Method and system for providing communication services using multiple remote subscriber identity modules

Abstract

A method and wireless communication device for providing communication services to a device connected to the wireless communication device. The wireless communication device establishes one or more logical data connections with one or more SIM banks by establishing an initial wireless carrier connection using an initial SIM from a plurality of local SIM banks. A remote SIM is selected from the one or more SIM banks and used to establish an additional wireless carrier connection to allow communication services to be provided to the device over the wireless carrier connection.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the invention patent application with application number 202080007092.X and name “Method and system for providing communication services using multiple remote subscriber identity modules”. Technical Field

[0002] The present invention generally relates to wireless communication devices using remote SIMs to establish wireless carrier connections, and more particularly, to selecting multiple remote SIMs and establishing wireless carrier connections through multiple wireless communication modules. Background Art

[0003] Wireless communication devices, such as cellular routers, provide communication services to other devices. The wireless communication device can establish a wireless carrier connection and then allow other devices to send and receive data through the wireless carrier connection. To establish a wireless carrier connection, one or more Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards are used.

[0004] When a wireless communication device is moved to another location, a different SIM card may be needed. Furthermore, when a SIM card's data quota is exhausted or nearly exhausted, it can be swapped out for a different SIM card. Furthermore, when a SIM card fails, a new SIM card may be needed to replace it. There are many reasons why a SIM card may need to be replaced at a wireless communication device.

[0005] One solution is to use a remote SIM. The remote SIM is placed at the SIM bank. The wireless communication device communicates with the SIM bank via a logical data connection to use the remote SIM. This logical data connection is established through the already established wireless carrier connection.

[0006] If there is an interruption, communication with the SIM bank may be adversely affected at the logical data connection or / and at the wireless carrier connection. The remote SIM being used may then become unavailable. In such a case, the wireless communication device will not be able to provide communication services to other devices. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The present invention discloses a method for selecting a subscriber identity module (SIM) card at a wireless communication device. The selection includes establishing an initial wireless carrier connection using an initial local SIM card. Subsequently, an initial authentication connection is established between the wireless communication device and a SIM library. When the initial authentication connection is established, a first local SIM card or a first remote SIM card is selected from the SIM library to establish a first wireless carrier connection. Thereafter, the initial wireless carrier connection is disconnected. A second local SIM card or a second remote SIM card is selected from the SIM library to establish a second wireless carrier connection. Finally, communication services are provided to a device connected to the wireless communication device via one or both of the first wireless carrier connection and the second wireless carrier connection. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Figure 1A A schematic block diagram of a wireless communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0009] Figure 1B A schematic block diagram of a wireless communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0010] Figure 1C A schematic block diagram of a SIM library according to the present invention is shown.

[0011] Figure 1D A schematic block diagram of a SIM library management server according to the present invention is shown.

[0012] Figure 2A Shown is a network diagram according to the present invention.

[0013] Figure 2B A wireless carrier connection according to the present invention is shown.

[0014] Figure 3A is a process flow diagram illustrating a method for selecting an R-SIM according to the present invention.

[0015] Figure 3B is a process flow diagram illustrating a method for providing authentication information according to the present invention.

[0016] Figure 4A is a process flow diagram illustrating a method according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 4B is a process flow diagram illustrating a method according to an example embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 5A is a process flow diagram illustrating a method according to an example embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 5Bis a process flow diagram illustrating a method according to an example embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 5C is a process flow diagram illustrating a method according to an example embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 6 is a process flow diagram illustrating a method according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 7 is a process flow diagram illustrating a method according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 8A is a process flow diagram illustrating a method according to an example embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 8B is a process flow diagram illustrating a method according to an example embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 8C is a process flow diagram illustrating a method according to an example embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 8D is a process flow diagram for one embodiment according to the present invention.

[0027] Figure 9A is a process flow diagram illustrating a method according to an example embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 9B is a process flow diagram illustrating a method according to an example embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 10 is a timing diagram of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] The following description provides only preferred exemplary embodiments and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability or configuration of the present invention. In fact, the following description of the preferred exemplary embodiments will provide a favorable description of the preferred exemplary embodiments for those skilled in the art to implement the present invention. It should be understood that various changes can be made to the function and arrangement of the elements without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in the appended claims.

[0031] In the following description, specific details are provided to provide a deeper understanding of the embodiments. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. For example, circuits may be shown as block diagrams to avoid obscuring the embodiments with unnecessary detail. In other cases, well-known circuits, processes, algorithms, structures, and techniques may be shown without unnecessary detail to avoid obscuring the embodiments.

[0032] Furthermore, it should be noted that an embodiment may describe a process that is depicted as a flow chart, job diagram, data flow diagram, or block diagram. Although a flow chart may describe operations as a sequential process, many operations may be performed in parallel or simultaneously. In addition, the order of operations may be rearranged. A process terminates when the operations of the process are completed, but may have additional steps not included in the diagram. A process may correspond to a method, function, procedure, subroutine, subprogram, etc. When a process corresponds to a function, its termination corresponds to the function returning to the calling function or main function.

[0033] The embodiments or parts thereof may be implemented as program instructions, which may be operated on a processing unit to perform the functions and operations described herein. The program instructions constituting various embodiments may be stored in a storage medium.

[0034] The program instructions constituting the various embodiments may be stored in a storage medium. Furthermore, as disclosed herein, the term "storage medium" may refer to one or more devices for storing data, including read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic RAM, magnetic core memory, floppy disk, diskette, hard disk, magnetic tape, CD-ROM, flash memory device, memory card, and / or other machine-readable media for storing information.

[0035] The term "machine-readable medium" includes, but is not limited to, portable or fixed storage devices, optical storage devices, wireless channels, and various other media capable of storing, containing, or carrying instructions and / or data. Machine-readable media can be implemented through virtualization and can be virtual machine-readable media, including virtual machine-readable media in cloud-based instances. Furthermore, embodiments may be implemented through hardware, software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware descriptions, languages, or any combination thereof. When implemented in software, firmware, middleware, or microcode, the program code or code segments that perform the necessary tasks may be stored in a machine-readable medium, such as a storage medium.

[0036] As used herein, the terms computer-readable medium, primary memory, secondary storage, or other storage medium refer to any medium that participates in providing instructions to a processing unit for execution. The processing unit reads data written to the primary storage medium and writes the data to the secondary storage medium. Therefore, even if data written to the primary storage medium is lost due to a momentary power failure, for example, the data can be recovered by transferring the data stored in the secondary storage medium to the primary storage medium. Computer-readable medium is merely one example of a machine-readable medium that can carry instructions for implementing any of the methods and / or techniques described herein. This medium can take many forms, including but not limited to non-volatile media, volatile media, and transmission media. Non-volatile media include, for example, optical or magnetic disks. Volatile storage includes dynamic memory. Transmission media include coaxial cables, copper wire, and optical fiber. Transmission media can also take the form of acoustic or light waves, such as those generated during radio wave and infrared data communications.

[0037] Volatile memory can be used to store temporary variables or other intermediate information during the execution of instructions by the processing unit. Non-volatile storage devices or static storage devices can be used to store static information and instructions for the processor, as well as various system configuration parameters.

[0038] The storage medium may contain a plurality of software modules, which may be implemented as software codes executed by the processing unit using any suitable computer instruction type. The software codes may be stored in the storage medium as a series of instructions or commands or as a program.

[0039] Various forms of computer-readable media can be involved in carrying one or more sequences of one or more instructions to a processor for execution. For example, the instructions may first be carried on a disk from a remote computer. Alternatively, the remote computer may load the instructions into its dynamic memory and send the instructions to a system that executes one or more sequences of one or more instructions.

[0040] A processing unit may be a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a digital signal processor (DSP), any combination of those devices, or any other circuitry configured to process information.

[0041] The processing unit executes program instructions or code segments for implementing embodiments of the present invention. Furthermore, embodiments may be implemented via hardware, software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description languages, or any combination thereof. When implemented via software, firmware, middleware, or microcode, the program instructions for performing the necessary tasks may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. The processing unit may be implemented via virtualization and may be a virtual processing unit, including a virtual processing unit in a cloud-based instance.

[0042] Embodiments of the present invention relate to using a computer system to implement the techniques described herein. In embodiments, the processing unit of the present invention may reside on a machine such as a computer platform. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the techniques described herein are performed by a computer system in response to the processing unit executing one or more sequences of one or more instructions contained in a volatile memory. Such instructions may be read into the volatile memory from another computer-readable medium. The execution of the sequence of instructions contained in the volatile memory causes the processing unit to perform the process steps described herein. In alternative embodiments, hard-wired circuitry may be used to house or be combined with software instructions to implement the present invention. Therefore, embodiments of the present invention are not limited to any specific combination of hardware circuitry and software.

[0043] Alternatively, hardware circuitry may be used in place of or in combination with software instructions to implement processes consistent with the principles of the invention. Therefore, implementations consistent with the principles of the invention are not limited to any specific combination of hardware circuitry and software.

[0044] The network interface may be implemented by a standalone electronic component or may be integrated with other electronic components. Depending on the configuration, the network interface may have no network connection or at least one network connection. A network interface, such as network interfaces 135 and 136 in WCD 100, may be an Ethernet interface, a frame relay interface, a fiber optic interface, a cable interface, a digital subscriber line (DSL) interface, a token ring interface, a serial bus interface, a universal serial bus (USB) interface, a FireWire interface, a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) interface, a cellular network interface, or the like.

[0045] The network interface can be connected to a wired or wireless access network. The access network can carry one or more network protocol data. A wired access network can be implemented using Ethernet, fiber optic, cable, DSL, frame relay, token ring, serial bus, USB, FireWire, PCI, or any material that can transmit information. A wireless access network can be implemented using infrared, high-speed packet access (HSPA), HSPA+, long-term evolution (LTE), WiMax, general packet radio service (GPRS), global system for mobile communications (GSM), enhanced data rates for GSM evolution (EDGE), code division multiple access (CDMA), Wi-Fi, CDMA2000, wideband CDMA (WCDMA), time division CDMA (TD-SCDMA), Bluetooth, WiBRO, evolution data optimized (EV-DO); digital enhanced cordless telecommunications (DECT); digital AMPS (IS-136 / TDMA); integrated digital enhanced (iDEN), or any other wireless technology. For example, the network interface can be implemented as a local area network (LAN) interface or a wide area network (WAN) interface.

[0046] As disclosed herein, the term "wireless communication module" may refer to a transceiver module that provides network capabilities to a power controller or power controller server via wires or using a 3G, GPRS, or GPS module via an Ethernet cable. The wireless communication module reduces the processing unit's access to user information, and the communication port of the communication module can be wirelessly connected to a personal computer or other power controller or power controller server (PCS) via wires or using a serial bus or Ethernet or using 2G / 3G / 4G or LTE technology. The wireless communication module can be used as a network interface for applications that require sharing data between the power controller and smart devices such as a host computer and / or server.

[0047] Figure 1A 1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating the hardware blocks of a wireless communication device (WCD) 100. The WCD 100 includes multiple SIM card interfaces 117 and multiple embedded universal integrated circuit cards (eUICCs) 116. Each of the multiple SIM card interfaces 117 is configured to connect to one or more removable SIM cards. For illustrative purposes, this document describes one removable SIM card for each of the SIM card interfaces. For example, the SIM card interface 117a is connected to the removable SIM card 112a, and the SIM card interface 117b is connected to the removable SIM card 112b. The removable SIM card can be a universal integrated circuit card. Each of the SIM card interfaces can be connected to a SIM slot for receiving a removable SIM card.

[0048] eUICC 116 may be built into the WCD and not removable. Each eUICC 116 may be configured to implement one or more electronic SIMs (eSIMs). For illustrative purposes, this document describes one eSIM for each eUICC. For example, eUICC 116a is used to implement eSIMs 111a and 111c, and eUICC 116b is used to implement eSIMs 111b and 111d. An eSIM may represent a SIM profile. A SIM profile may be derived from a remote eSIM subscription management server based on information provided by the wireless carrier network. A SIM profile contains information that provides access to a specific wireless carrier network for wireless communication. eSIMs 111a-d may be from the same or different wireless carrier networks. Hereinafter, eSIM 111 and removable SIM 112 are also referred to as local SIMs (L-SIMs). A local SIM (L-SIM) is a SIM that resides in WCD 100. There is no limit to the number of SIMs that can be placed in WCD 100 .

