Vsim module and method performed by a vsim module

Abstract

To provide a vSIM module for a portable device.SOLUTION: The vSIM module includes a memory storing a vSIM connection management program, and at least one processor executing the vSIM connection management program to register with a first network, download a vSIM profile from a vSIM server via the first network registered via a remote SIM (rSIM), perform a vSIM authentication procedure via the first network upon receiving a vSIM authentication request, complete registration with a second network, and activate a vSIM service to connect to the second network.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vSIM module, and more particularly to a vSIM for a device, a device, a vSIM server, and a method performed by the device. [Background technology]

[0002] With the development of network technology, more devices can be connected to the network and receive more network services. Currently, portable devices can connect to the network via SIM cards or eSIM technology.

[0003] However, current SIM card or eSIM technology does not allow a user's portable device to access other networks within the same country, and can only access networks provided by a network service provider through a SIM card or eSIM profile provided by the network service provider. If a user intends to access other networks, the user needs to purchase a SIM card or subscription provided by another network service provider and manually replace the SIM card or eSIM profile in the portable device to access networks provided by the other network service provider.

[0004] Furthermore, current SIM card or eSIM technology does not enable a user's portable device to access a network in a different country. If a user intends to access a network in another country, the user must also purchase a SIM card or subscription provided by a network service provider in the other country and manually replace the SIM card or eSIM profile in the portable device to access the network provided by the network service provider in the other country.

[0005] Furthermore, current SIM card modules or eSIM modules have the disadvantage that they require the development of complex drivers (e.g., MBIM drivers) and dedicated SIM management programs in the operating system (e.g., Windows® operating system or Chrome operating system) of the user's portable device to manage SIM card and network connection information.

[0006] The above-mentioned shortcomings of current SIM card modules and eSIM modules cause inconvenience to developers and users. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention relates to a vSIM module for a portable device. The vSIM module can be embedded in the portable device or connected externally, and has the advantage that the portable device can access other networks in one country or access networks in another country without manually replacing the SIM card. Furthermore, developers do not need to develop dedicated SIM management programs and complex drivers in the operating system of the portable device.

[0008] According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a vSIM module for a portable device. The portable device includes at least a slot. The vSIM module includes a radio frequency chip, a baseband processor, a memory, an application processor, and a connector. The radio frequency chip is connected to an antenna. The baseband processor is connected to the radio frequency chip. The memory is configured to store a vSIM connection management program. The application processor is connected to the memory for executing the vSIM connection management program. The connector is configured to connect to the slot of the portable device. When the vSIM connection management program is executed by the application processor, a vSIM service is activated.

[0009] According to another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a portable device. The portable device includes at least a slot and a vSIM module. The vSIM module includes a radio frequency chip, a baseband processor, a memory, an application processor, and a connector. The radio frequency chip is connected to an antenna. The baseband processor is connected to the radio frequency chip. The memory is configured to store a vSIM connection management program. The application processor is connected to the memory for executing the vSIM connection management program. The connector is configured to connect to the slot of the portable device. When the vSIM connection management program is executed by the application processor, a vSIM service is activated. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a vSIM module according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a vSIM module embedded in a portable device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a vSIM module externally connected to a portable device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart of a vSIM connection management program executed to activate a vSIM service according to one embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] These and other features of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0012] The present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific examples. However, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments shown below. For the sake of brevity and to avoid confusing the understanding of the present invention, detailed descriptions of well-known technologies not directly related to the present invention will be omitted.

[0013] Referring to Figure 1, a block diagram of a vSIM module 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown. The vSIM module 100 includes a radio frequency (RF) chip 110, a baseband processor (BP) 120, an application processor (AP) 130, an antenna 140, a connector 150, and a memory 160. The RF chip 110 is connected to the antenna 140 and the baseband processor 120. The application processor 130 is connected to the baseband processor 120, the connector 150, and the memory 160.

[0014] The memory 160 is, for example, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. The memory 160 stores a vSIM connection management program 170. The vSIM connection management program 170 may be implemented as instructions executed by the application processor 130.

[0015] The radio frequency chip 110 is connected to an antenna 140 for receiving and transmitting signals.

[0016] The baseband processor 120 is configured to perform conversion between digital and analog signals, modulation or encoding of digital signals, and the like.

[0017] The application processor 130 is configured to execute a vSIM connection manager 170 to activate the vSIM service.

[0018] The connector 150 is, for example, a connector for an M.2 interface or a connector for a USB interface, but is not limited to these.

[0019] In one embodiment, the radio frequency chip 110, the baseband processor 120, the application processor 130, and the memory 160 may be implemented as a System on a Chip (SoC).

