Dual SIM Control Unit for Direct Vendor Communication and Secure Deactivation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing devices rely solely on network operator SIM cards for communication, limiting device vendors' ability to directly communicate with users or manage devices without network operator involvement, and offering no mechanism to securely deactivate SIM cards in case of loss or theft.

Innovation Solution

A device with two SIM cards, one for network operators and one vendor-specific, along with a control unit that allows simultaneous or exclusive operation, enabling direct vendor communication and secure deactivation of the network operator SIM card, allowing the vendor to prioritize services and secure the device.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a device uses only a network operator SIM card for communication, then the device can communicate through network operators, but the device vendor cannot directly communicate with users or manage devices without network operator involvement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication capabilityVSAvoiddirect vendor communication
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The communication system is segmented into two independent SIM card interfaces: a network operator SIM card for traditional network communication and a device vendor-specific SIM card for direct vendor communication. This segmentation allows the device to maintain both communication paths independently, enabling direct vendor-user communication while preserving network operator communication capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If a device includes multiple SIM cards for different communication purposes, then direct vendor communication is enabled, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication flexibilityVSAvoidSIM card management
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit is designed with multi-functionality to manage both network operator SIM card and device vendor-specific SIM card operations. It can selectively activate/deactivate SIM cards, switch between them, and coordinate their operations, thereby simplifying the user interface and management complexity despite having multiple SIM cards in the device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If a network operator SIM card remains active in a lost or stolen device, then the SIM card can be used for communication, but security is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveSIM card availabilityVSAvoiddevice security
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The device incorporates a security mechanism that allows the vendor to preliminarily establish control over the network operator SIM card through the vendor-specific SIM card. In case of loss or theft, the vendor can immediately remotely deactivate the network operator SIM card before it can be misused, preventing unauthorized communication while maintaining normal operation during legitimate use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2656596B1Device, method&computer program product
Publication Date: 2019.01.23 SONY MOBILE COMM AB
  • EP2656596B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2656596B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Device (10) comprising a communication network operator subscriber identity module (SIM) card (12) or a software-based network operator SIM (12) or means for receiving a communication network operator subscriber identity module (SIM) card (12). The device (10) also comprises a device vendor-specific subscriber identity module (SIM) card (16) or a software-based device vendor-specific SIM (16)and a control unit (20) arranged to connect said network operator SIM card (12) and/or said device vendor-specific SIM card (16) or said software-based device vendor-specific SIM (16) to a communication network.