DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0033] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, referring to FIG. 1 , an Intermediate Smart Card (ISC) ( 80 ) is interfaced with a GSM mobile handset ( 30 ). ISC ( 80 ) connects with the GSM 11.11 bus ( 60 ) of handset ( 30 ) and, by utilizing the SIM Toolkit set of commands, i.e., using GSM 11.14 standard commands, interrogates the microprocessor ( 40 ) of the handset ( 30 ) regarding the identification of the mobile network that provides service to the handset ( 30 ). Linking the ISC ( 80 ), or more particularly the microprocessor ( 85 ), to the GSM 11.11 bus ( 60 ) is detailed in commonly owned co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/915,563 by the same inventor, which is incorporated herein by reference for all it teaches. Also, ISC ( 80 ) is prompted each time there is a change with respect to the chosen mobile service provider. ISC ( 80 ) is alerted to any changes in mobile service provider by monitoring signals on the GSM 11.11 bus ( 60 ).

[0034] If the user of handset ( 30 ) is roaming, i.e., traveling outside the coverage area of his or her home network, ISC ( 80 ) determines the location of the user by interpreting data on the bus ( 60 ) and, based on the determined location, a certain part of the memory of the ISC ( 80 ) is made available for the user's information as if the information was stored in his SIM card ( 50 ). For example, the data stored on the ISC can be; i) country dialing codes; ii) service providers (such as embassies, air carriers, etc.); iii) telephone numbers; iv) operating hours; v) e-mail addresses; vi) a list of short codes and their corresponding long numbers; vii) business related telephone numbers, e.g. for the company's offices in the roamed country, etc.

[0035] Also, the information stored within ISC ( 80 ) can be transferred to the SIM card. However, the memory of the ISC is typically larger than the memory on the SIM card and therefore, typically (depending on the SIM card used) not all of the information stored within the ISC can be transferred to the SIM card. Nevertheless, the user device (ISC) is also a personal device, as is the SIM card and, therefore, the ISC can be removed and inserted into another telephone, assuming the new telephone has similar physical dimensions and can accommodate the ISC.

[0036] Reception and storage of the new location information, etc., by the ISC ( 80 ) is possible because ISC ( 80 ) is interfaced to the handset ( 30 ) between the SIM card ( 50 ) and the micro-processor ( 40 ) of the handset ( 30 ). The database stored in the handset can be updated over-the-air (OTA) using the standard OTA GSM capability or by using a special short message service (SMS) message.

[0037] As illustrated in FIG. 2 , in order to provide the OTA update service, a dedicated server ( 210 ) is provided within the mobile network ( 410 ). It should be mentioned that ISC ( 80 ), with a secondary microprocessor ( 85 ), ( FIG. 1 ), can be connected to the GSM 11.11 bus ( 60 ) by using the standard SIM connector ( 70 ), which is the standard connector that the SIM card ( 50 ) is connected to when it is inserted into the handset ( 30 ).

[0038] In order to enable the OTA service for updating the ISC ( 80 ), dedicated server ( 210 ) is preferably connected to the Short Message Service Center (SMSC) ( 430 ), which is part of an overall system in accordance with the present invention. The architecture of the overall system in accordance with the present embodiment includes at least one base station ( 450 ) operable to conduct radio communication with the handsets ( 30 ) and a mobile network ( 410 ). Network ( 410 ) includes Mobile Switching Center (MSC) ( 420 ), SMSC ( 430 ) and the OTA update server ( 210 ), connected to the SMSC ( 430 ).

[0039] The SMS service, one technique by which handset ( 30 ) receives data, makes use of the SMSC ( 430 ), which acts as a store-and-forward system for short messages. The wireless network provides the mechanisms required to find the destination station(s) and transport short messages between the SMSC and wireless stations. The MSC ( 420 ) is the mechanism by which each wireless call entering the network ( 410 ) gets routed to the proper destination handset ( 30 ). Thus, if a standard GSM OTA update of the added microprocessor ( 85 ) is needed, the over-the-air update server ( 210 ) can be connected to the switch for the GSM system, i.e., the MSC ( 420 ).

