or any other bearer channel
available to the wireless phone.
[0022] As described below, terms such as "cell phone", "cellular
phone", "cellular network", "cellular services" are used to
identify in a generic way any and all wireless common carrier
phones, networks and services irrespective of the technologies
(e.g., GSM, TDMA, CDMA, etc.) and frequencies (e.g., 800 MHz, 1900
MHz, Cellular band, PCS band, etc.) of operation.
[0023] FIG. 1 illustrates a cell phone 100 according to an
embodiment of the invention. The cell phone 100 may be a GSM cell
phone. GSM is a digital cellular phone technology based on Time
Division Multiple Access ("TDMA") that is the predominant system in
Europe, but is also used around the world. Operating in the 900 MHz
and 1.8 GHz bands in Europe and the 850 MHz Cellular band and 1.9
GHz PCS band in the U.S., GSM defines the entire cellular system,
not just the air interface (TDMA, Code Division Multiple Access
("CDMA"), etc.).
[0024] The cell phone 100 includes a SIM card 105 that contains
user account information such as custom menus, telephone lists,
personalized services, network profile information, etc. The SIM
card 105 is tiny computer in the mobile phone 100. It has memory
(for data and applications), a processor and the ability to
interact with the user. Current SIM cards 105 typically have at
least 16 to 64 kb of memory, which provides plenty of room for
storing hundreds of personal phone numbers, text messages and other
value-added services.
[0025] The SIM card 105 provides portability for the user's
personal settings and information. For example, any GSM phone
becomes immediately programmed after plugging in a SIM card 105,
thus allowing GSM phones to be easily rented or borrowed. The
portability also makes it possible for a user to carry a mobile
subscription and data through different types and generations of
GSM phone or to a different GSM phone if the user's GSM phone were
faulty or stopped working for some reason. The interfaces between
the mobile handset and the SIM card 105 are fully standardized and
there are already specifications in place for 3rd generation
handsets and SIM cards 105. Similar standards are also in place for
CDMA handsets and their SIM card interfaces. This application can
be applied similarly in a CDMA or Digital European Corldless
Telephone ("DECT") environment as well.
[0026] GSM also provides a Short Messaging Service ("SMS") that
enables text messages up to 160 characters in length to be sent to
and from a GSM phone. It also supports data transfer at 9.6 Kbps to
packet networks, Integrated Services Digital Network ("ISDN") and
Plain Old Telephone System or Service ("POTS") users. GSM is a
circuit-switched system that divides each 200 kHz channel into
eight time slots.
[0027] General Packet Radio Service ("GPRS") is an enhancement to
the GSM mobile communications system that supports data packets.
GPRS enables continuous flows of IP data packets over the system
for such applications as Web browsing and file transfer. GPRS
differs from GSM's short messaging service (GSM-SMS), which is
limited to 160 bytes in each message (messages may be combined and
reassembled to transfer larger files or messages).
[0028] The cell phone 100 may include a display 110, the SIM card
105, an SMS and GPRS Bearer Capability 115. The display 110 may be
a Liquid Crystal Display ("LCD"). The cell phone 100 may also
include a binary download manager application 120, which may be an
application utilized to download ring tones from a source such as
the Internet. A keypad 130 may be utilized to allow the user to
enter a number to be called, or navigate through a menu on the
display, for example. A menu interface application 125 may provide
an interface between the keypad 130 and the display 110. The cell
phone 100 may also include a wireless Internet browser 135, which
the user may utilize, via the keypad 130 and the display 110, to
access the Internet. A Wireless Application Protocol/Wireless
Instant Messaging ("WAP/WIM") application 140 contains necessary
protocols for wireless data communication and web browsing. A Java
2 Platform, Micro Edition ("J2ME") application 145 contains
necessary instructions and other software to implement the java
within the cell phone 100. The cell phone 100 may include a
processor 150 to control operation of the cell phone 100 and
execute necessary instructions or code to implement the various
services within the cell phone. A memory 155, such as a Random
Access Memory ("RAM"), may store the instructions or code to
implement the various applications. The cell phone 100 may include
an antenna 160 for communication. Finally, the cell phone 100 may
include a clock/timer 165 for keeping time such as, e.g., the time
of day for display on the display 110 and the start and stop time
of a call.
