Mobile Device SIM Data Storage via NFC and Card Reader Interfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing design of mobile devices requires physical space for a SIM card slot and attendant circuitry, which alters the form factor and creates structural issues due to the need for external access, necessitating a solution to store SIM data locally without the physical SIM card insertion.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a mobile device with a processor, network interface, and card reader interface that allows for SIM data synchronization from an external SIM data storage medium, such as through NFC, RFID, or a card reader adapter, to store SIM data locally, eliminating the need for a physical SIM card slot.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a physical SIM card slot and attendant circuitry are included in the mobile device, then the device can access subscriber networks using traditional SIM cards, but the device consumes additional physical space and suffers from structural issues due to external access requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the SIM card physical slot and attendant circuitry from the mobile device, retaining only the essential function of storing SIM data locally. The SIM card reader interface is removed, and only the data storage functionality remains integrated into the device memory, eliminating the need for physical SIM card insertion while preserving network access capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a copy of the SIM card data storage functionality by implementing local storage of SIM data (ICCID, IMSI, authentication information) in the device's memory. This digital copy replaces the physical SIM card, allowing the device to access subscriber networks using stored data without requiring the actual SIM card or its physical slot.
2Ease of operation
If a physical SIM card slot with external access is provided, then SIM cards can be easily inserted and removed, but the device form factor is altered and structural integrity is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The physical SIM card slot and external access mechanism are completely extracted from the device. The patent eliminates the need for mechanical insertion and removal operations by implementing wireless or card-reading interfaces that allow SIM data to be transferred without physical slot access, thereby preserving the device's form factor and structural integrity.
3Reliability
If an external SIM card holder and attendant circuitry are included, then the device can read SIM card contents, but additional physical space is consumed on the circuit board
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the SIM data storage functionality with the device's existing memory system. Instead of having separate circuitry for reading SIM cards, the SIM data (authentication information, IMSI, ICCID) is stored directly in the device's memory, combining multiple functions into a single integrated storage solution that consumes minimal circuit board space.
Solution Approach 2:
The dedicated SIM card reading circuitry is extracted and replaced with a card reader interface that can receive SIM data from external sources. The physical reading mechanism is removed, and only the essential data reception and storage functionality remains, significantly reducing the area required on the circuit board.
Data Source
AI summary
A system, device and method for linking SIM data to a mobile device is provided. The system, device and method provide for receiving the SIM data from a source external to the mobile device. Utilizing an NFC interface, the mobile device is capable of receiving the SIM data from an NFC tag embedded within a card, where the NFC tag stores the SIM data. In another embodiment, utilizing an adapter configured for reading the SIM data, the mobile device is configured to receive the SIM data from the adapter over a common interface between the mobile device and the adapter. In yet another embodiment, utilizing an image sensor, the mobile device is configured for receiving the SIM data upon scanning a code.