[0049] WCD 100 can also be configured to connect to one or more remote SIMs (R-SIMs) via the Internet. A remote SIM (R-SIM) is a SIM that is placed in a SIM bank. For illustrative purposes, R-SIMs 113a and 113b are shown. R-SIMs 113a and 113b can be placed in one or more SIM banks that can be configured to connect to WCD 100 via one or more data connections. There is no limit to the number of SIMs that can be placed in a SIM bank. There is no limit to the number of SIM banks that can be connected to WCD 100. For example, R-SIMs 113a and 113b can be placed in two different SIM banks.

[0050] WCD 100 also includes multiple wireless communication modules (WCMs), such as WCMs 101a-101c. Each of the multiple WCMs 101 can be configured to connect to either an L-SIM or an R-SIM at a time. Wireless communication modules such as WCMs 101 can be connected to an embedded or external antenna and perform wireless communication via the antenna. An example of a WCM is the Sierra Wireless EM7511.

[0051] Processing units, such as processing unit 160, execute program instructions or code segments for implementing embodiments of the present invention. Furthermore, embodiments may be implemented using hardware, software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description languages, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, firmware, middleware, or microcode, the program instructions for performing the necessary tasks may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium.

[0052] The processing unit 160 may be a complex programmable logic device (CPLD), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a digital signal processor (DSP), any combination of those devices, or any other circuitry that can be configured to execute program instructions for implementing the embodiments disclosed herein. In an exemplary embodiment, the processing unit 160 has a sufficient number of input / output pins and processing capabilities. Thus, the processing unit 160 can be directly connected to the SIM card interface 117, the eUICC 116, the WCM 101, and other hardware components, such as the main memory 132 and the system bus 137.

[0053] In another exemplary embodiment, Figure 1B As shown, processing unit 160 does not have a sufficient number of input / output pins to connect to all hardware components. Therefore, a complex programmable logic device (CPLD), such as CPLD 150, is connected to processing unit 160 to provide a sufficient number of input / output pins. Some hardware components, such as eUICC 116, SIM card interface 117, and WCM 101, can be connected to the processing unit via the CPLD, while other hardware components, such as main memory 132 and system bus 137, can be connected to the processing unit directly, through another circuit, and / or through another CPLD. There is no restriction on the use of a CPLD. Any logic circuit that can be configured to implement multiplexing can be used. For example, an FPGA or a multiplexer can also be used.

[0054] The network interfaces 135 and 136 may be connected to the processing unit 160 through a system bus 137. The system bus 137 may be any of several types of bus structures using any of a variety of bus architectures, including a memory bus, a peripheral bus, and a local bus.

[0055] In one variant, WCMs 101a-c, eUICCs 116a-b, SIM interfaces 117a-b, and main memory 132 are not directly connected to processing unit 160. Instead, they are indirectly connected to processing unit 160 via a bus, such as system bus 137. In one variant, they are indirectly connected to processing unit 160 via multiple buses.

[0056] Figure 2Ais a schematic block diagram illustrating an exemplary network environment operable to utilize multiple SIMs for data communications according to embodiments disclosed herein. Figure 2A Three wireless carrier networks are included, such as wireless carrier networks 201a-201c. Each wireless carrier network can use cellular technology to provide communication coverage for a corresponding specific geographic area. Wireless carrier networks 201a-201c can be operated by the same company or different companies.

[0057] WCD 100 can communicate with network server 208, network node 210, SIM repository 212, SIM repository management server 216, and eSIM subscription management server 214 via interconnection network 217. For ease of reading, the eSIM subscription management server is hereinafter referred to as the eSIM server. WCD 100 can connect to interconnection network 217 via one or more wireless carrier connections established by wireless carrier networks 201a-201c. WCD 100 can connect to the interconnection network 217 using the wireless carrier network 201a-201c. Figure 1A Any of the L-SIM and R-SIM discussed above can establish a wireless carrier connection.

[0058] Optionally, Figure 2A Also included are satellite operator networks, such as satellite operator network 205. Satellite operator network 205 may be implemented using geostationary satellites or low earth orbit (LEO) satellites, which provide communication coverage for a larger geographic area than wireless operator networks. For example, WCD 100 may be within the corresponding coverage area of ​​satellite operator network 205 and may optionally be connected to interconnection network 217 via one or more satellite data connections established through satellite operator network 205.

[0059] Optionally, WCD 100 can also be connected to one or more wired communication networks. Examples of wired communication networks may include network node 209. WCD 100 can optionally be connected to interconnected network 217 via one or more wired data connections established using one or more network nodes, including but not limited to 209.

[0060] WCD 100 can connect to one or more local hosts directly or through a connected local area network (LAN). For illustrative purposes, WCD 100 is directly connected to local host laptop computer 206 and to local host IoT 204 through LAN 202. Each of local hosts 204 and 206 can connect to interconnected network 217 through WCD 100. Thus, WCD 100 acts as a gateway to allow data packets to be routed through one or more wireless carrier connections established via wireless carrier networks 201a-201c.

[0061] According to one embodiment of the present invention, when a first set of data packets is received at WCD 100 from a local host destined for a remote host reachable via any established wireless carrier connection, WCD 100 first determines which wireless carrier connection should be used to send the data packets. For illustrative purposes, WCD 100 receives data packets from laptop computer 206 destined for website server 208. The decision to select a wireless carrier connection to send the data packets can be based on policy. The policy can be based on one or more of the following criteria: network performance, network security, user access, user preferences, device preferences, signal strength, billing period, and time of day.

[0062] Figure 1C is a schematic block diagram of an exemplary SIM library according to one embodiment of the present invention. For example, the exemplary SIM library is SIM library 212a. SIM library 212a includes at least one processing unit 153 and at least one main memory 154. Processing unit 153 may be directly connected to main memory 154 and connected to hardware components, such as at least one auxiliary storage device 155, one or more network interfaces 156, and multiple SIM interfaces 152, via a system bus, such as system bus 157. System bus 157 may be any of several types of bus structures, including a memory bus, a peripheral bus, or a local bus, using any of a variety of bus architectures.

[0063] Each of the multiple SIM interfaces 152 can be connected to a corresponding SIM slot, such as SIM slot 151, to accommodate or connect to a SIM. SIM interfaces, such as SIM interface 152, are used to write information to and retrieve information from a SIM. Numerous SIM interfaces are available from various manufacturers. Some SIM interfaces provide power, card reset signals, card clock signals, and data exchange functions. Data can be exchanged between a SIM and the processing unit of SIM repository 212a via the SIM interfaces. Some SIM interfaces can be connected to only one SIM, while others can be connected to multiple SIMs.

[0064] In one variation, when the processing unit has a sufficient number of I / O pins, hardware components such as auxiliary storage device 155, network interface 156, and SIM interface 152 can be directly connected to processing unit 153. System bus 157 can be omitted. Alternatively, when processing unit 153 does not have a sufficient number of I / O pins, some or all of the hardware components can be connected to the processing unit using one or more CPLDs. There is no restriction on the use of CPLDs. Multiplexers, FPGAs, or any other logic circuits that provide the required number of I / O pins can also be used.

[0065] One or more SIM libraries may be managed by one or more SIM library management servers. For example, Figure 2A 2. A SIM repository management server 216 is shown in FIG. SIM repository management server 216 may be remotely or locally coupled to the SIM repository. The connection of WCD 100 to SIM repository 212a may be managed by the SIM repository management server, e.g. Figure 2A SIM library management server 216 is shown in FIG. There is no restriction that the SIM library and the SIM library management server must be separated. The device may include both the SIM library and the SIM library management server.

[0066] The SIM repository management server may perform a device authentication procedure before providing WCD 100 with access to any SIM repository. To facilitate device authentication information, WCD 100 may need to register with the SIM repository management server. Registration may be performed online, such as through a user interface (e.g., a web page or web form), or offline. Authentication information used to authenticate WCD 100 may be appropriately provided to SIM repository management server 216 by WCD 100 or by an administrator of WCD 100. SIM repository management server 216 may store necessary information, including but not limited to WCD information, administrator information, registration information, authentication information, the number of connected SIM repositories, the location of the SIM repositories, and information about SIMs placed in the SIM repositories.

[0067] WCD 100 may communicate with SIM repository management server 216 to access information of SIM repository 212. Initially, WCD 100 may not have access to information of the SIM repository. After communicating with SIM repository management server 216, WCD 100 may receive access information, such as the IP address and host name of the SIM repository and / or a security code. After receiving the access information, WCD 100 may be able to access the corresponding SIM repository.

[0068] Figure 1D yes Figure 2A A schematic block diagram of an exemplary SIM library management server 216 is shown in FIG. SIM library management server 216 includes at least one processing unit 161 and at least one main memory 162. Processing unit 161 can be directly connected to main memory 162 and connected to other components via a system bus 165, such as at least one auxiliary storage device 163 and one or more network interfaces 164a and 164b. System bus 165 can be any of several types of bus structures, including a memory bus, a peripheral bus, or a local bus, using any of a variety of bus architectures.

[0069] Figure 2B1 illustrates how a wireless carrier connection carries different logical data connections. Wireless carrier connection 230 may be one of the wireless carrier connections established by WCD 100 via any of wireless carrier networks 201a-201c. Wireless carrier connection 230 may be established using 2G / 3G / 4G / 5G, LTE, Wi-Fi, or any other wireless communication technology. Logical data connections 231-233 may be established using TCP / IP, UDP / IP, IP, or any other logical data connection protocol. For example, logical data connection 231 may be established between WCD 100 and network node 210; logical data connection 232 may be established between WCD 100 and SIM repository 212a; and logical data connection 233 may be established between WCD 100 and SIM repository 212b. All logical data connections 231-233 may be established using the same or different logical data connection protocols. There is no limit on the number of logical data connections that may be included in a wireless carrier connection. A logical data connection may also be a tunnel that encapsulates another logical data connection. Multiple logical data connections can also be aggregated together to form an aggregated logical data connection.

[0070] Because WCD 100 can establish multiple wireless carrier connections simultaneously, WCD 100 can establish a logical data connection with a device reachable through interconnected network 217 through any of the multiple wireless carrier connections. WCD 100 can also establish multiple logical data connections with a device reachable through interconnected network 217 through the multiple wireless carrier connections simultaneously.

[0071] Figure 3A 3 is a process flow diagram illustrating a method performed by WCD 100, SIM bank 212, and / or SIM bank management server 216 to select an R-SIM. In process 311, the processing unit determines the identity of the wireless carrier network being used by WCD 100. WCD 100 may be using no wireless carrier network, one of several wireless carrier networks, or both. In process 312, the processing unit determines the number of R-SIMs to be selected, which should be equal to or less than the number of available WCMs. The selected R-SIMs will be used by the WCM to establish a wireless carrier connection.

[0072] In process 313, the processing unit determines the wireless carrier network to use, which will be based on the wireless carrier networks identified at the location of WCD 100. In process 314, the processing unit selects an R-SIM that meets the SIM selection policy of each wireless carrier network, with the goal of maximizing the number of wireless carrier networks. When attempting to maximize the number of wireless carrier networks, the processing unit may consider the wireless carrier networks identified in process 311. The number of R-SIMs selected may be zero, one, or more than one.

[0073] In the example scenario, Figure 2A The WCD 100 in FIG has three WCMs, namely Figure 1A WCM 101a-c in the process 311. WCM 101a has established a wireless carrier connection with wireless carrier network 201a using L-SIM 112a. Therefore, the wireless network carrier determined in process 311 is wireless carrier network 201a.

[0074] Therefore, there are still two available WCMs, namely WCM 101b and WCM 101c. In process 312, the number of R-SIMs to be selected will be two, ie, two R-SIMs may then be selected for WCM 101b and WCM 101c.

[0075] In process 313 , it is determined that the wireless network to be used is wireless carrier networks 201 a - 201 c , since these three networks are identified at the location of WCD 100 .