[0040] FIG. 3 illustrates a mobile communication method in accordance with an embodiment of present invention. In the following description of FIG. 3 , the 4-digit reference numbers refer to the corresponding operation in FIG. 3 , and the 2-digit reference numbers correspond to items in the block diagram of FIG. 1 .

[0041] The ISIC ( 80 ) includes a memory that, e.g., initially contains a database of information, such as telephone numbers, addresses, etc., related to a certain subject, such as tourism, business contacts, leisure travel, etc. ( 1010 ). After ISC ( 80 ) is programmed with the above-mentioned data, it is inserted into, or otherwise interfaced with, a mobile GSM handset ( 30 ) using the GSM 11.11 standard bus that connects the handset's microprocessor ( 40 ) with a standard SIM card ( 50 ). ( 1020 ).

[0042] ISC ( 80 ) interrogates the handset ( 30 ) using GSM toolkit commands (standard GSM 11.14) for the service providing network's identification. ( 1030 ). By analyzing the data returned from the microprocessor ( 40 ) in response to the interrogation, ISC ( 80 ) determines whether the handset ( 30 ) is roaming. ( 1040 ).

[0043] If the handset ( 30 ) is not roaming, ISC ( 80 ) queries the user, by displaying a text message on the display (not shown) of handset ( 30 ), or by some other appropriate means, e.g., audible question, etc., whether he or she wants to obtain telephone numbers for the stored items that are compatible with the user's home network, i.e., numbers that the network can interpret and to which the network can connect the user. ( 1050 ). Step 1050 is useful, for example, when an ISC ( 80 ) card is utilized for home network usage for special occasions having corresponding special telephone numbers for each occasion, e.g., holiday travel deals, major sporting events, like the Olympic games, etc. Thus, in accordance with the present embodiment, all event-relevant telephone numbers are stored in the ISC. If the user does not wish to obtain telephone numbers for his home network, i.e., update the currently stored numbers, the ISC performs nothing further in regard to updating the stored telephone numbers and the process ends. ( 1053 ).

[0044] However, if the user wishes to obtain updated relevant telephone numbers corresponding to his or her home network, the operation proceeds in a similar manner as it would have if the ISC ( 80 ) had determined that the handset was roaming in step ( 1040 ). That is, ISC ( 80 ) displays, on the handset's display, the date of the last update of information in the database of ISC ( 80 ). Displaying data on the display of the handset is performed in accordance with SIM Toolkit commands (GSM 11.14). ( 1055 ).

[0045] After the date of the last update is made known to the user, ISC ( 80 ) queries the user whether he or she would like to update the information database over-the-air. ( 1060 ). If the user responds in the affirmative, by pressing a designated key (not shown) on the handset ( 30 ), or in some other appropriate manner, such as by verbally responding in the affirmative if voice recognition is enabled on the handset, the ISC ( 80 ) is updated over-the-air by the update server ( 210 ). ( 1070 ). Since the over-the-air update server ( 210 ) is located at the premises of the service provider ( 410 ), it might be possible to enable this update to be sent free of charge. Alternatively, each message sent via a telephony network can be a chargeable event. Accordingly, a billing server is responsible for creating CDRs (Call Duration Registration) and then the billing server can create a bill, based on a charging table. The charging table takes into consideration the user who sent the message, to whom the message was sent, and what type of the message it was. Thus it is up to the system operator to decide whether the user is to be charged for OTA related messages. The OTA server can provide the billing server with information for the CDR creation informing that certain messages that were sent at a certain time from a certain user to the OTA server or vise a versa, are update messages. The billing server then analyzes its charging table to determine whether update related messages are free of charge or if they should be charged to the user.

