Electronic device for supporting multiple subscriber identity modules, and operation method thereof

Abstract

The present disclosure provides an electronic device, the electronic device comprising: a near field communication (NFC) circuit; at least one processor operatively connected to the NFC circuit; and a memory that stores instructions, wherein the instructions stored in the memory, when executed by the at least one processor, instruct the electronic device to: receive an NFC application identifier (ID) from an external electronic device through the NFC circuit; identify a subscriber identity module (SIM) profile corresponding to the NFC application ID from among a plurality of SIM profiles; and perform NFC communication with the external electronic device on the basis of the identified SIM profile through the NFC circuit.

Description

Electronic device supporting multiple subscriber identification modules and method of operation thereof

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to electronic devices, and more particularly to an electronic device supporting multiple subscriber identity modules (SIMs) and a method of operating the same.

[0002] In a wireless communication system of the related technology, an electronic device (e.g., a user equipment (UE)) can access a wireless communication network and use a communication service, such as a voice communication service and / or a data communication service, at a fixed location and / or while moving.

[0003] To provide communication services to an electronic device, a suitable authentication process may be performed. For example, a universal integrated circuit card (UICC) may be inserted into the electronic device, and an authentication process may be performed between the electronic device and a server of a communication service provider (e.g., a mobile network operator (MNO)) through a universal subscriber identity module (USIM) installed inside the UICC. The UICC may be referred to as a subscriber identity module (SIM) card in the global system for mobile communications (GSM) scheme, and as a universal subscriber identity module (USIM) card in the wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA) scheme, long term evolution (LTE) scheme, and / or new radio (NR) scheme.

[0004] When a user of an electronic device subscribes to a communication service provided by a telecommunications carrier, the telecommunications carrier may provide the user with a UICC (e.g., a SIM card or a USIM card), and the user may insert the UICC provided by the telecommunications carrier into his or her own electronic device. When the UICC is inserted into the electronic device, the USIM application installed in the UICC may be executed, and an appropriate authentication process may be performed with a server of the telecommunications carrier that stores the same and / or corresponding IMSI value and encryption key value based on the international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI) value and the encryption key value for authentication stored in the UICC. If the authentication process for the electronic device is successful, the electronic device may use (and / or be permitted to use) the communication service.

[0005] When information related to a SIM is provided from a server of a telecommunications operator to a UICC (e.g., an embedded subscriber identity module (eSIM) and / or an integrated subscriber identity module (iSIM)) on an electronic device, an appropriate authentication process may be performed with a server of the telecommunications operator that stores the same and / or corresponding IMSI value and encryption key value based on an IMSI value and an encryption key value for authentication that may be included in the information related to the SIM or generated based on the information related to the SIM. If authentication of the electronic device is successful through the authentication process, the electronic device may use (and / or be permitted to use) a communication service.

[0006] An electronic device may support two or more SIMs, and an electronic device supporting two or more SIMs may be referred to as a dual SIM electronic device and / or a multi SIM electronic device.

[0007] For example, if an electronic device is equipped with two or more SIM cards, the electronic device may be configured with two or more independent UICCs. Alternatively, if an electronic device is equipped with two or more SIM cards, the electronic device may be configured with at least one independent UICC and at least one eSIM card. As another example, if an electronic device is equipped with two or more SIM cards, the electronic device may be configured with at least one independent UICC and at least one iSIM card. Alternatively, if an electronic device is equipped with two or more SIM cards, the electronic device may be configured with an eSIM card or an iSIM card capable of supporting at least two networks. A dual-SIM electronic device and / or a multi-SIM electronic device may support multiple SIMs and may be associated with a subscription set for each SIM.

[0008] A state in which a single transceiver can transmit and receive signals associated with two SIMs may be referred to as a "dual SIM dual standby (DSDS) mode." In the DSDS mode, when one of the two SIMs is transmitting and / or receiving signals (e.g., when one of the two SIMs is operating in an active state), the other SIM may operate in a standby state. Alternatively, a state in which two SIMs can operate in an active state simultaneously through multiple transceivers may be referred to as a "dual SIM dual active (DSDA) mode."

[0009] An electronic device supporting multiple subscriber identification modules and a method of operating the same are provided.

[0010] Additionally, an electronic device and a method of operating the same are provided for selecting a subscriber identity module (SIM) profile associated with a near field communication (NFC) service.

[0011] Additionally, an electronic device and a method of operating the same are provided for adaptively selecting a SIM profile associated with an NFC service without user operation.

[0012] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, an electronic device includes: a near field communication (NFC) circuit; at least one processor operatively connected to the NFC circuit; and a memory storing instructions, wherein the instructions stored in the memory, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the electronic device to: receive an NFC application identifier (ID) from an external electronic device through the NFC circuit; identify a SIM profile corresponding to the NFC application ID among a plurality of subscriber identity module (SIM) profiles; and perform NFC communication with the external electronic device through the NFC circuit based on the identified SIM profile.

[0013] The instructions stored in the memory, when executed by the at least one processor, may further cause the electronic device to: identify a SIM profile corresponding to the NFC application ID among the plurality of SIM profiles based on a database including information related to at least one SIM profile having at least one NFC application installed, and the NFC application corresponding to the NFC application ID is installed in the identified SIM profile.

[0014] The instructions stored in the memory may further cause the electronic device, when executed by the at least one processor, to: identify whether the identified SIM profile is enabled; and, based on identifying that the identified SIM profile is disabled, activate the identified SIM profile; perform NFC communication with the external electronic device through the NFC circuit; and, based on completion of the NFC communication, deactivate the identified SIM profile.

[0015] The instructions stored in the memory, when executed by the at least one processor, may further cause the electronic device to: activate the identified SIM profile based on identifying that the identified SIM profile is deactivated, and perform the NFC communication with the external electronic device through the NFC circuit by activating the identified SIM profile.

[0016] The electronic device may further include a switch operatively connected to the at least one processor, wherein instructions stored in the memory, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the electronic device to: identify whether the identified SIM profile is enabled; identify, based on identifying that the identified SIM profile is enabled, whether a SIM corresponding to the identified SIM profile is connected to the NFC circuitry via the switch; and perform, based on identifying that the SIM corresponding to the identified SIM profile is connected to the NFC circuitry via the switch, the NFC communication with the external electronic device based on the identified SIM profile, wherein the switch is configured to connect the NFC circuitry with at least one of a first SIM, a second SIM, or an embedded subscriber identity module (eSIM).

[0017] The instructions stored in the memory may further cause the electronic device, when executed by the at least one processor, to: connect the SIM corresponding to the identified SIM profile to the NFC circuit through the switch based on identifying that the SIM corresponding to the identified SIM profile is not connected to the NFC circuit through the switch; and perform the NFC communication with the external electronic device through the NFC circuit based on the identified SIM profile.

[0018] The instructions stored in the memory may further cause the electronic device, when executed by the at least one processor, to: activate the identified SIM profile based on identifying that the identified SIM profile is not activated; identify whether a SIM corresponding to the identified SIM profile is connected to the NFC circuit via the switch; and perform NFC communication with the external electronic device based on the identified SIM profile via the NFC circuit based on identifying that the SIM corresponding to the identified SIM profile is connected to the NFC circuit via the switch.

[0019] The instructions stored in the memory may further cause the electronic device, when executed by the at least one processor, to: connect the SIM corresponding to the identified SIM profile to the NFC circuit through the switch based on identifying that the SIM corresponding to the identified SIM profile is not connected to the NFC circuit through the switch; and perform the NFC communication with the external electronic device through the NFC circuit based on the identified SIM profile.

[0020] The identified SIM profile is included in a multiple enabled profile (MEP) eSIM including at least two SIM profiles, each of the at least two SIM profiles being assigned a port, and instructions stored in the memory, when executed by the at least one processor, may further cause the electronic device to: identify whether a port corresponding to the identified SIM profile is a port connected to the NFC circuit; and, based on identifying that the port corresponding to the identified SIM profile is connected to the NFC circuit, perform NFC communication with the external electronic device based on the identified SIM profile through the NFC circuit.

[0021] The instructions stored in the memory, when executed by the at least one processor, may further cause the electronic device to: identify whether the identified SIM profile is enabled based on identifying that a port corresponding to the identified SIM profile is not connected to the NFC circuit; change the port connected to the NFC circuit to another port corresponding to the identified SIM profile based on identifying that the identified SIM profile is enabled; and perform NFC communication with the external electronic device based on the identified SIM profile through the NFC circuit.

[0022] The instructions stored in the memory may further cause the electronic device, when executed by the at least one processor, to: activate the identified SIM profile based on identifying that the identified SIM profile is not activated; change the port connected to the NFC circuit to the corresponding port corresponding to the identified SIM profile; and perform NFC communication with the external electronic device based on the identified SIM profile through the NFC circuit.

[0023] The instructions stored in the memory may further cause the electronic device, when executed by the at least one processor, to: based on identifying termination of the NFC communication, change the port connected to the NFC circuit from the port corresponding to the identified SIM profile to another port that was previously connected to the NFC circuit prior to the port corresponding to the identified SIM profile.

[0024] The instructions stored in the memory may further cause the electronic device, when executed by the at least one processor, to create the database by mapping, for each of the at least one NFC application, a name of the NFC application, identification information of a SIM profile in which the NFC application is installed, and status information indicating whether the SIM profile in which the NFC application is installed is activated or deactivated.

[0025] The instructions stored in the memory, when executed by the at least one processor, may further cause the electronic device to: generate the database by mapping services provided by the NFC applications, for each of the at least one NFC applications.

[0026] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a method includes: receiving a near field communication (NFC) application identifier (ID) from an external electronic device; identifying a subscriber identity module (SIM) profile corresponding to the NFC application ID among a plurality of SIM profiles; and performing NFC communication with the external electronic device based on the identified SIM profile.

[0027] The act of identifying the SIM profile may include: identifying the SIM profile based on a database containing information relating to at least one SIM profile having at least one NFC application installed, and an NFC application corresponding to the NFC application ID is installed on the identified SIM profile.

[0028] The above-described NFC communication operation may include: an operation of identifying whether the identified SIM profile is enabled; and an operation of activating the identified SIM profile based on identifying that the identified SIM profile is disabled, and performing the NFC communication with the external electronic device by activating the identified SIM profile.

[0029] The operation of performing the NFC communication may include: an operation of activating the identified SIM profile based on identifying that the identified SIM profile is inactive; and an operation of performing the NFC communication with the external electronic device by activating the identified SIM profile.

[0030] The above-described NFC communication operation comprises: an operation of identifying whether the identified SIM profile is enabled;

[0031] An operation of identifying whether a SIM corresponding to the identified SIM profile is connected to the NFC circuit (210) via a switch (300) based on identifying that the identified SIM profile is activated; and

[0032] The method may further include performing the NFC communication with the external electronic device based on the identified SIM profile, based on identifying that a SIM corresponding to the identified SIM profile is connected to the NFC circuit through the switch, wherein the switch connects the NFC circuit with at least one of a first SIM, a second SIM, or an embedded subscriber identity module (eSIM).

[0033] The method may further include: for each of at least one NFC application, creating the database by mapping a name of the NFC application, a number of a SIM profile in which the NFC application is installed, and status information indicating whether the SIM profile in which the NFC application is installed is activated or deactivated.

[0034] Additional aspects may be partly set forth in the following description, and partly will be obvious from the description and / or may be learned by practice of the embodiments presented.

[0035] The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of specific embodiments of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0036] FIG. 1A is a block diagram schematically illustrating an electronic device within a network environment according to one embodiment.

[0037] FIG. 1b is a diagram illustrating a network environment including an electronic device according to one embodiment.

[0038] FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an electronic device according to one embodiment.

[0039] FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an electronic device according to one embodiment.

[0040] FIG. 4 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an electronic device according to one embodiment.

[0041] FIG. 5 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an electronic device according to one embodiment.

[0042] FIG. 6 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an electronic device according to one embodiment.

[0043] Figure 7 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an electronic device according to one embodiment.

[0044] FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method of operating an electronic device according to one embodiment.

[0045] FIG. 9 is a signal flow diagram for explaining an example of a method of operating an electronic device in a wireless communication system according to one embodiment.

[0046] FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method of operating an electronic device according to one embodiment.

[0047] Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. In addition, when describing various embodiments of the present disclosure, detailed descriptions of related known functions or configurations may be omitted if it is determined that such detailed descriptions may unnecessarily obscure the gist of an embodiment of the present disclosure. In addition, the terms described below are terms defined in consideration of functions in an embodiment of the present disclosure, and these may vary depending on the intentions and / or customs of the user or operator. Therefore, the definitions should be made based on the contents of the entire disclosure.

[0048] It should be understood that the technical terms used herein are merely used to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the embodiments of the present disclosure. In addition, unless specifically defined otherwise herein, the technical terms used herein should be interpreted as having a meaning generally understood by those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains, and should not be interpreted in an excessively broad or excessively narrow sense. If the technical terms used herein are incorrect technical terms that do not accurately express the spirit of the present disclosure, the incorrect technical terms should be replaced with technical terms that can be correctly understood by those skilled in the art. General terms used in the embodiments of the present disclosure should be interpreted as defined in the dictionary or according to the context, and should not be interpreted in an excessively narrow sense.

[0049] As used herein, the singular expressions "singular" and "comprise" should be understood to include the plural expressions, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In this application, terms such as "consist of" or "comprises" should not necessarily be construed to include all of the components or operations described in the present disclosure, and should be construed to mean that some components or operations may not be included, or that additional components or operations may be included.

[0050] While terms including ordinal numbers, such as "first," "second," etc., used herein may be used to describe various components, these components should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used solely to distinguish one component from another. For example, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, a first component could be referred to as a "second component," and similarly, a second component could also be referred to as a "first component."

[0051] When a component is referred to as being "connected" or "coupled" to another component, it should be understood that the component may be directly connected or coupled to the other component, but that other components may also exist between the two components. Furthermore, when a component is referred to as being "directly connected" or "directly coupled" to another component, it should be understood that no other components exist between the two components.

[0052] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Regardless of the drawing reference numerals, identical or similar components will be given the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions thereof may be omitted. In addition, when describing an embodiment of the present disclosure, a detailed description of a related known technology may be omitted if it may obscure the gist of the present disclosure. In other words, it should be noted that the attached drawings are only intended to facilitate easy understanding of the spirit of the present disclosure, and the spirit of the present disclosure should not be construed as being limited by the attached drawings. The spirit of the present disclosure should be construed to extend to all modifications, equivalents, and substitutes other than the attached drawings.

[0053] Throughout this disclosure, references to "one embodiment," "an embodiment," "an example embodiment," or similar language may indicate that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the indicated embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present solution. Thus, throughout this disclosure, the phrases "in one embodiment," "in an embodiment," "in an example embodiment," and similar language may all refer to the same embodiment, but do not necessarily. The embodiments described herein are example embodiments, and thus the present disclosure is not limited thereto and may be embodied in various forms.

[0054] It will be appreciated that the specific order or hierarchy of blocks in the disclosed processes / flowcharts is merely an example of exemplary approaches. It will be appreciated that the specific order or hierarchy of blocks in the processes / flowcharts may be rearranged based on design considerations. Furthermore, some blocks may be combined or omitted. The appended claims present elements of various blocks in a sample order and are not intended to be limited to the specific order or hierarchy presented.

[0055] Embodiments herein may be described and illustrated in terms of blocks that perform the described function or functions, as illustrated in the drawings. These blocks, which may be referred to herein as units, modules, etc., and may be referred to by names such as devices, logic, circuits, controllers, counters, comparators, generators, converters, etc., may be physically implemented by analog circuits and / or digital circuits that include one or more of logic gates, integrated circuits, microprocessors, microcontrollers, memory circuits, passive electronic components, active electronic components, optical components, etc.

[0056] In this disclosure, the articles "a" and "an" are intended to include one or more items, and may be used interchangeably with "one or more." When only one item is intended, the term "one" or similar language is used. For example, the term "processor" may refer to a single processor or multiple processors. When a processor is described as performing an operation and the processor is referred to as performing additional operations, the multiple operations may be performed by either the single processor or the multiple processors, or a combination thereof.

