Electronic device for identifying intermittent failure of subscriber identity module and operating method of electronic device

Abstract

Disclosed are a device and a method, wherein the device is configured to: perform registration to a cellular network on the basis of identification information stored in a subscriber identity module; after the registration to the cellular network is completed, transmit a signal to the subscriber identity module; when a response signal corresponding to the signal is not received from the subscriber identity module, perform a recovery operation for the subscriber identity module; when a response signal is not received after the recovery operation is performed, identify whether the identification information satisfies a designated condition; and output information based on the identification information, on the basis that the identification information satisfies the designated condition.

Description

Electronic device for detecting intermittent failure of subscriber identification module and method of operating electronic device

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic device and a method of operating an electronic device, and more particularly to an electronic device for checking intermittent failure of a subscriber identification module.

[0002] Various electronic devices, such as smart phones, tablet PCs, portable multimedia players (PMPs), personal digital assistants (PDAs), laptop personal computers, and wearable devices, are becoming widespread.

[0003] An electronic device can perform cellular communications and, to perform cellular communications, can register with a cellular network. As part of the registration process with the cellular network, the electronic device can perform an authentication procedure with the cellular network. The authentication procedure may refer to a procedure that verifies that the electronic device is an authorized electronic device capable of performing services provided by the cellular network. The electronic device may utilize a subscriber identification module (SIM) inserted into or connected to the electronic device to perform the authentication.

[0004] An electronic device can obtain identification information stored in a subscriber identity module and transmit the identification information to a cellular network or a core network included in the cellular network. The cellular network can perform an authentication procedure by receiving the identification information transmitted by the electronic device and verifying whether the received identification information matches the identification information stored in the cellular network. If the identification information stored in the cellular network matches the identification information transmitted by the electronic device, the cellular network can complete the authentication of the electronic device. After the authentication is completed, the electronic device can perform cellular communication provided by the cellular network.

[0005] A subscriber identification module (SIM) can malfunction for a variety of reasons. For example, a defective SIM may fail to transmit identification information stored in the SIM to an electronic device when the electronic device requests it. If the electronic device fails to receive (or verify) the identification information stored in the SIM, the device may be unable to perform the registration process with the cellular network. If the SIM fails to perform the registration process with the cellular network, the device may be unable to perform cellular communication.

[0006] Alternatively, the electronic device may receive incorrect identification information from the subscriber identification module and, upon transmitting the incorrect identification information to the cellular network, may receive information from the cellular network indicating that authentication has failed.

[0007] If the electronic device fails to perform a registration procedure with the cellular network due to failure to receive identification information from the subscriber identification module or receiving incorrect identification information, the electronic device may determine that the subscriber identification module has not been recognized and may output information indicating that the subscriber identification module has not been recognized in various ways.

[0008] However, among the subscriber identification modules that have experienced failures, there may be some that exhibit intermittent failure symptoms. For example, a subscriber identification module may operate normally when an electronic device attempts to register with a cellular network, but may fail after the electronic device has completed registration with the cellular network.

[0009] When an electronic device performs normal operations while attempting to register with a cellular network, but an intermittent malfunction occurs after the electronic device (100) has completed registration with the cellular network, it may be difficult to determine whether the subscriber identification module is defective using the method described above. The method described above is implemented by comparing identification information transmitted to the cellular network when the electronic device attempts to register with the cellular network with identification information stored in the cellular network, and since the cellular network does not compare identification information after the electronic device has registered on the cellular network, it may be difficult to determine whether the subscriber identification module is defective.

[0010] Users of electronic devices may find it difficult to determine the cause of their devices' inability to perform cellular communications. In such cases, users may attempt to resolve the issue by visiting a service center operated by the device's manufacturer. However, since a defect in the subscriber identity module can be resolved by a service center operated by the cellular network operator, not by the device manufacturer, users may experience inconvenience by visiting a service center operated by the device's manufacturer.

[0011] The technical problems to be achieved in this document are not limited to the technical problems mentioned above, and other technical problems not mentioned can be clearly understood by a person having ordinary skill in the technical field to which the present invention belongs from the description below.

[0012] An electronic device according to an example may include a communication circuit. The electronic device may include a memory storing at least one computer program. The electronic device may include at least one processor. The at least one computer program may include instructions that, when the at least one processor is individually or collectively executed, cause the electronic device to perform registration with a cellular network based on identification information stored in a subscriber identity module inserted into a SIM tray. The at least one computer program may include instructions that, when the at least one processor is individually or collectively executed, cause the electronic device to transmit a signal to the subscriber identity module after completing registration with the cellular network. The at least one computer program may include instructions that, when the at least one processor is individually or collectively executed, cause the electronic device to perform a recovery operation of switching the subscriber identity module from an activated state to a deactivated state and then switching the subscriber identity module from the deactivated state back to the activated state if the electronic device does not receive a response signal corresponding to the signal from the subscriber identity module. The at least one computer program may include instructions that, when the at least one processor is executed individually or collectively, cause the electronic device to determine whether the identification information satisfies a specified condition if the response signal is not received after performing the recovery operation. The at least one computer program may include instructions that, when the at least one processor is executed individually or collectively, cause the electronic device to output information based on the identification information based on whether the identification information satisfies the specified condition.

[0013] A recording medium storing at least one program including instructions that, when individually or collectively executed by at least one processor of an electronic device, cause the electronic device to perform operations, wherein the instructions, when individually or collectively executed by the at least one processor, may cause the electronic device to perform registration with a cellular network based on identification information stored in a subscriber identification module inserted into a SIM tray of the electronic device. The instructions, when individually or collectively executed by the at least one processor, may cause the electronic device to transmit a signal to the subscriber identification module after completing registration with the cellular network. The instructions, when individually or collectively executed by the at least one processor, may cause the electronic device to perform a recovery operation of switching the subscriber identification module from an activated state to a deactivated state and then switching the subscriber identification module back to the activated state if the electronic device does not receive a response signal corresponding to the signal from the subscriber identification module. The instructions, when executed by the at least one processor individually or collectively, may cause the electronic device to determine whether the identification information satisfies a specified condition if the response signal is not received after performing the recovery operation. The instructions, when executed by the at least one processor individually or collectively, may cause the electronic device to output information based on the identification information based on whether the identification information satisfies the specified condition.

[0014] According to an example, a method of operating an electronic device may include an operation of performing registration with a cellular network based on identification information stored in a subscriber identification module inserted into a SIM tray of the electronic device. The method of operating the electronic device may include an operation of transmitting a signal to the subscriber identification module after completing registration with the cellular network. The method of operating the electronic device may include an operation of performing a recovery operation of switching the subscriber identification module from an activated state to a deactivated state and then switching the subscriber identification module back to the activated state if a response signal corresponding to the signal is not received from the subscriber identification module. The method of operating the electronic device may include an operation of determining whether the identification information satisfies a specified condition if the response signal is not received after performing the recovery operation. The method of operating the electronic device may include an operation of outputting information based on the identification information based on whether the identification information satisfies a specified condition.

[0015] According to one embodiment, an electronic device and an operating method of the electronic device may transmit a signal to a subscriber identification module (SIM) after the electronic device is registered with a cellular network. If the electronic device does not receive a response signal corresponding to the signal from the subscriber identification module, the electronic device may perform a recovery operation of the SIM. If the electronic device does not receive a response signal corresponding to the signal from the subscriber identification module after the recovery operation, the electronic device may output information related to the identification information of the subscriber identification module based on whether the identification information of the subscriber identification module satisfies a specified condition. Based on whether the response signal is received, the electronic device may identify a SIM that exhibits intermittent malfunction symptoms after being registered with the cellular network, and may provide the user with information suggesting replacement of the SIM. Accordingly, the electronic device may guide the user of the electronic device to accurately identify the cause of the electronic device's inability to perform cellular communication (e.g., the occurrence of intermittent malfunction symptoms of the SIM) and guide the user to resolve the cause of the inability to perform cellular communication (e.g., replacement of the SIM) without visiting a service center operated by the manufacturer.

[0016] The effects that can be obtained from the present invention are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned can be clearly understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure pertains from the description below.

[0017] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electronic device according to one embodiment.

[0018] Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating a program according to one embodiment.

[0019] FIG. 3 is a drawing illustrating a screen output when an electronic device according to one embodiment fails to register with a cellular network using identification information stored in a subscriber identification module.

[0020] Figure 4 is a block diagram of an electronic device according to one embodiment.

[0021] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of an electronic device according to one embodiment outputting information based on identification information stored in a subscriber identification module.

[0022] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation method of an electronic device according to one embodiment.

[0023] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary electronic device (100) capable of performing the operations described in this document.

