Method and system for dynamically switching multiple soft SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) cards based on virtualization technology

Abstract

The invention discloses a multi-soft SIM card dynamic switching method and system based on the virtualization technology, and the method comprises the steps: constructing a unified virtual SIM card container interface at the operating system level of terminal equipment, so as to abstract the basic operation and network communication functions of soft SIM cards; simultaneously loading and maintaining at least two sets of mutually independent soft SIM card schemes based on the interface; when the equipment is started, selecting and activating one scheme according to a preset strategy; during operation, a switching instruction is received, the current scheme is dynamically suspended, the context of the current scheme is saved, the target scheme is initialized and activated at the same time, and network registration is completed, so that seamless network switching without equipment restart is realized. The system comprises a virtualization interface module, a scheme management module, a strategy execution module and a dynamic switching module. According to the invention, the problems of high coupling degree of a multi-soft SIM scheme and service interruption caused by restarting equipment during switching in the prior art are solved, and autonomous, rapid and reliable multi-network switching at the terminal side is realized.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a multi-soft SIM card dynamic switching system, specifically a multi-soft SIM card dynamic switching method and system based on virtualization technology, belonging to the field of mobile communication technology. Background Technology

[0002] With the rapid development of IoT and mobile communication technologies, the demand for terminal devices that support global roaming and multi-network switching is increasing. Especially in fields such as vehicle communication, cross-border logistics, and industrial IoT, terminal devices need to maintain reliable and seamless connectivity between different countries or operator networks. Soft SIM (eSIM / iSIM) technology has emerged to address this need, configuring user identity through software and enabling flexible switching.

[0003] However, current mainstream solutions for multi-SIM card switching still have significant limitations. For example, the IoT communication module, communication network switching method, and related device disclosed in publication number CN117713868A achieve single-card switching to multiple communication chips by integrating a physical switching switch (such as a first switching device) into the communication module to poll and connect to multiple physical SIM cards or eSIM chip interfaces. This type of solution essentially reuses hardware channels, requiring additional physical interfaces and switching devices, which not only increases hardware complexity and cost, but also relies on the establishment and disconnection of physical connections, making it difficult to achieve millisecond-level fast and seamless switching. Furthermore, existing technologies are highly dependent on card vendors or cloud management platforms, with switching logic and strategies centrally controlled by a remote server, resulting in poor autonomy for terminal devices. Switching reliability decreases when there is network latency or cloud service unavailability, and it is difficult to meet the customized switching strategies required by the terminal side for high real-time performance, security, and privacy. Furthermore, while existing solutions can integrate intelligent decision-making (such as based on network quality or user behavior models), their architecture often deeply couples the soft SIM solution to the underlying system. Implementations from different SIM card vendors are incompatible, requiring terminal devices to maintain multiple firmware or software versions to support multiple services, significantly increasing development and maintenance costs. More critically, most solutions still require resetting the communication module or restarting the device when switching between different soft SIM profiles, leading to service interruptions and failing to meet the continuous online requirements of IoT devices. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a method and system for dynamic switching of multiple soft SIM cards based on virtualization technology in order to solve at least one of the above-mentioned technical problems.

[0005] This invention achieves the above objective through the following technical solution: a multi-soft SIM card dynamic switching system based on virtualization technology, comprising:

[0006] The virtualization interface module provides a unified virtual SIM card container interface, which encapsulates the basic operation and network communication functions of the soft SIM card, allowing different soft SIM card solution providers to adapt and access it.

[0007] The solution management module is used to load and maintain at least two independent soft SIM card solutions based on the virtual SIM card container interface on the terminal device.

[0008] The strategy execution module is used to select and activate a soft SIM card scheme based on the card selection flag preset in the non-volatile memory when the device starts up.

[0009] The dynamic switching module is used to receive switching instructions and perform the following operations: the control scheme management module suspends the currently active soft SIM card scheme, initializes and activates the target soft SIM card scheme, and triggers the network side to perform the corresponding context switching.