[0029] FIG. 2 illustrates a SIM card 105 according to an embodiment
of the invention. The SIM card 105 may include a processor 200 and
memory devices 205, 215, and 230. Each of the memory devices 205,
215, and 230 may be a Random Access Memory ("RAM"), a flash memory,
or any other suitable type of memory device. Although FIG. 2 shows
three separate memory devices 205, 215, and 230, other embodiments
may include a single memory device where the contents of memories
205, 215, and 230 are separated from each other by partitions.
[0030] Memory device 205 may include information or data specific
to the carrier utilized by the cell phone 100. For example, memory
205 may include GSM user identity and network access data 210 for a
carrier such as Cingular, T*Mobile, or any other wireless
carrier.
[0031] Memory device 215 may include data or program instructions
specific to an operator of a service management system for using a
carrier network. The operator may be the carrier, or it may be a
separate entity. In the event that it is a separate entity, common
access between the contents of memories 205 and 215 is limited to
one or two call control GSM elemental files. This limited access
feature may be included for security purposes. A service usage
monitoring application 220 may be stored within the memory device
215, as well as a personalization parameters 225. The
personalization parameters 225 may include parameters for
determining how often the SIM 105 reports service usage records for
the user. These parameters can include (a) time intervals for
reporting service usage records; (b) the number of service usage
records reported at a time; (c) the amount of data to store in a
buffer prior to transmitting the service usage records; and (d)
specific events triggering the reporting (e.g., at power-up or
power-down of the cell phone 100), etc. Additional parameters
include limits on the length of a call made with the cell phone 100
(inbound calls may also be limited to different time lengths than
outbound calls). The parameters may also specify which services
need to be reported (e.g., if the user has a service plan allowing
unlimited SMS messages, it may not be necessary to send SMS usage
records). The personalization parameters are customizable and may
be dynamically changed at any time by the SCS by sending a message
to the mobile device, even during a call.
[0032] The service usage monitoring application 220 may be a
program which compiles information on all calls or service usage
made by the user of the cell phone 100 and periodically sends the
information to the SCS for processing. The service usage monitoring
application 220 may be designed so that once the information is
sent out from the SIM card 105, it is no longer saved within the
memory device 215. Consequently, the SIM card 105 may utilize a
relatively small memory device 215. The service usage monitoring
application 220 may periodically send the service usage records via
SMS messages.
[0033] Memory device 230 may be utilized to store third-party
applications. Memory device 230 may include a JAVA Virtual Machine
235 and a proactive SIM Application Toolkit ("SAT") 240. The
proactive SAT 240 is a value added SIM service technology, capable
of delivering secure, flexible, user-friendly value added services
on existing networks and handsets. The value added services may be
the display of sports scores, weather information, map directions,
or the user's bank information, for example. The proactive SAT 240
was defined in the GSM 11.14 standard for 2G networks. From release
4 onward, GSM 11.14 is replaced by 3GPP 31.111 which also includes
specifications of a Universal Subscriber Identity Module ("USIM")
Application Toolkit ("USAT") for 3G networks.
[0034] With the development of the SAT 240, the SIM card 105 can be
programmed with applications that appear on the cell phone 100
display 110 as menu items. The SAT 240 is a technology that lets
the SIM card 105 issue commands to the cell phone 100. These
commands range from displaying menus and getting user input, to
sending and receiving SMS messages. The SAT 240 is essential for
implementing security critical applications, since it allows for
custom encryption. The SAT 240 technology is incorporated into many
major mobile telecommunication standards.
[0035] Memory device 230 of the SIM card 105 may also include a
Public Key Infrastructure ("PKI") processor 245 to encrypt data to
be sent out from the SIM card 105. The memory device 230 may also
include an extended SMS protocol application 250, which invokes SMS
protocols for communication.
