Apparatus having a plurality of SIMs

An apparatus is removably attachable to an electronic device associated with wireless communication. The apparatus includes an operational circuitry which includes contact means, memory means and data processing means. The contact means is for electrical coupling between the electronic device and the operational circuitry. The memory means is capable of storing subscriber-identity-module-specific data of at least two subscriber identity module associated with at least one operator of wireless communication for causing the apparatus to act as a plurality of the subscriber identity modules of the at least one operator when in use.

FIELD

The invention relates to apparatus having multiple SIMs.

BACKGROUND

First mobile phones had one subscriber identity module (SIM) card. Since then the number of SIM cards has increased. A present mobile phone may have dual or triple SIM cards. Although a large number of SIMs could bring many advantages, a large number of SIM cards cannot be arranged in a mobile phone because of mechanical and designing problems associated with a thin and pocket sized device that is all the time carried with in variable and potentially in rough conditions. Hence, there is a need for better solutions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a card, an apparatus, and a method as specified in the claims.

The card, apparatus and methods in the presented claims are responses to the need for a large number of real or virtual subscriber identity modules in a compact, reliable and user friendly form for a portable device.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

It should be noted that whileFIGS. 1 to 11illustrate various embodiments, they are simplified drawings that only show some structures and functional entities. It is apparent to a person skilled in the art that the described cards and equipment may also comprise other functions and structures. It should be appreciated that details of some functions, structures, and the protocols used for communication are irrelevant to the actual invention. Therefore, they need not be discussed in more detail here.

In an embodiment shown inFIG. 1, a card100comprises a plurality of separate subscriber identity module chips102,104,106. Although the subscriber identity module chips102to106are separate they are physically integrated in one card100which contains them. The carrier structure108of the card100may be plastic such as polyvinyl chloride, polycarbonate or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene but the carrier108is not limited to these materials. In general, the card100comprises an operational circuitry which comprises contact pins110,112,114,116,118,120, at least one memory and at least one processor for processing digital data.

The card may have the same size as prior art SIM cards. The size of the card100may be 85.60 mm×53.98 mm×0.76 mm, for example which is the size of a credit card. Alternatively, the card100may be considerably smaller, 25 mm×15 mm×0.76 mm, for example which is the size of a newer mini-SIM card. Still, the size of the card100may be 15 mm×12 mm×0.76 mm, for example which is the size of a micro-SIM card, is even smaller. Naturally, these measures are only examples and hence the size of the card100is not limited to these. It is also to be noted than one physical SIM card may include a number of different subscriptions: one SIM card may be a multi-IMSI SIM card having many different subscriber identities in the same card.

A processor may be realized as an electric circuit of a digital state machine performing logic operations on the basis of instructions of a computer program. In the example ofFIG. 1, the operational circuitry of the card100comprises electrical circuits of the subscriber identity module chips102to106and conductors between the contact pins110to120and the chips102to106. Each of the subscriber module chips102to106acts as a real/concrete subscriber identity module.

FIG. 2presents a structure of subscriber identity module chip. The chip comprises at least one processor200, at least one memory202and electrical contacts208,210,212,214,216and218. A first memory202A of the at least one memory202may be for storing data such as operator-specific data and/or user-specific data and it may be protected such that it is accessible only by an operator and/or by a service provider. The second memory202B may be a working memory for a program in use at a particular moment. The third memory202C may store the computer programs that are used by the at least one processor200. This memory202C may also be protected and allowed to be used only by an operator and/or by a service provider. The electric contacts208to218may connect the at least one processor200with the contact pins110to120, and the at least one memory202may be coupled with the processor200. Alternatively, the electric contacts208to218may connect the at least one memory202with the contact pins110to120directly.

Besides being called subscriber identity module, also other names and abbreviations may be used. USIM (Universal Subscriber Identity Module) is an application for UMTS running on a UICC (Universal Integrated Circuit Card). Each USIM may be a logical entity on the card100storing subscriber-identity-module-specific information and other information. The stored information may include user subscriber information, authentication information, text messages, and phone book contacts. For authentication purposes, the USIM stores a long-term pre-shared secret key, which is shared with the Authentication Center (AuC) in the network. The USIM also verifies a sequence number that must be within a range using a window mechanism to avoid replay attacks, and is in charge of generating the session keys to be used in the confidentiality and integrity algorithms of the KASUMI block cipher in UMTS. The equivalent of USIM on CDMA networks is CSIM.