[0010] As a further aspect of the present invention: the virtual SIM card container interface includes a basic command interface for card activation and protocol interaction, and a network communication interface for establishing a connection with the backend server of the corresponding soft SIM card solution and monitoring status changes.

[0011] As a further aspect of the present invention: the strategy execution module specifically includes:

[0012] Read the card selection flag stored in the non-volatile memory of the terminal device;

[0013] Based on the card selection flag, the corresponding scheme is selected from the multiple loaded soft SIM card schemes as the activation scheme.

[0014] As a further aspect of the present invention: the policy execution module supports dynamic updates, and the policy execution module receives policy update instructions from the application or remote management platform to modify the card selection flag.

[0015] As a further aspect of the present invention: the scheme for suspending the currently active soft SIM card specifically includes:

[0016] Notify the backend server of the current soft SIM card solution to enter a hibernation or disconnect state;

[0017] Save the current soft SIM card scheme's runtime context to memory;

[0018] Stop executing processes or threads related to the current soft SIM card solution.

[0019] As a further aspect of the present invention: if the target soft SIM card scheme fails to activate during the switching process, the dynamic switching module will revert to the original soft SIM card scheme and report the reason for the switching failure for manual switching.

[0020] As a further aspect of the present invention: the triggering conditions for the switching instruction include, but are not limited to:

[0021] Active switching commands from user applications;

[0022] Automatic triggering based on changes in the terminal's geographical location;

[0023] The policy is triggered based on the current network signal quality being below a threshold.

[0024] A method for dynamic switching between multiple soft SIM cards based on virtualization technology, the method comprising the following steps:

[0025] S1. Provides a unified virtual SIM card container interface, which encapsulates the basic operation and network communication functions of the soft SIM card;

[0026] S2. On the terminal device, based on the virtual SIM card container interface, load and maintain at least two independent soft SIM card schemes;

[0027] S3. When the device starts up, select one of the two soft SIM card schemes as the current activation scheme according to the preset card selection strategy, and execute its initialization and network registration process.

[0028] S4. Receive the soft SIM card switching command, suspend the currently running soft SIM card scheme based on the switching command, and start the target soft SIM card scheme to complete the switching from the current network to the target network. The terminal device remains running during the switching process without needing to be restarted.

[0029] The beneficial effects of this invention are:

[0030] 1. This invention standardizes and abstracts the basic operations (such as ATR / PPS) and network communication functions of the soft SIM card by constructing a unified virtual SIM card container interface. This enables different service providers to independently develop and port their soft SIM solutions based on the same interface, achieving decoupling and coexistence of multiple solutions. Terminal devices only need to maintain one software system to integrate multiple services, fundamentally solving the problem of multi-version maintenance caused by solution coupling and significantly reducing software development and iteration costs.

[0031] 2. Through the collaborative work of the scheme management module and the dynamic switching module, this invention can complete the entire process of context saving, restoration and network reattachment from the currently active soft SIM card to the target soft SIM card without restarting the device or resetting the communication module. This truly achieves lossless "hot switching" and reduces the switching time from several seconds or even tens of seconds (including restart time) required by traditional schemes to milliseconds, ensuring the reliability of connections in highly continuous business scenarios such as the Internet of Things.

[0032] 3. The strategy execution module of the present invention supports flexible decision-making based on flags preset in non-volatile memory or instructions from applications or remote platforms, giving terminal devices a high degree of autonomous control. This avoids the latency and single point of failure risks caused by strong cloud dependence, and can quickly respond to changes in the local network environment (such as signal strength below the threshold) or users' immediate needs (such as cross-border roaming), thus realizing intelligent and agile connection management. Attached Figure Description

[0033] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the switching system structure of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the switching method of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0035] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0036] Example 1

[0037] like Figure 1 As shown, a multi-soft SIM card dynamic switching system based on virtualization technology includes:

[0038] The virtualization interface module provides a unified virtual SIM card container interface, which encapsulates the basic operation and network communication functions of the soft SIM card, allowing different soft SIM card solution providers to adapt and access it.

[0039] The solution management module is used to load and maintain at least two independent soft SIM card solutions based on the virtual SIM card container interface on the terminal device.

