Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02552480 2006-07-19
CELL PHONE FEATURE FOR DOWNLOADING INFORMATION VIA A
TELECOMMUNICATIONS NETWORK
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Patent Application No.
10/405,348,
filed April 1, 2003, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No.
60/369,431, filed April 2, 2002.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to cell phones with memory, and to a method
and
apparatus for safeguarding the private, owner information entered into the
cell phone memory,
and to the use of a telecommunications network to remotely erase cell phone
memory. The
present invention is also directed at obtaining information (e.g. e-mail
address, instant
messaging address, mailing address, etc.) associated with the name of a person
or entity, by
dialing a directory assistance number on a cellular communications network.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Modern telecommunications networks include mobile stations, such as cell
phones,
which utilize a SMARTCARD which includes a SIM (subscriber identity module).
The
SIM's have a memory chip that contains data such as the identity of the card
holder (i.e., the
service subscriber), billing information, and home location. When a cell phone
user places a
call, the SIM communicates the unique SIM code to the network. The network
checks to see
if the SIM code owner is a current subscriber to the network service, often by
matching the
SIM code with a list of authorized SIM codes. This authentication, or matching
of SIM
codes generally precedes all other network communication with the cell phone.
SMARTCARDS were developed to allow cell phone activities other than simple
telephone calls. The SMARTCARD can contain microprocessors for, e.g.,
transaction
management data encryption and user authentication. The SMARTCARD or the SIM
may
include subscriber entered telephone numbers and other valuable information.
Theft of the
CA 02552480 2006-07-19
phone places this valuable information in the hands of others. In fact, the
loss of the phone is
probably less important than the loss of the valuable information contained
therein. This is
especially true for the new cell phones which now access the Internet, and for
cell phones
coupled with handheld computing devices which browse the Internet, store Power
Point
presentations, and do rudimentary word processing, as well as scheduling
appointments and
maintaining expense accounts.
Many security features have been developed for cell phones. Most of these are
related
to prevention of theft of communication services by permanently disabling a
stolen phone,
temporarily disabling a phone for which the subscriber is in arrears, or
blocking calls to
geographical regions which are not part of the subscriber's contract.
U.S. Patent No. 5,898,783 discloses a telecommunications network with
disabling
circuitry which can disable the SMARTARD of the cell phone of a particular
subscriber.
The disable command can permanently incapacitate the SMARTCARD by destroying
the
power connection for the logic circuitry, or temporarily incapacitate the
logic circuitry by
erasing the memory within the card. According to this patent, the numbers of
stolen phones
can be reported to the network and entered into a database which is searched
when any cell
phone requests service, and a disable command or signal returned to the cell
phone if its
number is in the disable database. In the present invention, the subscriber
erases the memory
containing the private information without the additional steps and
involvement of the
network, giving the subscriber greater freedom and opportunity to safeguard
their private
information.
U.S. Patent No. 5,734,978 describes a telecommunications system having a
manufacturer preset destruct code stored in each cell phone. When a subscriber
reports a
phone stolen, the network's base station controller initiates a destruct
program, using the
destruct code. The destruct code destroys the data necessary for performing
the telephone
functions, but not the private data.
2
CA 02552480 2006-07-19
U.S. Patent No. 6,259,908 describes a cellular phone system in which a locking
code on
a particular cell phone may be erased by means of a message transmitted
through the cell
phone system, but may not be erased or changed using the keyboard features of
that phone.
This arrangement has particular usefulness in a designated cellular system
with
many units, such as a communications network for the fire department of a
large city. To set
up or reconfigure the network, the entire network must be activated and the
individual units
(cell phones) assigned a particular number. According to the patent, all
phones on the system
have a locking code to prevent theft communications on the network until all
units are
assigned. This is a subscriber system approach to preventing theft of service
of the
communications system, and does not relate to the privacy of data of
individual subscribers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to safeguard the private data entered
into a cell
phone by its owner, by permitting the owner to erase or destroy that data
using an on-air signal.