[0024] Referring to FIG. 1, the electronic device (100) may be one of various forms of electronic devices, such as a notebook (190), smartphones (191) having various form factors (e.g., a bar-type smartphone (191-1), a foldable-type smartphone (191-2), or a sliderable (or rollable) type smartphone (191-3)), a tablet (192), a cellular phone (not shown), and other similar computing devices (not shown). The components, their relationships, and their functions illustrated in FIG. 1 are exemplary only and do not limit the implementations described or claimed in this document. The electronic device (100) may be referred to as a mobile device, a user device, a multi-function device, a portable device, or a server.

[0025] The electronic device (100) may include components including at least one processor (110) (hereinafter, referred to as processor (110)), at least one memory (120) (hereinafter, referred to as memory (120)), at least one display (140) (hereinafter, referred to as display (140)), at least one image sensor (150) (hereinafter, referred to as image sensor (150)), at least one communication circuit (160) (hereinafter, referred to as communication circuit (160)), and / or at least one sensor (170) (hereinafter, referred to as sensor (170)). The above components are merely exemplary. For example, the electronic device (100) may include other components (e.g., power management integrated circuitry (PMIC), audio processing circuitry, an antenna, a rechargeable battery, or an input / output interface). For example, some components may be omitted from the electronic device (100). For example, some components may be integrated into one component.

[0026] The processor (110) may be implemented as one or more IC (integrated circuit (or circuitry)) chips and may perform various data processing. The processor (110) may include at least one electrical circuit and may individually or collectively perform distributed processing of instructions (or programs, data, etc.) stored in the memory (120). The processor (110) may include a processor assembly including one or more processing circuits. The processor (110) may include any processing circuit operative to control the performance and operations of one or more components (e.g., the memory (120), the display (140), the image sensor (150), the communication circuit (160), and / or the sensor (170)) of the electronic device (100). For example, the processor (110) (e.g., the application processor (AP)) may be implemented as a system on chip (SoC) (e.g., a single chip or a chipset). For example, the processor (110) may be implemented with multiple cores (or at least one core circuit), multiple chips, or multiple chipsets. For example, the processor (110) may include one or more processing circuits. For example, the processor (110) may include one or more processing circuits configured to individually and / or collectively perform various functions of the present disclosure. As a non-limiting example, at least a portion of the processor (110) may be included in a first chip of the electronic device (100), and at least another portion of the processor (110) may be included in a second chip of the electronic device (100) that is different from the first chip of the electronic device (100).

[0027] For example, the processor (110) may include a central processing unit (CPU) (111), a graphics processing unit (GPU) (112), a neural processing unit (NPU) (113), an image signal processor (ISP) (114), a display controller (115), a memory controller (116), a storage controller (117), a communication processor (CP) (118), and / or a sensor interface (119). These components of the processor (110) are merely exemplary. For example, one processor (110) may further include other components. For example, some components of the processor (110) may be omitted from one processor (110). For example, some components of the processor (110) may be included as separate components of the electronic device (100) outside of one processor (110). For example, some components of the processor (110) (e.g., memory controller (116)) may be included within other components (e.g., at least a portion of memory (120), an interface (e.g., available for connection to at least one component of the electronic device (100)), a display (140) and / or an image sensor (150)).

[0028] The processor (110) may cause other components of the electronic device (100) to perform various operations by executing instructions stored in the memory (120). The CPU (111) (or central processing circuit) may be configured to control components of the processor (110) based on the execution of instructions stored in the memory (120) (e.g., volatile memory (121) and / or non-volatile memory (122)). The GPU (112) (or graphics processing circuit) may be configured to execute parallel operations (e.g., rendering). The NPU (113) (or neural processing circuit, or artificial intelligence (AI) chip) may be configured to execute operations for an artificial intelligence model (e.g., convolution computation). The ISP (114) (or image signal processing circuit) may be configured to process a raw image acquired through the image sensor (150) into a format suitable for a component within the electronic device (100) or a component of the processor (110). The display controller (115) (or display control circuit, or display processing unit (DPU)) may be configured to process an image acquired from the CPU (111), the GPU (112), the ISP (114), or the memory (120) (e.g., the volatile memory (121)) into a format suitable for the display (140). The memory controller (116) (or memory control circuit) may be configured to control reading data from the volatile memory (121) and writing data to the volatile memory (121). The storage controller (117) (or storage control circuit) may be configured to control reading data from the nonvolatile memory (122) and writing data to the nonvolatile memory (122).The CP (118) (communication processing circuit) may be configured to process data acquired from a component of the processor (110) into a format suitable for transmission to another electronic device via the communication circuit (160), or to process data acquired from another electronic device via the communication circuit (160) into a format suitable for processing by the component of the processor (110). For example, the communication circuit (160) may include one or more communication circuits. The sensor interface (119) (or sensing data processing circuit, sensor hub) may be configured to process data about the state of the electronic device (100) and / or the state of the surroundings of the electronic device (100), acquired via the sensor (170), into a format suitable for the component of the processor (110).

[0029] The memory (120) may include one or more storage media (or one or more storage devices). For example, the memory (120) may include a memory assembly including one or more storage media. For example, the one or more storage media may include permanent memory (e.g., non-volatile memory (122)) such as a hard drive, flash memory, read-only memory (ROM), semi-permanent memory (e.g., volatile memory (121)) such as random access memory (RAM), any other suitable type of storage (or storage assembly), or any combination thereof. The memory (120) may include cache memory, which is one or more different types of memory used to temporarily store data for a function or feature of the electronic device (100). As a non-limiting example, the cache memory may be included within the processor (110). The memory (120) may be fixedly embedded within the electronic device (100) or incorporated into one or more suitable types of components (e.g., a subscriber identity module (SIM) card and / or a secure digital (SD) card) that may be repeatedly inserted into and removed from the electronic device (100).

[0030] For example, the memory (120) may store one or more software applications, such as an operating system (or system) software application, a firmware software application, a driver software application, a plug-in (e.g., add-in, add-on, and / or applet) software application, and / or any other suitable software applications. For example, the one or more software applications may include instructions executable by the processor (110). For example, the memory (120) may store instructions callable by an application programming interface (API). For example, the memory (120) may store instructions within a library.

[0031] FIG. 2 is a block diagram (200) illustrating a program (140) according to various embodiments. According to one embodiment, the program (140) may include an operating system (142), middleware (144), or an application (146) executable in the operating system (142) for controlling one or more resources of the electronic device (101). The operating system (142) may include, for example, Android™, iOS™, Windows™, Symbian™, Tizen™, or Bada™. At least some of the programs (140) may be preloaded in the electronic device (101), for example, during manufacturing, or may be downloaded or updated from an external electronic device (e.g., the electronic device (102 or 104), or a server (108)) when used by a user.

[0032] The operating system (142) may control the management (e.g., allocation or recovery) of one or more system resources (e.g., processes, memory, or power) of the electronic device (101). The operating system (142) may additionally or alternatively include one or more driver programs for driving other hardware devices of the electronic device (101), for example, an input device (150), an audio output device (155), a display device (160), an audio module (170), a sensor module (176), an interface (177), 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).

[0033] Middleware (144) can provide various functions to the application (146) so that functions or information provided from one or more resources of the electronic device (101) can be used by the application (146). Middleware (144) can include, for example, an application manager (201), a window manager (203), a multimedia manager (205), a resource manager (207), a power manager (209), a database manager (211), a package manager (213), a connectivity manager (215), a notification manager (217), a location manager (219), a graphics manager (221), a security manager (223), a call manager (225), or a voice recognition manager (227).

[0034] The application manager (201) can manage, for example, the life cycle of the application (146). The window manager (203) can manage, for example, one or more GUI resources used on the screen. The multimedia manager (205) can, for example, identify one or more formats required for playing media files, and perform encoding or decoding of a corresponding media file among the media files using a codec suitable for the corresponding format selected among the formats. The resource manager (207) can manage, for example, the source code of the application (146) or the memory space of the memory (130). The power manager (209) can manage, for example, the capacity, temperature, or power of the battery (189), and determine or provide related information necessary for the operation of the electronic device (101) using the corresponding information. According to one embodiment, the power manager (209) can be linked with the basic input / output system (BIOS) (not shown) of the electronic device (101).

[0035] The database manager (211) can, for example, create, search, or modify a database to be used by the application (146). The package manager (213) can, for example, manage the installation or update of an application distributed in the form of a package file. The connectivity manager (215) can, for example, manage a wireless connection or direct connection between the electronic device (101) and an external electronic device. The notification manager (217) can, for example, provide a function for notifying a user of the occurrence of a specified event (e.g., an incoming call, a message, or an alarm). The location manager (219) can, for example, manage location information of the electronic device (101). The graphics manager (221) can, for example, manage one or more graphic effects to be provided to the user or a user interface related thereto.

[0036] The security manager (223) may provide, for example, system security or user authentication. The telephony manager (225) may manage, for example, a voice call function or a video call function provided by the electronic device (101). The voice recognition manager (227) may, for example, transmit the user's voice data to the server (108) and receive, from the server (108), a command corresponding to a function to be performed in the electronic device (101) based at least in part on the voice data, or text data converted based at least in part on the voice data. In one embodiment, the middleware (244) may dynamically delete some of the existing components or add new components. In one embodiment, at least a portion of the middleware (144) may be included as a part of the operating system (142) or implemented as separate software different from the operating system (142).