[0040] The strategy execution module is used to select and activate a soft SIM card scheme based on the card selection flag preset in the non-volatile memory when the device starts up.

[0041] The dynamic switching module is used to receive switching instructions and perform the following operations: the control scheme management module suspends the currently active soft SIM card scheme, initializes and activates the target soft SIM card scheme, and triggers the network side to perform the corresponding context switching.

[0042] By integrating multiple independent soft SIM card solutions through a unified virtualization interface, a single software can maintain configurations for multiple operators and support dynamic switching without requiring device restarts. This significantly reduces software version maintenance costs and switching time, making it particularly suitable for cross-border and cross-network application scenarios for IoT devices.

[0043] Example 2

[0044] In addition to all the technical features included in Embodiment 1, this embodiment also includes:

[0045] The virtual SIM card container interface includes a basic command interface for card activation and protocol interaction, and a network communication interface for establishing connections with the backend server of the corresponding soft SIM card solution and listening to status changes. By concretizing the virtual interface into separate basic command interfaces and network communication interfaces, the underlying protocol operation of the soft SIM card and the upper-layer network status management are decoupled, providing standardized access specifications for different card vendors and ensuring compatibility and reliability when multiple solutions coexist.

[0046] Furthermore, the strategy execution module specifically includes:

[0047] Read the card selection flag stored in the non-volatile memory of the terminal device;

[0048] Based on the card selection flag, the corresponding scheme is selected from the multiple loaded soft SIM card schemes as the activation scheme.

[0049] The strategy execution module automatically matches and starts the specified scheme by reading the card selection flag in the non-volatile memory, realizing automated network selection when the device is powered on, reducing the tediousness of manual configuration for users, and improving the user experience of the device being ready to use right out of the box.

[0050] Furthermore, the policy execution module supports dynamic updates. It receives policy update instructions from the application or remote management platform, modifies the card selection flag, and enables remote configuration and adjustment of switching policies, greatly enhancing the flexibility of system management and adaptability to changes in business scenarios.

[0051] Furthermore, the specific solutions for suspending currently active soft SIM cards include:

[0052] Notify the backend server of the current soft SIM card solution to enter a hibernation or disconnect state;

[0053] Save the current soft SIM card scheme's runtime context to memory;

[0054] Stop executing processes or threads related to the current soft SIM card solution.

[0055] Furthermore, during the switching process, if the target soft SIM card scheme fails to activate, the dynamic switching module will revert to the original soft SIM card scheme and report the reason for the switching failure for manual switching. When the target scheme fails to activate, the original connection can be automatically restored, ensuring the continuity of communication services. At the same time, the reported fault information provides a basis for operation and maintenance diagnosis.

[0056] Furthermore, the triggering conditions for the switching command include, but are not limited to:

[0057] Active switching commands from user applications;

[0058] Automatic triggering based on changes in the terminal's geographical location;

[0059] The policy is triggered based on the current network signal quality being below a threshold.

[0060] Example 3

[0061] like Figure 2 As shown, a method for dynamic switching between multiple soft SIM cards based on virtualization technology includes the following steps:

[0062] S1. Provides a unified virtual SIM card container interface, which encapsulates the basic operation and network communication functions of the soft SIM card;

[0063] S2. On the terminal device, based on the virtual SIM card container interface, load and maintain at least two independent soft SIM card schemes;

[0064] S3. When the device starts up, select one of the two soft SIM card schemes as the current activation scheme according to the preset card selection strategy, and execute its initialization and network registration process.

[0065] S4. Receive the soft SIM card switching command, suspend the currently running soft SIM card scheme based on the switching command, and start the target soft SIM card scheme to complete the switching from the current network to the target network. The terminal device remains running during the switching process without needing to be restarted.