[0046] If the user chooses not to have the ISC ( 80 ) updated over-the-air, by selecting the appropriate key on the handset, etc., or if the user has chosen to update the information over-the-air in step ( 1070 ) and the update process is complete, ISC ( 80 ) simulates the memory of SIM Card ( 50 ). In other words, ISC ( 80 ) provides microprocessor ( 40 ) with updated information as if ISC ( 80 ) were the SIM card. The fact that microprocessor ( 40 ) is receiving data from ISC ( 80 ) instead of from SIM card ( 50 ) is transparent to the microprocessor ( 40 ).

[0047] As a result of using GSM toolkit commands, channeling of data from ISC ( 80 ) instead of from the SIM card ( 50 ) is also transparent to the user. Thus, a request to fetch information, such as telephone numbers, from a SIM card ( 50 ) is actually accomplished by fetching the data from ISC ( 80 ). ( 1080 ). Because the information is updated in accordance with the handset's location, the ISC ( 80 ) provides both time-relevant and location-relevant information to the handset ( 30 ). ( 1090 ).

[0048] Another embodiment in accordance with the present invention will now be described. Referring to FIG. 1 , an ISC ( 80 ) with a microprocessor ( 85 ) corresponding thereto is interfaced between the handset's microprocessor ( 40 ) and the SIM card ( 50 ). Thus, the ISC interfaces with the GSM 11.11 bus ( 60 ) between the dialing device, i.e., microprocessor ( 40 ) and the storage device, i.e., SIM card ( 50 ), or, in other words, between the device that controls the keyboard (not shown) and the device that receives the keyed number, and the SIM card ( 50 ).

[0049] In accordance with this embodiment there are four basic scenarios, as follows:

[0050] 1) A roaming mobile user attempts to key-in a number without a country code;

[0051] 2) A roaming mobile user attempts to dial a stored number that has no country code prefix;

[0052] 3) A mobile user attempts to save a telephone number but does not enter a country code; and

[0053] 4) A roaming mobile user attempts to dial a short-code number, such as “*151”.

[0054] For each of these cases, the present invention provides a method and a device for prompting the user for the country code or an alternative number, while querying the user whether he or she would like to add his or her home country code, roaming country code, alternative number (when short codes are keyed) or any other country code. Because a device in accordance with the invention supports the GSM 11.11 and GSM 11.14 standards, it is possible for ISC ( 80 ) to add to the number, in any of the above-mentioned cases, a prefix of a country code, or suggest to the user dialing an alternative number, without the user being involved in actual keying but only agreeing to the suggestion of the ISC ( 80 ).

[0055] Also, in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention, the user can be queried about the destination country, i.e., the name of the country to which the user is planning to travel, or the name of the country he or she has already traveled to and is presently located. Thus, the user does not have to know the country dialing code for each country. The ISC ( 80 ) stores all country codes within its memory and selects the code corresponding to the country name entered by the user. ISC ( 80 ) can also send the required signals, via GSM bus ( 60 ) to microprocessor ( 40 ) to dial the new number that has the prefix of the country code appended thereto. The addition of the country code can also be done automatically, without any user interference, if the user desires to use the country code of the home country. That is, the code of the country in which the handset was located when the telephone numbers were originally stored in the device.

[0056] An ISC ( 80 ) in accordance with the present invention interrogates the microprocessor ( 40 ) of the handset ( 30 ) to determine whether the user is roaming and prompts the user to enter his or her home country code when dialing a telephone number that was stored while located at the home country, etc. Further, ISC ( 80 ) can be connected to a GSM handset via the SIM Card connector ( 70 ) shown in FIG. 1 .