[0076] In process 314, when selecting the two R-SIMs, the processing unit considers wireless carrier network A to maximize the number of different wireless carrier networks. The selected R-SIM should also meet the SIM selection policy. If the selected R-SIM is a roaming R-SIM, the wireless carrier networks that can be used to use the roaming R-SIM will also be considered to maximize the number of different wireless carrier networks. For example, if there are multiple R-SIMs that meet the SIM selection policy, an R-SIM that can be used to establish a wireless carrier connection with wireless carrier network 201a, wireless carrier network 201b, and wireless carrier network 201c can be selected. However, in order to maximize the number of wireless carrier networks, only one R-SIM that can be used to establish a wireless carrier connection on wireless carrier network 201b and one R-SIM that can be used to establish a wireless carrier connection on wireless carrier network 201c are selected.

[0077] Additionally, the International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) and International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) of the selected R-SIM may then be forwarded to WCD 100 by SIM bank 212 or SIM bank management server 216 in process 314 .

[0078] There is no restriction that the number of selected R-SIMs must be two. The number of selected R-SIMs may be different, depending on the number of available WCMs.

[0079] When the number of wireless carrier networks at the location of WCD 100 is less than the number of R-SIMs to be selected, at least two R-SIMs may belong to the same wireless carrier network. If the selected R-SIM is a roaming R-SIM, the roaming R-SIM may be configured to use the same wireless carrier network as the other R-SIM.

[0080] Processes 311 through 314 may be performed individually or collectively by a processing unit of WCD 100, a processing unit of SIM bank 212, or a processing unit of WCD 100. For example, process 311 may be performed by processing unit 160 of WCD 100 using one of WCMs 101 to determine a wireless carrier network. Process 311 may also be performed by a processing unit of SIM bank 212 or a processing unit of WCD 100. The processing unit of SIM bank 212 or the processing unit of WCD 100 may search a database for a wireless carrier network based on the location information provided by WCD 100.

[0081] In one variation, Figure 3A The process shown in is also applicable to L-SIM.

[0082] Figure 3B 321 is a process flow diagram illustrating a method performed by SIM repository 212 and / or SIM repository management server 216 to provide authentication information to WCD 100. In process 321, SIM repository 212 and / or SIM repository management server 216 receives one or more authentication requests from WCD 100. Authentication requests are initially sent by the wireless carrier network to the WCM in WCD 100 for a selected R-SIM. When WCM 100 sends the IMSI or IMEI to the wireless carrier network, the wireless carrier network may send an authentication request, such as a random challenge (RAND), to the WCM.

[0083] In process 321, SIM repository 212 forwards the authentication request to a selected SIM accessible through SIM repository 212. In the event that the authentication request is sent to SIM management server 216, SIM management server 216 will forward the authentication request to the corresponding SIM repository, eg, SIM 212, for processing.

[0084] In process 322 , the selected SIM processes the authentication request and then creates authentication information, such as a signed response (SRES), based on the authentication request. SIM library 212 a then forwards the authentication information received from the selected SIM to WCD 100 in process 323 .

[0085] In one variation, WCD 100 may send multiple authentication requests together. When SIM repository 212a and / or SIM repository management server 216 receives the authentication request in process 321, it may process processes 322 and 323 in parallel or sequentially for each authentication request.

[0086] In one variation, when multiple authentication requests are sent to the SIM bank management server 216 , the SIM bank management server 216 may forward the authentication requests to multiple SIM banks based on the locations of the selected SIMs.

[0087] Figure 4A FIG. 1 is a process flow diagram illustrating a method according to one embodiment of the present invention. The method may be executed at processing unit 160 of WCD 100 . Figure 4A Should Figure 1A and Figure 2A The method begins at process 400. At process 401, processing unit 160 selects an L-SIM from a plurality of available L-SIMs as a starting SIM to establish an initial wireless carrier connection with an initial wireless carrier network (e.g., wireless carrier network 201c). The starting SIM is the first SIM selected and used in the sequence.

[0088] An available L-SIM is an L-SIM placed in WCD 100 that has not yet been assigned a WCM. The starting SIM is the SIM selected to establish the starting wireless carrier connection with a wireless carrier network. Once the connection is established, the wireless carrier network is referred to as the starting wireless carrier network, and the connection is referred to as the starting wireless carrier connection. The selection of an L-SIM as the starting SIM can be based on instructions manually provided by the WCD administrator or based on a starting SIM selection policy. The starting SIM selection policy can be configured by the WCD administrator or retrieved from a remote server. The starting SIM selection policy can be based on one or more of the following criteria: the geographic location of WCD 100, the location of the SIM placed in WCD 100, the SIM type, the SIM's network performance history, the identity of the wireless carrier network that issued the SIM, the services provided by the SIM's wireless carrier network, the quality of service of the SIM's wireless carrier network, administrator preferences, tariffs, the remaining usage quota of the available L-SIMs, billing information, and time. In one variant, if one or more L-SIMs are eSIMs from an eUICC, the wireless carrier network configured in the eSIM can be used for selection. When an eSIM is added, changed or deleted as a SIM profile in the eUICC, the starting SIM selection policy will take into account the modification.

[0089] When the WCD's geographic location is used to initiate a SIM selection strategy, longitude and latitude information based on GPS information obtained from a GPS receiver at WCD 100 may be used to find available wireless carrier networks at WCD 100's geographic location.

[0090] When selecting a SIM based on the location of the SIM placed in WCD 100, the SIM that is located first will be selected first. For example, the SIMs placed in WCD 100 may be located in numerical or alphabetical order.

[0091] For example, when selecting a SIM based on a rate, the SIM with the lowest rate may be selected. The wireless carrier network may change rates. The SIM with the lowest rate may no longer be the SIM with the lowest rate. Therefore, the processing unit of WCD 100 may monitor rate information from time to time, and whenever a rate change is detected, the processing unit re-determines which SIM has the lowest rate.

[0092] SIM cards can also be selected based on billing information. A billing period is the period of a cellular subscription for communication services. Billing periods can be weekly, monthly, or annual. In one example scenario where billing information may be beneficial, data usage limits per billing period may be capped, and exceeding the permitted data usage limit can result in high fees. Therefore, when selecting a SIM card based on billing information, SIM cards that are about to reach their data usage limits for the billing period may be avoided.

[0093] A SIM card can also be selected based on the time of day. There are many reasons for selecting a SIM card based on the time of day, one example being a change in rate pricing. Some wireless carrier networks may offer different rates for different times of day. It is quite common for wireless carrier networks to offer lower rates during off-peak periods. Therefore, the SIM card from the wireless carrier network that offers the lowest rate for a particular time of day may be selected when the selection occurs during a specified time period.

[0094] SIMs may be selected based on administrator preferences. The administrator of WCD 100 or SIM library 212 may assign a priority to each SIM. Thus, when selecting a SIM based on the administrator's preferences, the SIM with the higher assigned priority will be selected. The administrator may assign priorities to SIMs based on various criteria, including the R-SIM selection criteria disclosed herein.

[0095] A SIM may also be selected based on the quality of service of the SIM's wireless carrier network. When selecting a SIM based on quality of service, a SIM from a wireless carrier network that provides better quality of service will be selected. The quality of service of a wireless carrier network may be evaluated based on various criteria including, but not limited to, signal strength, network coverage, security, and ease of configuration.

[0096] In process 402, processing unit 160 assigns an available WCM from multiple WCMs 101 to use with the starting SIM. An available WCM is an operational WCM that has not yet been assigned to any SIM. For illustrative purposes, the starting SIM is SIM 112a and the available WCM is WCM 101a. Processing unit 160 assigns WCM 101a to SIM 112a. In process 403, processing unit 160 initiates actions to establish an initial wireless carrier connection using WCM 101a and SIM 112a. An assigned WCM may become unassigned if it fails to establish a wireless carrier connection or if the wireless carrier connection it established is disconnected.

[0097] At process 404, processing unit 160 determines whether an initial wireless carrier connection has been established. If an initial wireless carrier connection has not been established, processing unit 160 loops back to process 401 and selects another SIM from the plurality of L-SIMs as the initial SIM and executes processes 401-404. Processes 401-404 are iterated until an initial wireless carrier connection is successfully established. If each of the plurality of L-SIMs is attempted and an initial wireless carrier connection is not established, no further attempts are made. Optionally, a message is sent to the administrator of the WCD indicating that establishing an initial wireless carrier connection has failed and the method terminates. In one variation, the loop between processes 401-404 is not executed after a preset number of iterations or a specific time period has elapsed. In another variation, the method is restarted after a predetermined time interval. The time interval may be set as a default time interval by the manufacturer or may be manually set by the administrator of the WCD. The message may be displayed on the user interface (UI) of the WCD.

[0098] When the initial wireless carrier connection is established, WCD 100 connects to a remote SIM repository, such as SIM repository 212a, by establishing a logical data connection via the initial wireless carrier connection in process 405. The logical data connection may be established using TCP, UDP, or other communication protocols. When establishing one or more subsequent wireless carrier connections, the logical data connection with SIM repository 212a may be used to carry authentication requests and authentication information, and thus, the logical data connection is hereinafter referred to as the initial authentication connection.

[0099] In process 406, another SIM is selected from the available L-SIM and R-SIM. An available R-SIM is a SIM in the SIM library that has not yet been assigned a WCM. Selection of another SIM may be performed manually by an administrator of WCD 100 or may be based on a SIM selection policy that is different from the initial SIM selection policy. The SIM selection policy is similar to the initial SIM selection policy. However, the SIM selection policy may also select an R-SIM, whereas the initial SIM selection policy does not. The SIM selection policies may have the same or different selection criteria.

[0100] In process 407, the SIM selected in process 406 is assigned to the available WCM, and a wireless carrier connection is established using the SIM selected in process 406 and the assigned WCM. During the wireless carrier connection establishment process, if the SIM selected in process 406 is an R-SIM, an initial authentication connection is used to transmit an authentication request and authentication information related to the R-SIM selected in process 406 between WCD 100 and SIM repository 212a. On the other hand, if the SIM selected in process 406 is an L-SIM, the initial authentication connection cannot be used because the authentication request and authentication information related to the L-SIM do not pass the authentication connection. The initial authentication connection can be used to transmit authentication requests and authentication information as needed. In one variant, the initial authentication connection is replaced by an alternate authentication connection, which will be described later.

[0101] In one variation, the initiation of an authentication connection is used only to send and receive authentication requests and authentication information. The initiation of an authentication connection is not used to provide communication services to devices connected to WCD 100. In one variation, the initiation of an authentication connection is allowed to provide communication services to devices connected to WCD 100.

[0102] At process 408, the processing unit of WCD 100 determines whether a threshold has been reached. If the threshold has been reached, the process ends at process 409. The threshold may be evaluated based on one or more conditions, including but not limited to the number of WCMs in use, the number of R-SIMs in use, and / or the total number of WCMs in WCD 100.

[0103] In one example, when the threshold is based on the number of WCMs in use, the processing unit of WCD 100 determines whether the number of WCMs in use equals the threshold number of WCMs in use. If the number of WCMs in use equals the threshold number of WCMs in use, the process ends at process 409. If the number of WCMs in use is less than the threshold number of WCMs in use, the processing unit of WCD 100 returns to process 406 and continues to establish additional wireless carrier connections using another SIM and another available WCM. The loop from processes 406-408 iterates until the threshold is reached. There is no limit to how many wireless carrier connections can be established. In one variation, the total number of wireless carrier connections to be established is the total number of WCMs placed in WCD 100.

[0104] In another example, when the threshold is based on the number of SIMs in use, the method determines whether the number of SIMs in use is equal to the threshold. If the number of SIMs in use is equal to the threshold number of SIMs in use, the method ends. If the number of SIMs in use is not equal to the threshold number of SIMs in use, the method returns to process 406 to select another SIM from the plurality of available L-SIMs and R-SIMs, and iterates through loops 406-408 until the threshold is reached.

[0105] In one variation, a predetermined time is set to reach the threshold. If the threshold is not met within the predetermined time, the method stops looping back to process 406 and ends. Setting a predetermined time to reach the threshold helps conserve energy and resources. For example, in some scenarios, the threshold may not be met because no SIM card may be available for selection when looping back to process 406. Therefore, the loop from process 406 to process 408 may continue until more SIM cards are inserted into the SIM library or WCD, wasting energy and resources.