[0037] The application (146) may include, for example, a home (251), a dialer (253), an SMS / MMS (255), an instant message (IM) (257), a browser (259), a camera (261), an alarm (263), a contact (265), a voice recognition (267), an email (269), a calendar (271), a media player (273), an album (275), a watch (277), a health (279) (e.g., measuring biometric information such as the amount of exercise or blood sugar), or an environmental information (281) (e.g., measuring barometric pressure, humidity, or temperature information) application. According to one embodiment, the application (146) may further include an information exchange application (not shown) that can support information exchange between the electronic device (101) and an external electronic device. The information exchange application may include, for example, a notification relay application configured to transmit designated information (e.g., a call, a message, or an alarm) to an external electronic device, or a device management application configured to manage an external electronic device. The notification relay application may, for example, transmit notification information corresponding to a designated event (e.g., receipt of an email) that occurred in another application (e.g., an email application (269)) of the electronic device (101) to the external electronic device. Additionally or alternatively, the notification relay application may receive notification information from the external electronic device and provide the information to the user of the electronic device (101).

[0038] The device management application may control, for example, the power (e.g., turning on or off) or the function (e.g., brightness, resolution, or focus of the display device (160) or the camera module (180)) of an external electronic device or a component thereof (e.g., a display device (160) or a camera module (180)) that communicates with the electronic device (101). The device management application may additionally or alternatively support the installation, deletion, or update of an application running on the external electronic device.

[0039] FIG. 3 is a drawing illustrating a screen output when an electronic device according to one embodiment fails to register with a cellular network using identification information stored in a subscriber identification module.

[0040] An electronic device (e.g., the electronic device (100) of FIG. 1) can be connected to a cellular network and perform cellular communication provided by the cellular network. The electronic device (100) can transmit data to an external electronic device (not shown) and / or receive data transmitted by the external electronic device via cellular communication.

[0041] An electronic device (100) may perform a registration procedure with a cellular network in order to perform cellular communication. In order to register with the cellular network, the electronic device (100) may perform an initial attach to a node (or base station, cell) included in the cellular network. The electronic device (100) may perform an authentication procedure with the cellular network through the node that performed the initial attach. The cellular network may determine whether the electronic device (100) is an electronic device that has joined (or subscribed to) the cellular network, and if the electronic device (100) is an electronic device that has joined the cellular network, it may determine that authentication of the electronic device (100) is successful. Authentication of the electronic device (100) may be performed by a core network included in the cellular network. In one example, among a plurality of entities included in the core network, an access and mobility management function (AMF) or an authentication server function (AUSF) may perform authentication of the electronic device (100).

[0042] The electronic device (100) may receive identification information stored (or included) in a subscriber identity module (SIM) (e.g., a physical SIM, pSIM) inserted into a SIM tray of the electronic device (100) or a subscriber identity module (e.g., an embedded SIM, eSIM) embedded (or implemented) within the electronic device (100) to perform authentication with the cellular network as part of a registration procedure for the cellular network, from the subscriber identity module, and transmit the identification information to the cellular network.

[0043] A subscriber identity module (SIM) is a smart card inserted into a mobile terminal. It stores a mobile subscriber's network access authentication information, phone book, and personal information such as SMS, and performs subscriber authentication and traffic security key generation when connecting to a mobile communication network such as GSM, WCDMA, or LTE, thereby enabling secure mobile communication use. Depending on the type of mobile communication network to which the subscriber is connected, the subscriber identity module may be equipped with a communication application of a SIM (Subscriber Identification Module), a USIM (Universal SIM), or an ISIM (IP Multimedia SIM). In addition, it may provide a high-level security function for installing various application programs such as electronic wallets, ticketing, and electronic passports. The subscriber identity module may include a profile. A profile may refer to an application, a file system, or values ​​used for authentication stored in the subscriber identity module packaged in software form. The profile may be set differently for each user subscribed to a cellular network, and the electronic device (100) may perform authentication with the cellular network based on the profile.

[0044] The identification information stored in the subscriber identification module may refer to various pieces of information that can distinguish the subscriber identification module from other subscriber identification modules. Alternatively, the identification information stored in the subscriber identification module may refer to various pieces of information that can distinguish the electronic device (100) into which the subscriber identification module is inserted from other electronic devices. In one example, the identification information stored in the subscriber identification module may include at least one of an international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI), a mobile station integrated system digital network (MSISDN), and an integrated circuit card identification (ICCDN).

[0045] The cellular network can receive the identification information transmitted by the electronic device (100) and determine whether the identification information stored in the cellular network matches the identification information transmitted by the electronic device (100). Based on whether the identification information stored in the cellular network matches the identification information transmitted by the electronic device (100), the cellular network can complete authentication of the electronic device (100) and / or register the electronic device (100) on the cellular network. The registration of the electronic device (100) on the cellular network may refer to the electronic device (100) being able to perform a service (e.g., cellular communication) provided by the cellular network.

[0046] In one example, a subscriber identification module may malfunction due to various causes. In one example, a defective subscriber identification module may not be able to transmit identification information to an electronic device (100) when the electronic device (100) requests identification information stored in the subscriber identification module. If the electronic device (100) fails to receive (or confirm) the identification information stored in the subscriber identification module, the electronic device (100) may not be able to perform a registration procedure with a cellular network, and if the registration procedure with the cellular network is not performed, the cellular communication may not be performed. In one example, a defective subscriber identification module may transmit incorrect identification information to the electronic device (100) when the electronic device (100) requests identification information stored in the subscriber identification module. If the electronic device (100) performs a registration procedure with a cellular network based on incorrect identification information, the registration procedure may not be performed smoothly, and the cellular communication may not be performed.

[0047] If the electronic device (100) fails to perform a registration procedure with a cellular network due to failure to receive identification information from the subscriber identification module or receiving incorrect identification information, the electronic device (100) may determine that the subscriber identification module is not recognized and may output information indicating that the subscriber identification module is not recognized in various ways. In one example, the electronic device (100) may display information indicating that the subscriber identification module is not recognized on a display (e.g., display (140) of FIG. 1 ).

[0048] Referring to FIG. 3, the electronic device (100) can display a screen (300) including information (310) indicating that it does not recognize the subscriber identification module on the display (140).

[0049] The example described in FIG. 3 may be a method for determining whether a fault has occurred in a subscriber identification module when an electronic device (100) attempts to register with a cellular network.

[0050] However, among the subscriber identification modules that have malfunctioned, there may be a subscriber identification module that experiences intermittent malfunction symptoms. In one example, the subscriber identification module operates normally when the electronic device (100) attempts to register with a cellular network, but a malfunction may occur after the electronic device (100) has completed registration with the cellular network. For example, the electronic device (100) may transmit a signal to the subscriber identification module at designated intervals after completing registration with the cellular network. A normal subscriber identification module may transmit a response signal to the electronic device (100) upon receiving the signal, and the electronic device (100) may maintain cellular communication based on the data included in the response signal.

[0051] On the other hand, a subscriber identification module exhibiting intermittent malfunction symptoms may not transmit a response signal corresponding to the signal even when receiving a signal, or may transmit a response signal containing abnormal data to the electronic device (100). If the electronic device (100) fails to receive the response signal, it may not be able to perform cellular communication. In one example, the intermittent malfunction symptoms occurring in the subscriber identification module may be caused by the aging phenomenon of the subscriber identification module.

[0052] In a situation where an electronic device (100) performs normal operations while attempting to register with a cellular network, but an intermittent malfunction occurs after the electronic device (100) has completed registration with the cellular network, it may be difficult to determine whether the subscriber identification module is defective by the method described in FIG. 3. This is because the method described in FIG. 3 is implemented by comparing identification information transmitted to the cellular network and identification information stored in the cellular network when the electronic device (100) attempts to register with the cellular network, and the electronic device (100) does not transmit the identification information stored in the subscriber identification module to the cellular network after successfully registering with the cellular network.

[0053] A user of an electronic device (100) may find it difficult to determine the cause of the electronic device (100) not being able to perform cellular communication when the electronic device (100) is not able to perform cellular communication. In this case, the user of the electronic device (100) may attempt to resolve the issue of the electronic device (100) by visiting a service center operated by the manufacturer of the electronic device (100). However, in a situation where a defect in the subscriber identification module can be resolved by a service center operated by a cellular network operator rather than a service center operated by the manufacturer of the electronic device (100), the user of the electronic device (100) may experience inconvenience by visiting a service center operated by the manufacturer of the electronic device (100).

[0054] Below, examples are described of an electronic device (100) detecting an intermittent malfunction of a subscriber identification module and providing information related to the subscriber identification module to a user.

[0055] Figure 4 is a block diagram of an electronic device according to one embodiment.