[0066] Working principle: When the terminal device starts up, multiple independent soft SIM card schemes are simultaneously loaded and initialized through the virtual SIM card container interface. However, according to the card selection strategy stored in non-volatile memory, only one scheme is activated and registered with the mobile network, while the others remain in a silent standby state. When a switch is needed, the system receives a switch command from the application or automatic policy. The dynamic switch module then coordinates its work, first notifying the server of the currently active scheme to enter hibernation, saving its complete running context, and then pausing its related processes; next, it loads the execution environment of the target soft SIM card scheme, initializes it, and establishes a secure connection with the corresponding backend server; finally, it uses the credentials of the new scheme to initiate an attach and registration request to the mobile network, completing the network context switch.

[0067] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the details of the exemplary embodiments described above, and that the invention can be implemented in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. Therefore, the embodiments should be considered in all respects as exemplary and non-limiting, and the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description. Thus, all variations falling within the meaning and scope of equivalents of the claims are intended to be included within the present invention. No reference numerals in the claims should be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.

[0068] Furthermore, it should be understood that although this specification describes embodiments, not every embodiment contains only one independent technical solution. This narrative style is merely for clarity. Those skilled in the art should consider the specification as a whole, and the technical solutions in each embodiment can also be appropriately combined to form other embodiments that can be understood by those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A multi-soft SIM card dynamic switching system based on virtualization technology, characterized in that: include: The virtualization interface module provides a unified virtual SIM card container interface, which encapsulates the basic operation and network communication functions of the soft SIM card, allowing different soft SIM card solution providers to adapt and access it. The solution management module is used to load and maintain at least two independent soft SIM card solutions based on the virtual SIM card container interface on the terminal device. The strategy execution module is used to select and activate a soft SIM card scheme based on the card selection flag preset in the non-volatile memory when the device starts up. The dynamic switching module is used to receive switching instructions and perform the following operations: the control scheme management module suspends the currently active soft SIM card scheme, initializes and activates the target soft SIM card scheme, and triggers the network side to perform the corresponding context switching.

2. The multi-soft SIM card dynamic switching system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The virtual SIM card container interface includes a basic command interface for card activation and protocol interaction, and a network communication interface for establishing a connection with the backend server of the corresponding soft SIM card solution and monitoring status changes.

3. The multi-soft SIM card dynamic switching system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The strategy execution module specifically includes: Read the card selection flag stored in the non-volatile memory of the terminal device; Based on the card selection flag, the corresponding scheme is selected from the multiple loaded soft SIM card schemes as the activation scheme.

4. The multi-soft SIM card dynamic switching system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The policy execution module supports dynamic updates. It receives policy update instructions from the application or remote management platform and modifies the card selection flags.

5. The multi-soft SIM card dynamic switching system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The scheme for suspending the currently active soft SIM card specifically includes: Notify the backend server of the current soft SIM card solution to enter a hibernation or disconnect state; Save the current soft SIM card scheme's runtime context to memory; Stop executing processes or threads related to the current soft SIM card solution.

6. The multi-soft SIM card dynamic switching system according to claim 1, characterized in that: If the target soft SIM card scheme fails to activate during the switching process, the dynamic switching module will revert to the original soft SIM card scheme and report the reason for the switching failure for manual switching.

7. The multi-soft SIM card dynamic switching system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The triggering conditions for the switching instruction include, but are not limited to: Active switching commands from user applications; Automatic triggering based on changes in the terminal's geographical location; The policy is triggered based on the current network signal quality being below a threshold.

8. A method for dynamic switching of multiple soft SIM cards based on virtualization technology, comprising the dynamic switching system for multiple soft SIM cards as described in any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, The switching method includes the following steps: S1. Provides a unified virtual SIM card container interface, which encapsulates the basic operation and network communication functions of the soft SIM card; S2. On the terminal device, based on the virtual SIM card container interface, load and maintain at least two independent soft SIM card schemes; S3. When the device starts up, select one of the two soft SIM card schemes as the current activation scheme according to the preset card selection strategy, and execute its initialization and network registration process. S4. Receive the soft SIM card switching command, suspend the currently running soft SIM card scheme based on the switching command, and start the target soft SIM card scheme to complete the switching from the current network to the target network. The terminal device remains running during the switching process without needing to be restarted.

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