[0057] FIG. 4 illustrates a mobile communication method in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention, which will now be described. In the following description, the 4-digit reference numbers refer to the corresponding step in FIG. 4 and the 2-digit reference numbers correspond to the block diagram of FIG. 1 . Initially, the user gets the ISC ( 80 ) and inserts it into his GSM phone ( 30 ). ( 2010 ). The user then stores numbers into the memory of his handset ( 30 ) or into the SIM Card ( 50 ). ( 2020 ). ISC ( 80 ) determines whether each entered number has a country code corresponding thereto. ( 2040 ). If an entered number does not have a corresponding country code entered with it, the ISC ( 80 ) prompts the user to enter a country code for that number. ( 2030 ). In accordance with one aspect of the present embodiment, the default is for the ISC ( 80 ) to use the country code of the user's home country. In order to add a country code, the ISC ( 80 ) uses a SIM TOOLKIT command in order to display a list of countries and their corresponding dialing codes. Thus, the user does not have to remember various counties' dialing codes. Furthermore, the user only has to select a country from the displayed list and the ISC ( 80 ) adds the corresponding country code to the entered number. ( 2070 ). Also, the user is queried whether he or she would like to add a country code before the country code is added in step ( 2070 ). ( 2060 ).

[0058] ISC ( 80 ) determines whether the user is roaming. ( 2080 ). If the user is roaming, that is, he or she has left the coverage area of his or her home network, the ISC ( 80 ) determines if a short code has been entered into the handset. ( 2090 ), for example, whether “*151” has been entered, which as discussed above would connect the user to a voicemail retrieval service if the handset were in Israel when it was dialed. The ISC can determine whether a short code has been entered since it monitors the GSM 11.11 bus ( 60 ).

[0059] If a short code has been entered, the ISC ( 80 ) determines whether the short code that was keyed is legal in the network in which the user is located. ( 3000 ). Even if the entered short code is legal in the present network, it is necessary to determine whether the short code has the same functionality as was intended by the user when the short code was entered. ( 3010 ). For example, does the short code have the same result when dialed in the new country, or more specifically, within the new host network, in which the user is presently traveling as it does when dialed in the user's home country.

[0060] If the entered short code has the same functionality, both in the home and visited networks, then no interference by ISC ( 80 ) is required. However, if the keyed short code is not legal in the visited network, as determined in ( 3000 ), or the entered short code does not have the same functionality in the host network as it does in the home network, then the ISC ( 80 ) intervenes and assists the user. In particular, the ISC ( 80 ) translates the entered short code into an MS ISDN number, based on; i) the database stored within the ISC ( 80 ); ii) the home country of the user; and iii) the country the user is roaming in. ( 3020 ).

[0061] By looking up required information in the database stored within ISC ( 80 ), ISC ( 80 ) is able to make the above-described determinations, i.e., whether the keyed short code is valid in the country the user is roaming in, ( 3000 ), whether such a code exists, and more importantly, whether the code, if entered when in a host or visited network, has the same functionality as in the home network, ( 3010 ).

[0062] ISC ( 80 ) further determines whether the user is attempting to connect to a telephone number without a corresponding county code. ( 3030 ). The number to which the user is attempting to connect could have been manually keyed-in by the user or retrieved from the memory of the handset. If the user is attempting to connect to a number without a country code, ISC ( 80 ) queries the user whether he or she would like to add a country code. ( 3050 ).

[0063] If the user does not want to use a country code, for whatever reason, the process is ended. ( 3080 ). However, if the user wishes to use a country code, ISC ( 80 ) uses a SIM Toolkit command to display a list of countries and their associated dialing codes. ( 3060 ). Thus, the user does not have to remember various counties' dialing codes. Furthermore, the user only has to select a country and the ISC ( 80 ) automatically adds the required country code to the number being dialed. ( 3070 ). For instance, ISC ( 80 ) adds the selected country's code to the beginning of the number to be dialed.

[0064] The above description of the preferred embodiments has been given by way of example. From the disclosure given, those skilled in the art will not only understand the present invention and its attendant advantages, but will also find apparent various changes and modifications to the structures and methods disclosed. It is sought, therefore, to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined by the appended claims, and equivalents thereof.