[0056] According to one embodiment, an electronic device (e.g., electronic device (100) of FIG. 1) may include a communication circuit (410) (e.g., communication circuit (160) of FIG. 1), a processor (420) (e.g., processor (110) of FIG. 1), and / or a memory (430) (e.g., memory (120) of FIG. 1).

[0057] The communication circuit (410) is a communication circuit that supports cellular communication and can provide communication with an external electronic device through cellular communication to the electronic device (100).

[0058] The communication circuit (410) may include various circuit structures used for modulating and / or demodulating signals within the electronic device (100). For example, the communication circuit (410) may modulate a baseband signal into a radio frequency (RF) band signal to be output through an antenna (not shown), or may demodulate an RF band signal received through an antenna into a baseband signal and transmit the baseband signal to the processor (420).

[0059] The processor (420) may be electrically or operatively connected to the communication circuit (410) to control the communication circuit (410). The processor (420) may include an application processor and / or a communication processor. In one example, the processor (420) may refer to a processing circuit in which the application processor and / or the communication processor are implemented as a single integrated chip. The processor (420) may include at least one processing circuitry for performing the operations described below. Although FIG. 4 illustrates a single processor (420), the processor (420) may include at least one processor capable of processing the operations described below.

[0060] The memory (430) can store instructions that can be executed by the processor (420). The operation of the processor (420) described below can be performed by at least one processor (420) individually or collectively executing instructions included in at least one program stored on the memory (430).

[0061] The processor (420) can check whether a subscriber identification module (SIM) is inserted into a SIM tray (not shown). The SIM tray is a component implemented in the electronic device (100) and may refer to a component into which a subscriber identification module can be inserted. The subscriber identification module inserted into the SIM tray may be a removable subscriber identification module or a physical subscriber identification module (pSIM).

[0062] A subscriber identity module (SIM) is a smart card inserted into a mobile terminal. It stores a mobile subscriber's network access authentication information, phone book, and personal information such as SMS, and performs subscriber authentication and traffic security key generation when connecting to a mobile communication network such as GSM, WCDMA, or LTE, thereby enabling secure mobile communication use. Depending on the type of mobile communication network to which the subscriber is connected, the subscriber identity module may be equipped with a communication application of a SIM (Subscriber Identification Module), a USIM (Universal SIM), or an ISIM (IP Multimedia SIM). In addition, it may provide a high-level security function for installing various application programs such as electronic wallets, ticketing, and electronic passports. The subscriber identity module may include a profile. A profile may refer to an application, a file system, or values ​​used for authentication stored in the subscriber identity module packaged in software form. The profile may be set differently for each user subscribed to a cellular network, and the electronic device (100) may perform authentication with the cellular network based on the profile.

[0063] The processor (420) may attempt to connect to a cellular network when the electronic device (100) is not connected to a cellular network. In one example, the processor (420) may attempt to connect to a cellular network when the electronic device (100) is powered on. In another example, the processor (420) may attempt to connect to a cellular network when it detects that the electronic device (100) is released from a mode (e.g., air-plane mode) that does not connect to a cellular network.

[0064] When attempting to connect to a cellular network, the processor (420) may receive a signal transmitted (or broadcast) by at least one node included in the cellular network and select a node to perform the initial connection. In one example, the processor (420) may check the quality (or strength) of the signal transmitted by at least one node and select the node transmitting the signal with the best quality as the node to perform the initial connection. The processor (420) may perform an authentication procedure with the cellular network through the node that performed the initial connection.

[0065] The cellular network can determine whether the electronic device (100) is an electronic device that has joined (or subscribed to) the cellular network, and if the electronic device (100) is an electronic device that has joined the cellular network, it can determine that authentication of the electronic device (100) is successful. Authentication of the electronic device (100) can be performed by a core network included in the cellular network. According to one example, among a plurality of entities included in the core network, an access and mobility management function (AMF) or an authentication server function (AUSF) can perform authentication of the electronic device (100).

[0066] The processor (420) may receive identification information stored in (or included in) a subscriber identity module (SIM) (e.g., a physical SIM, pSIM)) inserted into a SIM tray of the electronic device (100) to perform authentication with the cellular network as part of a registration procedure for the cellular network, from the subscriber identity module, and transmit the identification information to the cellular network.

[0067] The identification information stored in the subscriber identification module may refer to various pieces of information that can distinguish the subscriber identification module from other subscriber identification modules. Alternatively, the identification information stored in the subscriber identification module may refer to various pieces of information that can distinguish the electronic device (100) into which the subscriber identification module is inserted from other electronic devices. In one example, the identification information stored in the subscriber identification module may include at least one of an international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI), a mobile station integrated system digital network (MSISDN), and an integrated circuit card identification (ICCDN).

[0068] The cellular network can receive the identification information transmitted by the electronic device (100) and determine whether the identification information stored in the cellular network matches the identification information transmitted by the electronic device (100). Based on whether the identification information stored in the cellular network matches the identification information transmitted by the electronic device (100), the cellular network can complete authentication of the electronic device (100) and / or register the electronic device (100) on the cellular network. The registration of the electronic device (100) on the cellular network may refer to the electronic device (100) being able to perform a service (e.g., cellular communication) provided by the cellular network.

[0069] The processor (420) can perform registration with a cellular network based on identification information and / or profile stored in the subscriber identification module, and perform cellular communication using the cellular network upon completion of registration.

[0070] The processor (420) may transmit a signal to the subscriber identification module after completing registration with the cellular network (or after registering with the cellular network). The processor (420) may transmit a signal to the subscriber identification module according to a cycle designated by the subscriber identification module.

[0071] The designated period may be set differently by the manufacturer of the electronic device (100), and for example, the designated period may be between 28 and 30 seconds. The signal that the processor (420) transmits to the subscriber identification module according to the designated period may be a signal requesting information indicating the location of identification information stored in the subscriber identification module. Alternatively, the signal that the processor (420) transmits to the subscriber identification module according to the designated period may be a signal requesting information related to information (e.g., identification information) previously accessed by the processor (420) (e.g., information indicating information accessed by the processor (420) (e.g., file id), or information indicating the location where information accessed by the processor (420) is stored (e.g., directory id)).

[0072] The processor (420) may transmit a signal to the subscriber identification module at a specified period to determine whether the subscriber identification module has been changed. This is because performing cellular communication despite the change of the subscriber identification module may pose a security risk to the electronic device (100).

[0073] The subscriber identification module may receive a signal transmitted by the processor (420) and transmit a response signal corresponding to the signal to the processor (420) (or the electronic device (100)). The response signal may be a signal including information related to information previously accessed by the processor (420) (e.g., identification information) (e.g., information indicating information accessed by the processor (420) (e.g., file id), or information indicating a location where information accessed by the processor (420) is stored (e.g., directory id)).

[0074] The processor (420) may compare information related to information (e.g., identification information) previously accessed by the processor (420) included in the response signal with information related to information (e.g., identification information) previously accessed by the processor (420) stored on the processor (420). The processor (420) may maintain the performance of the cellular communication based on confirming that the information related to information (e.g., identification information) previously accessed by the processor (420) included in the response signal matches the information related to information (e.g., identification information) previously accessed by the processor (420) stored on the processor (420).

[0075] In one example, a subscriber identification module (SIM) inserted into an electronic device (100) may be a SIM that experiences intermittent malfunctions. In one example, the SIM operates normally when the electronic device (100) attempts to register with a cellular network, but may malfunction after the electronic device (100) completes registration with the cellular network. A SIM that experiences intermittent malfunctions may not transmit a response signal corresponding to a signal even when receiving a signal, or may transmit a response signal containing abnormal data to the electronic device (100). If the electronic device (100) does not receive a response signal, the electronic device (100) may not be able to perform cellular communication. In one example, the intermittent malfunctions occurring in the SIM may be caused by aging of the SIM.

[0076] The processor (420) may perform a recovery operation (SIM recovery) of the subscriber identification module if it does not receive a response signal from the subscriber identification module or if information related to information (e.g., identification information) previously accessed by the processor (420) included in the response signal and information related to information (e.g., identification information) previously accessed by the processor (420) stored on the processor (420) do not match.

[0077] The recovery operation of the subscriber identification module may refer to an operation of rebooting the subscriber identification module. The recovery operation of the subscriber identification module may refer to an operation of switching the subscriber identification module from an activated state to a deactivated state, and then switching it back from the deactivated state to an activated state. The recovery operation of the subscriber identification module may be an operation performed in consideration of the possibility that the subscriber identification module has temporarily experienced an error.

[0078] The processor (420) may transmit a signal to the subscriber identification module after completing the recovery operation of the subscriber identification module. The signal transmitted after the recovery operation of the subscriber identification module may be the same signal as the signal transmitted before the recovery operation of the subscriber identification module is performed. The signal transmitted by the processor (420) to the subscriber identification module may be a signal requesting information indicating the location of identification information stored in the subscriber identification module. Alternatively, the signal transmitted by the processor (420) to the subscriber identification module may be a signal requesting information related to information previously accessed by the processor (e.g., identification information) (e.g., information indicating information accessed by the processor (420) (e.g., file id), or information indicating the location where information accessed by the processor (420) is stored (e.g., directory id)).