According to the present invention the memory chip of a cellular phone on
which private data
is recorded may be provided with an erase means. This erase means could
comprise a fuse,
switch, or similar device in a disable, or erase, circuit. The erase means
executes an erase
command on receiving an on-air erase code which matches the erase code preset
by the owner.
If the mobile phone is lost or stolen, the owner need only call the telephone
number of the lost
or stolen phone and enter the erase code. The private data will be erased.
Thus, the owner can
protect the phone numbers and the addresses of family, friends and associates
If the owner
believes the phone has been misplaced, he can destroy the private information
without
disabling the telephone features, should the missing phone be found.
It is also an object of the present invention to maintain the privacy and
integrity of the
cell phone owner's data, as well as to facilitate its transfer to a new cell
phone. The integrity of
the private data can be maintained with a novel recharging cradle or station.
According to the
present invention, the cell phone recharging cradle or station may incorporate
a slot for a
memory device, such as a PCMCIA card, which communicates with a phone docked
in the
cradle. Every time the phone is placed in the cradle for recharging the PCMCIA
card does a
check sum of the phone's memory. If numbers or other data have been entered
into the phone,
3
CA 02552480 2006-07-19
the card downloads that information so that the card is always updated. When a
new phone is
charged in the base station, the check sum is started, and all private data
entered into the
previous phone is automatically uploaded into your new phone. Using this
system, if the user
does not want anyone else to have access to their numbers they may simply
remove the
PCMCIA card from the phone. Also, a backup card can be easily carried in a
wallet, when
traveling.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide a method of obtaining
information
associated with the name of a person or entity via a cellular network.
According to this aspect of
the invention, a user of a mobile telecommunications apparatus dials a
directory assistance
telephone number and requests information associated with a name of a person
or entity from a
wireless network operating center. Upon receiving the request for information,
an operator at the
wireless network operating center uses the name of the person or entity to
retrieve information
associated with the person or entity from an information database. As
explained in more detail,
the information retrieved from the information database may include one or
more of the
following: telephone and/or facsimile numbers, mailing addresses, instant
messaging addresses,
maps and/or directions, digital photos, digital video, etc. After retrieving
the information from
the information database, the wireless network operating center transmits a
data message (e.g. a
text message) containing the retrieved information to the mobile
communications device. The
information received by the mobile telecommunications apparatus is then
allowed to
permanently store the information, e.g., in the form of a virtual business
card ("ward").
These objects, as well as other objects which will become apparent from the
discussion
that follows are achieved, in accordance with the present invention which
comprises a cell
phone programmable memory chip with erase means; a recharging cradle with slot
for, e.g., a
PCMCIA card, which can upload data from, or download data into, a cell phone
docked
therein; and a cell phone apparatus with a) first memory for storing the
unique identification
numbers of the apparatus b) transmitting/reception means for transmitting and
receiving a call
in accordance with said identification numbers, c) an EEPROM with a
programmable data base
for data, and a predetermined address (or memory location) for an erase code,
d) means for
4
CA 02552480 2006-07-19
entering erase code at the predetermined location, and e) erasing means for
erasing said
database on receipt of the erase code.
These objects are also achieved by the method of the present invention, for
safeguarding private data stored in a selected cell phone on a mobile
telecommunications
system which comprises a plurality of individual mobile cell phone apparatus
and a mobile
telephone switching office, said at least one selected apparatus having a PROM
for storing
private data including an erase code, and a unique telephone number, said
method comprising
receiving at the selected mobile phone apparatus from the switching network, a
message
containing the erase code from the switching network, and erasing the private
data.
For a full understanding of the present invention, reference should flow be
made to the
following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention
as illustrated in
the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 illustrates a cell phone, or mobile telecommunications apparatus, and
the
SMARTCARD that is received therein, which cooperates with the cell phone to
effect
communication with a telecommunications network.
Figure 2 illustrates a block diagram of a SMARTCARD according to the
principles of
the present invention.
Figure 3 illustrates a block diagram of a telecommunications network capable
of
communicating with a plurality of cell phones that cooperate with a SMARTCARD
to effect
communication with the telecommunications network.
Figure 4 illustrates a block diagram of a cell phone re-charging cradle
according to one
embodiment of the invention.
