Soft SIM Authentication for Mobile Device Registration

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing SIM card technology ties users to a specific service provider, limits flexibility in wireless communications services, and imposes constraints on service providers for extending services to existing customers, while also being expensive to manufacture and having limited data storage capacity.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a 'soft SIM' system, which provides a read-only encrypted image of a physical SIM card and a secure module on the mobile device, allowing multiple SIM associations with different service providers and enabling data updates over wireless connections, using a unique device identifier like IMEI for authentication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If physical SIM cards are used for authentication, then device identification and service provider tying is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases and data storage capacity is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice authenticationVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces physical SIM cards with virtual SIM card images stored in device memory. The virtual SIM card contains the same authentication data (IMSI, authentication keys) as a physical SIM card but exists as a digital copy, eliminating manufacturing costs while maintaining authentication reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes the mechanical/physical SIM card system with a software-based virtual SIM card system. Instead of using physical plastic cards with contact interfaces, the system uses digital representations stored in memory, replacing mechanical components with software equivalents

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If physical SIM cards are used for authentication, then user identification is achieved, but device space is substantially occupied

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser authenticationVSAvoiddevice space

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a virtual copy of the SIM card in digital form, storing only the necessary authentication data in memory rather than requiring a physical card. This digital representation occupies minimal space compared to the physical SIM card and its reader hardware

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts only the essential authentication data from the physical SIM card concept, separating it from the physical form factor. The virtual SIM card contains only the necessary identification and authentication information without the physical substrate, reducing space requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Quantity of substance

If SIM cards are used with limited storage capacity, then basic authentication data is stored, but amount of data that can be stored is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata storage capacityVSAvoidservice flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The virtual SIM card system can store multiple service profiles and authentication data sets within the same device memory space. The system can accommodate different service types, multiple numbers, and additional data without being constrained by physical SIM card storage limitations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from the two-dimensional constraint of physical SIM card storage to the virtually unlimited three-dimensional space of device memory. This allows for significantly expanded data storage capacity while maintaining the authentication functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Adaptability or versatility

If users need multiple phone numbers, then service versatility is improved, but multiple physical SIM cards or devices are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemultiple phone numbersVSAvoidnumber of SIM cards or devices

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple SIM card functionalities into a single device by storing multiple virtual SIM card images in device memory. The system can switch between different virtual SIM cards software-wise, combining what would traditionally require multiple physical cards or devices into one unified system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The virtual SIM card system provides multi-functionality by enabling a single device to accommodate multiple phone numbers and service profiles. The device can function as multiple different SIM-based devices depending on which virtual SIM card is activated

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS9210573B2Method and apparatus for registering a computing device with a service provider

Publication Date: 2015.12.08 INFOSYS LTD

AI summary

A method and apparatus for providing authentication of a computing device with a communications service. A subscriber identity module image is transmitted to the device and stored in a general memory of the device and soft SIM data. A secure module on the device permits access to the soft SIM data. The Soft SIM data is registered with the service provider in association with a unique identification of the device. The soft SIM data has a one to one relationship with the device. A device can have many instances of soft SIM data.