SIM Policy Activation Ticket for Mobile Device Provider Locks

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Mobile devices with service provider locks face revenue loss and logistical complexities for manufacturers due to compromised codes, and consumers desire flexibility in switching service providers.

Innovation Solution

A method for service provider activation in mobile devices involves a signing process that generates and verifies an activation ticket, incorporating device and SIM card information, to securely enable or disable network access based on valid subscriber accounts and SIM policies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a service provider lock is implemented in a mobile device, then the device is restricted to work with a particular service provider, but this results in revenue loss when codes are compromised and logistical complexity for manufacturers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice provider lock reliabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The service provider lock code is extracted from the device firmware and stored separately on the SIM card. This allows the device hardware to remain generic while the service provider-specific authentication data is isolated on removable SIM cards, reducing manufacturing complexity and inventory requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The mobile device is designed with universal compatibility to work with multiple service providers by accepting different SIM cards, each containing service provider-specific lock codes. This eliminates the need for manufacturers to create different device versions for different carriers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If a service provider lock is implemented in a mobile device, then the device is restricted to work with a particular service provider, but this results in revenue loss when codes are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice provider lock securityVSAvoidrevenue loss

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The service provider lock code is pre-loaded onto the SIM card during SIM card manufacturing rather than being embedded in the device. This preliminary action on the SIM card allows for easier updates and revocation of compromised codes without affecting the device hardware.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The SIM card acts as an intermediary between the device and the service provider network, containing the authentication code. This intermediary approach allows the service provider to remotely manage and update lock codes on SIM cards without requiring device recalls or hardware changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If a service provider lock is implemented in a mobile device, then the device is restricted to work with a particular service provider, but consumers desire flexibility in switching service providers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice provider lock enforcementVSAvoidservice provider switching flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The service provider lock is made dynamic by storing the lock code on the removable SIM card rather than in fixed device firmware. This allows the lock configuration to change easily when consumers insert different SIM cards, providing flexibility while maintaining security enforcement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The service provider lock parameter (the authentication code) is changed by simply replacing the SIM card containing a different code. This allows consumers to switch service providers by changing the SIM card parameter without modifying the device itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS8954113B2Service provider activation with subscriber identity module policy

Publication Date: 2015.02.10 APPLE INC

AI summary

Systems and methods for activating a mobile device for use with a service provider are described. In one exemplary method, a mobile device having a currently inserted SIM card may be prepared for activation using a signing process in which an activation server generates a signed activation ticket encoded with SIM policy data that corresponds to the combination of the device and one of a number of SIM cards belonging to a set of SIM cards defined by the SIM policy data. The activation ticket is securely stored on the mobile device. In another exemplary method the mobile device may be activated in an activation process in which the device verifies an activation ticket against information specific to the device and SIM card in accordance with the SIM policy in the activation ticket, and initiates activation when the verification of the activation ticket is successful.