Software SIM Profile Management via Broadcast Network
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pay-TV operators face challenges in obtaining set-top box status and viewing data due to the lack of a return path in traditional set-top boxes, and the high cost and unnecessary functionality of physical SIM cards used for mobile connectivity.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a SIM software application on set-top boxes that provides a secured software implementation of SIM card functionality, allowing pay-TV operators to provision mobile network operator (MNO) profiles using a broadcast network, eliminating the need for physical SIM cards and reducing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a physical SIM card is used in set-top boxes, then mobile network connectivity is achieved, but hardware costs and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the physical SIM card with a software-based SIM application that replicates the functionality of a physical SIM card. The SIM software application stores the same essential data (MNO profile, authentication credentials) and provides equivalent mobile network connectivity without requiring physical hardware, thereby reducing device complexity and hardware costs while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the mechanical/physical SIM card system with a software-based system. Instead of using a physical smart card that requires a card reader and has inherent hardware complexity, the solution uses a software application that runs on the set-top box's existing processor and memory, eliminating the need for additional physical components while achieving the same mobile network connectivity function
2Reliability
If a physical SIM card is used in set-top boxes, then mobile network connectivity is achieved, but deployment costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
By copying the SIM card's essential functionality into software, the patent eliminates the need to physically manufacture, distribute, and install SIM cards in each set-top box. The SIM software application can be distributed digitally and installed automatically, significantly reducing deployment costs associated with physical card handling, storage, and installation labor
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the essential SIM card functionality (authentication, network registration) from the physical SIM card hardware and isolates it as a software application. This extraction allows the set-top box to use its existing hardware resources (processor, memory) for SIM functionality, eliminating the need for dedicated SIM card slots, card readers, and associated hardware components, thereby reducing manufacturing and deployment costs
3Reliability
If MNO profiles are provisioned via mobile network, then SIM card activation is achieved, but return path dependency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by enabling the set-top box to receive MNO profiles through the broadcast network before mobile network connectivity is established. The SIM software application can be activated and configured using broadcast-delivered profiles, allowing the device to achieve mobile network connectivity without requiring an existing return path, thereby reducing dependency on communication path availability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the MNO profile provisioning system universal by supporting multiple delivery mechanisms. The SIM software application can receive profiles through the broadcast network (which always has a forward path) and can also support later updates via mobile network. This multi-functional approach eliminates dependency on a single communication path, allowing activation to proceed as long as broadcast reception is available
Data Source
AI summary
There is described a method, at a server system, of providing a mobile network operator (MNO) profile to a client device. The client device has a SIM software application stored thereon so as to provide the client device with a secured software implementation of SIM card functionality. The method comprises: (a) based on a unique identifier of the client device, identifying a unique key, KSIM, of the SIM software application stored on the client device; (b) based on an MNO associated with the client device, identifying an unused MNO profile associated with the MNO; (c) encrypting the identified MNO profile so as to provide an encrypted MNO profile, wherein the encrypting comprises encrypting at least part of the identified MNO profile using KSIM; (d) generating an MNO profile download message comprising the encrypted MNO profile and the unique identifier of the client device; and (e) broadcasting the MNO profile download message over a broadcast network so as to enable the client device to access the MNO profile download message. There is also described a related method at a client device, as well as related computer programs and computer-readable media.