[0057] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described using an electronic device as an example, but the electronic device may also be referred to as a terminal, a mobile station, mobile equipment (ME), user equipment (UE), user terminal (UT), subscriber station (SS), wireless device, handheld device, or access terminal (AT). Alternatively or additionally, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the electronic device may be, and / or include, a device having a communication function, such as, for example, a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a smart phone, a wireless modem, or a laptop.

[0058] Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present disclosure are described with reference to the attached drawings.

[0059] FIG. 1a is a block diagram schematically illustrating an electronic device (101) within a network environment (100) according to one embodiment.

[0060] Referring to FIG. 1A, in a network environment (100), an electronic device (101) may communicate with an electronic device (102) via a first network (198) (e.g., a short-range wireless communication network), or may communicate with an electronic device (104) or a server (108) via a second network (199) (e.g., a long-range wireless communication network). In one embodiment, the electronic device (101) may communicate with the electronic device (104) via the server (108). According to one embodiment, the electronic device (101) may include a processor (120), a memory (130), an input module (150), an audio output module (155), a display module (160), an audio module (170), a sensor module (176), an interface (177), a connection terminal (178), a haptic module (179), a camera module (180), a power management module (188), a battery (189), a communication module (190), a subscriber identification module (196), or an antenna module (197). In some embodiments, the electronic device (101) may omit at least one of these components (e.g., the connection terminal (178)), or may have one or more other components added. In some embodiments, some of these components (e.g., the sensor module (176), the camera module (180), or the antenna module (197)) may be integrated into one component (e.g., the display module (160)).

[0061] The processor (120) may control at least one other component (e.g., a hardware or software component) of the electronic device (101) connected to the processor (120) by executing, for example, software (e.g., a program (140)), and may perform various data processing or calculations. According to one embodiment, as at least a part of the data processing or calculation, the processor (120) may store a command or data received from another component (e.g., a sensor module (176) or a communication module (190)) in a volatile memory (132), process the command or data stored in the volatile memory (132), and store the resulting data in a non-volatile memory (134). According to one embodiment, the processor (120) may include a main processor (121) (e.g., a central processing unit or an application processor) or a secondary processor (123) (e.g., a graphics processing unit, a neural processing unit (NPU), an image signal processor, a sensor hub processor, or a communication processor) that can operate independently or together therewith. For example, if the electronic device (101) includes a main processor (121) and a secondary processor (123), the secondary processor (123) may be configured to use less power than the main processor (121) or to be specialized for a specified function. The secondary processor (123) may be implemented separately from the main processor (121) or as a part thereof.

[0062] The auxiliary processor (123) may control at least a part of functions or states associated with at least one component (e.g., a display module (160), a sensor module (176), or a communication module (190)) of the electronic device (101), for example, on behalf of the main processor (121) while the main processor (121) is in an inactive (e.g., sleep) state, or together with the main processor (121) while the main processor (121) is in an active (e.g., application execution) state. In one embodiment, the auxiliary processor (123) (e.g., an image signal processor or a communication processor) may be implemented as a part of another functionally related component (e.g., a camera module (180) or a communication module (190)). In one embodiment, the auxiliary processor (123) (e.g., a neural network processing device) may include a hardware structure specialized for processing an artificial intelligence model. The artificial intelligence model may be generated through machine learning. This learning can be performed, for example, in the electronic device (101) itself where artificial intelligence is performed, or can be performed through a separate server (e.g., server (108)). The learning algorithm can include, for example, supervised learning, unsupervised learning, semi-supervised learning, or reinforcement learning, but is not limited to the examples described above. The artificial intelligence model can include multiple artificial neural network layers.The artificial neural network may be one of a deep neural network (DNN), a convolutional neural network (CNN), a recurrent neural network (RNN), a restricted Boltzmann machine (RBM), a deep belief network (DBN), a bidirectional recurrent deep neural network (BRDNN), a deep Q-network, or a combination of two or more of the above, but is not limited to the examples described above. In addition to, or alternatively to, a hardware structure, an artificial intelligence model may include a software structure.

[0063] The memory (130) can store various data used by at least one component (e.g., processor (120) or sensor module (176)) of the electronic device (101). The data can include, for example, software (e.g., program (140)) and input data or output data for commands related thereto. The memory (130) can include volatile memory (132) or non-volatile memory (134).

[0064] The program (140) may be stored as software in memory (130) and may include, for example, an operating system (142), middleware (144), or an application (146).

[0065] The input module (150) can receive commands or data to be used in a component of the electronic device (101) (e.g., a processor (120)) from an external source (e.g., a user) of the electronic device (101). The input module (150) can include, for example, a microphone, a mouse, a keyboard, a key (e.g., a button), or a digital pen (e.g., a stylus pen).

[0066] The audio output module (155) can output audio signals to the outside of the electronic device (101). The audio output module (155) can include, for example, a speaker or a receiver. The speaker can be used for general purposes, such as multimedia playback or recording playback. The receiver can be used to receive incoming calls. According to one embodiment, the receiver can be implemented separately from the speaker or as part of the speaker.

[0067] The display module (160) can visually provide information to an external party (e.g., a user) of the electronic device (101). The display module (160) may include, for example, a display, a holographic device, or a projector and a control circuit for controlling the device. In one embodiment, the display module (160) may include a touch sensor configured to detect a touch, or a pressure sensor configured to measure the intensity of a force generated by the touch.

[0068] The audio module (170) can convert sound into an electrical signal, or vice versa, convert an electrical signal into sound. According to one embodiment, the audio module (170) can acquire sound through the input module (150), output sound through the sound output module (155), or an external electronic device (e.g., electronic device (102)) (e.g., speaker or headphone) directly or wirelessly connected to the electronic device (101).

[0069] The sensor module (176) can detect the operating status (e.g., power or temperature) of the electronic device (101) or the external environmental status (e.g., user status) and generate an electrical signal or data value corresponding to the detected status. According to one embodiment, the sensor module (176) can include, for example, a gesture sensor, a gyro sensor, a barometric pressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, a grip sensor, a proximity sensor, a color sensor, an IR (infrared) sensor, a biometric sensor, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, or an illuminance sensor.

[0070] The interface (177) may support one or more designated protocols that may be used to directly or wirelessly connect the electronic device (101) with an external electronic device (e.g., the electronic device (102)). In one embodiment, the interface (177) may include, for example, a high definition multimedia interface (HDMI), a universal serial bus (USB) interface, an SD card interface, or an audio interface.

[0071] The connection terminal (178) may include a connector through which the electronic device (101) may be physically connected to an external electronic device (e.g., electronic device (102)). According to one embodiment, the connection terminal (178) may include, for example, an HDMI connector, a USB connector, an SD card connector, or an audio connector (e.g., a headphone connector).

[0072] A haptic module (179) can convert electrical signals into mechanical stimuli (e.g., vibration or movement) or electrical stimuli that a user can perceive through tactile or kinesthetic sensations. According to one embodiment, the haptic module (179) can include, for example, a motor, a piezoelectric element, or an electrical stimulation device.

[0073] The camera module (180) can capture still images and videos. According to one embodiment, the camera module (180) may include one or more lenses, image sensors, image signal processors, or flashes.

[0074] The power management module (188) can manage power supplied to the electronic device (101). According to one embodiment, the power management module (188) can be implemented as, for example, at least a part of a power management integrated circuit (PMIC).

[0075] A battery (189) may power at least one component of the electronic device (101). In one embodiment, the battery (189) may include, for example, a non-rechargeable primary battery, a rechargeable secondary battery, or a fuel cell.

[0076] The communication module (190) may support the establishment of a direct (e.g., wired) communication channel or a wireless communication channel between the electronic device (101) and an external electronic device (e.g., electronic device (102), electronic device (104), or server (108)), and the performance of communication through the established communication channel. The communication module (190) may operate independently from the processor (120) (e.g., application processor) and may include one or more communication processors that support direct (e.g., wired) communication or wireless communication. According to one embodiment, the communication module (190) may include a wireless communication module (192) (e.g., a cellular communication module, a short-range wireless communication module, or a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) communication module) or a wired communication module (194) (e.g., a local area network (LAN) communication module, or a power line communication module). Among these communication modules, the corresponding communication module can communicate with an external electronic device (104) via a first network (198) (e.g., a short-range communication network such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi (wireless fidelity) direct, or IrDA (infrared data association)) or a second network (199) (e.g., a long-range communication network such as a legacy cellular network, a 5G network, a next-generation communication network, the Internet, or a computer network (e.g., a LAN or WAN)). These various types of communication modules can be integrated into a single component (e.g., a single chip) or implemented as multiple separate components (e.g., multiple chips). The wireless communication module (192) can verify or authenticate the electronic device (101) within a communication network such as the first network (198) or the second network (199) by using subscriber information (e.g., an international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI)) stored in the subscriber identification module (196).

[0077] The wireless communication module (192) can support 5G networks and next-generation communication technologies following the 4G network, such as NR access technology (new radio access technology). The NR access technology can support high-speed transmission of high-capacity data (eMBB (enhanced mobile broadband)), minimization of terminal power and connection of multiple terminals (mMTC (massive machine type communications)), or high reliability and low latency (URLLC (ultra-reliable and low-latency communications)). The wireless communication module (192) can support, for example, a high-frequency band (e.g., mmWave band) to achieve a high data transmission rate. The wireless communication module (192) can support various technologies for securing performance in a high-frequency band, such as beamforming, massive multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO), full dimensional MIMO (FD-MIMO), array antenna, analog beam-forming, or large scale antenna. The wireless communication module (192) can support various requirements specified in the electronic device (101), an external electronic device (e.g., the electronic device (104)), or a network system (e.g., the second network (199)). According to one embodiment, the wireless communication module (192) may support a peak data rate (e.g., 20 Gbps or more) for eMBB realization, a loss coverage (e.g., 164 dB or less) for mMTC realization, or a U-plane latency (e.g., 0.5 ms or less for downlink (DL) and uplink (UL), or 1 ms or less for round trip) for URLLC realization.

[0078] The antenna module (197) can transmit or receive signals or power to or from an external device (e.g., an external electronic device). According to one embodiment, the antenna module (197) may include an antenna including a radiator formed of a conductor or a conductive pattern formed on a substrate (e.g., a PCB). According to one embodiment, the antenna module (197) may include a plurality of antennas (e.g., an array antenna). In this case, at least one antenna suitable for a communication method used in a communication network, such as the first network (198) or the second network (199), may be selected from the plurality of antennas, for example, by the communication module (190). A signal or power may be transmitted or received between the communication module (190) and an external electronic device via the selected at least one antenna. According to some embodiments, in addition to the radiator, another component (e.g., a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC)) may be additionally formed as a part of the antenna module (197).

[0079] In one embodiment, the antenna module (197) may form a mmWave antenna module. In one embodiment, the mmWave antenna module may include a printed circuit board, an RFIC disposed on or adjacent a first side (e.g., a bottom side) of the printed circuit board and capable of supporting a designated high-frequency band (e.g., a mmWave band), and a plurality of antennas (e.g., an array antenna) disposed on or adjacent a second side (e.g., a top side or a side side) of the printed circuit board and capable of transmitting or receiving signals in the designated high-frequency band.

[0080] At least some of the above components can be interconnected and exchange signals (e.g., commands or data) with each other via a communication method between peripheral devices (e.g., a bus, GPIO (general purpose input and output), SPI (serial peripheral interface), or MIPI (mobile industry processor interface)).

[0081] According to one embodiment, commands or data may be transmitted or received between the electronic device (101) and an external electronic device (104) via a server (108) connected to a second network (199). Each of the external electronic devices (102 or 104) may be the same or a different type of device as the electronic device (101). According to one embodiment, all or part of the operations executed in the electronic device (101) may be executed in one or more of the external electronic devices (102, 104, or 108). For example, when the electronic device (101) is to perform a certain function or service automatically or in response to a request from a user or another device, the electronic device (101) may, instead of or in addition to executing the function or service by itself, request one or more external electronic devices to perform the function or at least a part of the service. One or more external electronic devices that receive the request may execute at least a portion of the requested function or service, or an additional function or service related to the request, and transmit the result of the execution to the electronic device (101). The electronic device (101) may process the result as is or additionally and provide it as at least a portion of a response to the request. For this purpose, cloud computing, distributed computing, mobile edge computing (MEC), or client-server computing technology may be used, for example. The electronic device (101) may provide an ultra-low latency service by using distributed computing or mobile edge computing, for example. In another embodiment, the external electronic device (104) may include an Internet of Things (IoT) device. The server (108) may be an intelligent server utilizing machine learning and / or a neural network. According to one embodiment, the external electronic device (104) or the server (108) may be included in the second network (199).The electronic device (101) can be applied to intelligent services (e.g., smart home, smart city, smart car, or healthcare) based on 5G communication technology and IoT-related technology.

[0082] Electronic devices according to embodiments disclosed herein may take various forms. Electronic devices may include, for example, portable communication devices (e.g., smartphones), computer devices, portable multimedia devices, portable medical devices, cameras, wearable devices, or home appliances. Electronic devices according to embodiments disclosed herein are not limited to the aforementioned devices.

[0083] The embodiments of this document and the terminology used herein are not intended to limit the technical features described in this document to a specific embodiment, but should be understood to include various modifications, equivalents, or substitutes of the embodiment. In connection with the description of the drawings, similar reference numerals may be used for similar or related components. The singular form of a noun corresponding to an item may include one or more of the item, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this document, each of the phrases "A or B", "at least one of A and B", "at least one of A or B", "A, B, or C", "at least one of A, B, and C", and "at least one of A, B, or C" can include any one of the items listed together in the corresponding phrase among those phrases, or all possible combinations thereof. Terms such as "first," "second," or "first" or "second" may be used merely to distinguish one component from another, and do not limit the components in any other respect (e.g., importance or order). When a component (e.g., a first component) is referred to as "coupled" or "connected" to another (e.g., a second component), with or without the terms "functionally" or "communicatively," it means that the component can be connected to the other component directly (e.g., wired), wirelessly, or through a third component.

[0084] The term "module" used in one embodiment of this document may include a unit implemented in hardware, software, or firmware, and may be used interchangeably with terms such as logic, logic block, component, or circuit. A module may be an integral component, or a minimum unit or part of such a component that performs one or more functions. For example, according to one embodiment, a module may be implemented in the form of an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

[0085] An embodiment of the present document may be implemented as software (e.g., a program (140)) including one or more instructions stored in a storage medium (e.g., an internal memory (136) or an external memory (138)) readable by a machine (e.g., an electronic device (101)). For example, a processor (e.g., a processor (120)) of the machine (e.g., an electronic device (101)) may call at least one instruction among the one or more instructions stored from the storage medium and execute it. This enables the machine to operate to perform at least one function according to the at least one called instruction. The one or more instructions may include code generated by a compiler or code executable by an interpreter. The machine-readable storage medium may be provided in the form of a non-transitory storage medium. Here, 'non-transitory' simply means that the storage medium is a tangible device and does not contain signals (e.g., electromagnetic waves), and the term does not distinguish between cases where data is stored semi-permanently or temporarily on the storage medium.

[0086] According to one embodiment, the method according to one embodiment disclosed in the present document may be provided as a computer program product. The computer program product may be traded between sellers and buyers as a product. The computer program product may be distributed in the form of a device-readable storage medium (e.g., compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM)) or may be provided through an application store (e.g., Play Store). TM ) or directly between two user devices (e.g., smart phones), online distribution (e.g., downloading or uploading). In the case of online distribution, at least a portion of the computer program product may be at least temporarily stored or temporarily created in a machine-readable storage medium, such as the memory of a manufacturer's server, an application store's server, or an intermediary server.

[0087] According to one embodiment, each component (e.g., a module or a program) of the above-described components may include one or more entities, and some of the entities may be separated and placed in other components. According to one embodiment, one or more components or operations of the aforementioned components may be omitted, or one or more other components or operations may be added. Alternatively or additionally, a plurality of components (e.g., a module or a program) may be integrated into a single component. In such a case, the integrated component may perform one or more functions of each of the plurality of components identically or similarly to those performed by the corresponding component among the plurality of components prior to the integration. According to one embodiment, the operations performed by a module, program, or other component may be executed sequentially, in parallel, iteratively, or heuristically, or one or more of the operations may be executed in a different order, omitted, or one or more other operations may be added.