The wireless communication system may be any standard/non-standard/proprietary radio system that supports the use of the subscriber identity modules102to106of the card100. In the present, such a system may be any mobile telephone system, regardless of the generation (such as 2G, 3G, 4G, beyond 4G, etc.). Consequently, the wireless communication system may be GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications), WCDMA (Wideband Code Division Multiple Access), TD-SCDMA (Time Division Synchronous Code Division Multiple Access), or evolved universal terrestrial radio access (E-UTRA), also known as long term evolution (LTE) for example, or its recent LTE-Advanced versions (LTE-A). However, the example embodiments are not restricted thereto, but may be applicable to other suitable radio systems (in their present forms and/or in their evolution forms), such as universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS) radio access network (UTRAN or EUTRAN), a system based on International Mobile Telecommunication (IMT) standard or any one of its evolution versions (e.g. IMT-Advanced), wireless local area network (WLAN) based on IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 802.11 standard or its evolution versions (IEEE 802.11ac), worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX), Wi-Fi, 3GPP, Bluetooth®, or personal communications services (PCS).

When manufacturing the card100, each of the subscriber identity module chips102to106may include all the data necessary for a proper operation in its memories. The subscriber identity module chips102to106may be arranged a in a carrier of the card100, and electrical coupling between the contact pins110to120and the plurality of subscriber identity module chips102to106may be formed by the service provider. The service provider is not illustrated in Figures, but the service provider may be an independent supplier of the card100to users.

Operators of different wireless communication systems may provide a service provider with the subscriber identity module chips102to106which are ready to use. When a subscriber identity module chip102to106is ready to use it contains subscriber-identity-module-specific data. The operator refers to a mobile telephone company which offers wireless communication services to subscribers. Examples of operators may be Vodaphone, NTT DoCoMo, Elisa, AT&T, for example. In conjunction with each registration to a specific radio system of an operator, a user receives a subscriber identity module which includes information on the user and the operator.

In an embodiment, at least one operator of at least one wireless communication system may provide the service provider with the subscriber identity module chips102to106with no data or with insufficient data for use. The subscriber identity module chips102to106may lack operator-specific data and/or user-specific data, for example. The operators may separately provide the lacking data with the service provider, and the service provider may program the data in the at least one memory202of the subscriber identity module chips102to106.

The operators of different wireless communication systems may provide the service provider with the subscriber identity module chips102to106the use of which is programmably and/or structurally blocked. The operators may separately deliver data such as a key code for removing the programmed block and/or instructions for removing the structural block. In this way, the service provider may open and/or authorize the subscriber identity module chips102to106in the card100for use.

FIG. 3presents an embodiment, where the card100may comprise an integrated circuit300which may emulate a plurality of the subscriber identity modules302,304,306of at least one operator of wireless communication in a virtual form. The emulating operational circuitry may comprise the integrated circuit300and the contact pins110to120. The integrated circuit300may comprise at least one memory and at least one processor to have the required structural and operational complexity associated with the emulation of the plurality of subscriber identity modules. A part of the at least one memory may be protected and a part of the at least one memory may be non-protected which imitates the state of the memories in a plurality of subscriber identity module chips. The at least one memory of the emulating integrated circuit may be divided into different sections, each section being for different operator. Each section may have a different address such that the at least one subscriber identity module may be selected and distinguished from other sections.

Instead of one emulating integrated circuit300, the card100may comprise a plurality of emulating integrated circuits which may emulate each of the plurality of the subscriber identity modules of at least one operator of wireless communication in a virtual form. For example, at least two emulating integrated circuits may be used to emulate one subscriber identity module or three emulating integrated circuits may be used to emulate four subscriber identity modules. The operational circuitry may comprise the contact pins110to120and the at least one emulating integrated circuit which may comprise at least one memory and at least one processor. Also in this embodiment, a part of the at least one memory may be protected and a part of the at least one memory may be non-protected which imitates the state and operation of the memories in a plurality of subscriber identity module chips.

The at least one integrated circuit300emulating subscriber identity modules may be delivered to the service provider without operator specific data. However, the operators may separately deliver to the service provider data for opening and/or authorizing the subscriber identity modules emulated by the at least one integrated circuit in the card100for use.