[0036] The SIM card 105 may also include the processor 200 to
execute code and implement applications stored within the memory
devices 205, 215, and 230.
[0037] Additional embodiments may be implemented without use of a
SIM card 105. Specifically, the service usage monitoring
application 220 described above with respect to FIG. 2, may be
implemented directly by a cell phone 100. Alternatively, the
service usage monitoring application may be implemented by an
alternative device for accessing a network such as a modem, and the
network may be wireless, hard-wired, Voice-Over-Internet-Protocol
("VOIP"), or any other suitable type of network.
[0038] FIG. 6 illustrates a cell phone 100 for accessing a network
according to an embodiment of the invention. The cell phone 610 of
FIG. 6 is similar to the cell phone 100 of FIG. 1, except that cell
phone 600 does not have a SIM card 105, unlike FIG. 1. The memory
615 is also similar to the memory 155. The memory 615 may include
user identity and network access data. The service usage monitoring
application 200 may also be stored on the memory.
[0039] FIG. 3 illustrates a diagram of a cellular system 300
according to an embodiment of the invention. Although only a single
cell phone 100 is shown, in practice this system 300 may be used
with multiple cell phones 100 at any time. When the service usage
monitoring application 220 determines that it is time to send
service usage records to the SCS, it may cause the SIM card 105 to
generate an SMS message containing the service usage records. The
SIM card 105 is in communication with the radio transceiver 160 of
the cell phone 160, and may cause the cell phone to transmit out
the SMS message or messages containing the call records. The SMS
messages are transmitted on the Stand-alone Dedicated Control
Channel ("SDCCH") during an idle state of the cell phone 105. The
SDCCH is used in a GSM system to provide a reliable connection for
signaling. If the user is on a call at the time the SMS messages
are generated, then the SMS messages are transmitted on the Slow
Associated Control Channel ("SACCH"). The SACCH is a GSM signaling
channel that provides a relatively slow signaling connection. The
SACCH is associated with either a traffic or dedicated channel.
[0040] The SMS messages are received by a communication tower 305
and then routed to a Base Transceiver Station ("BTS") 310. The BTS
310 may comprise radio transmission and reception devices and
antennas. The BTS 310 may be in contact with a Base Station
Controller ("BSC") 315 via a "land line" interface. The BSC 315
acts as equipment manager for the radio interface. This may be done
via remote commands to the BTS 310 and the cell phone 100. The BSC
315 may manage more than one BTS 310.
[0041] "Cellular communications" refers to a sub-field of mobile
communications in which the geographical area is sub-divided into
cells. Each cell is handled by a BTS 310. End-user devices (such as
cell phones 100 or vehicle-mounted phones) are called Mobile
Stations ("MS") and they talk to the BTS 310 using an over-the-air
radio interface. This is the only wireless interface in the
cellular system 300 which means it is based on radio communication.
Since the radio frequency spectrum is at a premium, the aim is to
pack as many MSs as possible in a single radio frequency band.
Unlike other radio systems, in cellular communications the MS is
constantly moving through different cells, as the end-user moves
about. This transition from one cell to the other is meant to be
transparent to the end-user. To accomplish this, the MS and BTS 310
perform something called "hand-over." A hand-over involves
seamlessly handing over the MS from one BTS 310 to another, when
the user crosses a cell. Other key entities which are part of the
cellular system 300 include a Mobile services Switching Center
("MSC") 320 which connects the cellular system 300 to external
networks such as the regular phone system, a Home Location Register
("HLR") 325 which contains information about the user and the
current location of the MS, and a Visitor Location Register ("VLR")
330 which contains dynamic information as well as copies of the HLR
325 for MSs currently in the area. The HLR 325 may be in
communication with an authentication center 327 which authenticates
the user.
[0042] The VLR 330 may contain all the subscribers who are
currently visiting within the service area. The HLR 325 may contain
all the subscribers within the provider's home service area.