[0088] FIG. 1b is a diagram illustrating a network environment (100) including an electronic device according to one embodiment.

[0089] Referring to FIG. 1B, a network environment (100) according to an embodiment may include an electronic device (101), a first communication network (111a), a second communication network (112a), and / or a third communication network (not shown). The electronic device (101) of FIG. 1B may include the electronic device (101) described above with reference to FIG. 1A and / or may be similar to the electronic device (101) described above with reference to FIG. 1A in various aspects, and may include additional features not mentioned above. Accordingly, repetitive descriptions of the electronic device (101) described above with reference to FIG. 1A may be omitted for brevity.

[0090] Although FIG. 1b illustrates a network environment (100) as having two communication networks (e.g., a first communication network (111a) and a second communication network (112a)), the present disclosure is not limited in this regard. For example, the network environment (100) may include additional communication networks, such as a third communication network.

[0091] According to one embodiment, the electronic device (101) may operate in a dual SIM dual standby (DSDS) mode that supports multiple SIMs. The DSDS mode may indicate a state in which a single transceiver can transmit and receive signals associated with two SIMs. In the DSDS mode, when one of the two SIMs transmits and / or receives a signal (e.g., when one of the two SIMs is in an active state or is operating in an active state), the other of the two SIMs may be in a standby state or is operating in a standby state.

[0092] According to one embodiment, the electronic device (101) can operate in a "dual SIM dual active (DSDA) mode" that supports multiple SIMs. The DSDA mode can indicate a state in which two SIMs can operate in an active state simultaneously (and / or at substantially the same time) through multiple transceivers.

[0093] In one embodiment, the electronic device (101) may be equipped with at least two SIMs, and the at least two SIMs may include a first SIM (111) and a second SIM (112). The first SIM (111) and the second SIM (112) may be removable SIMs (rSIMs). The rSIM may refer to a SIM that can be inserted or removed into a slot provided in the electronic device (101). The present disclosure is not limited to the form / specification of the rSIM. For example, the electronic device (101) may be equipped with two SIM cards to support two SIMs. For convenience of explanation, the first SIM (111) and the second SIM (112) are illustrated as SIM cards in FIG. 1B, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the first SIM (111) and the second SIM (112) may not be limited only to SIM cards. For example, either the first SIM (111) or the second SIM (112) may include an embedded subscriber identity module (eSIM), an integrated subscriber identity module (iSIM), etc., and / or may be an eSIM, an iSIM, etc.

[0094] In one embodiment, the electronic device (101) may include an eSIM (196) (e.g., SIM (196) of FIG. 1A). For example, the electronic device (101) may be implemented to include only the eSIM (196), and the eSIM (196) may include multiple profiles and may activate any one of the multiple profiles.

[0095] The electronic device (101) may be implemented to include an eSIM (196) and a slot capable of mounting one or more SIMs. For example, the electronic device (101) may perform a dual SIM-based operation based on information stored in an rSIM inserted (or connected) into the slot and profiles activated by the eSIM (196). The electronic device (101) may perform a dual SIM-based operation based on two rSIMs. However, the present disclosure is not limited in this regard. For example, at least one of the first SIM (111) or the second SIM (112) may be replaced with an eSIM and / or an iSIM. In such an example, at least some of the information stored in the rSIM may be replaced with information of profiles activated by the eSIM (196). Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, a SIM card may be used interchangeably with a SIM.

[0096] In one embodiment, the electronic device (101) may include a multiple enabled profile (MEP) eSIM. For example, the electronic device (101) may be implemented to include only a MEP eSIM, or the MEP eSIM may include multiple profiles and be capable of activating at least two of the multiple profiles.

[0097] An electronic device may support two or more SIMs, and an electronic device supporting two or more SIMs may be referred to as a dual SIM electronic device or a multi SIM electronic device. A dual SIM electronic device may be implemented to support two removable SIMs, or may be implemented to support one removable SIM and an eSIM, and / or may be implemented to support a MEP eSIM. An rSIM may be referred to as a physical SIM (pSIM). An electronic device supporting two rSIMs may be implemented to include two slots capable of accommodating two rSIMs. An electronic device supporting one rSIM and an eSIM may include a slot capable of accommodating one SIM and an eSIM.

[0098] As illustrated in FIG. 1B, the electronic device (101) may be equipped with two SIM cards, including a first SIM (111) and a second SIM (112). The electronic device (101) may include a first slot and a second slot within the electronic device (101) to accommodate the first SIM (111) and the second SIM (112), respectively.

[0099] For example, the first SIM (111) may be a SIM subscribed to a telecommunications carrier of the first communication network (111a), and / or may include a SIM subscribed to a telecommunications carrier of the first communication network (111a), and the electronic device (101) may receive wireless communication services through the first communication network (111a) by accessing the first communication network (111a) using the first SIM (111). The second SIM (112) may be a SIM subscribed to a telecommunications carrier of the second communication network (112a), and / or may include a SIM subscribed to a telecommunications carrier of the second communication network (112a), and the electronic device (101) may receive wireless communication services through the second communication network (112a) by accessing the second communication network (112a) using the second SIM (112). In one embodiment, the first communication network (111a) and the second communication network (112a) may be provided by the same telecommunications carrier. Alternatively, the first communication network (111a) and the second communication network (112a) may be provided by different telecommunications carriers. When the first communication network (111a) and the second communication network (112a) are provided by the same telecommunications carrier, the first communication network (111a) and the second communication network (112a) may represent the same network. Alternatively, or additionally, the different telecommunications carriers may share a communication network. For example, the first telecommunications carrier may utilize the first communication network (111a), and the second telecommunications carrier may also be configured to utilize the first communication network (111a). According to one embodiment, the electronic device (101) may further include at least one SIM. That is, the present disclosure is not limited to the number or type of SIMs that the electronic device (101) may include.

[0100] FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an electronic device according to one embodiment.

[0101] Referring to FIG. 2, the electronic device (101) may include at least one of a processor (120), a communication processor (200), a near field communication (NFC) circuit (210), a radio frequency (RF) circuit (220), a memory (130), a first slot (230), a second slot (240), an eSIM (250), or a switch (260).

[0102] The electronic device (101) of FIG. 2 may include the electronic device (101) described above with reference to FIGS. 1A and 1B, and / or may be similar to the electronic device (101) described above with reference to FIGS. 1A and 1B in various aspects, and may include additional functions not mentioned above. In addition, the processor (120) and the memory (130) of FIG. 2 may include the processor (120) and the memory (130) described above with reference to FIGS. 1A and 1B, and / or may be similar to the processor (120) and the memory (130) described above with reference to FIGS. 1A and 1B in various aspects, and may include additional functions not mentioned above. Consequently, repetitive descriptions of the electronic device (101) and its components described above with reference to FIGS. 1A and 1B may be omitted for brevity.

[0103] The communication processor (200) can support the establishment of a communication channel in a band used for wireless communication and network communication through the established communication channel. For example, the communication processor (200) can support the establishment of a communication channel in a band used for wireless communication and network communication through the established communication channel. For example, the communication processor (200) can support the establishment of a communication channel in a second generation (2 nd generation: 2G) network communication, 3rd generation (3 rd generation: 3G) network communication, 4th generation (4 th generation: 4G) network communication, or 5th generation (5 thgeneration: 5G) network communication can support at least one of the following:

[0104] The NFC circuit (210) can interact with an external electronic device having NFC functionality (e.g., the electronic device (102) or the electronic device (104) of FIG. 1A). The external electronic device may include a point of sale (POS) device. The NFC circuit (210) can provide a wireless connection between the electronic device (101) and the external electronic device within a set radius (e.g., about 4 centimeters). The NFC circuit (210) can operate in a card mode, which can indicate a mode in which the external electronic device can wait for the electronic device (101) to wirelessly connect to the electronic device (101) and, when the external electronic device wirelessly connects to the electronic device (101), can transmit setting information (e.g., card information) in a one-way manner. For example, the NFC circuit (210) can operate in a card mode for payment services such as, but not limited to, credit cards and / or transportation cards. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the NFC circuit (210) may be physically connected to the first slot (230).

[0105] The RF circuit (220) may include at least one of a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC), a radio frequency front end (RFFE) module, or an antenna module. The RF circuit (220) may convert data (e.g., a baseband signal) output from the communication processor (200) into an RF signal and transmit the RF signal through the antenna module. The RF circuit (220) may convert an RF signal received through an antenna module (e.g., the antenna module (197) of FIG. 1A) into a baseband signal and transmit the baseband signal to the communication processor (200). The RF circuit (220) may process the RF signal or the baseband signal based on a communication method supported by the communication processor (200). The present disclosure is not limited to the type of the RF circuit (200). According to one embodiment, the interface between the components may be implemented as a GPIO, a universal asynchronous receiver / transmitter (UART) (e.g., a high speed-UART (HS-UART)), a peripheral component interconnect bus express (PCIe) interface, etc. The present disclosure is not limited in this regard, and various other interfaces may be established between the components. Alternatively, or additionally, at least some of the components may exchange control information and / or packet data information using shared memory.

[0106] Although FIG. 2 illustrates a case where the processor (120) and the communication processor (200) are implemented as separate hardware, the present disclosure is not limited in this regard. For example, in one embodiment, the processor (120) and the communication processor (200) may be implemented as separate hardware. Alternatively, the processor (120) and the communication processor (200) may be implemented on a single chip.

[0107] In one embodiment, the communication processor (200) may perform an authentication operation based on information stored in the SIM. In one embodiment, the information stored in the SIM may represent a SIM profile. The SIM profile may represent a profile corresponding to (or stored in) the SIM or eSIM.

[0108] The communication processor (200) may be connected to the first SIM (231) via the first slot (230). For example, the first SIM (231) may be connected to a stack (e.g., a protocol stack according to the International Organization for Standardization / International Electrotechnical Commission ISO / IEC 7816) of the communication processor (200). In FIG. 2, the communication processor (200) may include two stacks. For example, the first slot (230) may accommodate the first SIM (231), which may be a pSIM (or rSIM), and the first slot (230) may include at least one terminal capable of transmitting information from the first SIM (231) to the communication processor (200) when the first SIM (231) is accommodated (e.g., when the first SIM (231) is mounted). The second slot (240) can accommodate a second SIM (241), which can be a pSIM (or rSIM), and the second slot (240) can include at least one terminal capable of transmitting information from the second SIM (241) to the communication processor (200) when the second SIM (241) is accommodated (e.g., when the second SIM (241) is mounted). The type of the first slot (230) can be the same as or different from the type of the second slot (240).

[0109] The communication processor (200) can obtain information (e.g., a first SIM profile) stored in the first SIM (231) from the first SIM (231) accommodated in the first slot (230). For example, at least one of the first SIM (231), the second SIM (241), or the eSIM (250) (e.g., the eSIM (196) of FIG. 1B) can store at least one of an integrated circuit card ID (ICCID), an IMSI, home public land mobile network (HPLMN) related information, or a mobile station international subscriber directory number (MSISDN). The communication processor (200) can perform an authentication operation for network communication corresponding to the first SIM (231) through the RF circuit (220) based on the obtained information stored in the first SIM (231). If authentication is successful, the communication processor (200) can perform network communication corresponding to the first SIM (231) through the RF circuit (220). The communication processor (200) can perform NFC communication with an external electronic device through the NFC circuit (210) based on information that can be stored in the acquired first SIM (231).

[0110] According to one embodiment, at least one of the processor (120) or the communication processor (200) can control the state of the switch (260). The state of the switch (260) can be either a first state connecting the communication processor (200) and the second slot (240) or a second state connecting the communication processor (200) and the eSIM (250). For example, at least one of the processor (120) or the communication processor (200) can control the switch (260) to connect the second slot (240) to the communication processor (200). In one embodiment, at least one of the processor (120) or the communication processor (200) can provide a control signal to the switch (260) that can control the state of the switch (260) to the first state. If the default state in which the switch (260) does not receive a specific signal is the first state, at least one of the processor (120) or the communication processor (200) may not perform any special operation to connect the second slot (240) to the communication processor (200). For example, a signal for controlling the switch (260) may be transmitted through a GPIO, but the present disclosure is not limited to an interface that may be used to transmit a signal for controlling the switch (260). In one embodiment, the state of the switch (260) may be controlled to a third state in which the switch (260) is not connected to either the second slot (240) or the eSIM (250). In one embodiment, the switch (260) may include at least one metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) or a freewheeling switch, but the present disclosure is not limited in this regard. The electronic device (101) can provide various applications (apps) related to the NFC method.An App related to the NFC method may be referred to as an NFC App. Since the electronic device (101) can support multiple SIMs (e.g., the first SIM (111), the second SIM (112), and / or the eSIM (250)), the user may install multiple NFC Apps by distributing them to multiple SIM profiles. The SIM profile may represent a profile corresponding to (or stored in) the SIM or eSIM. In one embodiment, the profile may include a provisioning profile and an operational profile. For example, the operational profile may be a profile including subscriber identification information of a user of the electronic device (101), and / or may include a profile including subscriber identification information of a user of the electronic device (101), and the provisioning profile may include information for downloading subscriber identification information or a profile including subscriber identification information from the electronic device (101). According to one embodiment, the operational profile may further include, in addition to subscriber identification information, at least one of subscriber network access authentication information, subscriber phone book, subscriber personal information (e.g., short message service (SMS), name of subscribed telecommunications carrier, available services, available data volume, rates or service provision speeds, or information related to subscriber authentication and traffic security key generation required when accessing a wireless communication network, such as, but not limited to, a GSM (global system for mobile communications) communication network, a WCDMA (wideband code division multiple access) communication network, an LTE (long-term evolution) communication network, or a NR communication network.

[0111] Even though multiple NFC Apps can be installed distributedly on multiple SIM profiles, the electronic device (101) can only execute NFC Apps that are installed on a SIM profile that corresponds to a SIM that can be physically connected (e.g., accommodated in a slot), set as default, or activated among the multiple SIMs, as described in the following paragraphs.

[0112] (1) Case 1

[0113] If it is assumed that the electronic device (101) is a dual-SIM electronic device that uses two SIMs, including a first SIM (231) and a second SIM (241), only NFC Apps that can be stored in a profile corresponding to the first SIM (231) mounted in the first slot (230) that is physically connected to the NFC circuit (210) can be used. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the profile corresponding to the first SIM may be referred to as a first SIM profile. If NFC Apps stored in a profile corresponding to the second SIM (252) mounted in the second slot (240) that is not physically connected to the NFC circuit (210) are to be used, there may be an inconvenience in that the user must directly remove the first SIM (231) from the first slot (230), remove the second SIM (241) from the second slot (240), and then re-mount the second SIM (241) in the first slot (230).

[0114] (2) Case 2

[0115] Assuming that the electronic device (101) is a dual-SIM electronic device that uses two SIMs, including a first SIM (231) and an eSIM (250), only NFC Apps that can be stored in a profile corresponding to the first SIM (231) mounted in the first slot (230) that is physically connected to the NFC circuit (210) can be used. If NFC Apps that are stored in a profile corresponding to the eSIM (250), which may not be physically connected to the NFC circuit (210), are to be used, there may be an inconvenience in that the user must directly deactivate the first SIM profile and activate the profile corresponding to the eSIM (250).

[0116] (3) Case 3

[0117] If it is assumed that the electronic device (101) is a dual-SIM electronic device using an MEP eSIM that includes multiple SIM profiles, only NFC Apps stored in an activated SIM profile (e.g., a SIM profile corresponding to an activated port among the ports of the MEP) can be used. If NFC Apps stored in an inactive SIM profile (e.g., a SIM profile corresponding to an inactive port among the ports of the MEP) are to be used, there may be an inconvenience in that the user must directly deactivate the activated SIM profile and activate the inactive SIM profile. In such an example, activating the SIM profile may be cumbersome in that the user may have to directly activate the SIM profile in which the NFC App to be used can be stored through a separate menu operation.