[0106] Figure 4B is a process flow diagram illustrating a method according to an example embodiment of the present invention. The method may be executed at processing unit 160 of WCD 100. Figure 4B Should Figure 1A and Figure 2A The method starts at process 420. In process 421, the method selects a plurality of available L-SIMs as a starting SIM. Figure 4B The method shown in is similar to Figure 4A The method shown in FIG. 4 is a method for selecting the first plurality of available L-SIMs as the starting SIM. Figure 4A The process 401 is performed in the same manner as discussed in the example embodiment, except that in this example embodiment, multiple SIMs are selected as the starting SIMs.

[0107] In process 422, an available WCM is assigned to each of the plurality of originating SIMs. Figure 1A In FIG, WCMs 101a-101c are shown, and if WCM 101a is already in use, then the available WCMs are WCMs 101b and 101c.

[0108] In process 423, the processing unit of WCD 100 initiates actions to establish an initial wireless carrier connection using the plurality of initial SIMs and their assigned corresponding WCMs.

[0109] In process 424, the processing unit of WCD 100 determines whether at least one initial wireless carrier connection has been established. If the at least one initial wireless carrier connection has been successfully established, the processing unit of WCD 100 uses the at least one initial wireless carrier connection to connect to at least one SIM bank, such as SIM bank 212a, by establishing at least one initial authentication connection in process 425.

[0110] If it is determined in process 424 that an initial wireless carrier connection has not been established, the method returns from process 424 to process 421 and selects a plurality of additional L-SIMs from the available L-SIMs as the initial SIM. Processes 421-423 are iterated until at least one initial wireless carrier connection is established. The plurality of additional L-SIMs should not include an L-SIM that has already been attempted and failed to establish a connection. In one variation, an attempted L-SIM may be selected again after a certain period of time. In another variation, an attempted L-SIM may be selected again if all L-SIMs have been attempted at least once and an initial wireless carrier connection has not yet been established.

[0111] In process 425, if multiple initial wireless carrier connections are established, the processing unit of WCD 100 may use any of the initial wireless carrier connections to connect to the SIM bank by establishing an initial authentication connection, while the other initial wireless carrier connections may be used for data communications. In one variation, when use of the L-SIM may incur roaming charges and an authentication connection has already been established using a less expensive wireless carrier connection, the L-SIM's wireless carrier connection may be disconnected to save costs. In another variation, at least two logical data connections are aggregated to form an aggregated logical connection for connecting to the SIM bank. The aggregated logical connection may serve as the authentication connection. In one variation, if multiple initial wireless carrier connections are established, the processing unit of WCD 100 may use the multiple initial wireless carrier connections to connect to multiple SIM banks by establishing multiple initial authentication connections.

[0112] After trying all L-SIMs and failing to establish an initial wireless carrier connection, WCD 100 sends a message to its administrator informing it that establishing an initial wireless carrier connection has failed and stops the process. In one variation, the message can be displayed on the WCD's user interface (UI). In one variation, WCD 100 stops the method without sending a message.

[0113] In another variation, a predetermined wait time is set for establishing at least one initial wireless carrier connection. If the initial wireless carrier connection is not established after the predetermined wait time, WCD 100 sends a message to its administrator stating that establishing the initial wireless carrier connection has failed and the method is terminated. The message may be displayed on the WCD's user interface (UI). In another variation, the method is restarted after a predetermined time interval. The time interval may be set as a default time interval by the manufacturer or may be manually set by the administrator of WCD 100.

[0114] In process 426, the processing unit of WCD 100 selects another plurality of SIMs from the available L-SIMs and R-SIMs as the SIM. However, it is preferred that when selecting an R-SIM in process 426, only the R-SIMs provided by the local wireless carrier network are selected to avoid roaming charges. The selection of the SIM in process 426 may be performed in the same manner as in the example above. Figure 4A The process 406 is performed in the same manner as discussed in the example embodiment, however, in this example embodiment, multiple SIMs are selected. In another variation, the process 426 selects an R-SIM having a higher priority than the L-SIM.

[0115] In process 427, the processing unit of WCD 100 assigns each of the plurality of SIMs selected in process 426 to a corresponding available WCM and establishes a wireless carrier connection using the plurality of SIMs selected in process 426 and the corresponding WCM. Figure 4A The same process as the process described earlier in process 407 transmits the authentication request and authentication information about the L-SIM and R-SIM.

[0116] At process 428, the processing unit of WCD 100 determines whether a threshold value has been reached. When the threshold value has been reached, the method proceeds to process 429 and ends. Figure 4A The threshold is evaluated in the same process discussed in process 408. When the threshold is not reached, the method loops back to process 426 and selects another plurality of SIMs from the available L-SIMs and R-SIMs, and then iterates processes 427-428. Iterate processes 426-428 until the threshold is reached.

[0117] In one variation, WCD 100 may connect to multiple SIM repositories at process 425. WCD 100 may connect to each of the multiple SIM repositories by establishing one or more logical data connections via one or more wireless carrier connections. When WCD 100 connects to the SIM repositories via multiple logical data connections, the multiple logical data connections may be carried by the multiple wireless carrier connections. Thus, WCD 100 may establish multiple aggregated logical data connections for connecting to the multiple SIM repositories.

[0118] In a variant example, a SIM library management server is used to manage the multiple SIM libraries. For example, Figure 2A 2. SIM repository management server 216 is shown in FIG. WCD 100 may first communicate with SIM repository management server 216 for access to a SIM repository. Prior to communicating with SIM repository management server 216, WCD 100 may not have access information for one or more SIM repositories 212. After having access information for a SIM repository 212, WCD 100 may then be able to communicate with SIM repository 212.

[0119] Figure 4A and 4B The embodiments described in the present disclosure are applicable to establishing multiple wireless carrier connections in any geographic area where a WCD is being used, whether the WCD is being used in its home geographic area or in a visited geographic area (i.e., a foreign geographic area). The home geographic area is the geographic area in which a user / subscriber has their wireless carrier account. The visited or foreign geographic area is the geographic area that the user's or subscriber's WCD would not otherwise be considered local to. For illustrative purposes only, the following paragraphs demonstrate Figure 4A The embodiments described in the application of the invention are applied to the home location and the visited location.

[0120] In one example scenario, WCD 100 is being used in its home geographic area. There may be multiple wireless carrier networks available in its home geographic area. For example, wireless carrier networks 201a-201c are available in the home geographic area. WCD 100 can access wireless carrier networks using SIMs from the respective wireless carrier networks. SIMs may be located in WCD 100 or in one or more remote SIM repositories. For illustrative purposes, L-SIMs 111 and 112 are located in WCD 100, and R-SIM 113 is located in one or more SIM repositories 212, such as SIM repositories 212a. Furthermore, for illustrative purposes, eSIMs, such as eSIM 111a from eUICC 116a and eSIM 111b from eUICC 116b, are from wireless carrier networks 201a and 201b, respectively, and L-SIMs 112a and 112b are from wireless carrier network 201c. R-SIMs 113a and 113b are from wireless carrier networks 201a and 201b, respectively. In one variation, R-SIM 113a may be placed in SIM bank 212a, and R-SIM 113b may be placed in SIM bank 212b. Alternatively, both R-SIMs 113a and 113b may be placed in SIM bank 212b. The number of SIMs that can be placed in a SIM bank is not limited.

[0121] Continuing with this exemplary scenario, eSIM 111a is selected as the initial SIM for establishing an initial wireless carrier connection using a WCM (e.g., WCM 101a). Thus, an initial wireless carrier connection is established via wireless carrier network 201a. WCD 100 then connects to SIM repository 212a via the initial wireless carrier connection by establishing an initial authentication connection via the initial wireless carrier connection. The initial wireless carrier connection can be reserved for carrying authentication requests and authentication information, or can also be used for data communications by establishing further logical data connections. After the initial authentication connection is established, another SIM is selected from the available L-SIMs and R-SIMs for establishing another wireless carrier connection. The selection of the other SIM can be performed manually by an administrator of WCD 100 or can be based on a SIM selection policy.

[0122] For example, R-SIM 113b is selected from SIM library 212a and assigned to WCM 101b. Another wireless carrier connection is then established using R-SIM 113b and WCM 101b through wireless carrier network 201b.

[0123] Continuing with this example scenario, when establishing a wireless carrier connection using R-SIM 113b, wireless carrier network 201b may send a request for authentication information about R-SIM 113b to WCM 101b. The authentication request is then forwarded by WCD 100 to SIM repository 212a by initiating an authentication connection. SIM repository 212a responds to the authentication request by providing authentication information about R-SIM 113b and sends the authentication information to WCD 100. WCD 100 forwards the response to the authentication request sent by SIM repository 212a to wireless carrier network 201b. Based on the authentication information provided in the response, wireless carrier network 201b may then accept or deny establishing the wireless carrier connection using R-SIM 113b.

[0124] If accepted, the wireless carrier connection will be established using R-SIM 113b. If rejected, the establishment of the wireless carrier connection using R-SIM 113b fails, and WCD 100 can select another R-SIM, such as R-SIM 113a, and attempt to establish a wireless carrier connection through wireless carrier network 201a following the same process.

[0125] For illustrative purposes, a wireless carrier connection has been successfully established using R-SIM 113b. After that, one may choose to disconnect the original wireless carrier connection and establish an alternate authentication connection using the wireless carrier connection established using R-SIM 113b. When the original wireless carrier connection is disconnected, WCM 101a can be deassigned from eSIM 111a and become available to be assigned to another SIM to establish another wireless carrier connection. If the alternate SIM is an R-SIM, the alternate authentication connection can be used to carry authentication information and authentication requests. If the alternate SIM is an L-SIM, no authentication connection is required because the local SIM is located in the WCD and can directly access authentication information about the local SIM.

[0126] After R-SIM 113b successfully establishes a wireless carrier connection, the processing unit of WCD 100 determines whether a threshold has been reached. If the threshold has been reached, the process ends and the wireless carrier connection is used for data communication as described later. On the other hand, if the threshold has not been reached, the processing unit of WCD 100 continues to establish another wireless carrier connection using another L-SIM or R-SIM until the threshold is reached.

[0127] In another exemplary scenario, WCD 100 is being used in a visited geographic area. Wireless carrier networks 201a-201c may not be available in the visited geographic area. For example, wireless carrier networks P, Q, R, and S may be available in the visited geographic area. However, WCD 100 may still have SIMs from wireless carrier networks 201a-201c and no SIMs from wireless carrier networks P, Q, R, and S.

[0128] For example, eSIMs 111a and 111b are from wireless carrier networks 201a and 201b, respectively, and L-SIMs 112a and 112b are from wireless carrier network 201c. R-SIM 113a is from wireless carrier network 201a, and R-SIM 113b is from wireless carrier network P. Unlike the previous exemplary scenario in which both R-SIMs 113 are from wireless carrier networks in the home geographic area, in this exemplary scenario, R-SIM 113a is from a wireless carrier network in the home geographic area, and R-SIM 113b is from a wireless carrier network in the visited geographic area. Each SIM bank 212 can contain SIMs from different wireless carrier networks in different geographic areas. For illustrative purposes, R-SIMs 113a and 113b are placed in SIM bank 212a. In one variation, the SIM bank can be managed by a SIM bank management server.

[0129] For example, eSIM 111a is selected as the originating SIM and assigned to WCM 101a. Since eSIM 111a is from wireless carrier network 201a and WCD 100 is in the visited geographic area, eSIM 111a is now a foreign SIM, as it is not from the local wireless carrier network of the visited geographic area. WCD 100 then initiates establishment of the originating wireless carrier connection using eSIM 111a and WCM 101a. To establish the originating wireless carrier connection, WCD 100 first generates a request for a data connection using the authentication information of eSIM 111a. The request for a data connection may be received by one or more local wireless carrier networks of the visited geographic area. For example, wireless carrier network Q may have received the request for a data connection. In one variation, the request for a data connection may be mechanically generated by WCD 100 when it is turned on or enters the visited geographic area.

[0130] If wireless carrier network 201a and Q have a roaming agreement, wireless carrier network Q can check the validity of the authentication information provided by communicating with wireless carrier network 201a and, based on the authentication information, decide whether to provide Internet access to WCD 100. If the authentication information is valid, the initial wireless carrier connection will be established.

[0131] If the authentication information is invalid, wireless carrier network Q may not provide Internet access to WCD 100, and establishment of the initial wireless carrier connection may fail. WCD 100 may attempt to establish a wireless carrier connection again following the same process using another L-SIM from a different wireless carrier network, such as L-SIM 112a from wireless carrier network 201c. For illustrative purposes, the initial wireless carrier connection is successfully established using eSIM 111a.

