SIM Card PIN Management for Multi-Application Activation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing complexity of managing multiple PINs for various applications and services in 5G networks, particularly for IoT and MTC devices, leads to a cumbersome and insecure process, as users need to remember and manage numerous PINs for different services and applications.
Innovation Solution
A mobile communication device with a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) that uses a single personal identification number (PIN) to automatically activate multiple applications, allowing central management and secure activation of services and applications, including those in 5G networks, through a processor and user interface, with the SIM-PIN serving as a master PIN for all secondary PINs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple separate PINs are used for different applications and services, then each application can be securely activated individually, but the complexity of managing and remembering numerous PINs increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple application-specific PINs into a single SIM card PIN. The SIM card stores multiple application identifiers and their corresponding PINs, allowing the user to manage all applications through one unified authentication mechanism rather than separate PINs for each application.
Solution Approach 2:
The SIM card is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as both the authentication credential and the storage medium for multiple application identifiers and PINs. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate authentication mechanisms for different applications.
2Reliability
If multiple separate PINs are used for different applications, then individual application security is maintained, but the time required to activate and switch between applications increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-stores multiple application identifiers and their corresponding PINs within the SIM card during initialization. When activation is needed, the system can quickly retrieve the required application identifier and PIN from the pre-configured storage without requiring external input or time-consuming authentication processes.
Solution Approach 2:
By merging the authentication and application selection processes into a single SIM card-based system, the patent enables simultaneous retrieval of both application identifier and authentication credential, eliminating sequential operations and reducing activation time.
3Ease of operation
If a single SIM-PIN is used to activate multiple applications, then PIN management complexity is reduced, but the ability to individually control and secure each application may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
While using a single SIM card for unified management, the patent segments the authentication process by maintaining distinct application identifiers and their associated PINs within the SIM card's storage. This allows the system to selectively authenticate and activate specific applications based on their individual security requirements while maintaining overall management simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The SIM card acts as an intermediary that bridges the user and multiple applications. It stores and manages multiple application-specific credentials internally, presenting a unified interface to the user while maintaining individual security boundaries for each application through its internal storage structure.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple PINs are managed manually by users, then individual application access control is possible, but user burden and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The SIM card provides self-service functionality by automatically storing, managing, and retrieving multiple application identifiers and PINs. The system can autonomously handle the complex tasks of credential management, authentication, and application activation without requiring manual user intervention for each operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The SIM card is designed as a universal credential that can authenticate and activate multiple different applications and services. This multi-functional approach allows a single device to replace multiple separate authentication mechanisms, simplifying user operations while maintaining versatile access control.
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile communication device executes a plurality of applications. Each application of the plurality of applications is configured to be activated via a respective application identification number. The mobile communication device comprises: a subscriber identity module, which is assigned a personal identification number; a user interface for receiving a user input of the personal identification number of the subscriber identity module; and a processor, configured to automatically activate at least one application of the plurality of applications via the at least one respective application identification number assigned to the at least one application in response to the user input of the personal identification number.