English:
[0001] Wireless cards are typically configured for a specific network service provider. Thus, electronic devices comprising the wireless cards are typically individually configured for the specific network service provider. As a result, manufacturers of the electronic devices must make different electronic devices specifically configured for each network service provider, thereby driving up costs associated with storing, tracking, and maintaining the differently configured electronic devices.
[0002] Figure 1 illustrates an embodiment of a wireless network communications system for an electronic device; and
[0004] Figure 1 illustrates an embodiment of a wireless network communications system 100 for an electronic device 10. Wireless network communications system 100 comprises a generic wireless card 20 disposed within electronic device 10 and configured to communicate using one of a number of network service providers based on a particular identity module loaded into electronic device 10. Electronic device 10 may comprise any type of portable or non-portable electronic device including, but not limited to, a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a notebook computer, a tablet computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a cellular phone, or any other type of portable and/or non-portable electronic device.
[0005] In Figure 1, electronic device 10 comprises generic wireless card 20, a service provider identity module 30, a processor 40, and a memory 50. Components of electronic device 10 may comprise hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. In Figure 1, generic wireless card 20 comprises a transceiver 22, a wireless module 24, a provider module 26, and provider data 28. Transceiver 22 and wireless module 24 enable generic wireless card 20 to communicate, transmit, and/or receive communications to and/or from other electronic devices. In some embodiments, generic wireless card 20 is configured to communicate and/or associate with a number of different network service providers using transceiver 22 and wireless module 24. A "network service provider" as defined herein is any provider of wireless, cable, internet, and/or network communication services which can operate using any type of communications channel access method. A "communications channel access method," as used herein, is a method enabling multiple terminals connected on the same physical medium to communicate over the particular channel. Example communications channel access methods include, but are not limited to, Global System for Mobile (GSM) communication, Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), and Long Term Evolution (LTE).
[0006] Wireless module 24 is configured to compress and/or decompress data received and/or transmitted by transceiver 22 for communications with one of the network service providers. Provider module 26 and provider data 28 enable generic wireless card 20 to communicate with a service provider regardless of the type of communication channel the provider is using. Provider module 26 determines which network service provider(s) that electronic device 10 will associate for communications. Provider data 28 is a repository for storing data associated with communicating with the identified provider and/or the network serviced by the specified provider. Provider data 28 is any information (e.g., a network code, a country code, an operator identification code, a base station identification number, etc.) which enables generic wireless card 20 to communicate with a specified provider. It should be understood, however, that provider module 26 may also be stored in memory 50 of electronic device 10 or external to electronic device 10.
[0007] In Figure 1, service provider identity module 30 is an interface configured to accept a removable communications device configured for and/or associated with a particular network service provider. In some embodiments, service provider identity module 30 can accept, interface with, and/or receive a subscriber identity module (SIM) card 32 and/or a removable user identity module (RUIM) card 34 (e.g., a single slot and/or interface). In some embodiments, service provider identity module 30 may be configured to accept both SIM card 32 and RUIM card 34 (e.g., having two slots/interfaces). It should also be understood, however, that service provider identity module 30 may also accept and/or interface with any other type of identity module. It should also be understood that service provider identity module 30 may be configured to operate without either SIM card 32 or RUIM card 34.
[0008] SIM card 32 and RUIM card 34 are removable memory devices used to securely store network service provider identification information. For example, SIM card 32 compromises a network code 36 identifying and/or specifying a particular network service provider and/or a corresponding country of operation for the particular network service provider. RUIM card 34 comprises a base station identification 38 used to identify specific network provider(s) servicing and/or using a particular base station. A "base station" as used herein is a radio receiver and/or transmitter used as a hub for wired and/or wireless communications. In some embodiments, a base station operates using a particular frequency and/or bandwidth and is assigned and/or associated with specific network service provider(s). In this embodiment, each base station is given an identification number (e.g., an assigned number or base station identification 38) in order for a communications device (e.g., generic wireless card 20) to recognize and/or determine with which base station and/or service provider(s) to communicate.