When manufacturing the card100having the integrated circuit300emulating subscriber identity modules, the service provider may store in the at least one memory of a card100subscriber-identity-module-specific data of a plurality of subscriber identity modules associated with at least one operator of wireless communication for causing the card to act as a plurality of subscriber identity modules302to306of at least one operator of wireless communication systems when the card100is used. The service provider may also store in the at least one memory of a card100instructions of a computer program, that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the card to: act as a plurality of subscriber identity modules302to306of at least one operator of wireless communication systems on the basis of the stored subscriber-identity-module-specific data in the at least one memory.

The at least one integrated circuit300may comprise an ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit), PLD (Programmable Logic Device), FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), embedded microcontroller circuit or the like. The at least one integrated circuit300may be implemented in a manner similar to that presented inFIG. 2.

The subscriber-identity-module-specific data of the subscriber identity modules102to106and the virtual subscriber identity modules302to306in the at least one integrated circuit300may include, for example, a unique serial number (Integrated Circuit Card Identifier, ICCID) of the SIM card, internationally unique number of the subscriber (International Mobile Subscriber Identity, IMSI), security authentication and ciphering information for the subscriber (such as an authentication key Ki), temporary information related to the local network, a list of the services the subscriber has access to, an operator-specific emergency number, two passwords (personal identification number, PIN, for ordinary use, and PIN unlock code, PUK, for PIN unlocking), and other required data. The subscriber data may also include other carrier-specific data such as the short message service centre (SMSC) number, service provider name (SPN), service dialing numbers (SDN), advice-of-charge parameters, and value added service (VAS) applications. Further information may be found in the GSM Technical Specification 11.11.

FIG. 4presents a block diagram of general equipment which may have the at least one card100. The equipment400may be a mobile terminal500like inFIG. 5or the equipment400may comprise two parts like inFIGS. 6, 7 and 8where at least one of the parts is the mobile terminal500.

The equipment400ofFIG. 4may comprise at least one processor406, at least one card100,100B, a plurality of subscriber identity modules102to106,102B to106B associated with the at least one card100,100B, and an interface408for exchanging data between the a plurality of subscriber identity modules102to106,102B to106B associated with the at least one card100,100E and the at least one processor406. Although the subscriber identity modules102to106,102B to106B have reference numbers, the subscriber identity modules102to106,102B to106B may be real i.e. separate chips or virtual i.e. emulated by the emulating integrated circuit300in this case. The subscriber identity modules102to106,102B to106B, when the cards100,100B are coupled with the equipment400, may be operationally active parts simultaneously or successively. The interface108may or may not include a (contact) smart card reader430capable of reading the subscriber data through a coupling between the at least one card100and the smart card reader430.

The equipment400also comprises one or more memories402for storing instructions404of a computer program. The instructions, that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the equipment400to obtain data440A,440B from the at least one subscriber identity module102to106,102B to106B and control the use of at least one subscriber identity module of a plurality of subscriber identity modules102to106,102B to106B of at least one operator of wireless communication associated with the at least one card100,100B for wireless communication.

In an embodiment, the instructions404, when executed by the one or more processors406, may cause the equipment400to obtain data440A,440B of the subscriber identity modules102to106,102B to106B, obtain selection ground data444associated with the subscriber identity modules102to106,102B to106B, and select at least one optimal subscriber identity module102to106,102B to106B for use by the mobile terminal on the basis of the data440A,440B of the subscriber identity modules, and the selection ground data444for the subscriber identity modules102to106,102B to106B. The data442relating to a mobile terminal may also be obtained and it may have effect on the selection.

With this kind of processing, utilization of a wide range of subscriber identity modules becomes possible, and, furthermore, selection of the right subscriber identity module becomes user friendly and automatic (or at least semi-automatic if user interaction is required for the selection or its confirmation). Additionally, the subscriber identity modules102to106,102B to106B may easily be carried with because a plurality of subscriber identity modules are in one card similar to a SIM of prior art.

Depending on the processing power needed, the equipment400may comprise several processors406such as parallel processors or a multicore processor. When designing the implementation of the processor406, a person skilled in the art will consider the requirements set for the size and power consumption of the equipment400ofFIG. 4, the necessary processing capacity, production costs, and production volumes, for example. The processor406and the memory402may be implemented by an electronic circuitry. In an example embodiment, the processor406is Freescale™ i.MX233 applications processor such as MCIMX233CJM4C and the memory402includes NAND type flash memory such as Micron® MT29F1G08ABADAH4-IT:D, and mobile DDR (=type of double data rate synchronous DRAM) SDRAM such as Micron® MT46H32M16LFBF-6 IT:C.

