SIM-Integrated Memory Card Adapter for Host Authentication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mobile devices often lack a separate SIM receptacle for content provider authentication, making it impractical to use a single SIM component for both network authentication and conditional access system (CAS) purposes, especially in devices without a SIM receptacle or requiring close cooperation between network operators and content providers.
Innovation Solution
A plug-in adapter that connects a host device to both a memory card and a SIM component, using circuitry to create a communication path between the host device and the SIM component via the memory card, allowing for SIM authentication and memory operations using existing memory card standards and protocols like SD and ISO 7816.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a separate SIM receptacle is used for content provider authentication, then device authentication capability is improved, but device structure complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the SIM component with the memory card into a single integrated unit. The SIM card is physically integrated with the memory card, allowing both authentication and storage functions to be performed through a single card slot, thereby eliminating the need for a separate SIM receptacle and reducing structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated SIM-memory card serves multiple functions: it provides network authentication through SIM functionality, content access control through CAS functionality, and data storage through memory card functionality. This multi-functional design allows a single component to replace what would traditionally require separate components.
2Device complexity
If a single SIM component is used for both network authentication and CAS purposes, then device simplicity is improved, but compatibility between network operators and content providers is required
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated card is functionally segmented into distinct components: a SIM portion for network authentication and a CAS portion for content access control. This segmentation allows different authentication protocols to operate independently within the same physical card, maintaining compatibility requirements while providing a unified interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated SIM-memory card acts as an intermediary that bridges network authentication and content access control functions. It mediates between the network operator's authentication requirements and the content provider's access control requirements, allowing both to function through a single interface.
3Device complexity
If devices without SIM receptacles are used, then device portability is improved, but SIM authentication functionality is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The memory card is designed to provide universal functionality by incorporating SIM authentication capabilities within the memory card itself. This allows devices that originally lacked SIM receptacles to gain SIM authentication functionality without adding separate hardware components, maintaining portability while enabling authentication.
Solution Approach 2:
The SIM functionality is merged into the memory card, creating a single integrated component that provides both storage and authentication capabilities. This merging eliminates the need for separate SIM receptacles in portable devices, maintaining device simplicity while restoring authentication functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for operating a host device includes inserting a plug-in adapter, having a subscriber identity module (SIM) component disposed thereon, into a host receptacle of the host device. A memory card is inserted into a memory receptacle on the plug-in adapter. After inserting the plug-in adapter and the memory card, communications are conveyed between the host device and the SIM component via the adapter and the memory card.