[0118] (4) Case 4

[0119] The electronic device (101) is a dual SIM electronic device using two pSIMs including a first SIM (231) and a second SIM (241) and one eSIM (250), and a first NFC App, which may be an NFC App related to an employee ID service, may be installed (or stored) in a first SIM profile that may correspond to the first SIM (231), a second NFC App, which may be an NFC App related to a transportation card service, and / or may include an NFC App related to a transportation card service, and a third NFC App, which may be an NFC App related to a banking service, may be installed (or stored) in a second SIM profile that may correspond to the second SIM (241), and a fourth NFC App, which may be an NFC App related to a home key service, and / or may include an NFC App related to a home key service, may be installed (or stored) in a third SIM profile that may correspond to the eSIM (250), and the first SIM profile and the second SIM Let us assume that each profile can be enabled and the third SIM profile can be disabled.

[0120] In order to use the second NFC App related to the transportation card service, the user may need to physically remove the first SIM (231) from the first slot (230) and physically install the second SIM (241) into the second slot (240). If both the first SIM (231) and the second SIM (241) are eSIMs rather than pSIMs, the user may have the inconvenience of having to directly manipulate the menu to change the port connected to the NFC circuit (210) from the first SIM profile corresponding to the first SIM (231) to the second SIM profile corresponding to the second SIM (241) before tagging the electronic device (101) to an external electronic device (e.g., POS device). If the electronic device (101) supports only eSIMs (or only MEP eSIMs), the electronic device (101) may need to provide a menu and corresponding interface that can manipulate the connection between the NFC circuit (210) and ports corresponding to eSIM profiles corresponding to the eSIMs.

[0121] In order for a user to use a fourth NFC App, which may be an NFC App related to the Home Key service and installed on a third SIM profile that is disabled, the electronic device (101) may disable one of the first SIM profile and the second SIM profile that are enabled, and activate the third SIM profile that is disabled. In addition, the user may need to directly manipulate a menu to connect the NFC circuit (210) to a port corresponding to the third SIM profile, which may cause inconvenience to the user.

[0122] Cases 1 to 4 have the difficulty that the user must remember which NFC App is installed (or stored) on each SIM profile, and also the user may experience inconvenience such as having to directly manipulate the menu before tagging the electronic device to an external electronic device, which may reduce the speed and convenience of using the NFC function.

[0123] One embodiment of the present disclosure may provide an electronic device supporting multiple subscriber identification modules and a method of operating the same.

[0124] One embodiment of the present disclosure may provide an electronic device and a method of operating the same for selecting a SIM profile related to an NFC service.

[0125] One embodiment of the present disclosure can provide an electronic device and an operating method thereof that adaptively select a SIM profile associated with an NFC service without user operation.

[0126] FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an electronic device according to one embodiment.

[0127] Referring to FIG. 3, the electronic device (101) may include at least one of a processor (120), a communication processor (200), an NFC circuit (210), an RF circuit (220), a memory (130), a first slot (230), a second slot (240), or a switch (300).

[0128] The electronic device (101) of FIG. 3 may include the electronic device (101) described above with reference to FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 2, and / or may be similar in several aspects to the electronic device (101) described above with reference to FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 2, and may include additional functions not mentioned above. Furthermore, the components of the electronic device (101) of FIG. 3 may include the components of the electronic device (101) described above with reference to FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 2, and / or may be similar in several aspects to the components of the electronic device (101) described above with reference to FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 2, and may include additional functions not mentioned above. Consequently, repetitive descriptions of the electronic device (101) and its components described above with reference to FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 2 may be omitted for brevity.

[0129] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the electronic device (101) uses a first SIM (231) and a second SIM (241), and each of the first SIM (231) and the second SIM (241) may be a pSIM (or rSIM) and / or may include a pSIM (or rSIM).

[0130] The communication processor (200) can support the establishment of a communication channel in a band to be used for wireless communication, and network communication through the established communication channel. For example, the communication processor (200) can support at least one of 2G network communication, 3G network communication, 4G network communication, or 5G network communication.

[0131] The NFC circuit (210) can interact with an external electronic device having an NFC function (e.g., the electronic device (102) or the electronic device (104) of FIG. 1A). The external electronic devices (102, 104) can be, and / or include, a POS device. The NFC circuit (210) can provide a wireless connection between the electronic device (101) and the external electronic device within a set radius (e.g., about 4 cm). The NFC circuit (210) can operate in a card mode, and the card mode can be implemented similarly or substantially identically to that described with reference to FIG. 2, and thus, a repeated description thereof may be omitted herein for the sake of brevity.

[0132] The RF circuit (220) may include at least one of an RFIC, an RFFE module, or an antenna module. The RF circuit (220) may convert data (e.g., a baseband signal) output from the communication processor (200) into an RF signal and transmit the RF signal through the antenna module. The RF circuit (220) may convert an RF signal received through an antenna module (e.g., the antenna module (197) of FIG. 1A) into a baseband signal and transmit the baseband signal to the communication processor (200). The RF circuit (220) may process the RF signal and / or the baseband signal based on a communication method supported by the communication processor (200). The present disclosure is not limited to the type of the RF circuit (220). The RF circuit (220) may be implemented similarly and / or substantially identically to that described with reference to FIG. 2, and thus, a repeated description thereof may be omitted for brevity.

[0133] Although FIG. 3 illustrates a processor (120) and a communication processor (200) implemented as separate hardware, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In one embodiment, the processor (120) and the communication processor (200) may be implemented as separate hardware. Alternatively, the processor (120) and the communication processor (200) may be implemented on a single chip.

[0134] In one embodiment, the communication processor (200) may perform an authentication operation based on information stored in the SIM. In one embodiment, the information stored in the SIM may represent a SIM profile. The SIM profile may represent a profile corresponding to (or stored in) the SIM or eSIM.

[0135] The communication processor (200) may be connected to a first SIM (231) via a first slot (230). For example, the first SIM (231) may be connected to a stack (e.g., a protocol stack according to ISO / IEC 7816) of the communication processor (200). In one embodiment, the communication processor (200) may include two stacks. For example, the first slot (230) may accommodate a first SIM (231) that may be a pSIM (or rSIM) and / or may include a pSIM (or rSIM), and the first slot (230) may include at least one terminal that may transmit information from the first SIM (231) to the communication processor (200) when the first SIM (231) is accommodated (e.g., when the first SIM (231) is mounted). The second slot (240) can accommodate a second SIM (241) that can be a pSIM (or rSIM) and / or can include a pSIM (or rSIM), and the second slot (240) can include at least one terminal that can transmit information from the second SIM (241) to the communication processor (200) when the second SIM (241) is accommodated (e.g., when the second SIM (241) is mounted). The type of the first slot (230) can be the same as or different from the type of the second slot (240).

[0136] The communication processor (200) can obtain information (e.g., a first SIM profile) stored in the first SIM (231) from the first SIM (231) accommodated in the first slot (230). For example, at least one of the first SIM (231) or the second SIM (241) may store at least one of an ICCID, an IMSI, HPLMN-related information, or an MSISDN. The communication processor (200) can perform an authentication operation for network communication corresponding to the first SIM (231) through the RF circuit (220) based on the information stored in the acquired first SIM (231). If the authentication is successful, the communication processor (200) can perform network communication corresponding to the first SIM (231) through the RF circuit (220). The communication processor (200) can perform NFC communication with an external electronic device through the NFC circuit (210) based on information stored in the acquired first SIM (231).

[0137] In one embodiment, the communication processor (200) can connect the NFC circuit (210) to one of the first slot (230) and the second slot (240) via the switch (300). In one embodiment, when the communication processor (200) receives an NFC App ID from an external electronic device (e.g., a POS device) via the NFC circuit (210), the communication processor (200) can identify a SIM profile in which an NFC App corresponding to the NFC App ID is installed based on a database stored in the memory (130), and perform NFC communication with the external electronic device based on the identified SIM profile via the NFC circuit (210). The communication processor (200) can connect a slot corresponding to a SIM corresponding to the identified SIM profile among the first slot (230) and the second slot (240) to the NFC circuit (210) via the switch (300).

[0138] In one embodiment, the database may include information related to a SIM profile in which at least one NFC App is installed. In one embodiment, the information related to the SIM profile in which the NFC App is installed may be generated by mapping at least one of the name of the NFC App, the number of the SIM profile in which the NFC App is installed, or status information indicating whether the SIM profile in which the NFC App is installed is activated or deactivated. In one embodiment, the information related to the SIM profile in which the NFC App is installed may be generated by mapping at least one of the name of the NFC App, the number of the SIM profile in which the NFC App is installed, or status information indicating whether the SIM profile in which the NFC App is installed is activated or deactivated, as well as a service provided by the NFC App.

[0139] Continuing with reference to FIG. 3, it is assumed that the NFC App NFC_A is installed in the first SIM (231), the NFC App NFC_B and the NFC App NFC_C are installed in the second SIM (241), both the first SIM (231) and the second SIM (241) are enabled, and the SIM that is connected to the NFC circuit (210) by default is the first SIM (231). For example, the service provided by NFC_A may be an identification card service, the service provided by NFC_B may be a transportation ID service, and the service provided by NFC_C may be a bank A App service related to bank A. In one embodiment, the name of the NFC App may be the ID of the NFC App (hereinafter, referred to as 'NFC App ID'). In this disclosure, an example is given where the NFC App ID is the name of an NFC App, but there is no limitation on the format of the NFC App ID, and any NFC App ID that can be used to distinguish between NFC Apps can be used.

[0140] In one embodiment, the database may be created as shown in Table 1 below.

[0141]

[0142] Table 1: NFC App Database

[0143] Referring to Table 1, the NFC Service column indicates a service provided by an installed NFC App, the Profile Num column indicates the number of the SIM profile in which the NFC App is installed, the NFC APP name column indicates the name of the NFC App, and the Status column may indicate status information indicating whether the SIM profile in which the NFC App is installed is activated or deactivated.

[0144] When receiving an NFC App ID from an external electronic device through the NFC circuit (210), the communication processor (200) can identify a SIM profile in which an NFC App corresponding to the received NFC App ID is installed based on a database, and control the switch (300) so that the SIM corresponding to the SIM profile in which the NFC App is installed and the NFC circuit (210) are connected (for example, so that the NFC circuit (210) is connected to a slot corresponding to the SIM corresponding to the SIM profile in which the NFC App is installed). For example, when the NFC App ID received from the external electronic device is NFC_B, the communication processor (200) can control the switch (300) so that the second SIM (241), not the first SIM (231), which is the SIM connected to the NFC circuit (210) by default, is connected to the NFC circuit (210) (for example, so that the second slot (240) corresponding to the second SIM (241) is connected to the NFC circuit (210). When the communication processor (200) identifies that the NFC communication corresponding to NFC_B has ended, it can control the switch (300) to reconnect the first SIM (231) to the NFC circuit (210).

[0145] Referring to FIG. 3, an example in which the switch (300) connects the NFC circuit (210) to one of the first slot (230) and the second slot (240) under the control of the communication processor (200) has been described, but the electronic device (101) may not separately include the switch (300), and the communication processor (200) may use a control signal to activate, for example, a SIM profile corresponding to the first SIM (231) or a SIM profile corresponding to the second SIM (241) to connect the corresponding SIM and the NFC circuit (210). As another example, the electronic device (101) may use a control signal to deactivate a SIM profile corresponding to the first SIM (231) or a SIM profile corresponding to the second SIM (241) to prevent the corresponding SIM and the NFC circuit (210) from being connected.

[0146] In FIG. 3, a case where both the first SIM (231) and the second SIM (241) are activated is described as an example, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, only one of the first SIM (231) and the second SIM (241) may be activated. In this state where only one of the first SIM (231) and the second SIM (241) is activated, if an NFC App ID corresponding to a SIM (or SIM profile) that is not activated (or deactivated) is received, the communication processor (200) may activate the corresponding SIM (or the corresponding SIM profile) and control the switch (300) so that the activated SIM (or SIM profile) is connected to the NFC circuit (210). If the communication processor (200) identifies that the NFC communication corresponding to the activated SIM (or the activated SIM profile) is terminated, the communication processor (200) may deactivate the activated SIM (or the activated SIM profile) again.

[0147] Referring to FIG. 3, an example has been described in which an NFC App ID received from an external electronic device via an NFC circuit (210) is stored in a database. However, when the communication processor (200) receives an NFC App ID from an external electronic device, it can perform the operation described in FIG. 3 only if the received NFC App ID is stored in the database.

[0148] FIG. 4 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an electronic device according to one embodiment.

[0149] Referring to FIG. 4, the electronic device (101) may include at least one of a processor (120), a communication processor (200), an NFC circuit (210), an RF circuit (220), a memory (130), a first slot (230), an eSIM (250), or a switch (300). In the case illustrated in FIG. 4, the electronic device (101) uses a first SIM (231) and an eSIM (250), and the first SIM (231) may be a pSIM (or rSIM), and / or may include a pSIM (or rSIM).

[0150] The electronic device (101) of FIG. 4 may include the electronic device (101) described above with reference to FIGS. 1A to 3, and / or may be similar in many aspects to the electronic device (101) described above with reference to FIGS. 1A to 3, and may include additional functions not mentioned above. The components of the electronic device (101) of FIG. 4 may include the components of the electronic device (101) described above with reference to FIGS. 1A to 3, and / or may be similar in many aspects to the components of the electronic device (101) described above with reference to FIGS. 1A to 3, and may include additional functions not mentioned above. Consequently, repetitive descriptions of the electronic device (101) and its components described above with reference to FIGS. 1A to 3 may be omitted for brevity.

[0151] The communication processor (200) can support the establishment of a communication channel in a band to be used for wireless communication, and network communication through the established communication channel. For example, the communication processor (200) can support at least one of 2G network communication, 3G network communication, 4G network communication, or 5G network communication.

[0152] The NFC circuit (210) can interact with an external electronic device having NFC functionality (e.g., the electronic device (102) or the electronic device (104) of FIG. 1A). The external electronic device may be a POS device and / or may include a POS device. The NFC circuit (210) can provide a wireless connection between the electronic device (101) and the external electronic device within a set radius (e.g., about 4 cm). The NFC circuit (210) can operate in card mode, and the card mode can be implemented similarly or substantially identically to that described in FIG. 2, and thus, a repetitive detailed description thereof may be omitted for brevity.

[0153] The RF circuit (220) may include at least one of an RFIC, an RFFE module, or an antenna module. The RF circuit (220) may convert data (e.g., a baseband signal) output from the communication processor (200) into an RF signal and transmit the RF signal through the antenna module. The RF circuit (220) may convert an RF signal received through an antenna module (e.g., the antenna module (197) of FIG. 1A) into a baseband signal and transmit the baseband signal to the communication processor (200). The RF circuit (220) may process an RF signal or a baseband signal based on a communication method supported by the communication processor (200), and there is no limitation on the type of the RF circuit (220). The RF circuit (220) may be implemented similarly or substantially identically to that described in FIG. 2, and thus, a repeated detailed description thereof may be omitted for brevity.

[0154] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the processor (120) and the communication processor (200) may be implemented as separate hardware, but this is merely exemplary. In one embodiment, the processor (120) and the communication processor (200) may be implemented as separate hardware. Alternatively, the processor (120) and the communication processor (200) may be implemented on a single chip.

[0155] In one embodiment, the communication processor (200) may perform an authentication operation based on information stored in the SIM. In one embodiment, the information stored in the SIM may represent a SIM profile. The SIM profile may represent a profile corresponding to (or stored in) the SIM or eSIM.

[0156] The communication processor (200) may be connected to a first SIM (231) via a first slot (230). For example, the first SIM (231) may be connected to a stack (e.g., a protocol stack according to ISO / IEC 7816) of the communication processor (200). In one embodiment, the communication processor (200) may include two stacks. For example, the first slot (230) may accommodate a first SIM (231) that may be a pSIM (or rSIM) and / or may include a pSIM (or rSIM), and the first slot (230) may include at least one terminal that may transmit information from the first SIM (231) to the communication processor (200) when the first SIM (231) is accommodated (e.g., when the first SIM (231) is mounted).