A non-exhaustive list of implementation techniques for the processor406and the memory402includes, but is not limited to:logic components,standard integrated circuits,application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC),system-on-a-chip (SoC),application-specific standard products (ASSP),microprocessors,digital signal processors,special-purpose computer chips, andfield-programmable gate arrays (FPGA).

Similar techniques may be applied in conjunction with the at least one subscriber identity module chip processor200, memories202and the at least one emulating integrated circuit300. The instructions404may be implemented by software and/or hardware. In an example embodiment, the software may be written by a suitable programming language (such as C, C++, or Java), and the resulting executable instructions404may be stored in the memory402and run by the processor406.

In an embodiment, the one or more memories402may further store instructions404, that, when executed by the one or more processors406, cause the equipment400to obtain the data of the subscriber identity modules102to106,102B to106E by at least one of the following: read the data440A,440B from the subscriber identity modules102to106,102B to106B, receive the data440A,440B wirelessly from a service provider, receive the data440A,440B from a user interface manipulated by a user of a mobile terminal.

Various criteria may be used alone or in combination for selecting at least one subscriber identity module102to106,102B to106E of the cards100,100B. A simple selection ground444of the at least one subscriber identity module102to106,102B to106E could be formulated as follows: “use the cheapest subscriber identity module of the at least one card that provides the required service at the required quality of service in the present location of the mobile terminal by network operator A if available, and if operator A is not available then by any other operator fulfilling the criteria”, but this is only an example embodiment, as the selection ground444may be much simpler or much more complex.

The one or more memories402store instructions404, that, when executed by the one or more processors406, cause the equipment400to: obtain data440A,440B from the at least one subscriber identity module102to106,102B to106B and control the use of at least one subscriber identity module of a plurality of subscriber identity modules102to106,102B to106B of at least one operator of wireless communication associated with the at least one card100,100B for wireless communication.

In an example embodiment, the one or more memories402further store instructions404, that, when executed by the one or more processors406, cause the equipment400to use at least one (for example SIM102) of the subscriber identity modules102to106,102B to106B as the default subscriber identity module. The instructions404may also use the at least one default subscriber identity module (SIM102according to the example) after start-up of the mobile terminal. The at least one default subscriber identity module (i.e. SIM102according to the example) may, besides being the at least one starting subscriber identity module, be also the at least one controlling subscriber identity module, and possibly also the at least one back-up subscriber identity module. The mobile terminal may use the at least one default SIM (i.e. SIM102according to the example) for communication.

In an example embodiment, the equipment400may be a mobile wireless communication terminal, a mobile an accessory of a mobile wireless communication terminal, a combination of a mobile wireless communication terminal and an accessory of the mobile wireless communication terminal, an accessory of a mobile terminal, a combination of a mobile terminal and an accessory of the mobile terminal, or a USB (Universal Serial Bus) modem, or any other suitable mobile terminal capable of employing the plurality of subscriber identity modules102to106,102B to106B, such as a mobile phone, a tablet pc, a portable computer, or a computer.

FIG. 5illustrates an example embodiment wherein the functionality of the equipment400ofFIG. 4is also implemented to the mobile terminal500. Consequently, the equipment400comprises the interface408associated with the plurality of the subscriber identity modules102to106,102B to106B of cards100,100B, the one or more processors406, and the one or more memories402storing the instructions404. The mobile terminal400may also comprise at least some of other parts612,614,616,618as shown inFIG. 5, but explained in relation toFIG. 6.

FIG. 6illustrates an example embodiment wherein the equipment400ofFIG. 4functionality is implemented in an accessory600of a mobile terminal610. Consequently, the accessory600comprises the plurality of the subscriber identity modules102to106,102B to106B of the at least one card100,100B. The accessory600may also comprise the at least one processor406and at least one memory402with the instructions404. The card100C may be similar to either of the cards100and100B and have a plurality of subscriber identity modules102C to106C corresponding to subscriber identity modules102to106or102B to106B. However, the card100C may alternatively be a prior art subscriber identity module card of only one SIM. The card100C may be taken out from the mobile terminal610and inserted in the accessory600.