[0043] The system 300 may utilize a Signal System 7 ("SS7") network
340. SS7 is a protocol used in a public switched telephone system
(the "intelligent network" or "advanced intelligent network") for
setting up calls and providing services. The SS7 network 340 is a
separate signaling network that is used in Class 4 and Class 5
voice switches.
[0044] The SS7 network 340 sets up and tears down the call, handles
all the routing decisions and supports all modern telephony
services such as 800 numbers, call forwarding, caller ID and local
number portability (LNP). The voice switches known as "service
switching points" ("SSPs") query "service control point" ("SCP")
databases using packet switches known as "signal transfer points"
("STPs").
[0045] Accessing databases using a separate signaling network
enables the system to more efficiently obtain static information
such as the services a customer has signed up for and dynamic
information such as ever-changing traffic conditions in the
network. In addition, a voice circuit is not tied up until a
connection is actually made between both parties.
[0046] An International Mobile Equipment Identifier ("IMEI") 337 is
used to uniquely identify the mobile communications device 100 in a
GSM network. The SIM card 105 of cell phone 100 also includes a
unique electronic serial number (a circuit card ID ("CCID")),
circuit card ID). The equipment identity register ("EIR") 337
contains a list of IMEI's for stolen cell phones, for example, so
that when a user tries to use a cell phone 100 having an IMEI on a
banned list, service is not initiated. In other embodiments, the
equipment identity register 337 need not be utilized.
[0047] The Public Switched Telephone Network ("PSTN") 335 is a
worldwide voice telephone network. Once only an analog system, the
heart of most telephone networks today is entirely digital. In the
U.S., most of the remaining analog lines are the ones from your
house or office to the telephone company's central office
("CO").
[0048] The MSC 320 connects a landline PSTN 335 system to the
mobile phone system. The MSC 320 is also responsible for compiling
call information for billing and handing off calls from one cell to
another.
[0049] A Short Message Service Center ("SMSC") 342 allows SMS
messages to be sent to and from the cell phone 100. The SMSC 342
provides an interface enabling effective exchange of large
quantities of text messages (i.e., SMS) between the company, where
it is based, and GSM users. The transfer of SMSs to cell phone 100
users takes place via GSM networks. It allows for sending both text
and graphic messages, such as the operator's logo or picture
messages, and sending ringtones. This interface may be based on a
direct or indirect TCP connection to GSM network operators using
the SM-PP protocol, bi-directional email addressing for SMS
messages, or a direct or indirect SS7 interface to the carrier's
SMSC. An access protocol assigned to a given operator is used for
exchanging messages with the SMSC 342. In its most recent version,
the system also provides for handling multimedia MMS messages. The
cellular system 300 may also include an Over-The-Air ("OTA")
delivery platform 352. OTA is a technology used to communicate
with, download applications to, and manage a SIM card 105 without
being connected physically to the SIM card 105. OTA enables a
Network Operator to introduce new SIM services or to modify the
contents of SIM cards 105 in a rapid and cost-effective way. OTA is
based on client/server architecture where at one end there is an
operator back-end system (customer care, billing system,
application server, etc.) and at the other end there is the SIM
card 105.
[0050] The operator's back-end system sends service requests to an
OTA Gateway 355, which transforms the requests into Short Messages
and sends them onto the SMSC 342 which transmits them to a
subscriber's SIM card 105 in the field. The OTA Gateway 355
receives Service-Requests through a Gateway API that indicates the
actual card to modify/update/activate. In fact, inside the OTA
Gateway 355 there is a card database that indicates for each card,
the SIM vendor, the card's 105 identification number, the
International Mobile Subscriber Identity ("IMSI") and the Mobile
Subscriber ISDN Number ("MSISDN"). The OTA delivery platform 352
may encrypt messages and send them to the SIM card 105, where they
are decrypted.
[0051] The communication between the SCS 362 and the SIM 105 need
not be made through the OTA delivery platform 352. Instead, it may
be made via SMS messages, or any other suitable messaging format
utilizing the SMSC or a direct data bearer channel, such as GPRS
342.
