Temporary SIM Certificate for Service Access After SIM Swap
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users traveling or visiting foreign countries face loss of access to services associated with their previous SIM card when replacing it with a local SIM, such as messaging and video calls, due to manufacturing costs, device form-factor limitations, and device support issues with dual-SIM slots or eSIM cards.
Innovation Solution
A temporary certificate is stored on the mobile device attesting to the continued ownership of a primary SIM card's communication identifier, allowing access to services even when the original SIM card is not available, by generating and verifying a temporary certificate using a remote server.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a user replaces their home SIM card with a local SIM card while traveling, then they can access local telecommunications services and reduce communication costs, but they lose access to services associated with their previous SIM card such as messaging and video call applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a digital copy of the SIM card's communication identifier (IMSI) and stores it in a secure element within the mobile device. This copy allows the device to maintain access to services associated with the home SIM card while physically using a different local SIM card for telecommunications connectivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a profile management system that acts as an intermediary between the SIM card, the mobile device, and the telecommunications network. This system manages multiple profiles including the home SIM profile and local SIM profile, enabling seamless switching and maintaining service access without requiring dual-SIM hardware.
2Reliability
If a device supports dual-SIM slots or eSIM cards to maintain access to previous SIM card services, then service continuity is improved, but manufacturing costs and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential identity information (IMSI) from the physical SIM card and stores it digitally in a secure element within the device. This eliminates the need for dual-SIM physical slots or eSIM hardware, reducing device complexity while maintaining service continuity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal profile management system that can handle multiple SIM profiles (both physical and virtual) through a single interface and management mechanism, allowing the device to support multiple carriers and services without requiring multiple dedicated SIM slots or complex eSIM infrastructure.
3Reliability
If a user keeps their home SIM card inserted while traveling, then they maintain access to all services, but they incur high international roaming charges and cannot use local telecommunications networks effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a digital replica of the home SIM card's identification data and stores it in the device's secure element. This allows the user to switch to a local SIM card for cost-effective local network access while the digital copy maintains service access for messaging and video calls, eliminating expensive roaming charges.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a dynamic profile management system that allows the user to switch between different SIM profiles based on location and service needs. The system can automatically or manually activate the appropriate profile (home or local) to optimize both service access and cost efficiency during travel.
Data Source
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AI summary
Implementations of the subject technology provide for storing a temporary certificate on a mobile device for accessing services in association with a primary number. A device determines that a first subscriber identity module (SIM) card, previously used by the device, is not available for use by the device. The device determines that a second SIM card is available for use by the first device within a predetermined time period after the first SIM card is determined to be not available for use by the device. The device confirms that a communication identifier of the first SIM card is strongly tied to a user account associated with the device. The device stores a temporary certificate that attests to continued ownership of the communication identifier by the device and allows the device to access at least one service in association with the communication identifier.