The accessory600may or may not comprise a battery602, depending on the power requirements of the accessory600and the possibility to obtain electric energy from an external source such as the mobile terminal610. The (rechargeable) electrical battery602is one or more electrochemical cells that convert stored chemical energy into electrical energy. Instead of battery602, other suitable means may be used to store and/or provide energy.

The interface408associated with the subscriber identity modules102to106,102B to106B is within the accessory600, but also another interface628associated with the subscriber identity module102C to106C possibly located in the mobile terminal610may be needed.

Furthermore, both the mobile terminal610and the accessory600comprise a wired or wireless communication protocol interface604,620which may be standard or proprietary. The communication protocol interface604,620enables two-way communication630between the mobile terminal610and the accessory600. In an example embodiment, the interface604,620may be implemented as a serial or parallel communication bus, hardware line, an USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable with appropriate connectors, a SIM bus according to ISO/IEC 7816-3, a wireless Bluetooth link, a wireless WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) link, a wireless Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) link, a serial bus such as UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter), I2C (Inter-Integrated Circuit) or SPI (System Packet Interface). The data440A of the at least one subscriber identity module102C to106C of the card100C and the data442relating to the mobile terminal610may be transferred from the mobile terminal610to the accessory600through the interfaces604,620,628and potentially through the at least one processor622.

The instructions404, when executed by the one or more processors406of the accessory600, cause the accessory600to: obtain data440A,440B from the at least one subscriber identity module102to106,102B to106B and control the use of at least one subscriber identity module of a plurality of subscriber identity modules102to106,102B to106B of at least one operator of wireless communication associated with the at least one card100,100B for wireless communication.

The instructions404, when executed by the one or more processors406of the accessory600, cause the accessory600to obtain the data440A,440B,440C of the subscriber identity modules102to106,102B to102B,102C to106C, obtain selection ground data444for the at least one subscriber identity module, and select at least one optimal subscriber identity module102to106,102B to102B,102C to106C of cards100,100B,100C for use by the mobile terminal610on the basis of the data440A,440B,440C of the subscriber identity modules, and the selection ground444for the subscriber identity module. The data442relating to a mobile terminal610may also be obtained and it may have effect on the selection.

In an example embodiment, the mobile terminal610may be a mobile wireless communications terminal employing a transceiver618capable of communicating with a wireless communication system. In an example embodiment, the mobile terminal610may be a mobile phone comprising the card100C comprising a default subscriber identity module102C, a user interface616, a battery612, at least one processor622and at least one memory626with instructions624.

The user interface616may comprise a display, means for producing sound, a mechanical input means or the like. The display may be a liquid crystal display, an active-matrix of light-emitting diodes or the like, and it may be a touch screen. The means for producing sound may be a loudspeaker or a simpler means for producing beeps or other sound signals. The mechanical input means may comprise a QWERTY keyboard, a keypad and/or a few movable buttons. A parameter, setting or command relating to the described processing of the subscriber identity modules102to106,102B to106B,102C to106C may be manipulated with the user interface616.

Furthermore, the mobile terminal610may comprise a positioning receiver614receiving external location information, which may be utilized to generate location of the mobile terminal610. The positioning receiver614may be a receiver of the Global Positioning System (GPS), the Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS), the Galileo Positioning System (Galileo), the Beidou Navigation System, The Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS), or the Indian Regional Navigational Satellite System (IRNSS), for example. Besides global navigation satellites, the positioning receiver614may also determine its location by utilizing other known positioning techniques. It is well known that by receiving radio signals from several different base stations, a mobile phone may determine its location, for example. The position data may be used as a selection ground data.

In the example embodiment ofFIG. 6, the accessory600may not comprise a user interface of its own, but the user interaction is performed through the user interface616of the mobile terminal610as data may be transferred between the accessory600and the mobile terminal610through the interfaces604,620. However, in another example embodiment, the accessory600may comprise a user interface as well for outputting and/or inputting data of the described processing of the subscriber identity modules102to106,102B to106B,102C to106C of the subscriber identity module cards100,100B. The user input may be used as a selection ground data.

In the example embodiment ofFIG. 6, the equipment400ofFIG. 4functionality may be implemented in the accessory600such that the instructions404are run in the at least one processor406of the accessory600. However, also such an example embodiment is feasible wherein a part of the equipment400ofFIG. 4functionality is implemented in the mobile terminal610as well such that a part of the instructions404are also run in the at least one processor622of the mobile terminal610.