[0157] The communication processor (200) can obtain information (e.g., a first SIM profile) stored in the first SIM (231) from the first SIM (231) accommodated in the first slot (230). For example, at least one of the first SIM (231) or the second SIM (241) may store at least one of an ICCID, an IMSI, HPLMN-related information, or an MSISDN. The communication processor (200) can perform an authentication operation for network communication corresponding to the first SIM (231) through the RF circuit (220) based on the information stored in the acquired first SIM (231). If the authentication is successful, the communication processor (200) can perform network communication corresponding to the first SIM (231) through the RF circuit (220). The communication processor (200) can perform NFC communication with an external electronic device through the NFC circuit (210) based on information stored in the acquired first SIM (231).

[0158] In one embodiment, the communication processor (200) may connect the NFC circuit (210) to one of the first slot (230) and the eSIM (250) via the switch (300). In one embodiment, when the communication processor (200) receives an NFC App ID from an external electronic device (e.g., a POS device) via the NFC circuit (210), the communication processor (200) may identify a SIM profile in which an NFC App corresponding to the NFC App ID is installed based on a database stored in the memory (130), and may perform NFC communication with the external electronic device based on the identified SIM profile via the NFC circuit (210). The communication processor (200) may connect one of the first slot (230) and the eSIM (250) to the NFC circuit (210) via the switch (300) according to the identified SIM profile. The database may be implemented similarly or substantially identically to that described in FIG. 3, and thus, a repetitive detailed description thereof may be omitted.

[0159] Continuing with reference to FIG. 4, it can be assumed that the NFC App NFC_A is installed in the first SIM (231), the NFC App NFC_B, the NFC App NFC_C, and the NFC App NFC_D are installed in the eSIM (250), the SIM profile eSIM_1 of the first SIM (231) and the eSIM (250) is activated, the SIM profile eSIM_2 of the eSIM (250) is deactivated, and the SIM connected by default to the NFC circuit (210) is the first SIM (231). For example, the service provided by NFC_A may be an ID service and / or may include an ID service, the service provided by NFC_B may be a transportation ID service and / or may include a transportation ID service, the service provided by NFC_C may be a Bank A App service related to Bank A and / or may include a Bank A App service, and the service provided by NFC_D may be a Home key (Own Home key) service and / or may include a Home key service. In one embodiment, the name of the NFC App may be an NFC App ID. In the present disclosure, a case where the NFC App ID is the name of the NFC App is described as an example, but there is no limitation on the format of the NFC App ID, and the name of the NFC App may be used as the NFC App ID as long as it can distinguish between NFC Apps.

[0160] In one embodiment, the database may be created as shown in Table 2 below.

[0161]

[0162] Table 2: NFC App Database

[0163] Referring to Table 2, the NFC Service column indicates the service provided by the installed NFC App, the Profile Num column indicates the number of the SIM profile in which the NFC App is installed, the NFC APP name column indicates the name of the NFC App, and the Status column may indicate status information indicating whether the SIM profile in which the NFC App is installed is activated or deactivated.

[0164] When receiving an NFC App ID from an external electronic device through the NFC circuit (210), the communication processor (200) can identify a SIM profile in which an NFC App corresponding to the received NFC App ID is installed based on a database, and control the switch (300) to connect the SIM corresponding to the SIM profile in which the NFC App is installed and the NFC circuit (210) (for example, to connect the NFC circuit (210) to a slot corresponding to the SIM corresponding to the SIM profile in which the NFC App is installed). For example, when the NFC App ID received from the external electronic device is NFC_B, the communication processor (200) can control the switch (300) to connect the eSIM (250), not the first SIM (231), which is the SIM connected to the NFC circuit (210) by default, to the NFC circuit (210). When the communication processor (200) identifies that the NFC communication corresponding to NFC_B has ended, it can control the switch (300) to reconnect the first SIM (231) to the NFC circuit (210).

[0165] Although an example has been described with reference to FIG. 4 in which the SIM profile eSIM_1 of the first SIM (231) and the eSIM (250) is activated and the SIM profile eSIM_2 of the eSIM (250) is deactivated, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, only one of the SIM profiles of the first SIM (231) and the eSIM (250) may be activated. In this state in which only one of the SIM profiles of the first SIM (231) and the eSIM (250) is activated, when an NFC App ID corresponding to a SIM (or SIM profile) that is not activated (or deactivated) is received, the communication processor (200) may activate the corresponding SIM (or SIM profile) and control the switch (300) so that the activated SIM is connected to the NFC circuit (210).

[0166] The communication processor (200) may deactivate the activated SIM (or SIM profile) again when it identifies that the NFC communication corresponding to the activated SIM (or SIM profile) has been terminated.

[0167] Referring to FIG. 4, an example in which the switch (300) connects the NFC circuit (210) to one of the first slot (230) and the eSIM (250) under the control of the communication processor (200) has been described, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the electronic device (101) may not separately include the switch (300), but may use a control signal for the communication processor (200) to activate a SIM profile corresponding to the first SIM (231) or a SIM profile corresponding to the eSIM (250) to connect the corresponding SIM and the NFC circuit (210). As another example, the electronic device (101) may use a control signal for deactivating a SIM profile corresponding to the first SIM (231) or a SIM profile corresponding to the eSIM (250) to prevent the corresponding SIM and the NFC circuit (210) from being connected.

[0168] Referring to FIG. 4, an example has been described in which an NFC App ID received from an external electronic device is stored in a database via an NFC circuit (210), but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, when the communication processor (200) receives an NFC App ID from an external electronic device, it may perform the operation described in FIG. 4 only if the received NFC App ID is stored in the database.

[0169] FIG. 5 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an electronic device according to one embodiment.

[0170] Referring to FIG. 5, the electronic device (101) may include at least one of a processor (120), a communication processor (200), an NFC circuit (210), an RF circuit (220), a memory (130), a first slot (230), a second slot (240), an eSIM (250), a switch (260), or a switch (300).

[0171] The electronic device (101) of FIG. 5 may include the electronic device (101) described above with reference to FIGS. 1A to 4, and / or may be similar in many aspects to the electronic device (101) described above with reference to FIGS. 1A to 4, and may include additional functions not mentioned above. The components of the electronic device (101) of FIG. 5 may include the components of the electronic device (101) described above with reference to FIGS. 1A to 4, and / or may be similar in many aspects to the components of the electronic device (101) described above with reference to FIGS. 1A to 4, and may include additional functions not mentioned above. Consequently, repetitive descriptions of the electronic device (101) and its components described above with reference to FIGS. 1A to 4 may be omitted for brevity.

[0172] As illustrated in FIG. 5, the electronic device (101) may use a first SIM (231), a second SIM (241), and an eSIM (250), and each of the first SIM (231) and the second SIM (241) may be a pSIM (or rSIM), and / or may include a pSIM (or rSIM).

[0173] The communication processor (200) can support the establishment of a communication channel in a band to be used for wireless communication, and network communication through the established communication channel. For example, the communication processor (200) can support at least one of 2G network communication, 3G network communication, 4G network communication, or 5G network communication.

[0174] The NFC circuit (210) can interact with an external electronic device having NFC functionality (e.g., the electronic device (102) or the electronic device (104) of FIG. 1A). The external electronic devices (102, 104) can be, and / or include, a POS device. The NFC circuit (210) can provide a wireless connection between the electronic device (101) and the external electronic device within a set radius (e.g., about 4 cm). The NFC circuit (210) can operate in a card mode, which can be implemented similarly and / or substantially identically to that described with reference to FIG. 2, and thus, a repetitive detailed description thereof can be omitted for brevity.

[0175] The RF circuit (220) may include at least one of an RFIC, an RFFE module, or an antenna module. The RF circuit (220) may convert data (e.g., a baseband signal) output from the communication processor (200) into an RF signal and transmit the RF signal through the antenna module. The RF circuit (220) may convert an RF signal received through an antenna module (e.g., the antenna module (197) of FIG. 1A) into a baseband signal and transmit the baseband signal to the communication processor (200). The RF circuit (220) may process the RF signal or the baseband signal based on a communication method supported by the communication processor (200). The present disclosure is not limited to the type of the RF circuit (220). The RF circuit (220) may be implemented similarly and / or substantially identically to that described with reference to FIG. 2, and thus, a repeated detailed description thereof may be omitted for brevity.

[0176] Although FIG. 5 illustrates a processor (120) and a communication processor (200) implemented as separate hardware, this is merely exemplary and the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In one embodiment, the processor (120) and the communication processor (200) may be implemented as separate hardware. Alternatively, the processor (120) and the communication processor (200) may be implemented on a single chip.

[0177] In one embodiment, the communication processor (200) may perform an authentication operation based on information stored in the SIM. In one embodiment, the information stored in the SIM may represent a SIM profile. The SIM profile may represent a profile corresponding to (or stored in) the SIM or eSIM.

[0178] The communication processor (200) may be connected to a first SIM (231) via a first slot (230). For example, the first SIM (231) may be connected to a stack (e.g., a protocol stack according to ISO / IEC 7816) of the communication processor (200). In one embodiment, the communication processor (200) may include two stacks. For example, the first slot (230) may accommodate a first SIM (231) that may be a pSIM (or rSIM) and / or may include a pSIM (or rSIM), and the first slot (230) may include at least one terminal that may transmit information from the first SIM (231) to the communication processor (200) when the first SIM (231) is accommodated (or when the first SIM (231) is mounted). The second slot (240) can accommodate a second SIM (241), which can be a pSIM (or rSIM), and the second slot (240) can include at least one terminal capable of transmitting information from the second SIM (241) to the communication processor (200) when the second SIM (241) is accommodated (e.g., when the second SIM (241) is mounted). The type of the first slot (230) can be the same as or different from the type of the second slot (240).

[0179] The communication processor (200) can obtain information (e.g., a first SIM profile) stored in the first SIM (231) from the first SIM (231) accommodated in the first slot (230). The communication processor (200) can perform an authentication operation for network communication corresponding to the first SIM (231) through the RF circuit (220) based on the information stored in the obtained first SIM (231). If the authentication is successful, the communication processor (200) can perform network communication corresponding to the first SIM (231) through the RF circuit (220). The communication processor (200) can perform NFC communication with an external electronic device through the NFC circuit (210) based on the information stored in the obtained first SIM (231).

[0180] According to one embodiment, at least one of the processor (120) or the communication processor (200) can control the state of the switch (260). The state of the switch (260) can be either a first state connecting the communication processor (200) and the second slot (240) or a second state connecting the communication processor (200) and the eSIM (250). In one embodiment, the state of the switch (260) can also be controlled to a third state in which it is not connected to either the second slot (240) or the eSIM (250). The operation of the processor (120) or the communication processor (200) controlling the state of the switch (260) is similar to and / or can be implemented substantially identically to that described with reference to FIG. 2, and thus, for the sake of brevity, a repeated detailed description thereof may be omitted.

[0181] In one embodiment, the communication processor (200) can connect the NFC circuit (210) to one of the first slot (230), the second slot (240), and the eSIM (250) via the switch (300). In one embodiment, when the communication processor (200) receives an NFC App ID from an external electronic device (e.g., a POS device) via the NFC circuit (210), the communication processor (200) can identify a SIM profile in which an NFC App corresponding to the NFC App ID is installed based on a database stored in the memory (130), and perform NFC communication with the external electronic device based on the identified SIM profile via the NFC circuit (210). The communication processor (200) can connect one of the first slot (230), the second slot (240), and the eSIM (250) to the NFC circuit (210) via the switch (300) in accordance with the identified SIM profile. The database may be implemented similarly and / or substantially identically to that described in FIG. 3, and thus, a repetitive detailed description thereof may be omitted for brevity.

[0182] Continuing with reference to FIG. 5, it may be assumed that the NFC App NFC_A is installed in the first SIM (231), the NFC App NFC_B, the NFC App NFC_C, and the NFC App NFC_D are installed in the eSIM (250), the first SIM (231) is activated, the SIM profile eSIM_1 of the eSIM (250) is activated and / or deactivated, the SIM profile eSIM_2 of the eSIM (250) is deactivated, and the SIM that is connected to the NFC circuit (210) by default is the first SIM (231). As an example, the service provided by NFC_A may be an ID service, the service provided by NFC_B may be a transportation ID service, the service provided by NFC_C may be a Bank A App service related to Bank A, and the service provided by NFC_D may be a home key service. In one embodiment, the name of the NFC App may be NFC App ID. In this disclosure, an example is given where the NFC App ID is the name of an NFC App, but there is no limitation on the format of the NFC App ID, and any NFC App ID that can be used to distinguish between NFC Apps can be used.

[0183] In one embodiment, the database may be created as shown in Table 3 below.

[0184]

[0185] Table 3: NFC App Database

[0186] Referring to Table 3, the NFC Service column indicates a service provided by the installed NFC App, the Profile Num column indicates the number of the SIM profile in which the NFC App is installed, the NFC APP name column indicates the name of the NFC App, and the Status column may indicate status information indicating whether the SIM profile in which the NFC App is installed is activated or deactivated.

[0187] When receiving an NFC App ID from an external electronic device through the NFC circuit (210), the communication processor (200) can identify a SIM profile in which an NFC App corresponding to the received NFC App ID is installed based on a database, and control the switch (300) to connect the SIM corresponding to the SIM profile in which the NFC App is installed and the NFC circuit (210) (for example, to connect the NFC circuit (210) to a slot corresponding to the SIM corresponding to the SIM profile in which the NFC App is installed). For example, when the NFC App ID received from the external electronic device is NFC_B, the communication processor (200) can control the switch (300) to connect the eSIM (250), not the first SIM (231), which is the SIM connected to the NFC circuit (210) by default, to the NFC circuit (210). When the communication processor (200) identifies that the NFC communication corresponding to NFC_B has ended, it can control the switch (300) to reconnect the first SIM (231) to the NFC circuit (210).

[0188] Referring to FIG. 5, an example is described in which the switch (300) connects the NFC circuit (210) and one of the first slot (230), the second slot (240), and the eSIM (250) under the control of the communication processor (200). However, the electronic device (101) may not separately include the switch (300), and the communication processor (200) may use, for example, a SIM profile corresponding to the first SIM (231), a SIM profile corresponding to the second SIM (241), or a control signal for activating the eSIM (250) to connect the corresponding SIM and the NFC circuit (210). As another example, the electronic device (101) may use a SIM profile corresponding to the first SIM (231), a SIM profile corresponding to the second SIM (241), or a control signal for deactivating the eSIM (250) to prevent the corresponding SIM and the NFC circuit (210) from being connected.

[0189] Referring to FIG. 5, an example has been described in which the SIM profile eSIM_1 of the first SIM (231) and the eSIM (250) are activated and / or deactivated, and the SIM profile eSIM_2 of the eSIM (250) is deactivated; however, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, only one of the SIM profiles of the first SIM (231), the second SIM (241), and the eSIM (250) may be activated. In this state in which only one of the SIM profiles of the first SIM (231), the second SIM (241), and the eSIM (250) is activated, when an NFC App ID corresponding to a non-activated (or deactivated) SIM (or SIM profile) is received, the communication processor (200) may activate the corresponding SIM (or the corresponding SIM profile) and control the switch (300) so that the activated SIM (or the activated SIM profile) is connected to the NFC circuit (210).

[0190] The communication processor (200) may deactivate the activated SIM (or SIM profile) again when it identifies that the NFC communication corresponding to the activated SIM (or SIM profile) has been terminated.

[0191] Referring to FIG. 5, an example has been described in which an NFC App ID received from an external electronic device is stored in a database via an NFC circuit (210). However, when the communication processor (200) receives an NFC App ID from an external electronic device, it can perform the operation described in FIG. 5 only if the received NFC App ID is stored in the database.

[0192] FIG. 6 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an electronic device according to one embodiment.

[0193] Referring to FIG. 6, the electronic device (101) may include at least one of a processor (120), a communication processor (200), an NFC circuit (210), an RF circuit (220), a memory (130), a first slot (230), a MEP eSIM (600), or a switch (300).