[0020] Please refer to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a vSIM module 100 embedded in a portable device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The portable device 1 includes a processor 11, a slot 12, and a memory 13. The portable device 1 may be, for example, a laptop, a smartphone, a smartwatch, a smart bracelet, a tablet computer, or the like. The memory 13 may be, for example, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. The memory 13 may store an operating system 14, such as the Windows® operating system or the Chrome operating system. The processor 11 may execute the operating system 14. The slot 12 is provided in the portable device 1 and may be, for example, but not limited to, an M.2 interface slot. The vSIM module 100 may be connected to the slot 12 of the portable device 1 via a connector 150 and embedded in the portable device 1. When the vSIM module 100 is connected to the slot 12 of the portable device 1 via the connector 150, the portable device 1 and the vSIM module 100 can transmit data to each other for communication.

[0021] Please refer to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a vSIM module 100 externally connected to a portable device 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The portable device 2 includes a processor 21, a slot 22, and a memory 23. The portable device 2 may be, for example, a laptop, a smartphone, a smartwatch, a smart bracelet, a tablet computer, or the like. The memory 23 may be, for example, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. The memory 23 may store an operating system 24, such as the Windows® operating system or the Chrome operating system. The processor 21 may execute the operating system 24. The slot 22 is provided in the portable device 2 and may be, for example, but not limited to, a USB interface slot. The vSIM module 100 is connected to the slot 22 of the portable device 2 via a connector 150 and is externally connected to the portable device 2. When the vSIM module 100 is connected to the slot 22 of the portable device 2 via the connector 150, the portable device 2 and the vSIM module 100 can transmit data to each other for communication.

[0022] See also Figures 2, 3 and 4. Figure 4 is a flow chart of the vSIM connection management program 170 executed to activate the vSIM service according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] In step S1110, an rSIM (remote SIM) is loaded. In one embodiment, the rSIM may be implemented as a physical card and inserted into a card slot (not shown) of the portable device or the vSIM module 100. In another embodiment, the rSIM may be implemented as a software card and stored in the memory of the vSIM module 100. The rSIM is configured to connect to a network before downloading a vSIM profile from the vSIM server and is configured to assist in completing vSIM authentication (e.g., a vSIM authentication request is sent to the vSIM server via the rSIM, and a vSIM authentication response is received from the vSIM server via the rSIM) in the procedure in which the vSIM searches for a network.

[0024] In step S1120, a network is searched for via the rSIM.

[0025] In step S1130, it is determined whether the rSIM has been successfully registered with the network (registered normally). If the determination is affirmative, step S1140 is executed; if not, the process returns to step S1120.

[0026] In step S1140, the rSIM data is activated.

[0027] In step S1150, the vSIM profile is downloaded from the vSIM server.

[0028] In step S1160, the vSIM is loaded. The vSIM may be a software card or may be stored in the memory of the vSIM module 100.

[0029] In step S1170, a network is searched for via the vSIM.

[0030] In step S1180, it is determined whether a vSIM authentication request has been received from the network. If the determination is affirmative, step S1190 is executed, and if the determination is negative, the process returns to step S1170.

[0031] In step S1190, the vSIM authentication request is sent to the vSIM server via the rSIM.

[0032] In step S1200, a vSIM authentication response is received from the vSIM server via the rSIM.

[0033] In step S1210, the vSIM authentication response is transmitted to the network via the vSIM.

[0034] In step S1220, registration with the network via the vSIM is completed.

[0035] In step S1230, the vSIM service is activated (eg, a network provided by a foreign network service provider is connected).

[0036] Furthermore, in one embodiment, the vSIM module 100 for a portable device of the present disclosure can operate with a vSIM application program. See FIG. 2. Referring to FIG. 2, the vSIM application program may be installed on the operating system 14 of the portable device 1 and stored in memory 13 (not shown), and the processor 11 may execute the vSIM application program. The vSIM application program is configured to provide various management and control functions of the vSIM to the user to provide a user with a superior usage experience. In one embodiment, the various management and control functions of the vSIM include, for example, management controls such as the name of the operator to which the current vSIM belongs, the cell ID where the vSIM is located, and signal strength.

[0037] In this way, the vSIM module 100 for a portable device of the present disclosure can be embedded in the portable device or externally connected to the portable device, and can activate the vSIM service to achieve the advantage that the portable device can access other networks within the country or networks in a different country without manually replacing the SIM card. Furthermore, developers do not need to develop a dedicated SIM management program and a complex driver (e.g., an MBIM driver) in the operating system of the portable device to manage SIM card and network connection information.