CA 02552480 2006-07-19
Figure 5 is a block diagram illustrating obtaining information of a person or
entity, via
a cellular communications network, by dialing a directory assistance number
and requesting
information associated with the name of the person or entity the user has
requested information
of.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with
reference to Figs. 1-4 of the drawings. Identical elements in the various
figures are designated
with the same reference numerals.
As shown in Figure 1, the cell phone 10 receives the SMARTCARD 11 which
cooperates with the cell phone to effect communication with a
telecommunications network,
such as that illustrated in Figure 3. The SMARTCARD, includes a SIM
(subscriber identity
module). The SMARTCARD identifies the user of the telecommunications system,
and serves
to authenticate the user as one permitted on the network. The SMARTCARD may
also encrypt
communications between the cell phone 10 and the telecommunications network.
The
alphanumeric keys, 12 of the cell phone may be used to enter information into
the cell phone
memory, and are the preferred means for entering the erase code.
The elements of the SMARTCARD illustrated in Figure 2, include a data
communications circuitry, a logic circuitry and a disabling, or erasing,
circuitry. The data
communications circuitry 20, transmits a code uniquely identifying the
SMARTCARD. The
logic circuitry, 21, in the present embodiment includes data processing and
storage circuitry
and interconnecting circuitry including, without limitation, a processor,
memory, support
circuitry, and any address, data and control buses (not shown). In one
embodiment of the
present invention the logic circuitry encrypts communication between the cell
phone and the
telecommunications network. As cell phones develop, the logic circuitry may be
used to
perform more and more functions, without effecting the features of the logic
circuitry essential
to the present invention.
6
CA 02552480 2006-07-19
The card is provided with disabling circuitry, 22, which can e.g., permanently
erase the
memory of the card. The disabling circuitry may comprise either a fuse or a
switch, which
operates to e.g. decouple the electrical power from the memory in card. Other
means of
effectively erasing the memory are known to those in the art, as by providing
an excessive
voltage that causes the memory to malfunction, even if it is still receiving
power, or
permanently incapacitating the logic circuitry by cutting it off from its
source of power.
A block diagram of the telecommunications network is illustrated in Figure 3.
The
telecommunications network, 30 is capable of communication with a Plurality of
cell phones
with cards, 11, having a subscriber identity module. Each card has a unique
SIM code.
Upon initiation of access to the network, the SIM code is transmitted to the
network. The
network, 30 has data communications circuitry, 31, to receive the SIM code. In
one
embodiment of the invention, the network may also include a PROM or an EEPROM
for
receiving and storing an erase code associated with a Unique SIM code. In
another
embodiment of the invention, the data communication circuitry, 31, may also
include an erase
command.
The operation of the method and apparatus of the present invention will now be
described. The user of SMARTCARD may use the alphanumeric keys, 12 to enter
into, and
store in the memory, an erase code to permit erasure of private data in the
phone. According to
a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the erase code for any
selected cell phone
may only be directly entered into the phone, using the keypad for that phone.
The erase code
may be stored in memory on the SMARTCARD or may be transferred to, and stored
on, the
network. The erase code for a particular SMARTCARD or SIM may not be preset or
changed
by an on-air signal from a cell phone with a different SIM. The erase command
maybe
included in the data communications circuitry of the card or on the network.
If the cell phone is stolen or lost, the user may, using another cell phone or
a land line,
call the telephone number of the stolen or lost cell phone, and enter the
erase code. The data
communications circuitry of the network and the lost phone "matches" the erase
code of the
on-air communication with the preset stored erase code. The "matching" may
involve an
7
CA 02552480 2006-07-19
exact matching of characters, or an exact mapping, requiring a specific
relationship, between
the preset erase code and the received erase code. If there is a match, an
erase command is
issued, and the private data in the stolen or lost cell phone is erased. The
circuitry for
executing the erase command is in the cell phone.
The present invention does not require a network database of erase codes,
permitting
great individual privacy. In addition, the user does not need to access
disable commands on
the network. No database of disabled numbers needs to be assembled and
maintained by and at
the network in order for the user to disable the memory for his private data.
