Virtual SIM Authentication for Mobile Terminals
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Solution Overview
Problem
International travelers face inconvenient and costly roaming charges due to limited, expensive, and difficult-to-change mobile service plans, as current mobile wireless technologies require physical SIM cards and multiple networks for authentication, leading to high charges for voice and data usage across different countries.
Innovation Solution
A mobile terminal with a single cellular modem capable of concurrent communication over two channels, utilizing a logic selector to authenticate a virtual SIM obtained from a SIM server, allowing seamless switching between native and virtual SIMs, and facilitating communication with multiple mobile service providers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If physical SIM cards are used for mobile network authentication, then network authentication and service access are enabled, but device complexity increases and ease of operation deteriorates due to the need for manual SIM card switching when traveling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the SIM card functionality through software implementation. The virtual SIM card replicates all authentication functions of a physical SIM card, including storing IMSI and authentication keys, while eliminating the need for physical card insertion and manual switching. Users can switch between different virtual SIM profiles through software, dramatically improving ease of operation while reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical SIM card system with an electronic/software-based system. Instead of using physical plastic cards that require manual insertion and ejection, the system uses digital authentication credentials stored in the device's memory or secure element, accessed and switched through software commands, thereby eliminating mechanical operations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple physical SIM cards are supported for international travel, then access to multiple mobile service providers is enabled, but device complexity increases due to requirements for multiple SIM slots and concurrent protocol stacks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal virtual SIM system that can load and activate different virtual SIM profiles corresponding to different mobile service providers. A single device with one physical SIM slot can access multiple networks by switching between virtual SIM profiles, making the device universally adaptable to different service providers without requiring multiple physical SIM slots or complex hardware configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functionality of multiple physical SIM cards into a single virtual SIM system. Instead of maintaining separate physical SIM slots for different carriers, the system combines multiple carrier profiles into one unified software-based authentication mechanism, reducing hardware complexity while maintaining adaptability to multiple service providers.
3Reliability
If roaming plans are used for international travel, then service continuity is maintained, but service cost increases due to high roaming charges
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic SIM selection system that allows users to switch between virtual SIM profiles based on location, service needs, and cost considerations. Instead of being locked into a single carrier's expensive roaming plans, users can dynamically select from multiple virtual SIM profiles corresponding to different local carriers in different countries, maintaining service continuity while optimizing costs by choosing the most economical option for each location.
Data Source
AI summary
According to a first aspect of the present disclosed subject matter, a mobile terminal comprises a single cellular modem having concurrent protocol stack that is capable of simultaneous communicating over two channels with at least one mobile network, a logic selector configured to pass authentication information of a SIM to the modem, wherein the SIM can be a physical SIM accommodated in a first slot (native SIM) or a virtual SIM. The terminal further comprises firmware retained in a non-transitory memory operative to cause the mobile terminal to obtain and authenticate the virtual SIM for communicating with the at least one mobile networks, wherein the virtual SIM is obtained from a SIM server connected to a SIM bank that comprises a plurality of SIM profiles.