Virtual SIM Data Download via Network Authentication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face inconvenience and risk with traditional SIM cards, such as loss, damage, and the need to carry them across different locations, along with potential contact errors that increase terminal size and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A mobile communication system that includes an authenticating server for user authentication and a service provider server for storing and transmitting SIM data, allowing a mobile terminal to download and manage SIM data without a physical SIM card, using authentication and network selection to replace the SIM card functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a physical SIM card is used for authentication and data storage, then user authentication and data storage functions are achieved, but the terminal size increases and contact errors may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the SIM card functionality from the terminal device by implementing authentication and data storage in the network infrastructure (authentication server and service provider server) rather than requiring a physical SIM card in the terminal. This eliminates the need for SIM card contact interfaces and reduces terminal structural complexity while maintaining authentication reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/electrical contact system of physical SIM cards with wireless communication and software-based authentication. The terminal communicates with network servers through wireless signals, eliminating the need for physical SIM card slots, contacts, and associated mechanical components, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining secure authentication.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a SIM card is carried for mobile communication access, then network access is enabled, but user convenience decreases due to risk of loss or damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the SIM card functionality through software implementation in the network infrastructure. Instead of requiring users to carry and manage a physical SIM card, the system uses electronic authentication credentials stored and managed on network servers, eliminating the risks of loss or damage while maintaining network access capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a universal authentication system where the network infrastructure serves multiple functions (authentication, authorization, data storage) that were previously distributed across physical SIM cards. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for users to carry separate SIM cards for different devices or purposes, improving convenience while maintaining adaptability.
3Reliability
If SIM card contact interface is included in terminal, then SIM card functionality is achieved, but terminal size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the SIM card contact interface from the terminal by extracting the authentication functionality to the network infrastructure. The terminal no longer requires physical SIM card slots, contacts, or associated mounting structures, thereby reducing terminal volume while maintaining authentication reliability through wireless communication with authentication servers.
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided are an apparatus and a method for downloading Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) data in a mobile communication system, which includes an authentication server that stores authentication information and a list of registered networks; a service provider server that stores SIM data and transmits the SIM data in response to a request for the SIM data; and a mobile communication terminal that receives user authentication from the authenticating server, checks the list of the networks, allows a network, which is to be accessed, to be selected from among the list of the networks, and accesses the service provider server in the selected network so as to download the SIM data.