[0009] In Figure 1, SIM card 32 is configured to operate using a GSM 37 communications channel access method, and RUIM card 34 is configured to operate using a CDMA 39 communications channel access method. It should be understood, however, that the components in SIM card 32 and RUIM card 34 may be interchanged and/or combined differently to enable SIM card 32 and RUIM card 34 to use any type of communications channel access method.
[0010] Processor 40 is coupled to memory 50 which stores product related information 52 and service provider data 54. It should be understood that product related information 52 and service provider data 54 can store information in any format including, but not limited to, an Extensible Markup Language (XML) database, a relational database, a file, or a list. In some embodiments, product related information 52 are communication specifications and/or data identifying protocols and/or procedures to enable generic wireless card 20 to communicate with a specific network service provider. Product related information 52 can comprise any type of communications specifications and/or data including, but not limited to, provider specific network scanning settings, security settings, lock codes, protocols associated with searching and/or reselecting a network, and roaming indicators. In some embodiments, service provider data 54 comprises a list of different network service providers usable by generic wireless card 20 to communicate with another electronic device. In some embodiments, service provider data 54 comprises network service provider identity information (e.g., a list of network code(s) 36, base station identification(s) 38, etc.) which enables a user to select a particular network service provider. In some embodiments, service provider data 54 is stored to electronic device 10 during manufacturing, before and/or at a time of delivery to a consumer, etc.
[0012] Once service provider identity module 30 is loaded, provider module 26 determines whether service provider identity module 30 comprises SIM card 32 or RUIM card 34. If service provider identity module 30 comprises SIM card 32, then provider module 26 reads network code 36 to determine and/or identify the network service provider identified by and/or associated with SIM card 32. If service provider identity module 30 comprises RUIM card 34, then provider module 26 reads base station identification 38 to identify the network service provider corresponding to base station identification 38. In some embodiments, if service provider identity module 30 comprises both SIM card 32 and RUIM card 34, then provider module 26 can enable a user to select which network service provider to use and/or use a pre-identified default setting indicating which identity modules to use (e.g., SIM card 32 or RUIM card 34). Once the network service provider is identified, provider module 26 then identifies product related information 52 corresponding to the network service provider specified by either network code 36 or base station identification 38. Provider module 26 then stores the identified product related information 52 as provider data 28 in generic wireless card 20. Wireless module 24 then uses provider data 28 to enable electronic device 10 communications.
[0013] In some embodiments, provider module 26 enables a user to select a network service provider by presenting the list of network service providers stored in service provider data 54 for selection by the user. In this embodiment, service provider identity module 30 may or may not comprise SIM card 32 and/or RUIM 34. In some embodiments, if service provider identity module 30 comprises one or both of SIM card 32 and RUIM card 34, then provider module 26 identifies the network service provider selected by the user as the primary network service provider. In other words, in this embodiment, provider module 26 overrides the network service provider identified by SIM card 32 and/or RUIM 34 and automatically configures generic wireless card 20 with product related information 52 associated with the primary network service provider. In some embodiments, provider module 26 may provide the user with a choice to override the network service provider with the primary network service provider or to use the network service provider identified by SIM card 32 and/or RUIM 34.
[0014] In some embodiments, wireless network communications system 100 may switch network service providers. In this embodiment, provider module 26 can present the user with the list of network service providers stored in service provider data 54 to enable the user to select another network service provider. Once the network service provider is selected, provider data 28 is re-written with the corresponding product related information 52 associated with the selected network service provider. In some embodiments, service provider identity module 30 may switch from a SIM card 32 to a RUIM card 34 and vice-versa. In this embodiment, provider data 28 is re-written with the corresponding product related information 52 associated with the network service provider identified by RUIM card 34 (or SIM card 32).
