Communication system and suitable method for operating a communication system

The present invention relates to a communication system, particularly for a mo Biles telephone system, for according to the preamble of claim 1 and a method Operating a communications system according to the preamble of claim 8.

The economic success of operator or supplier of Communication- men - which depends generally be characterized in the following with switching unit in particular on whether they intending example where, beispielswei se defined by national borders area full coverage for their Subscribers, which, for example, a stationary or mobile telephone unit - in called following user unit - want to use, can offer. For Vermitte switching units, which subsequently had a market share in an already from Mitkonkurren To purchase th (first switching unit) covered area, there is the Problem that this fellow competitors are unwilling through agreements - so- called roaming agreement - a sharing of already through with competitors to allow covered area. To such a national from to achieve coverage, have for later in the competition person entering or locally operated Vermittelungseinheiten (second switching unit) generally two alternatives developed by the terms "national roaming" and "Indirect roaming "are known.

When "National roaming" are between two points in a border operie Vermittelungseinheiten-generating contracts concluded that either one of the contract partners to use the network of the other party allow (Uniliteral case) or either of the parties the right to use the other to the other party connected network allow.

In contrast, the "Indirect roaming" agreements between two Ver center switching units of different countries closed, that Vermittelungs unit (second switching unit) within the border, who are looking is for a contractor outside the border, about this treaty partners (Third switching unit) is given the opportunity, a use of the area acquire within the country, which due to not be concluded not be a national agreement the second Vermittelungeinheit available would. When "Indirect roaming" thus no agreements between intra-be semi neces of borders or located national Vermittelungseinheiten dig.

To the user, the result of the above agreements ( "National roaming" or "indirect roaming") the possibility of an enlarged Kommunikationsvermitte ment is given, an attractive or an already accepted by Him comfort be able to provide or service, it is necessary that the user (subscriber) at the use of the other party, ie, first and third Vermittelungsein unit, connected communication network, the same functionality and business services Stung is provided, as if he already the accepted of Him, at example provided by the second switching unit communication network would use.

To meet this requirement, according to WO 98/10614, for example, was proposed on the due date for the user unit subscriber code module (Subscriber identity module; SIM card) each corresponding subscriber identification data (International mobile subscriber identities IMSI) with corresponding own profiles to provide for a plurality of different subscriber identification data modules. In this Case had to the user or subscriber if it from one area of ​​a Vermitt switching unit switches to another territory of the other switching unit, just replace if the corresponding subscriber identification data module, which is generally considered "Chip roaming "is known and which in everyday use for" Indirect roaming "purposes was inadequate.

In order to avoid the carrying of several SIM cards was described in WO 92/19078 proposed a SIM card with two respective subscriber identification data (IMSI) to provide that, depending on the area and use the switching unit by turning the SIM card by 180 ° using two different Vermittelungseinheiten allows. This known method has the further subscribers with the result that For example, when changing between the visited communications network a switching unit and the communication network of the other Vermittelungs unit, for example, home wireless network, a physical withdrawal, and turning Inserting the SIM card must be carried out. This also provides the subscribers an only insufficient comfort and limits the handling a generally.

In order to avoid these drawbacks, it is already also provided in WO 98/10614 propose a special program in the user unit and in the corresponding part subscriber file (home location register HLR) provide. This install fixed the program the drawbacks or limitations are however taken into account, that only a special, for adapted user unit having this program, and thus of conventional user units differs significantly, and this known method is only to be regarded as semi-automatic. This installation of Program in both the user unit as well as in the corresponding subscriber file however uninteresting for the provider and for the switching unit, as the economic success of the switching unit with the consumer's decision related, for which use of the area enclosed by the switching unit Area he chooses, this decision of the consumer by the Range of switching unit to different user units amazing is enced which sold together with a license of the switching unit who the.

It is therefore an object of the present invention, a communication system and a providing processes which avoids the above disadvantages and in particular special which create the possibility of an uninterrupted switching between un ent switching units associated territories to ensure, however, nevertheless the same service to be taken when changing to claim a be able to provide individual providers or switching units.

These objects are technically device having the features of claim 1 and procedurally solved with the features of claim 8.

According to the invention in the communication system to a third Vermitte Making Unit assigned, the third subscriber identification data and a second Transfer on telungseinheit associated second subscriber identification data to the second subscriber assigned characteristic data module so that, depending on the possible connection a Ge velvet cover the respective second to the subscriber identification data and the third part is subscriber characteristic data associated switching units possible, whereby the third Subscriber identification data and the second subscriber identification data a common profile included to the necessary for the device or for the subscribers for him provide and known service. With this arrangement of the invention or Determining on the second subscriber identification data module ensures that the each tailored to the individual switching units subscriber identification data access to relevant, the switching units associated and possibly. allows extended areas through roaming agreements, but at the same base settings, which are written in the profile of the subscriber identification data and which the subscriber or user has used both by the third party characteristics associated switching unit and from the second subscriber identification data associated switching unit can be availed. With this particular arrangement on the subscriber code module ensures that a mechanical switch or a replacement of the subscriber code module is not required as in the conventional case.

There is thus the possibility of subscribers a second switching unit the inclusion of a third switching unit, the so-called roaming Agreement concluded with a first switching unit, an access to create an area which is not a "roaming agreement" with the second Switching unit has closed. This is an operator or a Vermitt treatment unit, which would still establish and, is sold at market shares and the no or few roaming agreements has, allows its subscribers a provide access to other networks, including a plurality of roaming agreements completed and thus also enables coverage of areas that we immediately to the second switching unit nor the third switching unit belong, and where, for example, a roaming agreement between a first and a second switching unit for various reasons can not be established.