[0194] The electronic device (101) of FIG. 6 may include the electronic device (101) described above with reference to FIGS. 1A to 5, and / or may be similar in many aspects to the electronic device (101) described above with reference to FIGS. 1A to 5, and may include additional functions not mentioned above. The components of the electronic device (101) of FIG. 6 may include the components of the electronic device (101) described above with reference to FIGS. 1A to 5, and / or may be similar in many aspects to the components of the electronic device (101) described above with reference to FIGS. 1A to 5, and may include additional functions not mentioned above. Consequently, repetitive descriptions of the electronic device (101) and its components described above with reference to FIGS. 1A to 5 may be omitted for brevity.

[0195] As illustrated in FIG. 6, the electronic device (101) uses a first SIM (231) and a MEP eSIM (600), and the first SIM (231) may be a pSIM (or rSIM), and / or may include a pSIM (or rSIM).

[0196] The communication processor (200) can support the establishment of a communication channel in a band to be used for wireless communication, and network communication through the established communication channel. For example, the communication processor (200) can support at least one of 2G network communication, 3G network communication, 4G network communication, or 5G network communication.

[0197] The NFC circuit (210) can interact with an external electronic device having NFC functionality (e.g., the electronic device (102) or the electronic device (104) of FIG. 1A). The external electronic devices (102, 104) can be, and / or include, a POS device. The NFC circuit (210) can provide a wireless connection between the electronic device (101) and the external electronic device within a set radius (e.g., about 4 cm). The NFC circuit (210) can operate in a card mode, which can be implemented similarly and / or substantially identically to that described with reference to FIG. 2, and thus, for the sake of brevity, a repetitive detailed description thereof can be omitted.

[0198] The RF circuit (220) may include at least one of an RFIC, an RFFE module, or an antenna module. The RF circuit (220) may convert data (e.g., a baseband signal) output from the communication processor (200) into an RF signal and transmit the RF signal through the antenna module. The RF circuit (220) may convert an RF signal received through an antenna module (e.g., the antenna module (197) of FIG. 1A) into a baseband signal and transmit the baseband signal to the communication processor (200). The RF circuit (220) may process the RF signal and / or the baseband signal based on a communication method supported by the communication processor (200). The present disclosure is not limited to the type of the RF circuit (220). The RF circuit (220) may be implemented similarly and / or substantially identically to that described with reference to FIG. 2, and thus, a detailed description thereof may be omitted for brevity.

[0199] Although FIG. 6 illustrates a processor (120) and a communication processor (200) implemented as separate hardware, this is merely exemplary and the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In one embodiment, the processor (120) and the communication processor (200) may be implemented as separate hardware. Alternatively, the processor (120) and the communication processor (200) may be implemented on a single chip.

[0200] In one embodiment, the communication processor (200) may perform an authentication operation based on information stored in the SIM. In one embodiment, the information stored in the SIM may represent a SIM profile. The SIM profile may represent a profile corresponding to (or stored in) the SIM or eSIM.

[0201] The communication processor (200) may be connected to a first SIM (231) via a first slot (230). For example, the first SIM (231) may be connected to a stack (e.g., a protocol stack according to ISO / IEC 7816) of the communication processor (200). In one embodiment, the communication processor (200) may include two stacks. For example, the first slot (230) may accommodate a first SIM (231) that may be a pSIM (or rSIM) and / or may include a pSIM (or rSIM), and the first slot (230) may include at least one terminal that may transmit information from the first SIM (231) to the communication processor (200) when the first SIM (231) is accommodated (e.g., when the first SIM (231) is mounted).

[0202] The communication processor (200) can obtain information (e.g., a first SIM profile) stored in the first SIM (231) from the first SIM (231) accommodated in the first slot (230). For example, at least one of the first SIM (231) or the second SIM (241) may store at least one of an ICCID, an IMSI, HPLMN-related information, or an MSISDN. The communication processor (200) can perform an authentication operation for network communication corresponding to the first SIM (231) through the RF circuit (220) based on the information stored in the acquired first SIM (231). If the authentication is successful, the communication processor (200) can perform network communication corresponding to the first SIM (231) through the RF circuit (220). The communication processor (200) can perform NFC communication with an external electronic device through the NFC circuit (210) based on information stored in the acquired first SIM (231).

[0203] In one embodiment, the communication processor (200) may connect the NFC circuit (210) to one of the first slot (230) and the MEP eSIM (600) via the switch (300). In one embodiment, when the communication processor (200) receives an NFC App ID from an external electronic device (e.g., a POS device) via the NFC circuit (210), the communication processor (200) may identify a SIM profile in which an NFC App corresponding to the NFC App ID is installed based on a database stored in the memory (130), and may perform NFC communication with the external electronic device based on the identified SIM profile via the NFC circuit (210). The communication processor (200) may connect one of the first slot (230) and the MEP eSIM (600) to the NFC circuit (210) via the switch (300) in accordance with the identified SIM profile. The database may be implemented similarly and / or substantially identically to that described in FIG. 3, and thus, for the sake of brevity, a repetitive detailed description thereof may be omitted.

[0204] Continuing with reference to FIG. 6, it may be assumed that the NFC App NFC_A is installed in the first SIM (231), the NFC App NFC_B, the NFC App NFC_C, and the NFC App NFC_D are installed in the MEP eSIM (600), the first SIM (231) is activated and / or deactivated, the SIM profile eSIM_1 of the MEP eSIM (600) is activated, the SIM profile eSIM_2 of the MEP eSIM (600) is activated and / or deactivated, and the SIM that is connected to the NFC circuit (210) by default is the first SIM (231). As an example, the service provided by NFC_A may be an ID service, the service provided by NFC_B may be a transportation ID service, the service provided by NFC_C may be a Bank A App service related to Bank A, and the service provided by NFC_D may be a home key service. In one embodiment, the name of the NFC App may be NFC App ID. In this disclosure, an example is given where the NFC App ID is the name of an NFC App, but there is no limitation on the format of the NFC App ID, and any NFC App ID that can be used to distinguish between NFC Apps can be used.

[0205] In one embodiment, the database may be created as shown in Table 4 below.

[0206]

[0207] Table 4: SIM Profile Database

[0208] Referring to Table 4, the NFC Service column indicates a service provided by the installed NFC App, the Profile Num column indicates the number of the SIM profile in which the NFC App is installed, the NFC APP name column indicates the name of the NFC App, and the Status column may indicate status information indicating whether the SIM profile in which the NFC App is installed is activated or deactivated.

[0209] When receiving an NFC App ID from an external electronic device through the NFC circuit (210), the communication processor (200) can identify a SIM profile in which an NFC App corresponding to the received NFC App ID is installed based on a database, and control the switch (300) to connect the SIM corresponding to the SIM profile in which the NFC App is installed and the NFC circuit (210) (for example, to connect the NFC circuit (210) to a slot corresponding to the SIM corresponding to the SIM profile in which the NFC App is installed). For example, when the NFC App ID received from the external electronic device is NFC_B, the communication processor (200) can control the switch (300) to connect the MEP eSIM (600), not the first SIM (231), which is a SIM connected to the NFC circuit (210) by default, to the NFC circuit (210). When the communication processor (200) identifies that the NFC communication corresponding to NFC_B has ended, it can control the switch (300) to reconnect the first SIM (231) to the NFC circuit (210).

[0210] In one embodiment, when the first SIM (231) is deactivated, two of the SIM profiles of the MEP eSIM (600) are activated, and the NFC App that the electronic device (101) wants to use (e.g., the NFC App corresponding to the received NFC App ID) is installed in the deactivated SIM profile, the communication processor (200) may deactivate one of the activated SIM profiles and activate the SIM profile corresponding to the NFC App that the electronic device (101) wants to use. The communication processor (200) may deactivate a SIM profile that is not in a call / data connected state among the activated SIM profiles and activate the SIM profile corresponding to the NFC App that the electronic device (101) wants to use. When it is determined that the NFC communication corresponding to the NFC App has been terminated, the communication processor (200) may reactivate the deactivated SIM profile and deactivate the SIM profile corresponding to the NFC App. In one embodiment, if there is no limit to the number of SIM profiles activated in the MEP eSIM (600), the communication processor (200) may not perform an operation of reactivating a deactivated SIM profile and deactivating a SIM profile corresponding to an NFC App. For example, in one embodiment, if there is no limit to the number of SIM profiles activated in the MEP eSIM (600), the communication processor (200) may not deactivate any of the activated SIM profiles, but may activate a SIM profile corresponding to an NFC App that the electronic device (101) intends to use. In this case, the communication processor (200) may not need to perform an operation of reactivating a deactivated SIM profile and deactivating a SIM profile corresponding to an NFC App.

[0211] With reference to FIG. 6, an example has been described in which the first SIM (231) is activated and / or deactivated, the SIM profile eSIM_1 of the MEP eSIM (600) is activated, and the SIM profile eSIM_2 of the MEP eSIM (600) is activated and / or deactivated, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, only one of the SIM profiles of the first SIM (231) and the MEP eSIM (600) may be activated. In this state in which only one of the SIM profiles of the first SIM (231) and the MEP eSIM (600) is activated, when an NFC App ID corresponding to a SIM (or SIM profile) that is not activated (or deactivated) is received, the communication processor (200) may activate the corresponding SIM (or SIM profile) and control the switch (300) so that the activated SIM is connected to the NFC circuit (210).

[0212] The communication processor (200) may deactivate the activated SIM (or SIM profile) again when it identifies that the NFC communication corresponding to the activated SIM (or SIM profile) has been terminated.

[0213] Referring to FIG. 6, a case is described as an example in which the switch (300) connects the NFC circuit (210) and one of the first slot (230) and the MEP eSIM (600) under the control of the communication processor (200). However, if the electronic device (101) does not separately have the switch (300), the communication processor (200) may use a control signal to activate a SIM profile corresponding to the first SIM (231) or a SIM profile corresponding to the MEP eSIM (600) to connect the corresponding SIM and the NFC circuit (210), or may use a control signal to deactivate a SIM profile corresponding to the first SIM (231) or a SIM profile corresponding to the MEP eSIM (600) to prevent the corresponding SIM and the NFC circuit (210) from being connected.

[0214] Referring to FIG. 6, an example is described in which an NFC App ID received from an external electronic device via an NFC circuit (210) is stored in a database. However, when the communication processor (200) receives an NFC App ID from an external electronic device, it can perform the operation described with reference to FIG. 6 only if the received NFC App ID is stored in the database.

[0215] Figure 7 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an electronic device according to one embodiment.

[0216] Referring to FIG. 7, the electronic device (101) may include at least one of a processor (120), a communication processor (200), an NFC circuit (210), an RF circuit (220), a memory (130), or a MEP eSIM (600).

[0217] The electronic device (101) of FIG. 6 may include the electronic device (101) described above with reference to FIGS. 1A to 5, and / or may be similar in many aspects to the electronic device (101) described above with reference to FIGS. 1A to 5, and may include additional functions not mentioned above. The components of the electronic device (101) of FIG. 6 may include the components of the electronic device (101) described above with reference to FIGS. 1A to 5, and / or may be similar in many aspects to the components of the electronic device (101) described above with reference to FIGS. 1A to 5, and may include additional functions not mentioned above. Consequently, repetitive descriptions of the electronic device (101) and its components described above with reference to FIGS. 1A to 5 may be omitted for brevity.

[0218] As illustrated in FIG. 7, the electronic device (101) can use a MEP eSIM (600).

[0219] The communication processor (200) can support the establishment of a communication channel in a band to be used for wireless communication, and network communication through the established communication channel. For example, the communication processor (200) can support at least one of 2G network communication, 3G network communication, 4G network communication, or 5G network communication.

[0220] The NFC circuit (210) can interact with an external electronic device having NFC functionality (e.g., the electronic device (102) or the electronic device (104) of FIG. 1A). The external electronic devices (102, 104) can be, and / or include, a POS device. The NFC circuit (210) can provide a wireless connection between the electronic device (101) and the external electronic device within a set radius (e.g., about 4 cm). The NFC circuit (210) can operate in a card mode, which can be implemented similarly and / or substantially identically to that described with reference to FIG. 2, and thus, for the sake of brevity, a repetitive detailed description thereof can be omitted.

[0221] The RF circuit (220) may include at least one of an RFIC, an RFFE module, or an antenna module. The RF circuit (220) may convert data (e.g., a baseband signal) output from the communication processor (200) into an RF signal and transmit the RF signal through the antenna module. The RF circuit (220) may convert an RF signal received through an antenna module (e.g., the antenna module (197) of FIG. 1A) into a baseband signal and transmit the baseband signal to the communication processor (200). The RF circuit (220) may process the RF signal and / or the baseband signal based on a communication method supported by the communication processor (200), and there is no limitation on the type of the RF circuit (200). The RF circuit (220) may be implemented similarly and / or substantially identically to that described with reference to FIG. 2, and thus, for the sake of brevity, a repeated detailed description thereof may be omitted.

[0222] Although FIG. 7 illustrates a processor (120) and a communication processor (200) implemented as separate hardware, this is merely exemplary, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The processor (120) and the communication processor (200) may be implemented as separate hardware. Alternatively, the processor (120) and the communication processor (200) may be implemented on a single chip.

[0223] In one embodiment, the communication processor (200) may perform an authentication operation based on information stored in the SIM. In one embodiment, the information stored in the SIM may represent a SIM profile. The SIM profile may represent a profile corresponding to (or stored in) the SIM or eSIM.

[0224] The communication processor (200) can obtain information (e.g., SIM profile) stored in the MEP eSIM (600). The communication processor (200) can perform an authentication operation for network communication corresponding to the MEP eSIM (600) through the RF circuit (220) based on the information stored in the obtained MEP eSIM (600). If the authentication is successful, the communication processor (200) can perform network communication corresponding to the MEP eSIM (600) through the RF circuit (220). The communication processor (200) can perform NFC communication with an external electronic device through the NFC circuit (210) based on the information stored in the obtained MEP eSIM (600).

[0225] In one embodiment, when the communication processor (200) receives an NFC App ID from an external electronic device (e.g., a POS device) through the NFC circuit (210), the communication processor (200) may identify a SIM profile in which an NFC App corresponding to the NFC App ID is installed based on a database stored in the memory (130), and perform NFC communication with the external electronic device based on the identified SIM profile through the NFC circuit (210). The communication processor (200) may connect a port of the MEP eSIM (600) to the NFC circuit (210) corresponding to the identified SIM profile. The database may be implemented similarly and / or substantially identically to that described with reference to FIG. 3, and thus, a repetitive detailed description thereof may be omitted for brevity.

[0226] Continuing with reference to FIG. 7, it can be assumed that NFC App NFC_A, NFC App NFC_B, NFC App NFC_C, NFC App NFC_D, and NFC App NFC_Z are installed in the MEP eSIM (600), SIM Profile 1 and SIM Profile 2 of the MEP eSIM (600) are activated, SIM Profile 3 of the MEP eSIM (600) is deactivated, and the SIM profile connected by default to the NFC circuit (210) is SIM Profile 1. For example, the service provided by NFC_A may be an ID service and / or may include an ID service, the service provided by NFC_B may be a transportation ID service and / or may include a transportation ID service, the service provided by NFC_C may be a Bank A App service related to Bank A and / or may include a Bank A App service, the service provided by NFC_D may be a home key service and / or may include a home key service, and the service provided by NFC_Z may be a Park B admission service (B Park Pass) and / or may include a Park B admission service. In one embodiment, the name of the NFC App may be NFC App ID. In the present disclosure, a case where the NFC App ID is the name of the NFC App is described as an example, but there is no limitation on the format of the NFC App ID, and any NFC App that can distinguish between NFC Apps may be used as the NFC App ID.

[0227] In one embodiment, the database may be created as shown in Table 5 below.

[0228]

[0229] Table 5: NFC App Database

[0230] In Table 5, the NFC Service column indicates the service provided by the installed NFC App, the Profile Num column indicates the number of the SIM profile in which the NFC App is installed, the NFC APP name column indicates the name of the NFC App, and the Status column may indicate status information indicating whether the SIM profile in which the NFC App is installed is activated or deactivated.

