Multi-SIM Device Cryptographic Token Verification

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Solution Overview

Problem

The lack of standardization in multi-SIM capable mobile devices leads to operational inconsistencies and security vulnerabilities, as networks are unable to accurately identify and verify multiple SIM cards within a single device, making it difficult to manage subscriptions and potentially allowing rogue devices to deceive the network.

Innovation Solution

A method involving cryptographic tokens and keys is used to verify the presence and authenticity of multiple SIMs in a multi-SIM device, where tokens are derived and exchanged between the device and the network using unique cryptographic keys associated with each SIM, ensuring the network can unequivocally identify and verify the subscription information.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multi-SIM capable devices are deployed without standardized verification methods, then device versatility and user convenience are improved, but network security and subscription management reliability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemulti-SIM capabilityVSAvoidnetwork security

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The network performs preliminary verification of multi-SIM device authenticity before allowing simultaneous activation of multiple subscriptions. The verification procedure checks cryptographic relationships between SIM cards in advance, preventing rogue devices from deceiving the network while maintaining multi-SIM functionality for legitimate devices

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If multiple SIM cards are simultaneously activated in a single device, then user convenience is improved, but the ability to accurately identify and verify each SIM deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser convenienceVSAvoidSIM identification accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

A cryptographic verification mechanism acts as an intermediary between the network and multiple SIM cards. The procedure uses cryptographic keys and tokens to uniquely identify and verify each SIM card's presence and authenticity, enabling the network to distinguish between multiple SIMs in a device without compromising identification accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If cryptographic verification procedures are implemented for multi-SIM devices, then network security is improved, but procedural complexity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork securityVSAvoidverification procedure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The verification procedure leverages self-service capabilities by utilizing cryptographic keys and tokens that are already present in the SIM cards and device. The multi-SIM device itself performs the verification by providing cryptographic proofs of SIM card relationships, reducing the need for complex external verification infrastructure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS20220191696A1Methods and process of verifying multi-SIM device and subscription information

Publication Date: 2022.06.16 NEC CORP

AI summary

Provided is a user equipment (UE) including a first Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) and a second SIM, the UE is configured to receive, from a network node, a first token derived from a seed token using a first cryptographic key associated with the first SIM; derive a first third order token by encrypting the received first token using a second cryptographic key associated with the second SIM; and send the third order token to the network node.