[0015] Figure 2 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of a network communications method. The method begins with decision block 200 where provider module 26 determines whether an identity module has been loaded into identity module 30. If a service provider identity module has been loaded ("yes" output to block 200), then provider module 26 determines which type of service provider module was loaded (decision block 210). If the service provider identity module comprises SIM card 32 ("SIM card" output to decision block 210), then provider module 26 reads network code 36 stored on SIM card 32 to identify the network service provider to use (block 220). Provider module 26 then identifies product related information 52 associated with the identified network service provider specified (block 230). Provider module 26 then stores identified product related information 52 as provider data 28 for use in wireless network communications by electronic device 10 (block 240), with the method terminating thereafter.
[0016] Returning to decision block 210, if service provider identity module comprises RUIM card 34 ("RUIM card" output to decision block 210), then provider module 26 reads base station identification 38 stored in RUIM card 34 to identify the specified network service provider (block 250), with the method continuing to block 230 thereafter. Returning to decision block 200, if a service provider identity module has not been loaded ("no" output to block 200), then provider module 26 determines whether a user has request to select a network service provider (decision block 260). If a user has requested to select a network service provider ("yes" output to block 260), then provider module 26 presents a list of network service providers stored in service provider data 54 (block 280), with the method continuing to block 230 thereafter.
[0017] Returning to decision block 260, if a user has not requested to select a network service provider ("no" output to decision block 260), then the provider module 26 determines whether a change in network service providers has been requested (decision block 290). If a change is requested ("yes" output to block 290), the method proceeds to block 200 thereafter. If a change is not requested ("no" output to block 290), the method terminates thereafter.
[0018] Thus, embodiments of electronic device 10 may be manufactured by providing generic wireless card 20 disposed In the electronic device 10, wherein generic wireless card 20 is automatically configured to communicate using one of a plurality of network service providers based on a particular identity module 30 loaded into electronic device 10. Electronic device 10 may also be manufactured by providing the generic wireless card automatically configured to communicate using a network service provider using a Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) system. Electronic device 10 may also be manufactured by providing the generic wireless card automatically configured to communicate using a network provider using a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) system. Electronic device 10 may also be manufactured by providing the generic wireless card automatically configured to communicate using one of the plurality of network service providers based on a SIM card loaded into the electronic device. Electronic device 10 may also be manufactured by providing the generic wireless card automatically configured to communicate using one of the plurality of network service providers based on a RUIM card loaded into the electronic device. Electronic device 10 may also be manufactured by providing the generic wireless card automatically configured to communicate using one of the plurality of network service providers based on product related information corresponding to the network service provider. Electronic device 10 may also be manufactured by providing the generic wireless card automatically configured to communicate using one of the plurality of network service providers based on a network code provided by the particular identity module. Electronic device 10 may also be manufactured by providing the generic wireless card automatically configured to communicate using one of the plurality of network service providers based on a base station identification provided by the particular identity module. Electronic device 10 may also be manufactured by providing the generic wireless card automatically configured to communicate using one of the network service providers selected by a user from a list of network service providers.
[0019] The illustrative embodiment maybe implemented in software and can be adapted to run on different platforms and operating systems. In particular, functions implemented by wireless network communications system 100 for example maybe provided by an ordered listing of executable instructions that can be embodied in any computer readable medium for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system apparatus or device such as a computer based system, processor containing system or'other system that can fetch the instructions from the instruction execution system apparatus or device and execute the instructions. In the context of this document a "computer readable medium" can be any means that can contain, store, communicate, propagate, or transport the program for use by or in connection with the instruction execution system apparatus or device. The computer readable medium for example that is not limited to an electronic magnetic optical, electro magnetic infrared or semiconductor system apparatus device or propagation medium.

