Subscriber Identity Module Remote Personalization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for subscriber identity module (SIM) personalization in communication networks require pre-personalization with subscriber identity data, leading to unnecessary costs and logistical challenges, especially with the increasing miniaturization of devices and the need for worldwide use, where devices are often equipped with initial subscriber identity data regardless of actual usage.
Innovation Solution
A method that allows unpersonalized SIMs to indicate their status during network authentication, enabling remote personalization upon first use, using a location update request with a property indicating the absence of subscriber identity data, and subsequently receiving and storing this data securely within the SIM, allowing limited access and reducing initial equipment costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If subscriber identity modules are pre-personalized with subscriber identity data during manufacture, then authentication and identification in communication networks is enabled, but unnecessary costs arise for the period in which the subscriber identity data is unused and production delays occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-loading a placeholder or temporary subscriber identity data set during SIM manufacturing that enables basic network registration. This allows the SIM to be deployed immediately without waiting for final personalization, while the placeholder data maintains authentication functionality. The actual subscriber-specific data is then loaded remotely after deployment, eliminating production delays while ensuring reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the personalization step from the manufacturing process and moves it to a post-deployment remote operation. By separating the core SIM functionality from the subscriber-specific data loading, the system allows manufacturing to complete without waiting for final personalization, reducing production time while maintaining authentication capability through the extracted and deferred personalization step.
2Reliability
If subscriber identity modules are pre-personalized with subscriber identity data, then network authentication is possible, but operator costs increase for maintaining and handling this data before use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the subscriber identity data loading operation from the pre-deployment phase and relocates it to post-deployment remote provisioning. This extraction eliminates the need for operators to maintain and handle subscriber data before it is actually needed, reducing operational costs while preserving authentication capability through deferred data loading.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service by allowing SIM cards to be manufactured and deployed in a generic state, with automatic remote personalization triggered upon first network registration. This eliminates manual operator intervention for data loading and reduces the burden of maintaining unused subscriber data, as the system automatically provisions data only when needed.
3Volume of moving object
If subscriber identity modules are miniaturized and hardwired into terminals, then space in the end device is reduced, but the modules must be personalized before introduction to meet network requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by loading a generic or placeholder subscriber identity data set during SIM manufacturing that enables basic network registration. This allows miniaturized hardwired SIMs to be installed in terminals during production without requiring final subscriber-specific personalization at that time, facilitating easier manufacturing while maintaining the ability to authenticate.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamics by making the SIM personalization state changeable after deployment. The SIM transitions from a generic pre-loaded state during manufacturing to a finalized personalized state after remote data loading. This dynamic approach allows the SIM to be manufactured in a flexible, unpersonalized state that can adapt to different subscribers post-deployment, easing manufacturing constraints.
4Adaptability or versatility
If devices are equipped with initial subscriber identity data regardless of actual usage, then worldwide use and flexibility are enabled, but immense costs arise for roaming agreements and data management
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by creating a generic SIM configuration that can operate in multiple networks without being tied to a specific operator's subscriber data. The SIM is manufactured with universal placeholder data that enables basic network registration across different operators, and the actual subscriber data is loaded remotely based on the specific network and subscriber needs, reducing roaming costs while maintaining worldwide usability.
Data Source
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AI summary
The method involves sending a request to a communication system (3) for the authentication of a subscriber identity module (2) at communication system. The subscriber identity data in the subscriber identity module is received by the communication system for the use of services in communication system. The request is provided with property of the subscriber identity module. The property is set to indicate the communication system that the subscriber identity module without the subscriber identity data is provided for authentication at communication system. An independent claim is included for a subscriber identity module for use in communication system.