MasterSIM Personalization for Multi-Device SIM Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for starting up and personalizing Subscriber Identity Modules (SIMs) are complex and inconvenient, requiring multiple SIM cards for different devices and relying solely on mobile network operators for SIM card issuance, leading to inefficiencies in administration and use.

Innovation Solution

A method where a personalized MasterSIM is used to authenticate and personalize additional non-personalized SIMs by transmitting and storing unique subscriber identification data, allowing the MasterSIM to serve as a template for future authentications and duplications, with enhanced security measures to prevent misuse.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple SIM cards are issued for different devices, then each device can be independently identified and managed, but the complexity of administration and the number of SIM cards required increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice identificationVSAvoidSIM card management
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the SIM card management function into a master SIM card that stores personalized data records and multiple child SIM cards that are personalized from the master. This segmentation allows one master SIM to serve multiple devices while maintaining independent identification for each device through its own child SIM card.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses copying by creating multiple child SIM cards from a single master SIM card. The master SIM contains personalized data records that can be copied to multiple child SIMs, reducing the need for separate SIM cards for each device while maintaining device-specific identification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Reliability

If SIM cards are personalized individually by mobile network operators, then secure user identification is achieved, but the effort and expense of issuing new SIM cards increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser identification securityVSAvoidSIM card issuance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The master SIM card is pre-personalized with a unique identification and personalized data records before being used to create child SIM cards. This preliminary personalization allows secure user identification to be established once, and then multiple child SIMs can be efficiently created without requiring separate operator intervention for each device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service by allowing the master SIM card to automatically personalize multiple child SIM cards without requiring continuous intervention from mobile network operators. The master SIM contains the capability to create and manage multiple child SIMs, reducing operator effort and expense.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If a single SIM card is used for multiple devices, then SIM card management is simplified, but the ability to securely identify and bill each user decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveSIM card managementVSAvoiduser identification
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the identification function by creating separate child SIM cards for each device while maintaining a single master SIM card for management. Each child SIM card contains device-specific identification data, enabling secure user identification for billing while simplifying management through the single master SIM.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The master SIM card serves multiple functions: it acts as the primary identification for the user, stores personalized data records, and enables the creation of multiple child SIM cards for different devices. This multi-functionality allows a single SIM card system to manage multiple devices while maintaining secure user identification.

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

Data Source

PatentEP2281404B1Personalizing a first sim using a unique personalized master sim
Publication Date: 2018.04.11 DEUTSCHE TELEKOM AG
  • EP2281404B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

Method for starting up and personalising a further second non-personalised identification module (VSIM), in particular for operation of a mobile radio terminal, wherein a first identification module MasterSIM (MSIM) containing a personalised user data set is present, characterised in that an authentication and/or checking of the second identification module (VSIM) is carried out and the user data set for storage on the second identification module (VSIM) for personalising the second identification module (VSIM) is read from the MasterSIM (MSIM), transmitted to the second identification module (VSIM) and stored therein, in particular containing one or more unique definitive user identification (IMSI).