中文:
[0001]无线卡典型地被配置用于特定的网络服务提供商。因此,包含无线卡的电子设备典型地被单独地配置用于所述特定的网络服务提供商。结果,这些电子设备的制造商必须使得不同的电子设备具体地配置用于每个网络服务提供商,从而提高了与存储、跟踪和维护以不同方式配置的电子设备相关联的成本。
[0002]图1示出了用于电子设备的无线网络通信系统的实施例;以及
[0004]图1示出了用于电子设备10的无线网络通信系统100的实施例。无线网络通信系统100包括设置在电子设备10内并且被配置成基于装载到电子设备10中的特定标识模块使用许多网络服务提供商之一来进行通信的通用无线卡20。电子设备10可以包含任何类型的便携式或非便携式电子设备,包括但不限于桌上型计算机、膝上型计算机、笔记本计算机、平板计算机、个人数字助理(PDA)、蜂窝电话或者任何其他类型的便携式和/或非便携式电子设备。
[0005]在图1中,电子设备10包含通用无线卡20、服务提供商标识模块30、处理器40以及存储器50。电子设备10的部件可以包括硬件、软件、固件或者其任意组合。在图1中,通用无线卡20包含:收发器22、无线模块24、提供商模块26以及提供商数据28。收发器22和无线模块24使得通用无线卡20能够传送、发射和/或接收去往和/或来自其他电子设备的通信。在一些实施例中,通用无线卡20被配置成使用收发器22和无线模块24与许多不同网络服务提供商通信和/或关联。本文限定的“网络服务提供商”是无线、电缆、互联网和/或网络通信服务的任何提供商,其可以使用任何类型的通信信道接入方法来操作。本文使用的“通信信道接入方法”是使得连接在相同的物理介质上的多个终端能够通过特定信道进行通信的方法。示例通信信道接入方法包括但不限于全球移动通信系统(GSM)、码分多址(CDMA)、通用移动电信系统(UMTS)、微波存取全球互通(WiMAX)、超移动宽带(UMB)以及长期演进(LTE)。
[0006]无线模块24被配置成压缩和/或解压缩由收发器22接收和/或发射的数据以便与网络服务提供商之一通信。提供商模块26和提供商数据28使得通用无线卡20能够与服务提供商通信,而不管提供商正在使用的通信信道类型如何。提供商模块26确定电子设备10将与哪个(哪些)网络服务提供商关联以便通信。提供商数据28是用于存储与同所标识的提供商和/或指定的提供商所服务的网络进行通信相关联的数据的储存库。提供商数据28是使得通用无线卡20能够与指定提供商通信的任何信息(例如网络代码、国家代码、运营商识别代码、基站识别号等等)。然而,应当理解的是,提供商模块26也可以被存储在电子设备10的存储器50中或者存储在电子设备10的外部。
[0007]在图1中,服务提供商标识模块30是被配置成接受可移除通信设备的接口,所述可移除通信设备被配置用于特定网络服务提供商和/或与特定网络服务提供商关联。在一些实施例中,服务提供商标识模块30可以接受订户标识模块(SIM)卡32和/或可移除用户标识模块(RUIM)卡34、与之对接和/或容纳订户标识模块(SIM)卡32和/或可移除用户标识模块(RUIM)卡34(例如单个槽和/或接口)。在一些实施例中,服务提供商标识模块30可以被配置成接受SIM卡32和RUIM卡34这二者(例如具有两个槽/接口)。然而,还应当理解的是,服务提供商标识模块30也可以接受任何其他类型的标识模块和/或与之对接。还应当理解的是,服务提供商标识模块30可以被配置成在没有SIM卡32或RUIM卡34的情况下操作。
[0008]SIM卡32和RUIM卡34是用来安全地存储网络服务提供商识别信息的可移除存储器设备。例如,SIM卡32包括识别和/或指定特定网络服务提供商和/或特定网络服务提供商的对应运营国家的网络代码36。RUIM卡34包括用来识别服务和/或使用特定基站的(一个或多个)特定网络提供商的基站识别38。本文使用的“基站”是用作有线和/或无线通信的集线器的无线电接收器和/或发射器。在一些实施例中,基站使用特定频率和/或带宽进行操作并且被分配(一个或多个)特定网络服务提供商和/或与之关联。在该实施例中,每个基站被赋予识别号(例如分配的号或者基站识别38)以便通信设备(例如通用无线卡20)辨识和/或确定与哪个基站和/或(哪些)服务提供商通信。
