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Cellular phone handset SIM card reader and method for testing and updating a cellular phone handset memory
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Inventors: Phillips, John Charles; Peele, James Calvin;
Assignee: Ericsson Inc. (Research Triangle Park, NC)
Primary Examiner: Bost; Dwayne
Assistant Examiner: West; Lewis G.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Goats & Bennett, PLLC
An improved SIM card reader with at least one reader data contact that is connected, typically through a control unit, to a memory, through which reader data contact predetermined software update data may be transmitted for storage in the memory of a mobile telecommunication device. The SIM card reader may be integral to the mobile communication device. In a preferred embodiment, the SIM card reader receives an improved SIM card having a card data contact that cooperatively engages with the reader data contact to electrically couple the reader data contact and the card data contact, thereby to provide a data path through which software update data may be transmitted for storage in the memory of a mobile telecommunication device. The at least one reader data contact may be used to "flash" the memory of a mobile telecommunication device with software updates, for instance. Additional reader data contacts may be implemented for testing functions, such as, for instance, Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI), transmission power confirmation, VCO Frequency confirmation, and power level. |
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to reduce the size of the system connector of a mobile telecommunication device by transmitting software update data through a SIM card reader instead of through the system connector.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a method of using a SIM card reader to flash memory of a mobile telecommunication device with software updates.
It is a feature of the present invention to provide an improved SIM card reader through which memory of a mobile communication device may be flashed with software updates.
It is another feature of the present invention to provide at least one data path contact in a SIM card reader, through which software update data may be transmitted for storage in the memory of a mobile telecommunication device.
It is another feature of the present invention to provide at least one test contact that is connected to selected test points in the mobile telecommunication device, for use in testing such test points.
Briefly described according to one embodiment of the present invention, an improved SIM card reader is provided with at least one reader data contact that is connected, typically through a control unit, to a memory, through which contact predetermined software update data may be transmitted for storage in the memory of a mobile telecommunication device.
The SIM card reader may be integral to the mobile communication device.
In a preferred embodiment, the SIM card reader receives an improved SIM card having a card data contact that cooperatively engages with the reader data contact to electrically couple the reader data contact and the card data contact, thereby to provide a data path through which software update data may be transmitted for storage in the memory of a mobile telecommunication device.
The at least one reader data contact may be used to "flash" the memory of a mobile telecommunication device with software updates, for instance.
Additional reader data contacts may be implemented for testing functions, such as, for instance, Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI), transmission power confirmation, VCO Frequency confirmation, and power level
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Cell Phones 