FIG. 7illustrates an example embodiment wherein the equipment400ofFIG. 4functionality is divided between an accessory700of a mobile terminal710and the mobile terminal710. Consequently, the accessory700comprises the plurality of the subscriber identity modules102to106,102B to106B,102C to106C of the cards100,100B,100C. The interface408associated with the subscriber identity modules102to106,102B to106B is within the accessory700, but also another interface628associated with the subscriber identity modules102C to106C possibly located in the mobile terminal710may be needed. But, as shown inFIG. 7, the accessory700may not require a processor or a memory.

The mobile terminal710comprises the at least one processor406and at least one memory402with the instructions404, and also the other parts612,614,616,618,620,628as shown inFIG. 7, and explained in relation toFIG. 6.

In the example embodiment ofFIG. 7, the accessory700is a kind of container including the at least one card100,100B of extra subscriber identity modules102to106,102B to106B to be used by the mobile terminal710, but the required processing is performed only in the at least one processor106of the mobile terminal710.

The data440B,440C of the subscriber identity modules102to106,102B to106B may be transferred from the accessory700to the mobile terminal710through the interfaces604,620.

The instructions404, when executed by the one or more processors406of the mobile terminal710, cause the mobile terminal710obtain data440A,440B from the at least one subscriber identity module102to106,102B to106B and control the use of at least one subscriber identity module of a plurality of subscriber identity modules102to106,102B to106B of at least one operator of wireless communication associated with the at least one card100,100B for wireless communication.

The instructions404, when executed by the one or more processors406of the mobile terminal710, may cause the mobile terminal710to obtain the data440A,440B,440C of the subscriber identity modules102to106,102B to106B,102C to106C, obtain selection ground444for the at least one subscriber identity module, and select at least one optimal subscriber identity module102to106,102B to106B,102C to106C for use by the mobile terminal710on the basis of the data440A,440B,440C of the subscriber identity modules, and the selection ground data444for the at least one subscriber identity module. The data442relating to a mobile terminal710may also be obtained and it may have effect on the selection.

FIG. 8illustrates an example embodiment wherein the functionality of the equipment400ofFIG. 4is implemented in a USB (Universal Serial Bus) modem800. In this example, the USB modem800which may be used as an accessory of a mobile terminal810. Consequently, the USB modem800comprises the plurality of the subscriber identity modules102to106,102B to106B of the cards100,100B, the interface408associated with the subscriber identity modules102to106,102B to106B, the at least one processor406, and at least one memory402with the instructions404.

The USB modem800may or may not comprise a battery, depending on the power requirements of the USB modem800and the possibility to obtain electric energy from an external source such as a mobile terminal810.

Furthermore, the USB modem800comprises a USB interface604capable of being coupled630through a USB cable and appropriate connectors to a USB interface620of the mobile terminal810. The data442of the mobile terminal810may be transferred from the mobile terminal810to the USB modem800through the interfaces604,620.

The instructions404, when executed by the one or more processors406of the USB modem800, cause the USB modem800obtain data440A,440B from the at least one subscriber identity module102to106,102B to106B and control the use of at least one subscriber identity module of a plurality of subscriber identity modules102to106,102B to106B of at least one operator of wireless communication associated with the at least one card100,100E for wireless communication.

The instructions404, when executed by the one or more processors406of the USB modem800, may cause the USB modem800to obtain the data440A,440B of the subscriber identity modules102to106,102B to106B, obtain selection ground data444for the at least one subscriber identity module, and select at least one optimal subscriber identity module102to106,102B to106B for use by the mobile terminal810on the basis of the data440A,440B of the subscriber identity modules, and the selection ground data444for the at least one subscriber identity module. The data442relating to a mobile terminal810may also be obtained and it may have effect on the selection.

In an example embodiment, the mobile terminal810may be a portable computer, a tablet computer, or any other suitable mobile terminal capable of employing the plurality of subscriber identity modules102to106,102B to106B but not necessarily itself including a transceiver capable of communicating with a wireless communication system. Consequently, the mobile terminal810may only comprise the battery612and the user interface616of the other parts of the mobile terminal610illustrated inFIG. 6.

In the example embodiment ofFIG. 8, the equipment400ofFIG. 4functionality may be implemented in the USB modem800such that the instructions404are run in the at least one processor406of the USB modem800. However, also such an example embodiment is feasible wherein a part of the equipment400ofFIG. 4functionality may implemented in the mobile terminal810as well such that a part of the instructions404are also run in at least one processor422of the mobile terminal810besides the other instructions624stored in at least one memory626of the mobile terminal810.