[0052] The service request is then formatted into a message that
can be understood by the recipient SIM card 105. To achieve this,
the OTA Gateway 355 has a set of libraries that contain the formats
to use for each brand of SIM cards 105. The OTA Gateway 355 then
formats the message differently depending on the recipient SIM card
105.
[0053] A formatted message is then sent to the SMSC 342 using the
right set of parameters as described in GSM 03.48. Next, the OTA
Gateway 355 issues as many SMS messages as are required to fulfill
the Service-Request. In this operation, the OTA Gateway 355 is also
responsible for the integrity and security of the process.
[0054] The OTA Delivery Platform 352 also includes subscriber
management tools 357. The subscriber management tools 357 may be
utilized to manage the user's (i.e., the "subscriber's") usage
(e.g., to change permissions or cut off services). The subscriber
management tools 357 may be in communication with a billing system
360. The billing system 360 may also interface between a service
platform within the SCS 362 and a switch manager 365. The switch
manager 365 take orders from the billing system 360 and may have a
function of initializing various communications servers for the
user, such as the HLR 325, SMSC 342. The service platform within
the SCS 362 may contain information about the user of the cell
phone 100, such as, e.g., the user's rating, payment plan, minutes,
and other services such as voicemail, call waiting, etc.
[0055] An advanced billing and rating system 387 within the SCS 362
may be operated and controlled by the carrier or by a separate
entity who receives call records, makes adjustments to the user's
account based on the usage of the wireless services 100. In the
event that the user has already paid for certain services, access
time, or minutes, and the user uses up all available units of
service, the SCS 362 may send a message to the phone or to the
wireless carrier's network interface to suspend services for the
user, which may include the termination of a call in progress. In
other embodiments, the SCS 362 may simply cause the billing system
360 to keep a running total of the amount of services consumed by
the user for the call. The SCS 362 may include a point-to-point SMS
client 367. The point-to-point SMS client 367 may receive the SMS
messages in which service usage records are stored, and may
transmit messages to configure, initialize, or update the SIM
application (i.e., the service usage monitoring application)
control functions 370.
[0056] The service platform implemented by SCS 362 may allow cell
phone 100 management with the ability to reconfigure, query, and
update parameters on the SIM card 105 using SM-PP, OTA, and
point-of-sale SIM card programmers. The service platform
implemented by the SCS 362 may also support self-provisioning and
self-replenishment applications. The architecture may provide the
necessary interfaces to the carrier's provisioning system and
message mailbox, and to the SCS 362.
[0057] The SIM application control tools module 370 on the SCS 362
may receive the SMS messages that were sent by the SIM card 105 and
received by the point-to-point SMS client 367. The SIM application
control tools module 370 may be utilized by the SCS 362 to analyze
and store usage detail records received. The application control
tools module 370 may be configured to only access information
stored within the second memory device 215/second portioned memory
of the SIM card 105, for security purposes.
[0058] The SCS 362 may also include an OTA gateway client 383 which
may communicate with the OTA gateway 355 via the Internet 381. The
SCS 362 may also include a wireless Internet gateway 385 which may
communicate with the OTA gateway 355 via the Internet 381. The
wireless Internet gateway 385 may be in communication with a
Wireless Markup Language ("WML") server 390. The WML server 390 may
communicate with a trusted operator services module 393. The
trusted operator services module 393 may be utilized, e.g., to
provide an interface to allow the user to purchase goods and
provides security for such transactions.
[0059] The service usage monitoring application 220 within the SIM
card 105 is a proactive SIM card application to achieve improved
monitoring of service usage by the wireless device, real time call
control, and customer communications. The service usage monitoring
application 220 is used in combination with a server-based record
processing, storage, and provisioning platform (located within SCS
362). The service usage monitoring application 220 operates by
monitoring and reporting call, SMS, and other communications
activity for a particular cell phone 100 to the SCS 362, which may
be located at a remote site. More specifically, the service usage
monitoring application 220 uses a modified SIM card 105 programmed
to monitor every service usage event, initiated or received by the
cell phone. The service usage monitoring application 220 creates
and stores on the SIM card 105 a record of the call duration for
each call and/or the number of the SMS messages sent or received.