[0079] The processor (420) may, after the recovery operation of the subscriber identification module, transmit a signal and then determine whether a response signal corresponding to the signal has been received. If the response signal has been received, the processor (420) may compare information related to information (e.g., identification information) previously accessed by the processor (420) included in the response signal with information related to information (e.g., identification information) previously accessed by the processor (420) stored on the processor (420). The processor (420) may maintain the performance of cellular communication based on determining that the information related to information (e.g., identification information) previously accessed by the processor (420) included in the response signal matches the information related to information (e.g., identification information) previously accessed by the processor (420) stored on the processor (420).

[0080] If a response signal is not received, the processor (420) can check whether the identification information of the subscriber identification module satisfies a specified condition.

[0081] The specified conditions may include conditions related to whether the subscriber identification module was manufactured prior to a predetermined period of time. The predetermined period may include a period related to the degree of obsolescence of the subscriber identification module. In one example, a subscriber identification module manufactured prior to a certain period (e.g., mid-2010) may be an obsolescent subscriber identification module, known to frequently experience intermittent failure symptoms.

[0082] The processor (420) may, when attempting to register with a cellular network, determine whether the identification information (e.g., ICCID) received from the subscriber identification module satisfies a specified condition. The identification information (e.g., ICCID) may include information indicating when the subscriber identification module was produced or may be implemented differently depending on when the subscriber identification module was produced. The processor (420) may determine, based on the identification information, whether the subscriber identification module was produced prior to a preset period.

[0083] The specified conditions may include conditions related to the type of subscriber identity module. In one example, the conditions related to the type of subscriber identity module may include conditions related to whether the generation of the subscriber identity module is a generation prior to the specified generation. The generations of the subscriber identity module may be classified into a second-generation subscriber identity module (mini SIM), a third-generation subscriber identity module (micro SIM), and / or a fourth-generation subscriber identity module (nano SIM). In one example, the second-generation subscriber identity module and / or the third-generation subscriber identity module may be subscriber identity modules that were introduced significantly earlier and are likely to be outdated, and may be subscriber identity modules known to frequently experience intermittent malfunctions.

[0084] The processor (420) may, when attempting to register with a cellular network, determine whether the identification information (e.g., ICCID) received from the subscriber identification module satisfies a specified condition. The identification information (e.g., ICCID) may include information indicating when the subscriber identification module was produced or may be implemented differently depending on when the subscriber identification module was produced. The processor (420) may determine, based on the identification information, whether the subscriber identification module satisfies a condition related to whether the subscriber identification module is a generation prior to a specified generation.

[0085] The processor (420) may determine whether the identification information of the subscriber identification module satisfies a specified condition when a response signal is received, but information related to information (e.g., identification information) previously accessed by the processor (420) included in the response signal and information related to information (e.g., identification information) previously accessed by the processor (420) stored on the processor (420) do not match.

[0086] The processor (420) can output information based on the identification information when the identification information satisfies a specified condition (or when the subscriber identification module satisfies a specified condition based on the identification information).

[0087] Information based on identification information may include information suggesting replacement of the subscriber identification module. In one example, the information suggesting replacement of the subscriber identification module may include information indicating that the subscriber identification module is obsolete and information indicating that replacement of the subscriber identification module is required.

[0088] Information suggesting replacement of a subscriber identification module may include information indicating a service center (e.g., a service center operated by a cellular network operator) where replacement of the subscriber identification module is possible, and may also include information regarding the location of the service center.

[0089] The processor (420) can, if a response signal is not received after performing a SIM recovery operation once, check whether the identification information of the subscriber identification module satisfies a specified condition and / or output information based on the identification information based on whether the identification information of the subscriber identification module satisfies the specified condition.

[0090] In one example, the processor (420) may perform the SIM recovery operation a specified number of times (e.g., three times) if a response signal is not received. In one example, if the processor (420) determines that the response signal is not received after performing the SIM recovery operation, the processor (420) may perform the SIM recovery operation again. If the processor (420) determines that the response signal is not received after performing the SIM recovery operation again, the processor (420) may perform the SIM recovery operation again. If the processor (420) does not receive the response signal after performing the third SIM recovery operation, the processor (420) may increase the number of times the subscriber identity module malfunction occurs. The processor (420) may monitor (or confirm) the number of times the subscriber identity module malfunction occurs (e.g., NOS (No-SIM) count) and transmit the number of times the malfunction occurs to an external electronic device (e.g., a server operated by a manufacturer of the electronic device (100) or a cellular network operator). The external electronic device may be a server that collects the number of times the malfunction occurs.

[0091] According to one example, the processor (420) may reset the number of times a subscriber identity module malfunction has occurred if a response signal is received after performing the SIM recovery operation a specified number of times or less.

[0092] The processor (420) may terminate the output of information based on identification information when it receives a user input (e.g., a swipe input that terminates the output of information based on identification information) that terminates the output of information based on identification information. After the termination of the output of information based on identification information, the processor (420) may re-perform at least some of the operations described above (e.g., transmitting a signal to the subscriber identification module, checking whether a response signal has been received, performing a SIM recovery operation if the response signal has not been received, checking whether the identification information satisfies a specified condition if the response signal has not been received again after performing the SIM recovery operation, and outputting information based on the identification information).

[0093] The processor (420) may deregister from the cellular network upon receiving a user input requesting deregistration from the cellular network. For example, the processor (420) may deregister from the cellular network upon receiving a user input requesting activation of airplane mode. After deregistering from the cellular network, the processor (420) may receive a user input requesting registration with the cellular network. For example, upon deactivation of airplane mode, the processor (420) may attempt to register with the cellular network.

[0094] The processor (420), after completing registration with the cellular network, may re-perform at least some of the operations described above (e.g., transmitting a signal to the subscriber identification module, checking whether a response signal has been received, performing a SIM recovery operation if the response signal has not been received, and, if the response signal has not been received again after performing the SIM recovery operation, checking whether identification information satisfies a specified condition, and outputting information based on the identification information).

[0095] Through the method described above, the electronic device (100) can identify a subscriber identification module that exhibits intermittent malfunction symptoms after being registered with a cellular network and provide the user with information suggesting replacement of the subscriber identification module. Accordingly, the user of the electronic device (100) can accurately determine the cause of the electronic device (100) not being able to perform cellular communication (e.g., occurrence of intermittent malfunction symptoms in the subscriber identification module), and can resolve the cause of the not being able to perform cellular communication (e.g., replacement of the subscriber identification module) without visiting a service center operated by the manufacturer.

[0096] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of an electronic device according to one embodiment outputting information based on identification information stored in a subscriber identification module.

[0097] Referring to FIG. 5, an example is shown in which an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device (100) of FIG. 4) outputs information (510) based on identification information when the identification information satisfies a specified condition.

[0098] The electronic device (100) may transmit a signal to the subscriber identification module after completing the recovery operation of the subscriber identification module. The signal transmitted after the recovery operation of the subscriber identification module may be the same signal as the signal transmitted before the recovery operation of the subscriber identification module is performed. The signal transmitted by the electronic device (100) to the subscriber identification module may be a signal requesting information indicating the location of identification information stored in the subscriber identification module. Alternatively, the signal transmitted by the electronic device (100) to the subscriber identification module may be a signal requesting information related to information previously accessed by the processor (420) (e.g., identification information) (e.g., information indicating information accessed by the processor (420) (e.g., file ID), or information indicating the location where information accessed by the processor (420) is stored (e.g., directory ID)).

[0099] The electronic device (100) can, after the subscriber identification module's recovery operation, transmit a signal and then check whether a response signal corresponding to the signal has been received. If the response signal has been received, the electronic device (100) can compare information related to information (e.g., identification information) previously accessed by the processor (420) contained in the response signal with information related to information (e.g., identification information) previously accessed by the processor (420) stored on the processor (420).

[0100] If the electronic device (100) fails to receive a response signal, it may not be able to perform cellular communication. Referring to FIG. 5, the electronic device (100) may display an indicator (501) indicating that cellular communication cannot be performed on a display (e.g., display (140) of FIG. 1).

[0101] The electronic device (100) can check whether the identification information of the subscriber identification module satisfies a specified condition when a response signal is not received.

[0102] The specified conditions may include conditions related to whether the subscriber identification module was manufactured prior to a predetermined period of time. The predetermined period may include a period related to the degree of obsolescence of the subscriber identification module. In one example, a subscriber identification module manufactured prior to a certain period (e.g., mid-2010) may be an obsolescent subscriber identification module, known to frequently experience intermittent failure symptoms.

[0103] The electronic device (100), when attempting to register with a cellular network, can determine whether the identification information (e.g., ICCID) received from the subscriber identification module satisfies a specified condition. The identification information (e.g., ICCID) may include information indicating when the subscriber identification module was produced or may be implemented differently depending on when the subscriber identification module was produced. The electronic device (100) can determine whether the subscriber identification module was produced prior to a preset period based on the identification information.