[0132] Because the originating wireless carrier connection is established using eSIM 111a and eSIM 111a is from wireless carrier network 201a, which is a non-local wireless carrier network for the visited geographic area, data communications using the originating wireless carrier connection will incur roaming charges.

[0133] Thus, after successfully establishing the initial wireless carrier connection, WCD 100 connects to a remote SIM repository, such as SIM repository 212a, by establishing an initial authentication connection via the initial wireless carrier connection. An R-SIM is then selected from SIM repository 212a. It should be noted that in this exemplary scenario, after establishing the initial authentication connection, the subsequent SIM (the SIM selected after establishing the initial wireless carrier connection) is selected only from the available R-SIMs based on the SIM selection policy, unlike the previous exemplary scenario where the subsequent SIM was selected from the available L-SIMs and R-SIMs. This is to avoid roaming charges, as in this exemplary scenario, WCD 100 is used in a visited geographic area. Therefore, using an L-SIM may involve roaming charges because the L-SIM is from a wireless carrier network in the home geographic area. The selection of the R-SIM may be performed by a processing unit of WCD 100, SIM repository 212a, or SIM repository management server 216. When the selection is performed by a processing unit of SIM repository 212a or SIM repository management server 216, after the R-SIM is selected, the selection information is sent to WCD 100. The processing unit of WCD 100 then assigns an available WCM to the selected R-SIM. For example, R-SIM 113b is selected and assigned WCM 101b.

[0134] The SIM selection policy may be based on one or more of the following criteria: the location of the R-SIM placed in the SIM library, the R-SIM category, the rate price of the R-SIM, the network performance history of the SIM, the services provided by the R-SIM's wireless carrier network, the quality of service of the R-SIM's wireless carrier network, administrator preferences, the geographic location of WCD 100, billing information, and time. For example, when selecting an R-SIM based on the geographic location of WCD 100, the R-SIM should be selected from the local wireless carrier network corresponding to the current location of WCD 100 or the wireless carrier network available at WCD 100. In this case, R-SIM 113b is selected because it is from wireless carrier network P, which is the local wireless carrier network for the visited geographic area.

[0135] For illustrative purposes, R-SIM 113b is from wireless carrier network P. When establishing a wireless carrier connection using R-SIM 113b, wireless carrier network P may send a request for authentication information regarding R-SIM 113b to WCM 101b. The authentication request is then forwarded by WCD 100 to SIM repository 212a via an initiated authentication connection. SIM repository 212a responds to the authentication request by providing authentication information regarding R-SIM 113b to WCD 100. The authentication information may also include other information as needed. WCD 100 forwards the authentication information to wireless carrier network P as a response to the authentication request. Based on the authentication information provided in the response, wireless carrier network P may accept or deny establishing the wireless carrier connection using R-SIM 113b.

[0136] If accepted, then the wireless carrier connection is successfully established through the wireless carrier network P. If rejected, then the wireless carrier connection establishment using R-SIM 113b fails. After that, another R-SIM may be selected and attempted to be used to establish the wireless carrier connection according to the same process as disclosed above.

[0137] For illustrative purposes, a wireless carrier connection is successfully established using R-SIM 113b. WCD 100's processing unit then determines whether a threshold has been reached. If the threshold has been reached, the process ends, and the wireless carrier connection is used for data communications as described below. On the other hand, if the threshold has not been reached, WCD 100's processing unit continues to establish another wireless carrier connection using another R-SIM until the threshold is reached.

[0138] In one variation, after a wireless carrier connection is successfully established using R-SIM 113b, the original wireless carrier connection remains on standby and unused or disconnected to reduce roaming charges and conserve resources. In this case, the wireless carrier connection established using R-SIM 113b replaces the authentication connection for transmitting authentication information and authentication requests.

[0139] There is no limit to the number of SIM banks that can be utilized. When a single SIM bank is used to house all R-SIMs, the SIM bank can be located in a centralized location, such as the WCD's home geographic region, and can house SIMs from different wireless carrier networks in both the home and foreign geographic regions. If multiple SIM banks are used, some SIM banks can be located in the home geographic region and some can be located in different foreign geographic regions. When SIM banks are located in different foreign geographic regions, each SIM bank can house SIMs from a local wireless carrier network in the corresponding geographic region. For example, SIM bank 212a can be located in WCD 100's home geographic region and house SIMs from different local wireless carrier networks in the home geographic region. On the other hand, SIM bank 212b can be located in a foreign geographic region and contain SIMs from different local wireless carrier networks in the foreign geographic region.

[0140] In one variation, there is no restriction that an authenticated connection must be used for data communications even when not being used to transmit SIM authentication information. For example, when the bandwidth provided by the unauthenticated connection is insufficient or below a threshold, the authenticated connection can be used for data communications, such as web browsing and file transfers. When the bandwidth provided by the unauthenticated connection is sufficient or above a threshold, the authenticated connection will not be used for data communications. In another example, when WCD 100 is being used in a foreign country or roaming charges may be incurred, the authenticated connection will not be used for data communications unless no other wireless carrier connection can be established. This can reduce roaming charges.

[0141] In a variant, the authentication connection is also used for the data connection without any restrictions. After the establishment of the second data connection, the first and second data connections can also be used to carry authentication information for establishing additional wireless operator connections such as the third data connection.

[0142] In one variation, any wireless carrier connection or multiple wireless carrier connections may be used to establish one or more authentication connections. The number of connections to be used as authentication connections is not limited, and any one or more established data connections may be used as authentication connections.

[0143] In one variation, only the first data connection established using the originating SIM is used as the authentication connection. In another variation, WCD 100 is being used in a foreign country, and after successfully establishing a second wireless carrier connection, the data connection established using the originating SIM is disconnected to avoid roaming charges, and the second data connection is used as the authentication connection. In another variation, both the first and second data connections are used as the authentication connection.

[0144] Figure 5A 、 5B 5C illustrate a process flow diagram that allows WCD 100 to use one or more R-SIMs to provide communication services to the device and user through a wireless carrier network other than the originating wireless carrier network. The originating wireless carrier network may not be the most preferred wireless carrier network to use in terms of rate, network performance, time, and location. Therefore, once the originating wireless carrier connection is established, the processing unit of WCD 100 begins attempting to establish other wireless carrier connections to replace the originating wireless carrier connection or to reduce the use of the originating wireless carrier connection. Figure 5A is a process flow diagram illustrating a method according to an example embodiment of the present invention. The method may be executed at processing unit 160 of WCD 100.

[0145] Figure 5A Should Figure 1A 、 Figure 2A and Figure 4A Taken together. Figure 5A Can also be used with Figure 1A 、 Figure 2A and Figure 4B After process 408 or process 427 , there should be at least two wireless carrier connections established with at least two wireless carrier networks.

[0146] For clarity, an authentication connection on a wireless carrier network using an originating SIM is referred to as an originating authentication connection, and the wireless carrier network is referred to as an originating wireless carrier network. For example, the processing unit establishes a wireless carrier connection with wireless carrier network 201c using an originating SIM. The processing unit of WCD 100 can then connect to SIM repository 212a via a logical data connection on wireless carrier network 201c to carry an authentication request and authentication information. Thus, wireless carrier network 201c is the originating wireless carrier network; the wireless carrier connection established with wireless carrier network 201c is the originating wireless carrier connection; and the logical data connection is referred to as the originating authentication connection.

[0147] Figure 5A is a process flow diagram illustrating a method according to an example embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5AThe process in Figure 1 illustrates how the original authentication connection is replaced with a replacement authentication connection. Depending on the circumstances, there may be one or more reasons for not continuing to use the original authentication connection on the original wireless carrier network. These reasons may include: insufficient network performance of the original wireless carrier network; high costs of using the original wireless carrier network; or unstable availability of the original wireless carrier network. By using the replacement authentication connection established by the R-SIM with the wireless carrier network over the replacement wireless carrier connection, better network performance, lower rates, and / or more stable network availability may be achieved.

[0148] In process 501, the processing unit of WCD 100 selects a wireless carrier network to which it is already connected using an R-SIM as a replacement wireless carrier network. For illustrative purposes, WCD 100 has already established a wireless carrier connection with wireless carrier network 201a using an R-SIM from SIM bank 212a and has selected wireless carrier network 201a as the replacement wireless carrier network. The wireless carrier connection established with the replacement wireless carrier network becomes the replacement wireless carrier connection. For illustrative purposes, SIM bank 212a is the SIM bank to which authentication was initially connected.

[0149] The processing unit of WCD 100 then establishes a logical data connection with SIM bank 212a over the alternative wireless carrier connection at process 502. The logical data connection then becomes the alternative authentication connection.

[0150] In process 503, the processing unit of WCD 100 then begins using the alternate authentication connection to carry the SIM authentication request and SIM authentication information originally carried over the initial authentication connection.

[0151] At process 504, the processing unit of WCD 100 disconnects the originating wireless carrier connection established with wireless carrier 201c. It is preferred that the processing unit of WCD 100 slowly disconnect the originating authentication connection before disconnecting the originating wireless carrier connection. When the originating wireless carrier connection is disconnected, the originating authentication connection is also terminated. Once the originating wireless carrier connection is disconnected, there is no longer a connection to wireless carrier network 201c. This can save costs if wireless carrier network 201c offers higher rates for using an R-SIM than wireless carrier network 201a.

[0152] At process 505, the processing unit of WCD 100 may begin or continue to use the remaining wireless carrier connection to transmit and receive data packets over the multiple logical data connections. The remaining wireless carrier connection is a connection that has already been established with the wireless carrier network, excluding the alternate wireless carrier connection. For example, when there are multiple wireless carrier connections established prior to process 501, one of the multiple wireless carrier connections becomes the alternate wireless carrier connection, and the remaining multiple wireless carrier connections are the remaining wireless carrier connections. By using only the logical data connections on the remaining wireless carrier connection to transmit data packets not related to authentication, the alternate wireless carrier connection is allowed to exclusively serve as the alternate authentication connection. This can improve the stability and speed of the alternate authentication connection compared to allowing other logical data connections to be established on the alternate wireless carrier connection.

[0153] In a variant, other logical data connections are allowed to be established on the alternative wireless carrier connection. This can increase the data throughput between WCD 100 and interconnect network 217.

[0154] In one variation, process 504 is not performed. Thus, the originating wireless carrier connection remains available. The originating wireless carrier connection can still be used to host the originating authentication connection. This can improve network performance between WCD 100 and SIM repository 212a. The originating wireless carrier connection can also be used to host other logical data connections. This can improve network performance between WCD 100 and interconnected network 217.

[0155] In one variation, after disconnecting from the originating wireless carrier network in process 504, the processing unit of WCD 100 may establish a wireless carrier connection using the WCM originally used with the R-SIM for the originating wireless carrier network. A logical data connection and / or an authentication connection may then be established over this newly established wireless carrier connection. As a result, the overall network performance of WCD 100 may be improved.

[0156] Figure 5B is a process flow diagram illustrating a method according to an example embodiment of the present invention. The method may be executed at processing unit 160 of WCD 100. Figure 5B Should Figure 1A 、 Figure 2A and Figure 4A Taken together. Figure 5B Can also be used with Figure 1A 、 Figure 2A and Figure 4B After process 408 or process 427, there should be at least two wireless carrier connections established with at least two wireless carrier networks.

[0157] Figure 5BThe method shown in is similar to Figure 5A The method shown in Figure 5B In the method shown in , multiple wireless carrier connections that have been established with corresponding wireless carrier networks using multiple L-SIMs and / or R-SIMs become replacement wireless carrier connections. Figure 5A In the method shown, there is an alternative to wireless carrier connection.

[0158] In process 511, the processing unit of WCD 100 selects multiple wireless carrier networks to which it has connected using multiple L-SIMs and / or R-SIMs as replacement wireless carrier networks. For illustrative purposes, WCD 100 has already established a wireless carrier connection with wireless carrier network 201a using an R-SIM from SIM bank 212a; established a wireless carrier connection with wireless carrier network 201b using an R-SIM from SIM bank 212b; and established a wireless carrier connection with wireless carrier network 201c using an L-SIM. Also for illustrative purposes, the processing unit of WCD 100 selects wireless carrier networks 201a and 201b as replacement wireless carrier networks; wireless carrier network 201c is the starting wireless carrier network; the wireless carrier connection established with wireless carrier network 201c is the starting wireless carrier connection; and SIM bank 212a is the SIM bank to which the authentication connection is to be connected. The wireless carrier connections established with the replacement wireless carrier networks, i.e., wireless carrier networks 201a and 201b, become replacement wireless carrier connections.