At a predetermined time, the service usage monitoring application
220 causes the information stored on the SIM card to be sent via an
SMS message to the SCS 362.
[0060] FIG. 8 illustrates a diagram of another cellular system
according to an embodiment of the invention. A wireless user device
800 includes a processor 825 in communication with a memory 820.
The memory 820 may store code for the service usage monitoring
application 220 and application data (e.g., for a SIM card 105).
The wireless device 800 may communicate with a wireless services
network 805 via wireless technology-based services (e.g., GSM
Voice, SMS, etc.). The wireless services network 805 may be a
GSM/GPRS/SMS network. The wireless services network 805 may
communicate with the SCS 362 via an interface. The interface (e.g.,
a proprietary interface to a switch manager) may be utilized to
activate and/or suspend a user's services. The SCS 362 may
interface with a network 815. The network 815 may be utilized for
the transport (e.g., via SMS messages) of reports and control
messages to and from the service usage monitoring application 220
and the SCS 362. In some embodiments, the network 815 may be the
same as the wireless services network 805.
[0061] FIG. 4A illustrates a call monitoring method implemented by
the cellular system 300 according to an embodiment of the
invention. First, the service usage monitoring application 220
detects 400 whether a call/service usage has begun. The service
usage monitoring application 220 monitors each call using two
events: "CALL CONNECT" and "CALL DISCONNECT." These events are sent
by the cell phone 100 to the SIM card 105 at call connection and
call disconnection. For each call/service usage monitored, the SIM
card 105 measures the duration by retrieving the handset time at
the beginning and at the end of the call/service, or by using the
available timers on the mobile to determine the length of services
consumed, or by counting service events, such as SMS messages,
transactions, downloads, etc.
[0062] Next, the service usage monitoring application 220 logs 405
the calling number (for inbound calls/services) or the called
number (for outbound calls/services). The service usage monitoring
application 220 then determines 410 the start time of the call or
service--this may be taken from the clock/timer 165. A counter x
may then be initialized 415 to the value "0". At operation 420, the
service usage monitoring application 220 determines 420 whether the
call or service usage has ended. If "no," processing proceeds to
operation 425, where counter x is incremented. If "yes," processing
proceeds to operation 440. At operation 430, the service usage
monitoring application 220 determines whether counter x is equal to
y, a preset threshold value. If "no," processing returns to
operation 420. If "yes," processing proceeds to operation 435,
where the time is retrieved from the clock/timer 165. The reason
for using the counter and retrieving the time during the call is so
that an accurate call/service usage length can be determined in
case there are any unexpected interruptions of power. In other
embodiments, a method where a counter in decremented may be
utilized.
[0063] At the end of each call/service usage, the service usage
monitoring application 220 creates 440 a Usage Detail Record (UDR),
which may include (a) the type of call/service usage (e.g., inbound
or outbound, SMS, GPRS, etc.), (b) the destination address or the
calling/service usage address (depending on the type of
call/service usage), and (c) the duration/count of the call/service
usage. The service usage monitoring application 220 may accumulate
445 the UDRs in a UDR buffer.
[0064] FIG. 4B illustrates an alternative service usage monitoring
method implemented by the UDR application 300 according to an
embodiment of the invention. First, the service usage monitoring
application 220 detects 447 whether a call/service usage has begun.
Next, the service usage monitoring application 220 logs 449 the
calling number (for inbound calls/services) or the called number
(for outbound calls/services). The service usage monitoring
application 220 then determines 451 the start time of the call or
service--this may be taken from the clock/timer 165.
[0065] At operation 453, the service usage monitoring application
220 determines whether the call or service usage has ended. If
"no," processing stays at operation 453. If "yes," processing
proceeds to operation 455, where the end time is retrieved from the
clock/timer 165.
