Portable Access Device Dynamic SIM Credential Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users face high roaming charges and inconvenience when accessing mobile services in areas without direct coverage from their home network, as they need to purchase and manually switch to local SIM cards, which is costly and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A Portable Access Device with dual communication modules and a Management Server that dynamically assigns user credentials, allowing seamless switching between networks and tethering internet connections to other devices, using a valid SIM card and virtual SIM cards stored in a remote management system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If users manually purchase and switch to local SIM cards when traveling abroad, then roaming service costs are reduced, but user convenience and operational simplicity deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveroaming service costVSAvoiduser convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically performs SIM card selection and switching based on location and service quality, eliminating the need for manual user intervention. The portable access device autonomously manages credential updates by communicating with the remote management system, allowing users to benefit from cost-effective local networks without the burden of manual SIM card handling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adapts to changing network conditions by automatically updating SIM card credentials based on real-time location and service quality assessments. The portable access device transitions between different network credentials seamlessly, maintaining optimal connectivity without requiring static pre-configuration of multiple SIM cards by the user.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If users carry multiple physical SIM cards for different regions, then access to local networks is improved, but device complexity and portability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork access capabilityVSAvoiddevice portability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses a single physical SIM card in the portable access device but dynamically copies or emulates different network credentials by communicating with the remote management system. The device obtains virtual SIM card information or authentication credentials remotely, eliminating the need for multiple physical SIM cards while maintaining the ability to access different local networks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

A single portable access device performs multiple functions by dynamically switching between different network credentials. The device can access various local networks across different regions using one physical SIM card, as the system remotely provisioned credentials enable universal network compatibility without requiring separate SIM cards for each network.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If automatic SIM card updating systems are implemented, then user convenience is improved, but system complexity and security requirements worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic credential updatingVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A remote management system acts as an intermediary between the portable access device and multiple network operators. This centralized intermediary handles the complexity of credential management, security protocols, and authentication processes, while the portable access device maintains relative simplicity by only needing to communicate with this single trusted intermediary for automatic SIM card updates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Loss of energy

If dynamic credential assignment is used, then roaming costs are reduced, but network security requirements worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveroaming service costVSAvoidnetwork security

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements a feedback mechanism where the portable access device continuously monitors its location and network conditions, then communicates with the remote management system to receive appropriate SIM card credential updates. This closed-loop feedback ensures that credential changes are triggered only by legitimate location-based events, maintaining security while enabling cost-effective roaming through dynamic credential assignment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS9426658B2Method of and system for data access over dual data channels with dynamic SIM credential

Publication Date: 2016.08.23 SYNIVERSE COMM LLC

AI summary

A method and apparatus provide access to communication services using dynamically assigned user credentials. The method includes establishing a communication connection with a first communication network (such as GSM, UMTS, CDMA, or LTE networks) using a real user credential (e.g., a SIM, a USIM, or an R-UIM card or certificates) in a first communication module, utilizing the first communication connection to request the dynamically assigned user credential from a remote management system, and registering a second communication module into the second communication network. The second communication connection is then tethered to allow other devices to access the Internet or other network.