[0159] The processing unit of WCD 100 then establishes two logical data connections with SIM bank 212a via the alternate wireless carrier connections established over alternate wireless carrier networks 201a and 201b at process 512. The logical data connections then become alternate authentication connections.

[0160] At process 513, the processing unit of WCD 100 then begins using the two alternate authentication connections to carry the SIM authentication request and SIM authentication information originally carried over the initial authentication connection.

[0161] At process 514, the processing unit of WCD 100 disconnects the originating wireless carrier network established with wireless carrier network 201c. It is preferred that the processing unit of WCD 100 slowly disconnect the originating authentication connection before disconnecting the originating wireless carrier connection. When the originating wireless carrier connection is disconnected, the originating authentication connection is also terminated. Once the originating wireless carrier connection is disconnected, there is no longer a connection to wireless carrier network 201c.

[0162] At process 515, the processing unit of WCD 100 may begin or continue transmitting and receiving data packets over the plurality of logical data connections using the remaining wireless carrier connections.

[0163] In one variation, the alternate authentication connections are aggregated to form an aggregated authentication connection. The aggregated authentication connection can be an aggregate tunnel comprising multiple tunnels. Each of the multiple tunnels is established over an alternate wireless carrier connection. There is no limit to the number of authentication connections or tunnels that can be established over an alternate wireless carrier connection. For example, one alternate authentication tunnel with SIM bank 212a and one alternate authentication tunnel with SIM bank 212b can be established over a wireless carrier connection with wireless carrier network 201b.

[0164] In a variant, process 514 is not performed. Therefore, the initial wireless operator connection is still available. The initial wireless operator connection can also be used to assume other logical data connections. The initial wireless operator connection can continue to be an authenticated connection.

[0165] In one variation, after disconnecting from the originating wireless carrier network in process 514, the processing unit of WCD 100 will establish a wireless carrier connection using the WCM originally used with the R-SIM for the originating wireless carrier network. A logical data connection and / or an authentication connection may then be established over this newly established wireless carrier connection.

[0166] Figure 5C An example embodiment for managing authentication connections on wireless carrier networks after establishing at least one alternate authentication connection on at least one alternate wireless carrier network is shown. In process 531, the processing unit of WCD 100 establishes an initial authentication connection on an initial wireless carrier network. In process 532, the processing unit of WCD 100 establishes a first alternate authentication connection on a first alternate wireless carrier network. The first alternate wireless carrier network is the wireless carrier network that is first connected to and used to connect to the SIM bank to which the initial authentication connection was connected.

[0167] In process 533, the processing unit of WCD 100 disconnects the original wireless carrier network and, therefore, also disconnects the original authentication connection. When the original authentication connection is disconnected, the first alternate authentication connection is used to carry the authentication request and authentication information. In process 534, the processing unit of WCD 100 establishes a second alternate authentication connection on a second alternate wireless carrier network. The second alternate wireless carrier network is a wireless carrier network that is connected after the first alternate wireless carrier network and is used to connect to the SIM bank. The second alternate wireless carrier network can be any alternate wireless carrier network other than the first alternate wireless carrier network and the original wireless carrier network. The processing unit of WCD 100 uses the second alternate authentication connection to connect to the same SIM bank to which the original authentication connection was connected and to which the first alternate authentication connection was connected.

[0168] At process 535, the processing unit of WCD 100 disconnects from the first alternative wireless carrier network and thus also disconnects the first alternative authentication connection.

[0169] The details of establishing an initial authentication connection and an alternate authentication connection have been disclosed in earlier embodiments of the present invention. Furthermore, the details of establishing a wireless carrier connection with a wireless carrier network using an L-SIM and an R-SIM have also been disclosed in earlier embodiments of the present invention. For example, the L-SIM can be used to connect to the initial wireless carrier network, while the R-SIM can be used to connect to both the first and second wireless carrier networks. The WCM used to connect to the initial wireless carrier network using the L-SIM can be reused with the R-SIM to connect to the second alternate wireless carrier network.

[0170] It is not limited that process 534 must be performed after process 533. For example, process 534 may be performed before process 533. Further process 533 may be performed after process 535.

[0171] In one variation, when multiple alternative wireless carrier networks exist, the processing unit of WCD 100 may establish multiple alternative authentication connections in process 534 .

[0172] In one variation, data transmission and reception for devices connected directly or via a LAN to WCD 100, such as IoT 204 and laptop 206, can begin after the initial wireless carrier connection is established. This allows the device to communicate with hosts reachable via interconnected network 217 as quickly as possible. In one variation, data transmission and reception for the device can be restricted or disallowed via the initial wireless carrier connection. Data transmission and reception for the device can begin only after a first alternate authentication connection on a first alternate wireless carrier network is established in process 532, thereby reducing usage of the initial wireless carrier connection. This can reduce tariffs and / or roaming charges imposed by the initial wireless carrier or improve network performance. The use of an R-SIM at the SIM repository can reduce tariffs and / or roaming charges because the selected R-SIM does not incur roaming charges and can provide better network performance. In one variation, data transmission and reception for the device can be restricted or disallowed via the initial wireless carrier connection and / or the first alternate authentication connection. Data transmission and reception for the device can begin only after a second alternate wireless carrier connection on a second alternate wireless carrier network is established in process 534, thereby reducing usage of the initial wireless carrier connection and / or the first alternate wireless carrier connection. In addition to potentially reducing rates and / or roaming charges imposed by the originating wireless carrier network, performance may also be improved and wireless carrier network selection may be more flexible.

[0173] Figure 6 is a process flow diagram illustrating a method according to one embodiment of the present invention. The processing unit of WCD 100 is used to determine when to disconnect a logical data connection and establish a new logical data connection. Figure 6 Should Figure 1A and Figure 2A In process 601, the processing unit of WCD 100 establishes multiple logical data connections through one or more wireless carrier connections. Figure 4A and 4B In one embodiment, the one or more wireless carrier connections may be established over one or more wireless carrier networks using any of the methods described in

[0026] . In a variant, one or more of the logical data connections may also be established via one or more wired network connections established via one or more wide area network (WAN) interfaces of WCD 100.

[0174] In process 602, the processing unit of WCD 100 enables data communication via the plurality of logical data connections established through the one or more wireless carrier connections. For illustrative purposes, data communication may be performed between a host connected to WCD 100 directly or via a local area network and another host reachable via interconnection network 217. For example, the host connected to WCD 100 may be laptop computer 206 or IoT device 204, and the other host reachable via interconnection network 217 may be network server 208, SIM repository 212, SIM repository management server 216, eSIM server 214, or a host connected to network node 210. In one variation, the plurality of logical data connections may be aggregated to form an aggregated tunnel.

[0175] In process 603, the processing unit of WCD 100 monitors the one or more wireless carrier connections for satisfaction criteria. Satisfaction criteria may include, but are not limited to, connection type, rate cost, latency, bandwidth, and network congestion. In process 604, the processing unit of WCD 100 determines whether any wireless carrier connections do not meet the satisfaction criteria. If the result of this determination is "no," indicating that the satisfaction criteria are met, the "no" branch is followed and processes 603-604 are iterated. In one variation, the processing unit of WCD 100 waits a predetermined time before each iteration of loop 603-604, as this helps reduce the processing workload of the processor and conserves energy and resources. If the result of process 604 is "yes," indicating that the satisfaction criteria are not met, the "yes" branch is followed and process 605 is executed.

[0176] In process 605, the processing unit of WCD 100 disconnects the wireless carrier connection that does not meet the satisfaction criteria. However, in some example scenarios, it is possible that all wireless carrier connections fail to meet the satisfaction criteria. In these cases, one wireless carrier connection remains operational while the remaining wireless carrier connections are disconnected. It is preferred that the relatively best performing wireless carrier connection remain operational.

[0177] In one variation, each item of the satisfaction criteria may be assigned a priority level configured by an administrator or user of WCD 100. For example, when tariff cost is given the highest priority, connections with high tariff cost should be disconnected first. If all wireless carrier connections fail to meet at least one criterion of the satisfaction criteria, then the wireless carrier connection with the lowest priority level should remain operational.

[0178] In process 606, the processing unit of WCD 100 establishes a replacement wireless carrier connection for each disconnected wireless carrier connection. After establishing the replacement wireless carrier connection, the processing unit of WCD 100 establishes another logical data connection from the plurality of logical data connections via the replacement wireless carrier connection in process 601. The additional plurality of logical data connections are then available for data communication in process 602. In one variation, a replacement wireless carrier connection is established for each wireless carrier connection that does not meet the satisfaction criteria, even if it is not disconnected. Processes 605 and 606 may be performed interchangeably. Thus, the replacement wireless carrier connection may be established in process 606 before the wireless carrier connection is disconnected in process 605.

[0179] Figure 7 is a flowchart illustrating the progress of one embodiment of the present invention. In process 701, an initial SIM is used with one of the WCMs of WCD 100. This WCM is referred to as the first WCM because it is the first WCM used sequentially. The initial SIM can be an L-SIM, an R-SIM, or a roaming R-SIM. As is well known, a roaming SIM is a SIM card capable of operating on more than one network. A roaming R-SIM, as referred to in the present invention, is an R-SIM placed in a SIM repository and capable of operating on more than one wireless carrier network. If a logical data connection cannot be established with the SIM repository or SIM repository management server, the initial SIM should be an L-SIM because WCD 100 may not be able to use an R-SIM. An initial authentication connection is established with the SIM repository using the initial SIM with the first WCM. In process 702, since the authentication connection is now established, an R-SIM from the SIM repository can be used to establish a wireless carrier connection using a second WCM. Since this R-SIM is the first in the sequence, it is referred to as the first R-SIM and the wireless carrier connection is referred to as the first wireless carrier connection. Authentication requests and authentication information can be sent and received over the initial authentication connection.

[0180] In process 703, the next R-SIM, referred to as the second R-SIM, is used to establish a second wireless carrier connection using the next WCM, referred to as the third WCM. Authentication requests and authentication information may be sent and received over the initial authentication connection and / or over the alternate authentication connection established via the first wireless carrier connection.

[0181] In process 704, the (n-1)th R-SIM is used to establish the nth wireless carrier connection using the (n-1)th WCM. Authentication requests and authentication information may be sent and received via one or a combination of authentication connections established via the wireless carrier connection. The process may continue until n reaches a threshold or n reaches the number of WCMs in WCD 100. Because there are typically many R-SIMs in a SIM bank and WCD 100 can connect to multiple SIM banks, the number of available R-SIMs should be greater than the number of available WCMs. The goal of these processes is to use as many WCMs as possible.

[0182] The authenticated connection is not used to send and receive data for network devices connected to WCD 100, such as local area network 202, IoT 204, and laptop computer 206. Sending and receiving data to and from network devices connected to WCD 100 is allowed over one or a combination of the (n-1)th data connections.

[0183] In one variation, the first m-th wireless carrier connection is not used to transmit and receive data for network devices connected to WCD 100. Data to and from network devices connected to WCD 100 is permitted to be transmitted and received via one or a combination of the (m+1)-(n-1) data connections. For purposes of illustration, if m is five and n is ten, then one or a combination of the sixth, seventh, eighth, and ninth data connections is permitted to transmit and receive data to and from network devices connected to WCD 100 instead of the first through fourth wireless carrier connections.

[0184] Figure 8A 801 is a process flow diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment of an R-SIM selection and authentication process. When the SIM library or processing unit of WCD 100 selects an R-SIM, a SIM selection policy may be used to select the R-SIM. The SIM selection policy may require information. In process 801, the processing unit of WCD 100 collects information for the SIM selection policy.

[0185] In process 802, as Figure 3B As shown in FIG, an R-SIM is selected according to the R-SIM selection process based on the collected information. When the SIM repository performs the R-SIM selection process, the collected information is transmitted to the SIM repository via a logical connection, multiple logical connections, or an aggregated logical connection. The logical connection, multiple logical connections, or aggregated logical connection may or may not be the initial one. For example, the logical data connection connected to the SIM repository may be the initial authentication connection or a replacement authentication connection. The information of the selected R-SIM is then transmitted to WCD 100.