When the erase
code is stored in the cell phone, it is instantly operable. In addition it may
be instantly
changed. The privacy of data entered into cell phones is of increasing
importance. New
phones incorporate Internet text messaging, e-mail, and web surfing and
downloading.
Elaborate negotiations may now be conducted via a cell phone. In addition,
cell phones are
being combined with handheld computers and organizers, which contain word
processing.
Entire contracts may be recorded, transmitted, or received on a handheld
apparatus including a
cell phone on a telecommunications network.
Figure 4 illustrates a preferred embodiment of a recharging cradle, 42,
according to the
present invention. The cradle includes recharging circuitry, 43, which
connects to the phone,
10, when the phone is in the dock, as shown in Figure 4. Also included in the
cradle is cell
phone interface circuitry, 44, which comprises an upload/download cell phone
memory device,
comprising a micro-controller, 45, which comprises a CPU, a memory, 10 (input
output) and
the program or application. The program compares the memory in the phone
memory, as
shown here as the erasable FLASH/EEPROM/SRAM storage memory, 46, which is part
of the
present invention, with the memory in the cradle, as with a check sum
operation; and
downloading to the cradle memory any numbers which have been added to the
phone, and
uploading to the phone any numbers in the cradle memory which are not in the
phone.
As shown in Figure 4, the recharging cradle may further comprise an
upload/download
slot, 47, for a back-up cell phone memory device, 48. The slot comprises a
micro-controller
and interface circuitry in communication with either the memory in a docked
cell phone, or, as
8
CA 02552480 2006-07-19
shown, with the memory in the cradle. The back-up memory device may be any
device
suitable for insertion into a new phone, such as a PCMCIA card. As shown in
Figure 4, this
PCMCIA card is provided with an erasable memory.
These back-up devices provide a very convenient means for maintaining the
integrity of
private data for the cell phone. If the cell phone is stolen or lost, no time
need be taken in an
attempt to recover the stored private data, but the private data immediately
erased, as a
duplicate copy exists in the cradle, and optionally on the back-up PCMCIA. The
back-up
PCMCIA is easily stored in a wallet, while traveling, and may be placed into a
new cell phone,
or the PCMCIA card kept in the cradle, and data therein transferred to a new
cell phone docked
in the cradle. If the new cell phone has to be initially charged, charging in
the cradle with
PCMCIA card slot will enter all the private data into the new cell phone.
In another aspect of the present invention, a novel recharging cradle for the
cell phone
may be provided with an upload/download slot for receiving an additional
memory device or
card, such as a PCMCIA card, for maintaining the integrity of private data for
the cell phone.
The slot comprises a micro-controller, crystal and interface circuitry,
connecting the memory
device in the slot and the memory device in the phone. Once placed in the
slot, the e.g.
PCMCIA card is in communication with any cell phone docked in the cradle. On
docking the
cell phone in the cradle a check sum may be initiated, and any new data from
the cell phone
added to the PCMCIA card. Then, should the cell phone be stolen or lost, no
time for recovery
of the stored private data need be allotted, but the private data immediately
erased, as a
duplicate copy exists on the spare PCMCIA. The spare PCMCIA is easily stored
in a wallet,
while traveling, and may be placed into a new cell phone, or the PCMCIA card
kept in the
cradle, and data therein transferred to a new cell phone docked in the cradle.
If the new cell
phone has to be initially charged, charging in the cradle with PCMCIA card
slot will enter all
the private data into the new cell phone.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the private data
described above
and/or other data, e.g., information associated with a person or entity (e.g.
business,
organization, or other operation), may comprise data downloaded from a
cellular network
9
CA 02552480 2006-07-19
service provider, in response to a 411, 1-800, or other directory assistance
request from the
mobile telecommunications apparatus 10. According to this embodiment of the
invention, and
as illustrated in Figure 5, a user of the mobile telecommunications apparatus
10 calls a
directory assistance number available on the cellular network. An operator
(human or
computer implemented) answers the call and asks the user for the name of the
person or entity
the user desires information of. In response to the name provided, the
operator instructs data
communications circuitry (and/or software) 50 of the cellular network service
provider to
access an information database 52, to retrieve information associated with the
person or entity
the mobile telecommunications apparatus user has requested information of. The
information
database 52 may be a database that is controlled by the cellular network
service provider, or
may be any other database controlled by a third party of which the cellular
network service
provider has been granted access. The retrieved information may include,
without limitation,
the mailing address, e-mail address, work address, telephone numbers,
facsimile number,
instant messaging address, maps and/or directions (particularly for GPS-
equipped mobile
telecommunications devices), digital photos, digital video, etc. of the person
or entity the user
has requested information of.