[0104] The specified conditions may include conditions related to the type of subscriber identity module. In one example, the conditions related to the type of subscriber identity module may include conditions related to whether the generation of the subscriber identity module is a generation prior to the specified generation. The generations of the subscriber identity module may be classified into a second-generation subscriber identity module (mini SIM), a third-generation subscriber identity module (micro SIM), and / or a fourth-generation subscriber identity module (nano SIM). In one example, the second-generation subscriber identity module and / or the third-generation subscriber identity module may be subscriber identity modules that were introduced significantly earlier and are likely to be outdated, and may be subscriber identity modules known to frequently experience intermittent malfunctions.

[0105] The electronic device (100), when attempting to register with a cellular network, can determine whether the identification information (e.g., ICCID) received from the subscriber identification module satisfies a specified condition. The identification information (e.g., ICCID) may include information indicating when the subscriber identification module was produced or may be implemented differently depending on when the subscriber identification module was produced. The electronic device (100) can determine whether the subscriber identification module satisfies a condition related to whether the subscriber identification module is a generation prior to a specified generation based on the identification information.

[0106] The electronic device (100) may determine whether the identification information of the subscriber identification module satisfies a specified condition when the electronic device (100) receives a response signal, but the information related to information (e.g., identification information) previously accessed by the processor (420) included in the response signal and the information related to information (e.g., identification information) previously accessed by the processor (420) stored on the processor (420) do not match.

[0107] The electronic device (100) can output information (510) based on the identification information when the identification information satisfies a specified condition (or when the subscriber identification module satisfies a specified condition based on the identification information).

[0108] Information (510) based on identification information may include information suggesting replacement of the subscriber identification module. In one example, the information suggesting replacement of the subscriber identification module may include information indicating that the subscriber identification module is outdated and information indicating that replacement of the subscriber identification module is required.

[0109] Information suggesting replacement of a subscriber identification module may include information indicating a service center (e.g., a service center operated by a cellular network operator) where replacement of the subscriber identification module is possible, and may also include information regarding the location of the service center.

[0110] Information (510) based on identification information can be implemented in various forms, and the electronic device (100) can output information (510) based on identification information in various ways. According to one example, information (510) based on identification information can have a visual form, and the electronic device (100) can control the display (140) to output information (510) based on identification information. According to another example, information (510) based on identification information can have an auditory form, and the electronic device (100) can control a speaker (not shown) to output information (510) based on identification information.

[0111] According to one example, the electronic device (100) can control an external electronic device to output information (510) based on identification information, such as an external electronic device connected to the electronic device (100) through various methods (e.g., short-range wireless communication, cellular wireless communication).

[0112] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation method of an electronic device according to one embodiment.

[0113] An electronic device (e.g., electronic device (100) of FIG. 4) may perform registration with a cellular network based on identification information stored in a subscriber identification module inserted into a SIM tray, at operation 610.

[0114] The electronic device (100) can check whether a subscriber identification module (SIM) inserted into a SIM tray (not shown) is inserted. The SIM tray is a component implemented in the electronic device (100) and may refer to a component into which a subscriber identification module can be inserted. The subscriber identification module inserted into the SIM tray may be a removable subscriber identification module or a physical subscriber identification module (pSIM).

[0115] A subscriber identity module (SIM) is a smart card inserted into a mobile terminal. It stores a mobile subscriber's network access authentication information, phone book, and personal information such as SMS, and performs subscriber authentication and traffic security key generation when connecting to a mobile communication network such as GSM, WCDMA, or LTE, thereby enabling secure mobile communication use. Depending on the type of mobile communication network to which the subscriber is connected, the subscriber identity module may be equipped with a communication application of a SIM (Subscriber Identification Module), a USIM (Universal SIM), or an ISIM (IP Multimedia SIM). In addition, it may provide a high-level security function for installing various application programs such as electronic wallets, ticketing, and electronic passports. The subscriber identity module may include a profile. A profile may refer to an application, a file system, or values ​​used for authentication stored in the subscriber identity module packaged in software form. The profile may be set differently for each user subscribed to a cellular network, and the electronic device (100) may perform authentication with the cellular network based on the profile.

[0116] An electronic device (100) may attempt to connect to a cellular network when the electronic device (100) is not connected to a cellular network. In one example, the electronic device (100) may attempt to connect to a cellular network when the electronic device (100) is powered on. In another example, the electronic device (100) may attempt to connect to a cellular network when it detects that a mode (e.g., air-plane mode) in which the electronic device (100) is not connected to a cellular network has been released.

[0117] When attempting to connect to a cellular network, the electronic device (100) may receive a signal transmitted (or broadcast) by at least one node included in the cellular network and select a node to perform the initial connection. In one example, the electronic device (100) may check the quality (or strength) of the signal transmitted by at least one node and select the node transmitting the signal with the best quality as the node to perform the initial connection. The electronic device (100) may perform an authentication procedure with the cellular network through the node that performed the initial connection.

[0118] The cellular network can determine whether the electronic device (100) is an electronic device that has joined (or subscribed to) the cellular network, and if the electronic device (100) is an electronic device that has joined the cellular network, it can determine that authentication of the electronic device (100) is successful. Authentication of the electronic device (100) can be performed by a core network included in the cellular network. According to one example, among a plurality of entities included in the core network, an access and mobility management function (AMF) or an authentication server function (AUSF) can perform authentication of the electronic device (100).

[0119] The electronic device (100) may receive identification information stored (or included) in a subscriber identity module (SIM) (e.g., a physical SIM, pSIM)) inserted into a SIM tray of the electronic device (100) to perform authentication with the cellular network as part of a registration procedure for the cellular network, from the subscriber identity module, and transmit the identification information to the cellular network.

[0120] The identification information stored in the subscriber identification module may refer to various pieces of information that can distinguish the subscriber identification module from other subscriber identification modules. Alternatively, the identification information stored in the subscriber identification module may refer to various pieces of information that can distinguish the electronic device (100) into which the subscriber identification module is inserted from other electronic devices. In one example, the identification information stored in the subscriber identification module may include at least one of an international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI), a mobile station integrated system digital network (MSISDN), and an integrated circuit card identification (ICCDN).

[0121] The cellular network can receive the identification information transmitted by the electronic device (100) and determine whether the identification information stored in the cellular network matches the identification information transmitted by the electronic device (100). Based on whether the identification information stored in the cellular network matches the identification information transmitted by the electronic device (100), the cellular network can complete authentication of the electronic device (100) and / or register the electronic device (100) on the cellular network. The registration of the electronic device (100) on the cellular network may refer to the electronic device (100) being able to perform a service (e.g., cellular communication) provided by the cellular network.

[0122] The electronic device (100) can perform registration with a cellular network based on identification information and / or profile stored in a subscriber identification module, and perform cellular communication using the cellular network upon completion of registration.

[0123] The electronic device (100) may, at operation 620, transmit a signal to the subscriber identification module after completing registration with the cellular network.

[0124] The electronic device (100) can transmit a signal to the subscriber identification module after completing registration with the cellular network (or after registering with the cellular network). The electronic device (100) can transmit a signal to the subscriber identification module according to a cycle designated by the subscriber identification module.

[0125] The designated period may be set differently by the manufacturer of the electronic device (100), and for example, the designated period may be between 28 and 30 seconds. The signal that the electronic device (100) transmits to the subscriber identification module according to the designated period may be a signal requesting information indicating the location of identification information stored in the subscriber identification module. Alternatively, the signal that the electronic device (100) transmits to the subscriber identification module according to the designated period may be a signal requesting information related to information (e.g., identification information) previously accessed by the electronic device (100) (e.g., information indicating information accessed by the electronic device (100) (e.g., file ID), or information indicating the location where information accessed by the electronic device (100) is stored (e.g., directory ID)).

[0126] The electronic device (100) may transmit a signal to the subscriber identification module at a specified period to determine whether the subscriber identification module has been changed. This is because performing cellular communication despite the change of the subscriber identification module may pose a security risk to the electronic device (100).

[0127] The subscriber identification module can receive a signal transmitted by the electronic device (100) and transmit a response signal corresponding to the signal to the electronic device (100) (or, the electronic device (100)). The response signal can be a signal including information related to information previously accessed by the electronic device (100) (e.g., identification information) (e.g., information indicating information accessed by the electronic device (100) (e.g., file ID), or information indicating a location where information accessed by the electronic device (100) is stored (e.g., directory ID)).

[0128] The electronic device (100) can compare information related to information (e.g., identification information) previously accessed by the electronic device (100) included in the response signal with information related to information (e.g., identification information) previously accessed by the electronic device (100) stored on the electronic device (100). The electronic device (100) can maintain the performance of cellular communication based on confirming that the information related to information (e.g., identification information) previously accessed by the electronic device (100) included in the response signal matches the information related to information (e.g., identification information) previously accessed by the electronic device (100) stored on the electronic device (100).