The inventive concept both of the communication system as well as of this suitable method is based only on a direct entry in the SIM card and therefore does not require a modification in the user unit nor a special In integration of a software program or in the user unit or in the subscriber file.

Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject matter Claims.

Is according to claim 2, the second region a subregion of the first region and / or the third region, wherein the third area is outside the first region, is in particular special means of access to the subscribers of the second switching unit since going round expanded to any national roaming agreement with the first Switching unit came from, which, for example, already the total cover within national borders can claim.

In this case the third region further outside of the first region, it is For example, the overall national coverage due to the first switching unit enables more than the so-called "international roaming" when the first switching unit has signed a roaming agreement with the third switching unit.

If according to claim 3, the system equipped with a first switch unit, wel che of the second subscriber identification data to the third subscriber identification data to on when the user unit leaves the second region and the first region over changes, so are the subscribers according to the invention, the same service units or render available as in the second switching unit. The subscriber thus enjoys further the already known for him and specially selected Kom continuing the second switching unit. This first switch unit may preferably as manual switch be designed and specifically such that after leaving the of second switching unit assigned area of ​​the subscriber a special Ken must enter tion number (PIN 1), which then the corresponding subscriber identification data from the subscriber code module takes. For example, the per Weil's assigned to the individual switching units PIN numbers, which the Subscribers are informed only by adding a fixed number, For example, 1, between the subscriber identification data different Vermittelungs units are differentiated, which, for example, the PIN number for the first Switching unit is added. By this adding to or modifying a conventional PIN ensures that the selected placement unit can be detected due to the length of the PIN number. the subscribers remains the possibility of changing the respective PIN numbers, however, not the PIN number added. In order to simplify the handling, is a change of a PIN number of a switching unit and the respective walls ren PIN numbers of the other switching unit changed until the hinzuge appended number. In this way, the subscriber will not be compelled to different, the respective first, second and third switching units associated PIN Numbers to remember.

If according to claim 4, a second switch unit is provided which third of the Subscriber identification data to the subscriber identification data is switched when the user unit returns from the first area to the second area, then due to this Embodiment a so-called automatic switching provided which the user convenience for the subscribers continued to improve. This second Switch can be for example a trigger or timer, which due to an In formation on the user unit information to the SIM card or the second part contractor characteristic data module received, so that the subscriber code module example as of the third subscriber identification data to the second subscriber identification data back on. This trigger or timer, for example, a variety of Aktio trigger NEN, such as updating or changing the file on the participants Remember data module (elementary file EF), setting a timer associated temporal query mode or providing a local information.

If according to claim 5, the second user unit with a query algorithm Search Mode feature, which under periodically or after certain timings examined whether the second user unit is in the second area, then sicherge is that even when it is only briefly leaving the area a switch to the second switching unit is made as soon as the subscriber in the second Ge territory returns. Depending on the capacity of the user unit, the frequency of the query cycles are set. Too frequent visits could be disturbing extent if search times for Query Mode Because of the small dimensions of the User unit are too long.

Is as defined in claim 6 of the circuit state of the second switching device of the represented the second user unit, it Discretion is left to the subscriber as long as to wait until the second area will be recovered or whether it is in the third Ver should dial switching unit.

If, according to claim 7, the first, second and / or third user unit in the form formed of a mobile phone, so the communication system and is here to the best use of suitable methods.

Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of other Subclaims.

Referring to the subsequent figure, a particularly advantageous Substituted staltung explained in more detail.

With <b>Fig.</b> 1 is a switch under a so-called "easy-switching" with Direct display presented on the second usage unit.

To illustrate this embodiment, the following are the display by under assisted or automated, simplified by the invention changing the Vermitt switching units are represented by the flow chart.

According to <b>Fig.</b> 1, for example, when leaving the second region the Abonnen th indicates that now a change in the subscription is necessary to com to communicate. To this end, in accordance with step<b>100</b> displayed "Change Abonne ment ", the ad itself individually, for example by switching unit to Switching unit can be changed. In step<b>102</b> it is inquired whether a Be command input is done successfully. If No in step<b>102</b>a text display. "This command input is currently not possible" and proceeds directly to step <b>114</b> "End". If the step<b>102</b> affirmative, then appears in step <b>104</b> ad text with "To date used subscription is changed" and proceeds to step <b>106</b> continued. In step <b>106</b> checks which subscriber identification data are accessible. Lying in for example the second subscriber identification data as a home subscriber identification data (HPLMN) is not known, to step <b>106</b>a continued and there the Home Subscriber identification data set as a currently active second subscriber identification data and a Restart performed. If step<b>106</b> negative, in step <b>108</b> the third Subscriber identification data set as a partner-subscriber identification data (PPLMN) and a new start performed. In step<b>110</b> it is checked whether the command input successful was carried out. If step<b>110</b> denies a display text appears in step <b>110</b>a tells the user that the command input is not possible currently and proceeds to end. If step<b>110</b> the marker is in the affirmative in step <b>112</b>Which to Beginning indicating that the second area is abandoned, reset and at step <b>112</b> terminated.

A modification of the profile of the subscriber identification data is therefore not required and the subscriber can complete service of his home-switching unit, or the second switching unit, take freely to complete.

It is understood that the inventive concept is not limited to the illustrated here Ausfüh ments of limited, but may also include other embodiments.