[0186] When the R-SIM selection process is executed by the processing unit of WCD 100, information of multiple R-SIMs in at least one SIM library will be sent to WCD 100. The processing unit of WCD 100 will then select an R-SIM according to the SIM selection policy based on the collected information.

[0187] Once an R-SIM is selected, the authentication request received from the corresponding wireless carrier network and the authentication information from the R-SIM are sent through the authentication connection established between the SIM library and WCD 100. There is no limitation on the authentication connection being an initial or replacement authentication connection.

[0188] Figure 8B is a more detailed process flow diagram for another exemplary embodiment of processes 801 and 802. In process 811, the processing unit of WCD 100 identifies available wireless carrier networks using at least one of the plurality of WCMs. In process 812, the processing unit of WCD 100 determines the signal quality of each available wireless carrier network identified by the at least one WCM. The availability of the wireless carrier networks and the corresponding signal quality are then used in a SIM selection policy. In one variant, process 812 is not performed, and only the availability of the wireless carrier networks is used in a SIM selection policy.

[0189] In process 813, an R-SIM or a roaming R-SIM is selected based on the wireless carrier network that meets the signal quality requirements and further based on the rates and / or permitted use of the wireless carrier network. If the signal quality of the available wireless carrier network does not meet the signal quality requirements, then the available wireless carrier should not be used, and the R-SIM and roaming R-SIM that must use the available wireless carrier network will not be selected. In one example, when there are two available wireless carrier networks that meet the signal quality requirements, the R-SIM of the wireless carrier network with the lower rate will be selected. For illustrative purposes, the two available wireless carrier networks are 201a and 201b. When the rate of wireless carrier network 201a is lower than the rate of wireless carrier network 201b, the R-SIM or roaming R-SIM of wireless carrier network 201a will be selected.

[0190] In one variation, there are three available wireless carrier networks 201a-201c that meet the signal quality requirements and WCD 100 has two available WCMs. For illustrative purposes, wireless carrier networks 201a and 201c have the same rates and are less expensive than wireless carrier network 201b. Therefore, only R-SIMs and roaming R-SIMs that use wireless carrier networks 201a and / or 201c will be selected, and R-SIMs and roaming R-SIMs that use wireless carrier network 201b will not be selected. Roaming R-SIMs that can be configured to use any of the three wireless carrier networks can still be selected, but will be configured to use wireless carrier networks 201a and / or 201c in process 814.

[0191] The R-SIM selection process may be performed by a processing unit of WCD 100, a processing unit of SIM bank 212, or a processing unit of SIM bank management server 216. When the R-SIM selection process is performed by the processing unit of WCD 100, information such as the identity of the wireless carrier network, rates, and permitted uses of R-SIMs and roaming R-SIMs is sent by the processing unit of SIM bank 212 or SIM bank management server 216 to WCD 100 for selection by the processing unit. Similarly, when the R-SIM selection process is performed by the processing unit of the SIM bank management server, the information is also sent to the SIM bank management server 216. In one example, the SIM bank may first select a plurality of R-SIMs and / or roaming R-SIMs, and then the processing unit of WCD 100 may select one or more R-SIMs and / or roaming R-SIMs from the plurality of R-SIMs and / or roaming R-SIMs selected by the SIM bank.

[0192] Figure 8C 8 is a more detailed process flow diagram for another exemplary embodiment of processes 801 and 802. In process 821, the processing unit of WCD 100 identifies its geographic location. The geographic location may be determined using GPS. In process 822, an R-SIM or a roaming R-SIM is selected based on the geographic location information and also based on the tariff and / or data usage allowance. A database or lookup table may be used to search for available wireless carrier networks in the geographic location. The database or lookup table may be stored in WCD 100, a SIM bank, multiple SIM banks, and / or a SIM bank management server. For example, longitude and latitude information based on GPS information obtained from a GPS receiver at WCD 100 may be used to search for available wireless carrier networks at the geographic location of WCD 100.

[0193] Similar to Figure 8BThe process shown in FIG. 1 is not limited to selecting only one R-SIM or roaming R-SIM. For example, multiple R-SIMs and / or roaming R-SIMs may be selected.

[0194] In one example, a database is searched for available wireless carrier networks based on the GPS location information of WCD 100. For illustrative purposes, records in the database indicate that there are two available wireless carrier networks at the location of WCD 100. For example, the two available wireless carrier networks are 201a and 201b, and the rate for wireless carrier network 201a is lower than the rate for wireless carrier network 201b. Therefore, the R-SIM or roaming R-SIM of wireless carrier network 201a will be selected for use.

[0195] In one variant, according to database records, there are three available wireless carrier networks 201a-201c, and WCD 100 has two available WCMs. For illustrative purposes, wireless carrier networks 201a and 201c have the same rates and are less expensive than the rates of wireless carrier network 201b. Therefore, only R-SIMs and roaming R-SIMs that use wireless carrier networks 201a and / or 201c will be selected, and R-SIMs and roaming R-SIMs that use wireless carrier network 201b will not be selected. Roaming R-SIMs that can be configured to use any of the three wireless carrier networks can still be selected, but will be configured to use wireless carrier networks 201a and / or 201c in process 823.

[0196] Figure 8DA method for configuring a WCM when a roaming R-SIM is selected in processes 813 and 822 is shown. When a roaming R-SIM is selected, the mobile country code (MCC) and mobile network node (MNC) of the selected wireless carrier network are first determined in process 831 and then sent from SIM repository 212 to WCD 100 over an authentication connection in process 832. WCD 100 then configures the MCC and MNC for an available WCM in process 833 to allow the WCM to use the selected wireless carrier network. The authentication connection can be an initial authentication connection, a replacement authentication connection, or an aggregated authentication connection. For example, if wireless carrier network 201a is the selected wireless carrier network in the United States, the MCC and MNC of wireless carrier network 201a are then determined in process 831. The MCC and MNC are sent in process 832 and used to configure the available WCM in process 833. In one variation, the MCC and MNC information is already stored in WCD 100, and the processing unit of WCD 100 can determine the MCC and MNC information on its own and does not need to retrieve the MCC and MNC information from SIM repository 212. Therefore, process 832 is skipped. One of the benefits of using MCC and MNC is that it reduces the process of identifying the geographic location of WCD 100.

[0197] In another detailed example, the access point name (APN) of the R-SIM or roaming R-SIM can be sent from SIM repository 212 to WCD 100 to allow the available WCM to establish the required connection with the wireless carrier network. For example, WCD 100 can use the APN to access a private network. In one variant, the APN information is already stored in WCD 100, and WCD 100 can provide the APN itself without retrieving the APN information from SIM repository 212.

[0198] The R-SIM selection process may be performed by a processing unit of WCD 100 , a processing unit of SIM repository 212 , or a processing unit of SIM repository management server 216 .

[0199] In one variation, the SIM selection strategy is designed to diversify the use of wireless carrier networks that meet the selection criteria. For example, a single R-SIM is required, three R-SIMs from wireless carrier networks 201a-201c each meet the selection criteria, and WCD 100 has a WCM that has already established a wireless carrier connection using the R-SIM from wireless carrier network 201a. Therefore, due to the diversification strategy, SIM library 212 will not select the R-SIM from wireless carrier network 201a among the three R-SIMs. SIM library 212 will select an R-SIM from either wireless carrier network 201b or 201c.

[0200] Figure 9A is a process flow diagram illustrating a method performed at WCD 100 according to an example embodiment of the present invention. Processes 901 through 908 may be performed individually or jointly at WCD 100, one or more SIM repositories 212, and SIM repositories management server 216. For illustrative purposes, the processing unit of WCD 100 performs processes 901 through 908. The process begins at process 901. For illustrative purposes, WCD 100 has three WCMs. Each WCM uses an R-SIM from SIM repositories 212a to establish a wireless carrier connection with one of wireless carrier networks 201a-201c. Thus, WCD 100 has established three wireless carrier connections. WCD 100 communicates with SIM repositories 212a using one or more logical data connections established over one or more of the three wireless carrier connections. At process 902, the processing unit of WCD 100 monitors at least one condition associated with the R-SIM being used. For example, the at least one condition is a packet loss rate of less than 2% for the wireless carrier connection. Therefore, the processing unit monitors the packet loss rate of each of the three wireless carrier connections.

[0201] In process 903, it is determined whether the at least one condition associated with one or more R-SIMs has failed. According to an example, the at least one condition is a packet loss rate of less than 2% for the wireless carrier connection. Therefore, when the packet loss rate of the wireless carrier connection is greater than 2%, the at least one condition has failed. For example, the packet loss rate of the wireless carrier connection established with the wireless carrier network 201b has increased to 3%. Therefore, the wireless carrier connection established with the wireless carrier network 201b has failed to pass the at least one condition. For illustrative purposes, the (m+2)th R-SIM is used to establish a wireless carrier connection with the wireless carrier network 201b and thus becomes a failed R-SIM. A failed R-SIM is an R-SIM used to connect to a wireless carrier network that fails to meet at least one condition.

[0202] In process 904, the processing unit of WCD 100 determines whether WCD 100 can still communicate with SIM repository 212a over the wireless carrier connections established with wireless carrier networks 201a and / or 201c. If WCD 100 can communicate with SIM repository 212a over one or both of the wireless carrier connections established with wireless carrier networks 201a or 201c, the processing unit of WCD 100 stops using the failed R-SIM in process 905. The processing unit of WCD 100 selects another R-SIM, such as the (m+1)th R-SIM, to replace the failed R-SIM in step 906 and begins using the (m+1)th R-SIM in step 907.

[0203] If it is determined at process 904 that no other wireless carrier connection exists to communicate with SIM bank 212a , the processing unit may continue to use the wireless carrier connection established with wireless carrier network 201b and end the process at process 908 .

[0204] No restrictions Figure 9A All of the processes in step 902 must be performed by a processing unit of WCD 100. Some or all of the processes may be performed by a processing unit of SIM bank 212 and / or SIM bank management server 216. In one example, the condition at step 902 may be that the data usage allowed per R-SIM is approaching a limit. The process of checking data usage may be performed by a processing unit of WCD 100, a processing unit of SIM bank 212, and / or SIM bank management server 216.

[0205] In another example, the selection of the R-SIM at step 906 may be performed by a processing unit of the SIM bank 212 and / or the SIM bank management server 216 .

[0206] In one variation, multiple WCMs can use the same wireless carrier network. For example, WCMs 101a and 101b can simultaneously connect to wireless carrier network 201b via their corresponding R-SIMs. When the performance quality of the wireless carrier network is low, both WCMs 101a and 101b may experience the same low quality performance, and their corresponding R-SIMs may fail under the conditions of process 903. Therefore, in process 905, the processing unit of WCD 100 will stop using the R-SIMs corresponding to WCMs 101a and 101b. In processes 906 and 907, two R-SIMs will be selected and used.

[0207] In one variation, the failed R-SIM is a roaming R-SIM. When the conditions associated with a roaming R-SIM fail, the processing unit of WCD 100 or the processing unit of SIM bank 212 may continue to use the same roaming R-SIM to establish another wireless carrier connection with another wireless carrier network. Thus, processes 905, 906, and 907 are Figure 9B The processes 915 to 917 shown in FIG.

[0208] For example, the roaming R-SIM can use wireless carrier network 201a or 201b, where 201b is the initial wireless carrier network being used. When WCD 100 moves to an area that does not have coverage of wireless carrier network 201b, the condition for receiving coverage may fail in process 903. Therefore, in process 915, the processing unit of WCD 100 will disconnect the roaming R-SIM from wireless carrier network 201b. In process 916, the processing unit of WCD 100 will select another wireless carrier network to connect with the roaming R-SIM. In process 917, the processing unit of WCD 100 will start using the roaming R-SIM by establishing another wireless carrier connection using the roaming R-SIM and the selected wireless carrier network. No restrictions Figure 9B All of the processes in the preceding example must be performed by the processing unit of WCD 100. Some or all of the processes may be performed by the processing unit of SIM repository 212 and / or SIM repository management server 216. Processes 915 through 917 are not limited to a single roaming R-SIM. Processes 915 through 917 may also be applied to multiple roaming R-SIMs. There is also no limitation on a single roaming R-SIM being able to use only two wireless carrier networks. There may be more than two wireless carrier networks available for selection.

