Method in mobile telephone systems in which a subscriber identity module (SIM) is allocated at least two identities which are selectively activated by the user

A method of setting up calls to one of a plurality of subscriber identities in a digital mobile telephone system, the system having a home database, a visitor database in communication with the home database and a subscriber unit for use with a removably insertable subscriber identity module, the method comprising the steps of:

• storing in the home database for a subscriber first and second identities and a separate directory number allocated to each of the two identities;
• selectively activating a first identity from the two identities by inserting the subscriber identity module into the subscriber unit;
• transmitting to the home database a signal indicative of the activated first identity;
• storing in the home database responsive to said signal information identifying the activated identity for such a subscriber;
• determining if the second identity is registered at the visitor database;
• canceling the second identity at the visitor database, if the second identity is registered at the visitor database;
• determining if the subscriber has set a call forwarding number in a Call Forwarding Unconditional field designated for the second identity at the home database;
• loading the directory number allocated to the selected first identity into the Call Forwarding Unconditional field designated for the second identity if the subscriber has not set a call forwarding number in said field designated for the second identity;
• canceling the call forwarding number stored in the Call Forwarding Unconditional field designated for the first identity in the home database if such call forwarding number is the directory number allocated to the second identity;
• and
• transferring a call made to a directory number allocated to the second identity, to the directory number stored in the Call Forwarding Unconditional field designated for the second identity at the home database.

A method of setting up calls in a digital mobile telephone system, the system having a home database and subscriber units, a subscriber unit being controlled by a subscriber identity module, the method comprising:

• allocating at least two identities to a subscriber identity module within one and the same subscription;
• allocating said at least two identities to one and the same directory number in the home database;
• selectively activating an identity of said at least two identities in a subscriber unit controlled by said subscriber identity module;
• sending information to the home database identifying which identity is activated;
• and
• setting up a call made to said directory number to the activated identity as identified by said information in the home database.

A method of setting up calls in a digital mobile telephone system, the system having a home database and subscriber units, a subscriber unit having an insertable subscriber identity module, the method comprising:

• allocating at least two identities to a subscriber identity module within one and the same subscription;
• allocating each of said at least two identities to one of a plurality of unique directory numbers in the home database, one of said unique directory numbers being the subscribers external telephone number;
• selectively activating one identity of said at least two identities allocated to said subscriber identity module;
• sending information to the home database identifying the activated identity;
• and
• setting up an incoming call, responsive to the information in the home database, to the unique directory number being the subscriber's external telephone number when the identity corresponding to the unique directory number is the selectively activated identity, and transferring the call to a next directory number of said unique directory numbers when the identity corresponding to the unique number is not activated.

A method of setting up calls in a digital mobile telephone system, the system having a home database and subscriber units, a subscriber unit being controlled by a subscriber identity module, the method comprising:

• allocating two identities to a subscriber identity module within one and the same subscription;
• allocating each said two identities to a different unique directory number in the home database, the unique directory numbers both being external telephone numbers for the subscriber;
• selectively activating one identity of said two identities in a subscriber unit controlled by said subscriber identity module;
• sending information to the home database identifying the activated identity;
• and
• setting up an incoming call, responsive to the information in the home database, made to one of said unique directory numbers when the identity corresponding to said unique directory number is the selectively activated identity, and transferring the call to the other unique directory number of said two unique directory numbers when the identity corresponding to the incoming call unique directory number is not activated.