[0129] The electronic device (100) may perform a recovery operation of the subscriber identification module if it does not receive a response signal from the subscriber identification module in operation 630.

[0130] In one example, a subscriber identification module (SIM) inserted into an electronic device (100) may be a SIM that experiences intermittent malfunctions. In one example, the SIM operates normally when the electronic device (100) attempts to register with a cellular network, but may malfunction after the electronic device (100) completes registration with the cellular network. A SIM that experiences intermittent malfunctions may not transmit a response signal corresponding to a signal even when receiving a signal, or may transmit a response signal containing abnormal data to the electronic device (100). If the electronic device (100) does not receive a response signal, the electronic device (100) may not be able to perform cellular communication. In one example, the intermittent malfunctions occurring in the SIM may be caused by aging of the SIM.

[0131] The electronic device (100) may perform a recovery operation (SIM recovery) of the subscriber identification module if it does not receive a response signal from the subscriber identification module or if information related to information (e.g., identification information) previously accessed by the electronic device (100) included in the response signal and information related to information (e.g., identification information) previously accessed by the electronic device (100) stored on the electronic device (100) do not match.

[0132] The recovery operation of the subscriber identification module may refer to an operation of rebooting the subscriber identification module. The recovery operation of the subscriber identification module may refer to an operation of switching the subscriber identification module from an activated state to a deactivated state, and then switching it back from the deactivated state to an activated state. The recovery operation of the subscriber identification module may be an operation performed in consideration of the possibility that the subscriber identification module has temporarily experienced an error.

[0133] The electronic device (100), in operation 640, if no response signal is received after performing the recovery operation, can check whether the identification information satisfies a specified condition.

[0134] The electronic device (100) may transmit a signal to the subscriber identification module after completing the recovery operation of the subscriber identification module. The signal transmitted after the recovery operation of the subscriber identification module may be the same signal as the signal transmitted before the recovery operation of the subscriber identification module is performed. The signal transmitted by the electronic device (100) to the subscriber identification module may be a signal requesting information indicating the location of identification information stored in the subscriber identification module. Alternatively, the signal transmitted by the electronic device (100) to the subscriber identification module may be a signal requesting information related to information (e.g., identification information) previously accessed by the electronic device (100) (e.g., information indicating information accessed by the electronic device (100) (e.g., file ID), or information indicating the location where information accessed by the electronic device (100) is stored (e.g., directory ID)).

[0135] The electronic device (100) can, after the recovery operation of the subscriber identification module, transmit a signal and then determine whether a response signal corresponding to the signal has been received. If the response signal has been received, the electronic device (100) can compare information related to information (e.g., identification information) previously accessed by the electronic device (100) included in the response signal with information related to information (e.g., identification information) previously accessed by the electronic device (100) stored on the electronic device (100). The electronic device (100) can maintain the performance of cellular communication based on determining that the information related to information (e.g., identification information) previously accessed by the electronic device (100) included in the response signal matches the information related to information (e.g., identification information) previously accessed by the electronic device (100) stored on the electronic device (100).

[0136] The electronic device (100) can check whether the identification information of the subscriber identification module satisfies a specified condition when a response signal is not received.

[0137] The specified conditions may include conditions related to whether the subscriber identification module was manufactured prior to a predetermined period of time. The predetermined period may include a period related to the degree of obsolescence of the subscriber identification module. In one example, a subscriber identification module manufactured prior to a certain period (e.g., mid-2010) may be an obsolescent subscriber identification module, known to frequently experience intermittent failure symptoms.

[0138] The electronic device (100), when attempting to register with a cellular network, can determine whether the identification information (e.g., ICCID) received from the subscriber identification module satisfies a specified condition. The identification information (e.g., ICCID) may include information indicating when the subscriber identification module was produced or may be implemented differently depending on when the subscriber identification module was produced. The electronic device (100) can determine whether the subscriber identification module was produced prior to a preset period based on the identification information.

[0139] The specified conditions may include conditions related to the type of subscriber identity module. In one example, the conditions related to the type of subscriber identity module may include conditions related to whether the generation of the subscriber identity module is a generation prior to the specified generation. The generations of the subscriber identity module may be classified into a second-generation subscriber identity module (mini SIM), a third-generation subscriber identity module (micro SIM), and / or a fourth-generation subscriber identity module (nano SIM). In one example, the second-generation subscriber identity module and / or the third-generation subscriber identity module may be subscriber identity modules that were introduced significantly earlier and are likely to be outdated, and may be subscriber identity modules known to frequently experience intermittent malfunctions.

[0140] The electronic device (100), when attempting to register with a cellular network, can determine whether the identification information (e.g., ICCID) received from the subscriber identification module satisfies a specified condition. The identification information (e.g., ICCID) may include information indicating when the subscriber identification module was produced or may be implemented differently depending on when the subscriber identification module was produced. The electronic device (100) can determine whether the subscriber identification module satisfies a condition related to whether the subscriber identification module is a generation prior to a specified generation based on the identification information.

[0141] The electronic device (100) receives a response signal, but if the information related to information (e.g., identification information) previously accessed by the electronic device (100) included in the response signal and the information related to information (e.g., identification information) previously accessed by the electronic device (100) stored on the electronic device (100) do not match, the electronic device (100) can check whether the identification information of the subscriber identification module satisfies a specified condition.

[0142] The electronic device (100) can output information based on the identification information based on whether the identification information satisfies a specified condition in operation 650.

[0143] The electronic device (100) can output information based on the identification information when the identification information satisfies a specified condition (or when the subscriber identification module satisfies a specified condition based on the identification information).

[0144] Information based on identification information may include information suggesting replacement of the subscriber identification module. In one example, the information suggesting replacement of the subscriber identification module may include information indicating that the subscriber identification module is obsolete and information indicating that replacement of the subscriber identification module is required.

[0145] Information suggesting replacement of a subscriber identification module may include information indicating a service center (e.g., a service center operated by a cellular network operator) where replacement of the subscriber identification module is possible, and may also include information regarding the location of the service center.

[0146] Through the method described above, the electronic device (100) can identify a subscriber identification module that exhibits intermittent malfunction symptoms after being registered with a cellular network and provide the user with information suggesting replacement of the subscriber identification module. Accordingly, the user of the electronic device (100) can accurately determine the cause of the electronic device (100) not being able to perform cellular communication (e.g., occurrence of intermittent malfunction symptoms in the subscriber identification module), and can resolve the cause of the not being able to perform cellular communication (e.g., replacement of the subscriber identification module) without visiting a service center operated by the manufacturer.

[0147] An electronic device (100) according to an example may include a communication circuit (410). The electronic device (100) may include a memory (430) storing at least one computer program. The electronic device (100) may include at least one processor (420). The at least one computer program may include instructions that, when the at least one processor (420) is executed individually or collectively, cause the electronic device to perform registration with a cellular network based on identification information stored in a subscriber identification module inserted into a SIM tray. The at least one computer program may include instructions that, when the at least one processor (420) is executed individually or collectively, cause the electronic device to transmit a signal to the subscriber identification module after completing registration with the cellular network. The at least one computer program may include instructions that cause the electronic device, when the at least one processor (420) is executed individually or collectively, to perform a recovery operation of switching the subscriber identification module from an activated state to a deactivated state and then switching the subscriber identification module from the deactivated state to the activated state again if the electronic device does not receive a response signal corresponding to the signal from the subscriber identification module. The at least one computer program may include instructions that cause the electronic device, when the at least one processor (420) is executed individually or collectively, to check whether the identification information satisfies a specified condition if the electronic device does not receive the response signal after performing the recovery operation.The at least one computer program may include instructions that, when the at least one processor (420) is executed individually or collectively, cause the electronic device to output information based on the identification information based on whether the identification information satisfies a specified condition.

[0148] In an electronic device (100) according to an example, the specified condition may include a condition related to whether the subscriber identification module is produced before a preset period of time.

[0149] In an electronic device (100) according to an example, the specified condition may include a condition related to the type of the subscriber identification module.

[0150] In an electronic device (100) according to an example, information based on the identification information may include information suggesting replacement of the subscriber identification module.

[0151] In an electronic device (100) according to an example, the instructions, when executed individually or collectively by at least one processor (420), may cause the electronic device to check the number of times the recovery operation has been performed and transmit the number of times the recovery operation has been performed to an external electronic device.

[0152] In an electronic device (100) according to an example, the instructions, when executed individually or collectively by the at least one processor (420), may cause the electronic device to determine whether the identification information satisfies a specified condition based on determining that the number of times the recovery operation has been performed is greater than or equal to a specified number of times.

[0153] In an electronic device (100) according to an example, the instructions may cause the electronic device, when the at least one processor (420) is executed individually or collectively, to not check whether the identification information satisfies a specified condition when the electronic device receives the response signal after performing the recovery operation a specified number of times or less.