[0209] In a detailed example, when a roaming R-SIM is selected, the Mobile Country Code (MCC) and Mobile Network Node (MNC) of the selected wireless carrier network can be sent from SIM repository 212 to WCD 100 over an authentication connection. WCD 100 will then configure the MCC and MNC for the available WCM to allow the WCM to use the selected wireless carrier network. The authentication connection can be an initial authentication connection, a replacement authentication connection, or an aggregate authentication connection. For example, if wireless carrier network 201a is a selected wireless carrier network in the United States, the MCC and MNC of wireless carrier network 201a will then be used to configure the available WCM. In one variant, the MCC and MNC information is already stored in WCD 100, and WCD 100 can provide the MCC and MNC information itself without retrieving the MCC and MNC information from SIM repository 212.

[0210] In another detailed example, the access point name (APN) of the R-SIM or roaming R-SIM can be sent from SIM repository 212 to WCD 100 to allow the available WCM to establish the required connection with the wireless carrier network. For example, WCD 100 can use the APN to access a private network. In one variant, the APN information is already stored in WCD 100, and WCD 100 can provide the APN itself without retrieving the APN information from SIM repository 212.

[0211] Figure 10 The figure illustrates maintaining a SIM repository connection when establishing multiple wireless carrier connections according to an embodiment. For illustrative purposes, a first wireless carrier connection is established on the SIM's wireless carrier network using WCM 1001 and a first SIM, where the first SIM is a local SIM. At 1021, the processing unit of WCD 100 sends an authentication request 1051 via an initial authentication connection established with SIM repository 1010 via the first wireless carrier connection. Authentication request 1051 is initially received at WCD 100 from the wireless carrier network and then forwarded by the WCD to SIM repository 1010.

[0212] At 1022, WCD 100 receives authentication information 1052 in response to authentication request 1051 by initiating an authentication connection. Authentication information 1052 contains the necessary information corresponding to the R-SIM (secondary SIM) for establishing a second wireless carrier connection. The processing unit of WCD 100 forwards authentication information 1052 to the wireless carrier network from which authentication request 1051 was initially received. The second wireless carrier connection is then successfully established using a WCM from available WCMs and the second SIM. For example, WCM 1002 from available WCMs 1002-1004 is used.

[0213] After successfully establishing the second wireless carrier connection, the first wireless carrier connection may be disconnected. Thus, WCM 1001 may be used to establish another wireless carrier connection.

[0214] At 1023, the processing unit of WCD 100 sends another authentication request, such as authentication request 1053, to SIM repository 1010. Authentication request 1053 may be sent via an alternate authentication connection established via a second wireless carrier connection. Authentication request 1053 is initially received at WCD 100 from the wireless carrier network and then forwarded by the WCD to SIM repository 1010.

[0215] At 1024, WCD 100 receives authentication information 1054 in response to authentication request 1053 via the alternate authentication connection established via the second wireless carrier connection. Authentication information 1054 contains the necessary information corresponding to the R-SIM (third SIM) for establishing a third wireless carrier connection. The processing unit of WCD 100 forwards authentication information 1054 to the wireless carrier network from which authentication request 1053 was initially received. The third wireless carrier connection is then successfully established using a WCM from available WCMs and the third SIM. For example, WCM 1003 is used from available WCMs 1001, 1003, and 1004.

[0216] At 1025, the processing unit of WCD 100 sends another authentication request, such as authentication request 1055, to SIM repository 1010. Authentication request 1055 may be sent via an alternate authentication connection established via the second wireless carrier connection or via an alternate authentication connection established via a third wireless carrier connection. For illustrative purposes, authentication request 1055 is sent via an alternate authentication connection established via the third wireless carrier connection. Authentication request 1055 is initially received at WCD 100 from the wireless carrier network and then forwarded by the WCD to SIM repository 1010.

[0217] At 1026, WCD 100 receives authentication information 1056 in response to authentication request 1055 via the alternate authentication connection established via the third wireless carrier connection. Authentication information 1056 contains the necessary information corresponding to the R-SIM (fourth SIM) for establishing a fourth wireless carrier connection. The processing unit of WCD 100 forwards authentication information 1056 to the wireless carrier network from which authentication request 1055 was initially received. The fourth wireless carrier connection is then successfully established using a WCM from the available WCMs and the fourth SIM. For example, WCM 1001 from the available WCMs 1001 and 1004 is used.

[0218] At 1027, the processing unit of WCD 100 sends another authentication request, such as authentication request 1057, to SIM repository 1010. Authentication request 1057 may be sent via an alternate authentication connection established via the second wireless carrier connection, an alternate authentication connection established via the third wireless carrier connection, or an alternate authentication connection established via the fourth wireless carrier connection. For illustrative purposes, authentication request 1057 is sent via an alternate authentication connection established via the fourth wireless carrier connection. Authentication request 1057 is initially received at WCD 100 from the wireless carrier network and then forwarded by the WCD to SIM repository 1010.

[0219] At 1028, WCD 100 receives authentication information 1058 in response to authentication request 1057 via the replacement authentication connection established via the fourth wireless carrier connection. Authentication information 1058 contains the necessary information corresponding to the R-SIM (fifth SIM) for establishing a fifth wireless carrier connection. The processing unit of WCD 100 forwards authentication information 1058 to the wireless carrier network from which authentication request 1057 was initially received. The fifth wireless carrier connection is then successfully established using an available WCM (e.g., WCM 1004) and the fifth SIM.

[0220] The first wireless carrier connection is not limited to being disconnected after the second wireless carrier connection is established. The first wireless carrier connection may be disconnected later (for example, after the third, fourth, fifth, or subsequent wireless carrier connections are established) or may not be disconnected at all. In one variant, when the first wireless carrier connection is not disconnected, the authentication request and authentication information for the third, fourth, fifth, or subsequent wireless carrier connections may also be carried over the initial authentication connection established via the first wireless carrier connection.

Claims

1. A method for communicating at a wireless communication device, comprising: a. Establishing a first wireless carrier connection using a starting subscriber identity module (SIM); wherein the initial SIM card is placed in the wireless communication device; b. Establishing an initial authentication connection through the first wireless operator connection and at least one SIM library; c. Selecting a plurality of remote SIMs from the at least one SIM library; wherein the plurality of remote SIMs are placed in the at least one SIM library; wherein the plurality of remote SIMs are selected by a processing unit of the wireless communication device or by a processing unit of the at least one SIM library; d. establishing multiple wireless carrier connections using the multiple remote SIMs; e. establishing at least one alternative authentication connection through the plurality of wireless carrier connections; f using the at least one authentication connection instead of carrying the SIM authentication request and authentication information; g. Stop using the initial authentication connection and the first wireless operator connection; as well as h. using the remaining plurality of wireless carrier connections to transmit and receive data packets unrelated to authentication through the remaining plurality of logical data connections thereon; wherein at least one SIM of the plurality of remote SIMs is at least one replacement SIM; The remaining plurality of wireless carrier connections are a plurality of wireless carrier connections other than the at least one replacement authentication connection. 2 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the initiating authentication connection is used to carry the authentication request and authentication information of the initiating SIM.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: When a plurality of alternative authentication connections are established in step (e), the plurality of alternative authentication connections are aggregated.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the use of the initial authentication connection and the first wireless carrier connection is stopped based on one or more of the following reasons: insufficient network performance of the initial wireless carrier network, high cost of using the initial wireless carrier network, and unstable availability of the initial wireless carrier network. The method of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of remote SIMs is selected based on a SIM selection policy.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the SIM selection policy is based on one or more of the following criteria: a location of a remote SIM (R-SIM) placed in the at least one SIM bank, a category of the R-SIM, a rate price of the R-SIM, a network performance history of the R-SIM, services provided by the wireless carrier network of the R-SIM, a quality of service of the wireless carrier network of the R-SIM, an administrator's preference, a geographic location of the wireless communication device, billing information, and time. The method of claim 1 , wherein the originating SIM is a roaming SIM. The method of claim 1 , wherein the starting SIM is a removable SIM or an electronic SIM (eSIM).

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the wireless communication device comprises at least one embedded universal integrated circuit card (eUICC) to store profile information of the electronic SIM.

10. A system for communicating at a wireless communication device, comprising: At least one wireless communication device comprising: at least one processing unit; Multiple wireless communication modules; at least one Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card interface; and At least one non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising program instructions executable by the at least one processing unit for: a. Establishing an initial authentication connection through a first wireless operator connection with at least one SIM library; b. communicating data via a plurality of logical data connections; wherein the plurality of logical data connections are established via one or more of a plurality of wireless carrier connections; wherein the plurality of wireless carrier connections are established using a plurality of remote SIM cards placed in one or more SIM banks; wherein the one or more SIM banks are remotely connected to the at least one wireless communication device; c. sending and receiving authentication requests and authentication information via at least one replacement authentication connection established by the plurality of wireless carrier connections; wherein the authentication request is received from a wireless carrier network of a plurality of remote SIMs; and wherein the authentication information is received from the one or more SIM repositories; d. Stop using the initial authentication connection and the first wireless operator connection; and e. Use the remaining multiple logical data connections to transmit and receive data packets unrelated to authentication; wherein at least one SIM of the plurality of remote SIMs is at least one replacement SIM; The remaining plurality of logical data connections are established by the plurality of wireless carrier connections other than the at least one replacement authentication connection.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein each of the plurality of remote SIMs is selected based on a SIM selection policy; And wherein the authentication information is a response to the authentication request.

12. A wireless communication device, comprising: at least one processing unit; Multiple wireless communication modules; at least one Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card interface; as well as At least one non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising program instructions executable by the at least one processing unit for: a. Establishing a first wireless carrier connection using a starting SIM; wherein the starting SIM is placed in the wireless communication device; b. Establishing an initial authentication connection through the first wireless operator connection and at least one SIM library; c. Selecting a plurality of remote SIMs from the at least one SIM library; wherein the plurality of remote SIMs are placed in the at least one SIM library; wherein the plurality of remote SIMs are selected by a processing unit of the wireless communication device or by a processing unit of the at least one SIM library; d. establishing multiple wireless carrier connections using the multiple remote SIMs; e. establishing at least one alternative authentication connection through the plurality of wireless carrier connections; f using the at least one authentication connection instead of carrying the SIM authentication request and authentication information; g. Stop using the initial authentication connection and the first wireless operator connection; as well as h. using the remaining plurality of wireless carrier connections to transmit and receive data packets unrelated to authentication through the remaining plurality of logical data connections thereon; wherein at least one SIM of the plurality of remote SIMs is at least one replacement SIM; The remaining plurality of wireless carrier connections are a plurality of wireless carrier connections other than the at least one replacement authentication connection. 13 . The wireless communication device according to claim 12 , wherein the initial authentication connection is used to carry the authentication request and authentication information of the initial SIM.

14. The wireless communication apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the at least one non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprises program instructions executable by the at least one processing unit to: When a plurality of alternative authentication connections are established in step (e), the plurality of alternative authentication connections are aggregated.

15. The wireless communication device of claim 12, wherein the initial authentication connection and the first wireless carrier connection are stopped from being used based on one or more of the following reasons: insufficient network performance of the initial wireless carrier network, high cost of using the initial wireless carrier network, and unstable availability of the initial wireless carrier network.

16. The wireless communication device of claim 12, wherein each of the plurality of remote SIMs is selected based on a SIM selection policy.

17. The wireless communication device of claim 16 , wherein the SIM selection policy is based on one or more of the following criteria: a location of an R-SIM placed in the at least one SIM library, a category of the R-SIM, a rate price of the R-SIM, a network performance history of the R-SIM, services provided by the wireless carrier network of the R-SIM, a quality of service of the wireless carrier network of the R-SIM, an administrator's preference, a geographic location of the wireless communication device, billing information, and time.

18. The wireless communication device of claim 12, wherein the originating SIM is a roaming SIM. The wireless communication device of claim 12 , wherein the initial SIM is a removable SIM or an electronic SIM.

20. The wireless communication device of claim 19, wherein the wireless communication device comprises at least one embedded universal integrated circuit card (eUICC) to store profile information of the electronic SIM.

Images