[0009]在图1中,SIM卡32被配置成使用GSM 37通信信道接入方法进行操作,并且RUIM卡34被配置成使用CDMA 39通信信道接入方法进行操作。然而,应当理解的是,SIM卡32和RUIM卡34中的部件可以互换和/或以不同方式组合以使得SIM卡32和RUIM卡34能够使用任何类型的通信信道接入方法。
[0010]处理器40耦合到存储产品相关信息52和服务提供商数据54的存储器50。应当理解的是,产品相关信息52和服务提供商数据54可以以任何格式存储信息,所述格式包括但不限于可扩展标记语言(XML)数据库、关系数据库、文件或列表。在一些实施例中,产品相关信息52是识别使得通用无线卡20能够与特定网络服务提供商通信的协议和/或过程的通信规范和/或数据。产品相关信息52可以包含任何类型的通信规范和/或数据,包括但不限于提供商特定网络扫描设置、安全性设置、锁定代码、与搜索和/或重新选择网络相关联的协议以及漫游指示符。在一些实施例中,服务提供商数据54包括可由通用无线卡20用来与另一电子设备通信的不同网络服务提供商的列表。在一些实施例中,服务提供商数据54包括使得用户能够选择特定网络服务提供商的网络服务提供商标识信息(例如(一个或多个)网络代码36、(一个或多个)基站识别38等的列表)。在一些实施例中,服务提供商数据54在制造期间、交付给消费者之前和/或之时等等被存储到电子设备10。
[0012]一旦装载了服务提供商标识模块30,提供商模块26就确定服务提供商标识模块30是包含SIM卡32还是包含RUIM卡34。如果服务提供商标识模块30包含SIM卡32,那么提供商模块26读取网络代码36以便确定和/或识别由SIM卡32识别的和/或与SIM卡32关联的网络服务提供商。如果服务提供商标识模块30包含RUIM卡34,那么提供商模块26读取基站识别38以便识别与基站识别38相对应的网络服务提供商。在一些实施例中,如果服务提供商标识模块30包含SIM卡32和RUIM卡34二者,那么提供商模块26可以使得用户能够选择使用哪个网络服务提供商和/或使用预先识别的缺省设置来指示使用哪些标识模块(例如SIM卡32或RUIM卡34)。一旦识别了网络服务提供商,那么提供商模块26就识别与网络代码36或基站识别38所指定的网络服务提供商相对应的产品相关信息52。提供商模块26然后将识别的产品相关信息52作为提供商数据28存储在通用无线卡20中。无线模块24然后使用提供商数据28以实现电子设备10通信。
[0013]在一些实施例中,提供商模块26通过呈现存储在服务提供商数据54中的网络服务提供商列表以供用户选择来使得用户能够选择网络服务提供商。在该实施例中,服务提供商标识模块30可以包含或者可以不包含SIM卡32和/或RUIM 34。在一些实施例中,如果服务提供商标识模块30包含SIM卡32和RUIM卡34中的一个或两个,那么提供商模块26将用户选择的网络服务提供商识别为主网络服务提供商。换言之,在该实施例中,提供商模块26忽略(override)SIM卡32和/或RUIM 34识别的网络服务提供商并且自动地利用与主网络服务提供商相关联的产品相关信息52来配置通用无线卡20。在一些实施例中,提供商模块26可以向用户提供利用主网络服务提供商覆盖所述网络服务提供商或者使用SIM卡32和/或RUIM 34识别的网络服务提供商的选择。
[0014]在一些实施例中,无线网络通信系统100可以切换网络服务提供商。在该实施例中,提供商模块26可以向用户呈现服务提供商数据54中存储的网络服务提供商列表以使用户能够选择另一网络服务提供商。一旦选择了网络服务提供商,就利用与所选择的网络服务提供商关联的对应产品相关信息52来重写提供商数据28。在一些实施例中,服务提供商标识模块30可以从SIM卡32切换到RUIM卡34以及从RUIM卡34切换到SIM卡32。在该实施例中,利用与RUIM卡34(或者SIM卡32)识别的网络服务提供商关联的对应产品相关信息52来重写提供商数据28。