[0066] At the end of each call/service usage, the service usage
monitoring application 220 creates 457 a UDR for the call/service
usage. The service usage monitoring application 220 may then store
the UDR 459 in the UDR buffer.
[0067] FIG. 4C illustrates a UDR reporting method implemented by
the UDR application 300 according to an embodiment of the
invention. First, at a predefined frequency, the service usage
monitoring application 220 creates 465 a UDR message in SMS format,
fills it with the maximum number of UDRs possible, and adds SMS
counters and a security layer. The UDR SMS message is then sent 470
to the SCS 362. The UDR SMS message may be encrypted. The service
usage monitoring application 220 checks 475 for acknowledgement of
receipt. If no acknowledgment is received, processing returns to
operation 470. However, if acknowledgement is received, the
delivered UDR records are purged 480 from the UDR buffer. If the
cell phone 100 is powered-off before the SMS is sent, the service
usage monitoring application 220 attempts to send it again when the
cell phone 100 powers on again.
[0068] The service usage monitoring application 220 also monitors
inbound and, if possible, outbound short messages. This is done by
incrementing an inbound SMS counter and an outbound SMS counter
each time a text message is received or sent.
[0069] The service usage monitoring application 220 monitors
inbound short messages by filtering the modifications made in the
SMS file by the phone. Each time, the phone updates a record in the
SMS file with the status byte set to "Message received by MS from
network; message to be read," the service usage monitoring
application 220 increases the inbound SMS counter by one.
[0070] The service usage monitoring application 220 also monitors
outbound short messages. Each time the user attempts to send an SMS
message, the service usage monitoring application 220 authorizes it
and increments the outbound SMS counter by one. In other
embodiments, this SMS control and reporting need not be
performed.
[0071] The service usage monitoring application 220 may request the
cell phone 100 to disconnect the call or end the service by sending
a refresh command. This will cause the cell phone 100 to run a GSM
session termination procedure and to disconnect any ongoing
calls/services. Subsequently, the cell phone 100 will activate the
SIM card 105 again and start a new session.
[0072] FIG. 4D illustrates a method of disabling the SIM card 105
when predetermined standards are not met by the phone according to
an embodiment of the invention. First, the service usage monitoring
application 220 interrogates 486 the cell phone 100. Next, the
service usage monitoring application 220 determines 488 whether
certain predetermined standards (e.g., SIM call control and SMS
capability) are present. If they are not present, then the service
usage monitoring application disables 490 the SIM card 105. If they
are present, then the SIM card 105 and the cell phone 100 may
function 492 properly.
[0073] The service usage monitoring application 220 may be remotely
controlled by the SCS 362. The SIM card 105 may receive an
encrypted control message from the SCS 362, the control message
including parameters to control the service on the cell phone 100
and optimize a reporting frequency of messages containing the UDR
records. The parameters may include (a) a time frequency at which
the message is sent to the SCS 362; (b) a message size threshold
before the message is sent; (c) a service count limit of services
utilized on the cell phone 100 prior to the reporting messages
being sent; and (d) a maximum call length allowed.
[0074] The parameters may also include an ability to command the
SIM card to immediately send the reporting message(s), and set a
transmission time of the reporting message(s) according to a
predefined event such as power-up and power-down. The control
message can enable or disable various modes of service, such as:
inbound service, outbound service, Short Message Service, voice
service, General Packet Radio Service, transaction service, and
download service. The receipt of the control message and the
transmission of the UDR records may be transparent to a user of the
phone (i.e., the user may not even know that the control message
has been received by the cell phone 100, or that the UDR records
have been transmitted). The control message may cause an updating
of the service usage monitoring application 220 by downloading new
code libraries to the service usage monitoring application 220 and
commanding the service usage monitoring application 220 to utilize
the new code libraries and purge old code libraries.