FIG. 9shows an electronic digital computer which is an example of the equipment400ofFIG. 4. The electronic digital computer, which may comprise, besides the at least one processor406and the (working) memory402, a non-volatile memory900, and a system clock902. Naturally, the computer may comprise a number of other peripheral devices, not illustrated here for the sake of clarity.

In an example embodiment, the system clock902constantly generates a regular stream of electrical pulses, which cause the various transferring operations within the computer to take place in an orderly manner and with deterministic timing.

In an example embodiment, the at least one processor406may be implemented as a microprocessor implementing functions of a central processing unit (CPU) on an integrated circuit. The CPU is a logic state machine executing a computer program422, which comprises the program instructions404. The instructions104may be coded as a computer program using a programming language, which may be a high-level programming language, such as C, or Java, or a low-level programming language, such as a machine language, or an assembler. The CPU may comprise a set of registers904, an arithmetic logic unit (ALU)906, and a control unit (CU)908. The control unit908is controlled by a sequence of instructions404transferred to the CPU from the working memory402. The control unit908may contain a number of microinstructions for basic operations. The implementation of the microinstructions may vary, depending on the CPU design. The microprocessor406may also have an operating system (a dedicated operating system of an embedded system, or a real-time operating system), which may provide the computer program422with system services.

In an example embodiment, there may be three different types of buses between the working memory402and the at least one processor406: a data bus910, a control bus912, and an address bus914. The control unit908uses the control bus912to set the working memory402in two states, one for writing data into the working memory402, and the other for reading data from the working memory402. The control unit908uses the address bus914to send to the working memory402address signals for addressing specified portions of the memory in writing and reading states. The data bus910is used to transfer data922, such as data440A,440B,440C,442,444between the working memory402to the at least one processor406, and to transfer the instructions404from the working memory402to the at least one processor406. During running of the program422, the instructions404may be transferred via the data bus910from the working memory402into the control unit908, wherein usually a portion of the instructions404resides and controls the operation of the equipment400ofFIG. 4.

In an example embodiment, the working memory402may be implemented as a random-access memory (RAM), where the information is lost after the power is switched off. The RAM is capable of returning any piece of data in a constant time, regardless of its physical location and whether or not it is related to the previous piece of data. The data may comprise data440A,440B,440C,442,444and any other permanent or temporary data needed during the processing, program instructions etc.

In an example embodiment, the non-volatile memory900retains the stored information even when not powered. Examples of non-volatile memory include read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, magnetic computer storage devices such as hard disk drives, and optical discs. As is shown inFIG. 9, the non-volatile memory900may store both data920and the computer program422comprising the instructions404.

In principle, what is written about the at least one processor406and the memories above is true for the at least one processor200and the memories202of a SIM irrespective of whether they are real or virtual.

An example embodiment provides a computer program422comprising the instructions404which, when loaded426into the equipment400ofFIG. 4, cause the equipment400ofFIG. 4to obtain data440A,440B,440C of the subscriber identity modules102to106,106B to106B,102C to106C in cards100,100B,100C, obtain selection ground data444associated with the at least one subscriber identity module, and select at least one optimal subscriber identity module102to106,102B to106B,102C to106C for use by the mobile terminal on the basis of the data440A,440B,440C of the subscriber identity modules, and the selection ground data444for the subscriber identity module. The data442relating to a mobile terminal may also be obtained and it may have effect on the selection.

In an example embodiment, the computer program422may be in source code form, object code form, or in some intermediate form. The computer program422may be stored in a carrier420, which may be any entity or device capable of carrying the program422to the equipment400ofFIG. 4. The carrier420may be a computer-readable storage medium. Besides this, the carrier420may be implemented as follows, for example: the computer program422may be embodied on a record medium, stored in a computer memory, embodied in a read-only memory, and/or embodied on a software distribution medium. The carrier420may also be carried on the telecommunications signal. The medium420may be a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium.

FIG. 4illustrates an example embodiment in which the carrier420may be coupled426with the equipment400ofFIG. 4, whereupon the program422comprising the instructions404is transferred into the (working) memory402, and possibly also into the non-volatile memory900. The program422with its instructions404may be loaded from the non-volatile memory900into the working memory402as needed.