[0231] When receiving an NFC App ID from an external electronic device through the NFC circuit (210), the communication processor (200) can identify a SIM profile in which an NFC App corresponding to the received NFC App ID is installed based on a database, and control the NFC circuit (210) and the MEP eSIM (600) so that the SIM corresponding to the SIM profile in which the NFC App is installed is connected to the NFC circuit (210) (for example, so that the NFC circuit (210) is connected to a port corresponding to the SIM corresponding to the SIM profile in which the NFC App is installed). For example, when the NFC App ID received from the external electronic device is NFC_B, the communication processor (200) can control the SIM profile 2, not the SIM profile 1, which is the SIM profile connected to the NFC circuit (210) by default, to be connected to the NFC circuit (210).

[0232] In Fig. 7, since only the MEP eSIM (600) is used, the electronic device (101) may not need to include the switch (300) as described with reference to Figs. 3 to 6. In the case of the MEP eSIM (600), not only can a relatively large number of SIM profiles (or eSIM profiles) be installed therein, but at least one NFC App can be installed for each SIM profile. Accordingly, NFC communication can be performed by specifying the port of the SIM profile required for NFC communication among the activated SIM profiles using an interface as shown in Table 6 below.

[0233]

[0234] Table 6: SIM Profile Interface

[0235] Referring to Table 6, an interface related to the single wire protocol (SWP) that can comply with telecommunication standards such as, but not limited to, ESTI (European Telecommunications Standards Institute) 102.221 REL-17 is shown. As shown in Table 6, a signal with the value '00000010' can indicate the allocation (allocate or assign) of an SWP, and a signal with the value '00000011' can indicate the recovery (recover or retrieve) of an SWP.

[0236] If the NFC App that the electronic device (101) wants to use (e.g., the NFC App corresponding to the received NFC App ID) is installed in a deactivated SIM profile, the communication processor (200) may deactivate one of the activated SIM profiles and activate the SIM profile corresponding to the NFC App that the electronic device (101) wants to use. The communication processor (200) may deactivate a SIM profile that is not in a call / data connected state among the activated SIM profiles and activate the SIM profile corresponding to the NFC App that the electronic device (101) wants to use. If the communication processor (200) identifies that the NFC communication corresponding to the NFC App has been terminated, the communication processor (200) may reactivate the deactivated SIM profile and deactivate the SIM profile corresponding to the NFC App. In one embodiment, if there is no limit to the number of SIM profiles activated in the MEP eSIM (600), the communication processor (200) may not perform the operation of reactivating the deactivated SIM profile and deactivating the SIM profile corresponding to the NFC App. For example, in one embodiment, if there is no limit to the number of SIM profiles activated in the MEP eSIM (600), the communication processor (200) may activate a SIM profile corresponding to an NFC App that the electronic device (101) wishes to use without deactivating any of the activated SIM profiles. In such an example, the communication processor (200) may not need to perform an operation of reactivating a SIM profile that was deactivated and deactivating a SIM profile corresponding to an NFC App.

[0237] Referring to FIG. 7, an example is described in which SIM profile 1 and SIM profile 2 of the MEP eSIM (600) are activated and SIM profile 3 of the MEP eSIM (600) is deactivated, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, only one of the SIM profiles of the MEP eSIM (600) may be activated. In this state in which only one of the SIM profiles of the MEP eSIM (600) is activated, when an NFC App ID corresponding to a SIM profile that is not activated (or deactivated) is received, the communication processor (200) may activate the corresponding SIM profile and control the activated SIM profile to be connected to the NFC circuit (210).

[0238] The communication processor (200) may deactivate the activated SIM profile again when it identifies that the NFC communication corresponding to the activated SIM profile has been terminated.

[0239] Referring to FIG. 7, an example has been described in which an NFC App ID received from an external electronic device via an NFC circuit (210) is stored in a database. However, when the communication processor (200) receives an NFC App ID from an external electronic device, it can perform the operation described in FIG. 7 only if the received NFC App ID is stored in the database.

[0240] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, an electronic device (101) may include an NFC circuit (210), at least one processor (e.g., a processor (120) and / or a communication processor (200)) operatively connected to the NFC circuit (210), and a memory (130) storing instructions.

[0241] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the instructions stored in the memory (130), when executed by the at least one processor, may cause the electronic device to receive an NFC application ID from an external electronic device (e.g., electronic device (102) or electronic device (104)) through the NFC circuit.

[0242] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the instructions stored in the memory (130), when executed by the at least one processor, may cause the electronic device (101) to identify a SIM profile corresponding to the NFC application ID among a plurality of SIM profiles.

[0243] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the instructions stored in the memory (130), when executed by the at least one processor, may cause the electronic device (101) to perform NFC communication with the external electronic device based on the identified SIM profile through the NFC circuit (210).

[0244] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the instructions stored in the memory (130), when executed by the at least one processor, may cause the electronic device (101) to identify a SIM profile corresponding to the NFC application ID among the plurality of SIM profiles based on a database including information related to at least one SIM profile on which at least one NFC application is installed.

[0245] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, an NFC application corresponding to the NFC application ID can be installed in the identified SIM profile.

[0246] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the instructions stored in the memory (130), when executed by the at least one processor, may cause the electronic device (101) to identify whether the identified SIM profile is enabled.

[0247] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the instructions stored in the memory (130), when executed by the at least one processor, may cause the electronic device (101) to activate the identified SIM profile based on identifying that the identified SIM profile is deactivated, and to control the electronic device (101) to perform the NFC communication with the external electronic device through the NFC circuit (210) by activating the identified SIM profile.

[0248] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the instructions stored in the memory (130), when executed by the at least one processor, may cause the electronic device (101) to control the identified SIM profile to be deactivated after the NFC communication is performed.

[0249] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the instructions stored in the memory (130), when executed by the at least one processor, may cause the electronic device (101) to identify a SIM profile corresponding to the NFC application ID among the plurality of SIM profiles based on a database including information related to at least one SIM profile on which at least one NFC application is installed.

[0250] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, an NFC application corresponding to the NFC application ID can be installed in the identified SIM profile.

[0251] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the instructions stored in the memory (130), when executed by the at least one processor, may cause the electronic device (101) to control the activation of the identified SIM profile based on identifying that the identified SIM profile is deactivated.

[0252] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the instructions stored in the memory (130), when executed by the at least one processor, may cause the electronic device (101) to perform NFC communication with the external electronic device through the NFC circuit (210) by activating the identified SIM profile.

[0253] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the electronic device (101) may further include a switch (300) operatively connected to the at least one processor.

[0254] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the switch (300) may be configured to connect the NFC circuit (210) with at least one of a first SIM (231), a second SIM (241), or an eSIM (250).

[0255] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the instructions stored in the memory (130), when executed by the at least one processor, may cause the electronic device (101) to identify whether the identified SIM profile is enabled.

[0256] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the instructions stored in the memory (130), when executed by the at least one processor, may cause the electronic device (101) to identify whether a SIM corresponding to the identified SIM profile is connected to the NFC circuit via the switch (300) based on identifying that the identified SIM profile is activated.

[0257] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the instructions stored in the memory (130), when executed by the at least one processor, may cause the electronic device (101) to perform NFC communication with the external electronic device based on the identified SIM profile through the NFC circuit (210) based on identifying that a SIM corresponding to the identified SIM profile is connected to the NFC circuit (210) through the switch (300).

[0258] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the instructions stored in the memory (130), when executed by the at least one processor, may cause the electronic device (101) to connect the SIM corresponding to the identified SIM profile with the NFC circuit (210) through the switch (300) based on identifying that the SIM corresponding to the identified SIM profile is not connected to the NFC circuit (210) through the switch (300).

[0259] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the instructions stored in the memory (130), when executed by the at least one processor, may cause the electronic device (101) to perform NFC communication with the external electronic device based on the identified SIM profile through the NFC circuit (210).

[0260] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the instructions stored in the memory (130), when executed by the at least one processor, may cause the electronic device (101) to activate the identified SIM profile based on identifying that the identified SIM profile is not activated.

[0261] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the instructions stored in the memory (130), when executed by the at least one processor, may cause the electronic device (101) to identify whether a SIM corresponding to the identified SIM profile is connected to the NFC circuit (210) via the switch (300).

[0262] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the instructions stored in the memory (130), when executed by the at least one processor, may cause the electronic device (101) to perform NFC communication with the external electronic device based on the identified SIM profile through the NFC circuit (210) based on identifying that a SIM corresponding to the identified SIM profile is connected to the NFC circuit (210) through the switch (300).

[0263] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the instructions stored in the memory (130), when executed by the at least one processor, may cause the electronic device (101) to connect the SIM corresponding to the identified SIM profile with the NFC circuit (210) through the switch (300) based on identifying that the SIM corresponding to the identified SIM profile is not connected to the NFC circuit (210) through the switch (300).

[0264] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the instructions stored in the memory (130), when executed by the at least one processor, may cause the electronic device (101) to perform NFC communication with the external electronic device based on the identified SIM profile through the NFC circuit (210).

[0265] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the identified SIM profile may be included in a MEP eSIM (600) comprising at least two SIM profiles.

[0266] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, each of the at least two SIM profiles may be assigned a port.

[0267] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the instructions stored in the memory (130), when executed by the at least one processor, may cause the electronic device (101) to identify whether the port corresponding to the identified SIM profile is a port connected to the NFC circuit (210).

[0268] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the instructions stored in the memory (130), when executed by the at least one processor, may cause the electronic device (101) to perform NFC communication with the external electronic device based on the identified SIM profile through the NFC circuit (210) based on identifying that the port corresponding to the identified SIM profile is a port connected to the NFC circuit (210).

[0269] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the instructions stored in the memory (130), when executed by the at least one processor, may cause the electronic device (101) to identify whether the identified SIM profile is enabled based on identifying that the port corresponding to the identified SIM profile is not a port connected to the NFC circuit (210).

[0270] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the instructions stored in the memory (130), when executed by the at least one processor, may cause the electronic device (101) to change the port connected to the NFC circuit (210) to a port corresponding to the identified SIM profile, based on identifying that the identified SIM profile is activated.

[0271] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the instructions stored in the memory (130), when executed by the at least one processor, may cause the electronic device (101) to perform NFC communication with the external electronic device based on the identified SIM profile through the NFC circuit (210).

[0272] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the instructions stored in the memory (130), when executed by the at least one processor, may cause the electronic device (101) to activate the identified SIM profile based on identifying that the identified SIM profile is not activated.

[0273] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the instructions stored in the memory (130), when executed by the at least one processor, may cause the electronic device (101) to change the port connected to the NFC circuit (210) to a port corresponding to the identified SIM profile.

[0274] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the instructions stored in the memory (130), when executed by the at least one processor, may cause the electronic device (101) to perform NFC communication with the external electronic device based on the identified SIM profile through the NFC circuit (210).

[0275] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the instructions stored in the memory (130), when executed by the at least one processor, may cause the electronic device (101) to change the port connected to the NFC circuit (210) from the port corresponding to the identified SIM profile to the port that was previously connected to the NFC circuit (210) based on identifying the termination of the NFC communication.

[0276] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the database may be generated by mapping, for each of the at least one NFC application, a name of the NFC application, a number of a SIM profile in which the NFC application is installed, and status information indicating whether the SIM profile in which the NFC application is installed is activated or deactivated.

[0277] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the database may be generated by mapping, for each of the at least one NFC application, a service provided by the NFC application.

[0278] FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method of operating an electronic device according to one embodiment.

[0279] Referring to FIG. 8, an electronic device and / or at least one processor (e.g., the processor (120) and / or the communication processor (200) of FIGS. 1A to 7) may, in operation 811, receive an NFC App ID from an external electronic device (e.g., the electronic device (102) or the electronic device (104)) via an NFC circuit (e.g., the NFC circuit (210) of FIGS. 2 to 7). In one embodiment, the external electronic device may be, and / or may include, a POS device.

[0280] An electronic device that receives an NFC App ID from an external electronic device can identify a SIM profile corresponding to the NFC App ID among multiple SIM profiles in operation 813.

[0281] In one embodiment, the identified SIM profile may be a SIM profile on which an NFC App is installed. Information related to the SIM profile on which the NFC App is installed may be generated by mapping at least one of the name of the NFC App, the number of the SIM profile on which the NFC App is installed, or status information indicating whether the SIM profile on which the NFC App is installed is activated or deactivated. In one embodiment, information related to the SIM profile on which the NFC App is installed may be generated by mapping at least one of the name of the NFC App, the number of the SIM profile on which the NFC App is installed, or status information indicating whether the SIM profile on which the NFC App is installed is activated or deactivated, as well as a service provided by the NFC App. A database including information related to a SIM profile on which at least one NFC App is installed may be implemented similarly and / or substantially identically to that described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 7, and thus, a repetitive detailed description thereof may be omitted for brevity.

[0282] An electronic device that has identified a SIM profile corresponding to an NFC App ID can perform NFC communication with an external electronic device based on the identified SIM profile through an NFC circuit in operation 815. The operation of performing NFC communication with an external electronic device based on the identified SIM profile through an NFC circuit may be implemented similarly and / or substantially identically to that described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 7, and can be summarized as follows.

[0283] In one embodiment, the electronic device can identify whether the identified SIM profile is activated in operation 815, and based on identifying that the identified SIM profile is activated, perform NFC communication with an external electronic device based on the identified SIM profile through the NFC circuit.

[0284] In one embodiment, the electronic device, based on identifying that the identified SIM profile in operation 815 is inactive, can activate the identified SIM profile and perform NFC communication with an external electronic device based on the activated, identified SIM profile via the NFC circuit.

[0285] In one embodiment, the electronic device may further include a switch (e.g., switch (300) of FIGS. 3 to 6) capable of connecting an NFC circuit to at least one of a first SIM (e.g., first SIM (111) of FIG. 1B or first SIM (231) of FIGS. 2 to 6), a second SIM (e.g., second SIM (112) of FIG. 1B or second SIM (241) of FIGS. 2, 3, or 5), or an eSIM (e.g., eSIM (196) of FIG. 1B or eSIM (250) of FIGS. 2, 4, or 5).

[0286] In one embodiment, the electronic device can identify whether the identified SIM profile in operation 815 is activated, and based on identifying that the identified SIM profile is activated, identify whether a SIM corresponding to the identified SIM profile is connected to the NFC circuit via a switch, and based on identifying that the SIM corresponding to the identified SIM profile is connected to the NFC circuit via the switch, perform NFC communication with an external electronic device based on the identified SIM profile via the NFC circuit.

[0287] In one embodiment, the electronic device can connect the SIM corresponding to the identified SIM profile through the switch and the NFC circuit based on identifying that the SIM corresponding to the identified SIM profile in operation 815 is not connected to the NFC circuit, and can perform NFC communication with the external electronic device through the NFC circuit based on the identified SIM profile.

[0288] In one embodiment, the electronic device can perform NFC communication with an external electronic device based on the identified SIM profile, through the NFC circuitry, based on identifying that the identified SIM profile in operation 815 is not activated, activating the identified SIM profile, identifying whether a SIM corresponding to the identified SIM profile is connected to the NFC circuitry through the switch, and identifying that the SIM corresponding to the identified SIM profile is connected to the NFC circuitry through the switch.

[0289] In one embodiment, the electronic device can connect the SIM corresponding to the identified SIM profile through the switch and the NFC circuit based on identifying that the SIM corresponding to the identified SIM profile in operation 815 is not connected to the NFC circuit, and can perform NFC communication with the external electronic device through the NFC circuit based on the identified SIM profile.

[0290] In one embodiment, the identified SIM profile is included in a MEP eSIM (e.g., MEP eSIM (600) of FIGS. 6-7) that includes at least two SIM profiles, each of which may have a port assigned to it.

[0291] In one embodiment, the electronic device can perform NFC communication with an external electronic device based on the identified SIM profile through the NFC circuit, based on identifying whether the port corresponding to the identified SIM profile in operation 815 is a port connected to the NFC circuit, and identifying that the port corresponding to the identified SIM profile is a port connected to the NFC circuit.