[0075] FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate an additional method of remotely
controlling services on a cell phone 100 utilizing a SIM card 105
implementing a service usage monitoring application 220 according
to an embodiment of the invention. This method may be implemented
by a processor or computer at the SCS 362. First, method determines
whether a customer activation has been initiated 700. A customer
activation may be initiated by a user using the cell phone 100
having the SIM 105 for the first time, e.g. A command is then sent
705 to the carrier's activation system for activation. Next, the
method determines 710 whether activation has been allowed. If "no,"
processing remains at operation 710. If "yes," processing proceeds
to operation 720. At operation 715, the method determines whether a
new phone message has been received. The new phone message may be
received, e.g., when a new user uses the cell phone 100 for the
first time. At operation 725, the method initiates a product load.
The product load may be initiated where a user has just initiated
service after purchasing a new cell phone 100, or a current user
has added new services. Next, the method determines 730 whether it
is a new activation. If "yes," processing proceeds to operation
720. If "no," processing proceeds to operation 735.
[0076] At operation 720, the method determines whether the product
(i.e., everything required to implements a service on the phone
such as, e.g., software and various parameters associated with the
service) is loaded and the new phone message is received. If "no,"
processing remains at operation 720. If "yes," processing proceeds
to operation 735, where a configuration message is sent to the
service usage monitoring application 220 running on the SIM card
105 of the cell phone 100. The configuration message may be sent in
the SMS format and may be encrypted.
[0077] As shown in FIG. 7B, at operation 740 the method determines
whether a UDR is received by the SCS 362. If "no," processing
remains at operation 740. If "yes," processing proceeds to
operation 745 where error checking and message verification (e.g.,
sych, reconciliation, and enrichment) is performed on the received
UDR. Next, the product limits (e.g., service plan parameters) are
calculated 750. The method then determines 755 whether the user has
exceeded the service plan limits. If "no," processing proceeds to
operation 760 where the method determines whether the product
configuration threshold has been reached. If "yes," and updated
configuration message with parameters is sent 770 to the service
usage monitoring application 220 running on the SIM card 105 of the
cell phone 100. The configuration message may be encrypted. If
"no," processing proceeds to operation 775, and the method waits
775 for additional UDRs to be received, and which point processing
returns to operation 740.
[0078] If at operation 755, the method determines that the service
plan limits have not been exceeded, then processing proceeds to
operations 765 and 780. At operation 765, a configuration message
is sent by the SCS 362 to the service usage monitoring application
220 running on the SIM card 105 of the cell phone 100. The
configuration message may be encrypted. At operation 780, a message
is sent to the carrier to inform that the user's service is to be
suspended. Alternatively (or additionally), a control message may
also be sent to the SIM card 105 to suspend operation locally.
[0079] FIG. 5 illustrates components within the memory 215
according to an embodiment of the invention. The memory 215 may
include an inbound SMS counter 500 to keep a record out the number
of inbound calls. The inbound SMS counter 500 may be a portion of
the memory 215 that is incremented. The memory 215 may include an
outbound SMS counter 505 to keep a record out the number of
outbound calls. The outbound SMS counter 505 may be a portion of
the memory 215 that is incremented. The memory 215 may also include
a UDR buffer 510 in which the UDR records may be stored.
[0080] Although the embodiments described above all pertain to SIM
cards 105 for cellular phone networks, in other embodiments, a
cellular phone and cellular network need not be used. Instead,
e.g., a Voice-Over-Internet-Protocol ("VOIP") network may be
utilized. Other embodiments may also utilize devices other than
cell phones. Such devices may accept SIM cards 105--a wireless data
card is an example of such as device. Generally, such devices may
be communication devices patched over a network. Also, other
devices may also utilize additional networks other than GSM or
CDMA, such as, e.g., DECT, TDMA, or any other SIM wireless network
that accepts a SIM card 105.
[0081] While the description above refers to particular embodiments
of the present invention, it will be understood that many
modifications may be made without departing from the spirit
thereof. The accompanying claims are intended to cover such
modifications as would fall within the true scope and spirit of an
embodiment of the present invention. The presently disclosed
embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as
illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of an embodiment of the
invention being indicated by the appended claims, rather than the
foregoing description, and all changes which come within the
meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore
intended to be embraced therein.
* * * * *