[0038] The embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and includes design modifications made within the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims, and embodiments that appropriately combine the technical means disclosed in the various embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. Furthermore, components that achieve the same effects as those described in the above-described embodiments may be substituted. (Appendix 1) a radio frequency chip connected to an antenna; a baseband processor connected to the radio frequency chip; a memory configured to store a vSIM connection management program; an application processor coupled to the memory for executing the vSIM connection management program; a connector configured to connect to a slot on the portable device; Including, When the vSIM connection management program is executed by the application processor, a vSIM service is activated. A vSIM module for a portable device including at least the slot. (Appendix 2) the slot and the connector are M.2 interfaces; the vSIM module for the portable device is embedded in the portable device; 1. A vSIM module for a portable device as defined in Appendix 1. (Appendix 3) the slot and the connector are USB interfaces; the vSIM module for the portable device is externally connected to the portable device; 1. A vSIM module for a portable device as defined in Appendix 1. (Appendix 4) When the vSIM connection management program is executed by the application processor, to activate the vSIM service: Load the rSIM, Searching for a network via the rSIM; successfully registering with the network via the rSIM; Activate your rSIM data, Download the vSIM profile from the vSIM server. Load vSIM, Searching for the network via the vSIM; receiving a vSIM authentication request from the network via the vSIM; Transmitting the vSIM authentication request to the vSIM server via the rSIM; receiving a vSIM authentication response from the vSIM server via the rSIM; transmitting the vSIM authentication response to the network via the vSIM; completing registration with the network via the vSIM; activating the vSIM service; 1. A vSIM module for a portable device as defined in Appendix 1. (Appendix 5) Slots and A vSIM module and Including, The vSIM module includes: a radio frequency chip connected to an antenna; a baseband processor connected to the radio frequency chip; a memory configured to store a vSIM connection management program; an application processor coupled to the memory for executing the vSIM connection management program; a connector configured to connect to the slot; Including, When the vSIM connection management program is executed by the application processor, a vSIM service is activated. Portable devices. (Appendix 6) the slot and the connector are M.2 interfaces; the vSIM module is embedded in the portable device; 1. A portable device as described in Appendix 5. (Appendix 7) the slot and the connector are USB interfaces; the vSIM module is externally connected to the portable device; 1. A portable device as described in Appendix 5. (Appendix 8) When the vSIM connection management program is executed by the application processor, to activate the vSIM service: Load the rSIM, Searching for a network via the rSIM; successfully registering with the network via the rSIM; Activate your rSIM data, Download the vSIM profile from the vSIM server. Load vSIM, Searching for the network via the vSIM; receiving a vSIM authentication request from the network via the vSIM; Transmitting the vSIM authentication request to the vSIM server via the rSIM; receiving a vSIM authentication response from the vSIM server via the rSIM; transmitting the vSIM authentication response to the network via the vSIM; completing registration with the network via the vSIM; activating the vSIM service; 1. A portable device as described in Appendix 5.

[0039] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit of Chinese Patent Application No. 202110356373.2, filed on April 1, 2021, which is incorporated by reference herein and made a part of this specification. [Explanation of symbols]

[0040] 100 vSIM modules 110 Radio Frequency Chip 120 Baseband Processor 130 Application Processors 150 Connector 160 memory

Claims

1. 1. A vSIM module for enabling network access for a portable device, comprising: a memory configured to store a vSIM connection management program; at least one processor, Register on the first network, downloading a vSIM profile from a vSIM server via the first network registered via a remote SIM (rSIM); Upon receiving a vSIM authentication request, performing a vSIM authentication procedure via the first network; completing registration with a second network and activating a vSIM service to connect to the second network; a processor configured to execute the vSIM connection management program to: Including, vSIM module.

2. The at least one processor Searching for the second network using the vSIM profile; receiving the vSIM authentication request from the second network; It is configured as follows: The vSIM module of claim 1 .

3. the remote SIM is implemented as a software card and stored in the memory; The vSIM module of claim 1 .

4. The vSIM authentication procedure includes: Sending the vSIM authentication request to the vSIM server via the first network registered via the remote SIM; receiving a vSIM authentication response from the vSIM server via the first network registered via the remote SIM; sending the vSIM authentication response to the second network; The vSIM module of claim 1 , comprising:

5. Further comprising a connector; The vSIM module of claim 1 .

6. the connector includes a USB interface; the vSIM module is externally connected to the portable device; The vSIM module of claim 5 .

7. 1. A method performed by a vSIM module for enabling network access for a portable device, comprising: Execute a vSIM connection management program stored in the memory of the vSIM module; Register on the first network, downloading a vSIM profile from a vSIM server via the first network registered via a remote SIM (rSIM); Upon receiving a vSIM authentication request, performing a vSIM authentication procedure via the first network; completing registration with a second network and activating a vSIM service to connect to the second network; A method performed by a vSIM module.

8. Searching for the second network using the vSIM profile; receiving a vSIM authentication request from the second network; 8. A method performed by the vSIM module of claim 7.

9. loading the remote SIM from the memory of the vSIM module; It further includes: the remote SIM is implemented as a software card and stored in the memory of the vSIM module; 8. A method performed by the vSIM module of claim 7.

10. The vSIM authentication procedure includes: Sending the vSIM authentication request to the vSIM server via the first network registered via the remote SIM; receiving a vSIM authentication response from the vSIM server via the first network registered via the remote SIM; sending the vSIM authentication response to the second network; 10. The method performed by the vSIM module of claim 7, comprising:

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