Compact SIM Card Adapter for Miniaturized Mobile Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing SIM card form factors are not compatible with the trend of smaller mobile devices, limiting the size of mobile devices and requiring improved design solutions that remain backward compatible with legacy SIM card form factors for secure cellular network authentication.
Innovation Solution
A smart card adapter and apparatus with specific dimensions and features, such as a substrate with a cavity for housing a SIM card, using materials like polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), and conductive structures for wireless network authentication, ensuring compatibility with Mini-SIM and Micro-SIM form factors, and providing secure authentication using cryptographic materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If existing SIM card form factors are used, then secure cellular network authentication is maintained, but mobile device size is limited and cannot be reduced further
Solution Approach 1:
The SIM card system is segmented into two independent components: a compact SIM card element (12.30mm x 8.80mm x 0.67mm) and an adapter apparatus. The SIM card element contains only the essential integrated circuit and conductive structures, while the adapter provides the mechanical interface and housing to match legacy form factors. This segmentation allows the SIM card itself to be minimized in size while the adapter handles compatibility requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter apparatus serves as an intermediary between the compact SIM card element and legacy mobile device SIM card slots. The adapter has a first interface that receives the compact SIM card element and a second interface that interfaces with the legacy SIM card slot, translating between the two form factors and enabling compatibility without requiring the SIM card itself to be large.
2Volume of moving object
If SIM card size is reduced for smaller mobile devices, then mobile device miniaturization is enabled, but compatibility with legacy devices is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The compact SIM card element is nested within the adapter apparatus, similar to a doll within a larger doll. The SIM card element (12.30mm x 8.80mm x 0.67mm) fits inside the adapter's cavity, which is designed to present the appropriate external dimensions for legacy SIM card slots. This nesting allows the small SIM card to function in larger legacy slots through the adapter's intermediary structure.
3Length of moving object
If a compact SIM card design is implemented, then mobile device size is reduced, but protection of cryptographic materials from tampering becomes more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The SIM card element uses a thin plastic substrate (0.67mm thick) that provides structural support and protection for the integrated circuit while maintaining a compact form factor. The substrate acts as a protective shell that shields the cryptographic materials from physical tampering while allowing the overall card size to be minimized for mobile device integration.
Data Source
AI summary
A compact form factor integrated circuit card. In one embodiment, a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card is disclosed. In one embodiment, the SIM card has overall dimensions optimized for a particular application; e.g., 12.30 mm (±0.10 mm)×8.80 mm (0.10 mm)×0.67 mm (+0.03/−0.07). In another embodiment, the SIM card has overall dimensions of 11.90 mm (±0.10 mm)×8.80 mm (±0.10 mm)×0.70 mm (maximum). Multiple complementary SIM card adapters and methods of use are also disclosed.