[0015]图2是示出网络通信方法的实施例的流程图。该方法以决策框200开始,其中提供商模块26确定标识模块是否已经装载到标识模块30中。如果已经装载了服务提供商标识模块(框200输出“是”),那么提供商模块26确定装载了哪种类型的服务提供商模块(决策框210)。如果服务提供商标识模块包含SIM卡32(决策框210输出“SIM卡”),那么提供商模块26读取SIM卡32上存储的网络代码36以便识别网络服务提供商以供使用(框220)。提供商模块26然后识别与指定的所识别的网络服务提供商关联的产品相关信息52(框230)。提供商模块26然后将所识别的产品相关信息52存储为提供商数据28以便供电子设备10在无线网络通信中使用(框240),其后所述方法终止。
[0016]返回决策框210,如果服务提供商标识模块包含RUIM卡34(决策框210输出“RUIM卡”),那么提供商模块26读取RUIM卡34中存储的基站识别38以便识别指定的网络服务提供商(框250),所述方法其后继续到框230。返回决策框200,如果还没有装载服务提供商标识模块(框200输出“否”),那么提供商模块26确定用户是否请求选择网络服务提供商(决策框260)。如果用户已经请求选择网络服务提供商(框260输出“是”),那么提供商模块26呈现服务提供商数据54中存储的网络服务提供商列表(框280),所述方法其后继续到框230。
[0017]返回决策框260,如果用户没有请求选择网络服务提供商(决策框260输出“否”),那么提供商模块26确定是否请求了网络服务提供商的改变(决策框290)。如果请求了改变(框290输出“是”),那么所述方法其后前进到框200。如果没有请求改变(框290输出“否”),那么所述方法其后终止。
[0018]因此,电子设备10的实施例可以通过提供设置在电子设备10内的通用无线卡20来制造,其中通用无线卡20自动地被配置成基于装载到电子设备10中的特定标识模块30使用多个网络服务提供商之一进行通信。电子设备10也可以通过提供自动地被配置成使用利用全球移动通信系统(GSM)系统的网络服务提供商进行通信的通用无线卡来制造。电子设备10也可以通过提供自动地被配置成使用利用码分多址(CDMA)系统的网络提供商进行通信的通用无线卡来制造。电子设备10也可以通过提供自动地被配置成基于装载到该电子设备中的SIM卡使用所述多个网络服务提供商之一进行通信的通用无线卡来制造。电子设备10也可以通过提供自动地被配置成基于装载到该电子设备中的RUIM卡使用所述多个网络服务提供商之一进行通信的通用无线卡来制造。电子设备10也可以通过提供自动地被配置成基于与所述多个网络服务提供商之一相对应的产品相关信息使用该网络服务提供商进行通信的通用无线卡来制造。电子设备10也可以通过提供自动地被配置成基于特定标识模块提供的网络代码使用所述多个网络服务提供商之一进行通信的通用无线卡来制造。电子设备10也可以通过提供自动地被配置成基于特定标识模块提供的基站识别使用所述多个网络服务提供商之一进行通信的通用无线卡来制造。电子设备10也可以通过提供自动地被配置成使用由用户从网络服务提供商列表中选择的网络服务提供商之一进行通信的通用无线卡来制造。
[0019]该说明性实施例可以以软件实现并且可以适于运行在不同的平台和操作系统上。特别地,无线网络通信系统100所实施的功能例如可以由可执行指令的有序列表来提供,所述可执行指令可以包含在任何计算机可读介质内以便供指令执行系统装置或设备(例如基于计算机的系统)、包含处理器的系统或其他可以从指令执行系统装置或设备中获取指令并且执行这些指令的系统使用或与之结合使用。在本文的上下文中,“计算机可读介质”可以是可以包含、存储、传送、传播或输送程序以供指令执行系统装置或设备使用或与之结合使用的任何装置。所述计算机可读介质例如不限于电子的、磁的、光学的、电磁的、红外的或者半导体系统装置设备或传播介质。