[0292] In one embodiment, the electronic device identifies whether the identified SIM profile is activated based on identifying that the port corresponding to the identified SIM profile in operation 815 is not a port connected to the NFC circuit, and changes the port connected to the NFC circuit to a port corresponding to the identified SIM profile based on identifying that the identified SIM profile is activated, and performs NFC communication with the external electronic device based on the identified SIM profile through the NFC circuit.

[0293] In one embodiment, the electronic device can activate the identified SIM profile based on identifying that the identified SIM profile in operation 815 is not activated, change the port connected to the NFC circuit to a port corresponding to the identified SIM profile, and perform NFC communication with the external electronic device based on the identified SIM profile through the NFC circuit.

[0294] FIG. 9 is a signal flow diagram for explaining an example of a method of operating an electronic device in a wireless communication system according to one embodiment.

[0295] Referring to FIG. 9, an electronic device (e.g., an electronic device (101) of FIGS. 1A to 7) may include at least one of an NFC circuit (210) (e.g., an NFC circuit (210) of FIGS. 2 to 7), a communication processor (200) (e.g., a communication processor (200) of FIGS. 2 to 7), a switch (300) (e.g., a switch (300) of FIGS. 3 to 6), a first SIM (231) (e.g., a first SIM (111) of FIG. 1B, or a first SIM (231) of FIGS. 2 to 6), or an eSIM (e.g., an eSIM (196) of FIG. 1B, or an eSIM (250) of FIGS. 2, 4, or 5).

[0296] It can be assumed that the NFC circuit (210) is connected to the first SIM (231) (or the first SIM profile) by default (operation 911).

[0297] In this state where the NFC circuit (210) is connected to the first SIM (231) by default, the NFC circuit (210) can receive an NFC App ID from an external electronic device (900) (e.g., the electronic device (102) or the electronic device (104) of FIG. 1A). In one embodiment, the external electronic device (900) may be a POS device and / or may include a POS device (operation 913).

[0298] The NFC circuit (210) that receives an NFC App ID from an external electronic device (900) can transmit the received NFC App ID to the communication processor (200) (operation 915).

[0299] The communication processor (200), which has received the NFC App ID from the NFC circuit (210), can confirm (or identify) the SIM profile in which the NFC App corresponding to the NFC App ID is installed, based on a database containing information related to the SIM profile in which at least one NFC App is installed (operation 917). In FIG. 9, it can be assumed that the SIM profile in which the NFC App corresponding to the NFC App ID is installed is a SIM profile corresponding to the eSIM (250).

[0300] In one embodiment, information related to a SIM profile on which an NFC App is installed may be generated by mapping at least one of a name of the NFC App, a number of the SIM profile on which the NFC App is installed, or status information indicating whether the SIM profile on which the NFC App is installed is activated or deactivated. In one embodiment, information related to a SIM profile on which an NFC App is installed may be generated by mapping at least one of a name of the NFC App, a number of the SIM profile on which the NFC App is installed, or status information indicating whether the SIM profile on which the NFC App is installed is activated or deactivated, as well as a service provided by the NFC App. A database including information related to a SIM profile on which at least one NFC App is installed may be implemented similarly and / or substantially identically to that described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 7, and thus, for the sake of brevity, a repeated detailed description thereof may be omitted.

[0301] The communication processor (200), which has identified a SIM profile in which an NFC App corresponding to an NFC App ID is installed, can perform NFC communication with an external electronic device based on the identified SIM profile through the NFC circuit (210) (operation 919). In FIG. 9, it is assumed that the SIM profile in which the NFC App corresponding to the NFC App ID is installed is a SIM profile corresponding to an eSIM (250). Therefore, the communication processor (200) can connect the NFC circuit (210) and the eSIM (250) through a switch (e.g., the switch (300) of FIGS. 3 to 6), and thus NFC communication can be performed based on the SIM profile corresponding to the eSIM (250). The operation of performing NFC communication with an external electronic device based on the identified SIM profile through the NFC circuit is similar to and / or can be implemented substantially identically to that described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 8, and thus, a repeated detailed description thereof may be omitted for the sake of brevity.

[0302] FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method of operating an electronic device according to one embodiment.

[0303] Referring to FIG. 10, an electronic device (e.g., an electronic device (101) of FIGS. 1A to 7) and / or at least one processor (e.g., a processor (120) of FIGS. 1A to 7, and / or a communication processor (200) of FIGS. 1A to 7) may, in operation 1011, receive an NFC App ID from an external electronic device (e.g., an electronic device (102) of FIG. 1A or an electronic device (104) of FIG. 1A) via an NFC circuit (e.g., an NFC circuit (210) of FIGS. 2 to 7). In one embodiment, the external electronic device may be, and / or may include, a POS device.

[0304] An electronic device that receives an NFC App ID from an external electronic device can, in operation 1013, identify whether the received NFC App ID is included in a database. In one embodiment, the database may include information related to a SIM profile in which an NFC App is installed. The database including information related to a SIM profile in which at least one NFC App is installed may be implemented similarly and / or substantially identically to that described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 7, and thus, for the sake of brevity, a repetitive detailed description thereof may be omitted.

[0305] If the identification result in action 1013 indicates that the received NFC App ID is not included in the database (action 1013-No), the electronic device may terminate without performing any further actions.

[0306] In operation 1013, if the identification result shows that the received NFC App ID is included in the database (operation 1013-Yes), the electronic device can identify in operation 1015 whether the SIM corresponding to the received NFC App ID is a SIM that is connected by default to the NFC circuit.

[0307] In operation 1015, if the SIM corresponding to the received NFC App ID is a SIM that is connected to the NFC circuit by default (operation 1015-Yes), the electronic device can perform NFC communication with the external electronic device based on the SIM profile corresponding to the SIM corresponding to the received NFC App ID without performing a separate port change operation in operation 1017. If the SIM corresponding to the NFC App ID is a SIM that is connected to the NFC circuit by default, the operation of performing NFC communication with the external electronic device based on the SIM profile corresponding to the SIM corresponding to the received NFC App ID is similar to and / or can be implemented substantially identically to that described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 8, and thus, for the sake of brevity, a repeated detailed description thereof may be omitted.

[0308] If, as a result of the identification in operation 1015, the SIM corresponding to the received NFC App ID is not a SIM that is connected by default with the NFC circuit (operation 1015-No), the electronic device can identify whether the SIM corresponding to the received NFC App ID is activated in operation 1019.

[0309] If the identification result in operation 1019 indicates that the SIM corresponding to the received NFC App ID is activated (operation 1019 - Yes), the electronic device may change the port connected to the NFC circuit to the port of the SIM corresponding to the received NFC App ID in operation 1021. The electronic device that has changed the port connected to the NFC circuit to the port of the SIM corresponding to the received NFC App ID may proceed to operation 1017.

[0310] If the identification result in operation 1019 indicates that the SIM corresponding to the received NFC App ID is not activated (operation 1019-No), the electronic device may activate the SIM corresponding to the received NFC App ID in operation 1023 and proceed to operation 1021.

[0311] If the SIM corresponding to the NFC App ID is not the SIM that is connected to the NFC circuit by default, the operation of performing NFC communication with an external electronic device based on the SIM profile corresponding to the SIM corresponding to the received NFC App ID may be implemented similarly and / or substantially identically to that described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 8, and thus, a repeated detailed description thereof may be omitted for brevity.

[0312] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the method may include receiving an NFC application ID from an external electronic device (e.g., electronic device (102) or electronic device (104)).

[0313] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the method may include an operation of identifying a SIM profile corresponding to the NFC application ID among a plurality of SIM profiles.

[0314] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the method may include an operation of performing NFC communication with the external electronic device based on the identified SIM profile.

[0315] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the operation of identifying a SIM profile corresponding to the NFC application ID among the plurality of SIM profiles may include an operation of identifying the SIM profile corresponding to the NFC application ID among the plurality of SIM profiles based on a database including information related to at least one SIM profile on which at least one NFC application is installed.

[0316] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, an NFC application corresponding to the NFC application ID can be installed in the identified SIM profile.

[0317] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the operation of performing NFC communication with the external electronic device based on the identified SIM profile may include an operation of identifying whether the identified SIM profile is enabled.

[0318] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the operation of performing NFC communication with the external electronic device based on the identified SIM profile may include an operation of activating the identified SIM profile based on identifying that the identified SIM profile is deactivated, and performing the NFC communication with the external electronic device by activating the identified SIM profile.

[0319] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the operation of performing NFC communication with the external electronic device based on the identified SIM profile may include an operation of deactivating the identified SIM profile after the NFC communication is performed. According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the operation of performing NFC communication with the external electronic device based on the identified SIM profile may include an operation of activating the identified SIM profile based on identifying that the identified SIM profile is deactivated.

[0320] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the operation of performing NFC communication with the external electronic device based on the identified SIM profile may include the operation of performing NFC communication with the external electronic device by activating the identified SIM profile.

[0321] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the operation of performing NFC communication with the external electronic device based on the identified SIM profile may include an operation of identifying whether the identified SIM profile is enabled.

[0322] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the operation of performing NFC communication with the external electronic device based on the identified SIM profile may include an operation of identifying whether a SIM corresponding to the identified SIM profile is connected to the NFC circuit (210) through the switch (300) based on identifying that the identified SIM profile is activated.

[0323] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the operation of performing NFC communication with the external electronic device based on the identified SIM profile may include an operation of performing NFC communication with the external electronic device based on the identified SIM profile, based on identifying that a SIM corresponding to the identified SIM profile is connected to the NFC circuit (210) through the switch (300).

[0324] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the switch (300) can connect the NFC circuit (210) to at least one of a first SIM, a second SIM, or an eSIM.

[0325] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the database may be generated by mapping, for each of the at least one NFC application, a name of the NFC application, a number of a SIM profile in which the NFC application is installed, and status information indicating whether the SIM profile in which the NFC application is installed is activated or deactivated.

[0326] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a storage medium storing at least one computer-readable instruction may be provided.

[0327] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, at least one instruction, when executed by at least one processor of an electronic device (101) (e.g., processor (120) and / or communication processor (200) of FIGS. 1A to 7), may cause the electronic device to perform at least one operation.

[0328] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least one operation may include receiving an NFC application ID from an external electronic device (102; 104).

[0329] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least one operation may include an operation of identifying a SIM profile corresponding to the NFC application ID among a plurality of SIM profiles.

[0330] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least one operation may include performing NFC communication with the external electronic device based on the identified SIM profile.

[0331] While the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. In an electronic device (101), Near field communication (NFC) circuit (210); At least one processor (120; 200) operatively connected to said NFC circuit; and Includes a memory (130) for storing instructions, The instructions stored in the above memory, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the electronic device to: Through the above NFC circuit, an NFC application identifier (ID) is received from an external electronic device (102; 104), Identifying a SIM profile corresponding to the NFC application ID among multiple subscriber identity module (SIM) profiles, and An electronic device that causes NFC communication with the external electronic device based on the identified SIM profile through the NFC circuit.

2. In paragraph 1, The instructions stored in the above memory, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the electronic device to: Further causing to identify a SIM profile corresponding to the NFC application ID among the plurality of SIM profiles based on a database containing information related to at least one SIM profile having at least one NFC application installed, and An electronic device wherein an NFC application corresponding to the above NFC application ID is installed in the above identified SIM profile.

3. In paragraph 1 or 2, The instructions stored in the above memory, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the electronic device to: Identify whether the identified SIM profile above is enabled, and An electronic device further causing the identified SIM profile to be activated based on identifying that the identified SIM profile is deactivated, performing NFC communication with the external electronic device through the NFC circuit, and deactivating the identified SIM profile based on completion of the NFC communication.

4. In paragraph 1 or 2, The instructions stored in the above memory, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the electronic device to: Based on identifying that the identified SIM profile is disabled, activating the identified SIM profile, and The electronic device further causes the NFC communication with the external electronic device through the NFC circuit by activating the identified SIM profile.

5. In paragraph 1 or 2, Further comprising a switch (300) operatively connected to at least one processor; The instructions stored in the above memory, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the electronic device to: Identify whether the identified SIM profile above is enabled, Based on identifying that the identified SIM profile is activated, identifying whether a SIM corresponding to the identified SIM profile is connected to the NFC circuit via the switch, and Based on identifying that a SIM corresponding to the identified SIM profile is connected to the NFC circuit through the switch, further causing NFC communication to be performed with the external electronic device based on the identified SIM profile through the NFC circuit, The electronic device wherein the switch is configured to connect the NFC circuit to at least two of the first SIM, the second SIM, or an embedded subscriber identity module (eSIM).

6. In paragraph 5, The instructions stored in the above memory, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the electronic device to: Connecting the SIM corresponding to the identified SIM profile and the NFC circuit through the switch based on identifying that the SIM corresponding to the identified SIM profile is not connected to the NFC circuit through the switch, and The electronic device further causes the NFC communication to be performed with the external electronic device based on the identified SIM profile through the NFC circuit.

7. In paragraph 5, The instructions stored in the above memory, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the electronic device to: Based on identifying that the identified SIM profile is not activated, activating the identified SIM profile, Identifying whether a SIM corresponding to the identified SIM profile is connected to the NFC circuit via the switch, and The electronic device further causes the NFC circuit to perform NFC communication with the external electronic device based on the identified SIM profile, based on identifying that a SIM corresponding to the identified SIM profile is connected to the NFC circuit through the switch.

8. In paragraph 7, The instructions stored in the above memory, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the electronic device to: Connecting the SIM corresponding to the identified SIM profile and the NFC circuit through the switch based on identifying that the SIM corresponding to the identified SIM profile is not connected to the NFC circuit through the switch, and The electronic device further causes the NFC communication to be performed with the external electronic device based on the identified SIM profile through the NFC circuit.

9. In paragraph 1 or 2, The above identified SIM profile is included in a MEP (multiple enabled profile) eSIM (600) containing at least two SIM profiles, Each of the above at least two SIM profiles is assigned a port, and The instructions stored in the above memory, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the electronic device to: Identifying whether the port corresponding to the identified SIM profile is a port connected to the NFC circuit, and An electronic device further causing the external electronic device to perform NFC communication based on the identified SIM profile through the NFC circuit, based on identifying that a port corresponding to the identified SIM profile is connected to the NFC circuit.

10. In paragraph 9, The instructions stored in the above memory, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the electronic device to: Identifying whether the identified SIM profile is enabled based on identifying that a port corresponding to the identified SIM profile is not connected to the NFC circuit; Based on identifying that the identified SIM profile is activated, changing the port connected to the NFC circuit to another port corresponding to the identified SIM profile, and The electronic device further causes the NFC communication to be performed with the external electronic device based on the identified SIM profile through the NFC circuit.

11. In paragraph 10, The instructions stored in the above memory, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the electronic device to: Based on identifying that the identified SIM profile is not activated, activating the identified SIM profile, Change the port connected to the above NFC circuit to the corresponding port corresponding to the identified SIM profile, and The electronic device further causes the NFC communication to be performed with the external electronic device based on the identified SIM profile through the NFC circuit.

12. In clause 10 or 11, The instructions stored in the above memory, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the electronic device to: The electronic device further causes the port connected to the NFC circuit to be changed from the port corresponding to the identified SIM profile to another port that was previously connected to the NFC circuit prior to the port corresponding to the identified SIM profile, based on identifying the termination of the NFC communication.

13. In paragraph 2, The instructions stored in the above memory, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the electronic device to: For each of the above at least one NFC application, The electronic device further causes the database to be created by mapping the name of the NFC application, identification information of the SIM profile on which the NFC application is installed, and status information indicating whether the SIM profile on which the NFC application is installed is activated or deactivated.

14. In paragraph 13, The instructions stored in the above memory, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the electronic device to: For each of the above at least one NFC application, Said electronic device further causes said database to be created by mapping the services provided by said NFC application.

15. In the method, An action of receiving a near field communication (NFC) application identifier (ID) from an external electronic device (102; 104); An operation of identifying a SIM profile corresponding to the NFC application ID among multiple subscriber identity module (SIM) profiles; and A method comprising performing NFC communication with the external electronic device based on the identified SIM profile.

Images