[0154] In an electronic device (100) according to one example, the signal may include a signal requesting information indicating the location of data stored in the subscriber identification module.

[0155] In an electronic device (100) according to an example, the instructions, when executed individually or collectively by the at least one processor (420), may cause the electronic device to perform the recovery operation based on receiving a response signal including information indicating the location of data stored in the subscriber identification module and other information.

[0156] In an electronic device (100) according to an example, the instructions, when individually or collectively executed by the at least one processor (420), may cause the electronic device to deregister from the cellular network based on receiving a user input for deregistering from the cellular network. The instructions, when individually or collectively executed by the at least one processor (420), may cause the electronic device to perform registration with the cellular network based on the identification information when receiving a user input requesting registration with the cellular network.

[0157] The above instructions, when executed individually or collectively by the at least one processor (420), may cause the electronic device to determine whether to perform the recovery operation based on whether the response signal has been received after completing registration with the cellular network.

[0158]

[0159] A recording medium storing at least one program including instructions that, when individually or collectively executed by at least one processor (420) of an electronic device, cause the electronic device to perform operations, wherein the instructions, when individually or collectively executed by the at least one processor, may cause the electronic device to perform registration with a cellular network based on identification information stored in a subscriber identification module inserted into a SIM tray of the electronic device. The instructions, when individually or collectively executed by the at least one processor, may cause the electronic device to transmit a signal to the subscriber identification module after completing registration with the cellular network. The instructions, when individually or collectively executed by the at least one processor, may cause the electronic device to perform a recovery operation of switching the subscriber identification module from an activated state to a deactivated state and then switching the subscriber identification module back to the activated state if the electronic device does not receive a response signal corresponding to the signal from the subscriber identification module. The instructions, when executed by the at least one processor individually or collectively, may cause the electronic device to determine whether the identification information satisfies a specified condition if the response signal is not received after performing the recovery operation. The instructions, when executed by the at least one processor individually or collectively, may cause the electronic device to output information based on the identification information based on whether the identification information satisfies the specified condition.

[0160] In a recording medium according to an example, the specified condition may include a condition related to whether the subscriber identification module is produced before a preset period of time.

[0161] In a recording medium according to an example, the specified condition may include a condition related to the type of the subscriber identification module.

[0162] In a recording medium according to an example, information based on the identification information may include information suggesting replacement of the subscriber identification module.

[0163] In a recording medium according to an example, the instructions, when the at least one processor (420) is executed individually or collectively, may cause the electronic device to check the number of times the recovery operation has been performed and transmit the number of times the recovery operation has been performed to an external electronic device.

[0164] In a recording medium according to an example, the instructions, when executed individually or collectively by the at least one processor (420), may cause the electronic device to determine whether the identification information satisfies the specified condition based on determining that the number of times the recovery operation has been performed is greater than or equal to a specified number of times.

[0165] In a recording medium according to an example, the instructions may cause the electronic device, when the at least one processor (420) is executed individually or collectively, to not check whether the identification information satisfies a specified condition when the electronic device receives the response signal after performing the recovery operation a specified number of times or less.

[0166] In a recording medium according to one example, the signal may include a signal requesting information indicating the location of data stored in the subscriber identification module. The instructions, when individually or collectively executed by the at least one processor (420), may cause the electronic device to perform the recovery operation based on receiving a response signal including information indicating the location of data stored in the subscriber identification module and other information.

[0167] In a recording medium according to an example, the instructions, when individually or collectively executed by the at least one processor (420), may cause the electronic device to deregister from the cellular network based on receiving a user input for deregistering from the cellular network. The instructions, when individually or collectively executed by the at least one processor (420), may cause the electronic device to perform registration with the cellular network based on the identification information based on receiving a user input requesting registration with the cellular network. The instructions, when individually or collectively executed by the at least one processor (420), may cause the electronic device to determine whether to perform the recovery operation based on whether the response signal is received after completing registration with the cellular network.

[0168] According to an example, a method of operating an electronic device may include an operation of performing registration with a cellular network based on identification information stored in a subscriber identification module inserted into a SIM tray of the electronic device. The method of operating the electronic device may include an operation of transmitting a signal to the subscriber identification module after completing registration with the cellular network. The method of operating the electronic device may include an operation of performing a recovery operation of switching the subscriber identification module from an activated state to a deactivated state and then switching the subscriber identification module back to the activated state if a response signal corresponding to the signal is not received from the subscriber identification module. The method of operating the electronic device may include an operation of determining whether the identification information satisfies a specified condition if the response signal is not received after performing the recovery operation. The method of operating the electronic device may include an operation of outputting information based on the identification information based on whether the identification information satisfies a specified condition.

Claims

In an electronic device (100), Communication circuit (410); A memory (430) storing at least one computer program; and comprising at least one processor (420), The at least one computer program, when executed individually or collectively by the at least one processor (420), causes the electronic device to: Performs registration with the cellular network based on identification information stored in the subscriber identity module inserted into the SIM tray; After completing registration with the above cellular network, a signal is transmitted to the subscriber identification module, When a response signal corresponding to the signal is not received from the subscriber identification module, a recovery operation is performed to switch the subscriber identification module from an activated state to a deactivated state, and then switch it back from the deactivated state to the activated state. If the response signal is not received after performing the above recovery operation, it is checked whether the identification information satisfies the specified condition, An electronic device comprising instructions for outputting information based on the identification information, based on whether the identification information satisfies a specified condition. In paragraph 1, The conditions specified above are An electronic device comprising a condition relating to whether the subscriber identification module is produced prior to a preset period of time. In claims 1 and 2, The conditions specified above are An electronic device comprising conditions relating to the type of the subscriber identification module. In claims 1 to 3, Information based on the above identification information An electronic device comprising information suggesting replacement of the subscriber identification module. In claims 1 to 4, The above instructions, when executed individually or collectively by at least one processor (420), cause the electronic device to: An electronic device that checks the number of times the above recovery operation is performed and transmits the number of times the above operation is performed to an external electronic device. In claims 1 to 5, The above instructions, when executed individually or collectively by at least one processor (420), cause the electronic device to: An electronic device that determines whether the identification information satisfies a specified condition based on confirming that the number of times the above recovery operation is performed is greater than a specified number of times. In paragraph 6, The above instructions, when executed individually or collectively by at least one processor (420), cause the electronic device to: An electronic device that, when the above recovery operation is performed a number of times less than the specified number of times and the response signal is received, does not check whether the identification information satisfies the specified condition. In claims 1 to 7, The above signal is An electronic device comprising a signal requesting information indicating the location of data stored in the subscriber identification module. In paragraph 8, The above instructions, when executed individually or collectively by at least one processor (420), cause the electronic device to: An electronic device that performs the recovery operation based on receiving a response signal containing information indicating the location of data stored in the subscriber identification module and other information. In claims 1 to 9, The above instructions, when executed individually or collectively by at least one processor (420), cause the electronic device to: Based on receiving a user input to deregister from said cellular network, deregister from said cellular network, Upon receiving a user input requesting registration with the cellular network, registration is performed with the cellular network based on the identification information; An electronic device that determines whether to perform the recovery operation based on whether the response signal is received after completing registration with the cellular network. A recording medium storing at least one program including instructions that cause the electronic device to perform operations when executed individually or collectively by at least one processor (420) of the electronic device, The above instructions, when executed individually or collectively by the at least one processor, cause the electronic device to: Registration with a cellular network is performed based on identification information stored in a subscriber identification module inserted into the SIM tray of the electronic device. After completing registration with the above cellular network, a signal is transmitted to the subscriber identification module, When a response signal corresponding to the signal is not received from the subscriber identification module, a recovery operation is performed to switch the subscriber identification module from an activated state to a deactivated state, and then switch it back from the deactivated state to the activated state. If the response signal is not received after performing the above recovery operation, it is checked whether the identification information satisfies the specified condition, and A recording medium that outputs information based on the identification information based on whether the identification information satisfies a specified condition. In paragraph 11, The conditions specified above are A recording medium containing a condition relating to whether the subscriber identification module is produced before a preset period of time. In claims 11 to 12, The conditions specified above are A recording medium containing conditions related to the type of the above subscriber identification module. In claims 11 to 13, Information based on the above identification information A recording medium containing information proposing replacement of the subscriber identification module. In a method of operating an electronic device, An operation of performing registration with a cellular network based on identification information stored in a subscriber identification module inserted into a SIM tray of the electronic device; After completing registration with the cellular network, an action of transmitting a signal to the subscriber identification module; An operation of performing a recovery operation of switching the subscriber identification module from an activated state to a deactivated state and then switching the subscriber identification module from the deactivated state to the activated state again when a response signal corresponding to the signal is not received from the subscriber identification module; If the response signal is not received after performing the above recovery operation, an operation for checking whether the identification information satisfies a specified condition; and An operating method of an electronic device, including an operation of outputting information based on the identification information, based on whether the identification information satisfies a specified condition.

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