Once retrieved, the cellular network service provider transmits the
information, e.g., in
the form of a text message (e.g., an short message service (SMS) message) to
the mobile
telecommunications apparatus user. For large amounts of data, e.g., as is
commonly
encountered with digital photos or video, alternative means of transmission,
i.e., other than text
messaging may be utilized. For example, Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) or
similar
transmission standard could be used to transmit such types of information.
The information retrieved from the database 52 may then be formatted (e.g., in
the form
of a virtual business card ("ward"), as is now commonly used to store contact
information in e-
mail and wireless communication applications) prior to being transmitted to
the user.
Alternatively, the information may be processed and formatted by an
application program
running on the mobile telecommunications apparatus 10, after being received
from the
provider.
CA 02552480 2006-07-19
Upon receiving the information contained in the text message, the mobile
telecommunications apparatus 10 causes a prompt to be displayed, the prompt
asking the user
whether he or she would like to save the information permanently. If the user
responds "yes",
then the information is stored in the FLASHBEPROM/SRAM 46 or other memory of
the
mobile telecommunications apparatus 10. If the user responds "no", the
information is only
temporarily stored. Further, the information may be stored in the cradle
memory and/or the
FLASH/EEPROM storage memory 48 of a backup memory card 47, similar to that
previously
described.
Those skilled in the art should understand that while the present invention
may be
embodied in hardware that alternative embodiments may include software or
firmware, or
combinations thereof. Such embodiments may include implementations using
conventional
processing circuitry such as, without limitation, programmable array logic
("PAL"), digital
signal processors ("DPSs"), field programmable gate array ("FPGA"),
application specific
integrated circuits ("ASICs"), large scale integrated circuits ("LSIs").
Moreover, the present
embodiment is introduced for illustrative purposes only and other embodiments
that provide a
system for and method of disabling a SIM card are well within the broad scope
of the present
invention. Conventional computer, and processing, system architecture is more
fully discussed
in Computer Organization and Architecture, by William Stallings, MacMillan
Publishing Co.
(3rd ed. 1993). Conventional processing system network design is more fully
discussed in
Data Network Design, by Darren L. Spohn, McGraw-Hill, Inc. ( 1993).
Conventional voice
and data communications are more fully discussed in Data Communications
Principles, by R.
D. Gitlin, J. F. Hayes and S. B. Weinstein, Plenum Press (1992), The Irwin
Handbook of
Telecommunications, by James Harry Green, Irwin Professional Publishing (2nd
ed. 1992) and
Voice & Data Communications Handbook, by Regis J. Bates, Jr. and Donald
Gregory,
McGraw- Hill (1996). Conventional electronic circuit design is more fully
discussed in The
Art of Electronics, by Paul Horowitz and Winfield Hill, Cambridge University
Press, (2nd ed.
1989). Conventional control systems and architectures are discussed in Modern
Control
Engineering by Katsuhiko Ogata, Prentice Hall 1990. Each of the foregoing
publications is
incorporated herein by reference.
11
CA 02552480 2006-07-19
There has thus been shown and described a novel method and apparatus for both
safeguarding and maintaining the integrity of the private data in a cell phone
memory, which
fulfills all the objects and advantages sought therefor. Many changes,
modifications, variations
and other uses and applications of the subject invention will, however, become
apparent to
those skilled in the art after considering this specification and the
accompanying drawings
which disclose the preferred embodiments thereof. All such changes,
modifications, variations
and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope
of the invention
are deemed to be covered by the invention, which is to be limited only by the
claims which
follow.
12