FIG. 10presents a principle of selection of at least one subscriber identity module102to106,102B to106B for use on the basis of selection data. The at least one identifier may be formed in the at least one processor406on the basis of the data440A,440B,440C of the subscriber identity modules, the data442relating to the mobile terminal, and the selection ground data444for the subscriber identity module. The data440A,440B,440C of the subscriber identity modules and the data442relating to the mobile terminal may remain constant but the selection ground data444may vary. The computer program422comprising the instructions404which, when loaded426into the equipment400ofFIG. 4, cause the equipment400ofFIG. 4to form the at least one identifier on the basis of the selection ground444. However, the data440A,440B,440C of the subscriber identity modules and the data442relating to the mobile terminal may also have effect on the formation of the at least one identifier. The selector circuit1000may, on the basis of the at least one identifier, then enable data transfer between the desired at least one subscriber identity module102to106,102B to106B and the at least one processor106for wireless communication of the equipment400. Hence, the at least one subscriber identity module102to106,102B to106B may be programmably selected for use. Similarly, the at least one subscriber identity module102to106,102B to106B may programmably be deselected when a new selection ground444is available or obtained and at least one new identifier is formed. Each subscriber identity module102to106,102B to106B may be addressed using an identifier referring to the subscriber identity module102to106,102B to106B.

In an embodiment, the selector circuit1000may be a part of the equipment400outside the at least one card100,100B,100C. In an embodiment, the selector circuit1000may be a part of each card100,100B,100C. In an embodiment, the selector circuit1000may reside partly in the equipment400outside the at least one card100,100B,100C and partly in each card100,100B,100C. The selector circuit1000may comprise logic gates which enable communication between the at least one processor406and the at least one selected subscriber identity module by opening a proper coupling therebetween irrespective whether the at least one selected subscriber identity module is real or virtual. The selector circuit1000may be realized using combinational logic and/or sequential logic.

FIG. 11presents mechanics of the equipment400associated with wireless communication. The equipment400may be the mobile terminal500,610,710,810, the accessory600,700or the USB modem800. The equipment400comprises also pockets1100for the at least one card100,100B. The number of pockets may be one or more. The pockets1100may be arranged parallel or in some other manner in the equipment400.

Each pocket1100may have an empty space the size and shape of which may closely correspond to those of the card100,100B. Each pocket1100has electrical contact electrodes1102for coupling with contact pads110to120of the card100,100B. The electrical contact electrodes1102are in electrical connection with the operational circuitry of the card100,100B. The at least one card100,100B is removably attachable to the equipment.

The equipment400may be made thin and pocket sized and the equipment400may thus also be portable like present mobile phones, for example. Here thin means a thickness of less than about 2.5 cm, and often 0.5 cm to 2 cm. Other dimensions of the equipment400are defined by the outer structures and they may be about 5 cm to 20 cm×4 cm to 15 cm, for example. The equipment400may comprise or may be made of plastic, composite, ceramics or metal, for example.

FIG. 12presents a manufacturing method of the card comprising a plurality of subscriber identity module irrespective whether they are real or virtual. In step1200, subscriber-identity-module-specific data of a plurality of subscriber identity modules associated with at least one operator of wireless communication and instructions, that, when executed by the processing means, cause the card to: act as a plurality of subscriber identity modules of the operators of wireless communication systems on the basis of the stored subscriber-identity-module-specific data in the at least one memory, are stored in the at least one memory of the card.

FIG. 13presents a manufacturing method of the card comprising a plurality of real subscriber identity modules. In step1300, a plurality of subscriber identity module chips are arranged in a carrier of the card. In step1302, electrical coupling is formed between the contact pins and the plurality of subscriber identity module chips.

FIG. 14presents a manufacturing method of the card comprising a plurality of virtual subscriber identity modules. In step1400, subscriber-identity-module-specific data of a plurality of subscriber identity modules are stored in the at least one memory of at least one emulating integrated circuit of the card for emulating the subscriber identity modules in the card virtually.

Wireless communication devices develop rapidly. Therefore, all words and expressions should be interpreted broadly and they are intended to illustrate, not to restrict, the embodiments presented above. It will be obvious to a person skilled in the art that, as technology advances, the inventive concept can be implemented in various ways. The invention and its embodiments are not limited to the examples described above but may vary within the scope of the claims.