Virtual SIM Cloud Authentication for Mobile Terminals

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing machine-card-separated type mobile terminals with physical SIM cards face issues such as increased cost and thickness due to the SIM card slot, potential damage from mechanical connectors, and the need for users to purchase new SIM cards for different operators, which is inconvenient and wasteful.

Innovation Solution

A virtual SIM card system where the mobile terminal connects to a cloud service terminal via a wireless network for authentication, eliminating the need for a physical SIM card slot and allowing users to select operators online, with authentication performed using a predefined algorithm and user credentials.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a physical SIM card slot is designed in the mobile terminal, then the SIM card can be installed and authentication can be performed, but the cost increases and the mobile terminal becomes thicker

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauthentication capabilityVSAvoidmobile terminal thickness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the SIM card slot and mechanical connector from the mobile terminal, moving the authentication functionality to a remote server. The mobile terminal only retains the authentication algorithm and interface, while the actual authentication data and verification process are performed externally, eliminating the physical SIM card infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces the mechanical SIM card slot and connector system with an electronic/software-based authentication system. Instead of physical insertion and mechanical connection, the terminal uses software interfaces and cryptographic algorithms to perform authentication, substituting mechanical components with electronic processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If a mechanical connector is used to connect the SIM card and card slot, then the SIM card can be physically connected, but the card slot may be damaged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidcard slot damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention completely eliminates the mechanical connector and SIM card slot by moving authentication to a remote server. The connection between the terminal and authentication system is established through wireless communication protocols rather than physical connectors, removing the source of mechanical damage entirely.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of manufacture

If physical SIM cards are produced by multiple manufacturers, then manufacturing flexibility is improved, but the risk of SIM card copying and security breaches increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveSIM card manufacturing flexibilityVSAvoidsubscriber information security

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the authentication data and verification capability from the physical SIM card and concentrates them in a remote server. The terminal stores only authentication algorithms and interfaces, while the actual authentication credentials reside securely on the server, eliminating the security vulnerabilities of distributed SIM cards.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces a remote server as an intermediary between the terminal and the authentication system. This intermediary centralizes the security management, acting as a trusted mediator that verifies terminal identities without requiring sensitive authentication data to be stored in the terminal itself, thus enhancing security while maintaining manufacturing flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Adaptability or versatility

If users need to purchase new SIM cards for different operators, then operator-specific network access is enabled, but user convenience decreases and resources are wasted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperator network access capabilityVSAvoiduser convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention creates a universal authentication system where a single terminal with the authentication algorithm can access multiple operator networks. The remote server handles operator-specific authentication, allowing the terminal to work with different operators without requiring physical SIM card changes, thus achieving multi-functionality and user convenience.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2854433B1Method, system and related device for realizing virtual SIM card

Publication Date: 2018.10.31 ZTE CORP

Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4

AI summary

Provided are a method, system and relevant device for realizing a virtual SIM card. The method includes steps of: when a mobile terminal requests to access a communication network, connecting to a cloud service terminal through a wireless network; after the mobile terminal receives an authentication request sent by the communication network, requesting the cloud service terminal to perform authentication calculation and feeding an authentication result obtained by the authentication calculation back to the mobile terminal; and the mobile terminal sending the received authentication result to the communication network. The solution realizes a mobile terminal with a virtual SIM through a cloud service, and on the basis of inheriting the security of a physical SIM card, not only the production and mounting costs of a SIM card slot are reduced, but also the mobile terminal is allowed to be lighter, thinner and more portable.